Hockey News Update

L.A. Stars Season Starting

Markus Houben — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 06:16:14 +0000

In just it's second season, the L.A. Stars club has grown in more ways than one: not only have the Stars doubled in numbers (the club has grown to encompass 47 student-athletes), but the club's returning players have really shown the new group what one year can do. As camp opened last week, the Stars mixed things up, having players compete for spots on one of two teams: the Preparatory team (Prep) and Varsity squad. The two teams, who both will play in the National U-17 league, will allow players with varying skill sets to compete in challenging levels, but also with players who compliment their own skill set.

"We looked at development as the key to where we placed our kids," explains coach O'Leary. "We have such a vast diversity of players who come in at different ages, skill-sets, and we have to determine what the best plan is for their development. There were some very tough decisions, but we feel as an organization that we fairly assessed and placed the players in order to maximize everyone's skill sets as best we can." This challenge of placing players on one of the two teams was difficult, given that the Stars' deadline for declaring players on a roster was just 4 days after camp started. Hosting three-a-day practises and training off-ice one hour a day, the Stars really pushed their young men to see what type of shape players came in, as well as how well players could handle the adjustment to such a rigourous training schedule. Their players were exposed to systems and practises that were challenging, and pushed the limits of some players' capabilities. "We want to make sure guys are aware of what they will see. Systems, expectations, and off-ice training are essential to their progress and are keys to development. We need to see where our deficencies are, and then start working on them." The L.A. players also welcomed the Young Adler of Mannheim, as the Frank Fischoeder led-group made the trek south to hold their own training camp, and gave the Stars' coaching staff competition that was important to assessing the players and their capabilities. Four games were played in total, as all 47 players in camp saw action against the German squad. The results over the course of the week were promising, as three of the matches between Mannheim and the entire Academy group (players were mixed together to form a 20 man roster for three of the games), while the last game on Saturday morning was comprised of the players selected as the Prep roster. The scores were 2-2 (Mannheim vs. try-out squad), 5-0 (Mannheim vs. try-out squad), and 5-1 (Mannheim vs. try-out squad). The Saturday morning game pitted the newly formed Stars Prep squad (after the week of try-outs) against the Young Adler, with the Stars coming out on top 4-1. The young Varsity Stars then took on the U-15 Tigers from Vienna, and despite being fatigued and over-worked from their first week for many of them, Coach Ben Blakeley's group cruised to a 12-4 win.

Over the next week, the two teams will prepare for their first matches of the season. Both Blakeley and O'Leary were showing signs of excitement to finally see the rosters they would have to work with over the next 10 months. "I think it's great... we have a great group of kids at both levels, and the skill set for both will be challenged in different ways. It's also important that we remember: we are here to develop these guys, and by breaking them up the way we did, it will allow them that opportunity," said O'Leary. "I think that our practises are now more suited to skill sets of individual players and still challenging to everyone, while our game schedule will challenge us and offer each group the opportunity to refine and learn new skills that will get them to the next level." Blakeley echoed the sentiment. "Jay's right: we are here to develop, and we are pretty excited about the groups we have. Sure, both teams have a long way to go, but that's the best part: seeing how far these guys go by the end of the year."

Mannheim Team Training Camp in St.Pölten

Elias Vorlicek — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:29:36 +0000

The Mannheim U16 Junior Eagles held a five day training Camp in St. Pölten to prepare for the German National U16 League. Along with practicing they played games against our Academy boys in a number of variations allowing both teams to gage their strengths and weaknesses. These games proved very beneficial for both clubs and helped our Academy players gain some early game prep before the upcoming U17 Championships here in Austria. An unfortunate collision in the first period of game three Thursday, led to Florian Wallner suffering a fractured leg. He is doing well but will be out for 6 - 8 weeks. We all wish him a speedy recovery and hope to have him back in the line up with the Varsity team.

In their last contest of the week after Mannheim played combined teams to a 2 - 2 tie and two wins earlier, the newly formed Acadmy Prep team defeated the very strong Mannheim club (current German U16 champs) 4 -1 in a spirited hard hitting affair. Both Acadmy Head Coach Jason O'Leary and Frank Fischoeder (Mannheim Coach) were happy with the level of play and felt the tests will help both teams get ready for their seasons.

The rosters for both Prep and Varsity teams were announced Friday and both squads are continuing preparation for their openers. With players slowly adjusting to their new home and environment we can look forward to some great hockey from our teams this season.

Tech visits St. Pölten

Elias Vorlicek — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 14:37:41 +0000

On Monday the 16th of August Michigan Technological University made a stop on their European Tour to play against the Vienna Capitals. After playing in a tournament in Kaufbeuren Germany, Okanagan Hockey Academy Europe invited Tech to St. Pölten to play an exhibition game against the Caps which the Upper Michigan squad managed to win 6 - 5. I would personally like to thank Jamie Russell and Pat Mikesch for bringing NCAA hockey to Austria and hope that they enjoyed there stay here. We were treated to some good hockey that showed the step to the pro ranks is not far off for these young collegians. We wish Michigan Technological University all the best for their up coming season.

Elias Vorlicek, Dir. of Hockey Operations

Tech Graduating Class of 1974

Skills Tournament

Elias Vorlicek — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 09:20:39 +0000

This years Skills Tournament was everything we hoped it would be and much more! With four teams playing for the tournament title and exhibition games against the 1996 Austrian National Team as well as Alba Volan from Hungary. Players each played at least seven games with some playing up to 10 games this week. It was a close tournament with the Leafs taking the first ever Title. the games against the nationals and the allstar games intercamp and against the Hungarians were truly awesome and all had a great time. We would like to thank all the players and coaches for thier sportmanship and fairplay as well as effort and hard work in making this first ever Tournament Camp a great success.

Okanagan Hockey School europe is always looking to improve our programs and with this new Fromat we feel we can offer players what they really want, to practice and also play for something in a spirit of competition and sportsmanship. Please refer back to our website when we announce next summers programs and the skills Tournament. We thank you for your participation and hope to see you again next year.

Skills Camp Week 2

Elias Vorlicek — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 08:58:30 +0000

With over 110 players from over 14 countries including Russia, Latvia, Spain, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Slovakia, Sweden, Czech, United Kingdom, Germany , Switzerland, Holland and of course Austria, the second Skills Camp Week of the summer was a resounding success. The 24 Instructors and counselors were overwhelmed with the competitive level this year and the hard work and positive attitude of our jung players. With our new skill centre, goalie sessions and evening games, each player had a chance to learn and use his new skills in game situations. We would like to thank all of the players and thier parents for making this Camp a great experience for all. We would especially like to thank Hary Schroeder and the kitchen staff for great meals and a super atmosphere by the sports fields. Again Okanagan Hockey School Europe sincerely hopes all of you enjoyed the week and we hope to see you back in St. Pölten with us next year.