Thank You Terry: November 2011

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Commit Cycle: November 29 (Women)

Jeanette Bateman

Forward
Colorado Select 19U
5'6", 125 pounds
Greeley, CO
Class of 2012
DOB 5/1/1994

Date Opponent                Score G   A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------
11/25 vs. Nat'l Sports Acad.  T 3-3  0   0   0   2 [box score]
11/26 vs. NAHA - White        L 1-3  0   0   0   0 [box score]
11/26 vs. Washington Pride    L 2-4  0   0   0   0 [box score]
11/27 vs. Boston Shamrocks    L 0-3  0   0   0   0 [box score]

The JWHL got together for a weekend of games in Providence, RI...while Colorado managed a tie against Emily Laurenzi's NSA team in their opener, they fell to Shannon Yoxheimer's NAHA club in their next game, as well as in the two following games...Colorado is last in the East Division with a 3-8-2 record in JWHL games.

Jill Holdcroft

Forward
Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 19U
5'1", 121 pounds
Pennsylvania Furnace, PA
Class of 2012
DOB 1/29/1994

Date Opponent                Score G   A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------
11/25 vs. M'ham-S'ville Stars W 6-0  0   1   1   0 [box score]
11/25 vs. Scarborough Sharks  W 6-0  0   1   1   0 [box score]
11/26 vs. Mississauga Chiefs  W 3-1  1   0   1   2 [box score]
11/26 vs. Aurora Panthers     W 4-0  1   0   1   0 [box score]
11/27 vs. M'ham-S'ville Stars W 5-1 0   1   1   0 [box score]
11/27 vs. Madison Caps AAA    L 1-2 0   0   0   0 [box score]

Darby Kern

Forward
Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 19U
5'11", 145 pounds
Venetia, PA
Class of 2012
DOB 8/28/1994

Date Opponent                Score G   A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------
11/25 vs. M'ham-S'ville Stars W 6-0  1   1   2   0 [box score]
11/25 vs. Scarborough Sharks  W 6-0  0   2   2   2 [box score]
11/26 vs. Mississauga Chiefs  W 3-1  0   1   1   0 [box score]
11/26 vs. Aurora Panthers     W 4-0  0   3   3   0 [box score]
11/27 vs. M'ham-S'ville Stars W 5-1 1   0   1   2 [box score]
11/27 vs. Madison Caps AAA    L 1-2 0   0   0   0 [box score]

Stephanie Walkom

Defender
Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 19U
5'7", 130 pounds
Moon Township, PA
Class of 2012
DOB 6/21/1994

Date Opponent                Score G   A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------
11/25 vs. M'ham-S'ville Stars W 6-0  0   0   0   0 [box score]
11/25 vs. Scarborough Sharks  W 6-0  0   0   0   0 [box score]
11/26 vs. Mississauga Chiefs  W 3-1  0   0   0   0 [box score]
11/26 vs. Aurora Panthers     W 4-0  0   0   0   0 [box score]
11/27 vs. M'ham-S'ville Stars W 5-1 0   1   1   0 [box score]
11/27 vs. Madison Caps AAA    L 1-2 0   0   0   0 [box score]

The Pens Elite had a fantastic time of things as host of the Pittsburgh Girls Thanksgiving Classic tournament, advancing to the final via five straight wins...Holdcroft and Kern were instrumental in that run, registering points in each win as was Walkom, who was an important part of a defensive effort that only surrendered four goals in six games.

Oh, and about Walkom...she's PSU's newest commit, announcing last Monday...if the last name sounds familiar, it should: her father is NHL referee (and former director of officiating) Stephen Walkom...she has also competed for Team Pittsburgh, including with now-and-future teammates Kern and Holdcroft at the 2010 Tier I 16U national championships...she was also, along with Kern, invited to the USA Hockey National Development Select 16 camp that summer.

Emily Laurenzi

Forward
National Sports Academy (Prep)
5'5", 125 pounds
Townsend, DE
Class of 2012
DOB 1993

Date Opponent                Score G   A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------
11/25 vs. Washington Pride    L 2-5  0   0   0   2 [box score]
11/25 vs. Colorado Select     T 3-3  0   1   1   0 [box score]
11/26 vs. NAHA - White        L 1-5  0   0   0   0 [box score]
11/26 vs. Boston Shamrocks    L 3-4  0   0   0   0 [box score]

Laurenzi and NSA had an uncharacteristically rough JWHL weekend...however the Mountaineers are still holding down third place in the east division.

Celine Whitlinger

Goalie
Gilmour Academy (Prep)
5'10"
Garden Grove, CA
Class of 2012
DOB 5/20/1994

Micayla Catanzariti

Forward
Gilmour Academy (Prep)
5'6"
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Class of 2012
DOB 5/22/1994

Katie Zinn

Forward
Gilmour Academy (Prep)
5'7"
Coquitlam, BC
Class of 2012
DOB 1993

Gilmour Academy was among the few who took Thanksgiving week off...a pair of home games against Nichols School on Saturday and Sunday are up next for the Lancers.

BCLocalNews.com (linked below) filled in some more details on Zinn...she had offers from more than ten NCAA Division III schools but committed to Penn State because she "wanted to play at the best level possible"...Zinn considers her strengths to be her speed and playmaking.

Related stories:
Zinn's in at Penn (bclocalnews.com)

Hannah Hoenshell

Forward
Alliance Bulldogs 19U
5'3", 119 pounds
Plano, TX
Class of 2012
DOB 12/30/1993

Date Opponent                Score G   A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------
11/25 vs. Willowbrook Knights W 10-1 2   6   8   - [box score]
11/26 vs. DSS - Morris        W 6-0  2   2   4   - [box score]
11/26 vs. Texas Aces - Sharon L 4-7  2   0   2   - [box score]
11/27 vs. DSS - Morris        W 3-1 0   1   1   - [box score]

Hoenshell had a fantastic weekend at the Fall Round-Up Thanksgiving Tournament, scoring a pair in three of four games and including a ridiculous eight points in the blowout over the Willowbrook Knights.

Paige Jahnke

Defender
Roseville (MN) High School
Height/weight unknown
Oakdale, MN
Class of 2012
DOB unknown

Roseville High joined Gilmour Academy in taking Thanksgiving weekend off, although they're back at it tonight against Mounds View.

Related stories:
Roseville Raiders Girls Hockey Team Hungry For Return To State (patch.com)

Taylor McGee

Defender
Connecticut Polar Bears 19U
Height/weight unknown
Pearl River, NY
Class of 2012
DOB 2/8/1994

No information is available on any of McGee's games, either with the Polar Bears or at Taft School.

Jordin Pardoski

Defender
Detroit Honeybaked 19U
5'5", 145 pounds
Rochester Hills, MI
Class of 2012
DOB 1/4/1994

Birdie Shaw

Forward
Detroit Honeybaked 19U
5'2", 124 pounds
Troy, MI
Class of 2012
DOB 9/14/1992

Pardoski, Shaw and Honeybaked swept their way to the North American Friendship Tournament title...the scores were 9-0 over Culver Academy and 3-1 over Ridley College on Friday, 1-0 over the Barrie Sharks and 2-0 over the Southwest Wildcats on Saturday and 3-2 over the Ohio Flames in the championship game on Sunday.

Sarah Wilkie

Defender
Massachusetts Spitfires 19U
Height/weight unknown
Ashby, MA
Class of 2012
DOB 2/26/1993

Date Opponent                Score G   A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------
11/25 vs. Bay State Breakers  W 2-1  -   -   -   - [box score]
11/25 vs. Middlesex Islanders W 4-1  -   -   -   - [box score]
11/26 vs. Charles River       L 1-3  -   -   -   - [box score]
11/26 vs. East Coast Wizards L 0-2  -   -   -   - [box score]

The Spitfires competed in the Massachusetts State Tournament over the Thanksgiving weekend, but fell in the semifinals.

Shannon Yoxheimer

Forward
North American Hockey Academy - White
5'7", 147 pounds
Jackson, MI
Class of 2012
DOB 12/23/1993

Date Opponent                Score G   A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------
11/25 vs. Boston Shamrocks    W 6-1  1   0   1   0 [box score]
11/25 vs. Washington Pride    W 4-2  0   2   2   0 [box score]
11/26 vs. Nat'l Sports Acad.  W 5-1  1   0   1   0 [box score]
11/26 vs. Colorado Select     W 3-1  0   1   1   0 [box score]

With Yoxheimer putting up points in each game, the NAHA Winter Hawks swept their JWHL games and maintained their spot atop the East Division with an 11-2-0 record.

Commit Cycle: November 29 (Men)

Casey Bailey

Forward
Omaha Lancers (USHL)
6'3", 195 pounds
Anchorage, AK
Class of 2012
DOB 10/22/1991

Date Opponent                Score G   A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------
11/23 at Des Moines           L 0-6  0   0   0   6 [box score]
11/25 at Dubuque              L 2-3  0   0   0   0 [box score]
11/26 at Green Bay            L 0-5  0   0   0   2 [box score]

The Lancers had a rough week and Bailey's hot streak was part of the carnage...four of his six penalty minutes against Des Moines came on roughing calls where he took a Buccanneer off with him...he misfired during the shootout in a point-saving loss to Dubuque.

Kenny Brooks

Forward
Tri-City Storm (USHL)
6'2", 195 pounds
Las Vegas, NV
Class of 2012
DOB 12/11/1991

Date Opponent                Score G   A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------
11/23 at Lincoln              W 3-2  0   0   0   2 [box score]
11/26 vs. Lincoln             L 2-4  0   1   1   0 [box score]
11/27 vs. Sioux Falls         W 4-1  1   0   1   0 [box score]

Brooks' assist in the home tilt with Lincoln helped pull the Storm to within 3-2 late, before the Stars hit an empty net to seal the win...his tip-in goal 38 seconds into the third period against Sioux Falls staked the Storm out to a 3-1 lead.

Related stories:
Tri-City Storm headed in the right direction (Kearney Hub)

David Glen

Center
Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL)
6'0", 175 pounds
Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Class of 2012
DOB 2/14/1991

Date Opponent                Score G   A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------
11/22 at Olds                 W 3-2  0   1   1   0 [box score]
11/25 at Lloydminster         W 3-2  0   2   2   4 [box score]
11/26 vs. Calgary             W 3-1  1   0   1   2 [box score]

Glen was named star of the game for the Saints against Olds which, given his single assist, probably indicates a great two-way game...he added another pair of assists three days later and also connected in the shootout, a vital moment in Spruce Grove coming away with two points, and followed that up with an important goal the next day...the defending AJHL champs improved to 24-2-4 on the back of the six-point week.

Luke Juha

Defenseman
Vernon Vipers (BCHL)
5'11", 180 pounds
Mississauga, ON
Class of 2012
DOB 3/9/1993

Date Opponent                Score G   A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------
11/23 vs. Penticton           L 1-6  -   -   -   - [box score]
11/25 vs. Salmon Arm          L 2-3  -   -   -   - [box score]
11/26 at Salmon Arm           L 2-3  -   -   -   - [box score]

Juha (upper body injury) hopes to be back in the lineup in "hopefully a week"...he also allegedly is participating in Movember, but you'll have to watch the video below and judge for yourself.

Related stories:
VC Star of the Game #25 Patrick McGillis & #24 Luke Juha vs Salmon Arm (2011) (YouTube)

Reed Linaker

Center
St. Albert Steel (AJHL)
5'9", 165 pounds
Edmonton, AB
Class of 2012
DOB 11/4/1991

Date Opponent                Score G   A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------
11/25 vs. Calgary             L 3-5  1   0   1   2 [box score]
11/26 vs. Camrose             L 2-4  0   1   1   2 [box score]

Linaker continues to toil, yet produce, on a brutal (5-23-2) team...his unassisted power play goal against Calgary gave the Steel a 2-0 lead.

Eamon McAdam

Goaltender
Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
6'2", 180 pounds
Perkasie, PA
Class of 2013
DOB 9/24/1994

Date Opponent               Score SA GA Sv% GAA
--------------------------------------------------------------
11/22 at Team USA            W 8-4 25  3 .880 6.32 [box score]
11/24 vs. Cedar Rapids       W 8-4 --  -  --- ---  [box score]
11/26 at Cedar Rapids        L 2-3 39  3 .923 3.03 [box score]

McAdam has played his way into something resembling a split-time arrangement with Miami commit Jay Williams...that was never more evident than this past week when each played half of the game against the National Team Development Program, then started one of the following two games...thanks in part to Omaha's struggles this week, the Black Hawks now have the best record of any USHL team with a PSU commit at 10-6-1, good for second place in the Western Conference.

Jonathan Milley

Right Wing
Pembroke Lumber Kings (CCHL)
6'4", 220 pounds
Ottawa, ON
Class of 2012
DOB 5/8/1991

Date Opponent                Score G   A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------
11/22 at Cumberland           L 2-5  -   -   -   - [box score]
11/25 at Gloucester           L 3-5  -   -   -   - [box score]
11/27 vs. Cumberland          W 4-0  -   -   -   - [box score]

While Nepean continues to pull away, both within the Yzerman Division and in the league as a whole, Pembroke remains locked in a battle for second place with Ottawa...they're presently losing that battle by two points but have a game in hand.

Zach Saar

Right Wing
Chicago Steel (USHL)
6'5", 200 pounds
Plainwell, MI
Class of 2012 or 2013
DOB 6/22/1993

Date Opponent                Score G   A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------
11/25 vs. Des Moines          W 4-2  0   0   0   2 [box score]
11/26 vs. Muskegon            W 4-1  0   1   1   0 [box score]
11/27 vs. Sioux City          L 4-5  2   0   2   0 [box score]

Saar took home second star honors against Sioux City, despite the overtime loss...his first goal opened the game's scoring and gave the Steel a lead they wouldn't relinquish until the third period, when the Musketeers went on a run of three goals in 4:48...Saar's second goal stopped the bleeding and forced overtime...he commented to the Kalamazoo Gazette on committing to PSU in the aftermath of the sex-abuse scandal and said "It’s a question a lot of people are asking - why go there with everything going on? The reality is they are a couple bad apples on a campus of 45,000 people. The campus and school will be back on (its) feet. If anything, the students are going to love coming to hockey games because the football program has a bit of a bad rap right now”...Saar also mentioned that he had interest from Ohio State, Michigan State, Western Michigan and UMass-Lowell.

Related stories:
Plainwell native Zach Saar commits to play hockey for Penn State (mlive.com)

Matt Skoff

Goalie
Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
6'0", 186 pounds
McKees Rocks, PA
Class of 2012
DOB 7/23/1991

Date Opponent               Score SA GA Sv% GAA
--------------------------------------------------------------
11/25 at Indiana             W 4-2 29  2 .931 2.00 [box score]
11/26 at Youngstown          L 4-5 19  4 .789 4.07 [box score]
11/27 at Chicago             W 5-4 26  4 .846 3.97 [box score]

Skoff plunged right back into workhorse status after a knee injury that had kept him out since November 8th, starting games on three consecutive days.

Related stories:
Musketeers turn back Ice, 4-2 (Sioux City Journal)

Connor Varley

Defenseman
Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
6'0", 190 pounds
Lansdale, PA
Class of 2012
DOB 6/3/1992

Date Opponent                Score G   A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------
11/23 vs. Omaha               W 6-0  0   2   2   2 [box score]
11/25 at Chicago              L 2-4  0   0   0   0 [box score]
11/26 vs. Dubuque             W 4-0  0   1   1   0 [box score]

Varley is now the highest-scoring defenseman on the Buccaneers, thanks to his three assists this week.

Thomas Welsh

Defenseman
Salisbury School (Prep)
6'0", 195 pounds
Toronto, ON
Class of 2013
DOB 2/1/1995

Salisbury School's season commences Wednesday with the Founders League Jamboree.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Three Stars: November 21-27

Cliff Benson (holding coat) is not broadcasting his status with The Second Mile at the moment.

3. Momentum building for Lady Icers program
(Centre Daily Times)

I think I have it figured out: the CDT will cover Penn State hockey, but only when they can get a PSU student to write the article for free/cheap. Regardless, the students do a great job of things.

2. The More Things Change...
(PSU Sports Blog by Lions Pride)

I'll admit to being intrigued when my favorite PSU merch store endeavored to write about hockey. But they lost me in the very first paragraph.

Yawn. Another Thanksgiving, another dominant season, another top ranking; it’s beginning to get boring waiting until March. The Penn State Icers (surprise, surprise) are the best team in the country as the 2011-2012 American Collegiate Hockey Association season begins to heat up.

I'm going to assume that they last checked in with the program in 2007.

There was more, including what I took as digs, or at least backhanded compliments, directed towards the ACHA legacy. Calling the Ice Pavilion a "dump," for example, is a right reserved for people who have set foot in it more than once.

1. Sabres Owner Says Penn State Scandal Is "Not About Covering Your Ass" Before Covering His Ass About Hiring Second Mile Board Member
(Deadspin)

Word to the wise, T-Pegs: before calling out "anyone who knew anything," check your own backyard. That includes friend and Buffalo Sabres employee Cliff Benson - Second Mile board member and "finance chair," whose role with the now-infamous charity was deleted from his sabres.com profile - as well as Pegula-backed Pennsylvania governor Tom Corbett, who has come under fire for his handling of the Sandusky scandal, both as the state's chief executive and in his previous role as attorney general.

I should make it clear that none of this, on its face, makes anyone guilty of anything, either legally or morally. However, Pegula's transparent attempt to position himself on the moral high ground, both with the university (as he seeks to acquire whatever influence he hasn't yet purchased) and the public, turned out to be a foolish venture. Once the facts are all on the table, if they ever are, we'll be able to assign white and black hats all by ourselves, despite not being billionaires.

Best of the Rest

Malvern Prep ice hockey to play La Salle at Citizens Bank Park as part of NHL's Winter Classic
(Delaware County Times)

The DCT has some additional information on the PSU-Neumann outdoor game, currently still in "everyone knows it's happening, we're just waiting for an announcement" status. Specifically, it's a night game. Layer up.

The Malvern Prep varsity ice hockey team will face off against La Salle College High School at Citizens Bank Park in January as part of the NHL's Annual Winter Classic festivities.

The Malvern-La Salle game will take place Jan. 4, at 5 p.m. at the ballpark, the home of the Philadelphia Phillies.

The game, being dubbed the first annual High School Holiday Classic, will be followed by a college contest between Neumann University and Penn State.

Gophers series at Michigan State a preview of Big Ten hockey
(1500espn.com)

Illinois and Penn State were always the most likely candidates to be the "next one" and when Buffalo Sabres owner Terry Pegula handed his alma mater in State College a check for $88 million to build an on-campus rink, Nittany Lions hockey was on the way. From there it was only a matter of months before the Big Ten made the official announcement this past March that starting in the 2013-14 season, Minnesota, Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State and Wisconsin would compete in for the conference crown on the ice.

Sorry Ohio State. Sorry that I'm not sorry, I mean.

On Twitter, players are in even more of a public eye
(USCHO)

Rachel Lenzi gets her hustle on with an important piece about the double-edged sword of my favorite social media network, as it relates to college hockey. Twitter is obviously a vital part of what I'm doing here, and believe me when I say I've been on both sides of things.

By the way, I'm cashing in whatever influence I may carry with you to highly recommend her blog, Into the Great Wide Open. It's not a hockey blog per se, but it's a life blog. You're all alive last I checked, so get on it.

By the way, part two: feel free to imagine me humming Tom Petty for the rest of this post.

Gadowsky building foundation for Penn State hockey

(Fairbanks Daily News-Miner)

If you thought Lions Pride was out of touch, the paper of Guy Gadowsky's former, former locale leads off with this gem.

Time is on Guy Gadowsky’s side.

The inaugural head coach of the Penn State University men’s hockey team has the luxury of having a year to build the NCAA Division I program in State College, Pa.

There are no interruptions of games or developing strategies for opponents.

Crap, I must be writing about the wrong team again.

ACHA - Penn State
(flamefans.com)

Mirroring Liberty's institutional lack of tolerance that makes for a rather ironic school nickname, I'm going to have to say that I'm not very tolerant of this entire message board thread. Penn State is indeed eligible for the Murdoch Cup this year. So is Liberty, although they might as well not be.

Nik Cvetinovic demands your audience.

A Study of Point Guards
(The Mid Majority)

Shameless plug for my first of several contributions this season for TMM, which is accepting reader-submitted recaps of college basketball games involving mid-major teams. This one covers Detroit at Akron from Saturday night.

I'll accept your scorn only after you understand that a) I didn't blow off a PSU hockey game to do it and b) I don't subscribe to the unwritten rule that says hockey people have to hate basketball. The NBA? Sure, I'm as upset as the next guy that the lockout ended. College basketball, however, is a great game. Especially mid-major college basketball. Furthermore Kyle Whelliston, the guy who's run the site since 2004 (but is now on "permanent sabbatical" from hauling all over the lower 48 to watch games), is one of my writing role models. If I ever become half as good as him, I'm quitting this and finding something where I can get paid to write.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Commit Cycle: November 22

As you probably know by now, Penn State released early-period National Letter of Intent signees for both the men's and women's teams on Monday. For each appearing here, the announcement quote from Guy Gadowsky or Josh Brandwene about that player is included - the first public comments allowed concerning the new recruits.

While the ten 2012 men's recruits were already known, the women were quite a different story - only six of the 13 were on the TYT radar before the release. The six already included here will come with the pertinent quote, while the other seven were covered in this post.

On a related note, beginning next week when the remaining women's players join Commit Cycle, this feature will be split into men's and women's posts in an effort to keep the posts' lengths at bay. For now, the plan is to continue to put both up on Tuesdays, although that may change if it's too burdensome to do it that way.

Men

Casey Bailey

Forward
Omaha Lancers (USHL)
6'3", 195 pounds
Anchorage, AK
Class of 2012
DOB 10/22/1991

Date Opponent                Score G   A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------
11/18 vs. Des Moines          L 4-6  0   1   1   0 [box score]
11/19 vs. Sioux City          W 6-4  0   1   1   2 [box score]

Bailey's power play assist against Des Moines pulled the Lancers within one with 4:19 to go before an empty-netter sealed his team's fate...his assist the next day helped stem a Musketeers comeback attempt after Sioux City had cut a 5-1 Omaha lead to 5-3...Bailey's two hat tricks last week earned him USHL offensive player of the week honors.

Gadowsky on Bailey: "Casey has found offensive success in both the USHL and BCHL. He has tremendous on-ice work ethic and we expect him to continue that here at Penn State."

Related stories:
USHL Honors - Week Seven (ushl.com)

Kenny Brooks

Forward
Tri-City Storm (USHL)
6'2", 195 pounds
Las Vegas, NV
Class of 2012
DOB 12/11/1991

Date Opponent                Score G   A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------
11/18 at Muskegon             L 0-2  0   0   0   0 [box score]
11/19 at Team USA             W 4-1  1   0   1   4 [box score]

Brooks' three shots were fruitless in the shutout loss to the Lumberjacks...he scored the goal to cap the scoring against the NTDP, which was Tri-City's only man-advantage conversion of the week...the goal also chased Jared Rutledge, a Michigan commit, from the game.

Gadowsky on Brooks: "Kenny works extremely hard and will help establish our foundation for the future. His attention to detail will help set high standards for our program."

David Glen

Center
Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL)
6'0", 175 pounds
Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Class of 2012
DOB 2/14/1991

Date Opponent Score G A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------
11/19 vs. Bonnyville W 3-0 0 1 1 0 [box score]

Glen's assist was part of a three-goal third period outburst by the Saints in downing Pontiac.

Gadowsky on Glen: "David is a leader both on and off the ice and is a proven winner. A team captain and an integral part of two straight AJHL championship teams, he will help us win games."

Luke Juha

Defenseman
Vernon Vipers (BCHL)
5'11", 180 pounds
Mississauga, ON
Class of 2012
DOB 3/9/1993

Date Opponent                Score G   A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------
11/17 at Chilliwack           L 3-4  -   -   -   - [box score]
11/18 at Surrey               L 2-3  -   -   -   - [box score]
11/19 at Langley              L 2-5  -   -   -   - [box score]

Gadowsky on Juha: "Luke is a defenseman who can control the play at all times. He has excellent vision and should be able to contribute in all situations."

Reed Linaker

Center
St. Albert Steel (AJHL)
5'9", 165 pounds
Edmonton, AB
Class of 2012
DOB 11/4/1991

Date Opponent                Score G   A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------
11/15 at Fort McMurray        L 1-5  0   0   0   2 [box score]
11/18 vs. Lloydminster        L 5-8  1   0   1   0 [box score]
11/20 vs. Fort McMurray       L 2-3  2   0   2   0 [box score]

Fort McMurrary scored while Linaker was in the box for slashing on Tuesday evening, although the Oil Barons' Cole Penner was in as well, making it an even-strength goal (and well after the game was decided anyway)...his goal against Lloydminster tied the game at 1-1 in the first period - obviously not the end of the scoring in that affair...Linaker's pair in the rematch with Fort McMurray represented all of the Steel's offense, but the Oil Barons answered 1:30 after the second to take the game...he spoke publicly on the Penn State scandal, saying "It’s a crappy situation. It’s kind of scary, too, but that’s a totally different program. Coach [Guy Gadowsky] had reiterated that wouldn’t be happening with the hockey program. As bad as it is it sucks to see a legend like that [Joe Paterno] lose his legacy that way because he’s done a lot for that program, a lot for that school and a lot just for college football in general. It kind of sucks to see it end that way."

Gadowsky on Linaker: "Reed is a great playmaker and has the uncanny ability to see the ice and make plays that others do not see."

Related stories:
Linaker back with a bang (St. Albert Gazette)

Curtis Loik

Forward
Penticton Vees (BCHL)
6'1", 205 pounds
North Vancouver, BC
Class of 2012
DOB 4/23/1993

Date Opponent                Score G   A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------
11/16 vs. Trail               W 9-3  2   0   2   0 [box score]
11/18 at Salmon Arm           W 6-2  0   2   2   0 [box score]
11/19 vs. Merritt             W 4-1  0   0   0   0 [box score]
11/20 at Trail                W 8-5  0   0   0   0 [box score]

Loik and the Vees had a fantastic week as they continue to pull away from the rest of the league...while a lot of people got in on the scoring against Trail, Loik's pair of goals established the early tenor of the game, as they put the Vees up 1-0 and 3-1 in the first period...the first came on a "nice backhand move" and the second was an "easy tap in" off a feed from Steven Fogarty...he flipped it around and helped Fogarty score twice two days later.

Gadowsky on Loik: "Curtis is a power forward who can really protect the puck down low. He is well known for his conditioning and two-way game."

Related stories:
Vees score SilverBacks sniper, dump Smokies (BCLocalNews)
Vees golden with Canada (BCLocalNews)

Eamon McAdam

Goaltender
Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
6'2", 180 pounds
Perkasie, PA
Class of 2013
DOB 9/24/1994

Date Opponent               Score SA GA Sv% GAA
--------------------------------------------------------------
11/18 vs. Dubuque            W 6-3 38  3 .921 3.00 [box score]
11/19 vs. Indiana            W 4-2 --  -  --- ---  [box score]

McAdam's Black Hawks were outshot 38-28 against Dubuque but came away the victors thanks to a strong effort in goal...two of his three goals against came on Fighting Saints power plays...a save of his against Green Bay two weeks ago was named one of the USHL plays of the week.

Related stories:
USHL Top Plays - Week 6 & 7 (YouTube)

Jonathan Milley

Right Wing
Pembroke Lumber Kings (CCHL)
6'4", 220 pounds
Ottawa, ON
Class of 2012
DOB 5/8/1991

Date Opponent                Score G   A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------
11/18 at Kanata               W 5-4  -   -   -   - [box score]
11/20 vs. Brockville          L 1-5  -   -   -   - [box score]

The Lumber Kings continue to be one step forward, one step back without Milley (groin) - with a big shootout win over Kanata followed by a clunky loss to Brockville.

Gadowsky on Milley: "Jonathan is a big power forward who has a knack for scoring big goals in big games."

Zach Saar

Right Wing
Chicago Steel (USHL)
6'5", 200 pounds
Plainwell, MI
Class of 2012 or 2013
DOB 6/22/1993

Date Opponent                Score G   A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------
11/18 vs. Youngstown          L 1-4  0   0   0   0 [box score]
11/19 vs. Dubuque             L 2-4  0   0   0   2 [box score]

The newest men's recruit didn't have too much to show for his first Commit Cycle appearance: two losses, three total shots and a third-period high-sticking penalty against Dubuque.

Matt Skoff

Goalie
Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
6'0", 186 pounds
McKees Rocks, PA
Class of 2012
DOB 7/23/1991

Date Opponent Score SA GA Sv% GAA
--------------------------------------------------------------
11/19 at Omaha L 4-6 -- - --- --- [box score]

Skoff (knee) still hasn't played since leaving Sioux City's November 8th game 1:12 after puck drop.

Gadowsky on Skoff: "Matt competes and battles for pucks. He comes to Penn State with a lot of experience after having won more games than any other goaltender in the USHL in the past two seasons."

Connor Varley

Defenseman
Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
6'0", 190 pounds
Lansdale, PA
Class of 2012
DOB 6/3/1992

Date Opponent                Score G   A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------
11/18 at Omaha                W 6-4  0   0   0   0 [box score]
11/19 vs. Sioux Falls         L 2-4  0   0   0   0 [box score]

Gadowsky on Varley: "Connor is a defenseman who is a very good skater and can contribute in all situations on the ice. Off the ice, he is very committed to his nutrition and conditioning."

Thomas Welsh

Defenseman
Salisbury School (Prep)
6'0", 195 pounds
Toronto, ON
Class of 2013
DOB 2/1/1995

Salisbury School's season commences November 30th with the Founders League Jamboree.

Mark Yanis

Defenseman
Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
6'2", 195 pounds
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
Class of 2012
DOB 5/26/1994

Date Opponent                Score G   A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------
11/18 vs. Tri-City            W 2-0  1   0   1   0 [box score]
11/19 vs. Green Bay           L 0-6  0   0   0   0 [box score]

A Yanis empty-netter clinched the win over the Storm in a lights-out defensive effort...that joy was short lived however, as the Jacks were hammered by Green Bay the next day to fall back to .500 at 7-7-0.

Gadowsky on Yanis: "Mark has good size and great presence on the ice. He plays big and hard, and has a physical element to his game. He will be a very valuable defensive commodity for our program."

Related stories:
Lumberjacks show a softer side with new children's book (video) (mlive.com)

Women

Jeanette Bateman

Forward
Colorado Select 19U
5'6", 125 pounds
Greeley, CO
Class of 2012
DOB 5/1/1994

Bateman and Colorado Select have been off since November 6th and are next scheduled to play this weekend in JWHL games in Providence, RI.

Brandwene on Bateman: "Jeanette possesses great hockey sense and puck distribution skills, and plays outstanding team defense. Her tremendous work ethic and attitude have helped her get to this level."

Jill Holdcroft

Forward
Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 19U
5'1", 121 pounds
Pennsylvania Furnace, PA
Class of 2012
DOB 1/29/1994

While the Penguins Elite were off this week, Holdcroft was able to play for her other team, State High, and collect a pair of assists in a 6-2 win over Seneca Valley.

Brandwene on Holdcroft: "Possibly the best female hockey player ever to come out of the State College area, Jill has always been a ferocious competitor giving 110% every shift. She has worked incredibly hard this summer and fall with very noticeable improvements in her skating and shot release, and that has played a big role in her success this year."

Related stories:
Moscone's hat trick drives win (Centre Daily Times)

Darby Kern

Forward
Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 19U
5'11", 145 pounds
Venetia, PA
Class of 2012
DOB 8/28/1994

The Pens Elites had the week off, but are back at it this weekend when they host the Pittsburgh Girls Thanksgiving Classic.

Emily Laurenzi

Forward
National Sports Academy (Prep)
5'5", 125 pounds
Townsend, DE
Class of 2012
DOB 1993

Date Opponent Score G A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------
11/17 vs. Northwood School W 7-0 0 0 0 2 [box score]

Laurenzi was held off the scoresheet in a midweek blowout of Northwood School.

Brandwene on Laurenzi: "It takes great courage to be first and courage is something that defines Emily. She was our first commitment and, as a player, she does all the little things necessary for our program to be successful. She is strong in the defensive zone, always back checks well and distributes the puck beautifully."

Celine Whitlinger

Goalie
Gilmour Academy (Prep)
5'10"
Garden Grove, CA
Class of 2012
DOB 5/20/1994

Brandwene on Whitlinger: "Celine has terrific technique and is incredibly consistent in her positioning and work ethic. She is steady, cool under pressure and really steps up in big-game situations - truly great attributes in a goaltender."

Micayla Catanzariti

Forward
Gilmour Academy (Prep)
5'6"
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Class of 2012
DOB 5/22/1994

Brandwene on Catanzariti: "Micayla is a complete player in every sense of the word and is constant motion on the ice. She hustles, back checks, plays great team defense, produces offensively and has endless enthusiasm."

Katie Zinn

Forward
Gilmour Academy (Prep)
5'7"
Coquitlam, BC
Class of 2012
DOB 1993

Brandwene on Zinn: "A top JWHL player prior to going to Gilmour Academy, Katie has phenomenal speed, on-ice vision, play making skills and scoring touch."

Gilmour competed at the Appleby College Centennial Tournament in Oakville, ON with the Boston Shamrocks and Stanstead College also joining the hosts. Unfortunately, results are not available as of yet.