Team News

 

 

 

THE OWLS COMMITMENT TO PLAYER DEVELOPMENT PAYS DIVIDENDS

 

Aug 01, 2008 - Captain Adam Hull has signed to play with the University of Central Oklahoma ACHA Div. I

 

The Grand Rapids Owls are pleased to announce that Captain Adam Hull has signed to play with the University of Central Oklahoma ACHA Div. I hockey team. UCO Asst. Coach Mitch Surell had this to say about Adam. "We are very pleased to have Adam joining our program at UCO. We have built our program around CSHL players from the start, and Adam is a great example of the type of player the CSHL produces. He is a very talented "stay at home" defenseman who understands how to play the game. In addition, he exhibits tremendous leadership qualities both on and off the ice,  and will help us towards our goal of an ACHA D-1 National Championship. He is also an excellent student who will be working towards his degree in education, and our school is one of the finest in the country for those looking to go into the teaching profession. Adam joins former Owls Eric Janzen and Shawn Steggles on the UCO roster, and we look forward to having him in a Broncos sweater for the next 4 years."

 

Jul 01, 2008 - Lansing, MI, native Josh Sandberg set for Peoria IL Eagles Hockey team!

 

The Robert Morris-Peoria Men's Hockey team continues to build its roster for the coming season as Coach Jim Sanchez    announced Joshua Sandberg of Lansing, MI, will attend RMC this fall. Sandberg just completed a season of Junior-A hockey with the Grand Rapids Owls of the Central States Hockey League.  He scored eleven points in 45 games for the Owls. "Josh is a forward with great hands who knows how to score," says Coach Sanchez. Commenting on his newest player's membership on the United States National Roller Hockey team, Coach Sanchez said, "He plays inline hockey at a very high level.  He'll bring that scoring touch to the ice for us.  I am really looking forward to having Josh on the team.  I expect great things from him."

 

Jul 01, 2006 - Jeremy Gates signs with Springfield.

Congratulations to Jeremy on making the Springfield Blues NAHL JR'A roster said Coach Nick Pollas, “He made it impossible for us to cut him. It was obvious that he had worked very hard in the off-season. He earned his spot and took away someone else’s. It was that simple.”

Jan 10, 2006 – Jordan Barber to Ferris State CCHA

 

During a campus visit to Ferris State University, Jordan Barber received an offer from Head Coach Bob Daniels of FSU for a 4-year roster spot on his team starting this fall. Without hesitation Jordan immediately said YES and committed to FSU and Coach Daniels. For Jordan “this was a dream come true. I have skated in tournaments up there since I was a kid, and for me to now be able to play with a great team for Coach Daniels and Coach Lalonde is an awesome opportunity for me. I am very proud to become a part of the FSU organization”. Coach Lalonde said, “We are proud and excited to have Jordan join our program this fall. He is now a Bulldog and we expect him to conduct himself accordingly with respect to the University.” Jordan’s current coach Mike Flanagan is very proud of Jordan because he is one of the few to make the jump directly from the CSHL to a NCAA Division I program. Coach Flags said “It proves that any talented, hard working player, on any team, at any given time can make the move to the next level. Congratulations Jordan. In addition, with the caliber of play within the Central States Hockey League, I can foresee more players making a similar move. The CSHL has once again proven that our league has many opportunities locally for its players without having to move to other cities.


Jan 5, 2004

 

Continuing with our philosophy of giving our players the chance to move up to JR'A the Owls announced that Defenseman Jim Wilson will be going to play with the Central Texas Blackhawk's of the NAHL. Jim was an Owls draft choice and we told him if he did the things we asked and what was expected of him that we were confident he would move up. Jim is a work horse and plays with a lot of heart. When the call came from Central Texas GM Blain Boyle we told Jim that he was living up to his end of the bargain and now the Owls are living up to their end. We are very happy for Jim. He certainly earned his opportunity and we wish him all the best”

 

Nov 21, 2003

 

The Dayton Gems of the NAHL JR'A” league have reached out to the Owls for immediate help. The injury bug has hit the Gems and Head Coach/Gm Mark Frankenfeld has requested the services of RW Kaleigh Schrock and LW Bryan Bingenheimer for games this weekend against USA U17 and Springfield Jr Blues. “This is a great opportunity for these players and we are very happy for them. We are also proud that the Gems have looked to our program for players. That is something that we tell all our recruits if you work hard and have good academics, then Grand Rapids is a place for you to begin you Junior hockey career. We pride ourselves on player development and advancement”

 

Nov 6, 2003

 

Owls move 2nd year defenseman Ben Aring to the Northern Michigan Blackbears JR'A’. Ben is one of the hardest working players I have seen. He is very committed to being the best player that he can. He is first on and last off at practice, very coachable and displays good leadership through his work ethic. He has good academics and is a model citizen away from the rink. There is no doubt in my mind Ben will play college hockey said Owls Head Scout Don Rader

 

Oct 16, 2003

 

The Grand Rapids Owls have moved goaltender Kirk Panik to the Northern Michigan Blackbears JR'A”. The Owls selected Panik in this year’s CSHL Draft. Kirk certainly made the most of his time here. He arrived in great shape and found employment right away(he graduated in ‘03),kept his nose clean off the ice and with his strong play and work ethic we knew it was only a matter of time before the call came, said Owls GM Mike Flanagan.

 

The 2002-2003 Grand Rapids Owls are happy to announce that the following players have advanced to a higher level of hockey.

 

Nino Fogaroli SUNY Morrisville NJCAA

Justin Cichowski Dayton Gems NAHL

Scott Dorman Univ of Wisconsin-Stevens Point(2004) NCAA Div 3/NCHA

Matt Jones Green Bay Gamblers USHL

Kyle Lisabeth Central Texas Blackhawk's NAHL

Will Bruce Thornhill Rattlers OPJHL (committed to Williams College NCAA Div. 3/NESCAC)see Jan.-02 note below

Troy Maney Univ. of Alabama-Huntsville NCAA Div. 1/CHA.See Jan.-02 note below

 

Jun 2003

 

Owls left wingers Bryan Bingenheimer (’84) and Drew Satterley (’86) will be continuing their hockey careers at the Junior ‘A’ level next season. Bingenheimer is a quick shooting forward who was drafted by the Bismarck Bobcats of the AWHL. He was a big part of the Owls run to the National Tournament after coming back from an injury earlier in the season. Satterley, the team’s second leading scorer, is a NAHL Tender to the Soo Kewadin Indians. He too was instrumental in helping the Owls to the franchise’s first ever CSHL Championship Game and National Tournament. Both players are extremely hard working, focused both on and off ice and very coachable. Each maintained strong academics as Bryan, a Bedford, TX, native graduated from Byron Center HS (a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence),where the Owls’ out of town players attend, with a 3.5 GPA and Drew earned a 3.0 GPA as a sophomore at Kentwood HS.

 

Sep 2002

 

Continuing with their philosophy of player advancement, Justin Gilson, a 6’1 205 lb. solid stay-at-home defenseman is now playing in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League Tier II JR’A’ for the Swan Valley Stampeders. The call came for Gilson just prior to the Owls leaving for a two game road trip and leaves a big hole in the team’s blue line.  Director of Player Personnel Jeff Laing “As an organization, this will help the club to continue to recruit the best student-athletes and when their opportunity comes the remaining players will have an added chance to shine. Advancing both Ian Harper and Justin Gilson this early will hurt a little, but we are also a little deeper this year than last and our players have picked up the slack, knowing that they may be the next to get the call .if we can move a player at anytime during the season then we will.”

After completing our opening weekend at the C.S.H.L. Showcase in Peoria, IL the Grand Rapids Owls are pleased to announce that goaltender Ian Harper has been called up to the Springfield Junior Blues of the North American Hockey League JR. ’A’. The Owls heavily recruited the 6’2 puck stopper from the Pikes Peak Miners AAA midgets last season and made him a top draft choice at the C.S.H.L. draft. The Owls wish Ian all the best.

 

The 2001/2002 Grand Rapids Owls are pleased tp announce the following players will be playing at a higher level next season.

 

Bryan Bower-New England College, ECAC East

Mike Golden-Milwaukee School of Engineering, MCHA

Erik Jacobson-Bethel College, MIAC

Matt Rader Finlandia University

 

Jun 2002

 

The Owls are proud to announce that defenseman Jeremy Barber was drafted by the Cleveland Barons JR’A’ team of the N.A.H.L. Barber, a first year player with an abundance of natural skill, started the season low on the team depth chart, quickly rose to the starting rotation through his strong work ethic and commitment to the Owls development program. He also maintained a high academic GPA and proved that if you concentrate on school, work hard on the ice and stay focused off the ice good things will happen. Jeremy is typical of the players that the Owls coaching staff look for in that if you are a good student, hard working, and want to advance then Grand Rapids Owls is the team for you. Jeremy continued his hockey career by being selected at Robert Morris University NCAA Division I hockey program in Pittsburgh, PA.

                       

 

Jan 2002

 

Two players from the Owls roster were promoted to the prestigious North American Hockey League JR'A’ .The Lansing Capitol Center Pride came calling for both Will Bruce and Troy Maney. Bruce is a smooth skating forward who played his off wing was the Owls second leading scorer (27GP, 14G, 18A, 32PTS, 17PIM, 2 PPG, 1SHG) while Maney, a tough, solid two way defenseman was third in scoring (30GP, 10G, 18A, 28PTS, 55PIM, 2PPG, 2SHG).The work ethic each of these players displayed along with their high level of commitment, dedication, desire, and focus proved instrumental in their development as elite student athletes. Under the guidance of the Owls coaching staff, these players were able to improve their weaknesses and increase their strengths. In other player development news, quite a number of Owls players were being noticed at the CSHL showcase in Flint, MI. There were a large number of scouts in attendance from both the college and junior A levels. 

 

The 2000/01 Grand Rapids JR B owls are very proud to announce that the following players have moved to a higher level of hockey:

 

Jay Laing – Utica College of Syracuse University NY

Andy Joy – St. Michael’s VT

Sean White – St. Norbert College

Kevin Jaeger – Penn. State University

Casey Davis – JR A Cleveland Barons N.A.H.L

Frank Furdero – JR A Compuware N.A.H.L

Dana Hilliker – Robert Morris College

Brian Sargeant – SUNY Brockport

 

The organization continued its strong reputation for player development as the recruiting process for the upcoming season is in full swing.  Incoming players are aware of the clubs philosophy of player development. Together, the organization as a whole is committed to providing an environment conducive to the pursuit of excellence whereby players who are academically focused, possess a strong work ethic and the dedication, desire, and determination to succeed need only apply.