Green Bay Gamblers Weekly
December 8, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Green Bay Gamblers News Release
GAMBLERS DROP A PAIR
The Green Bay Gamblers dropped a pair of one goal games this past weekend, falling to the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders 2-1 and Bloomington Thunder 1-0. The Gamblers sit in a tie for third place in the USHL Eastern Division with a record of 12-9-1.
Cedar Rapids defenseman Reese Zmolek scored at the 15:28 mark of the third period to break a 1-1 tie in the RoughRiders 3-1 win over the Gamblers at the Stable in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Saturday. Green Bay's lone goal was compliments of Cam Lee at the 13:09 mark of the first period. Gamblers goaltender Kevin Reich turned aside 29 shots in the loss. In the other crease, Ben Blacker made 23 saves for his league leading 11th win.
Adam Huska turned aside 34 Bloomington shots on Sunday afternoon at the U.S .Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington, Illinois. Unfortunately the 35th shot of the game, found its way into the back of the net to give the Thunder a 1-0 victory. The game-winning goal came with just 18 seconds left in regulation. Green Bay had its chances, but Bloomington goaltender Hayden Lavigne was stout all game, making 22 saves. With the win, the Thunder jumped into a three-way tie with Green Bay and Youngstown for third place in the USHL Eastern Division.
INJURY REPORT
Assistant team captain Grant Frederic was out of the line-up on Sunday with an undisclosed injury. It marked the first game that Frederic has missed in his two-year career with the Gamblers. Frederic is expected to be back in the line-up this weekend. Assistant team captain Luke Bafia was injured in the Gamblers 1-0 loss to Bloomington on Sunday. Bafia's return is unknown. The Gamblers will be without the services of Andrew Peeke for the next two weeks. Peeke is a member of the United States Junior Select Team that will compete at the 2015 World Junior "A" Challenge, December 13-19 in Whitby, Ontario Canada.
LEAGUE LEADERS
Goaltender Adam Huska continues to sit atop the USHL in the statistical categories of goals against average (1.88) and save percentage (.936). In 11 of his 15 starts the New York Rangers draft pick has allowed two or less goals.
NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING
Andrew Peeke, Cam Lee and John Leonard are all listed on the NHL Central Scouting Preliminary November Rankings. The NHL Central Scouting Services is a department within the National Hockey League that ranks prospects for the NHL Entry Draft at specific times during the hockey season. Players are ranked based on how well they will translate to the professional game in the National Hockey League. It was founded by hockey executive Jack Button in 1975 to establish a centralized database of NHL prospects. Peeke and Leonard are in their first year in the USHL, while Lee spent the 2014-15 season in Lincoln. Overall, the USHL has 52 current players and 12 alumni who are listed on the preliminary November rankings.
COLLEGE COMMITMENTS
The 2015-2016 Green Bay Gamblers roster features 15 players who are committed to NCAA Division 1 institutions. The list is as follows: Matt Berkovitz (Wisconsin), Ryan Blankemeier (Dartmouth), Grant Frederic (Miami of Ohio), Chris Grando (Boston College), Brett Gruber (Arizona State), Cam Lee (Providence), John Leonard (UMASS), Connor Murphy (Michigan), Gordi Myer (Ohio State), Marc Michaelis (Minnesota State), Andrew Peeke (Notre Dame), Jack Poehling (St. Cloud State), Nick Poehling (St. Cloud State), Sam Saliba (Michigan State) and Jared Spooner (Minnesota State).
COORS LIGHT NIGHT
Friday, December 11 is Coors Light Night at the Resch Center as the Gamblers face off against the Madison Capitols. Coors Light drafts are just $3.00. Start time is 7:05 PM. For tickets go to the Ticketstar box office at the Resch Center or go online to gamblershockey.com
HOCKEY TALK
Gamblers hockey is on the radio with Hockey Talk. Show airs Tuesday from 6:00 - 7:00 PM on 1440 AM and 92.1 WNFL. Gamblers head coach/general manager Pat Mikesch will be talking hockey with Jason Habeck and former St. Norbert standout Scott Jewitt. Special guest is former Gamblers goaltender and collegiate national champion Aaron Crandall. Hockey Talk every Tuesday from 6:00 - 7:00 PM on 1440 AM and 92.1 WNFL.
TEAM STORE HOLIDAY HOURS
For your holiday shopping convenience the Gamblers Team Store in the Resch Center will be open on the following dates and times:
Tuesday, December 8 12:00 - 5:00 PM Tuesday, December 15 5:00 - 9:00 PM
Sunday, December 20 11:00 - 2:00 PM Monday, December 21 12:00 - 5:00 PM
The team store is open two hours prior to each Gamblers home game.
GAMBLERS ON THE AIR
The Gamblers are on the on the road this Saturday as they travel to the Chicago to take on the Steel. The game will be televised at Anduzzi's Sports club on Holmgren Way. Start time is 7:05 PM. Anduzzi's Sport Club the exclusive home to watch Gambler road games.
THE DIAMOND CLUB
The Diamond Club presented by Diamonds and Gold, is the newest beverage inclusive area in the Resch Center. Located in upper club seats, the Diamond Club can accommodate 30 and includes complimentary beer, soda and water. To reserve the Diamond Club contact Cindy at 676-8883.
THE DOG POUND
The Dog Pound presented by Bulldogs is the perfect place to have your next party. Located on the glass in the south end of the Resch Center, the Dog Pound seats forty, and includes complimentary beer, soda, cash bar and private restrooms. Catering is also available through the Catering Company. To reserve the Dog Pound call Cindy at 676-8883.
PUCK WALL
Give your name a permanent place on the Tundraland Concourse at the Resch Center by purchasing a puck on the Tundraland Puck Wall. Honor family members and friends, or celebrate a special event or memory in a unique and lasting way. Pucks will become a permanent part of the Tundraland Puck Wall located outside Section 218 on the Tundraland Concourse. Proceeds from the puck wall to benefit youth hockey in Northeast Wisconsin.
ACE OUT AND ABOUT
Gamblers team mascot Ace was at Woodland Elementary in Kimberly on Monday to help kick off the American Heart Association's Jump Rope for Heart campaign. The third annual American Heart Association game is set for Saturday, March 19. To get your school involved contact Greg at 920-405-1150.
COOPER AGREES TO EXTENSION WITH LIGHTNING
Former Gamblers head coach Jon Cooper has signed a two-year extension with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Cooper led the Lightning to the Stanley Cup Final last season where Tampa lost in six games to the Chicago Blackhawks. According to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times, Cooper was in the final year of his contract. Cooper coached two seasons in Green Bay (2009-11), leading the Gamblers to back-to-back Anderson Cups and a Clark Cup. Cooper moved onto the American Hockey League where he led the Norfolk Admirals to the Calder Cup in 2012. The following season he guided the Syracuse Crunch to a league best record of 38-19-3. Cooper replaced Guy Boucher as head coach of the Lightning on March 25, 2013. Cooper has a 112-70-53 record in two-plus years with the Lightning. On April 11, 2015 he recorded his 100th win, making him the fifth-fastest coach to do so among those who debuted in the league since 2000.
SCHMATLZ NAMED TO WORLD JUNIOR PRELIMINARY ROSTER
USA Hockey unveiled today the 29 players selected to the preliminary roster for the 2016 U.S. National Junior Team. The roster includes former Green Bay Gambler Nick Schmaltz (2012-14). Schmaltz was a member of the 2015 World Junior team coached by former Gamblers head coach Mark Osiecki. The North Dakota sophomore was recently named the NCHC Player of the Month for November. Schmaltz was the first round selection of the Chicago Blackhawks at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. The Verona, Wisconsin native played two seasons with the Gamblers (2012-14). Training camp begins on December 14 with the final 23-man roster named on December 24. Team USA will compete in the 2016 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship, Dec.26-Jan.5, in Helsinki, Finland.
SAARIJARVI NAMED TO WORLD JUNIOR PRELIMINARY ROSTER
Team Finland released their preliminary roster for the 2016 U20 World Junior Tournament on Monday. Included amongst the 27 players is former Gamblers defenseman Vili Saarijarvi. The Rovaniemi, Finland native spent the 2014-15 season with the Gamblers. Saarijarvi was selected by the Detroit Red Wings at the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. The Red Wings signed Saarijarvi to a three-year entry level contract this past July and sent him to the Flint Firebirds of the Ontario Hockey League.
HUSKA NAMED TO THE WORLD JUNIOR PRELIMINARY ROSTER
Gamblers goaltender Adam Huska will compete for a spot on the Slovakian U20 national team. Huska and his Slovakian teammates will look to bring home a medal at the 2016 World Junior Championships in Helsinski, Finland December 26 - January 5. Huska has put together a solid season with the Gamblers, posting a 9-6-0 record to accompany a league best 1.88 goals against average and a .936 save percentage. The national scene is nothing new for Huska, as competed for Slovakia at the 2015 U18 World Championships.
United States Hockey League Stories from December 8, 2015
- Waterloo Black Hawks Weekly Preview - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Muskegon Lumberjacks Issue December Game Time Updates - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Stars Giving Back for Holiday Season - Lincoln Stars
- Green Bay Gamblers Weekly - Green Bay Gamblers
- Primeau Joins Stars for Four Games - Lincoln Stars
- Barr Sent to Des Moines - Bloomington Thunder
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.
