Hockey – Page 22 – North Platte Post Archive

Storm Sweep Des Moines In Preseason Opener

Posted on September 7, 2014September 7, 2014

OMAHA, Neb. – In a preseason opening day-night doubleheader, the Tri-City Storm swept the Des Moines Buccaneers, winning 5-2 in the afternoon and finishing the day with a 3-2 shootout victory in the nightcap.

Forward Cody Milan scored two goals for Tri-City in Game 1, while forward Chris Wilkie had goals in regulation and the shootout during Game 2.

Storm netminder Blake Weyrick played the entirety of both games in between the pipes, picking up wins in both games.

Each game featured two periods with a running clock, making the exhibitions an informal day at the Ralston Arena in Omaha, a neutral site for the two clubs.

In Game 1, Tri-City had a slow start to the first period, but turned it on in the second frame, scoring five straight times.

Des Moines took a 1-0 lead into the locker room at the conclusion of the first on a goal by forward Ryan Dmowski.

The Storm started the second period shorthanded after a penalty to forward Mark Petaccio, but they were able to tie the game at 1-1 on a goal by Milan while down a man.

After evening the game, Tri-City came to life and took control. Defenseman Cam Spicer made it 2-1, scoring a goal off a face-off that had been won by center Conner Valesano.

Additional goals were tallied by Mark Petaccio and Joel Herbert before Milan made it 5-1 with his second strike of the period and put the game out of reach for the Buccaneers.

Brendan Shane had the second Des Moines goal of the game that closed the scoring in the opener.

In Game 2, Wilkie got the Storm out in front with the only score of the first, throwing a puck at the net which defected off a Buccaneer and into the goal to give Tri-City a 1-0 lead.

The Omaha native was at it again in the second, connecting with forward Jake Wahlin on a play in front to get the puck past Des Moines goaltender Ryan Ruck and make it a 2-0 Storm lead.

Des Moines got back into the game late in the second, scoring twice to tie things up at 2-2. Forward Patrick Grasso got the first, while defenseman Corey Schueneman notched a power play goal as the equalizer.

In the shootout, Tri-City got ahead when Wilkie, the team’s first shooter, converted to take a 1-0 lead. Petaccio sealed the win, scoring as the team’s third and final attempt.

Next weekend Tri-City will be tested three more times, playing Lincoln on the road Friday, in Kearney vs. the Stars on Saturday and in Omaha against the Lancers Sunday.

The Storm will open the regular season in Lincoln on Sept. 26 in and return to Kearney for the home opener on Oct. 3 vs. Sioux Falls.

GAME 1 SCORING SUMMARY

1st Period

Des Moines – Ryan Dmowski

2nd Period

Tri-City – Cody Milan (shorthanded) (Mason Appleton)
Tri-City – Cam Spicer (Conner Valesano) off a face-off
Tri-City – Mark Petaccio (Cam Spicer)
Tri-City – Joel Herbert (Nolan Aibel, Mark Petaccio)
Tri-City – Cody Milan (Mason Appleton, Matt Freytag)
Des Moines – Brendan Shane

GAME 2 SCORING SUMMARY

1st Period

Tri-City – Chris Wilkie

2nd Period

Tri-City – Jake Wahlin
Des Moines – Patrick Grasso
Des Moines – Corey Schueneman

Barrie Signs 2-Year Deal with Avalanche

Posted on September 4, 2014

DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Avalanche signed Tyson Barrie to a two-year deal after a breakout season by the defenseman.

Barrie gave the Avalanche an offensive presence at the blue line as he led the defensemen with 13 goals.

The 23-year-old played a big role in helping the team advance to the playoffs under first-year coach Patrick Roy. Barrie was a key loss when he went out in Game 3 of the postseason series against Minnesota following a knee-to-knee hit from Matt Cooke, who drew a seven-game suspension.

Avalanche executive Joe Sakic described Barrie as “a big part of the young nucleus of our team.”

With three overtime goals last season, Barrie tied Colorado’s single-season record set by David Jones in 2010-11.

Tri-City Acquires Hatcher In Deal With Muskegon

Posted on September 3, 2014

KEARNEY, Neb. – Storm general manager Jim Hulton announced an addition to the team’s preseason roster Wednesday, acquiring forward Chase Hatcher from the Muskegon Lumberjacks in exchange for a 10th round pick in the USHL’s 2015 Phase II Draft.

A native of Haddonfield, N.J., Hatcher played in 24 USHL games during the 2013-14 season with Muskegon, scoring two goals and adding five assists.

Before Muskegon, Hatcher played in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Peterborough Petes from 2011-14. In 118 games over the span of three different seasons with Peterborough, Hatcher had seven goals and 18 assists with 99 penalty minutes.

Hulton expects the forward to bring size and a veteran presence to his lineup, as he measures six-feet two-inches, weighs 200 pounds and is 20-years-old.

“Our mandates this summer were to get a little older with our lineup, as well as add some size and grit to our roster and Chase fills all three of those things,” Hulton said. “He has Major A experience and experience in our league with Muskegon last year so we thought the price was very inexpensive to acquire a veteran that can add another dimension to our club.”

The general manager, who has a decade of experience coaching in the OHL, also reached out to some of his old colleagues to make sure Hatcher also had the qualities he was looking for off the ice.

“One of your concerns when you’re acquiring an unknown is to make sure they have good character,” Hulton said. “We heard nothing but great reports about Chase as a person and as a teammate and that solidified our approach with the deal.”

Tri-City will kick off their preseason schedule on Sunday when they travel to Omaha to face the Des Moines Buccaneers for two neutral site exhibition games at 12 and 7 p.m.

Single game tickets for all 2014-15 home games are on sale now through the Viaero Event Center Box Office. For more information, call 308.338.8011 or visit stormhockey.com.

Goalie Giguere Retires after 16 Seasons in NHL

Posted on August 21, 2014

DENVER (AP) — Goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere is retiring after 16 NHL seasons in which he won 262 games, a Conn Smythe Trophy and a Stanley Cup championship.

The Colorado Avalanche say Giguere made the announcement in Quebec on Thursday while with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada hockey team. He’s part owner of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League squad.

Avs executive Joe Sakic calls Giguere a “top-notch goalie.” Giguere served as Semyon Varlamov’s backup last season in Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy’s first season behind the bench.

The 37-year-old Giguere is best known for his time with the Anaheim Ducks. He led the team to two appearances in the Stanley Cup finals, capturing the Conn Smythe Trophy in defeat in 2003 and hoisting the Cup in 2007.

Tri-City Announces Training Camp Roster

Posted on August 20, 2014

KEARNEY, Neb. – As the 2014-15 season approaches, the Tri-City Storm coaching staff have taken the next step towards putting together their opening night roster.

Storm Head Coach and General Manager Jim Hulton announced the team’s training camp roster Wednesday, consisting of players who will make the trip to Kearney and battle for a spot on the roster during the preseason in September.

“We’ve worked diligently to try to improve the team and we’re very happy with the group we have coming in,” said Hulton.

Tri-City has 11 players reporting from last season’s roster and an additional three players that suited up as members of the team’s affiliate list.

“I think the thing that has us excited about the coming season is our experience coming back,” Hulton said. “I look at Garrett Gamez and Kyle Eastman going into their third years and not only are they proven players on the ice but equally as important is their proven leadership away from the rink, which I think our group might have been lacking.”

All players will be in Kearney for preseason camp by Aug. 27.

The team has made roster changes since their initial 30-man list was initially submitted last month, including a trade that sent a 5th round pick in the 2015 Phase II Draft to Cedar Rapids in exchange for forward Nick Master.

Master appeared in 27 games for the RoughRiders last season, scoring four goals and nine assists. The native of Broomall, Penn. is committed to play collegiately at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell in the Hockey East conference.

“We’re very excited to add Master into our lineup,” Hulton said. “A former first round pick, he helps to lessen the blow of losing Sam Lafferty. Sam was accepted early into Brown University which is great for Sam and good for his career, but it put a dent in our center ice lineup. To be able to reach out and grab an experienced veteran in Master, who has an offensive pedigree, definitely helps improve our team.”

All other players on the preseason roster participated in the team’s annual tryout camp in Las Vegas in June.

While Tri-City will kick off their season in Lincoln against the Stars on Sept. 26, they will host the Sioux Falls Stampede a week later for their home opener on Oct. 3.

Single game tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Sept. 2 through the Viaero Event Center Box Office.

Season tickets for the 2014-15 season are on sale now with packages as low as $375. Call the Storm office today at 308.338.8011 or visitstormhockey.com for more information.

The preseason roster, in alphabetical order separated by position, is below.

Forwards

Nolan Aibel – 5/26/1997 – Brookville, N.Y. – Tri-City Storm
Aleksi Ainali – 4/12/1995 – Vihti, Finland – HIFK U20
Wade Allison – 10/14/1997 – Myrtle, Man. – Omaha AAA
Mason Appleton – 1/15/1996 – Green Bay, Wis. – Notre Dame HS
Chase Berger – 11/14/1994 – St. Louis, Mo. – Tri-City Storm
Kyle Eastman – 1/31/1995 – Angola, N.Y. – Tri-City Storm
Matthew Freytag – 2/15/1997 – Wayzata, Minn. – Wayzata HS
Garrett Gamez – 2/17/1995 – Chino Hills, Calif. – Tri-City Storm
Joel Herbert – 6/24/1994 – Edson, Alb. – Whitecourt Wolverines
Cody Milan – 4/11/1996 – White Lake, Mich. – Tri-City Storm
Nick Master – 1/28/1995 – Broomall, Penn. – Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
Mark Petaccio – 3/26/1994 – Sicklerville, N.J. – Pembroke Lumber Kings (CCHL)
Conner Valesano – 2/10/1995 – Duluth, Minn. – Tri-City Storm
Jake Wahlin – 11/9/1996 – White Bear Lake, Minn. – White Bear Lake HS
Chris Wilkie – 7/10/1996 – Omaha, Neb. – Tri-City Storm

Defensemen

Tory Dello – 2/14/1997 – Crystal Lake, Ill. – Tri-City Storm
Mattias Goransson – 3/10/1995 – Grums, Sweden – Byrnas J20
Grant Hutton – 7/25/1995 – Carmel, Ind. – Tri-City Storm
Kevin Kerr – 2/9/1996 – Bensalem, Penn. – Tri-City Storm
Jason Krych – 4/12/1997 – Champlin, Minn. – Totino-Grace HS
Gordie Myer – 2/28/1996 – Sylvania, Ohio – Cleveland Barons
Bobby Nardella – 4/22/1996 – Rosemont, Ill. – Sioux City Musketeers
Jalen Schulz – 4/29/1995 – Cambridge, Minn. – Tri-City Storm
Cameron Spicer – 2/22/1996 – Erie, Colo. – New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs

Goaltenders

Alec Dillon – 5/5/1996 – Victoria, B.C. – Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL)

Blake Weyrick – 2/5/1996 – Ojai, Calif. – USNTDP

NHL Concussion Lawsuits Consolidated in Minnesota

Posted on August 19, 2014

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Three lawsuits filed by retired NHL players over concussion-related injuries have been consolidated and will be heard by a federal judge in Minnesota.

A special panel assigned the cases Tuesday to U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson of St. Paul.

The order says Minnesota provides a central location for parties and witnesses, including those from Canada. It consolidates lawsuits filed by over 200 former players in Minnesota, New York and Washington. It notes that Nelson is already presiding over one of the cases. The order says two similar cases pending in Minnesota and New York may be added later.

The lawsuits are similar to those on behalf of former NFL players, which resulted in an $870 million settlement. The NCAA agreed to a $70 million settlement in another concussion lawsuit.

Storm Announce Preseason Schedule

Posted on August 18, 2014

KEARNEY, Neb. – Tri-City Storm Head Coach Jim Hulton announced his team’s 2014 preseason schedule on Monday. The slate will consist of seven games against other Western Conference teams, including the annual Fall Classic West at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Ia. Sept. 19-20.

The Storm will host one preseason game on Saturday, Sept. 13 at the Viaero Event Center against the Lincoln Stars at 7:05 p.m.

Tickets to the exhibition contest will be $5 for the general public, while current season ticket holders will be granted admission free of charge.

Tri-City’s Fall Classic schedule begins on the 19th against Des Moines at 1 p.m., and continues the following morning when they’ll battle the Fargo Force at 10 a.m.

The Fall Classic matchup with the Buccaneers will be the third meeting of the teams during the preseason, as they’ll play a doubleheader at a neutral site on Sept. 7. While the site of the games is still to be determined, the teams will play at 12 p.m. and then again at 7 p.m. The day of two games will be the Storm’s first contests of the preseason.

The following weekend, Hulton has his team playing three games in three days, starting with a Friday night tilt in Lincoln on Sept. 12 at 7:05 p.m. The two in-state rivals will play in Kearney the next day, and Tri-City will complete the weekend in Omaha against the Lancers on Sunday, Sept. 14 at 4 p.m.

Tri-City will host the Sioux Falls Stampede to open the 2014-15 regular season on Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m. Below is a look at the preseason schedule in full.

2014 Tri-City Storm Preseason Schedule

Sept. 7 – Tri-City Storm vs. Des Moines Buccaneers – 12 p.m. – TBA

Sept. 7 – Tri-City Storm vs. Des Moines Buccaneers – 7 p.m. – TBA

Sept. 12 – Tri-City Storm vs. Lincoln Stars – 7:05 p.m. – Lincoln, Neb.
Sept. 13 – Lincoln Stars vs. Tri-City Storm – 7:05 p.m. – Kearney, Neb.
Sept. 14 – Tri-City Storm vs. Omaha Lancers – 4:00 p.m. – Omaha, Neb.

Sept. 19 – Tri-City Storm vs. Des Moines Buccaneers – 1 p.m. – Sioux City, Ia.

Sept. 20 – Tri-City Storm vs. Fargo Force – 10 a.m. – Sioux City, Ia.

Tri-City Fills Staff, Hires Breen As Assistant

Posted on July 30, 2014

KEARNEY, Neb. – As the 2014-15 season inches closer, Tri-City Storm Head Coach Jim Hulton has added another name to his staff, hiring Neil Breen as an assistant coach.

Breen won a Clark Cup Championship with the Omaha Lancers in 1998 before playing collegiately at Quinnipiac University from 1998-2002. Most recently, he had an assistant coaching role with the Springfield Jr. Blues in the North American Hockey League (NAHL).

But what makes Breen different is what he did once his playing career was over.

“When I was a player, I always stayed in pretty good shape,” Breen said. “After I stopped playing hockey I got involved in mixed martial arts and got myself certified as a personal trainer. As an MMA fighter you learn what your limits are physically, and that really sort of opened some doors up for me.”

In addition to helping Hulton behind the bench and assisting in recruiting efforts, the 36-year-old will work with the team’s players as a strength trainer.

“I started training hockey players at all different levels both on and off the ice and realized the potential for the convergence of the two sports,” Breen said. “The way that mixed martial artists train is explosive work. It’s cardio, core, and balance, everything that a hockey player needs.”

“Using the methods I’ve learned training myself as a hockey player, and the methods mixed martial artists use, I’ve put them together and it’s really worked. I’ve had a lot of success with it and it’s something that I’ve been doing with teams for a few years. It’s something I take a lot of pride in and I look forward to working with the players and getting them in tip-top shape.”

A Spokane, Wash. native, Breen spent parts of three seasons in Omaha, playing in 131 games with the Lancers.

“I’m very excited to come back to Nebraska,” said Breen. “The USHL is a league I was very fond of as a player, and now that I’m coming back as a coach, it’s pretty awesome. The last time I was in a USHL rink in Nebraska was when we won the Clark Cup in Omaha.”

The hire is the first Hulton has made to his staff since taking over behind the bench last November.

“We are pleased to add Neil to our staff,” said Hulton. “As a former captain and Clark Cup Champion, he is both a proven winner and a leader. Neil’s background in playing, coaching and off-ice training made him our ideal candidate. We look forward to his arrival in Kearney.”

The Storm’s full 60-game schedule for the 2014-15 USHL season is posted on the team’s website, stormhockey.com. Tri-City will host the Sioux Falls Stampede to open their home schedule on Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m.

Storm Introduce Premium Season Ticket Option

Posted on July 11, 2014

KEARNEY, Neb. – The Tri-City Storm have introduced a new premium season ticket option for fans who wish to receive an added value as a season subscriber.

The premium option includes an all-inclusive meal plan that will not be available in the Viaero Event Center’s public concessions. The meal will be served in an exclusive area that is only open to premium subscribers.

“We wanted to bring something of this value to Storm fans in Central Nebraska, both existing and new,” said Storm President Greg Shea. “This level of ticket is a trend in the sports business and is showing up at all levels. We also believe that this form of ticket in an exclusive setting provides more than just a game experience, it offers a business-to-business setting.”

With a rotating menu each game, the meal will include one drink of the ticket holder’s choice. Options will include spirits, draft beer or soft drink.

For additional information and to purchase the new premium season ticket, please contact Dustin Favinger in the Viaero Event Center Box Office by calling 308-338-8144.

The Storm’s full 60-game schedule for the 2014-15 USHL season is posted on the team’s website, stormhockey.com.

Tri-City will host the Sioux Falls Stampede to open their home schedule on Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m.

The Storm’s full promotional schedule and single game ticket information will be released later this summer.

Storm Announce 2014-15 Schedule

Posted on July 8, 2014

KEARNEY, Neb. – The Tri-City Storm and United States Hockey League (USHL) announced its 60-game regular season schedule for the 2014-15 seasonTuesday. Throughout the upcoming season, the Storm will be celebrating their 15th Anniversary as a USHL franchise.

The new campaign will be Storm Head Coach and General Manager Jim Hulton’s first full season behind the bench, and the league will welcome two new franchises in the Madison Capitols and Bloomington Thunder.

While Tri-City will kick off their season in Lincoln against the Stars on Sept. 26, they will host the Sioux Falls Stampede a week later for their home opener on Oct. 3.

In addition to facing in-state Western Conference rivals Lincoln and Omaha a total of eight times each, the Storm will host Eastern Conference foes Chicago, Green Bay, Muskegon, Youngstown, and Cedar Rapids.

The Storm will also have three Tuesday night games with the Lincoln Stars. Tri-City will host Lincoln on Dec. 9 and Jan. 27, while traveling to the Ice Box on March 10.

Tri-City will travel to Madison to play the Capitols Oct. 30 and Nov. 1 and head to Bloomington for two games with the Thunder Jan. 17-18. Madison will play in the league’s Eastern Conference, while Bloomington will join Tri-City as the ninth team in the Western Conference.

At the conclusion of the regular season, the top four teams in each conference based on points in the standings will qualify for the Clark Cup Playoffs. All three rounds in the postseason will follow a best-of-five games format.

The Storm have also announced a selection of the promotions schedule for 2014-15 which includes the return of the Free Kids Friday for each home Fridaynight game.

Opening night will once again feature a fireworks display after the game, to go along with the kickoff of the team’s 15th Anniversary Season.

On Oct. 10 in a matchup with the Steel, Tri-City will have a 15th Anniversary puck giveaway.

The following night, Oct. 11, the Storm will once again face the Steel and present Bachelor Night, featuring special guests Sean and Catherine from the 17th season of ABC’s The Bachelor.

A week later, Tri-City will host the Green Bay Gamblers for Paint the Ice Night on Friday, Oct. 17 presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska. The new promotion will feature the team’s home ice painted by fans with tributes, memorials and well wishes for those battling cancer. The Gamblers and Storm will play on the decorated ice surface and Tri-City will don specialty jerseys to kick off the annual Jerseys For A Cause Program.

Dec. 13 vs. Youngstown will be Stormy’s 15th birthday, with an afternoon start time of 3:05 p.m.

Jan. 31 will see the return of last season’s popular promotion, Casino Night against Sioux Falls.

Pack-It-In-Purple Night will be during a matchup with Lincoln on Feb. 21.

Tri-City’s final home contest and Fan Appreciation Night will be on April 4 vs. the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders.

The team’s full promotional schedule and single game ticket information will be released later this summer.

All Friday night home games will start at 7:30 p.m., while Saturday night contests will get underway at 7:05.

Full 2014-15 Regular Season Schedule

Season tickets for the 2014-15 season are on sale now with packages as low as $375. Call the Storm office today at 308.338.8011 or visitstormhockey.com for more information.