Question period - Junior Hockey

Question period

In most instances, when a question is asked, a quick response is expected. Then there are those junior hockey-related questions to which there will be answers, albeit ones that we'll just have to wait on for a little while.   ...
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Date: May 17, 2012


RYAN BENNETT RETURNS TO USHL AS ASSISTANT COACH


CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – The Corpus Christi IceRays have sent another member of the team to the United States Hockey League, this time behind the bench. Assistant coach, and former IceRays forward Ryan Bennett has been named the assistant coach for the Des Moines Buccaneers in the USHL.

Bennett returns to Des Moines where he played two seasons with the Buccaneers. “It feels good to be going back to Des Moines. I loved my time there when I played and it was the beginning of my hockey career and it opened up a lot of doors for myself as a player. Going back now as a coach and having the opportunity to help these kids that are in the position I was back then is exciting to me.”

With the Buccaneers, Bennett scored 29 goals and 28 assists in 61 games played. In his time spent on the ice in Corpus Christi, the Glens Falls, NY native scored 35 goals and assisted 75 others in two years.

“Ryan's presence will be missed around Corpus Christi,” said head coach Justin Quenneville. “However this was opportunity for him to open an even larger door.”

Even though Bennett departs, he praised the organization that he feels has a very bright future. “The IceRays in just two year have already positioned themselves as one premier organizations in the NAHL. They have a great reputation in the junior hockey circles and have already sent several kids to D1 and D3 schools. I think the Corpus organization is moving in the right direction and are going to have a very successful 12-13 season.”

“I would also like to thank Tim & Cassidy Lange, along with Pat Dunn for bringing me to Corpus Christi and giving me the opportunity to play and coach in a great organization. In addition, I would also like to thank Coach Quenneville, Chris Mei and George Escamilla for all there support the past 4 years.”

Who is new Fighting Falcons general manager Steve Shannon leaning to as the next coach of the Fighting Falcons? Shannon is on record with JuniorHockey.com as saying he wants a new coach in place prior to the Fighting Falcons May 25-27 pre-draft camp.

SMART MONEY IS ON ERIK LARGEN, AN ASSISTANT UNDER JOSH HOUGE IN FAIRBANKS (ROBERTSON CUP 2011) AND SPENT THIS YEAR AS "THE MAN" WITH THE MINNESOTA JR HOCKEY LEAGUE'S NORTHERN LIGHTS (42-5-0-1). LARGEN BRINGS A CLOSE TIE TO THE USHL WHICH WOULD MEAN AN INSTANT TALENT INFLUX.

More questions...

Will the Soo Eagles have troubles getting good players to come up to the U.P.?
Will the Eagles just get the "left-overs" from Players who don't make it in Port Huron, Kallamazoo or Flint?
Will fan's in Soo Michigan support a team that does not make the Play-Offs?

Hurd,
If it is possible to win a Robertson Cup in Fairbanks, Alaska, it will not be a problem in Sault Ste Marie.

Fairbanks does well because they have built a fantastic program...I see Bruno being able to do the same thing. Players want to go to teams where they are appreciated, are able to develop, and are able to be seen.

Fairbanks and the Soo are comparable with both communities having D1 programs in the same town. The Soo does have the advantage of the Hounds across the bridge and I have to believe that Bruno will find a way to take advantage of those connections.

Well stated, Steve. Eagles could well develop a couple of American-born, Greyhound draft picks for the Soo's OHL team.

Good questions for the great white north Randy - I would think just about every league has similiar questions brewing - I know as a follwer of the dirty brown south (just kiddding love down here) anxious to see the changes in the WSHL. Still expecting 3 more franchises to be announced and really curious as to how they will align the divisions.

Thanks for the input, Perry. Keep us posted on the WSHL.

Regards,

Randy

Springfield Jr. Blues Tender Theo Tydingco


The Springfield Jr. Blues of the North American Hockey league are proud to announce Theo Tydingco has signed a tender for the 2012-13 season.

Tydingco played the past season for the San Jose Jr. Sharks 18U AAA team. He appeared in the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) Top Prospects Tournament for the first time this season and is also a 3-time captain for the Jr. Sharks.

Tydingco, who is from Newark, CA, played for Coach Zasowski the past four seasons in San Jose. Tydingco helped lead his team to a state championship, the pacific district finals and the NAPHL regular season championship last year.

This year Tydingco had 5 goals and 16 assists in 37 games for the Jr. Sharks. He was also awarded the Jordan Kocian Award in Northern California, which is awarded to a player in his final Midget year who exemplifies desire, determination, dedication, leadership and inspiration in their approach to playing hockey and living. The award is for accomplishments outside hockey as well as inside hockey, it is for older midget players who have been role models to their peers and given their time back to the game and exemplified the spirit of Jordan Kocian.

“It’s an honor to be a part of this organization, rich history and great tradition. I’m excited and looking forward to the opportunity to play for the Jr. Blues,” said Tydingco after signing the tender.

Tydingco was named to the NAPHL all-academic team in 2011 with a 4.2 GPA.

“Theo is character kid with tremendous skill. We expect him to make an immediate impact on and off the ice with the Jr. Blues,” said Coach Zasowski.

The Jr. Blues will be holding their pre-draft camp at the Nelson Center May 26-28.

Re: Erik Largin

Port Huron Fighting Falcons GM Steve Shannon tells me that Largin is not on the short list to become the team's new head coach.

Sources say the Port Huron Fighting Falcons could announce their new head coach as early as this afternoon.

Steve Shannon just announced himself as Head Coach.

Steve Shannon named head coach of Fighting Falcons
May 21, 2012

The Port Huron Fighting Falcons, proud members of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), have announced that Steve Shannon, who was recently named as the team’s General Manager, has also been named the new Head Coach.

“After going through many resumes of qualified applicants, to whom I thank for their interest in the Head Coach position, I along with General Manager Steve Shannon, have come to the agreement that he will also be the next Head Coach of The Port Huron Fighting Falcons for the 2012-13 season,” said Owner/Governor Maribeth Hayes in a statement.

Along with Mr. Shannon, the hockey staff will include Jeff Blum, who resides in the Port Huron area and who has previous head coaching experience in the NAHL. Mr. Blum will be the Director of Player Development/College Recruiting Liaison.

Scott Nichols will be back as Goalie Coach and also resides in the Port Huron area.

Is there any substance to the rumors of a new tier III team in the soo and if so do you think this team will benefit the eagles getting well developed players from them.

We are expecting a release from AAU concerning the new Midwest league... A Soo team is in the mix.

Jeff,

If it's the "Soo Firehawks" then beware.