Articles posted by PowerHockey USA

MINNESOTA POWERHOCKEY™ TEAMS TO COMPETE IN POWERHOCKEY™ CUP 2006 AT UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY

August 1, 2006 / PowerHockey USA / Events, News, PowerHockey Cup

The ice hockey season may still be a few months away, but there’s another form of hockey ready for some fierce international competition – PowerHockey™. The Minnesota Stars and the Minnesota Saints traveling PowerHockey™ teams will compete in the PowerHockey™ Cup 2006 August 4th – 7th at the University of Calgary in Calgary (Alberta) Canada.

The PowerHockey™ Cup 2006 is being hosted by the Calgary PowerHockey League (CPHL) and is the second official tournament of the North American PowerHockey Association (NAPHA). This will mark the first time that teams from both the United States and Canada will be competing on an equal footing on Canadian soil. In addition to the tournament hosts, the Calgary Selects, and the Minnesota Stars and the Minnesota Saints , other teams competing include the Carolina Fury, Michigan Mustangs and Toronto Rock.

The Minnesota Stars come to Calgary as the 2004 PowerHockey™ Cup champions, and are led by captains Chris Kram (2001 PowerHockey™ World Cup and 2004 PowerHockey™ Cup Tournament MVP) , and Steve Onsum (2004 PowerHockey™ Cup Championship Game MVP) . The Minnesota Stars were formed in 1993, and were the first power wheelchair-only hockey team in the United States. The Stars were also the first PowerHockey™ team from North America to participate in Europe, when it made its power-wheelchair hockey tournament debut in Erlangen, Germany in 1993.

In 1995 , the Stars made its first appearance as an exhibition team at the Canadian Electric Wheelchair Hockey Association’s (CEWHA) national tournament, which was held in Toronto . The Stars continued to appear as an exhibition team at CEWHA nationals in Calgary (1996), London (1998), and Toronto (2000). In 2001, the Stars took 4 th place, out 11 teams, in the first PowerHockey Ô Cup, which was held in Minneapolis , Minnesota . The 2001 PowerHockey Ô World Cup marked the first PowerHockey™ tournament to have teams from Australia, Canada, Europe and the USA, competing against each other.

The Minnesota Stars 2006 roster includes: Wayne Baier (Crystal), Jacob Holmquist (Corcoran), Jeremy James (Minneapolis), Chris Kram (Cambridge), Craig McClellan (New Hope), Steve Onsum (Brooklyn Park), and Luke Pedersen (Minneapolis). The Minnesota Stars are coached by Dan Enna (Crystal) and Brian Kram (Cambridge).

The Minnesota Saints made its tournament debut in the PowerHockey™ World Cup 2001 and finished in 9 th place. They competed again in the PowerHockey™ Cup 2004 where they finished in 3 rd place. The Minnesota Saints 2006 roster includes Cindy Condon (Minneapolis), Angie Folie (Hopkins), Gordy Foster (Woodbury), Sarah Heinsch (New Hope), Dan Hugley (St. Paul), Joe Hugley (St. Paul), Dave Kaup (St. Paul), Jen Onsum (Brooklyn Park), Josh Twite (Chatfield) and Chad Wilson (Chaska) . The Minnesota Saints are coached by Josh Holler (Minneapolis) and Brian Little (Corcoran).

All members of the Minnesota Stars and Minnesota Saints play on various teams in the Minnesota PowerHockey™ League , running May-September every year. Players that have received Minnesota PowerHockey™ League awards are: Defensive player of the Year Jen Onsum (’98, ’99 and ’05); Rookies of the Year Joe Hugley (‘99), Jacob Holmquist (’02), and Chad Wilson (‘04); Most Valuable Players Chris Kram (’97, ’99, ’01 and ‘03), Wayne Baier (’98), Josh Twite (‘04), and Chad Wilson (‘05); Most Improved Players Jeremy James (’01), and Jacob Holmquist (’03); and Goaltenders of the Year Sarah Heinsch (‘00), Steve Onsum (’01 and ‘04), and Cindy Condon (‘03).

The Minnesota Stars and the Minnesota Saints PowerHockey™ teams provide international and national sports opportunities for disabled individuals living in Minnesota who utilize a power wheelchair for daily mobility. Both teams operate as a part of the U. S. EWHA (United States Electric Wheelchair Hockey Association) , a non-profit organization dedicated to providing a quality hockey program for persons requiring the use of an electric (power) wheelchair during daily life.

For more information about the Minnesota Stars and the Minnesota Saints visit www.powerhockey.com. For more information about the PowerHockey Cup 2006 visit www.powerhockey.ca/phc2006/

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Contact:
U.S. ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION
7216 39TH AVE. N.
Minneapolis, MN 55427
Tel: 763.535.4736
Fax: 208.279.1368
Web Site: www.powerhockey.com
Email: info@powerhockey.com

HIBBING RANGERS SET TO DEFEND TITLE AT MINNESOTA POWERHOCKEY™ LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT

September 9, 2005 / PowerHockey USA / News

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota [September 9, 2005] – The Hibbing Rangers look to repeat as champions of the Minnesota PowerHockey™ League (MPHL), Saturday, September 10. The games will be held at the Bierman Field Athletic Building on the campus of the University of Minnesota. The MPHL’s six teams, which include Hibbing and Rochester, in addition to four Twin Cities’ teams, come into the league’s ninth Championship tournament with an opportunity to win the title. Games begin at 1:00 and close with the Championship Game at 6:30.

The 1:00 opening game features the Storm against the Blaze. The second game features the defending champion Rangers versus the Clash. The winners advance to the semifinals where they will meet the Rochester Gladiators and Hawks, respectively. The Hawks, led by 2005 league MVP Chad Wilson and Goaltender of the Year, Jeremy Heyer, look to continue its rise to the top of the MPHL with its first league Championship. The second seeded Gladiators, led by 2004 league MVP Josh Twite, have the firepower to play with anyone and are poised take home its first title. Standing in the way of the Hawks and Gladiators path to a first league title is the defending champion Rangers, anchored by four-time league MVP Chris Kram and 2005 Rookie of the Year, Everett Gillen.
The MPHL is a program of the U.S. EWHA, a Minnesota-based non-profit organization dedicated to providing a quality hockey program for persons requiring the use of an electric (power) wheelchair during daily life. In 1996, members of Minnesota’s first organized PowerHockeyT team founded the U.S. EWHA. Today, a few short years later, the U.S. EWHA is the national governing body of the sport and works with many organizations around the world developing the future of PowerHockey™ .

PowerHockeyT is a sport specifically designed for electric (power) wheelchair users. This segment of the disabled community is very under-served when it comes to available athletic opportunities. The Special Olympics and Paralympic programs do not serve these athletes. The potential market for PowerHockeyT is the same if not greater than those very successful national/international programs, quite possibly making it the world’s next big disabled sports movement.

For more information about the U.S. EWHA visit the website: www.powerhockey.com. To obtain a quote from a U.S. EWHA representative, call (763) 535-4736.

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Contact:
U.S. ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIR
HOCKEY ASSOCIATION
7216 39TH AVE. N.
Minneapolis, MN 55427
Tel: 763.535.4736
Fax: 208.279.1368
Web Site: www.powerhockey.com
Email: info@powerhockey.com

MINNESOTA STARS BEAT TORONTO ROCK FOR THE POWERHOCKEY™ CUP

August 8, 2004 / PowerHockey USA / News, PowerHockey Cup

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota [August 8, 2004] – The Minnesota Stars beat the Toronto Rock 4-1 to win the 2004 PowerHockey™ Cup tournament, being held on the campus of Augsburg College in Minneapolis. After a blistering first period of action where neither team could score, the Stars broke the game open on goals by Chris Kram, Wayne Baier, and Luke Pedersen to make it 3-0 Stars after two periods. The Stars opened the third period on a power-play after an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against the Rock, and Kram capitalized on the opportunity with his second goal of the game to make it 4-0. Michelle Duboulay (the 2001 PowerHockey™ World Cup Championship Game MVP) got Toronto on the scoreboard with a goal midway through the third period. The Minnesota Stars Chris Kram received the Phil Adams Memorial Trophy for being voted Tournament MVP. Minnesota Stars goaltender Steve Onsum received the Lee Nuutinen Memorial Trophy for being voted Championship Game MVP.

The Minnesota Saints beat the Carolina Fury 5-2 for 3 rd Place. Josh Twite had three goals and Sharon Spring had two goals and an assist for the Saints. Lance Fallon scored the Fury’s two goals in the third period. Sarah Heinsch got the win in goal for the Saints.

The Robbinsdale Lions Club was acknowledged before the game for its part in sponsoring the 2004 PowerHockey™ Cup tournament. Cable 12 (NW suburbs) televised the 3 rd Place and Championship Game with full play-by-play coverage (tape-delay). Tom Witschen, broadcaster for University of Minnesota athletics, provided play-by-play, along with Kevin Falness and Karyn Bye (both representing the NHL’s Minnesota Wild). The Minnesota Wild’s organist, Palmer Harbison entertained everyone with stadium hockey tunes.

The Minnesota-based U.S. Electric Wheelchair Hockey Association (U.S. EWHA), a non-profit organization and member of Disabled Sports USA, hosted the event. The 2004 PowerHockey™ Cup also marked the first official event of the North American PowerHockey™ Association (NAPHA), a joint venture of the U.S. EWHA and Canadian Electric Wheelchair Hockey Association (CEWHA). The purpose of NAPHA is to develop a strong working relationship between all developed power wheelchair hockey programs throughout North America and abroad. NAPHA members will work together to form the future for PowerHockey™ tournaments.

For more information about the U.S. EWHA visit the website: www.powerhockey.com. To obtain a quote from a U.S. EWHA representative, call (763) 535-4736.

# # #
Contact:
U.S. ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIR
HOCKEY ASSOCIATION
7216 39TH AVE. N.
Minneapolis, MN 55427
Tel: 763.535.4736
Fax: 208.279.1368
Web Site: www.powerhockey.com
Email: info@powerhockey.com

2004 POWERHOCKEY CUP CHAMPIONS TO BE CROWNED TONIGHT

August 5, 2004 / PowerHockey USA / News, PowerHockey Cup

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota [August 5, 2004] – The action was fast and furious as the 2004 PowerHockey Cup ended round robin play Wednesday night and begins its Championship Day today with games beginning at 12:30 pm, and culminating with the Championship Game at 8:00 pm. Cable 12 (NW suburbs) will be televising the 3rd Place and Championship Game with full play-by-play coverage (tape-delay). Tom Witschen, who does broadcasts of University of Minnesota athletics, will provide play-by-play, along with Kevin Falness and Karyn Bye (both representing the NHL’s Minnesota Wild). The Minnesota Wild’s organist, Palmer Harbison will be entertaining everyone with stadium hockey tunes. The games are being played at Augsburg College’s (Minneapolis) S.I. Melby Hall gymnasium.
The first playoff game is between the 3rd seed Minnesota Saints and 4th seed Carolina Fury. The Saints won the first two games between the two teams and look to advance to the semifinal game against the 2001 PowerHockey World Cup defending champion Toronto Rock, but face a determined and improving team in the Fury. The losing teams of the opener and semifinal game will play for 3 rd Place . The winner of the semifinal game advances to face the Minnesota Stars in the Championship Game. 2001 Tournament MVP Chris Kram (Minnesota Stars) and Championship Game MVP Michelle Duboulay (Toronto Rock) have both returned to lay claim to the PowerHockey Cup.

Standings after round-robin play:
Minnesota Stars (4-0-1)
Toronto Rock (3-2-0)
Minnesota Saints (2-2-1)
Carolina Fury (0-5-0)

The Minnesota-based U.S. Electric Wheelchair Hockey Association (U.S. EWHA), a non-profit organization and member of Disabled Sports USA, is hosting the event. The 2004 PowerHockeyT Cup also marks the first official event of the North American PowerHockeyT Association (NAPHA), a joint venture of the U.S. EWHA and Canadian Electric Wheelchair Hockey Association (CEWHA). The purpose of NAPHA is to develop a strong working relationship between all developed power wheelchair hockey programs throughout North America and abroad. NAPHA members will work together to form the future for PowerHockeyT tournaments.

For more information about the U.S. EWHA visit the website: www.powerhockey.com. To obtain a quote from a U.S. EWHA representative, call (763) 535-4736.

# # #
Contact:
U.S. ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIR
HOCKEY ASSOCIATION
7216 39TH AVE. N.
Minneapolis, MN 55427
Tel: 763.535.4736
Fax: 208.279.1368
Web Site: www.powerhockey.com
Email: info@powerhockey.com

MINNESOTA POWERHOCKEY PLAYERS TO PARTICIPATE IN 2004 NHL ALL-STAR FANtasy.

January 30, 2004 / PowerHockey USA / News

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota [January 30, 2004] – The U.S. Electric Wheelchair Hockey Association (U.S. EWHA) in association with the Minnesota PowerHockey League (MPHL) is excited to announce that it has been invited to participate in the 2004 NHL All-Star FANtasy, a one-of-a-kind hockey and entertainment extravaganza that will be staged at the Saint Paul RiverCentre from Tuesday, February 3 through Saturday, February 7. FANtasy will offer fans the chance to participate in and experience more than 30 attractions and exhibits, and the U.S. EWHA will be one of those attractions providing an exhibition of the sport of PowerHockey . The event will take place Tuesday, February 3, at the Saint Paul RiverCentre following the 6:30 Governor/Media rollerhockey game.

The exhibition will feature two All-Star teams consisting of players from the Minnesota PowerHockey League’s six teams, which include Hibbing and Rochester , in addition to four Twin Cities’ teams. The MPHL North team: Chris Kram; Jacob Holmquist; Joe Hugley; Jeremy James; Craig McClellan; Jeremy Heyer; Cindy Condon; Damon Leivestad . The MPHL South team: Dustin Sammons; Steve Onsum; Jen Onsum; Josh Twite; Wayne Baier; Dave Kaup; Dan Johnson; Luke Pedersen.

The U.S. EWHA is a Minnesota-based non-profit organization dedicated to providing a quality hockey program for persons requiring the use of an electric (power) wheelchair during daily life. In 1996, members of Minnesota ‘s first organized PowerHockeyT team founded the U.S. EWHA. Today, a few short years later, the U.S. EWHA is the national governing body of the sport and works with many organizations around the world developing the future of PowerHockey.

For more information about the U.S. EWHA visit the website: www.powerhockey.com. To obtain a quote from a U.S. EWHA representative, call (763) 535-4736.

# # #

Contact:
U.S. ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIR
HOCKEY ASSOCIATION
7216 39TH AVE. N.
Minneapolis, MN 55427
Tel: 763.535.4736
Fax: 208.279.1368
Web Site: www.powerhockey.com
Email: info@powerhockey.com

Minnesota, MPHL

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