Any questions as to who the BEST team in Ohio is?

Are there?  It truly is unquestionable who the best team in the state is.  Who the best team of all time will be known as, yes all time, surpassing even the BGHS power house days.  I would say its the Wildcats, but that would make some of my readers think of the Sylvania Northview Wildcats.  Sorry, good as they are folks.  Your boys based on their efforts to this point and I will include all other "front runners" when I say they lack the speed, skill, determination, discipline and pure athleticism to be part of this conversation.

Cleveland St. Ignatius is KING.  

Housing one recognized NHL prospect in 1993 birth Patric Spellacy.  The formidable, Spellacy towers over his opposition at 6'4" and a solid 210lbs still manning up hefty frame.  The young-man is extremly well balanced for his size.  Nearly impossible to dislodge puck, far more difficult in fact than former Ohio Team USA member Kevin Irwin (Cleveland Barrons AAA, now residing the the USHL DesMoines and property of the Ohio State University NCAA D1).  What makes this beast even more potent is his elusiveness and crafty hands. His shots come from every where, hard on the ice, lasing for the corners and tight holes, with a quick release that is baffling some rather sound goalies.  But Cleveland St. Ignatius is not a one man show.  Spellacy is neither Captain, or Alternate.  Look at this roster which contains 6 other Jr prospects:
Players:                              #           Class Year
Abood, Michael “A”         9              SR
Avdey, Mike                    20              JR
Brogan, Danny                19             SO
DeVilliers, Jacques           23            SR
Fricker, Bobby                 31             SR
Geither, Liam “A”           12             SR
Kovesdy, Matt                 30             SR
Malone, Joey                   15             JR
McNulty, Alex                  2             JR
McQuinn, Miles “C”       17             JR
Riemenschneider, Colton “A”    21       SR
Rimpf, Nick                   14                    JR
Schultz, Beck                 10               SO
Shockley, Zak                24                 SR
Smith, Harry                  3                  SO
Smith, Will “C”              16              SR
Spellacy, Paddy               8                SR
Steed, Andrew                 7                SR
Walsh, Eamonn              4                SR
Wiegandt, Jack            11                 FR
Wolf, Taylor              22                  SR
Zickes, Paul                5                     SR
by class  FR-1, So-3, JR-5, SR-13

Head Coach O’Rourke is looking internally for the level of competition needed to keep his Wildcats sharp.  He does not see any team in the state being able to match their abilities as a team, or individually.  He sees his group with no weakness, and he is right.  Case and point would be 5 shut out wins thus far by goalie Matt Kovesdy.  Who is well on his way for a state shut out title ( which stands at 14).  When you have a goalie as exceptional as Kovesdy you play him in every contest, Kovesdy has surrendered 7 goals in ten contests, a .7 Goal against average. 

Yet it doesn't start and stop with goal tending.  No one can get to him.  DeVilliers, Malone, McNulty, Rimpf, Shockley, Smith, and Steed are keeping teams well outside prime shooting lanes, providing little space and even less time to take shots and establish pressure. Should you get out of your defensive and near theirs your psychically punished, just beaten to a pulp.  The Defense for St. Ignatius starts and ends in their offensive zone,  a full 140 feet away from their goalie.  On this trajectory St. Ignatius will only surrender 18 more goals for the season. Having  surrendered only 25 total as they make their victory laps in Nation Wide Arena, with the State Championship trophy over their heads.
 
Get out see history in the making.  St. Ignatius will play St. Edward the 15th prior to leaving Ohio and the USA in search of competition in Canada.  I do not see them have any trouble with either St. Eds or the Canadians Dec 19th -20th .  The 2011-2012 state championship game on March 11, (which sadly those semi final games will still not feature the best 4 teams in the state, only the best team from each District),  will be all about which team gets to say they took the ice against Cleveland St. Ignatius, on that historic day.

The Ohio High School hockey report, as of Dec 7 2011

Examining North West Ohio's Red Division threw the first weekend in December.  Our teams are
Bowling Green, Findlay, Saint John's, Saint Francis and Sylvania Northview.
Our current league standings are
1. Sylvania Northview  2 w 0L 0T for 6 league Points, 8 Goals for, 2 against
2. Findlay HS 2 W 0L 0T for 6 league Points, 6 Goals for and 2 against
3. A tie between defending State Champions St. Francis and St. Johns who each have played only One league game to this point.  St. Francis 0W-1L 0T 0 league points 0 goals for and 3 against
St. Johns is 0W 1L 0T with 0 League Points, 1 goal For and 3 against
4. Bowling Green resides in last place.  0W 2L 0T with 3 goals for and 8 against

Down in the Capital Hockey Conference in Columbus we are seeing Dublin Coffman, Upper Arlington and Olentangy Liberty standing out.  Upper has very good size and better skill than in the past, and while in the White division, I see them going deep this year.  Olentangy has a solid goaltender tandem, and good play in front of them.  In the Red Division, WHile Liberty has yet to play a game  those current rankings are
Dublin Jerome and Coffman Tied for first each with a 1-0-0 record, followed by Cincinnati Moeller and St. Charles each having played 2 games and going 1-1-0. 
It is my beliefe that overall this will be a better than expected year for Capital Confernce

In Cleveland we have the same near usual unpredictable mess.  Which is a good thing.  The only difference this year that Cleveland St. Ignatius is truly the front runner.  The size, speed, skill and depth of this group is the best they have ever had, or at the very least in the past 8 years.  It would is easy to pin them for another State Championship.  That said, this is Cleveland.  It is way to early, far to many rivalry games to play, and a Conference titles to battle for this year.  Speaking of which High School hockey fans should be sure to make out and down to Progressive Field.  The outdoor sheet will be getting played in by numerous  HS contest, as well as other events.  All leading up to the University of Michigan Vs. Ohio State game.  It is or should be of no surprise to Cleveland HS hockey fans that this event is staged in Cleveland.  With St. Ignatius, St. Ed's, Padua, and Rocky River all having talent on the radar's of these and other NCAA programs.  This CCHA Battle may well be one that mirrors the CCHA Championship and with 9 of the 11 CCHA schools in the top 20, it just might a preview of the NCAA Championship.

The Strongest Team in Ohio is likely Cleveland St. Ignatius.  The Top 6 teams in the state, are Cleveland St Ignatius, Cleveland St. Edwards, Rocky River, Toledo St Johns, Sylvania Northview and Shaker Heights, as I see it here in early December.  I will try to maintain a top 6 with each installment this season.

As a final note we know the State is efforting and has voted to make some changes to the state Championships, in various sports.  Some serious competitive balance issues have yet to be addressed in Ice hockey. 

1.  There is more clear than clouded line between the the most competitive programs and those less competitive.  As a result there should be an establishment of 2 levels, and 2 Championship titles.  Each season we see the blow out games in the playoffs.  These games are in actually unsafe.  You would no sooner place a High School team on the ice with a top Jr team or NCAA team and anticipate a win, and while that is an equal assessment of the discrepancy of play it is very different. Add in the level of frustration for those players and its just a recipe for disaster.

2. That playoffs be established where the Top Four teams from each Conference advance.  Conference Champion earns home ice, and plays host to one team from each of the remaining 3 divisions in random draw.  This 4 region play off (sweet sixteen) would then be a round robin.  This round robin now is a direct reflection of the best teams from each district, each with representation in each region ensuring the best 4 teams advance to the Championship. 

3. The Championship should then be address as well.  Nationwide is a great venue.  Do not get me wrong.  But it is not appropriate for these games.  It would be far better to play these games in barns that are better suited for the scale of the event.  As examples, Goggin arena, BGSU, Covelli center, Huntington arena and other sub 9k seat facilities( 9k is still on the large end).  A loud venue, is an exciting venue.  Further the rotation takes advantage of all the state has to offer the hockey fan as well.

Are the above perfect?  I doubt it, but they are fair foundation to begin the conversation.

The puck has droped. So what does the season look like?

The Puck has Dropped

what does the 2011-2012 season look like?

Here we are heading in to December and we have had a small taste of Ohio High School hockey.  While regular season league play begins this week,  many top schools have meet in either preseason or season kick off tournaments.  So what are we seeing this year?

Out of  the Capital Hockey Conference.  We see Upper Arlington with what has to be their best team in years, poised to likely win the white division, and I proclaim contend at the end with Dublin Coffman as the best team in the Capital conference.

In the Greater Cleveland Hockey league

I anticipate Rocky River again becoming a key player.  As contentious they were in the 80's over the next few years.  I just see a resurgence in this program moving forward. 

As for the North division.  We will agian see this being a year of keen competitiveness.  Yet when the smoke clears I see Saint Ignatius emerging as the top team. Not by leaps and bounds mind you, but that smallest of margins that routinely separates these teams.  St. Ignatius just maintains that edge. St. Eds can never be counted out in the battle for Cleveland and I will be watching closely the entire season.

In the NHC.  

It will be a as a above a highly contested year.  Do not expect to see St. Francis repeat as a State Champions.  This year looks to be a battle between Toledo St. Johns and Sylvania Northview.  Bowling Green, Findlay and St Francis should all be right there as well, but none are strong the top two.  Clearly a timely hot streak by a solid goaltender (Nate Gay) could launch BGHS to district playoff game.  Where as for the Findlay Trojans competitiveness and out right grit can be their catalyst.  But for the top two.  Toledo St. Johns is fielding their best team in 6 years.  Highly capable, and well coached this disciplined will battle in all three zones and fight to control the pace of every game.  The best team in the NHC top to bottom is Sylvania Northview.  This is easily the best team to every emerge from the club.  Mike Jones team has the most speed, skill and determination they have ever had.  Add in 4 lines.  Yes 4 lines that are all equally capable.  Exceeding in fact, last years lines in speed, talent and all abilities across the board.  The icing on the Northview cake, is the best goal-tending tandem in school history. This is Coach Jones 5th season with the Wildcats, and having developed the best team in school history its now or never for a state title.  Thursdays game which is prelude to the likely district and league championships between Toledo St. Johns and Sylvania Northview.  Will be a battle of St. Johns trying to contain Northview's high octane offense(averaging over 5.5 goals a game) and trying to penetrate a strong defense and even more stingy goal tending ( allowing only 1.7 goals per/game).  St Johns offense is averaging 2.37 goals per/game and surrendering 3 goals per/game.

Past player updates:

Nolan Culver traded from Youngstown USHL to Amarilo Bulls NAHL -1 game +2

Ryan LaPlante to report New England Huskies 

Jordan Jones Joined the Metro Jets

Alden Hirschfeld Miami University averaging .6 points pergame for the Red Hawks

Matt Wurst has 5 points coming as assists on 20 shots, as well as 40 pim in 23 games

2011-2012 Ohio HS scouting reports to begin posting in  December

Tryout season has come again to North West Ohio.

It seems  for a brief moment every year.  In that time between the explosive, vibrant colors of fall and first bite of bitter cold, time stands still.  Passing ever so slowly for the young men and women who have spent the past 8 months conditioning and working harder than ever for these few days.  These few days called tryouts.  For the Sylvania Northview Wildcats those days begin bright and early on the 4th of November at 0530 where the prospects step on the ice for the first time to strut their stuff.  They will return to the ice again at 1630.  On the 5th of November they will take the ice at 1800.  The 6th at 0700 followed by at 10k run at 0900.
The Toledo day school, St. Johns team takes the ice at 1930 on November 4th, again on November 5th at 1930.

Then as best as I can tell with numbers being  low, and with the decision of Ben Torchia to chase a Jr hockey dream with Tier I AAA Bell Tire. Toledo day school, St. Francis  are not conducting formal tryouts this season.   Bowling Green High School Bobcats look to take their first steps on Tuesday November 1st at 17:15 on the BGSU main sheet of ice, then on 2nd at 1630, and the 3rd at 1700.


November 11th at 7pm Sylvania Northview is playing a home against an unknown team.  On the 12th at 11 am Sylvanai Northview is hosting Upper Arlington.
Toledo day school St. Johns plays Cleveland day University school at 11am nov 19th.
Sylvania Northviews Cold Turkey spotlight games!
Starting NOV 25th
630pm Findlay HS plays Gilmour day school
830 pm Saint Francis day school play Sylvania Northview
November 26th the action is in full stride.
Findlay  and Northview play at 11 am
Saint Francis and Gilmour play at 1pm
Gilmour and Northview play at 6pm
Saint Francis and Findlay play at 8pm
Sunday has 3rd and 4th place at 930 am
and the Championship at 1130 am

ON Dec 9th we see a return of League play with a day school contest of Saint Francis and St. Johns

In other news at the State level it seems some movement is taking shape to modernize High School hockey.  This is not happening at a break-neck speed mind you.  "Next, by a unanimous vote, the Board passed a motion to cap the total number of regular season games permitted in hockey at 35 starting with the 2012-13 season."   It would have been nice to also read that the state would be divided in to two competitive, and separate divisions.  Each with its own Championship.  Further hearing the state do away with pre-post hockey and implementing a longer season, where teams could pick up and play "prepost" as the same teams that play High School season would have been outstanding.  Yet, no movement on that regard.

Past player updates
Alden Hirschfeld, Miami University, NCAA D1- Sylvania Northview

Nolan Culver, Youngstown Phantoms, USHL- Sylvania Northview

Jordan Jones, Boston Jr Black Hawks IJHL Super Elite A- Sylvania Northview

Jackson Steltmann, North Iowa Bulls, NA3HL- St. Johns

Matthew Wurst, Kalamazoo NAHL- St. Johns

Ben Torchia, Bell Tire AAA- St. Francis

Nathan Oblinger, Bell Tire AAA- St. Francis
Connor Frey, Bell Tire AAA- St. Francis
Layne Martin, Bell Tire AAA- Findlay High School

USHL Phantoms, a bright future

I had the good fortune to see the Phantoms in both contest this past weekend.  Taking the ice against a loaded and well prepared Team USA, and a developing Jacks group.  Well like most all of the teams the Phantoms are facing a lot of "new".  Team USA is not, and playing that way, so I'm not going to tell you what you know already about the 18 u team.
Starting on the bench for the Phantoms, Noreen was always a good LT on the bench under Carr.  I have to say, however;  there looks to be a new charge in the air. A positive charge.  Noreen is intense.  In a way that the boys look to, and  identify with, fueling them.  Smiles, head pats, and serious intent-full instruction are the order of the day culminating with selfless execution on the ice.  This Phantoms team may lack on paper a lot of the skill they had last season.  Yet the early look says they will  be the best USHL team YT has ever put on the ice. Better bench leadership? Better locker room leadership? Better team chemistry than they have  had since the NAHL Cup win? May be all three, but at the end of the day this Phantoms team will compete in all three zones, ever period, every shift.

In goal, the big, square O'Connor and the smaller, athletic Romeo goalies are up to the task. O'Connor had the start against USA. Had three bad goals beat him high, which for his size and style is unacceptable.  I will give a pass at this early juncture considering that even though his d core is vet, there are  some of the getting to know you breakdowns in d pairings and how those were overcome the next night at Muskegon, O'Connor gets a pass in my book. Romeo played an utterly kick ass game against Muskegon.   Kid plays like other smaller athletic goalies and has good angles and save selections, determination and sound economy of motion, a stark contrast in look from the big quite footed O'Connor. 

The D stand outs for the Phantoms are Liss, Gunn and Bradley. The other 3 of the 4 that I liked who played the best were Renouf, Lowney and Stevens. Each playing very good games, and communication was very good in the various pairings. Phantoms will remain defensively strong, and remain so again in part to the pure number of solid two way players who are forwards.  As for Young I am not saying he is bad, or suspect in any way, just the others seem to be at that slight level above which will leave Noreen and company making a hard decision by the first.

Where the offense is considered I like the composition of this Phantoms roster, which again will leave the staff with a couple sleepless nights in making that determination.  But here are my thoughts heading in to the Fall Classic.  I am loving this great blending of small, fast east coast type forwards, and slightly bigger yet equally fast WCHA, CCHA forwards. My favorite fast East coast types start with BC comitted player Cangelosi who honest to god, looks like a second line Eagle right now, just needs the reps to be #1. Belonger, Ambrosia, Gacek, Annas, Culver, Gibson compose what I call the remainder of this group.   They play a smart, fast paced game, with grit and determination every shift. The next groupl of CCHA, WCHA forwards starts with Conte, a physical, tough, in your face guy who is a driver, Collins a just an in your face and head guy who will go anywhere, and man he has a pair of hands that make you shake your head, kid has really hit his stride, and needs to play for a Miami or Mi. Sweetman, Zehnal, Margonari,Stenglein, shiring , Dahl and Kortinsky Round out the forwards in this group.  Anticipate these Phantoms scoring more than in past seasons.

Now out in Sioux Falls, for the USHL fall classic, the Phantoms will be showing their stuff and finalizing their roster.  The level of competition among these clubs, who's players represent what amounts the top 1% of all players in their age groups, is fast, and intense.   Game action can now be followed for home viewers on www.fasthockey.com at the low price of roughly 8 bucks a game.

Sylvania Northview Hockey News

Recently several players tested their mustard at selection camps and showcases.  It is time briefly update the out comes of those events.
Austin Gryca, goalie for the Wildcat's did a bang up job at the Port Huron Falcons selection camp.  He left the even ranking in the top of all players at camp in off ice testing and on the ice he left with top 1/4 of goalies present low GAA of 2.45.  Gryca is getting noticed and was seen at the event by Scouts ranging from NHL to AAA 18U clubs.  Deriving much positive feedback to the Port Huron staff, as well general buzz by those in attendance.  A solid performance, that was consistant with quality athletic play Gryca fans have come to appreciate.
Drew Crandal performed equally well in front of an equally diverse croud of talent prospectors, all but larger in the EJHL summer showcase.  Drew suited up and played for the New Hampshire Monarchs where he established himself as Top Tier player.  Elite Prospects player profile Drew Crandal is a site that identifies prospects on a global level.  Drews games for the Monarchs are available on FAST HOCKEY  under the show tab go to On-Demand, under the next filter select  league select EJHL summer showcase A division, Drew's first game was July 23 at 4pm EST, Bay state 1 vs Monarchs white.  Drew is 14 yellow., in every game for the Monarchs White
Dalton Carter had a great trip to the Amarillo Bulls selection camp.  He performed well and left little doubt he will be playing at that level with sustained hard work this season.

Jordan Jones, a NV alumni who played much of last season with the NAEHL Toledo Cherokee on the Blue line has headed east.  He is now Playing for the IJHL Boston Jr Bulldogs. 

Culver Reports to Phantoms

Nolan Culver has faced some interesting times.  His trip to the combine, being Tendered by the Amarillo Bulls, making the 23 man roster for the Youngstown Phantoms and add in talks with D1 Colleges coupled with plans for those visits after the season begins.  Add in the intense conditioning regimen and your pretty busy.   Yet, just when the road was looking "simple" a curve comes at him.  Head Coach Curtis Carr, accepted the assistant coaching position with Merrimack college.  A great move for Carr, a great program.   The next few days for Culver, were interesting as the wait began with who would be the next head coach.
Step in assistant coach Noreen.  At 28 years old he will be the youngest coach the Phantoms have ever had and I believe the youngest USHL coach.  This move of elevating from with in for the Phantoms has been the norm, Carr was the last assistant promoted, and Mainhardt before him.  For the players, at this late date in the Coaching carousel, the move provides familiarity.  Nolan was called by coach Noreen and Culver was simply told nothing has changed, report for camp on Aug 30th ready to work hard starting the 31st.
The USHL Fall clasic begins on Sept 21st in Sioux City Iowa.  For Culver and the Phantoms the sechedualed games are as follows: Game 1 Sept 22nd vs Cedar Rapids @4pm CT, Game 2 Sept 23 vs Sioux Falls@ 6pm CT and Sept 24th vs Lincoln at 7pm CT.
Following the Fall Classic the Phantoms open regular season play just North of Culver's home town of Sylvania Ohio, in Ann Arbor MI.  The Phantoms will be playing Team USA Sept 30th at 7pm EST.
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