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Blades get back into league action this week with a pair:

Wednesday vs Penn, 820pm, Ice Box

Friday vs LSJ, 830pm, Ice Box

All league games are big down the stretch as teams jostle for City Playoff seedings.

Tournament Champion-FT Wayne Carroll

Runner Up-St Joe Chiefs

Conn Smythe Award-FTWC-Cameron Gnau-G

Tyler Aubuchon

Evan Barker

Sam Budiwarman

Jon Garofalo

Conor Husiak

Bryce Myers

Ian Mazzola (C)

Brady Meine

Landon Montgomery

Jeremy Pienta

Andrzej Pryzbocki

Janek Pryzbocki

Amzy Roose

Oliver Soininen

Max Vanfleet

Lucas Winfrey

Spring Hockey is HERE!

Kickoff Meeting-will be 4/11 at 6pm, Zeigler Honda, Kalamazoo.  Must rsvp to swmbladeshockey@yahoo.com.  This is open to any Blades eligible player that wants meet the staff, alumni players/parents and learn more about our Fall program. COMPLETE

Spring Blades Academy-IN SESSION.  This session is open to ANY incoming 8th-10th grader looking to bridge the gap from Bantam/JV hockey to Varsity.  Sessions start 4/15.  We will have 4 on ice sessions and 2 classroom sessions.  This is a great way to get a feel for what will be expected of you at the Varsity level, both on and off the ice.  "Get a leg up on the competition no matter what your fall path looks like."  For more information or to sign up, email swmbladeshockey@yahoo.com

U16 Elite Sports Hockey Fights Cancer Tourney and Skates

This is a u16 designated team that will have 4 ice sessions leading up to tournament play in Troy, the weekend of 5/10.  4 game guarantee.  Sessions start 4/29.  For more information or to sign up, please email swmbladeshockey@yahoo.com.  

U18 Elite Sports Hockey Fights Cancer Tourney and Skates

This is a u18 designated team that will also have 4 ice sessions leading up to tournament play in Troy, the weekend of 5/10.  4 game guarantee.  Sessions start 4/29.  For more information or to sign up, please email swmbladeshockey@yahoo.com.  

Hot off the press....congrats to #23 Ian Mazzola for being named captain for the 24-25 campaign.  

Mason Lyster-Senior-1st Team

Connor Penny-Senior-2nd Team

James Smith-Sophomore-2nd Team

Colin Porn-Senior-1st Team

George Smith-Senior, 1st Team

Vili Keranen-Exchange Student, 2nd Team

Hoosier Crossover:

4-3 vs. Evansville 

1-4 vs. Zionsville 

4-2 vs. Carmel Gold 

Tiebreaker:

1) Head to Head-BG over FT Wayne Carroll

2)  Fewest Penalties                                 

                                 W(2)        L(0)       T(1)       Points

SWM Blades                 2             0             1             5

Buffalo Grove                2             1             0             4

Penn Kingsmen             1             0             2         4-13 penalties 

Plymouth Wildcats        1               0           2          4-15 penalties

FT Wayne Carroll         2               1             0         4-24 penalties

Kalamazoo Stars           1              2            0             2 

LCU18 AA                     0             2              1             1

D211 Chiefs                  0             3            0              0 

"Hunter is a Blades alum and is currently (just resigned) entering his second season professionally with the Kalamazoo Wings.  He brings great energy to the rink and has a wealth of knowledge and experience as a goaltender.  We look forward to having him on staff this season."

-Coach Eddy

Congrats to senior Collin Hatton of Galesburg who has been named, your 35th captain of your SWM Blades.  Congrats Collin, well deserved.

Your Blades split the weekend series with Gilmour Academy, losing 2-3 on Saturday and in dramatic fashion, grabbing the "dub" 3-2 on Sunday.  It took a 3 on 3 OT and 8 men deep into a shootout to determine the winner.  Senior, Jack Tomer played fantastic in net and senior Chase Stenger snuck one in off the right post for the GWG.

From our team to yours, have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

A-Blaine Shafer

C-Austin Ziegler

Leadership/Community Service Chair-Chase Stenger

C-Chris Bigelow

A-Parker Lawrence

https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/24505/kalamazoo-blades

Your Blades finish the season with their first league playoff championship in league history.  A streak of 75 days with only two loses highlights the run!  Currently, your Blades sit #4 in the state in the GD(goal differential) department at 2.96 GPG.  Click the link below to view all 147 teams in the state:

http://myhockeyrankings.com/rank.php?y=2017&a=4&v=728&g=0

Your Blades brought home some 1st place hardware, in the top bracket of the annual Walter E  invite in Strongsville, OH. this weekend.   Game scores:

Blades 10 Talawanda 1

Blades 6 St Francis De Sales 1

Blades 3 Hudson 3

Blades 5 Strongsville 4(double overtime)

Jaxon Dobrowolski was named tournament MVP contributing to the overall success of the team and burying the game winning goal in the final game.  He  also had 0 penalties this weekend.

With much anticipation, the SWM Blades would like to announce Ben Blacker as their new assistant/goalie coach for the upcoming season. Ben is very excited to be apart of our staff and is looking forward to meeting everyone soon!  

Accolades:  Played for 2 seasons in the USHL with the Cedar Rapids Roughriders where he was named second team All-USHL.  He led the league with 33 wins while posting a 2.25 GAA and .926 save percentage.  As a WMU Bronco, he had a sensational rookie season:  Started 29 games  and was to the NCHC All Rookie team...helped the Broncos get to the NCAA Playoffs and furthermore, Frozen Four!

Get to Know Your Coach

Q:  What was your biggest highlight of your rookie season?

A:  "Beating Nebraska Omaha in Game 3, in OT, to move on to the Frozen Four in Minny"

Q:  Knowing how lucky we are have Coach Murray at the helm,  how is it being a player for him?

A:   "He is one of the most fun/toughest coaches to play for.  He takes great pride in making sure all of his players are the best they can be.  However, that means he will push you to our limit and then some to make sure you are the...perfect you.  He is a very funny and energetic coach. who is always a pleasure to be around

Q:  What are you looking forward to most, with your new coaching position? 

A:  "I'm looking forward to seeing the talent, hardwork and passion these young men have to give.  Hockey is not only a game that many of us love to play,  it is also is a platform that teaches respect, work ethic, and morals.  For me, being able to help these young men improve their skills not only on the ice, but to hopefully have an impact on their lives off the ice...is just a small part in what I can do to give back to the amazing game and community of Kalamazoo who has supported the WMU Bronco Hockey team, every step of the way.