TIEHL suing six clubs who left for HPHL

TIEHL has filed a lawsuit against six former youth hockey organizations who abruptly abandoned the league to form their own youth hockey league (HPHL). The six members include Detroit’s Honeybaked, Little Caesar’s, and Compuware, and the Chicago Mission, Chicago Young Americans and Team Illinois. This was the press release from the Tier I Elite Hockey League on April 22.

PRESS RELEASE

On April 22, 2011, the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League, Inc., filed suit against six of its former Members who surreptitiously and abruptly resigned March 17 from Tier 1 after organizing a competing hockey league.  Prior to March 17, these organizations, while allegedly acting in the best interests of the Tier 1 Board of Governors and making decisions concerning the Tier 1 league, were organizing a new league to directly compete with Tier 1.

The basis of the lawsuit is quite simple - a board member owes a legal fiduciary duty to the organization and cannot have any undisclosed conflicts of interest.  These six Members never disclosed that they were working for months to undermine Tier 1 and set up a competing league even while serving on Tier 1's Board of Governors.  They secretly organized the competing league and then, after completing their improper work, announced their resignations.

Because of their improper conduct, Tier 1 had no choice but to file an action seeking to stop the new league and to stop these six associations from being able to benefit from their wrongdoing.  The action filed in court seeks only to enjoin, or stop, the associations and the new league from competing. The Tier 1 league is not seeking monetary damages.

Tier 1 Elite Hockey League is ready for the 2011-2012 season with 19 organizations committed to compete at the midget level and additional organizations are applying to become part of Tier 1. The boys (bantam through squirt) and girls divisions also are ready to compete with multiple committed organizations and additional organizations applying.  The League provides the highest level of competition in the United States for teams and players from East to West and from North to South.

The number of organizations and national scope of the Tier 1 League provides the highest competition among the best players through Showcase formats, ensuring national exposure while limiting travel costs and missed school days, and avoiding expensive tournament fees.

The Tier 1 League is excited to continue in its position as the national leader of youth ice hockey development.

U18 team defeats Canada in OT

The United States U-18 team topped Canada 5-4 in an overtime thriller and advance to the championship game against Sweden. United States U-18 team will look to capture their third straight IIHF U18 World Championship gold medal. Tyler Biggs goal 4:22 into overtime gave the Americans the overtime victory, and also Reid Boucher added two lamp-lighters in the contest for team USA.

For more information on the US U-18 team victory and IIHF U18 World Championship Information follow this link: USA U-18 team victory 

USA U-18 team battles Canadians in semifinals

US Men's National U-18 team faces off against Canada in the IIHF U-18 World Championship semifinals. Canada barely squeaked by the Germans in the quarterfinals, with a 4-3 victory.The matchup begins at 12:30 pm ET today. The other semifinal pins Sweden against the Russians.
More information on the US vs. Canada game can be found at this website:
US vs. Canada 

USHL & NAHL Entry Drafts not too far away

As we wrap up the USHL Futures Draft, we have the USHL and NAHL Entry Drafts approaching in mid and late May.


The USHL Entry Draft will commence on May,16 at 10:00 am, and can be followed online.


The NAHL Entry Draft is scheduled for May, 26 at 1:00 pm CST.


More information on each Entry Draft can be seen on the following links.


NAHL Entry Draft

USHL Entry Draft

NJPHL puck drops in 154 days

NJPHL will begin their 2011-2012 season with an opening showcase at the Kennedy Recreation Center in Trenton, MI. This will be the first showcase on a list of many showcases during the NJPHL's 2011-2012 season.


Check out the NJPHL's website for more information.
NJPHL 

USHL completes Futures Draft

The USHL has recently completed its future draft, only drafting players of the 1995 birth year. Here's the breakdown of players from each state and each league, as 90 total players were selected, and 22% coming from the HPHL. 


League
NAPHL - 5 players
TIEHL - 20 players
HPHL - 22 players


State
Michigan - 13
Minnesota - 11
Illinois - 10
California - 7
New York - 7
Massachusetts - 4
Quebec - 4
Ontario - 3
Florida - 2
North Carolina - 2
Ohio - 2
Missouri - 2
Texas - 2
Colorado - 1
Connecticut - 1
Iowa - 1
Maryland - 1
Nevada - 1
New Jersey - 1
North Dakota - 1
Oregon - 1
Pennsylvania - 1
Wisconsin - 1
Slovakia - 1


For more information on the USHL Future's Draft click on the following links.
USHL Futures Draft Notebook
USHL Futures Draft First Pick
USHL Futures Draft 1st Round Review
USHL Futures Draft Player Profile Videos
NAPHL has 5 selected in USHL Futures Draft
22% of USHL Futures Draft from HPHL
20 TIEHL players chosen in USHL Futures Draft

NAPHL announces Top Prospects rosters

The NAPHL has announced the rosters for the upcoming Top Prospects Tournament in Topeka, KS from May 6-8. The four teams in the Top Prospects Tournament is comprised of 20 of the top U18 players from league plus players chosen from the Top Prospects Tournament Selection Committee. Each tournament team will be coached by a NAHL coach. The Top Prospects Tournament is held in conjunction with the NAHL's Robertson Cup Championship. 


For more information on the rosters of each team and the Top Prospects tournament schedule, visit the press release from the NAPHL's website. 


NAPHL Top Prospects Tournament rosters

NAPHL releases All-NAPHL teams

NAPHL has announced its All-NAPHL First, Second, and Third teams, as well as the NAPHL's All Academic team. NAPHL has concluded their second season, with the DC Capitals winning the league's playoff championship, while San Jose Jr. Sharks claimed the regular season title. The DC Capitals had three members named to the First team, and led all NAPHL teams with four members on the First, Second, and Third teams. The Lansing Capitals stood atop the NAPHL in the classroom, as it led the NAPHL's All Academic team with four members, all of the 1994 birth year. 

18U All-PHL First TeamForward: Sam Anas, DC Capitals
Forward: Marcus Nordlund, DC Capitals
Forward: Matt Buccellato, Detroit Falcons
Defenseman: Alex Baskakov, Pittsburgh Viper Stars
Defenseman: Michael Chen, DC Capitals
Goaltender: Eric Lipon, Lansing Capitals

18U All-PHL Second TeamForward: Jaylen Krogman, St. Louis Selects
Forward: Robert Tritschler, Pittsburgh Viper Stars
Forward: Ryan Zhender, San Jose Jr. Sharks
Defenseman: Josh Bretner, DC Capitals
Defenseman: Nathan Harris, Lansing Capitals
Goaltender: Aaron Hurt, San Jose Jr. Sharks

18U All-PHL Third TeamForward: Crif Burkemper, St. Louis Selects
Forward: Sean Kalbak, California Titans
Forward: Justin Plate, Orange County Hockey Club
Defenseman: Bryce Hutton, Omaha AAA
Defenseman: Jonathan Kopacka, Detroit Falcons
Goaltender: Max Dutzy, Detroit Falcons
18U All-PHL Academic Team
To qualify for the All-PHL Academic Team, student-athletes must have a grade-point average of at least 3.5 for the 2010-11 school year. Members of the 2010-11 All-PHL Academic Team, by team and in alphabetical order, are:

Boston Jr. Rangers: Thomas Kempenski
California Titans: Collin Delia, Sean Kalbak, Matt Sullivan
Detroit Falcons: Max Dutzy, Alex Stigleman
Indiana Jr. Ice: Patrick Pollock, JT Turner
Lansing Capitals: Kyle Haak, Brett Kaufman, AJ Strzalkowski, Connor Webb
Milwaukee Jr. Admirals: Tyler Platz, Kyle Scheck
Orange County Hockey Club: CJ Geeza, Austin Lefkowicz, Christian Tyson
Pikes Peak Miners: Jordan Wheatly
Pittsburgh Viper Stars: Will Lorenz, Robert Tritschler
Rocky Mountain RoughRiders: Matt Hefter, Sam Mallory, Erik Ouellette
San Jose Jr. Sharks: Ryan Atkinson, Theo Tydingco, Ryan Zhender
St. Louis Selects: Niall Caparon, Joey Maiocco
Thunder AAA: Alex Carey, Nicholas Haggarty, Greg Sauers
Wenatchee Wild: JT Paine

NJPHL announces 2011-12 teams

NJPHL has announced their list of 2011-12 teams. The list doesn't mention if some organizations are competing in the U16, U18 division or both. So, some of these teams may not be competing in the NJPHL's U18 division. 


Lake Erie Warriors
Fort Wayne Komets
Queen City Steam
Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins
Tampa Bay Jr. Lightning
OZ Fitness
Boston Jr. Rangers
Motor City Brigade
Atlanta Fire
Wenatchee Jr. Wild
Naperville Sabres
Richmond Jr. Generals
North Broward Prep
Phoenix Firebirds
Nashville Southern Flyers


Also, Phoenix Firebirds organization has been listed to compete in the NAPHL and NJPHL in both the U18 and U16 divisions. 

Bulldogs victorious in National Championship game

Minnesota-Duluth used an overtime goal to defeat Michigan by a 3-2 score in the 2011 National Championship game. This is UMD's first national title, after Bowling Green denied their opportunity in the 1984 National Championship. 


Check out the following links with follow up stories
collegehockeynews

uscho

inch

National Championship pins UM vs. UMD

Many Midget hockey players' dreams are to reach Division I college hockey. Tonight, the NCAA Division I National Championship game is a matchup between Michigan and Minnesota Duluth. The puck drops at 7pm eastern time from the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN, and can be seen on ESPN. 


For more information on the championship game you can visit the following sites
uscho

collegehockeynews

inch

U18 Hockey News releases final 2010-11 rankings

U18 Hockey News has updated their rankings for the final 2010-11 rankings this season. U18 Hockey News uses an equation method to form their rankings, similar to College Hockey News' KRACH ranking system. The ranking system works best with teams who play at least 30 games during the season, usually excluding Massachusetts and New England district teams. 


Shattuck St. Mary's Prep easily claimed the rankings top spot, followed by Colorado Thunderbirds and St. Louis Blues AAA. 


Check out the rankings at these following links. 
Webpage  
PDF Form
Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet

Gilmour's Scott Stirling wins Coach of the Year

Gilmour Academy Prep's Scott Stirling has won the 2010-11 Coach of the Year award from Midget Major AAA Tier I U18 hockey website. Gilmour's amazing turnaround from the start of the season to the end includes a surprising Mid-America District Championship and a quarterfinal berth at the USA Hockey National Championships. 


Click link for follow up story
Coach of the Year: Scott Stirling (Gilmour Academy Prep)

Final National Rankings released

Today, Myhockeyrankings.com posted the final rankings for the 2010-2011 hockey season. Shattuck St. Mary's clinched the top spot after claiming their fourth U18 Tier I National Championship. Shattuck was followed by St. Louis AAA Blues and Colorado Thunderbirds to round out the top 3. Greater Boston Jr. Bruins and Mid-Fairfield Blues both leaped a few spots in the top 10. Junior Bruins made their way to the fourth spot behind Colorado Thunderbirds, and with Mid-Fairfield's second place finish at Nationals, the Blues jumped up to a final national ranking of 7. 


Check out the final national rankings of the 2010-11 season
National Rankings

Shattuck St. Mary's claims 4th U18 Tier I National Championship

Championship Game: Shattuck St. Mary's Prep 3, Mid-Fairfield Blues 1

Shattuck St. Mary's claimed its fourth U18 Tier I National title in seven years. Shattuck scored all three of their goals in the third period including an empty netter. Mid-Fairfield displayed a valiant effort to tie the game 1-1 after they were down 1-0 early in the third period. Mid-Fairfield had some quality chances to tie the game, but a late penalty in the third period made it hard for the Blues to comeback in the closing minutes. This is Shattuck's first U18 Tier I National Championship since 2008, a span of two years where they didn't claim the title. Congratulations to Shattuck St. Mary's Prep on another National Championship. Definitely I give props to the Mid-Fairfield Blues who had an incredible run to the championship game and fell just short. Shattuck St. Mary's continues to prove itself as one of the premier youth hockey programs in the United States. 

Championship Live Box Score

Mid-Fairfield Blues vs. Shattuck St. Mary's Prep

Championship Box Score

Championship Sunday

 

Its the last day of Midget Major AAA U18 Tier I hockey, and a season that began in late August is finally ending on April 3. The finals pairs up two teams, one a lot of us might of expected, while the other has taken the National Championships by storm by claiming first place in the National Division and defeating #2 & #3 nationally ranked teams in the playoff round. 

Mid Fairfield enters the championship game with impressive wins over #2 ranked St. Louis in the quarterfinals by a 4-2 score, and followed it up by defeating #3 ranked Colorado Thunderbirds 3-1. 

Shattuck St. Mary's needed a dramatic double overtime win to advance into the championship game. They took down the Greater Boston Jr. Bruins a team who shutout Honeybaked in the quarterfinals. Shattuck St. Mary's is a team who has held the #1 ranking for most of the year, and has been the premier team in Midget Major AAA hockey.

Mid-Fairfield used its many D-1 committed players and in combination with coming under the radar to make its run to the championship game. Mid-Fairfield like the Greater Boston Jr. Bruins don't play games all year like many Midget Major AAA hockey teams. They play a few tournaments and games in September, October, and November until high school hockey season starts, and players then go play on their respective high school and prep hockey teams. The team gets back together after the conclusion of their high school season, and they practice together a few times before heading to the National Championships. Even though Mid-Fairfield and Greater Boston are competing against teams who play together all year, they still find a way to be competitive and both teams found themselves in the semifinals at Nationals this week. 

Shattuck St. Mary's Prep have lost only once in the year 2011, and only five teams all year. Shattuck's has looked like the premier team all year in USA Midget Major hockey, and by some measures the clear-cut favorite to win. But close games with Dallas Stars Elite, a tie to Russell Stovers, and now they needed two overtimes to beat the Boston Jr. Bruins, Shattuck looks more vulnerable then ever. However, Shattuck only needs to win one more game to claim the National Championship.

USA Hockey U18 Tier I National Championship

Shattuck St. Mary's Prep vs. Mid-Fairfield Blues

International Skating Center Olympic Rink - Simsbury, CT

2:00 PM ET

Live Webcast   


Playoff Bracket
Schedule/Scores/Standings

Then there was only 8

8 teams still stand, while 105 Midget Major AAA hockey programs have seen their season come to an end. Only one will be able to call themselves National Champions tomorrow. 4 teams chances at a National title fell just short yesterday after failing to qualify for the quarterfinals.


Scores from yesterday
Greater Boston Jr. Bruins 3, Mid-Fairfield Blues 1
St. Louis Blues 3, Honeybaked 4 (OT)
Team Comcast 3, Colorado Thunderbirds 4 (OT)
Connecticut Wolfpack 4, California Stars 6
Gilmour Academy Prep 4, DC Capitals 3
Buffalo Regals 1, Shattuck St. Mary's 8


Team Eliminated in Pool Play
Buffalo Regals
Team Comcast
Connecticut Jr. Wolfpack
California Stars


Quarterfinals
(1A) Shattuck St. Mary's Prep vs. (4N) DC Capitals
(2N) Greater Boston Jr. Bruins vs. (3A) Honeybaked
(1N) Mid-Fairfield Blues vs. (4A) St. Louis Blues AAA
(2A) Colorado Thunderbirds vs. (3N) Gilmour Academy Prep


(Click on Playoff Bracket for Bracket)
Playoff Bracket

Scores/Schedule/Standings at Nationals (Click on link)
Scores/Schedule/Standings

Live Webcasts (Click on link)
FastHockey

NAPHL teams announced for 2011-2012 campaign

The NAPHL has grown in popularity over its past two seasons, and has announced the teams who will compete in the NAPHL in 2011-2012. 

NAPHL 2011-2012 U18 Midget Major Participants

California Titans

Carolina Jr. Hurricanes

Detroit Falcons

Lansing Capitals

New Jersey Jr. Titans

Oakland Grizzlies / Michigan Warriors

Omaha AAA

Orange County Hockey Club (CA)

Phoenix Firebirds

Pikes Peak Miners

Pittsburgh Viper Stars

Pursuit of Excellence (Kelowna, BC)

San Jose Jr. Sharks

St. Louis Selects

Texas Tornado

TPH Thunder AAA

Wenatchee Wild

West Michigan Hounds


Check out the NAPHL website for more information: naphl.net

Detroit & Chicago teams abandon TIEHL for new HPHL

A familiar sight we are seeing, as some of youth hockey's most prestigious organizations have left the TIEHL, and they have formed a new league that suits their needs better. If some of you have forgotten, many of the same organizations who are ditching the TIEHL did the same thing to the Michigan National Hockey League not so long ago. It was on June 20, 2000 that eight organizations left the Michigan National Hockey League, after the MNHL decided to make an A & B divisions. Former President of the MNHL, John Kay, became president of the new league. The new league was called the Midwest Elite Hockey League (MWEHL), and now holds the name Tier I Elite Hockey League (TIEHL). Although the organizations who left the MNHL said they left because they desired more day-to-day control, the other MNHL board members knew the real reason why. The organizations had teams that would have to drop into the lower division and travel more outside the metro Detroit area. 

"It was clear that they were trying to create a position that will allow them to maintain as individual clubs without having to earn it year-to-year," said the Chicago Chill's Larry Pedrie, the Chill was among those teams assigned to the B division in the MNHL. "They see us as a threat. And instead of working within your own organization to make it better and identify you weaknesses, they instead choose to cannibalize other clubs and take their players."

MNHL treasurer Gale Cronk also displays feelings that the "eight organizations" who left the league because they couldn't get what they wanted in the MNHL. "The Detroit teams are crybabies," Cronk said. "They don't want anyone outside of Detroit to win anything. Now those guys want four teams out of Detroit to run it all. And those four teams, no matter how good or bad they are, want to be in the A Division and never move. And only play who they want to play, when they want to play, if they want to play."

The newly formed MWEHL started off with teams including Little Caesar's, Compuware, Honeybaked, Ice Dogs (now Victory Honda), Belle Tire, Chicago Young Americans, Team Illinois, and Cleveland Barons. 

And now, most of the same organizations who left the MNHL, have left the league they created to form a new one. Its like once they create a league by their standards, they screw it up enough, and then they leave it behind and move on to create a new one. Will they ever stop this madness? Who knows. 

The new HPHL has been created by the forefathers of the MWEHL/TIEHL. Little Caesars, Honeybaked, and Compuware are the Detroit teams who've joined the HPHL, and Team Illinois, Chicago Young Americans, and Chicago Mission are the Chicago teams who've abandoned the TIEHL to join the HPHL. How will this affect the TIEHL? What will Victory Honda and Belle Tire do in Detroit? Chicago Fury is now stranded by themselves with no Chicago teams to play. Can the TIEHL still be supported at a national level? What will this move do to the younger teams at VH, Fury, and BT, because they don't play in a nationwide league? 

Check out the website for more information on the HPHL. 

www.hphl.us

Courtesy & Source: Michigan Hockey Magazine. V.21:1:17 / March 7, 2011

Article: MNHL Breaks Up, Midwest Elite League Formed.

1-1 teams need wins to advance

Today, there is many teams who's record is 1-1 and faces a must-win situation to surely advance to the quarterfinals. 


Schedule


Honeybaked (1-1) vs. St. Louis Blues AAA (1-1)
Prediction: I see the St. Louis Blues AAA prevailing in this matchup, they lost by one goal to top seeded SSM Prep and easily took down the #3 Colorado Thunderbirds. Pretty good considering playing two of the top three teams in the country, and considering you're number 2 in the country. 


Team Comcast (1-1) vs. Colorado Thunderbirds (1-1)
Prediction: It took a loss to Dallas Stars Elite in the round robin portion of Rocky Mt. Districts to wake up the Thunderbirds, and go on a tearing streak to win the championship. The loss to St. Louis yesterday seems to be another wake up call, and Colorado should win this game. However, don't count out Team Comcast. 


Greater Boston Jr. Bruins (1-1) vs. Mid-Fairfield Blues (2-0)
Prediction: The Jr. Bruins could definitely use this win to secure a spot in the quarterfinals but Mid-Fairfield is playing good hockey, and I see the Blues winning and taking the top spot in the National Division. 


DC Capitals (2-0) vs. Gilmour Academy Prep (1-1)
Prediction: Gilmour's unbelievable run isn't going to end here, in a weaker National division. DC Capitals really haven't been tested yet in their postseason, and Gilmour who's been battle tested in every shape and form during their postseason should be ready for this game. I see Gilmour squeaking out a victory in this contest, in a minor upset.