ATHLETES RESOURCE NEWS 2010
BEN OSKROBA SCHOLARSHIP
Athletes Resource is proud to announce the acceptace of a scholarship by another AR alumni. Ben Oskroba, who first caught the attention of Northeastern University at the AR spring showcase in 2008, will be attending Northeastern University in September. He played for the Walpole Express in 2009. Northeastern head coach Greg Cronin was a guest speaker at the Athletes Resource Showcase, and took the opportunity to meet Ben’s parents at that time. “Ben has great size and strength for his age, and we have been keeping an eye on him since the showcase”, said Cronin. “This previous season his skating and agility really took a step forward, and at that time we decided that we wanted him at Northeastern University. We have to thank AR again for bringing Ben to our attention.”
07.05.10: TREVOR CHEEK : CAMAS HITMAN
By Paul Danzer
Columbian staff writer
Reposted from "The Columbian" (link to article)
Trevor Cheek thought he had a shot to make the Portland Winterhawks last season.
That did not happen. Instead, the Camas native landed with the top franchise in the Western Hockey League.
Cheek recently signed with the WHL champion Calgary Hitmen. Come August, he will leave for the Canadian prairie as the 17-year-old pursues his dream of playing in the National Hockey League.
It’s an opportunity he is excited about, though it took a month of deliberating before he signed a contract.
Figuring into the decision was the advice from a variety of hockey people on the best route to a professional hockey career for Cheek.
Brian Cheek, Trevor’s father, said the family initially planned to wait for the United States Hockey League draft to see where Trevor landed. The USHL, with teams predominantly in the Midwest, is the top USA-based junior league for players ages 16-20.
Ultimately, family and son decided that waiting on the USHL Draft would not be fair to Calgary general manager Kelly Kisio, or to the USHL teams. As Brian noted, the Hitmen would not have flown the Cheeks to Calgary during the WHL playoffs if they were not serious about having Trevor on board.
"It’s an opportunity to contribute right away for a very good franchise," Brian Cheek said.
Spending his senior year of high school away from home will be nothing new for Trevor. He has spent the past two winters in Phoenix, playing for the P.F. Chang’s-sponsored youth hockey program. Leaving home at age 15 is not unusual in hockey circles.
Two season’s ago he played for Chang’s under-16 team. This past winter he jumped to the under-18 squad exclusively.
"I got a lot faster, and my mental approach got a lot better" this past season, Trevor Cheek said.
A year ago, Trevor returned home at the end of the hockey season and played baseball for Camas High School. This year, he remained in Phoenix, finally giving up baseball to focus on hockey.
Yes, he missed out on the Papermakers’ run to second place in the state tournament. But it was a worthwhile tradeoff, Cheek said.
"I missed baseball a lot this year, but I definitely had to (stay in Phoenix)," Trevor said.
Because, for Trevor, there’s nothing like ice hockey.
"There’s nothing more fun than being on the ice," he said.
The decision about whose ice to play on next season wasn’t easy. By signing with the Hitmen, Cheek gave up his NCAA eligibility. He can still play college hockey in Canada.
Kisio, the Calgary general manager, spotted Cheek at a tournament last fall and soon placed Cheek on the Hitmen’s protected list.
"We think he’s going to be a high-end guy for us," Kisio said. "He’ll get a lot of playing time and have a chance to get drafted high (by an NHL team)."
Kisio said he liked Cheek’s overall game and versatility.
"He can play center or wing. He plays the point on the power play. He’s a very good skater for his size, and he can shoot it a ton," Kisio said.
Cheek said he felt good about his play in the Winterhawks three-day training camp last August. But the rebuilding Hawks had a crowd of young forwards the same age as Cheek, who is entering his 18-year-old hockey season. Winterhawks head coach and general manager Mike Johnston told Cheek he would be better served playing somewhere where he could get regular ice time, and play in key situations.
"He probably could’ve played for us if the situation was different," Johnston said. "He’s a big player. I thought he was really good in camp. The difficulty for us is we had a lot of 1992-born players."
Cheek said he is looking forward to playing in a hockey hotbed — even if the weather will be a drastic change from two winters in Arizona. He is also looking forward to playing against a team he grew up watching.
"I’m excited to play against Portland," he said.
The Hitmen are expected to play one game at Portland next season, though the schedule hasn’t yet been announced.
05.25.10: THE ATHLETES RESOURCE PARTICIPANTS DRAFTED
Athletes Resource is pleased to report the following North American Hockey League (NAHL) drafts of AR participants today:
- Cody Bisbing (PF Chang's) was drafted by the Alpena IceDiggers. He was the 10th pick, 82nd overall.
- Conor Clancy (PF Chang's) was drafted by the Motor City Metal Jackets. He was 8th pick, 133rd overall.
- Max Vallis (PF Chang's) was drafted by the Kenai River Brown Bears. He was 5th pick, 143rd overall.
05.24.10: BRENDAN BURKE INVITED TO PRESTIGIOUS USA HOCKEY WARREN STRELOW NATIONAL TEAM GOALTENDING CAMP
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Hockey today announced the 36 goaltenders who will attend the third annual Warren Strelow National Team Goaltending Camp, May 27-30, in Ann Arbor, Mich. The goaltenders chosen represent the top goaltenders eligible for international play in select age groups.
The elite camp will cover the physical and mental aspects of the goaltending position, helping each goaltender master the fundamentals of the position while developing a personal identity that translates into game success.
The camp will be led by Joe Exter, Warren Strelow mentor and U.S. National Team goaltending coach, and regional mentors Mike Ayers and Bob Janosz. In addition, assistant mentors Seth Appert, Jeff Blashill, Dave Flint, Derek Lalonde, David Lassonde, Emily McKissock, Phil Osaer and Nick Petraglia, as well as guest coaches Mandy Cronin, Bill Howard, Alison Quandt, Brian Renfrew and John Vanbiesbrouck will be on hand for instruction.
2010 Warren Strelow National Team Goaltending Camp Attendees
May 27-30 - Ann Arbor, Mich
Group :
Girls/Women
Goaltender / 2009-10 Team / League/Level / Hometown
Corinne Boyles / Boston College Hockey / East Wheaton, Ill.
Chelsea Knapp / The Ohio State University / WCHA / York, N.Y.
Shenae Lundberg / Deerfield Academy / Prep School / Peterborough, N.H.
Brianne McLaughlin / U.S. Olympic Team / Sheffield Village, Ohio
Megan Miller / North American Hockey Academy / JWHL / Long Grove, Ill.
Aubree Moore / Washington Pride / Girls' U19 / Bowie, Md.
Ashley Nixon / St. Cloud State University / WCHA / Blaine, Minn.
Becca Ruegsegger / University of Wisconsin / WCHA / Lakewood, Colo.
Molly Schaus / U.S. Olympic Team / Natick, Mass.
Lauren Slebodnick / Cushing Academy / Prep School Manchester, N.H.
Jackee Snikeris / Yale University / ECACH Downington, Pa.
Jessie Vetter / U.S. Olympic Team / Cottage Grove, Wis.
Group :
Boys
Goaltender / 2009-10 Team / League/Level / Hometown
Brendan Burke / PF Changs / Midget U16 / Paradise Valley, Ariz.
Blake Cates / Stillwater High School / High School / Stillwater, Minn.
Kevin Dluhy / New Jersey Rockets / MetJHL / Branchburg, N.J.
Patrick Fraser / St. Sebastian's School / Prep School / Franklin, Mass.
John Gibson / USA Hockey NTDP / USHL / Pittsburgh, Pa.
Jon Gillies / Salisbury School / Prep School / S. Portland, Maine
Eric Hancock / Cleveland Barons / Bantam 95 / N. Royalton, Ohio
Brandon Hope / Honeybaked / Midget U18 / Canton, Mich.
James Howe / Little Caesar's / Midget U16 / Northville, Mich.
Dalton Izyk / Syracuse Nationals / Midget U16 / Oswego, N.Y.
David Jacobson / LA Selects / Midget U16 / Calabasas, Calif.
Brenden Jensen / Wenatchee Wild / NAHL / El Granada, Calif.
Ryan Kellenberger / Don Mills Flyers / Midget U16 / Los Altos, Calif.
Andrew Lee / Amherst Knights / Bantam 95 / E. Amherst, N.Y.
Connor Maher / Marshfield High School / High School / Marshfield, Mass.
Matt McNeely / USA Hockey NTDP / USHL / Burnsville, Minn.
Drew Michals / Buckingham Browne & Nichols / Prep School / Newton, Mass.
Talon Miller / Anchorage North Stars / Midget U16 / Bird Creek, Alaska
Jake Moore / Buffalo Regals Midget / U16 / Arcade, N.Y.
Collin Olson / Apple Valley High School / High School / Apple Valley, Minn.
Nick Schreiter / Madison Capitals / Bantam 95 / Madison, Wis.
Colin Stevens / Boston Junior Bruins / EmJHL / Niskayuna, N.Y.
Zach Thompson / Duluth Denfeld High School / High School / W. Duluth, Minn.
Devin Williams / Belle Tire / Bantam 95 / Saginaw, Mich
05.19.10: JORDAN YOUNG DRAFTED
Jordan Young was drafted today in the USHL Draft. Jordan was drafted by Youngstown in the sixth round, 77th overall.
05.10.10: USA HOCKEY COLLEGE HOCKEY PRESENTATION AT ICE DEN 5/20
The Jr Coyotes program has been offered an amazing opportunity to host this exclusive presentation by Paul Kelly of College Hockey Inc on May 20th at 8:45PM.
Mr Kelly is the former Executive Director to the National Hockey League Player Association and will be speaking about future choices or our young elite hockey players in our State.
Athletes Resource strongly advise any young hockey player with College Hockey aspirations to attend this free seminar next Thursday night after our AR sessions.Parents are more than welcome to attend with your child.
Thanks, AR Staff
Link to an interview from ESPN and College Hockey Inc
04.29.10: BRENDAN BURKE DRAFTED
Brendan Burke was drafted today in the WHL Bantam Draft. As well as participating in Athletes Resource events, Brendan played for PF Chang's 16AAA and Phoenix Junior Coyotes. Brendan was drafted by the Portland Winterhawks in the third round, 49th overall. He was the first American drafted and the 5th goalie drafted.
04.29.10: TREVOR CHEEK SIGNED
Trevor Cheek signed today with the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL. Trevor will be playing there next season. Trevor was a participant in Athletes Resource events and played for PF Changs over the last 2 seasons.
04.20.10: 2010 Spring Training Begins Today
The 2010 Spring Training camp starts today and runs through May 22nd. Please visit the training camps page for full information, times etc.
04.01.10: 2010 Spring Training Registration Closed
The 2010 Spring Training registration period has ended. Player notifications will go out shortly. Please visit the training camps page for more information.
03.18.10: 2010 Spring Training Deadline
The 2010 Spring Training application deadline is March 31st 2010. Player notifications will go out starting April 1st. Please visit the training camps page for more information.
03.05.10: 2010 Spring Training Dates
Athletes Resource is pleased to announce the 2010 Spring Training camp, to be held at the Alltel Ice Den in Scottsdale starting April 2010. The camp will start April 20th and run for 5 weeks, 3 sessions a week. Please visit the training camps page for more information.