December 4th and Dec 6th action

December 4th in Cleveland we saw Padua get crushed by Okicki's Lake Catholic MACHINE! 6-0.  These boys are on fire. 

Ignatius beats Gilmour 1-0,  Walsh beats Padua 4-3,  U.S beats Cheektowaga 6-2, Gilmour lost to Peters HS 6-3, St eds beats Upper St Clair 3-2,  Shaker squaked by Hudson 3-1 in a game they should have won 6-0


The Bowling Green Bobcats....if you ever doubted me are the real deal...they CRUSHED the Knights of St. Francis 4-1 and are playing their best hockey since their Dominate 1980's!  Sylvania Northview battles by Findlay 5-3 with shots 17-11, where about half of NV shots came off the tape off the brothers Koback. Carter is eeking ever closer to coach and Father Doug's PIM record with every shift.

Utica College hockey NCAA highlight

Rankings December 2nd 2013, 23 days untill Christmas

What an exciting Thanksgiving Holiday!  So much going on in the world of hockey, and I am grateful that I only try to summarize Ohio's happening, here.

NWHC
1. previous rank 2 Toledo St. Johns 5W - 1L - 3T  GF 32 GA15, 7 Games UNBEATEN Last game tie to walsh.  The Titans laid waste to Plymouth Mi, at Plymouth.  Plymouth is routinely at top 20 MI HS team, and last year was ranked 7th at the end of the season, with only three losses, one being to Detroit Catholic in the state quarter finals, and Det Catholic won states.  the Titans are a better team than lastyear, more balanced and have better chemistry.
2. previous rank 3 Bowling Green 6 W -2L 0T   GF37 GA13  Bowling Green is driving their own ship.  Their first NWHC conference game is 12-14 at home against Findlay.  Bowling Green should win this game.  The Bobcats are moving in to some greater challenges.  Hosting Royal Oak Mi (20-4-1 2012-13)
then facing more intense competition at the Mister Spots Holiday tourney at BGSU 12-27-29th.  Hosting toledo St Francis, in a very telling game against a league opponent, but the Bobcats most telling games come in 2014 the 3rd and 4th playing Northview and St. Johns. We will see how much more improved these Bobcats are.
3.  Previous rank 4 Sylvania Northview  4W - 3L 1T GF 18 Ga 16,  Streak 3 victories  taking one of 3 vs St Francis
3. Previous rank 2 St. Francis  with Two wins and a Loss now to Sylvania, these teams are very evenly matched.  aggressive forward play by both teams, Northviews defense is improving and the goal tending is comparable.  The two teams have traded wins and losses against like opponents, this one needs time to shake out, hence the tie.
5. Bedford
6. Findlay

 GLHL
In Cleveland last ranked #2 Walsh was pounded by Toledo St. Johns 9-2.  Number one University school has had four overtime wins.  Most notably against Shadyside and Ignatius, US is scoring 23 goals in 6 games, but their goals against are 16 which makes difficult to come out on top later in harder games.  Ockiki's Lake Catholic team is rolling this year, UNDEFEATED.  BUT the only quality win at this point is over St. Eds 3-1...so that is telling.  When you win big games, and win the ones you just should, your consistent, and its fair to say the program has an identity now.  The big story is Holy Name.  3-2-1 right now.  Wins over Padua, St. johns, yet lost to Walsh.  Gilmour is again a tough team with Wins over St Eds, Findlay and St. Francis.  The losses to Northview, Findlay and US scream a repeat of the Ups and downs that plague this club in recent years.  Once again st ignatius is steadily moving forward, consistently in fact.  Crushing teams that need to be crushed, never letting up and sitting at 3- 1 otl and 1 T where the OTL was to US, and the Tie to Toledo St Johns you know the are for real...again.  on with the rankings
1.  St Ignatius.  the 1 GAA is fantastic the 4.6 GF a game is solid as all get out.  While having an OTL and a Tie is not ideal its who those were against that matters, an ever so slight lead over Lake Catholic....but close enough at this point in the season to hold you tied
1. Lake Catholic, undefeated no one can disrespect that or scoring 5.4 goals a game and surrendering 1.2.  strength of schedule at this point holds you in the 1st spot.
2. U.S.
3. Walsh
4. Holy Name

GCHSHL
Lastyear the Pirates of Rocky River tied for state 3rd place with Olentangy Liberty, as both teams lost their Semi Final games, and never played a consolation game.  Quite an achievement, for both schools.  Rocky River had the more difficult path, and what their trip oh so much more exciting was we had an all public school state final.  Right now the Pirates are undefeated.  Averaging over 5 goals for per game and surrendering a shade under 1.2.  Shaker is also Undefeated and averageing over 5 goals pergame and giving up a state leading stingy .5.  The problem here is the GLHL is now what Red divisions once were...combined.  The best of the best.  Aside from having to play each other and the odd GLHL team or NWHC club the division is just soft, uber soft.  Unless Rocky, Shaker and Hudson bail, and join the GLHL....these teams will all be none issues in two years.  Players will go and not look back.   So...here we are today
1. tied Rocky River
1. Tied Shaker
2. Hudson


Capital....no change

State Rankings....
1. Toledo St. johns
2. Lake Catholic
3. Rocky River
4. Dublin Jerome

Raw...ie a none politicall stupid ranking that pits the best against the best...and not everyone is a winner...
1. Toledo St. Johns
2. St Ignatius
3. Lake Catholic
4. Toledo St. Francis

5. Tie University School
5. Tie Sylvania Northview

7. Tie Bowling Green
7. Tie Walsh
7. Rocky River
7. Shaker

8. Tie Dublin Jerome
8. Tie Holy Name

Jr updates
Connor Frey traded to Minnesota Magicans NAHL....no rREPORT...traded to EHL Valley Jr warriors NO REPORT,  status RETIRED

Zach Felser Philadelphia Little Flyers had 5 points over the weekend a goal and assist against Boston Jr Ranger and a Natural hat trick, game winning goal and first star against Valley Jr Warriors.  Zach is now ranked 13th in the EHL in PTS at 25, having played 20 games.  He has one short handed goal, 1 PPG and 6 PPA as part of his 10 goals and 15 assist.  Zach has begun talking with Colleges about his future plans.

Freddy Gerard, a Rocky River product is tied with Felser in Points at 25.  The 1994 birth year FWD for the Boston Bandits EHL has put up two points in each of his last three games

Dalton Carter Norther Cyclones EHL has uped his physical presence lately and now has a healthy 46 PIM to go along with his 21 points.  Carter is also actively speaking with numerous colleges as he determines where to play next season as an NCAA rookie.

Nolan Culver Minnesota Wilderness NAHL 2nd place overall.  Culver has 17 games 5 points and the energy driven forward, has 37 PIM.  Culvers been noted as being one of the strongest NAHL players in the defensive zone, a credit not easily earned and strongly desired.  Culver has been speaking a handful of NCAA programs and has said he is no hurry to make a decision, he wants to remain focused on this season.

Nathan Opblinger  Leamington Flyer GOJHL Nathan has played 27 games this season and has 30 points on 14 goals and 16 assists and 1 game winner, with 22 PIM.  At 6'1" and 185lbs the right shot winger is on the 5th place overall, 2nd in their Western Conference...trailing LaSalle by one point.  Team record is 21-5-1 

Graham Kelsey has 26 games in up on the blue line for the flyers and the 93 defensman is having a banner year in all aspects of his game. 


Austyn Roudebush is the back stopper for Leamington and has been picking up more of the work load as of late.  Starting 5 games since Oct31, all 5 are Wins.  Not surprising when you read these stats!  753 min played, 331 saves, 1.83 GAA and an ELITE save % of .935

While these former ohio players are at various stages of their carers, some players have made those NCAA commitments.  Here they are, and where they are going.  NOV 14 to present
commitment date       NAME                            College                   Current team              Start season

12/02/13	MARODY, Cooper	University of Michigan	Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)	2015-16
12/02/13	LUCE, Griffin	University of Michigan	Salisbury PS (NEDI)	2016-17
12/02/13	SPICER, Cam	University of Maine	New Hampshire Monarchs (EHL)	2014-15
12/02/13	CURTI, Charlie	Yale University	Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL)	2015-16
11/29/13	KOZUN, Tad	University of Alaska-Anchorage	Nipawin Hawks (SJHL)	2014-15
11/28/13	KUFFNER, Ryan	Princeton University	Gloucester Rangers (CCHL)	2015-16
11/27/13	JOHNSON, Robert	U.S. Air Force Academy	Minnesota Magicians (NAHL)	2015-16
11/27/13	BRISTEDT, Leon	University of Minnesota	Linkoping HC Jr. (SweJE)	2014-15
11/27/13	KESTNER, Josh	University of Alabama-Huntsville	Sarnia Legionnaires (GOJHL)	2014-15
11/27/13	O'CONNOR, Joe	University of Vermont	Westminister PS (NEDI)	2016-17
11/27/13	KILLINS, Ryker	Ferris State University	Stratford Cullitons (GOJHL)	2015-16
11/26/13	ROSENTHAL, Ryan	Northeastern University	Coquitlam Express (BCHL)	2014-15
11/26/13	LLAURADO, Joe	U.S. Military Academy (Army	Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)	2014-15
11/26/13	WATSON, Cooper	Michigan Tech. University	Appleton United HS (WI-HS)	2015-16
11/25/13	WEDMAN, Daniel	Cornell University	Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL)	2015-16
11/25/13	MCCLURE, Brad	Minnesota State Univeristy	Penticton Vees (BCHL)	2014-15
11/24/13	ARGUE, Jayson	Bentley College	Nanaimo Clippers (BCHL)	2014-15
11/24/13	LAWRENCE, Sean	Quinnipiac University	Boston Junior Bruins (USPHL)	2014-15
11/22/13	RUSSELL, Patrick	St. Cloud State University	Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)	2014-15
11/22/13	PALECCO, Dante	Yale University	Long Island Gulls U16N (AYHL16)	2016-17
11/22/13	KOBERSTEIN, Nikolas	University of Alaska-Fairbanks	Olds Grizzlys (AJHL)	2015-16
11/22/13	MILLER, Christopher	University of New Hampshire	Boston Junior Bruins (USPHL)	2015-16
11/21/13	MCKERNAN, Kevin	Quinnipiac University	Boston Junior Bruins (USPHL)	2015-16
11/21/13	GERRIE, Chris	Michigan Tech. University	Olds Grizzlys (AJHL)	2016-17
11/21/13	PRESTON, Michael	U.S. Military Academy (Army	Indiana Ice (USHL)	2014-15
11/21/13	MAROONEY, Joey	University of Alabama-Huntsville	Holy Family Catholic HS (MN-HS)	2015-16
11/20/13	STERNSCHEIN, Sam	Cornell University	Portledge HS (NY-HS)	2016-17
11/20/13	MIKOWSKI, Max	Rochester Institute of Technology	Buffalo Jr. Sabres (OJHL)	2014-15
11/20/13	MCGUIRE, Brendan	U.S. Military Academy (Army	Amarillo Bulls (NAHL)	2014-15
11/19/13	BRUNS, Cole	U.S. Military Academy (Army	Omaha Lancers (USHL)	2014-15
11/19/13	PHAM, Tyler	U.S. Military Academy (Army	Indiana Ice (USHL)	2014-15
11/18/13	PEDRIE, Vince	Quinnipiac University	Indiana Ice (USHL)	2014-15
11/18/13	DESIMONE, Nick	Union College	Buffalo Jr. Sabres (OJHL)	2014-15
11/18/13	BOWEN, Brian	University of Vermont	Boston Junior Bruins (USPHL)	2015-16
11/18/13	JAECKLE, Alex	U.S. Air Force Academy	Johnstown Tomahawks (NAHL)	2015-16
11/18/13	PARRON, Tommy	Brown University	Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)	2015-16
11/17/13	WATT, Brandon	Robert Morris University	Nepean Raiders (CCHL)	2015-16
11/14/13	LOURIA, Mike	University of Lowell-Mass	Janesville Jets (NAHL)	2014-15

Ohio High school hockey rankings November 25th

There have been some Ohio High School hockey games played.  The preseason has concluded.  Thanksgiving tournaments are upon us and its time draw some conclusions and make some predictions from those results.

CLEVELAND
The new look in Cleveland is the Great Lakes Hockey League.  The league is composed of University School, Walsh, Lake Catholic, Holy Name, Gilmour, St. Ignatius, Padua, and St. Edwards. This league is the strongest and most competitive in the state.  Had, Toledo St. Johns, Toledo St. Francis, Sylvania Northview, Bowling Green and Findlay joined the league, to form the proposed Turnpike league, the objective of establishing a AA and A levels would have been mostly established.  Why, those institutions elected to opt out makes no sense.  Unless it is a timing thing where they still may.  At any rate in the Great lakes League
1. University School-  based on report and what I have seen US will finish in the top 3 and has good odds on states
2. Walsh.  This is a strong team, with sound skill set, good size and they use it well.  A top 3 team, if the consistency is there.
3. Lake Catholic  showing lots of promise and intensity.
Games to watch
12-15 430 pm  Shaker vs US at Thornton Park
1-3 450pm US and Walsh at the Pond 

Greater Cleveland HIgh School League
The strongest two not in the Great lakes League are the most familure
Rocky River and Shaker Heights.  Poised to make the most noise and one of the two will return to states  Game to watch 12-14 445 pm Rocky river and Shaker heights at Thornton Park

Capital District
I feel Orange will be in the hunt, Jerome and coffman as the top choices.  Liberty appears to have some issues that if worked out will be heading them in to the mix, but with the short season its hard to say.
  12 13 8pm Olentangy Orange and Dublin Jerome

North West Hockey Conference
1. Toledo Saint Francis
2. Toledo St Johns 2w 1L 2 T   BEAT Plymouth 3-1
3. Bowling Green 4w 0L
4. Sylvania Northview 1w 2L 1T
5. Bedford
6. Findlay
It has not been an easy beginning for defending district champions Sylvania Northview.  The State runners up fell Saturday night to the Knights of St. Francis, 3-2.  Knights who are proving to have the talent, they were short last season.  Biggest surprise this year is set to be the currently undefeated Bowling Green Bobcats, who are going to play every team tight and tough.  Calling how they finish and where they are is entirely differnt story.  Findlay...its just going to be a long season, some good times, but more pain.  Bedford...I get why you play in Ohio, Im pissed a soultion can not be reached that makes you an ohio team.  Bowling Green will have one of their best seasons, and alot to cheer and be proud of and some great "upset wins".  Northview will figure their defensive issues, and get more pucks to the net.  They may even decide that one of Marsh's competitors for the #1 goalie spot, is really the #1. Northview will not be in the district finals this year, falling in the semi finals, is my prediction.  The District will come down to St Francis and Toledo St Johns.
Games to watch
DEC 13 630pm Northview St. Johns
DEC 14  7 PM Toledo St Johns and St Francis
JAN 3  7pm BG at Northview




JR Hockey update
Historically Ohio HS has averaged 1 young man going on to play division 1 NCAA hockey every 6 years.  It is a bit longer than that, and lots of people are working hard to help our players develop, and get to that point, IN-SPITE of the inhospitable environment the state has uneducated thrust upon hockey families.   Today as write this there are THREE former Ohio HS  on the fring of making their NCAA D1 commitments.  THREE!  I dare say had Patrick Spellacy elected to stay in Jr hockey, he too would be added to this list.  Further there are six additional players who are making cases for themselves, working the process of playing, developing and getting exposure.  Folks the dreams of NCAA can and do happen, as parents it is our responsibility to make sure our children have every opportunity for the best in education and extracurricular's.  Hockey is unlike any-other sport where the path to the NCAA is spoken about.  Do your part with your son, and make time to go see a USHL game in Youngstown, or to see Team USA in Ann Arbor, or the Indy ice USHL in Indianapolis.  Go see an NAHL game, an NA3HL game.  Watch on fast hockey the teams this current crop are playing for on fast hockey. 

NA3HL standings
North Iowa Bulls lead the NA3Hl at 17W 0L followed by Flint at 23-1 Granit City at 19-4 and Peoria at 18-5  Toledo is at 11-8-3 amd Cleveland is 13-8-3
EHL
New Hampshire 15-4-1 Norther Cyclones 15-4 Philadelphia Little Flyers 10-5
Dalton Carter and Zach Felser remain tied for 18th in scoring in the league.  Austin Kelly is again on the move picking up a point this weekend and if its anything like his last streak he will crack the top 25 in short order.  Drew Crandal was traded late last week, and is joining up with the Washington Nationals in a move to some much need point production in the South Diviison.

NAHL
Connor Frey and the Amarillo bulls are leading the NAHL again this season with 19 w and 4 losses and 39 points.  The Bulls are followed by
Nolan Culver and the Wilderness just wraped up a 5 game trip to Alaska where they lost one to Fairbanks, and won a shoot out over Fairbanks.  Then lost one to Kenai River, won two.  Culver managed to win another fight against 6'1"  210 lb  enforcer Frankie Spellman ( 23 games played, 5 pts 47 PIM)  another nice notch in Culvers energy man belt.   Coming in to the bout at 5'10" and 170lbs, Culver is proving to be a real Ian Laperierre type player, not the "small 5'6" 145lb playmaker he was in high school.  Culver is now 4-0 on his fight card.

* on Nov 25th Connor Frey was traded from Amarillo Bulls to the Minnesota Magicians.  Where Minnesota will hope to take advantage of Freys offensive prowess, and ability to jump in and rush the puck.  The magicians are currently in a very tight race for third place in the Midwest division with just 5 points separating 4 teams.  It has to be an exciting moment for Frey, as is he being given the opportunity to return to his wide open style of play.
The Wilderness and Magicians square off December 11th.  This would be the first time Culver and Frey have played against each other since the 2011 Ohio High School District finals.

New York Bobcats of the Eastern Hockey League

November 16th the Eastern Hockey Leagues New york Bobcats announced that their goalie,  Gabe Grunwald will play NCAA division 1 hockey.  Gabe announced that he will play for the Wisconsin Badger of the NCAA Big Ten Hockey conference following this season. 
The average hockey fan will see a player who has played for 6 teams in 3 different leagues over a three year career, may be a problem.  Reality is being traded is normal. Other teams need good players, and good players get traded for any number of reasons.  Jr hockey is about development, and playing at the level your able to best develop.  Gabe played in the OJHL, the NAHL ( four teams in a season and half) and now the EHL.  Gabe has had a great season thus far with a 2.12 GAA and 935 save percentage.

LINK TO STORY ON EHL

November 13 News

Today I will be hitting upon a lot updates in a lot of places.

In the USHL's Eastern Conference.  Team USA ( 18 and 17 u teams) are residing in the NUMBER 1 position, and I would asses are #2 over all.  Team USA plays out the ICE CUBE in ANN ARBOR Mi.  A short drive from the Toledo scene, and well worth it.  These are the TOP 1/2% of all USA born 18u and 17u players.  They are NHL futures, NCAA super stars and the cream of JR crop.  Team USA's 18 and 17 U teams rival NCAA d1 teams.  NCAA d1 teams where the youngest players are on average 21 the oldest 24.  Beating Lake Superior State 3-2, loosing to Northern MI 3-1 and the FIGHTING SIOUX of North Dakota 4-1.  Amazingly fast, effortlessly fast, smart and explosive hockey.
Out east the Eastern Hockey League announced yesterday that Tyler Drevitch made his NCAA division 1 commitment.  He has committed to play for Merrimack college.  Merrimack College is a member of what is arguably the strongest college hockey conference in the Nation, Hockey East.  The 5'10" 170lb 1995 forward is currently ranked 23rd in scoring, having played 16 games, he has 9 goals and 7 assist.  Sylvania native, Dalton Carter.  The 1993 Defense-man is currently ranked 15th in scoring 4 goals, and 15 assist, and is followed by Zach Felser at 19th with 14 games 6 goals 12 assist ranked 19th. So far the EHL has 5 earned and announced NCAA D1 commitments, and is again leading tier3 hockey in NCAA D1 and D3 commitments.   This weekend in the EHL, Zach Felser, Austin kelly and Rocky Ruso's cast of players take on the New Hampshire Jr Monarchs this Saturday at 245pm est in their only game of the weekend.  A game with huge ranking ramifications.  Carter and cyclones play the Monarchs a week from today, next Wednesday the 20th.

Ranking the EHL:
1. NH Jr Monarch
2. CT Oilers
3. Northern Cyclones
4. Philidelphia Little Flyers
5. Boston Bandits
6. Wilkes Bare Scranton Knights
7. NJ Rockets

In the NAHL
The Minnesota Wilderness have secured the #1 team ranking.  The Wilderness are still 100% on the PK, and are ranked 9th on the power play at 15.94%.   The Wilderness are on a 10 game winning streak, a streak which includes wins over Aberdeen(2), and Austin(1).  The Wilderness have left Minnesota and will not return from this Alaska bound road trip until the 24th of November.  Playing Fairbanks twice and Kenai River three times. 
1. Minnesota Wilderness
2. Amarillo Bulls
3. Austin Bruins
4. Fairbanks Ice Dogs
5. Port Huron
6. Coulee Region
7. Aberdeen
8. Bismark Bobcats
9. johnstown
10. kenai River.

NCAA D1 Comitments NOV1-13
Date                 Name                             School                              Current Team                 est start date

11/12/13 SOUCIE, Brendan U.S. Military Academy (Army Kent PS (NEDI) 2015-16 11/12/13 DREVITCH, Tyler Merrimack College Boston Bandits (EHL) 2016-17 11/11/13 LAFFERTY, Samuel Brown University Deerfield Academy PS (NEDI) 2014-15 11/11/13 CHARTRAND, Danys University of North Dakota Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL) 2015-16 11/11/13 REPENSKY, Nate Yale University Bismarck Bobcats (NAHL) 2014-15 11/11/13 PITTMAN, Zack Canisius College Lincoln Stars (USHL) 2014-15 11/11/13 FUCHS, Sebastian University of Denver Kenai River Brown Bears (NAHL) 2015-16 11/11/13 DELIA, Collin Merrimack College Amarillo Bulls (NAHL) 2014-15 11/11/13 KOLIAS, Vasili Boston University Chicago Mission Major Midget (HPMaj) 2015-16 11/11/13 OJANTAKANEN, Kasperi University of Connecticut Jokerit Helsinki Jr. (FinJrA) 2014-15 11/08/13 SCHMIDT, Kyle Bentley College Sioux City Musketeers (USHL) 2014-15 11/08/13 BOYD, Cody U.S. Military Academy (Army Coquitlam Express (BCHL) 2014-15 11/08/13 PURMAL, Matthew St. Lawrence University Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) 2014-15 11/07/13 BOJE, Phil U.S. Air Force Academy Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) 2014-15 11/07/13 LETUNOV, Maxim Boston University Youngstown Phantoms (USHL) 2014-15 11/06/13 DOHERTY, Tim Brown University St, George's PS (NEDI) 2016-17 11/06/13 SOMOZA, Ethan Bemidji State University Fairbanks Ice Dogs (NAHL) 2014-15 11/05/13 HAMILTON, Mark University of Maine Vernon Vipers (BCHL) 2014-15 11/05/13 RITT, Evan University of Denver New Jersey Hitmen (USPHL) 2014-15 11/04/13 BASKIN, Erik U.S. Air Force Academy Aberdeen Wings (NAHL) 2014-15 11/01/13 MCPHEE, Graham Boston College Shattuck St. Mary's U16 (MinnM) 2016-17

The Sylvania North Stars 2002 AAA team is currently ranked 36th in the Nation.  This places them ahead of storied programs like Det Compuware, The Ohio Blue Jackets, Wheatfield Blades, and Boston Advantage.  In fact the Sylvania North Stars are hot on the heels of Detroit Honey Baked, Little Caesars and Victory Honda.  I remind you, again my readers that this is simply year 1, in that advancement of hockey in the North West Ohio- greater Toledo area, and this first club, is having sucess on the National stage.  As people continue to see that AAA can work here, be successful and actually creates more development opportunists, for more players. In the both travel and house segments.  I predict the level of cooperation between Bowling Green, Sylvania, Toledo and several down river, clubs will get stronger, as these are all organizations being run by groups more dedicated to the positives of player development.  It just has to, as the overall depth of hockey vetran parents has never been stronger, or a more cohesive group.  What a great era to be youth player in Northwest Ohio.  Further the Sylvania 18u club is the number one ranked Ohio Tier 2 team, with a slight edge on rival cleveland.  A heated battle looks to be in the works at the 16u level, between Sylvania and Toledo, Toledo has clear lead in the rankings and that will some good post HS hockey to watch.

Speaking of HS hockey, you know the foundation of this blog
At Tamoshanter  Saint Francis plays Walsh Jesuit in the 7pm scrimage
and Northview hosts University School in the 9pm match.
Then on Saturday morning at 11 St. Johns plays, followed by Northview  Vs Walsh and then St Francis Vs St Ed's 7pm  a great local preview of consistently in the mix teams.

Henry Dill playing for Aberdeen NAHL

LIke most players your goal is to land options.  Better options, like for Dill being drafted out of the AAA Blue Jackets, 156th in the USHL draft is a good start.  Dill like the majority are outstanding, and for what ever the reason being, his USHL opportunity, lead to his NAHL opportunity.  Dill is the primary net minder for the Aberdeen Wings.  At 6'2" and 205lbs he fits the mold of good sized, athletic goalies.  His stats at 6 games played he seen a total of 179 shots, surrendered 14 goals and has an eliet 926 save percentage.
Last night the the second place, NAHL central division team, faced the #1 ranked MidWest, and arguably the 1 or 2 overall Minnesota Wilderness.  The Wilderness downed the wings 3-0.  Hill faced 33 shots, and the Wings managed 30.  The Wilderness again went on the PK 5 times, and again remained perfect.  18 games played, and 100% on the PK.  While Culver an other Ohio native did not find a point in the game, it is likely only a matter of time until the Wilderness give the heady center his try on the PP as overall the team average in that arena, and last night in 3 PP they produced nothing.
Connor Frey of the Amarillo Bulls found the net once last night and got a helper as that 1 or 2 overall ranked team rolled to an easy victory.

NCAA acidemic standards getting tougher

The need for athletes to be outstanding students has never been more apparent than it is today.  It is only becoming more and more so.  Part of the changes are being run as idealist are fighting against academic scholarship, saying higher education is where all the funds should be going, and working hard to reallocate those athletic dollars.  Two associated changes are in place.  one the growth of self funded athletic programs.  Where by donations are mounting, that eliminate all to nearly all school money from the athletic program.  Two, the higher academic standards.  Lol the third action by the idealist is to eliminate logos that the NCAA finds offensive...it is only a matter of time until the autobahn society steps in and on behalf of the avian that are being offended.

read the following excerpt

"The new requirements could result in athletes being NCAA DI Nonqualifiers before their senior year of High School even begins. In other cases, some athletes who would have been Full Qualifiers in previous years will now only achieve Academic Redshirt status or even be Nonqualifiers. Here are a few examples of the impact these changes have:

1. Prior to 2016: 2.299 core course GPA + 910 SAT or 76 ACT = Full Qualifier
2. 2016 and after: 2.299 core course GPA + 910 SAT or 76 ACT = Academic Redshirt
3. Prior to 2016: 2.125 core course GPA + 960 SAT or 81 ACT = Full Qualifier
4. 2016 and after: 2.125 core course GPA + 960 SAT or 81 ACT = Nonqualifier

The NCAA does not include the writing component of the SAT or ACT.   The ACT score is a total score of the English, math, reading and science sections.

Remember, just because a student-athlete meets the minimum NCAA initial-eligibility standards, it doesn’t mean they will be admitted to play sports at the college of their choice. Many universities have academic standards for incoming freshman athletes that are much higher than the NCAA minimum requirements.

So what does this all mean?
Student-athletes must start tracking courses early. A student-athlete should calculate their initial core course GPA at the conclusion of their first semester in high school and continue to do so each semester thereafter.  It no longer matters how good of an athlete you are.  The “wiggle room” is gone, and there is no appeal process that I am aware of for a student athlete that does not qualify under these new rules."
The Junior Hockey News, Joseph Kolodziej – Publisher
http://thejuniorhockeynews.com/?p=19046

Coaches and athletic directors should all be in the know about these changes.  It is however the sole responsibility of the student and parent to meet with the schools guidance offices and to make certain the student athlete is keeping doors open in his future.  As I have said, and others time and time again.  The most important things the young athelet need to concern themselves with is that they are doing everything with in their power, every day, with those things they  can influence.  The rest takes care of itself.