Bandits Ring In New Year Right

January 4, 2010 - North American Hockey League (NAHL) News Release

Returning from the holiday break, the St. Louis Bandits wanted nothing more than to get the New Year off on the right foot.

They got their wish, picking up three wins over the Springfield Jr. Blues to keep pace with the South Division-leading Topeka RoadRunners, who also celebrated three victories last weekend.

"Anytime you can pick up a three-game sweep over a talented team like Springfield, you have to be pleased," said Bandits assistant coach Rocky Russo, whose team improved to 24-5-1 on the season. "It was important for us to get the ball rolling in the right direction to start the second half, and we did that."

The Bandits rang in 2010 with a 4-3 victory on New Year's Day. Dan Olszewski (goal, assist) and defenseman Patrick Raley (two assists) each fashioned two-points games, and goaltender Tyler Bruggeman turned aside 20 shots.

The next night, three different players scored for St. Louis and Ryan Belonger chipped in two assists as the Bandits skated to a 4-1 triumph over the Jr. Blues. Craig Kitto connected for the game-winning marker, and netminder Tom Comunale stopped 32 shots to pick up the win in his first NAHL start.

On Sunday, Kitto struck for two more goals and assisted on Chris Ciotti's game-winner as the Bandits celebrated another 4-1 victory. Bruggeman stopped 25 shots between the pipes.

"We have a good mix of veterans and young guys who are contributing," said Russo. "We've had the opportunity to watch our rookies grow over the last three months and they're becoming big pieces to our puzzle.

"The guys are a close group, on and off the ice, too, which is the most important part of the equation. They trust each other and always put the team before themselves."

And there's no better example than second-year forward Jordan Bourgojne. The Bandits captain might not put up jaw-dropping offensive numbers - the 20-year-old from Alberta has three goals for nine points after 25 games - but his leadership and work ethic have keyed St. Louis' first-half success.

"He's the heart and soul of our club," said Russo. "He's a fierce leader, on and off the ice, and he plays with such heart that his teammates can't help but feed off of his energy.

"He's a last-year (junior) guy, so it'll be tough to lose him, but he'll be a great addition to a Division I college program."

Speaking of college, the Bandits lost an important part of their team when goaltender Garrett Bartus left for the University of Connecticut (Atlantic Hockey) after the holiday break. Bruggeman, however, has answered the call.

The 18-year-old from Mankato, Minn., who started the season in Fairbanks has won his last four starts and holds an 8-1-1 record since coming over from the Ice Dogs.

"Garrett deserved the opportunity to start at the Division I level and we were happy to move him on," said Russo. "Losing him was tough, but Tyler has stepped up to fill the void and we haven't skipped a beat."

Nor have the veterans. The Bandits have been leaning on the experience of forwards Ciotti, Kitto and Brooks Bertsch - three of the team's top five scorers who were members of the Bandits' Robertson Cup championship team last season - to help shape the club into postseason form.

"They know what it takes to win and understand what a grind junior hockey can be," said Russo. "Each of them is extremely competitive and the fact that they're all the same age (19) has driven them to compete even harder to be the best of the bunch.

"They've each taken on a much larger responsibility with this season's team and have all contributed in their own way."

And there's no shortage of newcomers helping the Bandits' cause, either, in particular forwards Ryan Stouffer and C.J. Eick and defenseman Grant Gettinger.

A stay-at-home blueliner, Gettinger sees minutes in all situations. Stouffer, meanwhile, has a knack for delivering timely goals upfront.

And he might only be 17 and size up at 5-foot-7 and 155 pounds, but Eick's fearless demeanor hasn't gone unnoticed.

"He's a smaller kid, but plays much larger than his frame," said Russo. "He has no problem laying down to block a shot or throwing a bodycheck against a much bigger player.

"His commitment, both on and off the ice, is quite impressive for a young guy."

With the recent commitment of Olszewski to the University of Denver, a perennial power in the WCHA, the Bandits now have five players bound for college next season. For a program than annually sends 10-plus kids to the Division I ranks, that number is sure to balloon in the coming months.

"The entire reason we do this is to get players to the next level," said Russo. "In addition to Dan, we expect to have quite a few more players making plans to play Division I hockey over the course of the rest of the season."

And, as a result of earning the top seed in the South Division with the highest winning percentage at the holiday break, the Bandits will send six players to this month's NAHL Top Prospects Tournament in Ann Arbor, Mich. - Bertsch, Bourgojne, Ciotti, Kitto, Raley and defenseman Blake Edwards - which will only help the college cause.

"That's a great opportunity to showcase our players to the college coaches, and getting that top seed in our division was a high priority for our organization," said Russo. "Every year more and more players sign college deals as a result of playing well during Top Prospects and we're hoping our guys will be lucky enough to get the same opportunities."

Continued success on the ice will also help as the Bandits gear up to make a run at their fourth straight Robertson Cup championship. Happy where they sit heading into the New Year, Russo acknowledges there's still plenty of work to be done.

"We want to continue to develop, both as a group and individually," said the coach. "As long as the boys stay committed to getting better everyday, we can continue to grow as a team."

STANDINGS/LEADERS
STANDINGS
http://www.pointstreak.com/stats/pro/standings.html?leagueid=164&seasonid=4527

LEADING SCORERS
http://www.pointstreak.com/stats/pro/scoringleaders.html?leagueid=164&seasonid=4527

LEADING GOALTENDERS
http://www.pointstreak.com/stats/pro/goalieleaders.html?leagueid=164&seasonid=4527

GOALS
http://www.pointstreak.com/stats/pro/scoringleaders.html?leagueid=164&seasonid=4527&sortby=g

ASSISTS
http://www.pointstreak.com/stats/pro/scoringleaders.html?leagueid=164&seasonid=4527&sortby=a

PLUS/MINUS
http://www.pointstreak.com/stats/pro/scoringleaders.html?leagueid=164&seasonid=4527&sortby=plusminus

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Sherwood/NAHL North Player of the Week: Garrett Thompson - Traverse City North Stars
Traverse City forward Garrett Thompson struck for three goals and three assists as the North Stars fashioned a 4-1 record. On Monday, Dec. 28, the Traverse City native recorded a pair of goals and an assist in a 7-4 win over Marquette. The next night, the 19-year-old scored the game-winning marker as the North Stars downed the Rangers, 3-2. After tallying an assist in a 5-2 victory over the Alpena IceDiggers on New Year's Eve and being held scoreless in a 2-1 loss to Motor City on Saturday, Thompson added another assist on Sunday in a 4-1 triumph over the Metal Jackets. He was also a plus-3 for the week.

"Garrett is emerging as a team leader," said North Stars head coach Anthony Palumbo. "He's really provided us with the offensive boost we needed coming back from the holiday break."

HONORABLE MENTION: Janesville forward Cam Severson; Marquette forward Josh Bussell

Sherwood/NAHL South Player of the Week: Erik Higby - Topeka RoadRunners
Topeka forward Erik Higby connected for three goals and four assists as the RoadRunners celebrated a three-game sweep over Wichita Falls. After being held scoreless on New Year's Eve - a 5-2 RoadRunners win - the New Braunfels, Texas, native recorded two assists the next night, including one on Nate Milam's game-winning goal, in a 7-2 triumph. On Saturday, the 20-year-old rang up a hat trick and two more assists - another on a Milam game-winner - as the RoadRunners blanked the Wildcats, 8-0. He was also a plus-4 for the week.

"Erik was solid again last weekend," said RoadRunners assistant coach R.J. Enga. "Whether he's generating offense or working hard defensively, he's playing very well in all areas."

HONORABLE MENTION: Topeka forward Nate Milam

Sherwood/NAHL Central Player of the Week: Ryan Jacobson - Bismarck Bobcats
Bismarck forward Ryan Jacobson potted three goals and two assists as the Bobcats skated to three wins. On New Year's Eve, the Denver native recorded two goals in a 4-3 victory over the Alexandria Blizzard. The next night, the 19-year-old connected another goal and two assists, including one on Dominic Panetta's overtime game-winning marker, in a 4-3 triumph over North Iowa. Held scoreless on Saturday - a 3-2 win over the Outlaws - Jacobson was a plus-4 for the week.

"Ryan had his best weekend as a Bobcat," said Bobcats head coach Byron Pool. "He regularly contributes on the scoreboard, but his all around-play was phenomenal. He was physical, great in his own end, he looked after the puck and he distributed it nicely."

HONORABLE MENTION: Bismarck forward Dominic Panetta and defenseman Sam Rendle

Sherwood/NAHL West Player of the Week: Alex McLean - Wenatchee Wild
Wenatchee defenseman Alex McLean rang up a goal and three assists as the Wild skated to a two-game sweep over Alaska. On Saturday, the Duluth, Minn., native recorded three assists, including one on Nolan Youngmun's game-winning goal, in a 6-1 victory. The next day, the 19-year-old tallied a goal as the Wild downed the Avalanche, 5-1. He was also a plus-4 on the weekend.

"It was great to see Alex put up some numbers last weekend because he's consistently been very good for us at both ends of the ice," said Wild associate head coach Ryan McKelvie. "He's a very skilled and hard-working defenseman who can play in any offensive or defensive situation."

Sherbrook Hockey/NAHL Goalie of the Week: Drew Strandburg - Traverse City North Stars
Traverse City goaltender Drew Strandburg won all three of his starts, turning aside 84 of 89 shots. On Tuesday, the Thunder Bay, Ontario, native made 23 saves in a 3-2 victory over the Marquette Rangers. Two nights later on New Year's Eve, the 20-year-old stopped 32 shots as the North Stars downed the Alpena IceDiggers, 5-2. On Sunday, Strandburg steered aside 29 shots in a 4-1 triumph over the Motor City Metal Jackets.

HONORABLE MENTION: Bismarck's Ryan Faragher; Marquette's Kevin Kissaw; Owatonna's Matt Hemingway; Topeka's Evan Karambelas; Wenatchee's Brendan Jensen

AROUND THE NAHL
ALASKA AVALANCHE: Forwards Beau Walker (West Richland, Wash.) and Blake Huppert (Wasilla, Alaska) scored the Avalanche's goals in its two losses to Wenatchee.

ALBERT LEA THUNDER: Forwards Chris Cass (Lakeville, Minn.) and Anthony Iaquinto (Brighton, Mich.) scored in regulation to help the Thunder pick up a point in a 3-2 shootout loss to Alexandria on New Year's Day.

ALEXANDRIA BLIZZARD: Forward Simon Cederborg-Nilsson (Sweden) scored a goal in regulation and one in the shootout to help lift the Blizzard to a 3-2 win over Albert Lea on New Year's Day.

ALPENA ICEDIGGERS: Forward Ryan Timar (Novi, Mich.) tallied a goal and three assists as IceDiggers went 0-3-1 to start their second half of the season.

BISMARCK BOBCATS: Forward Dominic Panetta (Grand Rapids, Mich.) tallied three goals, including the overtime game-winner in the Bobcats' 4-3 victory over North Iowa on New Year's Day, in three wins.

FAIRBANKS ICE DOGS: Off since Dec. 19, the Ice Dogs return to action this weekend for a two-game set against Alaska beginning on Friday.

JANESVILLE JETS: Forward Cam Severson (Seattle) potted four goals in regulation and the only goal in Saturday's shootout - a 3-2 win - as the Jets skated two a two-game sweep over Alpena.

KENAI RIVER BROWN BEARS: Off since Dec. 19, the Brown Bears will return to NAHL action on Jan. 14 when they begin a three-game series in Fairbanks.

MARQUETTE RANGERS: Forward Josh Bussell (Detroit) connected for two goals and two assists as the Rangers went 1-2 last week. "Josh is starting to heat up," said head coach Kenny Miller. "When we went out and traded for him (from Texas), we expected him to put up these type of numbers."

MOTOR CITY METAL JACKETS: Forward Petrus Sipila (Grosse Ile, Mich.) put home the game-winning goal - shorthanded in the third period - in the Metal Jackets' 2-1 victory over Traverse City on Saturday.

NORTH IOWA OUTLAWS: The Outlaws picked up two points against Bismarck with an overtime loss on New Year's Day and a shootout loss on Saturday.

OWATONNA EXPRESS: Goaltender Matt Hemingway (Alexandria, Minn.) picked up wins in his first two NAHL starts, turning aside 54 of 57 shots.

SPRINGFIELD JR. BLUES: Forward Ross Anderson (River Falls, Wis.) tallied a pair of goals in the Jr. Blues' 4-3 loss to St. Louis on New Year's Day.

ST. LOUIS BANDITS: There's more to the Bandits' success story than just their winning tradition, according to assistant coach Rocky Russo. "The local businesses are very supportive of the team and players, and the fans and billet families are committed to being a part of the 'Bandit Experience,'" he said.

TEXAS TORNADO: Off since Dec. 19, the Tornado returns to NAHL action this weekend for a two-game series against Topeka.

TOPEKA ROADRUNNERS: Forward Nate Milam (Westland, Mich.) unleashed for five goals, including a hat trick in an 8-0 win on Saturday, as the RoadRunners skated to a three-game sweep over Wichita Falls. "Nate really used his speed last weekend to create a lot of opportunities and was able to capitalize on them," said assistant coach R.J. Enga.

TRAVERSE CITY NORTH STARS: Playing five games in seven days after returning from the holiday break, the North Stars fashioned a 4-1 record to move into first place in the North Division.

WENATCHEE WILD: Goaltender Brendan Jensen (El Granada, Calif.) backstopped the Wild to a two-game sweep over Alaska, turning aside 48 of 50 shots. "Our team has a great deal of confidence in Brendan; he's proven night in and night out that he's an elite goaltender," said associate head coach Ryan McKelvie. "Brendan's upside is tremendous and I think he has the work ethic and mental focus to take his game to very high levels."

WICHITA FALLS WILDCATS: Despite registering only one assist in three losses to Topeka, forward Brian Sheehan (St. Louis) continues to lead the NAHL with 22 goals.

THE WEEK AHEAD
Wednesday, January 6
Wenatchee @ Wichita Falls, 7:05 pm

Friday, January 8
North Iowa @ Alexandria, 7:00 pm
Janesville @ St. Louis, 7:05 pm
Wenatchee @ Wichita Falls, 7:05 pm
Owatonna @ Bismarck, 7:15 pm
Alaska @ Fairbanks, 7:30 pm
Marquette @ Motor City, 7:30 pm
Topeka @ Texas, 7:30 pm

Saturday, January 9
Topeka @ Texas, 7:00 pm
Janesville @ St. Louis, 7:05 pm
Alpena @ Traverse City, 7:05 pm
Wenatchee @ Wichita Falls, 7:05 pm
Owatonna @ Bismarck, 7:15 pm
Alaska @ Fairbanks, 7:30 pm
Marquette @ Motor City, 7:30 pm
Alexandria @ North Iowa, 7:30 pm

Sunday, January 10
Owatonna @ Alexandria, 5:00 pm

(all times local)

COLLEGE COMMITMENTS
ALASKA AVALANCHE
Matt Friese - University of Alaska-Anchorage (WCHA) *

ALBERT LEA THUNDER
Joe Rogers - University of Notre Dame (CCHA)

ALEXANDRIA BLIZZARD
Jordan Gidaro - Western Michigan University (CCHA)
Bryce Ravndalen - St. Cloud State University (WCHA) #
Brett Wall - Lake Superior State University (CCHA)

ALPENA ICEDIGGERS
Ryan Timar - Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey)

BISMARCK BOBCATS
Jason Fabian - Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey)
Gavin Hartzog - University of Wisconsin (WCHA)
Sam Rendle - Bemidji State University (CHA)
Tony Turgeon - University of Nebraska-Omaha (CCHA) #

FAIRBANKS ICE DOGS
Michael Juola - Brown University (ECAC)
Jared Linnell - University of Alaska-Fairbanks (CCHA) *

MARQUETTE RANGERS
Kevin Gravel - St. Cloud State University (WCHA) #
Nate Heng - University of Nebraska-Omaha (CCHA) #
Tanner Kero - Michigan Tech University (WCHA)
Garrett Ladd - Bemidji State University (CHA)

MOTOR CITY METAL JACKETS
Brice Geoffrion - University of Alabama-Huntsville (CHA)
Patrick Sullivan - Canisius College (Atlantic Hockey)

OWATONNA EXPRESS
Mike Shibrowski - Colorado College (WCHA)
Ben Persian - Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey)
Jake Youso - University of Minnesota (WCHA)

SPRINGFIELD JR. BLUES
Jack Callahan - Quinnipiac University (ECAC) #
Randy Cure - Mercyhurst College (Atlantic Hockey)
Nick Curry - University of Massachusetts-Lowell (Hockey East)
Rob Dongara - Northeastern University (Hockey East) #
Trent Frey - Mercyhurst College (Atlantic Hockey)
CJ Groh - University of Alabama-Huntsville (CHA)
Jared Rickord - Bentley University (Atlantic Hockey)

ST. LOUIS BANDITS
Garrett Bartus - University of Connecticut (Atlantic Hockey)
Clinton Bourbonais - Yale University (ECAC) #
Michael Gunn - Michigan State University (CCHA)
Joe Kalisz - University of Alaska-Fairbanks (CCHA)
Daniel Olszewski - University of Denver (WCHA)
Brad Smith - Ohio State University (CCHA)

TOPEKA ROADRUNNERS
Kevin Ryan - Niagara University (CHA)
Cole Schneider - University of Connecticut (Atlantic Hockey)

TRAVERSE CITY NORTH STARS
Kelin Ainsworth - Lake Superior State University (CCHA)
Kyle Jean - Lake Superior State University (CCHA)
Andy Huff - Ferris State University (CCHA)
Tyler Marble - Lake Superior State University (CCHA)
Dan Radke - Lake Superior State University (CCHA)

WENATCHEE WILD
Kyle Brodie - Bemidji State University (CHA)
Brandon Burrell - St. Cloud State University (WCHA)
Armand De Swardt - Cornell University (ECAC)
Nic Dowd - St. Cloud State University (WCHA) #
Jeff Jubinville - Bemidji State University (CHA)
Adam McKenzie - Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey)
Alex McLean - Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey)
Mitch Torrel - Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey)

WICHITA FALLS WILDCATS
Zach Ledford - Bentley University (Atlantic Hockey)
Aaron Quick - Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey)

# alumni
* for 2011-12 season

North American Hockey League Stories from January 4, 2010

• Wenatchee Wild Series Preview Vs. Wichita Falls - Wenatchee Wild
• Bandits Ring In New Year Right - NAHL
• Jacobson Nabs Player Of The Week Honors - Bismarck Bobcats
• A Not-so-Happy New Year - Wichita Falls Wildcats

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