Cyclone sophomore shows reckless abandon

Feb. 14, 2011 – Ames, Iowa - Cyclone Hockey is happy to allot Player of the Week to Derek Kohles for the second time this season. Over the weekend, Kohles received 18 stitches and did not miss a single shift.

Kohles is one of Iowa State’s most physical players. “[He] skates with reckless abandon” says Iowa State’s Head Coach, Dr. Al Murdoch. This past Friday, Derek had to get stitches after the game but showed no sign of worry or pain as he continued to play just as tough as always.

So far this season, Derek has scored five goals and five assists for a total of 10 points. Derek is currently a sophomore at Iowa State majoring in Finance, and before playing for the Cyclones, Derek played for the Dubuque Thunderbirds of the CSHL.

Head Coach, Dr. Al Murdoch, commented further on Kohles’ performance thus far. “Derek skates with reckless abandon and is fast becoming the spiritual leader of the team. He is a solid academic student and highly respected team mate.”

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Cyclone senior shows hard word and scores 6 points in 2 games

Feb. 7, 2011 – Ames, Iowa - Cyclone Hockey is pleased to allocate Player of the Week to Assistant Captain Jordan Pascale for the second time this season. Over the weekend, Pascale had six points against the University of Kansas.

Jordan had an excellent series verse the University of Kansas, scoring a goal and five assists in two games. Throughout his Iowa State career, Jordan has played in over 130 games for the Cyclones, scoring 87 career points with 36 goals and 51 assists.

This is Jordan’s fourth and final season with the Cyclones. He is currently an assistant captain, and is playing at a very high level right now. Jordan is setting a great example for his team, showing them excellent attitude and workmanship.

Associate Head Coach, Brian Wierson, commented on Pascale’s weekend performance. “Jordan is displaying excellent leadership and hard work. His recent consistency is what has earned him the player of the week honors, as he is scoring and setting up his line mates.”

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Hudson’s outstanding performance against Robert Morris earns him title

Jan. 10, 2011 – Ames, Iowa – Cyclone Hockey is pleased to announce goalie Erik Hudson as Player of the Week for the second time in the 2010-11 season. Hudson delivered a shut-out performance during the second game of the Robert Morris series.

Not only did Erik deliver a shut-out game against Robert Morris but he also stopped 59 of 61 shots on goal during the series giving him a weekend save percentage of 96.7. Erik has played in just over 20 games for the Cyclones this season and is leading the Central States Collegiate Hockey League in minutes played with 660. With two shut-outs and averaging only 2.87 goals per game, Erik has a season save percentage of 90.3.

Erik is not only a goaltender for Iowa State but also the starting goal tender for Team USA of the World University Games, which takes place in Erzurum, Turkey, Jan. 27 – Feb. 6, 2011. Hudson spent his winter break preparing for the games, and Head Coach, Al Murdoch, knows his hard work is worth it. “His training over break is proving to pay off as he performed very strong in three exhibition games against NCAA competition and is carrying that over for the Cyclones.”

Before playing for Iowa State, Hudson laced up for the Burnaby Express of the BCHL. Hudson is originally from Spokane, Wash. and is currently a senior in business at Iowa State.

Coach Murdoch commented further on Erik’s performance. “Erik is playing very hard and most importantly, very consistent. His consistency on the ice and in the class room is paying off, and Erik is playing some of his best hockey since he’s been [at Iowa State].”

Cucullu’s unselfish play leads to Player of the Week accolade

Nov. 29, 2010 – Ames, Iowa – Cyclone Hockey is pleased to honor freshman forward Chris Cucullu with Player of the Week accolades. Cucullu had four points for the Cyclones over this past weekend at an away series in Canada.

Averaging nearly one point per game with nine goals and 11 assists, Cucullu is one of the top point scorers for the Cyclones.  Cucullu has transitioned very well with the Cyclones. With his unselfish playing tendencies, he complements his line extremely well.

Cucullu is originally from Anchorage, Alaska. Before playing for Iowa State, Chris played for the Nelson Leafs of the KIJHL. Cucullu is currently a freshman in Kinesiology at Iowa State and is a diligent and hard working student.

Head Coach Dr. Al Murdoch was very contented with Cucullu’s performance. “Chris showed no fear and played with reckless abandon, especially against UBC on Friday night. His work ethic, both on the ice and in the class room, are what we are looking for in players who come to Iowa State.”

Wilkinson’s consistent leadership earns him Player of the Week title

Nov. 15, 2010 – Ames, Iowa – Cyclone Hockey is pleased to announce Justin Wilkinson as Player of the Week. Wilkinson has shown consistent leadership throughout the season and is an excellent role model for younger players.

Wilkinson is an excellent second year player for the Cyclones. With one goal and six assists, Justin sees the ice very well, and has the hockey smarts that are necessary to be a good defenseman.

Before Wilkinson played for Iowa State, he played for the Kindersly Klippers of the SJHL. Hailing originally from Prince Ablert, Saskatchewan, Justin is currently a sophomore at Iowa State majoring  in Civil Engineering.

Head Coach Dr. Al Murdoch is very pleased with Wilkinson’s performance. “Justin has great work effort in practice and at games. He is an excellent role model and is only a sophomore but is showing great leadership to new defensemen on the team.”

Flynn’s 13 total points makes him an excellent player

Cyclone Hockey is happy to honor forward Jake Flynn as Player of the Week. Flynn attained five points during the series against Kent State University this past weekend.

Jake has played 15 games for the Cyclones so far during his debut season with the team. With six goals and seven assists, Flynn averages .87 points per game. Jake is an excellent hybrid player who balances the physical and skill aspects of the game very well. He is able to read plays very well and has scored one power play goal and one game winning goal for Iowa State this season.

Originally hailing from Wenatchee, Wash., Flynn played for the Wenatchee Wild of the NAHL before playing for Iowa State. Jake is currently a freshman majoring in Computer Engineering at Iowa State University and is doing very well in school.

Head Coach Dr. Al Murdoch was very happy with Flynn’s performance so far this season. “Flynn is working really hard on the ice and off the ice. He is making the transition from junior hockey to college hockey very smoothly.”

Kohles’ Hard Work and Positive Attitude Lead to Player of the Week Title

Nov. 1, 2010 – Ames, Iowa – Cyclone Hockey is pleased to announce forward, Derek Kohles, as Player of the Week. Kohles is receiving this award because he consistently has a good work ethic and a positive attitude.

Kohles had a penalty free weekend against the Ohio University Bobcats. With two assists and 12 out of 14 games played for the Cyclones this season, Derek averages .17 points per game. Derek is an excellent physical player and is fearless at full strength. This is his second season playing for the Cyclones.

A native of Johnston, Iowa, Kohles played for the Dubuque Thunderbirds of the CSHL before his career with the Cyclones. Kohles is a sophomore majoring in Finance at Iowa State and does very well academically.

Head Coach Dr. Al Murdoch is consistently pleased with Derek’s performance. “Derek is a player who always has a smile on his face and works hard during practice and games. He is

Two goals and a lot of heart earns James Werner Player of the Week title

Oct. 10, 2010 – Ames, Iowa – Cyclone Hockey is contented to announce James Werner as Player of the Week. Werner showed an outstanding performance and scored the Cyclones’ only two goals in the series against Arizona State University this weekend.

2010-08-30

“PLAY FOR THE CURE” IS THE SLOGAN WINNER SUBMITTED BY ED SLUSHER (TOWSON UNIVERSITY)
In honor of its 20th Anniversary season, the American Collegiate Hockey Association is gearing up in the fight against cancer.  President Marshall Stevenson announced a major campaign to raise money for the American Cancer Society with a goal of $42,000 by the next ACHA Annual Meeting in April of 2010.

Ed Slusher, Head Coach of the Towson University ACHA Hockey Team, has submitted the winning slogan for the ACHA’s campaign in the fight against cancer. Slusher’s suggestion, “Play For The Cure”, was chosen from all of the entries in a contest held following the spring meeting in Naples and voted on by the ACHA Board of Directors. For winning the campaign, Towson University will be credited an additional $50 to the amount they contribute towards the goal.

Other entries for the slogan were submitted by:

• Karen Weaver, University of Michigan-Dearborn
• Larry Donovan, University of Oklahoma
• Ned Glysson, University of Michigan
• Bill Shannon, ACHA

All 421 current ACHA teams in all five divisions (3 men’s and 2 women’s) are encouraged to conduct fundraisers or take collections from players, with each team asked to contribute at least $100.  The team raising the most money will win extra points for a raffle for a set of game jerseys and will be recognized at the ACHA Annual Meeting in Naples on April 30, 2011.

The $100 suggested contribution from each team comes out to about five dollars per player, so every team should be able to contribute that amount. President Stevenson says, “This deadly disease affects someone each of us knows so our goal of $42,000 is well worth the effort”.

The logo may be used by ACHA members to assist in their fundraising efforts.

View original article here.

Aug. 18, 2010 – Ames, Ia. – On August 6^th- 8^th, five members of Iowa State Cyclone Hockey team attended the 2010 USA Hockey Winter World Games Evaluation Camp, along with Head Coach Alan Murdoch.  Murdoch was selected as the General Manager of the Men’s team.  Erik Hudson, Brandon Clark, Matt Cohn, James Werner and David Kurbatsky were selected to represent Iowa State at the camp. The camp was held in Grand Rapids, Michigan at the Patterson Ice Center.  The players vied for a position to be on U.S. Men’s National University Teams. In order to be considered for the position, the player must play for a Men’s collegiate ice hockey team affiliated with the American Collegiate Hockey Association.  The team will take part in the 2011 Winter World University Games, which will be held January 27^th – February 6^th, 2011, in Erzurum, Turkey.

At the camp, the players were divided into four different teams, with 20-22 players on each team.  They competed in a three-game, round robin set-up.  After the camp, the players were chosen for the 2011 U.S. Men’s National University Team. 22 players were selected, along with six alternates.  Erik Hudson was selected for this team as one of two goaltenders.

Alan Murdoch- This is Murdoch’s 42^nd season with the Iowa State Cyclones. He serves as their Head Coach and General Manager.  He has accumulated over 900 career wins. Murdoch has been involved in Cyclone Hockey from the program’s humble beginnings in 1969.  Throughout his tenure at Iowa State, Murdoch has seen the program pass many miles stones. In 1992, under Murdoch’s training, the Cyclones became National Champions.  This will be Murdoch’s fifth consecutive time serving as the General Manager for the Men’s team at the World University Games.  In 2001, Murdoch was the Head Coach for Team USA. The tournament was highlighted by Team USA upsetting the heavily favored Russians 4-2.

Erik Hudson – A three-year letter winner, Erik Hudson is one of three goaltenders for ISU.  He is a senior from Spokane, Washington majoring in Business.  Hudson had fun at the tryouts and made this comment, “It was an excellent experience to see what the talent level in our league looks like. I was very impressed by the camp and by our players.”

Brandon Clark– A sophomore at Iowa State University, Clark, majors in Business Management.  The Spokane, Washington native plays defense for the Cyclones. Brandon spoke of experience at the camp, “I was able to meet and catch up with guys that I used to play with and against. Overall I had a ton of fun and grateful for being given an opportunity like that.”

David Kurbatsky – This ISU forward is a sophomore from San Ramon, Califorina.  At Iowa State, he is studying Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise Science/Pre Physical Therapy.  David spoke of his experience, “It was probably one of the most important tryouts in my life. Fighting for a spot to represent my country is something I have dreamed about my whole life.”

Matt Cohn – As a Centerman, Cohn, is from Hampshire, Illinois.  He is a senior, majoring in Business Management. Cohn thought it was an excellent opportunity and experience at the camp. He made this comment, “I enjoyed myself thoroughly and I am thankful to have had such a great hockey experience getting to represent team USA.”

James Werner – A freshman at Iowa State, Werner, majors in Kinesiology.  The Orillia, Ontario native plays left wing for the Cyclones.  James spoke of his experience, “I had the opportunity to play with and against some of the top players that the ACHA has to offer, and I hope to carry over what I’ve learned for a successful season at ISU.”