USHL Fall Showcase gets underway tomorrow

With the start of the United States Hockey League coming up on October 1. The last of today's 3 Junior Schedules is the USHL Fall Showcase which will be taking place in Sioux City, Iowa starting tomorrow and going through Saturday where each team will play 3 games in 4 days as the 60 Game Regular Season gets underway at the beginning of next month.



United States Hockey League



Like the WHL, they are numerous Southwest Players that will be either making their Junior Debut or will be looking to sharpen their play as a couple of players have committed their NCAA Careers over the off-season.


Perhaps the biggest name will be Seth Jones who is being highly regarded for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft as he will be making his Junior Debut this season as he will be joining the USNTDP U17 Team which will be playing a little over of the USHL Schedule as the NTDP U17 & U18 Teams make up the season for the USHL.


In addition to the NTDP U17 Season, they will play in 3 different international events, the biggest of which is the U17 World Challenge that will be in Winnipeg, Manitoba during the Winter Holidays.


He's being looked upon as a speedy defensemen who can possibly join the attack at times and will be looking to have an outside chance of making the U18 Team for the U18 World Championship, as USA Hockey elects to have a majority of players from the NTDP which has had great results including back-to-back U18 World Championships the last 2 seasons when the tournament heads to Germany coming up in April.

Even though a majority of the players come from the U18 Team, the U17 Team in recent years has been more competitive in getting more players to the team for the U18 World Championships. Being a big time 2012 NHL Draft Prospect, it would be a huge statement to prospective NHL Teams for him to have a big U17 World Challenge during the Holidays and make the U18 World Championship this season.


Two other players that have already committed, but returning to the USHL are Ryan Daugherty of the Omaha Lancers & Ian Young of the Chicago Steel. Daugherty is returning to a Lancers team that is looking to get to the Clark Cup after coming within 1 win of making the Title Series and winning the championship for the 2nd time in 3 years.

Over his 2 years with Omaha, he's tallied 50 points in 99 career USHL Games and increased the amount of PP Time big time by scoring 9 PP Goals last year.


He's also not afraid to hit on the ice as he nearly doubled his penalty total from 52 in 2008 to 110 last season. Coach Bliss Littler is wants him to be a Steve Ott or Loui Eriksson type player with the ability to score some important goals in-and-around the net, and being able to bring the pain physically as well.


Daugherty is committed to play for Northern Michigan starting in 2011, it was widely believed that he was going to start his college career this year and join follow Texans C.J. Ludwig & Erik Higby this year but look for that to happen next year.


After starting last year with the Wichita Falls Wildcats (NAHL) he was called up to the Chicago Steel to bring a big booming slap shot and get pucks to the forwards in the net. Young over the off-season committed to Colorado College, but didn't decide to comeback to Chicago till midsummer.


For Young last year, his biggest moment came in his USHL Debut where he scored his first of just 2 goals. But had a great year overall by drawing penalties and contributing a dozen assists during his 31 games last year with the Steel who failed to make the playoffs as the team finished 10 points back of the Waterloo Blackhawks for the final playoff spot in the East Division last season.


Young looks to be more aggressive this year with his ability to play very fast, he's looking to increase his scoring ability and impress Colorado College Head Coach that he can be a big time player when he arrives in the WCHA in 2011.


Other Southwest Players to watch this season are Jeff Mcminimy of the Lincoln Stars who was the Leading Scorer for the Dallas Stars Midget Majors last year. Seth Johnson who's a fast defensemen who's like Ian Young in some instances who can join in on the attack and some think that with a strong early part of the season.


Some experts are thinking that they can maybe have a shot of making Team USA for the World Jr. A Challenge which will be taking place in Pentiction, B.C. coming up in Mid-November as the USA has won this event the last two years. Last year the USA won the event for the 2nd straight year the Americans beat Canada West in a closely fought 2-1 game.


As for players who are on the fringes and that need a strong Showcase to make the team include Teemu Tiitinen who's a Finnish Native but played for the Dallas Stars Elites last year and Ryan Hope who's with the Tri-City Storm right now.

Josh Berge who's another OKC Product who's looking to continue the surprising success of players from that area such as Matt Donovan (2008 NHL Draft Pick with NYI/U. of Denver). And Chase Grant who was with the Fargo Force as he committed to Minnesota State University last year. He will look to continue the success of OKC Players in both the USHL, NAHL & the NCAA.

In addition to Southwest Based Players, Waterloo will have the Dallas Stars 3rd Round Draft Pick Alex Guptill who was taken 77th overall while playing for the Orangeville Crushers of the Central Canadian Hockey League (CCHL).

While he was with Orangeville last year, he had 26 points (13G 13A) in 19 games after he got traded from the Brampton back in December, during his time with the Brampton Capitals, where he had 11 points in 10 games early on in the season.


Here's the Player Profile Links


Ryan Daugherty (Omaha Lancers)

Ian Young (Chicago Steel)

Teemu Tiitinen (Youngstown Phantoms)

Seth Jones (USNTDP)

Josh Berge (Lincoln Stars)

Jeff Mcminimy (Lincoln Stars)

Alex Guptill (Waterloo Blackhawks)


Here's the United States Hockey League Divisional Alignment.

East Division: Cedar Rapids Roughriders, Chicago Steel, Green Bay Gamblers, Indiana Ice, Muskegon Lumberjacks, USNTDP, Waterloo Blackhawks, Youngstown Phantoms

West Division: Des Moines Buccaneers, Dubuque Fighting Saints, Fargo Force, Lincoln Stars, Omaha Lancers, Sioux City Musketeers, Sioux Falls Stampede, Tri-City Storm


Here's the Schedule for the USHL Fall Showcase

9/22

Sioux Falls Stampede VS. Des Moines Buccaneers 1:00 PM

Omaha Lancers VS. Dubuque Fighting Saints 2:00 PM

Cedar Rapids Roughriders VS. Lincoln Stars 4:00 PM

Chicago Steel VS. Fargo Force 6:00 PM

Tri-City Storm VS. Sioux City Musketeers 7:00 PM


9/23

Fargo Force VS. Muskegon Lumberjacks 10:00 AM

Youngstown Phantoms VS. Cedar Rapids Roughriders 10:00 AM

Waterloo Blackhawks VS. Chicago Steel 1:00 PM

Des Moines Buccaneers VS. Indiana Ice 2:00 PM

Tri-City Storm VS. Dubuque Fighting Saints 4:00 PM

Lincoln Stars VS. Green Bay Gamblers 6:00 PM

USNTDP VS. Omaha Lancers 7:00 PM


9/24

Waterloo Blackhawks VS. Indiana Ice 10:00 AM

Tri-City Storm VS. Des Moines Buccaneers 10:00 AM

Chicago Steel VS. Green Bay Gamblers 1:00 PM

Fargo Force VS. Cedar Rapids Roughriders 2:00 PM

Youngstown Phantoms VS. Sioux Falls Stampede 4:00 PM

Muskegon Lumberjacks VS. Dubuque Fighting Saints 6:00 PM

USNTDP VS. Sioux City Musketeers 7:00 PM


9/25

Sioux Falls Stampede VS. Indiana Ice 10:00 AM

USNTDP VS. Waterloo Blackhawks 11:00 AM

Youngstown Phantoms VS. Green Bay Gamblers 1:00 PM

Muskegon Lumberjacks VS. Lincoln Stars 4:00 PM

Omaha Lancers VS. Sioux City Musketeers 7:00 PM

Passing Out Flyers for Jr. Hockey Camps

The last few days I have been passing out flyers for the upcoming Jr. Hockey Prospect Camps. I would like to think places like Sportsclips and the Flower Mound YMCA where some of the flyers have been past out already.

With just one day left till the camps get underway in Grapevine and Valley Ranch, time is running out for my to pass them out. So if you would like to get one so you can help promote the camps, please email or twitter me so I can get one to help promote these events this weekend.

To get a hold of me, you can email me at tjames-1@hotmail.com or you can catch me on twitter at http://twitter.com/tanman9

Here's the schedule in case you haven't seen it.

Omaha Lancers @ Polar Ice at Grapevine Mills Mall


Friday 7/23

3:00 PM: Camp Check in and Team Assignments

5:00-6:15 PM: Game 1

6:30-7:45 PM: Game 2


Saturday 7/24

10:00-11:15 AM: Game 3

11:30 AM-12:45 PM: Game 4

1:00 PM: Player Q&A & League Presentation

4:00-5:15 PM: Game 5

5:30-6:45 PM: Game 6


Sunday 7/25

9:00-10:15 AM: Game 7

10:30-11:45 AM: Game 8



Corpus Christi Icerays @ Valley Ranch Starscenter

Friday 7/23

9:00 AM-1:00 PM: Practice

4:00-5:15 PM: Red VS. Grey

5:30-6:45 PM: Blue VS. Gold


Saturday 7/24

9:00-10:15 AM: Red VS. Gold

10:30-11:45 AM: Blue VS. Grey

4:00-5:15 PM: Red VS. Blue

5:30-6:45 PM: Gold VS. Grey


Sunday 7/25

9:00-10:15 AM: Red VS. Grey

11:00 AM-12:15 PM: Blue VS. Gold

4:00-6:00 PM: All Star Game

Updates for the upcoming D/FW Junior Hockey Prospects Camps

With just a week left till the Junior Hockey Prospects Camps coming up in D/FW Area as both the Omaha Lancers & the Corpus Christi Icerays are making their final preps for both camps. I have been in contact with both teams about any major changes and to see how many open spots are left for possible players to grab some of the final spots.

Here's a look at some of the updates

Omaha Lancers

They will be 2 games in each of the 4 sessions as they will be 4 teams in the Prospects Camp instead of 5 as what they planning on for the last couple of months. That means the 3rd Game in each session has been called off. Here's a look at the games that have been cancelled from the Friday Night and Sunday Morning Sessions.

• 8:00-9:15 PM on Friday Night
• 12:00 PM-1:15 PM on Sunday

They will also be a Q&A Session where players, parents, media members, etc can ask questions about the league, the team and how they operate. They maybe a couple of former/current players from the Omaha Lancers that could be coming to talk about the Experience of playing for the Omaha Lancers and in the United States Hockey League as general.

I just got off the phone with Omaha Lancers Head Coach Bliss Littler that they are some spots left as they are about 5-to-10 spots left for forwards. Also about 3-to-4 spots left for defensemen, while he's full on the goaltending.

So here's the updated schedule for the Omaha Lancers Camp.

Friday 7/23

3:00 PM: Camp Check in and Team Assignments

5:00-6:15 PM: Game 1

6:30-7:45 PM: Game 2

Saturday 7/24

10:00-11:15 AM: Game 3

11:30 AM-12:45 PM: Game 4

1:00 PM: Player Q&A and League Presentation

4:00 PM-5:15 PM: Game 5

5:30 PM-6:45 PM: Game 6

Sunday 7/25

9:00 AM-10:15 AM: Game 7

10:30 AM-11:45 AM: Game 8/Camp Ends

Corpus Christi Icerays

The Corpus Christi Icerays camp over at the Dr. Pepper Starcenter in Valley Ranch won't be making any changes to their schedule as they are nearly almost full for their spots.

As for the remaining open spots left, they are about 5 forward spots left and about 2-to-3 defensemen spots left for the Camp that gets underway on Friday Morning.

Their has also been no word on anything like Q&A or League/Team Presentations on the players talking to the possible players that will be working out in Valley Ranch Next Weekend.

C0rpus Christi Icerays Schedule

7/23 Friday

9:00-9:45 AM: Red Practice

10:00-10:45 AM: Grey Practice

11:00-11:45 AM: Blue Practice

12:00-12:45 PM: Gold Practice

4:00-5:15 PM: Red VS. Grey

5:30-6:45 PM: Blue VS. Gold

7/24 Saturday

9:00-10:15 AM: Red VS. Gold

10:30-11:45 AM: Blue VS. Grey

4:00-5:15 PM: Red VS. Blue

5:30-6:45 PM: Gold VS. Grey

7/25 Sunday

9:00-10:15 AM: Red VS. Grey

All Star Game Listings Afterward

11:00 AM-12:15 PM: Blue VS. Gold

All Star Game Listings Afterward

4:00-6:00 PM: All Star Game

Ryan Daugherty & C.J. Ludwig Suspended in USHL West Division Final

Both Southwest Based Players for the Omaha Lancers have been issued suspensions following an incident in the final 30 seconds of Game 2 of the USHL West Division Championship against the Fargo Force.

For Ludwig, he was involved in an attempt to Injury when he delivered a bone crushing hit to Fargo Force Player Corey Leivermann in the game that ended in a 2-0 win for the Fargo Force to tie the Best-Of-5 series at a game a piece with Games 3 & 4 in Fargo scheduled for April 21 and 22.

Ludwig got the worst as an attempt to Injury Penalty as he is out for the rest of the series and wouldn't be available to return till Game 3 of the USHL Clark Cup Championship Series if the team would reach the Title Series. Ryan Daugherty will be able to return to for Game 4 back on 4/22.

In addition to the 2 Southwest Players from Omaha, Fargo Player Matt Leitner will also be out for Game 3 of the West Division Final as well.

From the United States Hockey League Website: www.ushl.com

The United States Hockey League today announced disciplinary action as a result of incidents occurring on Saturday April, 17th in Game 2 of the West Division Final between the Omaha Lancers and Fargo Force.

Omaha Lancers defensemen C.J. Ludwig has been suspended 5 games pursuant to USA Hockey Official Rules, Rule 603 (Attempt to Injury/Deliberate injury of opponents), subsection (a), and Rule 410 (Supplementary Discipline) subsection (a). The ruling was based upon the illegal hit delivered to Fargo Force Player Corey Leivermann at 19:28 of the 3rd period, as well as the player's action subsequent to the hit.

Omaha Lancers forward Ryan Daugherty has been suspended one game pursuant to Rule 634 (Spearing), subsection (a) as a result of his hit conduct at the 18:51 mark of the 3rd period.

Fargo Force forward Matt Leitner has been suspended one game pursuant to Rule 634 (Spearing), subsection (a) as a result of the player's action following the Fargo Goal scored at the 18:51 mark of the 3rd period.

Both Teams were also issued unannounced fines.

My Interview with Ryan Daugherty and C.J. Ludwig of the Omaha Lancers

Before I start my post on my recent interview with Ryan Daugherty and C.J. Ludwig, D/FW Natives and Omaha Lancer Teammates. I would like to think Omaha Lancers Head Coach Bliss Littler and Dan Fremuth who's the head of communications for the Omaha Lancers.

I asked them questions ranging from the early season success, Omaha Lancers Head Coach Bliss Littler, the college plans and so much more when I got a chance to speak with both of them last Friday.

On the Fast Start to the Season.

With the Lancers currently at 15-2-0 so far this season and having the best record in the USHL right now. Both players didn't expect to get out to this fast and a start to the season and both players think it's taken Coach Littler by surprise a little bit as well. Ryan and C.J. were expecting great season after a rebuilding year last year.

But right now, the team has no reason in the locker room that the Lancers can have a shot at contending for home ice and the Clark Cup Championship during the playoffs.

Ryan also told me that individually, he was looking for a big improvement in his scoring totals this season after having 16 points in 46 games last season. So far this season, he already has 11 points in 14 games so far and he's fells great about his play, he doesn't have any personal goals regarding how many goals he can score this season.

He mentioned he wants to have a shot of getting the critical goals that can change the flow of a game, put the game away, or that are a part of a come back when they are behind.

On Coach Bliss Littler

Both Ryan and C.J. mentioned that you see both sides of Coach Littler as he's a quiet guy when mentioning player to coach issues off the ice. However, when they are on the ice. However if you make a mistake, Coach Bliss Littler can expect to be very demanding during practice or a game to magnify the mistake and make sure you don't make the same mistake or do something else again.

They told me that Coach Littler plays more of an offensive style of play, but he expects the defense to support the offense. On the other hand, he expects one of the forwards to get back on defense, kind of similar to what Marc Crawford does in Dallas. But, everyone on the team has a lot of faith in his style as the team won the Clark Cup back in the 2007-2008 season and is a regular in the USHL playoffs.

Ryan Daugherty and C.J. Ludwig being Teamates

Both Daugherty and Ludwig have been teammates when they in the midget ranks and they got interest as a duel package when the Lancers were recruiting. Ryan told me "They were interested in both of us playing for Omaha". Since arriving in Omaha, both players were targeting this season to make a big impact both for the Lancers and the hopes of playing D1 College Hockey.

Speaking of NCAA, both C.J. Ludwig and Ryan Daugherty have both signed with the Northern Michigan Wildcats. Just like the recruiting for the Omaha Lancers, they were recruited as a duel package and they are excited to continue being teammates in the NCAA.

They were wanted because the coach thought they would be a great fit for the system and they needed to fill some holes, which will allow both them to penitential get some more playing time then what they would get at most schools.

I asked C.J. about updates from the team, and he told me that when he gets chances to check out news items and scoring updates. He wants to make Northern Michigan a winner when both Ryan and C.J. arrive next year, the team has been has been struggling recently.

Just 7th in CCHA right now, but both players are not worried about that as he focused on contuine to play well during the Lancers season, then think about playing for Northern Michigan when both Ryan and C.J. arrive next season.

Growing up on and off the Ice

Both players mentioned that you learn a lot more off the ice then on it at this level. From living far away from home, the work habits from the weight room and conditioning. However, the bigger part is how you spend your little off time you get, anything from taking care of your selves to doing charity work with kids in the area.

Billet Families

Both C.J. and Ryan mentioned that the team tries hard to match them up with the same host families throughout their junior careers. Both players mentioned that the billiet families play a huge part of the junior hockey experience. They are a big part of the junior hockey experience from attending nearly every home game, to promoting the team in the Omaha Area.

Media Coverage

The Teams don't deal with the media that much, maybe something like a couple of newspapers after the game, but that's about it. Both Ryan and C.J. told me about how they wish they would get more to help promote the team and bring awareness of junior hockey to those that don't know that much about the level of hockey.

Quick Hits

What you miss from Dallas:
C.J. His Family Ryan: The Warm Texas Weather

Best and Worst Roadtrip:

Best: Both said Lincoln

Worst: Ryan said Youngstown Phantoms C.J. Didn't say

Southwest Prospects Watch: 11/24

Were going to take a look at players that are playing the USHL today.

C.J. Ludwig & Ryan Daugherty (Omaha Lancers, USHL)

Everything is coming up Roses for the Omaha Lancers so far in the first 2 months of the season as the Lancers have the USHL's Best record. Which includes the 2 Texas Based Players as Forward Ryan Daugherty as he's coming up on his total from last year where he got 16 points in 46 games.

So far through 16 games, he already has 11 points (6G 5A), which includes a strong weekend where he scored in both games last weekend against the Des Moines Buccaneers back on Friday which was a part of a 5-1 smashing of the Buccaneers on Friday. Then on Saturday, n he was held off the score sheet, but had 4 shots in which he came close to scoring in a 6-1 smashing of the Sioux Falls Stampede.

For C.J. Ludwig, 2 goals and an assist have raised his scoring output to 7 points (2G 5A) which were his first 2 goals of the season. The defensemen from Little Elm has raised his physical presence on the ice where he already has 55 penalty minutes this season have made him a great defensemen where he's not afraid to join the attack by having 5 assists so far this season, including one against Des Moines back on Friday night.

If Daugherty and Ludwig can continue their great presence on the ice along with players like Matt White and Erik Haula, the Lancers will continue to run away with the West Division will emerge as a contender for the USHL Clark Cup Championship this season just 2 years after the Lancers won it back in the 2007-2008 season where they beat the Waterloo Blackhawks in a dramatic 5 game series where they were down 2-1 before coming back to win the Championship.

Coming up for Omaha: The Lancers will look to continue their winning ways as a busy Thanksgiving week is upon them as the team will play 3 during Thanksgiving week against the Waterloo Blackhawks at home, then they will hit the road for 2 as they head to Iowa to take on Des Moines and Cedar Rapids before coming home the USNTDP and the Indiana Ice next weekend.

11/25: VS. Waterloo Blackhawks 7:05 PM

11/26: @ Des Moines Buccaneers 7:05 PM

11/28: @ Cedar Rapids Roughriders 7:05 PM

12/4: VS. USNTDP 7:05 PM

12/5: VS. Indiana Ice 7:05 PM


Johnnie Seafoss (Fargo Force, USHL)

A 6 game point streak has Seafoss going for the Force as Fargo is currently 3rd in the USHL West Division where he scored his 6th goal of the year against the USNTDP in a 6-3 win back on back on November 22 where he was a part of 3 goals in just 4 minutes to put the Force up 4-2, in addiditon to the goal, he also assisted on the Colten St. Clair goal which put the Force ahead early in the 3rd period.

In all, he has scored 7 points (1G 6A) in his 6 game point streak in which he also had 2 critical assists in another game against the USNTDP where he assisted on the Force's first goal of the game just 5 minutes in and he also assisted on Garrett Allen's 2nd goal of the game early in the 3rd period where Allen went on to get a hat trick in the game.

Currently, Fargo is in 3rd place in the USHL West Division at a 9-7-0 record who are 6 points back of 2nd place Sioux Falls, but their just 6 points back of last place Lincoln, which just shows you how tight the bottom of the West Division is going to be this season as long as the Omaha Lancers and Sioux Falls Stampede continue to be in the top 2 out west.

As for the season, Seafoss has 15 points (6G 9A) which ranks 4th in team scoring, however he needs to work on his defense as he currently has a -2 Plus/Minus rating for the season so far.

Upcoming schedule for Fargo: The Force will begin a 5 game home stand on Thanksgiving weekend with a pair of games against the Tri-City Storm on November 27 and 28 as the Storm look to move up in the West as they sit in the 4th and final playoff spot in the West Division right now.

After Thanksgiving, 3 games next week will include a pair of games on Friday and Saturday against the Sioux City Musketeers before ending the home stand with a mid week game on December 9 against the Sioux Falls Stampede.

11/27: VS. Tri-City Storm 7:35 PM

11/28: VS. Tri-City Storm 7:05 PM

12/4: VS. Sioux City Musketeers 7:35 PM

12/5: VS. Sioux City Musketeers 7:05 PM

12/9: VS. Sioux Falls Stampede 7:05 PM


Josh Berge and Blake Coleman (Tri-City Storm, USHL)

November has been bad for the Tri-City Storm as the team have been on a 6 game losing streak since on November 3 with a win against the Lincoln Stars. Also the offense has dried up by scoring just 10 goals in the last 6 games where have the team currently trying to see how to get out of this mess their in right now. For Berge, he had a 6 game point drought before getting an assist in a 3-2 OTL to the USNTDP back on November 21.

He has 9 assists on the team but just one goal which came in a 5-1 win over the Lincoln Stars back on Halloween night, he's basically struggled to find his game on the score sheet by scoring just 15 goals in 118 career games for the Storm.

For the native of Oklahoma City is looking for any chance as he has played in all 16 games played so far this season for the Storm as he has hasn't had much interest from college teams throughout his career, even though he has accepted a scholarship commentinet from Minnesota State University in the WCHA.

Blake Coleman has been mostly a physical presence as he just has 1 goal and 8 assists in through 16 games. Even though he's in for his physical presence as he racked up 30 penalty minutes so far this season.

As for Tyler Amburgey, he just not been great at all, in fact he's probably been a lialibty as he doesn't have a single point in 13 games and only has a -4 on the Plus/Minus Column. He also been really disappointing where at 6'2" 215 LBS, he's not been throwing his weight around as most players of his size are expected to do. He's not giving the team very much right now.

Upcoming Schedule for the Tri-City Storm: After a home game against Sioux City tomorrow night, a long road trip awaits the Storm as 2 against Fargo and 1 against Lincoln will await just after Thanksgiving. After Thanksgiving, 6 of their next 7 will be at home with a date against the USNTDP, Omaha and Des Moines. Then after a road game in Omaha, the next 3 at home will be against East Division Opposition against the Waterloo Blackhawks and Green Bay going into the leagues Christmas Break.

11/25: VS. Sioux City Musketeers 7:05 PM

11/27: @ Fargo Force 7:35 PM

11/28: @ Fargo Force 7:05 PM

12/4: @ Lincoln Stars 7:05 PM

12/5: VS. USNTDP 7:05 PM