Finlandia has announced that former North Dakota captain Dane Litke is the new head coach of the Lions’ men’s team.
Showing posts with label Lions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lions. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Finlandia lands ultra-talented Hartland foursome
Located in Hancock, Finlandia plays in the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association and is coached by John McCabe, a former assistant coach at Division I Alabama-Huntsville.
All four players said this season with the Hounds in the inaugural season of the Midwest Junior Hockey League has done wonders for their development to the point where they feel they will be able to make an impact as freshmen next season for the Lions.
“(Hartland coach) Randy Montrose has played a huge role in my career ever since I become a player on his teams three years ago because he expects nothing short of 100 percent, whether it be a practice or a game,” said Brownlee, a 19-year-old Fowlerville native. “Playing for the Hounds just comes to show that no matter where you play hockey, if you’re good enough, other teams such as FU will find you.”
Brownlee leads the MWJHL in all goaltending categories, including wins (29), goals-against average (1.87), save percentage (.932), shutouts (five) and minutes played (1734:58). He is also a three-time Goaltender of the Week and a two-time Goaltender of the Month.
Henrikson, Hartland’s captain, has been at or near the top of league scoring much of the season. Like Brownlee, he gave credit to Montrose for pushing him this season to reach his goal of college hockey.
“Randy told me about Finlandia and then they came and watched us play and talked to me after,” the 20-year-old Commerce native said. “Randy has always helped me out with my hockey and finding the right place for me to go. I know playing at Finlandia will be really fast hockey and a lot of hitting and my goal is to get good grades and still play hockey. I think it will be great going in and already knowing a couple guys playing there.
“That being said, yeah, we’ve committed, but we all know that now is when the hard work begins to be able to get to campus in the fall and contribute. We also still have our season here to finish up and get ready for nationals in April. The commitment is great for all of us, but we’re not content with sitting back and talking about that. We want to bring a national championship to Hartland. That’s our immediate goal.”
For Miglia, a 19-year-old Brighton forward, he had always looked at Finlandia and took it upon himself to take initiative at the start of the 2012-13 season.
“I emailed Finlandia University at the beginning of the season because I was interested in playing there,” said Miglia. “They came out to watch me play and were interested. Randy has pushed me a lot to be my best everyday and helped me get better at the parts of my game that needed it most. It's always been a dream since I was little watching college games at Yost Ice Arena (in Ann Arbor) and it finally came true. I would like to thank my mom and dad for paying for hockey this long and putting up with me all these years. I also want to thank all the Hounds coaches this year – Randy, Scott (Gardiner) and Marty (Passino) are all great coaches.”
“The Hounds and Randy have played the biggest role in getting here,” said Kerr, an 18-year-old Howell native. “After my high school career, I didn't have much faith that I would be playing NCAA hockey. When the opportunity presented itself to play for Randy again, I had to jump on it and it definitely has paid off. I think his coaching style this year and the last five years of my life have developed me into the player I am today.”
The foursome went on a visit to Finlandia several weeks back to survey the campus and hockey facilities and to also meet with McCabe. Each player came away impressed.
“I learned it's a very small school, which I like,” Miglia said. “You will know pretty much everyone there. John McCabe seems like a great coach and I know he's moved guys on to the pro level. I like that he takes his hockey very serious.”
“When we went on our visit, I learned the guys do everything together, making you that much closer as a team and those are the kinds of things I like to see because you can count on anyone to do the little things at any point throughout the year and season,” said Brownlee. “When I met and talked with Coach McCabe, I noticed that he's a young coach that is looking to form a solid program up at FU and is looking forward to forming a winning program.
“Ever since I was a little kid, it was a dream of mine to play pro or college hockey and when it comes to things like getting this opportunity, I want to thank my family, especially my parents for helping me all the way through my career and putting up with all the junk I've put them through to get me to where I am now. I would also like to thank Randy for all the help he's given to me and guidance he's given not only me, but to all his players throughout his coaching career.”
“It’s been a dream of mine to make it to college hockey ever since I stepped on the ice competitively in Squirts,” said Kerr. “It seems like a very long time since then and playing collegiate hockey has never stopped running through my mind. Just like every hockey player, it is a huge dream to play hockey in college. My parents have been the most supportive people throughout my hockey career. From going to every game, driving me to trips, all the time spent at the rink, I wouldn't be the player I am today without them. I would also like to thank Randy, Scotty and Marty. I’ve been skating with them for the last six years of my life and every season with them has been successful in developing me into a better player.
“Randy is a coach that takes pride giving 100 percent to make you the most successful hockey player you can be and if you give 100 percent of your efforts, you will receive 100 percent of his.”
At the end of the day, the praise is a nice pat on the back, but Montrose said it’s all about the players.
“As a coach, I have always believed that it is about teaching and advancing players,” said Montrose. “That is our primary responsibility as a coach. I am beyond proud of these gentlemen that have taken pride in advancing themselves.”
Monday, July 12, 2010
Traverse City defenseman off to Lions
Metro Jets Press ReleaseWhen the Metro Jets drafted Vinnie Pietrangelo early on in the 2009 Central States Hockey League draft, the team was banking on the rangy defenseman playing just one season with the Jets and then moving on to a higher level.
That has officially happened as the 19-year-old native of Traverse City has committed to play Division III hockey at Finlandia University, a small school located in the town of Hancock in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, starting this fall. The Lions play in the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association and the school is just one of two D-III schools in Michigan, with Adrian College being the other.
Pietrangelo played in 47 games last year for the Jets, scoring a power-play goal and adding seven assists for eight points. He said his year in Waterford was a defining year in helping him achieve his dream of playing college hockey.
“When I played at Traverse City West High School, my coaches knew that I wanted to play at the college level, so they contacted the coach at Finlandia and then told me that I needed to play a year of juniors if I wanted to play there,” said Pietrangelo. “The Metro Jets gave me that opportunity.
“The main thing that helped last year was it helped me become a little responsible with my offensive decisions, such as when to (join the rush) and when not to. I could pretty much get away with anything I wanted to at the high school level, but I found out quickly enough that wasn't the case at the junior level.”
“Vinnie struggled a bit early on as he found out how quickly the game transitions in our league,” Metro GM Butch Wolfe said. “However, he was able to make that adjustment. This should help him at Finlandia as the D-III game is quicker yet. We wish him all good luck and success over his next four years.”
Pietrangelo will join former Jets forward Troy Storm (2006-2007) on the Lions’ roster, while another ex-Metro forward, Brandon Van Acker (2004-2005), just completed his senior season with Finlandia. Two other Metro alums, Pete Kolasa and Brooks Olson, also saw time playing for Finlandia after playing in Waterford. Kolasa played in the 1990s and Olson was a member of the Jets’ 2002 Silver Cup-winning national Junior B championship squad.
Pietrangelo initially made the decision to play for the Lions before new head coach John McCabe took over in May. When McCabe took over the program, he did some research on Pietrangelo and realized he had a solid incoming recruit.
“Vinnie was one of the guys (whose commitment) I honored because of his character and his upside,” McCabe said. “I have done some background checks on him from his prior coaches and I know I am bringing in a great kid from a quality family. He will be a solid defenseman for us next year.”
When looking back at the fact that he has progressed rapidly through the high school ranks, CSHL and now to the college level, Pietrangelo showed a humble side when he discussed whom he credits most when a decision like this is made to advance his hockey career.
“I really give credit to my high school coaches, Jeremy Rintala and Bob Spence, and of course, Anthony Palumbo of the (North American Hockey League’s) Traverse City North Stars, who coached me in minor hockey and in high school, as well as my family because they have been very supportive of everything throughout the year,” Pietrangelo said. “In the CSHL, there are long bus rides to places like Dubuque and Pittsburgh, and my family traveled to most venues where we played.”
As for the future, Pietrangelo thinks he will be able to succeed at Finlandia, a school where he intends to pursue a degree in the medical field.
“I think my game will fit into the college game because I can adapt to most situations and read the plays that my opponents are making,” noted Pietrangelo. “I also feel my ability to jump up into the play and create something from the back end will fit well in college.
That has officially happened as the 19-year-old native of Traverse City has committed to play Division III hockey at Finlandia University, a small school located in the town of Hancock in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, starting this fall. The Lions play in the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association and the school is just one of two D-III schools in Michigan, with Adrian College being the other.
Pietrangelo played in 47 games last year for the Jets, scoring a power-play goal and adding seven assists for eight points. He said his year in Waterford was a defining year in helping him achieve his dream of playing college hockey.
“When I played at Traverse City West High School, my coaches knew that I wanted to play at the college level, so they contacted the coach at Finlandia and then told me that I needed to play a year of juniors if I wanted to play there,” said Pietrangelo. “The Metro Jets gave me that opportunity.
“The main thing that helped last year was it helped me become a little responsible with my offensive decisions, such as when to (join the rush) and when not to. I could pretty much get away with anything I wanted to at the high school level, but I found out quickly enough that wasn't the case at the junior level.”
“Vinnie struggled a bit early on as he found out how quickly the game transitions in our league,” Metro GM Butch Wolfe said. “However, he was able to make that adjustment. This should help him at Finlandia as the D-III game is quicker yet. We wish him all good luck and success over his next four years.”
Pietrangelo will join former Jets forward Troy Storm (2006-2007) on the Lions’ roster, while another ex-Metro forward, Brandon Van Acker (2004-2005), just completed his senior season with Finlandia. Two other Metro alums, Pete Kolasa and Brooks Olson, also saw time playing for Finlandia after playing in Waterford. Kolasa played in the 1990s and Olson was a member of the Jets’ 2002 Silver Cup-winning national Junior B championship squad.
Pietrangelo initially made the decision to play for the Lions before new head coach John McCabe took over in May. When McCabe took over the program, he did some research on Pietrangelo and realized he had a solid incoming recruit.
“Vinnie was one of the guys (whose commitment) I honored because of his character and his upside,” McCabe said. “I have done some background checks on him from his prior coaches and I know I am bringing in a great kid from a quality family. He will be a solid defenseman for us next year.”
When looking back at the fact that he has progressed rapidly through the high school ranks, CSHL and now to the college level, Pietrangelo showed a humble side when he discussed whom he credits most when a decision like this is made to advance his hockey career.
“I really give credit to my high school coaches, Jeremy Rintala and Bob Spence, and of course, Anthony Palumbo of the (North American Hockey League’s) Traverse City North Stars, who coached me in minor hockey and in high school, as well as my family because they have been very supportive of everything throughout the year,” Pietrangelo said. “In the CSHL, there are long bus rides to places like Dubuque and Pittsburgh, and my family traveled to most venues where we played.”
As for the future, Pietrangelo thinks he will be able to succeed at Finlandia, a school where he intends to pursue a degree in the medical field.
“I think my game will fit into the college game because I can adapt to most situations and read the plays that my opponents are making,” noted Pietrangelo. “I also feel my ability to jump up into the play and create something from the back end will fit well in college.
“Short term and long term, my goals are to play well and help the team be successful.”
Photo by Andy Grossman/Detailed Images
Thursday, May 20, 2010
McCabe new bench boss with Finlandia
Finlandia Press ReleaseFinlandia University has announced that John McCabe has accepted the position of head men's ice hockey coach beginning in the 2010-11 academic year.
McCabe takes over the Finlandia Lions men's hockey program after completing his sixth season as an assistant men's hockey coach at the University of Alabama-Huntsville, which is a NCAA Division I school. McCabe helped lead the UAH Chargers to two College Hockey America tournament titles (losing a third in the championship game to Bemidji State in 2006) and two NCAA regional semifinal appearances, most recently the 2010 Midwest Regional in Fort Wayne, Ind.
At Huntsville, McCabe worked under Danton Cole, former Michigan State All-American and Stanley Cup winner the New Jersey Devils.
"John brings with him all of the hockey knowledge that he's acquired under Coach Cole and his former coaches to help create at Finlandia the optimal environment to breed success in the college ranks," said FU athletic director Chris Salani.
Salani explained the number one priority in Finlandia's search for a men's hockey coach was to identify the candidate with proven experience and success and a solid understanding of how a college program should be run.
"The hockey environment in the college setting is much different than in the junior ranks," Salani notes. "To achieve success and elevate Finlandia hockey to D-III national prominence, which is our goal, it was critical that we find the person who is the right fit for our community and for our program. I believe we've found that person in John McCabe."
Salani is hoping to generate at Finlandia a similar atmosphere of excellence as recently demonstrated by the men's hockey program at Adrian College, also a member of NCAA Division III and the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association.
"I believe in many ways Adrian's success can be credited to the hiring of a coach who understood and had the experience of the DI college game behind him," Salani explained. "In a lot of ways, I expect Coach McCabe to immediately set the Finlandia's men's hockey program in the right direction and compete for not only MCHA titles, but national titles."
In the previous four years, McCabe's primary responsibility for the UAH hockey program was that of head men's hockey recruiter.
"John's networks throughout North America and in Scandinavia, combined with his regular work in identifying high profile recruits, will also be a huge asset in establishing a quality and successful product on the ice for Finlandia," Salani said.
In his own hockey career, McCabe played for UAH from 1995-1998 during a period in which the Chargers program won two NCAA D-II national championships - the second in his senior year as captain of the team. Following, McCabe played seven seasons of minor professional hockey, most notably four seasons in the East Coast Hockey League with the Mobile Mysticks, the Greensboro Generals and the Toledo Storm.
Established in 1999, the Finlandia men's hockey program is a member of NCAA Division III and the MCHA. The team was coached on an interim basis by Salani in the 2009-10 season and by former head coaches Joe Burcar (2002-2009) and Scott Mikesch (1999-2001). The Lions won the Harris Cup in 2007.
McCabe relocates to Hancock with his wife, Carla, seven-month-old daughter Annslee, and step-daughter, eight-year-old Lillie.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Burcar lands on feet in Orange County
Compiled by MiCHO StaffFormer Finlandia University head coach Joe Burcar will join Orange County Hockey Club as its Midget 18U AAA head coach and 16U AAA assistant coach next season, the club announced.
Burcar is the brother of Jim Burcar, who coached the club's 16AA team to a national title earlier this month.
Joe Burcar had a 70-69-9 record in eight seasons at Finlandia, a Division III school in Hancock that competes in the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association.
He has also coached numerous Team Michigan squads at the Select festival, winning gold with Team Michigan on more than one occasion.
Monday, March 03, 2008
Adrian takes MCHA championship
Compiled by MiCHO StaffFreshman Eric Miller sent his team and the fans that traveled from Adrian College very happy on Sunday afternoon as his overtime goal at 2:29 gave the Bulldogs a 1-0 win over Finlandia for the MCHA championship.
Miller received a beautiful pass from captain Adam Krug just outside the faceoff circle and put the wrist shot over the right shoulder of Donovan. Eric Bailen also was credited for an assist on the game-winner.
Both goaltenders were stellar inside the Kern Center on the campus of the Milwaukee School of Engineering as Brad Fogal made 18 saves and earned the win between the pipes.
Ryan Donovan earned the tournament MVP trophy making 38 saves for the Lions and keeping them in the contest from the opening faceoff.
Adrian outshot Finlandia, 39-18. Miller’s 40th goal of the season gave Adrian a 26-3-0 overall record in their inaugural season.
The Bulldogs had advanced to the finals with a 5-3 win over MSOE on Saturday. FU beat Marian, 4-2, Saturday to face Adrian.
Finlandia finishes the season 18-9-2.
Adrian may receive a bid to the national Division III tournament. Stay tuned to Michigan College Hockey for further details.
Photo courtesy Adrian College athletics
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