Top Hawks ready for new challenge

Rochester ready for Year 2 in NA3HL

BY JASON FELDMAN

jfeldman@postbulletin.com

Ian Smyth didn't like his view of  Saturday's game. The second-year Rochester Ice Hawks defenseman - and first-year and first-time captain - watched  from  the stands, while healing from an injury, at the  Breezy Point Recreation Center as the Ice Hawks lost  to the  Breezy Point North Stars 8-0 in their season-opening North American 3 Hockey League game.  "That loss doesn't really represent what we have in this room," Smyth said afterpractice Wednesday. "We have a young team, w e just need to keep pushing. "The signs we've seen over the past few weeks are promising, and we know (last weekend's) game isn't reflective of who we will be."

  Smyth hopes to be back on the ice Saturday for the Ice Hawks' home opener at 7:05 p.m, against the Willmar WarHawks at the Rochester Recreation Center. The 2016-17 Ice Hawks    have a good  blend of veterans and newcomers, youth and experience.

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 Rochester has eight returning players from last season's team, including captains Smyth and Dylan Boysen, both defensemen. First-year Ice Hawk Nick Wagner also will serve as a captain.

Smyth said the returning players have not forgotten how it felt to finish with a 10-36-1 record last season - and a first-round playoff loss to eventual league champion North Iowa - and they are determined to not repeat it..

 "Last year was not the type of year we wanted to have," Smyth said. "Sometimes adversity makes you realize what you have to do better as a group, so hopefully some of us older guys can help the new guys adjust a little bit quicker."

Joining the team's three captains on the blue line are second-year Ice Hawk  Andrew Gates; Ethan Sievek, of Shakopee; Matthew Winsborrow, of Anaheim, Calif.; Rochester  Lourdes' Duncan Adams; and  6 foot, 175-pounder Ryley Cook,
who celebrated his 16th birthday on Tuesday.

The Hawks are entirely new in goal, with Drew Schenkenberg, Sawyer Schmidt and Tyler Thompson battling for playing time. Head coach Nick Fatis, who has been with  the Ice Hawks for 20 years, said all three goalies will get a chance to play and earn
more playing time.

Up front, returning forwards include Sam Bjellum, Colby DeCarlo, Spencer Hadacek, Colin Hass and Rochester Century grad John Zwarych.

"We have a lot of guys who have shown some upside," Smyth said. "The first few shifts are an adjustment period, but it won't take guys long to adapt to this level of play, especially with the type of practices we have."

Rochester's coaching staff - which includes Fatis and assis-tants Eric Hofmann, Vinnie Susi and Jeff Bolin - said this team will go as its captains go. But Smyth said he, Boysen and  Wagner are ready to embrace that role. "Boysen works hard and is
one of the best defensemen on the team. What he brings to the ice is unique. He makes us feel comfortable and confident," Smyth said. "Wagner is new to the room, butit's good to see that someone like him, who pushes himself hard, can come in and (jell)  He has a tough side to him.

"He'll make sure guys are accountable, but also that when things get hard they don't give up. He's trying to get everybody a little on edge."

And Smyth hopes to lead by example. "I can be vocal when I need to be, but I try to work hard and take care of my own stuff and    hopefully inspire people to put in their work," he said. "This is my first time wearing a letter, which makes it even more special. I try to           take it day by day, work hard, and hopefully inspire guys to follow."

Good to know •••

• The Rochester Ice Hawks are entering their second season in the North American 3 Hockey
League, a Tier III league affiliated with the North American Hockey League.

• The Hawks play their home opener at 7:05 p.m. Saturday against the Willmar WarHawks at the
Rochester Recreation Center.

Rochester Ice Hawks Player Acquisitions

 
Ice Hawks Selections in the NA3HL 2016 Draft   (6/14/16)

1st Round-  # 8 pick  Ryley Cook Defense 9/13/00, Littleton Hawks U16 -------“Ryley is a big, young defenseman who loves to play the body”

2nd Round- #56 pick  Robby McClellan  8/24/1996, Estevan Bruins, SJHL -------“Robbie is a US citizen who played in Canada last season.  He is a very strong two way player”

4th Round- #152 pick  Michael Smits, Forward 7/19/1998 River Falls HS--------“Micael  is a dedicated kid with the heart of a lion.  He is loves Rochester and can’t wait to be here He played defense in HS but will be moved to forward for the Ice Hawks.”

6th Round- #248 pick  Brady Dahl, Forward,  9/17/97  Rochester John Marshall HS ------------- “ Brady is a talented hometown player who is great with the puck and a very smart hockey player”

7th Round- #296 pick  Rocky Copiskey, Forward  8/26/1997  Bemidji HS--------- “Rockey is a quick, smart forward who is a strong two way player”

Rochester Ice Hawks Player Acquisitions

  Austyn Renn

The Ice Hawks obtained Austyn Renn from Willmar (NA3HL) in exchange for a 2016 tender and their 8th draft choice in this summer’s draft.  Last season Renn began last season with the Marquette Royales of the USPHL but was traded to the Minnesota Flying Aces mid-season. The 1998 birth year forward graduated from Rochester Mayo HS in 2015 and is expected to fill a slot in the Ice Hawks top lines.  Austyn is pleased to be joining the Ice Hawks and to be returning to his hometown.

The Ice Hawks tendered two players as a result of the June camp. 

Duncan Adams, a defenseman who played last season at Rochester Lourdes. Duncan will be playing a split season with the Ice Hawks.

Goalie Sawyer Schmidt of Mandan (ND) was also signed to a 2016-17 tender.  He will attend Mayo HS while completing his senior year in Rochester.  He is an outstanding athlete who holds several Mandan HS track records.

The Ice Hawks are pleased to announce that as of 6/8/16 the have signed ten players to 2016-17 tenders.

 Zachary Curry
 
Zach, a native of Olathe, Kansas, is joining the Ice Hawks after a stellar junior year season with the Kansas City Jets High School team which won the 2016 Varsity Tournament.   Curry, a forward, is an offensive threat every time he steps on the ice and he has a nose for the net as evidenced by his 32 goals in 28 games played this season (he finished with 58 points). 
 
“He’s an exciting player to watch, especially with how he is able to get himself into scoring areas all over the offensive zone and he’s not afraid to get the garbage goals in front of the net.” Says coach Eric Hofmann.  “He’s not a perimeter player, and we take pride in the fact that we work hard for our goals.  We are excited to see him bring his game to our team and not only keep developing for himself and improving his game but helping our team as well”. 
 
Skylar Watt
 
Skylar, a forward from Mason City, Iowa, will be joining the Ice Hawks after his senior year of high school playing for Mason City HS.  Skylar, who led his team in assists and points (19 assists, 33 points in 28 games) this past season, is going to be looked upon to bring his unselfish play and offensive abilities to an Ice Hawk team that was ranked 4th out of 5 teams in their division for Goals for. 
 
“Skylar is  hard working player, who always gives his best effort both on and off the ice.” says Upper Midwest Regional Scout Joe Burrage.  “He’s willing to pay the price on the ice to make the play and he’s a very team orientated player.  Overall he’s just a good kid with great character that can play all over the lineup”.  

Willie Meyer

The Rochester Ice Hawks are pleased to announce the signing of Willie Meyer from Mankato, MN to a tender contract!
Willie, is a 1998 born defenseman from Mankato West high school.  Last season he hadi 9 points in 24 games playing for Mankato West HS team that went to State.   Assistant Coach Vinnie Susi reports that, :
“Willie is a big and strong player who loves the rough and physical part of the game.  He’s great defensively in his own zone and is a hard working player.  He’s a great locker room guy and great teammate”.  Willie may be recognized as being part of this year’s “All-Hockey Hair Team” and was interviewed by ESPN’s Barry Melrose on his hockey hair special “Minneflowta”.  
Alex Tarr
Alex, a 98 born forward who earned a spot on the Midget U18 AWP Elite Team.  He  was one of the leading scorers on his Ft. Wayne Summit City Panthers high school team.  He had 14 goals and 18 assists in 35 games for the Panthers.  He also wasn’t shy with the physical area of the game as he racked up 137 penalty minutes.
Ice Hawks Assistant Coach Eric Hofmann noticed Alex at this year’s “America’s Showcase"  in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and had this to say about Alex.  “Alex is a blue collar player and if there was a mold for the attitude and work ethic we want in Rochester, he’s that.  Not to mention he brings size, durability, and skill to our offensive unit”.

Nicholas Wagner

Drew Schenkenberg  1998 Goalie from New Brighton, MN.  Drew played last season for Sioux Fall JR. Stampede AAA

Matthew Bembenek, 1999 forward from Danville, IN.

Ice Hawks fan Zach Mullen organized a fund raising project on Gofundme.com  Donors made on-line contributions to assist in the cost of locker room renovation. The funds were used to build and install player lockers.   Several generous alumni, fans and player’s families contributed.  The Ice Hawks would like to thank and acknowledge the financial support from the following:

Travis Van Dyn Hoven  Ice Hawks Alumni 02-04
Tim Gerlesberger  Ice Hawks Alumni 02-03
Patrick Kelly (family of current player)
Christine Trageser  (family of current player)
Jackson Kranebell
Jeff Hansel