Missoula Maulers

 

 

 

 

Biscuits and Breezers

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Welcome back to another blog of Biscuits and Breezers! As you all may know, I work quite frequently with the WSHL's Missoula Maulers and today I would just like to take a second to discuss their team this year. I was in attendance at their game this weekend against the Butte Cobras (always a good opportunity to get scouting in) and some things definitely jumped out at me. First of all, there are definitely some players that stand out amongst the flow of jerseys. First off, defenseman Austin Azzinnaro.

 

  What a player, it will be a tough chance to find another junior player like him. He is strong, full of confidence and aggression, and has a hockey IQ that is unbelievably high. He owns the ice every time he is on a shift and is always one step ahead. If you watch him long enough, you can see that he is always devising a plan for either he or his team mates that will get the puck where it needs to be and most of the time, that's in the back of the opposing goaltenders net. Now he is wearing the A for Missoula but honestly, in my opinion, I think the C should have either gone to him, or to veterans Matt Chamberlain or Corey Schafer. Also, Auzzy needs to start giving lessons to future junior players that are participating in youth hockey because he is the exact type of player youth skaters should strive to be. He knows what needs to happen, he can achieve any goal he sets for himself, and more importantly he will always stand up for the logo he proudly represents. Auzzy has a bright future in the sport and in no time he will be repping an AHL jersey.

 

  Next player I would like to talk about would be Corey Schafer. Wow, where to begin for Corey. He is the toughest and the most skilled player I have seen go through Missoula for a long time. Schafer is one of the most hard core players in juniors at the moment. If a player gets Schafer mad during a game, just be a little more cautious because Corey doesn't go down without a fight. He is an extremely hard worker every minute he gets on the ice and every time he lights the lamp, you can immediately see how much he loves the sport. When some players celly, it's a look of relief or of joy but with Corey you can always tell he has an incredible amount of passion for the game. He plays a very clean game of hockey and carries the team on his back. Corey has a level of talent that is set very high and he never fails to get the crowd roaring, revive the team's spirits, or to show what junior hockey is all about.

 

  Aron Holmgren. Where to begin? Aron will definitely be an aid to the team this year because he is a combination of Pekka Rinne and Jonathan Quick. Holmgren is quick, he is smart, he is aggressive, and more  importantly, he is a brick wall for the Maulers. When he is between the pipes, he is locked on to the puck and it never leaves his sight for the entire game. He never seems to run out of energy and is quick to respond to any action by the cage. I believe at one point during the game he froze the puck amid the skates of 3 Maulers and at least 3 Cobras. He came to the team with the bar set high after incredible performances back in Sweden and this season the expectations are even higher. Aron is sure to be a crowd favorite due to his tenacity in the net and he will never back down from a challenge. Things get stressful, Holmgren's strength doubles. He will be an amazing asset to the team this year and he definitely plays a very vital role in the team's success.

 

 The next player I am going to discuss is Swedish defenseman Emil Travergard. If you took Kris Letang and combined him with Chris Neil, that would be how Emil plays. Travergard would definitely fit into the enforcer role for Missoula because when he steps on the ice, you know the boards are going to rattle. He isn't afraid to throw people around or to play an enormous physical game. He is the type of defenseman Missoula has needed for a long time because he stands his ground and will not let any opposing skater get near Missoula's goal. At 6 ft 1 in and almost 200 lbs, teams better be prepared for Travergard. He is incredibly smart on the ice and can score at anytime if needed but his physical side of the game is one that belongs in the pros. He is a force not to be reckoned with and if you do, be prepared for the wrath of this Swedish beast. I have not seen a player in juniors with a physical game as intense as Emil's. There is a solid defense in a single player.

 

 

Part 2 will feature: Joey Porco, Edward Pollon, Matt Chamberlain, and more!

 

 

(Photo Credit to Biscuits and Breezers after the 4-2 win Friday night)

 

 

(Photo Credit to Biscuits and Breezers) Thanks for the puck!