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Blades wrap up the tourney weekend with a 4-1 record and end up falling in the finals to NM United, 2-6.

Friday, 9/23:  SWM Blades 5-0 vs. Sylvania Northstars

Saturday, 9/24:  SWM Blades 4-2 vs. MI Elite

Saturday, 9/24:  SWM Blades 5-0 vs. Mattawan SS

Sunday, 9/25:  SWM Blades Semis 5-2 vs. Team Michiana

Sunday 9/25:  SWM Blades Finals 2-6 vs. NM United

Your SWM Blades are excited to host the first annual Great Lakes Kickoff Classic.  This inaugural tourney consists of 8 Varsity HS programs throughout the Great Lakes region.  (Updates will be posted here all weekend long)

Standings:                 W         L          Points                  

SWM Blades

Penn Gold

Lake Central Blue

St Ignatius

GMP Black

GMP Grey

WM Varsity

BGHW

Friday, October 7th:

445-545pm SWM Blades vs. Lake Central Blue, WW Blue

600-700pm  Penn Gold vs. GMP Black, WW Blue

615-715pm  Buffalo Grove vs. GMP Gray, WW Red

730-830pm  St Ignatius vs. West Michigan Varsity, WW Red

Saturday, October 8th:

830-930am GMP Black vs. St Ignatius, WW Blue

845-945am Lake Central Blue vs. GMP Gray, WW Red

215-315pm SWM Blades vs. Buffalo Grove, WW Blue

330-430pm WM Varsity vs. Penn Gold, WW Red

800-900pm SWM Blades vs. St Ignatius, WW Blue

815-915pm GMP Gray vs. Penn Gold, WW Red

915-1015pm WM Varsity vs. GMP Black, WW Blue

930-1030pm LC Blue vs. Buffalo Grove, WW Red

Sunday, October 9th:

Semi Final 8-930am, Wings Event Center

Semi Final 945-1115am, Wings Event Center

Consolation, 1130-1230am, Wings Event Center

Consolation, 1245-145pm, Wings Event Center

Championship, 315-445pm, Lawson Ice Arena

Congrats to senior Nate Willcutt of Vicksburg who has been named, your 34th captain of the 22-23 SWM Blades.  Congrats Nate, well deserved.

Great Run for the Blades!

GM 1 2-0 vs. Bishop Noll

GM 2 1-2 vs. HSE A

GM 3 4-1 vs. Lake Central Blue

GM 4 2-3 vs. Culver Academy

Blades make it to the 4A state semi finals for the first time.  Something to build on...

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

http://ishsha.com/files/ti_2022_tryouts.pdf

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.