Outlaws Begin Fourth Season This Week

September 16, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
North Iowa Outlaws News Release


Mason City (IA) It was 20 years ago, during the 1988-1989 hockey season, that Mason City, IA became the center of the USA Junior hockey world as the North Iowa Huskies went on to win the Junior A National Championship. Come the end of April, the Outlaws already know they will have a chance to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Huskies'' accomplishment by copying that feat, as Mason City will host the Robertson Cup Finals.

However, what happens over the next eight months will go a long way to determine the that likelihood and the quest for the championship begins this week as the North Iowa Outlaws christen their fourth season of existence by traveling to play in Blaine, MN at the annual NAHL family reunion that is the Showcase. In its sixth year of existence, the Showcase provides the entire NAHL a chance to come to one location, providing a stationary spot for collegiate and professional scouts to eyeball potential players, and make their list of players to follow over the course of the season.

This is the third year the Showcase has been used as a kickoff to the season event.

The Showcase schedule allows teams to face franchises from opposing divisions, something that is limited during the regular season even more so this year due to a conscious effort to limit travel. As a result, North Iowa's schedule features four opponents rarely seen on their schedule. The Outlaws face the Marquette Rangers on Wednesday at 7:30pm, the Mahoning Valley Phantoms at 6:30pm on Thursday, the Topeka Roadrunners on Friday at 7:00pm and the U-18 Team USA at 1:15pm on Saturday.

"The purpose of the showcase is actually the main purpose of the league and that is to get players seen by scouts" said first-year head coach Jeff Crouse. "Almost every college and professional team has at least one representative and it becomes evident after the games because it's us coaches who get swarmed by them looking for information on players."

"Winning the games is a key goal, but it doesn't make or break the season this early" he added.

Last season North Iowa went a blistering 3-0-1 at the Showcase, but on the flipside, were swept in the four games a year earlier.

Potentially hurting the Outlaws early in the season will be the fact the team returns just seven players from last season's Central Division regular season championship squad. Jack Paul (Minnetonka, MN) is the leading returning scorer, having tallied 14 points (6g, 8a) last season, good for 12th highest on the team. Other returners include defenseman Jon Crouse (Alexandria, MN), forward Travis Peckskamp (Sauk Rapids, MN), forward Derek Donohue (Manitowoc, WI), forward Alex Carlson (Owatonna, MN), defenseman A.J. Knapp (Red Wing, MN), and forward Scott Barrera (Chicago, IL).

Gone are offensive weapons such as Shea Walters -who scored a team high 82 points - and three-year fan favorite Max Mobley, who is the franchise's all-time leader in scoring. Playing at Bemidji State and St. Lawrence respectively, the two of them are enjoying life in the Division I collegiate ranks. Walters, Mobley and a host of other components last season combined to score 92% of the team's points a staggering figure this season's team will need to fill, but one the coaching staff is confident will happen.

"We believe we will have four quality lines to start the season with scoring potential from each of them" says assistant coach Garrett Strot. "Its been coming together very quickly for the team."

Early in the season, North Iowa will turn to its returners, but also count on production from some fresh faces including Bryce Wilcox (Rochester, MN) who assisted on 42 goals last season for the Minnesota Junior League's Minnesota Ice Hawks.

Travis Baker (New Brighton, MN), who enters junior hockey after setting the all-time scoring record at Irondale High School.

Robbie Anderegg (Des Moines, IA), one who is no stranger to winning, having lead the Des Moines Capitals to an Iowa State title two years ago and spending last season with the Chicago Mission AAA midget program. He's also comfortable in the spotlight, having been a part of the Iowa Little League team that reached the World Series a few summers ago.

Rob Johnson (Duluth, MN) was the leading scorer each of the last two seasons at Duluth East High School.

Brandon Brodhag (Brooklyn Park, MN) made the NAHL All-Rookie team last season as a member of the Southern Minnesota Express, scoring 29 goals.

In net, NAHL veteran Tom Callaghan (New Westminster, PA) and Keegan Asmundson (Inver Grove Heights, MN) will try to replace Robby Moss. Callaghan went 17-23-4, with two shutouts and a 3.06 GAA for the Texas Tornado last season.

Free Ticket Doesn't Mean Coasting Since the NAHL merged with the America West Hockey League in 2003, in the six National Tournaments that have followed, the host team has won the national tournament just twice (2004 Texas and 2008 St. Louis). Of the six tournaments, the host team has earned their trip to the tournament by virtue of winning their division just twice (2004 Texas and 2008 St. Louis).

Maybe that isn't a coincidence. So while the Outlaws already have a berth in the tournament, history shows success on the ice prior to late April is still essential.

Season Openers North Iowa is 0-2-1 in season openers, having lost in overtime at the NAHL Showcase to Marquette last season.

Outlaws This Week (all games in Blaine, MN)

Wed. Sept. 16 vs. Marquette 7:30pm

Thurs. Sept. 17 vs. Mahoning Valley 6:30pm

Fri. Sept. 18 vs. Topeka 7:00pm

Sat. Sept. 19 vs. Team USA (U-18) 1:15pm

The Outlaws play their first home game on Friday September 26th versus the expansion Owatonna Express at 7:30pm.

The North Iowa Outlaws Hockey Club is in its fourth season as members of the North American Hockey League. The NAHL is the nation's largest Junior A hockey league and is now in its 33nd year of operation. For more information, visit northiowaoutlaws.com or call (641) 424-5468.

Outlaws home games are played at the North Iowa Ice Arena in Mason City, IA. All games will be broadcasted on northiowaoutlaws.com and video broadcast through B/2 Network.



North American Hockey League Stories from September 16, 2008


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