Changing of the Guard

Now that Knute is out as director of hockey, who's in? Here's the scoop ...

The new hockey director at DPSC Euless is Tom Yockey, a Yankee with some impressive credentials in youth hockey. Yockey now coaches the Southlake Carroll High School team while also managing hockey programs at DPSC Farmers Branch.

Before that, the Portage, Wisc., native and Eastern Michigan University grad worked in Michigan. He coached the vaunted Little Ceasars AAA club (Mike Modano and Steve Ott played for this club) in Detroit for four years before founding another Midget Major AAA team. Other jobs included high school coach in Pinckney. Yockey played Junior A hockey for the Detroit Jr. Red Wings in 1985-88.

Apparently, a lot of the info Knute used to run his program wasn't written down, so his former boss and others are left to put the pieces together. Their first step -- which shows you how screwed up things are right now -- is to figure out who coordinates the teams.

They have called a meeting for all adult league coordinators for Tuesday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the Crossbar. Beer and pizza will be provided. Yockey will be there, along with his boss, Keith Andresen, director of hockey at all the StarCenters, and Andresen's boss, Ed Reusch, poobah of all the StarCenters.

They will be there "to discuss the season, playoffs, summer program and anything else you have on your mind. We welcome your ideas," they said in a flyer posted at the rink. I'm betting they will get an earful about scheduling, organization, communication and ... ringers.

Sources say Knute's wife, power skating instructor Jennifer Anderson, also has left the rink. She will run figure skating programs at Blue Line when it reopens. As for Knute, we have heard unpleasant stories (rumors?) about his departure, but we shall not repeat them.

I will say only this: He had his faults as a manager (ever try and reach him on the phone?), but he loves hockey, and he did a lot at DPSC to help grow the game. He built one hell of a thriving program at Euless -- 16 I-league teams and 12 in D-League!?! Outrageous! -- and he helped stoke a love for the game in many an over-the-hill beginner, including Yours Truly.

Best of luck, Knute, and thanks for what you did in Euless. Schedule us some good pickup times at Blue Line!

-BC

From the Management...

From Keith Andresen:

"The Euless I-League will begin on Saturday 4/21. We will take off Saturday 4/14. Unfortunately I do not have a full list of coordinators and coaches for the next session and request that all coaches and coordinators send me an email ASAP with your contact information so I can create the first two weeks practice schedule and get it distributed to you next week. Please fell free to contact me at kandresen@dallastars.com or at 817-267-4233 x228 with any comments or suggestions. Thanks, Keith"

Playoff wrap-up/Awards

Congradulations to Mayhem and Snipers for their Division Championships!

Mayhem 3 Patriots 2
The Battle for Lord Stanley’s Keg in the Gold Division was nothing less than one of the greatest games ever played in the Euless I League. Not since the Phantoms/Patriots or Ice Holes/Fugaweez games of the past have the games been as glorious.

Mayhem drew first blood five minutes into the game on a Dick Thill goal from Trevor Lichty for the 1-0 lead. Both sides would attack then counter attack until the Patriots finally responded on a sassy goal from Bryan “No sleep till” Brookman on a feed from Daniel Barr.

The Second period had more of the same as Mayhem again seized the lead from Matt Kachelhoffe from a Chris Conner pass, only to have the score evened up on a short handed goal from “Dan-dano” Barr from Jeff Eagle and Les York. It would come down to the third period where the controversy would erupt. Toward the end of a Patriots power play, Mayhem tossed the puck down the ice on the PK, beliving the Penalty had been over before the toss, the Patriots assumed an icing call would be next. The call never came. Blame lack of communication, blown calls by refs, ect, Gonzales was then surrounded 2 on 0 by Greg Mersberger and Dr. Karim Jamal. Mersberger tucked the puck 5 hole for the lead, and the eventual game winner.

The patriots were not without chances after this by getting a 5-3 powerplay (on what some call a makeup call by the refs) for nearly the rest of the game. The Patriots bombed the net with shot after shot, however couldn’t beat netminder Chris Duran who faced a total of 21 shots of the night. Mayhem would hold on the win and the Championship.

A great game, Thor would be proud.

Patriots prepare for Cold War II

Daniel Barr Skates in hard against Chris Duran

Bryan Brookman unleashes a blast from the point.

Rahul Sharma's shot goes just wide...

Mayhem Celebrating Victory
(A few more mayhem pics to come later...come on Lehr!)

(Jesse Henderson Scores for the Snipers...all of Buckeye Nation Rejoices)
Snipers 2 Blue Devils 0
A grand game as the Silver Division was on the line. Jesse Henderson’s two goals lift the Snipers to victory in a game of injury, scoring, speed, and goon like behavior. This game was scoreless till midway through the 3rd when Henderson struck, then added the tally towards the end of the game for the Snipers. Many people didn’t have the Snipers in their winning corner, but the Snipers did get some help from their patriot allies after all. From Henderson after the game, “We were just glad that hard work and persistence outlasted Todd Smith Goonery”.
A hockey warrior salute is given to Snipers own Brett Fitch who suffered a broken knee cap going into the boards after a puck. We hope his speedy recovery. Ray “Dancing Llama” Workman could not be reached for comments after the game.

Ray Workman headmans the puck

Both Snipers and Blue Devils Crash the net

Coach Steve Fry advises his snipers...


Ice Holes 2 Borrachos 0
The Ice Holes get their revenge after being shut out by the Borrachos 1-0 to close out the regular season. Don’t know who got the goals, but the Ice Holes outshot the borrachos 21-13. Both Haley and Stuckeman were shut down by an apparent “high schooler”. No word on the name or age of said high schooler, but we trust the skupiens. We don’t know for certain who the Borrachos will bring back next season, but they are a team to be feared, if not for the hockey skills, but for the drinking and excessive chanting in the bar….good lord man!

Komets 4 Brewzers 1
Komets avenge their ealier season OT loss to the brewzers with a solid thrashing. Komets not only win third place, but also cap off the best season they have ever had in their franchise history. Again, not sure who scored for both sides, but we are pretty certain the Cappers, Baldree, Nation line was behind it, while Mike Bresnahan was probably lurking on the scoresheet as well. Hats off to the Komets to the most improved team this season.

Puckers 3 Stickmen 1
Not much is known about this one. We do know that Ken “Goal Scorer” Halford lit the lamp for the Stickmen while the Puckers onslaught was led by Chris Kirton and David James. The Puckers then added the empty net late by an unknown soul. From the sound of it, a 2-1 battle was ensuing towards the end of this one, must have been glorious.

Fugaweez 4 Shockers 3
We caught the tail end of this one with the Shockers throwing everything they had at the Fugs. Shockers couldn’t get the equalizer as the Fugaweez complete a nice little comeback on a season shrouded with drama. We don’t know what/how/why but we hope all goes well with the Fugs (we don’t know if this is true, but arn’t the fugs one of the original teams of I league?) who knows. Don’t have players who lit the lamp, but we assume Osbourne or Sandlin did it for the fugs while the Shockers may have been led by Jason Howell….again….no idea….thanks scorekeepers for losing the documents…

Stingers 6 Spiders 1
The Great Josh Briscoe predicted a grand lead to be undertaken by the Stingers but to be lost in a monumental meltdown. Sadly for spiders fans everywhere, only the first part of Briscoe’s prophesy came true. Briscoe himself has 2 goals and an assist. We don’t know of other goals on the night…Rumor has it that Widmann scored for the Stingers while Chris Gallagher was rumored to have scored for the Spiders. Many on the Stingers are predicting a Keg run next season, while the I league Prophet Briscoe has declared for a decree the Stingers will go 10-0 in an 8 game season…..we are baffled as well…

Slackers 3 Leftovers 1
WE HAVE A SCORESHEET! The leftovers actually got the first score of the night on a “John” score midway through the first frame. (last names are so important). However after a scoreless second period the Slackers would respond with two goals both from the great Nate Williams while “Danny” and Jen “Crazed Spartan Female” Leonard had the assists. The Slackers would then add the last tally of the night with 25 seconds left on Leonard’s goal.

Awards: The NHL was gracious to let us use their awards for our own selfish desires…

Team awards:
Stanley Keg: Mayhem (Gold) Snipers (Silver)
Presidents Trophy: Mayhem (best record at end of season)
William M. Jennings Trophy: Ice Holes (Lowest GAA)

Individual Trophies…
Conn Smythe Trophy: Jesse Henderson-Snipers (Awarded to the most valuable player in the playoffs)

Hart Memorial Trophy: Rahul Sharma-Patriots (Awarded to the player judged to be the most valuable to his team.)

Jack Adams Award: Bobby Sirkis Jr (Awarded to coach adjudged to have contributed to his team’s success)

James Norris Memorial Trophy: Jeff Vaughan-Patriots (Awarded to best defensive player)

Frank J. Selke Trophy: Todd Smith-Blue Devils (Awarded to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game):

Lady Byng Memorial Trophy: Jeff Vaughan-Patriots (Awarded to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability)

Venzia Trophy: Bobby Michaelidis-Fugaweez (Awarded to the goaltender adjudged to be the best at his position)

Art Ross Trophy: Jim Stuckeman/Sean Haley-Borrachos (Awarded to the player who leads the league in scoring at the end of the regular season)

Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy: Scott Olson-Referee (Awarded to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey)

Maurice “Rocket” Richards Trophy: Jim Stuckeman (awarded to highest goal scorer)


Other Awards…
Jeff Vaughan Award of Awesomeness: Jeff Vaghaun

Thug of the Year: Todd Smith-Blue Devils
Hammer of Thor Award: Jeff Vaghaun-Patriots
Drunk on Ice Award: Ken Taub-Borrachos
Best Communicator on the Ice: Ryan Smith-Mayhem
Most Improved Team of the Year: Komets
Coolest Jerseys: Stingers

Add other awards to random people as you see fit....

End of Season Power Rankings…

we took all 16 teams, tossed away the divisions and made a list….

1. Mayhem-Winner of the Gold Keg says it all. Could beat several D league teams…Bobby Sirkis Coach of the Year…

2. Patriots-Can pretty much beat any team in the I league(except mayhem for some reason)
3. Ice Holes- A nice 5 GAA for the entire season looks really good.
4. Snipers-Winning the Silver Keg puts you in the top 5 for sure.5. Blue Devils-Defense, Offense, Ability to grind it out, plus todd smith.
6. Borrachos-Stuckeman and Haley shine, but the borrachos are coming together in a drunken sort of way…

7. Puckers-One or two players away from being right up there with Mayhem/Pats/Ice Holes
8. Komets-Most improved team of the season by far. Baldree, Cappers, Nation line one of the best in the league…

9. Stickmen-The Farm Team of the Snipers will make strides if they can get most of the keg team back from a couple seasons ago…

10. Stingers-A roller coster personified. Can look unbeatable one day, then can meltdown in a hurry the next…
11. Brewzers: Always a team to fear when Jamil Jabri is on the team. Couldn’t seem to get the job done in OT this season though…
12. Fugaweez-Some Chemistry problems on this team kept them from going far this season13. Shockers-Started hot, but like the Puckers, lack one or two guys from winning all of the silver
14. Spiders-Probably one of the worst seasons ever for Bohl and his spiders. No Mason, Little to no Greco or Chambers might have been the reason, they’ll be back next season…

15. Slackers- For the first season, not a bad start, hang in there lads…

16. Leftovers-At least they didn’t give up the most goals…right?


This Next Season:
-This week: we have the week off. However if you get your registration papers turned in this weekend, you can have a free drop in on Saturday night. (Keith also plans on giving a couple extra extra drop ins this season as well). -We Resume on 4/21. Coordinators, get your rosters down and your money in.

-This Season: TBA on the total amount of teams, but the divisions should remain the same unless Keith determines a Silver Team needs to move up or a Gold Team needs to move down

-There is a VERY good chance we will be seeing a Two Round playoff this season.

-Also, Keith is very interested in making the program better, which means the league is ours for changing…talk to your coordinators, BAC or BC and the message gets sent to Keith.

we're going on vacation

bac

Playoffs/Spring Season/Ect

Ok...
while everyone is going nuts about everything...time for some housecleaning...

1st off.
Playoff Summaries/Photos/ect, will be posted tomorrow or wends...

2nd.
Knute is no longer with the DPSC, he has moved on to better career opportunities. As of right now, Keith Andresen is the interm Hockey Manager. All questions about I league can be forwarded to him at Kandresen@dallasstars.com or give him a call up at the starscenter.

As of right now, there should be a scheduel released sometime this week for practices this weekend.
We are going to have a sit down session with Keith about the up-comming season to discuss how the next season will unfold.

You will be the first to know what goes on...

3rd...
Coordinators, I will be sending an email out hopefully today or tomorrow, get it and respond!!

Kegs

A carrier pigeon just arrived with these results from Saturday's Keg championship round:

Snipers over Blue Devils
Mayhem over Patriots

More details to follow from BAC ...

If you guys know more, post a comment. Or just complain about the ringers, or whatever.

Heads-up: Euless DPSC has a rare Monday night drop-in game tonight at 8:30-10:30 p.m.

Cheers,

bc