Thursday, August 23, 2012

Laconia Leafs sign forward Ben Torchia

Ben Torchia pictured above has signed his contract to play his first year of Jr's with the Laconia Leafs AJHL.  The August 26th 1993 forward stands 5-10 and is 165lbs.  Playing last year for Detroit Bell Tire. Torchia appeared in 39 games, scored 11 goals and had 15 assists with 28 PIM.  Torchia's speed, stature and fearless style of play are just a natural fit for the east coast game, and any number of Atlantic, ECAC or Hockey East schools.

Ben is noted as being a tenacious two way forward, hard on both the fore and back check.  Having good velocity and the ability to hit like a freight train.  His nose for the net and vision make him a very powerful offensive weapon.  Ben's noted for having been highly sought after by OHL clubs following his 2006/2007 season with Victory Honda, where he put up 33points in 31 games and then later made his first appearance the at theUSA Festival.  Playing in the EJHL New Jersey hit men's tryout Ben amassed 9 points, 6 goals and 3 assists, in just 4 games. ( a natural hat trick  in one game)





By the standards of some Torchia fell off the main stream radar, when elected to join up with his long time friends at the Toledo Ice House playing for the Toledo Cherokee-Team Toledo.  Where he helped played in one of the most exciting midget Major Tier II games, or any hockey game for that matter ever.  The 5 overtime epic semi final in the 2011 Tier II nationals vs Team Cleveland.  ( look for it in the fast hockey archives)  As well as taking the Ohio High School scene by storm with Toledo St. Francis where Ben was a key component in leading the Knights to their schools first Ohio State High School Championship in 2011.  Ben joins Austin Gryca, another former Team Toledo teammate, Sylvania Northview's 4 year starter and 2012 Ohio State High School Championship winning goalie in Laconia.  Both have traded in their veteran cards from the Ohio circuit for Jr rookie cards, and the hopes of aiding new teammates and friends to other Championships.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

August 22nd

Today is one of those days.  The days have become noticeably shorter, the evenings a tad bit cooler, which make us sit that much closer to the fire.  That cool relaxing feeling is however all ways intruded upon by the remembered sounds of skates carving ice, the crack as stick meets rubber and that glorious thud as rubber meets pad.  Ah yes, even the rank stench of gear so funky its not allowed in the home.

We are here my friends, we are here.  The leading edge of the 2012-2013 hockey season.  As I type Conor Frey is in Amarillo sweating and puking his guts out as Williams smiles and hollers for more.  As Culver, Carter, Spellacy and Wurst load their cars to make the 2.5 hr drive to Kalamazoo.  As Martin leaves us trolls behind for the Soo and as Gryca and Torchia make their way to Laconia just as others like Zach Felser are playing a final season of AAA midget major.  We are here, the beginning.

This is also the beginning of the Pre/Post HS season.  This weekend Aug 24-26 will find the Ohio teams at Gilmour Academy.  Sylvania is home to one 18U and two 16u teams.  Its going to be interesting to see how these players and teams develop, and where they stand to start the season.  This will also give us a chance to gauge where various teams and schools will stand across the state.

Ohio High School Hockey developing players