Living With the Lockout — Atlantic Division

Posted on September 4, 2012 by Chris Peters

With the Sept. 15 lockout deadline looming, optimism is shrinking that a deal will be done between the NHL and NHLPA in its collective bargaining negotiations. It appears there will be a void to fill, at least until November, maybe December, hopefully not all year.

No one is going to be happy about the lockout, but there are ways to live with it. Hockey has grown significantly in the United States, and along with it, so have the outlets from which fans can get their regular dose of this game. While there isn’t a single one of them that can replace the NHL, they’re at least effective in providing that fix.

Just because the NHL owners are locking out the players, it doesn’t mean they have to lock you out from the sport you love. Protests are all well and good, but they probably won’t solve anything. The best thing you can do in the lockout is serve yourself a heaping dose of ice hockey.

To help you out, United States of Hockey presents the “Living With the Lockout” series. Going through each division, we’ll provide every fan base of the American NHL teams three nearby options to fill the void. Some are well known, others are well off the beaten path, but that’s the beauty of hockey in the U.S. There’s a lot of it. Even if the NHL comes back sooner than later, you owe it to yourself to experience as much of the great hockey in this country as you can.

Coming up after the jump, Part I: The Atlantic Division

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Posted in Grow the Game, High School Hockey, Junior Hockey, Living with the Lockout, Minor League Hockey, NCAA, NHL, USA Hockey | 1 Comment

Upper Midwest Elite League Turns Players Into Skating Billboards

Posted on August 31, 2012 by Chris Peters

Walk into any number of rinks for an Upper Midwest High School Elite Hockey League tilt this fall and you’ll think you stepped right into the Czech Extraliga. The UMHSEL, which provides a place for Minnesota high schoolers to play at a high level before and after the Minnesota high school season, has announced all of its uniforms will be adorned with advertisements.

We’re not just talking advertising patches, we’re talking skating pop-up ads.

Via UMHSEL

Well…. um…. uh…. gee whiz.

Please welcome to the ice YOUR TCF Bank Wildcats, brought to you by TCF Bank in association with Bauer!

So, first question, why?

“We’ve been discussing (this) for a few years because in order for us to generate more substantial sponsorship revenue we need to develop inventory that was going to be attractive to corporate Minnesota,” said Elite League Marketing Specialist Robert Fallen.

The UMHSEL is a non-profit entity, but hey you need money to run non-profits, too. I’d never fault an organization for trying to generate funds necessary to operate. That said, those poor kids.

These would even make the boys over in the ole Extraliga blush, and there isn’t a square inch of jersey that isn’t adorned with some sponsor logo over there.

Just in case you don’t have a favorite region to root for, perhaps you can choose your favorite team via which business you like the best. Here’s the breakdown:

Team Great Plains: Luther Automotive
Team North: Muscle Milk
Team Northeast: Mpls.St. Paul Magazine
Team Northwest: Velocity Hockey Center
Team Southeast: TCF Bank
Team Southwest: Starkey

If you were wondering what Starkey was, like me, it’s a company that specializes in hearing aids. I Googled it. I guess that’s some pretty effective advertising after all.

Just remember kids, the name on the back isn’t nearly as important as the one on the front. DRINK MUSCLE MILK!

(h/t @evegoe, @Sean_Leahy)

Posted in High School Hockey | 5 Comments

Latest Look at Hockey Facilities for Sochi 2014

Posted on August 31, 2012 by Chris Peters

It seems so far in the distance, but in less than two years the best hockey players in the world (we think) will descend on Sochi, Russia, for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games.

Sochi has undergone a complete overhaul, essentially building an entire city from the ground up in preparation for the biggest event in winter sport.

For ice hockey, two brand new, state-of-the-art facilities are in the process of being built to host the likes of Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, Zach Parise, Zdeno Chara, Henrik Lundqvist and many more (we hope).

From every video and picture I’ve seen of Sochi, this looks like it’s going to be a really unique and beautiful setting for the Winter Olympics. Russia spares no expense when it comes to events like these and if the first pictures of the hockey facilities are any indication, this is going to be a very telegenic event.

Coming up after the jump, the latest photos of the Bolshoy Ice Dome and Shayba Arena.

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Posted in 2014 Olympics, U.S. National Teams, USA Hockey, World U18 Championship | Comments Off on Latest Look at Hockey Facilities for Sochi 2014

U.S. WJC Candidate Lucia Breaks Leg, Out Three Months

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Chris Peters

Coming into the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship, there are still some tough decisions to be made at the forward positions for Team USA. It appears now that one of the top candidates to fill a top-six role on the wing for the U.S. might be on the shelf for some time, putting his candidacy in jeopardy.

Mario Lucia (BCHL.ca)

According to the Minneapolis StarTribune‘s Michael Russo, Mario Lucia broke his left fibula and suffered ligament damage to his ankle in a pre-season practice. Apparently a teammate fell on him during a battle drill. The injury will likely put him on the shelf for three months.

“Hopefully I’ll get back quicker than three months, but I’m in a cast for seven weeks, so there’s not much I can do about that,” Lucia told Russo.

Sounds like a pretty significant injury, and certainly not the way Lucia hoped to kick off his freshman campaign at the University of Notre Dame.

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Posted in Junior Hockey, NCAA, U.S. National Teams, USA Hockey, World Junior Championship | 1 Comment

Early Favorite For Mask of the Year in College Hockey

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Chris Peters

All you other NCAA goalies, just go ahead and tap. You’re not going to top what Western Michigan’s Frank Slubowski had done with his mask. Good job, good effort, everyone else.

Nicknamed “The Big Slubowski,” natch, the Broncos sophomore netminder gave a nod to the man most associated with “The Big ____bowski” moniker, The Dude.

(via @bodnarwmu)

There he is in all his be-sunglassed glory, with his beloved rug that really tied the room together gleaming back through the lenses. The Dude most certainly abides.

Now, “The Big Slubowski” is obvious. You gotta give the kid a little bit more of an original nickname, right? Is there anything we can do with the name Frank?

(via @bodnarwmu)

Oh, Frank the Tank. OK. Well, that was anticlimactic.

And if two nicknames weren’t enough for Frank The (Tank) Big Slubowski, his chin is adorned with a third alias: DEUCE.

The artwork, completed by mask painter to the stars Head Strong Grafx, is just splendid. This is a home run.

Lest you think The Deuce is just a body to go along with that magnificent mask, this kid is a rising star in college hockey.

The native of Prince Rupert, B.C., appeared in 32 games last season as a freshman for the WMU Broncos,  helping backstop the team to a CCHA playoff title and NCAA tournament berth.

The Big Slubowski, who actually isn’t all that big physically (5-11, 185), posted a sparkling 2.03 goals-against average, a .911 save percentage, 17-11-4 record and three shutouts during his rookie campaign. He was named MVP of the CCHA tournament as well.

Regardless of what happens this year, he’s already a national champion when it comes to headgear. Care to challenge? You’re out of your element.

Posted in NCAA | 1 Comment

Should NHL Entry Draft be Altered in New CBA?

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Chris Peters

With each passing day, it appears the NHL is taking more steps toward yet another lockout. Just like last time, there are expected to be a series of changes within the CBA both on the ice and in the way player contracts are structured. One of the significant alterations made coming out of the 2004-05 lockout was shortening the NHL Draft from nine rounds to seven rounds.

While the odds are still slim to make it to the NHL as even a seventh-round draft pick, there may be more reason than ever before to bring back the eighth and ninth rounds in the new CBA.

Sure it makes draft day longer, but there could be some significant benefits not only for the NHL, but college and junior hockey as well.

I recently contributed a story to U.S. College Hockey Online in which I spoke with Nate Ewell, communications director for College Hockey, Inc., Wisconsin head coach Mike Eaves and Miami bench boss Rico Blasi. All shared very interesting thoughts and ideas on some alterations to the CBA that could benefit college hockey.

Many of the ideas expressed were presented to NHL GMs and administrators way back in June of 2011, but with the collective bargaining negotiations currently ongoing between the NHL and NHLPA, they’re worth exploring more. One of the key proposals was making some type of alterations to the NHL Draft.

Coming up after the jump, an in-depth look at some of those proposed changes.

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Posted in Junior Hockey, NCAA, NHL | Comments Off on Should NHL Entry Draft be Altered in New CBA?

College Hockey, Inc., Gets New Boss at Crucial Time

Posted on August 29, 2012 by Chris Peters

It has been nearly six months since Paul Kelly was forced out of his role as executive director of College Hockey, Inc., by the Hockey Commissioners Association. Tuesday, the organization announced that Mike Snee will replace the former NHLPA exec at the helm of college hockey’s marketing arm.

Mike Snee (Photo: College Hockey, Inc.)

Snee’s hiring couldn’t come at a more crucial time for College Hockey, Inc., but is it too late? With the NHL’s CBA negotiations well underway, college hockey really needed some guidance and someone to attempt to have a voice in the changes that are sure to come out of a new collective bargaining agreement, over and above what they’ve already done.

While the timing may not be beneficial for CBA purposes, Snee still comes in at a time of transition. The college landscape will be changed forever after the 2012-13 season and with that change will come great uncertainty.

College Hockey, Inc., is going through a change itself. After Kelly’s controversial departure, control over college hockey’s marketing arm was wrested from the commissioners and a new board was put in place. With a new leadership group featuring commissioners, athletic directors and coaches from Division I hockey programs, put in place after the coaches convention in April, there is also expected to be a somewhat new path for College Hockey, Inc. Now they know who will be taking them down that path.

More on Snee and the challenges he’ll face after the jump.

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Posted in Junior Hockey, NCAA, NHL | Comments Off on College Hockey, Inc., Gets New Boss at Crucial Time

USA Hockey Unveils All-American Prospect Jerseys

Posted on August 28, 2012 by Chris Peters

The All-American Prospects Game, featuring 40 American-born players from all developmental backgrounds, is just a month away. As one of the big events to kick off the 2012-13 season, it is highly anticipated. USA Hockey took another step in building the hype by unveiling the jerseys the players will wear Sept. 29 in Buffalo, N.Y.

Nike designed the entire uniform kit, including pants and socks. Typically with Top Prospects games and the like, the jersey designs will get a little more experimental and no question, that’s the route Nike took with these unis. Here’s a look at the threads the top U.S. prospects will be wearing next month:

The jerseys certainly have an interesting look. The faded USA logo in the back could be a nice touch depending on how it looks on the actual jersey. If it’s anything like the faded American flag on the back of the USA Basketball jerseys from the Olympics, I’m all for it. The subtlety was jersey gold.

The number scheme is very similar to that on the current national team jerseys for USA Hockey, which is pretty slick.

Traditional horizontal stripes are always the way to go on jerseys, in my opinion, but this color scheme is a little different than anything I’ve seen. It could look different on the finished product, but I’m always willing to get a good look at something unique.

The crest on the jersey is obviously the event logo, which isn’t necessarily the best for a jersey front, but it’s a top prospects game. Gotta go for the branding, right?

The socks are pretty unique, too, with the event logo on the knee cap and the interesting wave pattern continuing onto the socks, along with another faded USA logo. The color scheme is a little reminiscent of the Nike swift socks, worn in the 2006 Olympics, which I think were pretty brutal as far as hockey socks go. That said, I think the execution on these is a little better. There’s a lot going on on the socks, but that could be an interesting look.

A few of the intial comments I got on Twitter was that they look too much like roller hockey jerseys, which I can see. Though, I would argue they’re not as bad as USA Hockey’s inline jerseys of the past, even if the photo to the right is a guilty pleasure of mine. Statue of Liberty? Yes, please.

One commenter said they look more like a Team Slovakia national team jersey, and it does appear to have some similar elements.

Despite some flaws, I kind of like them. I don’t think I’d be pumped if the U.S. national teams went to a similar pattern (please, oh please say this isn’t a test run for that), but for a one-off prospects game, they’re pretty alright.

What say you?

Posted in American Prospects, Junior Hockey, NCAA, NHL Draft, USA Hockey | Comments Off on USA Hockey Unveils All-American Prospect Jerseys

CHLPA’s Desired Changes Would Impact College Hockey

Posted on August 28, 2012 by Chris Peters

It still doesn’t technically have any teeth yet, but the proposed Canadian Hockey League Players Association has created a bit of a rift in the junior hockey world. There are plenty of people for and against it, but as players begin to learn more about it, it seems like more and more are warming to the idea. Despite continual missteps in publicity, the proposed PA is gaining traction, at least in the court of public opinion.

A week in and they already changed the logo.

While the Canadian Hockey League will remain the target of the CHLPA’s gripes, college hockey won’t be spared by the changes the CHLPA seeks to bring. In fact, the PA wants the NCAA more involved in the discussion, or so it would seem.

According to the CHLPA’s Twitter feed, the organization — of which there is still so little known about the structure, including who all is working for the group — held informal talks with NCAA compliance officers on Aug. 24. The details of those talks were never released, but one of the CHLPA’s stated aims is to find a way to keep CHL players eligible for the NCAA, which we’ll get to in a minute.

Regardless of change, if any is ever brought by the CHLPA, whatever happens in the CHL is going to impact both college and Junior A hockey in some way. Coming up after the jump, an examination of what the CHLPA is up against and what NCAA fans should be paying attention to.

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Posted in Junior Hockey, NCAA | Comments Off on CHLPA’s Desired Changes Would Impact College Hockey

Waterloo Black Hawks Fall Just Short at Junior Club World Cup

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Chris Peters

If you missed it last week, the USHL’s Waterloo Black Hawks were halfway around the world competing against other junior teams from across North America and Europe at the Junior Club World Cup.

The Black Hawks had a pretty nice run in Omsk, Russia, making it to the championship game against the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves. In a pretty evenly matched contest, the Black Hawks fell just short, losing 2-0 to Sudbury to finish second in the tournament.

It was an interesting event to start off the Junior season, with club teams from Sweden, Belarus, Russia, Finland, Latvia, Canada and the United States and a pair of national U20 teams from Denmark and Norway.

Coming up after the jump, a look at some top performances by Americans in the tournament and some thoughts on what to make of this USHL vs. OHL result.

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Posted in Junior Hockey, NCAA, NHL Draft | 2 Comments