Minnesota Crunch Tryouts April 5th and 6th

Media · Post by **Media** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 6:30 pm

The IRA Civic Center in Grand Rapids will be the sight of the First ever Minnesota Crunch Tryouts April 5th and 6th .Since the completion of athe State Girls Hockey Tournament the Crunch have offered a total of 8 Tenders for the team. The remaining slots will be open for tryout. The MInnesota Crunch will launch its Inaugural season August 29th at the North American hackey academys labor day tourny. The Crunch will play a minimum of 40 games Players must be graduated from Highschool and be of U-19 age to participate. Contact dan Clafton @218 259-2503 for more information.

joehockey · Post by **joehockey** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 7:46 pm

Who are the 8 tendered players?

Media · Post by **Media** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 8:12 pm

No names will be released until after the tryouts are complete

joehockey · Post by **joehockey** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 8:30 pm

Ok thanks I guess there is a good reason but seems odd to publicly say "8 spots are tendered" but not say who players would be trying out to play with - hard to judge the real caliber of the team?

I think everyone hopes this can be a great success. I understand another group of people are looking at a similar concept in the future to be based out of the Super Rink likely for the '09-'10 season.

Media · Post by **Media** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 8:38 pm

I understand that people want to know but not all the tenders have been returned yet. As they come in I may change my mind. As far as tryout I urge anyone to tryout . I hope someone is looking at the same type of deal it would be a very nice for the travel budget .

Media · Post by **Media** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 3:28 pm

GrandRapids- THe Minnesota Crunch today announced the signing of its first player to a tendered contract. Ali Parizek of Minot North Dakota today became the first official member of the Minnesota Crunch. Ali will be a large key to the success of our organization said Dan Clafton General manager of the Crunch. Parizek tallied 53 goals and 15 assists in her sr year at Minot for coach Pat Morrelli. Ali is of strong character and athletic ability we are pleased she will be joining the Crunch family . The Minnesota Crunch is a u-19 team structured under a boys Jr team format. The Minnesota Crunch open play in the Fall of 08.

Central · Post by **Central** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 7:16 pm

Congratulations on recruiting Ali. Have watched her play a couple times. Great speed, game sense and hands!

Good Luck to the Crunch. Look forward to reading about the Inaugural season!

Media · Post by **Media** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 6:35 pm

Grand Rapids- In continuing the process of assembling high caliber athletes and studentsThe Minnesota Crunch are pleased to announce the signing of Casey McMullen of the Minneaplis Nova's . McMullen the recent Athena award winner for top Student Athlete brings to the Crunch the whole package. From the moment we saw and spoke to Casey we knew she was a player we needed to have. A three year captain for the Nova's Mcmullen said she looks forward to the challenge of a new team, and helping to continue the development of womens hockey. Said Dan Clafton of the Crunch, Casey had 30 goals and 30 assists for the Nova's this season as well as being a Mss Hockey nominee and all state Honerable mention.Casey and Ali Parizek will compliment each other on and off the ice. They both exude the confidence top compeitors need to have. We are exited for good reason to have these players with us. The Minnesota Crunch open their season in the Fall of 2008 in GrandRapids Minnesota .

eastsidehockey · Post by **eastsidehockey** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 10:16 am

This may seem like an off-the-point question, but one some others may have. What about insurance purposes, such as medical? IF a girl gets sick on or off the ice.

Hope it goes well for you and would like to see some games.

Any possibility to scrimmage some D1 or DIII schools or is this a NCAA violation?

Media · Post by **Media** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 9:18 am

Very good Questions, Because we are sanctioned by USA hockey Usa hockey is a secondary provider. Because the girls are not full time students in some cases it may be required to enroll them within a cobra plan (dont ask what it stands for I dont know LOL) These are available through their normal insurance plan/agents. Regarding D-1 teams as I understand it today we would have to be a scheduled game for them ie exhabition. unlikely that will happen this year but a goal for the future.
On a side note it is interesting, as I am down in the cities this weekend with the Jr Crunch what I have heard about our program. ie only players who couldnt get in to college Truth is both signed player you know of are at the very top of their respective classes. Each comes with the highest level of Community involvment, and both could of played at any one of several colleges. As a matter of fact every girl we have talked to is of an a caliber quality, in school , off ice , and on the ice. In reality if you think dumping 15-30 grand in a private school is the way to go and what you want to do so be it. But this is an option for those that have what it takes to develop to their full potential. All girls come out no more than a 1/2 a semester behind thier graduating class, and come out a semester ahead of next years class. The credits they take are about 1/2 the cost of a major college d-1 or d-3. Seems like in my life their has been a lot of time to work but hey thats just me. It never ceases to amaze me when some one trys to do somethig there are people who want to say it wont work . But hey regardless we move forward with or without them . We see the glass half full . To those who have called for no other reason than to support thankyou.

OntheEdge · Post by **OntheEdge** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 7:18 pm

Media wrote:Grand Rapids- In continuing the process of assembling high caliber athletes and studentsThe Minnesota Crunch are pleased to announce the signing of Casey McMullen of the Minneaplis Nova's . McMullen the recent Athena award winner for top Student Athlete brings to the Crunch the whole package. From the moment we saw and spoke to Casey we knew she was a player we needed to have. A three year captain for the Nova's Mcmullen said she looks forward to the challenge of a new team, and helping to continue the development of womens hockey. Said Dan Clafton of the Crunch, Casey and our other recent signee Ali Parizek will compliment each other on and off the ice. They both exude the confidence top compeitors need to have. We are exited for good reason to have these players with us. The Minnesota Crunch open their season in the Fall of 2008 in GrandRapids Minnesota Watch for Caseys Stats in the near future.

Casey McMullen is a great addition to any team. Hardnosed, hard working player, a leader and a great kid. Congratulations on an outstanding pickup.

Media · Post by **Media** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 10:43 pm

GrandRapids- The Minnesota Crunch announced today aquisition of Defensman Kayla Kaiser from the Grand Forks Rough Riders. Kaiser a very skilled and talented defender for the Rough Riders netted 11 goals and 12 helpers for 23 points in her Sr season. The very physical defender also tallied 70 minutes in penalties in helping her Grand Forks Squad to the State Tournament. In announcing the agreement of Kaiser to join the squad General Manger Dan Clafton sited Kaisers style of play and toughness in their decision to tender Kaiser early in the Process. Kayla is soft spoken but her style of play is anything but soft. She is a great player who we can count on in any situation. Once again our community will be getting a quality individual and someone sure to be a fan favorite. The Minnesota Crunch is a U-19 team operating out of Grand Rapids Minnesota, begining play in the Fall of 2008.

Central · Post by **Central** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 10:46 pm

Congrats on the additions! Thanks, too, for keeping the forum updated. It is fun and exciting to read about this new program!

Around the boards · Post by **Around the boards** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 6:27 pm

who are the coaches for the Crunch?

Media · Post by **Media** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 7:37 pm

The Minnesota Crunch remain in wait for one of our coaches to clear imagration issues. We expect that to be resolved any day.In the interim, Grant Clafton will be acting head coach pending the successful resoloution of these matters. Clafton a four year letter winner at STCloud State, signed a Pro contract with Utah imeadiatly following last years NCAA playoff appearance. This year spent the majority of the Season in the Central Hockey league before receiveing season ending injuries.Once our selected coach gains imagration approval Clafton will resume his role as Director of Hockey and scouting for the Crunch. The Minnesota Crunch further have aquired the services of Jackie Bischoff as strength and conditioning coach.

Central · Post by **Central** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 8:12 pm

Hope your son is doing fine with the injuries you mention.

Where is Jackie Bischoff from?

Guessing the coach you are referring to is a Canadian that has to clear some immigration hoops. They certainly know how to play the game in Canada!

Thanks for the updates!

Media · Post by **Media** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 8:28 pm

yes indeed she is from Canada . Jackie Bischoff is from Coleraine Minnesota and is married to former Minnesota Gopher and olympian Grant Bischoff. She is an excellent and skillfull strength coach. She was on board early in the deal. and thank you yes Grant is on the mend but remains in a doctors care after breaking his neck and back in a check from behind.

Central · Post by **Central** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 8:43 pm

Glad to read Grant is on the mend! Wishing him a steady and full recovery from his injuries!!

Teasing us with details. A female coach! Nice!

Thanks for the additional info on Jackie Bischoff. She is who I thought. Nice addition.

Around the boards · Post by **Around the boards** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 10:58 pm

sounds good, can't wait to hear who you are referring to....when will the final roster will posted?

Media · Post by **Media** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 2:42 pm

The Final roster will not be totally public until June 1st that is our target date. In addition we continue to pursue an assistant coach for the team . Persons interested can contact me at 218 259 2503 Watch this thread for periodic updates of players coaches and mile stones. We continue to appreciate the interest and the support that has been provided by many of you. We want to make opening night a huge event so closer to fall watch for details . keep the questions coming, We will be open on all of your thought ideas and projects ,

Media · Post by **Media** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 5:37 pm

GrandRapids- 2007 Moorhead highschool star and all state honorable mention Stacy Johnson is the newest tendered player to the Minnesota Crunch. In signing Johnson Crunch General Manager said "we wanted a powerful forward someone who can create a presence on the ice,Stacy is that person". We are excited to get Stacy and look forward to welcoming her to the community. Stacy plays the game the way its meant to be played said Clafton.Stacy collected a total of 82 goals and 61 helpers for the Spuds of Moorhead in her 4 year career. Stacy was the second leading scorer for Team Minnesota at the Chicago Show Case. In the same tournament Stacy was voted the spirit award by the coaches.Johnson was a three time all conference selection. The Minnesota Crunch will begin play in the fall of 2008.

BCGHockey · Post by **BCGHockey** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 5:13 pm

Media, are you able to give us an idea what the numbers are for tryouts. Does it look like you will be making cuts?

Media · Post by **Media** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 5:43 pm

As written previously Tryouts are April 5th and 6th, at the IRA Civic Center. We have offered 8 tendered positions, some you have read about,
The remainder of the spots will remain open for tryouts if we can find enough quality talent in this single tryout we will select the squad from that . Depending on the status of the team following tryouts decisions will be made to pursue other sources of players. Tryout day will feature a college tour and a tour of the housing facility. Each participant will recieve a tryout jersey. Person with further questions in regard to the tryout, wanting to tryout can contact me at 218 259-2503 Our numbers for tryouts are not where we would like them nowIf you are planning on attending it would be helpful to know for planning purposes . Season Tickets for next season will go on sale April 10th for $49..00 We urge any player considering, questioning or wanting to tryout to give us a call.

boblee · Post by **boblee** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 6:05 pm

Two questions, Media:

1. Who else do you have in place staffwise besides Grant, Jackie, the head coach, and yourself?

2. What staff positions are available and would they just contact you for more information?

I have been asked these questions and I am sure other people are wondering.

Media · Post by **Media** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 6:28 pm

Thankyou for the question Bob. Current structure is as follows :

Owner / General Manager Dan Clafton

Director of Coaching and skill Development Filled pending agreement

Director of Scouting and hockey operations Grant Clafton

Head Coach Open Grant Clafton Interum head coach

Asst Coach Open

Director of Ticket Sales Sara Wolf

Director of Game Day Operations Lynn Cemensky
Sales Danita Stumo

Persons with interest in the working with the Crunch should contact me directly at 218 259 2503 .

Coaching positions require a resume of experience
Equally ther will be positions opening throughout summer,

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