This past week, our 15U team participated in the prestigious NAHL Showcase in Blaine, Minnesota, one of the most significant events in North American youth hockey. It was a busy and challenging few days, but the boys showed heart, resilience, and a will to compete against some of the best teams in the country.
Coach Tyler English wrote:
We flew into Minneapolis on September 25th and headed straight to Fogerty Arena for a practice to shake off the plane legs and get acclimated. We needed to get our legs back under us after the flight, and the practice set the tone for the week. Afterward, we had a team dinner across from the Super Rink and then walked over as a group to pick up our player and personnel passes for the week.
That evening, we had the privilege to watch Team USA NTDP Under-17s take on the Minot Minotaurs. It was a great learning experience for our players to witness the high level of talent and competition. The boys also had the chance to meet some of my former mentors and coaches, which was an invaluable moment for them. Special thanks to Graham Johnson of Milwaukee School of Engineering (NCAA Division III) and Brian Fahey, the assistant coach at Dartmouth (NCAA Division I). Brian coached me during my time at New York Apple Core, and it was great to have him share his insights with the team. These connections and experiences are what make events like the Showcase so special.
Game 1: Orange County Uce Dogs (6-2 Loss)
Our first game was a tough one against the Orange County Uce Dogs. Unfortunately, we found ourselves in penalty trouble early on, which put us at a disadvantage. We struggled to regain momentum and ended up losing 6-2, with their last goal coming from an empty netter. It was a frustrating game, but we took it as a learning opportunity. Staying disciplined in critical moments is something we will emphasize moving forward.
Game 2: Philadelphia Hockey Club (4-1 Loss)
We came back strong the next day to face the Philadelphia Hockey Club at Fogerty Arena. This game could best be described as a goalie battle. We outshot Philly but couldn’t find the back of the net enough to secure the win, ultimately losing 4-1. Despite the result, I was proud of the effort the boys put in. This was one of our better games of the weekend, and we showed great intensity throughout.
Game 3: Pittsburgh Stars (6-4 Win)
Saturday’s game saw us finally get rewarded for our hard work. Facing the Pittsburgh Stars, the boys came out firing and executed our game plan effectively. We were able to pull out a 6-4 victory, which was a huge boost of confidence for the team. The effort was there from top to bottom, and it was great to see the players’ hard work pay off.
Game 4: CarShield AAA (4-3 Shootout Win)
Going into Sunday, we were short-handed due to injuries and suspensions. It was all hands on deck as we faced a highly talented CarShield AAA team, who had just beaten Philadelphia Hockey Club 5-1 the night before. The game was a back-and-forth battle, with both teams trading chances. We managed to push the game into a shootout, where Aidan Williams scored a standout goal. On the other end, Finley White was sensational in net, stopping all three of CarShield’s shootout attempts. We walked away with a hard-fought 4-3 win, capping off the weekend with a 2-2 record.
Overall, I’m proud of the way the team competed at the Showcase. The NAHL does an incredible job of hosting this event, now in its 16th year, with exposure for players ranging from NHL scouts to NCAA and Junior teams. The players gained valuable experience and learned a lot from playing in this environment. From the highs of our shootout win against CarShield to the challenges we faced against teams like Orange County and Philly, the boys showed great resilience.
This showcase was a fantastic opportunity for our team to grow, and I’m confident we will use these lessons to keep pushing forward this season.