Hats off to our own hockey program alumni, Chad McDonald, who is now a sophomore forward with Ferris State University. Chad was nominated as the WCHA Offensive Player of the Week this week. He had two goals, a team-high five total shots and a +1 rating during ninth-ranked Ferris State’s season-opening, 4-3 win over #8 Michigan before a sellout crowd at the Ewigleben Ice Arena. The sophomore from Battle Creek, Mich. scored the game-winner with a short-handed tally in the second period. His opening goal came just 1:03 into the contest as the Bulldogs jumped out to a quick, 2-0 lead. Way to do us proud, Chad!

Read more standings, schedules or watch live games at the WCHA site.

Do you know someone who aspires to this level of play? Check out our Hockey Camps & Clinics and train like a pro!

Athletic Mentors co-founder and head hockey coach Mark Olson is tipping his hat to Michael Schmitt, Battle Creek Revolution forward who has just signed with the Indiana Tech men’s hockey team.

“Michael’s been with our program for years and has proven himself to be disciplined, tough, and committed to excellence,” Coach Olson said. “He’s an outstanding athlete, and a great guy. Indiana Tech made a good call.”

Schmitt, who hails from Kalamazoo, is a 5-foot-7, 155-pound forward who played in 44 games in the NA3HL where he collected 12 points on seven goals and five assists. While his parents credit Olson’s  coaching for much of their son’s “strength, leadership, and mental toughness,” Schmitt’s tireless hours of hard work finally paid off on the ice when he caught the eye of of Indiana Tech’s Head Coach, Frank DiCristofaro.

“I like Michael’s competitive edge,” said DiCristofaro in a press release. “He works hard on the ice and even harder off of it. He had a great understanding of the game and has some deceptive speed through the neutral zone. He is a true student-athlete and is the type of person we want in this program.”

When asked what it means to join the first hockey team at Indiana Tech, Schmitt said, “I am excited to become a part of the first college hockey program at Indiana Tech. The support they get from the school is amazing and the amenities they have is what drew me to their program.”

Photo courtesy of SaginawSpirit.com

Athletic Mentor Coach Mark Olson is pleased to congratulate hockey camp alumni Andrey Alexeev for his draft to the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit late. The Russian forward is slated to lace up for the Spirit’s  training camp in late August.

Andrey initially came to Athletic Mentors to prepare for the  2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament (also known as the U-18 Junior World Cup and formerly known as the Pacific Cup and the Nations Cup) and the upcoming  OHL season. He has been recovering from shoulder surgery for numerous months and was eager to get back into shape.

“Andrey has worked extremely hard 6 days per week for the past 5 weeks and has shown tremendous commitment to his game, and he is looking AWESOME!  He is fit, strong and fast.  He is a stand-out during our camps on ice sessions.  I expect to see Andrey do some great things with the Spirit next season!” Olson said.

Alexeev played for Team Russia in the  Under 16, Four Nations Tournament, where he was one of the team’s top scorers.

The 1995-year left winger was selected by the Spirit as the 33rd overall pick in the  CHL Import Draft. Alexeev follows fellow countryman and Import Selection goaltender Nikita Serebryakov in the committing to the Spirit program, joining OHL Priority Selection picks Jeremiah Addison, Brandon Prophet, and Dylan Sadowy as signed prospects for Saginaw.
Congrats, Andrey!