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