Thursday, January 30, 2014

Winter Classic...Steel Style

Happy Thursday Steel Fans! Last Wednesday, the team decided to practice a little bit different, and in a different location. The coaches and players decided that it would be fun to have their own Winter Classic. So, on Wednesday, January 22nd, the boys and coaches packed up all of their equipment and headed to the Elmhurst YMCA to play a game of hockey.



The game consisted of 2, 30 minute periods with an intermission in-between. This was just like a regular game with refs, authentic jerseys, and penalties. Coach McConnell and Coach Enga were the two refs of the game and they recruited some help for the scoreboard and penalty boxes. Since McConnell and Enga were the refs, the two coaches were Hockey Operations Intern, Neil Jenkins, and Equipment Manager, Pat Dolan. The teams were as follows

Team Black (Pat)
Team Mania (Neil)
Jackson  Vanko
Ernsting Kwiecinksi
Smith Payne
Tischke Bergh
Kearney Yau
Artemov Schilling
McDonald Fetzer
McGing Bjorkung
LeBlanc Jones
Polino Booth
Bunz Nell
Morris LaValle
Niko



















If any of you remember, last Wednesday was cold and snowy. That didn't stop any of these boys. Between scarves, hats, gloves, and multiple layers, everyone was set and ready to go. 




Minus some of the front office staff heading out there to watch the game, we had some spectators stop by and watch the boys play. Needless to say, by the end of the game it was too cold for most people. 



Here are some action shots from the game. You might notice that a lot of the players had different positions compared to a regular game. The team "coaches" had some interesting ideas of who they wanted to play what. 






The game had some penalties, and 23 goals total. In the end Team Black was able to pull out the win. 




Overall the boys and staff had a complete blast with the game and decided that this needs to be an annual occurrence. Everyone agreed this was a fun and unique way to practice, and take advantage of an outdoor rink that is almost right in our backyard. We can't wait to see what next year's outcome will be! Have a great day Steel Fans!




Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Off The Ice With Brian LeBlanc

Happy Wednesday Steel Fans!! This week's video is an "Off The Ice Look With Brian LeBlanc!" The defenseman from Hermantown, Minn. appeared in 22 games for the Steel in 2012-13, before being traded to the Wichita Falls Wildcats of the North American Hockey League in early January. After being moved, LeBlanc appeared in 27 games for the Wildcats, recording 2 goals and 4 assists to go along with a plus 4 rating. Being traded came as a shock to LeBlanc but the experience definitely helped him to mature. He says the initial trade “woke him up” and he grew up both on and off the ice. 

So far this season, LeBlanc has appeared 34 games, with 2 goals and 7 assists. Throughout his time at the Steel, Brian has shown dedication, hard work, and a genuine love of the game, both on and off the ice. Check out the video below to learn more about the guy behind the jersey!!






Check back next Wednesday to get another behind the scenes look at your 2013-2014 Chicago Steel! Have a great evening Steel fans and watch out for the snow tomorrow!! 




Tuesday, January 28, 2014

And The Award Goes To...

Happy Tuesday Steel Fans! As you might have noticed it's officially Award season. Sunday night the Grammy's were on and a few weeks back were the Golden Globes. Since actors, actresses, musicians, and celebrities have been getting together to celebrate one another's achievements and talents, we thought we would continue talking about them today. We asked the boys today who they would want to play them in a movie. Check it out!!  

If your life was turned into a movie, 
what actor would play you?

Mason Bergh #15
Morgan Freeman


Victor Bjorkung #27
Jim Carey


Michael Booth #25
Will Ferrell



Jake Bunz #3
Jennifer Lawrence 


John Ernsting #18
Channing Tatum


Danny Fetzer #26
Leonardo DiCaprio 




Robby Jackson #23
Tom Cruise 


Brady Jones #19 
Blake Lively 


Brendon Kearney #12 
Brad Pitt


Nate Kwiecinski #5
Adam Sandler


Zach LaValle #11
Samuel L. Jackson 



Brian LeBlanc #14
Leonardo DiCaprio


Connor McDonald #24
Owen Wilson


Liam McGing #4
Mark Wahlburg


Cale Morris #35
Zac Efron 


Chris Nell #31

Owen Wilson


Robbie Payne #21
Otto Rocket




John Schilling #16
Leonardo DiCaprio


CJ Smith #22
Will Ferrell 


Peter Tischke #6

Jennifer Aniston 


Alec Vanko #28
Denzel Washington


Connor Yau #2
Jackie Chan

Steel Fans, if your life was turned into a movie, 
what actor would you want to play you? 
Have a fabulous day! 

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Mascot, Mascots, And More Mascots!!

IT'S MASCOT NIGHT, IT'S MASCOT NIGHT!! Tonight's game is when Rusty invites all of his friends out to hang out at a Steel game! This is one of Rusty's favorite night. Not only is Rusty excited but the players also enjoy seeing the different Mascots. It's a fun filled night not only for Rusty and his friends, but also for the fans. Before the game we asked the guys who their favorite mascot is...check it out!!  

Who is your favorite Mascot?

Mason Bergh #15
Rusty

Photo By: MJB Images


Victor Bjorkung #27
Rusty


Michael Booth #25
Tommy the Hawk


Jake Bunz #3
Syracuse Orange 


John Ernsting #18
Benny the Bull


Danny Fetzer #26
Tommy the Hawk/Rusty


Robby Jackson #23
Stomper


Photo By: MJB Images
Brady Jones #19 
UCSC Banana Slug


Brendon Kearney #12 
Ronald McDonald


Nate Kwiecinski #5
Rusty






Zach LaValle #11
The Wildcat from High School Musical 


Brian LeBlanc #14
Minny from the Minnesota Twins


Connor McDonald #24
Freddie the Falcon


Liam McGing #4
Rusty

Photo By: MJB Images

Cale Morris #35
Rusty


Chris Nell #31

Stanford Tree


Robbie Payne #21
Rusty



Photo By: MJB Images



John Schilling #16
Benny the Bull


CJ Smith #22
Toronto Raptor 


Peter Tischke #6

Benny the Bull


Alec Vanko #28
Bucky Badger




Connor Yau #2
Rusty


Steel Fans, who is your favorite mascot? 
Have a fabulous day! 

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Off The Ice With Chris Nell

Happy Wednesday Steel Fans!! This week's video is an "Off The Ice Look With Chris Nell!" This is Chris's second season with the Chicago Steel. Last season Chris appeared in 25 games, recording a 89.4% save average throughout the season. This season, Nell has appeared in 28 games, obtaining one shut out and a 91.8% save average. Throughout his time at the Steel, Chris has shown a hard work ethic, dedication, and leadership, both on and off the ice. Check out the video below to learn more about the guy behind the jersey!!











We hope you enjoyed learning more about Goaltender Chris Nell, come back next Wednesday to see another behind the scenes look into some of your favorite players!!


Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Childhood Books

Happy Tuesday Steel Fans!! These past few weeks the players have been going to nursing homes to play bingo and going to schools to teach hockey and read books to students. One of the most important things that the players talk to the kids about is reading. During the appearances, one of the questions players always get is what is your favorite childhood book. We thought today we would ask the entire team this question. Check it out!! 

What is your favorite childhood book?

Mason Bergh #15
"Everyone Poop"
Photo By: MJB Images


Victor Bjorkung #27
"The Giving Tree"


Michael Booth #25
"Million Dollar Goal"


Jake Bunz #3
"Brady Brady"


John Ernsting #18
"No, David, No!"


Danny Fetzer #26
"Dr. Seuss"


Robby Jackson #23
"1 Fish, 2 Fish"


Photo By: MJB Images
Brady Jones #19 
"The Bible"


Brendon Kearney #12 
"Cat in the Hat"


Nate Kwiecinski #5
"Green Eggs and Ham"




Zach LaValle #11
"The Giving Tree"


Brian LeBlanc #14
"If You Give A Mouse A Cookie"


Connor McDonald #24
"I'll Love You Forever"


Liam McGing #4
"Eragon"

Photo By: MJB Images

Cale Morris #35
"If You Give A Mouse A Cookie"


Chris Nell #31

"Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes" 


Robbie Payne #21
"All My Friends Are Dead"


Patrick Polino #17
"Hungry hungry Caterpillars"



Photo By: MJB Images

John Schilling #16
"Dr. Seuss"


CJ Smith #22
"If You Give A Mouse A Cookie"


Peter Tischke #6

"Magic School Bus"



Alec Vanko #28
"Curious George"




Connor Yau #2
"Captain Underpants"


Steel Fans, what is your favorite childhood book? 
Have a fabulous day! 


Monday, January 20, 2014

Off The Ice With Danny Fetzer!!

Congratulations to Christian Larsen!! 
You are the winner of our contest!!
Send a message to info@chicagosteelhockeyteam.com or call 630-594-1162 so we can get you your prize!


Happy Thursday Steel Fans! We hope you are having a great week so far. We have something new to share with you today. Each week, we will have a new video posted just for you. These videos will give you an "Off The Ice" look into one of the players on the team.

This week's video is an "Off The Ice Look With Captain Danny Fetzer!" This is Danny's second season with the Chicago Steel. Last season Danny appeared in 52 games, totaling 6 goals and 6 assist throughout the season. This season, Fetzer has appeared in 33 games, totaling 8 goals, and 5 assists. Throughout his time at the Steel, Danny has shown heart, strong leadership skills, and passion, both on and off the ice. Check out the video below to learn more about the guy behind the jersey!!





Have a great day Steel Fans!! 


Tuesday, January 14, 2014

When Hockey Players Read...

Happy Tuesday Steel Fans!! We thought that we would give you an inside look into a couple appearances from the last few days.

Last Thursday, Brendon Kearney, Jake Bunz, John Ernsting, John Schilling, Robbie Payne, and CJ Smith went to North Elementary School, in Villa Park, to do a Score With Reading event for the entire school.



































Each grade level came to the library and listened to a story read by one of the players. The kids were treated to one of three books: Z is for Zamboni, The Magic Hockey Stick, or Dino-Hockey.


Check out some pictures and video clips of Brendon Kearney and Jake Bunz reading to the 4th graders, 1st graders, and Kindergarten.











Check out some pictures and a video clip of John Schilling and John Ernsting reading to the 2nd graders and 5th graders.



Check out some pictures and a video clip of CJ Smith and Robbie Payne reading to the 3rd graders and DHH children.
























After the book, the kids were able to ask the players questions about themselves, hockey, or about the book.



Thursday was a great day not only for the players but also for the school. The kids loved listening to stories read by players, and the guys enjoyed interacting with the different grades.

This past Monday Brian LeBlanc and Danny Fetzer went to Hammerschmidt Elementary School in Lombard to read to some classes, as well. Check out some of the pictures below.







If you would like to have some players come to your child's school either to have them read to a class or teach hockey in physical education please call 630-594-1159 or visit http://www.chicagosteelhockeyteam.com/fan-zone/school-programs/.

Have a great day Steel Fans!!