Junior Updates
If you want to watch a junior team who knows how to play aggressively and knows how to thrill a crowd, grab a ticket to a Southern Oregon Spartans game because these boys know how to play and how to play rough. I love watching their games because they almost always guarantee a game filled with huge hits and great shifts filled with tape to tape sauce. One of the most important features is their team chemistry. You could put any of their forwards and defenseman on a shift together and they will play just as they had with their favored line-mates. These boys know how to score and most importantly, they know to work together to get the points on the board. Two players I feel accomplish this without a doubt would be the Henry brothers. I love brotherhood in hockey but these two exemplify it because at times, it is almost as if it is only one player out there. They meld together, they know each other's style of play and they use that to their advantage. Jason would definitely be the more aggressive of the two but Ben brings amazing puck control to the mix. When these two step on the ice, you better watch out because they play some wicked hockey. The second player that I think stands out from the rest would be the phenomenal tendy Ian Dvorak. After working in the WSHL for a couple of years now, I would definitely have to say that Dvorak is one of the most talented goaltenders I have seen go through this league. He is constantly concentrated on everything going on outside of his cage and is very confident during each period. Dvorak is an incredibly strong goaltender and can withstand a harsh game easily. Ian is definitely a tendy you should be afraid of. All of their teams mates are extremely strong players and will all go very far in their respective hockey careers. Some players you should take note of as well are Justus Saldeen, Arturs Buss, Cy Jenson, Carl Edstrom, Austin Sartorius, Ging Martin, and Nick Beaune. I can't wait to see how they play next year because it will be one heck of a season. Here is their website so you can become a fan as well: http://pointstreaksites.com/view/sospartans/southern-oregon-spartans-northern-pacific-hockey-league#.UxlP8_ldWPM
I previously wrote about the Helena Bighorns in this league and now come the Wild. I love this team because they are tough, they are gritty, and they will never leave a rink without a good fight. They are an absolute power house team and are always willing to go the extra mile to get the win. They play great fast hockey and are always exciting to watch. These boys bring a sense of pride to the ice when they are representing the Gillette logo on their jerseys and they fight for each other. If you have ever wanted to see a team dedicated to their fans and to the organization, start watching Gillette. The Wild play a tight game and all of the boys will pick up the slack where it is needed whether that entails working the corners, getting aggressive to get the puck, or dropping the mitts with an opposing player. To speak about a player that can tally the points and have a strong physical game we would have to talk about the King, Alex King that is. With 51 total points in a 48 game season, Alex definitely has the hockey skills to put the points up on the scoreboard each game night. He plays a big game on the ice and doesn't shy away from the aggressive side. Alex is very talented on the ice and has a bright future in the sport. The second player I would like to talk about would be Moco Willis. Willis is the top ranked defenseman on the Wild and has to be one of the best I have seen going through the program. He is quick to whip around the rink, has and incredibly high hockey IQ, and is tough as nails on that blue line. If you want a blue liner that can rack up the points as easily as a forward yet at the same time be a defenseman that will stand his ground no matter what, Moco is your guy. I have been impressed with the Gillette Wild and almost all of their players that have extended their career with this great team. Some players you should look out for in the future would be Trent Dillinger, Collin Papesh, Darren Banks, Tj McMinn, and Brandon Miller. Gillette is in the playoffs this season, so good luck boys! You can check the team out at: http://gillettewildhockey.pointstreaksites.com/view/gillettewildhockey/home-page#.UxllsPldWPM
Wow I don't even know where to begin with this team, they are absolutely fantastic! They have everything a junior team needs and more. They are stocked full with aggressors, snipers, goons, and plenty more. Kenai is one of the best teams in the NA just purely for the fact that they are full blown fighters. On the typical junior team you might find one or two guys that are willing to drop the gloves, but that is not the case for the Kenai River Brown Bears. Practically every beauty on this team is willing to get into a tilt once in a while and when they go at it you pretty much know it's going to be a great fight. All of the boys on roster are driven, determined, and confident to be as successful as they can be every night. These guys can play some sick hockey and work an incredible game at both ends of the ice. The first player who stands out the most would definitely be Swedish forward Albin Karlsson. This gem is amazing and is a consistent crowd stunner. He can score with no problem but his forte is his physical game. It is absolutely out of this world and every time Karlsson goes in for a check, you can feel it all the way up in the stands. He is incredibly smart on the ice and knows exactly what to do in stressful situations. Albin is the type of player who holds the team together and is always pushing the guys to do better. He will definitely be someone to watch out for as he continues on in hockey. The next player you need to take a look at would without a doubt be Sebastian Fuchs. Sebastian is quick on his feet and is always there to receive the puck and put it past the tendy. Fuchs is the type of player who has extreme puck control and is always looking for a way to help during shifts. If you are on the opposing team, keep the biscuit away from Sebastian because before you know it he has found the back of the net. He is an extremely talented forward and has a bright future in hockey. The Brown Bears are a talented group of players and some players you should look at would be Jacob Wolter, Judd Loewenstein, Alec Butcher, Frankie Spellman, Nathan Colwell, Zack Zulkanycz, and Zach Quinn. They are not in the playoffs yet but please check their website out at: http://pointstreaksites.com/view/kenairiverbrownbears/home-26#.UxmTZfldWPM
The Brown Bears may have been the aggressive team but the Wild are all about puck control and their fantastic goaltenders. I am very impressed with this team because they constantly drive the puck towards the net and are consistent about trying to rack up the points. Their goaltenders are some of the best in the entire NAHL in my opinion and to be honest, they always seem like they are on top of their game and are always improving. These gems are all about team chemistry and have each others backs 100% of the time. The Wild are confident on the ice and always are looking for the win. They strive for perfection during games and look to be the strongest team out there every night. As I had mentioned before, Wenatchee's goaltenders are the best of the best in my opinion. They are strong, they are on their game almost every night, and they are extremely confident in the cage. If you want to know one person who is extremely skilled from the Wild roster, Chase Perry would be my first choice. Chase is skilled in the cage and is very effective with his pads and his blocker. He isn't afraid to fight against players blocking his view of the ice and will make sure players know he means business. Perry is a very tough goaltender to get the biscuits past and will fight you every inch of the way. It is unfortunate that previous tendy Gustaf Johnasson had to leave the states to go back home to Sweden due to a severe ligament tear but I think that Chase has fitted into the main goaltending spot very nicely. It will be amazing to see what team he is on in the future because his skills will take him very far. Troy Loggins is another player you need to take note of because his skills on the ice are unbeatable. He can find the back of the net, he has extremely good puck control, and best of all he would do anything to help his team mates out. Loggins is one of those players who knows what he needs to accomplish but also assists his fellow players whenever they need it. He is a supporting base for the boys and is one of the beautys that holds the team together. Whenever Loggins is on the ice you know something spectacular is going to happen. Troy leads the team in points and it is no wonder why. I am very impressed with his playing style because he can whip around the rink, he has an eye to make plays happen, and he isn't afraid to get dirty once in a while. Some other players you should take note of would be Parker Tuomie, Matthew Nuttle, Nicholas Rivera, Omar Mullan, and Alex Bontje. Good luck for the remainder of the season and please check them out at: http://wenatcheewild.pointstreaksites.com/view/wenatcheewild/wenatchee-wild-1#.UxmofvmwLec
One of the only reason I choose this as my last team was because I want to shout out a couple players who I feel need to get recognition. First of all, I talked about the Henry brothers above in the Southern Oregon paragraph, but have you seen the Chamberlain brothers? Matt and Josh Chamberlain from Spokane are two absolute beasts on the ice and are taking the WSHL by storm. They are absolute machines when it comes to scoring the points and neither are afraid to get aggressive. Now that they are playing in Missoula together, Matt and Josh are showing the league what power is all about. They have been phenomenal as a pair all season and individually they have very very bright futures ahead of them. Matt, being the veteran, can whip goals out of thin air and has a set of on-ice skills like you wouldn't believe. When he hits the ice he is strong and driven to get the win and if by some chance he doesn't he will make sure the rink fans know his name. He uses his big frame to his advantage and isn't afraid to go out on shifts and take a few opponents out on his way to their goal. Josh, the rookie, has already set the bar high for our expectations of him because it seems like every game he plays is better than the last. He is constantly improving his style of play and has quite the knack for finding the back of the net just like his older brother. Josh is extremely talented with puck control and is always willing to help his team mates out when they need it the most. He may not be as aggressive as Matt is on the ice but he makes up for that with an incredibly high hockey IQ. I can not wait to see where these two go in hockey because wherever they do go, that team is going to have an absolutely outstanding season. The next player I wish to talk about is Corey Schafer. Where to even begin with him. Schafer is the definition of junior hockey and plays his heart out in every game he is in. He isn't afraid to throw chirps around and plays like every game is his last. Schafer is a tough player on the ice that you would not want to meet with the puck in tow because before you know it that red light is on and he cellying past you. If you looked "beauty" up in the hockey dictionary, Corey's picture would be the only explanation needed. He isn't afraid to get dirty and throw some pretty wicked checks once in a while either. It has been amazing to watch him play since the 2011-2012 season and I am pretty excited to hear where he signs next because that team is getting one of the best players in junior hockey. The last player I want to recognize would be Nikita Sheptytskyy. Nikita was a diamond in the rough for the Maulers. At the beginning of the season he was still opening up to North American hockey, but by the 4th month this gem was racking up goals left and right. He is chock full of potential and I hope he carries that on with him because this kid is going places fast. He is a spectacular player and is always out there trying to be the best he can be. Nikita is driven every game to be the best of the best and right now he is the better than the best of the best. He can find the back of the net faster than anyone I have seen and is always willing to support his team no matter the circumstances. Good luck in the playoffs boys and check out their website at: www.missoulamaulers.com
Thanks for reading another blog of Biscuits and Breezers! Every blog will be filled with updated hockey news, player reviews and much more! Until next time remember, don't get your breezers in a bunch because hockey is always around the corner. Remember, it's always a great day for hockey and it's a lifestyle not just a sport!
Biscuits and Breezers
Since the Juniors part 1 was such a huge success and I had previously promised a part 2, here it is! The teams I have picked for this blog are the Southern Oregon Spartans, Gillette Wild, Kenai River Brown Bears, Wenatchee Wild, and the Missoula Maulers. This got me thinking, should there be a college update as well? Anyway, here are the teams and thank you very much everyone for the support! 670 views until 25,000!
Southern Oregon Spartans: WSHL
If you want to watch a junior team who knows how to play aggressively and knows how to thrill a crowd, grab a ticket to a Southern Oregon Spartans game because these boys know how to play and how to play rough. I love watching their games because they almost always guarantee a game filled with huge hits and great shifts filled with tape to tape sauce. One of the most important features is their team chemistry. You could put any of their forwards and defenseman on a shift together and they will play just as they had with their favored line-mates. These boys know how to score and most importantly, they know to work together to get the points on the board. Two players I feel accomplish this without a doubt would be the Henry brothers. I love brotherhood in hockey but these two exemplify it because at times, it is almost as if it is only one player out there. They meld together, they know each other's style of play and they use that to their advantage. Jason would definitely be the more aggressive of the two but Ben brings amazing puck control to the mix. When these two step on the ice, you better watch out because they play some wicked hockey. The second player that I think stands out from the rest would be the phenomenal tendy Ian Dvorak. After working in the WSHL for a couple of years now, I would definitely have to say that Dvorak is one of the most talented goaltenders I have seen go through this league. He is constantly concentrated on everything going on outside of his cage and is very confident during each period. Dvorak is an incredibly strong goaltender and can withstand a harsh game easily. Ian is definitely a tendy you should be afraid of. All of their teams mates are extremely strong players and will all go very far in their respective hockey careers. Some players you should take note of as well are Justus Saldeen, Arturs Buss, Cy Jenson, Carl Edstrom, Austin Sartorius, Ging Martin, and Nick Beaune. I can't wait to see how they play next year because it will be one heck of a season. Here is their website so you can become a fan as well: http://pointstreaksites.com/view/sospartans/southern-oregon-spartans-northern-pacific-hockey-league#.UxlP8_ldWPM
Gillette Wild: AWHL
I previously wrote about the Helena Bighorns in this league and now come the Wild. I love this team because they are tough, they are gritty, and they will never leave a rink without a good fight. They are an absolute power house team and are always willing to go the extra mile to get the win. They play great fast hockey and are always exciting to watch. These boys bring a sense of pride to the ice when they are representing the Gillette logo on their jerseys and they fight for each other. If you have ever wanted to see a team dedicated to their fans and to the organization, start watching Gillette. The Wild play a tight game and all of the boys will pick up the slack where it is needed whether that entails working the corners, getting aggressive to get the puck, or dropping the mitts with an opposing player. To speak about a player that can tally the points and have a strong physical game we would have to talk about the King, Alex King that is. With 51 total points in a 48 game season, Alex definitely has the hockey skills to put the points up on the scoreboard each game night. He plays a big game on the ice and doesn't shy away from the aggressive side. Alex is very talented on the ice and has a bright future in the sport. The second player I would like to talk about would be Moco Willis. Willis is the top ranked defenseman on the Wild and has to be one of the best I have seen going through the program. He is quick to whip around the rink, has and incredibly high hockey IQ, and is tough as nails on that blue line. If you want a blue liner that can rack up the points as easily as a forward yet at the same time be a defenseman that will stand his ground no matter what, Moco is your guy. I have been impressed with the Gillette Wild and almost all of their players that have extended their career with this great team. Some players you should look out for in the future would be Trent Dillinger, Collin Papesh, Darren Banks, Tj McMinn, and Brandon Miller. Gillette is in the playoffs this season, so good luck boys! You can check the team out at: http://gillettewildhockey.pointstreaksites.com/view/gillettewildhockey/home-page#.UxllsPldWPM
Kenai River Brown Bears: NAHL
Wow I don't even know where to begin with this team, they are absolutely fantastic! They have everything a junior team needs and more. They are stocked full with aggressors, snipers, goons, and plenty more. Kenai is one of the best teams in the NA just purely for the fact that they are full blown fighters. On the typical junior team you might find one or two guys that are willing to drop the gloves, but that is not the case for the Kenai River Brown Bears. Practically every beauty on this team is willing to get into a tilt once in a while and when they go at it you pretty much know it's going to be a great fight. All of the boys on roster are driven, determined, and confident to be as successful as they can be every night. These guys can play some sick hockey and work an incredible game at both ends of the ice. The first player who stands out the most would definitely be Swedish forward Albin Karlsson. This gem is amazing and is a consistent crowd stunner. He can score with no problem but his forte is his physical game. It is absolutely out of this world and every time Karlsson goes in for a check, you can feel it all the way up in the stands. He is incredibly smart on the ice and knows exactly what to do in stressful situations. Albin is the type of player who holds the team together and is always pushing the guys to do better. He will definitely be someone to watch out for as he continues on in hockey. The next player you need to take a look at would without a doubt be Sebastian Fuchs. Sebastian is quick on his feet and is always there to receive the puck and put it past the tendy. Fuchs is the type of player who has extreme puck control and is always looking for a way to help during shifts. If you are on the opposing team, keep the biscuit away from Sebastian because before you know it he has found the back of the net. He is an extremely talented forward and has a bright future in hockey. The Brown Bears are a talented group of players and some players you should look at would be Jacob Wolter, Judd Loewenstein, Alec Butcher, Frankie Spellman, Nathan Colwell, Zack Zulkanycz, and Zach Quinn. They are not in the playoffs yet but please check their website out at: http://pointstreaksites.com/view/kenairiverbrownbears/home-26#.UxmTZfldWPM
Wenatchee Wild: NAHL
The Brown Bears may have been the aggressive team but the Wild are all about puck control and their fantastic goaltenders. I am very impressed with this team because they constantly drive the puck towards the net and are consistent about trying to rack up the points. Their goaltenders are some of the best in the entire NAHL in my opinion and to be honest, they always seem like they are on top of their game and are always improving. These gems are all about team chemistry and have each others backs 100% of the time. The Wild are confident on the ice and always are looking for the win. They strive for perfection during games and look to be the strongest team out there every night. As I had mentioned before, Wenatchee's goaltenders are the best of the best in my opinion. They are strong, they are on their game almost every night, and they are extremely confident in the cage. If you want to know one person who is extremely skilled from the Wild roster, Chase Perry would be my first choice. Chase is skilled in the cage and is very effective with his pads and his blocker. He isn't afraid to fight against players blocking his view of the ice and will make sure players know he means business. Perry is a very tough goaltender to get the biscuits past and will fight you every inch of the way. It is unfortunate that previous tendy Gustaf Johnasson had to leave the states to go back home to Sweden due to a severe ligament tear but I think that Chase has fitted into the main goaltending spot very nicely. It will be amazing to see what team he is on in the future because his skills will take him very far. Troy Loggins is another player you need to take note of because his skills on the ice are unbeatable. He can find the back of the net, he has extremely good puck control, and best of all he would do anything to help his team mates out. Loggins is one of those players who knows what he needs to accomplish but also assists his fellow players whenever they need it. He is a supporting base for the boys and is one of the beautys that holds the team together. Whenever Loggins is on the ice you know something spectacular is going to happen. Troy leads the team in points and it is no wonder why. I am very impressed with his playing style because he can whip around the rink, he has an eye to make plays happen, and he isn't afraid to get dirty once in a while. Some other players you should take note of would be Parker Tuomie, Matthew Nuttle, Nicholas Rivera, Omar Mullan, and Alex Bontje. Good luck for the remainder of the season and please check them out at: http://wenatcheewild.pointstreaksites.com/view/wenatcheewild/wenatchee-wild-1#.UxmofvmwLec
Missoula Maulers: WSHL
One of the only reason I choose this as my last team was because I want to shout out a couple players who I feel need to get recognition. First of all, I talked about the Henry brothers above in the Southern Oregon paragraph, but have you seen the Chamberlain brothers? Matt and Josh Chamberlain from Spokane are two absolute beasts on the ice and are taking the WSHL by storm. They are absolute machines when it comes to scoring the points and neither are afraid to get aggressive. Now that they are playing in Missoula together, Matt and Josh are showing the league what power is all about. They have been phenomenal as a pair all season and individually they have very very bright futures ahead of them. Matt, being the veteran, can whip goals out of thin air and has a set of on-ice skills like you wouldn't believe. When he hits the ice he is strong and driven to get the win and if by some chance he doesn't he will make sure the rink fans know his name. He uses his big frame to his advantage and isn't afraid to go out on shifts and take a few opponents out on his way to their goal. Josh, the rookie, has already set the bar high for our expectations of him because it seems like every game he plays is better than the last. He is constantly improving his style of play and has quite the knack for finding the back of the net just like his older brother. Josh is extremely talented with puck control and is always willing to help his team mates out when they need it the most. He may not be as aggressive as Matt is on the ice but he makes up for that with an incredibly high hockey IQ. I can not wait to see where these two go in hockey because wherever they do go, that team is going to have an absolutely outstanding season. The next player I wish to talk about is Corey Schafer. Where to even begin with him. Schafer is the definition of junior hockey and plays his heart out in every game he is in. He isn't afraid to throw chirps around and plays like every game is his last. Schafer is a tough player on the ice that you would not want to meet with the puck in tow because before you know it that red light is on and he cellying past you. If you looked "beauty" up in the hockey dictionary, Corey's picture would be the only explanation needed. He isn't afraid to get dirty and throw some pretty wicked checks once in a while either. It has been amazing to watch him play since the 2011-2012 season and I am pretty excited to hear where he signs next because that team is getting one of the best players in junior hockey. The last player I want to recognize would be Nikita Sheptytskyy. Nikita was a diamond in the rough for the Maulers. At the beginning of the season he was still opening up to North American hockey, but by the 4th month this gem was racking up goals left and right. He is chock full of potential and I hope he carries that on with him because this kid is going places fast. He is a spectacular player and is always out there trying to be the best he can be. Nikita is driven every game to be the best of the best and right now he is the better than the best of the best. He can find the back of the net faster than anyone I have seen and is always willing to support his team no matter the circumstances. Good luck in the playoffs boys and check out their website at: www.missoulamaulers.com
Thanks for reading another blog of Biscuits and Breezers! Every blog will be filled with updated hockey news, player reviews and much more! Until next time remember, don't get your breezers in a bunch because hockey is always around the corner. Remember, it's always a great day for hockey and it's a lifestyle not just a sport!
Photos credit to Google Images and (in order):
sospartans.pointstreaksites.com
gillettewildhockey.pointstreaksites.com
kenairiverbrownbears.pointstreaksites.com
themugs.com
missoulamaulers.com
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