Puddle Jumpers vs Whalers 3/27/10

Saturday night at ZuRomas

ZuRoma was the metroplex hockey bar this Saturday. Brahmas playoff hockey game on the TV's. Cold beer good food. I think every team had a group visit the bar and toss back the cold ones. Great time to see everyone and swap war stories. Besty cashed in on his sub fee, then went out really loose for a evening date against the Bandits. I saw several secret plays being drawn up on the dry erase board. I didn't hear a word about soccer, health care, or taxes. greatness pure greatness.

Really nice to see everyone again. I have really banging around out there with everyone. Lets keep the post game trips to Zu's. See you next week or sooner.

Spot Light On.....The Whalers

Need advice on a stock, these are the go to guys, need advice on skating, uh, not so much....These number crunchers put lots of stock in team work on and off the ice. Spot Light on introduces you to a recent arrival at NYTEX...The Whalers.

Team History
TD AMERITRADE is a great company, with a unique… hockey team? Many companies print their names on T-shirts, slap a number on the back and run out numerous teams for corporate challenges in co-ed softball, basketball, etc. However, hockey is usually not on that list. Ice time is too expensive, there’s too much equipment to buy and who plays hockey in Texas anyway?!.


Well, it all started in the Spring of 2008. There were a few associates who had played in the I-League at the Star center in Euless for the previous few years. Ken Thomas and Paul Thurston skated for the “Brewers” and had been asked by a few other hockey fans and co-workers to get a company team started. After floating a few emails around the company, they decided to schedule a team information meeting. There were 15 to 20 who came to check it out. The range of talent and experience in the room was as far as the east is from the west. Since TDA is a trading company, the name “Wall Street Whalers” was batted around. It finally came down to simply “Whalers” and seemed to work since our company color is green… so we went with that. The company did provide our first jerseys (green) which are top quality. We found a guy on EBay who wanted to dump a bunch of 1980’s Hartford Whaler hockey socks and BAM!... we were looking’ pretty good.



A few pre-season practices weeded out some who were not quite ready for the ice, then on July 26, 2008 the TD AMERITRADE Whalers took the ice at the Euless Star center for the first time. We were winless in our first season, but did manage to take a team to OT. Our goalie did not stay with us for the second season, but the next goalie took us to the championship game in the second season. Unfortunately, we did not skate away with the Keg. Since then we have been a very competitive team and are capable of beating anyone when our roster is solid and we stay focused.



In November of 2009, the Whalers moved from Euless to NYTEX. We have spent a season getting accustomed to the new teams and league culture as well as jelling with a few new players of our own. We are glad to be in the Bronze League and look forward to seeing you on the ice.



Are the Whalers the oldest team in the league? Ken Thomas recently turned 50 and is going strong to quite strong. We also have 3 Whalers in their 40’s who are Thurston, Ellis and Watson. Watson has suffered a concussion and a snapped collar bone but keeps coming back for more. Other (younger) Whalers include:

Canzone: The ladies of the league seem to hate him for some reason.

Carlson: Wicked Awesome!

Hamster: Ask him about his dogs.

Honeycutt: Forgive the slide tackles.

Mercado: Returning to the net this year after a few years off.

Monaco: He’s still on the ice… “hey, line change!”

Penney: Any Red Raiders out there?

Schooley: The Captain of the Whalers.

Walter: You can’t say he doesn’t hustle.

Aarons: Has plenty to say… some of it is not half bad.

Cromer: Some call him Tripod… out with a broken finger.

Watseka: The Raging’ Cajun

Lash: Our only female Whaler

Svoboda: The Iron Man



One thing that adds a little fun for the team is our YouTube game videos. If you do a search for “TDA Whalers of Fort Worth” you will find about 25 game videos which we watch to critique ourselves or just to laugh at ourselves. Check it out… you might see yourself in one of them.


Team Philosophy?
Learn the game, work to improve, spend time with co-workers outside of work, create a fun diversion from work

Dud to Stud award (team member who has gone from zero to 60 fastest)hustle.
Richard Walter: He’s a torn ACL waiting to happen, but you can’t say he doesn’t

You’ve got one bottle of fabreeze to give away, which team mate earns it?
TJ Aarons has recently taken this trophy from Brian Hamster. They both have issues.

Most vocal on the bench?
It figures that the only Canadian on the team would have the most to say… Brad Watson.

Team High Point?
Championship/Keg game at Euless in January 2009

Team Low Point?
In the middle of our first season at Euless we were getting beat by 6 & 7 goals. The expansion team whipping was hard to take.

Our team loves to face off against?
We are just happy to be at NYTEX. We look forward to every opponent and for the most part have been impressed with the refs and the sportsmanship. But yes, we all have our bad days… even the Whalers.

Biggest Rivalry?
This might be the Jets since we played them the last two games of last season and it was quite a heated battle for both games. We lost by giving up leads in both games. We’ll be back.

Why we will win the keg next season….
We started the season with two wins and we are building chemistry with consistent lines and newer players. Plus, we have to live up to the quality of our uniforms.

Bronze Season Predictions

Severe Icing-Newest expansion team to the league. Not a lot is known about these guys, the team is the resurrected form of Mid Air Collision that use to be in the league a couple seasons back. Severe Icing’s core group of players share the bond of being air traffic controllers, however there are several Bronze League rookies and cagey vets thrown in the mix as well. Team is coached by Kevin Beam, and should start to come together as the season wears on. Silver League Team Affiliation-Ice Cracks (who are also comprised mostly of air traffic controllers). Season Prediction-3-7, loss in play in round of the playoffs

Rampage-Another expansion team new to the league. The team is much like Severe Icing, a team that has several new to hockey players as well as some experience from the Silver League. Bronze League veteran Andrew Busboom will provide some leadership from between the pipes as he is one of the remaining Iron Men from the Ice Gators who went all the way to the finals several seasons back with no subs. The team is coached by Seth Longbottom. Silver League Affiliation-Blazers, Ice Kings. Season Prediction 3-7 loss in quarter finals of the playoffs.

Puddle Jumpers-The third expansion team this season. Look for folks in the stands to be chanting, “Quack, Quack, Quack, Quack, Quack, Quack, Quack.” Puddle Jumpers are a team comprised mostly of American Eagle Pilots. This crew has some of the sharpest looking uniforms out there. Steve Hall is making a return to Bronze League coaching, and expecting big things out of this crew. If the Jumpers can stay out of the penalty box and listen to coach, big things may be just over the horizon. Silver League Affiliation-??? Season Prediction 3-7 Loss in play in round of the playoffs.

Jets-Most of the Jets that went to the finals last year are back again this season. The Hebrew Hammer is back in the #8 sweater, and team goon Jack Germaine signed on for another season as well. If the team plays like they did last season, they should have a deep run in the playoffs. Season Prediction 6-4 Loss in Semi Finals.

Stingers-Some things don’t change, the Bees return to defend their 4th Stanley Keg. Season Prediction 8-2 Loss in Stanley Keg Finals.

Keller Indians-The Tribe’s goaltender, Kacy the “Birdman” Bird now has some experience under his belt between the pipes and should be able to anchor these guys as they try to reclaim the Keg. The crew this session is mostly the same as it was the last couple sessions. Season Prediction 5-5 Loss in Quarter Finals.

TD Whalers-Whalers struggled last session, but already have a pair of wins under their belts this go around. These guys should dig themselves out of the cellar this session and look for them to finish somewhere in the middle of the pack. Season Prediction 5-5 Loss in Quarter Finals.

Bandits-Last seasons turn around team, they marched their way all the way to the division finals before falling flat against the Jets. Coach Ivey is back (with a new hat), and expect the Bandits to continue building on last seasons success. They have made a move at goalie sending Bryan Landis to the Severe Icing squad, and moving head goon Greg Perry into the net full time. Season Prediction 7-3 Loss in semi final round of playoffs.

Spider Monkeys-A few changes to the team have been made, but at its core it’s the same guys like league vets Todd Kilgore, Dean Hammelwright, and Tony DiGiovanni. Spider monkeys are out to have a good time, drink beer, and eat pizza. Season Prediction 3-7 Loss in quarter finals.

API Sens-The team boasting the biggest roster in the league is also one of the youngest teams in the league. Lots of new faces on the squad this year, some new to hockey, some returning after a break, some returning to the team full time to play a new position like new netminder Matt Davis. Davis was a day one Senator who is now back manning the pipes. Also returning to the Sens is Fred Walters who had been out with injury for quite some time now. The teams depth will be a key factor to their success this season. Season Prediction 8-2 Stanley Keg Champs.

Game Recaps...Calling all Posters

There are over a half a dozen folks who can post on this blog, lets get some game recaps going on here what do you say. We need someone to step up and do a weekly games recap even if its minimal.

Brahmas Playoff Hockey

Wednesday the 24th the Brahmas return home to the Nytex Sports Centre. Game Two vs. Corpus at 7:05. Brahmas won game one in dramatic fashion. Tyler Skworchinski scores with 17 seconds left to send it to OT where James Hiebert closes the door.

A win on Wednesday and Brahmas will advance to face Odessa in the Conf. Semi Finals. Call about the special Bronze and Silver League rates.

Chad Siewert
817-520-3327
csiewert@brahmas.com

Spot Light On......Chad Siewert

He's been discussed and cussed by Bronze league coordinators, Spot Light On shines on the Bronze coordinator's coordinator....Chad Siewert

Home town?

Abilene, TX

Hockey experience?

Played street hockey in parking lots and tennis courts on the mean streets of Abilene in Jr. High, and then moved up to Roller. We had no leagues or anything back then, a group of us would take over tennis courts and parking lots on Sunday afternoons, and play pick up hockey. Eventually got around to renting out an old run down skating rink in a dirty part of town. Roller hockey took off, and we ended up building boards, installing nets, a scoreboard, and forming a travel team out of that little rink. Moved to Dallas Jr. year in college, and played roller up in Denton till for a couple years then took a break to play golf full time, and jumped back into ice a few years back..

Current/Past teams?

Abilene Devils, Longview Rangers, Senators (Bronze), Blazers (Silver), Maple Leafs (New Over 35 League)

Hobbies?

I enjoy working in the yard. Like Hank Hill I have to have the best yard in the neighborhood. Golf, Hockey, Bird Hunting, Video Games, Cooking, Playing the Drums, Playing Vintage Analogue Synthesizers, Time Travel, Bits, Watching the Ottawa Senators, Television, eating, talking about how Stanley Kubrick helped NASA fake the Apollo Moon Landing, fireworks, spending time with my daughter, fishing, swimming in the ocean, ALF reruns, having weekly meditation sessions in the penalty boxes of the Nytex Sports Centre, painting, writing, dreaming of getting on Jeopardy someday, travelling, Making Low Budget Movies, searching for the real Killer of Nicole Brown Simpson, tracking the mythical chupacabra, and working on my autobiography called “Inches from Par.”

Pre game ritual?

Eating whole wheat pasta, drinking 100% juice no sugar added cranberry juice with a squeeze of lime, listening to Europe’s classic 1980’s hit song The Final Countdown exactly seven times in a row, doing 50 sit ups in my underwear while reciting the alphabet twice leaving the letter C out the first time and the letter A out the second time through, getting in my car and driving around the block while leaning out the window squawking like a rooster stuck in a bear trap with Motorhead’s Ace of Spades blarring n the background, driving to Nytex while listening to the Ticket, then finally pulling into the parking lot playing dream on by aerosmith twice in a row whil punching the steering wheel, honking the horn, and yelling “I can do it, I can do it, I can do it, I can do it.”

Hockey Hero?

Daniel Alfredson from Ottawa, Chris Neil from Ottawa, Jeremy Roenick, Chris Chelios, Killer, Carlson, and Ogie Ogelthorpe

Hockey Nemesis?

Topher Scott. Pretty sure I could take him if push ever came to shove.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

The ability to read minds. I would then go to Vegas and make millions playing poker.

Ginger or Mary Anne?

I would have to go with Ginger on this one. My initial thought is that Mary Anne is probably a pretty cool chic, the all American girl, but the cut off jean shorts and western shirt don’t do it for me. Sure she is a cool gal, but she dresses awful, and probably has bad taste in music. Ginger seems pretty dumb, and if I told her I was going to be gone for a few days I had some important business with some of my fellow astronauts on the moon, she would probably buy it being totally oblivious to the fact that I am not an astronaut and we cant go to the moon. Then I would have a few days to go on a little golfing vacation. Mary Anne would probably not fall for that. I’d have to do something about Ginger’s voice though. Perhaps get her a 1-900 job to help defray the cost of living a bit.

Your message to the NYTEX community is....

My message to the Nytex Hockey Community would be a simple one, have fun. Whether you play in the Bronze, Silver, or even Gold Leagues, its all just for fun. If someone says something that offends you just shake it off, and move on. Were out here to have a little fun, get some exercise, and hang out with our friends if you cant do that perhaps chess is more your sport.


And one more thing, remember kids, DON’T JAR.

A Special Offer from the Brahmas

Folks the Brahmas need your help. We are in the middle of a fierce battle for the highly coveted 3rd seed in the CHL’s Southern Conference playoffs. The 4th and 5th seeds play in a mini (best 2 of 3) round to see who goes on to face the #1 seed. So finishing 3rd gives our boys a little rest before beginning their long playoff run towards a second consecutive Ray Miron President’s Cup. We are currently in third by two points over Laredo. We play Laredo this Sunday March 14th at 4:05. Out house must be packed to the gills for this one. As we enter the last two weeks of the season we need every point we can get, and this game against Laredo is critical. So to all of you we are offering tickets at a ridiculous rate of $5 each. We have seats on the GLASS in sections W and V available as well as a few in section J, and there are still plenty of good terrace seats. We need you to help sell this barn out. Bring your friends, bring your enemies, bring your neighbors, bring complete strangers, but we need you to come out for this one and support the Brahmas as we take on our Border Town Rivals the Laredo Bucks.

To order tickets call or email me, and I will get you going. First come first served on the Glass seats. Come on out, and be loud!

Chad Siewert
Texas Brahmas Hockey Club
817-520-3327 office
214-476-5393 cell
csiewert@brahmas.com

Spot Light on....The Bandits

Spot Light on visits with a team who rose from the ashes of several teams. These hockey vagabonds feel they are on their way to the top...the Banditos


Team History?
Well for the team history I guess it would have to start with the infamous 2 pucks for Perry trade between the then Silver Bullets and the Hurricanes. Up to that point the Hurricanes started the season blowing teams away. But then the team started coming apart about week 5, and were struggling to even field a complete team, and having to use subs from other teams. At which point Greg Perry moved from the Bullets to the Hurricanes. The team continued to struggle through the remainder of the season. Then with a couple games left in the season, four of the players Perry, Melinda Beall, Kyle Saylor and Jeff Neil were leaving a practice and stopped to talk out side NYTEX's and decided they wanted to continue playing together. Greg volunteered to coordinate the team, they discussed a team name and logo design and the Bandits were born.

Then Greg and Melinda began the task of filling the roster (Kyle was moved up to the Silver league, and Jeff ended up not returning). They brought in players from the Mid-Air Collision team and friends to fill that first season roster.


For the second season most of the players had enjoyed playing together and wanted to return. Some had other commitments and were going to take a season or so off. So then team picked up a few more players some from the former Ice Kings team. These guys helped solidify the team’s defense and we added a few new guys to help with the scoring. So the team went from 1-9 to 6-5-1, winning a playoff game and almost making it to the finals. And this next season looks to be even better.


Team Philosophy?
“Keep Your Feet Moving!!!” that’s the one command being yelled on the bench constantly. But seriously as a team we’ve tried to continually improve with each game and play a good clean game.


Dud to Stud Award?
Dud the Stud award well I’d have to give out two, for two different reasons. The first one would have to go to Melinda Beall, for Most improved, she has improved so much over the past 2 season to where she’s used in all aspects of the game, full strength, power plays and short handed. The other one would go to Joe Friesen. In his first season, he always seems to be in the middle of the play. He’s digging in the corners for pucks and in front of the net looking for rebounds. And in his first season he was even voted to the All-Star game by his team mates.

You've got one bottle of fabreeze to give out, who gets it?
As for the giving away the bottle of fabreeze, I think I’d just keep it for myself. I usually one of the first to show up for the games and have you smelled those locker rooms in the evenings. We showed up for one game and found out we couldn’t get into our locker room, The Arizona Sundogs of the CHL had some of their gear laid out in it. After they came in and moved their gear into the visitor’s locker room we were allowed in. Well, let me tell you, we needed that bottle of fabreeze that evening.

Most Vocal on the Bench?
Out of all the questions this one's the easiest, if you've play against us, there's no doubt you've heard him. It would have to be hands down, our bench coach Bill Ivey.

Team High Point?
The teams’ high point I would have to say was our first win. In our first season as the Bandits we were 0-9 going into our last game of the season. Now we were steadily improving over the course of the season. And to finally win our last game of the season, well that would have to be the team’s high point thus far. The other high point would be beating the Senators for our first playoff win, only after they had beaten us only 4 days earlier pretty easily.

Team Low Point?
With the team only going into our 3 session we haven’t really had a low point, so if I had to come up with something I guess it was have to be losing to the Jets in the Semi-Final game this past season. We just had a bad game all around.

We Love to face off against?
We love to face off against just about anyone. When playing, we simply try and play our game no matter what the score is. We just simply try and improve with each game win or lose.

Biggest Rivalry?
I would have to say our biggest rivalry would have to be the Silver Bullets/Jets. It started with the Perry trade and has been a fun rivalry ever since.


Why we'll win the keg this next season?
Like I mentioned before, the first season we went 1-9. And the second we improved to 6-5-1, and we were one win away from playing in the finals. Well this season we have a couple players returning from the first season, a couple of our subs want to play full time and we picked up a couple more that looks to improve the team over all. And if we keep with our team philosophy and continually improve, well the next step would be the finals and hoisting the Keg.

All Star Game Video

Special Thanks to Darrin from the TD Whalers for sending over this fancy video from teh All Star Game.

Introducing.......The Puddle Jumpers (Bronze)

The Newest addition to our adult league family up here at Nytex is the Puddle Jumpers. Headed up by Shawn Rust (formerly of the Bandits), this is a group of American Eagle pilots. This season they will be wearing white uniforms with the logo below on the chest.

Spot Light On.....Knute

Spot Light On goes all the way up the food chain to the man who is all things hockey at NYTEX, your director of hockey programs, the big cheese, Knute Anderson


Home Town?
Granite “by God” Falls, Minnesota

Hockey Experience?
Youth Mite-BT, HS, Pond Hockey, Adult Leagues

Current/Past teams?
Crank it Up! Zu Animals-NYTEX Adult Leagues

Hobbies?
Gun Collecting. Hunting and Fishing. Part time, self taught Phrenologist

Pre game ritual...
Pray the Rosary then amp up with Ho-Hos and Geratol

Hockey Hero...
Neal Broten-MN High School Champion, Collegiate Champion at U of MN, Olympic Champion, and Stanley Cup Champion

Hockey Nemisis...
Eddie Edwards, The Ice Dogs Defensive Vanilla Gorilla

If you could be granted one superpower...
Speed

Ginger or Mary Anne?
Mary Anne during the week, Ginger on the Weekend.

Your message to the NYTEX hockey community....
Find new ways to enjoy the game each time to you lace them up-remembering it is a game-a great game

I-League All Stars vs. Los Borrachos

Well, NYTEX decided to try a new All Star format by pitching the I-League All Stars against the 2009 D-League Champions, the infamous Los Borrachos!

The I-League All Star lucky victims were selected by their coordinators to try their wares against the much stronger Borrachos team in a fight to the death! The I-Leaguers, wanted to clinch victory against the D-League team, the D-League team obviously did not want to be beaten by an I-League team. They would never live that down!

Let the games commence!

Both teams came out strong in the first period and to everyone’s surprise the All Stars started the scoring going up 1-0 in the first period. The Borrachos could not get anything by Best, the All Star goalie, who was a brick wall in the first, stopping all of the 15-ish shots.

The Borrachos tied the game up in the second, after getting into a lot of penalty trouble. Referee Plourde and the Borrachos seemed to be deep in hate with each other and Plourde was always going to win that battle. They suffered one game ejection, multiple penalties and a very upset goalie, Taub for the Borrachos. Unfortunately, the All Stars, even with 6 to 8 minutes of either a 5 on 4 or and 5 on 3 could not convert that into a second goal.

When the Borrachos were back at full strength, they took the lead, with a great shot on Best and the resulting puck trickled over the line to make it 2-1. The third goal for the Borrachos was also saved first by Best, but also trickled in.

Starting the third period, the Borrachos leading 3-1, the All Star team seemed to be either a little deflated or their legs got tired, but they found themselves in some penalty trouble as well, and then the goals started to come at the end of the 3rd in pretty quick succession.

Best ended up facing 48 shots and letting in 6, Taub faced 16 letting in 1 with the final score 6-1 to the Borrachos. The two teams were not that evenly matched, but great goal tending helped the All Stars stay in the game.

Should Nytex do this again? Having been at the game, why not, maybe the coordinators should select their top two scorers from their teams to match up the two teams a little more, that may work, but coordinators normally reward the best improved players on their team, not necessarily the best two players.

Still, it was a very entertaining game non the less!

Let's get feedback from everyone to see what you think!