The Owatonna People's Press has an article about new Head Coach Chuck Linkenheld and this week's tryout camp. You can read it here.
--One interesting tidbit from the article is that Linkenheld hired Tom Maroste as an assistant coach. Read the article for his background.
See you at the rink.
--BK
Monday, June 21, 2010
Monday, June 7, 2010
Let the New Era Begin - Welcome Coach Linkenheld
The Owatonna Express announced today that Chuck Linkenheld has been hired to be the new General Manager/Head Coach of our favorite junior hockey team.
Read the article here.
My take: I love the hire. It was a very smart move by the organization.
1. We're getting a coach that has experience in the NAHL. He's familiar with not only the league, he's familiar with the Central Division. Also, he's seen the veteran Express players in action for 8 or 10 games. That should provide him at least a cursory knowledge of what those returning players will bring to the table.
2. He will provide the Express organization both a Head Coach and a General Manager. This is something that will undoubtedly benefit the organization, and is something the Express did not have during the Pat Cullen years.
3. He's familiar with the Chicago area. This should pay off when it comes to recruiting. There is a lot of AAA/Midget programs in the Chicagoland area. While the make-up of the Express should always be decidedly Minnesotan, it doesn't hurt to have ties in some of the other hockey hotbeds in the nation. I think it would be a great move to hire an assistant coach with a broad knowledge of the Minnesota High School hockey landscape.
4. He seems to be a master motivator and knows how to get his players to play up to their potential. The situation in Albert Lea last season couldn't have been any worse. Even after the pay-for-play guys were released, the Thunder roster was frozen, so Coach Linkenheld's hands were tied. Eventually, he set out to rebuild the Thunder, which is no small feat in the middle of a season. I'll break down the stats more thoroughly in a future post, but quoting from the press release: "He was able to turn a team that won only four games the year before into a team that finished the last two months over .500. They won 8 of the last 10 games, bringing the Thunder to the playoffs for the first time. He was also successful in player development, sending 8 players on to play college hockey after the season." For him to take that team and turn them around that much, in that little time, tells me that he is the correct man for the Express job. It excites me even more to think of the possibilities of him entering a spot where he has much more talent to start with, in the Express.
5. He seems to understand that hockey is a tough, physical game, and sometimes that means dropping the gloves. Coach Cullen had his theory on this aspect during his tenure, and I respect that. From what I saw last season from the Thunder, Coach Linkenheld has a slightly different theory. I'm not calling for all-out warfare, but there are times when you need to stand up for a teammate, send a message to the other team, or change the momentum of the game, and the Express lacked in this area last season.
6. He's a nice, well-spoken, friendly guy. I talked with him on numerous occasions and even worked with Chuck for a game in Albert Lea last season, and I think he will fit in quite well in our little town on the prairie. Plus, he should be stoked with this job after the hell he endured last season in Albert Lea.
This was a great move for the Express and I can't wait to see what Coach Linkenheld can do with the boys in blue. Tryout camp is just two weeks away, and he'll be off and running.
Let the new era begin!!
See you at the rink.
--Big Kahuna
Read the article here.
My take: I love the hire. It was a very smart move by the organization.
1. We're getting a coach that has experience in the NAHL. He's familiar with not only the league, he's familiar with the Central Division. Also, he's seen the veteran Express players in action for 8 or 10 games. That should provide him at least a cursory knowledge of what those returning players will bring to the table.
2. He will provide the Express organization both a Head Coach and a General Manager. This is something that will undoubtedly benefit the organization, and is something the Express did not have during the Pat Cullen years.
3. He's familiar with the Chicago area. This should pay off when it comes to recruiting. There is a lot of AAA/Midget programs in the Chicagoland area. While the make-up of the Express should always be decidedly Minnesotan, it doesn't hurt to have ties in some of the other hockey hotbeds in the nation. I think it would be a great move to hire an assistant coach with a broad knowledge of the Minnesota High School hockey landscape.
4. He seems to be a master motivator and knows how to get his players to play up to their potential. The situation in Albert Lea last season couldn't have been any worse. Even after the pay-for-play guys were released, the Thunder roster was frozen, so Coach Linkenheld's hands were tied. Eventually, he set out to rebuild the Thunder, which is no small feat in the middle of a season. I'll break down the stats more thoroughly in a future post, but quoting from the press release: "He was able to turn a team that won only four games the year before into a team that finished the last two months over .500. They won 8 of the last 10 games, bringing the Thunder to the playoffs for the first time. He was also successful in player development, sending 8 players on to play college hockey after the season." For him to take that team and turn them around that much, in that little time, tells me that he is the correct man for the Express job. It excites me even more to think of the possibilities of him entering a spot where he has much more talent to start with, in the Express.
5. He seems to understand that hockey is a tough, physical game, and sometimes that means dropping the gloves. Coach Cullen had his theory on this aspect during his tenure, and I respect that. From what I saw last season from the Thunder, Coach Linkenheld has a slightly different theory. I'm not calling for all-out warfare, but there are times when you need to stand up for a teammate, send a message to the other team, or change the momentum of the game, and the Express lacked in this area last season.
6. He's a nice, well-spoken, friendly guy. I talked with him on numerous occasions and even worked with Chuck for a game in Albert Lea last season, and I think he will fit in quite well in our little town on the prairie. Plus, he should be stoked with this job after the hell he endured last season in Albert Lea.
This was a great move for the Express and I can't wait to see what Coach Linkenheld can do with the boys in blue. Tryout camp is just two weeks away, and he'll be off and running.
Let the new era begin!!
See you at the rink.
--Big Kahuna
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Draft Update
My apologies to the league for doubting the accuracy of their Twittering. I thought for sure that they had messed up and not posted all of the picks made by the Express. It turns out that the Express only made 3 total picks in the draft. Here they are:
Round 1/#18 overall - Joseph Graveline - D - 1991 Birth Year - St Thomas Academy
Round 2/#43 overall - Thomas Burke - G - 6'1"/170 - Holy Angels
Round 3/#65 overall - Mike Shibrowski - G - Colorado College (WCHA)
Before the draft today, each team in the NAHL submitted their protected list to the league. This list is made up of protected veteran players, and each team's tendered players (8 plus or minus trades). Each team then drafts as many players as necessary to get their protected list to 30 players. For example, if a team has 8 protected veterans, and signed 8 tendered players, they would then need to draft 14 players.
My take: With the assumption that Coach Cullen made the decisions on the protected list and the draft picks because the new coach hasn't been hired yet, the Express only drafting 3 guys makes sense. Protect all of your veteran players from last season, and let the new coach, when he gets here, make the decision to keep those guys or not. Hypothetically, let's say Coach Cullen was not leaving. There are probably a few veteran guys towards the bottom of the roster that Cullen wouldn't have put on the protected list. He knows what those guys are capable of, and decides they are not a good fit for this season. It happens every year. However, maybe the new coach would see things differently, and keep that guy around. So it's actually a smart move to protect all of your veterans in this situation.
The Numbers Game -
So we know the Express drafted 3 players, and tendered 8 players (Coach Cullen confirmed this at the annual meeting). That's 11 out of 30 players on the preliminary roster, which means there were 19 veteran guys on the protected list. The 2009-2010 Express playoff roster had 26 players listed. Subtract the guys that aged out: Carson, Porter, McGinty, Darnell, Cecka. Subtract the guys that are moving on to college: Sloat, Thorson. That gives you 19 guys right??
That's just a theory, but it certainly appears plausible.
Albert Lea & North Iowa -
It looks as though both Albert Lea and Mason City will not be fielding teams in the NAHL this season, as neither team participated in the draft.
With their departures, it looks as though the Central Division will shape up like this: Bismarck Bobcats, Alexandria Blizzard, Owatonna Express, Aberdeen Wings, Austin Bruins, and Coulee Region Chill.
See you at the rink.
--BK
Round 1/#18 overall - Joseph Graveline - D - 1991 Birth Year - St Thomas Academy
Round 2/#43 overall - Thomas Burke - G - 6'1"/170 - Holy Angels
Round 3/#65 overall - Mike Shibrowski - G - Colorado College (WCHA)
Before the draft today, each team in the NAHL submitted their protected list to the league. This list is made up of protected veteran players, and each team's tendered players (8 plus or minus trades). Each team then drafts as many players as necessary to get their protected list to 30 players. For example, if a team has 8 protected veterans, and signed 8 tendered players, they would then need to draft 14 players.
My take: With the assumption that Coach Cullen made the decisions on the protected list and the draft picks because the new coach hasn't been hired yet, the Express only drafting 3 guys makes sense. Protect all of your veteran players from last season, and let the new coach, when he gets here, make the decision to keep those guys or not. Hypothetically, let's say Coach Cullen was not leaving. There are probably a few veteran guys towards the bottom of the roster that Cullen wouldn't have put on the protected list. He knows what those guys are capable of, and decides they are not a good fit for this season. It happens every year. However, maybe the new coach would see things differently, and keep that guy around. So it's actually a smart move to protect all of your veterans in this situation.
The Numbers Game -
So we know the Express drafted 3 players, and tendered 8 players (Coach Cullen confirmed this at the annual meeting). That's 11 out of 30 players on the preliminary roster, which means there were 19 veteran guys on the protected list. The 2009-2010 Express playoff roster had 26 players listed. Subtract the guys that aged out: Carson, Porter, McGinty, Darnell, Cecka. Subtract the guys that are moving on to college: Sloat, Thorson. That gives you 19 guys right??
That's just a theory, but it certainly appears plausible.
Albert Lea & North Iowa -
It looks as though both Albert Lea and Mason City will not be fielding teams in the NAHL this season, as neither team participated in the draft.
With their departures, it looks as though the Central Division will shape up like this: Bismarck Bobcats, Alexandria Blizzard, Owatonna Express, Aberdeen Wings, Austin Bruins, and Coulee Region Chill.
See you at the rink.
--BK
Cullen Resignation, Draft Day 2010, & Shibrowski Returns??
Just when you thought I was out, they pull me back in.
So I'm back on the interwebs after a couple of months away. The way last season ended still stings, but with every summer comes a new beginning. A new beginning which will include a new head coach as the boys in blue gear up for the 2010-2011 season. Coach Cullen announced last week at the annual meeting that he was leaving the Express to take a job at St Olaf. You can read the article on the official Express website here: http://expressjrhockey.pointstreaksites.com/view/expressjrhockey . Cullen has been an integral part of the Express dating back to the start of the franchise in 2005. Winning seasons, Robertson Cup trips, and lots of players heading off to Division 1 colleges happened routinely during his tenure. We always new the team would be competitive on the ice and a benefit to the community off the ice under his leadership.
However, sometimes change is a good thing. Things seemed to be getting stale last season, and a new coach should breath some new life into our proud franchise. There will be plenty more on the coaching situation as news becomes available.
The other big news for today is the 2010 NAHL Entry Draft. First of all, I would assume that Coach Cullen probably made the draft picks for the Express today, as to my knowledge, a new head coach has not been hired. The NAHL was covering the draft live on their Twitter page. I tried valiantly to follow along, but I don't think the accuracy was up to par. As of the writing of this post, the Express draft consisted of 3 players. In the 1st round (I think), the Express drafted Joseph Graveline, a defenseman from St Thomas Academy. In the 2nd round (I think), the Express drafted goalie Thomas Burke from Holy Angels HS. In the 3rd round (I think), the Express drafted another goalie in Mike Shibrowski from Colorado College of the WCHA. Wait....what???......Shibrowski??? For those who might be new fans of our favorite junior hockey team, Shibrowski spent the first half of last season with the Express, going 14-5-3 in net before heading out to Colorado College at the Christmas break.
It was an intriguing pick, and the thought of having Shibby back with the team makes me smile. Word out of Colorado College earlier this spring was that the Tigers were looking to maybe bring in another goalie in the off-season, and if that happened, that Shibrowski would be asked to play another year of juniors.
My take: While draft picks aren't as coveted as tenders, I can't see the Express wasting a high draft pick on a guy with no chance of ever showing up in Owatonna. I will keep my hopes up that Shibby will be making a triumphant return to the 4 Seasons Centre this fall.
I will get more in depth with the draft picks when the final draft list is released later tonight. Stay tuned for more information as we approach the Open Tryout Camp in a little less than a month. I will probably post profiles of the draft picks and maybe even fill you in on some of the tendered players.
See you at the rink.
--BK
So I'm back on the interwebs after a couple of months away. The way last season ended still stings, but with every summer comes a new beginning. A new beginning which will include a new head coach as the boys in blue gear up for the 2010-2011 season. Coach Cullen announced last week at the annual meeting that he was leaving the Express to take a job at St Olaf. You can read the article on the official Express website here: http://expressjrhockey.pointstreaksites.com/view/expressjrhockey . Cullen has been an integral part of the Express dating back to the start of the franchise in 2005. Winning seasons, Robertson Cup trips, and lots of players heading off to Division 1 colleges happened routinely during his tenure. We always new the team would be competitive on the ice and a benefit to the community off the ice under his leadership.
However, sometimes change is a good thing. Things seemed to be getting stale last season, and a new coach should breath some new life into our proud franchise. There will be plenty more on the coaching situation as news becomes available.
The other big news for today is the 2010 NAHL Entry Draft. First of all, I would assume that Coach Cullen probably made the draft picks for the Express today, as to my knowledge, a new head coach has not been hired. The NAHL was covering the draft live on their Twitter page. I tried valiantly to follow along, but I don't think the accuracy was up to par. As of the writing of this post, the Express draft consisted of 3 players. In the 1st round (I think), the Express drafted Joseph Graveline, a defenseman from St Thomas Academy. In the 2nd round (I think), the Express drafted goalie Thomas Burke from Holy Angels HS. In the 3rd round (I think), the Express drafted another goalie in Mike Shibrowski from Colorado College of the WCHA. Wait....what???......Shibrowski??? For those who might be new fans of our favorite junior hockey team, Shibrowski spent the first half of last season with the Express, going 14-5-3 in net before heading out to Colorado College at the Christmas break.
It was an intriguing pick, and the thought of having Shibby back with the team makes me smile. Word out of Colorado College earlier this spring was that the Tigers were looking to maybe bring in another goalie in the off-season, and if that happened, that Shibrowski would be asked to play another year of juniors.
My take: While draft picks aren't as coveted as tenders, I can't see the Express wasting a high draft pick on a guy with no chance of ever showing up in Owatonna. I will keep my hopes up that Shibby will be making a triumphant return to the 4 Seasons Centre this fall.
I will get more in depth with the draft picks when the final draft list is released later tonight. Stay tuned for more information as we approach the Open Tryout Camp in a little less than a month. I will probably post profiles of the draft picks and maybe even fill you in on some of the tendered players.
See you at the rink.
--BK
Thursday, March 11, 2010
David Kurbatsky Update
David Kurbatsky, my all time favorite Express player, finished his freshman season Wednesday night when the Iowa State University Cyclone hockey team lost to Lindenwood in the ACHA National Championship game. Kurbatsky was a forward on the 2008/2009 Express team, and decided to play his college hockey on the club team at one of the best universities in the nation. As a true freshman, Kurbatsky played a major role in the Cyclones run to the National Championship game, scoring 27 goals and 14 assists in 45 games.
Here's a nice article about Kurbatsky from earlier in the season: http://www.iowastatedaily.com/articles/2009/10/20/sports/hockey/doc4ade75e2baa2a322864231.txt
-- Derek Kohles, a member of the 2007/2008 Southern Minnesota Express, was a teammate of Kurbatsky on the Cyclones team.
Here's a nice article about Kurbatsky from earlier in the season: http://www.iowastatedaily.com/articles/2009/10/20/sports/hockey/doc4ade75e2baa2a322864231.txt
-- Derek Kohles, a member of the 2007/2008 Southern Minnesota Express, was a teammate of Kurbatsky on the Cyclones team.
See you at the rink.
--BK
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
I'm Still Here
I'm still here and still a fan of our favorite junior hockey team. I do realize it has been 6 weeks since my last update. It's not that there hasn't been any newsworthy to post on the blog, but I have just grown really bored with the blogging thing. When it comes down to it, my time is valuable, and my day job along with following the Express have taken me away from the blog. Someday I hope to get back my thirst for updating the blog, and maybe this will get the ball rolling once again.
So what is going on with the Express:
- 2nd year forward Cory Thorson has committed to play his college hockey at St Cloud State University. It's been a genuine pleasure watching Cory play the last two seasons, and he is on the short list of the best players in the 5 year history of the Express. Good luck with the Huskies, and we'll be rooting for you (except against the Gophers). Cory's departure will allow somebody else to win some prizes during the Chuck-A-Puck contest at home games, as his father, Ben, has dominated in recent history. Chalk up another Division 1 WCHA alumni for Coach Cullen and the Express.
- Defenseman Jake Sloat committed to Bowling Green University. Yet another Express player going Division 1. Sloat is in his 2nd year with the team, and has been a stalwart on the blueline. Congratulations Jake, and make sure you say hello to my close personal friend Ryan Peltoma.
- Forward Brian McGinty committed to Canisius College for next season, so you can add 1 more alum to the college hockey ranks. You might recognize Canisius from there sporadic trips to the NCAA basketball tournament over the years, but the Golden Griffins also play Division 1 hockey. Congratulations Brian, and good luck down the road.
- Forward Chris Bournazos is out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury. Chris was in his 2nd year with the Express before being derailed. He would be eligible to play another season with the Express, but time will tell if old #9 will be back in Owatonna.
- Forward Jason McAloon was traded to the Wichita Falls Wildcats. Hill-Murray alum Jeff Westerhaus was added to the Express roster to replace McAloon.
- The Austin Bruins and the Aberdeen Wings will join the NAHL next season as expansion teams (presumably in the Central Division). The North Iowa Outlaws franchise is giving up on Mason City, and moving to Onalaska, Wisconsin where they will take the ice as the Coulee Region Chill. The Albert Lea Thunder franchise is still alive for the time being. There is still a chance that they could be around for next season, but I'll believe it when I see it.
- It will be an interesting off-season, as the NAHL decides how to fit Austin and Aberdeen, along with Chicago, Fresno, and Dawson's Creek into a divisional alignment that makes sense. From a geographical standpoint, it would make sense to have the Express in a 6 or 7 team division with Bismarck, Alexandria, Aberdeen, Austin, Coulee Region, and Albert Lea (if they are still in the NAHL). In an ideal world, they would kick the Bismarck Bobcats out of the league, and replace them with the Janesville Jets. Just kidding Bobcat fans, the Express need somebody to beat in the playoffs to prepare for the Robertson Cup, and you guys are a good candidate.
- I don't normally get very controversial with my blog topics, but this topic might fill that category: Good riddance North Iowa Outlaws. As nice as it has been the last 5 years to have you serve as the whipping boys for my favorite team (The Express are 46-19-2 lifetime versus the Outlaws), it isn't worth having to play half a dozen games in Mason City each season. It's okay that a majority of Outlaw fans think cross-checking is something you do at church, that hooking involves the exchange of money in a back alley, and that butt-ending is something that you........well....insert your own joke here, it is a family blog. However, cheering when an opposing player is injured is not acceptable in any level of hockey, nor is not announcing the opposing teams goal scorers. Also, you probably didn't think I noticed that you turn up the volume of your music when the opposing team calls a time out, and that you don't play any music when the Outlaws call time out. Well done, you really stuck it to us with that tactic. In 5 years you have managed an under .500 overall record in the regular season (136-137-24). You have also failed to win a single playoff series, including the year you won the division. Look at the bright side, Outlaw fans can now spend more time taking in the glorious, high-quality high school hockey programs in their state.
- The Bismarck Bobcats clinched their 2nd straight Central Division Championship last weekend. Would I like the Express to win the championship every year?? Absolutely, but the 58 game regular season only sets up the seeding for the playoffs. When the Express sweep the Central Division finals series with the Bobcats, it means that the boys in blue get to celebrate on home ice, before packing their bags for Wenatchee.
- The magic number for the Express to clinch the 2nd seed in the playoffs is 8. Any combination of 8 points that the Express earn, or that the Blizzard fail to earn, will have the Express playing at home the first weekend in April.
Next up for the Express is a 2 game weekend in Bismarck against the Bobcats, followed by a single game weekend (@Albert Lea on the 20th), and the season finale on Thursday the 25th in Mason City. In my opinion, winning or losing these last four games isn't as important as how the boys play. Do we see the team that beat and thoroughly outplayed Topeka, the top team in the NAHL, 2 weeks ago, or do we see the team that lost to Kenai River, the worst team in the league, 6 days later??
The Express have always been built for the playoffs, and this year is no exception. After coming up agonizing short of the Robertson Cup last season, I hope the boys are primed for a nice long month of April this season.
See you at the rink.
--Big Kahuna
So what is going on with the Express:
- 2nd year forward Cory Thorson has committed to play his college hockey at St Cloud State University. It's been a genuine pleasure watching Cory play the last two seasons, and he is on the short list of the best players in the 5 year history of the Express. Good luck with the Huskies, and we'll be rooting for you (except against the Gophers). Cory's departure will allow somebody else to win some prizes during the Chuck-A-Puck contest at home games, as his father, Ben, has dominated in recent history. Chalk up another Division 1 WCHA alumni for Coach Cullen and the Express.
- Defenseman Jake Sloat committed to Bowling Green University. Yet another Express player going Division 1. Sloat is in his 2nd year with the team, and has been a stalwart on the blueline. Congratulations Jake, and make sure you say hello to my close personal friend Ryan Peltoma.
- Forward Brian McGinty committed to Canisius College for next season, so you can add 1 more alum to the college hockey ranks. You might recognize Canisius from there sporadic trips to the NCAA basketball tournament over the years, but the Golden Griffins also play Division 1 hockey. Congratulations Brian, and good luck down the road.
- Forward Chris Bournazos is out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury. Chris was in his 2nd year with the Express before being derailed. He would be eligible to play another season with the Express, but time will tell if old #9 will be back in Owatonna.
- Forward Jason McAloon was traded to the Wichita Falls Wildcats. Hill-Murray alum Jeff Westerhaus was added to the Express roster to replace McAloon.
- The Austin Bruins and the Aberdeen Wings will join the NAHL next season as expansion teams (presumably in the Central Division). The North Iowa Outlaws franchise is giving up on Mason City, and moving to Onalaska, Wisconsin where they will take the ice as the Coulee Region Chill. The Albert Lea Thunder franchise is still alive for the time being. There is still a chance that they could be around for next season, but I'll believe it when I see it.
- It will be an interesting off-season, as the NAHL decides how to fit Austin and Aberdeen, along with Chicago, Fresno, and Dawson's Creek into a divisional alignment that makes sense. From a geographical standpoint, it would make sense to have the Express in a 6 or 7 team division with Bismarck, Alexandria, Aberdeen, Austin, Coulee Region, and Albert Lea (if they are still in the NAHL). In an ideal world, they would kick the Bismarck Bobcats out of the league, and replace them with the Janesville Jets. Just kidding Bobcat fans, the Express need somebody to beat in the playoffs to prepare for the Robertson Cup, and you guys are a good candidate.
- I don't normally get very controversial with my blog topics, but this topic might fill that category: Good riddance North Iowa Outlaws. As nice as it has been the last 5 years to have you serve as the whipping boys for my favorite team (The Express are 46-19-2 lifetime versus the Outlaws), it isn't worth having to play half a dozen games in Mason City each season. It's okay that a majority of Outlaw fans think cross-checking is something you do at church, that hooking involves the exchange of money in a back alley, and that butt-ending is something that you........well....insert your own joke here, it is a family blog. However, cheering when an opposing player is injured is not acceptable in any level of hockey, nor is not announcing the opposing teams goal scorers. Also, you probably didn't think I noticed that you turn up the volume of your music when the opposing team calls a time out, and that you don't play any music when the Outlaws call time out. Well done, you really stuck it to us with that tactic. In 5 years you have managed an under .500 overall record in the regular season (136-137-24). You have also failed to win a single playoff series, including the year you won the division. Look at the bright side, Outlaw fans can now spend more time taking in the glorious, high-quality high school hockey programs in their state.
- The Bismarck Bobcats clinched their 2nd straight Central Division Championship last weekend. Would I like the Express to win the championship every year?? Absolutely, but the 58 game regular season only sets up the seeding for the playoffs. When the Express sweep the Central Division finals series with the Bobcats, it means that the boys in blue get to celebrate on home ice, before packing their bags for Wenatchee.
- The magic number for the Express to clinch the 2nd seed in the playoffs is 8. Any combination of 8 points that the Express earn, or that the Blizzard fail to earn, will have the Express playing at home the first weekend in April.
Next up for the Express is a 2 game weekend in Bismarck against the Bobcats, followed by a single game weekend (@Albert Lea on the 20th), and the season finale on Thursday the 25th in Mason City. In my opinion, winning or losing these last four games isn't as important as how the boys play. Do we see the team that beat and thoroughly outplayed Topeka, the top team in the NAHL, 2 weeks ago, or do we see the team that lost to Kenai River, the worst team in the league, 6 days later??
The Express have always been built for the playoffs, and this year is no exception. After coming up agonizing short of the Robertson Cup last season, I hope the boys are primed for a nice long month of April this season.
See you at the rink.
--Big Kahuna
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Express Acquire New Forward
The Express picked up a new forward today, via a trade with the Chicago Steel of the USHL. His name is Charlie Thauwald, and he is from Rochester, Minnesota. He is a 1990 birth year, and is listed at 6'2" and 210 lbs. He has tallied just one assist this season, but is only a -1 on a struggling Steel team. He is currently ranked #14 in the USHL in penalty minutes, and has dropped the gloves 6 times this season in 28 games.
Thauwald in action:
My take: The Express needed a big, tough guy, and Coach Cullen went and found one. I honestly don't know much about him, but look forward to seeing him on the ice this weekend at the 4 Seasons Centre.
Speaking of this weekend: The Express play a huge pair of games this weekend. Friday night against the team we are chasing in the standings (Bismarck), and Saturday night against the team that is chasing us (Alexandria). With a couple of nice wins last weekend in Mason City under the belt, our favorite junior hockey team has won 6 of their last 8 games, and will be looking to make that 8 of the last 10.
See you at the rink.
--BK
Thauwald in action:
My take: The Express needed a big, tough guy, and Coach Cullen went and found one. I honestly don't know much about him, but look forward to seeing him on the ice this weekend at the 4 Seasons Centre.
Speaking of this weekend: The Express play a huge pair of games this weekend. Friday night against the team we are chasing in the standings (Bismarck), and Saturday night against the team that is chasing us (Alexandria). With a couple of nice wins last weekend in Mason City under the belt, our favorite junior hockey team has won 6 of their last 8 games, and will be looking to make that 8 of the last 10.
See you at the rink.
--BK
Friday, January 8, 2010
The Big News is....................
Former Express defenseman Tim Smith is no longer a "former" Express defenseman. He is now "current" Express defenseman Tim Smith. Smith was one of the first draft picks in the new era of the Express franchise, and was a stalwart on the blueline during the expansion season last year. He was named to the NAHL league wide All-Rookie team, was an All-Central Division Defenseman, and was selected to play for the Central Division in the Top Prospects Tournament. His performance garnered him an offer from Providence College to play Division 1 college hockey, which he did (at least for 1 semester). However circumstances have now put him back in Owatonna with our favorite junior hockey team. He will be wearing jersey #23, and could be in uniform tonight for the Bismarck game. Welcome back to Owatonna Tim, and I can't wait to hear Express Public Address announcer Pete Kalan say "Starting on defense......from Superior, Wisconsin.......welcome back to Owatonna.....Tim Smith!!!"
Smith wasn't the only Express draft pick that joined the team this week, as 2009 pick Mike Yanis was also added to the roster. He is a 1991 birth year defenseman from Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan. He is 6'1"/190 lbs, and will be wearing jersey #25.
My take: I couldn't believe this news when I heard it the other day, and I couldn't be happier. I haven't seen Yanis play yet and don't know much about him, but Smith immediately makes the Express a better team. What a difference a week makes. Last Wednesday: 6 game losing streak, major question mark in goal, and big problems on defense. Today: 2 game winning streak, solid goalie, and a vastly improved defense.
Also from the "Big News" department today:
- Encouraging development in Albert Lea - A group of Minneapolis businessmen are interested in buying the Albert Lea Thunder franchise. Read the article here: http://www.albertleatribune.com/news/2010/jan/08/l-thunder-has-potential-buyer/ . This would be great news for our neighbors to the south, and a good thing for the Express as well.
- Aberdeen, South Dakota has been granted conditional approval for a membership in the NAHL. It's the lead article on the newly redesigned NAHL.com.
My take: Yesterday I was hoping for 6 teams in the Central Division, and now it looks like it could be 7 teams. Not sure the ramifications of that, or even if the league would allow, but it makes sense geographically. Aberdeen is not quite 6 hours from Owatonna, so it means overnight trips for the guys, and too long of a drive for all but the most ardent Express fans (although the speed limit is higher out in SoDak, so the endless hours of prairie go by a little quicker).
That's a lot of stuff for one day, and I could go on for another hour, but it is almost game time. For those of you that might read this during the game tonight, I will be live chatting on the blog. It will appear in a post above this post, and I encourage all of you to get your b2 broadcast ordered, and join us for a friendly chat.
See you at the rink.
--BK
Smith wasn't the only Express draft pick that joined the team this week, as 2009 pick Mike Yanis was also added to the roster. He is a 1991 birth year defenseman from Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan. He is 6'1"/190 lbs, and will be wearing jersey #25.
My take: I couldn't believe this news when I heard it the other day, and I couldn't be happier. I haven't seen Yanis play yet and don't know much about him, but Smith immediately makes the Express a better team. What a difference a week makes. Last Wednesday: 6 game losing streak, major question mark in goal, and big problems on defense. Today: 2 game winning streak, solid goalie, and a vastly improved defense.
Also from the "Big News" department today:
- Encouraging development in Albert Lea - A group of Minneapolis businessmen are interested in buying the Albert Lea Thunder franchise. Read the article here: http://www.albertleatribune.com/news/2010/jan/08/l-thunder-has-potential-buyer/ . This would be great news for our neighbors to the south, and a good thing for the Express as well.
- Aberdeen, South Dakota has been granted conditional approval for a membership in the NAHL. It's the lead article on the newly redesigned NAHL.com.
My take: Yesterday I was hoping for 6 teams in the Central Division, and now it looks like it could be 7 teams. Not sure the ramifications of that, or even if the league would allow, but it makes sense geographically. Aberdeen is not quite 6 hours from Owatonna, so it means overnight trips for the guys, and too long of a drive for all but the most ardent Express fans (although the speed limit is higher out in SoDak, so the endless hours of prairie go by a little quicker).
That's a lot of stuff for one day, and I could go on for another hour, but it is almost game time. For those of you that might read this during the game tonight, I will be live chatting on the blog. It will appear in a post above this post, and I encourage all of you to get your b2 broadcast ordered, and join us for a friendly chat.
See you at the rink.
--BK
Thursday, January 7, 2010
NAHL Franchise Coming to Austin??
First of all, this isn't the big news I referenced in the previous post. You will have to wait to hear that news.
I had heard rumblings that Austin, Minnesota was looking at joining the NAHL. This was confirmed today in an article in the Albert Lea Tribune which you can read here: http://www.albertleatribune.com/news/2010/jan/07/austin-could-get-junior-hockey/ . According to the article, there is an owner in place who wants to come to Austin, the NAHL has already approved him to own a team, and the city council/park & rec folks seem to be on board with the idea.
My take: This is great news for the Express organization. Worst-case scenario: the Austin franchise takes the place of the Albert Lea Thunder, and the Central Division stays at 5 teams. Best-case scenario: the Thunder stay alive in Albert Lea, and the Austin franchise makes the Central a 6 team division. A 6-team division would likely mean one less trip to Bismarck and one less trip to Alexandria each season. Two expensive trips replaced by a couple of short trips down Highway 218 to Austin. The other major benefit of a 6-team division is it makes the schedule more fair. In the current 5-team setup, there are far too many quirks in the schedule where one team is playing their 3rd game in 3 nights, while their opponent hasn't played for a week, or a team playing 3 straight nights in 3 different area codes. Let's hope the Austin franchise comes to fruition.
Next up for the Express is a huge 2 game series in Bismarck against the 1st place Bobcats. There is a nice article from the Bobcats media folks that you can read here: http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3948663 . On the way back from Bismarck, the Express will wrap up the weekend with a Sunday 5pm game against the Blizzard in Alexandria.
The 6-game losing streak is in the rear-view mirror, the goaltending situation is solved, and the Express train is once again picking up speed. I'll see you at the rink.
--Big Kahuna
I had heard rumblings that Austin, Minnesota was looking at joining the NAHL. This was confirmed today in an article in the Albert Lea Tribune which you can read here: http://www.albertleatribune.com/news/2010/jan/07/austin-could-get-junior-hockey/ . According to the article, there is an owner in place who wants to come to Austin, the NAHL has already approved him to own a team, and the city council/park & rec folks seem to be on board with the idea.
My take: This is great news for the Express organization. Worst-case scenario: the Austin franchise takes the place of the Albert Lea Thunder, and the Central Division stays at 5 teams. Best-case scenario: the Thunder stay alive in Albert Lea, and the Austin franchise makes the Central a 6 team division. A 6-team division would likely mean one less trip to Bismarck and one less trip to Alexandria each season. Two expensive trips replaced by a couple of short trips down Highway 218 to Austin. The other major benefit of a 6-team division is it makes the schedule more fair. In the current 5-team setup, there are far too many quirks in the schedule where one team is playing their 3rd game in 3 nights, while their opponent hasn't played for a week, or a team playing 3 straight nights in 3 different area codes. Let's hope the Austin franchise comes to fruition.
Next up for the Express is a huge 2 game series in Bismarck against the 1st place Bobcats. There is a nice article from the Bobcats media folks that you can read here: http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3948663 . On the way back from Bismarck, the Express will wrap up the weekend with a Sunday 5pm game against the Blizzard in Alexandria.
The 6-game losing streak is in the rear-view mirror, the goaltending situation is solved, and the Express train is once again picking up speed. I'll see you at the rink.
--Big Kahuna
Wait for it......wait for it.......
Something big is brewing, but you'll have to wait for it. Stay tuned.
--BK
--BK
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