Ice Hawks In Owatonna Friday, At Home Saturday

Here's a preview of this weekend’s Ice Hawks games, as Rochester's home team has two games scheduled - one home and one away.Friday, Jan. 16th Ice Hawks (27-3-0, first place) at Steele County Blades (16-14, fifth place) in Owatonna. The Hawks lead the series 3-0. The previous games between the two neighboring team have been competitive and very entertaining. Hawks fans frequently make the short trip to Owatonna to support their Hawks.

The game on the 16th is a special occasion for the Blades. The game is sponsored by Federated Insurance and features numerous special events including “Stick it to Cancer” and a ceremony honoring Pete Kalan . Great food and drink will be available!

Saturday, Jan. 17th Wabasha Hockey Association Night Maple Grove Energy 7:05 Rec Center
The Energy (12-15,-sixth place) brings in two of the league premier scorers. Collin Buness (the 4th) and Dan Sarnecki (the 5th) leading scorers in the MnJHL behind #1 Drew Cleereman (Ice Hawks).

The Ice Hawks lead this season’s series 4-0. Look for an explosive high scoring game as some of the league’s offensive headliners are on the Rec Center Ice. Energy players to watch: Dan Sarnecki, Collin Buness, James Pyle and Niko Walsh.

Alumni News:
Former Ice Hawks forward and league all-star, Brad Wiechmann is currently an Assistant Coach at his Alma Mater, Austin High School. Interestingly, he is coaching the brother of current Ice Hawks defenseman Marcus Stoulil who is on the Austin team. Wiechmann played for the Ice Hawks during the 2003-04 and 2004-05 seasons and was a member of the 2004 Bronze winning team as well as the 2005 National Tournament teams.
Alumni sightings at the Rec Center

On Friday Jan. 9th, several alums were sighted at the Rec. Center. Former teammates Rick Webber, Andrew Fairbanks, Morgan Sanchez and Brandt Soukup all attended the game.

Last Chance: YMCA/Ice Hawks - ‘Day with the Hawks’
You may register your child tonight for the January 19th, ‘Day with the Hawks’. Stop by Ice Hawks Corner for registration materials and informational flyer. Registration in person and online will end at midnight on the 17th.

On Jan.19th MLK day- the Ice Hawks & Rochester Family YMCA are offering a special one day hockey camp experience.

The full day camp includes a morning Ice Hawks practice, meeting with the players/autographs, a skills session with Ice Hawks players, lunch, ‘scrimmages with teams including both campers and Ice Hawks players, tours of the Ice Hawks locker room, Ice Hawks game highlight videos and hockey movies and snacks to finish the day. The day camp will run from 8 am to 5:30 pm. (All participants must be picked up by a parent/guardian by 5:30 pm. Ice Hawks players, coaches and staff as well as YMCA staff will supervise participants. Campers will be on the ice for about 4 hours during the day.

The ‘Day with the Hawks’ full day player camp is open to both male and female hockey players ages 10- 14. Space is limited. The cost for the full day camp is $60 ($50 for YMCA Members who register through the YMCA) and includes lunch and snacks/drinks.
You may register online at www.rochfamy.org by clicking the register/login button on the top right page of the website or at tonight’s game.

Reminder

- Sled Hockey exhibition/game on tonight, Jan. 14th- no admission fee
The Ice Hawks will be participating in a Sled Hockey exhibition at the Rec Center tonight at 7:00 pm. The scrimmage is sponsored by MN Sled Hockey Association as a promotion to increase interest in Sled Hockey in Southern Minnesota. If you have never seen sled hockey, you are in for a treat! Stop in and see your Ice Hawks and a group of players with physical disabilities in a demonstration game. There is no fee for fans. Donations will be accepted on behalf of the Sled Hockey Association.

A note from Eric Rud, President of the Minnesota Sled Hockey Association, Richfield, MN.
“If you are unaware of what Sled Hockey is, it is a sport for individuals with physical disabilities. The players sit in specially designed sleds with 2 blades on the bottom and use 2 small sticks with picks on the bottom that they use to propel them down the ice. They wear the same equipment as able bodied skaters and skate on regulation ice. It is just as physical as able bodied hockey and is one of the fastest growing disabled sports in the country.

What is sled hockey?
www.mnsledhockey.org