Chicago, IL (May 1, 2010) – Sixteen year-old Alex Galchenyuk of the Chicago Young Americans has been chosen by the Sarnia Sting as the first overall draft pick in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority draft. The draft was held May 1, 2010, at 9:00am EST. He is the first ever Chicago youth hockey player to be drafted first overall, and only the third American in 30 years.

As the first pick overall, Galchenyuk will be presented the Jack Ferguson award and have his name enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Recent first overall OHL picks include John Tavares (one of 2010’s NHL rookie scoring leaders) and Steven Stamkos (leading goal scorer in NHL).

Galchenyuk, born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, dominated the top youth ‘AAA’ league in the US.  Standing 6’1” and weighing 180lbs, he recorded 87 points in 38 games, including 44 goals. He finished 16 goals and 33 points ahead of the runner-ups in both categories, and finished the season with a 30-game point streak.

“Alex is the most talented player I have ever coached at his age,” said Bruno Bragagnolo, head coach of the CYA midget minor team. “His work ethic is second to none. He absolutely loves to play hockey. He is a great example of the elite youth hockey being played in the Chicago area.”

The Chicago Young Americans hockey club is one of only four Tier 1 "AAA" hockey organizations in Illinois. CYA has won seven national championships and has helped move over sixty players on to Division I college hockey. Several Chicago Young Americans have advanced to the NHL, including current players Joe Corvo, Craig Anderson, Jared Boll, and Brett Lebda.

The Ontario Hockey League is part of the Canadian Hockey League, the premier Tier I junior league in the world for players aged 16-20. Approximately 30% of players on active rosters in the NHL have come from the OHL. Alumni include all-time greats Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr, and Gordie Howe.

For more information or to arrange a phone interview with Alex Galchenyuk, please contact Bruno Bragagnolo at bragagnolob@aol.com or at 847-921-4543.

St. Petersburg Times - May 3, 2009

Jason Ritchie knew what he wanted out of life by age 4. He woke up one day and told his parents he was going to play hockey. They told him to learn how to skate. When he came to them three years later and said he wanted to switch from forward to goalie, he had a plan for that, too.

His mother worried about him being in the net and told him that if he was serious, he'd have to collect signatures from 25 friends who said he was good enough for the position. "Two days later he came home with those signatures," said Donna Ritchie. "If he put his mind to something, he went head on."

Ritchie, 22, died early Friday morning. The St. Petersburg College student was heading east about 2:35 a.m. on U.S. 301 near Doris Road when his car missed a curve and overturned, according to the Bradenton Herald.

He was on his way home from a latenight league hockey game in Ellenton, his family said. "For Jason, hockey was a life metaphor," said his father, Bob Ritchie, owner of the Tampa-based American Integrity Insurance Group.

In the rink, Ritchie learned teamwork. Learned how to conquer his fear. Learned how to shoulder the responsibility of knowing that his mistakes were the only ones that ultimately determined what went on the scoreboard.

Those lessons stayed with him throughout life, his father said, even as he picked up other passions. Ritchie loved nature, music and writing.

In March, he started a new job, at the St. Petersburg Times.

As a telemarketing sales representative, Ritchie didn't mind making calls to people he'd never met, his family said.

He had a plan.

He wanted to work his way up to the sports department. And someday, he wanted to write about hockey. There will be a memorial for Ritchie at 2:30 p.m. today at the Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex, 5309 29th St. E, Ellenton.

Click here for Jason's Obituary

Cook named GDI Goalie of the Month

Phil Cook is in his third NAHL season, his first with the Ice Dogs.

The North American Hockey League announced today that Fairbanks Ice Dogs goaltender Phil Cook has been named the GDI/NAHL Goaltender of the Month for November.

In seven appearances, Cook fashioned a 7-0 record, including a 36-save shutout against Kenai River on Nov. 28, to go along with a 1.85 goals-against average and a .941 save percentage.

“Phil gives us a chance to win every night,” said Ice Dogs head coach Josh Hauge.  “He stops all the shots he should and one or two I’m not expecting him to.  He’s a leader in the locker room, too, and he gives the guys confidence because they know he’s been through a lot.”

Cook, a 20-year-old from Wheaton, Ill., played the previous two seasons with the Springfield Jr. Blues.  Last year, he posted a 21-17-4 record in 44 regular-season appearances to compliment a 2.86 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage.

“We’re starting to get on a roll and come together as a team,” said Cook.  “I’ve had some success because our team defense has gotten better by keeping shots to the outside and making my job a lot easier.”

On the season, Cook holds a 13-3-2 record in 18 appearances along with a 2.39 goals-against average and .927 save percentage.

University of Vermont freshman Rob Madore is quickly adjusting to college life and hockey.

With the season in full swing, the first year goaltender from Venetia, Pennsylvania has already found success on the ice, with wins against Princeton, BU and Lowell, helping to boost the Catamounts national ranking to #15.

The road to Vermont has certainly been a journey for Madore. He shares that he, “started playing organized hockey when [he] was 6 years old, though [one] could say that [he] was [his] Dad’s shooter tutor since birth.” Madore’s big break came when he joined the Chicago Steel organization in 2006. In his two seasons with the Steel he reached national rankings as first in the USHL in saves (1,260), second in minutes played and sixth in save percentage. However, he is currently finding differences between Juniors and collegian hockey, as he notes, “the main difference between college hockey and Juniors or AAA is that the players are smarter and stronger. At every level you’ll find that the players make decisions with the puck quicker than the level before, I think the key to adjusting between levels is to make sure you have solid fundamentals and always work on your skating."

Madore embraces the changes and challenges of college hockey, and views them as helpful steps to reach his future goals. He has a positive and enthusiastic attitude toward his career at Vermont, for he shares that he “would like to win a National Championship, something the University of Vermont has never achieved. I feel like we have a solid group of guys and if the chips fall the right way, we can make a run at it the next few seasons. Other than that, I would like to establish myself in college hockey as well as complete my degree in four years.”

He credits his success to his family and coaches, as they have shaped him into the athlete and person he is today. Madore specifically notes working with “coaches such as Steve Poapst and John Weibel (currently with the Chicago Steel). Though the person that has influenced [him] most has been [his] Dad, as he always demanded 110% effort from [him] and taught [him] the concepts of humility in competition.”

Additionally, Madore acknowledges the improvements he made while working with Stu Gould. “I thoroughly enjoy working with Stu, for those that know Stu personally you understand that he always keeps the mood light which helps tremendously with the mental side of the game. One thing I enjoy about Stu is that he won’t try and change your style of play; he tries to work to enhance it and offers a different perspective on the position than many other coaches. In my time working with Stu, I see an improvement in my mental game as well improving my fundamentals.”

The future is clearly bright for Madore, and his recent success only seems fuel his determination to improve. His drive and work ethic are apparent in his advice to younger players, as he shares, “if I could offer any advice for younger players it would be to always work your hardest and never give up on your dreams. Things may not always go well or as you have planned, but hard work can take you a long way.”

Maimed at Marriuci: MSU goalies get sliced in action

Mariucci Arena has become a dangerous place for Minnesota State goaltenders.

Both Mike Zacharias and Dan Tormey have shed blood in the Minnesota Gophers’ home rink.

Two years ago, Tormey raced to the Mavericks’ bench with blood dripping from his hand after taking a skate blade across his thumb while making a save. He ended up needing surgery and missed a couple of months of his sophomore season.

In overtime Friday night, Zacharias lost his facemask after taking a hard shot off the head and then got his forehead split open by the errant heel of teammate Kurt Davis’ stick blade.

“We’re going to have to sign a liability form next time we come here,” Zacharias joked after he helped the Mavericks secure a 3-3 tie and after getting six stitches to close up the ugly wound below his hairline.

Blood flowed down his face like a perfect spooky mask for that Halloween night, and he raced to the bench to get cleaned up so he could get back in his crease. Tormey was ready to go, sent out to warm up between the pipes as MSU trainer Sean Donley quickly wrapped medical tape around Zacharias’ head like he was winding up a kite string.

“I wanted to go back in,” Zacharias said.

Zacharias missed no time and he made one more save after Donley “Rambo-ed me up” to finish the night with 47 stops. That number tied the career high he had against the Gophers in the third game of last March’ playoff series.

Zacharias has been anything but a liability for the Mavericks since becoming the team’s No. 1 goalie.

“He’s probably our best player right now,” said Davis, a sophomore defenseman who leads the Mavericks’ top scorer with two goals and seven assists.

Zacharias has started 35 consecutive games for the Mavericks and is now tied for fifth place on Minnesota State’s career wins list with 34. Only Eric Patemen (49 wins, 1998-2002) has more wins in the program’s Division I era. As it stands, his career save percentage of .910 is an all-time high for the school.

“He’s played extremely well for us,” MSU coach Troy Jutting said.

Indeed, Zacharias has carried the Mavericks to their 3-2-1 record, the same mark they had last year at this time.

The senior and reigning team MVP is currently third in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association with a .920 save percentage and fifth with a 2.80 goals-against average. Of the 17 goals he’s allowed, only five have come during even-strength situations (he’s also allowed a short-handed goal and another when Bemidji State had pulled its goalie for an extra attacker).

“Zacharias was really on top of his game tonight,” Gophers coach Don Lucia said. Friday. “He’s a good goalie.”  What Zacharias needs is for his teammates to stay out of the penalty box. In his two losses, North Dakota and Minnesota combined to score seven power-play goals. On Saturday, the Gophers worked extra hard to get traffic in front of the goal in order to get pucks by Zacharias.

“(Ryan) Stoa had a great screen in front of Zacharias, and he had no idea where the puck was,” said Minnesota freshman Jordan Schroeder, who scored two power-play goals Saturday. “I had a wide-open net in front of me.”

In a league and in an era where goaltending rules, Minnesota State has a good one who is capable of leading the Mavericks to the NCAA tournament.

As he showed Friday night, Zacharias can be scary good.

Shane Frederick is a Free Press staff writer. Access his college hockey blog through www.mankatofreepress.com.

September 1, 2008
Goalie of the Month - Mike Zacharias

Senior goalie Mike Zacharias certainly has a great deal going for him. With three successful collegian years at Minnesota State University under his belt, he is looking forward to his last season by setting goals, like winning a National Championship and making the WCHA final four. Ambitious, some may say, for each achievement in itself will be a struggle. However, his apparent love for the game and confidence in his team’s abilities will undoubtedly prove to be one of the driving forces behind a great foreseeable year for the Mavericks.

The Plymouth, Minnesota native has truly grown up with the sport, as pivotal moments of his youth are tied hand-in-hand with hockey. Shortly after his first steps on solid ground, he began taking his first strides on the ice. Around age four, when many begin preschool, Zacharias was also beginning his first hockey lessons and league play. His early start can in large part be attributed to his father, a former goalie, who served as his son’s first goalie coach. In his mid-teens it was evident that Zacharias not only had a love for the game, but that he was also extremely talented. Two year of high school hockey was followed by participation in four different junior hockey teams, which resulted in recruitment by Minnesota State.

Although demanding, the road to MSU left Zacharias with many memories. In 2001, he was part of the successful US17+ team, and their championship win in Slovakia is still one of his favorite memories, as he recalls the, “unforgettable experience of standing on the blue line, hearing the National Anthem.” Traveling across the country and world can put stress on any athlete, and Zacharias attributes his perseverance to those with whom he is closest to for their continual support. In particular he credits his family, especially his father, for their unremitting motivation, and his juniors coach Bliss Littler for instilling in his game intensity and focus. In addition, Zacharias has worked with Stu Gould, and recognizes Gould’s, “motivation and knowledge of a goalie’s mind.” He also observes that on top of being a goalie coach, “Gould is [also] a great guy to talk to.”

It is hard to say what the future may bring, but it is certainly bright for this young athlete. After college, Zacharias shares that he would ideally, “want to continue to playing by signing with a team in the NHL.” However, his focus is on the present, as his final season is already underway. Without compromising his goals, in general, he is looking forward to a new season and opportunity for improvement in his team and himself. His advice to other athletes only solidifies his work ethic and love for the game, as he states, “have fun and find [your] passion. You have to work hard and listen, no matter what sport you play.”

-Amanda Schmidt

August 1, 2008
Goalie of the Month - Charlie Effinger

Within minutes of meeting Charlie Effinger it is clear that his positive attitude and relaxed demeanor are the platforms to his success. He shares that it’s “important to take one day at a time,” and to look at every opportunity as a “learning experience.” As he reflects on past memories, like winning CCHA goalie of the year his sophomore collegian season, he still looks forward to future accomplishments.

Effinger began his hockey career at age seven, playing for a house league near his hometown of Belleville, IL. As most leagues go, a young player is encouraged to try each position, and after a few games as a forward Effinger had his turn in the goal and has never looked back. He developed a passion for the game that grew along with his talent. As a high school sophomore he played for the St. Louis Junior Blues team, preparing him for his college career at Miami University of Ohio. Now a recent graduate, Effinger is looking forward to pursuing his dream in the National Hockey League, which may be coming true, as he has recently signed with the Atlanta Thrashers.

As his goals become within reach, Effinger credits those closest to him, specifically his family and coaches Rick Zombo and Jeff Blashill, for creating a solid support system that shaped him into the athlete and person is today. In addition, Effinger praised the work of Stu Gould, someone who forces not only him, but also other goalies, to “work hard on both mechanics and mentality, as the two go hand in hand.” He also commends Gould’s unremitting loyalty to his goalies, and his excitement to promote and expose his players to new opportunities.

After a successful four years at Miami, he is “looking forward to a fresh start and a chance to play with a new team.” His humble disposition is never absent, as Effinger realizes he still has a long way to go, but he will embrace his first year with the Thrashers organization as another step forward in his hockey career.

-Amanda Schmidt

April 13, 2008

Mavericks Dole Out Team Awards for 2007-08;
Zacharias Named MVP; Linder, Bruess, Wiley and Berge Also Feted

Mankato, Minn. — The Minnesota State men’s hockey team named the recipients of its team awards at the annual Maverick Hockey Awards Banquet held at the Holiday Inn in Mankato Sunday. The award winners are listed below.

Most Valuable Player - Mike Zacharias (Jr., Goaltender, Plymouth, Minn.) — Junior netminder Mike Zacharias, who started the last 29 games of the season, ranked 12th in the country with a school-record tying .924 save percentage and was ninth in the nation with a school-record 2.08 goals against average. Twice named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week during the course of 2007-08, Zacharias was credited with a career-high 47 saves in MSU’s double-overtime loss to Minnesota in the WCHA play-offs. The Plymouth, Minn., native had 114 saves on 121 shots for a .959 save percentage in the three play-off games vs. the Gophers. Zacharias had least 30 saves in a game on ten occasions in 2007-08, including the last six games of the season in a row. Zacharias, who had a school-record five shut-outs during the course of the season, had an 18-13-4 won-loss record for the season. His 18 wins are the most by a MSU netminder since Eric Pateman’s 21 victories in 1999-2000.

Most Improved Player Award - Jason Wiley (So., Forward, Bloomington, Minn.) — Sophomore forward Jason Wiley improved his offensive output from four points his freshman year in 2006-07 to 18 points in 2007-08 for a 14-point increase. Wiley, who completed the 2007-08 campaign tied for second on the team with 11 goals, was named the WCHA Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in a two-game sweep over St. Cloud State Jan. 25-26 during which he racked up two-goals and two assists vs. the Huskies. The Bloomington Kennedy High School product amassed 11-7--19 in 34 games to finish eighth on the team scoring charts. His + 10 for the year tied for third amongst the Mavericks and his .200 shooting percentage (11 goals on 55 shots) ranked second.

BW3 Star of the Year Award (most Three Star of the Game selections during MSU home games) - Mick Berge (Jr., Forward, Oklahoma City, Okla.) — Junior forward Mick Berge led the Mavericks with 20 goals and ranked 24th in the country in goals per game with a .51 mark. A first-year assistant captain in 2007-08, Berge owned the team lead with four game-winning goals and led the team in shots on goal with 110. The Oklahoma City, Okla., native established a personal season-high for goals (he had 12 as a sophomore) and finished 2007-08 with 10-4—14 in the final 16 games of the season.

Mr. Hustle Award (Hardest Worker) - Trevor Bruess (So., Forward, Minneapolis, Minn.) — Now a two-time recipient of MSU’s Hardest Worker Award, sophomore forward Trevor Bruess topped the 2007-08 Maverick scoring charts with 9-21--30. Bruess, who scored the GWG in MSU’s 1-0 double overtime play-off victory over Minnesota March 14, also led MSU in assists (21), shorthanded goals (3) and plus-minus (+22). The Minneapolis, Minn., native ranked second on the team with 20 penalties and 54 PIMs.

Unsung Hero Award and Don Brose Leadership Award - R.J. Linder (Sr., Defense, St. Cloud, Minn.) — A three-time WCHA All-Academic pick, senior defenseman R.J. Linder completed his four-year MSU career with two goals and 13 assists in 124 career games played. The St. Cloud, Minn., native finished second on the team in 2007-08 with a +13.

Head coach Troy Jutting also announced the forward Mick Berge will serve as team captain next season and that forward Trevor Bruess and defenseman Blake Friesen have been appointed assistant captains.

MSU finished the 2007-08 campaign with a 19-6-4 overall record and completed the WCHA regular season with a 12-12-4 mark.