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Question period - Junior Hockey News


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Published: Sunday, 20 May 2012

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.
 
Will there be seven or eight teams in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League for the 2012-13 season? Right now there are seven -- Abitibi Eskimos, Kirkland Lake Gold Miners, North Bay Trappers, Sudbury Cubs, Soo Thunderbirds, Blind River Beavers and Elliot Lake Bobcats -- as we await word from NOJHL commissioner Robert Mazzuca as to whether there will be a new team in St. Ignace, Mich. next season.
 
Who will coach the NOJHL and Central Canada champion Thunderbirds next season with headmaster Preston Mizzi under indefinite suspension and interim coach Zoltan "Toots" Kovacs not having committed for the 2012-13 campaign?

What's going on in Blind River? After being left at the altar by would-be owner-general manager-coach Bryan Verreault, the Beavers are lost in the woods and lacking direction while the restless hands of time tick away.
 
And Sudbury? Before putting the Cubs up for sale, owner Bill Scott fired general manager Scott Ginson and coach Rod MacKenzie. Like Blind River, there is major uncertainty in Sudbury.
 
Over to the North American Hockey League, there's still a coaching vacancy in Port Huron following the abrupt resignation of coach-of-the-year Bill Warren. Who is new Fighting Falcons general manager Steve Shannon leaning to as the next coach of the Fighting Falcons? Is it someone from the Detroit area who Sterling Heights resident Shannon has close ties to? To be sure, the identity of the new Port Huron coach should be known soon. 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. (The annual NAHL Draft is slated for Thursday, May 31.)
 
With the NAHL reduced from 28 teams to 25, what will the division re-alignment be for the 2012-13 season? How many divisions will there be and who will play where?
 
Where will top-flight goalie Kyle Laslo be playing in 2012-13? The 1992 birth year puckstopper had a 26-15-5 record to go with a 2.51 goals against average and .913 save percentage while playing for the erstwhile Traverse City North Stars during the 2011-12 season. The rights to all Traverse City players now belong to the Soo Eagles following a transfer in ownership. But Laslo was a no-show at the Eagles mandatory camp that was held in Sault Ste. Marie May 11-13. Laslo hails from Fenton, Mich., which is just outside Flint, and reportedly told Eagles coach-general manager Bruno Bragagnolo that he wants to go to school in the fall and is not sure what his hockey plans are. Will Laslo play at all in the fall? As of now, he's been put up for trade by Bragagnolo. But if any team thinks they'll get Laslo's rights from the Eagles for nothing, then they don't know Bragagnolo very well. Bragagnolo may have been born during the night. But it wasn't last night. 
 
What will the new Johnstown team be called? Where will it play? Smart money has Johnstown in the NAHL North Division with the Jamestown Ironmen, Port Huron Fighting Falcons, Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings, Michigan Warriors and Soo Eagles.
 
Who will replace Ryan Bennett as an assistant coach with the Corpus Christi IceRays? Bennett has departed Corpus Christi to take an assistant's job with the Des Moines Buccaneers of the United States Hockey League.
 
 
 
 
 



Author: Randy Russon
Russon brings a a lifetime of media experience to the JuniorHockey.com staff.


Discuss:

posted May. 20th, 2012 - 10:45am
Randy Russon says:
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.”



posted May. 20th, 2012 - 11:14am
Stephen Heisler says:
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.

posted May. 20th, 2012 - 11:33am
Hurd Applegate says:
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?


posted May. 20th, 2012 - 11:40am
Stephen Heisler says:
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.

posted May. 20th, 2012 - 3:11pm
Randy Russon says:
Well stated, Steve. Eagles could well develop a couple of American-born, Greyhound draft picks for the Soo's OHL team.


posted May. 21st, 2012 - 7:40am
Perry Hampel says:
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.

posted May. 21st, 2012 - 8:52am
Randy Russon says:
Thanks for the input, Perry. Keep us posted on the WSHL.

Regards,

Randy

posted May. 21st, 2012 - 8:53am
Randy Russon says:
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.

posted May. 21st, 2012 - 8:58am
Randy Russon says:
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.


posted May. 21st, 2012 - 10:30am
Randy Russon says:
Sources say the Port Huron Fighting Falcons could announce their new head coach as early as this afternoon.

posted May. 21st, 2012 - 12:58pm
Paul Murray says:
Steve Shannon just announced himself as Head Coach.

posted May. 21st, 2012 - 1:09pm
Randy Russon says:
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.

posted May. 22nd, 2012 - 3:42pm
Jeff Tannery says:
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.

posted May. 22nd, 2012 - 4:36pm
Stephen Heisler says:
We are expecting a release from AAU concerning the new Midwest league... A Soo team is in the mix.

posted May. 22nd, 2012 - 5:07pm
Randy Russon says:
Jeff,

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

posted May. 23rd, 2012 - 9:12am
Jeff Tannery says:
Mr.russon I don't quite understand your comment of beware if it's the soo firehawks from what I can gather reading articles of this leauge and teams involved there trying to benefit local players and developing them into getting better jr opportunities wouldn't this benefit and be great for many tier II teams especially the eagles and thunderbirds. Or I'm I missing something as a parent I believe it's all about opportunities and the young men playing not about politics or money.

posted May. 23rd, 2012 - 9:15am
Randy Russon says:
Jeff, ownership is questionable and reputation is murky. Check them out. Ask the folks in St. Ignace about the Firehawks. Do not take my word for it.

posted May. 23rd, 2012 - 9:23am
Stephen Heisler says:
Jeff,
The jury is still out in regards to the Firehawks ability to develop players. Trust me, not every junior team is doing things the right way.

Politics and money are always going to play a major role in the equation.

The politics behind the Firehawks placement in the Soo was the key factor in the destruction of the Great Lakes Hockey League. USA Hockey denied the team, the leadership of the league elected to go around that by moving to AAU, and eight teams quickly bolted for the Minnesota Jr Hockey League. Now the Firehawks are going to be just another new team in a brand new AAU league.

The money is also a key factor. All of these pay-to-play teams are depending on the players' wallets to fund their operations.

posted May. 23rd, 2012 - 9:51am
Jeff Tannery says:
My son played in the little caesars midget aa leauge (detroit) for a couple years against that organization I was impressed I have recently gotten the chance to speak with one of their coaches after years of my son playing them he seems to have a good grasp and good team goals in mind from what I gathered and was told they have produced some jr and college players in previous years. My son will be attending their camp with hopes of playing in the soo and developing for a chance someday to play for the eagles or thunderbirds. They appear to be a good core of young coaches with nothing but the kids in mind. In reguards to the great lakes league I have read many articles and spoke with many people in the detroit area the problem seemed to be mr. lullove not the firehawks our any other team. Please correct if I am wrong as my son is hoping to play their and I'm a concerned parent. Thank you

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