The Iowa City Blizzard Squirt 2 team finished 2nd in the Squirt C division of the Cedar Rapids tournament this weekend! Their hard fought games included a Friday night TIE against Cedar Rapids, LOSS to Des Moines Jr Chops, and back to back WINS on the final day against Waterloo and Mason City.
Congrats players!
Mite coach Justin Nicol visited Yekaterinbrug, Russia, between Christmas and New Year’s to teach at a hockey school run by Detroit Red Wings’ star Pavel Datsyuk. A photo album from his visit is on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/74265086@N08/
Congratulations to the Squirt 2 game which took a pair of games from the Quad Cities this morning, 3-0 and 5-1.
I hope everyone has enjoyed a wonderful holiday so far and the New Year brings everything you wish for.
As we begin the second half of our season I want to take the time to thank Rhiannon Lucas and Lisa Mascardo as well as everyone who volunteered for, the players and coaches who played hard, and the families, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends who watched the 4th Annual Holiday Face-off Tournament. This was the best tournament so far and thank you all for a job well done!
Speaking of a job well done; how about the Mini Mite and Mite cross ice games on Saturday. Just guessing, I think there were hundreds of people watching the great play by the Blizzard and Storm teams. Also on Saturday’s games, the Team 2 Squirt game on Saturday was probably one of the most nail-biting games I’ve ever watched. And congratulations, too, to the Pee Wee Team for their first win and a great game. The Squirt 1 Team also continues to play at a very high level.
As you read my letter please keep in mind this is your association. As the president, I try to do what is best for the association, but with that said I also realize I need to hear from you. Please take the time to send me questions you may have, suggestions on how I can better communicate or if there is an issue please let me know. I can best be reached via email at Mark.Greb@Plazaaa.com.
Finally, with the second half the season getting started I want to remind you that my term as president begins to wind down. The association will need to elect a president, treasurer and new board members to replace current members moving up or moving on. Please take this time to consider getting more involved with your player and association.
Cheers, Mark
One more thanks to all the volunteers who turned out in force to help the Holiday Face-off Tournament run so smoothly. We received many positive comments from visiting teams and are proud of the reputation we’re developing for putting on a consistently strong and entertaining tournament every year. Thanks especially to Rhiannon Lucas and Lisa Mascardo for overseeing all the planning.
The association made more than $6,000 in revenues generated during the tournament. This money helps the association pay for numerous ongoing expenses during the year and helps us keep registration rates low so more families can join and more kids can play the great game of hockey.
Practices for all players at all levels resumes Wednesday, Jan. 4, following the end of winter break.
Players will get an opportunity to play lots of games this month. The Mites play at Quad Cities on Saturday, Jan. 7, and at the Mite Jamboree in Cedar Rapids on Sunday, Jan. 15.
The Squirt 1 team hosts Dubuque Stars 1 on Saturday, Jan. 7, and visits Ames on Sunday, Jan. 22.
The Squirt 2 team visits the Quad Cities on Saturday, Jan. 7, hosts Dubuque Stars 2 later that evening, and hosts QC on Sunday, Jan. 15. They also play in the Cedar Rapids tournament the weekend of January 21.
The Pee Wees host Dubuque on Sunday, Jan. 8 and visit Des Moines to take on the Junior Buccaneers on Saturday, Jan. 21.
For game times, visit the teams individual pages on the ICH website.
All teams will once again participate in the annual Iowa Games in Dubuque, held this year from Friday, Jan. 27 to Sunday, Jan. 29. Game times will be announced later in the month. For more information, check the Iowa Winter Games website at http://www.iowagames.org/Sports/WinterGames/IceHockeyYouth.aspx.
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Best Western Dubuque under the name Iowa City Blizzard. For more information, call the hotel at 563-557-8000. Rooms are first come, first served.
We’ll be taking orders for apparel adorned with the ICH association logo in January for those who missed an opportunity to purchase earlier. For more information contact Marla Edwards at marla.edwards@iowacityhockey.org.
