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Thank you to all that came to tryouts this year.  We had great numbers this year which made for some hard decisions:

2019-2020

Southwest Michigan Blades

Chris Bigelow

Keagen Crist

Owen Drake

Brock Ellingson

Zac Hattan

Drew Gildea

Gavin Lawrence

Parker Lawrence

Joey Munro

Austin Roberson

Owen Samspon

Blaine Shafer

Dylan Smith

Chase Stenger

Jack Tomer

Elijah Weidfeldt

Nathan Willcutt

Austin Ziegler

**Reminder to mail in your summer hockey registration asap**

Your Blades had a successful 3-1 weekend at the Perani's World Cup in Troy, (u18 Tier 2):

Friday:  1-5 vs. Kensington Valley/Jack Tomer MVP

Saturday:  8-0 vs. Big Boy/Ryan Kusler MVP

Saturday:  2-0 vs. Belle Tire/Alex Newton MVP

Sunday:  5-4 vs. Little Caesars/Chris Bigelow MVP

Your Blades split the Spring Select Series vs. Team Indiana U18 this weekend at the new Garden Ice Arena in St. Joe:

3-2 OT; Blaine Shafer, Parker Lawrence, Jack Martin

3-6; Blaine Shafer (2), Asher Smith 

Be on the look out for our April Series #2!

Your Blades end the regular season on a high note, reclaiming the Rivalry Cup from the Kalamazoo Eagles 6-3.  In doing so, for the first time in the Blades 28 year history, your Blades end up with a clean slate going 10-0. 

League Playoff Semi-Final:

Blades vs. PN, 3-2 Blades in Double OT

League Playoff Final:

Blades vs. Mattawan, 1-0

Blades hold tight at #2 in Indiana and #50 in Michigan as the year winds down.

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.