Icedogs News

Published on February 10, 2004 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Bozeman Icedogs News Release


Hey ICEDOGS fans, tonight is Coach's Corner from 5:30- 7:30 at Bennigan's Restaurant! Come talk hockey with players and coaches, win game tickets, and merchandise! If you can't be there in person, Voice of the ICEDOGS Mark Martello will be broadcasting the action live on 95.1-FM The Moose.

The ICEDOGS put on an impressive show here last Friday night, and are hoping to duplicate that level of intensity this weekend. Friday night, the 'DOGS take on the Bismarck Bobcats and the Fargo-Moorhead Jets on Saturday. Friday's game is sponsored by Bozeman Online and will feature Mites Hockey and the Carnegie Choir Group. Saturday's game is sponsored by Dick Walter Auto Group and will feature a FREE post game skate with the ICEDOGS, a beer belly competition, and lawn tractor races! If your e-mail begins with jenojo, jbare, or icedog36 you have won FREE tickets to Friday's game. Reply to this e-mail for instructions on claiming your tickets.

Spotlight on Mike Parks

Mike started playing hockey at age 5 in Marquette, Michigan. At the beginning of his hockey career, he wanted to be a goalie and asked Santa Claus every year for the right equipment. He and his buddies would hit tennis balls against a chest freezer, and Mike always liked standing in front of it trying to stop the tennis balls. At the age of 8, he finally got his chance to play goalie in a game...and having 7 goals scored against him ended the dream of being in goal.

While playing at the Bantam AA, his team made it to the state finals for Michigan. At the age of 14, making it to the state finals was a big deal. While in Midget AAA, he was scouted by Terry Metro and Tom Winkler and was drafted by the 'DOGS in the spring of 2002. Mike likes being an ICEDOG, and feels this is the best place in the nation to play junior hockey. He thinks the 'DOGS are spoiled by the best rink and fans! His favorite thing is when sections Q & R fill up with college girls. Mike does not believe in superstitions, and will purposely do something different if he catches himself doing the same things over and over.

Being the scenes, the ICEDOGS have nicknames for each other. Mike is Kurt, Zac McClellan is Rube, Ross Johnson is Elliot and Chris McKelvie is Clarence. The nicknames stemmed from a need for entertainment on a recent road trip. Ross is also known as "Heats" (with a lisp...after Danny Heatley) because he talked with a lisp for the first few days after getting his fake tooth.

Mike has one year of Junior A eligibility left, and is undecided about returning to the ICEDOGS or accepting a college scholarship. Some colleges have been talking to Head Coach John LaFontaine and his parents...which comes as a surprise since he is the one they need to persuade to play for them.

Team Update

ICEDOGS Head Coach John LaFontaine was very pleased with the team's performance on Friday. The team played with a sense of urgency on offense, and kept their defense stingy. It was an indication of the team's ability to create offense by playing solid team defense. Ryan Bunger, Zac McClellan, and Ross Johnson all tallied two goals during the 10-2 blowout of the Bighorns.

Saturday, the ICEDOGS continued the momentum in the first period, peppering the Bighorn defense with 15 shots on goal for a 2-0 lead. At the end of the first period, Helena got a shorthanded goal from behind the net from a puck that took an awkward bounce. In the second and third periods, the 'DOGS didn't play as tight of defense, and had to come from behind to force the game into overtime. Unfortunately, Helena punched in the game winning goal toward the end of the overtime period.

This weekend, the games against Bismarck and Fargo- Moorhead are very crucial. Bismarck is riding a 13 game winning streak, and Fargo-Moorhead is always a challenging team to play. Duplicating Friday's defensive effort will be required to frustrate both team's offense, and the 'DOGS must continue to crash the net and get shots on goal. Another focus this week in practice has been crisp passing in the mid-zone (transition play from offense to defense or defense to offense) and maintaining their phycial play mentality from last weekend.

Josh Meyers is flying back to Bozeman tonight, and should return to action immediately. Jason Woll will continue to rest after his injury during the third period of last Friday's game.

ICEDOGS For Kids

The Bozeman ICEDOGS have extended the offer to local schools to come to games, and feel that no child should be denied the opportunity to come to a game for any reason. Schools that have come to games include Amsterdam, Anderson, Cottonwood, Gallatin Gateway, and Monforton. We are offering one child ticket and one adult ticket per student FREE to any school that organizes a night out at the Valley Ice Garden. If your son or daughter's school might be interested in coming to a game, have them contact the Will Call office at 585-1415.

Last Wednesday, the entire ICEDOGS team welcomed Montana Special Olympics athletes from around the area to see firsthand what it is like to be an ICEDOG. Athletes were given a tour of the rink, taught how to put on hockey gear, shoot a slapshot, and some physical fitness activities by ICEDOG players and staff.

Congratulations to the Carnegie Children's Choir, and thanks to those who purchased ICEDOGS game ticket coupons from these students! The choir purchased over 750 coupons for half price and were allowed to sell them at face value, retaining the difference to offset the cost of performing at Carnegie Hall this spring. Overall, this group raised over $3,000 for their trip!

The ICEDOGS have a few remaining vacancies for singing the National Anthem to open a home game. If you or someone you know would like to perform, please contact the Valley Ice Garden for a list of available dates and to schedule a tryout.

ICEDOGS Acquire New Forward

The ICEDOGS have added Joakim (Yoke-Um) Eklov to their lineup. Joakim had his first practice as an ICEDOG today, and will wear #19. He was brought in because of his speed and shooting ability. ICEDOGS Captain Bill Leahy has already nicknamed him Dwight.

The deadline for roster changes is today. Check out the ICEDOGS website tomorrow (Wednesday) to find out if any other roster moves are made.

Important Changes In Game Operations

We have recently changed our parking availabiltiy on game days. The upper and lower sections of the paved area in front of the building must be cleared of vehicles by 4:30 pm on game days. For your convenience, signs will be put up in the lots to remind you of this. If you come to the Valley Ice Garden on game days and will be here after 4:30, PLEASE park on the side of the building. Any unauthorized vehicles that remain in these areas will be noted, asked to move, and may be subject to towing.

For safety reasons, all fans who would like to pick up pucks following the puck toss must sign up at the Gallatin Valley Hockey Club booth on the north side of the concourse. There will be a limit of 15 fans allowed on the ice for this purpose, and anyone under 10 years old must have parental consent. Please inform your child(ren) of this new procedure as we try to ensure picking up the pucks is a safe and orderly activity for everyone.

The Bozeman ICEDOGS thank you for your cooperation as we continually try to improve our game operations for the enjoyment and safety of our fans. We are thankful when fans let us know when something needs attention.

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North American Hockey League Stories from February 10, 2004


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.

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