American Legion Bantam AA Hockey: Legion News

Wednesday, May 14
Summer Skate 2008
2008 Bantam Summer Skate There will be a Skate this summer for Bantam age players with 1994 and 1995 birth dates. Program will run Tuesdays and Thursdays June 10 - July 24 6 - 7:30pm All skates to take place at the BEC Program will include some dryland conditioning Limited Space! For more information and to sign up Contact Brian Nebel Email BRNeebs19@aol.com Or phone 906-869-2295 Dates include June 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26, July 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 22, 24, 6-730pm at the BEC Cost is $235 which includes all ice time, and some dryland conditioning Please Mail Check to Brian Nebel 446 Silver Creek Road Marquette, MI 49855 By May 30, 2008

NIHL Champs 08
Sunday, March 30
Congratualtions!

Marquette American Legion Bantam AA Sentinels

2007-2008

62-8-3

Chicago Pre-season Runner-Up

Marquette Iron Sticks Champions

Traverse City TC Cup Challenge Runner-Ups

Chicago Cup Thanksgiving Cup Classic Champions

Silver Stick Regional Runner-Ups

Steel City International Champions

NIHL League Champions

Disttic 8 (U.P.) Champions

NIHL Play Off Champions

MAHA Sate Semi-Finalists

 Great Season Boys!

 



Monday, September 3
2007 Marquette IronSticks
THIRD ANNUAL IRON STICK TOURNAMENTOCTOBER 26-28, 2007LAKEVIEW ARENA – BERRY EVENTS CENTERMARQUETTE, MICHIGAN 49855(Final Revision – 10/18/07)Bantam Division: American                                                         National      1.      Bay County                                            6.  Keweenaw2.      Lakeland                                                 7.  Canadian Soo3.      Garden City                                            8.  Marquette Legion4.      Green Bay                                              9.   American Soo5.      Port Huron                                             10.  Traverse City Pee Wee Division: 1.      Traverse City                                                     2.      Birmingham Rangers                                      3.      Marquette ReMax                                             4.      Escanaba                                                            R = Lakeview Arena, Russell RinkO = Lakeview Arena, Olson RinkB = Berry Events Center    

Friday, October 26, 2007:

 

10:00 AM – R – 2 vs. 7

10:30 AM – O – 1 vs. 6

12:00 PM – R – 3 vs. 8 Legion vs Garden City

12:30 PM – O – 4 vs. 9

2:00 PM – R – 5 vs. 10

2:30 PM – O – 3 vs 4 PW Remax vs Escanaba

4:00 PM – R – 1 vs 2 PW

4:15 PM – O – 6 vs. 2

5:45 PM – R – 8 vs. 4 Legion vs Green Bay5:00 PM – B – 7 vs. 3    

6:15 PM – O – 9 vs. 5

7:00 PM – B – 10 vs. 1

7:45 PM – R - 1 vs. 3 PW Remax vs Traverse City

8:15 PM – O – 2 vs. 4 PW

 

Saturday, October 27, 2007:

 

8:30 AM – O – 3 vs. 6

9:00 AM – R – 5 vs. 8 Legion vs Port Huron

9:00 AM – B – 4 vs. 7

10:30 AM – O – 1 vs. 9

11:00 AM – R – 2 vs. 10

12:30 PM – O – 1 vs. 4 PW

1:00 PM – R – 2 vs. 3 PW Remax vs Birmingham

2:45 PM – R – 7 vs. 5 

3:00 PM – B – 6 vs. 4

4:45 PM – R – 8 vs. 1 Legion vs Bay County

5:00 PM – B – 9 vs. 2

5:00 PM – O – 10 vs. 3

6:45 PM – R – 1st Place vs. 4th Place PW

7:00 PM – O – 2nd Place vs. 3rd Place PW

 

Sunday, October 28, 2007:

 8:00 AM – R -  1st National vs. 2nd National

8:30 AM – O – 1st American vs. 2nd American

11:00 AM – R – PW Championship

1:00 PM – R –  Bantam Championship


16 Hearts - 1 Team
Thursday, September 27
16 Hearts beat as 1 Team
16 Hearts beat as 1 Team

Saturday, August 25
2007-08 Legion

Congratulations to the following players on making the 2007-08 Marquette American Legion Bantam AA Hockey Team.

 

Player

DOB
Dean Burggrabe 05/25/93
Kyle Carrier 11/06/93
Eric Chapman 11/17/94
Bryan Erspamer 06/16/93
Forest Folker 05/29/94
Aaron Leach 08/29/93
Brett Love 11/19/93
Michael McAuliffe 09/10/93
Dallas McLaughlin 04/02/93
Mike Mullett 07/16/93
Cody Nordquist 04/02/94
Brian Reckker 07/08/93
Wyatt Smith 05/29/94
Easton Viitala 10/05/93
Nick Weston 07/02/93
Cody Wickstrom 04/26/93

 

This is just the first step, in what will be the biggest year of your hockey career, so far.



Thursday, July 5
2007 Marquette Iron Sticks


 Iron Stick Classic 2007


Bantam AA/AAA, Pee Wee AA/AAA


October 26 – OCTOBER 28, 2007


Lakeview Arena – Berry Events Center Arena


Marquette, Michigan




Ø     16 teams


Ø     Four game guarantee


Ø     15 minute stop time periods


 


 This is a great chance for the top teams in the country to show what they have against the best competition.


 


Tournament entry fee is $850.00 (u.s. funds). Deadline for entries is September 21st, 2007.


 


Fill out the attached entry form and return it to



                                             


Iron Sticks Classic 2007


Marquette Junior Hockey Corporation


401 E. Fair Ave. Suite 103


Marquette, Mi 49855


 


or visit www.mqthockey.org to download application

If you have any questions, contact:


 


MJHC Director Tim McIntosh  906-228-9193/ e-mail wcatgoal@mqthockey.org


 


Tournament Directors:


Linda Winslow at 906-226-8134 /lwinslow@uplogon.com


 


 


 





 


 


 


 


              


 Iron Sticks Classic Tournament 2007



Team name:____________________________________________


 


Address/City:__________________________________________


 


USA hockey team registration number_______________________


 


Copy of Canadian Travel Permit included____________________


 


Team record 2006/2007___________________________


 


 



Contact Person:



 


Name:________________________________________________


 


Address:______________________________________________


 


City: __________________________State/Prov.: _____________


 


Zip/Postal code: _____________________


 


Phone: ________________________(day)      


 


            ________________________(evening)


 


            ________________________(cell)


 


fax:  __________________________ 


 


e-mail:  ________________________


 


 


Teams will be notified of their acceptance by telephone or e-mail


 



Thursday, December 7
Cheer Club
The Legion players will be participating in the Mining Journal's Christmas Cheer Club which provides toys to local underprivileged youth.  Please have your son bring an unwrapped toy to practice next WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13.

Sunday, October 14
2006 Marquette Iron Sticks Invitational Hockey Tournament
 

SECOND ANNUAL IRON STICK TOURNAMENT


OCTOBER 20-22, 2006


LAKEVIEW ARENA – BERRY EVENTS CENTER


MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN 49855


 

(All times, EST)

 


Bantam Division:



 


American                                                         National    



1.      Winnipeg Monarchs                          6. Keweenaw Storm


2.      Front Range Panthers (Denver)        7. Mqt. American Legion Sentinels


3.      Dearborn Brand ’92                           8. Soo Thunder (Ontario, Canada)


4.      USA Eagles ’92 (Rochester, MI)          9. N.E.W. Jr. Gamblers (NE Wisconsin)


5.      San Jose Jr. Sharks                           10. Traverse City Pepsi



Pee Wee Division:



 


American                                                                  National



 


1.      TBA                                                                 5. Mqt. ReMax Sentinels


2.      Soo Jr. Lakers (MI)                                        6. Soo Nat. Supply/A.J Bus(Can)


3.      Keweenaw Storm                                             7. Littleton Hockey Assn. (CO)


4.      Traverse City Dave Harveys                         8. Cadillac Jr. Vikings (MI)



Friday, October 20, 2006:


8:00AM – R – 1 vs 2 PW


8:30AM – O – 3 vs. 4 PW


9:45AM – R – 5 vs. 6 PW


10:15 AM – O – 7 vs. 8 PW


11:30 AM – R – 2 vs. 7 BANT


12:00 PM – O – 1 vs. 6 BANT


1:30 PM – R – 3 vs. 8 BANT


2:00 PM – O – 4 vs. 9 BANT


3:30 PM – R – 5 vs. 10 BANT


4:00 PM – O – 1 vs. 3 PW


5:15 PM – R – 5 vs. 7 PW


5:45 PM – O – 2 vs. 4 PW


6:00 PM – B – 6 vs. 8 PW  


6:45 PM – R – 7 vs. 1 BANT


7:15 PM – O – 8 vs. 2 BANT


7:30 PM – B – 9 vs. 3 BANT


8:30 PM – R – 10 vs. 4 BANT


9:00 PM – O – 5 vs. 6 BANT


Saturday, October 21, 2006:


8:00 AM – R – 4 vs. 1 PW


8:00 AM – B – 3 vs. 2 PW


8:30 AM – O – 7 vs. 6 PW


9:45 AM – R – 8 vs. 5 PW


9:45 AM – B – 1 vs. 8 BANT


10:15 AM – O – 2 vs. 9 BANT


11:15 AM – R – 5 vs. 7 BANT


11:15 AM – B – 4 vs. 6 BANT


12:15 PM – O – 3 vs. 10 BANT


1:00 PM – R – 3rd National vs. 3rd American PW (Consolation)


1:00 PM – B – 4tht American vs. 4th National  PW (Consolation)


2:00 PM – O – 2nd National vs. 1st American PW


2:30 PM – R – 1st National vs. 2nd American PW


2:30 PM – B – 9 vs. 1 BANT


4:00 PM – R – 7 vs. 4 BANT


4:15 PM – B – 6 vs. 3 BANT


5:15 PM – O – 8 vs. 5 BANT


5:45 PM – R – 10 vs. 2 BANT


Sunday, October 22, 2006:


8:00 AM – R -  1st National vs. 2nd National BANT


8:30 AM – O – 1st American vs. 2nd American BANT


10:00 AM – R – PW Championship


1:00 PM – R – BANT Championship


Special Notes


Tournament Social, Friday October 20, at JT’s Shaft


Tournament Tailgate BBQ, Saturday October 21, Lakeview Arena


Tournament 4th Period Reception, Saturday October 21, Shamrock



Sunday, August 27
Congatulation, 2006-07 Legion Players
Congratualtions to following players, on making the
2006-07 Marquette American Legion Bantam AA Hockey Team

Beau Adams
Joel Benson
Clinton Bergmann
Dino Burggrabe
Brad Chapman
Danny Dagenais
Dylan Etelamaki
Kevin Gravel
Tyler Hinkson
Brett Love
Jake Mahoski
Mike McAuliffe
Dallas McLaughlin
Jake Robinson
Easton Viitala
Nick Weston
Cody Wickstrom

This is just the first step, in what will be the biggest year of your hockey career so far.

Wednesday, September 19
USA Hockey "Standard of Play and Rules Enforcement"
http://www.usahockey.com/Dear Friends,

It's an exciting time of the year as another hockey season is upon us.

You may be aware that USA Hockey is implementing a new Standard of Play and Rules Enforcement throughout the country in 2006-07.

While this new Standard of Play does not involve any rule changes, it does change the way our current rules will be called by referees in relation to hooking, holding, tripping and interference.

I strongly encourage you to visit our website usahockey.com and take the time to gather everyone in your family to watch the video presentation we've developed that explains what is and is not acceptable under the new Standard of Play. It's a terrific piece that will help everyone understand what to expect.

With the new standards, players will be rewarded offensively and defensively for their use of speed, skill, and strength.

Please help us in carrying the positive message forward. Together we will make our great game even better.

Best Wishes,

Ron DeGregorio, President USA Hockey


Saturday, September 2
Legion FUNdraiser
We will again be having a Legion FUNdraising day at Econo Foods on September 9, where we will be bagging groceries, having a hot dog bbq, collecting receipts along with cans and bottles, to help defray ice cost for this upcoming season, more info to follow.

 

LEGION FUNDRAISER



We have a fundraiser scheduled for September 9th 2006 at Econo Foods.



Tony Lofaro, the manager at Econo Foods advised that we may bag groceries between the hours of 10:30am to 5:00pm.



We will be cooking and selling hot dogs, pop and chips; we will also collect receipts, and take donations.



Mr. Lofaro has asked that we NOT collect returnable pop cans and bottles, as he has had complaints from customers.



This has been a good fundraiser for us in the past and it’s expected to have ALL players and at least ONE parent participating.



More details will be forthcoming.



Thank You



Team Legion 05-06
2005-06 American Legion Bantam AA Hockey Team

Marquette Fall Clash
 

Marquette Pee Wee/Bantam Fall Clash


Lakeview Arena


Berry Events Center


Marquette, Michigan


November 4-6 2005


PEE WEE DIVISION

Keweenaw Storm


Marquette Re/Max


Traverse City Dave Harvey’s


Athletic Supply


Soo (MI) Jr. Lakers


Winnetka Warriors

BANTAM DIVISIONS

HURON DIVISION:

Green Bay Jr. Gamblers


Traverse City Pepsi


Arapahoe Ice Warriors


Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds


Lansing Capitals


 


SUPERIOR DIVISION:

Marquette American Legion


Winnipeg Sharks


San Jose Jr. Sharks


Sudbury Wolves


Gilmour Sabres


Friday, November 4



9:00 AM - Russell - Green Bay vs. Traverse City


9:30 AM - Olson - Arapahoe vs. Sault Ste. Marie


10:45 AM - Russell - Lansing vs. Gilmour


11:15 AM - Olson - San Jose vs. Sudbury


12:30 PM - Russell - Marquette Legion vs. Winnipeg


2:15 PM - Russell - PW Keweenaw vs. Marquette ReMax


2:45 PM - Olson - PW Traverse City vs. Soo Lakers


3:45 PM - Russell - Lansing vs. Green Bay


4:15 PM - Olson - Arapahoe vs. Traverse City


5:30 PM - Russell - Sudbury vs. Sault Ste. Marie


6:00 PM - Olson - San Jose vs. Winnipeg


7:15 PM - Russell - Gilmour vs. Marquette Legion


7:00 PM - Berry - PW Marquette ReMax vs. Traverse City


7:45 PM - Olson -PW Winnetka Warriors vs. Soo Lakers


 


Saturday, November 5


 


8:00 AM - Russell - Lansing vs. Traverse City


8:00 AM - Berry - Winnipeg vs. Gilmour


8:30 AM - Olson - Green Bay vs. Sault Ste. Marie


9:45 AM - Russell - Marquette Legion vs. Sudbury


10:15 AM - Olson - PW Traverse City vs. Winnetka


11:30 AM - Russell - PW Soo vs. Keweenaw


1:00 PM - Russell - Gilmour vs. Arapahoe


1:30 PM - Olson - San Jose vs. Lansing


2:45 PM - Russell - Traverse City vs. Sault Ste. Marie


3:30 PM - Olson - Winnipeg vs. Sudbury


(4:30 PM - Russell - Electricians vs. Soo Indians)


5:15 PM - Olson - PW Winnetka vs. Keweenaw


6:00 PM - Berry - PW Soo Lakers vs. Marquette ReMax


6:30 PM - Russell - Marquette Legion vs. San Jose


6:45 PM - Olson - Arapahoe vs. Green Bay


 


Sunday, November 6


 


7:00 AM - Russell - 1st Place Huron vs 2nd Place Superior


7:30 AM - Olson - 1st Place Superior vs. 2nd Place Huron


8:45 AM - Russell - PW Marquette ReMax vs. Winnetka


9:15 AM - Olson - PW Keweenaw vs Traverse City


(10:15 AM - Russell - Electricians vs. Soo Indians)


1:30 PM - Russell - Bantam Championship


3:15 PM - Russell - Pee Wee Championship


 





Riz with the Snipe
The Rizzinater

Sunday, September 19
Kalamazoo Early EarlyBird ArenaMaps.com Tournament Champions
Click on link to see photos at www.action-shots.net

Wishbone Champions
2004 Champions
Winettka Wishbone Champions
Congartulations

Mikes Smile
Priceless
Priceless
New Helmet $
New Cage $
New Blade $
Trip to Border Bash $
Smile on Face after scoring his first goal....PRICELESS

Go Legion!
Cheer, cheer for the red, white and blue
Skate on to victory, we're all for you
Pass the puck, and dent the twine
Show them our team can really shine

Author Unknown

GO LEGION!

flasher
He shoots and he Scores!
Coach's Game Plan
Our game plan is to teach and develop the players both on and off the ice, so that they are not only better hockey players but better individuals as well.

Our goal is simple, to get the kids to "the next level".

We Guarantee 2 things, "they will learn, and they will have fun".
puck
What are you waiting for?...SHOOT THE PUCK!

usa
Courtesy of The Red, White, and Blue
Disclaimer
While we do our best to try and keep this page as current and as accurate as possible, we cannot gaurantee that all info is correct.
flag n eagle
Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly

What a Come Back
Legion Magic
Silver Sticks Runner-UP 2004
2004 Silver Stick regional Runner-Up

UP Champs
U.P. Champions 04-05
Congatulaions on winning District 8 Championship
(UP Champs Baby)

NIHL League and Playoff Champions
Congratulaions Boys

Players Creed

I might never be the best, I might never be the most talented, but whenever I hit the ice from now on I promise I will do my best to complete myself in every aspect of the game. Your teammates are your friends, not your enemys treat them with respect. Your coaches are your mentors and are skilled in what they are talking about, never question them. The puck is only a little piece of black rubber on the ice, but what you do with it and how you handle it means everything. Don't follow footsteps make your own and guide everyone else around you.


ray ray



2005-06 Schedule
The schedule for the upcoming 2005 - 2006 Legion Hockey season is complete.


 

Sept 10 @ Green Bay Gamblers AAA 1130pm and 4pm both games at Cornerstone Ice

Sept 17 @ Canadian Soo AAA 1200pm and 8pm both games at the Gardens

Sept 18 Econo Foods FUNdraiser 12-6

Sept 23-25 @ Chicago Blues Early Bird (Chicago) TBA


Oct 1-2 Grand Rapids Griffins 130pm R 830pm R and 1130am

Oct 7-9 @ Traverse City Fall Colors Tournament TBA

Oct 15-16 Traverse City 2 games 4pm R and 10am R


Oct 22-23 @ Grand Rapids Griffins 930am 4pm and 1030am @ Standard Federal Rink


Oct 29-30 Corn Maze / Austin and Alex Confirmation


Nov 3-6 Marquette Bantam Fall Classic TBA


Nov 12 @ EscanabaTBA
Nov 13 Gaylord 11am R and 2pm R

Nov 19-20 Canadian Soo AAA 9pm R and 10am O


Nov 24-27 @ Winnetka Wishbone Classic (Chicago) TBA


Dec 3 Escanaba 130pm R and 6pm R


Dec 10 @ American Soo 215pm and 745pm both games at the Bear

 

Dec 16-18 @ Silver Stick Regional (Midland) TBA


Dec 27 @ Calumet 2 games TBA

Dec 29 Calumet 1130am R and 230pm R


Jan 5-8 @ Steel City (Canadian Soo) TBA


Jan 10 @ Escanaba 7pm?

Jan 14-15 American Soo 630pm R and 11am R

Jan 20-21 @ Gaylord TBA TBA
Jan 21-22 @ Traverse City 745pm and 1040am both games @ Cener Ice


Jan 27-29 @ Duluth Invite (Duluth) TBA

 

Feb 3-5 MAHA Districts (UP's) TBA


Feb 11 TBA
Feb 12 TBA

Feb 18 DePere 3pm and 9pm ?
Feb 19 TBA


Feb 24-26 @ NIHL Playoffs (American Soo) TBA

 

Mar 3-5 @ MAHA State Championships (TBA)



2004-05 Legion Awards

Congratulations to the 2004-05 Legion Award Winners
and Good Luck next season

MVP - Justin Florek
Top Defensemen - Joel Benson
Unsung Hero - Mike Peterson
Rookie - Guy Hoenke
Breakout Season - Joey Enright
Most Improved - Alex Lucas
Heart - Ray Nolan
Coach's - Wolffe Belanger
Senior - Lynne Erspamer
Leadership - Alex Wickstrom
Sportsmanship - Austin Gauthier
Scholastic - Brandon Smaby
Defensive Forward - Tyler Hanson



Marquette Bantam Fall Classic Hockey Tournament
 

MARQUETTE  
BANTAM  FALL CLASSIC 
HOCKEY  TOURNAMENT


November 4-6, 2005

Combined  AA/AAA


Format  
Four game guarantee with semi-finals and championship games.
15 minute periods will be used with ice resurfaced every 2 periods.
Two games on Friday, two games on Saturday, playoffs Sunday morning


Committed Teams
San Jose  Ca Jr Sharks
Winnipeg
Lansing Capitals Mi
Traverse City Mi
Gilmour Cleveland Ohio
Green Bay Wi
Marquette
Soo Can
Arapahoe Denver Co
Sudbury Ca  



            
Entry Registration Form


                                                            


Team Name              __________________________________


 


Colors                      __________________________________


 


Classification            AA                 AAA Major       AAA Minor


 


Hockey Association  __________________________________


 


Location                   __________________________________


 


Contact Information


               Name         _________________________


               Position     _________________________


               Phone        _________________________


               Email        _________________________


               Fax            _________________________


              Address      _________________________


              City            _________________________


              Code/Zip    _________________________


 


Sanction
This tournament will be sanctioned by the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association and USA Hockey. 
Teams must provide valid registration Forms and player birth certificates at the time of registration.


Awards            
Team trophies and individual awards will be given to the champion and      second place teams, as well as game mvps, and tournament offense,         defense and goalies.


Entry
Deadline for receiving registration forms and fees is October 5, 2005.


Make check payable to Marquette Junior Hockey Association Bantam Tournament for $700 US or $740 Can and mail to


Marquette Junior Hockey Association Bantam Tournament


401 East Fair


Suite 103


Marquette, Mi   49855


 


For more information you may contact:


Fritz Hoenke  Tournament Committee


Suite 36    1414 West Fair Ave


Marquette, Michigan  49855


906-225-3867 W  229-7686 H  fhoenke@mgh.org


Marquette Junior Hockey Association  www.mqthockey.org


Tim McIntosh  Director             wcatgoal@mqthockey.org


Name                C/A       DOB           Pos               Ht          Wt  




Coach             ___________________


Assistant        ___________________


Assistant        ___________________


Assistant        ___________________


Manager        ____________________


 

           November 4-6, 2005           November 4-6, 2005

Iron Sticks Champions
We are so proud of you guys! Click on link for pics

Chicago Blues Early Bird Runner Ups 2005
Great Weekend Boys click on link for pics

Thursday, October 18
In youth Hockey, the Penalty Box Getting Crowded as published in the wall Street Journal

PAGE ONE
   
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In Youth Hockey,
The Penalty Box
Is Getting Crowded
New Limits on Rough Stuff
Leave Some Fans Cold;
Policies Baffle Referees
By REED ALBERGOTTI
October 17, 2006; Page A1
Bernice and Joe Collins have been among the most loyal fans of their grandson, Jerry Brock Jr., in his youth-hockey league in Brighton, Mich. But this fall, they are boycotting his games. His team spends so much time in the penalty box that his grandparents say it's pointless to attend.
[J B]
When the National Hockey League revamped its rules and policies last year, the idea was to speed up play and make games more exciting for fans. But in the nation's youth leagues, enforcing the rules has actually slowed things down and landed many more kids in the penalty box. In trying to mimic the NHL, USA Hockey, the organization that oversees amateur hockey for 370,000 players from ages six to 17, has run into an epidemic of players cooling their skates for holding, hooking and other infractions.
In some leagues, games are seeing four times the number of penalties typically called last season. The result, in many places, is frustrated players, irate parents and coaches getting booted from games.
On the first day of this year's Jr. Sharks Labor Day Kickoff Tournament in San Jose, Calif., which draws elite teams from as far away as Alaska and Texas, more than a dozen coaches had to sit out a game because their teams netted too many penalties. Games were punctuated by parents yelling obscenities from the stands.
It isn't that teams have gotten more thuggish. Instead, referees are being asked to blow the whistle on tactics that have long been an accepted -- indeed, encouraged -- part of the game, from lightly grabbing players to slow them down to snagging them with the end of a hockey stick to get better positioning. The idea is to signal teams that even minor transgressions won't be tolerated -- and have players spend more time skating and shooting and less time grappling with one another.
In NHL hockey, the moves were hailed as a big success. But in youth hockey, getting referees to apply the policies consistently has been a big challenge. Before the NHL adopted its new rules, refs had to attend a weeklong minicamp, where they not only studied the changes in classrooms but practiced them repeatedly during live play.
But training the 27,000 USA Hockey referees is a much bigger challenge, and some say the one-day course to review the new policies wasn't enough. On top of that, it's taking the kids longer to get used to the new environment and adjust their game to avoid penalty calls. USA Hockey's new dictates also apply to the tens of thousands of adults who play in amateur ice-hockey leagues in the U.S. Youth-hockey leagues in Canada and Europe have adopted similar changes this season.
Ultimately, USA Hockey says, the stepped-up enforcement will improve the game. "Speed, skill and strength, which were tenets of the game, were being held up by interference, hooking, holding," says Ron DeGregorio, president of USA Hockey, which is based in Colorado Springs, Colo. The changes will also help reduce injuries, he says.
The NHL is pitching in to help resolve the confusion. Several pros, including Ryan Suter from the Nashville Predators and Brian Rolston of the Minnesota Wild, have visited with groups of youth-hockey players to review the changes.
But Ryan Frendewey, an 18-year-old player from Lake Linden, Mich., says he's worried that the chaos could affect his chances of making it to the next level. Mr. Frendewey has dreamed of playing for the University of North Dakota or for Colorado College since he was four. To better his odds, he moved two hours from home to join an elite amateur team, the Marquette Electricians. He lives with a local family and recently took a job at a fast-food place to pay his way.
But he's nervous that scouts are going to pass him by this season or will fail to get a good look at his game because of all the penalties. In one game, the Electricians wracked up 14. "This is a make-or-break season for me," he says. "It's frustrating."
Indeed, some scouts have left games this season scratching their heads. Over the summer, Gene Reilly, head hockey recruiter for Northeastern University in Boston, flew to St. Cloud, Minn., in part to see a highly touted 6-foot, 175-pound center. But for the five days that Mr. Reilly was in town, he barely got a chance to see the candidate play normal, five-on-five hockey. Half the time the center, known for his scoring abilities, was forced to play defense because his team was short-handed -- and when he did get a chance to play offense, it was usually against a team that had one or two fewer players on the ice because the others were sidelined by penalties. "Every game was just penalty after penalty," says Mr. Reilly. "You couldn't evaluate."
For Alex Griffin, a 16-year-old player in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., the changes have forced him to master squeezing himself into a penalty box built for two with four other guys. In a recent game, there were so many penalties -- refs called a total of 50 -- that the penalty box was like a revolving door. Alex was crammed into the corner, his view of the game blocked by the two players forced to stand in front of him. At one point, a player in the box declared that there were almost enough people for a party, and asked another where the chips and salsa were.
Some coaches are resorting to unusual measures to reduce their penalty counts. After coaching the Maple Leafs to three consecutive losses in a recent tournament, Todd Holmes decided that something was missing from his practices: a referee. So he asked one to come and observe the Sylvania, Ohio, team play a mock game. Every time someone got a penalty, the players gathered around the ref, who then explained the violation. "Better have them learn in practice than learn the hard way," says Mr. Holmes.
Jerry Brock Jr., the 17-year-old in Brighton, Mich., whose grandparents have stopped coming to his games, is so exasperated by the changes that he wants to quit. But his father won't let him. His mother, meanwhile, calls Jerry's grandparents before every game to let them know when it starts. But they're refusing to attend until the pace picks up again. "It just doesn't seem much like hockey -- they have to be able to hit each other," says Mrs. Collins, Jerry's 64-year-old grandmother.
Part of the issue may be confusion among refs, which has led to some unevenness in the way the rules are enforced. About 10% of USA Hockey refs have yet to take the one-day seminar; they have until the end of November to complete the requirement.
Last month, USA Hockey sent out an email clarifying rules that it said some referees were taking "too literally." Refs were told during their preseason training on the changes, for example, that "the use of a free hand/arm will not be allowed to grab or impede a player's progress." But in last month's follow-up email, USA Hockey said it's actually OK for puck carriers to use their free arm to fend off opposing players.
Refs at first were also told that "the use of the stick will be limited to only playing the puck." But the later email said that a player can use his stick to keep an opponent at bay if the player is fighting for position in front of the net, so long as he keeps the stick close to his body. For refs, though, that email didn't clear up all the questions. Bill Fehrman, a director of the Illinois Hockey Officials Association, which oversees refs in the state, says that within 48 hours of that email, he had already received 20 calls from refs wanting further clarification.
Write to Reed Albergotti at reed.albergotti@wsj.com


Saturday, November 24
Legion Shirts and more

Click on link to view/purchase Legion Hockey Shirts and Sweatshirts...

http://www.prepsportswear.com/product.aspx?productid=52&pc=cardinal&d=2896&schoolid=1024648&up_ss=m&up_pp=%7c12%7cBAA



Marquette Junior Hockey Days



Marquette Junior Hockey Weekend.

September 10-11-12, 2004

Friday 3-7pm / Saturday 11-6pm / Sunday 11-3pm

BBQ, Car Wash, Bottle Drive along with
 "Bagging" for donations (all proceeds go to MJH)

Also, our very own Legion Rock Band will perform.



2004-2005 American Legion Hockey Team
Congratulations to the following on being selected to the
2004-2005 Marquette American Legion Bantam AA Hockey Team

John Aho
Wolff Belanger
Joel Benson
Josh Benzie
TJ Black
Joey Enright
Lynne Erspamer
Justin Florek
Austin Gauthier
Tyler Hansen
Guy Hoenke
Alex Lucas
Colin Lukey
Gabe Migda
Jordan Nagelkirk
Ray Nolan
Mike Peterson
Brandon Smaby
Tyler Schwemin
Alex Wickstrom

Thank You and good luck to all who tried out, you made it very dificult for us to select, we would have love to have had more of you, but as you know, we are limited to the number of players we can take. Keep working hard and striving for your goals.

Legion 2004 Awards

The Marquette American Legion Bantam AA Hockey Team concluded it's season by holding it's annual awards banquet this past weekend. The Legion finished the season by going undefeated in February, including capturing the Big Bear President's Cup in Detroit, in dramatic fashion, winning 3-2 in double overtime 3 on 3 play with John Aho's lone goal for the weekend. I am very happy with how things shaped up this year, with having 9 first year players and 4 never competing at the AA level before, I think we did quite well, even though our overall (20-30-10) and league (7-11-6) records weren't the best, we did go 19-14-10 against true AA teams. The kids really learned a lot this year, both on and off the ice.

2004 Award Winners

MVP - Justin Florek
Top Defenseman - Vinnie Alkire
Unsung Hero - John Aho
Most Improved - David Allyn
Scholastic Award - Lynne Erspamer/Justin Florek/John Aho/Niles Pentecost
Heart Award - Chad Rose
Coach's Award - Bobby Erspamer
Endurance Award - Erik Wetton
Leadership Award - Nick Boyle
Rookie of the Year - Alex Wickstrom
Break Out Season - TJ Black
Sportsmanship - Niles Pentecost
Defensive Forward Award - Chad Rose / Lynne Erspamer
Senior Award - TJ Shuty

Congratulations to all!



Team Legion
Champions!
view full size
Thanks!
Hey guys! Just want to thank you one more time for a fun year. Even though this wasn't what I had planned to do, I did have fun and I am glad that I did it. I have said it before and I will say it again, "...even though I may second guess every decision I make, I have no regrets..."
Thanks again, best of luck in you all do, and hope to see you around.
Neebs.

Dustin
Sunday, March 30
D MItchell

enlistment date: Sept. 17, 2007...

Army National Guard...

leaves October 17, 2007 for Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri for basic. 

 Returned February 24, 2008

He is a Pvt. E-2......

He actually was a E-1 and was promoted to E-2, already.

Congratulations Dustin! We are Proud of you!