Every year the schools in the Hockey East Conference of the NCAA DI recognizes student athletes that have achieved a grade point average of 3.0 or better in each of the two academic periods during which he was actively competing.  Of the 78 players named to the team, three are alumni of the CSHL.  Thomas Fortney (St. Louis), Joe Vitale (St. Louis) and Tyler Sims (Metro) were all named to the team this week.  Congratulations to all three players.

Former St. Louis Jr. Blues stand out J.P. Beilsten has been named to the USA Hockey National In-Line team that will compete in the 2007 International Ice Hockey Federation In-Line Hockey World Championship in Landshut and Passau, Germany, May 27-June 2.  In a release from USA Hockey:

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- USA Hockey today named 15 players to the U.S. InLine National Team that will compete at the 2007 International Ice Hockey Federation InLine Hockey World Championship in Landshut and Passau, Germany, May 27-June 2.

The roster features seven returnees from the gold medal-winning 2006 U.S. In-Line National Team, including defensemen Ernie Hartlieb (Sterling Heights, Mich.), Derek Kern (Smithtown, N.Y.) and Lee Sweatt (Elburn, Ill.) and forwards Thomas Bruce (Mount Sinai, N.Y.), Chris Popescu (Sterling Heights, Mich.), Aaron Moss (Denver, Colo.) and Chris Peterson (Clinton Township, Mich.).

Team USA’s roster also includes forward C.J. Yoder (Elizabethtown, Pa.) and defenseman Jami Yoder (Elizabethtown, N.Y.), who both have a gold (2004) and silver (2001) medal to their credit. Goaltender Jeff Reynaert, a four-time U.S. InLine National Team member, has earned a gold (2004) and two bronze (2003, 2005) medals.

Forwards Dan Costanza (Arlington Heights, Ill.), Greg Thompson (Long Island, N.Y.) and Brian Yingling (Johnstown, Pa.), defenseman J.P. Beilsten (St. Louis) and goaltender Mark Costanza (Arlington Heights, Ill.) will each be making their IIHF InLine Hockey World Championship debut.

TOURNAMENT FORMAT

The 2007 IIHF In-Line Hockey World Championship will include 16 teams divided into the A-Pool and B-Pool World Championship. The defending-champion United States will compete in the A Pool alongside Finland, Sweden, Germany, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria and Slovenia. Great Britain, Brazil, Japan, Hungary, Australia, Namibia, South Africa and New Zealand will comprise the B Pool.

Seeding for the pools is based on the results of the 2006 IIHF In-Line Hockey World Championship. The A Pool will feature the eight highest ranked teams from the 2006 World Championship while the B Pool will include the next five lower ranked teams as well as the three newly qualified teams.

For the preliminary round of the 2007 IIHF In-Line Hockey World Championship, the A Pool and the B Pool will each be divided into two groups of four teams based on their rankings. Following round-robin play within each group, the two lowest ranked teams from the A Pool and the top two teams from the B Pool will face off as part of play-in games to determine their pools for the playoff round.

NOTES: Darren Turcotte (Brentwood, Tenn.), who led the United States to the gold medal at the 2006 IIHF In-Line Hockey World Championship, is the head coach of the 2007 U.S. In-Line National Team. Turcotte will be assisted by Tim Graham (Manhattan Beach, Calif.), who also serves as a District Coach-in-Chief for USA Hockey In-Line … In the 11-year history of the IIHF In-Line Hockey World Championship, the United States has earned gold medals in 1996, 1997, 1999, 2004 and 2006; silver medals in 1998 and 2001; and bronze medals at the 2000, 2003 and 2005 tournaments.

2007 U.S. In-Line National Team Schedule
Landshut & Passau, Germany • May 27-June 2

Date    Opponent             Location  Time (Local/EDT)
May 27  Czech Republic       Passau    6:00 p.m./10:00 a.m.
May 28  Austria              Passau    8:00 p.m./12:00 p.m.
May 29  Germany              Passau    8:00 p.m./12:00 p.m.
May 30  Qualification Round  TBD       8:00 p.m./12:00 p.m.
May 31  Playoff Round        Landshut  TBD
June 1  Semifinal Round      Landshut  TBD
June 2  Bronze & Gold-       Landshut  6:00 p.m./10:00 a.m. 
        Medal Games                    8:00 p.m./12:00 p.m.

         POOL A                             POOL B 
Group A         Group B           Group C             Group D
United States   Finland           Great Britain  Australia
Austria         Slovakia          Japan          Brazil
Czech Republic  Slovenia          Namibia        Hungary
Germany         Sweden            South Africa   New Zealand

The North American Hockey League held their draft this week and 4 current or former CSHL players were taken.  Jake Stadstad (Dubuque) was taken by the Alexandria Blizzard, Sean McGaughy (Peoria) was drafted by the Kenai River Brown Bears, Scott Keeven (St. Louis) was taken by the North Iowa Outlaws and Scott Pederson (Chicago) was drafted by the Southern Minnesota Express.  Congratulations to all players.

Two former CSHL'ers and two current players were taken in the USHL Draft held this week.  Ryan Kretzer (St. Louis) was taken with the 36th overall pick by the Waterloo Blackhawks.  While Scott Darling (Quad City) was taken in the 4th round, 40th overall by the Indiana Ice.  Kretzer spent the 2006-07 season with the Springfield Jr. Blues where he was named to the NAHL All-Rookie team while Darling played for the Capital District Selects in the Eastern Junior Hockey League where he posted a 3.38 GAA and a .924 Sv%.  Jarrod Mermis (St. Louis) was drafted by the Sioux City Musketeers in the 5th round with the 54th overall pick.  Kyle Lundey (Dubuque) was taken in the 14th round, 126th overall also by Sioux City.  Finally, Scott Pederson (Chicago) was drafted by the Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets with the 2nd pick of the 17th round (158 overall). Congratulations to all players.

The St. Louis Bandits won the Robertson Cup signifying the top team in the NAHL and the Tier II Jr. A National Champions.  The game featured several CSHL alumni.  Kyle O'Kane and Shawn Gawrys (St. Louis) each notched an assist in the game for the Bandits while Drew Satterley (Grand Rapids) added an assist for the Phantoms.  Also dressed and playing in the game were Phil Rauch (Toledo), Johnny Meo (Chicago) and Adam Snead (Toledo).  Former Grand Rapids Head Coach Mike Flanagan was behind the bench for the Bandits.  Congratulations to all players and coaches!

In related NAHL news.  Todd Rudasill (Columbus) was named to the Second Team All NAHL while Ryan Kretzer (St. Louis) was named to the NAHL All Rookie Team.

Although the season ended with the Colorado Avalanche missing the playoffs, it has been an eventful month for former St. Louis Jr. Blues standout Paul Stastny.  Since the season ended, Stastny was named to the IIHF World Championship team where he is currently second in team scoring with 6 points through 5 games, including 2 goals and an assist while leading the USA over Germany.  Last week he named one of three finalists for the Calder Memorial Trophy given to the league's Rookie of the Year.  In a release from the NHL:

NEW YORK  -- 

CALDER MEMORIAL TROPHY (outstanding rookie): Evgeni Malkin, Penguins; Jordan Staal, Penguins; Paul Stastny, Avalanche.  Following is information on each nominee for NHL Trophies in 2006-07:

CALDER MEMORIAL TROPHY

The Calder Memorial Trophy is awarded annually "to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League," as selected by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association.

EVGENI MALKIN - Center, Pittsburgh Penguins

·    Led all rookies in goals (33), power-play goals (16), assists (52) and points (85) in 78 games.
·    Became the first player in 89 years to tally goals in each of his first six NHL games.
·    Scored 25 of his 33 goals with the Penguins trailing or tied.

JORDAN STAAL - Right Wing, Pittsburgh Penguins

·    Tied for second among rookies with 29 goals; set a rookie mark with seven shorthanded goals.
·    Feb. 10 at Toronto became the youngest NHL player to record a hat trick (18 years, 153 days).
·    Led the Penguins and tied for second among rookies in plus-minus (+16).

PAUL STASTNY - Center, Colorado Avalanche

·    Tied for the rookie lead in game-winning goals (six), ranked second in points (78) and power-play goals (11) and was fourth in goals (28) and shots (185).
·    Led all players and set a rookie record by posting a 20-game point streak from Feb. 3 - Mar. 17.

The pairings for the North American Hockey League Robertson Cup Championship have been set.  The St. Louis Bandits will face-off on Sunday in the Championship game against the Mahoning Valley Phantoms.  The teams will play today in a game that will only determine who gets the 1st seed and home ice advantage.  The Bandits and Bandits are both 2-0 after downing the Southern Minnesota Express and the host Fairbanks Ice Dogs.

In Thursday's opening game, the Bandits downed the Express 3-1.  Kyle O'Kane (St. Louis) scored twice, including the game winner while Shawn Gawrys (St. Louis) added an assist.  In the second game of the day, the Phantoms beat the Ice Dogs 7-3.  Among the games top point getters was Adam Snead (Toledo) who notched two assists and Drew Satterley (Grand Rapids) added an assist for the Phantoms.  Arthur Bidwell (Peoria) had an assist in the losing effort for the Ice Dogs.   

On Friday, both teams scored 4-1 wins over their opponents.  In game one, the Phantoms met the Express with Satterley and Snead each picking up an assist as the Phantoms came from one down to win and guarantee a shot at a National Championship.  In Game 2, St. Louis downed Fairbanks by the same 4-1 score.  Gawrys notched a goal and assist to help lift St. Louis to the Championship game.  

Through 10 playoff games for St. Louis O'Kane has 8 goals and 2 assists for 10 points while Gawrys has 2 goals and 5 assists for 7 points.  In 7 games for Mahoning Valley, Satterley  has 2 goals and 4 assists for 6 points and Johnny Meo (Chicago) has 2 goals and 2 assists for 4 points in 8 games.  Adam Snead has 4 assists in 5 games.  For Fairbanks Bidwell has one assist in 5 games.

The Championship game will be played 5:00 p.m. AKST (8:00 p.m. CST/9:00 p.m. EST).  It can be watched in real time via Pointstreak.com.

Four former CSHL players season continued this week as Paul Beckwith, Tim Okicki, both from the Cleveland Jr Lumberjacks, Brad Townsend, Metro Jets and Jeremy Gates, Grand Rapids Owls moved on to the Royal Bank Cup, the Tier II Jr. A Canadian Championship.  All four players spend the season with the Pembroke Lumber Kings of the Central Ontario Junior A Hockey League, www.cjhl.on.ca.   

The Lumber Kings won the CJHL League playoffs and advanced to the Eastern Canada Junior A Championship To play for the Fred Page Cup.  The Fred Page Cup was hosted by the Saint Jerome Panthers of the Quebec Junior A Hockey League as they out battled the Joliette Action of the Quebec League and Truro Bearcats of the Maritimes Junior A Hockey League to qualify for the Royal Bank Cup Tournament.  The Royal Bank Cup will be May 5-13, 2007 in Prince George , British Columbia .  Congratulations to the players, the CSHL is proud of your success.

Toledo Cherokee On The Move

Two member of the Toledo Cherokee have moved on for next season.  The Cherokee have announced that Tim Werner has committed to play at Northland College for the 2007-08 season.  Also, J.C. Gulch has signed a tender with the Alpena IceDiggers of the NAHL North Division.  He joins team mate Tyler Pilmore who signed earlier this season.

Former St. Louis Jr. Blues standout Paul Stastny has followed up his stellar rookie season with a slot on the United States National team.  The early roster was released late this afternoon with more players to be added later.  Below is the release from USA Hockey:

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Hockey today named the first 18 players to its U.S. Men’s National Team that will compete at the 2007 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship in Moscow, Russia, April 27-May 13.

“We’ve got a good mix of players with World Championship experience and younger players who will likely be a part of our program for years to come,” said Jim Johannson, senior director of hockey operations for USA Hockey. “Our National Team Advisory Group has done an outstanding job in selecting players who we feel will excel in international competition.”

USA Hockey’s National Team Advisory Group consists of National Hockey League general managers Brian Burke (Anaheim Ducks), David Poile (POY-uhl) (Nashville Predators), Ray Shero (SHEER-oh) (Pittsburgh Penguins) and Don Waddell (Wah-DEHL) (Atlanta Thrashers).

Team USA’s roster includes seven players who have previously played in the IIHF World Championship. The group includes defensemen Andrew Alberts (Minneapolis, Minn./Boston Bruins/2006) and Keith Ballard (Baudette, Minn./Phoenix Coyotes/2004); forwards Chris Clark (South Windsor, Conn./Washington Capitals/2002), Erik Cole (Oswego, N.Y./Carolina Hurricanes/2005) and Phil Kessel (Madison, Wis./Boston Bruins/2006); and goaltenders Robert Esche (Whitesboro, N.Y./Philadelphia Flyers/2000, 2001) and John Grahame (Denver, Colo./Carolina Hurricanes/1996).

In addition, 11 of the 18 players are 25 years old or younger, including defensemen Alberts, Ballard, Matt Greene (Grand Ledge, Mich./Edmonton Oilers) and Jack Johnson (Indianapolis, Ind./Los Angeles Kings); forwards Brandon Bochenski (Blaine, Minn./Boston Bruins), Nathan Davis (Rocky River, Ohio/Miami (Ohio) University), Kessel, Chad LaRose (Fraser, Mich./Carolina Hurricanes), Paul Stastny (Quebec City, Quebec/Colorado Avalanche) and Lee Stempniak (West Seneca, N.Y./St. Louis Blues); and goaltender Cory Schneider (Marblehead, Mass./Boston College).

Rounding out the first group of players named to the U.S. roster are defenseman Brian Pothier (New Bedford, Mass./Washington Capitals) and forwards Tyler Arnason (Oklahoma City, Okla./Colorado Avalanche) and Toby Petersen (Minneapolis, Minn./Edmonton Oilers).

Team USA will play an exhibition game against Sweden at Globe Arena in Stockholm on April 25 at 7 p.m. (local time)/1 p.m. (EDT) before beginning competition in the IIHF World Championship on April 27 at 4:15 p.m. (local time)/8:15 a.m. (EDT) against Austria. The United States will play two additional preliminary-round games against Belarus (April 29) and the Czech Republic (May 1) before the qualification round begins. 

NOTES: Additional players will be named to the U.S. roster in the coming days … Cole, Esche and Grahame were all members of the U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team that competed at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy … The average age of the first 18 players named to Team USA is 25.1 years old … Mike Sullivan, former head coach of the NHL’s Boston Bruins and an assistant coach with the 2006 U.S. Men’s Olympic Ice Hockey Team, was named head coach of the 2007 U.S. Men’s National Team on March 26. Barry Smith, head coach and director of hockey operations with SKA St. Petersburg of the Russian Elite League, will serve as associate head coach of Team USA, while David Quinn, associate head coach for the Boston University men’s ice hockey team, will serve as assistant coach.

Team USA 2007 IIHF World Championship Schedule
Moscow, Russia • April 27-May 13

Date     Opponent          Location/Arena    Time (Local/EDT)
April 25 Sweden*           Stockholm/Globe   7:00 p.m./1:00 p.m.
                           Arena 
April 27 Austria           Arena Mytischi    4:15 p.m./8:15 a.m.
April 29 Belarus           Arena Mytischi    8:15 p.m./12:15 p.m.
May 1    Czech Republic    Arena Mytischi    8:15 p.m./12:15 p.m.
May 3-7  Qualif. Round     Arena Mytischi    TBD
May 9-10 Quarterfinals     Arena Khodynka    TBD
May 12   Semifinals        Arena Khodynka    3:15 p.m./7:15 a.m.
                                             7:15 p.m./11:15 a.m.
May 13   Bronze-Medal Game Arena Khodynka    4:15 p.m./8:15 a.m.
         Gold-Medal Game   Arena Khodynka    8:15 p.m./12:15 p.m.

Steady defenseman, Ethan Graham (Columbus Crush), realized a dream this week by winning the NCAA DI National Championship as his Michigan State Spartans upended the Boston College Eagles 3-1.  The senior Alternate Captain notched 1 goal and 12 assists on the year while logging plenty of ice time for the Spartans.  Congratulations to Ethan and the rest of the Michigan State hockey team.

Eric Ehn (Metro) has been named one of the finalists in the Hobey Baker Award voting.  According to the Hobey Baker website, Ehn was the top vote getter in Phase II of the balloting.  In a release from the same site:

Hobey Hat Trick Announced

The Dubuque Thunderbirds win the Hurster Cup in their first CSHL season.  Andrew Kurlandski scored the first goal for St. Louis.  Moments later the Thunderbird's Tony Dilchler tied the game.  Late in the period Jake Stadstad scored a power play goal to give Dubuque the lead.  St. Louis' Jarrod Mermis tied the score with a power play goal early in the second period.  The Thunderbirds responded with two power play goals by Kyle Lundey and Jake Jirik.  The third period was terrific period with tons of drama.  The Thunderbirds extended their lead with Jake Stadstad's second goal of the game again on the power play.  Jarrod Mermis cut the score to 5-3 with his second goal of the game.  The Thunderbirds again responded with Jeffrey Schmudlach goal to make it 6-3.  The final 3 minutes were wild with exciting end to end action.  Chris Saracino made it 6-4 then Joe Combs tallied to make it 6-5 with less than 2 minutes remaining.  Kyle Lundey then sealed the deal with a goal with just over one minute to play and teammate Tyler Sura added an empty net goal for good measure.  Spike Alverez recorded the win making 30 saves on 35 shots.  The Thunderbirds stopped the St. Louis 4-year Hurster Cup Championship streak and head to the Nationals as the CSHL # 2 seed.  St. Louis goes for their unprecedented 4th National Championship as the CSHL #1 seed.  Flint rounds out the field as the #3 seed.

2007 Hurster Cup Champion Dubuque Thunderbirds

Teams shake hands after the Championship game.

Cory Spradling, Chuck Lemay, Chris Saracino, Jim Rufo and Paul Puglisi

Dubuque celebrates after winning the Hurster Cup.

Chuck Lemay and Jim Rufo present the 1st Place Trophy.

The St. Louis Jr. Blues could see some familiar foes as they enter the 2006-07 USA Hockey Jr. B National Tournament.  First on the schedule is the WSHL #2 seed which will be the Phoenix Polar Bears or the El Paso Rhinos who play this weekend to determine their seedings.  The Polar Bears and Jr. Blues opened last years National Tournament and met in the finals in 2003.  In Game 3 they could end up facing the Boston Jr. Bruins, another team that they faced in 2006 while in Game 3 they face the #2 seed from the Metropolitan Jr. Hockey League.  At this time Suffolk PAL is the only team qualified from the Met.

The CSHL #2 team will square off against the winner of NorPac which is in the final round of their playoffs with the Helena Bighorns squaring off against the Ft. Vancouver Pioneers.  They then will turn the attention to the always strong Minnesota Owls of the Minnesota Jr. Hockey League and finish play against to #1 seed from the Met.

CSHL #3 will be tested right from the start as they face the Minnesota Ice Hawks in game one.  Game two will be a tough test as they face the WSHL #1 team (Phoenix or El Paso) and finally in game three they will face the Empire #2 team.

Former St. Louis Jr. Blues standout Paul Stastny has broken the National Hockey League Rookie record for points in consecutive games.  With an assist in today's first period, Stastny collected a point in 18 games, breaking the record held by Teemu Selanne.  In a release on the teams website:

ST. PAUL, Minn. – With a first period assist this afternoon in Minnesota, Colorado Avalanche center Paul Stastny extended his point streak to 18 games, breaking the NHL rookie record set by Teemu Selanne in 1992-93.

Stastny also set an NHL rookie record for consecutive road games with a point at 14. Paul’s uncle, Marian Stastny, held the previous record of 13 straight road games with a point set in 1981-82 with the Quebec Nordiques.

Stastny's 18-game point streak is the longest by an Avalanche player since the team moved to Denver in 1995-96 and tied for the third longest in franchise history. The only two players to record longer streaks were Mats Sundin (30 games in 1992-93) and Peter Stastny (19 games in 1983-84). Paul Stastny owns the longest scoring streak in the NHL this season and the longest by any player since Dany Heatley had a point in 22 consecutive games for the Ottawa Senators from Oct. 5 - Nov. 29, 2005.

The CSHL Round of 8 has been determined for next weekend.  Top seeded St. Louis beat Quad City 2-0 in the best of 3 series to advance while #2 seed Dubuque handled Metro also 2-0.  Michigan moves on with a 2-0 win over Cleveland and Motor City downed Cincinnati 2-1.  Joining them will be the teams that took first round byes: Flint, Toledo, Peoria and Chicago.  The teams will now be reseeded according to their President's Cup Standings.  The pairings are as follows:

Motor City @ St. Louis, Chicago @ Dubuque, Michigan @ Flint and Toledo @ Peoria.  The winners of the best of 3 series will advance to the Hurster Cup in Toledo.

Several members of the St. Louis Jr. Blues have made noise in their new leagues in the last couple of weeks.  Paul Stastny continues to impress at every level he plays, now it is with the NHL's Colorado Avalanche.  After 66 games, he is 3rd in team scoring with 62 points which ranks 2nd among all rookies.  From the Colorado website:

THIS SEASON - Has recorded a point in 14 consecutive games (8g/12a), the longest scoring streak by an NHL rookie since Teemu Selanne ended the 1992-93 campaign with a 17-game streak for the Winnipeg Jets (March 9 - April 15, 1993). - Stastny's 14-game streak is now the second longest by a rookie in franchise history, trailing only Peter Stastny's 16-game scoring streak in 1980-81. - Named NHL Rookie of the Month for February. - Led all rookies with 19 points (8g/11a) in 14 games during the month. - Stastny’s 19 points were the most-ever by a Colorado rookie in a single month and the most by a franchise rookie since Peter Forsberg had 19 in March of 1995. - Most points by an NHL rookie in the month of February since Sergei Fedorov had 23 points in February of 1991 with Detroit. - Ranks second among NHL rookies in scoring this season with 60 points, trailing only Evgeni Malkin (69). - Stastny's 60 points are the most by a rookie in Avalanche history (since 1995-96), breaking the mark of 51 set by Alex Tanguay in 1999-2000. - Is tied for second among NHL rookies in assists (38) and ranks fourth in goals (22). - Ranks third on the Avalanche in scoring this season. - Is just the third Avalanche rookie to score 20 or more goals, joining Marek Svatos (32 in 2005-06) and Chris Drury (20 in 1998-99). - Is tied with Milan Hejduk for the team lead with four game-winning goals, second among league rookies.

In the college ranks, Kyle Kraemer was named the Hockey East Rookie of the week.  In a release from Northeastern University, where Kraemer plays with Jr. Blues team mate Joe Vitale:

Kraemer named Rookie of the Week
March 5, 2007
Boston, MA

Freshman Kyle Kraemer of the Northeastern University men’s hockey team was named the Hockey East Rookie of the Week for the week ending March 4, the conference announced on Monday. Kraemer becomes the third different Husky to be named Hockey East Rookie of the Week this season.  Although Kraemer and the Huskies played in only one game last week, the St. Louis native made his mark. Kraemer scored two goals, including the game-winning tally midway through the second period, as the Huskies ended their regular season with a 4-2 upset of No. 5 Boston University on Feb. 28.  The game was the second two-goal game of the season for Kraemer, who ranks second on the team in both assists and points. The freshman forward has scored seven goals and added 12 assists for 19 points in 31 games for Northeastern.

Prior to Northeastern, Kraemer spent two seasons with the Wichita Falls Wildcats of the North American Hockey League (NAHL). In two seasons, Kraemer amassed 56 goals and 74 assists for 130 points, leading the team with 41 assists and 68 points in 2005-06. He was named an NAHL All-Star during the 2004-05 campaign. In 2003-04, Kraemer played for the St. Louis Jr. Blues of the Central States Hockey League, posting a 21-16-37 scoring line and helping the team to a 56-5 record and the Junior B national championship.  With the win over Boston University, the Huskies clinched the seventh seed in the upcoming Hockey East Tournament. Northeastern, which has a record of 13-16-5 this season, will take on second-seeded Boston College in a best-of-three quarterfinal series beginning on Thursday night in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

The 2006-07 season officially came to and end today with the first round of the playoffs beginning next week.  With the addition of Dubuque, the league went to two divisions.  The top two finishers in each division was given the option for a bye weekend into the round of 8.  In the West, St. Louis and Dubuque each opted to pass their bye onto the next two teams.  Both Peoria and Chicago have opted to take the bye.  

The first round in the West will get under way on Friday night.  St. Louis will host the Quad City Express in the best of 3 series and Dubuque will host the Metro Jets.  In the East, Flint and Toledo have both opted to take their weekend bye into the round of 8.  Because of that, the Michigan Ice Dogs will host the Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks while the Cincinnati Jr. Cyclones will host the Motor City Chiefs.  The four winners of these games will advance to round two where the teams will be re-seeded according to their President's Cup standings.  The winners of these games will advance to the Hurster Cup in Toledo, OH to help decide who gets the final two Nationals bid.  See Point Streak for the playoff schedules.

Two more players have been tendered by NAHL teams for the 2007-08 season.  Ryan Loach (St. Louis) has signed a tender with the North Iowa Outlaws while Tyler Peters (Cleveland) has signed a tender with the Alaska Avalanche.

The Avalanche made the following announcement:

The Alaska Avalanche is please to announce that Tyler Peters a forward from Valencia, California has signed a tender for the 2007-2008 season. Tyler joins the Avalanche after playing this past season for the Cleveland Junior Lumberjacks of the Central States Junior Hockey League.

General Manager Keith Morris (Columbus Crush) comments “I have known Coach Bob Jacobson for many years and his organization does a great job of developing young men for the step to Junior A. Tyler has a work ethic and skill set we want here with the Avalanche. We look forward to adding Tyler to our organization.”

Cherokee Finale To Benefit Family of Slain Detective
Last regular season home game's entire gate, 50/50 proceeds to benefit Dressel family

(Toledo, Ohio)- The final regular season home game for the Toledo Cherokee will have a far more significant meaning than just being an important 3 p.m. match-up with CSHL rival Chicago on Sunday March 4th. The Cherokee are going to designate that game as a fundraiser to honor the memory of one of Toledo Police's finest, Vice Detective Keith Dressel.

Detective Dressel was tragically shot and killed while working undercover last Wednesday. He is survived by wife Danielle and two children, daughter Sidney (6) and son Noah (4) along with many family, friends, and fellow officers. To pay tribute to Detective Dressel and those who survive him, the Cherokee have announced that the Sunday home game versus the Chicago Force will be a fund raiser with the game's entire gate going to the Dressel family.

Also, the Cherokee have announced that the standard ticket prices have been waived for this game and that admission will be whatever each fan chooses to financially donate. In addition, the house proceeds that are raised during the game's 50-50 raffle will also be donated to the family.

It is the sincerest hope of the entire Toledo Cherokee organization that we attract the largest crowd of the season to pay tribute to a fallen hero and show his family that the entire Toledo community will not forget Detective Dressel's sacrifice. From the entire Toledo Cherokee family, our deepest, most heartfelt and sincere sympathies to the Dressel family.

Game Details: What: CSHL Hockey, Chicago at Toledo Cherokee
When: Sunday, March 4th 2007
Time: 3pm
Where: Ice House, 1258 W. Alexis Road (across from Hydromatic)
Tickets: available at the door (donations to go directly to Dressel family.)

For more information, please log onto www.cherokeehockey.com.

The Flint Jr. Generals went from missing the playoffs in 2006 to the East Division Champions as they down the Metro Jets to clinch the division.  In addition, they jumped ahead of the Peoria Mustangs for 3rd place in the President's Cup standings but Peoria has a game in hand.  Congratulations to the Jr. Generals staff and players.

Former Michigan Ice Dogs forward Shawn Skelly has been named the NAHL, Central Player of the Week for the second time in a month.  In a release from league:

CENTRAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Bismarck forward Shawn Skelly struck for two goals and two assists last weekend as the Bobcats spilt a pair of games with Marquette.  On Friday, the 20-year-old registered two goals, including the game-winner, and an assist in Bismarck’s 5-3 win.  The next night, the Walled Lake, Mich., native notched an assist in a 5-3 loss to the Rangers.

Josh Kamrass (Cincinnati) and Cal Heeter (St. Louis) were honorable mentions for their efforts last week.

The St. Louis Jr. Blues entered the weekend needing only on win to secure the first CSHL bid to Nationals and their 6th consecutive League Championship.  After going down 3-2 after two to the Metro Jets, the Jr. Blues scored 4 unanswered goals in the third period to secure the bid.  This will be the Jr. Blues 5th consecutive trip to the USA Hockey Jr. B Nationals.  In the previous four trips St. Louis has won three consecutive and were the runner up in their first year.  In the last 5 years, the CSHL has 4 of the National Champions with the Metro Jets winning in 2002 and St. Louis winning in 2004, 2005 and 2006. 

St. Louis Head Coach Jack Behan commented, "It's always an honor to represent the CSHL, whether it's Nationals or the Jr. B Showcase.  This year the CSHL can be assured strong representation, as in the past.  The CSHL is one of the stronger leagues, I believe the strongest in Jr. B hockey.  That has been shown through the last 5 years.  Two of our three wins came against CSHL teams in an all-league final and the third was against our newest member."  He goes on to say, "It doesn't matter where you finish in the CSHL because you will always have a chance to make it and make an impact.  Look at Cleveland last year, look at Michigan a couple of years ago, look at Peoria, look at Toledo, look at Grand Rapids, all have been impact players at Nationals regardless of where they finished in league play."

The Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks have announced that defenseman, Kevin Anger has been called up to the Southern Minnesota Express of the NAHL.  The Eau Claire, WI native spent 33 games in Cleveland notching 3 goals and 5 assists.

Former Michigan Ice Dogs forward Shawn Skelly didn't let a trade from St. Louis to Bismarck slow him down.  Skelly was named the NAHL-Central Player of the Week by the league.  In their weekly release they had this to say:

CENTRAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Bismarck forward Shawn Skelly struck for three goals and three assists in two games last weekend as the Bobcats swept a home-and-home series with Central Division-leading Fargo-Moorhead. On Friday, the 20-year-old recorded a hat trick, including the game-winner, in Bismarck’s 8-5 triumph. The next night, the Walled Lake, Mich., native registered three assists, including one on Jeremy Robert’s game-winning goal, as the Bobcats skated to an 8-4 win over the Jets.

From fan polls to hockey analysts, one thing remains constant; Eric Ehn is considered among the elite of college hockey.  The former Metro Jet star is first in fan balloting at the official site of the Hobey Baker award and 6th among the hockey analysts.  The Hobey Baker is awarded to the top college player and Ehn certainly deserves the consideration.  Playing for the Air Force Academy, Ehn has amassed a total of 19 goals and 27 assists in 26 games tied for the NCAA DI lead the T.J. Hensick of the University of Michigan.  

Here is what the experts are saying:

D.J. Powers
"Eric has been one of the nation's most consistent point producers all season. He's excellent on face-offs and can make things happen every time he's out on the ice. "

Ken Schott
"He has helped the Falcons make a smooth transition from College Hockey America to Atlantic Hockey."

"Continues to impress as he leads the Falcons to two wins over Mercyhurst."

Elliot Olshansky
"Ehn just keeps producing for the Falcons as the nation’s leading scorer, and the Falcons keep producing wins. Don't be surprised to see Ehn join the likes of Marc Kielkucki, Brian Gornick and Brian Reaney as Falcons who've skated in the pros while fulfilling their service commitments nearby."

"Say all you want about the competition he’s playing against, but Ehn is for real. Would he be leading the nation in scoring if he played in a tougher conference? Probably not, but he’d still be putting up some very nice numbers. He’s got the skill, but it’s really his drive and his toughness that put him in position to make so many plays for the Falcons."

Former Metro Jets goaltender Tyler Sims was named the Hockey East Co-Defensive Player of the Week for the week of January 22nd.  In conference release:

Tyler Sims Named Hockey East Co-Defensive Player of the Week  
Sims earns the honor for the third time in his career.  

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Providence College junior goalie Tyler Sims (Grand Blanc, Mich.) was named Hockey East Co-Defensive Player of the Week on Monday, January 22. It marks the first time this season and third overall that Sims has earned the honor.

Sims led the Friars to a weekend split against the fourth-ranked Maine Black Bears. On Friday, January 19, Sims stopped all 28 shots he faced as PC defeated Maine, 3-0, at Schneider Arena. It marked Sims' first shutout this season and the fourth of his career. Sims is now one shutout away from tying a school record for most career shutouts (five set by Mario Proulx from 1980-84). The win also marked PC's first shutout victory since January 20, 2006 when the Friars posted a 4-0 triumph at Maine. The following night, Sims again made 28 saves, but the Friars were defeated, 2-0. For the season, Sims has posted a 2.66 goals against average and a .901 save percentage.

The Springfield Jr. Blues have announced former Peoria standout, Andrew Berecz has committed to Wayne State University.  In a release from the team:

Tyler Pilmore (Toledo) became the first player in 2007 to sign a tender for the 2007-08 season as he committed to the Alpena IceDiggers of the NAHL, North.  In a release from the league:

The Alpena IceDiggers have signed forward Tyler Pilmore for the 2007-08 season. The Sylvania, Ohio, native is currently playing with the Toledo Cherokee in the Central States Hockey League.  Pilmore is in his second season in Toledo. The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder has scored 15 goals and added 29 assists for 44 points in 33 games this season. The right winger suited up for one IceDigger game this season in a 6-2 win over Marquette in early January.

“Tyler is the kind of player we look for when we go out and recruit,” said IceDiggers coach Kenny Miller.  “He’s a solid two-way player that can score and he’s a great student in the classroom; he and his family take his studies very serious.  He will be a great addition to our club."  Pilmore is coached by former NHLer Iain Duncan.  "Iain has great things to say about Tyler,” Miller added.  “He’s a hard-working kid with a great work ethic and that's what we want here in Alpena.”

Two former CSHL'ers received honors from the ECAC Northeast last week.  Ryan Gervais (Chicago) was named the Player of the Week, while Zeke Costello (Metro/Peoria) was named to the Honor Roll.  In a release from the league:

Ryan Gervais - Nichols
Sophomore, Chicago, Ill./Chicago Force
Tallied four goals and one assist in three games last week for the Bison. In a 5-4 win over Worcester State, he scored the game winner and added an assist. In a come-from-behind victory against Framingham State, he posted two goals, and scored once in the team's lone loss.

Zeke Costello - Nichols
Freshman, Shelby Township, Mich./Traverse City North Stars
Posted three assists, including one on the game winner, against Framingham State on Saturday.

The Columbus Jr. B Blue Jackets have announced that defenseman Carl Nielsen has been called up by the Alpena IceDiggers of the NAHL North.  The IceDiggers are currently in a battle for the top spot with Mahoning Valley.  Nielsen notched the game winner against Mahoning Valley on Saturday, his first game with his new team.

Mark Hammersmith Jr., formerly of the Chicago Force has signed with the Pee Dee Cyclones of the Southern Professional Hockey League.  Pee Dee is located in Northeast South Carolina.  Through 10 games, Hammersmith as notched two points on one goal and one assist with +2 rating and 10 PIM's.

Todd Rudasill (Columbus) and Phil Rauch (Toledo) have both made plans for college.  Both stand out players in the CSHL have committed to NCAA DI schools for the 2007-08 season.  According to releases from the NAHL and their teams.

From the St. Louis Bandits on Rauch:

The St. Louis Bandits have announced that defenseman Phil Rauch, 19, has committed to Canisius College (Atlantic Hockey) for the fall of 2007.  "Phil has been a sensational leader both on and off the ice," said Bandits coach-GM Jon Cooper (Metro). "He never takes a shift off and continues to make big plays in the defensive end when we need them."  Rauch, the Bandits’ captain, has totaled three goals for nine points along with 85 penalty minutes in 35 games this year. The Lambertville, Mich., skated last season with NAHL’s defunct Helena Bighorns.

From the Alpena IceDiggers on Rudasill:

The Alpena IceDiggers have announced that second-year forward Todd Rudasill has committed to Ohio State University (CCHA) for the 2007-08 season.  “I’m extremely excited for Todd and his family,” said IceDiggers coach-GM Kenny Miller.  “It’s been a dream of Todd’s to play at Ohio State and now that’s become a reality for him.”  The 18-year-old Rudasill, from Powell Ohio, leads the NAHL in scoring with 57 points (19 goals) after 33 games this season.  “Todd has worked hard to earn this opportunity and I’m happy to see it pay off for him,” Miller said of his team’s assistant captain. “He will be a scoring threat for the Buckeyes for the next four years. Not only is Ohio State getting a great player, it’s also getting a great young man.”

Former Columbus standout Todd Rudasill was named the NAHL, North Player of the Week.  Rudasill has had an outstanding year so far notching 54 points through 31 games, leading all NAHL scorers.  In a release from the league:

NORTH PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Alpena forward Todd Rudasill struck for two goals and three assists last week as the IceDiggers skated to a pair of wins over Traverse City.  On Wednesday, the 18-year-old recorded an assist in Alpena’s 5-2 win.  The Powell, Ohio, native followed that up with a two-goal, two assist effort in the IceDiggers’ 6-1 win over the North Stars on Sunday.

The final CSHL Showcase game has been rescheduled for January 10, 2007 at the Taylor Sports Plex.  The game had to be suspended due to a power outage at the facility.  The game will resume from the 18:15 mark of the second period with Michigan holding a 2-0 lead over Metro.  The rosters will be locked for that game from the original game.

Paul Beckwith (Cleveland) lead the Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks to an appearance in the USA Hockey Jr. B National Championships and came away with a 2-1 record.  This year, after an injury set back, Beckwith has come back strong for the Pembroke Lumber Kings of the Central (Ontario) Junior A Hockey League.  This past week Beckwith was named the CJHL Defensive Player of the week.  In a release from the league:

The Defensive Player of the Week is another King, goaltender Paul Beckwith of Euclid, Ohio, who returned after missing two months after knee surgery to backstop Pembroke to three wins in four days.  Beckwith faced 73 shots and stopped 70 while picking up the Lumber Kings first shut out of the season. Beckwith played with the Cleveland Jr Lumberjacks of the Central States Hockey League last season.

The Central States Hockey League closed out their 2nd Showcase of the 2006-07 season, sort of, last weekend as the final President's Cup bonus points were awarded.  The final game of the Showcase pitted the the Metro Jets against the Michigan Ice Dogs.  The Game, however, had to be postponed with 18:15 remaining in the second period and Michigan leading 2-0 after a car hit a utility pole outside the Taylor Ice Rink.  The game has been tentatively rescheduled and will be updated when the date is finalized by all teams.  

The Showcase itself was a tremendous success.  Over 60 scouts were in attendance over the weekend from NCAA DI, DIII, Jr. A and ACHA teams.  Just as important were the final three games with bonus points available towards the President's Cup standings for final seeding in the 2006-07 Hurster Cup playoffs.  Leading the way were the St. Louis Jr. Blues who accrued an additional 12 points on 6 wins in the additional games.  Peoria and Dubuque claimed 11 additional points with Flint also finishing in double digits with 10 points.  Michigan can join that group if they win the postponed game, pushing them to 10 points.  Toledo and Cleveland each finished with 8 points while Cincinnati and Grand Rapids picked up 7 points.  Chicago and Quad City were able to pick up 6 points.  Finally, if Metro can come back to upend the Ice Dogs they will move to 6 points, but currently stand at 4 bonus points with Columbus picking up 3 points and the Motor City Chiefs claiming 2 points.  

Aaron Jakubic of the Flint Jr. Generals has been called up to the Bismarck Bobcats of the NAHL, West.  The 6-1, 180 lb defenseman from Linden, MI.  In 20 games with the Generals he had accrued 14 points.  According to a team release:

One of the Jr. Generals has accepted a new mission and a new post, the Bismarck Bobcats of the NAHL.

With the Flint Jr. Generals leading the CSHL East Division (19-7-0-1) and having one of their best seasons ever, it's no surprise that some of the Junior A programs are starting to take note. The Bismarck Bobcats of the North American Hockey League inquired and then signed the Jr. Generals alternate captain Aaron Jakubic, who reported to his new post Monday, December 11th.

Aaron, currently in his 3rd season with the Jr. Generals, is a 1988 birth year who started the season averaging a point a game through the first 10 games, sat 5 games due to an injury, and was just rounding back into shape when the call came. 

The Central States Hockey League has again assembled a team of midget aged players to compete in the upcoming USHN Redhawk Winter Fury Tournament to be held on the campus of the University of Miami (Ohio).  The tournament will feature some of the top teams in midget hockey.  The CSHL is scheduled to face off against Little Caesers, Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets and Lake Forest in the round robin portion of the tournament which will be held December 27th-30th.  The league is proud to announce the roster for this tournament.

G John Griggs Dubuque
G Allen Schneider Cleveland
D Tim Carlson Michigan
D Paul Conte Motor City
D Zack Kamrass Cincinnati
D Scott Keeven St Louis
D Carl Neilsen  Columbus
D Chris Saracino St Louis
F Phil Blackwood St Louis
F Andrew Hafner Toledo
F Alec Hagaman Peoria
F Nick Kenney Metro
F Jarrod LaBelle Flint
F Jarrod Mermis St Louis
F Patrick Nelson Cincinnati
F Tyler Pilmore Toledo
F Sal Ragusa Quad City
F Mike Santee Grand Rapids
F Ian Thill Chicago
F Ryan Timar Michigan

Former St. Louis Jr. Blues forward Eddie Effinger was named the NAHL, South Player of the week last week.  In a release from the league:

SOUTH PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Wichita Falls forward Eddie Effinger, a 19-year-old from Belleville, Ill., scored the game-winning goal in overtime and assisted on Luke Salazar’s first-period tally as the Wildcats defeated Texas on Friday, 3-2, marking the first time Wichita Falls has ever defeated the Tornado on the road in the regular season.

That makes 3 players in the last 4 weeks with ties to the CSHL that have won their divisions award.

Chris Saracino of the St. Louis Jr. Blues and Garrett Bartus of the Chicago Force have earned call-ups from the St. Louis Bandits and the Mahoning Valley Phantoms, respectively.  Saracino has been the top defensive scorer in the CSHL to date and third overall in the league.  The 6'0 195 lb. forward has garnered much attention so far this season.  Earlier he was one of two current CSHL'ers to be taken in USHL Futures Draft when he was taken by the Green Bay Gamblers.  Says head coach Jack Behan, "Chris has been a lynchpin on our blue line this year.  There is no situation that we are uncomfortable putting him in and his points are coming while defending the top lines of the teams we face.  He certainly has earned this opportunity."  Bartus, a second year player for the Force has also had an impressive start to the 2006-07 season.  Bartus who had a 7-3 record, with a .915 save percentage and a 2.88 GAA at the time of the call up, was instrumental in the excellent start the Force have gotten off to this season.  Says Chicago General Manager Mitch Surrell, "This is a tremendous opportunity for Garrett, and we wish him great success.  He has followed up his outstanding rookie year in 2005-2006, with a solid start to the 2006-2007 season, and all of us in the Force organization are very proud of him."

The Central States Hockey League converged on Blaine, Minnesota on Monday and Tuesday, along with teams from the other Jr. B leagues around the country for the USA Hockey Junior Jamboree.  Teams representing the USHL, AJHL and EJHL also attended the showcase.  The CSHL opened play on Monday afternoon as they squared off against the Empire Blue team, scoring a convincing 5-1 win.  Jake Stadstad (DBQ) lead all scorers in the game notching one goal and adding two assists.  Paul Puglisi (STL) and Adam Gillikin (GRO) each added two assists from the blue line.  On Tuesday, the CSHL faced off against the WSHL and scored another win as they dropped the WSHL 3-1.  C.J. Chappell (STL) lead the scoring today notching two goals while Nick Fina (CHI) chipped in with two assists.  Martin Iberer (QCE) stopped 28 of 29 shots to get the win.