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Monthly Archives: October 2018

For The Love of Hockey – Bethany Drysdale With Colin Robin of UNLV Rebels

31 Wednesday Oct 2018

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Bethany’s hockey son Blake gives the Rebel’s Colin Robin a F 16 pin.

By Bethany Drysdale

“Two things remain irretrievable: time and a first impression.” Meeting Colin Robin, a sophomore kinesiology major, is a first impression my husband will never forget. It was September 22 and the UNLV Rebels were playing one of their biggest rivals, the Arizona State Sun Devils in front of a packed City National Arena in Las Vegas. We arrived a few minutes before puck drop, so finding a seat among the crowd of fans was no easy task. As we started to sit down, Colin had followed us to seats to say hello and to meet my husband Marcus. What impressed Marcus most about Colin was, out of all of the fans, he sought out a chance to say hello and check on us before game time. Colin, was a healthy scratch for that night’s game, but that did not stop him from becoming a team ambassador. Since that day, Marcus has watched every UNLV game through You Tube or in person. A simple act of saying hello made a huge impression on all of us.

When I sat down to talk to Colin about his hockey and academic career, I began to understand more of what the sport means to him. Hockey is about family. Wearing jersey 16 is a family tradition. Over the last 50 years, at least one member in his family has worn that number. His two older brothers, Dustin and Darcy, got Colin interested in hockey at a very young age. Growing up in British Columbia, the elder Robin brothers were into junior hockey leagues when Colin was a toddler. He and the coach’s son were about the same age; giving them full access to the rink to watch the big guys play their game. Now that Colin is older, he works hard to encourage the younger kids, the way he was brought into the sport by his mentors.

The day he met us at the game, I noticed a lapel pin on his suit. It was a Royal Canadian Air Force bomber pin. Being in an Air Force family, this stood out for me so I asked him about the meaning. Colin’s grandfather fought in World War ll, in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He was stationed in South Africa and was awarded the Flying Cross for sinking a German submarine. As Veteran’s Day/Remembrance Day approaches the poem by fellow Canadian LTC John McCrae, ‘In Flanders Fields,’ uses the poppy flower to honor veterans and their service. Colin is very proud of his family’s military service and what their sacrifices allow us to appreciate today.

Hockey is a family; a family which celebrates together and grieves together. Earlier this year, in April, fifteen people died and 14 more injured when a team bus carrying a junior hockey team collided with a transport truck on their way to a playoff game. On his helmet Colin wears the Humboldt Broncos sticker to honor his fellow hockey brothers. Even if the players were not known to him personally to him, he has been in their skates before.

One of Colin’s best hockey memories is playing with the North Okanagan Knights going from a six win season to making the playoffs the following season. Living each day to its fullest and taking on life as a new adventure is his advice to young athletes. As we, in the Las Vegas community, saw last year October 1, hockey helped heal the many wounds of the entire city. Colin and the UNLV team used that energy from the fans to finish the 2017-18 ACHA season ranked 13th in the United States.

Colin is maintaining a 3.47 GPA and working to build his hockey skills. Not an easy task to balance, limiting him to one start during this early season. Although he would like to see a chance of someday playing for a professional hockey team, a career in sports medicine is his long term future plans. Living in the Las Vegas community has a small town feel for Colin and he could see himself staying here but his heart will always be with his family in Canada

 

ACHA D1 Weekly Top 20 Poll is Now Computer Driven

31 Wednesday Oct 2018

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Wednesday, October 31, 2018

The ACHA D1 Top 20 poll – which was previously done by coaches – is now computer driven it was announced today. UNLV has been ranked in the Top 20 all season.

Here are the new Top 20 rankings.

#1 Lindenwood, #2 Michigan-Dearborn, #3 Adrian; #4 Davenport; #5 Iowa State; #6 Missouri State; #7 Central Oklahoma; #8 Liberty; #9 Ohio; #10 Illinois

#11 Jamestown North Dakota; #12 Robert Morris – Illinois; #13 Stony Brook; #14 UNLV Rebels; #15 Arizona; #16 Oklahoma; #17 Syracuse; #18 Minot; #19 Colorado; #20 Alabama

Next – Western Michigan, Illinois State, Utah, Oakland and Rhode Island

Another Gold! The AA Las Vegas Jr Golden Knights Pee Wee 12u Team 1st Place at Can Am Tournament in Las Vegas

31 Wednesday Oct 2018

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Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Special to Vegas Hockey

Las Vegas – The Kevin ‘Chowder’ Mulcahy-coached nationally ranked AA Las Vegas Jr Golden Knights 12u peewee team won another gold medal this past weekend.

The Jr Golden Knights went 5-0-0 including three wins by shutout to win the Can Am Tournament Championship.

The Golden Knights beat Cal Wave 5-2, Littleton Hawks 7-0, Golden State Elite 8-0, Utah Grizzlies 3-2 and in the gold medal game beat the Utah Grizzlies again by 3-0.

The Vegas based team was accepted to the Quebec International Pee Wee Tournament and is now ranked #16 nationally.

Leading scorers on the team include Chayse Laurie, Jack Lackas, Tyler ‘Fuzzy’ Atchison and Chase Nehring. Goalies are Logan Perez and Austin Neill. Defensemen include Trevor Abele, Conner Beers, Caron Craig, Kaden Mulcahy and Jessie Brewer

Larry ‘Bo’ Lackas is assistant coach, Kevin Atchison is team manager

UNLV Rebels Off This Weekend, Then Hit the Road

31 Wednesday Oct 2018

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Halloween Day – 2018

Special to Vegas Hockey

Las Vegas – The powerful nationally ranked UNLV Rebels are about to get on a massively long time away from home ice at the City National Arena. The Rebels next home game according to the Rebels website will be against fierce rival Utah University on Friday, January 17, 2019.

The Rebels, ranked #10, are off to an 8-2-0 start this season

Here is the upcoming Rebels game schedule

Nov 8 – at Jamestown – North Dakota

Nov 9 – at Minot State – Maysa Arena, North Dakota

Nov 10 – at Minot State – Maysa Arena, North Dakota

Nov 17 – at Alabama University

Semester Break

Jan 10 – at Arizona State

Jan 11 – at Arizona University

Jan 12 – at Arizona University

Then UNLV will play nine straight home games.

Arizona Wildcats ACHA D1 Will Take on NHL Alumni Team on Saturday

31 Wednesday Oct 2018

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Special to Vegas Hockey

Tucson – The Arizona Wildcats ACHA D1 team will take on the NHL Alumni team in a charity game at the Tuscon Arena on Saturday, November 3. The Alumni team will include Northern Arizona University’s Greg Adams who scored 355 goals in 18 NHL seasons and 2-time Stanley Cup winner Stephan Yelle. Long-time NHL broadcaster Tom Callahan will call the game on the ASU You Tube network. The NHL Alumni team will wear the jerseys of the NHL Arizona Coyotes.

Tuesday Final Scores

30 Tuesday Oct 2018

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Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Final Score

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS 1

NASHVILLE PREDATORS 4

==================

Jason Zucker of Las Vegas and NHL Minnesota Wild at Edmonton Oilers

Final Score

MINNESOTA WILD 4

EDMONTON OILERS 3

Breaking News – Michael McNicholas to ECHL Maine Mariners

29 Monday Oct 2018

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Breaking News

Portland, Maine  – Big goal scorer Michael McNicholas, 24, of Las Vegas is enroute to Portland, Maine to play for the the ECHL Maine Mariners. Michael began the season with the Manglewood Rud in Norway where he had 2 goals, 7 assists. He was a star player and goal scorer for NCAA New Hampshire University, then went into pro hockey. Michael’s father is John McNicholas who for years was a top youth hockey coach at various levels in Las Vegas.

Vegas Jesters Release Roster

29 Monday Oct 2018

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The Vegas Jesters will play in the Mountain West League

2018-19 Roster

Johnny Albanese

Justin Battaglia

Brandon Beebe

Todd Brautigam

Marius Britain

Tyler Bush – Assistant Captain

Michael Cichy

Richie Crossley – Captain

Tyler Dalessio

Cole Diamond

Kody Holmes – Assistant Captain

Bryan Kimber – Goalie

Danny Kirkovich – Goalie

Joe Magarelli

Justin Porter

Richie Prekop

Ryan Rivera – star goalie from Las Vegas 

Caleb Secton

Zack Smith

CJ Surette

 

For the Love of Hockey — Bethany Drysdale with Viktor Brask of UNLV

29 Monday Oct 2018

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UNLV’s Viktor Brask with super fan Kat Craner before a game

====

By Bethany Drysdale

City National Arena is a busy place any day of the week, and last Friday night was no exception. Blake and I arrived about 5PM to catch the end of a youth tournament and wait for the arrival of Viktor Brask. The UNLV Rebels had their game against Grand Canyon University that night at 7:30PM, so Viktor was kind enough to sit down for a few questions prior to warm-ups. He walked into the usual doors that lead to the City National Arena and Blake noticed him first. With his polite demeanor, Viktor waved and said he needed to drop off his equipment in the locker room, but he would be right out to talk with us at the tables in the hallway.

When he came out to sit with us, I noticed his blue suit, bowtie, and big smile. I thanked him for taking the time to talk with us ahead of game. Blake, who had his own pencil and small notebook, started off the questions with, “What is your favorite snack?” Viktor has given dozens of interviews over the years and answered the pressing question of a two year old with a serious, “Well that would have to be Swedish Fish.”

Blake said thank you and concluded his interview.

Now it was my turn to ask the questions. I have to admit, I was nervous talking to Viktor. We have chatted several times in the past, but today he was my first interview.

Brask, a 25 year old forward, is in his junior year studying international business. This is his third year with the UNLV Skating Rebels. He began his journey in hockey at the age of five in his hometown of Sigtuna, Sweden, just north of Stockholm. It was here he and childhood friend and current Golden Knight, William Karlsson played together.

Although their paths went in different directions, the two remained friends and now practice on the same ice, a half a world away from where they began. No matter what level Brask has played, it is his physical presence on the ice that stands out. He is 6’2” (without skates) and 220 pounds of force on the ice. Size alone can only bring a player so far in their career, being a student of the game is just as important, he tells me. For younger players coming up in hockey, he says to study film and watch where the puck goes when it hits off the boards or posts. Follow up on rebound opportunities for more scoring chances and play smart hockey.

When it comes to Vegas as a growing hockey city, I am always curious what it is about the UNLV program that attracts young players. For Brask, it was a chance to live in a big city, at a reasonable cost and still play hockey on a Division 1 level. In 2015-16, he spent a year playing at Dakota College at Bottineau, a small college in North Dakota.

After that year, he reached out to UNLV Coach Greener about playing hockey in Las Vegas for the 2016-17 season. At the time, UNLV was ACHA Division 2. Brask played 35 games, with 25 goals and 35 assists. The following year, UNLV made the jump to Division 1, with Brask playing 26 games, 5 goals and 6 assists.

Now into his third season with UNLV, he continues to be a positive playmaker and leader for the Rebels.

It is often overlooked that student-athletes are expected to perform on the ice as well as in the classroom. This past summer, Viktor interned with TJ Maxx Corporation in Las Vegas. By taking the summer to advance his education, he gave up time back home to see his family in Sweden. He told me his father is his biggest fan and he is very close with his mother. His father waits for the link that live streams each game and watches very early in the morning. A 7:30PM game in Vegas is a 4:30AM game for the Brask family in Sweden. They made the trip to see him play last fall, and it is time with them that means the most to Viktor. He remains open to any future in hockey, and will stay in the United States for at least a year after graduation to pursue opportunities in international business.

His personal outlook is to have fun and stay open to whatever life comes his way.

 

 

UNLV Rebels Rock Grand Canyon University 9-2 – Now 8-2-0 This Season

27 Saturday Oct 2018

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Saturday, October 27, 2018

City National Arena, Las Vegas

ACHA D1

Final Score

Grand Canyon University  2

UNLV Rebels  9

=========

UNLV Scoring

========

UNLV goal – Eric Williams 2nd goal this season from John Moeller and Andrew Marshall

UNLV goal – Cody Williams 9th from Joe Kaszupski 

UNLV goal – Tristan Mayer 1st from Zach Lawson

UNLV goal – Jonah Pearson 1st from D’Andre John

UNLV goal – Jared Turcotte 3rd from Bas Assaf, John Moeller

UNLV goal – Jared Turcotte 4th from Bas Assaf, Thomas Harrison

UNLV goal – John Moeller 2nd from Paxton Malone

UNLV goal – Jordan Rea 1st from Paxton Malone, Tristan Mayer

UNLV goal – Zach Lawson 3rd from Jordan Rea

=======

UNLV goalie – Erik Eidissen – now 1-0-0 this season

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