Press Release from USA Hockey

Housley, McClanahan Named Head Coaches
for CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game
Game Scheduled for September 29 in Buffalo, N.Y.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Phil Housley and Rob McClanahan will be the head coaches for the first-ever CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game Sept. 29 in Buffalo, N.Y., it was annouced today by USA Hockey.

The event, which will feature 40 of the top American-born prospects eligible for the 2013 National Hockey League Entry Draft, will be staged at the First Niagara Center, home of the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres.

Both Housley and McClanahan were key members of legendary U.S. teams — Housley helped Team USA win the 1996 World Cup of Hockey championship and McClanahan contributed to the gold-medal effort at the 1980 Olympic Winter Games. Each also played for the Buffalo Sabres.

Housley spent 21 seasons in the National Hockey League. A first-round draft pick (sixth overall) of the Sabres in 1982, he spent the first eight years (1982-90) of his career there and, in 2007, was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame. Housley also played for the Winnipeg Jets, St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, New Jersey Devils, Washington Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks and Toronto Maple Leafs. He concluded his career with 1,232 points (338-894), the most by an American-born defenseman.

Housley will be the head coach of the 2013 U.S. National Junior Team that will compete at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship from Dec. 26, 2012 – Jan. 5, 2013, in Ufa, Russia. He has also served as an assistant coach for two (2007, 2011) U.S. National Junior Teams and one (2011) U.S. Men’s National Team. In 2011-12, Housley completed his eighth campaign as head coach of the Stillwater (Minn.) High School boys’ ice hockey team.

Housley had a remarkable playing career with Team USA, representing his country at 11 international tournaments, winning the 1996 World Cup of Hockey and earning a silver medal at the 202 Olympic Winter Games. He was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004 and the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame in 2012.

McClanahan is famously known for his role in helping the U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team capture the gold medal at the 1980 Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid, N.Y. Following its victory over the Soviet Union in the “Miracle on Ice,” Team USA beat Finland to garner the gold medal. McClanahan notched the game-winning goal against the Finns and had five goals in seven Olympic contests. The 1980 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003.

Additionally, McClanahan represented the United States at the 1979 International Ice Hockey Federation Men’s World Championship and the 1982 Canada Cup.

Selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1978 NHL Entry Draft, McClanahan spent parts of two seasons (1980-81) with the Sabres. He also skated for the Hartford Whalers and New York Rangers during his NHL career, which concluded in 1984.

A native of St. Paul, Minn., and an alumnus of the University of Minnesota, McClanahan is now a businessman in Minneapolis.

 
Notes: Nick Fohr, assistant coach for USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program Under-18 Team will serve as an assistant to Housley, while Don Granato, head coach for USA Hockey’s NTDP Under-18 Team, will serve at McClanahan’s assistant coach … Players selected to compete in the inaugural CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game were chosen by USA Hockey in conjunction with NHL Central Scouting … Players selected to partcipate represent 13 different states. Minnesota leads the way with seven and Illinois and Michigan bring six apiece. Other states include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin … Four players from the USHL’s Waterloo Blackhawks are among the players selected, including two goaltenders … Of the 40 players, 31 played their most recent season in the USHL, five come from U.S. high schools, two are from the Ontario Hockey League, one comes from the Western Hockey League and one represents the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League .

Press Release from College Hockey, Inc.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 28, 2012
 
Mike Snee Named Executive Director of College Hockey, Inc.
 
Mike Snee, a veteran amateur hockey and NHL executive, has been named the Executive Director of College Hockey, Inc., the organization’s Board of Directors announced today. Snee spent the past four years as the Executive Director of Minnesota Hockey and will begin his new duties on Sept. 17.

“Mike is a very talented professional with a great passion and love for college hockey,” said Steve Hagwell, Commissioner of ECAC Hockey and Chair of the 10-member Board of Directors of College Hockey, Inc. “He has enjoyed a great amount of success professionally. We look forward to a bright future for College Hockey, Inc. under Mike’s leadership.”
 
Snee becomes the second executive director in College Hockey, Inc.’s history. The organization was formed in 2009 to promote Division I men’s college hockey to prospective student-athletes and fans.
 
“I have followed College Hockey, Inc. closely since its inception and am honored to have this opportunity,” said Snee, a native of Duluth, Minn.  “I believe strongly in CHI’s mission and look forward to working with [Director of Communications] Nate Ewell and the Board to continue the exciting growth of college hockey throughout the country.”
 
Members of the Board – which consists of commissioners, athletic directors and head coaches – echoed Hagwell’s enthusiasm for Snee’s hire.
 
“Mike has a tremendous passion for hockey as well as an understanding of the issues and people involved at all levels necessary to succeed,” said Dave Smith, head coach at Canisius. “As our executive director, Mike’s previous experiences will be beneficial as he takes the lead for Division I college hockey in discussions with the NHL, NCAA and the current and future landscape of college hockey.”
 
“Mike has had tremendous success as an innovator and leader within the hockey community,” said Dr. Robert Corran, Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics at Vermont. “His experience, from the NHL to youth hockey, will be invaluable in preparing CHI and college hockey for the opportunities which lie ahead.”
 
During Snee’s tenure with Minnesota Hockey he led a multi-platform strategic plan to ensure the long-term growth of the sport in Minnesota. He led the organization’s branding and communications efforts and nearly tripled corporate sponsorship revenue in just four years. He also served as a member of the USA Hockey Marketing Committee.
 
Prior to joining Minnesota Hockey, Snee spent nine years with Minnesota Sports & Entertainment, the parent company of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild. He served stints as Director of Corporate Sales and Director of Ticket Sales and worked closely with college hockey as the Xcel Energy Center hosted the annual WCHA Final Five and the 2002 NCAA Frozen Four.
 
Snee led one of the most successful sponsorship groups in the NHL and helped spearhead the creation and execution of Hockey Day in Minnesota in 2007, a state-wide celebration of the game. Previously he led the initial ticket sales efforts for the expansion Wild, which produced a season-ticket base of 16,000.
 
Snee, a 1991 graduate of the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., started his sports business career as an intern with the Minnesota North Stars and also worked for the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and the Minnesota Moose of the now-defunct International Hockey League.
 
 
About College Hockey, Inc.
Formed in 2009, College Hockey, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting Division I men’s college hockey to prospective players and fans through extensive marketing and informational efforts. The entity is operated under the auspices of a 10-member Board of Directors and works closely with the commissioners, coaching staffs and administrators of the 59 programs and five conferences that sponsor Division I hockey.

Press Release from USA Hockey

U.S. Under-18 Select Team Defeats Slovakia, 5-3,
at 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament

Team USA Scores Three Power Play Goals in Final Game

PIESTANY, Slovakia – Adam Erne (New Haven, Conn.) scored two goals and added an assist while Anthony DeAngelo (Sewell, N.J.) registered three assists as the U.S. Under-18 Select Team defeated Slovakia, 5-3, in its final game at the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament.

“We learned to play together and really accomplished that for 60 minutes today,” said Matt Herr, head coach of the U.S. Under-18 Select Team. “We didn’t let down. We capitalized on the power play and were successful on the penalty kill to stay focused on what we needed to do to win.”

The U.S. had its best start of the tournament, holding a 2-0 lead for most of the first period. At 7:28, Gabe Guertler (Plantation, Fla.) scored the game’s first goal when he capitalized on the power play.

Five minutes later, Vinni Lettieri (Minnetonka, Minn.) got on the board, as he slipped behind the Slovakia defense and finished on a breakaway. Slovakia got one back late in the period to cut the U.S. lead to 2-1, but committed a penalty as time expired, giving Team USA a man advantage to begin the second stanza.

Just 1:11 into the second period, Erne scored a power play goal that would prove to be the only tally of the middle frame. Guertler and DeAngelo assisted on the play.

A hotly contested third period saw a combined four goals. After Slovakia was whistled for delaying the game prior to the start of the period, Erne potted his second power play goal of the contest at 1:24 while on a two-man advantage to extend the U.S. lead to 4-1. Slovakia scored the game’s next two goals, both on the power play, to pull within one. With four minutes to play, Justin Bailey (Williamsville, N.Y.) ripped the puck over the glove of Maros Mikolas to secure the victory for Team USA.

First Period – Scoring: 1, USA, Guertler (Downing, Erne), 7:28 (pp); 2, USA, Lettieri, 12:52; 3, SVK, Torok (Lantos), 14:25. Penalties: SVK, Paulovic (tripping), 4:46; SVK, Lantos (tripping), 6:06; SVK, Plesa (holding), 19:56.

Second Period – Scoring: 4, USA, Erne (Guertler, DeAngelo), 1:11 (pp). Penalties: USA, Weis (interference), 2:31; USA, Moore (slashing), 11:32; SVK, Bacik (holding), 17:27; SVK, Ambroz (roughing), 18:16; USA, Moore (roughing); 18:16; SVK, Soltes (delaying the game), 18:54; SVK, Paulovic (clipping), 19:42.

Third Period – Scoring: 5, USA, Erne (DeAngelo, Oglevie), 1:24 (5x3pp); 6, SVK, Rehak (Torok, Betak), 4:47 (pp); 7, SVK, Bacik (Pavlicek, Paulovic), 12:01 (pp); 8, USA, Bailey (Guertler, DeAngelo), 16:07. Penalties: SVK, Team (delaying the game), 0:00; USA, Lettieri (charging), 4:16; SVK, Plesa (charging), 5:40; USA, Bailey (slashing), 6:12; SVK, Soltes (roughing), 6:12; USA, Ronan (tripping), 7:57; USA, Malone (slashing), 10:14; SVK, Kasanicky (delaying the game), 14:04; SVK, Betak (interference), 16:14; SVK, Holenda (roughing), 19:05; SVK Holenda (roughing), 19:05; USA, Moore (major-slashing), 19:05; USA, Moore (game misconduct), 19:05; USA, Lettieri (roughing), 19:05; USA, Lettieri (roughing), 19:05; USA, DeAngelo (leaving the player bench), 19:05; USA, DeAngelo (leaving the player bench), 19:05; USA, DeAngelo (game misconduct), 19:05.

By Eric Donnellan       HockeyEast/ECAC Editor     August 16, 2012

As the cream of the crop of ’93 and ’94 born U.S. hockey players converged on the sleepy village of Lake
Placid, New York, for the 2012 U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp (NJEC) over the weekend, revenge was
the prevalent thought on the minds of many.

The advent of the NTDP program and the proliferation of hockey in general in the good ole US of A has culminated in raised expectations on the international hockey stage. With sustained success comes lofty expectations as the US program has come a long way in the past decade plus.

The 2011 U.S. WJC squad finished a disappointing seventh just one year removed from one of the most
exhilarating gold medal game victories in 2010  over the rival Canadian Junior Team. And what better
place to cleanse the mind and regroup than the site of arguably the most monumental achievement in
United States Olympic lore. If the US program is in need of some catharsis, how could the enchanting,
historical backdrop of Lake Placid not be the remedy? It certainly did wonders for the Boston Bruins
during their 2011 Stanley Cup quarterfinal reprieve from the distractions of the bustling city of Montreal.

GM Jim Johannson and his USA Hockey staff invited 45 fresh faces to camp along with new head coach, Phil Housley.

The invitees competed in the seven-day camp which was the first step in a
long and arduous process to determine a final roster for the 2013 IIHF WJC in Ufa, Russia

Camp Home Page Team USA

As evidence of the sweeping changes at the NJEC this year- in glancing at the 2012 NJEC roster, only
forward  J.T. Miller, defenseman Jacob Trouba and goaltender John Gibson were members of the 2011 US WJC Team.

Included in this new regime is a solid core of Hockey East and ECAC budding superstars, all with varied levels of
experience

Full NJEC Roster

HEA and ECAC Camp Invitees:

Johnny Gaudreau (Boston College), Matt Grzelcyk (BU), Colin Blackwell, Jimmy
Vesey and Brian Hart (Harvard), Adam Reid (Northeastern), Shayne Gostisbehere
(Union), Jon Gillies (Providence College), Joakim Ryan and Cole Bardreau(Cornell)
and Mike Paliotta (UVM)

The WJC roster is predominantly and historically dominated by 19-year-olds as the US staff inherently
looks to have a seasoned group of skaters on the final WJC roster.

Players like speedy forward Colin Blackwell (Harvard), relative newbies to the USA Hockey system, will have
to prove their mettle and make an instantaneous impression at the NJEC session. When I asked Kirk
Kluedeke of the New England Hockey Journal about Blackwell’s chances, he had this to say via Twitter:

                                                                                            Blackwell

“[Blackwell] is a long shot. He didn’t come up thru US NTDP and is undersized, so he’ll have to be lights
out and far outplay others.”

I had the chance to ask Colin Blackwell about his take on whether or not the lack of NTDP experience
would hinder his chances of making the ’13 team.

“No, I didn’t feel any added pressure in Lake Placid because the coaching and scouting staff for the
team followed me this past year at Harvard and will be watching this upcoming season as well.” said
Blackwell. “Although they may have been more familiar with players who had played on NTDP the last
two years, I felt that I was there for a reason and I just needed to play my game and show them what I
can do.”

Because of the disparate levels of experience amongst the players in camp, ranging from prep school
and college to major junior, it is often said that guys with a year of college under their belt may indeed
have a competitive advantage.

Blackwell expressed his sentiment on this very subject when I asked him about it earlier this week.

“I felt that playing a year of college hockey definitely helped me a lot,” Blackwell said.  ”The speed of the game is so much
faster and sometimes you can play against players that are possibly five-six years older than you. So, that
experience alone gave me a lot of confidence going in to the NJEC.”

The 2nd half of camp saw the US squad  compete against some of the world’s finest as Team Finland
and Team Sweden sent their elite U20’s to Lake Placid. Team USA’s week was undoubtedly highlighted by a 10-2
drubbing of Sweden on Thursday in which Johnny Gaudreau of Boston College picked up a goal and an
assist.

Although much of the hype and pre-camp defensive press clippings were focused on blue liners Seth
Jones and Michigan-bound Jacob Trouba, it was relatively unknown Shayne Gostisbehere from
Union College who quite possibly left the largest impact on the coaching staff.

Adam Kimelman of NHL.com spoke to Phil Housley regarding the Union Dutchmen defenseman.

“Shayne Gostisbehere, a 2012 third-round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers, scored a pair of power-play
goals and had an assist,” noted Kimelman.” He also played solid defensively, which U.S. coach Phil
Housley was quick to point out.”

“His all-round game was good,” Housley said. “His defense is getting better throughout the whole week.
The stick is definitely good. He can skate it out of trouble. He moves the puck quite well. He’s improving
all week, and I think he played excellent tonight.”

                                                                                          Gostisbehere

Jon Gillies (Providence College), one of the most hyped recruits entering HEA this season, came into
camp looking to win the role as back up to the clear number, John Gibson. Fortunately for the hulking
Gillies, the evaluation process is not limited solely to the performance over the past week. Gillies
struggled mightily, surrendering 8 goals on just 43 shots (.814%, 5.39 GAA); and as a result will have to
prove himself between the pipes at Schneider Arena this year if he has any shot at making the final cut.

                                                                                           Gillies

Johnny Gaudreau (Carneys Point, NJ – BC), who was invited to camp last year as well, is a virtual
shoo-in for a top six forward spot, given his dynamic hands and unmatched offensive skillset. In reading
the scouting report from several experts last week, it seemed Gaudreau struggled a bit early on in
camp playing on a line with the electric Alex Galchenyuk. Perhaps he was feeling a bit of the pressure
bestowed upon this line because of the heady expectations and giant press clippings of both he and
Galchenyuk. He did finish the week strong, however, after the lines were mixed up slightly and ended
the week with 2 goals and a helper, including a power play tally.

                                                                                                  Gaudreau

Jimmy Vesey (Harvard ’13 – North Reading, MA) was a somewhat surprised addition to the final NJEC
roster announced after the weekend scrimmages. The offensively-skilled Harvard recruit starred in the
EJHL last year with the Massachusetts based South Shore Kings where he took home MVP honors. He
was impressive enough in camp (one goal, one assist) to make the first cut which means the US brass were
real keen on taking a good hard look at this youngster. That said, the jump from the EJHL to the NJEC is
a significant one so unless he has a phenomenal rookie campaign at Harvard, we project he will miss the
cut.

                                                                                               Vesey

Matt Grzelcyk (Boston University) Despite his lack of sheer size, the 5-9 170 pound Charlestown, MA, native
is a standout presence on the ice. He is the proverbial ‘puck moving defenseman’ who was drafted
by the hometown Bruins (85th overall) this past season. Grzelcyk has a few factors
working against him. Simply stated, there are niche roles for each player to fill in assembling the final
puzzle piece. Mike Reilly and Shayne Gostisbehere are both ’93 birth dates, fill a similar finesse role,
and had impressive camps and that could be very tough to overcome. His innate hockey sense and NTDP/International
pedigree might just tempt the US staff to take the future Terrier to Russia.

                                                                                               Grzelcyk

Cornell’s undersized, tenacious forward Cole Bardreau, is another player with NTDP pedigree. They say every
championship team needs not only superstars, but role players. Bardreau falls into the latter category
and if effort was awarded a roster spot, he would be a first line forward on the WJC team headed to
Russia. Like Blackwell, he does have a year of NCAA experience under his belt so perhaps the play
against older, more refined players will help him in his bid to earn one of the final forward spots.

                                                                                          Bardreau

All in all, it was a great week of hockey for most of the HEA and ECAC invitees. As we continue to emphasize,
this past week was merely the first step in the evaluation process. Stay tuned to all of the Hockey East
and ECAC rinks near you as these talented youngsters will be scouted heavily until the 2013 WJC pre-camp invites are made.

For a unique look at what all the players thought of the experience in Lake Placid, see what the camp
attendees said on Twitter.

Press Release from USA Hockey

U.S. Under-18 Select Team Falls to Finland, 8-6,
at Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament

Erne Records Two Goals, Assist

BRECLAV, Czech Republic – Adam Erne (New Haven, Conn.) scored two goals and added an assist, but the U.S. Under-18 Select Team fell to Finland, 8-6, in its final preliminary-round game at the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament.

“We put in a great effort but fell short,” said Matt Herr, head coach of the U.S. Under-18 Select Team. “We started to find a rhythm and play well, but it’s hard to have a game plan for a game like that. We play against Slovakia on Friday, so we’ll try to find that groove again to be successful.”

After trailing 1-0 late in the first period, Erne took advantage on the power play and scored off a rebound from Anthony DeAngelo (Sewell, N.J.). Despite seeing few offensive chances, Finland reclaimed the lead with less than 30 seconds remaining.

Seven goals were scored in the second stanza. Over the opening eight minutes the teams traded five goals with Finland holding a 5-3 advantage. During the scoring spree, Finland netted their third goal, but Erne teamed up with Sean Malone (West Seneca, N.Y.) and Gabe Guertler (Plantation, Fla.) just 40 seconds later.

In the final eight minutes, Finland scored once more on Devin Williams (Saginaw, Mich.), but Trevor Moore (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) answered right back for the U.S. Team USA added two late goals from Guertler and Corey Ronan (Franklin, Mass.) to pull even with Finland, 5-5, heading into the final frame.

Finland came out fast in the third, scoring twice more before Vinny Lettieri (Minnetonka, Minn.) netted the sixth goal for the U.S. at 14:14 to pull back within one. With three minutes to go, Team USA pulled Thatcher Demko (San Diego, Calif.) in favor of an extra attacker, but Finland potted an empty net goal to seal the victory.

The U.S. will take the ice again on Friday (Aug. 17) against Slovakia. Puck drop is slated for 2:00 p.m. local time/9:00 a.m. EDT.
For complete Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament coverage, click here.

NOTES: Adam Erne was named U.S. Player of the Game.

First Period – Scoring: 1, FIN, Westernarck (Mustonen), 16:41; 2, USA, Erne (DeAngelo, Lettieri), 17:45 (pp); 3, FIN, Ojantakanen (Lyytinen), 19:31. Penalties: USA, Erne (slashing), 4:17; FIN, Puhakka (hooking), 17:02; USA, DeAngelo (slashing), 20:00.

Second Period – Scoring: 4, FIN, Mustonen (Ilvonen), 2:03; 5, USA, Erne (Malone, Guertler), 2:46; 6, FIN, Westermarck (Ilvonen), 4:19; 7, USA, Moore (DeAngelo), 5:44; 8, FIN, Puhakka (Ainali), 7:17 (pp); 9, USA, Guertler (Lettieri, Erne), 12:43 (pp); 10, USA, Ronan, 14:55. Penalties: USA, Bailey (high-sticking), 6:53; FIN, Ilvonen (holding), 10:49; FIN, Honka (hooking), 16:21; USA, Gicewicz (slashing), 17:31.

Third Period – Scoring: 11, FIN, Mustonen (Auito), 6:47 (sh); 12, FIN, Westermarck (Mustonen), 7:52; 13, USA, Lettieri (Lodge), 14:14; 14, FIN, Koivistoinen, 18:24 (eng). Penalties: FIN, Makinen (tripping), 5:07; USA, Clifton (slashing), 8:15; USA, Downing (charging), 13:25; USA, DeAngelo (checking the head), 19:15.
Shots By Period123Total

Press Release from USA Hockey

U.S. Under-18 Select Team Drops 5-2 Decision to Czech Republic
at Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament

Six Players Log Points in Loss

BRECLAV, Czech Republic – The U.S. Under-18 Select Team showed its offensive depth with six unique point-getters, but fell to the Czech Republic, 5-2, in its second preliminary-round game of the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament.

“We controlled the play for most of the game and played very well offensively,” said Matt Herr, head coach of the U.S. Under-18 Select Team. “We can still move on to the next round. We just need to correct some mistakes and come out prepared.”

Team USA was able to jump out to the first lead at 12:28 of the first period. Adam Erne (New Haven, Conn.) received a pass from Karson Kuhlman (Cloquet, Minn.) and skated the length of the ice to score for the goal. Backed by nine saves from Thatcher Demko (San Diego, Calif.), the U.S. held the Czech Republic scoreless in the first.

Drew Melanson (Paramus, N.J.) nearly made it two-goal lead when he was awarded a penalty shot early in the second period, but missed just wide of the net. The Czech Republic then took advantage when it scored two goals less than a minute apart. The Czech power play notched a goal at 6:29 and followed up with a breakaway goal just 54 seconds later.

The third period saw a combined four goals. After a pair of early Czech goals, Gabe Guertler (Plantation, Fla.) struck back for the U.S. off a pass from Jimmy Lodge (Downington, Pa.), but Team USA was unable to mount a complete comeback. The Czech Republic netted two late goals in the final stanza to secure the victory.

The U.S. will take the ice again on Wednesday (Aug. 15) when it squares off against Finland at 9:30 a.m. EDT.

Drew Melanson was named U.S. Player of the Game

First Period – Scoring: 1, USA, Erne (Kuhlman, Melanson), 12:28. Penalties: None.

Second Period – Scoring: 2, CZE, Kokes (Pokorny), 6:29 (pp); 3, CZE, Indrak (Slansky), 7:23. Penalties: CZE, Andrlik (slashing), 0:24; USA, DeAngelo (roughing), 3:54; CZE, Pokorny (hooking), 5:03; USA, Gicewicz (holding), 5:44; USA, Lodge (cross-checking), 9:50; CZE, Kokes (delaying the game), 9:50; USA, Lettieri (delaying the game), 12:27.

Third Period – Scoring: 4, CZE, Kase (Rob), 0:57; 5, CZE, Kase (Stencl), 12:45 (pp); USA, Guertler (Lodge, Lettieri), 12:54; CZE, Pokorny (Slanksy), 16:35. Penalties: USA, DeAngelo (slashing), 11:19; USA, Lettieri (roughing), 17:46; USA, Lodge (checking from behind), 19:24.

Press Release from USA Hockey

U.S. Under-18 Select Team Falls to Russia, 2-1,
In Opening Game at 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament

Demko Makes 38 Saves; Game Ends in Shootout

BRECLAV, Czech Republic – The U.S. Under-18 Select Team was unable to overcome a tough Russia squad as it fell in a shootout, 2-1, in its opening game of the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. U.S. goaltender Thatcher Demko (San Diego, Calif.) made 38 saves before the game entered the shootout.

“We played hard and competed in a hard-fought game,” said Matt Herr, head coach of the U.S. Under-18 Select Team. “We’re going to get our rest, make small adjustments to our game and get ready to go again tomorrow night.”

Scoreless after the first period, Team USA was able to get on the board first. Justin Bailey (Williamsville, N.Y.) converted on the power play, slipping a rebound past Russian netminder Igor Serebryankov. The U.S. held onto its 1-0 lead until late in the third, when Russia was able to tie the game.

In overtime, both teams saw multiple opportunities to capture the win. The best chance came when Adam Erne (New Haven, Conn.) was awarded a penalty shot with 1:14 left in the extra stanza. Unable to convert on the shot, the game was then sent into a three-round shootout to determine the winner.

Team USA shot first, with Sean Malone (West Seneca, N.Y.) missing just wide of the net on a deke move. Russia’s Sergei Tolchinski was up next, shooting hard and low to beat Demko. Anthony DeAngelo (Sewell, N.J.) fired a shot wide of the net and Russia’s Pavel Buchnevich lost control of the puck before getting his shot on net. Erne took the last shot for the U.S and tried to slide the puck past Serebryankov on his backhand, but the Russian netminder clinched the win with a pad save.

The U.S. will return to action in the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament on Tuesday (Aug. 14) when it takes on the host nation in Breclav, Czech Republic.

NOTES: Thatcher Demko was named U.S. Player of the Game … For the complete U.S. Under-18 Select Team roster, click here … Follow @USAHockey and @USAHockeyScores on Twitter for up-to-the-minute information on the tournament … The 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament features teams from Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States … Team USA has finished in the top three of the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament 10 times since the tournament’s inception in 1991, including a first place finish in 2003. The U.S. has finished second seven times (1993, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2006, 2010) and third twice (1991, 1995) … Team USA finished fifth last year and second in 2010 … The 22 players on the roster represent 10 different states. Minnesota has five representatives, while New Jersey has four and California and New York each have three … Matt Herr (Alpine, N.J.), head coach of the Kent School (Conn.), serves as head coach and Bob Corkum (Salisbury, Mass), associate head coach at the University of Maine, and Nick Fohr (Grand Forks, N.D.), assistant coach with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, serve as assistant coaches.

Game Summary

First Period – Scoring: None. Penalties: USA, Erne (cross-checking), 4:43; USA, Guertler (roughing), 8:47; RUS, Prokhorov (interference), 10:01; USA, Lettieri (slashing), 14:08; RUS, Shetvorkin (roughing), 14:08.

Second Period – Scoring: 1, USA, Bailey (DeAngelo), 1:03 (pp); Penalties: RUS, Barbashev (checking the head), 0:09; RUS, Sharov (hooking), 3:28; USA, Guertler (hooking), 4:11; RUS, Team (too many men), 6:12; RUS, Sharov (delaying the game), 6:29; USA, Bailey (diving), 6:42.

Third Period – Scoring: 2, RUS, Buchnevich, 13:42. Penalties: USA, Reno (holding), 1:58; USA, Team, (too many men), 12:58.

Overtime – Scoring: None. Penalties: RUS, Buchnevich (tripping), 3:46 (penalty shot).

Shootout – USA, Malone (miss); RUS, Tolchinski (goal); USA, DeAngelo (miss); RUS, Buchnevich (miss); USA, Erne (miss).

Observers of both the OHL and college hockey were more than  a little surprised late this week at the OHL’s announcement that the Windsor Spitfires had been assessed a $400,000 fine and the loss of multiple high draft choices for what the league termed violation of “the League’s Player Benefit and Recruitment Rules and Policies”.

Here’s part of the statement as detailed in an official press release by the OHL:

 “The League conducted two separate investigations led by our Director of Security and Enforcement, and in considering all the facts, I was persuaded that the Windsor Spitfires Hockey Club violated the League’s Player Benefit and Recruitment Rules and Policies.  While the penalties may appear to be severe, the League and its Member Teams recognize for any such violations of our Recruitment / Benefit Rules and Policies, we must send a strong message to preserve the integrity of our League”, concluded Branch. In addition to the fine, the Windsor Spitfires shall forfeit 1st round selections in the annual OHL Priority Selection in the years 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2nd round selections in the OHL Priority Selection Process for the years 2015 and 2017.

Undoubtedly, Windsor will be hurt more by the loss of draft choices than the fine, but $400,000 is $400,000 and that can’t feel good to the Spitfires either.

Rumors and claims about OHL franchises paying large cash bonuses abound, and everyone around the sport has heard those rumurs.  The operative theory about those rumors is that the league has benefited by the higher level “name” players such offers were alleged to attract and, thus, league conveniently looked the other way.

Speculation in Ontario is that other high profile franchises could be next on the docket if the league is truly interested in cleaning up the issue of benefit and recruitment violations.  While no actual evidence of any violations has ever been produced, the loud whispers among league observers is that there very well may be fire to accompany the smoke in those whispers.

In an opinion piece by Patrick King on Sportsnet.ca on Friday, King wrote:

The league’s policy has been made clear to member teams, but it had previously been viewed as somewhat similar to a soft salary cap. Teams were able to circumvent some rules and, as one source noted to Sportsnet.ca on Friday, “everybody was doing it.”

Until the exact circumstances are known in regards to Windsor’s violations, every team is wondering if they could be facing similar sanctions. One source noted there were approximately a handful of other investigations ongoing and Friday’s ruling could simply be the tip of the iceberg.

It’s no secret there is a disparity between the haves and the have-not’s in junior hockey. It doesn’t always come down to drafting the best players because the best players aren’t always willing to play in every situation.

The most common situation occurs before the draft, when a player will send a letter to each member team advising them not to draft him, since he plans on playing college hockey instead. He would then slip in the draft and be chosen by the team he arranged a deal with. Some of the league’s highest profile players have been known to do it in order to land at a desirable destination.

The definition of a desirable destination, however, is subjective and can mean different things to different people. As one source put it, “if I was a kid, I’d play for (Spitfires head coach) Bob Boughner.”

The Canadian Hockey League’s import draft, for example, is a running joke amongst league insiders. European players are known to have “cooked deals” in advance of the draft and in some cases, the difference between landing a European player and losing him to another team is a mere $5,000-$10,000 extra, a sum most teams would hardly bat an eye at to secure the player. A player’s agent will use those sums as a barometer and hold the player ransom, so to speak, if a team isn’t willing to meet the level of compensation asked.

The question by pondered in many circles is whether the league’s Windsor sanctions is window dressing attempting  to paint the circuit as truly concerned or whether the league is determined to rein in the alleged violations of league policy.

On Saturday, the Windsor Star’s Bob Duff addressed that and other possible ramifications and presented a short history lesson on   college hockey’s concerns over player losses to such alleged extra benefits.

Wrote Duff:

Follow College Hockey PROSPECTive on Twitter      @CHProspective

Press Release from USA Hockey

USA Falls to Finland in Overtime, 3-2, to Conclude 2012 USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp
Biggs Scores Two Third Period Goals

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. – Team USA forced overtime by rallying twice in the third period, but lost, 3-2, to FInland here today at Herb Brooks Arena on the last day of the 2012 USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp. Tyler Biggs (Binghamton, N.Y.) had both goals for the United States.

“Certainly, I really liked the effort all the way until the end of the game,” said Phil Housley, head coach of the 2013 U.S. National Junior Team. “We battled and were able to tie it up towards the end, so I was happy about that. The disappointing thing is we just turned the puck over too many times and played right into Finland’s hands. It was a valuable learning lesson of how we have to play in December — just take what is given.”

Of the 34 players still in camp, 22 dressed in today’s game. The group is auditioning for the U.S. National Junior Team that will compete in the 2013 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship , Dec. 26, 2012-Jan. 5, 2013, in Ufa, Russia.

The game remained scoreless until 1:25 remained in the second period, when Finland gained a 1-0 lead.

Team USA knotted the game at a goal apiece at 10:17 of the third period. Biggs deflected a hard wrist shot by Matt Grzelcyk (Charlestown, Mass.) up and over the Finnish goalie for a power-play goal.

At 14:33, Finland regained the lead, 2-1, when it capitalized on a breakaway chance.
Once again, Biggs evened the score with 2:44 remaining in regulation. From the left edge of the crease he jammed in his own rebound.

Finland posted the win by tallying the game-winner at 2:11 of the overtime session.

Starting goalie Anthony Stolarz (Edison, N.J.) stopped all 16 shots he faced in 29:24 of action. Jon Gillies (Concord, N.H.) denied 14 of 17 shots in 32:47.

This concludes the 2012 USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp.

Game Summary

First Period – Scoring: None. Penalties: FIN, Maata (elbowing), 4:57; USA, Trocheck (roughing), 10:15; USA, Pietila (slashing), 15:56; FIN, Tikkinen (roughing), 18:09.

Second Period – Scoring: 1, FIN, Hannikainen (Barkov), 18:35 (pp). Penalties: USA, Armia (boarding), 0:35; FIN, Lindell (boarding), 4:55; USA, Matteau (slashing), 14:00; USA, Hartman (roughing), 16:42.

Third Period – Scoring: 2, USA, Biggs (Grzelcyk, Murphy), 10:17 (pp); 3, FIN, Lehkonen (unassisted), 14:33; 4, USA, Biggs (Skjei), 17:16. Penalties: FIN, Leino (tripping), 0:15; FIN, Salomaki (roughing), 9:36; USA, Grzelcyk (boarding), 11:42; FIN, Team (too many men), 18:59; USA, Fogarty (slashing), 19:41.

Overtime – Scoring: 5, FIN, Aaltonen (unassisted), 2:11. Penalties: None.

Press Release from USA Hockey

U.S. Under-17 Select Team Defeats Slovakia, 4-2,   Captures First Place at 2012 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament

Team USA Wins All Four Games in Event

CHOMUTOV, Czech Republic – The U.S. Under-17 Select Team defeated Slovakia, 4-2, here today in its final game at the 2012 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament, capturing first place with an unblemished 4-0-0 record.

“The term we came up with was ‘relentless’ and we were just that,” said Barry Smith, head coach of the U.S. Under-17 Select Team. “Our work ethic was second to none, and when you combine talent with work ethic, that’s tough to beat.”

After falling behind 2-0, the U.S. got on the board at 8:38 of the middle stanza when Dylan Pavelek (Marysville, Mich.) broke free and scored shorthanded.

With an extra attacker during a delayed penalty call, Seamus Malone (Naperville, Ill.) slipped a backhand shot past the Slovakian netminder to tie the game at two just 3:18 into the third period. Minutes later, Joey Dudek (Auburn, N.H.) took the puck to the net and fired a shot high into the top right corner of the net, giving Team USA its first lead of the game.

Austin Poganski (St. Cloud, Minn.) sealed the victory on the power play, putting home a rebound off a shot by Kyle Connor (Shelby Township, Mich.).

The U.S. finished the 2012 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament undefeated, outscoring its opponents 20-6 in four games.
Notes: Seamus Malone was named U.S. Player of the Game … The 2012 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament included teams from the Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, Switzerland and the United States … The 20 players on the U.S. roster represented 12 different states. Minnesota leads the way with five players, while Michigan and Illinois each have three.
 
Game Summary
Scoring By Period       1   2   3    Total
              USA                0   1   3       4
              SVK                 1   1   0       2

First Period – Scoring: 1, SVK, Bajanik (Mistama), 8:10. Penalties: SVK, Cernak (interference), 10:10; SVK, Krajean (interference), 12:30.

Second Period – Scoring: 2, SVK, Adrian (Mistama), 5:28; 3, USA, Pavelek, 8:38 (sh). Penalties: USA, Fortunato (interference), 8:27; SVK, Koch (tripping), 9:13.

Third Period – Scoring: 4, USA, Malone (Dougherty, Pavelek), 3:18; 5, USA, Dudek, 10:44; 6, USA, Poganski (Malone, Connor), 12:44 (pp). Penalties: USA, Fortunato (tripping), 0:22; SVK, Koch (slashing), 3:28; USA, Nardella (interference), 4:32; SVK, Mily (tripping), 11:16.

Power Play: USA, 1-5; SVK, 0-3
Penalties: USA, 3-6; SVK, 5-10

Team USA 2012 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament Schedule
August 7-11 – Czech Republic

Date                    OpponentTime (Local/EDT)                         Location/Result
Sun., Aug. 5       Czech Republic*5:00 p.m. / 11:00 a.m.        Chomutov/W, 6-2
Wed., Aug. 8      Germany6:00 p.m. / 12:00 p.m.                   Chomutov/W, 6-2
Thurs., Aug. 9    Switzerland6:00 p.m. / 12:00 p.m.              Chomutov/W, 5-0
Fri., Aug. 10       Czech Republic6:00 p.m. / 12:00 p.m.         Chomutov/W, 5-2
Sat., Aug. 11       Slovakia12:00 p.m. / 6:00 a.m.                     Chomutov/W, 4-2

*Pre-tournament game