Team Indiana was a great experience. This was my first
year on the team and I fully plan on trying out again next year. The team
was great! During the tryouts you could see the competition and the skill
level was extremely high and intense. The style of the tryouts was fast
paced and also controlled. The drills showed off our individual skills and
ability while the scrimmages gave a more realistic view of what a player
could do on the ice.
The biggest factor that gave our team I feel an advantage over other teams
was our chemistry. I was honestly surprised to how well all the players got
along. You would think players on rival teams and who grew up playing each
other would not get along but the chemistry was great. The team really
bonded well. There was not one fight among players and all were equal. On
the bus ride to the pirates game our team actually would talk and mess
around while the other team sat there awkwardly and quiet. (in the future I
feel a NHL game would be a great experience).
Once arriving in Pittsburgh our team had a night time practice. I feel it
went well and it was much needed. But I realized that one I was a bit out
of shape and second I think if we had been able to play a couple more games
as a team before leaving it would be very beneficial. The Tournament was
amazing and well organized. The teams were good and the pool was definitely
the right skill level. It is a shame we did not finish as well as liked. I
think the extra skates will definitely help with that. The lines to me
seemed to be put out evenly and that is what I liked about the coaching
staff. The score didn't matter as much but the exposure and fairness was
most important and I agree with that.
I met many new friends on the team and It is an experience I will never
forget. I encourage all players to try-out. It is a great experience and
one that you will never forget. You get to be independent, meet new people,
skate with the best players, get exposed, and have fun.
Ben Lugar
My name is Quinn Edwards and I played for Team Indiana my senior year of the 2010-2011 hockey season. I knew that this was a great achievement to make this team because only a top few hockey players make it out of the entire State. Coming out of a great season with my team, winning the State Championship, and with all the other great talent on the other teams, I knew that Team Indiana was going to be a great team to represent. This was a great opportunity to play with the best players in the state and against some of the best players in the nation. The showcase in Pittsburgh allowed me to showcase my talents to the all the scouts from Jr. to College hockey teams. After ever game our coach would call kids out of the lock room to talk to some of the scouts that had been watching us play. Since my goal was to make a high Jr. Level hockey team, I knew that this was a great way to be looked at by some good teams. Not only was there great hockey, but there were great people to hang out with and have fun some fun with too. We would always joke around in the locker rooms, and I remember once coach Manard mentioned to me that I had to quit flirting with Katie Miller, the Team Indiana Manager. There was always something to do whether it was going to the Pittsburgh hockey stadium and watching their competitors, the Lightning, practice, going to a Pirates Baseball game, or just hanging out with the team in the city of Pittsburgh. It did not take long at all to make friendships and bonding experiences with the players that I will never forget. These kids felt like my brothers on the team and after the week when it was all over, I didn’t want to leave. It was a great experience and one I will never forget.
My experience with Team Indiana was one that I will never forget; being able to get to know and play with guys across the state that we have battled with for so long then get to be teammates with is really cool. Playing with these guys not only gave me the opportunity to make lasting friendships with fellow hockey players around the state for life, but to also showcase my talents with them for a week in a great tournament, in a great city. With TI I was able to see the great city of Pittsburgh as well as learn more of what I need to know about the recruiting process and how I should go about trying to make my hockey career last as long as possible. Being able to be exposed all week to many scouts and coaches was very valuable to me and to every hockey player on our team and others. It was a trip more than worth going on starting with the tryout process, going to Indianapolis to compete with the best players in the state for a weekend is always a good experience. After that, the practices and preparation for the showcase were fun and a great experience forming new team bonds as we all prepared our best for the big showcase in Pittsburgh. The more time the team spent together, the closer we got to one another and it showed as we began to really click while playing together on the ice. Although not advancing to the playoff round in the showcase was a bummer, playing with these guys and getting great exposure was something I would never trade and will never forget.
Grant Holler
Goalie
Team Indiana
Jack just wanted to take a moment and thank you for the impact you had on Tyler over a short period of time. He commented a number of times about how much he enjoyed skating for you and this made the experience even better. All the best to you and your team next year and hope to see you around the rink soon.
I just wanted to say “thanks” for everything involving Team Indiana this year. This was such an amazing experience for Cole. He really enjoyed everything about the experience: the level of hockey, the coaching, and the other team members. He told me that everyone was great and he looks forward playing against some teammates this next season. My husband was also very complimentary about his experience in Pittsburgh. We are hoping Cole makes the team again next year (and then maybe I can go next year to Pittsburgh and Craig can do the practices.
I was impressed with all the coaches and with Katie when I was there for the practices and scrimmage. You have put together a top notch program and we feel blessed to have been able to be a part of it this year! Have a great off season and good luck with the next high school season! It would be fun to meet in the championship!
Sherri Maetzold
Thank you very much for the time and effort you personally put in to TI this year to make it a great experience for the boys. David really had a great time and it will be something he remembers forever. Additionally, he has received a lot of interest for next season, and I know it has helped his confidence to know that other coaches besides Keith and Mike believe that he can play a little.
David particularly enjoyed his interactions with Coach Hebert, and I mentioned this to Terry.
It was a pleasure to meet you, and I am sure that I'll see you around the Indy hockey community. You are a class act and I'll be cheering for Carmel next year except for when you play HSE.
Good Luck,
Bob Ternik
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Please find the attached from Kathy Santora (America's Hockey Showcase Director) the link to a video about the Showcase. http://video.penguins.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=1138&id=108701
Last night during pre game for the Penguins Coach Bill Murray saw this clip. Team Indiana appears in it a few times .... you guys are stars!
Hope you are all doing well! Players send me your letters of your Team Indiana experience.
Thanks
Katie Miller
Team Indiana Manager
2011 Team Indiana Players, Parents and Staff:
First of all, I want to sincerely thank everyone for the efforts, support and kind words over the past weeks. I can honestly say that this one of the best experiences I have
had in hockey. I believe that our tryout format, practice and scrimmage schedule allowed our players and staff to bond earlier and closer than in the past.
Our players were exposed to a variety of scouts ... all of which I am currently following up with. If any TI player has a question regarding any of the programs that have contacted them, please feel free to ask me questions - I will investigate for you. Also, I will be sending their contact information to a few other junior teams and college programs. If anyone does not want their contact info sent out, please let me know. (I will not provide your personal data to any commercial organizations or programs)
Parents, I want you to know that you’re young men conducted themselves in a mature and respectful manner on and off the ice at all times. I constantly received compliments from the hotel, rink, scouts, referees and opposing coaches. Although you may not have seen the team bonding I refer to, I can assure you it was evident and obvious to those of us who spent all the time with them. As a parent of 4 and your coach, I am extremely proud of them !
I sincerely appreciated the opportunity to coach and mentor this fine group of young men and I look forward to watching all of them grow and develop. I wish them the best of luck in their academic and athletic pursuits.
Best regards,
Jack
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