HOCKEY NOTES: Indians host national championship
Another national championship is beginning as the Michigan Sault is ready to host the USA Hockey Junior A National Championships.
Included in the four-team field is the host Soo Kewadin Casino Indians, the North American Hockey League champions Pittsburgh Forge, the America West Hockey League champion Bismarck Bobcats and America West second representative Billings Bulldogs.
The Indians will be anxious to play their opening game as the team has been idle since being eliminated in the first round of the NAHL playoffs by the Detroit Compuware Ambassadors in early April. The Indians finished the regular season in third place in east division with a 30-22-4 record.
The Indians feature Sault Ontario product David Kasch, who is one of the team's offensive leaders. The Indians also use a pair of Michigan Sault products in tough defenseman Scott Donaghe and Jim Jorgensen, who saw action sparingly this season.
A balanced offensive attack for the Indians is led by Domenic Osman, who scored 29 goals and added 25 assists for 54 points. Other leaders include Stauros Paskaris (15-32-47), Josh Coyle (17-24-41), Kasch (16-23-39) and Joe Versino (18-16-34).
The tournament begins tonight with the Banquet of Champions at Kewadin Casino featuring guest speaker "Mr. Hockey" Gordie Howe.
On ice action begins Friday at 5 p.m. with Pittsburgh playing Billings followed by the Indians playing Bismarck at 8 p.m. On championship Saturday, the losers will meet in a consolation final at 5 p.m. and the winners in the national final at 8 p.m. All games are being played at the Chi Mukwa (Big Bear) Arena.
*** OHL AWARDS: The Ontario Hockey League continued to hand out the hardware on Wednesday as the Plymouth Whalers' Chad LaRose was given the Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy as overage player of the year. LaRose scored 61 goals and 56 points for 117 points this season. On Tuesday, Windsor's Kyle Wellwood won the William Hanley Trophy as most sportsmanlike player and Brampton's Jay McClement won the league faceoff award.
*** HOUND TICKETS: The early bird deadline for Soo Greyhound season ticket purchases has been extended to Friday May 16th. Fans have until that date to renew or purchase season tickets at a discounted price. The deadline for all renewals has also been extended to Friday May 30th. Tickets not renewed by May 30th will be made available to the general public.
Fans can purchase a one-year or three-year season ticket with monthly payment plans available for both options. For season ticket information, contact the Memorial Gardens office at 759-5251.
*** DUKE BYVELDS: While new Greyhounds coach Marty Abrams is busy preparing for the Ontario Hockey League draft, a major concern of his is the Wellington Dukes hockey team that he is coaching into the Royal Bank Cup next week.
Abrams will be looking for leadership from Greyhound cast away Dean Byvelds, who joined the team after being released by the Soo. Byvelds has been a major piece of the puzzle for a team has exceeded expectations.