Boulder Jr. Bison

As you know, we had a great tryout session this past weekend, with a total of 68 players from across the country.  With this many people, 4 teams were created so that I could evaluate the players on their strengths and weaknesses and how they might fit into our plans and needs.  Within the list of 68 players were about a half a dozen guys who were only here to help out by filling in the lines for me (thank you!), and some who were here for just the experience of it all.  All in all, I saw a LOT of great skaters, about a half dozen fights, and a lot of heart, sweat and desire that makes for picking a great team.

At the end of it all, my decisions were all made solely in the best interest of individual players, and nothing else. And some of those decisions were very difficult and I'm still torn up about one.  I don’t select players for any political purposes.  My decisions are focused on selecting the best players, helping them to develop both on and off ice with additional help from my coaches and staff, and moving them upward towards higher level teams.  I want my players to advance in skill & maturity, and gain exposure to college scouts, and that will always be my top goal for them.  If we happen to be doing well statistically along the way, that’s just icing on the cake.  Developing and advancing players is my #1 priority.

This past weekend, some of your Junior Bison put their backs and hearts into helping others.  This time it was the Centurion Cycling 100 mile, 50 mile and 25 mile races all held Sunday in Lyons, Colorado.  Junior players Matt Fraser, Nick Sutton, Anthony Cullen, John DeSpain, and former Bison players Mark Owen (Worcester State College) and Derek Scanlon (who has turned pro), all arrived in Lyons at 6 a.m., and each put in a long 13 hour day. 
They helped with various support roles at the start and finish lines, unloading trucks, cleanup and many other tasks as needed.  Centurion Cycling founder Graham Fraser was thankful for their long days effort. Working alongside them all day was our Team Manager, Ed Smith.   Three other Juniors also helped for a few hours at the event.  This is our first volunteer effort of the 2010/2011 season.  Other community and charity helping-hand projects are being lined up for them already!
Playing hockey is more than just on ice, it's becoming a part of the community also.  The community supports us and we will try our best to return the support any way we can.  Go Bison!!

I have heard a lot of personal opinions lately about playing AAA vs/or Junior hockey.  I see where as a potential player it can be frustrating and confusing because a junior coach will say play junior and a AAA coach will say play AAA, and the player and parents are stuck wondering what to do!  Well it comes down to a lot of variables.  If AAA does get more exposure for its top end players will you be a top end player on that team or sit the bench and end up trying to go the Jr route a year later wondering what if.  Or will you be a top end player and be drafted to the USHL or NAHL. I respect a lot of the guys coaching AAA as I do Junior coaches but in my opinion and what I have witnessed and seen there is a lot more political b-s in AAA youth hockey than there is in Juniors especially in the US!!! I have watched coaches take kids based on parental income rather than ability which is out right wrong.  I also had the opportunity to coach at the Colorado state development camp where I witnessed coaches who are supposed to be neutral pushing there own players through even though a kid from a different association was better.  If I were a player I would really do my homework before making a choice of where to play I feel both avenues have potentially great returns depending on ice time and the coach pushing you to the scouts and teams at the next level.  But it bothers me when a AAA youth coach tells a player that playing AAA is a guaranteed better option but how can you guarantee that not knowing what the season holds? I don't know.  But I do know that if a player does his job and helps the team be successful he will open himself to a lot of opportunities.  I'm also disappointed with a lot of things I have seen in my short coaching career from junior coaches straight up lying to a players face to get him to sign a contract and burying him afterwards maybe it's those guys that give junior a bad name.  So in ending my rant I don't think that either choice is a bad one it just comes down to where you fit into a coaches plan and team and how much the coach promotes you as a player!!

I have been thinking about the entire season from training camp on and the relationships made and how it all comes together to create a winning team!  I started thinking about this after watching my friend and ex teammate Scott Wray win the CHL Presidents Cup in 2nd OT.  When we started out we had only a few guys from the prior Colorado team and were starting from scratch new systems, everything we had a few team gatherings the guys bonded on the Helena road trip started to become a team from the little things they did together and it carried on and only got stronger through the times of adversity.  When that buzzer sounded in El Paso to win it I realized we were a family, guys cared for each other so much and what a great feeling as a coach to see that pretty much 25 players could come so close together over the course of 6 months.   Now we have to start all over with at least a solid core returning.  but we are losing some great leadership also.  Now is a chance for returning players along with new comers to step in and be leaders, the bar has been set pretty high by the 2009/10 squad but both Jeff and I are excited to see the new character and talent wanting to become part of what we have started.  A few guys we have coming to camp and are excited to see are leaders like defense man Gary Higgs and energy guys like Jake Rowzee and some young talent in Dante Ruscitti.  Along with a solid core of returning players and possibly a few guys that don't stick in the NAHL or USHL.  Either way we are excited to start preparing for another season of exciting Bison hockey.  Camp is set for July 23-25 at BVICE.

This will be my last blog for the 2009-10 season as we are getting prepared to put another team together and try for a second run at natty's.  This season was more than a success in many ways.  We came in not quite sure what to expect and set a modest goal of having a 500 win percentage as a first year franchise.  But the boys stepped up bought into our system and we posted a 40-18-2 season setting the bar really high for the future Jr Bison teams.  The highlight for me was winning the Western Conference Finals in El Paso.  The guy's wanted it so bad and after taking that 10-2 beating they came out with passion and desire in there faces.  The best was when that final buzzer rang out, looking at the guys seeing the satisfaction of an accomplished goal was great and very rewarding!  We will be moving about 8-10 players on to College and 1 to the Pro ranks.  For the players who are able to return I am trying to set them up with higher Jr A level camps.  Thanks to everyone that helped out this season: My wife Ashley, Ellen Hefter, Dan Zawacki Sr, Annick Neitenbach, Ed Smith, Bruce Victor, and all the volunteer youth teams and parents that supported us.  You all helped make this a very successful first season and hope to see you all again next year.

 It's 7:50am and I was sitting back thinking about the success of our team, how close we came and what lies ahead for us this season at Nationals.  When my phone rang and it was a D1 college hockey coach that I know wishing us luck and congratulating me on our teams success, when it came to me.  My players now have set a standard for Jr Bison players of the future without even knowing it.  The future Jr Bison players will be scouted by division 1 colleges because of what these guys have built and worked for.  I was talking with a parent of a very talented boy who plays youth hockey and we were saying how these kids will have opportunities to be successful due to not only their abilities but the ground work that my current players have laid.  I don't think my players understand or have thought about that but it is amazing.  I am glad a banner will hang not only for our Championship victory but as a reminder of the first group of Jr. Bison players that paved the way for future players. When we started in August we never thought we would be the Mid West Division Champion and attending Nationals.  We had a group of guys that love to play hockey and bought into a system.  That's where our true leaders stepped in and took control and believed in our staff and wanted the vision we had painted for them, guys like Derek Scanlon who kept guys accountable every day game or practice, Taylor Fant a guy that accepted the challenge I gave him to be the best each and every night to give us a chance to go to Nationals, Mark Owen who unselfishly played anywhere that would help the team be successful, Nick Sutton taking on guys 30 pounds heavier to get his team going, Andris Sudmalis throwing his body infront of a puck to save a goal. I could go on but those stand out to me. Those are the acts that have set a standard for Jr. Bison hockey now and for the future.  I will never forget this group of guys especially being my first year coaching and the dedication and work that was poured into this season from each guy.  I only wish the best for these guys because they have given the program their best and truely deserve it.  Thanks boys!!

Nationals here we come

Well we took the reigning champs to a 3rd and final game of the Thorne Cup.  Now were on to bigger things the 2009-10 Jr.A Nationals in Marlborough, MA.  As a first year franchise that's pretty impressive.  This will be by far our toughest challenge and we will need to play our best each and every game.  I am going to play everyone to give all my players the taste and experience an event like this has to offer.  I was mad at myself for sitting a few guys this weekend who really didn't deserve to sit out.  I’m going to play the guys who deserve to play at Natty's it's not fair and not like me to do what I did. But we won in EP so i went with it. I'm excited for the 89's this is their last junior games they will play and wow what a way to end your last season of junior hockey!!  I talked with Mark Owen last night on the bus, he was not going to play hockey this year and now he has the opportunity to play in front of Division 1 College hockey scouts and NHL and pro scouts too.  That's what this is all about promoting players to the next level.  if we play like we can we will have a lot of players open up new doors for themselves. See at Natty's.

As Wicksy would say "who da balz" We just did what almost everyone in the hockey world thought was unthinkable, go into the Sierra Providence Event Center and take two of three wins from the perennial power house El Paso Rhino's.  Especially considering it was the first Mid West division playoff game the Rhino's have ever lost since their inception to the WSHL.  Former Colorado teams have felt the wrath of the Rhino's at the SPEC.  In the 2008 playoffs Colorado lost 3-1 and 13-0, and last season Colorado lost 6-3 and 5-2 all in El Paso which makes this an incredible feeling and even more so for former Colorado players and twenty year olds Derek Scanlon, AJ Tesoriero and Chris Coyle.  Our guy's showed heart, determination and character this series and lived by Johnny Cash lyrics "sooner or later gonna cut you down".  We have grown as a group and everyone has bought into the team concept.  These players will walk together forever as the first Junior A team from Colorado to go to Nationals.  I am so proud of each and every player and only want the best for them because they earned it through hard work and sacrifices they gave for the betterment of the team this season.  I am also thankful for my right hand man and assistant coach Jeff Neitenbach, I could not have done it with out his help and dedication this season, also Ck Wolfe for being my goaltending eyes.  Thanks to the families and parents who trusted me with trying to help build a hockey future for their kids.  Last but not least I would like to say thanks to the one man that stood by this Junior team since day one.  Team President Dennis Hefter, none of the records set or accomplishments we have had would have been possible without him and I know that the entire team feels the same way.  I could not ask for a better guy to work for and the players could not ask for a better guy to play for.  We look forward to going to nationals but first have our sights set on the Thorne Cup and a ring!! See you in Marlbrough.

Well the first ever regular Jr Bison season is over as we head into playoffs this week end vs the Tulsa Rampage.  With a record of 35-16-1 and a 71 point total, I am very impressed and proud of the team.  Our 71 points placed us 4th in the league trailing only El Paso, Fresno and Idaho all very competitive teams.  I along with my assistant Jeff are very excited to be heading into playoffs with this group of players.  The hardest decision we face is making the best 20 man roster per game with the 25 players we currently have.  Every player has earned and deserves a spot but also we as coaches need to play the top 20 we feel will help on that given night.  The good thing is in playoffs it's not about who scores or how many points you get in a game or series! It's all about Win's and helping the team succeed.  We had the chance to play before the CHL game on Sunday and after our game I had Scott Muscutt the head coach of the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs who in his coaching career boasts a record of 579 games with 357 wins,  three finals appearances and one championship victory come into the locker room and speak to the guys.  He opened the floor to any and all questions.  Talked about how becoming a pro player or playing at the next level comes down to choices you make as a player the way you treat your preparation as an athlete the off ice choices as well as on ice choices you make.  He also talked about becoming one during playoffs, playing for your team not as an individual, which at this point in our season I feel he hit a home run with guys. They all understand what it takes to become a champion and play as a team and he reiterated that.  He spoke about how he prepares his team through his leaders and then went out and beat the Tulsa Oilers 6-0 with our guys watching and hanging on every word he said.  Boy am I excited for Friday!!!!!! See you there also wear white.  Thanks

One of my players and leaders had a birthday Saturday night and had to celebrate on the road while the team was in Tulsa, Ok.  Anthony Cullen turned 18, to my surprise as I walked through the lobby at Oilers Ice center in Tulsa, there stood his family and grand parents all the way from Flag staff, AZ.  After seeing the support the wheels started turning on how can I make this a memorable b-day for both him and his family.  So I went and spoke with Julie Wilson the Tulsa owner who is also a very creative person and proposed an idea that since they were already celebrating the birthday of Tulsa GM Tim Willey could I throw Anthony in the mix? She agreed, so during the starting line up there was a fresh 18 yr old Anthony Cullen, cheeks beat red wearing a glitter b-day hat standing on the blue line while camera's flashed away and the national anthem singer belted out the happy birthday song over the loud speaker. On top of that great day the team won both games to clinch home ice for the first round of playoffs.  I also need to thank a loyal blog reader and this trips good luck charm Anthony's Grandma Donna Dornan have a safe trip back to Arizona.  Also thanks to Mike Fant and Mary-Kay DeSpain for your support it was great to see you all there cheering on the boys. Thanks and see you all in play offs at the barn!

I have been asked quite a bit why do I have a blog on a junior hockey team?  The answer is simple, it allows people who can't follow the team and are curious of things off the score sheet that happen.  I am here to give a bit of insight as to the mindset of the staff and a few other things that I think should be shared publicly.  I got my inspiration from a blogger from Corpus Christi who in my opinion does a great job of following the CHL In the Crease with Greg Rajan Blog for Corpus Christi, TX from  granted I am no Greg Rajan, I used to chat with him and really got to respect his writings and for the most part he was spot on with his thoughts and views.  You have to take these with an open mind or else a blog can eat at you as it has for many players and coaches alike.  I enjoyed reading his blog as a player good or bad because even when things were bad it was a good eye opener that I needed to either pick up my game or work harder and that's the reason for my blog my players can read it and if they feel that something is wrong can address the problem with the staff rather than guessing. I hope that answers the questions. On a side note Happy 21st birthday to Bobby Dominski # 93.  He already has the green light to enjoy himself and if needed take the day off tomorrow!!! Have a good one Bob!!!

This entry is a special entry for me as an athlete and a person.  This past weekend I was given the opportunity to attend a 3 on 3 celebrity pond hockey tournament in New York.  After thinking it over and talking with my hockey director I jumped on board.  I was not quite sure what to expect this being at Hall of Famer Pat LaFontaine's house on a make shift rink in his back yard, but after arriving this set up is a thing of hockey beauty.  From the score board at the end of the rink to the locker room with stalls set up in the basement of some of hockey's greatest moments and players plastered wall to wall it was hard not be excited.  On tournament day I walk out of the back door to see another star Brendan Shanahan talking with Stanley Cup winner Benoit Hogue (Dallas Stars) and actor Dennis Leary of rescue me.  What a great day of hockey it turned out to be, we were fortunate enough to win in the finals 5-4 raising my first Williams Lake Cup.  After sitting back and really digesting the whole ordeal, I started  to really take a look around beyond the hockey and what I saw was a man, a hall of famer Pat LaFontaine, welcoming in his house a few friends and complete strangers in this amazing sort of retreat all there for the love of the game!  There were CEO's of major companies, Surgeons, Doctors, Lawyers, Professional athletes and actors all the way down to plumbers, electricians, coaches but on that weekend everyone was equal sharing laughs and competing for this Trophy that no one outside of this tournament has ever heard of.  I was and still am blown away at the camaraderie and friendships taken out of this event.  Most of all I am humbled by the person and character of Pat LaFontaine.  By far the most generous, friendliest, nicest person I have ever had the opportunity to meet and if I can emulate myself to be half the man he is I will be very satisfied with my life and who I am.  I know this does not reflect my Junior team but in a way it does because of the experience and conversations I had at the Williams Lake Cup, I will definitely share some of those moments and things learned with my players and try to have them be the best people they can be in the game and out of the game.

As we get closer to the play off roster deadline and practice squad emergency roster listings I am surprised and kind of baffled at the way we played last weekend in El Paso.  It was a real eye opener as to which players can compete at the top level of this league and who can not.  There are a few more opportunities for the guys to show me that they want to be on the active play off roster!  But after watching the video vs El Paso the majority of players will be fighting for a spot! No one knew but we were judging on a lot   more than play we were looking at the players character and when we sat out guys, how did they react were they team players or did they pout and exclude themselves because come playoffs there is no room for selfish non team players never has been never will be!! I look forward to this weeks practice and who comes to earn a spot!

Christmas break is here, I am very happy with where we stand at this point in the season.  I would like to thank all the familes and fans who came to Las Vegas to support us in the show case tournament.  It was a great tournament a lot of our players recieved letters and talked to College scouts about continuing hockey at the college level.  The guys played hard and we impressed a lot of people as we were pegged the under dog of the tournament.  Well I wish everyone who reads this a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  Be sure to check this out in 2010 as I will be posting pics of our fearless leader Bobby Dominski on the big shot at the Stratosphere. See everyone in 2010 be safe!!!!!

With a line up of guys committed to individual improvements and Bison pride our team currently stands with a record of 20 wins and 10 losses and a number of call ups in it's first season. I feel personally that what I have taken from my career as a player and having played for coaches who didn't care about the players as people and only what they did at the rink or on the ice  and how unsuccessful those teams were has been a huge part of our team playing the way it has been.  It's great to actually see guys that are truely happy to come to the rink and want the best for each other.  With this positive atmosphere we have at the rink has created an avenue for the players to move on up to a higher level of junior hockey or College and with these achievements it has made more players hungry to accomplish their goals.  It's great to see their hard work and dedication paying off.  I also feel alot of our success stems from my co coaches Chip Dunleavy who played at the pro level and D3 college, and also Jeff Neitenbach who played college and attended pro training camps.  Both these guys bring a different perspective to the team and the players have alot of respect for them.  Chip and I are like Batman and Robin having spent the better part of the last three years as rommates so we can talk openly about anything. Jeff is the tough guy amongst the group but is also a guy I can talk openly with, we are a good group and I enjoy seeing what they bring to the team.  I'm excited to see how we finish the second half of the season.

We have come to our half way point in the season and after the Thanksgiving break start focusing on solidifying a play off spot.

Team grade- A: I feel as a new team we have been playing pretty good hockey, our leaders have stepped up and shown who they are.  I like the play of our 89's this is their last chance to win at the Junior level and I feel they are focused and want it. I also think the younger players understand the urgency of the the 89's and will do their part to help the team be successful. 

Forwards-B+: I gave this grade because we are not where we want to be, that is on top.  I think our offense has been up to par there have been times where we have been dominant and times where we have struggled to find the net.  Our forwards need to focus on hitting the net at least 80% of the time game or practice.  But overall happy with the play of the forwards our goals for are where they should be at this point.

Defence- B-: We have a young D core that at times are a wall and at times we lose focus and miss read situations.  We need more partner talk and communication.  Most of our leadership and accountability comes from the back end which I am really pleased with.  I am excited to see how the second half of the season goes as our D have been working really hard to be the foundation of our teams success.

Goaltending-A: I feel that most games our goalies have given us a chance to win that is their job and even games we have lost our goalies have kept the game pretty close.  Our goalies have a great work ethic and competitive balance.  Our goalies are a true testament of team players.  We were in San Antonio we won the first two games and both goalies who have not played a game came to me and said to continue playing the goalie who had played the first two games! That is trust and supporting your teammate. Our goalies will carry us far if we play in front of them.

We recently had the opportunity to go and have lunch with Joe Bonnet asst. Coach with the Colorado College Tigers Division 1, and a few players had the chance to sit down and talk with him about what it takes to play college hockey and get a first hand look at how hard NCAA athletes compete to earn a spot on the weekend.  It was a refresher for the guys and something to strive for.  We will be going as a team to watch a CC game in the near future.  Since that trip I have really enjoyed the work ethic the guys have showed and the intensity that experience has brought to our practice. 

We have been pretty busy lately, preparing for the latest series vs the New Mexico Renegades.  Which was a success, going 3 wins over the weekend putting us at 4 and 2 on the season.  I made a few welcomed additions to the team also adding power forward Garrett Trummer whom I had met earlier in the summer at the Kenai River camp in Colorado Springs and goaltender Mathieu Laberge who came highly recommended from several hockey people who I have alot of respect for.  Both had a great weekend too, Garrett scored his first junior goal in his first game and Mathieu won his first junior game on Sunday 5-1.  We now have our sights set on the Tulsa Rampage a team we are chasing for 2nd place in the division.  We are currently 6 pts back with 6 games in hand.

On another note, I recieved news that we will not be seeing Zawacki back with us as he is being called up to Baie Comeau of the Quebec Major Junior League, the top junior league in Canada.  he is currently playing great hockey along side Bison Teammate Hurley Kane up in North Bay, Ontario.  With that news I have named Anthony Cullen our new team Assistant Captain.  Now this is a kid who has leader written all over him.  Never complains about anything, will do what ever is asked of him regardless of the situation, the team respects him also and all the caoching staff agree he deserves it. 

We will start today to prepare for Tulsa and second place and keep it going in the right direction.

We just arrived back from our trip to Helena, MT, where myself and my coaching staff thought we had a very decent showing.  We played the Helena Big Horns the NORPAC Champions and Nationals contenders.  Game 1 was what we expected the guys were tight and nervous and we dropped a 4-2 game.  One highlight was Danny Zawacki scoring his first Jr goal shorthanded (5 vs 3).  The next night we got great goaltending from taylor Fant and we came out flying and were skating all over them but a few mental break downs cost us the game 4-3 final, after I could tell the boys were upset and dissapointed so I didn't really say too much.  They had a players only meeting at the hotel and the next day they came out on the war path winning 8-2 giving goaltender Jonathan Marston his first Jr win.   We had some fun on the way home too.  We had a team stop for a picture at the sign welcoming you to CROW Country (Native Land)  at the request of Jeremy Rolfe.  Then we stopped in Casper, WY, at Mc Donalds where some of the vets decided to have a rookie play land timed race.  This was no contest with Jacob  Mc Robertson shattering the previous record set by some 8 year old kid in 18 seconds. lol .  Over all it was a great trip in preparation for our season and home opener vs El Paso.  The guys bonded and really had a chance to get to know each other which was the whole purpose of our trip. We are looking forward to this upcoming week of practice and to finally begin our season.

This is my first official entry in Cully's blog.  The boys worked hard the last week on the ice and were put through a rigorous off ice session preparing them for the upcoming season.  After practice I heard grumbling's of a team Rookie meal at Buffalo Wild Wings.  After some questioning I was informed that the rookies would be having the blazing challenge, which consists of eating as many of the hottest wings offered at Wild Wings.  I am going to go out on a limb and say that Andrew Hefter will do pretty good since he probably still has some lemon zest on his pallet.  Let me explain that, once a week at the end of a practice we hold a shoot-out called orange/lemon where the players go in on break away's and if you score you go in the orange line, if you miss you go in the lemon line at the end the player who scores the most win the orange to eat and the player who is last to score has to eat the lemon, and the first lemon bite has to be with the skin on!!!!  I have seen some sour faces so far...lol. 

I am happy to see the team bonding this way because we have some tough upcoming games that will really show where we are and what we need to improve on entering our inaugural season.  My Captains are Bobby Dominski, Danny Zawacki and Luc Neitenbach and it was their idea for this rookie dinner. We are very excited to start playing and seeing how our team chemistry carries over to the ice because right now we are looking strong.