The Ice Hogs held their Slim Chickens Season Opener and tryout scrimmage at the Jones Center this Saturday evening, and they did not disappoint the crowd in attendance. The action was nonstop with both teams trading exciting scoring chances and defensive plays throughout the contest.

The White team took the early lead in the first period on a nice play by Razorback new comer Ryan Howze. But, the Blue Team struck back quickly in the second period with a goal by Forrest Mudgett at the 19 second mark. Play picked up and several chances were thwarted by good defensive play and goaltending. Forrest Mudgett broke the tie, and gave the Blue Team a 3-1 lead with two goals in succession to record a natural hat trick.

The physical play picked up in the second period with several hard checks delivered in open ice and the corners. Defenseman Brandon Von Rooyen scored with a Seeing Eye shot through traffic to bring the White Team within 3-2. Veteran James Haddock and Ryan Machos displayed their good chemistry with Haddock netting back to back goals to put the White Team back in front 4-3.

But, Forrest Mudgett connected for his fourth goal of the game in the third period to knot the score at 4. Play continued back and forth with good scoring chances for both teams. Ryan Machos settled the affair with the game winner late in the third period for a 5-4 White Team victory.

Although the veteran players dominated play for the most part, the game featured several new Ice Hogs getting their first taste of competitive collegiate Hockey and they provided some exciting moments.

The Ice Hogs feature an up tempo style of play along with a structured defensive scheme, and solid goaltending. The season begins September 12 and 13 when the Ice Hogs take on Metro State. The puck drops at 7:30pm for both games. Come out and support your Ice Hogs as they defend their SECHC Title.

The Ice Hogs have sponsorship opportunities for businesses that want to support the Team and enhance their profile in NW Arkansas.

For inquiries contact Public Relations Officer: Haley Markle – hmarkle@email.uark.edu

The tryout scrimmage is coming up on Saturday the 23rd of August.

There will also be two open skating sessions framed around the scrimmage.

Come on out and support the Ice Hogs, and bring your skates for some cool exercise!

Chris Green

 What plans do you have for the summer?   This summer I will be in Dallas working and coaching at the local hockey rink as well as doing classes online.

What are you doing to stay in shape during the off season? I am on the ice everyday whether I am coaching or playing men’s league. I also have been in the gym 4 to 5 days a week to stay and shape and gain a little muscle before next season.

What is Coach Gallini’s recommendation regarding the part of your game he wants you to work and focus on for next season? In my post season meeting with Coach Gallini the two things he wanted me to focus on were (1) finding a job away from the puck and avoid being idle, and (2) make the simple play instead of making things too complex.

Do you have any personal goals this season for improving your game? With Easton only playing a half season last year and this year, I have become the oldest defenseman. I want to help push the younger D and be a role model to them. My personal goal is to have the best +/- on the team next season also.

The team has several games against competition which will be a step up in class, how do you personally approach these games?  We approach every game like it is another stepping stone to March. We don’t change anything for certain teams, we are trained a certain way and we approach every game like it is our last regardless of the opponent.

What kind of things do you do to prepare for games?  I tape both sticks when I get to the rink and then I kick the soccer ball around with the boys before off-ice warm ups. After warm ups Vanny, Scheersy and I sit in the stands and listen to music before every game.

What kind of things do you do to unwind after a game?  Go out to eat with the boys and just go back to the apartment and relax.

Traditionally, hockey players like routine and prepare for games in a ritualistic manner, some are superstitious. Do you follow a routine before a game, and are you superstitious, and if so, what are some of your routines and habits?  I always sit in the same spot in the locker room between Mac and Marcel, also I always put my left skate on before my right skate but I tie the right skate first. Before the game I always sit in the stands with Vanny and Scheersy and listen to music.

Which player on the Team do you notice that follows a rigid routine? Everyone has their own weird routines, but Vanny doesn’t put on any gear until exactly 15 minutes before every game and Fonzy unties and reties his skates during every intermission. 

The Razorbacks are the SEC-West defending conference champions for the past four consecutive seasons. What would it mean to the team to defend the championship this year? It would mean a lot, four years is an achievement but 5 years is a milestone.

Most players choose a number to wear that has significance to them. Tell us the significance of the number you choose to wear? I was actually number 21 my entire life growing up, but when I played juniors in Canada my first number was 4 so when I came to college I decided to keep the number 4. Plus number 4 was worn by the greatest D of all time, Bobby Orr.

Slim Chickens to Sponsor Tryout Scrimmage

Monday, July 14, 2014 / Press Release

Haley Markle – Arkansas Razorback Hockey

The Razorback Hockey Club has tweaked the tryout process for this season by adding a scrimmage that is open to the public and will allow fans to get a first look at the 2014-15 team.

Slim Chickens will sponsor the scrimmage that will take place at 6 p.m. August 23 at The Jones Center in Springdale.

“We see the change in format adding a Saturday scrimmage as a great opportunity to showcase the sport of hockey to the NWA community,” said Michael Kirk, director of recreation at The Jones Center.

“The NWA Hockey Association are going to get an indispensable opportunity to show what they have going on with their exhibitions at the intermissions. We hope that a lot of people take advantage of the public skating times before and after the game as well,” Kirk added.  Fans will be able to purchase tickets to the game for $5 in the form of a wristband that will also allow access to both public skating opportunities.

The Jones Center has provided a home for the Razorback Hockey Team its formation in 2008.

“We love hosting UofA hockey events at The Jones Center because it brings families and students to the center that otherwise would not know that we were here,” Kirk said. “It gives the community something family oriented and fun to do while introducing The Jones Center to more people.”

Over the last two seasons, the Razorbacks went 58-17-1 en route to back-to-back South Eastern Collegiate Hockey Championships.  This season, the Razorbacks will look to replace departed seniors Tyler Bynum, Justin McDowell, Johnny Stromp and Martin Sundstedt.  Last season, those four players combined to score more than 25 percent of the goals scored by the Razorbacks, led by 27 from Sundstedt and 15 from Stromp.

The team will look to fill the void with newcomers Landyn Howze, Colin South, and Jesse Foskey, along with returning players Ryan Machos, Forrest Mudgett and Marcel Toure, who scored 22, 17, and 26 goals, respectively, last season.

It is anticipated that up to 60 players will participate in tryouts for this season. Tryouts begin at 4 p.m. August 21 with registration and off-ice testing. On-ice tryouts will take place August 22-24.

1. What plans do you have for the summer?   

I am enrolled in classes here at the university. Other than that, I plan to work at chipotle and also work to stay in shape for the upcoming season.

       2. What are doing to stay in shape during the offseason? 

Anything I have time for. I like to get my strength training in on a daily basis and also play around, whether its soccer, volleyball, or anything else I can do to stay active.

3.   What is Coach Gallini’s recommendation regarding the part of your game he wants you to work and focus on for next season?

He and I talked about improving my work ethic on and off the ice. This is something I have been working on and focusing on since the season ended.

4.   Do you have any personal goals this season for improving your game?

I want to improve my lower body strength and increase my flexibility. This will help my over-all game.

      5.   The team has several games against competition which will be a step up in class, how do you personally approach these games? 

I approach all games the same no matter the situation.

      6.   What kind of things do you do to prepare for games? 

I like to tune everything else out of my life via music. When I step on the ice I truly believe I am the most optimistic and positive person on the ice.

7.   What kind of things do you do to unwind after a game?  

I like to kickback in a social environment with the team. It’s relax-and-reflect time after the game.

      8.   Traditionally, hockey players like routine and prepare for games in a ritualistic manner, some are superstitious. Do you follow a routine before a game, and are you superstitious, and if so, what are some of your routines and habits? 

I am not very superstitious, but I do pray before every period.

      9.   Which player on the Team do you notice that follows a rigid routine?

Ryan Machos has an interesting pre-game routine.

   10.  The Razorbacks are the SEC-West defending conference champions for the past four consecutive seasons. What would it mean to the team to defend the championship this year?

I think winning the SEC championship is expected of us.

    11.   Most players choose a number to wear that has significance to them. Tell us the significance of the number you choose to wear?

The number 1 has no significance to me. What’s on the front of the jersey is what matters.

Spencer Mulgrew

Wednesday, 06.25.2014 / Press Release

Michael Ensminger  – Arkansas Razorback Hockey

FAYETTEVILLE, AR – The RAZORBACKS today announced their 2014-15 schedule for the team’s 8th season in the American Collegiate Hockey Association. The schedule features a fan-friendly home slate of 24 weekend games at The Jones Center for Families in Springdale.

Fresh off an SECHC Championship and the most successful National Tournament berth in Razorback Hockey history, the Razorbacks are already looking ahead to a fierce 37 game schedule. The regular season begins with an exciting September lineup that starts on Opening Night with a matchup against Metropolitan State University of Denver on Friday, Sept. 12 & Saturday, Sept. 13 at the Jones Center. The Razorbacks begin their second campaign in the Pacific Region with two-straight weekends in Springdale—the second of which features SEC rival, Auburn Tigers. The Razorbacks will host Division 1 opponent Midland University on Oct. 24 & 25 at the Jones Center.

Highlights throughout the remainder of the season include a Halloween series against Colorado State on Oct. 31 & Nov. 1 at the Jones Center followed by a pair of games against Missouri State on Nov. 14 & 25 and Nebraska on Dec. 5 & 6 to round out 2014.

The Razorbacks’ schedule also includes a lengthy homestand throughout the months of January and February. Beginning on Jan. 17, 2015, the Hogs will play 6 games at the Jones Center leading up to the SEC playoffs in Pelham, AL where the program looks to win its 5^th SECHC Championship.  Arkansas also will conclude the 2014-15 campaign against the Jayhawks from Kansas.

Single game tickets for the 2014-15 regular season can be purchased at the Jones Center. Please visit here for more information.

Name: Jesse Foskey

Age: 18

Hometown: Southlake, TX

Major: Arts and Sciences

 1.     How long have you played organized Hockey?

I started playing hockey when I was 3 years old in Houston, Texas after  my family relocated to Houston from Michigan in 1999. It just so happened to be the hottest winter Houston had in years, so my mom took me to the nearest hockey rink to cool off and I have been playing hockey ever since.

 2.     What was the name of the last Team you played with?

I was drafted to the Corpus Christi Ice Rays in the NAHL last season and later went to finish the season with the Brahmas Junior A team coached by Jeremey Law. The team played in the WSHL and made it to the Thorne Cup which hasn’t happened in 5 years.

3.     What position do you play?

I started playing defense when I was very young. My mite coach introduced me to this position because I was the only one on my team who could skate backwards, able to read the ice, and was not concerned about stepping in front of moving pucks.  Fourteen years later, I still love playing defense.

4.       What are you doing to prepare for the season? 

During a hockey season it is very hard to gain weight due to all the hours of ice training. All you can do is focus on maintaining your current weight. Therefore, off season I hit the gym hard and eat constantly to make the necessary gains for the upcoming season.

 5.     What is Coach Gallini’s recommendation regarding the part of your game he wants you to work and focus on?  

Coach Gallini and I have not personally talked about his recommendations for me but when we do, I will work hard to achieve the goals he has set for me and hopefully will supersede his expectations.

 6.     Do you have any personal goals this season?

   My goal is to be all I can be, bring all that I can for the good of the team and for the community, and hopefully win a national championship.

7.     What kind of things do you do to prepare for games? 

I like to be with the team mostly and get a good stretch and warm up, listen to music, get dressed, then usually sit in my stall and listen to music and mentally prepare myself so I can focus for the challenge ahead.

8.     What kind of things do you do to unwind after a game?  

I unwind after a game in a traditional way. I usually have a good meal, take an ice bath to refresh my legs, and later rest up for the next game.

9.     Traditionally, hockey players like routine and prepare for games in a ritualistic manner, some are superstitious. Do you follow a routine before a game, are you superstitious, and if so, what are some of your routines and habits? 

I am not a very superstitious person, and my routine is very basic. I try to make sure that I’m hydrated, have a good night rest, and ready both mentally and physically for the game. I also highly value a good pre-game meal in order to say energized throughout the game.

 10.    Most players choose a number to wear that has significance to them. Tell us the significance of the number you choose to wear?

My number is 28 and it is significant to me because I have worn that number since I have started playing hockey, it is the only number I would choose to wear.

11.       Who are your biggest fans?

My biggest fans would have to be my family, who have pushed me my entire life to be and preform to the best of my potential. They have been by my side ever since I first took the ice and they have always supported me and my dreams.

12.      Do you have a favorite NHL Team? Player?

My favorite team is the Detroit Red Wings and my favorite player is Nicklas Lidström.  I grew up watching the Wings from Joe Louis Arena and I have watched Nicklas play ever since I can remember. He is an inspiration for defensemen everywhere and I feel fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to watch his career flourish as I’ve grown up.

Meet the Recruits- We will be running a series for our new additions to the club this summer.

Meet Landyn Howze. Landyn is 21 years old and hails from Keller, Texas. He is majoring in Business Management.  Let’s Welcome Landyn to Razorback Hockey!  We asked Landyn some Hockey questions.

Razorback Hockey: How long have you played organized Hockey?
Landyn: I’ve been playing hockey for 17 years, joined my first league team at 4 years old.

Razorback Hockey: What was the name of the last Team you played with?
Landyn: Texas Brahmas of the WSHL.

Razorback Hockey: What position do you play?
Landyn: Right Wing/Center

Razorback Hockey: What are you doing to prepare for the season?
Landyn: I stay on a strict on/off ice workout regiment that keeps me in preparation for the upcoming season.

Razorback Hockey: What is Coach Gallini’s recommendation regarding the part of your game he wants you to work and focus on?
Landyn: I have yet to have a personal player/coach conversation about that yet.

Razorback Hockey: Do you have any personal goals this season?
Landyn: I just want to excel and progress not only as a player but an individual and simply be the best I can be as a student in the classroom and a player on the ice.

Razorback Hockey: What kind of things do you do to prepare for games?
Landyn: I like to stay loose before games. Play sewer ball with the boys and just listen to music. Keep it simple and not over think too much.

Razorback Hockey: What kind of things do you do to unwind after a game?
Landyn: I like to take an ice bath right after a game then get a good meal in me and just relax and let the body heal its self.

Razorback Hockey: Traditionally, hockey players like routine and prepare for games in a ritualistic manner, some are superstitious. Do you follow a routine before a game, are you superstitious, and if so, what are some of your routines and habits?
Landyn: I’d say I’m not very superstitious but I’m very routine. Game days I like to wake up and get a good breakfast in me then go to my morning skate, come home, take a nap, wake up, eat my pre game meal, then head to the rink two hours before game time.

Razorback Hockey: Most players choose a number to wear that has significance to them. Tell us the significance of the number you choose to wear?
Landyn: I choose to wear the number 12 simply because it was the number my dad wore. Ever since I can remember it has been my number and it stuck.

Razorback Hockey: Who are your biggest fans?
Landyn: By far my family, I’m so grateful to have such awesome loving parents that support me in anything I do. I wouldn’t be here without them! Besides family, Bailey Heitman. Hands down the best fan I ever had playing junior hockey.

Razorback Hockey: Do you have a favorite NHL Team? Player?
Landyn: Growing up in Texas how could the Dallas Stars not be my favorite team along with Jamie Benn being my favorite player. Guy is just a complete package forward. Brings physicality, scores, and is a play maker.

The Razorback Hockey team is excited to announce that a generous group of Hog fans from WooPig.net are organizing a team fundraising golf tournament on April 26.

Where: Red Apple Inn & Country Club, 305  Club Rd, Heber Springs, AR, 72543 (http://www.redappleinn.com/info.html)
Format: Scramble (4 person teams)
When: Saturday, April 26th, 2014 at 1 pm

Team or individual registration remains open and more details are available here and here.   After the tournament, there will be an awards banquet where pro shop gift certificates, woopig gear, game used/worn hockey apparel, and golf clubs will be given away as prizes.  Each attendee will also receive a gift bag.  Come out and help the Hogs get closer to a new lockerroom!