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."

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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.

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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."

 

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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

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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.

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Mission's Chico Adrahtas Adds Duties at Robert Morris College

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.

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!