Welcome to the sixth post in our new series featuring the 2013-14 Razorback hockey recruiting class.  This week we sat down to visit with incoming freshman defenseman Jacob Brown.  Jacob is from Bossier City, Louisiana.  After graduating from high school, he continued his hockey career at the junior level playing for the SpaceCoast Hurricanes.

Razorback Hockey (RH):  Why did you choose the University of Arkansas?

Jacob:  I chose the University of Arkansas because I felt it was the best fit for me academically, socially, and athletically. The University has a beautiful campus and I believe will be the perfect fit for my college experience.

RH:  What inspired you to play hockey?

Jacob: When I was five-years-old, my mom married a semi-professional hockey player. I picked up the game from watching him play, and that inspired me to become a hockey player.

RH:  What is your biggest hockey highlight/memory to date?

Jacob:  When I was fourteen, my team won a national championship. I won MVP of the tournament.  It was a surreal feeling I will never forget.

RH:  What is your most recent team?

Jacob:  I played for the SpaceCoast Hurricanes in Florida.

RH:  What is your favorite part of the sport?

Jacob:  My favorite part of playing hockey is having a family outside of your family. Being able to wake up, play the game you love, with twenty-five brothers fighting beside you day in and day out is a bond not many can understand.

RH:  Describe what you think is the strongest part of your game.

Jacob:   I believe the strongest parts of my game are being a play-maker, making things happen all around the ice, and I believe I have a finisher’s touch around the net.

RH:  Tell us about your family — your parents? Your siblings?

Jacob:  My mom and dad divorced when I was five, but I’m blessed to say I have a stepfather who I consider to be a second dad.  “Step” is a very loose term with me.  I have a sixteen-year-old brother and an eight-year-old half brother.

RH:  What are your academic interests?

Jacob:  I want to major in Kinesiology and ultimately get into physical therapy school.  I want to open a private practice for sports-specific injuries in Physical Therapy.

Welcome to the fifth post in our new series featuring the 2013-14 Razorback hockey recruiting class.  This week we sat down to visit with incoming freshman defenseman Luke Seibold.  Luke is originally from Kansas, but later moved and played much of his youth hockey with the Dallas Oilers in McKinney, Texas.  After graduating from high school, he continued his hockey career at the junior level playing for the SpaceCoast Hurricanes.

Razorback Hockey (RH):  Why did you choose the University of Arkansas?

Luke:  I chose the University of Arkansas for the education and because many of my friends were going there.  Having the opportunity to finish out my hockey career with my closest friends sounded like the best move for me.

RH:  What inspired you to play hockey?

Luke:  From a young age growing up in Kansas I would go watch the Kansas City Blades in the IHL and the St. Louis Blues.  I fell in love with the sport.

RH:  What is your biggest hockey highlight/memory to date?

Luke:  My biggest highlight I would have to say is my final year of Midget Major with the Alliance Bulldogs when we beat the OHA team from Canada that had beat Shattuck St. Mary’s earlier that year.

RH:  What is your most recent team?

Luke:  I played for the SpaceCoast Hurricanes in Florida.

RH:  What is your favorite part of the sport?

Luke:  My favorite part of the game is the brotherhood and bond between teammates that is formed. This sport is unlike any other sport and no one can understand the bond. Teammates lay their bodies on the line every game for each other and become a family.

RH:  Describe what you think is the strongest part of your game.

Luke:  I am a strong stay at home defenseman and am very physical.

RH:  Tell us about your family — your parents? Your siblings?

Luke:  My family members are by far my biggest supporters.  I have an older sister who has always been a hockey sister.  My little brother is a sophomore in high school who is playing youth hockey in Dallas for the Oilers and McKinney Varsity.  Both of my parents have been there through every heart-breaking game and every celebration after a big win.  They have formed me into who I am today.

RH:  What are your academic interests?

Luke:  I am hoping to major in Finance and Marketing

Check back next week and get to know another member of our incoming 2013-14 recruiting class.

Welcome to the fourth post in our new series featuring the 2013-14 Razorback hockey recruiting class.  This week we sat down with incoming freshman defenseman Brandon Van Rooyen and asked him a few questions.  Brandon is originally from Murphy, Texas, where he played for a Dallas Stars 18U AAA team that secured a Texas State Championship in the 2012-13 season and fell just short of a regional championship—losing a tight 2-1 affair in the closing thirty seconds of regulation time against the Colorado Thunderbirds.  Brandon has played on five state championship teams and previously played under Associate Head Coach Rick Desjardins while a member of the Dallas Storm.

Razorback Hockey (RH):  Why did you choose the University of Arkansas?

Brandon: I chose the University of Arkansas for two reasons.  I instantly fell in love with the campus.  It really made me feel like I could be successful and enjoy my next four years.  I didn’t know if I wanted to play hockey or not but after talking to Coach Gallini and some of the players I felt that the Razorback Hockey family was one I had to be a part of.  Academically I chose the University of Arkansas because the Walton School of Business is ranked in the top 25 Public Business Colleges in the country.  I feel that being part a part of that school is going to allow me the opportunity to network with many important and influential people in the business world.

RH:  What inspired you to play hockey?

Brandon:  My father has always been my inspiration with regard to hockey.  My dad played major junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League as well as the Western Hockey League. In 1986/87, he won the Memorial Cup with the Medicine Hat Tigers.  He then signed with the Montreal Canadians as a free agent and finished his career playing in Europe.

RH:  What is your biggest hockey highlight/memory?

Brandon: My biggest memory would have to be advancing to the National Championships my U16 year with the Dallas Stars Elite.  That game went into triple OT against the Colorado Thunderbirds.  Winning that game will be an experience that I will never forget.

RH:  What is your most recent team?

Brandon:  My most recent team is the Dallas Stars U18 coached by Coach [Adam] Robbins.

RH:  What is your favorite part of the sport?

Brandon:  My favorite part of the sport would definitely be playing in a game that is so close that every second of every shift matters.  The anticipation of every play and pass is an amazing adrenaline rush.

RH:  Describe what you think is the strongest part of your game.

Brandon:  The strongest part of my game is my defensive mindset.  I am a defensive defenseman.  I am smart in my own zone and love playing one-on-one against opposing forwards.  Being smart in my zone and never getting out of position is my strong point.

RH:  Tell us about your family – your parents?  Your siblings?

Brandon:  My parents (Keith & Lesley) both live in Murphy, Texas, with my little sister (Lindsay) who is sixteen and a junior at Plano East High School.  My dad works as a Director of Sales for Air Liquide America and my mom is a Registered Nurse at Baylor Medical Center at Frisco.

RH:  What is your academic interests?

Brandon:  My goal is the get a degree is business, majoring in finance and minoring in sports management.  Looking ahead, I would love to be a part of the business side of sports.

Check back next week and get to know another member of our incoming 2013-14 recruiting class.

Welcome to the third post in our new series featuring the 2013-14 Razorback hockey recruiting class.  This week, we sat down with incoming freshman forward James Haddock.  James is originally from Arlington, Texas, but comes to Arkansas via the Tilton School in New Hampshire where he spent a post-graduate year.  He completed his high school education at Nolan Catholic High School while playing his youth hockey for the Dallas Oilers.

Razorback Hockey (RH): Why did you choose the University of Arkansas?

James:  A lot of my friends go there and they persuaded me that the school and academics are very good.

RH: What inspired you to play hockey?

James:  The Dallas Stars winning the Stanley Cup in 1999.

RH: What is your biggest hockey highlight/memory to date?

James:  Winning a National Championship with the Dallas Oilers.

RH: What is your most recent team?

James:  Tilton Rams.

RH: What is your favorite part of the sport?

James:  Winning.

RH: Describe what you think is the strongest part of your game.

James:  My speed and hockey sense.

RH: Tell us about your family — your parents?  Your siblings?

James:  My mom is a loving and caring mom. My dad has made me who I am today.  My step-dad pushes me and inspires me to be a great player and person.

RH: What are your academic interests?

James:  Engineering as of right now.

Check back next week and get to know another member of our incoming 2013-14 recruiting class.

 

 

Welcome to the second post in a series featuring the 2013-14 Razorback hockey recruiting class.  This week, we sat down with incoming sophomore transfer forward, Michael Tallo.  Michael is from McKinney, Texas, and transferred to Arkansas from Franklin Pierce University (NCAA Division II).  While at FPU playing for the Ravens, Michael saw time in nine games during which he notched a goal and an assist.  Off the ice, he earned a spot on the Dean’s List.

Prior to enrolling at FPU, Michael played in the Western States Hockey League for the Southern Oregon Spartans where, during the 2011-12 season, he registered 12 goals and 14 assists in 37 games.  Before his time in the WSHL, Michael played his youth hockey in the Alliance Bulldog program.

Razorback Hockey (RH): Why did you choose the University of Arkansas?

Michael:  I chose the University of Arkansas because I wanted to have fun at school but also play a high level of hockey.

RH: What inspired you to play hockey?

Michael: Going to Dallas Stars games when I was younger really inspired me to start playing hockey.

RH: What is your biggest hockey highlight/memory to date?

Michael:  Winning the league championship with the Southern Oregon Spartans.

RH: What is your most recent team?

Michael: Last year I played for Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, New Hampshire.

RH: What is your favorite part of the sport?

Michael:  I enjoy every aspect of the game, but mostly I love to win. Hockey is very a very unique sport and I love that about it.

RH: Describe what you think is the strongest part of your game.

Michael: I’ve never really been a flashy player. I have good speed and I work hard; those are my two biggest strengths.

RH: Tell us about your family — your parents?  Your siblings?

Michael: My mother Kelly and my father Jeff both live in McKinney, Texas along with my 17 year old brother, Matt, who also plays hockey for McKinney High School.

RH: What are your academic interests?

Michael: I’ve been accepted into the business school and plan to major in Marketing.

Check back next week and get to know another member of our incoming 2013-14 recruiting class!

Welcome to the first post in a new series featuring the 2013-14 Razorback hockey recruiting class.  This week we sat down with incoming freshman forward Matt Robinson and asked him a few questions.  Matt is originally from Plano, Texas, and has accrued an accomplished and diverse playing career before arriving at Arkansas.  Among his other accomplishments, Matt’s 2010 Tier 2 Dallas Ice Jets team won the USA Hockey 18u National Championship and he earned two Texas State Championships with the 2009 16u Dallas Stars program and the 2011 18u Dallas Stars program.  He has since continued his playing career in juniors at the AJHL and NAHL levels.

Razorback Hockey (RH):  Why did you choose the University of Arkansas?

Matt:  I decided to attend the University of Arkansas because it will give me the opportunity to get the “big school” experience while also being able to play a good level of hockey, with players that have a common goal of winning a National Championship. After visiting and declining offers from a few NCAA Division III schools, I visited Fayetteville and instantly felt like a part of the team. Also after meeting Coach Gallini I felt like he has similar goals and aspirations for the team that I have. All around it just felt like a place I not only would enjoy playing hockey, but also enjoy the overall school atmosphere when hockey season wasn’t in session.

RH:  What inspired you to play hockey?

Matt:  I decided to play hockey from a young age because of the fast-paced, competitive nature of the game.  Watching the Dallas Stars win the Stanley Cup in 1999, and watching the players celebrate with such excitement, I knew it was the sport for me. The whole atmosphere on the ice was just something that I grew to love.

RH:  What is your biggest hockey highlight/memory to date?

Matt:  The best hockey memory for me would either be winning the 18u National Championship in 2010, or scoring my first junior hockey goal at the NAHL showcase in Blaine, MN.

RH: What is your most recent team?

Matt:  I just aged out of junior hockey as a Wichita Falls Wildcat in the NAHL.

RH:  What is your favorite part of the sport?

Matt:  My favorite part of the game would have to be the feeling of making a big play in a close back and forth type of game. Whether it’s scoring a goal or having a big hit that gets your team going, the adrenaline in those close games is something I can’t compare to anything else.

RH:  Describe what you think is the strongest part of your game.

Matt:  I think the strong point in my game is definitely my speed. I like to use my speed to beat defensemen wide, and also use my speed and size in combination to forecheck hard and create big hits. I also have always been able to score goals on a pretty regular basis.

RH:  Tell us about your family — your parents?  Your siblings?

Matt:  My parents (Kelly and Andrew Robinson) still reside in Plano, Texas, with my little brother, Ryan (age 11). My 24 year old brother Andrew lives in Dallas. My dad and brother both work in Sports Marketing, while my mom is a real estate agent. My little brother plays for the Dallas Stars AAA elite 2001 team, and will be entering 6th grade in the fall.

RH:  What are your academic interests?

Matt:  My current plan is to study business, more specifically marketing.

Be sure to check back next week and meet another member of our incoming class!

Entering the 2013-14 season, the Razorback hockey team will play out of the Pacific Region.  ACHA Men’s Division III college hockey is divided into four geographic regions:  Atlantic, North, Pacific, and South.  After playing its entire short history (since 2007) in the South Region, the team made its decision to file paperwork seeking a region transfer.

For years, the top teams in the South Region have been Florida Gulf Coast (in Fort Myers, FL) and University of Central Florida (in Orlando, FL), neither of which are within driving distance of the Hogs.  In fact, since 2007, the Hogs have been able to play University of Central Florida only once (a 5-2 win on January 29, 2012) and Florida Gulf Coast only twice (a 2-1 loss on October 17, 2010 and 4-3 OT loss on November 11, 2012).

“This is a long overdue move for us,” said Head Coach Brian Gallini.  He added:  “it’s not financially viable for us to travel to Florida on a season-by-season basis and it makes it nearly impossible for us to be competitive for the autobid.”  [For a more detailed explanation of the rankings process, please click here.]  In addition to regular season concerns, there is of course the location of each post-season regional tournament.  In recent years, the location of the South Regional tournament has been in Irmo, South Carolina (approximately 13.5 hours away), whereas the Pacific Regional can sometimes be more centralized — last season the Pacific Regional took place in Springfield, Illinois (approximately 6.5 hours away).

With this significant change in mind, fans can expect certain regular season games to suddenly gain heightened importance, like those against Missouri State (#7 Pacific at the end of the 2012-13 season) and McKendree (#14 Pacific at the end of the 2012-13 season).  Fans can also expect to see a host of new teams on the 2013-14 schedule.  The team will, however, retain its conference affiliation with the SECHC and will continue to play familiar rivals like Alabama, Ole Miss, and Auburn.

The University of Arkansas Razorbacks (27-9-1) were initially scheduled to play the DII-University of Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners (2-11-0) this coming weekend on March 1 and 2.  This week, however, the Roadrunners contacted the Razorbacks to inform them that they would be unable to make the trip.  Said Head Coach Brian Gallini, “programs like UTSA undermine the mission of the ACHA and devalue the college hockey experience for committed student-athletes like those who play for Arkansas.  Razorback Hockey strongly hopes that the ACHA will take this opportunity to make an example out of UTSA hockey by imposing the strictest possible punishment.”

Instead of the previously scheduled games, the Razorbacks will play only on Saturday night at 7:30 pm.  On that date, Arkansas will play an internal Red vs. Black game and honor its seniors before doing so.  The Razorback Hockey team hopes you and your family will still make plans to join us on Saturday to see your SEC Champions send off its outstanding senior class.

This past weekend, on February 22, the Razorbacks traveled to Huntsville, AL, to play in the SECHC conference playoffs.  The Hogs took on Vanderbilt in the first round.  The two programs had not met since the Razorbacks defeated the Commodores back in the 2011-12 season at the Jones Center by a score of 13-0.  This game looked to be headed in a different direction when Vanderbilt took a 1-0 into the lockerroom after the first period.  Once Arkansas settled down and found its playoff game, the tide turned and the Hogs scored seven unanswered goals on the back of Forest Mudgett’s hat trick.

Saturday’s semi-final game against Florida setup a rematch of the 2009-10 & 2010-11 SECHC Championship games.  The Hogs won both of those games; in 2009-10, the Razorbacks earned their first-ever conference title by defeating the Gators by a score of 6-2.  The two programs met again in the Championship the next season, with the Razorbacks again earning the title–this time by a score of 5-2.  Saturday’s semi-final netted a similar result.  Behind goals from Mason Brower, Johnny Stromp, Jansen Polk, Martin Sundstedt, Taylor Jones, Ryan Machos and Garth Derry, Arkansas earned a 7-1 victory and a spot in the Championship game.

Saturday’s victory over the Gators was significant for another reason:  the win gave the Razorbacks’ fourth-year players a total of 100 wins in their career.  Garth Derry, Justin McDowell, Robert Scott, Easton Oliver, and Trent Ritchie joined the Hogs in 2009.  Over their careers, they each notched 25 wins in 2009-10, 27 wins in the 2010-11 season, 22 victories last season, and Saturday’s triumph earned the magic 26th victory of the season and 100th total.

After Saturday’s victory, the SECHC held its annual Awards Ceremony, during which Johnny Stromp, Easton Oliver, Kevin Scheer, and Martin Sundstedt were each recognized with All-Conference honors.  Martin Sundstedt also earned MVP of the Conference.  “That’s an outstanding group of young men,” said Head Coach Brian Gallini, “each one of them more than deserved All-Conference recognition.”

Sunday’s final marked a rematch between Arkansas and the Alabama Crimson Tide.  Last week, the Tide knocked off the Hogs by a score of 4-3 in the second round of the South Regional.  The Tide’s doing so ended the Razorbacks’ national playoff run.  The Hogs were therefore eager for an opportunity to redeem themselves.  And redeem they did.  The Hogs jumped out to a 4-0 lead at the end of the first period behind a remarkable 30 shots.  After adding a total of 31 more shots (61 on the game), the Razorbacks never looked back.  They added two goals in the second and two more in the third en route to a dominant 8-0 victory.

Ryan Machos and Tucker Campbell scored two goals each to pace the Hogs, who got single markers from Forest Mudgett, Justin McDowell, Connor Crumblish, and Garth Derry.  Sophomore goalie Kevin Scheer earned the fourteen save shutout and tournament MVP.  “Awesome win for the boys,” senior Garth Derry said. “Couldn’t do it without them. Good win for this program.”  Said goaltender Scheer, “It’s all team effort.  The guys played really well in front of me and I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Sunday’s championship victory was the team’s third victory over the Crimson Tide this season (the Hogs are 11-2 against the Tide since 2009), 27th win overall, and the Razorbacks’ third playoff conference championship.  No other SECHC team has earned three conference titles.

On February 15, 2013, the Razorbacks took on the Christopher Newport Captains in the first round of the South Regional Tournament.  After trailing 3-1 early in the game, Arkansas rallied for a 5-4 overtime win over Christopher Newport to assure that three South Eastern Collegiate Hockey Conference teams played in the second round for two available spots at the ACHA DIII National Tournament.  The Hogs, who joined Ole Miss, Alabama, and Florida Gulf Coast as first-round winners in the ACHA DIII South Regional Tournament, scored the winner 12:12 into sudden death overtime.  Connor Crumbish got the goal with an assist from Josh Kinnear.

Then, on Saturday, February 16, 2013, the Hogs took on Alabama for a winner-take-all opportunity to earn a spot at Nationals.  Alabama, who dropped two games to Arkansas during the regular season, defeated the Razorbacks 4-3.  The two teams played a scoreless first period. Then, the Frozen Tide took a 3-1 lead in the second on goals by Kenny Janssen, Jake Collins and Clay Link after the Hogs’ Forest Mudgett had given his team a 1-0 lead.

Justin McDowell scored early in the third period to rally the Razorbacks to within 3-2, but Zach Dailey countered to restore the Tide’s two-goal lead at 4-2.  The Hogs’ Nick Fontana scored just 24 seconds later to make it 4-3, but the Razorbacks never got the equalizer despite dramatically out-shooting the Tide.  “Obviously, it wasn’t the outcome we wanted,” said Head Coach Brian Gallini, “but our young hockey team got some invaluable experience that we’ll no doubt carry forward in the coming seasons.  The future is very bright for this program.”