The road ahead

Stricken with the flu over the weekend. I was unable to attend the puck drop on the pre post season.  I hear, and see, as reflected in the scores that once again Cleveland  put together some very solid teams, and for a seemingly 3rd year in a row, Sylvania.  We are again seeing a nice spike, that was anticipated, in the depth of the 96's.  Which is mirroring past cycles of about 3-4 years. It should be a good pre-post season.

We still need our states HS coach to band together and make a stand at the state level.  Fixing the hockey model.  Where it is imperative there be establish two division and two titles.  As well as rule changes and clarifications.  We have some serious officiating issues, those being directly related to the fact that Ohio has elite level players.  Who just because they skate faster, are far more advanced, are better along in fitness levels, hit harder.  Hitting hard is NOT a penalty.  Hitting a player with in moments after he dishes the puck is not a penalty ( and  if his head snaps and hits the player its NOT CONTACT TO THE HEAD, one could well argue that, that is a head butt).  The next issue no one is going to like, its a third rail, but here goes.  Fighting, needs to be allowed.  Why?  Fighting prevents injuries, and in no way am I referring to the inglorious pre scripted bouts that are abound in Jr hockey and pro, just the in the moment bouts that come from cheap as hell play and stick work.  I am seeing way way way more nasty uses of the stick than ever before, cross checks to the back of the head and  a good fight will for most of these players  be an abrupt end to the issue.  The issue being those who are hacking away at ankles, and legs, or spearing and butt ending will learn quickly just how intolerable their seedy dirty play is, head on, toe to toe.  The Rule on fighting should be... 1. first offense in a game a 5 min roughing.  2. Second offense in a game 2 and 10min roughing and 3 3rd offense delay of game, 2 min, 10 fighting major and game misconduct and ejection.
Next its on the docket that the NCAA will be going to visors.  HS hockey should mirror this move, for all the same reasons.

Aside from another season of more of the same, and living under  state set of guidelines for a sport that is not run by hockey minded people, we will have a good season and make due.  I will make one preseason prediction right now.  That being, that this years state champion will be from Cleveland, and will be a public school.  Even with Ignatius on the war path, and the St Johns day schoolers at their best.

As I was looking over the protected lists from the various Jr hockey leagues this weekend a few things jumped out.  One, lots of Ohio players and Ohio HS in particular have made the leap, far more than in years passed.  This is a statement to the hockey world that Ohio HS and its broad scope of modern coaches are developing talent, but more so still, that the teams are not just watching, they are seeing the same.  That two, and we see this written all the time.  There are good Jr hockey leagues and bad, and that you can not advance if your not playing.  Case and point the NA3HL.  The NA3HL, which has special provisional tenders with he NAHL, that do not count against the 9 tenders each team posses out right at the start of each season, had only 2 players matriculate to the NAHL this season.  The EXACT same number of Ohio HS players.  So its a nasty double edged sword, but one where the player is left wielding the blade.  Work hard and you can advance from anywhere, but its far better to start some where, and to do so you only need to look a franchises- coaches-leagues track record of historical placements.

Ohio's early spotlight players coming in the next submission.

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.

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

Sylvania Northview Goalie goes undercontact with Laconia

Photo Credit AndyMorrison-Toledo Blade

Austin Gryca signs with Laconia Leafs

Over the last four season of Ohio High School there have been many constants.  One has been Sylvania Northview goalie Austin Gryca, #30.   Austin took the Ohio hockey scene by storm, and did what he said he would do.  "Help Northview win their first State Championship."  Year one the Wildcats fell in the district finals.  Year Two his sophomore campaign the Wildcats, oddly fell to Wildcats.  The St. Ignatius Wildcats in the Championship, which as a loss is still arguably one of his best individual performances.  In his third season the Wildcats lost to Toledo St. Francis, in the one game they needed to win, as they had been the only team all that season, that had been able to beat the Knights (2010-2011 State champions).  It came to year four, his Sr campaign where he and Phil Bowels combined into the best goalie tandem in state history.  Most people, myself included don't go for tandems, especially with a season as short as the Ohio season.  Mike Jones head coach of the Wildcats does it his way. When he saw this capable pair, instead of riding one horse, he lashed them both to a chariot and rode them in race that would make Spartacus proud.

As the numbers go advancement to Jr hockey is hard enough.  Then add in the exponential goalie factor where any given team carries  two to three and your dealing with far fewer teams at every higher level., and each and every spot is highly coveted. The Laconia Leafs and the AJHL have been producing and taken part in devleoping NCAA National Champions, Major Jr Memorical Cup winners and NHL players.  The Leafs are a proud team with a rich hockey tradition just added an Ohio High School State Champion, who once again is a rookie in the hockey life cycle. 

Last year the AJHL-MJHL combined for for nearly 100 NCAA D1 and D3 varsity commitments, and just over 10 players being selected to play in the CHL. 

Good things brewing Ohio HS alumni

Rising offensive d-man star Connor Frey has his game face on these days.   The Amarillo Bulls tender.  A Toledo St. Francis 2010-2011 Ohio HS Champion/Team Toledo veteran  is training hard with Mike Mankowski and Dan Jones. Frey is chomping at the bit ready to take his place among the Bull's elite, and dominate the Jr level in preparation for a stellar NCAA career.

Sylvania Northview-Team Toledo veteran, Nolan Culver a veteran of both USHL and NAHL is slated to play this season with the K-Wings of the NAHL. Culver is an exceptionally smart and shifty center, and he too is maintaining his training and development regimen with Mike Mankowski. In anticipation of a highly competitive season in the  hotly contested NAHL North division.

Ben Torchia, FWD Toledo St. Francis-Team Toledo looks to be launching his Jr years in the AJHL as well.  Torchia again can be found training along side long time teammates Culver, Frey, Schmidt( Team Toledo- DesMoines USHL- Ferris State), Rodebusch with Mike Mankowski at Sylvania Tamoshanter, as he gets ready to head off to Laconia NH

Dalton Carter Sylvania Northview 2012 graduate, and Captain of the Wildcats first ever state title team.   Finds himself reunited with former teammates, and competition as he breaks in tot the Jr ranks.  Dalton who amassed 33 goals, and 29 assists in 35 games and was named with Honorable Mention-2010 & 2011
2012 1st team and 2012 Player of the year finds himself at the bottom of the barrel so to speak.  A rookie in the NAHL with Kalamazoo.   He finds himself with Nolan Culver (Sylvania Northview 2011) Matt Wurst Toledo St. Johns 2010 and St Ignatius 2012 graduate Patrick Spellacy.

Patric Spellacy St Ignatius a four year varsity player for the Wildcats and all time record holder in PTS, Goals, Assists and Goals in one game.  Has broken in to the Jr Ranks.  Drafted by Kalamazoo in the 5th round and 98th overall. 

Jacob Green #71 D man out of Olentangy Oranges Pioneers , a state semi final team has elected to join the Jr Jacks NA3HL out of Cleveland Ohio, (Generally as a matter of priniciple) I'll avoid mentioning NA3 matriculation as the league is very hit or miss.  Cleveland is  hit where players grow.

Zach Felser one of the shiftiest handiest players around is joining Bell Tire AAA MM for the 2012-13 season.  A far as centers go with playmaking ability Z is outstanding.

Nathan Gay, BGSH's big goalie and the key net minder of the Sylvania Maple Leafs Tier II Midget Major USA hockey Championship National Runners up has pulled the trigger.  Nate is off the well acclaimed MJHL andTwin City Northerlights.  The MJHL averages 4-6 NCAA D1 commitments annually and a majority of players matriculate to the various CJHL clubs, EJHL, NAHL and USHL every year.

Layne Martin, Findlay Trojan 2011/ Team Toledo was tendered by NAHL expansion team the SOO.  Layne has his NAHL sight set high and is hopeful in pursuing NCAA D1 Alaska.  With his speed, quick shots and two way play it does not take much imagination to see that happening.

Austin Gryca, Sylvania Northviews goalie of record has signed with the Laconia Leafs.  see article.

Tyler DeWitt Sylvania Northview 2013, has made some large strides in his quest to reach Jr's and NCAA play.  Tyler who with out question is the most physical D-man in the area stretched and tested himself in AAA, USHL, and first contact hockey camps this summer.  Easily bringing the heaviest hits, he put up good numbers, and his fight card reads like that of a golden gloves champion.  Entering his Sr and final season at Sylvania Northview Tyler is makes the case for being a corner stone in Defensive Corps and with his unmatchable off ice condition regimen is leading by example.

This completes the Jr round up.  We wish all the above players the best, as they strive to active their goals.


You may have noticed the names Mike Mankowski and Dan Jones above.  This is not by coincidence.  In the following weeks I hope to have a nice piece outlining exactly what this training regimen is all about.  I may just get fancy and add a video to it as well. Update Nate Gay BOwlibg Green High School and Sylvaina Maple Leafs Tier II national runner up goalie is Likely in with Port Huron or Amarillo

Living the Dream, can not not post this one.

Sylvania National Runners Up

The Sylvania Maple Leafs, u18 Tier 2 National Championship run came to a 2-1 3 over time end.  The Sylvania Pre-Post team had loged some 17 pre High School and post HS season games.  The result is a testimony to the quality players that are emerging from the Ohio HS system.
Goalie Nate Gay one of the Top 3 Goalies from Ohio this year, had an amazing run at Nationals.  Nate played 282 Min over 5 games (17 min periods).  Faced 163 shots and turned away 157.  That is over 50 more saves, the 2nd ranked goalie.  Nate had a save percentage of .963 allowing only 6 goals.

 Other Sylvania key stats:
Andy Martin 9 pts, 4 G 5 a
Matt Opblinger 7 pts 2g 5 a
Josh Eubank 7 pts 1g 6a
Reid Mankowski 6pts 4g 2a
Dalton Carter 4pts 3g 1a
Reid Kersey 4pts 2g 2a
Josh Cline 3pts 3g
Zach Felser 3pts 2g 1a
Spencer Calcamuggio 3pts 1g 2a
Matt Young 2pts 1g 1a
Ryan Rapp 2pts 1g 1a
Brady Storer 1pt 1 g
Brent Easton 1pt 1a
Dominick Horvath 1pt 1a
Kyle Kuhr 1pt 1a

The defensive core of Sylvania was exceptionally strong the whole tournament.  Players Storer, Easton, Omey, Rapp, Horvath were essential in the numerous Penalty Kill situations the Leafs faced.  Storer generated some great offensive opportunities and scored a key game winner.

It is safe to assume that had these players been unhindered by oppressive out dated state rules that prohibited players from being  on HS teams at the same time as travel teams.  This Leaf squad would have likely won it all, very handily.  Some serious changes need to take place at the state level, here in Ohio.  Some real hockey representation at the OHSAA, and some competitive balance issue need to be handled.