September starters - Junior Hockey News

Published: Saturday, 1 Sep 2012

By: Randy Russon

"See you in September." It's a phrase that's been exchanged numerous times over the course of the junior hockey off-season. Say no more. September is here. The Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League regular season begins on Sept. 5 and the first puck drops on the 2012-13 North American Hockey League campaign on Sept. 8.

SCOUTING EAGLES

Representatives from two NOJHL teams have been keeping close tabs on the NAHL training camp of the nearby Soo Eagles.

Soo Thunderbirds general manager Kevin Cain and Blind River Beavers GM Rusty Joncas have been in touch with Eagles coach-GM Bruno Bragagnolo about several players with NOJHL experience who may become available from the NAHL team.

The Eagles were part of the NOJHL in 2011-12 and several players from that team have been vying for roster spots on the 2012-13 edition of the Soo's NAHL squad. To be sure, Cain and Joncas would be well familiar with those Eagles who played in the NOJHL last season and who have been trying out for the Soo's NAHL entry.

Without question, the Thunderbirds and Beavers could both stand to benefit from as many as four solid, seasoned players who were in the NOJHL with the Eagles last season but who may not make their NAHL roster.

NOJHL teams can carry as many as eight American-born players on their roster and both the Thunderbirds and Beavers have made good use of high-end performers from south of the Canada-United States border in the past.

NETS OF THE NORTH

The NAHL's North Division has had a number of top goalies from the 2011-12 season move on.

Notably, Ken MacLean from the Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings and Peter Megariotis from the Port Huron Falcons have both moved up to the Division 1, National Collegiate Athletic Association ranks while Joe Ballmer was drafted from the Jamestown Ironmen into the Tier 1, United States Hockey League.

Both Kalamazoo and Port Huron retained goalies who played considerably last season. Alex Okicki split time with MacLean in the Jr. K-Wings cage while Max Milosek shared duties with Megariotis in leading the Fighting Falcons to the North Division title.

But in Jamestown, Ironmen coach-general manager Dan Daikawa had to go out and trade for a goalie to replace Ballmer. And Daikawa thinks he's found his man in the well-travelled Reid Mimmack.

Mimmack, a 1992 birth year, played for the Springfield Jr. Blues and erstwhile Chicago Hitmen in 2010-11 before twending twine for both Texas Tornado and Aberdeen Wings in 2011-12.

Mimmack put up pretty good numbers in 2011-12.

With Texas, he had a record of 9-4-3 to go with a 2.49 goals against average and .904 save percentage. With Aberdeen, Mimmack had a 3-2-1 record, 2.81 goals against average and .899 save percentage.

As Daikawa was building the Ironmen for the 2012-13 season, he knew he had to start between the pipes.

"We lost Ballmer to the USHL, so we had to find someone to carry the load right away," Daikawa said of the off-season acquisition of Mimmack from Aberdeen. "We believe we have found that in Mimmack, who is a third-year guy. I think it will be important to have his experience. He had a good season last year with both Texas and Aberdeen."

Author: Randy Russon

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

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Discuss:

posted Sep. 1st, 2012 - 1:23pm

Michael Gosnell says:

Randy,

What have you heard about Johnstown's roster, if anything?

posted Sep. 1st, 2012 - 1:36pm

Randy Russon says:

Michael,

All I can relay to you, for the record, is the current Johnstown roster. See below.

Regards,

Randy

Johnstown Tomahawks
# PLAYER POS HEIGHT WEIGHT D.O.B HOMETOWN
2 Kontny, Mitch F 6-0 180 Mar 30, 1992 Superior WI
3 Watt, Jordan F 5-10 165 Jun 24, 1993 Orange, CA
4 Bazevics, Kristaps D 6-3 195 Aug 02, 1994 Riga, Lativa
6 Janssen, Evan F 6-0 185 Mar 31, 1993 Green Bay, WI
7 Brossoit, Brandon F 5-10 180 Apr 16, 1992 Los Alamitos, CA
8 Lutsch, Justin D 6-2 190 Jan 15, 1992 Centennial, CO
9 Hesse, Evan F 5-9 180 Mar 05, 1993 Monticello, MN
11 Bisbing, Cody F 5-10 160 May 02, 1993 Mesa, AZ
12 Nelson, Casey D 6-1 174 Jul 18, 1992 Wisconsin Rapids, WI
14 Wright, Connor F 5-10 180 Jul 12, 1992 Anchorage, AK
15 Buchanan, Chris D 6-1 185 Apr 22, 1994 San Jose CA
18 Christianson, Gage F 5-8 175 Jan 27, 1992 Anchorage, AK
19 Smith-Mass, Cobi F 6-2 190 Aug 19, 1992 Anchorage, AK
20 Hansen, Codey F 6-1 185 Feb 14, 1992 Anchorage AK
23 Kessler, Jesse D 5-10 195 Jun 21, 1993 Franklin TN
24 Bergh, Jeff D 6-0 185 Jan 03, 1992 Hallock, MN
30 Engum, Bodhi G 5-9 165 Jul 11, 1993 Burnsville MN
35 Kulmanovsky, Nick G 5-10 170 Sep 12, 1993 Fairbanks, AK

posted Sep. 1st, 2012 - 2:29pm

Michael Gosnell says:

Thanks Randy,

By the way, how are the Michigan Warriors shaping up to be this year?

posted Sep. 1st, 2012 - 2:56pm

Randy Russon says:

Michael,

The Warriors look to be young this season with only 6 returnees including third-year forwards Martin Gruse and Tyler Perpich and goalie Trevor Gorsuch.

But in talking to Warriors coach Moe Mantha, his excitement about the upcoming season is unmistakeable.

Moe is now healthy (having recovered from the detached retina in his eye that caused him problems last season) and he seems happy and relieved that the marketing of the team is now in the capable hands of Firland Management and being led by Jeremy Torrey, who is based out of the Perani Arena offices in Flint.

Regards,

Randy

posted Sep. 1st, 2012 - 4:45pm

Tony Prito says:

Warriors will suprize a few teams this season. Coach Mantha is energized and I have heard more talk about this team than in previus 2 years with fans from up north in Birch Run & Frankenmuth even.

posted Sep. 2nd, 2012 - 9:03am

Randy Russon says:

Buffalo Jr. Sabres 4, Jamestown 3

RANDY RUSSON
Mika Media

Jamestown Ironmen of the North American Hockey League dropped a 4-3 road decision to Buffalo Jr. Sabres of the Ontario Jr. Hockey League in an exhibition tilt on Saturday night.

The Jr. Sabres led 3-0 and scored three power play goals in hanging on for the one-goal win.

Ironmen coach-general manager Dan Daikawa noted that, "We were okay five on five. They scored three power play goals but we only worked on our penalty
kill for 10 minutes last week."

The Ironmen will play host to the Jr. Sabres on Friday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. at Jamestown Savings Bank Arena.

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