The Minnesota Magicians announce recently that Tom Upton has been named Head Coach and General Manager. Upton served as an assistant coach with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL) during the 2013-2014 season. “The Minnesota Magicians are excited to have Coach Upton leading our team into the franchise’s second season in the NAHL” said Minnesota Magicians President Scott Meyer. “We believe Tom brings great experience and excitement to our players and community.”
Prior to coaching in Cedar Rapids, Upton was an assistant coach at his Alma-mater, UW-Stevens Point. "I am very excited and honored to be the Head Coach and General Manager of the Magicians. I would like to thank the Magicians for giving me this great opportunity. We want this organization to be one of the premiere programs in not only the North American Hockey League, but in junior hockey. Our focus will be to bring in great people who strive to get better every single day and develop young men into not only great hockey players but great people as well. Our goal is to provide our players, fans and everyone involved with the Magicians a great experience, and we have the resources in the Twin Cities to do just that."
Burnsville standout athlete Jack Ahcan was named to the High Performance U17 National Camp and then turned around and hit a Grand Slam for the Blaze against Lakeville North. Not a bad week. He was our Lotzza Motzza Athlete of the week. Nominations for achievements like this are always welcome. Send them to editor@youthhockeyhub.com
In America we call it ham, in Canada they call it bacon. This past weekend YHH had a chance to see some great players - well that's what we call them. No matter what you call 'em, these kids were well schooled in puck control, possession and movement. On top of that, we saw 5 "Can't Miss" kids that will make a Major Junior or Division I coach very happy some day.
Here is a link to a few we wrote about this weekend.
Chaska Chanhassen's star Bobby Brink a player in the '14 PeeWee Challenge
YHH will announce it's list of 68 second year players selected to the Peewee Challenge on June 2. Several top players have already verbally committed to the Challenge. Players and parents will have a set amount of time to commit prior to the event. If spots are unclaimed, we will fill the teams with a list of alternates the week following the deadline.
Os selects teams win three age divisions of this past weekends clash tournament. Winning the u-16 the u-14 and the u-12 divisions and finishing 2nd at u-10 level In a highly competitive division the u-12 team defeated the Ice Cougars 4-1 in a fantastic game. The selects presented to the trophy to their teammate Breja Parent who broke her wrist during pool play. Stillwater's Lauren Einan was the O's leading scorer for the Selects.
It is tournament preparation season...YHH has announced it's field for the Big Pumpkin and Blue Ox. Next up is our signature tournament, the YHH Squirtacular. Our field this year has expanded to 64 teams (32 A, 16 B, and 16 C). Defending Champions and Runner Ups get automatic bids. We are starting to attract teams from all over the US to participate.
The event will be held the same weekend in January (MLK Weekend), with an Opening Ceremony and Pin Trading on Thursday, January 15 and games beginning on Friday. Each team will play two games Friday and one on Saturday. Teams not advancing will be completed Sunday. The eight pool winners in the A Bracket will play a Quarterfinal game Sunday. All three final four and championships games (A,B, and C) will be played on Monday.
Monday Championship games will feature a pregame light show and lights out starting lineups for the teams.
YHH plans to broadcast over 40 games this year at all levels - some will be complimentary and some will be pay per view. We are really excited for this year's event.
