Ohio HS hockey- The red headed step child with a nub for an arm

On Aug 8th the Ohio High School Athletic Association met and via their pure asinine methodology of determining state wide championships.  Has in all their great wisdom again chosen to maintain that all 82 teams playing ice hockey are of equal caliber and that all 82 will battle for one, single state championship.
What a joke.  When will the hockey people of Ohio take action?  This governing body is NOT the right fit.  The member schools need to individually maintain the Varsity heading for their programs and leave this backward ass organization behind. 

Reality check.  There are 82 member teams.  That play at 3 very distinctive competitive levels.  It is not excusable that at this juncture there are not at least 2 levels of play.   More over it is really time for the state to adopt a model that allows double rostering.  Those players who so choose should be allowed to play for their HS and for a more elite Midget program.  The HS games simple are moved to Tuesdays and Wed or Wed and thur.  While the MM or Mm games remain contested F, S,S.

It is likely nothing will materialize to facilitate the above changes.  What is likely is that the top organizations  could easily withdraw for OHSAA and form an Ohio Eliet league to replace.  As it stands there are 3 teams allready in existance, Team Cleveland, Team Ohio and the Sylvania North Stars ( formerly Maple Leafs).  Whats to say these organizations could not organize a meeting, with the Cleveland Barrons, Cleveland Aliance, Columbus Blue Jacket AAA and Queen City ( which has AAA at the 16u level now, it is a stretch but not a long one to add the Toledo Cherokee to the list either.    That is not a bad start it takes no stretch of the imagination to see this coming together as a fantastic league, with in Tier1 hockey.  Teams that would up the ante for the state of Ohio.  Up the bar for youth programs/players even coaching. 


Its just time to think out side of the Ohsaa box.  Which is far to limiting, for no good reasoning.

Where are they now?

Patrick Spellacy-NAHL KWings has left jr hockey.  He will be joining Liam Geither,  at Ohio U. Patrick has played 2 games with 1g and 1 a.  Geither has played 5 games and has 1 g and 1a

Matt Wurst- NAHL K- WIngs the D man has aged out of Jrs and of his NCAA division 3 options has elected to UW River Falls in the newly established and budget friendly WIAC conference of all WI schools.  Should be great for rivalries.

Dalton Carter is slated to return to the Northern Cyclones of the EHL, where he will be joined by former Sylvania Northview team mate F Drew Crandal.

 Zach Felser who played for Bell Tire last season and is another Sylvania Northview graduate and 2011-12 Ohio State Championship team member.  Is joined by former Toledo St. Johns stand out Austin Kelly, and former Cleveland Blue Jackets- barons Standout and former Amarillo Bull Jude Warner.  One can only wonder how long it will be until current Bull, and D stand out Connor Frey joins their numbers, maybe Culver's younger brother Lars who is playing for the Barrons and aggressively increasing his brand hops over.  

Nathan Opblinger is returning to the Leamington Flyers, Nathan was Toledo St. Francis- Team Toledo veteran who holds a ST. Francis OHSAA title.  He is returning with Aystin Rodibusch the Whitmer Goalie and Team Toledo vet.  They are being joined by long time team Toledo team mate Graham Kelsey.  Kelsey has been attending the university of Toledo up till now and coaching travel hockey and is known for excellent d positioning play.

Clay Terrill of the Troy Trojans, who is accredited with over 110 pts in his Freshman and Sophomore seasons has found his way to Minnesota this year.  He will be playing for the Owls, the Minny JR Hockey league is a good starting place for the good sized aggressive fwd, who at his age, will have no problems matriculating from that league.

Zander Pryor  Bay State Breakers

Layne Martin is returning to the Dells Ducks  3g 8 a in 6 games

Nolan Culver  just made the move to the NAHL Minnesota Wilderness on the 24th of September.  The Wilderness and Culver have their first, inaugural home games this weekend vs the Fairbanks Ice Dogs.


Kyler omey is returning to the Toledo Cherokee

Nate Gay- playing GOJHL


Austing Gryca  UT Club

Tyler DeWitt  UT club

The tides of change

The seas are always ebbing and flowing and so it is with Jr hockey.  Teams come and go, coaches and their staff members, players and even entire leagues as the case stands.  I personally am now working for the Philadelphia little Flyers of the Eastern Hockey League.  So that is as good a starting place as any.  USA JR hockey.

USHL, No Ohio HS players made USHL teams.  Tyler Harkins was drafted, but is  neither on the roster nor the affiliate list.  Several Barons are, but are returning to play MM
So by the numbers lets look at the USHL Roster-affiliate lists
Midget Major (MM) and Midget Minor (Mm) composed 145 spots on active and affiliate rosters
New England D1 Prep 42
USPHL, EHL, MeTJHL composed 19 spots to active USHL and affiliate rosters
Other Prep 25
High School 58 ( active and affilate combined, mostly WI, Minesota HS)
This age is by active roster ONLY affiliates are playing else where
93's 45 several teams have 0 some have 4 or more, teams are not allowed more than 3.
94's 130
95's101
96's79
97's 14

The reality is Ohio HS player are being hindered at the state level.  The product is bogged down by a system run by those who do not understand the hockey landscape.  WHich is why parents and players do not understand the purpose of Jr hockey.  The Ohio HS product is turing out quality tier 3 players.  Players who will play, and develop.  It is not turning out even tier 2 players.  People need to get to these games and see with their own eyes what High Caliber tier 2 and Tier 3 hockey looks like.

Does Ohio have players?  Damn right, lots of them.  So why not Tier 2.  Not tier 2 because the system is failed at the state level.  The Ohio HS teams bog themselves down with some of the bizzar rules and have bunched in HS teams that couldn't beat their way out of an open paper bag on a good day, let alone beat a 14u AA squad.  Changes need to be made. Made now.    Change one.  Pre post teams, lets keep them.  BUt these teams need to be allowed to compete all season.  Lets face it, these are Ohio's best kids from the HS product.  So lets play them as they should be.  Those team needs to play at AAA and AA level showcases all year.  Not just Nationals.  The HS teams would be wise to stop pussy footing around with each other all year.  With the State cock blocking every attempt to make the product viable...just leave already.  Make Hockey a club sport again.  You don't an oppressive and "silly brained" yea retarded state organization in the way.   The top schools know who they are, the bottom and middle do as well.  Your all hockey people, get in a damn room and create two levels and scheduled accordingly, and make a point of hitting these larger accredited showcases.  Raise the bar.

So taht is why not.  No one save a few people in Ohio, know anything about these kids.  They show up, turn it on, play great hockey.  Get the coaches scratching their heads, making calls, asking...but they come back to the same place over and over and over again....can he sustain it....what do we really know about him....is HE WORTH THE RISK?   No...   is johnnie just as good X from Y yup...but no one know Johnnie.

are there jr leagues to avoid...I say yes.   Do they have good hockey in leagues to avoid?  yup some great hockey, but why to avoid them... location, location location.    You would not get much money from any bank, if yu wanted to build a Tim Hortons, in the middle of a wilderness area...would you.  Nothing bu trees, bear, deer and turkey for 25 miles any direction...and no roads.   So why then knowing the state of the economy, and the atheltic budgets would you shag ass off to a league 1400 miles away from 2/3 of all NCAA programs?  Are you going pro?  Given you need to go play where you will be successful, challenged and developed.  But when a League champion in JR hockey is celebrating a couple big college placements at the acha level you really need to step back and evaluate.  IS CLUB Hockey your Goal?  There are some OUTSTANDING club programs.  Most are just fun, or a way for a guy to rediscover his love of the game or just keep playing.  IF you honestly identify yourself here, that is great I am not bitch slapping you or slighting you, nor am the guy who has no options for any reason to go to club.  I am targeting the kid that wants NCAA hockey.  WHy?  Why go to a league and team that has next to 0 placements in NCAA d3 level and a mirror of that in "higher" levels of hockey.
I can understand the kid who went with lowest fee...he is fighting to stay in the game!  To you, I hope you have a great season...and while doing it I hope you...not mom or dad reeach out to other coaches and try to help yourself move on.
The reality is the single best place based on odds is out in the north east. with in 6 hours of 2/3 of all ncaa d1 and d3 programs.  over 200 NCAA placements came from the now USPHL, EHL, Met, and Empire leagues.  The number from just the EHL's former Atlantic teams fell only behind the NAHL in totals and exceeded in D3 placements.  WHen you invest in yourself, and that is what JR hockey is, an investment.  Your looking for the greatest return possible.  So if have labored to just make JR's and are fortunate enough to have a choice of where to play, look no farther than where it is what to play.  You wont sell any coffee in the wilderness, but the bears will kick the crap out of you and eat your doughnuts.

To all who labored this tryout season, you have my respect.  To all who made it and are playing JRs this season Congratulations.

Congratulations TYLER HARKINS

Tyler Harkins was selected last night by the Cedar Rapids Rough Riders, in the United States Hockey Leagues entry draft, 365th overall.  This makes the St. Ed's graduate the FIRST Ohio High School player to ever be drafted into the only Tier 1 league operating in USA.  The USHL is the primer proving grounds for NHL draft picks, who are retaining their NCAA eligibility.  The USHL consequently is also the home to the Highest number of NCAA division 1 committed players each year.   The USHL proudly displays on their home page that there are currently 222 USHL Alumni in the NHL and this year the 16 team (17 as both USA 17u and 18U play a shared split schedule) has 291 college commitments.  That is 291 out of 425 total players.  The players who compose the USHL are regarded as the top 1% of all players in any given birth year.   The last Ohio HS player to reach the USHL was also the first to make it right out of High School.  Nolan Culver, was an undrafted free agent, who made the USHL Youngstown Phantoms out of their main camp in 2011.  Prior to that Alden Hirschfeld another Sylvania product was a member of the Phantoms team when they elevated from the NAHL to the USHL.  Hirschfeld went on to a storied carrer with the Ohio University of Miami Red Skins and now a professional career.   Tyler,  congratulation on being drafted in the USHL draft.  Wishing you much sucess in the years to come.
Learn more about the Rough Riders here

The Time is NOW

Under the OHSAA Constitution

2-1-2

Each sport tournament sponsored by the OHSAA

shall be divided into as

many divisions as the

Board of Directors deems necessary

and appropriate for the fair a

nd efficient management of these

sponsored tournaments. With the exception of f

ootball’s largest enrollment division, each division

shall have an equal, or nearly equa

l, number of schools or individuals

 

 

Consider the total lack of understanding,of Ice Hockey. I will ask a few simple questions.  Question that as you answer, you ask yourself is it fair or reasonable that the state has not further subdivided Ice Hockey.  Ask why it is not necessary to further subdivide ( does it make good common sense to have team play whole season to loose 10-0 in two periods?).  Ask is it to complicated some how to further subdivide.( these state folk are  edumakated, right )  Ask why there is not Ice Hockey Govenor, a person who has an intimate understanding of the game, serving to better the Ice Hockey Comunity?

 

1.  Since Hockye went Varsity...how many none Red division schools have won State titles

 

2.  How many none red division schools have reach even District finals

 

3. How close are those district playoff games between none red division schools, and Red division schools?   Come on...most end in 10+ finals...is that COMPETITIVE BALLANCE?  IS IT...HUMM

4. Is it very complex and difficult to establish an upper and lower tier of Ice Hockey?  

 

5.  Is it some how to dificult to effieciently manage two state levels of Ice hockey?

 

6.  Do hockey people have a 95% understanding of what teams would most likely make up the two divisions?

 

 

So what is God Damn hold up?

This is why this needs to be the last year for Varsity Hockey.  Its time to go back to a Club level and self manage, find a sponsor for the Championship.  .Hold said titles, yes plural, in a VENUE APPROPRIATE facility, have a longer season reflective of the modern sport, and rules that are reflective of Ice Hockey's Unique PATH to NCAA play.   

Sylvania 18u heading to Tier II 3a Nationals

This is the third straight year that Northwest Ohio is sending a pre-post team to Nationals.  Two years ago it was Team Toledo's 18U played in the epic 5 overtime semi final game with team Cleveland to advance and then loose 6 hours later to Hadfield in the championship. The names: Frey, Torchia, Opblinger, Roudebusch, Martin, Culver, Gryca, and Carter all still active in Jr hockey.  Then it was Mike Mankowskis 18u Sylvania team last year that lost in overtime to Dallas, in another overtime thriller.  Another team with familiar names, Gay, Carter, and Felser.  This year is no different.  Head coach Mike Mankowski coaches well disciplined teams and is a masterful tactician.  Assembling a crew of the best Northwest Ohio has to offer.  He went out and pounded the other Ohio teams, 8-4, 12-1,10-2
The Sylvania team is patient and aggressive, attacking from all 3 zones.  Mike Mankowski, is the head coach, as well as the ADM coordinator, youth hockey director and travel hockey for Sylvania.  He is restructuring the entire organization and anyone who knows an ounce of hockey can see this organization is first class.  Sylvania's first game is against host Wonderland Wizards of CT at 9 am on April 3rd.   Sylvania then plays the Flint Mi Phantoms at 430pm on April 4th.  Then on the 5th in what what statistically will be their toughest game, they play the Hadfield Ice dogs.  the 2011 nation champions.

Another positive is that the Team Ohio group after  losing 8-4 to Sylvania, was awarded a vacant slot at nationals.  Every year teams from around the Nation just opt to not attend, and for the 3 rd year in a row a Cleveland's state runner up team has been awarded one of these empty slots.  This goes to show the value USA hockey is seeing in the Ohio hockey product.  Don't for a moment think either that because they lost 8-4 to Sylvania that this team Ohio group is some how second rate.  This team holds most of the best Cleveland area players, including several current State Champions!  The¥ will be highly competitive on the national stage.

Past Player Updates

The High School season has come to close.  The champagne is flowing at Shaker Heights and it was well earned.  I hope the celebration runs all week or more. It is really just damn bad, that the backward, antiquated OHSSA has not joined USA HOCKEY.  Allowing the States champions the opportunity to enter post season play for NATIONALS.  Not to mention the issues we contend with having TWO governing bodies for Ohio HS players.  Yawn...I'm so tired of saying this over and over again, but remember OHSSA is not the say so organization, they are paid by tax payer dollars.  Citizens can ORDER them to join USA hockey, and Leave Nationwide, OHssa doesnt have say.


Ohio is Fortunate right now and has numerous former HS players performing well in the JR ranks, working toward one of the few NCAA D1 (1450) and D3 (2000)

1. Connor Frey D Amarillo Bulls.  41 games played 15 pts 5G 10 A +17 49PIM
Connor Frey has had an outstanding rookie year with the Bull's.  The Bulls 40W 7L 7T again lead the NAHL south and the whole NAHL and have secured their #1 play off spot.  Frey has been key contributor and the while Dennis Williams has cut off Freys amazing offensive abilities, it has given Frey the ability to further develop and expand his pure defensive prowess.  Frey is one the most exciting players to come out of Ohio in a long time. 

2. Nolan Culver Bay State Breakers.  Culver just played some of his best Jr hockey and helped Bay State nearly defeat the New Jersy Hitmen in the EJHL semi-finals.  Culver, who was out for 5 of Bays 8 play off appearance with a shoulder injury.  Put up 4 points against the New Jersey Hitmen.  It was here in game two vs the Hitmen where Culver first returned to the ice.  Culver had 2 assists and the game winning goal in the 4-3 win.  The following mini game ( a tie breaker, 1 20 min period) Culver netted another goal.  A goal which stood in to over time when the Hitmen eventually won.  As it stands Culver had 7 pts in his last 4 games with the Breakers.


3. Dalton Carter Norther Cyclones.  Carter is having an amazing season and play off run with the Cyclones.  The Cyclones 30-9-3 on the season have seen Carter since his arrival be solid and consistent on the blue line.  with 34 regular season game, 6 goals 9 assists and 56 PIM Cater has established himself as a leading and desired blue liner.  Ohio fans will remember that Carter has always been a utility player.  Having good vision, hands and bomb of a shot as a FWD with State Champion Northview.  He has aptly applied his offensive abilities to those of defensive.  Now heading in to the AJHL championship game vs Wilks-bare, Carter has 2 G, and 4 A for 6 pts in 4 games and 4 PIM. 

4.  Austin Gryca  please refer to this detailed write up on Ohio's top goalie prospect
http://scoutingohiohighschoolhockey.blogspot.com/2013/02/austin-gryca.html

5. Layne Martin- Dells Duck 21 games 10 goals 13 assits for 23 points.     He has been a key contributor the Ducks success  this year. The Ducks are deep in the play offs now and tomorrow the finals begin, where Martin and Ducks face off against Twin City Norther Lights.