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UM vs FAU Live Game Broadcast
The live broadcast for the Miami Hurricanes vs FAU Owls ice hockey game is about the begin. Just click the link below and enjoy.
Go Owls!
Update: The Owls drop tonight’s game by a score of 6-1 to the visiting Miami Hurricanes.
FAU Hockey 2012-2013 Team Intro
On Friday, September 28th, the FAU Owls took to their home ice at the Saveology Iceplex for the first time this season to battle the University of South Florida Ice Bulls. USF pulled out a 7-3 victory in what was described as a very competitive game, leaving the Owls with a 2-1 record after week one of the 2012-2013 season. Friday’s game marked the first time fans at the Saveology Iceplex got to see this years FAU ice hockey team, which meant that players got to take part in a traditional team introduction line.
Watch the video below to meet the 2012-2013 FAU Owls hockey team.
Video Source: Andrew Imber And Elizabeth Frank
FAU Ice Hockey To Host Charity Game On September 10th
Is there any better way to spend a Saturday than by watching hockey and helping two great charities? If that sounds like an ideal day then be sure to come out to the Saveology Iceplex on September 10th to see the Florida Atlantic University ice hockey team take on the South Florida firefighters. The charity game is being held in tribute of the 10th anniversary of 09/11 and will benefit the Chris Evert Children’s Hospital as well as In Jacob’s Shoes. Below is the official press release from FAU Ice Hockey:
Florida Atlantic University Ice Hockey
For Immediate Release: August 2011
Charity Game Vs. The South Florida Bomberos
The Florida Atlantic University Ice Hockey Team will play a charity game on September 10th Vs. the South Florida Firefighters as a tribute to the tenth year anniversary to 9/11/01. The game is to benefit two great charities; the Chris Evert Children’s Center at Broward General Medical Center and “In Jacob’s Shoes”. Funds raised for the Chris Evert Children’s Center will directly assist the “Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Literacy Program” which allows firefighters to interact with sick and injured children in a positive and educational way while helping children in their greatest time of need. Funds raised for “In Jacob’s Shoes” will aid the growth and continuation of this amazing charity by providing shoes, backpacks, books and much, much more to children in need all over South Florida.
The game will be held at Saveology Iceplex in Coral Springs on Saturday September 10th at 4:00 PM. Pre-game events will begin at 2:30 PM to include the Florida Panthers Street Team with games for children of all ages, a sports memorabilia “Silent Auction” with Panthers collectibles, and more.
Florida Atlantic University (based in Boca Raton, Florida) competes in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA). They are holding open tryouts for all students on September 3rd & 4th. For additional information contact Scott Grosky at Scott@FAUHockey.com or 954-275-3275.
Members of Sunshine State Hockey will be on hand to cover this great event. Please come by and show support for the Florida Atlantic University ice hockey program, the South Florida firefighters, and more importantly the two charities. Pre-game festivities begin at 2:30 PM and the actual game starts at 4:00 PM. We hope to see everyone there!
Panthers Development Camp Day 1 – Thoughts
When arriving at the Saveology IcePlex yesterday Sunshine State Hockey had five players on our radar that we would be focusing on during the festivities. These players are the ones SSH figured would stand out the most for different reasons. The following is a breakdown of those five individuals and what we thought about their performances during the first day of development camp.
Quinton Howden
At the beginning of the day Quinton Howden was at the top of our list of forwards to watch, but he didn’t stay there for long. Howden had a better showing than most, especially during the passing and shooting drills, but there were other players that easily stood out more. One positive aspect to mention about him is that he definitely has the size to be a competitive player in the NHL. Luckily for Howden the development camp is not where a player earns his spot on the Panthers roster. He will have to perform better during the rookie and training camps if he plans on making it to the National Hockey League this year.
Erik Gudbranson
After day one it’s safe to say that Erik Gudbranson is clearly ready for the National Hockey League. He has bulked up a lot since last years camp, putting on an extra 20 lbs of muscle. Gudbranson was solid during every drill that the defense group ran during their hour on the ice. The most noticeable aspect about him during the drills is that he was the most vocal player on the ice. Gudbranson was communicating with the coaches and other D-men, even assisting some of them with the drills. This years training camp is going to be very competitive, especially for the defensemen.
Jacob Markstrom
This is where things get a little tricky and where we made an error. Throughout the entire camp yesterday we kept an eye on the goalie wearing #33. He was easily the stand out amongst the other netminders on the ice, especially during the one timer drills. The issue? #33 was not Jacob Markstrom.
The roster that we were given did not have the goalies listed, so we assumed that the #33 sitting in the crease was Jacob Markstrom since that was his number at camp last year. Not to mention both netminders looked similar and had the same style of play. It was not until later in the evening that we were informed that Markstrom did not participate during day 1 and that he is now #25. After discovering this information we here at Sunshine State Hockey were both shocked and intrigued. If #33 wasn’t Markstrom then who was this mystery goalie that stood out from the rest? After doing a little bit of digging we discovered that the man behind the mask was Brian Foster.
SSH wants to give Mr. Foster some serious props. He had us, along with many other Panthers fans in attendance thinking that he was Jacob Markstrom and that he looked great. Well he wasn’t Markstrom but he did indeed look very good during day one of the development camp. Now that we know who’s behind #33 we will be keeping a close eye on him during day two and three.
Rocco Grimaldi
Rocco Grimaldi stood out during camp, but not because of his skill. We knew that Mr.Grimaldi was small in size but it’s hard to understand just how short he is until you see him in person. At one point during the day one Panthers fan said “Grimaldi’s pants look too big for him.”
What Rocco Grimaldi is lacking in size he makes up for in speed and heart. He was buzzing around the ice all morning and was clearly smiling the entire time. Skill is important in the National Hockey League but so is character, and Grimaldi has plenty. He has already decided that he will be playing college hockey this year so the development camp will be the only time fans get to see Rocco in a Panthers jersey. If anyone didn’t get the chance to come out yesterday be sure to attend day two or three of the camp to see one of SSH’s new favorites, Rocco Grimaldi.
Nick Bjugstad
The last player Sunshine State Hockey was going to go into detail about was Jonathan Huberdeau, that was until Nick Bjugstad forced his was into our top five. Bjugstad was the clear standout amongst the entire 35 player development camp roster. He is a towering 6 feet, 4 inches tall and has seriously bulked up since being drafted. His weight at the 2010 entry draft was 188 lbs, he’s now 204 lbs and it shows.
Bjugstad is clearly the total package because of his incredible skill set that goes along with his size. He has one of the hardest shots at the camp and can stick-handle with the best of them. If Bjugstad wanted a roster spot come October we believe that he could easily earn one during training camp.
We can not wait to see the next two days of development camp as well as the rookie and training camps in a couple months. This is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and exciting summers the Florida Panthers organization and its fans have ever seen.
