Mikesch, Schmaltz, and Olofsson Represent their Countries on the Ice

In hockey there are many different honors and rewards a player and/or coach can receive throughout his career, but there is nothing like the honor of being selected to represent your country.

Green Bay Gamblers Associate Head Coach and Director of Player Personnel Pat Mikesch (USA) and second year forwards Nick Schmaltz (USA) and Fredrik Olofsson (Sweden) were chosen to represent their countries most recently this summer.

Pat Mikesch, who is in his third season of coaching with the Gamblers, has represented Team USA three years in a row (2011, 2012, and 2013) at the Five Nations Cup. In 2011 and 2012 Mikesch served as assistant coach before getting the honor to be the head coach in 2013. In all three tournaments that Mikesch was on the Team USA coaching staff they went on to win three gold medals while going 15-0 during their runs.

Mikesch also represented Team USA as a player in 1993 in the World Junior Championships and twice on the Senior National Team.

Through all of his experiences Mikesch takes great honor in representing his country.

“Any time you get to wear the colors it’s a privilege,” said Mikesch. “I was fortunate enough as a player to do it three times and now as a coach three times.”

Mikesch continued to say how much of an honor it was and being a part of winning teams made it that much better.

“It’s a great honor, it doesn’t matter where you’re coaching it’s always great to be there and be a part of something special. Anytime you get the opportunity to represent the US it’s that much more special,” said Mikesch.

While Mikesch has had great success while coaching Team USA he recognizes that it is different bringing 20 different players together from around the country to reach one common goal so he and his staff have let each player’s talent speak for itself.

“We’re not going to change the player’s style in a short amount of time so we have been successful because we have picked the most skilled players and we have been able to let them dictate the way we play,” said Mikesch.

Mikesch has been in USA hockey development camps for over 12 years and hopes to stay involved with USA hockey for years to come.

“I hope to be a part of the USA hockey development process for a very long time,” said Mikesch.

Nick Schmaltz, who starred in his first season with the Gamblers playing in 64 games while scoring 18 goals and adding 34 assists, is no stranger to USA hockey as he has been representing USA hockey since his youth days where he played in the Junior Olympics in Austria. Schmaltz has also participated in four USA select development camps from age 14-17.

Most recently Schmaltz was a member of the USA Hockey Under-18 select team that participated in the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup in Slovakia where they finished runner-up to Team Canada.

Through all of his USA hockey experiences Schmaltz always feels honored to represent his country and put on that USA jersey.

“It’s obviously an honor every time you get to represent your country, not many guys get the chance to do that so you have to take pride every time you throw on the sweater because you never know if you’ll have the chance to do it again,” said Schmaltz.

Playing for Team USA this past summer in the U18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup, Schmaltz said it was a little different to have to gel together as a team so quickly compared to a normal hockey season.

“It’s tough, other teams are practicing for months, or for example the Russian team has been playing together since they have been 14-years old,” said Schmaltz. “We put together a team, had 3 practices in Washington DC, a couple practices in Slovakia and then an exhibition game and then got into tournament play right away.”

It may have been difficult but Schmaltz said he and his teammates enjoyed playing together.

”I thought we did a good job of coming together, we had a great group of guys and a great coaching staff,” said Schmaltz. “That all helped.”

Schmaltz also talked about how his play fits well into the international game.

“I stuck to my game because my style of play fits right in with the international style, which is playmaking, whereas in the US it is more known for the up-and-down physical play,” said Schmaltz. “My game fit in well with the big ice surface being able to make plays and setup my teammates.”

Playing against all the top players from around the world that have the 1996 birth year has been a big eye opener for Schmaltz.

“It shows how many great players that are out there,” said Schmaltz. “It’s fun to see where you are at against all the top competition.”   

Having been involved with USA hockey since his youth hockey days Schmaltz has developed some strong relationships with guys he has seen at the camps over the years.

“Just growing up over the years I’ve gotten to know a lot of the guys in my birth year and keep in touch with them,” said Schmaltz. “I have a couple of friends that are also going to the University of North Dakota that I have played with on Team USA so I should see them down the road again.”

While Schmaltz has personally competed for Team USA; this winter he will be cheering on Team USA in the 2014 Winter Olympics as they try to capture gold in Sochi, Russia.

“I will be watching the Olympics this winter,” stated Schmaltz. “They should have a pretty good team and I hope they can bring home the gold this winter.”

Fredrik Olofsson, who will be in his first full-season with the Gamblers, also played in the U18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup representing Team Sweden.

Olofsson also took great pride in being chosen to wear his country’s color. What made it even more special for Olofsson was the fact that he now lives in the United States and being invited back and making the team in Sweden was great.

“It was a big honor, being from Sweden then moving to the US it was harder to play myself onto the team but it was great to get the opportunity to go back and play for Team Sweden,” said Olofsson. “Definitely a lot of fun.”

Playing back in Sweden Olofsson was able to play with some old friends and teammates.

“There were a couple of guys that I used to go to school with that were on the team so it was fun to play with them again,” said Olofsson.

Olofsson hopes to be back with Team Sweden after enjoying his first experience so much.

“Getting that one shot at it, it makes you even hungrier to get that invite back and work even harder to get there,” stated Olofsson. 

Package Deal: Lough and Tironese come to Gamblers after USHL Draft

First year forwards with the Green Bay Gamblers, Ryan Lough and Evan Tironese, were both selected in the 2013 USHL Phase 2 Draft last spring and have played the last three seasons together. Their first season together, in 2010-2011, they played with the Notre Dame Argos midget team and the last two seasons with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs of the British Columbia Hockey League.

Now for the fourth consecutive season Lough and Tironese will be on the same team, this year with the Gamblers, and most likely will be playing on the same line throughout the season. They will be seeing a lot of each other both on and off the ice because they are also roommates together in the same billet household.

Lough, the second leading scoring last year for Alberni Valley behind Tironese, was excited when his name got called in the 16^th round of the Phase 2 USHL entry Draft by the Green Bay Gamblers. After Lough was drafted the first thing he did was reach out to his close friend and teammate Tironese who was selected earlier in the draft with the 10^th overall pick in the first round, also to the Green Bay Gamblers. They both were talking to USHL teams before the draft but did not think it was possible to end up with the same organization.

“We talked about it before hand with regard to going to the same team but didn’t really think it was a possibility,” said Lough. “I was mostly talking to Green Bay and Evan was talking to multiple teams. It was kind of funny the way it worked out. I gave him a call afterward and we had a good laugh about it and were both obviously thrilled.”

For Tironese it was exciting to get selected by a great organization but after Lough was drafted later on it just made it that much better.

“After I was drafted by Green Bay, I was really happy,” said Tironese. “I did not know Ryan was going to be drafted as well, but once he was he gave me a call right away and we were both excited.”

Lough and Tironese are not new to junior hockey but they are new to the USHL. Both have been impressed with the depth of the league and are impressed with the high speed of play.

“It’s a great league, fast and skilled. Teams are four lines deep and it is a good solid hockey league. I’m honored to be a part of it,” said Tironese.

Lough continued with the same praise of the USHL, “It’s a fast paced league and there is not much drop off from lines one to four, everyone can play. The consistency of play from every team and every line is what impresses me the most.”

While Lough and Tironese are excited about playing in the USHL they are even more pleased to play for an organization like the Green Bay Gamblers. In their first month they have enjoyed their time in Green Bay and are delighted to have a great coaching staff along with good guys in the locker room.

“It’s been a blast so far in Green Bay. Great group of guys, good billet parents, and an outstanding coaching staff. It’s been awesome,” said Tironese.

Lough, the captain last year for Alberni Valley, hopes to take a leadership role this season with the Gamblers by continuing his work ethic both on and off the ice.

“It’s in my personality to be a leader everywhere I go. I just try to work hard on and off the ice and through my hard work comes leadership,” said Lough.

Lough is not consumed with who is the designated leader for the Gamblers, he just hopes he can lead by example and guys will follow

“I am not too worried about who becomes the leaders of the team because as long as I keep working hard every day, I will show leadership to the younger guys,” stated Lough.

Tironese and Lough have played on a line together the past two seasons and have developed great chemistry. Tironese, more known for his playmaking, has gotten used to getting the puck to Lough who usually finishes it off.

“One of the strengths to my game is my vision. I like to set guys up so they can score, I can still shoot but I am definitely a passer,” said Tironese. “It’s great playing with Ryan because I can dish to him and he can bury it along with our other line mate Drew Best.”

Lough echoed the same regard to playing with Tironese.

“The last two years in Alberni we played together and have developed some chemistry with each other. Evan is a great player so it is obviously a lot of fun to play with him,” stated Lough.

For Lough, a veteran in the junior hockey ranks, it was a tough decision to change teams but after coming to the Gamblers he could not be more thrilled to finish out his junior hockey career in Green Bay.

“It has been great so far and the organization is first class. All of the guys on the team are unreal and it has been a change for sure but an awesome experience,” said Lough.

Lough and Tironese have made it clear that they are happy to be in Green Bay to play for the Gamblers, and after just one month and one home game in Green Bay, they both have expressed their enjoyment in playing at the Resch Center and in front of the Green Bay fans.

“The Resch is an unbelievable facility and the crowd is right on top of you and loud. It’s a fun place to play and definitely gives our team that extra bit of energy when we’re playing at home,” said Lough.

Tironese agreed. “You dream of playing in a building like that. Beautiful facility and a great place to play. Fans here are great to play in front of and I look forward to playing in front of them all season.”

Lough and Tironese are looking forward to the rest of the season in Green Bay and they are happy to play another season together in what will probably be their last as Lough will play his college hockey at St. Lawrence University and Tironese will play at RPI. For now the two will be focused on helping the Gamblers back to a Clark Cup Championship.

 

Christian Wolanin: Following in his Father’s Footsteps

Being a son of a professional athlete has its positives and negatives. On one hand, you have a role model who has achieved the goal of being a professional athlete and on the flip side, the pressure to follow in your father or mother’s footsteps can be daunting.

For Christian Wolanin, who will be entering his second season with the Gamblers, following in his father’s footsteps is something that he dreams of doing. The senior Wolanin, Craig, was the third overall pick of the New Jersey Devils in 1985. Craig posted 40 goals and 133 assists in 695 career games with the Devils, Quebec Nordiques, Colorado Avalanche, Tampa Bay Lighting and Toronto Maple Leafs. His greatest accomplishment came in 1996 when as a member of the Avalanche he won hockey’s holy grail, the Stanley Cup.  

Craig also played internationally representing Team USA in 1991 and 1994 in the Canada Cup and the World Ice Hockey Championships.

A highly decorated scorer with the Little Caesars midget program, Christian was asked to make the transition from forward to defense at the USHL level. Under the guidance of assistant coach David Carle, the Rochester, Michigan native became a reliable defenseman on the Gamblers blue line. 

“I played forward all the way up through youth hockey. It was hard moving positions especially while having to adjust to higher speed and higher skilled players,” said Wolanin. “It was like basically starting everything over from scratch. Coach Carle did a great job teaching and being patient with me.”

While Christian had to make the jump from forward to defenseman he is hoping to build on his first year in Green Bay and have an even better year in 2013-2014.

“My first year was a struggle being a rookie and all the duties that come along with that,” said Wolanin. Once I got adjusted to the USHL and Green Bay everything seemed to go more smoothly, I enjoyed myself a lot more once I got comfortable.”

By learning from some of his older teammates, Christian is hoping that he can take that knowledge from his peers to help lead the Gamblers back to the Clark Cup Finals.

“Everything I learned last year will help tremendously. Just being able to practice and learn from the older guys will help going into this year. It should be a good year.”

While having a father who is a former NHL player may have its perks, Christian said he did not take advantage to its fullest extent. “While most of his friends and teammates thought it was cool to have an NHL player in their presence, for Christian it was just “Dad.”

“I was raised to treat pro athletes just like normal people,” said Wolanin. “There was certain times when it was cool to tell people my dad lived the dream that every hockey player inspires to do but otherwise not much was said.”

With a professional as a father it can be tough to walk in his footsteps. Furthermore, the senior Wolanin never pushed his son to take up the sport of hockey.

 “My father has never put any pressure on me to play the game, and has always supported me and everything I do,” said Wolanin. He’s my role model and everything I do on and off the ice is because of him.”

Christian, who tallied his fist USHL goal in the playoffs last year against the Youngstown Phantoms, likes to get advice from his Dad at certain times, but also has faith in his coaches.

“When my Dad comes to the games he will critique and ask what the coaches are saying and try to find a happy medium between the two,” said Wolanin. “For the most part he just says to listen to my coaches.”

Craig may be coaching from afar now, but when Christian was growing up he was on the job the day after he retired until Christian was around 14 years old.

“He was always known as coach Wolanin to all my friends,” said Wolanin. “He got into coaching right when he retired and made me out to be the player that I am today.”

Since Craig retired from the NHL when Christian was four years old, he did not get to attend many games but has been to alumni games to watch his father and some of his former teammates play.

“I did not go to his games regularly because I was pretty young when he was in the NHL. I went to a few with my Mom but really don’t remember much,” stated Wolanin. “Once I got a little older I got to go to some of his alumni games which were a lot of fun.”

As Christian and his teammates prepare for the 2013-2014 season he could not be more excited to play in front of the fans in Green Bay.

“It was an experience unlike anything else playing at the Resch Center, it was impossible not to be amped up and excited when you walk into the building,” said Wolanin. “You can talk to any guy on the team and they will say the same thing. It’s an honor to play here and we’re excited about the season.” 

Christian and Craig have a strong father-son relationship and Christian admires everything his father has done both on and off the ice. He now looks forward to his second season in the USHL where he hopes to lead the Gamblers to a championship.

And this season he hopes to make his own mark on the ice. 

GOALTENDING AT THE YOUTH LEVEL

By Brandon Gwidt

In hockey, a fan from afar will tell you to find the biggest player you have and put him in between the pipes because he takes up so much room. This player might not be able to skate very well and may be the least athletic person on the team. I see this situation all the time at the youth levels, and I even experienced this problem when I was trying to become a young net minder.

At higher levels of hockey and even with successful high school teams, the clumsy, oversized kid who can barely skate from blue line to blue line is no longer the goaltender. Instead, the strongest skater, who is the backbone of the team, is now sitting in the blue paint rather than scoring goals.

Goaltenders in hockey have to be extremely strong on their skates because goaltending requires a great amount of footwork and coordination that does not always meet the naked eye.

So, before you see your youth hockey coaches throw the nose tackle of your football team in between the pipes, ask if that is really the smart choice to benefit the individual in the net and the rest of the team. When youth organizations do this to a young talented team, it can have devastating consequences from squirts on up to high school or midgets. 

MY 2013 NHL PICK "EM"

By Brandon Gwidt

Northeast Division

1. Boston Bruins

2. Ottawa Senators

3. Buffalo Sabres

4. Toronto Maple Leafs

5. Montreal Canadiens

Atlantic Division

1. New York Rangers

2. Pittsburgh Penguins

3. Philadelphia Flyers

4. New Jersey Devils

5. New York Islanders

Southeast Division

1. Carolina Hurricanes

2. Washington Capitals

3. Tampa Bay Lightning

4. Winnipeg Jets

5. Florida Panthers

Eastern Conference Seeds

1. New York Rangers

2. Boston Bruins

3. Carolina Hurricanes

4. Pittsburgh Penguins

5. Philadelphia Flyers

6. Ottawa Senators

7. Washington Capitals

8. Buffalo Sabres

Eastern Conference Finals

New York Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

Central Division

1. St. Louis Blues

2. Chicago Blackhawks

3. Detroit Red Wings

4. Nashville Predators

5. Columbus Blue Jackets

Pacific Division

1. Los Angeles Kings

2. Dallas Stars

3. Phoenix Coyotes

4. San Jose Sharks

5. Anaheim Ducks

Northwest Division

1. Vancouver Canucks

2. Minnesota Wild

3. Colorado Avalanche

4. Edmonton Oilers

5. Calgary Flames

Western Conference Seeds

1. Vancouver Canucks

2. St. Louis Blues

3. Los Angeles Kings

4. Minnesota Wild

5. Dallas Stars

6. Chicago Blackhawks

7. Phoenix Coyotes

8. Detroit Red Wings

Western Conference Finals

Vancouver Canucks vs. Minnesota Wild

Stanley Cup Finals

New York Rangers vs. Vancouver Canucks 

OPENING DAY

By Brandon Gwidt

                The National Hockey League finally got back into action on Saturday, January 19, 2013 after its 113-day lockout. Opening day was much delayed due to the lockout, but for hockey fans across North America, the wait seemed well worth it after just one day of action.

                Instead of focusing on the large amount of hockey we have missed out on and whether we are putting the blame on Commissioner Gary Bettman and the owners or the National Hockey League Players Association, fans can now look forward to an exciting and intense season of hockey.  

                With NHL Center Ice offering a free preview throughout the month of January, there was no better time than opening day to tune in and watch 26 of the 30 NHL teams play in 13 thrilling games.

                At times it may have been difficult to decide which game to watch because there were so many great storylines heading into this lockout-shortened season.  Whether you were watching players like Rick Nash, Zach Parise or Ryan Suter suit up for their new teams or catching the end of a thrilling finish between conference rivals Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, there was not a dull moment on opening day.

                The opening day of the NHL season after a long lockout made me appreciate the great game that the NHL brings to the fans. Fans packed arenas and social media was buzzing as NHL teams embarked on their 48-game schedules, which shows how loyal hockey fans are. Despite their frustration with the missed hockey due to the lockout, fans came out in full force and supported the game they love.

                If opening day is any indication of the way this season is going to go for the NHL, I think the lockout will not cause any long-term negative effects due to the great fans that support the game of hockey. 

IF YOU HAVE TWO GOALIES YOU HAVE NO GOALIES

By Brandon Gwidt

In society, the perception is that the more you have of something the better off you are. When it comes to the most important position in hockey, the goalie, a team is better off having one go-to-guy.

The importance of having one starting goalie does not diminish the necessity of having a solid backup to come in and win some games if the starter gets hurt or needs some rest. A backup goalie can be a very important part of a team’s success throughout the long grind of a hockey season.

However, to have an ongoing competition and rotation in the starting spot between goalies can have a negative effect on both goalies and the long term success of the team.

If you look at the past champions in hockey at multiple levels, the evidence supports that teams need to have a solid number one goalie that plays the majority of the regular season games and is the backbone of the team in the playoffs.

A goalie is not like a pitcher in baseball who plays every fifth game. A goalie is called upon each and every game where his success or failure is likely correlated with his team’s success or failure.

Competition is a great motivator in sports, but it can also harm the psyche of athletes and, as we all know with goaltenders, they can be a bit fragile.

So whether you are a coach, player, or fan, ask yourself if you want two number one goalies or one solid starter with a backup who can fill in if called upon. It’s a question worth asking.