MISSOURI MAVERICKS 2012-13 PRESEASON PREVIEW The Examiner • October 19, 2012
Photo courtesy of the Missouri Mavericks
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Eyes on the prize: A preview of the season • 3 Mavericks promotions and game giveaways schedule • 3 Mavericks preseason roster & coach profiles • 4 Letter from Mavericks president & GM / 2012-13 schedule • 5 Mavericks’ affiliation with AHL’s Chicago Wolves paying off • 10
October 19, 2012 — Mavericks Preview — The Examiner — Page 3
EYES ON THE PRIZE Mavericks want to bring home title for loyal fans By Bill Althaus bill.althaus@examiner.net
hen Brian Bicek pulled up to the Independence Events Center for the first day of preseason camp, one of the newest members of the Missouri Mavericks was a bit confused. I thought we were just having practice and a scrimmage, and all these cars were in the parking lot,” Bicek said on Oct. 8, following the first day of training camp for members of the Central Hockey League club. “Then, I go inside and see all the fans – the fans who are there to watch us practice – and I realize just how special the fans are here in Independence. We’re excited about what this team can accomplish this season, and it didn’t take long to see that our fans share in our enthusiasm. “I have to admit, it’s a first for me to see that many fans at practice. I think we’re all revved up – the boys on the team, the coaches, the front office and certainly the fans – for a great year. All the boys were talking about the fans, the chemistry this team is forming and what a great season it’s going to be.” More than 100 fans were in the Events Center as 22 players hit the ice for the first time. There were some familiar Courtesy of the Missouri Mavericks faces and plenty of new players to pique the fans’ interest. Fans celebrate along with the Mavericks after scoring a goal “I was supposed to go to the doctor this morning to get last season at the Independence Events Center. some blood work done,” said original season ticket holder Garland Strickland, who is battling cancer. “When they told me to be in this morning, I told them that we had to change ers, want to do everything to help them accomplish the only goal the time. this team has – to win the CHL championship.” “I’m not going to miss my boys’ first practice. I know that blood A healthy Ryan Jardine is back this season after missing most work is important, but so is seeing my boys out on the ice.” of the 2011-12 campaign with a serious concussion and broken The fans’ interest didn’t surprise coach Scott Hillman, but the arm. number in attendance caught even him off guard. “Three days into last season I get the concussion,” the veteran “Goodness, it’s a practice, and we have as many fans as attend forward said, “and then, right after I come back, I break my arm. some of the games in the CHL,” quipped Hillman, who spent the I didn’t want my career to end with a season of disappointment, entire scrimmage session watching the action from the press box because I didn’t feel like I contributed the way I should. with president and general manager Brent Thiessen and assistant “When you look out on the ice or in the locker room, I’ve never director of hockey operations Simon Watson. seen a Mavericks team with this much depth and talent. I think we “We have a scrimmage at 6 p.m. Thursday and I can’t even begin have the chance to do something special. On paper, we look good – to imagine how many fans are going to be there. It’s great to see the really good. But the game is played on the ice and we have to prove fans so excited because we’re certainly excited. This is the most that we are a team that is capable of winning a championship. depth and talent we’ve had on the ice in four years. “If we work hard and develop a team chemistry, I think it can “And with just 24 players in camp, everyone is playing for a happen. But we have to work hard – nothing is going to be handed legitimate spot on the team. And I believe that everyone in camp to us.” will play in the CHL. Unfortunately, not all of the boys will be playReturning team captain Sebastien Thinel agrees. ing here because of a numbers game, but every player out on the “I’m back this season to win a championship,” said Thinel, one ice can play in this league.” of the leading scorers in CHL history and a former league MVP. Former defensive standout Blake Forsyth is back with the “We have depth on all three lines, we have great leaders and I think Mavericks after playing last season in Rapid City. He can’t wait for we can be part of something special this season.” the season to begin, and said the first practice set the tone for the So does forward John-Scott Dickson, who spent much of last entire preseason. season skating on the same lines as Jardine and Thinel. “We’ve had some sessions with the fans where we have been “The one thing that could make us a better team this season able to meet them, and they’re great people – just like they were my is our depth,” Dickson said. “I don’t care which line you play on, first season with the Mavericks,” Forsyth said. “But more imporyou’re going to be out on the ice with some great players. The guys tantly, we’re already developing a chemistry among the players. who are back from last year know how close we came to getting to “The guys on last year’s team made a real run at going to the the championship series and the new guys want to help us reach championship series. They lost out to Fort Wayne, but you can that goal this season. tell from talking to the players on last year’s team that they have a “We can’t wait to get started – and from looking at the number sense of unfinished business and I, along with the other new playof fans who were here today, it looks like they feel the same way.”
2012-13 MISSOURI MAVS PROMOTIONS n Freedom Fridays – Freedom Friday tickets are available for all military personnel (active or nonactive) with military ID card and they will receive $5 off any ticket at the Silverstein Eye Centers Box Office only (excludes End level seating, maximum five tickets per ID, Friday games only). n Price Chopper Two-for-Tuesdays – Two-for-one tickets for all Tuesday games can be purchased by showing a Price Chopper card in person in the Silverstein Eye Centers Box Office or online at Ticketmaster.com by typing the code ‘ChopperXXXX’ with the X’s representing the last four digits of the Price Chopper Card (certain restrictions apply). n Family 4-Pack Dates – Family 4-Packs are available for the Mavericks’ games on November 23, December 31 and March 10. The 4-packs include four tickets, four hot dogs and four Pepsi products and are available online through Ticketmaster.com n Strikerz Post-Game Parties – The all new Strikerz Entertainment Center is the Official Post-Game Party location of the Missouri Mavericks after every Mavericks home game this season! Strikerz features 20 bowling lanes, a full restaurant and bar, huge arcade and Laser Frenzy. n The BrewTop – The Official Watch Party destination for the Mavs this season. BrewTop Pub is located at 700 N.E. Woods Chapel Road in Lee’s Summit. Join the Mavericks at The BrewTop for every away game. n Mac’s Maniacs – Join the Mac’s Maniacs Kids Club for FREE at any Mavs game! You will get exclusive parties and offers from Paradise Park and Red Robin. n Hog Wild Happy Hour – Blue Springs Harley-Davidson presents, 5:30-6:30 p.m. before EVERY home game. $3 brews, $1 hot dogs and $1 sodas.
GAME GIVEAWAYS/PROMOTIONS n Saturday, Nov. 3, Black Cowbell n Friday, Nov. 9, Youth Jersey Orange n Saturday, Nov. 10, Adopt-A-Mav Player Auction n Saturday, Nov. 17, Skate With the Team n Friday, Nov. 30, Adult Jersey White n Saturday, Dec. 8, Pucks n Friday, Dec. 14, “Give M Hell” Jersey Auction n Saturday, Dec. 15, Teddy Bear Toss n Friday, Dec. 21, Fleece Blanket n Monday, Dec. 31, Skate With the Team n Friday, Jan. 4, Youth Jersey White n Friday, Jan. 11, Adult Jersey Orange n Saturday, Jan. 12, Mac Attack Bobblehead n Saturday, Jan. 26, Pink Jersey Auction n Saturday, Feb. 2, Mac Build-A-Bear n Saturday, Feb. 9, Diamond Giveaway n Saturday, Feb. 16, USA Jersey Auction n Sunday, March 10, Skate With the Team n Friday, March 15, Colt King Bobblehead, St. Patrick’s Day Jersey Auction n Friday, March 22, Fan Appreciation Night
Page 4 — The Examiner — Mavericks Preview — October 19, 2012
MISSOURI MAVERICKS 2012-13 PRESEASON ROSTER Goaltenders
No. Player Pos Ht. Wt. C Born (Age) Hometown Last team 1 Austin Lee G 6-3 200 L 9/15/88 (24) Bloomington, Minn. Minnesota State (NCAA) 30 Mike Clemente G 6-2 200 L 1/9/90 (22) Great Falls, Va. Brown (NCAA) 35 Mathieu Corbeil G 6-6 188 L 9/27/91 (21) Montreal, Quebec Saint John (QMJHL)
Skaters No. 3 4 5 7 9 10 13 15 17 19 21 22 26 27 28 40 41 43 45 59
Player David Simoes Brandon Smith Dave Pszenyczny Matt McCready Trevor Kell Brian Bicek Blake Forsyth Jason Dixon Jeff Pierce Derek Leblanc Ryan Jardine Matt Krug Jamie VanderVeeken Kenton Miller Kellan Tochkin John-Scott Dickson Jordan Foreman Sebastien Thinel Colt King Riley Emmerson
Pos D F/D D D F F D F F F F D D F F F F F F F
Ht. 5-10 6-0 6-0 5-11 6-0 5-9 6-3 5-10 6-0 6-2 6-0 6-0 6-2 6-0 5-10 6-3 5-10 6-1 6-2 6-8
Wt. 205 200 191 180 185 175 191 175 180 210 192 230 215 196 176 212 185 187 220 248
S L R L R R L L L R L L R L L R R R L L R
Born (Age) 3/9/85 (27) 9/3/86 (26) 2/18/85 (27) 7/1/87 (25) 6/23/86 (26) 11/24/85 (26) 9/4/79 (33) 2/21/85 (27) 11/10/83 (28) 3/31/86 (26) 3/15/80 (32) 7/7/85 (27) 1/20/86 (26) 2/10/91 (21) 2/15/91 (21) 4/10/84 (28) 1/6/87 (25) 3/24/81 (31) 3/4/83 (29) 2/7/86 (26)
Hometown Vanderhoof, B.C. Pepper Pike, Ohio Sterling Heights, Mich. Kingsville, Ont. Thunder Bay, Ont. Downers Grove, Ill. Winnipeg, Manitoba Belle River, Ont. Troy, Mich. Brandon, Manitoba Ottawa, Ont. Livonia, Mich. Wallaceburg, Ont. Redvers, Sask. Abbortsford, B.C. North York, Ont. Cambridge, Ont. St. Jerome, Quebec Thunder Bay, Ont. Vancouver, B.C.
2011-12 stats W-L-SOL-GAA-SvPct 5-16-1-3.07-.910 8-15-3-2.68-.907 37-10-1-2.38-.911 .
Last team GP-G-A-Pts-PIM Missouri (CHL) 41-4-10-14-81 Missouri (CHL) 45-7-11-18-25 Missouri (CHL) 66-14-22-36-117 Univ. of Windsor (OUAA) 28-4-18-22-54 Fassa HC (Italy) 45-11-25-36-40 Evansville (CHL) 58-33-27-60-107 Rapid City (CHL) 60-1-15-16-93 Rio Grande Valley (CHL) 62-13-18-41-16 Cardiff (EIHL) 53-33-34-67-32 Idaho (ECHL) 63-20-20-40-81 Missouri (CHL) 31-11-11-22-17 Toledo (ECHL) 54-0-19-19-135 Cardiff (EIHL) 31-7-24-31-67 Calgary/Moose Jaw (WHL) 69-35-17-52-51 Prince Alb./Med.Hat.(WHL) 39-14-23-37-46 Missouri (CHL) 66-27-30-57-12 Stockton/Utah/Gwinnett (ECHL) 49-6-16-22-166 Missouri (CHL) 65-23-59-82-53 Sheffield (EIHL) 53-22-22-44-152 Utah/Toledo (ECHL) 66-4-4-8-181
Preseason roster only; subject to change
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Missouri Mavericks 2012-13 coaches Scott Hillman – Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Hillman, 38, enters his fourth season with the Mavericks. He led the Mavericks to the second round of the playoffs in each of the team’s first three seasons respectively. Overall, Hillman has a 68-50-12 regular season record and 6-10 record in the playoffs. The Mavericks are coming off their best season, in which the team was 37-23-6 for 80 points, finishing just four points out of first place. Prior to joining the Mavericks, Hillman captured back-to-back regular season and playoff titles as the head coach with the Knoxville Ice Bears of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL). During Hillman’s two seasons with the Ice Bears, his team compiled a record of 67-32-13 (.660), and he was named the SPHL Coach of the Year in 2008-09. Hillman had a stellar nine-season professional playing career, including his final eight seasons with the CHL’s Odessa Jackalopes. The offensive defenseman was a four-time CHL All-Star, and retired as the Jackalopes’ alltime leader in games played (446), and assists (260). He finished his career as the second leading scorer in club history with 326 points, and ranks among the top scoring defensemen in CHL history. The 2001-02 CHL Man of the Year graduated from the University of Windsor with a bachelor’s degree in human kinetics in 1999. He later received a master’s in kinesiology from the University of Texas-Permian Basin in 2002. He also owned and operated Sports Training Facili-
ties in Odessa and Midland, Texas. Hillman completed his amateur career as the leading scoring defenseman in Windsor Lancer history. He led the Lancers to two consecutive trips to the National Championship Tournament, where he was named a first team tournament all-star in both years. In 1998, he was the nation’s leading scorer for defensemen with 42 points in 26 games, and in 1999, he was a first team All-Canadian selection. The LaSalle, Ontario, native is married to wife Dalyn and the couple has two sons, Corbin, 10, and Guhnar, 6. Simon Watson – Assistant Director of Hockey Operations Simon Watson retired from the playing hockey and was named the Mavericks’ Assistant Director of Hockey Operations in August of 2011. The Waterloo, Ontario, native played for the Mavericks during the team’s first two seasons and closed out his five-year career in the CHL with 95 goals and 125 assists in 298 games played and one All-Star appearance (2007). Watson was named the CHL’s Man of the Year following the 2010-11 season for his contributions to the community off the ice. His primary focus will be to assist Mavericks heach coach Scott Hillman in the day-to-day operations of the team as well as be involved in the Mavericks’ youth hockey programs. Watson attended St. Lawrence University, where he earned a bachelor of science in psychology and a master’s degree in educational leadership. Simon and his wife, Samantha, reside in Independence with their dog, Millie.
October 19, 2012 — Mavericks Preview — The Examiner — Page 5
Letter from President & GM Welcome Mavericks Fans, On behalf of the entire Mavericks organization, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2012-13 season. We are very excited about our fourth season and know that the CHL product is now better than ever. Not only will you see some of the best hockey players in the world, but we will also offer a variety of promotions and events that will be sure to entertain you and your family. The current NHL lockout will ensure the talent level in the CHL is the best it’s ever been and we are excited to be a part of it. We have been hard at work recruiting a team we believe will compete for the President’s Cup. Our promise to you is we will continue to work extremely hard to not only provide a competitive team on the ice, but also to present a wonderful, first-class experience as soon as you step inside Independence Events Center. On behalf our ownership and front office, I would like to thank you for your support and look forward to seeing the Orange Army at the rink. Give M Hell, Brent Thiessen President and General Manager
Special to The Examiner/JOHN HOWE
Colt King takes a slap shot in a training camp workout at the Independence Events Center. King, known around the CHL as a physical presence, is expected to fill the role of enforcer for the Mavericks this season.
COLT 45 Mavs bring in hired gun to fill the enforcer role
By Bill Althaus bill.althaus@examiner.net
In the Old West, a sheriff’s best friend was his trusty Colt .45. Missouri Mavericks coach Scott Hillman is hoping the same holds true this season in the Central Hockey League as forward Colt King – who just happens to wear No. 45 – is expected to give the Mavericks a presence on the ice
See COLT 45 / 10
Missouri Mavericks 2012-13 schedule REGULAR SEASON OCTOBER (0 home, 4 away) Fri. 19 at Denver 8:05 p.m. Sat. 20 at Denver 8:05 p.m. Fri. 26 at Arizona 9:05 p.m. Sat. 27 at Arizona 9:05 p.m. NOVEMBER (7h/5a) Fri. 2 at Wichita 7:05 p.m. SAT. 3 WICHITA 7:05 p.m. Sun. 4 at Wichita 5:05 p.m. FRI. 9 BLOOMINGTON 7:05 p.m. SAT. 10 BLOOMINGTON 7:05 p.m. Sun. 11 at Tulsa 4:05 p.m. Fri. 16 at Allen 7:05 p.m. SAT. 17 RAPID CITY 7:05 p.m. TUE. 20 WICHITA 7:05 p.m. FRI. 23 TEXAS 7:05 p.m. Sat. 24 at Bloomington 7:05 p.m. FRI. 30 QUAD CITY 7:05 p.m. DECEMBER (6h/9a) Sat. 1 at Quad City 7:05 p.m. Tue. 4 at Tulsa 7:05 p.m. Thu. 6 at Bloomington 7:05 p.m. Fri. 7 at Quad City 7:05 p.m. SAT. 8 QUAD CITY 7:05 p.m. FRI. 14 ARIZONA 7:05 p.m. SAT. 15 BLOOMINGTON 7:05 p.m. Sun. 16 at Bloomington 4:05 p.m. TUE. 18 ARIZONA 7:05 p.m. FRI. 21 ALLEN 7:05 p.m. Sat. 22 at Texas 7:05 p.m. Wed. 26 at Quad City 7:05 p.m. Fri. 28 at Wichita 7:05 p.m. Sat. 29 at Tulsa 7:35 p.m. MON. 31 TULSA 7:05 p.m. JANUARY (6h/2a) FRI. 4 WICHITA 7:05 p.m. SAT. 5 DENVER 7:05 p.m. FRI. 11 TULSA 7:05 p.m. SAT. 12 QUAD CITY 7:05 p.m. Fri. 18 at Rapid City 8:05 p.m. Sat. 19 at Rapid City 8:05 p.m. FRI. 25 DENVER 7:05 p.m. SAT. 26 TULSA 7:05 p.m. FEBRUARY (7h/6a) Fri. 1 at Tulsa 7:35 p.m. SAT. 2 QUAD CITY 7:05 p.m. Tue. 5 at Quad City 7:05 p.m. Fri. 8 at Allen 7:05 p.m. SAT. 9 TULSA 7:05 p.m. Sun. 10 at Bloomington 4:05 p.m. TUE. 12 DENVER 7:05 p.m. FRI. 15 BLOOMINGTON 7:05 p.m. SAT. 16 ALLEN 7:05 p.m. Mon. 18 at Denver 8:05 p.m. Fri. 22 at Texas 7:05 p.m. SAT. 23 WICHITA 7:05 p.m. TUE. 26 DENVER 7:05 p.m. MARCH (7h/7a) FRI. 1 QUAD CITY 7:05 p.m. Sat. 2 at Allen 7:05 p.m. Sun. 3 at Wichita 5:05 p.m. TUE. 5 BLOOMINGTON 7:05 p.m. FRI. 8 QUAD CITY 7:05 p.m. Sat. 9 at Quad City 7:05 p.m. SUN. 10 WICHITA 4:05 p.m. FRI. 15 DENVER 7:05 p.m. SAT. 16 QUAD CITY 7:05 p.m. Sun. 17 at Quad City 4:05 p.m. Tue. 19 at Bloomington 7:05 p.m. FRI. 22 TULSA 7:05 p.m. Sat. 23 at Allen 7:05 p.m. Sun. 24 at Wichita 5:05 p.m. All times Central All times subject to change Games in CAPS are home
HOCKEY 101: HOCKEY TERMS
Goal: A goal is awarded when the puck entirely crosses the red goal line between the goal posts. The player who shoots the puck into the net or who was the last player of the scoring team to touch the puck is credited with the goal. A goal is disallowed if the puck was thrown or otherwise intentionally directed into the net by an attacking player by any means other than his stick. The puck, however, can be deflected off a skate or the attacking player’s body into the net if it was unintentional. A goal also is allowed if it is directed into the net by a defending player. Icing: Icing occurs when a team shoots the puck from its half of the ice (behind the center red line) across the opponent’s goal line without the puck passing through any part of the goal crease. Icing is not called (it is “waived off”) when a team is shorthanded, when the opposition could have made a play on the puck before it went over the goal line, or when a player of the team shooting the puck touches it before an opposing player. After the puck is iced, play stops and a faceoff is held in the defensive zone of the team that committed icing. Offside: Offside occurs when an offensive player crosses the blue line into the attacking zone before the puck. The determining criterion for offside is the positioning of the skates. The player’s skates must be entirely over the blue line ahead of the puck for a player to be called for offside. Play is stopped and a face-off is held in the neutral zone (between the blue lines). Overtime/Shootout: When teams are tied at the conclusion of regulation play, each team will receive one point in the standings. A five-minute, sudden-death overtime will be played, with each team using four skaters. The winning team will receive a second point in the standings. If a game is still tied at the conclusion of the overtime, a shootout will be used to determine the winner. Five skaters from each team will go one-on-one against the goalie and the team that scores the most goals will earn a second point in the standings.
PLAYERS
Goaltender: The goalie’s primary task is simple - keep the puck out of his net. Offensively, he may start his team down the ice with a pass, but seldom does he leave the net he guards. Defensemen: These players try to stop the incoming play at their own blue line. They try to break up passes, block shots, cover opposing forwards and clear the puck from in front of their own goal. Offensively, they get the puck to their forwards and follow the play into the attacking zone, positioning themselves just inside their opponent’s blue line at the “points.”
Center: The quarterback on the ice, the center leads the attack by carrying the puck on offense. He exchanges passes with his wings to steer the play toward the opposing goal. On defense, he tries to disrupt a play before it gets on his team’s side of the ice. Wings: The wings team up with the center on the attack to set up shots on goal. Defensively, they attempt to break up plays by their counterparts and upset the shot attempts.
OFFICIALS
Referee: He supervises the game, calls the penalties, determines goals and handles faceoffs at center ice to start each period. The referee is the official with orange bands on each of his arms. Linesmen: Two are used. They call offside, icing and handle all face-offs not occurring at center ice. They do not call penalties, but can recommend to the referee that a penalty be called. Goal Judges: One sits off-ice behind each goal and indicates when a goal has been scored by turning on a red light just above his station. The referee can ask his advice on disputed goals, but the referee has final authority and can overrule the goal judge. Official Scorer: He determines which player scores and credits assists if there are any. He may consult the referee, but the scorer is the final authority in crediting points.
PENALTIES
A team plays shorthanded when one or more of its players is charged with a penalty. However, no team is forced to play more than two players below full strength (five players - excluding the goalie) at any time. When a third penalty is assessed to the same team, it is suspended until the first penalty expires. When a penalty is called on a goalie, a teammate serves his time in the penalty box. Minor penalty: (Two minutes) Called for tripping, hooking, spearing, slashing, charging, roughing, holding, elbowing or boarding. Major penalty: (Five minutes) Called for fighting or when minor penalties are committed with deliberate attempt to injure. Major penalties for slashing, spearing, highsticking, elbowing, butt-ending and crosschecking carry automatic game misconducts. Misconduct: (10 minutes) Called for various forms of unsportsmanlike behavior or when a player incurs a second major penalty in a game. This is a penalty against an individual and not a team, so a substitute is permitted. Players can also be called for a game misconduct, which means they are ejected from the remainder of the game. Penalty shot: A free shot, unopposed except for the goalie, given to a player who is illegally impeded from behind when he
has possession of the puck with no opponent between him and the goal except the goalie. The team which commits the offense is not penalized beyond the penalty shot, whether it succeeds or not. Delayed penalty: The referee will hold his arm up, but will not blow his whistle until the penalized team regains possession of the puck. Teams will send their goalie off the ice in exchange for another attacker when this happens because the play will be blown dead when the penalized team gains possession.
INFRACTIONS
Boarding: Checking or pushing an opponent violently into the boards while the player is facing the boards. Charging: Taking more than three skating strides prior to checking an opponent. Cross-Checking: Hitting an opponent with both hands on the stick and no part of the stick on the ice. Elbowing: Using an elbow in any way to foul an opponent. Tripping: Using a stick, knee, foot, arm, hand, or elbow to cause an opponet to trip or fall. High Sticking: Striking your opponent while carrying the stick above shoulder level. Holding: Grabbing an opponent’s body, equipment or clothing with the hands or stick. Hooking: “Hooking” a stick around an opponent to try to block his progress. Interference: Illegal body contact with an opponent who is not in possession of the puck, or knocking an opponent’s fallen stick out of his reach. Slashing: Hitting an opposing player with the stick or swinging the stick at an opposing player. Spearing: Stabbing an opponent with the point of the stick blade while the stick is being carried in one or both hands. Hand Pass: Called when a player uses his hand to direct the puck to another player from the same team in the offensive or neutral zone. Hand passes are allowed in the defensive zone.
HOCKEY LINGO
Back Check: To hinder an opponent heading toward and into the defending zone. Blue Lines: The pair of one-foot wide blue lines which extend across the ice at a distance of 60 feet from each goal. These lines break up the ice into attacking, neutral and defending zones. Body Check: Use of the body on an opponent. It is legal when the opponent has possession of the puck or was the last player to have touched it. Dump and chase: This term refers to an offensive strategy of trying to catch a team while they are unorganized in their
October 19, 2012 — Mavericks Preview — The Examiner — Page 9
The basics of the game
defensive zone. A player will shoot the puck into the offensive zone and his teammates will race to the puck, trying to dig it out from behind the net to generate a scoring chance for their team. Generally considered a passive style of play, a good dump-and-chase can spring a trailing forward in the slot for a scoring chance. Goal Crease: Area directly in front of the goaltender. It is four feet wide and eight feet long and marked off by red lines. Offensive players who do not have possession of the puck may not enter. Faceoff: The dropping of the puck between one player from each team to begin or resume play. Five-hole: The 5-hole is the area between a goalie’s legs. The term 5-hole comes from the five open areas on net that aren’t covered by a goaltender. Holes one and two are above the goalie’s shoulders and three and four are on the outside of the goaltender’s leg pads. This is the most difficult area to score on a goaltender, especially with the abundance of butterfly style goaltenders in today’s game. Forecheck: To pressure the opponent in its end of the rink, preventing an offensive rush. Freezing the Puck: To hold the puck against the boards with either the skate or stick to get a stoppage of play. Goal Line: The red line, which runs between the goal posts and extends in both directions to the side boards. Hat Trick: The scoring of three or more goals by a player in one game. Icing: When a player shoots the puck from his side of the center red line past the opposition’s goal line. Icing is an illegal way to advance the puck. Neutral zone: The neutral zone represents the areas between the bluelines and center ice. Many coaches believe that this is where the game is won and lost. Most turnovers in the neutral zone, especially by defensemen, lead to scoring chances for the attacking team. The neutral zone has become a more critical area of the ice since the elimination of the offside or “two-line” pass rule last decade. One-timer: Hitting the puck directly upon receiving a pass. The offensive player takes his backswing while the puck is on its way to him and tries to time his swing with the arrival of the puck. Penalty Box: The area opposite the team benches, where penalized players serve time. Point: This term refers to the area near the blueline in the attacking zone. While possessing the puck, the offense generally tries to work the puck back to the defensemen on the point, trying to generate rebounds from slap shots by defensemen. This area is
crucial during special teams play, as some teams will put 2-3 players back by the blueline and try to thread shots through traffic in front of the net. Power Play: A power play occurs when a team has a one-man or two-man advantage because of an opponent’s penalties. Pulling the Goalie: Replacing the goalie with an extra skater in a high-risk attempt to tie the game. This primarily occurs when a team trails, usually by one goal, late in the game. Save: A shot blocked by the goaltender, which would have been a goal had it not been stopped. Screened Shot: The goaltender’s view is blocked by players between him and the shooter. Slap Shot: Hitting the puck with the blade of the stick after taking a full backswing. Slot: The area immediately in front of the goal crease. It is from this zone that most goals are scored and where the most furious activity takes place. Stick Handling: To control the puck along the ice with the stick. Top Shelf: Term used to describe when an offensive player shoots high in an attempt to beat the goalie by shooting the puck into the top portion of the net. Wheel: During a breakout, you’ll commonly hear players telling each other “WHEEL! WHEEL!” This alerts the forward that he is being covered by an attacking player and should carry the puck behind the net and continue the breakout into the neutral zone or look for an outlet pass. Wraparound: A player skates around behind the opposing goal and attempts to wrap the puck around the goal post and under the goalie. Wrist Shot: Hitting the puck with the blade of the stick using a quick snap of the wrist rather than a full back swing.
Page 10 — The Examiner — Mavericks Preview — October 19, 2012
Mavs benefiting from affiliation with AHL By Bill Althaus bill.althaus@examiner.net
Scott Hillman recently returned from a trip to Chicago where he got up close and personal with the Missouri Mavericks’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Chicago Wolves. The Mavericks coach was excited about the trip, and even more excited about the players the Wolves assigned to his CHL team. Chicago has assigned forwards Riley Emmerson and Trevor Kell to the Mavericks. Missouri forward Brian Bicek and defenseman Matt McCready were also released from the Wolves camp, where they had been working out with the AHL team. The Mavericks then got goaltender Mike Clemente from the American Hockey League’s Springfield Falcons, and then were assigned two more players when the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks sent forward Kellen Tochkin and the AHL’s Chicago Wolves sent goaltender Mathieu Corbiel. “I’m so excited about our affiliation with the Wolves,” Hillman said. “It is a huge asset to our franchise, our players and our staff. “This season, due to the NHL lockout, there was also a significant presence by the Vancouver Canucks management and scouting staff who are very interested in what we are doing here in Missouri and are excited to have us as part of their extended family.” Bicek, one of the newest Mavericks, and McCready, who joined the team late last season, were signed by the Mavericks for the 2012-13 season and invited to attend the Wolves training camp. McCready scored the Wolves’ lone goal in a preseason shootout loss to the Peoria Rivermen. “Our players are seeing the benefits
of this affiliation and have been granted the opportunity to showcase themselves to NHL and AHL scouts,” Hillman said. “This season two of our players gained valuable experience practicing and playing with players that have had and certainly will have careers in the NHL. Brian Bicek and Matt McCready both represented our organization very well over the past week in Chicago.” Emmerson, 26, scored four goals and totaled 181 penalty minutes in 66 games with the ECHL’s Utah Grizzlies and Toledo Walleye last season. The 6-foot-8, 248-pound forward also appeared in 46 ECHL contests with Utah that year collecting two assists and 142 penalty minutes. “Riley Emmerson is a very intimidating figure and will be a welcomed addition to our franchise,” Hillman said of the Minnesota Wild’s seventh-round NHL draft pick in 2005. “He is every bit of 6-foot-8, and will certainly be one of the biggest players in the league. “He is excited to join our club and we expect Riley to be a favorite in the locker room, and our fans are sure to love his nononsense, hard-nosed style of play.” Kell, 26, spent the 2011-12 campaign with Fassa of Italy’s Serie A, where he ranked first on the team with 25 assists and third with 36 points and 11 goals in 45 games. The 6-foot, 185-pound forward has skated in 37 career AHL games with the Lowell Devils and Albany and totaled 12 points and 14 penalty minutes. “Trevor Kell is an explosive hockey player,” Hillman said of the fifth-round selection by the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks in 2004. “He has significant AHL experience, is a former ECHL captain and plays the game with passion and grit. Trevor will be a real leader for us this season.” The additions of Clemente from Springfield and Tochkin and Corbiel from the
Wolves also excited Hillman. “Mike is a very exciting prospect, and we are honored Springfield has selected the Mavericks to oversee his development this season,” Hillman said. “The goaltenders that have played with our franchise have experienced a great deal of success in the CHL, and we believe Mike will help us continue that tradition. His numbers were exceptional in the AHL last season and that speaks volumes about his ability to compete under pressure.” Clemente will battle Corbiel and Austin Lee for the starting nod. Clemente, 22, enters his rookie season after playing the previous four seasons at Brown University. Upon the completion of his career at Brown, the Great Falls, Va., native appeared in six games with Springfield last season. In those six games, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound goaltender had a 2.99 goals-against average, a .930 save percentage and one shutout. Corbiel, 22, was a fourth-round draft pick (102nd overall) of the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. The 6-foot-6, 188-pound goaltender enters his rookie season after playing the previous five seasons of junior hockey in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. “Mathieu had an outstanding camp in Chicago,” Hillman said. “I was able to watch him closely in both practice and game scenarios, and we believe that he has a bright future.” Tochkin, 21, enters his rookie season with the Mavericks after playing the previous four full seasons of junior hockey in the Western Hockey League. “Kellen has a real knack for scoring goals,” Hillman said. “We are committed to working very hard to help players like Kellen continue to develop as part of our working agreement with Chicago and Vancouver.”
Mavs happy with roster Brent Thiessen was feeling warm and comfortable, and it had nothing to do with the hot cup of coffee the Missouri Mavericks president and general manager was sipping at the Independence Events Center. That feeling was coming from watching the players who will eventually make up the team’s 2012-13 roster. “Coach has some tough choices coming up,” Thiessen said. “Every player on the ice will play in the CHL this season. Because of a numbers game, not all of them will be playing for the Mavericks. But we have never had this much talent in our camp. I like the makeup of the team and the chemistry.” One new ingredient to the Mavericks’ puzzle is forward Jeff Pierce, who Hillman said “has lightning speed, a rocket of a shot and has great chemistry on a line with (former Odessa teammate and Mavericks captain Sebastien) Thinel. We are excited to reunite them.” Pierce, 28, played his first three seasons with the Mavericks’ captain and leading scorer from a season ago. The 6-foot, 180-pound forward most recently skated for the Cardiff Devils in England along with a fellow Mavericks signee, defenseman Jamie VanderVeeken. “This already feels like a team to me,” Pierce said. “It’s great to be back with Sebastien and Jamie, and all the guys on the team who were here last year welcomed us with open arms.” – Bill Althaus
Once an enemy, Colt King already fitting in with team, fans ▲
Colt 45 l From 5
that has been missing recently. “We have some big boys out on the ice,” Hillman said as he watched a recent practice session at the Independence Events Center. “And one of the most intimidating is No. 45 – there’s a reason we brought Colt to Independence. “In the past, this team was missing a physical presence out on the ice. That is no longer the case.” The Mavericks had one enforcer – Carlyle “The Grim Sleeper” Lewis – but age and injuries have taken their toll on Lewis,
who will likely not play this season. “We needed someone like Colt, and he was eager to be a part of our team,” Hillman said. “He’s already fitting in well and the boys really enjoy being around him. He’s a great addition to our team.” He was also the first addition to the 201213 Mavericks squad. King, 29, who played last season for the Steelers in Sheffield, England, helped the Rapid City Rush win the CHL’s President’s Cup in 2010. “He was an intimidator,” said a former Mavericks player, when asked about King. “He’s one of those guys you hate if he’s on another team and you love if he’s on your
team. The fans are going to love him.” They already do, as one fan said earlier this week, “I remember when he roughed up Carlyle when he was with Rapid City the first year the Mavs came to town. We didn’t like him much then, but now we can’t wait to see what he brings to this year’s team.” King is fitting right in with his new teammates. As one recent practice he grabbed a toy helmet for a teammate who was the last to score a goal in a previous day’s drill. He had to wear the new helmet until this day’s drill came to an end. “See what you get when you take the team to Paradise Park?” quipped Hillman,
referring to the Lee’s Summit kids play area the Mavericks visited the night before. “That’s good for the boys – loosens them up.” “I can’t wait for the season to start,” said King, whose pleasant demeanor off the ice belies his rugged image on the ice. “We’ve had just a few practices and there is already a real chemistry on this team. “The guys who were here last year came close to winning a championship and all the new guys this year want to help them take it one step closer. We’re all here with one goal – winning a championship. We did it in Rapid City and I believe this team can do it this year.”
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