Author Archives: Geof F. Morris

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UAH Assistant Mike Warde Resigns to Accept West Point Job

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When Mike Warde tries to get a hold of me twice in one day, something is usually up, and today was not unusual in that regard. Today’s news was that Mike had tendered his resignation as the top assistant at UAH Hockey effective 9/1 to take the equivalent position at the United States Military Academy at West Point. The top assistant at Army has been open since Rob Haberbusch took the job at Hamilton College (N.Y.). Mike coached for Army in the past, so a chance to return there had to be attractive to him.

Warde told me that he had informed the players in a meeting this morning. He and Angela both wanted me and all of you to know that this comes with mixed emotion’s. Angela has family in southern middle Tennessee, which is one reason they were interested in UAH in the first place. I’ve really gotten the sense over the last year-plus that they liked it here, and I’m personally sad to see them leave Huntsville. Thanks for all you’ve done for us, Mike.

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Incoming Interview: Ben Reinhardt

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Ben Reinhardt is a 5’10”, 185-lb defenseman who hails from Arnprior, Ontario. Ben arrives in Huntsville after playing five years for the Pembroke Lumber Kings of the Central Canada Hockey League. The Lumber Kings won the CCHL league championship in all five of his seasons, and the Lumber Kings won the 2010-11 RBC Cup under his captainship. Reinhardt was named a first-team CCHL all-star in 2010-11, scoring 3-20–23 in 36 games played. Reinhardt was voted the CCHL’S Best Defenseman in 2009-10. In all, Reinhardt played in 278 games played, scoring 18-78–96.

As with our other interviews, my questions will be in bold-face type.

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Incoming Interview: Tyler Kotlarz

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Tyler Kotlarz comes to UAH after splitting the 2010-11 season between the Carleton Place Canadians of the Central Canada Hockey League and the Markham Waxers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, playing a total of 52 games and scoring 14-15–29. In 2009-10, Kotlarz appeared in 62 games with Carleton Place scoring 29-28–57 as a first-year team.

As with our other interviews, my questions will be in bold-face type.

When did you first start playing hockey? Who in your family played and was involved in you taking up the game? Have you always played your position, or have you played elsewhere on the ice? What was your favorite team and player growing up?

I first started playing hockey when I was four. My dad played major juniors in western Canada. Both my younger brothers played growing up, and my youngest brother still does. My dad was the one who got me into hockey, and he coached me as I was growing up.

I’ve mostly played right wing all my career except a few years at center. My favorite team growing up was the Detroit Red Wings, and my favorite player was Steve Yzerman.

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2011-12 Blue Line Club Signups Underway

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The 2011-12 UAH Blue Line Club is open for business! We’re looking to increase membership in both number of members and amounts given. Money given to the Blue Line Club goes directly to the hockey program to defray the costs of travel, equipment, etc. Membership in the Blue Line Club has its privileges, and donations are charitable and can serve as tax deductions. The front and back of the brochure are available as very large PDF files:

2011-12 season ticket renewal forms have gone out as well. Season ticket holders have until September 15th to renew. Signups will be open to the public on September 22nd. I don’t have my form on me, but the price is ~$100 for the season.

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Chargers Participate in “Get Your Beer Goggles On”

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Today, several members of the 2011-12 Charger hockey team participated in the “Get Your Beer Goggles On” event on campus, which highlights the risks of alcohol consumption followed by attempts to operate a motor vehicle. The beer goggles device provided simulates the limitations of visual acuity caused by blood alcohol levels above the legal limit without endangering students. The event is coordinated and run by campus police.

On to the photos!

Both senior forward Jamie Easton and junior forward Sebastian Geoffrion participated in a field sobriety test with their goggles on.

Jamie Easton participates in the 2011 "Get Your Beer Goggles On" event on the UAH campus. Sebastian Geoffrion participates in the 2011 "Get Your Beer Goggles On" event on the UAH campus.

There is no truth to the rumor that Jamie was better at this because he’s lower to the ground.

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2011-12 Roster Announced

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The UAH coaching staff sent us the 2011-12 roster this morning. Here are your Chargers:

  • #2 Graeme Strukoff, FR, D
  • #5 Brice Geoffrion, SO, F
  • #7 Jamie Easton, SR, F
  • #8 Alex Allan, SO, F
  • #10 Mat Hagen, SO, D
  • #12 Mac Roy, SO, F
  • #13 Michael Webley, FR, F
  • #14 Nickolas Gatt, SO, D
  • #15 Tyler Kotlarz, FR, F
  • #16 Doug Reid, FR, F
  • #18 Andrew Creppin, FR, F
  • #19 Craig Pierce, FR, F
  • #20 Lasse Uusivirta, SO, D
  • #21 Jeff Vanderlugt, FR, F
  • #22 Sebastian Geoffrion, JR, F
  • #23 Curtis deBruyn, JR, D
  • #24 Tom Durnie, SR, D
  • #26 Justin Cseter, JR, F
  • #27 Kyle Lysaght, FR, F
  • #28 Ben Reinhardt, FR, D
  • #31 John Griggs, JR, G
  • #32 C.J. Groh, SO, G
  • #33 Clarke Saunders, SO, G

Chris Luongo will again be assisted by Mike Warde and Gavin Morgan as well as volunteer assistant Tim Flynn.

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Incoming Interview: Craig Pierce

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Craig Pierce is one of two incoming UAH Chargers who hail from Roswell, Ga., an Atlanta suburb that is also the hometown of Neil Ruffini (2007-11). Pierce played for the Rochester Jr. A Stars of the Eastern Junior Hockey League during the 2010-11 season, going 11-18–29 in 45GP. Prior to his time in Rochester, he logged two years for Compuware AAA in Michigan.

I asked Craig a series of questions and gave him license to respond as he saw fit. My questions will be marked in bold-face type.

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Ryan Burkholder to Play in Netherlands

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UAH Charger captain Ryan Burkholder (2007-11) has signed with Ruijters Eaters Geleen in the Dutch Eredivisie. Ryan will wear #29 for the Smoke Eaters. Ruijters Eaters coach Chris Eimers sounds like he has him pegged:

Ryan is a defenseman that performs his defensive duties with pride. He sees it as a challenge to keep the opponent’s top line off of the scoreboard. Ryan fits the image I have of my defense. He’s physical, skates well and has a good first pass. Apart from the fact that he has leadership qualities, a captain at UAH, Ryan is above all a good man.

[Note: The above quote is taken from the press release, run through Google Translate, and re-worded to remove the mechanistic translation. Any errors are mine. — GFM]

UAH Announces Incoming Freshmen for 2011-12

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Our Favorite Hockey Program announced their class of ten incoming freshmen for the 2011-12 season. The full release is available below, but let’s give you the 10,000 ft appraisal:

  • Seven forwards: Creppin, Kotlarz, Lysaght, Pierce, Reid, Vanderlugt, Webley
  • Three defensemen: Koshey, Reinhardt, Strukoff
  • Four junior leagues represented: Central Canada Hockey League (Creppin, Reinhardt, Webley), British Columbia Hockey League (Koshey, Strukoff, Vanderlugt), Ontario Junior Hockey League (Kotlarz, Lysaght, Reid), and Eastern Junior Hockey League (Pierce).
  • Seven Canadians and three Americans (hey, people always ask), including two from metro Atlanta (Lysaght, Pierce).

UAH graduated D Matt Baxter, D Ryan Burkholder, F Vince Bruni, F Chris Fairbanks, F Joe Koudys, and C Neil Ruffini at the conclusion of the season in February.

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