Player Acquisition??

According to Pointstreak, the Indiana Ice of the USHL have traded forward Dan Cecka to the Owatonna Express. See the USHL transaction log here: http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/transactions.html?leagueid=49&seasonid=3192

That name might sound familiar to the faithful readers of the blog, as Cecka was drafted by the Express in last year's NAHL draft. Here is the player profile I did on him back in June:

Future Express Player - Dan Cecka

Dan Cecka - 5'11"/190lbs - Forward

'89 Birth year. Member of the 2008 Class AA State Champion Hill-Murray Pioneers, and was selected to the All-Tournament Team. Leading scorer in the Classic Suburban Conference his senior year. Was honorable mention All-State. Participated in the 2007 Minnesota Model Camp where he played on a the same team as Owatonna's Kyle Kozelka. Played for Team Minnesota at the Chicago Showcase in 2008. Played in the Tri-City Storm's (USHL) tryout camp all-star game in 2007. 9th round pick of the Indiana Ice in the 2008 USHL draft.

My take: Reminds me of another Hill-Murray alum, and Indiana Ice draftee: Brian Arrigoni... only bigger. He's a strong kid, team leader, and can finish. I don't know about his blocking the puck with your facemask skills. He was the leading scorer on the best team in Minnesota, not much else needs to be said.

My take: Cecka tallied 3 goals and an assist playing in roughly half of the Division leading Ice's games. It sounds like he just wasn't getting enough playing time with the Ice, but with the Express, I'm guessing he plays every night. If he does indeed suit up for the Express for the remainder of the season, it takes some of the sting away from losing Chris Darnell to injury. The Express roster is a little deeper and a little more skilled with him on board. Time will tell how big an impact he has this year, but I sure hope to see him in uniform this weekend.

Welcome to Owatonna Dan Cecka.


- The North Iowa Outlaws and Bismarck Bobcats are playing an exhibition game tonight in Aberdeen, South Dakota. You might ask yourself: Why Aberdeen?? Well it turns out, the folks in Aberdeen want to have a team in the NAHL. Could Aberdeen be the 6th member of the Central Division next season?? That is sure one possibility, but I have also heard from an owner of one of the Express's division rivals, that there could possibly be 1 or 2 expansion teams in Wisconsin next season. We'll have to see what happens, but it looks like the NAHL could have some fun trying to re-align the divisions this summer.

- Here's an article from the Wallaceburg Courier Press. It doesn't have anything to do with the Express or the NAHL, but it's a great read about a fallen teammate.
http://www.wallaceburgcourierpress.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1375025


It sounds like Friday's weather is going to be less than ideal, but luckily for us, the Express game is at the friendly confines of the 4 Seasons Centre in lovely south central Owatonna. The Albert Lea Thunder will make the short drive up I-35 for a 7:00pm matchup with our favorite junior hockey team. Let's face it, you have nothing better to do, so you might as well come out and cheer on the guys as they open a can of whoop-ass on the Thunder. Grab your husband/wife/significant other/neighbor/etc..(you don't have to sit with them) and don't forget little Johnny and Susie (point of clarification: you can still bring your kids even if they aren't named Johnny and Susie). Don't forget to bring buckets, airhorns, cowbells, and anything else that can make a bunch of noise. The beer will be cold, and the hot dogs will be hot.

See you at the rink.

--Big Kahuna