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UPCOMING GAMES
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DATE:
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02-10-12 |
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TIME:
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7:00 PM |
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VS:
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Dells Ducks |
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(Away) |
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DATE:
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02-11-12 |
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TIME:
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7:00 PM |
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VS:
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Dells Ducks |
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(Away) |
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DATE:
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02-12-12 |
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TIME:
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5:45 PM |
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VS:
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Hudson Crusaders |
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(Home) |
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| Support for Jack Jablonski |
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Thoughts and prayers go out to Jack Jablonski and his family as Jack recovers from a cervical spine injury he recently sustained while playing hockey for Benilde. If you want to visit his site, click here.
Link: Caring Bridge
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| USA Hockey Dates to Remember |
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January 10 - Final date for Hockey Canada to release a player
January 15 - Final date for USA Hockey to trade or drop a Non American player; all International/Canadian transfer should be completed
January 31 - Final date within IIHF Regulations to fully complete IIHF transfer between member federations and IIHF office
February 6 - All movement of US citizen players by trade between member Tier I, Tier II and Tier III completed
February 6/8 - Tier 1 drops of US citizen players completed by February 6; Tier II drops completed by February 8
February 10 - All USA Hockey team protected lists are frozen for the balance of the season; Hockey Canada final player registration date and final transfer date
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| Management Interns |
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The Northern Lights is excited to offer several internships during the 2011-2012 season that is currently underway. Please send your resume (and cover letter if you have one) to northernlightshockey.com. We are interviewing during the last weeks of September and hope to get your ideas into action soon thereafter. Come invest your energy, enthusiasm and book-smarts into our organization and we promise to provide you with an environment where you can get your feet wet and put your "fingerprints" onto an organization. Come join the Northern Lights Family!
We will send applicants an email with information about next steps when we receive your resume.
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| Britton Smith MIAC Player of the Week |
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Mike Ludwig
February 22, 2010
ST. PAUL, Minn. - St. Olaf sophomore Britton Smith was named the MIAC's men's hockey player of the week after he had four goals and two assists in the Oles' split with Saint John's University last weekend.
His three-goal, two-assist game in the team's 8-3 win on Saturday gave St. Olaf its sixth MIAC playoffs berth in the last seven seasons. In the win, he assisted on the game's first goal, scored the next two and added his third at the 12:54 mark of the third for the hat trick.
St. Olaf will play at Augsburg College on Friday in the first round of the MIAC playoffs. The postseason appearance will be the sixth in the last seven seasons for the Oles.
**NOTE Britton was part of the 2007-8 Northern Lights team and is St Olaf class of 2012
Link: Britton Smith
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| Lights Returning to Nationals |
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The Northern Lights and Rochester Ice Hawks have now both qualified to represent the Minnesota Junior Hockey League in the USA Hockey National Tournament which will take place in Marlborough Massachusetts next week starting March 26.
FAMILY/FAN HOTEL IN MASS: A group is staying at the Holiday Inn Marlborough. Includes continental breakfast in our rate.
TICKET COSTS: The tourney passes are $25 a day and $50 for the whole tourney. Children U12 are free.
WATCH THE GAMES: We'll include a link here once it's finalized.
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TRIP PLANS: The team will fly to Boston 3/24. We have already arranged for a practice in Mass. on Thursday 3/25. The round robin portion of the competition guarantees each participating team three games (Fri, Sat, Sun). We will return no earlier than Tuesday morning but have made arrangements through Wednesday in the hopes that we go all the way to the national championship game on 3/30.
We are in Pool A at the National Tournament, along with the Ice Hawks. We will play AJ#1 Walpole Express, WSHL #1 Phoenix Polar Bears and EJ#2 South Shore Kings. These games are Fri 3/26 6:10 PM rink 4 vs AJ#1, Sat 3/27 rink 2 5:40 PM vs WSHL #1 and Sunday 3/28 5:30 PM rink 1 vs EJ#2. The winner of each bracket and a wild card (based on game +/-) advance to the semis on Monday. The national championship game is on Tuesday. This is the Northern Lights third trip to nationals in seven seasons and we are excited about the opportunity our young men have to be scouted by some additional colleges. What a sweet ending to a great season for everyone.
Congrats to our young men and our staff -- and good luck this weekend!
Link: New England Sports Center
Link: Nationals Site
Link: Holiday Inn Marlborough
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| 2010 Playoff Highlights |
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The Friday game against the Lumberjacks played in Granite City. Lights pulled ahead in the first period with a goal by Cody Mickelson (Wisconsin) on an assist by Cody Hans. The feverish pace continued for the next two periods as the Lumberjacks worked to score the elusive tie-breaker. But goalie Josh Lehr held on for the win as a shut out 1-0.
Saturday night was filled with emotional ups and downs for both teams. At 4:36 the LJ took a penalty which set Josh Shingler (Shawano WI) for the power play goal with assists to Windle and Hans. The period was finished off with both teams getting their chance to score on special teams but the period ended with the Lights 1-0.
At 9:49 in the second period forward Mike Falvey was in the right spot to pop a goal home on a nice pass from Connor Kiesow. And at 14:49 defenseman Cody Hans scored a power play goal on an assist from Ilkka Mansikkamaki and Mike Falvey. The period ended with a comfortable 3-0 and the Lights beginning to believe that they could be making a trip to the National Tournament in 20 minutes of play.
And as the minutes ticked off the clock, the Lights fans got louder and the Lumberjacks fans sat unresponsively. Then out of nowhere with less than three minutes on the clock Jake VandeLune scored a goal on the Lights while the LJ net stood empty. He scores again with less than 50 seconds on the clock! The score now 2-3 with 11 seconds left on the clock LJ Robert Chayka scored again on an assist from VandeLune and Kenny! The score is now tied 3-3 in a storybook game that has fans from both teams going absolutely crazy in the stands. Then we break for a zamboni resurfacing and both teams head to the locker room.
Coaches from both teams met and smiled, giving some fun jabs back and forth in the break. Management from both teams continued a light hearted banter while their respective teams met in the locker room to search themselves for what the next goal means. One OT goal for the Lights would qualify them to Nationals with a League championship round 3 for the MNJHL title and would send the Jacks home. One OT goal for the Lumberjacks would force game three and keep their dream alive of going to Nationals.
Overtime began with a 4 on 4 battle to the puck. Each team had opportunities to win it all. Then Captain Garrett Windle scored the game-winning OT goal unassisted at 11:26 which sent the Lights bench charging on the ice into a celebration pile by the far glass.
The two teams met at center ice for the sportsmanship handshake and the Lights performed their last fan salute to be held at Wakota Arena this season. Congrats to both teams for a hard-fought round 2 in playoffs. To the Lumberjacks: Thanks for your class and well wishes last evening. What a game you played! We would expect nothing less from a skilled and passionate team.
And now we plan for Round 3 and a trip out East!
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| Feed My Starving Children |
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We are excited to support Feed My Starving Children for our fifth year. FMSC is a Minnesota nonprofit organization that packages meals for children around the world and we go work in the warehouse for a couple hours...which will feed several thousand children. Each meal costs approximately $1 and can feed six children. We encourage everyone to get a group of people together and serve at FMSC at some point this year!
Link: Feed My Starving Children
Link: About the Meals
Link: Countries Served
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| Legend of the Northern Lights |
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Throughout generations, the peoples of the north have passed on the legend of how the Northern Lights, as we call them today, originally came into existence. A long time ago, a fox with a beautiful red coat was running over the somewhere in the far away north. It was getting tired from running, because the massive snowdrifts were causing it to sink. The fox had to rest its tail because it was too faint to bravely hold it up anymore. Then, as the fox was hurrying over the hills, its tail hit the snow, forming thousands of little sparks that flew across the night sky and brought about a spectacle of colors and forms.
Legends around the northern lights, or the Aurora Borealis by their scientific name, are many. The northern lights have always been respected and feared. In Finland, people used to believe that it was dangerous to say the name in Finnish, "revontuli" aloud. According to one old belief, laughing at this nocturnal phenomenon could even be lethal!
Reindeer are known to gather in large groups when the northern lights appear and even wolves become scared and wary under their spell. For hunters, a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis used to be a promise of a good and wealthy life. Still, their wives were always told to keep quiet and stay indoors, because you could never know what would happen if you were to say the wrong thing while the lights were dancing up in the sky.
Despite the fearful respect that the Finnish people used to have for the Aurora Borealis, the Sámi people, the original inhabitants of Lapland, believed that they had some kind of power over them. It was believed that if you whistled under the northern lights, the sound would make them move toward you. If you needed to predict the weather, important events or good fortune in hunting or war, the answers were "read" in the colourful display of lights.
Similar kinds of legends about the northern lights can be heard of all over the world wherever the northern lights are most visible... See announcements for more
Link: Video
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| Letter from NL Veteran Player |
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Smith’s & Organization of the Northern Lights,
I was in my office today and ran across a note from a former teammate of mine Mike Stone. He spoke about how much the Northern Lights helped him with his hockey career, by getting him prepared to play college and pro hockey. That inspired me to send this to you also. As you know I’m an Assistant Coach with the Waterloo Black Hawks in the USHL. When I left the Lights I started coaching high school and moved my way up the coaching ranks. Ever since I was playing for the Northern Lights, it inspired me to coach at the Junior hockey level & further. That was my goal... Because of my experience with you, everything I’ve work for has all come true. I’m proud to say that I was a part of the Northern Lights for 2 years. I want to thank all of you and hope that I will see you soon again. Thank you.
Jason D. Dobes
Waterloo Black Hawks
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| Parents Weekend 2010-2011 Season |
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We warmly extend a welcome to our player's parents and extended family for a special weekend October 15-17, 2010.
HOTEL: The Holiday Inn on 94th Street and 35W is the closest hotel to our rink and they continue to offer a great rate for our referred guests. Click on the link below which will automatically enter the ID for our negotiated rate.
SCHEDULE:
Fri October 15 Home Game
Sat October 16 Team & family Service Project at Feed My Starving Children
Come meet other parents, host parents, management and staff while we all serve together. Get the "inside scoop" on life with the team. We will meet in the community room at the Bloomington Ice Garden (booster club room across from rink)
Sun October 17
11:30 Breakfast/Brunch
5:45 Home Game
SAVE THE DATE!
Link: Holiday Inn
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| 2010-2011 Northern Lights Report Date: August 24, 2010 |
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| Northern Lights continue "Brady Brady" Literacy Initiative |
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The books series target readers are 4-8 years old by telling the story of Brady Brady and his friends who play hockey, baseball and pick up football in the neighborhood. The series was recently endorsed by USA Hockey as the two companies have created a partnership to help encourage youth literacy and increased sport participation. The Northern Lights players will be reading Brady Brady books to Kindergarten and first grade classes and "Northern Lights Glory" to the older elementary classes during their fall school visits.
"We are very pleased with our co-branded books as the Northern Lights works with Brady Brady to encourage children both to read and to find ways to be active," said Stephanie Smith who serves as the CEO of Northern Lights Athlete Village. "Our players will be able to connect with even more children in the community this year because of the younger target age of these books."
"We have enjoyed reading the stories with our son Caleb and have appreciated the positive messages conveyed through the creative story-telling and fantastic illustrations of Brady Brady and his friends," said Mrs. Smith. "The themes of integrity, sportsmanship, academics, teamwork, commitment and hard work are interwoven in these stories; we're pleased to find another partner that will help us encourage those traits in the young people in our community."
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| "Flash" Mascot Appearances |
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"Flash" has been one busy dog the past two weeks, making appearances at Southdale Mall for the kidgits morning, Richfield parks for the evening pops concerts, Valley view park and Bloomington pool, Brye park for toddler Mondays and other places throughout Bloomington. His escort friends have been handing out information about Caleb kids club, Northern Lights kid tattoos and balloon animals. If you are interested in having Flash appear at your event, contact our hockey office 952-888-4311.
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| Seeking Host Families |
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Our organization is excited about the upcoming season and are currently seeking families who wish to be part of the Northern Lights family -- up close and personal. For the past few years our team has attracted an increasing percentage of players from out-of-town and we are anticipating similar numbers for this year. Home owners with an extra bedroom who wish to welcome a new "family member" for the season are desired for August 2008 through April 2009. Many student-athletes leave immediately at the conclusion of our season, but some players are enrolled in school and would desire housing through the end of the spring term at Normandale Community College. With morning practices followed by school or part-time job, the players are kept pretty busy, but a home cooked meal is always a treat!
Host family arrangements are set up much like international student exchange programs with the expectation of the player to be a member of your family for the season. The players commit to being drug/alcohol free during their participation with our team and sign covenant agreements with the family regarding expectations and damage deposits. Families receive a monthly fee guaranteed by the team which the players pay the team along with team fees. Host families receive free tickets to each home game and are invited to team activities just like the players' parents are. Get involved as much or as little as you'd like. For those who are interested in learning more, please contact our office and we would be pleased to meet with you at your convenience. Call 952-888-4311 for more info.
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| Booster Club News |
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Join the Northern Lights Booster Club!! The Booster Club table will be set up at all the regular season games. Membership costs to join, per person, are: Adults-$15.00, students and children-$10.00 (K-17). Children under 5 are free. Family $35. Churches and groups are also encouraged to support the activities of the Booster Club; contact our office to learn details of how you can bless our players and the staff this season.
BOOSTER CLUB PURPOSE:
* To promote the Northern Lights Hockey Team.
* To improve the relationship of the Northern Lights Hockey Team with the general public in order to create a greater number hockey fans.
* To spread factual data and information about the Northern Lights Hockey team.
* To cooperate and participate in a relatively social atmosphere so that the Booster Club members may become acquainted with the Northern Lights staff and team.
* All funds raised are to be used to better the relationship between the Booster Club and the Northern Lights Hockey Team.
Here are a few things you will receive when you and your family or group join the Booster Club.
* Access to Booster club room between periods at home games
* Booster Club voting rights
* Special discounts on season tickets and merchandise
* Social events with the players/coaches
* Monthly email newsletter
* Opportunities to spend time with fellow Club members
* Information about one-time and ongoing volunteer opportunities
Where does your membership fee money go?
* Welcome Picnic
* Christmas Party
* Parents Weekend
* Team meals after home games
* Snacks on trips to away games (some purchased, some homemade). Sign up for something to donate or for which events you'd like to be part of planning/leading.
Thanks so much to those who have formally and informally supported our team in the past six years!!!
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| Team Dentist - League Coordinator |
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The Northern Lights welcomes Douglas Lambert, DDS, FACD, to our support services team. Dr. Lambert is in private practice in Edina, Minnesota with an emphasis on aesthetic, sports, and conprehensive dentistry. He lectures frequently world-wide and presented at the 199 IASD Annual Symposium in Toronto, Canada and the 2002 IASD Annual Symposium in San Antonio, Texas. He is the former team dentist for the Minnesota North Stars (NHL). He has received numerous honors and awards, the most recent being the Top Cosmetic Dentist by the Minneapolis / St Paul Magazine. He is a fellow of the American College of Dentists and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. Dr Lambert does clinical research for various dental manufacturers and is currently a trustee for the Minneapolis District Dental Society. He is published in many dental publications focusing mostly on aesthetic dentistry. Dr. Lambert also serves as the team dentist for the Minnesota Lynx Professional Basketball team.
More details will be posted under "STAFF" in coming weeks.
We are so pleased that Dr. Lambert is joining the Northern Lights family and bringing his colleagues along to help serve the other metro area teams. Welcome aboard!
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| November 4, 2007 - Veterans playing college hockey |
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Congrats to Northern Lights alumni who are lacing the rosters of several college teams this season:
Erik Largen (G) playing Division I hockey at University of Alaska Fairbanks; Nick Henkemeyer (D) returns at Marian College; Mike Stone (G) starting again at UW-Stout; Jake Pernula (F), Andy Kent (G) & Ben Roberts (D) are at Augsburg; Matt Wanvig (G) at Hamline; Eric Adams (F) is playing again for Bethel; Ryan Miech (G) returning at UW-Stevens Point; Becker College sophomore Matt Oster (F); Ryan Hampson (D) at St Olaf.
Jesse Felten (F) is currently the leading scorer for Briercrest College in the Alberta College Athletic Conference with 3 goals and 9 assists in eight games! That puts him at #3 scorer in the league. Congrats Jesse!
Will Such, Kelly Kranz and Erik LaRock, all NL veteran defensemen are united at St. Mary's University in Winona. Michael Turbitt (F) is a new freshman at Concordia (WI) University while ex-teammate Isaac Vatnasdal (D) plays for Concordia in Moorhead.
Here's the story from the Gustavus website where NL vets Josh Swartout and Pat Dynan are playing:
"The Gustavus men's hockey team jumped out to a 3-0 lead and never looked back as the Gusties opened their 2007-08 season with a convincing 7-0 win at Lake Forest College. Junior forward Mike Carr (Jr., Mahtomedi, Minn.) scored two goals (the first goals of his collegiate career) and freshman goaltender Josh Swartout (Fr., St. Louis Park, Minn.) made his first collegiate game one to remember as he picked up the win and recorded a shutout.
"Sophomore transfer Patrick Dynan (So., Maple Plain, Minn.) gave the Gusties a 1-0 lead with a power play goal at the 4:31 mark of the first period. Assists were recorded by Josh Pauer (So., Spring Park, Minn.) and David Martinson (So., St. Louis Park, Minn.). James Leathers (Prior Lake, Minn./Blake) assisted on Carr's first goal and Tim Ornell (Sr., Lino Lakes, Minn.) picked up the assist on Carr's second goal. Gustavus led 3-0 after the first 20 minutes.
"The score remained 3-0 for most of the second period, however the Gusties tallied two goals in the final four minutes of the period.
"Gustavus out-shot Lake Forest 44-20 in the game. Swartout turned in a very solid effort between the pipes making 20 saves. Scott Campbell made 37 saves for the Foresters."
Link: St. Mary's roster
Link: Gustavus roster
Link: University Alaska-Fairbanks
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