MISSIONS'S TEGLIA
FIRST NON-COLLEGE GOALIE TAKEN IN USHL DRAFT
Chicago Mission Midget Major goaltender Jeff Teglia was the first
goalie without NCAA experience taken in today's USHL draft. Teglia, a 91
birthdate, was selected by Omaha as the 33rd pick overall.
The acrobatic netminder was actually offered a spot by the Lancers last
summer, but turned it down to return to the Mission to get more game
experience.
"That was an amazingly mature decision he made," said Mission Director
of Hockey Operations Chico Adrahtas. "Most kids would have jumped at the
chance. But Jeff knew that he needed more game experience to develop
than what a back-up role would have afforded him in the USHL, and he got
it. We're very proud of Jeff, and he's very deserving of this
selection."
For Immediate
Release
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Woodridge, IL – The Chicago Mission AAA Hockey Club has added
Gino Linkevitch to its
strong coaching staff.
Gino Linkevitch is one of the most respected ice hockey skating
coaches who will bring his expertise in skills training to the Chicago
Mission athletes. Gino has successfully coached and trained thousands
of hockey players and his knowledge of hockey skills training has also
made him one of the most respected persons toward training some of the
most successful hockey players in Illinois.
“I’m extremely excited with anticipation toward working with the Chicago
Mission and its players. An organized skills program can make
competitive hockey players more explosive and exciting while making
improvements in strength, power, speed, endurance and body control,”
said Linkevitch.
“When selecting our staff it is the Mission’s priority to choose people
with not only outstanding hockey knowledge but coaches who are caring
and relate well to children and young adults," stated
Mission Hockey Director Anders Sorensen. It is this formula that
makes the Mission an industry leader.
Linkevitch will join current skills coach Kenny McCudden with “training
in small groups” during Mission team practices ~ a philosophy that will
continue to ensure maximum one-on-one attention critical to their
training philosophy.
CORINNE BOYLES COMMITS TO BOSTON COLLEGE
"Mission U19 goaltender Corinne Boyles has accepted a hockey
scholarship to attend Boston College beginning in the 2009-10 season." She will play there for Head
Coach, and former US Olympic Gold Medalist, Katie King. This past
April, Boyles was in net as the U19s won the Chicago Mission’s
first-ever national championship, beating Little Caesars 2-to-1 in
Triple Overtime in the 2008 USA Hockey National Championship in
Philadelphia. Boyles had previously starred in goal for the Chicago
Mission 91 boys team during the 2003-04 and 2004-05 seasons.
"This is a dream come true for me, at a great school with a great hockey
program" Boyles said. "BC was always at the top of my list and I'm
looking forward to the opportunities it presents, not only to play for a
legend like Coach King, but also to the challenge of earning my playing
time in one of the top programs in the country."
MWEHL launches a new
Midget Major League beginning with the 2008-2009 season
The Midwest Elite Hockey league has announced it will launch a new
Midget Major league beginning with the 2008-2009 season. The league will
consist of the following 4 divisions of 5 teams:
DETROIT DIVISION:
Belle Tire, Little Caesars, Compuware, Victory Honda, and Honeybaked
CHICAGO DIVISION:
Chicago Mission, Chicago Fury, Team Illinois, Chicago Young Americans,
Madison Capitols
MID AM DIVISION:
Cleveland Barons, Pittsburgh Hornets, Mahoning Valley Phantoms, S2, St
Louis AAA Blues
WEST DIVISION:
PF Changs, Russell Stover, LA Kings, Dallas Stars, Colorado Rampage
Each team will play 46 games with 2 home and 2 away inter division games
as well as 6 showcases – each division hosting 3 showcases and travel to
each others showcase once.
As well as providing excellent competition for the teams within the
league, the new format will also reduce the travel costs for the
organizations as well. The Midget Major teams play a rigorous tournament
schedule that will now be in part replaced by the showcases that are
included in the league schedule. This will eliminate the need to play in
tournaments which will positively impact travel and organization costs.
The new Midget league will fly under the MWEHL banner using its rules
and policies. USA Hockey has approved the league for its inaugural year
and will monitor its development.
The league’s future vision is to encompass the Midget Minors next year
and one day all levels using the same format.
Ryan & Kimmy
Taylor proud parents of
Grace Taylor born Sunday, May 11th
6 pounds, 11 ounces, and 20 inches |
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Mission U19 and Mission U16 invited to
the Can AM Challenge Cup
The Can AM Challenge Cup is an eight team event that matches the
best Canadian teams against the best American teams . It a huge honor
and will provide the players a unique opportunity to represent
themselves , the Mission and the USA .
The 4 American teams are The Mission , Little Caesars , Shattuck St
Marys and NAHA
USHL DRAFT LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AWAY,
MISSION MIDGET SPRING PROGRAM RESPONDS
With just over a week to go before the USHL draft, the Chicago
Mission Midget Prep program will offer it's players a great
up-close-and-personal chance to showcase their skills to two USHL
franchises. On Wednesday, May 7, Jason Herter, assistant coach of the
new Fargo Force will run the ice slots. The newest entry into the
league, Fargo will offer it's first year players plenty of opportunity
for quality ice time as they seek to establish an immediate impact in
the best Junior A league in the US.
On Monday, May 12, staff from the hometown Chicago Steel will run the
ice slots. The Steel, coming off a tremendously successful season which
saw them defeat the favored Indy Ice in the first round of the playoffs,
feature two Chicago Mission alum prominently on their roster in
defensemen Johnny Moore and Barron Smith.
The continuing focus we have on making sure our players get the best
exposure possible is just another reason why the Chicago Mission
organization is considered to be one of the premier hockey clubs in
North America.
Mission's Chico Adrahtas Adds Duties at
Robert Morris College
Chicago Mission Director of Hockey
Operations Chico Adrahtas has been named the head coach at Robert
Morris College. Adrahtas will coach the Gold Team, inheriting a team
that has struggled over the last two seasons. Adrahtas will retain
his full-time duties with the Mission, overseeing the midget placement
program, coordinating coaching and goalie instruction, and lending
specific support to the midget programs in practices and games, and
continue to be a resource for all parents in the organization.
"After all these years, a fresh new
challenge will be welcome, and it's a great fit for me because it will
allow me to continue with the Mission. I'm very proud of what we've
built here, and excited to be a part of keeping the Mission program
going in the right direction," said Adrahtas. "I want to make sure that
there is no misunderstanding about how highly I prioritize my work for
the Mission."
MISSION U16's RUSSO
COMMITS TO NOTRE DAME
The Chicago Mission is pleased to announce that U16 defenseman Robbie
Russo has accepted a full scholarship to the University of Notre Dame.
Russo, a '93 right handed blueliner, long considered one of the top players
at his age group, had pared his decision down to between Miami of Ohio and
Notre Dame.
"When you have a choice like that, you cannot make a mistake," said Mission
Director of Hockey Operations Chico Adrahtas. "We are very proud of Robbie,
and I know he is very appreciative of being one of those very rare players
to receive a scholarship at such a young age."
Russo, like teammate T.J. Tynan who also commited to the Fighting Irish
recently, has skated his entire AAA career at the Mission. In the last two
seasons, 4 graduates of the organization's U 16 program have stepped right
into the USHL, and two, Russo and Tynan, have received Division I full
scholarships. Since the hiring of Jeff Jackson, Notre Dame has moved to the
forefront of NCAA hockey, recently finishing second in the National
Championship despite the loss of leading scorer Eric Condra.
As a side note, Notre Dame recruiter and assistant coach Andy Slaggert will
be running this Sunday's on-ice program for the players participating on the
Mission Midget Prep Spring program.
MISSION ADDS NICK JONES TO
COACHING STAFF
Nick Jones, who spent the last 6 years working with Ryan Taylor and the
Chicago Young Americans has joined the Chicago Mission coaching staff. Nick
will specialize in helping to develop defensemen in the organization. A
native of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Nick played his youth hockey in Bemidji
and Brainard Minnesota. After that, he played in the USHL for the Waterloo
Blackhawk’s and Northern Iowa Huskies. Nick received the Jeff Nord Unsung
Hero award with the Huskies.
Jones played his collegiate hockey for Augsburg College where he was captain
for three years and an all-conference defensemen. Nick played pro hockey in
the ECHL for both Roanoke and Johnstown. After completing his pro career,
Nick started his coaching career in Minnesota with Rosemont High School as a
defenseman coach. From Rosemont, Nick spent two years working with the
Desert Coyotes Bantam and Midget AAA teams, exclusively training the
defenseman.
While with CYA, Nick was an assistant coach at the Squirt, Pewee and Bantam
levels. Last year Nick was an assistant and defenseman coach on the state
finalist 94 team.
"In an age where coaching sports is increasingly specialized, it made sense
to add a highly regarded mentor for our defensemen, and Nick Jones fits that
need perfectly," said Executive Director Chico Adrahtas. "He'll be an
invaluable asset to our D corps, and his presence makes our organization
that much stronger."
JEFF GREEN JOINS CHICAGO MISSION COACHING
STAFF
Jeff Green, one of the NCAA's top 50 goal scorers of all-time, has
joined the Chicago Mission coaching staff. Green, a Detroit native and who's
collegiate career spanned 1986-1990 at Western Michigan University, was a
brilliant goal scorer who's name is still etched in the Bronco's record
books.
Green capped his playing career with time spent playing professionally in
Europe and in the ECHL.
"Jeff will be a priceless addition to our Squirt coaching staff," said
Mission Executive Director Chico Adrahtas. "The insights and teaching he'll
give to our youngest players will help them to build a foundation that will
serve them well throughout their AAA career and beyond."
RYAN TAYLOR JOINS MISSION!
Ryan Taylor, one of the most widely respected coaches in Illinois
amateur hockey will be joining the Chicago Mission after spending six
seasons with the Chicago Young Americans.
Taylor is originally from Burlington, Ontario, Canada, where he grew up
playing for the Burlington City Reps AAA Hockey Organization from Squirts to
Bantam Major. He then made the jump into the OPJHL Jr. A hockey league,
playing for the Burlington Cougars for two seasons. Ryan played his
collegiate hockey for Coach Tony Fritz at Lake Forest College, where he was
Captain in for two years and a recipient of the Taylor Award for outstanding
play and leadership.
After college, Ryan joined Loyola Academy Varsity Boys / Girls Hockey Club
as an assistant coach. During his four years there, he helped the Ramblers
capture a Kennedy Cup Championship, two State Championships, and three State
Finals.
From there, Ryan moved to AAA where he has spent the last six years coaching
and developing the Squirt, Pewee and Bantam age levels for the Young
Americans. This past season saw him lead the CYA 94 and 96 teams to the
2007-2008 State Championships. Ryan also served that organization as the
assistant hockey director from 2006-2008.
"Having Ryan become a part of the Mission fills a crucial piece of our
organizational puzzle," said Executive Director Chico Adrahtas. "The reason
we've been so successful for so long is because we understand that the
foundation, the Squirt and Pee Wee levels of the game, are the most
important when it comes to development. Ryan will oversee those levels for
us starting with Spring hockey, and his presence continues the tradition of
excellent coaching we've offered every year. We're truly thrilled to have
him aboard."
KURT KABAT REJOINS THE MISSION
| Kurt Kabat has always been a
player and coach who leads more by example than words. Extremely popular
with his players, Kurt's achievements include 3 state championships and
most recently a final 4 in the USA Hockey Nationals with the Mission
1994 team during the 2006-07 season. |
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A passionate player who's
trademark was a second-to-none work ethic, "Coach Kurt," as he is known
to his players, stepped aside for a year after the death of his biggest
fan, his father. "After my fathers passing away last season I'd say I
was 99-percent retired from coaching," Kabat said. "But that one percent
won out in the end, and when another opportunity came to me to work with
a talented group of kids, I couldn't pass it up.
"Coaching AAA is a hard work," Kabat said. "I know the type of
commitment, enthusiasm and passion it takes to coach this game the right
way. You have to be ready to commit to it 100 percent, every minute,
every day. A few months ago, I went and watched a couple Mission teams
play and the big thing was realizing that I still wanted to get out
there and coach and teach these players ... be part of the team. That's
something that's pretty special about team sports whether you're 7 ...
or 38."
So after a year on the sidelines, Kurt Kabat is like a kid in a candy
store. New enthusiasm.. New hunger. New team. But most importantly, the
same old desire that has made him one of AAA hockey's best coaches.
"This has been a huge part of my life for a long, long time. Coaching
here at the Mission is something I truly enjoy."
"Having Kurt back is like being reunited with a member of your family,"
said Mission Executive Director Chico Adrahtas. "We have always prided
ourselves with being able to offer the best AAA coaching possible, and
Kurt was always a huge part of our program. Having him work with our
96's, a very talented group, seems like an absolutely ideal fit." |
MISSION SENDS UNPRECEDENTED 9 TEAMS TO STATE
FINALS
The Chicago Mission organization continued their winning ways in the
Illinois State Playoff Round Robin with 9 of their 10 teams advancing to the
State Championship Series. This marks the first time an organization has had
9 teams competing in the AAA Finals. The organization came within a whisker
of sending all 10 teams, as the boys Midget Majors lost their bid in a
shootout after staging a furious third period 4 goal rally against a favored
TI squad.
On the girls side, the U 12s, U 14s, and U 19s all advanced to Saturday's
action, with only one loss in their combined playoff records along the way.
In their first season fielding multiple girls teams, the Mission was the
only organization to advance all of those teams, and in so doing, has the
most teams in the championship. The 12s face the Fury, and 14s take on TI,
and the 19s match up against CYA.
On the boys side, the 97's and U 16s open their best-of-three series at TI
on Thursday night, while the 96's host CYA, the 95's host the Fury, the 94's
host CYA, and the 93's host TI.
The organization's squads will be shooting to surpass the Mission's previous
record of 5 State Championships won during the 2005-06 season. Last year,
the club won 3 titles.
Congratulations to all of the teams, and best wishes for success in the week
ahead!
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MISSION CONTINUES TO RAISE THE BAR; MORE IMPROVEMENTS ON TAP FOR 2007-08
For the third year in a row, the Chicago Mission
brought home the most State Championships of any AAA organization in
Illinois. With title series sweeps at the 92, 93, and 94 levels, the
Mission continued it's domination of in-state competition. Mission
teams continued their march towards National Championship competition,
as both the 92's and 94's captured the Central District Regional
titles. Both of these teams will depart for Buffalo, New York on
Tuesday, March 27 to compete at Nationals.
The Mission 94, 93 and 92 teams also won the
MWEHL titles in the club's inaugural season in that prestigious league.
Earlier in the year, the 94's brought home the Bell Cup Championship,
and the 93's came home with the Toronto Marlboro Tournament trophy.
Further, the U16 program placed 2 players (goalie Jeff Teglia and
forward Tyler Brickler) in the USNDP try outs, and several Junior
A organizations have contacted the club about potential draft choices
from both the Midget Major team and the U16's. Midget Major goalie
Nick Pisellini was added to the roster of the Chicago Steel and
called up immediately at the conclusion of the team's season.
With The Mission's continuing success and the
club's national reputation as the premier organization in Illinois
growing, it would be easy for the club to rest on it's laurels. But
The Mission is doing anything but showing satisfaction with it's
successes. Instead, the club is entering into a new era by moving it's
main base of operations to Seven Bridges, and taking advantage of a
renovation of the 12 year old rink that will turn it into the premier
home of youth hockey in the midwest. The centerpiece of the renovation
will be a state-of-the-art off-ice training facility that Mission
athletes will be able to use to full advantage. Permanent team locker
rooms will be provided for each level, and in anticipation of further
expansion, a Junior A size locker room is also part of the plan. While
Addison provided a cozy home for the organization's teams during their
first seasons ( and some teams will still have ice at that rink ), it
was clear to the Mission that having a facility that was more
user-friendly was an important "next step" for a club that continues to
aim high.
Not all of the changes to the Mission will be
cosmetic. "The reason we've done so well so quickly," noted Mission
President Chico Adrahtas, " is because of the quality of coaching
we offer. As good as we've been there, we want to be better still." To
that end, the Mission has hired Anders
Sorensen to bolster the staff. What his presence will mean to the development of our
kids will be priceless." Sorensen's teams have been renowned for their
skill and puck movement, having won State Championships 2 of the last 3
years. Sorensen will work with several teams, and oversee
the club's skill-specific development ice slots that supplements each
team's practices.
Another addition to the program will be Greg
Tam. Tam, an accomplished collegiate defenseman played youth hockey
with the Chill, and Junior A for Adrahtas with the Danville
Wings. He will be used with the 93 team to work specifically with their
D corps, and also with several of the club's younger teams in the same
capacity. With the Mission's further expansion by adding 4 Girls teams,
Tam will also have significant responsibility there as well.
Former Chicago Wolves stand out Steve Maltais,
who came aboard to work with Mike McPartlin and his outstanding
93 team after assistant coach Steve Poapst left to coach the
Chicago Steel, will return with the 93's and likely see his duties
expanded as well. As for the goalkeepers, The Mission will remain ahead
of the curve, with Kelly Gee having complete on-ice oversight for
the club, and Adrahtas handling the mental approach and preparation for
each netminder.
Legendary baseball pitcher Satchel Paige used to
say, "Don't ever look back, someone might be gaining on you." It's
apparent that the Chicago Mission organization is only looking forward.
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A Different Kind Of Star
Athlete
In a year of scandal, a
reminder of why we root
By BRYAN GRULEY
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
December 10, 2005; Page P4
CHICAGO -- You've probably
never heard of Tim Breslin. He played forward for the Chicago Wolves, a
minor-league hockey team. A year ago, he was diagnosed with a rare cancer. In
eleven weeks, at the age of 37, he was dead.
What happened next is a
lesson in what sports is supposed to be about. Despite what the media show us,
it really isn't about millionaire athletes lambasting teammates on ESPN. It
isn't about people with God-given talent taking banned substances for an edge,
or how many strippers can fit on a charter boat. It isn't even about winning
the Super Bowl or signing a $100 million contract.
For every Terrell Owens,
there are millions of women and men who play not for riches or glory but for
the sheer joy of competing. Tim Breslin was one. He loved being on a team,
with his guys, on the ice. He would've loved to play in the National Hockey
League, too, but when he fell short, he kept playing anyway and made a living
at it.
A community grew up around
him -- guys who played with him as kids, guys who played with him later, guys
who knew guys who played with him, along with wives and girlfriends and
coaches and Zamboni drivers, an ever-widening circle of people who love a
peculiar game. Some knew Mr. Breslin; some didn't. When he died, this extended
hockey family rushed to the aid of his immediate family. It was more inspiring
than anything you'll ever see on "SportsCenter."
Tim Breslin first laced on
skates growing up in Chicago's western suburbs. His ironworker father, Jim
Breslin, built a backyard rink where Tim skated with his older brothers, Mike
and Jimmy. At a frozen pond nearby, his brothers would send Tim out to test
the ice thickness; once, he broke through to his knees and had to slog home in
slush-covered skates.
Mr. Breslin played for Lake
Superior State University when it won the NCAA title in 1988. Three years
later, he signed with the NHL's Los Angeles Kings. He liked to tell about
skating with the great Wayne Gretzky in training camp. But he didn't stick.
He played eight years in
the minors, the last five in his hometown, where he married Jami Rutili. He
could have sulked about not making the big league. Instead he thrilled at
playing in front of family and friends. "I'm a Chicago guy," he liked to say.
After the Wolves won their league title in 1998, he gave his championship ring
to his dad.
He was strong on skates and
deft with his hands, but his head and his heart made him a player. Battling in
front of the net, "Bres" celebrated plenty of goals flat on his back. Bobby
Nardella, who played with Mr. Breslin as a boy and on the Wolves, called him
the "big piece of glue" that held teams together.
In 371 games with the
Wolves, Mr. Breslin scored 41 goals and 90 assists. He was never league MVP.
But in 1997 he was named his league's Man of the Year for attending charity
events and speaking to children at libraries about education. Tall and lean,
with thick eyebrows and bright blue eyes, he might have looked to the kids
like a giant leprechaun.
After retiring from pro
hockey in 1999, he helped manage an Irish pub. He and Jami had Shane, now 6;
Paige, 3; and Chase, 2. Mr. Breslin golfed, fished, coached kid hockey and
played with the Chicago Blackhawk Alumni Association. He had a wonderful life.
He'd been complaining of
stomach pains for days when his wife took him to the hospital on Thanksgiving
last year. Doctors found cancer of the appendix. He underwent surgery and was
scheduled for chemotherapy. A few days before his first treatment, Mr. Breslin
showed up at Johnny's IceHouse, where the Blackhawk alums were playing their
weekly pickup game. They thought he'd watch and then head to the rink bar, the
Stanley Club, for a soda. But Mr. Breslin played. Then he ordered a Bud Light.
He died Feb. 9. His casket
left the memorial service through an archway of hockey sticks held aloft by
former teammates. For Mr. Nardella, his old friend was too young, his death
too sudden, his kids too small to merely have a funeral. "We had to do
something more," he says.
Along with Cliff Koroll, a
former Blackhawk player and president of the alumni club, Mr. Nardella started
planning a benefit game between ex-Wolves and Hawks that would benefit Mr.
Breslin's children. It wasn't the best time to plug hockey. Many fans were
soured by the cancellation of the NHL season. The Wolves and Hawks were more
accustomed to competing for fans than cooperating. But there was something
about Mr. Breslin -- and the sport he loved -- that made it easy.
Hockey players are an
unusual breed. They slam each other into walls, then line up and shake hands.
They play until they are fat and old and their equipment smells so bad that
they have to stow it in the garage. Whether they are in Moscow or Minneapolis,
Stockholm or Saskatoon, they know that if they can find a rink, they can find
a friend.
To fill Allstate Arena
seats for the Breslin Cup, the organizers needed marquee players. NHL Hall of
Famer Denis Savard, a former Hawk fan favorite who'd met Mr. Breslin once,
canceled an appearance in Toronto to play. Chicagoan and former NHL star Tony
Granato drove overnight from Boston to help out. Chicago native Chris Chelios
of the Detroit Red Wings came, as did NHLers Doug Weight and Jim Dowd, college
teammates of Mr. Breslin. For their trouble the players received no pay, no
flights, no limousines -- just a few standing ovations.
The village of Rosemont,
Ill., donated use of the arena and parking. A law firm chipped in $10,000 of
work; a partner, who didn't know Mr. Breslin, plays hockey. The Wolves'
rivals, the Milwaukee Admirals, paid $1,000 for an ad on the rink boards.
Bobby Hull and other past Hawk stars who didn't know Mr. Breslin autographed
jerseys for auction. "I don't think anybody said no," Mr. Koroll says.
On a Friday in June, more
than 10,000 people paid $20 apiece to cheer Mr. Breslin's father and son Shane
dropping the opening faceoff. The event raised well over $250,000.
In recent days, a college
basketball star was suspended for breaking a teammate's jaw with a punch, a
pro for refusing to enter a game in its final seconds. But here's some news
you may have missed: The Chicago Wolves hung a banner remembering a man who
represented those of us who play to be part of something larger than
ourselves. "Tim Breslin," it reads, "1967-2005."
Write to Bryan Gruley at
bryan.gruley@wsj.com1
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