#Juniorhockeyleague

[mitchbeck]

ICEMEN AGREE TO TERMS WITH JAKE WITKOWSKI

Photo Courtesy of Canisius Athletics BY: Alex Reed, Jacksonville Icemen  JACKSONVILLE, FL – The Jacksonville Icemen, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack announced today that the team has agreed to terms with forward Jake Witkowski for the 2022-2023 season. Witkowski, 26, joins the Icemen after collecting 11 points (5g, 6a) in 32 games played during his senior season last year at Canisius College (AHA).  Prior to his lone season at Canisius, the 5-10, 178-pound forward played four collegiate seasons at Boston University (H-East) from 2017-2021. During the 2016-2017 season, the Melrose, MA resident compiled a 40-point, 23-goal campaign with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League (BCHL). The following is a list of players that have agreed to terms with the Icemen for the 2022-2023 season: Goaltender Charles Williams Defensemen Garret Cockerill Victor Hadfield Bo Hanson Brandon Fortunato Brendan Less Jacob Panetta Tim Theocharidis Forwards Jake Hamacher Brendan Harris Luke Keenan Luke Lynch Matt Salhany Sam Sternschien Mike Szmatula Jake Witkowski The Icemen open the 2022-2023 season at home on October 22 against the Orlando Solar Bears.  Full and partial season ticket packages are currently available!   Contact the Icemen office at 904-602-7825, or visit jacksonvilleicemen.com for more information. #LitesOut JACKSONVILLE ICEMEN HOME Read the full article

[mitchbeck]

KUHN: RELIABLE CENTER THOMAS EBBING INKS DEAL

24-year-old forward adds responsible defensive presence BY: Jordan Kuhns, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. — The Greenville Swamp Rabbits have brought in another reliable forward to the mix with the signing of forward Thomas Ebbing to a Standard Player Contract for the 2019–20 season. Ebbing played 55 games with Greenville last season after beginning the season in Fort Wayne. Ebbing, who entered the year with significant AHL experience, provided a steady offensive contribution, and a valuable utility role as a reliable option at even strength or on special teams. The Michigan native routinely saw time in all three facets of the game. The AHL took notice of his efforts in Greenville and Fort Wayne once more, as, after the conclusion of the year, he was signed to a Professional Tryout Contract (PTO) by the Laval Rocket, AHL affiliate of the Montréal Canadiens. He had also played significant time with Laval during the 2017–18 season. Overall, the looming third-year pro has 118 games of professional hockey experience between the AHL and ECHL. Ebbing developed as a set-up man and shot-blocking machine in college at Michigan State University. With the Spartans, he led the Big Ten in shot blocks as a freshman with 45, finished with 49 blocks, the most in the conference as a sophomore, and his 59 as a junior were fourth in the entire NCAA. Ebbing spent one year in North America's sole Tier I junior hockey league, the USHL, as a member of the Chicago Steel. His solid year earned him a trip to the USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Muskegon, and a ranking by NHL Central Scouting for the 2013 NHL Draft. The following players are now under contract for the 2019–20 season: F - Michael Pelech (29) F - Johno May (25) F - Travis Howe (25) F - Kamerin Nault (23) F - Mason Baptista (29) F - Roman Ammirato (26) F - Daniel Perez (25) F - Nathan Perkovich (33) F - Cédric Lacroix (24) F - Zach Franko (26) F - Lincoln Griffin (22) F - Shaquille Merasty (28) F - Ryan Horvat (26) F - Thomas Ebbing (24) D - J.C. Brassard (23) D - Luke Ripley (25) D - Adam Larkin (24) D - Jake Bolton (27) D - Brien Diffley (24) D - Chad Duchesne (24) G - Kyle Hayton (25) More signings will take place throughout the offseason, so stay tuned to the Swamp Rabbits on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Get Social: Follow the Swamp Rabbits and get behind-the-scenes coverage like never before on the team’s official Facebook and Twitter pages! Contact a Swamp Rabbits Account Executive at 864.674.PUCK (7825) for information on 2019–20 ticket plans, special group rates, and hospitality opportunities and secure your seats today! Get the latest Swamp Rabbits gear by visiting the “Hop Shop” online at Shop.SwampRabbits.com to browse the full collection of fan wear and novelties! Read the full article

[mitchbeck]

RANGERS ANNOUNCE ADDITIONS TO HOCKEY OPERATIONS STAFF

BY: The New York Rangers NEW YORK, August 21, 2019 – The New York Rangers announced today that the team has made several additions to its hockey operations staff. Tanner Glass and Tuomo Ruutu have been named Assistant Directors of Player Development. Chris Morehouse has been named the team’s Director of North American Scouting, and Marshall Davidson and Derek Ginnell have been named Amateur Scouts. Steve Konowalchuk will transition from the team’s amateur scouting staff to the team’s professional scouting staff. In addition, the Rangers have named David Cunniff as an Assistant Coach with their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, and have also named Chris Hoeler as the Wolf Pack’s Video Coach. In their roles, Glass and Ruutu will work with Director of Player Development Jed Ortmeyer to assist in the development of Rangers prospects, both on and off the ice. Glass will primarily work with Rangers prospects in North America, while Ruutu will primarily work with Rangers prospects in Europe. Glass rejoins the Rangers organization after concluding an 11-season NHL career (2007-08 – 2017-18). He skated in 527 career NHL games with Florida, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Pittsburgh, the Rangers, and Calgary, registering 24 goals and 45 assists for 69 points, along with 658 penalty minutes. Glass recorded 100 or more hits in seven of his 11 seasons in the league, including 200 or more hits in four of those seasons. He also helped his team advance to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in seven different seasons in his career. Glass skated in 67 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, registering six points (two goals, four assists), and he helped Vancouver advance to the Stanley Cup Final in 2010-11. He concluded his playing career with Bordeaux in France during the 2018-19 season. The Regina, Saskatchewan native played three seasons with the Rangers (2014-15 – 2016-17) after signing with the Blueshirts on July 1, 2014. Glass skated in 134 career games with the Rangers, registering six goals and nine assists for 15 points, along with 181 penalty minutes. He helped the Blueshirts advance to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in each of his three seasons with the team. In 2014-15, Glass helped the Rangers win the Presidents’ Trophy for having the best regular-season record in the NHL, establish single-season franchise records with 53 wins and 113 points, and advance to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final. Glass tallied four points (one goal, three assists) in seven games during the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, including the game-winning goal in Game 1 of the Rangers’ First Round Series against Montreal on Apr. 12, 2017. Prior to beginning his professional career, Glass played four seasons of collegiate hockey at Dartmouth College (2003-04 – 2006-07). He served as Dartmouth’s captain during the 2006-07 season. In addition, Glass played parts of six seasons in the American Hockey League (AHL). Ruutu skated in 735 career NHL games over a 12-season career (2003-04 – 2015-16) with Chicago, Carolina, and New Jersey, registering 148 goals and 198 assists for 346 points, along with 596 penalty minutes. He finished sixth in voting for the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year in 2003-04, as he recorded 44 points (23 goals, 21 assists) with the Blackhawks. Ruutu was selected by Chicago in the first round, ninth overall, of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. In addition to his NHL career, Ruutu played professional hockey in Finland and Switzerland. The Vantaa, Finland native represented his country in several international tournaments throughout his career. Ruutu played with Finland in 12 major international tournaments during his career, including the Winter Olympics twice, the World Cup of Hockey once, the IIHF World Championship five times, the IIHF World Junior Championship three times, and the IIHF U18 World Championship once. He helped Finland earn 10 medals in those 12 tournaments, including two bronze medals at the Olympics (2010 and 2014) and gold medals at the 2011 IIHF World Championship and the 2000 IIHF U18 World Championship, and he also helped Finland finish as the runner-up at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey. In addition, Ruutu served as an Assistant Coach for Finland’s gold medal-winning team at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship. Morehouse joins the Rangers organization after spending the previous seven seasons in the Columbus Blue Jackets organization (2012-13 – 2018-19). He spent the past three seasons as the Blue Jackets’ Assistant Director of Amateur Scouting (2016-17 – 2018-19). Morehouse joined Columbus as an Amateur Scout in 2012, and he served as both an Amateur Scout and a Professional Scout over four seasons before being named the team’s Assistant Director of Amateur Scouting on July 6, 2016. Prior to beginning his front office career, the Saint John, New Brunswick native played two seasons at St. Thomas University (2011-12 and 2012-13) while earning his degree. Morehouse also played parts of two seasons in professional hockey with the Alaska Aces (ECHL), Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL), Greenville Road Warriors (ECHL), and Tulsa Oilers (CHL). He also played three seasons of junior hockey with the Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) from 2005-06 to 2007-08. Morehouse served as Moncton’s captain in 2007-08, and he was also named the QMJHL Humanitarian of the Year and the Canadian Hockey League Humanitarian of the Year during the season. Davidson joins the Rangers organization after spending the previous six seasons in the Columbus Blue Jackets organization as an Amateur Scout (2013-14 – 2018-19). He also served five seasons in the St. Louis Blues organization as an Amateur Scout (2008-09 – 2012-13). Prior to serving as a scout in the NHL for over a decade, the Calgary, Alberta native coached several teams in Bantam and Midget AAA programs in Western Canada for over 25 years. Davidson coached with Tom Renney, who is the Rangers’ former Head Coach and the President and CEO of Hockey Canada, with the Columbia Valley Rockies of the Kootenay International Jr. Hockey League for several years. During his tenure with the Rockies, Davidson helped guide the team to back-to-back Keystone Cup Championships. Ginnell joins the Rangers organization after spending the last five seasons as an Amateur Scout with the Columbus Blue Jackets (2014-15 - 2018-19). Prior to becoming a scout, he played with the Medicine Hat Cubs of the Heritage Junior Hockey League (HJHL), and he served as the team's captain. Ginnell also played in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), and North West Junior Hockey League (NWJHL). Konowalchuk served one season as an Amateur Scout with the Rangers in 2018-19. In his role as an Amateur Scout, he was primarily responsible for scouting players in the Western Hockey League (WHL). Konowalchuk joined the Rangers organization after serving as an Assistant Coach with the Anaheim Ducks during the 2017-18 season. He also served as the Head Coach of the Seattle Thunderbirds in the WHL for six seasons (2011-12 – 2016-17), and he helped Seattle win the WHL Championship and advance to the Memorial Cup in 2016-17. Konowalchuk began his coaching career as an Assistant Coach with the Colorado Avalanche for two seasons (2009-10 and 2010-11). Konowalchuk skated in 790 career NHL games over parts of 14 seasons (1991-92 – 2005-06) with the Washington Capitals and Colorado Avalanche, registering 171 goals and 225 assists for 396 points. A native of Salt Lake City, Utah, he became the first player born in Utah to play in the NHL. Konowalchuk represented the United States in several international tournaments during his playing career, and he helped Team USA win the 1996 World Cup of Hockey.

Cunniff joins the Rangers organization with 17 years of coaching experience in the American Hockey League (2002-03 – 2018-19). Most recently, he was a member of the Iowa Wild’s coaching staff for four seasons (2015-16 – 2018-19). Cunniff served as an Associate Coach with Iowa, as well as the team’s Interim Head Coach for part of the 2015-16 season. In addition, he spent 12 seasons as either the Associate Coach or Assistant Coach with the San Jose Sharks’ AHL affiliate, as well as one season with the Albany Devils. Hoeler joins the Rangers organization after spending last season as the Director of Hockey Operations for the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League (USHL). Prior to working with the Steel, he worked one season with Harvard University’s women’s hockey team as the team’s Video & Analytics Coordinator. Hoeler has also worked with the Danbury Titans in the Federal Hockey League in his career. Read the full article

[mitchbeck]

KUHNS: SWAMP RABBITS ACQUIRE LACROIX FROM NAILERS

Rough and tumble scoring winger joins a talented forward group BY: Jordan Kuhns, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. — The Greenville Swamp Rabbits have acquired forward Cédric Lacroix from the Wheeling Nailers in exchange for future considerations. Lacroix, 24, completed his first professional season in Wheeling and did so successfully as the team's top goal scorer. Lacroix was one of two 20+ goal scorers on Wheeling's roster last season but was also unafraid to get his nose dirty. He ended his first professional season with 215 penalty minutes, good for sixth in the league. His success saw him see a one-game recall by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, where he posted a two-goal game in his AHL debut on April 14. Perhaps most impressively, the Québec native's offense was spread out throughout the season. He only notched a multi-goal game last season in Wheeling twice. Last season against Greenville, he posted a goal and instigated a scrap with one forward, Travis Howe. The Quebec native comes from an NHL bloodline. His father, Daniel, played 188 NHL games for the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, Edmonton Oilers and New York Islanders. That extensive career also spanned 13 seasons. Cédric played his collegiate career at the University of Maine. There, he played in 145 games, and was a strong player on the ice, serving as part of the leadership group in his senior season, and a strong student in the classroom, as a Hockey East All-Academic three times. Being a leader is not out of Lacroix's wheelhouse. In his final of two years with the Sioux City Musketeers in the USHL, he was named an alternate captain. His rough, edgy play style also developed in the United States' only Tier I junior hockey league, as he put up over 100 penalty minutes in both seasons there. Lacroix joins the Swamp Rabbits roster, along with forwards Michael Pelech, Johno May, Kamerin Nault, Mason Baptista, Roman Ammirato, Daniel Perez, Nathan Perkovich, Howe, and defensemen J.C. Brassard, Luke Ripley, and Adam Larkin. Get Social: Follow the Swamp Rabbits and get behind-the-scenes coverage like never before on the team’s official Facebook and Twitter pages! Contact a Swamp Rabbits Account Executive at 864.674.PUCK (7825) for information on 2019–20 ticket plans, special group rates, and hospitality opportunities and secure your seats today! Get the latest Swamp Rabbits gear by visiting the “Hop Shop” online at Shop.SwampRabbits.com to browse the full collection of fan wear and novelties! Read the full article

[mitchbeck]

KAKKO LEADS AN INCREDIBLE RANGERS 2019 ENTRY DRAFT

BY: The New York Rangers During the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, which was held at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia on Friday, June 21 and Saturday, June 22, the Rangers selected eight players. With their eight picks in the Draft, the Blueshirts selected five forwards and three defensemen. The Rangers entered the 2019 NHL Entry Draft with the second overall pick. The Blueshirts selected second or higher in the Draft for only the third time since the NHL Amateur/Entry Draft's inception in 1963 and for the first time since 1966, when the team chose Brad Park with the second overall pick. On Friday, the Rangers used the second overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft to select forward Kaapo Kakko. Kakko, 18, skated in 45 games with TPS of Liiga (Finnish Elite League) this past season, registering 22 goals and 16 assists for 38 points, along with a plus-one rating and 10 penalty minutes. Kakko's 22 goals in 2018-19 were the most any U18 player has registered in one season in the history of Finland's top league, breaking the record of 21 set by Aleksander Barkov in 2012-13. The 6-2, 194-pounder was named the Rookie of the Year in Liiga in 2018-19. Internationally, the Turku, Finland native has represented his country in several tournaments. In a 13-month span from April of 2018 to May of 2019, Kakko helped Finland win a gold medal at the 2018 IIHF U18 World Championship, the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship, and the 2019 IIHF World Championship. He became the first player in hockey history to win a gold medal at the IIHF World Championship in his U18 season. In addition, Kakko became the youngest player in hockey history to win gold medals at the IIHF U18 World Championship, the IIHF World Junior Championship, and the IIHF World Championship (18 years, 102 days old; Connor McDavid was previously the youngest player to win a gold medal in all three tournaments - 19 years, 130 days old). The Rangers selected seven players on Saturday. The Blueshirts made two selections in the second round - defenseman Matthew Robertson with the 49th overall pick and forward Karl Henriksson with the 58th overall pick. Robertson, 18, skated in 52 games with the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League (WHL) this past season, registering seven goals and 26 assists for 33 points, along with a plus-18 rating and 26 penalty minutes. He established WHL career-highs in several categories in 2018-19, including assists, points, and plus/minus rating, and he tied his WHL career-high in goals. Robertson ranked second among Edmonton defensemen in points during the past season. He also served as an alternate captain for the Oil Kings in 2018-19. Robertson helped Edmonton advance to the 2019 WHL Playoffs, and he tallied eight points (four goals, four assists) in 16 games. The 6-3, 200-pounder has skated in 126 career WHL games over parts of three seasons (2016-17 - 2018-19), all with Edmonton, registering 14 goals and 44 assists for 58 points, along with a plus-two rating and 72 penalty minutes. Internationally, the Edmonton, Alberta native has represented Canada in several tournaments. Robertson helped Canada win a gold medal at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, as he registered four points (two goals, two assists) in five games. He tallied six points (two goals, four assists) in five games with Canada-Black at the 2017 World U17 Hockey Challenge, and he was named to the Tournament All-Star Team, as he led all defensemen in the tournament in points. In addition, Robertson recorded two assists and posted a plus-five rating in five games while representing Canada at the 2018 IIHF U18 World Championship. Entering the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Robertson was ranked No. 26 on NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters eligible for this year's Draft. Henriksson, 18, skated in 45 games with Frolunda's junior (J20) team in SuperElit this past season, registering 13 goals and 36 assists for 49 points, along with a plus-35 rating and 26 penalty minutes. He led SuperElit in assists and plus/minus rating and tied for the league lead in points, and he also led all players in their U18 season or younger in points during the season. Henriksson recorded nine points (two goals, seven assists) in six playoff games in SuperElit, as he tied for the league lead in assists and tied for second in the league in points during the playoffs. In addition, he helped Frolunda's U18 team win the gold medal in 2018-19 by recording seven points (two goals, five assists) and a plus-eight rating in seven playoff games. Henriksson skated in two SHL games with Frolunda this past season, and he was one of 17 players in their U18 season or younger who played at least one game in the SHL during the season. The 5-9, 176-pounder has played in Frolunda's organization for the last two seasons (2017-18 and 2018-19). Henriksson tallied 50 points (20 goals, 30 assists) and posted a plus-42 rating in 38 games with Frolunda's U18 team in 2017-18, and helped the team win a bronze medal by notching six points (two goals, four assists) in seven games during the playoffs. Internationally, the Malmo, Sweden native has represented his country in several tournaments. Most recently, Henriksson registered nine points (three goals, six assists) in seven games while helping Sweden win a gold medal at the 2019 IIHF U18 World Championship. He was named one of the Top Three Players on his Team in the tournament, as he led Sweden in assists and points. Henriksson also helped Sweden earn a silver medal at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, as he registered two goals in five games during the tournament. Entering the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Henriksson was ranked No. 23 on NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of European skaters eligible for this year's Draft. With their third-round pick (68th overall), the Rangers selected defenseman Zachary Jones. Jones, 18, skated in 56 games with the Tri-City Storm of the United States Hockey League (USHL) this past season, registering seven goals and 45 assists for 52 points, along with a plus-38 rating and 38 penalty minutes. He was named the USHL Rookie of the Year in 2018-19, and he was named to the USHL All-Rookie Team, as well as the USHL Second All-Star Team, this past season. Jones led the USHL in power play assists (25) and ranked fourth in the USHL in assists and plus/minus rating in 2018-19, and he led USHL rookies in all three categories. He also led all USHL defensemen in assists and tied for second among USHL defensemen in points during the season. The 5-10, 175-pounder established a single-season Tri-City record for assists by a defenseman in 2018-19, and his 45 assists were the second-most by any Tri-City player in one season in the team's history (Jaden Schwartz registered 50 assists in 2009-10). Jones also played in the USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game during the 2018-19 season. He skated in six playoff games Tri-City during the past season and recorded five assists. Prior to playing in the USHL, Jones played with Selects Hockey Academy in the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) for three seasons (2015-16 - 2017-18). He helped Selects Hockey Academy to win the USPHL 16U Championship in 2015-16 and the USPHL 18U Championship in 2017-18, and he served as the captain of the Selects 18U Team in 2017-18. Internationally, the Richmond, Virginia native helped the United States win a gold medal at the 2018 World Junior A Challenge, and he recorded four points (one goal, three assists) in six games in the tournament. Jones has committed to play collegiate hockey at UMass-Amherst beginning with the 2019-20 season. The Rangers used a fourth-round pick (112th overall) to select defenseman Hunter Skinner. Skinner, 18, split this past season between the Muskegon Lumberjacks and the Lincoln Stars of the United States Hockey League (USHL). He skated in 52 USHL games during the 2018-19 season, registering five goals and 19 assists for 24 points, along with 81 penalty minutes. Skinner established USHL career-highs in several categories this past season, including games played, goals, assists, and points. The 6-2, 176-pounder has skated in 83 career USHL games over parts of two seasons (2017-18 and 2018-19) with Muskegon and Lincoln, registering five goals and 19 assists for 24 points, along with 85 penalty minutes. Prior to beginning his USHL career, Skinner played with Honeybaked U16 in the High-Performance Hockey League (HPHL). The Wyandotte, Michigan native has committed to play collegiate hockey at Western Michigan University beginning with the 2020-21 season. The Blueshirts used their fifth-round pick (130th overall) to select forward Leevi Aaltonen. Aaltonen, 18, skated in 29 games with KalPa's U20 team in Jr. A SM-liiga this past season, registering 12 goals and 24 assists for 36 points, along with a plus-nine rating and 28 penalty minutes. Among players in their U18 season or younger in Jr. A SM-liiga, he ranked third in points per game (1.24) in 2018-19. Aaltonen also recorded three points (one goal, two assists) in six playoff games during the season. He tallied one assist in seven games with KalPa in Liiga during the past season, and he was one of 12 players in their U18 season or younger who notched at least one point in Liiga in 2018-19. The 5-9, 177-pounder has played in KalPa's organization for four seasons (2015-16 - 2018-19). Aaltonen helped KalPa's U20 team win the Jr. A SM-liiga Championship in 2017-18 and KalPa's U18 team win the Jr. B SM-sarja Championship in 2016-17. In 2015-16, Aaltonen won the Timo Jutila Award as the Jr. C SM-sarja (Finland's U16 league) Rookie of the Year and he led the league in points during the season (70; 26 goals and 44 assists in 27 games). Internationally, the Mikkeli, Finland native has represented his country in several tournaments. Most recently, Aaltonen registered five points (one goal, four assists) and a plus-four rating in five games while representing Finland at the 2019 IIHF U18 World Championship. He led Finland in assists and tied for the team lead in points in the tournament. Aaltonen recorded two assists in five games at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and he also registered five points (three goals, two assists) in four games at the 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. He helped Finland win a gold medal at the 2018 IIHF U18 World Championship, as he tallied two goals and posted a plus-two rating in seven games during the tournament. In addition, Aaltonen was teammates with Kaapo Kakko at the 2018 IIHF U18 World Championship. Entering the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Aaltonen was ranked No. 29 on NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of European skaters eligible for this year's Draft. New York used its sixth-round pick (161st overall) to select forward Adam Edstrom. Edstrom, 18, split this past season between Mora in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) and Mora's junior (J20) team in SuperElit. He tallied 16 points (11 goals, five assists) in 20 games in SuperElit with Mora's junior team during the season, and he also registered four points (two goals, two assists) in two relegation games. In addition, Edstrom recorded one assist in 15 SHL games with Mora in 2018-19. He also notched two goals in two games with Malungs IF in Division 1 (Sweden's third-highest pro league). The 6-6, 209-pounder played in Mora's organization for three seasons (2016-17 - 2018-19). Edstrom registered 47 points (27 goals, 20 assists) in 40 games while playing with Mora's J18 team and 27 points (19 goals, eight assists) in 69 games with Mora's J20 team in SuperElit. He is expected to play in Rogle's organization in the 2019-20 season. The Rangers used a seventh-round pick (205th overall) to select Eric Ciccolini. Ciccolini, 18, skated in 48 games with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) this past season, registering 27 goals and 35 assists for 62 points, along with 58 penalty minutes. Ciccolini won the B.J. Monro Memorial Trophy as the OHA's Top Prospect. He received the OJHL Top Prospect Award, was named an OJHL First Team All-Prospect, and was named to the OJHL Second All-Star Team. Ciccolini also notched five points (one goal, four assists) in five playoff games. The 5-11, 170-pounder played parts of two seasons in the OJHL (2017-18 and 2018-19). A native of Vaughan, Ontario, Ciccolini played with Canada-East at the 2018 World Junior A Hockey Challenge. Ciccolini is committed to begin his collegiate career at the University of Michigan in 2019-20.

Read the full article

[mitchbeck]

KEELEY: MARINERS CAPITALIZE ON LEAGUE OF OPPORTUNITY

New ECHL organization pulls NAHL alumni on and off ice BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners PORTLAND, ME – July 18, 2018 – The North American Hockey League’s long-standing mantra, “The League of Opportunity,” has been reinforced by rising numbers of NCAA commitments, NHL draft picks, and professional contracts with each passing year. The largest and oldest Junior hockey league in the U.S. has become a premier destination for teenage hockey players with dreams of playing at the highest level. But the NAHL has seen an emerging pattern off the ice too – the League of Opportunity is becoming a breeding ground for the professional growth of those employed in hockey and business operations offices alike. Perhaps no better example can be found than that of the ECHL’s newest franchise – the Maine Mariners. Pulling four employees and a player with NAHL backgrounds, the Mariners have given credence to the “League of Opportunity” in a big way. The Mariners were announced as a new ECHL franchise in the summer of 2017 after the purchase and relocation of the Alaska Aces to Portland, Maine by Comcast-Spectacor and the Philadelphia Flyers. They became an affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers in April 2018 and will begin play in October. The ECHL is the Premier AA Hockey League, behind the AHL. It consists of 27 teams playing 72 games from as far West as Idaho and now as far East as Newfoundland, Canada. From the Aberdeen Wings comes Mariners assistant coach, Anthony Bohn. Scott Langer’s right-hand man for four different seasons, Bohn was an assistant for the Topeka RoadRunners under Langer from 2013-15 and again with the Wings the previous two years. He’ll work under head coach Riley Armstrong with the Mariners. “Coaching in the NAHL prepared me for the pro level by the standards and level of expectations by the organizations and staff I have had the opportunity to work with,” Bohn said. “Scott Langer, Steve Jennings and all the great owners within the league like Greg Odde to provide the resources possible to develop as a coach.” Sharpening skates and setting the locker room this season for the Mariners will be equipment manager Mark Riepe, who worked for the Lone Star Brahmas from 2013 to 2017. His journey led him to Peoria, IL where he was named “Equipment Manager of the Year” for the Peoria Rivermen of the SPHL (Southern Professional Hockey League) in 2017-18. “The Brahmas held high expectations on my end of the profession in terms of how well we treated the players whether they were here to stay or just in town for the weekend to tour the facility,” Riepe said. “They were all treated like part of the ‘Brahma’ family. Coach Wildfong had a big influence on my success with teaching me the way of a ‘never saying no’ mentality and that there is always a solution for everything.” The Director of Marketing for the Mariners is Natalie Tobey, who helped the Janesville Jets to the 2014-15 NAHL “Organization of the Year” Award. Starting with the Jets as an unpaid volunteer in 2013, Tobey was the sole full-time member of the Janesville front office in ’14-15. “As the only full time staff member with the Jets, I learned so much about time management, scheduling and the business of hockey,” said Tobey. “I don’t believe I would be where I am today without the experiences I had in Janesville.” A four year NAHL vet, Michael Keeley recently joined the Mariners as Media Relations and Broadcast Manager. Keeley held media, sales, and broadcasting positions with the Keystone Ice Miners (2014-15) and Austin Bruins (2015-18). He also twice served as a broadcaster for the NAHL’s annual Top Prospects Tournament – in 2015 and again in 2017. “The discrepancy from juniors to pros – particularly in the front office structure – is smaller than people might think,” Keeley said. “My four years in the NAHL gave me the opportunity to get a taste of virtually everything that goes into the business side of running a hockey team. That learning experience was invaluable.” The League of Opportunity, as it stands from a player perspective, applies to the Mariners too. Defenseman John Furgele signed his first professional contract with the Mariners on June 27th. He spent two seasons with the Bismarck Bobcats from 2010-12. “Playing for Bismarck definitely helped me in my journey to play Division I and professional hockey,” Furgele said. “Coming in as a 17-year-old, I was able to go against older guys and develop more through lots of practices and games. If it weren’t for my time in Bismarck, I would not be here today.” And what makes the Mariners in particular, a perfect fit for ‘NAHLers’ past? “The Mariners are a perfect first step into professional hockey and the experiences in the NAHL translate well,” said Tobey. “ECHL staffs aren’t as large as AHL or NHL so the ability to wear many hats is something that has helped me in my position with the Mariners.” “It’s a youthful, work driven staff,” added Riepe. “We all come from extremely well known teams in the NAHL that are very successful and winning teams, which I hope continues at the pro level.” The Mariners, proud affiliate of the New York Rangers, will start play in the inaugural season October 13, 2018 as members of the ECHL. The ECHL is the premier AA hockey league in the United States. Season tickets for the Mariners inaugural season are on sale now by visiting marinersofmaine.com or call toll free 833-GO-MAINE. Read the full article