Happy New Year from the Wildcats
December 30, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
2008 has been a year of ups and downs for the Wildcats. The good news is that on the ice, the good moments have been coming more often in the past few weeks. The Wildcats finish the 2008 calendar year by picking up 16 points in their last 10 games.
The Wildcats had a 7-1-2 record in that span that included picking up two wins over the division-leading Topeka Roadrunners, as well as splitting a weekend series against perennial powerhouse St. Louis.
The Wildcats will start 2009 by facing the St. Louis Bandits again in a three-game series this weekend, January 2, 3, and 4 in Chesterfield, MO.
McNeil to Ohio State Following in the footsteps of former Wildcats Sean Duddy and Cal Heeter, Jeff McNeil will be playing next year for the Ohio State Buckeyes in the CCHA. McNeil is the third Wildcat to commit to a Division 1 college program, along with Kyle Delaurell (Air Force, Atlantic Hockey) and soon-to-be CCHA foe, Zach Trotman (Lake Superior State). McNeil, one of three assistant captains for the Wildcats, has three goals and five assists on the season for the team, along with 68 penalty minutes in 25 games. Last season, he scored 8 goals and added 9 assists with 117 PIM in 47 games. He has been instrumental on special teams units, using his size to screen goaltenders in front of the net on the power play, and both his size and speed to break up opponents' passes and block shots on the penalty kill.
Congratulations Jeff, and best of luck next season as a Buckeye!
Four Wildcats Named to Tournament The rosters are in, and officially four members of the Wichita Falls Wildcats will play in this year's NAHL Top Prospects Tournament in Ann Arbor, MI. Leading scorers Brett Hartung and Kyle Delaurell, as well as assistant captain Jeff McNeil, and defensive anchor Brett Kaneshiro will represent the Wildcats for the South Division's team.
Delaurell has 10 goals and 26 assists for 36 points on the season. He currently is fifth in the NAHL in scoring and third in assists. Hartung leads the team in goal scoring with 14, along with tallying 10 assists for 24 points. McNeil has put up 3 goals and 5 assists for 8 points, and has been excellent on the power play and penalty kill, and has been a physical presence on the ice. The 6'3" 205 center has 68 penalty minutes in 25 games. Kaneshiro is the lone defenseman representing the Wildcats. Limited to 16 games due to injuries, he has scored one goal and added two assists for 3 points.
The Top Prospects Tournament is in its second season. It features all-star teams from the NAHL's four divisions each facing each other once. Last year's Tournament featured teams from each of the NAHL's three divisions, as well as the US National Team Development Program, with the South and Central each going 1-2, while the North and USNTDP went 2-1. The games will be played January 18-20, 2009 at Ann Arbor's Ice Cube.
Seven Wildcats appeared in last year's Tournament, with Luke Salazar leading the South Division team with 2 goals and 2 assists. Grant Everett, Skylur Jameson, and current Wildcat Mike Jarboe each recorded points as well.
Upcoming Home Games
The Wildcats will be on the road this weekend, but come back home on Friday, January 9, and Saturday, January 10 against the Springfield Jr. Blues. Friday the 9th will be Teacher Appreciation Night, where all teachers in the Wichita Falls Independent School District will receive a free ticket to the game!
North American Hockey League Stories from December 30, 2008
- U.S. Blanks Kazakhstan, 12-0, in World Juniors - U.S. National Team
- Five Outlaws Selected for Top Prospects Tournament - North Iowa Outlaws
- Saad Goals Help USA Rout Finns - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Happy New Year from the Wildcats - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- North Stars Sending Six-Pack to All-Star Event - Traverse City North Stars
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