Category Archives: Miami Alumni
RedHawks and Redskins Hockey Alumni
>Sophomore defenseman Weber Arrested, Released
>He may be in the midst of a simple misunderstanding, but Will Weber is now undoubtedly in a certain degree of “hot water” shall we say, as he was arrested by the Oxford Police Department on Sunday.
Details are sketchy as to why the purse was actually taken from the Oxford bar that Weber was at. The police report claims that the sophomore defenseman left the bar, with the bag in hand, and attempted to hide it from police officers as he left.
Here’s where things become confusing…
Weber claimed the purse was that of a girl he was walking with, but the report claims that the girl was carrying her own purse and that it did not belong to her. The true owner of the purse was eventually found and she claimed to not know Weber, or the girl he was with. Upon leaving, Weber, highly intoxicated at the time of the incident, claims that the girl had asked him to grab her purse, but claims he took the bag in question completely by accident. The officers on scene spoke with the woman that was with Weber and the report alleges that she never asked him to grab the purse. The woman also said that she believed the theft to be simply a mistake.
He was charged with theft, and underage drinking and subsequently released.
Even though the circumstances are strange, I have to think that this was just a stupid mistake on his part. Of the many facets of Miami hockey, crime is not one of them. The coaching staff brings in quality players, both on ice and off, year after year. Sure, there may be a bad seed here and there, but Weber is not cut from this cloth. We’ve all done silly things while under the influence and I’m sure he’ll have a nice chat with Coach Blasi, if it hasn’t happened already.
On an unrelated related note, Weber, a 2007 second round pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets, will be in development camp with the team beginning next week.
>Eichenlaub Signs With Condors
>Add another name to the list of RedHawks in the pros, as defenseman Ray Eichenlaub has signed a contract with the Bakersfield Condors of the ECHL.
>Knapp Ranked 7th Best College Prospect
>With the NHL draft just two short weeks away, Hockey’s Future has once again reviewed the top 10 NCAA draft-eligible prospects. While Minnesota forward Jordan Schroeder is the unanimous top prospect (and a top 15 pick, at least), Miami sophomore goaltender Connor Knapp cracks the list at number 7. Here’s the writeup:
Knapp was half of one of the nation’s best goaltending tandems this season. Though he played in just one post-season game, Knapp was an integral part of the RedHawks success this season. He was named to the CCHA All-Rookie team after posting a 13-5-3 record that included three shutouts in 23 games.
Knapp is a towering goaltender that is remarkably agile. He utilizes his large frame very well and is excellent in his positioning. Knapp’s rebound control, especially on second and third opportunities, is also quite good. He possesses good lateral movement too. Knapp is very focused and poised in playing his position. Though his puck handling has improved over the course of the season, it is an area that he will need to continue to work on to be successful at the next level.
Miami assistant coach Brent Brekke on Knapp: “The one thing that Connor did a great job in was just changing his habits. Connor’s very dedicated in all aspects of his life. He’s a pretty detailed kid, which I think really indicates why he has made such big strides. He’s also taken that extra step in getting himself into peak condition to become a better goalie. Connor is a kid that takes care of the little details like a pro.”
I should also point out that Knapp was ranked 19th out of 30 North American goaltenders by NHL Central Scouting. Miami sophomore defenseman Chris Wideman was listed as a “notable.”
Click here to see which other NCAA players made the list.
>3 RedHawks to Attend Jackets Development Camp
>The Columbus Blue Jackets have released the roster for the team’s 2009 development camp and three players with Miami ties have been invited.
Trent Vogelhuber is the lone forward to make the roster, while Will Weber and Kevin Roeder will represent the RedHawk defense. You’ll recall that Vogelhuber (Rd. 7, 211 overall) and Weber (Rd. 2, 53 overall) were both selected by Columbus in the 2007 draft and have attended the rookie camp before. Roeder is a free agent invitee.
The camp will be held at Nationwide Arena’s Dispatch Ice Haus and will run from June 29-July 3. Admission is free, with the times of each days’ workout listed below:
June 29: 2:45 to 4:15 p.m.
June 30: 10:30 a.m. to noon
July 1: 10:30 a.m. to noon
July 2: 10:30 a.m. to noon
View the rest of the Jackets D-Camp roster by clicking here.
>Loupee Signs With CHL’s Americans
>The offseason signings continue today, as forward Bill Loupee has signed with the expansion Allen Americans of the Central Hockey League.
>Kemp Steps Down at UNO, Bergeron On the Radar?
>The rumor mill has been churning for days on this one, but it’s finally official: Mike Kemp, the only coach in the history of the University of Nebraska-Omaha program, has stepped down and will become the school’s Associate Athletic Director, overseeing the hockey program, as well as the golf, soccer, cross country, and track and field programs.
The interesting part of this story is some of the always-rumored names that go along with a head coaching vacancy. The Omaha World-Herald reports…
Other names generating a buzz in coaching circles are former Lancers coach Mike Guentzel, an assistant at Colorado College who was a finalist at UNO when Kemp was hired; former North Dakota coach Dean Blais, who won two national championships with the Fighting Sioux and is now coaching Fargo of the USHL; New Hampshire assistant David Lassonde; and Miami (Ohio) assistant Chris Bergeron, who helped put together a Frozen Four team.
Frankly, I’m surprised that Berg’s name hasn’t been mentioned yet. You’ll also notice former Miami assistant Dave Lassonde.
Your thoughts? Would Bergeron, a Miami grad, coach at UNO?
Another thought in all of this, is where it leaves UNO in terms of league membership? We know that Bemidji State won’t be admitted into the WCHA unless it can find another team, meaning the league would expand to twelves teams. Geographically, this makes sense, as many teams in the “W” are within busing distance from Omaha. Kemp though, has gone on the record saying that he isn’t in favor of the school’s move to the WCHA. Does this change things? Discuss.
>Camper One of 10 for ’10
>INCH has already released a list of ten potentional Hobey Baker Candidates for the 2009-2010 season. Included on this list, is Miami junior to be Carter Camper.
There’s no question Camper can put up Hobey-caliber numbers – he scored 42 points this season after tallying 41 points as a freshman – and he’s the RedHawks’ most dynamic player. He should approach the 50-point plateau this coming season, but Camper’s candidacy may be hindered by a balanced Miami lineup. Nine skaters scored more than 20 points for the RedHawks’ in 2008-09; all but two of them return next season.
To see the rest of the list, click here.
>Greene In Devils Lineup For Game 5
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Just a news article to pass along today, on former Miami captain Andy Greene. An injury to Devils’ defenseman Bryce Salvador has thrust Greene into the lineup for tonight’s game 5 matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes. Here is an article from NHL.com about Greene getting his first taste of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
New Jersey and Carolina are currently tied at two games apiece in the best of seven series.
>Aeros Sign Kaufman
>He’s the first player to ink a pro deal from Miami this season. Former RedHawk captain Brian Kaufman has signed a one-year contract with the Houston Aeros, of the American Hockey League.
The contract is good for the 2009-2010 season. Houston is the minor-league affiliate of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild. You may recall that Kaufman had previously attended a development camp with Minnesota last summer.
Here is a link to an article from that developmental camp that I had previously posted.
Congratulations, Brian!
>Awards Banquet Recap
>While I wasn’t able to attend the end of season banquet at the Shriver Center last night, I did receive several e-mails from people that did attend, so thanks for those. Here are a few notes from last night’s festivities, including which RedHawks took home which awards:
Blue Line Club Award: Gary Steffes
Rookie of the Year: Connor Knapp and Cody Reichard
Outstanding Offensive Player: Carter Camper
Outstanding Defensive Player: Kevin Roeder
Steve Cady Most Improved Player Award: Brandon Smith
Scholar Athlete Award: Michael Findorff, Bill Loupee, Alex Lacombe, Justin Mercier, Brian Kaufman, Kevin Roeder
Berry Family Outstanding Senior Award: Brian Kaufman
Jim Grant “7th Man” Award: MU Assistant Athletic Director Josh Fenton
Gary DeLonge Most Valuable Player Award: Carter Camper
– A banner raising ceremony looks to be in the works at the beginning of next season to honor the team’s accomplishments and participation in the Frozen Four.
– Former RedHawk defenseman Alec Martinez was said to be in attendance at last night’s banquet.
Thanks again to all who e-mailed with a recap!
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