|
Recapping an Exciting Summer of State Wars Hockey
Over the next few months we will be releasing recaps of ALL of the divisions that took place at State Wars this summer. Obviously a lot of work goes into each one of these newsletters, as you will see from the content below, so please be patient as we will get to your division. We are kicking things off this week with our youngest age division, the 2004s. We also each will be posting numerous pictures on Facebook of the division we are highlighting so make sure you check it out. To see this info on Facebook, make sure you LIKE our State Wars Hockey Community Page (more info in the right column). Thank you for being a part of State Wars Hockey...enjoy!
The Future Looks BrightEach year at State Wars, our staff is most excited to watch our youngest divisions play and see how bright the future looks for our sport. This summer the 2004s did not disappoint, as 5 teams came out to represent their home state at the St.Peters Rec Plex. Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Southern California, and Wisconsin were all in attendance and most importantly having a lot of fun! At this age, fun is the name of the game and of course learning along the way. No one will remember five years from now, who won and who lost in this age group but each and every player and parent WILL remember their first State Wars experience. This division is all about finding quality coaches and role models for the players and we had some great leaders on the benches this summer. Peter Dale (USA Clinics and Farm Tough founder) did an amazing job with his Wisconsin group, always being a positive force and full of energy. Scott Accongio (of AKS Empire fame) has years of experience and works so well with the younger players. He is a tremendous teacher and this showed as his Southern California team was very dominant. Kevin Kochner has coached at State Wars numerous times, as his older son Blake has been a force for Team Missouri for years, he is great with the kids and also very positive. Both Joe Tilney (Michigan) and Andrew Barron (North Carolina) made great first impressions this summer and were awesome with the little guys and gals. 
Our hope is that everyone in attendance had a terrific time win or lose. State Wars is about so much more than just the play between the whistles. It is about representing where you come from and taking pride in that, something that should be taught at an early age. It is also about playing with different players from around the state or province and making tons of new friendships. It is also a special time for families to spend together and hopefully create life long memories that we can all look back at one day. Thank you for making State Wars Hockey so special for us and please help spread the word to others about this event, as we strive each year to get bigger and better! 
|
|
|
Southern California Dominates Round Robin Play
 Southern California was definitely the team that got everyone's attention in the 2004 division, cruising to a 4-0 record through round robin play. You can't talk about So Cal without mentioning all of their players, as each contributed in a terrific way. Anthony Yu was the high scorer of the division (22 pts) and catalyst of the team. Kyle Isenberg led the team in assists (9) and played a solid two way game. Phillippe Lalonde and Luca Petroni combined for 35 points and also dominated, while Michael Schwartz and James Mastrosimone also made their presence heard by adding to this lethal offense. Goaltender Primo Baldassarre only gave up 6 goals in 4 games played! North Carolina was a pleasant surprise in this division, going 3-1 through round robin play. AJ Barron led the team in points (7), while Trevor Morris put the most biscuits in the basket (6). Will Harlow, Garrett Parker, Brodie Kovach, Logan Shields, and Liam Nice all contributed as each player added 5 points of their own for a well balanced attack. Luke Dipasquale played strong in between the pipes as well. 
Missouri was a team I was personally impressed with at tryouts and one I looked forward to watching play. Ricky Sheffey was one of the most exciting players to watch in the division and led the team in scoring (9 pts). Joy Dunne led the team is assists (4 pts) and along with Bryant Carter and Isaac Cooper helped lead the Missouri attack. It is great to see siblings of older players finally putting on the Missouri jersey, as players like Dunne, Cooper and Kaleb Kochner had been dragged to State Wars events in the past (as spectators) but now get a chance to represent their home state. Brady Allen helped backstop Missouri in the net and did a solid job. This was not only the first State Wars for many Wisconsin players but for some their first true roller hockey tournament. These boys had a ton of energy and truly are FARM TOUGH and most importantly seemed to get better with each game played. Finishing 1-3, Wisconsin was led by Tyler Dale (7 pts) and Landon Kooker (5 goals). Gage Foddrell continued to turn heads and was a dominant force for Wisco. Devin Schutt faced 78 shots and did a find job in this tough position! 
Michigan struggled some through the round robin but also seemed to get better as the tournament went on. Erika Goleniak led the team in scoring (2 goals) and shared the points lead with Benjamin Lenhard, and Jack Lapinski (2 points each). Kameron Ragon led all goalies with 94 shots faced on net, great job kid! With great youth programs in Michigan such as the Tour Bordercats, Detroit Mission Stars and Team Reebok, led by such great "teachers" in Matt Koleski, Dave Zarem, and Vinny Jalaba; we expect Michigan to continue to improve and become a force in this division.
|
|
Single Elimination Playoffs Are Intense
The '04 playoffs began with a great preliminary matchup between Wisconsin and Michigan. Michigan would jump out on top in this one, as Andrew Kraemer and Benjamin Lenhard would combine on the goal. This score would hold up the rest of the half as both Devin Schutt and Kameron Ragon would close the door on all scorers. I don't know what coach Dale said to his players (probably offering ice cream cones after the game) but they came out like gangbusters, scoring two in the opening minute, as Tyler Dale and Gage Foddrell would put Wisco in the lead 2-1. Midway through the half, Erika Goleniak would knot the score at two apiece. Dale would put Wisconsin in the lead for good however and seconds later complete the hat trick and advancing his squad to the next round.
The semi final between North Carolina and Missouri would be the best game of the division, with both teams giving it all they had. Missouri would strike first on a Grant Dawe score, only to be answered rather quickly by North Carolina's Trevor Morris. Logan Shields would add two goals in the half, only to be answered by two from Ricky Sheffey. The score would end 3-3 at halftime. Missouri's Isaac Cooper would put his team ahead once again but as expected in this game, North Carolina would come right back with another goal from Morris. North Carolina would outlast Missouri in this seesaw of a game, as Will Harlow buried the game winner. Great game by both teams and the start of a sure future rivalry!
The other semi final would be ALL Southern California, as Wisconsin would look tired and not as sharp this round. So Cal just moved the puck so well and buried their opportunities. Anthony Yu would have an amazing 7 point effort in this one as the entire team would play just perfect. Pitching the shutout, goaltender PRIMO Baldassarre would leave up to his name. The first ever 2004 AAA Championship game would see the top two seeds after round robin meeting head to head, as Southern California and North Carolina would play for pride, honor and gold! James Mastrosimone would set up goals all game long, assisting on 3 scores leading the way. Michael Schwartz would bury two goals, along with Anthony Yu's hat trick. Yu would take home the Tour Hockey's Most Valuable Player Award and receive a pair of skates from Tour Hockey. Congratulations to Coach Accongio and all of the players as becoming the FIRST EVER to win the 2004 division!!! Congrats as well to silver medalists North Carolina and bronze medalists Missouri.
|
|
Individual Award Winners
"Warrior High Scorer" Anthony Yu (So Cal)
"Best Defensive Player" Ricky Sheffey (MO)
"Goalie Monkey's MVG" Primo Baldassarre (PA)
"Tour Hockey MVP" Anthony Yu (So Cal)
|
|
Alkali Hockey Skills Competition Winners
"Alkali Hockey Top Sniper" Erika Goleniak (MI)
"Alkali Hockey Fastest Skater" James Mastrosimone (So Cal)
"Alkali Hockey Top Goalie" Kameron Ragon (MI)
|
|
Pride & Honor All Star Selections
TEAM HONOR: Anthony Yu (So Cal), Gage Foddrell (WI), Landon Kooker (WI), Brodie Kovach (NC), Liam Nice (NC), Joy Dunne (MO), Benjamin Lenhard (MI), AJ Barron (NC), James Mastrosimone (So Cal), Erika Goleniak (MI), Brady Allen (MO), and Luke Dispasquale (NC).
TEAM PRIDE: Kyle Isenberg (So Cal), Tyler Dale (WI), Phillippe LaLonde (So Cal), Garrett Parker (NC), Ricky Sheffey (MO), Kaleb Kochner (MO), Caden Tilney (MI), Michael Schwartz (So Cal), Luca Petroni (So Cal), Megan Fisch (MO), Devin Schutt (WI), and Primo Baldassarre (So Cal).
|
|
Team North America (the best 04's at State Wars)
Anthony Yu (So Cal), Gage Foddrell (WI), Joy Dunne (MO), Ricky Sheffey (MO), Garrett Parker (NC), Kyle Isenberg (So Cal), Tyler Dale (WI), Phillippe LaLonde (So Cal), AJ Barron (NC), Luca Petroni (So Cal), Luke Dipasquale (NC) and Primo Baldassarre (So Cal).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We Want You!
 | |
Join Our Fan Page
|
Many of you may have tried to "friend us" on Facebook to no avail. Unfortunately Facebook limits "normal pages" to 5000 friends, which we made easy...we are so popular! :) Seriously though, the way to get your State Wars fix is to join our fan page (community page). Here we update daily pics and info for everyone to see. Click on the logo above to get to this page or just search for us on Facebook.
|
|
Our Sponsors
Mission/Bauer
Tour
Alkali
Warrior
Labeda
Revision
Rink Rat
Goalie Monkey
Projoy
Wicked Biscuit
Rocket Puck
PointStreak
Blade Tape
USA Clinics
RHA |
|
