Posts Tagged ‘TPH Trained’
Five #TPHTrained Named to U.S. Youth Olympic Games Roster
BLOOMINGFIELD HILLS, MI – The 2020 Youth Olympic Games are set to take place in Lausanne, Switzerland from Jan. 9-22 and five TPH Trained players have been named to the Team USA roster. Rutger McGroarty, Hunter Brzustewicz, Cutter Gauthier, Lane Hutson, and Tyler Duke will be representing the red, white, and blue in Switzerland.
McGroarty and Brzustewicz are currently TPH Center of Excellence students in Detroit. Gauthier, Hutson and Duke all attended the Center of Excellence and have since moved on.
Announcing the roster for the 2020 Youth Olympic Games! 🇺🇸 The preliminary round begins on January 18th.
Full details → https://t.co/7mcwOxbeDO pic.twitter.com/Wcu6kzRSD2
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) November 20, 2019
“It’s an honor to be selected to play for the Red, White, & Blue. I feel like we have the team that’ll bring home the gold!” says McGroarty.
“It’s an honor to be selected to play for my country and wear their colors.” Brzustewicz added. “I look forward to get started with my new teammates and competing against the best players around the world.”
2020 Youth Olympic Games rosters constructed of 17 hockey players (15 skaters and 1 goalie) consisting of the best 2004 birth years representing U.S., Canada, Denmark, Finland, Russia, and Switzerland will compete in the tournament. Team USA captured gold at the 2016 tournament in Lillehammer, Norway.
“This one is a MAJOR deal,” said Jimmy McGroarty, newly named Head Coach of the Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) and father of Rutger. “This event only happens every 4 years. The opportunity these kids have can lead to so much more whether it is a tryout for US National team or an opportunity to build on their NHL draft opportunity. ”
Rutger McGroarty
Hunter Brzustewicz
Cutter Gauthier
Lane Hutson
Tyler Duke
2016 OHL DRAFT PICKS
A total of 18 TPH (Total Package Hockey)-trained players were drafted to the Ontario Hockey League on April 9, including nine who attend the TPH Center of Excellence.
Leading the way were TPH CoE student-athletes Blade Jenkins and Bode Wilde, who were drafted in the first and second round, respectively.
“Congratulations to the players, parents and staff at the TPH Academy on being selected in the OHL Priority Selection Draft,” said OHL Senior Director of Hockey Development & Special Events Joe Birch. “The environment created at the program provides players an excellent opportunity to develop as elite student-athletes and prepares players for the next level. We anticipate to see many more players drafted out of this program in years to come.”
Both Jenkins and Wilde were selected by the Saginaw Spirit. Jenkins, a Michigan commit and Compuware U16 standout, went No. 4 overall while the Harvard commit and Chicago Mission U16 star, Wilde, went at No. 35.
TPH CoE students Caleb Everett (Saginaw Spirit) and Drew DeRidder (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) were taken in the sixth round. Two rounds later, recent Denver commit Will MacKinnon was drafted by the Guelph Storm.
A trio of CoE student-athletes and Little Caesars U16 players in Xan Gurney (Barrie Colts), Christian Krygier (London Knights) and Cole Krygier (London Knights) were drafted in rounds nine and 10. Chase Pletzke was selected in the 14th round by the Spirit.
Additionally, nine other TPH-trained athletes, including players from the TPH OHL Cup team, TPH Thunder AAA team, and TPH MHA Top 80 program, were selected in the draft.
The TPH CoE student-athletes who were drafted to the OHL have used TPH’s variety of hockey resources to develop and grow into well-rounded players on and off the ice. An elite training program, the TPH CoE features a unique blend of academics and athletics to help players develop a complete hockey lifestyle.
“When I first visited the TPH Academy and met the staff, it was evident that it was an environment that was conducive to learning,” said Adam Dennis, OHL director of recruitment. “Whether it be on the ice or in the classroom, the students were engaged and excited to be there. It comes as no surprise that we are starting to see a direct correlation to the OHL Priority Selection. TPH has proven to be a leader in elite athletic development and I look forward to working together for years to come.”
Total Package Hockey is one of the largest hockey service providers in the country, offering youth and adult programs from Detroit to Atlanta. TPH provides programs, which are staffed by highly qualified elite hockey coaches and professionals, to more than 4,000 players each year. With programs in 18 total U.S. cities, including teams in the NA3HL and T1EHL, TPH specializes in skill-based player development and has a track record of moving players to junior, college and professional hockey.
TPH-trained players selected in 2016 OHL Draft
Blade Jenkins – TPH CoE/Compuware U16/ 1st Round to Saginaw Spirit
Danil Antropov -TPH Prospects/Toronto Marlies U16/ 1st Round to Oshawa Generals
Akil Thomas – TPH Prospects/Toronto Marlies U16/ 1st Round to Niagara Ice Dog
Bode Wilde – TPH CoE/Chicago Mission U16/ 2nd Round to Saginaw Spirit
Alec Regula – TPH MHA Top 80 Program / TPH OHL Cup Team/Cranbrook High School/ 4th Round to London Knights
Lucas Crawford – TPH OHL Cup/Oakland Jr. Grizzlies U15/ 5th Round to Owen Sound Attack
Caleb Everett – TPH CoE/Honeybaked U16/ 6th Round to Saginaw Spirit
Drew Deridder – TPH CoE/Oakland Jr. Grizzlies U16/6th Round to S.S. Marie Greyhounds
Will Mackinnon – TPH CoE/Honeybaked U16/ 8th Round to Guelph Storm
Ben Shultheis – TPH Thunder AAA Team/9th Round to Owen Sound Attack
Xan Gurney – TPH CoE/Little Caesars U16/9th Round to Barrie Colts
Christian Krygier – TPH CoE/Little Caesars U16/9th Round to London Knights
Cole Krygier – TPH CoE/Little Caesars U16/ 10th Round to London Knights
Hunter Nofs – TPH OHL Cup/Oakland Jr. Grizzlies U15/ 11th Round to Hamilton Bulldogs
Hunter Carrick – TPH OHL Cup/Oakland Grizlies U16/ 11th Round to Ottawa 67’s
Chase Pletzke – TPH CoE/Oakland Jr. Grizzlies U16/14th Round to Saginaw Spirit
Matt Staudacher – TPH 8 Week Summer Program/Shattuck St. Mary’s/14th Round to Niagara Ice Dogs
Jack Tucker – TPH OHL Cup/Buffalo Jr. Sabres/ 14th Round to Kitchener Rangers
USA NTDP announcement of 3 TPH CoE students making the team
Three TPH (Total Package Hockey)-trained standouts have been named to the prestigious U.S. National Team Development Program U-17 roster for the 2016-17 season.
Blade Jenkins, Will MacKinnon and Bode Wilde were all selected to the development team following last month’s evaluation camp, which was held in Plymouth, Michigan. All three have attended the TPH CoE and have used its variety of elite resources to develop a complete hockey lifestyle that translates to success and growth on and off the ice.
“All three of these players met with us on day one of school and mentioned that their number one goal was to play for the NTDP two years down the road,” said Brandon Naurato, TPH Detroit director of hockey operations. “We are extremely proud of them for the workload and sacrifices that they have made to earn the honor of accepting an invitation to represent Team USA. The opportunity in front of them to continue to develop as men on and off the ice while pursuing their dream of playing in the NHL is second to none with the resources that they will be provided with daily by the National Program.”
A 5-foot-11 defenseman, MacKinnon is lighting it up from the point for Honeybaked U16 this year, tallying 32 points in 57 games. The two-year CoE student-athlete was a member of the U.S. team that took home the gold medal at this year’s Youth Olympic Games. He recently committed to play college hockey at seven-time national champion Denver University.
“It was really exciting,” MacKinnon said when he learned he made the NTDP. “It’s going to be pretty cool to represent the USA. I did it in Norway for two weeks so it’s going to be really cool to get to do it again for the NTDP.”
Jenkins is in his second year at the TPH CoE and put up 36 points in 22 HPHL league games with Compuware U16 this season. A center with high-end talent, the 15-year-old committed to the University of Michigan back in January of 2015.
“At first it was a surreal feeling, to be honest,” he said. “It’s an honor when people ask you where you’re playing next year and you say you get to represent your country.”
Their fathers both said that pride is the first emotion they felt after hearing the news and reflected on what two years at the TPH CoE has done for the development of their sons on and off the ice.
“The environment that TPH provided where Will was able to balance school, get the rest he needed, follow training programs and get good nutrition and sleep was huge,” said Dan MacKinnon, director of player personnel for the Pittsburgh Penguins. “I credit Brandon Naurato and Sean Perkins for really drilling down into what Will needed to do to get better. It was so productive.”
“It took a lot of hard work over the last 10 years or so to get to this point,” Todd Jenkins said. “The desire for him to get better has always been there and I’m excited for where Blade is at now compared to two years ago. (The TPH CoE) expects a lot out of their kids, not only how they compete on the ice but what they do in the classroom and the community.”
Wilde attended the TPH CoE during the 2014-15 school year and committed to Harvard University last summer. The physical defenseman with offensive talent currently plays for the Chicago Mission U16 team and is one of the top 2000-born players in the U.S.
“I don’t even know how to describe it still, I’m just so excited,” Wilde said. “At TPH we worked a lot on shooting and I think that has helped me this past season and helped me at the evaluation camp too. They teach you the game within the game and the small details that you don’t know unless you’ve played hockey for as many years as they have. Knowing that before the camp was a huge advantage, not only for me but for Blade and Will.”
The 2016-17 U.S. NTDP U-17 team will be coached by Danton Cole, a Michigan State grad and Pontiac native. The three newly-minted NTDP players will be competing just down the road from the TPH Canton CoE at Plymouth’s USA Hockey Arena.
The TPH Center of Excellence is an elite training program for student-athletes that features a unique blend of academics and athletics. Its balance of on-ice instruction and classroom work pushes students in grades 6-12 to become well-rounded hockey players on and off the ice. The TPH CoE currently has locations in Canton, Michigan, and Gwinnett, Georgia, with a third school in Troy, Michigan, scheduled to open before the 2016-17 school year.
Total Package Hockey is one of the largest hockey service providers in the country, offering youth and adult programs from Detroit to Atlanta. TPH provides programs, which are staffed by highly qualified elite hockey coaches and professionals, to more than 4,000 players each year. With programs in 18 total U.S. cities, including teams in the NA3HL and T1EHL, TPH specializes in skill-based player development and has a track record of moving players to junior, college and professional hockey.
Visit TPH online at www.totalpackagehockey.com and follow TPH on Twitter and on Facebook.
TPH USHL Draft 2016
TPH (Total Package Hockey)-trained players were well-represented at the 2016 USHL Draft, with 32 total players, including 10 who attend the TPH Center of Excellence, drafted to the top junior league in the U.S.
“We are extremely proud of all the TPH-trained players that were selected in the USHL Draft this past week,” said TPH Detroit Director of Hockey Operations Brandon Naurato. “This is a time for all of them to enjoy the day and the workload that went into the opportunity in front of them. Understanding that this is only the first step will help all of our players enjoy the moment and continue on their path to earning a spot on a USHL roster in the future.”
A total of 16 TPH-trained players were selected in the first phase of the USHL Draft, with TPH CoE student Christian Krygier leading the way via a first round tender to the Lincoln Stars.
In the second round, TPH MHA Top 80 standout Alec Regula was selected by the Chicago Steel and TPH CoE student Caleb Everett was selected by the Muskgeon Lumberjacks. Youth Olympic Games gold medalist Drew DeRidder was taken by Cedar Rapids in the third round, while the fourth round featured fellow CoE classmates Mathieu De St. Phalle (Sioux City), Xan Gurney (Chicago) and Chalse Pletzke (Green Bay).
To round out the first phase of the draft, three more TPH CoE athletes were selected, including Cole Krygier (Lincoln), Jeremy Davidson (Bloomington) and Donny Borgula (Muskegon).
Other TPH-trained athletes who were drafted in both phases included players from the MHA program, the TPH OHL Cup team, the TPH Thunder AAA team, and the TPH 8-Week Program.
“Having been to TPH it is clear to see that the coaches and staff are fully committed to the development of not only the player but also the person,” USHL Director of Player Development & Recruitment Doug Christenson said. “TPH provides players with the opportunity to work on their game on and off the ice. TPH has produced quality players in our league and beyond. It will be exciting to see the next wave of TPH talent.”
TPH and its programs have been praised for building an environment that helps athletes grow into well-rounded players and people both on and off the ice. The TPH CoE, an elite training program that features a unique hybrid of academics and athletics, provides players with the opportunity to develop a complete hockey lifestyle.
“The USHL the top league in the world for producing student-athletes. These young men don’t only learn to be students of the game, they also are successful in the classroom,” said Jim McGroarty, who spent eight years as head coach/GM of the USHL’s Lincoln Stars. “In the USHL, you really learn time management which is a very important skill for any adult in their future. An average day for any player is a grind, the USHL is men only league. You have to have an elite mindset on and off the ice to be able to have success.
“What I love about being able to work with student-athletes at the TPH CoE, is very similar to my tenure in the USHL, these kids have a love, a compete and a passion for the game. It’s great to see where each player is at when they come to TPH, then to see the improvement in their overall game. It is unbelievable. With the success the kids are having at CoE, as well as their achievements on the ice it is very rewarding not only for all the players but also for our staff. It is great to see our players, selected for the NTDP, OHL, USHL drafts, as well as college commits ,and watching them win the Youth Olympic Gold Medal was fun. ust to think that TPH has only been in existence for two year – the sky’s the limit. It’s great to see all the hard work these your athletes are putting into the game they truly love and getting rewarded.“
Total Package Hockey is one of the largest hockey service providers in the country, offering youth and adult programs from Detroit to Atlanta. TPH provides programs, which are staffed by highly qualified elite hockey coaches and professionals, to more than 4,000 players each year. With programs in 18 total U.S. cities, including teams in the NA3HL and T1EHL, TPH specializes in skill-based player development and has a track record of moving players to junior, college and professional hockey.
Full list of TPH Trained Players taken in 2016 USHL Draft:
Final List for USHL Draft Phase 1:
1. Christian Krygier – TPH CoE/Little Caesars U16/ 1st Round Tender to Lincoln Stars
2. Alec Regula – TPH MHA Top 80 Program / TPH OHL Cup Team/Cranbrook High School/ 2nd Round Pick to Chicago Steel
3. Caleb Everett – TPH CoE/Honeybaked U16/ 2nd Round Pick to Muskegon LumberJacks
4. Drew Deridder – TPH CoE/Oakland Jr. Grizzlies U16/ 3rd Round Pick to Cedar Rapids Roughriders
5. Mathieu De St. Phalle- TPH CoE/Chicago Mission U16/ 4th Round to Sioux City Musketeer
6. Xan Gurney – TPH CoE/Little Caesars U16/ 4th Round to Chicago Stee
7. Ben Shultheis-TPH Thunder AAA Team/OHL Cup/ 4th Round to Green Bay Gambler
8. Chase Pletzke – TPH CoE/Oakland Jr. Grizzlies U16/ 4th Round to Green Bay Gambler
9. Matt Staudacher – TPH 8 Week Summer Program/Shattuck St. Mary’s/ 5th Round to Muskegon LumberJack
10. Cole Krygier – TPH CoE/Little Caesars U16/ 5th Round to Lincoln Star
11. Jeremy Davidson-TPH CoE/Shattuck St. Mary’s/ 5th Round to Bloomington Thunde
12. Cannon Green – OHL Cup/Oakland Jr. Grizzlies U16/ 5th Round to Cedar Rapids Roughrider
13. Hunter Carrick-TPH OHL Cup/Oakland Grizlies U16/ 6th Round to Madison Capital
14. Valentino Passarelli- TPH Thunder Alum /Honeybaked U16/ 7th Round to Fargo Force
15. Donny Borgula- TPH CoE/Little Caesars U16/ 8th Round to Muskegon LumberJacks
16. Hunter Nofs – TPH OHL Cup/Oakland Jr. Grizzlies U15/ 1oth Round to Tri-City Storm
Final List for USHL Draft Phase 2:
1.Matt Jennings- TPH Thunder/ 8 Week Program/Minot (NAHL) /3rd round to Green Bay Gamblers)
2.Jay Powell- TPH Thunder/ West Minster Prep /6th round pick to Chicago Steel
3.Nick Rosa- MHA/ 8 Week Program/ Wichita Falls (NAHL)/ 7th Round to Sioux City Musketeers
4.Johnathan Mcdonald- MHA/Ojg U18/ 8th Round to Fargo Force
5. Brendan Rons- 8 Week Program/ OJG U18/ 9th Round to Omaha
6.Paul Cotter- 8 Week Program/ Little Caesars U16/ 9th Round to Lincoln Stars
7. Cooper Zech- 8 Week Program/ Odessa (NAHL)/ 10th Round to Bloomington Thunder
8.CJ Boothe- TPH Thunder/ Fairbanks (NAHL) /11th round pick to Tri-City Storm
9.Ben Schmidling- TPH Thunder/ Prospects/ York SkipJacks U18 /12th round pick to Omaha Lancers
10. Josh Maine- MHA/ Orchard Lake St. Mary’s/ 13th Round to Omaha Lancers
11.Andrew Sinard- TPH Thunder/ 16th Round to Cedar Rapids Roughriders
12. Nick Bowman- MHA/ Brother Rice HS/ 18th Round to Cedar Rapids Roughriders
13. Sammy Nardicchio/ TPH CoE Alum/ 8 Week Program/ Islanders Hockey Club (USPHL)/ 19th Round to Tri-City Storm
14. Tyler Johnson-TPH Thunder/OHL Cup/ Topeka (NAHL) /20th round pick to Muskegon LumberJacks
15. Nick Grimaldi/ 8 Week Program/ Victory Honda U16/ 20th Round to Tri-City Storm
16. Jake Transit/ TPH CoE/ Honeybaked U16/ 20th Round to Bloomington Thunder
Andrew Sinard at Nashville Predators Summer Development Camp
Before moving on to the USHL in the fall, Andrew Sinard got a taste of what the next level is like at the Nashville Predators summer development camp from June 28 to July 2.
The former TPH Thunder 18U standout earned an invite to the camp after a strong AAA season that saw him notch 12 points in 30 games as a defenseman.
“It was awesome,” the Brentwood, Tenn., native said. “I think I got a lot better just by being surrounded by all that talent and the people who work in the Predators organization.”
Overseeing Nashville’s camp was Director of Player Development Scott Nichol, who led the players through a variety of events including testing, video sessions and nutrition education. Sinard said it was a great opportunity to get an inside look at an NHL organization.
“Being out there with a lot of extremely high skilled guys, I think it helped me get familiar with that level of hockey,” Sinard said. “I learned what it takes to get there and what I need to work on over the next couple of years as I develop.”
Sinard credits his TPH coaches, most notably Ron Gay, for helping him develop as a defenseman over the past couple of seasons.
“They definitely taught me to work hard and realize that it doesn’t matter what path you come from, you can still make it if you want it enough,” the 6-foot-6 defenseman said. “Ron Gay helped me realize that and helped me go from a AAA player to playing in the USHL next year.”
Gay said he’s not surprised at how far Sinard has come despite beginning his hockey career at a relatively late age.
“He’s listened to everything we’ve said and he’s been like a sponge, taking everything in,” said Gay, who works with numerous professional, college and junior hockey players throughout the country. “He’s a great athlete to begin with and with all the training we’ve done with his footwork and weight lifting – along with that size and coordination – there’s only an upside with him.”
Fresh off of the Predators development camp and a great final year in AAA, Sinard will be playing for the USHL’s Cedar Rapids RoughRiders this coming season, the same team that drafted him in the league’s 2016 entry draft.
He’s committed to Miami University and wants current and future TPH players to know that it’s possible to have a successful hockey career no matter where they are from.
“I’d tell them if you work harder than everyone else, you’re going to get better than everyone else,” Sinard said. “To really excel and get to the next level, it’s not easy, but it’s a lot of fun.”
Total Package Hockey is one of the largest hockey service providers in the country, offering youth and adult programs from Detroit to Atlanta. TPH provides programs, which are staffed by highly qualified elite hockey coaches and professionals, to more than 4,000 players each year. With programs in 18 total U.S. cities, including teams in the NA3HL and T1EHL, TPH specializes in skill-based player development and has a track record of moving players to junior, college and professional hockey.
Josh Wilkins at Carolina Hurricanes Development Camp
Growing up in Raleigh, N.C., Josh Wilkins often had to travel to play hockey.
This year was a little different. The former TPH Thunder U16 captain didn’t have to go very far to participate in last week’s Carolina Hurricanes development camp.
It was a rare opportunity for the skilled forward to play in front of his mom, dad and other family members.
“I got to pay in front of them for the first time in a couple of years, so it was a cool opportunity and experience,” the 19-year-old said. “Especially to be in my hometown, it was great to get invited.”
The four-day camp was a chance for Wilkins to learn more about what it takes to make it at the next level.
“The Hurricanes teach you how to be a pro everyday,” Wilkins said. “They taught a lot about nutrition, how to handle things mentally and how to act like a good hockey player.”
Before jumping into the NAHL and USHL, Wilkins starred on the TPH Thunder and the TPH Thunder Midget Minor OHL Cup team. Wilkins scored 21 goals and added 15 assists in 34 games with the Thunder in 2013-14 and played exceptionally well at the 2012-13 OHL Cup, notching seven points in six games.
“When Josh came to TPH, he was physically mature, had an outstanding skill set and to his credit was open to learning more,” TPH President and Managing Partner Nathan Bowen said. “He bought into our culture and understood that academic performance would lead to athletic opportunities down the road. We’re so happy and proud of him for taking the next step and attending Providence when he’s ready. He’s an exceptional young man who loves the game and competes every day on and off the ice.”
He also featured prominently on the USA team that took home the bronze medal at the 2015-16 World Junior A Challenge, tallying four points in five games.
“TPH really helped me get exposure,” Wilkins said. “I got drafted to the USHL from the Thunder and I learned a lot from my coaches there. Nathan Bowen puts together a lot of good teams with the Thunder.”
Wilkins said his development as a player really took off playing for the TPH team.
“They get you in the gym and gave us a lot of good hockey workouts,” the 2014 draft pick of the USHL’s Sioux City Musketeers said. “When we practiced, we practiced hard. I really got a lot of individual work in.
“They also made sure I was taken care of in school and helped make sure my teachers and counselors knew what I was doing and what my situation was.”
As Wilkins’ career takes off – he’ll either play at Providence or back at Sioux City this coming season – he fondly remembers his time playing with TPH.
“There have been a lot of guys who have come out of TPH before me and I think each group looks up to the next group,” he said. “That shows the character of TPH.”
Total Package Hockey is one of the largest hockey service providers in the country, offering youth and adult programs from Detroit to Atlanta. TPH provides programs, which are staffed by highly qualified elite hockey coaches and professionals, to more than 4,000 players each year. With programs in 18 total U.S. cities, including teams in the NA3HL and T1EHL, TPH specializes in skill-based player development and has a track record of moving players to junior, college and professional hockey.
TPH Thunder Alum Buncis Gets DI Commitment
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — The Johnstown Tomahawks are proud to announce that team captain Filips Buncis has committed to play Division I hockey at Arizona State University for the 2017-18 season.
Buncis, a native of Riga, Latvia, has played 124 games with the Tomahawks in three seasons. The 6-3 forward has scored 71 career points (21 goals, 50 assists) and was named the first European captain in Johnstown hockey history in September 2016.
He represented Latvia at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship in Montreal and Toronto earlier this season and was named to the NAHL Selects team at the 2017 Top Prospects Tournament in Plymouth, Mich. in February.
For Buncis, the chance to play Division I hockey at a burgeoning program like Arizona State is a “new challenge.”
“I really liked the coaching staff, the campus and I saw it as a new challenge for me to help build a new Division I program,” Buncis said. “I believe Arizona State is a great fit for me. They are building a great program there.”
Buncis will be joining fellow countryman and Aston defenseman Gvido Jansons with the Sun Devils in 2017-18.
“I grew up with him and we are great friends,” Buncis said. “I will be cool to play on the same team with at ASU.”
In three short seasons, Buncis has established himself as a fan favorite in Johnstown, place where Buncis will look back on fondly.
“It has been an unbelievable three years here in Johnstown,” Buncis said. “Johnstown is a great hockey town with the best fans in the league. I am really glad I spent three years in Johnstown.”
Buncis also had high praise for the Tomahawks coaching staff.
“They have been a huge part of my development and helped me prepare for the next level,” Buncis said. “They trusted me with the captaincy this season and that has helped me grow as a player and person this season.”
Located in Tempe, Ariz., the Arizona State Sun Devils are a newcomer to NCAA Division I hockey as the program transitioned to Division I play starting in 2014-15. They currently compete as an Independent with plans to join a conference in 2017-18.
Tomahawks head coach, Mike Letizia, was proud of his captain for announcing his commitment.
“I could not be prouder of our captain Filips Buncis on committing to Arizona State,” Letizia said. “Filips has been one of the most decorated players in our team’s history with all the international competition he has represented his country in, being the first European captain in Johnstown hockey history and now becoming a Division I hockey player.”
Letizia commented additionally that Buncis is dedicated to the Tomahawks and the community.
“Since he has been with the Tomahawks, he has grown his game tremendously through his hard work and dedication to our hockey club,” Letizia said. “He has been a fantastic leader for this year’s team. Filips will be able to help build the tradition of ASU hockey, and I firmly believe the best is yet to come for this outstanding young man.”
In addition to the many accolades he has earned while a Tomahawk, Buncis will be departing for Latvia to attend the Team Latvia World Championship team camp in hopes of making the official roster for the 2017 IIHF World Championship in Cologne, Germany and Paris.
“I will be practicing with the best players in Latvia, basically my idols growing up,” Buncis said.
The tournament begins May 5 and concludes May 21.
Buncis said he plans on coming back to lead the Tomahawks into the Robertson Cup playoffs.
“I want to win it all with this team,” he said. “I know we can do it. I want to bring the cup back to Johnstown!”
Johnstown returns to the Cambria County War Memorial Arena March 17-18 for a St. Patrick’s Green Out Weekend. The team will wear specialty Irish jerseys against the Aston Rebels presented by the Holiday Inn.
Recruiting: Max Sasson commits to Maine
By @MichaelCaples –
Max Sasson wanted this story to start with a message to young hockey players in the same spot he once was.
Keep working, even if you aren’t playing for the team you want.
“Before I start, I want to say for all the kids who are worried that they didn’t make a 14U team,” Sasson told MiHockey, “I did not make one top team before this year started.”
Sasson didn’t let his team situation get in the way of his hockey dreams. The 2000 birth-year player kept working, and this year, he seized the opportunity to play for the Oakland Jr. Grizzlies midget minor team.
“OJG is the only place I could have played u16,” Sasson said.
Now, he’s telling MiHockey about why he picked the University of Maine for his college hockey career. Sasson has thrived with OJG, leading his team with 38 points in 31 games (as listed on the Tier 1 Elite League website). The Total Package Hockey Center of Excellence student said he found the ‘perfect fit’ at Maine.
“I picked Maine because when I went on a visit, I felt right at home,” Sasson said. “It was just a perfect fit and I knew right away.”
He’s still a few years away from suiting up for the Black Bears, but he said he’s excited to have the chance to one day play college hockey.
“I am beyond excited to play college hockey,” Sasson said. “I knew once I went to the game at the Harold Alford arena in Maine that it was a easy decision to go to college. The atmosphere, playing in front your friends, and studying what you choose that’s why I am playing college hockey.”
“We’re very proud of Max – a great example of how hard work pays off,” said TPH Detroit director of hockey Brandon Naurato. “He has fought through adversity to better himself and better his chances of becoming a college student-athlete. Now, he’s one step closer to earning his degree while playing D1 college hockey.”
TPH Detroit CoE student-athlete Carson Riddle commits to WMU
Congratulations to TPH Detroit Center of Excellence student-athlete Carson Riddle on his commitment to Western Michigan University.
The Belle Tire U16 star is the 15th TPH Detroit CoE student to commit to an NCAA Division I school since 2014.
The Holly, Mich., native and 5-foot-9 forward has been lighting it up this season, his first one in midget minor. Through 24 games Riddle has posted 24 points (14 goals, 10 assists), which ranks second on his team. Riddle also leads his team in power play goals with three.
Riddle joins Xan Gurney as the second TPH Detroit CoE student-athlete to commit to the WMU program. Congrats to Carson on his commitment!
TPH Detroit CoE student-athlete Max Sasson tenders with NAHL’s Brookings
TPH Detroit Center of Excellence student-athlete Max Sasson has tendered with the North American Hockey League’s Brookings Blizzard.
Sasson is enjoying a successful season with the Oakland Jr. Grizzlies U16 team. In 29 games with the Jr. Grizzlies, the forward has 20 goals and 17 assists for 37 points.
Brookings currently has a 18-13-2-1 record this season in NAHL play. A franchise since 2003, the Blizzard have seen many players move on to play Division I college hockey.