CHICAGO MISSION ANNOUNCES NEW MIDGET PLAYER PLACEMENT PROGRAM

Since our inception, we at the Chicago Mission organization have strived to offer the best experience for AAA skaters in the Midwest. In the past 5 years, the fact is we've not only won more State Championships than any other organization, we've also won more major tournaments than any other organization in the state.

This success comes from adhering to the simple philosophy that if you offer the best coaching possible, and focus that coaching on player development, success will follow.

It would be easy for us to sit back and put things on 'autopilot,' to take success for granted, to fail to take a hard look at where we can be better. But we are not taking that approach. We recognize that becoming the best is easier than staying the best, and in our efforts to remain the premier organization in the Midwest, we want to make what we feel is a very strong portion of our program even stronger.

Over the last two years, our U 16 team has placed more players into both the Junior and collegiate levels than any other organization in Illinois. Last year, 4 of our players stepped directly into the USHL, and in the last two seasons, 3 of our players from that program have received full scholarships to prestigious, top-flight NCAA institutions. Did you know that? For anyone searching seriously for the best midget home possible, it's important not only to know that fact, but to know why.

Did you know that the Chicago Mission U 16 team is the only Illinois program that participates in the exclusive on-campus Miami of Ohio tournament? Did you know that the Chicago Mission U 16 and Midget major teams are the only Illinois teams that participated at the prestigious Victory Honda Cup tournament in Ann Arbor, Michigan? Being a part of those tournaments is a direct reflection of the national recognition our program, the youngest of all Illinois AAA programs, receives. We actively sought out participation in those tournaments and all others because we understand that we need to be committed to getting our players the best level of exposure to scouts of all levels of the game. That's a huge part of the "why" our U 16 program has been so productive in it's placement rate.

Still, it is the rare exceptional player that is able to secure a Junior A spot out of the U 16 level, rarer still for a player to get a scholarship at such a young age. So we also aim to prioritize a second-to-none Midget Major program for all of our players moving up from the U 16 level, and for any player in Illinois who wants to be the best.While our Midget Major program has continued to grow over the years, we want to make it the 'crown jewel' of our organization, and as we've increased the numbers of home-grown talent who have been developed within the organization, we pledge to take that next step.

Our first priority is to not only continue to make development our mission, but to improve our placement rate. Our U 16 program is second-to-none in this area, and we want to make our Midget Major program the envy of every program in the US.

To that end, we are taking this opportunity to announce a first-of-it's-kind program that we feel will set the gold standard for placement procedures around the country:

THE CHICAGO MISSION PLAYER PLACEMENT PROGRAM

As the Mission's Director of Hockey Operations, I am going to oversee a program that will:

1. OFFER COMPREHENSIVE PLACEMENT EDUCATION TO PLAYERS AND PARENTS

a. Meetings will be held prior to the start of the season with parent and player groups to explain the in-season process of securing exposure for the players. Junior rules pertaining to the draft and tenders are confusing. I will give a detailed explanation as to the difference in the leagues and how they acquire their players, as well as how teams scout, what they look for, and why they pursure certain players and not others. As the only person involved at the AAA level who has coached in the USHL, NAHL, and NCAA, I can offer specific insight based on a unique level of experience to the process from every angle.

b. Email updates will be sent to all parents about the process, rules, and peculiarities of scouting and recruiting at the Junior A, Junior B, NCAA Div I, NCAA Div III, and ACHA levels throughout the season.

2. OFFER INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENT GOAL-SETTING

a. Every player will be required to turn in a 10 team college "wish list," a list that will be developed based on academic, athletic, and geographic factors.

b. Every player will receive a mid-season and end-of-season individual assessment of where his abilities are, and the 'wish list' will be adjusted accordingly.

3. OFFER WRITTEN MODEL LETTERS/EMAILS/PUBLICITY SHEETS

a. Each player will be given suggested model letters/emails to contact schools that interest them, with specific instructions about what to expect during the process.

b. Each player will have an individual fact sheet printed up that coaches can distribute and that we can mail to help generate interest in that player. The fact sheet will include a personalized and candid letter of recommendation from me to the prospective staff.

4. OFFER INSTANT FEEDBACK TO PARENTS/PLAYERS

a. Any time a player receives an inquiry from a junior, Prep, college, or professional scout, the parent and player will receive a detailed email describing the contact, the level of interest, and how to follow through with it.

b. Individual meetings will be held throughout the year with parents/players as necessary to update the status of that player, or to simply answer any questions the players/parents may have about the process.

It has been said that information is power, but I will amend that to say GOOD information is power. With the program, the Chicago Mission will offer it's customers GOOD information, not the conjecture that passes for fact on anonymous posts on unsupervised web sites. GOOD information will keep our players and parents informed every step of the way, and by doing so, we hope to help take a lot of the stress off the shoulders of parents and players who rightfully worry about what the hockey future may hold.

By taking on this responsibility, we will also free our coaches to keep the coaching part of their job as their priority.

I have been very fortunate over the years to have worked with very talented players. Any coach worth his salt knows that you cannot 'place' a player based solely on advocating for that player. It can help a lot, absolutely, but the bottom line is always going to be that player's talent and how it fits into a certain team's program. That said, since coaching my first team in 1982, I have been fortunate enough to coach 150 players who have gone on to the NCAA, NHL, and professional ranks. For any of those players who have reached their goals, the role I played was only one step of the way. Their mite, squirt, pee wee, bantam, and midget coaches all had equal shares along the way; but the bottom line for that player's success was the work ethic he invested, coupled with the talent he possessed.

We have coaches within our organization who have also had an equal share in helping their players along, and it's important for all players and parents considering the Mission to understand that I am only a part of the experience in development and placement your son or daughter will benefit from. Our U 16 coach, Chuck Linkenheld, has had a hand in the careers of those attached to this link:
 

Matt Arhontas   Matt Arhontas- u18,u16, Batm, BatM, PWM, PWm,-Waterloo USHL, Princeton Univ
Zach Jones   Zach Jones- BatM, USNDP-Univ. North Dakota
Zach Bearson   Zach Bearson- PWM,PWm,Batm, BatM, -Waterloo USHL, Univ. of Wisc
Teddy Ruth   Teddy Ruth-U18-USNDP-Univ of Notre Dame, NHL draft Wash
Dan Kissel   Dan Kissel-U18-Chicago Steel USHL, Univ of Notre Dame
Nick Krates   Nick Krates-U18-Omaha USHL, Univ of New Hampshire
Jake Gannon   Jake Gannon-PWm,PWM,Batm-Sioux City USHL, Colorado College
Brock Shelgren   Brock Shelgren-U18-Fairbanks NAHL, Michigan State (08-09)
Joe Sova   Joe Sova-U18 (2 yrs) -Omaha USHL, Univ of Alaska Fairbanks
Drew Dobson   Drew Dobson-U16-Waterloo USHL,  Mich Tech
Sam Bazoian   Sam Bazoian-BatM,U16-Choate Prep, St. Louis NAHL-Harvard Univ
Zach Cohen   Zach Cohen-U18, U16 Tri City USHL-Boston Univ
Bob Jarosz   U18,PWm-Omaha USHL, Clev.NAHL, Mich State
Matt Moulekalis   PWm,PWM-Omaha,Chicago USHL-Merrimack College
Joe Loprieno   PWM-Chicago USHL-Merrimack College
Kurt Akers   U18-Syracuse EJHL-Niagara Univ
Scott Darling   U18-CD Selects EJHL-Univ of Maine
Dan Ryan   BatM,Batm,PWM,PWm-Chicago USHL, Univ of Wisc Stout
Eric Scovill   U18,U16,BatM-Valley Jr. Warriors EJHL, Univ of Wisc Stout
John Kearns   BatM,Batm,PWM- Chicago/Green Bay USHL -Univ of Wisc Eau Claire
Bryan Curran   U18-Taft Prep-Middlebury College
Tony Razik   U18-EJHL-Lake Forest College
Will Stoner   U18-CD Selects EJHL-Lake Forest College
Dave Werner   U18- CD Selects EJHL-Lake Forest College
Dan Armijo   U18-Omaha USHL, Bridgewater EJHL, Univ of Mass Boston
John Galivan   U16- Valley Jr Warriors EJHL, Univ of Mass Boston
Ralph Massuci   U16, U18 (3 yrs), NH Monarchs, CD Selects EJHL- Curry College
Ryan Barlock   U18, Springfield NAHL,CD Selects EJHL-Curry College
Zach Samson   U16,BatM, Batm, PWM,Pwm- Lawrence Academy Prep, Univ of Arizona
Ryan Divito   U18(2yrs) U16-Chicago Steel USHL, St. Louis NAHL, Lindenwood Univ.
Brad Hoelzer   U18 (2yrs) U16, BatM-Waterloo USHL-Univ of Illinois
Tim Gilbert   U16,BatM, Batm, PWM-Waterloo USHL-Univ of Illinois
Matt Jennings   U18 (2yrs) Chicago Steel-USHL-Univ of Illinois
Jason Nemeth   U18 (2yrs) Univ of Illinois
Drew Heredia   U18 Univ of Illinois
Joe Siepka   U18 St Louis Univ
Kevin Macavoy   U18 Western Michigan club
DJ Kohler   U18, U16, BatM,Batm,PWM, PWm-Univ of Illinois
*( Univ of Illinois ACHA National Champs D1 Club with 38-0 record. Captain Drew Heredia, MVP Def. Brad Hoelzer)
     
Currently in Junior Hockey:
Kyle Greco   U18-Springfield Jr. Blues leading scorer 88 birthyear
Jared Rickord   U18- Springfield Jr. Blues 4rth on team in scoring, top 25 in league 89 birthyear
Mike Walsh   U18-Chicago Steel USHL Captain 89 birthyear
Augie Hoffman   U18 (2yrs) Valley Jr Warriors EJHL, Texas NAHL, 88 birthyear
Chris Wyman   U18 Valley Jr Warriors leading scorer, league all star 88 birthyear
Scott Pederson   U18 Southern Minn Express NAHL top prospect team 88 birthyear
Sean Curran   U18-Taft Prep 89 birthyear


Our Hockey Director, Anders Sorensen, was the most successful Midget Major coach in Illinois during his time working that level. Here are some of the players he mentored, en route to capturing multiple State Tournament Championships:

Calle Ridderwall   Notre Dame CCHA (Tri-City Storm USHL)
Mike Embach   Ferris State  CCHA  (Indiana Ice USHL)
Brett Wysopal   Colorado College WCHA (Tri-City, USHL)
Danny Lawson   Vermont  Hockey East (Lincoln Stars)
Billy Maday   Waterloo Blackhawks USHL (Notre Dame 08-09 CCHA)
Mike Seidel   Ceder Rapids RoughRiders USHL
Paul Phillips   Ceder Rapids RoughRiders USHL (Denver University 09-10, WCHA)
Andy Taranto   Ohio Jr Blue Jackets USHL
Nolan Ryan   Ohio Jr Blue Jackets USHL
Brian Harrison   Indian Ice USHL
Terry Broadhurst   Siuox Falls USHL
Chris Forfar   Lincoln Stars USHL
Mike Vitale   Tufts University
Dan Nelson   Bay State Breaker  EJHL
Kyle Jendra   Plymouth Whalers OHL
Rich LaVeau   Playing at Northwood prep right now, had 3-4, D1 schools ready to offer him

We feel that this newly minted Player Placement Program will set the gold standard for the AAA Midget experience. Offering this level of service and communication represents the "next step" for our program, en route to making sure your player achieves the "next step" in his.

Chico Adrahtas
Director of Hockey Operations

 
 

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