Episode 2 - The Other Side of the Tracks

Episode 2 of "The Other Side of the Tracks" is up on the official Express website.

Read it here: http://expressjrhockey.pointstreaksites.com/view/expressjrhockey/home-page-79/big-kahuna

Feel free to leave comments by clicking on the button at the bottom of this post.


Don't forget about the Express Meet & Greet this Sunday:


Owatonna Express 2009/2010 Team Meet & Greet

WHO: All Express fans, volunteers, billet families, player families, sponsors, advertisers and

just plain hockey fans.

WHAT: The 2009/2010 Team Meet & Greet. Meet both returning and new players, their

families, Express fans and volunteers, sponsors, advertisers and everyone waiting

for the start of the new season.

WHERE: Four Season Center park area. Rain location: upstairs mezzanine.

WHEN: Sunday, August 30, 2009, 4:00 PM.

Join the Express family in the State of Hockey on Sunday afternoon, August 30th, for the introductions of both returning and new team players, their families and their billet families. We’ll be discussing the upcoming 2009/2010 season along with the home opener on October 10th against the Alexandria Blizzard. Join us for food and refreshments.


See you at the rink.

--BK

T- Minus 1 Week

Sorry about the lack of updates over the last few weeks. It's the off-season, and the only topic to really talk about is the roster, and that is the one thing I can't/won't talk about.

That's about to change, as the last week of the off-season winds down, and the players report for camp next weekend. It's going to get very busy around here.

What you will see in September on the blog:

- Player profiles of every Express player
- Profile of the new assistant coach
- Preview of the Express' Central Division rivals
- My picks for NAHL division winners and Robertson Cup winner
- Big Kahuna's NAHL Power Rankings
- Pre and Post game coverage of the first 6 Express games
- Much, much more.


If you want to see the new team in person, don't forget the Express Meet & Greet on August 30th at 4pm at the Four Seasons Centre.

See you at the rink.

--BK

When Pigs Fly

Former Express player John Kruse was one of 67 Air Force Academy cadets that contracted the H1N1 (Swine Flu) virus during basic training earlier this summer. According to Coach Frank Serratore, he "was not hospitalized and has since recovered". Read a short article here: http://gazetteafasports.freedomblogging.com/2009/08/06/swine-flu-sidelined-hockey-player/2431/ , or a longer article here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/15/us/15flu.html .

Hopefully this doesn't affect his playing status and he's back to 100% by hockey season. It will be cool to see him on the ice with fellow Express alumni Kozlak, Kirby, and Carew. Although every time I bring up the Air Force Academy, it's hard not to think about the giant shaft-job that Kevin Wright is getting from the NCAA. If you're not familiar with that situation, I blogged about it back in June, which you can read here: http://owatonnaexpress.blogspot.com/2009/06/monday-tidbits.html . I did a quick google search, and it looks like nothing has changed this summer in regards to Kevin's situation.


33 days and counting to the regular season opener on September 12th in Albert Lea.

See you at the rink.

--BK

Crouse to the Alexandria Blizzard

Former North Iowa Outlaws head coach Jeff Crouse was hired as assistant coach of the Alexandria Blizzard per the Alexandria newspaper. Read the article here: http://www.echopress.com/event/article/id/67307/ (I think you'll have to register for a free account to read the article).

My take: On the surface this looks like a good hire by new Blizzard head coach Doc DelCastillo. He's bringing in a guy that has several years of coaching experience in the Central Division and has been a head coach in the NAHL. On top of that, I believe Crouse is originally from Alexandria. However, the question that lingers in my mind is: Why did Crouse get fired in North Iowa after only one season?? Yes, they lost in the first round of the playoffs to our favorite junior hockey team, but it's not like the Outlaws had a horrible season. What did the Outlaw's management see that led to his departure??


As the days go by, and I see assistant coach positions being filled throughout the junior hockey world, I am getting progressively more anxious to see who Cullen will hire as the Express assistant coach.


See you at the rink.

--BK

The Other Side of the Tracks - Episode 1

The redesigned Official Express Website is up and running. It's the same address as before, and you can see it here: http://expressjrhockey.org/ .

For those that might be new to the Express, let me point out that I don't own nor operate the official website. The official site has a purpose and goals different from what I have with the blogsite. A lot of the stuff I blog about wouldn't necessarily be appropriate or fit in on the team's official website. I like to think of the blog as being sort of the special features section of the Owatonna Express franchise DVD if you catch my drift.

However, I was asked a few weeks ago if I would be interested in contributing an opinion column that would be a weekly feature on the official website when the new design was launched. The column will be titled "The Other Side of the Tracks with Big Kahuna", and Episode 1 is available for your reading pleasure. It's a brief glimpse into what the roster will look like when training camp opens in just over three weeks. Click here to read: http://expressjrhockey.pointstreaksites.com/view/expressjrhockey/the-other-side-of-the-tracks

Feel free to leave comments on Episode 1 by clicking on the "comments" feature at the bottom of this post.

See you at the rink.

--BK