At what age did you first start playing hockey, and who inspired you the most to play hockey?
I was three when I first started messing around on the ice. I was five when I started playing organized hockey. After high school, I joined the Canmore Eagles in junior hockey. There, I played until I was nineteen years old. My dad inspired me the most to play hockey. He used to be really good when he was younger, but he’s old and fat now. He played for the SAIT Trojans. I still play hockey with him during the summer.
Category Archives: 2011-12
Incoming Interview: Graeme Strukoff
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 five years old. Both my parents supported me throughout hockey, and I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today without them. I started out as a forward but my coach in Peewee decided to put me on defence and I loved it. My favourite team was always the Winnipeg Jets, and I was ecstatic to hear that they will be back in the NHL next season. I do feel sorry for the fans in Atlanta who had to see their team go—with the amount of hockey fans in the South, it’s definitely too bad that there’s no more NHL hockey there. Growing up, I idolized Pavel Bure, and I even have his jersey hanging up in my dorm.
Incoming Interview: Doug Reid
Doug Reid is a 6’0″, 200-lb forward from Innisfil, ON. He comes to Huntsville after spending the past two seasons with the Markham Waxers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. Reid served as team captain during the 2010-11 season, scoring 21-41–62 and helping his team clinch a berth in the OJHL playoffs. For his career in Markham, Reid scored 53-88–141 in 118 games. Reid played for Couchiching Terriers of the OPJHL in 2007-08, scoring 12-15–27 in 48 contests in his year-18 season; and he followed that season with 13-18–31 in 62 contests for the Grande Prairie Storm of the AJHL. In all, Reid played four years of Junior A hockey, scoring 78-121–199 in 228 games.
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 was about 5 or 6 years old when I first began to play hockey. My older sister played hockey and had a scholarship to UConn, and my dad also played growing up. A lot of my family pushed me and supported me to playing hockey when I was younger. I have always been a centreman since I was younger, but for a few seasons I have been playing right wing as well. Growing up, my favorite team was the Colorado Avalanche, but my favorite player is Jarome Iginla.
Incoming Interview: Kyle Lysaght
Kyle Lysaght is a 6’0″, 190-lb forward from Roswell, GA. He comes to Huntsville having played two seasons with the Oakville Blades in the Ontario Junior Hockey League, where he appeared in a total of 142 games. He hit the ice in 46 contests in 2010-11, scoring 35-23–58 points. Lysaght picked up his game in the playoffs, leading the Blades to the championship series on scoring of 8-16–24 in 23 games. Lysaght attended the Kent School in Connecticut prior to playing in Oakville.
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 around age five in New Jersey. My Dad was the one responsible for making me a hockey player. He grew up playing in New York and then played four years of club hockey for Georgia Tech. I am pretty sure he used to play in the VBC against UAH back in the day. I have bounced around everywhere on the ice, but I am a forward and like to play left wing. My favorite team then and now is the New York Rangers, and my favorite player growing up was Pavel Bure.
UAH Assistant Mike Warde Resigns to Accept West Point Job
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.
Incoming Interview: Ben Reinhardt
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.
Incoming Interview: Tyler Kotlarz
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.
2011-12 Blue Line Club Signups Underway
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.
Chargers Participate in “Get Your Beer Goggles On”
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.
There is no truth to the rumor that Jamie was better at this because he’s lower to the ground.
2011-12 Roster Announced
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.