Sports stats



Dog Pound Weekly

February 23, 2005 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Bozeman Icedogs News Release


If the NHL lockout has left hockey fans angry and upset, consider what it has done to the Bozeman ICEDOGS. While most ICEDOGS players are still years away from even thinking about a professional carrier, the loss of the 2005 season still has a significant impact on the players and coaches.

"All of our players are still a few years away from having the lockout have any affect on their careers," said head coach John LaFontaine. "They're still focused on making it to the collegiate level." Never the less, says LaFontaine, the NHL is the top ambassador for the sport of hockey and with the work stoppage comes a tarnished image for the game at any level.

"It's disappointing, because it affects the casual fan's overall perception of the game." LaFontaine said. And while the damage to the fan base is bad enough, the example that the players are setting could have worse repercussions. "With the stage the (professional) players are on, they set an example for all hockey players, and if the example you're setting is one of poor character, then you're harming your own sport. I'm not saying the owners are blameless, but the players have an obligation to the game."

ICEDOGS forward Filip Macejka sees the effect going even deeper. "When you watch the game at its highest level, you learn as a player. As long as those players are playing, the game is progressing and you can watch and learn from what the pros are doing. Without them, there isn't much to learn," Macejka says. "If anything, we miss watching the game." Even with a cancelled season and no real hope that a deal can be reached soon, the ICEDOGS still aren't letting the situation affect their love for the game. "Everyone has dreams of making it into the (NHL), and while it's still a speck on the horizon for most of us, college is our main focus right now," said backup goaltender Matt Cleveland. "We all love hockey - that's the reason we're here."

As the team tries to cope with the labor situation in the NHL, they still have major issues to deal with on their own ice. There are 11 games left in the season and the ICEDOGS are in last place. However, since the western conference race is so tight, not all playoff spots have been clinched and there is still an outside chance that the team could make a run. "If we win all of the rest of our games, we could do it," Macejka says. "Right now that sounds a little ridiculous, but you have to always be positive. This is a good team and there are a lot of players in their last year here that don't want to go out on a losing note."

Six of the ICEDOGS will turn 21 this year, making them ineligible to play junior hockey in the 2005-2006 season. Of those six, only Bill Leahy has committed to play college hockey. Zach McKelvie will forego his final year of eligibility to play at West Point. Unless the rest get recruited, it could be their last year of hockey - something that could give the team enough incentive to turn things around. "It's never too late," said LaFontaine. "You don't ever quit. Learning how to win is one of the most important things a player develops."

The ICEDOGS have back-to-back home games this weekend against the high flying Fargo-Moorhead Jets. The Jets have been in first place for most of the season, and the ICEDOGS are 1-2 against them.

Last weekend, the ICEDOGS had a solid performance against the Helena Bighorns, winning 3-2 and then losing to Billings 3-5 on Saturday.

Join the team afterward for their post-game party at Old Chicago after both games.

Spotlight on Anton Kharin #8

Anton is in his second season with the ICEDOGS, and looking forward to earning a college scholarship next season. This season, Anton has 22 points in 25 games and has worked very hard on his physical strength and aggressiveness on the ice.

What skills do you bring to the ICEDOGS? I try to always apply offensive pressure through goal scoring and play making. What skills do you want to improve? I want to work on getting stronger in traffic. What sports do you play other than hockey? I like to play golf, tennis, and basketball. What are your favorite teams? I like the Detroit team...Pistons, Tigers, and Lions. My favorite NHL team is the Ottawa Senators and my favorite player is Sergei Federov. He is fast and has a tremendous amount of skill. What do you want to be remembered for by ICEDOGS' fans? I would like to be remembered for goal scoring and play making skills that I bring to the ice. What is your pre-game routine? I go to the pre-game skate then get my sticks ready for the game. I then go home and eat some eggs and take a nap. At 4:00 pm, I go to the rink to play foosball in the locker room and get ready for the game.

What is your funniest childhood memory? I scored on my own net in the Championship game of a Bantam Tournament while we were on the power play. If you received $100 cash as a gift, what would you do with it? Probably put it in the bank. If you were granted any three wishes, what would you request? I would like to play in the NHL, have my grandparents in the United States, and see assistant coach Tom Winkler grow a few more inches.

What are five words people would use to describe you? Athletic, outgoing, fun, sarcastic, and energetic. Have you ever been a part of a championship team in another sport, if so what sport and when? Yes, while in high school we won the varsity state tennis championship. What do like most about Bozeman? I love the guys on the team and playing in such a great environment at the Valley Ice Garden.

Laughter-The Best Medicine

The minor leagues may be minor in size and stature, but they will have major league rules. Former NHL sniper Jim McGeough found this out the hard way. At the time, McGeough was playing with the Dallas Freeze in the CHL. Even in the bus leagues, curfews are necessary and enforced. One evening, McGeough decided to test the waters and see if those hard and fast rules applied to former NHL stars. McGeough triped the night fantastic and didn't return to his hotel until the early hours of the morning, sure that no one was the wiser.

However, there are grapevines everywhere, even in the bus leagues. The coach learned of his player's late-night ways and decided to prove to Mr. McGeough that he wasn't blind. So, he nailed him to the bench. Still, McGeough didn't clue into why he was spending so much time on the pine. Finally, with only minutes to go in the game, Jimmy decided to undo his skates, since it didn't appear he was going to see the ice that night. But with less than a minute to go, the coach gave McGeough the shoulder tap to hit the ice and our hero, eager to please, catapulted over the boards. The only problem was his loosened skates stayed on the bench. So, there he was, on the ice in his sock feet with the whole bench rolling in the aisles. Quickly and quietly, he hopped back on the bench.

Learning the Rules-Rule 610 Elbowing or Kneeing

The referee signal for elbowing is tapping the elbow bent up at a 90 degree angle with the opposite hand. The signal for kneeing is a single tap of the right knee with the right hand, keeping both skates on the ice.

(a) A minor or a major penalty shall be imposed on any player who uses his elbow or knee in such a manner as to in any way foul an opponent.

(b) A major plus game ejection or a major plus game misconduct penalty shall be imposed on any player who injures an opponent as the result of a foul committed by elbowing or kneeing.

About The Fargo-Moorhead Jets

Prior to last weekend, the Fargo-Moorhead Jets were on a franchise-record seven-game win streak before being beaten by Bismarck on Friday and Fairbanks on Saturday. All of this adds up to a West Division- leading 30-12-1 record and 61 points. The Jets have a 70.9% win percentage, which is the third best among all NAHL teams.

The Jets are led in scoring by three main players, Phil Fox, Chris Myhro, and 2005 NAHL All Star Dain Prewitt. All three have tallied 40 points or more, and add scoring punch that will require the ICEDOGS' defense play aggressive and stingy.

• Discuss this story on the North American Hockey League message board...

North American Hockey League Stories from February 23, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Bozeman Icedogs Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central