Varsity Home of THE

**Dates are subject to change in accordance with MAHA**

Tryouts for the 2020-2021 Fall/Winter season will be:

*Thursday, 7/30, 600-700 Wings West Blue

*Friday, 7/31, 445-545, Wings West Blue 

Please RSVP to Coach Eddy with your intentions at swmbladeshockey@yahoo.com.  A $25 tryout fee and $375 commitment fee (2 separate checks) must be sent in by 5/1 to:  Doug Hattan, 103 Morrow St., Kalamazoo, MI., 49048.  **Checks made payable, SWM Blades Hockey.  Commitment fees will either be deposited towards your first month dues OR, will be shredded.

Why be a Blade?

*4 consecutive 22+ win season; play 45-55 games per year.

*We have the best locker room, culture and parent group in town

*Play some of the best HS teams in the Midwest.  Big wins last year include:  Gilmore Academy (Ohio), St. Ignatuis (Chicago) and Mattawan.

*Still play 12-15 games in town as other local HS teams do.  We had two of the biggest crowds last year vs. The Eagles and Mattawan.  Fun for the kids.

*Dues last year were around $3500 for about 50 games.  Why pay the same or more, for less?

*Blades are a home-school friendly team.  You don't have to change your educational ways to play for us.

*Blades are now eligible for HS state playoffs; potentially Nationals too.

Any questions, please email Coach Eddy.

Friday, 2/28 in Fort Wayne:

Gm1: Carmel Gold vs. Bloomington, 850pm

Gm2: SWM Blades vs. Culver A, 910pm

Saturday, 2/29:

Gm3: Winner of Gm1 vs. Winner of Gm2, 1:20pm-State Finals

Gm4: Loser of Gm1 vs. Loser of Gm2, 1:35pm

Sunday, 3/1:

Gm5: Loser of Gm3 vs. Winner of Gm4 (1-1 teams), 1025am-State Finals

*State Finals will now be held in Illiana league area (south of Gary), switched from Fischer's

The Blades went 3-1 over the weekend:

Friday, 2-4 vs. Zionsville 

Saturday, 5-3 vs. Bloomington

Saturday, 6-2 vs. HSE A

Sunday, 4-1 vs. Westfield

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

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.