Category: Hockey

Ben Holden: Always Making College Hockey Better

On By terpaneseIn Hockey, Ice Hockey, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Photo provided by Dave Starman

If you asked any fan of Men’s College Hockey at the Division One Level to name their favorite national announcer of this sport, you would get some names of people all doing great things. One common name in that group would most likely include Ben Holden. The proud Michigander has been in this game for well over a decade, and has lent his voice to some of its premiere moments in primetime games. One of his most memorable goal calls came on the Austin Poganski penalty shot overtime goal against Minnesota Duluth on February 19, 2016. The tone of the call, as Holden often does in the many sports he calls throughout the year, matched the moment. The call, and the goal were so good together, the next fall at NCHC Media Day, Fighting Hawks Men’s Hockey Head Coach Brad Berry told Holden that the clip was the first one on the recruiting video. Holden said of that moment that it was ” the best goal call of my college hockey career.”

A lot of things went into that moment, as do go into every broadcast for Holden. His former partner on CBS Sports, Dave Starman was effusive with his praise. For what makes Holden a consumate pro, Starman said that “his preparation, and communication with his team is what does it.” Throughout all of his calls, Holden knows how to match his tone and energy to the game being played while never dropping the energy level. Even in lopsided games, he knows how to bring fans along and get them as invested in the moment as he is. For this year, Holden will be doing games on the Big 10 Network, and be pursuing other opportunities in this sport as they arise. Over the summer he is broadcasting select games for Major League Rugby.

Regardless of the sport, Starman sees the value in Holden and was clear of his potential, saying that in comparing Holden to NHL announcers, “he would be in the top 10 in radio or on TV HANDS DOWN no questions asked.” He further went on to compare Holden’s style to another legend in the sport, calling him ” Gary Thorne lite.”

Wherever he goes to call the game, Holden, according to Starman, is always in search of two things, a Tim Hortons, and many storylines to broach throughout his time on air. He knows how to involve his entire team, and set up his color commentator well. As Starman explained, “because of his personality I never felt he would leave me without something to say.” Finally, he added another consistent trait of Holden’s saying “the one thing that he would always bring to the table is how do we make the show better.”

Holden is thankful for all that the sport has given him, saying ” the game has given me so much.” Since 2004 he has been calling games in this sport, and has been a part of some of its biggest moments. The Poganski overtime penalty shot marker, the advent of video review, the rise of NHL talent coming through this great sport, the last games of the previous iteration of the CCHA, the first seven years of the NCHC culminating with broadcasting the Omaha Pod, and so many more moments have Holden’s clear, unique, and smooth voice guiding us along. Holden’s unique story, and inspiration of his grandfather, his Navy background, and consistent persistence in this sport are all inspiring markers for those looking to get into this game in the professional sense, and not being sure of the path.

Ben Holden who is a, consummate professional is proof that this game welcomes and rewards those who put in the hard work, and a model not just for broadcasters at this level, but for those looking to get involved covering a sport they love professionally, and an inspiration to keep grinding and pushing ahead.

As Holden said of the upcoming season ” let’s keep making memories.” This game and broadcasting in general, and is better because Ben Holden and his unique and consistent dedication to his craft is a part of it. In terms of what he wants to see in college hockey, it centers around one principle, ” let’s showcase these guys more,” Holden would support uniformity in ice surfaces, and for those that want to wear them, half shields like those in the NHL wear.

To sum up what many in this game think of Ben, his preparation, personality, and persistence, we close with Starman, who simply said of Holden, “he is just money.”

Donate: To help us cover more games and tell more stories not found elsewhere about all of college sports, especially under represented athletes everywhere across the college sports landscape like unique untold stories across college hockey. Please click the below link and consider donating what you can. If you do, I will list you in every story about we write as a supporter of crowd-funded journalism that can truly be free for all at this link:paypal.me/Seamorepsorts

Your donation will help expand what content we can offer and how many stories we can tell.

The Misfits Return: How Mitch’s Misfits are planning to return to in person cheering this fall

On By terpaneseIn Hockey, Ice Hockey, michigan techLeave a comment

The first time we saw the power of Mitch’s Misfits as a student cheering section, they were at the Hall of Fame game in the 2019-2020 campaign at Ralph Engelstad Arena. That very same game had in attendance the new leader of the Misfits for the 2021-2022 season, Olivia Wery.

As she said of that experience, and many other positives in her time as a Misfit, along with her choice to run to be the leader of the group, ” the leadership team of our organization has all graduated, giving myself and several others the privilege of continuing on the legacy of Mitch’s Misfits. I feel very fortunate to have been elected president of the organization that has defined my college experience the last two years. On a whim, I decided to sign up for a trip to play the University of North Dakota with Mitch’s Misfits. To be honest, I had never been one to step outside of my comfort zone. But for some reason, I decided it would be a good idea to travel 9 hours in a van with people I had never met to watch a hockey game. I had been quickly welcomed into the tight-knit group of friends with open arms. Going on the trip is without a doubt the best decision of my college years and as president of Mitch’s Misfits, I want to give that same opportunity to others.”

If you have not heard of the Misfits, they are a tight knit group of Michigan Tech Students who travel around the country to watch their team. The Huskies are one of the legacy programs of this sport, have a fanatical following, and draw positive notoriety to the sport unlike many other student sections in this game. They have been known to chant Let’s Go Huskies from puck drop until the first whistle, no matter how long it takes, and they, on their own, competed with the volume of the Ralph Engelstad Arena, just like they do at every road locale they travel to. They also keep flags in John Macinnes Student Ice Arena for every state, province, and country that their players on that team are from. This year, they are adding the flag of Australia, as Tyrone Bronte is coming to play for the Huskies, making him the first Australian Ice Hockey player to play for the storied school.

As Wery said of their next steps,

“Upon the registration of classes for this fall, the university planned to have students attend classes in person. I am sure that this is still the plan at the moment, but we have not received word about the attendance allowed in at sporting events. I am sure that MTU is going to follow the indoor sports fan capacity limit of 25% set by the state of Michigan, but we are hoping that this percent will see an increase before the start of the season (multiple schools in the state are planning for full crowds come this fall, so as of now, things look good for a full house for the Huskies).”

As the State of Michigan lifts Covid-19 restrictions, Wery has every reason to expect her school to follow suit.

Regarding the goal for the season, Wery kept it simple

” We believe that this season our goal is to re-establish ourselves as the best student section in college hockey in addition to keeping alive as many of our traditions as possible. One of these traditions is waving the state or country flag of our starting players when they are called, in addition to waving all the flags every time the fight song is played.”

In addition, she added ” Additionally, we have purchased new cowbells(that come with a lifetime warranty) so that we can come back even louder than before.”

Wery noted the quick response of the school, adding “since the start of the pandemic, the university had been encouraging regular testing of students, staff, and members of the community. In the last few months of the school year, they were able to set up a vaccination site on campus. I had been tested several times on campus and got vaccinated as soon as it became available” As more Huskies, and Michiganders get vaccinated, the state is planning to allow full capacity at its live events, and the Huskies and its Misfits are hopeful that all of them will be able to cheer for their team, in person.

Going forward, she notes how new students can join the Misfits, saying ” We plan on having a booth at the annual student organization fair at the beginning of the school year. It is a great opportunity for students to meet organizations like ours and learn how to get involved. Our booth typically gains a lot of attention because we allow students to hit the gong and play sauce toss if they would like.”

In addition to all of that, she is most excited to have “the atmosphere that comes with having a full capacity. I feel very fortunate to have attended some of the games near the end of the season, but the atmosphere wasn’t the same.” She further went on to lament, saying ” I find it unfortunate that there are two years of new students who haven’t been able to experience the one-of-a-kind atmosphere that we are able to produce at our home games.” She added more depth to her candidacy, explaining that “the reason that I ran for president is that I wanted to introduce these students to the addictive thrill of the atmosphere, in addition to recreating the environment that our players and team staff love to play in every night. ”

Finally, Wery, like the rest of the Misfits, is excited for so many things in the 2021-2022 campaign.

She said ” There are so many things to be excited about. We got some great players through the transfer portal and we’re looking forward to seeing the familiar faces of Mark Sinclair and Justin Misiak for another season. We’re excited to be back in person to hockey games and see familiar faces from the community. We’re excited to play Wisconsin, Notre Dame, St. Thomas, Clarkson, and we always look forward to sweeping Northern! Overall, I think we’re most excited for the season to get going where we are able to attend games in person”

The Misfits are the best, and most consistent student section that we have seen across college hockey. Few rival their passion, and consistency to support of their team, and even fewer travel all around the nation to see their team play, and drown out the opposition on the road like the Misfits can. In the season of getting back to whatever a post-pandemic normal could be, having the Misfits at full strength is a good harbinger of more good things happening in this sport, amidst the challenges it always has, and will continue to face. College Hockey is better for having the Misfits, and Wery is ready for the challenge of leading the loudest student group in this sport.

Donate: To help us cover more games and tell more stories not found elsewhere about all of college sports, especially under represented athletes everywhere across the college sports landscape like unique untold stories across college hockey. Please click the below link and consider donating what you can. If you do, I will list you in every story about we write as a supporter of crowd-funded journalism that can truly be free for all at this link:paypal.me/Seamorepsorts

Your donation will help expand what content we can offer and how many stories we can tell.

Opinion: Send the NHL back to school, assess delayed penalties even if a goal is scored

On By terpaneseIn Hockey, NHLLeave a comment

Photo Credit: Kelsey Lee-Violet Turtle Photography

On of the leading voices in college hockey had the following to say on the NHL’s lack of assessed power plays for minor penalties committed directly before a goal is scored.

Ben Holden said of the difference, “I really think it should be the same.. you commit the crime you do the time”

“Ice time is precious, there isn’t a lot of it, you’ve got to play the game to the edge but not cross the edge.”

Holden is a student of the game, and on this we very much agree with him.

Fundamentally, the NHL does not do enough to punish those who commit delayed penalties here. If a player violently cross checks someone and the official’s arm goes up, and a goal is scored, the cross-checked player could miss the rest of his season, or more, and the offender may not have to go even sit in the box for 120 seconds or less because a goal was scored.

In addition to this reality, this lack of called penalties deprives the game from what we all want to see, more chances for goals. At a simple level, power plays are scored at a higher rate of goals per game than five-on-five time. This imbalance can lead to lower scoring games despite an equal amount of penalties being noted, yet not formally assessed.

If the NHL wants to open up the game a bit more, and improve player safety, they could do so with this simple change next season. The next time you watch a college hockey game next season, where this rule is a reality, look at the momentum swing a scoring team gets in this scenario. They can cycle the puck with six attackers at will, score, and then score on a power play goal off of the original infraction. Right now, you cannot do that in the biggest league in the world.

And for what?

If you cross check someone, trip someone, or do anything else that would earn you time in the penalty box, that obligation should not dissolve because your team gave up a goal before you served your time. That inequity between a crime having any real heft to it chips away at what we all want our sport to have, a basic element of fairness. In this small sense, in this scenario that happens a lot throughout the season, fans get deprived of transparency. If we carried this rule over to basketball, it would get rid of the and one, and allow players to foul shooters with immunity (for non flagrant/technical fouls) if the shot goes in the hoop. Explain that reality to any new fan to this sport during the playoffs, and they will look at you with some confusion, to say the least.

There are areas that Holden brought up where the college game can learn from the pros, but this is another incident where the NHL is better served listening to the league that produces over 33 percent of its players, and would serve the sport itself well as a model for other leagues in the long run.

Donate: To help us cover more games and tell more stories not found elsewhere about all of college sports, especially under represented athletes everywhere across the college sports landscape like unique untold stories across college hockey. Please click the below link and consider donating what you can. If you do, I will list you in every story about we write as a supporter of crowd-funded journalism that can truly be free for all at this link:paypal.me/Seamorepsorts

5-3: What happened in the Northeast Generals loss to New Jersey

On By terpaneseIn Hockey, Ice Hockey, NAHL, NE GeneralsLeave a comment

Photo Credit: Patrick Garriepy-Patrick Garriepy Photography

Tonight, the New Jersey Titans reminded the Northeast Generals why they are heading to the NAHL playoffs, putting up a 5-3 win with two third period goals to provide the final margin. The Titans made Hugo Haas make 43 saves in net for the Generals just to keep them in the game.

As Head Coach Bryan Erikson said of the Generals’ play tonight

” We didn’t get pucks deep, we didn’t finish hits, we didn’t block shots. It is very frustrating to lose playing like that” Erikson understands that losing games is a part of things, but wanted to see more effort from his group that despite being out of the playoff race, still has a lot to play for in their remaining games.

With that said, the line of Jake Dunlap and Dylan Schuett have done well for Erikson recently. Tonight both Schuett, and Dunlap potted goals in the final result. As Erikson said of Dunlap’s goa that it happened, “In tight he made a great play to put the puck up over the goalies shoulder but it started on a great cycle by Dylan down to Danny Paul who found Dunlap who did what he has been doing well lately and that is finding the back of the net.”

On the night and the season, Erikson took the time to thank Associate Head Coach Eric Progen saying, ” Eric has done a tremendous job. He works so hard. Does a ton of one on one video with the guys. He does extra skills and listens to them. Eric Progen is a tremendous Coach and we are very lucky to have him. I am very fortunate to have him not only as a co-worker but as a friend. Great guy that does a great job.”

Erikson did take time to note how good Jacob Kaminski played on defense for his team tonight. He said ” Jacob Kaminski from our NA3 team had his first game at the NAHL level. I though JK (nickname) did a great job today. Took the body, made some nice passes, showed some good D zone awareness that he will hopefully build on the next few games into the offseason.”

The team faces Danbury on Monday, and has a challenge ahead. As Erikson says ” They are physical. They play hard, finish hits. We can’t play lazy against them or we will get blown out of the building. But it’s our last 2 home games together as a team so it would be nice for the boys to show up for each other and battle to the final buzzer.”

Donate: To help us cover more games and tell more stories not found elsewhere about all of college sports, especially under represented athletes everywhere across the college sports landscape like unique untold stories across college hockey. Please click the below link and consider donating what you can. If you do, I will list you in every story about we write as a supporter of crowd-funded journalism that can truly be free for all at this link:paypal.me/Seamorepsorts

Perseverance and persistence: How the Generals earned a 4-3 OT win

On By terpaneseIn Hockey, Ice Hockey, NAHL, NE Generals, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Photo Credit: Patrick Garriepy-Patrick Garriepy Photography

If you have seen the Northeast Generals in their past three games, the result and how things played out rang remarkably similar. The team gets a two goal lead into the third period, concedes two to tie things up, and heads to overtime. In the extra frame in their past three, they are 2-1 as Ricky Boysen punctuated the evening with a scintilliating high slot back hand shot of of a spin-a-rama manuever worthy of the highlight reel.

As Head Coach Bryan Erikson said of the goal: “Nobody shoots the backhander anymore. Such a hard shot for a goalie to track. Just a great goal. But Ricky is such a big game player. He was out there because of that. It’s crazy he has 10 goals this year and 7 of them are game winning goals. Big time player making a big time play.”

Of where his team is, and what to build on down the stretch run, Erikson said ” I loved the effort. We have been battling. We are playing our best hockey now. A little late but we are focused on development. In our last 10 games we are 6-2-2. We want to build on that. We have played 11 home games and we are 7-2-2. It’s great. But need to build on it tomorrow.” While adding the good from tonight with that statement, Erikson was also honest about the needed improvement his team needs to make against the Maine Nordiques tomorrow night, saying that this was the “3rd game in a row we have given up a 2 goal lead. That can’t happen. We got away from playing simple hockey. Need to focus on the little stuff. Need to keep playing our game.”

As for some of the other goal scorers, Erikson was effusive in praise for what he saw again from University of Massachusetts commit Jake Dunlap saying “Jake Dunlap has gotten better every game. He is using his speed more effectively. Just explosive but also changing speeds to make his top speed more impactful. And he is playing a 200 foot game. Great on the PK, PP and in open ice. And he doesn’t take shifts off.” Dunlap’s ability to find the quiet area in a defense has been one of his biggest areas of development as the year has gone on, and his consistency on a team that has made a lot of roster moves this year has been a source of strength for the team.

Regarding Captain Dylan Schuett, the Long Island commit did not have to play. The Generals are out of the playoff race and he has a commitment to play for Brett Riley’s group next season. With that said, coming off an injury, he wanted to be in. His leadership was apparent, as Erikson said ” Dylan is the best. He has no reason to be playing. He has his commitment. He has proven he is a very good D1 player. But he is the Captain and you see why. He just adds energy to the team and the bench. Love him. Just a great kid, player and teammate. Leaders lead and that is what he does.”

Finally, he took the time to praise netminder Hugo Haas (AIC commit) and Kyle Schroder for their efforts. Erikson added “Hugo Haas was awesome. Made big saves and big plays with his stick as well leading the breakout. And Kyle Schroeder was an unsung player today. Worked really hard as usual, hits, forechecks, back checks. Never cheats the game.”

No matter where they are in the standings, Erikson does not change his philosophies as a coach. He does not coach to the scoreboard, and cares about developing his group both on and off the ice. Tomorrow night against Maine, his group full of returning players next year, and multiple uncomitted players looking to leave their best on the film to earn a college scholarship both have another chance to add to the growing tradition of Generals’ Hockey.

Donate: To help us cover more games and tell more stories not found elsewhere about all of college sports, especially under represented athletes everywhere across the college sports landscape like unique untold stories across college hockey. Please click the below link and consider donating what you can. If you do, I will list you in every story about we write as a supporter of crowd-funded journalism that can truly be free for all at this link:paypal.me/Seamorepsorts

Liam McCanney: Humility and growth on and off the ice

On By terpaneseIn Hockey, Ice Hockey, NAHL, NE GeneralsLeave a comment

Photo Credit: Patrick Garriepy-Patrick Garriepy Photography

Current Northeast Generals’ forward Liam McCanney did not know much about junior hokey before Bryan Erikson (current head coach of the Generals, and at that time was also the general manager too) offered him a spot on his NAHL team. As Liam said ” I was pretty shocked.” when Erikson offered him a spot on the team’s camp roster via a tender with a chance to earn a main roster spot that fall . From there, as Liam said of the journey which has him on the verge of earning a scholarship to play Division One College hockey, of his time in juniors “I never really knew what juniors were… I really didn’t think I was going to go play juniors…. Here we are now. “

On the ice, McCanney has consistently developed year-over-year for the Generals, contributing in previous seasons 12 points, 32 points, and then this year 33 points. He models his game after a center on his favorite team, the Philadelphia Flyers. He tries to bring the same traits to Attleboro that Travis Konecny brings to the Flyers. As Liam said, him and Konecny each provide some defensive chops, and know how to throw checks around. On his own abilities Liam said ” “I’ve got a little grittiness to myself as well.”

On his game, Erikson the following of Liam’s journey

“This is Liam’s third year with us. He had grown so much as a player and a person. He has always had excellent speed and has worked hard. But he was able to improve how to use his speed, create deception and more separation from defenders. Each year he has developed his scoring ability. First year he was more of a hard forechecker who blocked shots and finished every hit. Since then he has kept those traits and improved them while also learning to drive to the back post more in order to generate goals. He is now a threat to score a goal on every shift. Just a great kid who does everything we ask, kills penalties better than most kids in the league, understands what it takes to be successful and puts the work in to reach his goals. Liam is a world class kid and hockey player that will make some team look very smart for grabbing him.”

Personifying the “world class kid” Liam is, we asked what people should know about him. He could have said anything he wanted, but chose arguably the most humble answer, simply saying ” I don’t even know what to say about myself.” The mere fact that he choose to adress that question in that fashion speaks volumes to his humility and willingness to play for others on the Generals more than play with them.

Going forward, Liam is not yet sure what he wants to study in college, but knows business and criminal justice are at the top of the potential majors list under consideration. He could change his mind from that, as he is open to more career choices as well.

Of the type of home he wants to go to, he wants one with a similar loyalty to what Erikson has showed him for the past three seasons. Liam said that of an ideal coaching staff that he is looking for ” “one that takes the time to help each player get better as a player and as a person.”

Like his roommate, Jonathan Young, McCanney is focusing on the day-to-day of helping his team get to the playoffs more than obsessing over which schools will and will not talk to him. The list of teams interested is growing, and McCanney’s desire to earn a playoffs matchup similar to his first year in juniors remains. He wants to earn the right to face Johnstown in the first round and to get a chance to experience the electric atmosphere at Johnstown’s games in the playoffs one more time. To get there, they will have to win the vast majority of their remaining games against the Black Bears of Maryland. As he said of the team’s approach, starting this weekend, “we’re going to play every game like it is our first round.”

Donate: To help us cover more games and tell more stories not found elsewhere about all of college sports, especially under represented athletes everywhere across the college sports landscape like unique untold stories across college hockey. Please click the below link and consider donating what you can. If you do, I will list you in every story about we write as a supporter of crowd-funded journalism that can truly be free for all at this link:paypal.me/Seamorepsorts

Your donation will help expand what content we can offer and how many stories we can tell.

Opinion: Send the NHL back to school, end puck over the glass penalties

On By terpaneseIn Hockey, Ice HockeyLeave a comment

Photo Credit:Kelsey Lee-Violet Turtle Photography

The Men’s College Hockey game is not perfect, and there are some things it can learn from the NHL. With that said, this rule being in the NHL, where in college hockey it is treated like an icing is a clear example of a rule that needs to change.

Why?

Well, what is the point of this penalty at the NHL level, to punish players for shooting the puck out of their own end and over the glass.

What does icing itself do to the defending team?

Punish the defending team for clearing the puck out of their own end. They cannot change skaters, and are often tired on the ensuing faceoff.

What does the delay of game penalty do?

Give the other team a two minute power play where, ironically enough, four fresh players come on to the ice to kill a penalty (we know five is often better than four, but would you rather have your best penalty kill on the ice or your bottom three forwards on a minute plus long shift? Different opinions may result here, your thoughts may very). The point of the rule is well intentioned, but often times lends itself to a grey area in this sport’s highest level that, is not ideal, to say the least.

If you treat this like an icing, we would posit that the percentage of goals scored in the next shift would actually end up being equal to, or higher than power play goals scored on the power play .College hockey, both men’s and women’s, needs to change some rules to mirror the National Hockey League, this is one area where the NHL is clearly in the wrong for having this as a penalty. It allows fresh skaters on the ice to kill the penalty, does nothing to speed the game up, and is not in line with rules players have in other leagues. In a league that makes a lot of money, like the NHL, it seems mildly absurd that we would potentially allow a game seven of the Stanley Cup to be decided because a puck meant to go high off the glass and out of the zone goes one millimeter above the glass and into the stands. Hockey at all levels needs less grey areas in its rules.

Why now

This seems like an easy one that already has some backing from the many fans that give the NHL their ever increasing sums of money on a yearly basis. If you want a goal scored in a playoff overtime, when this is often the only penalty called, would you rather force five tired skaters to stay on the ice, or allow four fresh ones on it? That is the crux of the issue.

The league has tended to prioritize offense, while a power play sounds great, plenty of goals are scored after an icing on a long shift, and this would also simplify things for everyone. This is an idea worthy of its time, and one that would save millions of fans around the world the need to break out a magnifying glass, or elementary knowledge of hockey puck physics in determining if their team gets the power play or not.

Removing the puck over the glass penalty for delay of game, and making the consequence be keeping every skater on the ice seems a more apt punishment. In addition, it forces shorthanded teams to clear the puck properly without relying on reaming the puck around the boards and risking sitting in the box in the process.

Donate: To help us cover more games and tell more stories not found elsewhere about all of college sports, especially under represented athletes everywhere across the college sports landscape like unique untold stories across college hockey. Please click the below link and consider donating what you can. If you do, I will list you in every story about we write as a supporter of crowd-funded journalism that can truly be free for all at this link:paypal.me/Seamorepsorts

Your donation will help expand what content we can offer and how many stories we can tell.

PHOTOS: UND vs. AIC

On By terpaneseIn AIC, Hockey, Ice Hockey, UNDLeave a comment

Photo Credit:Kelsey Lee-Violet Turtle Photography

Check out some more photos from UND’s 5-1 win last night over AIC, all photos belong to Kelsey Lee of Violet Turtle Photography. For the full gallery click the link below.

Full gallery

Donate: To help us cover more games and tell more stories not found elsewhere about all of college sports, especially under represented athletes everywhere across the college sports landscape like unique untold stories across college hockey. Please click the below link and consider donating what you can. If you do, I will list you in every story about we write as a supporter of crowd-funded journalism that can truly be free for all at this link:paypal.me/Seamorepsorts

Your donation will help expand what content we can offer and how many stories we can tell.

Undrafted Free Agents to watch at the 2021 Fargo Regional

On By terpaneseIn AIC, Hockey, Ice Hockey, Uncategorized, UND3 Comments

Photo Credit: Kelly Shea-AIC Athletics

This week, we will see four teams converge upon Scheels Arena in Fargo North Dakota to faceoff for a trip to the 2021 Frozen Four in Pittsburgh in a couple of weeks. These teams all have top end talent, and people we will see in the NHL one day. Each team has more than one undrafted free agent worth noting, and we will discuss four undrafted free agents to watch that should have an immediate impact in professional hockey. We selected one from each team to discuss, that we will be watching this weekend.

American International College

Tobias Fladeby

The winger from Asker, Norway has nine goals and 17 total points on the season. Along with his goal scoring prowess, he has proven the ability to do it against the two best teams AIC has played. four of his goals have come against Quinnipiac (2), and Army West Point (2). Head Coach Eric Lang and the staff at AIC love his release and ability to get to key areas of the ice and find the back of the net. If he does not return to AIC, he up front, and Brennan Kapcheck on defense are two of the quietly more popular undrafted free agents on the market that have the speed and skill needed to make the NHL. Fladeby’s greatest skill this past weekend was his off puck awareness. That is, he knows where to go on the ice to get himself space. For AIC to shock some more people in Fargo, he needs to make his presence known this weekend.

University of Michigan

Strauss Mann

If the goaltender decides to go pro, the NHL may be ready for him now. As ESPN Color Analyst for the Fargo Regional, Dave Starman said of what Mann’s game involves, saying that he is. “athletic, aggressive depth, good stick down low, most importantly he is always square to the puck.” He praised how big the 6 feet tall Mann plays, and noted that he reminds him in style of Byron Dafoe. Mann is the Big 10’s Goalie of the Year and a deserving Mike Richter Award Nominee, his ability to keep the Wolverines in what promises to be a close game against the reigning back-to-back national champions, Minnesota Duluth. For all of the star power the Wolverines have, from their numerous high-end draft picks to players that will be drafted in the top 10 this summer, Mann has been the key to this group. If the Wolverines can defeat the Bulldogs, and earn a trip to the Frozen Four, Mann will be a big part of that. His style of play, and fundamental skill lends itself well to the next level, and he should have offers to choose from this summer. If we returns to Ann Arbor, he will have two years of eligibility left.

Minnesota Duluth

Louie Roehl

While Roehl is not the offensive defender that fans of the Minnesota Duluth Men’s Hockey team have been lucky to see in Dylan Samberg or Scott Perunovich, he plays the game the right way, and is superb at making life tough for the skilled forwards he sees on a nightly basis in the NCHC. As we said in our NCHC preview of Roehl “A responsible defender with improved skating to compliment his high hockey IQ, this 5-foot-10 senior may not possess Perunovich’s point-producing upside, but he makes up for it with solid play in his own end. Roehl can be counted on to maintain a slot presence and keeps loose pucks out of harm’s way or show poise under pressure when a line change is in order. Roehl is not flashy by any means, but he should be an intriguing long-term option for an NHL club in need of a mature defensive defenseman at the AHL level.” If Roehl can develop and earn his way up in a system needing veteran leadership, he could work his way to an NHL job within a few years. For now, his calmness under pressure, and ability to make the life of scoring forwards he faces quite tough are two things that the Bulldogs will need as they look to advance to the Frozen Four.

North Dakota

Photo Credit: Kelsey Lee-Violet Turtle Photography

Adam Scheel

For the Fighting Hawks Men’s Hockey team, they are blessed with two goaltenders in Adam Scheel and Peter Thome who are both capable of playing professional hockey. One of them, Adam Scheel, has wrested control of the net all for himself most of the season, and its not hard to see why. The Lakewood, Ohio native has gotten considerably better at maintaining his positioning throughout the game. His biggest improvement is not so much his positioning, but in how he plays the game. That is, he rebounds quickly from goals he allows, and lets the number one team in front of him find a way to get the goal back. Regardless of what he chooses to do, he will most certainly end up at an NHL development camp this summer, and he may earn a contract pretty soon after UND’s season ends. Teams that get athletic goaltenders that know how to manage the ebb and flow of a game, typically like what the see. The Lakewood, Ohio native has all of those traits and more. His ability to manage games is one reason why the Fighting Hawks have a strong enough team to earn their ninth NCAA Division One Men’s Ice Hockey National Championship this season.

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Colin Bilek: Constantly improving and learning

On By terpaneseIn Army West Point, Hockey, Ice Hockey, Uncategorized1 Comment

(Photo Credit: Army West Point Athletics)

Colin Bilek is the leading goal scorer for the Army West Point Black Knights Hockey Team. He has a natural eye for the net, and a strong eye to compete and get better in all aspects of what he does every day. As a leader, he enjoys his upper class status in the Corps of Cadets. On the ice, he is a natural leader for Head Coach Brian Riley’s group, and a big reason for this team’s 11 game unbeaten streak. He is a natural goal scorer, and leads the team with 16 goals in 19 games played. With less games played this season, Bilek has already scored more than he did in either of his first two seasons playing for Riley’s group .

Colin is his own player, when we asked him and one of his best friends, Trevin Kozlowski, senior Army goaltender which professional they each model their game after, Trevin mentioned a current goaltender while Bilek kept the focus on himself. The Brighton, Michigan native emphasized that he simply is trying to forge his own path at West Point, and while he grew up liking the play of Detroit Red Wings’ legend Brendan Shanahan, he never focused on any pro comparisons. The path Bilek took to Army West Point involved playing on a four win Northeast Generals team in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) in all sorts of roles, and then finishing ten points better (40 points to 50 points the following season) the following year as the Captain of a Northeast group that went to the Robertson Cup playoffs.

Development for Bilek is not limited to his time at West Point. Northeast Generals Coach Bryan Erikson noted of his growth that the biggest area of his game that Bilek worked on is his skating. Erikson said that of Bilek’s effort, ” he always has worked hard, could always rip the puck but his skating has always been an issue. But he worked so hard on it. Hour after hour and improved incredibly. That combined with his amazing anticipation allow him to win races and battles with much faster players.” His incredible work ethic earned him his only Division One offer, from Army West Point. He since took it and has grown each year playing for Riley’s group.

Early on, Bilek did get one thing, a nickname. He did not know why, but current Rochester American, and former Black Knights’ Captain, Dominic Franco started calling Bilek ” Bilos” during Colin’s first season as a Cadet. Eventually Riley started writing his name in the lineup as “Bilos” and the name stuck. Given Riley’s penchant for going with what works, well, he has no reason to ever change the nickname given the consistent offensive firepower Bilek has brought to this group.

There is one common thread from Bilek’s time at Northeastern to his choice to attend Army West Point. Of his work with the Generals he said “they care more about me as a person.” That is the same philosophy Brian Riley learned from his father Jack, and lives by each day leading his team.

Of that selflessness, Bilos noted the utter fortune he has to go up against Kozlowski every day in practice. The two compete against each other in practice pretty heavily. That competition comes from a mutual friendship and desire to see the other get better. The two turned their initial desire for playing time into a partnership designed to further hone and refine their skills every time they are on the ice. The example Bilek and Trevin have set in this regard, from two future leaders of the Soldiers of America, is impressive to see for its granularity. The two compete with all good cheer, use their energy to further their team, as both plan to do following graduation and upon commissioning as Second Lieutenants in the Army.

Jokingly, to compliment Kozlowski Bilek said to him directly via their joint Zoom interview that, ” if my shooting percentage is five percent against you I’m still pretty good.” Trevin routinely gives the best goal scorer in Atlantic Hockey tips on how to refine his game and beat him.

Seriously, Bilek positively noted that, based on his almost three full seasons at West Point, “I think healthy competition is at the core of our team.” Of Trevin’s consistent skill he added that, “when you’re shooting at the best goalie in the conference every week it makes the team better.” He finally added that, of their competition and the mentorship imparted by Trevin that, “he might not want me to score on him but he wants me to score on the other guy,”

Bilek noted that this team still has its own destiny firmly in its hands. When the subject of his group earning an at large bid was brought up, he noted the same thing that Riley has on multiple occasions. Winning solves all concerns about the postseason aspirations of his group. With that said, with leaders like Bilek and Kozlowski, among the many leaders on the team, the Black Knights, thanks to Bilek’s development and ability to make others better, combined with the selfless nature with which they all play the game, make them tough competition in the postseason for any group, at any time and place.

Donate: To help us cover more games and tell more stories not found elsewhere about all of college sports, especially under represented athletes everywhere across the college sports landscape like unique untold stories across college hockey. Please click the below link and consider donating what you can. If you do, I will list you in every story about we write as a supporter of crowd-funded  journalism that can truly be free for all at this link:paypal.me/Seamorepsorts

Your donation will help expand what content we can offer and how many stories we can tell.

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