Austin Smith should make Pro Debut on Friday VS. Oklahoma City

After Austin Smith's Colgate Career came to an end this past weekend with losses to Union College & Cornell in the ECAC Hockey Conference Championships, Austin according to several sources including Brandon Worley of Defending Big D saying that Smith signed a 2 Year Entry Level Contract last night and will be looking to make his Pro Debut on Friday Night when the Stars head North to play the Western Conference Leading Oklahoma City Barons when the Stars begin a 3 game road trip that will also include games against the Toronto Marlies on Sunday & against the Lake Erie Monsters in Cleveland on Tuesday Night.

Photo of Austin Smith: Courtesy of the Colgate Raiders & Alliance Bulldogs Website.



This will make him the first Texan to ever make his Pro Debut and only the 2nd Player overall to make his Debut after Edmond's Matt Donovan made his AHL Debut last spring around this time and is in the middle of his first full AHL Season with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (NY Islanders Affiliate).

Smith is ending a very long 5 year journey that was filled with doubts and him looking to presence of looking to show that he is a worthy prospect in the Dallas Stars Sizes. Doubts contained everything from his size where he was a very small but very fast 5'5" frame when he was playing for Gunnery Prep School in Connecticut during his Junior & Senior Years of High School before he was taken in the 2007 NHL Draft by the Stars. The doubts continued over the course of his career while at Colgate which isn't known as a great hockey team for the most part & including Smith never getting the Raiders to the NCAA Hockey Tournament during his Career.

After playing his final games of his NCAA Career at the ECAC Hockey Conference Championship and his frustrations when the game began to slip for the Colgate Raiders in their Conference Semifinal against the Eventual Champion Union College describing what his emotions were at that time. "I've never given up in a game before, ever. I always compete to the end," said Smith. "When it hit 5-1, I was trying to hold the tears back. The rest of the game I was circling and I had a million things going in my head. I wasn't very effective."

He told the College Hockey News' Rob Moore after the game ended. Smith went on to say, "I thought we dominated the first period and were with them for most of the second period. When we got that goal to make it 2-1, I believed more then anyone that we could win," said Smith. "By the middle of the third period though, he was beginning to think different thoughts. "That [fifth goal] was the goal for me where I realized it was the end of my career."

If Smith is looking to show the Stars that he is a strong prospect going forward, he needs to have a strong end to the American Hockey League Season where the Texas Stars are out of the playoff race and have been at or near the Bottom of the Western Conference for most of the last 2 months by providing a fresh energy and challenging some of the team's top prospects like Brendan Dillion & Matt Fraser as well as others like Colton Sceivour who's been getting the bill as one of the more underrated players in the AHL this season.

He will have 12 games to show the Stars that he can thrive in the Pro Game and be a force to be reckon with at the AHL Level and looking to show that he can be worthy of a Call Up next season. With the Stars having nothing to play for the rest of the season, Smith needs to show that he can make the Stars a hard team to play against as the Stars lost their 5th in a row with a 5-2 loss against Abbotsford last night and went just, 2-5, on the 7 game home stand that wrapped up last night.

Even though it took 5 years to get him from the Draft to signing with the Stars, he's still got a mountain of a journey in front of him as he looks to shine in Austin and show the Stars that he is worthy of playing for Dallas in the near future. With upcoming prospects like Rielly Smith, Scott Glennie, Jack Campbell, Matt Frasier & Brendan Dillion possibly on the horizon.

He will really have to work hard to stand out among the Stars improving Prospect Pool to earn a spot in Dallas in the future. With Austin's Speed, determination & scoring ability, he has spent his entire career to this point defining the odds and proving people wrong and he is looking forward to doing it again to play for his hometown Stars.

Here's the Remaining Texas Stars Schedule

3/23: @ Oklahoma City Barons  7:00 PM

3/25: @ Toronto Marlies  2:00 PM

3/27: @ Lake Erie Monsters  6:00 PM

3/29: VS. Hamilton Bulldogs  7:30 PM

3/31: VS. Lake Erie Monsters  7:00 PM

4/1: VS. Lake Erie Monsters  5:00 PM

4/4: @ Grand Rapids Griffins  6:00 PM

4/5: @ Peoria Rivermen  7:00 PM

4/10: VS. Chicago Wolves  7:30 PM

4/13: @ San Antonio Rampage  7:00 PM

4/14: VS. Oklahoma City Barons 7:00 PM

4/15: @ Houston Aeros  5:05 PM

Hockey's Future has him ranked #13

Yesterday, Hockeys Future came out with their Dallas Stars Top 20 Prospects for the Spring as the NCAA & Canadian Hockey League Season is coming to an end. Smith has taken a strong jump from #18 to #13 after his strong season and being a Top 10 Candidate for the Hobey Baker Award which will be cut from 10 to 3 on March 29.

Here's Hockey's Future comments from Mike Farkas. You can see the Full Top 20 & comments on each player by clicking on the Hockey's Future Link. Here's the Austin Smith Comments.

"What a year it has been for senior Austin Smith at Colgate University. After posting a career worst 10 goals last season, Smith exploded this season for a nation high 36 goals and a career best 57 points (four off the country's top spot). After offseason surgery, Smith has comeback healthy and confident and flying. He continues to be an all situation player with good speed and tremendous work rate, he has skated circles around the ECAC This season.

While he's not projected to be an elite scorer at the NHL level by any stretches of the imagination, he has a future as a quality utility man. He's not particular big or strong but he makes up for it with world class determination and a swagger that's hard to match. Smith will also certainly be signed after his collegiate career ends and will likely finish the year in Texas if the Stars management so chooses."





Ft. Worth Native commits to the University of Alaska

It's been a busy day for Southwest Prospects here today.

In addition to Colin Jacobs being ranked 10th by Central Scouting, our first Southwest NCAA Commit of the 2010-2011 season was announced today by the Topeka Roadrunners as Ft. Worth Native Michael Hill is announcing that he will attend the University of Alaska.

Hill is having another strong season despite not attending to go to the Waterloo Blackhawks who selected him in the top 5 of the USHL Entry Draft last spring. So far this season, he is in the top 5 in scoring league wide with 29 points (16G 13A) in 18 games played so far.

For his career in the NAHL, this is his 2nd full season in the NAHL where he scored 84 points in 63 games played and has Topeka get to the edge of the South Division Title and a Robertson Cup Spot when the Roadrunners lost to the St. Louis Bandits in 4 games last season.

He will start playing for the Nanooks which suprisly is in the CCHA and not in the WCHA where they in-state rival Alaska-Anchorage is located.

However, he will play out the rest of this season which will include a trip to the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament next month in Boston and with the team hosting the NAHL Robertson Cup Tournament this season, he will have a shot for sure to win the League Championship this season.

Currently the Roadrunners sit in 4th Place in the NAHL South Division with a record of 11-5-2 (24 Points) as the team sits just 1 point behind Amarillo and 4 points back of Wichita Falls as the rest of the South is looking to chase down the Tornado who's on a 14 game winning streak and has a league best 16-2-3.

Currently, the Alaska Nanooks are currently in 4th place in the CCHA with a 7-4-1 record (4-3-1 in Conference) and have traditionally been the stronger of the two college hockey teams in Alaska over the course of their history.

Congrats to Hill on this decision to head to the Last Frontier to play his College Hockey Career and he will be the 6th player from the Southwest to play in the CCHA if you count Ryan Daugherty who's currently with the Omaha Lancers (USHL) who committed to start playing at Northern Michigan next season.

He joins Chris Brown and Jacob Fallon (Michigan Wolverines) as well as CJ Ludwig and Erik Higby (Northern Michigan Wildcats) who also played for the Topeka Roadrunners last season when he won the NAHL Scoring & Player of the Year Title's last season.


Michael Hill Profile

Topeka Roadrunners Website

Alaska Nanooks Hockey Website

From the Topeka Roadrunners Website

In his second season as a Roadrunner, team captain and leading scorer Michael Hill has committed to play his Division 1 College Career at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks beginning in Fall of 2011.

His junior career began in Wichita Falls with the Wildcats in 2008-09, but he played only 12 games before choosing to leave the program. "I just never felt comfortable, never felt like I fit in there," Hill said of his time with the Wildcats. He had a modest two goals and three assists, but had caught the attention of Topeka Roadrunners head scout Tom Kelly, who had kept tabs on Hill as he played the rest of the season with the Dallas Stars Midget Team. The following season he easily made the Roadrunners roster and went on to score 31 goals, most on the team.

This season he was named team captain after spurning the USHL despite being a first round draft pick by the Waterloo Blackhawks. He has responded by producing at a torrid pace, leading the team with 29 points (16 Goals and 13 Assists). Now he has been rewarded with a Division 1 College Deal that he once listed as a short term goal. Getting it secured early in his final season of juniors is a blessing. "It's a huge relief, Hill said after Monday's practice. "Now I can focus on helping this team reach our collective goals."

Being named captain has been an honor, one that Hill regards with due reverence. "Topeka has a strong lineage of the captaincy and I hope live up to the expectations. "Though he doesn't view himself as a loud vocal leader," he says, "I try to treat everyone the same. Being a captain hasn't changed who I'm, how I prepare myself or how I deal with my teammates."

Roadrunners Head Coach/GM Scott Langer says, "Michael's every day work ethic is contagious. Most people see him for his ability to score goals, but he brings so much more to the ice then that." He added, "The Coaching Staff at UAF is well respected and will do a tremendous job in Michael grow as a player."

Hill plans to major in either physical therapy or kinesiology. With his junior resume, he had a few options to consider but choose UAF. "It wasn't easy", Hill said of the decision. "In the end, it was just like when I choose to return to Topeka. They really made me feel wanted and appreciated." He credits his family for providing support throughout the entire process.

"I've had a lot of big choices to make and they have helped me out so much. I'm grateful to have a strong support system at home. "Living life in the Alaskan interior is quite a departure from Ft. Worth, Texas, or Topeka, KS for that matter, but its unfazed. "I've been there before. Yeah, it's pretty cold but i'm not planning to be outside much a whole lot. I'll be there for school and hockey.

After College, Hill envisions a couple of different possible career paths. "I'd love to play hockey professionally, so we'll see what opportunities arise. If not, I will have a degree and a head start on a good career." There is one other facet he may choose to explore. "I might be interested in coaching hockey. We'll see what happens." He's had some really solid role models to inspire him in that direction during his time in Topeka. "Smacks (Scott Langer) and (assistant coach) R.J. (Enga) are the main reasons I came back to Topeka. I trusted them help advance my career and they did everything they said they would." He added, "They're the best coaches I've played for."

Playing for his coaches has been part of what fuels Michael Hill, but playing for his teammates, fans, and family is what he lists as his most rewarding part of playing junior hockey. As he continues with his follow Roadrunners in their quest for the Robertson Cup, the fans in Topeka can enjoy watching another young man entertains them with his skills as he grows before there very eyes.

Hill is the second Roadrunner from this years roster to secure his college commitment, joining Rasmus Tirronen who last month committed to Merrimack University. The Alaska Nanooks play in the CCHA. Hill will join another former Roadrunner, Aaron Gens who will be a senior at UAF next season. Hill and Tirronen are both slated to play in next months top prospect tournament in Warpole, Mass.

Colin Jacobs Ranked #10 in the WHL by NHL Central Scouting

It was announced this morning that the first edition of the NHL Central Scouting Rankings for the 2011 NHL Draft that will be taking place in Minnesota next summer, and as expected Colin Jacobs was expected to be among the top players, but I think he even surprised himself when he cracked the top 10 in the entire Western Hockey League as he is one of the fastest rising players in the WHL Right now.

Thanks to a very strong road trip out East that just wrapped up with him getting a 3 point night against the Prince Albert Raiders and a 2 goal game against the Regina Pats where he almost got his first WHL Hat trick.

In all he has become a point-a-game player as he scored 18 points in 19 games so far this season and at 6'1" 205 pounds, he's beginning to get more comfortable throwing his weight around and becoming more physical around the boards, also looking to time his shots as he is starting to get more chances to impress on the Power Play as he plays the point to get the puck to the net.

Earlier this week, Colin Jacobs was featured on the NHL Website as he is looking to be the first ever 1st Round Draft Pick from Texas. And be among the first group of players from the Southwest to play in the National Hockey League, as well as continue to prove that Texas can be a strong state to produce hockey talent like California has in recent years when Beau Bennett and Emerson Etem were selected in the first Round last year.

In addition to Jacobs being ranked #10 in the WHL, he has a chance to move up even more with his great play. Also if he can do well in the post-season plus be able to make events like the IIHF U18 World Championships, which is one of the biggest tournaments for NHL Draft Eligible players.

This will help him out even more when spring time comes out and when the Final Draft Rankings come out in April. Keep in mind that the Major Junior Playoffs start in Mid-March and will lead up to the Memorial Cup which will be in Late May in Mississauga, Ontario this season.

As for the U18 World Championship, this year's tournament will be from April 14-24 in Germany as the Americans will look to win Gold for the 3rd straight year at this age level.

This season is already a big improvement to last season as the Thunderbirds won just 19 games last season and finished 9th only ahead of the Prince George Cougars who was easily the worst team in the WHL and one of the was compared to teams like Halifax for worst overall in the entire Canadian Hockey Leagues.

Jacobs wasn't the only Thunderbird either to make the WHL Top 25 so far, two of his teammates in Wingers Luke Lockhart who's at #12 and Marcel Noebels at #13 in the Western Hockey League also made the first list of the season.

At this point, who knows where Jacobs will go. But if the Stars have a chance to grab him in the draft and they feel it's a good fit. They should go for it, not only because he's a high quality player, but a chance to add a 2nd strong Local Prospect along with Austin Smith that could play for his hometown Stars in the near future, and a chance for him to make a big name for himself here in the DFW Area.

The next big question for Jacobs is how will he handle the pressure of being looked by scouts from all over the National Hockey League for the rest of the season.

Can he get in a position to possibly play for Team USA at the U18's this spring, what about a big WHL Playoff Run or some great eye grabbing moments that can make highlight reels and make scouts pay attention, well see how he does the rest of the season.

So far one of the best moments of the season for Jacobs came on November 2 when he had his great backhand goal against the Red Deer Rebels to help the Thunderbirds help beat the Rebels 4-1 which includes the top WHL'er in this year's draft class is Ryan-Nugent Hopkins which has easily topped the WHL List as many experts are expecting him to battle with Sean Courtier of the Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL) and Swedish Prospect Adam Larsson who plays for Skelleftea in the Swedish Elite League.

Click Here to see the Jacobs Backhand Goal against Red Deer on 11/2.

If your looking for the top players in the different leagues and European Rankings which are ranked by country. Here's the top's from the top 4 Junior Leagues in North America (OHL, WHL, QMJHL & USHL).

As for the top European Players, it is based from country, but I'm going to feature the top players from Sweden, Finland, Russia, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Switzerland. Theirs also a handful of players on here from places like Denmark and Norway as well.

Even these rankings will give us an idea of what to expect next summer in Minnesota. Theirs still a long way to go. Players can still get hurt, get traded or possibly come out of no where to rocket up their way to the charts.

A good example was Swiss Forward Nino Niederretier who had his coming out party at the World Juniors last season and rapidly climbed the charts to be a top 5 overall pick, and even got to play a handful of games with the New York Islanders before getting sent back to the Portland Winterhawks (WHL) to continue his development.

Because he plays in the WHL, he's not allowed to go to the AHL because of rules banning Junior Aged players not allowing them to play in the AHL until his Junior Years are up at age 20. If he were in the NCAA for instance, then he would be allowed to be at least in the AHL right now.

Want to read more on the NHL Central Scouting Rankings. Read the The Pipe Up Blog as the Pipeline Show's Guy Fleming discusses his Top 5 Suprises in the Rankings. Also don't forget to listen to the Pipeline Show tonight at 8-10 PM CST on The Pipeline Show as Guy Fleming and Dean Millard will talk more about the rankings.


Here's the top Players, click on the Players Name to see their Player Profiles

North American Leaders

Click here to see the full North American Rankings


Ontario Hockey League: http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/

Top Skater: Gabriel Landeskog (Kitchener Rangers)

Top Goaltender: Jordan Binnington (Owen Sound Attack)


Western Hockey League:  http://www.whl.ca/

Top Skater: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Red Deer Rebels)

Top Goaltender: Liam Liston (Brandon Wheat Kings)

Colin Jacobs Ranked #10 in the WHL


Quebec Major Junior Hockey League: http://www.lhjmq.qc.ca/

Top Skater: Sean Couturier (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

Top Goaltender: Christopher Gibson (Chicoutimi Sagueneens)


United States Hockey League: http://www.ushl.com/

Top Skater: Tyler Biggs (USNTDP)

Top Goaltender: John Gibson (USNTDP)


Click Here to see the Full European Rankings

European Leaders


Czech Republic

Top Skater: Dmitri Jaskin (Slavia Prague JRS.)


Finland

Top Skater: Joel Armia (HC Assat Pori Oy)


Germany

Top Skater: Stephan Kronthaler  (Landshut JRS)


Russia

Top Skater: Maxim Shalunov (Chelyabinsk 2)


Slovakia

Top Skater: Peter Ceresnak  (Slovakia Nat U20 Team)


Sweden

Top Skater: Adam Larsson  (Skelleftea)


Switzerland

Top Skater: Dean Kukan (GCK Zurich)

Colin Jacobs Article on the NHL Website

With Colin Jacobs recently wrapping up a really successful road-trip through the East Division, Colin Jacobs is in a great position with a rapidly rising ranking and NHL Scouting really start to take him very seriously as he continues to go through the WHL Season with the Seattle Thunderbirds and getting ready for the 2011 NHL Draft that will take place next summer in the Twin Cities.

On the East Division Road Trip that just finished where they played 6 games in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. He was a big time producer where he had 2 goals and almost had a hat trick against the Regina Pats while he also had 3 point night against the Prince Albert Raiders.

For the season, he's already approaching his total from last season of 26 points (13G 13A), so far this season he is nearly a point a game player by scoring 18 points (8G 10A) in 19 games played so far this season.

One of his best moments took place back on November 2 when he scored an amazing backhanded goal against the Red Deer Rebels as the Thunderbirds beat a Red Deer Rebels Team which includes Ryan-Nugent Hopkins who's expected to be a major contender for the #1 overall pick at the NHL Draft next summer in Minnesota.

As the first NHL Central Scouting Rankings of the season are about to come out, he's expected to be one of the fastest risers from the Western Hockey League and right now many experts are expecting him to be an early-to-mid 2nd Round Pick with a strong chance to move up to the first round later in the season when the Mid-Season Rankings come out in January and the End-of-Season Rankings coming up in April.

Look for Jacobs to continue to get bigger-and-better as he goes through his Junior Career in Seattle with hopes of making his NHL Debut very very soon and looks to join the ranks of Austin Smith, Chris Brown and Matt Donovan of Southwest NHL Draft Picks.

When the 1st Draft Ranks come out, I will provide links and tell you how he's ranked both among the WHL and North American Skaters combined.

As for the Total Rankings, NHL Central Scouting divides into four parts. First it's the North American Skaters, then the North American Goaltenders, then the European Skaters for the players that are based in Europe. So somebody who is a European playing in North America like Nino Niederreiter from Switzerland
wouldn't be on that list. Finally the European Goaltenders which has the smallest of the four groups.

He would be the 4th Southwest Player to be taken in the NHL Draft joining Austin Smith, Chris Brown and Matt Donovan.

Of the three, Chris Brown was the highest of the draft picks he was selected in the 2nd Round (36th overall) from the USNTDP by the Phoenix Coyotes back in 2009. He's currently playing in his sophomore season at the University of Michigan and is a contender to possibly make Team USA for the 2011 World Junior Championships which starts on December 26 in Buffalo, New York.

Donovan was a 4th Round Selection (96th Overall) in the 2008 Draft from the Cedar Rapids Roughriders (USHL). Since then he helped the USA won Gold at last year's World Junior Championship in Saskatchewan and is now a sophomore at the University of Denver.

In addition to the World Junior Championship last season, he also produced 21 points in 36 games and was also named to the WCHA All Freshman Team

Austin Smith was a 5th Round Draft Pick (128th overall), now a junior at Colgate University (ECAC) he has been nearly a point a game player throughout his college career. Coming into this season, he had produced 72 points in 73 career games and is becoming more comfortable with his hitting ability while at Colgate and has always been a go to guy on the team.

Before he joined Colgate in 2008, he helped the Pentiction Vees win the 2008 BCHL Championship as he lead the team in goals that season with 32 and also had a playoffs that year when he scored 11 goals in the playoffs that year as the Vees were looking posied to have a shot at the 2008 RBC National Championship, but they hopes were dashed by the AJHL Champion Camrose Kodiaks that season in the Canadian Jr. A Pacific Region Championship.

In a Q&A I had when the season started, he told me that he felt close to making his professional debut (possibly with the Texas Stars [AHL]) and despite a dissappointing start by the team as the Raiders currently sit last in the ECAC, he's been off to another decent start by having 6 points in 8 games so far this season.

However, Colin Jacobs is looking to do something that no one from the Southwest has been able to do yet and that is crack the first Round of the Draft and that would make a bold statement about how far Southwest Hockey has come and would greatly improve his chances of making his NHL Debut in a much faster time frame, possibly before his Junior Eglibility were to run out in the next two seasons when were to reach his 20 year old season which would be in the 2012-2013 season.

If he were to be sent back to get more development past his NHL Draft Selection. It would half to be to the Seattle Thunderbirds and not the AHL Affliate of the team that drafted him because of a rule where Canadian Hockey League Players can't go into the AHL till they reach their 20th birthday. If he were in the NCAA like Smith, Brown and Donovan currently are, then the AHL Would be a possibility right now.

Seattle Thunderbirds Website

Western Hockey League Website

Colin Jacobs WHL Profile

Austin Smith Colgate Profile

Chris Brown Michigan Profile

Matt Donovan Denver Profile

Here's some parts of the Colin Jacobs Feature on the NHL Website.

"You can't teach that competitiveness and stuff and he had that instinctively. There's things he has to learn, but also those basic things that come with being a talented athlete, and a tough competitive kid. That's a good combination."

"He's a much stronger man this year so he wins every puck he goes after down low," Thunderbirds GM Russ Farewell told http://www.nhl.com/. That's what scouts like when they're watching. His vision is real good, he plays the point on the power play, he moves the puck around, he's got a real good shot. He's just learning when he can get it through. He's scoring with that consistently.

It's something he needed coming from the small pond of Dallas Midget Hockey to the Ocean Sized Western Hockey League (WHL).

"The Talent level isn't that big in Texas," Jacobs said. "It's getting there, but it's not like it is in the Canadian Towns. It was a big jump. Playing a few games as a 15 year old (in 2008-09) helped, I got my feet wet. It was a pretty big change going from playing 16 year olds to playing 20 year old men trying to make the National Hockey League."

A big part of that future was moving to Seattle. Jacobs said it wasn't an easy decision, but he picked the WHL over the NCAA and the US National Team Developmental Program for a pretty simple reason.

"I looked and saw there was quite a few more guys going to the NHL through the Canadian Hockey Leagues," he said. "At the time I thought the Western Hockey League was producing a bit. My goal is to make the National Hockey League and that's what I choose."

Here's the Full Colin Jacobs Article on the NHL Website 

11/9 Southwest Players Update

Here's another news update with local players recently.

*First off, Aberdeen Wings Goalie Frederieck Lesiner was named the League's Goalie of the Week back on November 1 after a huge weekend where he stopped 79 of 83 saves in a pair of victories which included both his first shutout with a 3-0 win and his first shootout of the season (both against the Coluee Region Chill).

He's been a big part of the season's turnaround as well as forwards like Cody Ward who's in a 3 way tie for 3rd in goals scored with 13 along with Rock Einersen (Texas Tornado) and Ft. Worth Native Michael Hill (Topeka Roadrunners).

After the Wings started the season losing 5 of their first 6, the Wings are slowly beginning to turn-around their season as Aberdeen is now in 4th place with 15 points (7-9-1) and is just 3 points back of both the defending Champion Bismarck Bobcats and Owatonna Express.

*Nebraska-Omaha's Johnnie Searfoss ended his five game pointless streak in a big way as he helped blow open a 3-0 lead into a 5-0 victory as he scored 2 goals in just 29 seconds on both sides of a 2 man advantage. He also assisted on the opening goal of the game where the UNO Mavericks continue to be unbeaten in WCHA Play at 4-0 and is 7-1-0 overall through 8 games. They trail by just 1 point to Minnesota-Duluth who's 4-1-1 in conference.

His big weekend didn't end there for the UNO Mavericks, he also scored his scored on Saturday in a 5-2 win in the 2nd game against Minnesota State. This takes his total from 1 point going into the weekend to 5 now, including 4 goals in 8 games played.

*Colin Jacobs had  an assist in the battle where it brought in a lot of Dallas Interest as he went up against Dallas Stars Prospect Scott Glennie and the Brandon Wheat Kings back on Saturday Night. The 2011 NHL Draft Prospect is beginning to find his grove after a lack-luster season last year where the Thunderbirds had one of the youngest teams in the entire WHL last season.

 He also had a goal and an assist in a 4-1 win over the Red Deer Rebels which included one of the best goals of his career as he had a great backhanded goal to make it 2-0 in the 2nd period.

Here's the Video of Colin Jacobs Backhand Goal VS. Red Deer


Here's the Latest Stat Update. Click the Players Name to see their player profile.

WHL/NCAA

Colin Jacobs  (Seattle)   15 GP  12 PTS  (5G 7A),  +1  24 PIM

Austin Smith  (Colgate)    6 GP    6 PTS   (2G 4A), 2 PIM

Armand De Swardt (Cornell)    2 GP   0 PTS   (0G 0A), 2 PIM

Locke Jillson  (Cornell)     4 GP   3 PTS   (1G 2A), 6 PIM

Keir Ross (Cornell)      4 GP   1 PTS   (0G 1A), 0 PIM

Chris Brown (Michigan)   10 GP   6 PTS   (1G 5A), 0 PIM

Jacob Fallon (Michigan)   5 GP   1 PTS    (1G 0A), 6 PIM    

Erik Higby (No. Michigan)   6 GP    2 PTS   (1G 1A),   10 PIM

CJ Ludwig (No. Michigan)    7 GP   0 PTS   (0G  0A),   26 PIM

Johnnie Searfoss (Neb.-Omaha)  8 GP   5 PTS   (4G 1A), 4 PIM

Matt Donovan (Denver)    10 GP   5 PTS  (3G 2A), 24 PIM

Chase Grant (Minn. State)    10 GP   5 PTS   (3G 2A)   2 PIM


USHL

Ian Young  (Chicago)    12 GP    8 PTS   (1G 7A),  +4  15 PIM

Tyler Aumgurgey (Dubuque)    10 GP   0 PTS (0G 0A), +1  14 PIM

Colton Hargrove (Fargo)    12 GP  3 PTS  (2G 1A), -5  36 PIM

Blake Coleman (Indiana)    10 GP   12 PTS  (4G 8A), +4  19 PIM

Josh Berge  (Lincoln)      6 GP  5 PTS  (2G 3A), +1 0 PIM

Cole Martin (Lincoln)     6 GP   3 PTS   (2G 1A), +2  6 PIM

Ryan Daugherty (Omaha)    8 GP  3 PTS   (1G 2A), +2  12 PIM

Greg Johnson  (Sioux City)   6 GP   0 PTS  (0G 0A), -3  0 PIM

Mike Williams (Sioux City)   8 GP   1 PTS  (0G 1A), -4  14 PIM

Seth Jones  (USNTDP)    6 GP     3 PTS  (1G 2A), +1  6 PIM


NAHL

Frederick Leisner (Aberdeen)   15 GP   7-7-1   3.54 GAA   .899 SV%

Tommy Rizzardo (Bismarck)    17 GP   6 PTS  (4G 2A), +5  33 PIM

Nicholas Miglio  (Bismarck)    10 GP   1 PTS  (1G 0A),  -1    8 PIM

Kyle Hughes (Corpus Christi)   16 GP  11 PTS  (1G 10A), -5   45 PIM

Axel Boyer  (Texas)     17 GP  9 PTS  (4G 5A), +9  27 PIM

Sean Hederick (Texas)   9 GP  7 PTS  (4G 3A), +4  2 PIM

Taylor Hendron (Texas)   15 GP   7 PTS  (3G 4A), +6  2 PIM

Marc Biggs  (Texas)    17 GP   10 PTS  (7G 3A),  +12  6 PIM

Jake Stafford (Texas)   9 GP    5-2-2    2.85 GAA   .874 SV%

Jacob Poe  (Topeka)    16 GP   8 PTS  (0G 8A),  E  37 PIM

Michael Hill (Topeka)   16 GP   26 PTS  (13G 13A), -4  34 PIM

Mason Miller  (Topeka)  7 GP   0 PTS  (0G 0A),  E  2 PIM

Cory Ramsay  (Topeka)   16 GP   3 PTS   (1G 2A), -4  25 PIM

Kyle Sharkley (Topeka)   6 GP   2 PTS  (1G 1A), -1  10 PIM

Tyler Hope  (Wenatchee)   16 GP  7 PTS  (3G 4A), E  34 PIM

10/25 Local Players Update

Here's an update on how the Southwest Players are doing and some of the headlines from last week.

*Austin Smith had a great game on Saturday Night where he had 3 assists as he along with follow Forward Brian Day was looking to help be a part of a massive comeback against the Lake Superior State Lakers in a 5-4 loss where it was looking like the game was going to OT, that was before Lake Superior scored a goal with just 14 seconds left in the game to squeak out the win where the Lakers were able to sweep the Raiders in the Non-Conference Matchup of ECAC VS. CCHA Teams are looking to return to prominence this season.

So far for the Raiders, this puts them at 1-2-0 as they continue Non-Conference Play next weekend when the Raiders will host Sacred Heart of the Atlantic Hockey Conference as this will be their only game this weekend.

*Chase Grant played a huge role in getting Minnesota State's first win of the season as he scored 2 of the teams 3 goals in the 2nd period as the Mavericks overturned a 2-0 deficit in the 1st period. In the 3rd period, the Mavericks were able hold on during a wild 3rd period as the Mavericks were able to survive back-and-fourth period with the Mavericks were able to score with 8-and-a-half minutes left and goaltender to survive a Colorado College Barrage as they out shot Minn.-State 20-8 in the 3rd period. This takes Grant's goal total to 3 in 6 games which is in control of the team lead through 6 games.

*Who's Hot: Marc Biggs of the Texas Tornado who's scored 6 points in the last 6 games (Including 5 goals) as he takes his total to 7 points in 13 games (5G 2A) this season. Due to some injures like to key players like J.D. Howard and David Rigatti in recent weeks allowed him to get some more opportunities and he is now taking advantage of them as he has been a big part of the Texas Tornado's 8 Game Winning Streak which has taken the team to 1st Place in the NAHL South Division.

*Who's Not: Ryan Daugherty of the Omaha Lancers who's been held pointless through 8 games so far this season. For the player who was named an assistant captain to help them out with a mostly younger group reflects that as no one on the team has more then 3 points so far this season, which includes a 3-0 shutout against the Indiana ice.

Colin Jacobs had a strong game for the Seattle Thunderbirds last week as he scored the only goal in regularization. He also was able to provide some physical toughness with a couple of big hits and 2 minor penalties over the weekend. Even though the Thunderbirds are currently 5-2-2 and even though they are in 7th place in the WHL Western Conference, but they have played the fewest games in the league so far as the WHL as been in action for a little over a month now.

It will be a busy 3 game week for the Thunderbirds coming up this week, first on Tuesday it will be the defending Western Conference Champion Tri-City Americans coming to town, then the T-Birds will entertain Brett Connolly and the Prince George Cougars will be in town on Friday, then it's a trip to BC as they will travel north to Kamloops to play the Blazers.

*In one of the biggest Non-Conference Matchups of the weekend, Johnnie Searfoss of Neb.-Omaha as well as Chris Brown and Jacob Fallon were held pointless in their 2 game set in Michigan over the weekend. Neb.-Omaha had the better of them on Friday Night with a 4-2 victory, while Michigan just crushed the Neb.-Omaha Mavericks with a 6-1 win.

*Unfortunately with the Roster for the World Jr. A Challenge which just came out today, none of the Southwest Players from the United States Hockey League made the roster. This should be a surprise as they mostly look for players who have already either been drafted by NHL Clubs or players that they think will be selected in the Draft.

I thought the players with the best chances to possibly fill in if they are any major injures is Blake Coleman who's leading the Ice in scoring with 7 points (2G 5A) and Ian Young who's a Colorado College Commit and is among the leading defensemen in scoring and is improving his hitting ability. Look for more on the roster and this year's team.


Here's a Stats Update for this week.

WHL/NCAA

Colin Jacobs (Seattle)       9 GP   4 G   4 A    8 PTS   +2  12 PIM

Chris Brown (Michigan)   6 GP    1 G   1 A    2 PTS    0 PIM

Jacob Fallon  (Michigan)  2 GP    0 G   0 A    0 PTS    4 PIM

Erik Higby (No. Michigan)    2 GP   0 G  1 A   1 PTS    8 PIM

C.J. Ludwig (No. Michigan)   5 GP   0 G  0 A   0 PTS    6 PIM

Austin Smith (Colgate)       3 GP   1 G   3 A    4 PTS    0 PIM

Armand De Swardt (Cornell)   Season hasn't started yet.

Locke Jillson (Cornell)     Season hasn't started yet.

Keir Ross (Cornell)  Season hasn't started yet.

Johnnie Searfoss (Neb.-Omaha)    6 GP   1 G  0 A  1 PTS    2 PIM

Chase Grant  (Minn. State)   6 GP    1 G   3 A   4 PTS    0 PIM

Matt Donovan (Denver)    6 GP    2 G    0 A    2 PTS    12 PIM


USHL

Ian Young (Chicago)      8 GP   1 G    4 A    5 PTS     +6     11 PIM

Tyler Amburgey (Dubuque)  6 GP   0 G  0 A   0 PTS    +1   12 PIM

Colton Hargrove (Fargo)      6 GP    2 G   1 A   3 PTS   -3   34 PIM

Blake Coleman (Indiana)     7 GP    2 G    5 A   7 PTS   +3  17 PIM

Cole Martin (Lincoln)      3 GP    0 G    1 A    1 PTS    +1    4 PIM

Josh Berge (Lincoln)      4 GP    2 G     3 A     5 PTS    +1    0 PIM

Ryan Daugherty (Omaha)   5 GP    0 G   0 A    0 PTS   -2    8 PIM

Greg Johnson (Sioux City)   6 GP    0 G   0 A    0 PTS    -3   0 PIM

Mike Williams (Sioux City)   6 GP   0 G   0 A   0 PTS     -4   10 PIM

Seth Jones (USNTDP)     3 GP    0 G   2 A     2 PTS    +1    2 PIM


NAHL

Frederick Lesiner (Aberdeen)  10 GP    5-4-1     3.85 GAA   .895 SV%

Tom Rizzardo (Bismarck)     14 GP     1 G  2 A   3 PTS    +3   33 PIM

Nicholas Miglio (Bismarck)    8 GP     1 G    0 A   1 PTS   -1   8 PIM

Derrek Schrtz  (Corpus Christi)     9 GP    1 G   1 A   2 PTS    -5   14 PIM

Kyle Hughes (Corpus Christi)    12 GP     1 G    8 A   9 PTS    -3   43 PIM

Axel Boyer  (Texas)     13 GP    2 G   3 A    5 PTS     +6    4 PIM

Sean Heidrick  (Texas)    6 GP   4 G   1 A   5 PTS      +4    0 PIM

Taylor Hendron (Texas)   12 GP   3 G   4 A   7 PTS    +5   2 PIM

Marc Biggs  (Texas)     13 GP    5 G    2 A    7 PTS     +9   4 PIM

Jake Stafford (Texas)   8 GP    4-2-2      3.20 GAA    .865 SV%

Jacob Poe  (Topeka)     14 GP    0 G    6 A    6 PTS     -1    35 PIM

Michael Hill (Topeka)   14 GP   11 G   11 A   22 PTS    -2   30 PIM

Mason Miller (Topeka)   6 GP   0 G     0 A     0 PTS      E   2 PIM

Cory Ramsey (Topeka)   14 GP   1 G   2 A     3 PTS      -1  19 PIM

Kyle Sharkly  (Topeka)    4 GP    1 G   0 A     1 PTS      -1   4 PIM

Tyler Hope  (Wenatchee)   11 GP   2 G   3 A   5 PTS     E    25 PIM

Southwest Players Stats Update for 10/18

Here's a stats update and some Southwest Player Quickhits from the past week across North America. As always, if i'm missing someone, email me so I can find out where I can follow them as well.

*Colin Jacobs had a very strong weekend in 2 games against the Vancouver Giants where he had the game tying goal where the Thunderbirds later won in a shootout 4-3 where he is now tied in team scoring with 7 points (3G 4A) in 8 games. Even though he was held pointless in their 2nd game against the Calgary Hitmen, he was still able to be a physical presence to atleast keep the Thunderbirds in the game before losing 3-2 to the Hitmen.

This takes the T-Birds to 5-2-1 for 11 points and despite still being in 4th place in the U.S. Division, they have also played the fewest number of games along witht he Spokane Chiefs. This week will be a slow one where they have just one game on Friday Night against the Portland Winterhawks.

*Rock Einersen was named the NAHL South Division Player of the week by stepping up because of some crucial injuries to players like J.D. Howard and David Rigatti who are going to be out for several weeks. He had a 4 goal night in an 8-2 blowout of the New Mexico Mustangs on Friday Night. This is the 2nd straight week that a Tornado Player has won this award as Lativan Defensemen Ralfs Freibergs won it last week. Even though he was held pointless in Saturday's 3-1 win on Saturday, he was still a +2 over the weekend.

Here's Tony Curtale's Comment on the Plano, Texas Native

"Because of injuries, Sean has stepped in and made the most of his opportunity," said Tornado Head Coach Tony Curtale. "He worked very hard to get into the lineup and improve as a player, to see that pay off last weekend was a nice reward for Sean and his teammates."

*Chris Brown got his first goal of the season in a 3-3 in a game where the Michigan Power Play tallied on all 3 goals in the Draw against the University of New Hampshire which plays in Hockey East. It came near the midway part of the game when the Wolverines from a great past from Center Matt Rust to Left Winger Carl Hagelin as he pasted it to Brown to deliver the one timer goal which eventually give the Wolverines a 2-1 lead on the power play.

It was his second point of the game and through 4 games, it's still early, he's looking to prove that USA Hockey should put him on the roster for the 2011 World Junior Championship after just missing it last year where the Americans beat Canada in a dramitic Gold Medal game in Saskatoon last season.

*What a way to get your first career NCAA Goal for Chase Grant at Minnesota State as he was able to force a 5-5 tie against Michigan Tech with under 5 minutes left. Grant was able to get all along to frame and tip a great shot from defensemen Channing Boe as a part of a great power play that the Minnesota State Mavericks forced their 3rd tie of the young season as the Mavericks are 0-1-3 and have yet to win a game this season.

The Mavericks hope to get their first win of the season when they continue WCHA Play against Colorado College will play their Conference Opener next weekend.

*Despite being held without a point, he was in more an energy role on the 3rd and 4th lines to help the UNO Mavericks pull off an impressive sweep against the Minnesota Golden Golphers. On Friday Night, the Mavericks were up 4-0 early in the 2nd period, depsite Minnesota being able to tie the game at 4-4 before Hudson scored with just over a minute and a half left to win 5-4.

Then on Saturday Night it was a similar story as the UNO Mavericks went up 3-0, before Minnesota scored twice in the 3rd to close in within 1, but it was the same story second time as the UNO Mavericks scored with 10 seconds left. They are the surprise WCHA Leaders with a 4-0 record and a 2-0 record within the WCHA. This weekend will bring another tough test and perhaps a chance to be a part of the national consveration in the early season with a home weekend against the Michigan Woverines.

*One of the big surprises of the early season is Aberdeen Wings Goalie Frederick Lesiner as he's looking to keep the Wings in many games, despite having a thin roster in-front of him. In the game back on Friday against the Bismarck Bobcats as he held the defending league champion Bismarck Bobcats as he bent, but didn't break on several occasions despite having just 3 power play chances for the Bobcats, he was able to keep them off the scoresheet with the man advantage.

He also has gotten the Wings out of the Central Division Cellar after losing their 5 of their first 6 games to start the season, including being the only team to go winless at the Blaine Showcase.

*Finally an Austin Player that is being a great playmaker for the Icerays as Kyle Hughes from Round Rock, Texas (Just outside of Austin) has 5 assists in the last 5 games (Including 3 game point scoring streak). He has taken over Ben Hughes for the lead in defensemen in scoring for the Icerays.

*Despite the 5-3 loss to Waterloo on Saturday Night, Lincoln Stars Capitan Josh Berge had his best game of the season that saw him score twice. If it weren't for a 4 goal 3rd period by the Blackhawks in the 3rd period, it would have probably would have helped win the game and despite the loss, he was still voted the first Star of the Game for his strong overall efforts. Unfortunatley for his team, the Stars sit in Last place in the West Division with a 1-3-0 record.

Unfortunalty, they have been studering a little bit recently by going to 3 straight OT Games including the loss against Wichita Falls in their opening game of the weekend after Cody Milligan scored to make it 1-1 midway through the 1st period. This team is showing that they have strong talent with players like Beau Walker, as well as Mike Benedict and Sam Cheraso who are tied for the team goal scoring lead with 7 goals in 12 games played this season.

If they can find a way to turn some of their OT Losses into wins and have a better killer instict in regularition, this team would be higher up in the South Division as the team continues to be in 5th place in the South Division. As for the upcoming weekend, the Icerays will have one of their toughest showdowns coming up this weekend with a surging Texas Tornado team that has won 6 in a row and are tied for first place with Amarillo in the South Division.


Here's the Stats Update

WHL/NCAA

Colin Jacobs (Seattle)   8 GP    3G     4A   7 PTS      +2    8 PIM

Austin Smith (Colgate)   1 GP     1G   0A    1 PTS              0 PIM

Armand de Swardt (Cornell)   Season hasen't started yet.

Locke Jillson (Cornell)  Season hasen't started yet.

Keir Ross (Cornell)  Season hasen't started yet.

Chris Brown (Michigan)   4 GP   1G  1A    2 PTS             0 PIM

Jacob Fallon (Michigan)   1 GP   0G   0A    0 PTS            0 PIM

Erik Higby (No. Michigan)   2 GP    0 G   1 A   1 PTS    8 PIM

CJ Ludwig (No. Michigan)   3 GP     0 G   0 A   0 PTS    2 PIM

Johnnie Searfoss (Neb.-Omaha)  4 GP    1 G   0 A   1 PTS    2 PIM

Chase Grant (Minn. State)   4 GP    1 G    1A     2 PTS    0 PIM

Matt Donovan (Denver)    4 GP    2 G    0 A      2 PTS     12 PIM

Justin Jones (Denver)        0 GP     0 G   0 A      0 PTS      0 PIM


USHL

Ian Young (Chicago)      6 GP    1 G    3 A      4 PTS      +4    9 PIM

Tyler Amburgey (Dubuque)   4 GP   0 G   0 A   0 PTS    -1   6 PIM

Colton Hargrove (Fargo)    6 GP    2 G    1 A    3 PTS     -3   34 PIM

Blake Coleman (Indiana)    5 GP   2 G     3 A    5 PTS    +1   13 PIM  

Josh Berge (Lincoln)     3 GP     2 G     1 A       3 PTS     +1    0 PIM  

Cole Martin (Lincoln)    2 GP     0 G     1 A       1 PTS      -1    4 PIM

Ryan Daugherty (Omaha)    4 GP    0 G   0 A   0 PTS      -1    8 PIM

Greg Johnson (Sioux City)    4 GP    0 G   0 A   0 PTS     -1    0 PIM

Mike Williams (Sioux City)   4 GP    0 G   0 A   0 PTS     -3    6 PIM

Seth Jones (USNTDP)     2 GP     0 G  1 A    1 PTS     E     2 PIM


NAHL

Frederick Lesiner (Aberdeen)   8 GP    3-4-1     4.33 GAA    .871 SV%

Tom Rizzardo (Bismarck)      12 GP    1 G   2 A   3 PTS    +1   29 PIM

Nicholas Miglio (Bismarck)   8 GP      1 G   0 A   1 PTS    -1    8 PIM   

Derrek Schartz (Corpus Christi)   9 GP   1 G   1 A   2 PTS    -5   14 PIM

Kyle Hughes (Corpus Christi)    12 GP    1 G    8 A   9 PTS    -3   43 PIM

Axel Boyer (Texas)     11 GP    2 G    3 A     5 PTS     +5    4 PIM

Sean Hendrick (Texas)    4 GP    4 G   1 A    5 PTS     +3    0 PIM

Taylor Hendron (Texas)   11 GP   4 G   3 A   7 PTS    +5     2 PIM

Marc Biggs  (Texas)       11 GP      3 A   2 A   5 PTS    +6    2 PIM

Jake Stafford (Texas)     7 GP      3-2-2       3.23 GAA    .867 SV%

Jacob Poe  (Topeka)      12 GP     0 G    6 A   6 PTS    E    33 PIM

Michael Hill (Topeka)    12 GP     9 G    10 A    19 PTS    -1   24 PIM

Mason Miller (Topeka)   6 GP     0 G     0 A      0 PTS      E    2 PIM

Cory Ramsay (Topeka)   12 GP    1 G    1 A      2 PTS      -4    10 PIM

Kyle Sharkly (Topeka)     4 GP     1 G    0 A      1 PTS       -1    4 PIM

Tyler Hope (Wenatchee)   10 GP    2 G   3 A      5 PTS      E     25 PIM


   

Dallas Stars Elites and Midget Minors in Tier 1 Action this weekend

Both of the Dallas Stars Elites and Midget Minor Teams are in action this weekend as both teams will by playing in their 2nd Tier 1 Events of the young season.

Elites (U18)

Back in Mid-September the Elites (U18) finished with a perfect 4-for-4 weekend where they had to come back in all 4 of their wins back where they played their opener in Illinois where they played 4 of the 5 teams from the Illinois/Ohio Division where they played teams like Team Illinois and Chicago Youth Association (CYA) and had some great performances like Garret Cox had 2 goals in the win against Team Illinois while Marcus Ortiz had critical assists on both goals in the game.

Also that weekend, players like Tanner Karty and Garrett Cox who lead the team in scoring with 4 and 3 goals respectably while 6 other players registered goals during the opening weekend of action over in Illinois.

Where the Elites need to improve is the defense where they don't need to comeback and gave up 6 goals, but got better as that weekend went on. Goaltending was very solid in the opening weekend event as both Des Moines Buccaneers Prospect Christan Frey and Sean Lawrence had a GAA of a strong 1.50 while Frey had a .952 SV% while giving up just 3 goals over the weekend.

If the goaltending continues to stay this good, they could find themselves in a position where they can compete for the Tier 1 Mid-American Division and overall league titles this season.

This weekend is a weekend roadtrip to Glendale Arizona where they will faceoff the West Division Teams like the LA Selects Hockey Club and the Phoenix Jr. Coyotes who's hosting the event this weekend. In addition to these two teams. They will also face the Colorado Thunerbirds and the LA Kings Elites as well this weekend. They need to show that the weekend in Illinois wasn't a fluke and continue the momentum they built up back in Illinois. If they can do that, they will be a force in the Tier 1 Elite League this season at the U18 Level.

Midget Minors (U16)

It was a different story for the Dallas Stars Midget Minor Team (U16) as the team went 1-2-1 back in late September. They will head to Detroit to faceoff against the Detroit Area Teams this weekend as the goaltending was suspect at times where despite playing some really close games, they proved that they didn't have the killer instinct that the Elites had.

Not a single multi goal scorer came out of the opening weekend where just 3 players (Maximov, Sinitsyn, Schartz) were able to get multi points this weekend, but neither of them had more then one goal or one assists that. So far, just one player in Zane Schartz has multiple assists with 2 that weekend.

There needs to be some work done of the offense for the Midget Minors to have a strong shot of bouncing back and catching up with the St. Louis AAA Blues and Russel Stover Hockey Teams who are also in Detroit this weekend.

If the Midget Minor can't turn it around this weekend while the Blues and Stover Teams who are expected to do well continue, then it maybe another long season for the Midget Minor who won just 9 games last year and have won just 1 in 4 games this season.

Here's links to the Rosters, Stats and info reguarding the Dallas Stars Elites and Dallas Stars Midget Minors.

Dallas Stars Midget Minor U16

Dallas Stars Midget Minors Roster and Stats

Dallas Stars Elites Website

Dallas Stars Elites Roster And Stats

Here's a schedule for both teams this weekend as the teams are competition in Arizona and Michigan this weekend.

Dallas Stars Elites (U18) in Arizona All Games are at the Coyotes Rink.

10/15: VS. LA Selects Hockey Club   3:20 PM

10/16: VS. Colorado Thunderbirds   2:00 PM

10/16: VS. LA Kings Elites    8:30 PM

10/17: Phoenix Jr. Coyotes   12:10 PM


Dallas Stars Midget Minors Schedule in Michigan from in Detroit

10/15: VS. Honeybaked Hockey    5:00 PM

10/16: VS. Compuware     9:45 AM

10/16: VS. Belle Tires    6:00 PM

10/17: VS. Little Cesars    8:45 AM

Austin Smith Q&A

Austin Smith is becoming one of the major faces of Hockey in the Southwest. Since he was drafted by the Dallas Stars back in 2007, he's in a very unique position where not only he could be one of the first Texans to play professionally, but be able to play a huge part of his pro career in Texas with the Dallas Stars and also the The team's AHL Affiliate in Austin where he can show his talent in his home state.

Shortly after he got drafted, he played his one and only year of Juniors with the Pentiction Vees in the British Columbia Hockey League. He made his time count there by being 2nd overall in scoring and lead the Vees in goals during the regular season with 32 goals in 60 games. Then he lead the Vees to the 2008 BCHL Title by scoring 22 points in 15 games.

Then through his first two seasons at Colgate where he as averaged nearly a point a game by scoring 72 points in 73 career NCAA Games where he been lucky not to get injured or have anything else get in his way of his NHL Dream. After losing to St. Lawrence in the ECAC Quarterfinals last season despite finishing in 4th place and getting a first Round Bye. The Raiders are looking to beat St. Lawrence as well as ECAC Powerhouses Cornell & Yale as the Colgate Raiders will look to get back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005.

A speedy undersized player who has a dynamite scoring threat on the ice, he's going to take on the challenge of being a marked man for the Raiders who can fly on the ice. If he can help guide his team to the ECAC Title and continue to make major strides towards both a Conference Title and a NCAA Berth, as well as getting a chance to show the Stars that he is ready to make his pro debut (perhaps in Austin with the Texas Stars), then on to Dallas where he looks to possibly be the first Texan born and trained player to play in the National Hockey League in the near future.

He's starting to realize that he could be a possible game changer when it comes down to helping promote the sport here in Texas. Not only be playing so well in the BCHL & NCAA, but by someone who could spend a huge chunk of his pro career in Texas where fans can ID. and realize that players coming from Texas can start becoming a big reality.

In addition to Smith, Chris Brown of Flower Mound was a 2009 NHL Draft Pick of the Phoenix Coyotes and just started his sophomore year with Michigan University. Also coming down the pipe are Colin Jacobs who's playing his 2nd season with the Seattle Thunerbirds (WHL) and is being considered as a player who should go pretty high in the 2011 Draft next summer. Also Seth Jones who just recently made his debut for the USNTDP and many think he could be a big time prospect for the 2012 NHL Draft as well.

In the Q&A, Austin talks about his path to the Pros, learning about becoming a more complete player and teaching others about the benefits and the excitement of promoting the NCAA & Different Junior Leagues to others who have these dreams of their own. In addition, his reaction to Mike Modano leaving Dallas and what he misses the most about living in D/FW.


Here's his profiles and recent segments and stories.

Austin Smith's Colgate Profile

A-Z Inside College Hockey

Austin Smith named All Preseason ECAC

Austin Smith Pentiction Vess Profile from the BCHL


Here's the Austin Smith Q&A

1. Even though you are expected to be the main player for Colgate at least offensively this season, what will be the biggest challenge of being a marked man and who are you expecting to help you out as well?

The biggest challenge will be to staying focused and composed. However, I enjoy the challenge and I look forward to facing whetever obstacles I come up against. My team will help me get through it this year. I believe we are very deep and have good chemistry; we will have a very successful season as a team.


2. What was the biggest thing that contributed to your ECAC Conference Tournament Disappointment against St. Lawrence in the ECAC Conference Quarterfinals last year after finishing 4th and earning a first round bye last season?

I don't know if I can point to one thing in specific, but I think we came up against a hot goaltender and a team that had our number. With that being said I think our team this year is very determined and will use that as motivation to win our league and make it to the tournament.


3. As you enter your Junior Season at Colgate University, what's been the biggest thing that Head Coach Don Vaughan has taught you both on and off the ice and how it's affected your play?

He has taught me to keep my composure and he has helped me to keep my confidence throughout all parts of the season. He is a great teacher on the ice, and I have learned a great deal about playing both ends of the ice under his close watch. He is a great mentor and I have a great relationship with him that will carry beyond my years here at Colgate.


4. How far away are you from making your professional debut? Also, what are the biggest things you still need to work on before making the step from the NCAA to the Professional Ranks?

Making the jump is about confidence and preparation. I believe I'm very close to making that step, but at the same time I like to stay focus on the present and doing what I can here in the university to become a better all around player.


5. If you do end up playing for the Stars, how do you feel that this can be a major game changer on how the sport of hockey is promoted in the state of Texas. Not just for the Stars, but also educating fans and the public about the different junior leagues and the NCAA. In addition, helping out leagues and org. like the AT&T Metroplex HS Hockey League and Travel Teams like the Dallas Stars Elites.

It would help all those kids who have the dream to realize it is a reality. Being born and raised in Texas fellow Texans would be able to have someone to look up to, and say he made it so why can't I? More then anything it would be the inspiration, but at the end of the day I think Texas will see an increase in professional players in the near future.


6. Even though you weren't at Dallas Stars training camp that just wrapped up as the team gets ready to start the season, how much are you in contact with them to track your progress and have they mentioned to you about your chances of maybe at least getting some playing time with the Dallas Stars AHL Affiliate in Austin if you have another strong year this season?

I have a good relationship with the organization and I do keep in touch. But I am worried about at this time is being an impact player for Colgate, and when that time comes to make a decision I will reflect on my options when the time is appropriate.


7. Every time your back in Dallas, how much have you been involved in looking to promote the NCAA and different Junior Leagues to other players who may have a shot of making these levels themselves?

I do what I can to spread the word, and I have talked to a decent amount of players in the area giving my story and my take on it all. I hope for the best for the future of Texas Hockey I would love to see more players in the position that I am in.


8. For those of whom that have never heard of Colgate University, give us an idea of what the school is like and is known for academically? Also what its like to live and play in Up State New York over the last couple of years.

Colgate University is one of the top Universities in the country. Its comparable to the likes of Cornell, Princeton, Yale, etc. The campus is incredibly beautiful, and it is an awesome place to be. I enjoy playing up here and traveling around the ECAC. The only downfall would be the brutal winters and the bitter cold.


9. Who do you feel your biggest rival is in the ECAC and who are you looking to knock off in the Conference as the season is about to begin?

For some reason we haven't beaten St. Lawrence since I have been here; so those games will be of great importance this season. Our two biggest rivals this year will be Cornell and Yale. They are both very good teams that we would enjoy beating, and if we want to finish on top they will most likely be the teams to beat.


10. Is there a current NHL Player do you try to model your game after?

Andy McDonald


Quick Hits

With the State Fair of Texas going on, what do you think of Fried Foods like Deep Fried Chili Pie, Deep Fried Pop Tarts and Fried Beer?

HAHA I mean that they taste great, but they are not good for you... So I guess I have mixed emotions.


Celebrity that you would like to meet the most?

Keira Knightley or Josh Hamilton


Your reaction to Mike Modano leaving the Stars over the Offseason?

It's disappointing because he's done so much for the organization, but Joe knows what's best for the team and I respect the decision.


Other then family, the thing you miss the most about D/FW?

I miss the food the most. I love Mexican Food, barbecue, Chickfila, Chipotle, etc. New York can't offer the same quality of food.

Southwest Player Notes and Updated Stats

With the Junior Leagues being fully underway for a couple of weeks now, plus the NCAA Season getting underway this past weekend. This is the first at will be a weekly segment on how players are doing from around the Southwest and taking a look at a stats update from our players that are playing around North America.

Southwest Player Notes

*After Cole Martin suffered a minor injury during training camp and staying out of the first few games. He got his first USHL Point in his USHL Regular Season Debut with an assist on a Dominik Shore goal early in the 3rd period in 5-3 loss to the Waterloo Blackhawks.

*In addition to Martin's first point, OKC Native Josh Berge was named captain of the team for the upcoming season. Lincoln Stars President told me in an email that Josh is a quiet leader who leads by example and was voted by a huge margin. He also got his first point in the season in the same game on a Ryan Dzingel early in the 2nd period, where the Stars were looking to mount a comeback as they scored twice within a minute early in the 2nd period.

*Eventhough Ryan Daugherty has had a slow start for the Omaha Lancers, he was named Assistant Captian of the team along with Seth Ambroz who's expected to be a top 10 pick in the NHL Draft this season. Also being named the main captain after Daugherty and Ambroz is Mike Chiasson.

*2011 NHL Draft Pick Colin Jacobs easily had his best game of the young season by having a 3 point night in a 6-3 win over the Chilliwack Bruins. His Goal and two assists was his first multi point game of the season and was part of a huge night for the T-Birds where teammate Brandon Rouse scored a hat trick and Mitch Elliot had a goal and assist in the game as well.

*Johnnie Searfoss and Erik Higby each got their first career points at the College Level over the weekend. Searfoss scored in a big time 8-0 thrashing of Clarkson University while Higby had an assist on an Andrew Cherniwchan goal early in the 3rd period that forced OT. But later lost to Michigan Tech 4-3 when MTU scored 5 minutes into OT.

*Chicago Steel Defensemen Ian Young has been off to a hot start to the season. In his first 4 games, he's gotten himself three points, including goals in both games last weekend on Friday against the Indiana Ice and on Saturday against the USNTDP. His 3 points (2G 1A) have him among the Scoring Leaders among defensemen just 1 point back of Alexx Privitera (Muskegon) and Brandon Russo (Youngstown) who each have 4 points.

*Joe Puruill who was with the Springfield Jr. Blues when the season started has been released. He only played in 3 games this season while hardly making an impact and has dropped off in his scoring production. Last year in 47 games for the Jr. Blues, he scored 10 points (2G 8A).

*2008 NHL Draft Pick Matt Donovan is looking to impress Team USA for another shot at the WJC as he had a 2 goal night in a 5-3 win over the University of Vermont. After being named to Team USA and a World Junior Team, he's looking to continue to impress the NY Islanders Staff about maybe getting an ATO Signing with their AHL Affiliate in Connecticut with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers perhaps at the end of the season. That's assuming that Denver doesn't make another long run in the WCHA & NCAA Tournaments in the spring.

*Michael Hill has continued his great start to the season where he was an Honorable Mention in the South Division Player of the Week Voting where he fell short to Texas Tornado Defensemen Ralfs Freibergs who won the award for this week. He currently has 17 points (8G 9A) in 10 games which leads the team in scoring and is ranked 5th in the NAHL Scoring Chart behind players like Rock Einersen who leads with 20 points and Beau Walker of Corpus Christi with 18 points as we getting to the one month mark of the season. Still kind of baffaling why he decided not to go to the Waterloo Blackhawks (USHL) after being picked so high in the USHL Entry Draft back in the spring.


Click on the Name to see the profile of each player

Here's the Stats Update for this week.

WHL/NCAA

F: Colin Jacobs  (Seattle)              6 GP   2G  3A  5 PTS    +1  6 PIM

F: Chris Brown  (Michigan)           3 GP   0G  1A   1 PTS         0 PIM

F: Erik Higby (No. Michigan)        2 GP   0G  1A    1 PTS        8 PIM

D: CJ Ludwig (No. Michigan)        2 GP   0G   0A   0 PTS        0 PIM

F: Austin Smith (Colgate)               1 GP   1G   0A   1 PTS        0 PIM


F: Armand de Swart (Cornell)         Season Hasen't started yet

F: Locke Jillson  (Cornell)                Season Hasen't Started yet

D: Keir Ross  (Cornell)                    Season Hasen't Started yet

D: Matt Donovan (Denver)             2 GP   2G    0A    2 PTS      4 PIM

F: Johnnie Searfoss (Neb.-Omaha)     2 GP   1G   0A   1 PTS    0 PIM      

F: Chase Grant (Minn. State)        2 GP    0G    0A    0 PTS       0 PIM   


USHL

D: Ian Young  (Chicago)                4 GP     2 G    1 A    3 PTS     E   7 PIM

F: Colton Hargrove (Fargo)          4 GP     1 G    1 A    2 PTS     -1   17 PIM

F: Blake Coleman (Indiana)           3 GP     2 G   2 A     4 PTS     +2   6 PIM

D: Cole Martin  (Lincoln)               1 GP     0 G    1 A     1 PTS     -1    2 PIM

F: Josh Berge  (Lincoln)                  2 GP     0 G    1 A     1 PTS     E     0 PIM

F: Ryan Daugherty (Omaha)           3 GP     0 G    0 A     0 PTS     -1    6 PIM

D: Greg Johnson  (Sioux City)         3 GP     0 G    0 A     0 PTS     E     0 PIM

F: Mike Williams (Sioux City)          2 GP      0 G    0 A    0 PTS     -1    2 PIM

D: Seth Jones (USNTDP)                  2 GP      0 G    1 A    1 PTS     0     2 PIM


NAHL

G: Frederick Leisner (Aberdeen)     6 GP     2-4-0      4.50 GAA    .858 SV%

D: Tommy Rizzardo  (Bismarck)    11 GP       1 G    2 A     3 PTS     +3     29 PIM

F: Nicholas Miglio  (Bismarck)          7 GP       1 G    0 A     1 PTS      0       8 PIM

F: Derrek Schartz (Corpus Christi)    9 GP     1 G     1 A     2 PTS      -5     14 PIM

D: Kyle Hughes  (Corpus Christi)     11 GP      1 G     5 A     6 PTS     -4      33 PIM

F: Sean Hendrick  (Texas)                  2 GP       0 G     1 A     1 PTS     +1     1 PIM

F: Taylor Hendron (Texas)                 9 GP       2 G     2 A     4 PTS      +3     2 PIM

F: Marc Biggs  (Texas)                        9 GP       2 G     2 A     4 PTS      +5     0 PIM

F: Alex Boyer  (Texas)                        9 GP       2 G     2 A      4 PTS       +5    4 PIM

G: Jake Stafford  (Texas)                   6 GP        2-2-2      3.43 GAA    .865 SV%

D: Jacob Poe  (Topeka)                       10 GP     0 G     5 A      5 PTS       -1     14 PIM

F: Michael Hill  (Topeka)                     10 GP     8 G     9 A      17 PTS      E     16 PIM

D: Mason Miller  (Topeka)                   5 GP       0 G     0 A      0 PTS        +1    2 PIM

D: Cory Ramsay  (Topeka)                  10 GP      1 G     1 A      2 PTS        -1     10 PIM

F: Kyle Sharkley  (Topeka)                  3 GP        0 G     0 A      0 PTS         -1    2 PIM

F: Tyler Hope  (Wenatchee)                 8 GP        2 G     3 A      5 PTS         E     20 PIM