Starting With A Winner and Ending With The Coach

Happy Thursday Steel Fans!! We hope that you are all having a wonderful week, as well as, getting ready for the parade tomorrow!

Today we have two special treats for you. We have our winner of the autographed puck and to continue our theme of selection camp we have some special treats for you.

So to start things off, the winner of the caption contest is...ELIZABETH HOLTQUIST!!! Check out her caption for Patrick Polino's picture!

Did you say Hat trick or Patrick....either way Polino is #1!!

Once again CONGRATULATIONS Elizabeth on winning the contest. Please contact the Chicago Steel so we can get you your autographed puck!

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The second part of today's blog is to continue giving you an inside look of last week's selection camp with some new pictures and an in-depth interview with Coach Scott McConnell. Let's start out with some pictures!

All prepared and waiting for the players to arrive!

Here comes the players!

All the coaches were there to welcome the players! 

Then it was game time!

In between games, lunch was provided by Tom and Eddie's and Bella Vista!

Following lunch the boys finished off the day with more games!

On Tuesday, we had our vets give us some thoughts on selection camp. We figured that since we showed you the perspective from the vets, we would sit down with Coach McConnell and get his thoughts following the end of selection camp. Take a look:

How did you think tryouts went this year?

Camp was outstanding this year. Everyone at camp gave themselves the opportunity to make the team and should have no regrets in the effort they gave on the ice.

Now that you have narrowed down your team, what advantage are the boys going to bring to the ice this season?

One advantage this year is that we have a team full of players that have the drive and desire to get better everyday. With a team like that we may have a bump or two early in the year but that will make each player stronger and in-turn make our team better after those mistakes.

Were there any surprises during camp?

Every year we plan for surprises during camp and this year was no exception. Kids who were free agents came and earned a spot on the team, while some draft picks and vets didn’t have the showing they liked, which resulted in a difficult decision for us.

How did your selection process go overall?

Over the course of camp we had very difficult decisions. This is the first camp I’ve been apart of that every decision resulted in multiple conversations. The difference between the top and bottom level of players at camp was very narrow. There were very few players that didn’t belong, and we had very good players to choose from.

What advice would you give to new players?

1. Be true to yourself and who you are.

2. Be patient with yourself and your team.

3. Give everything you can to your teammates because once you have total buy-in to each other you have the blueprints to make something special happen.

What are you looking forward to this year?

The ability to mold this team into what they can become. This team is a little more inexperienced, which isn’t a bad thing. They will be able to learn together and grow together, and at the end win together. 

Well Steel Fans, that's all we have for you today! Once again Congratulations to Elizabeth Holtquist on winning the caption contest! Stay tuned for our next contest coming up in July! Also, we hope you enjoyed our recap of last week's selection camp and we look forward to seeing you all again this season! For those of you off to the parade tomorrow enjoy and be safe, otherwise have a great weekend everyone!!

Work Hard, Compete, and Be Willing To Take A Puck To The Face

Happy Tuesday Steel Fans!! Hopefully you are all enjoying the fact the the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup last night!!!

Today we thought we would give you a recap of last week's tryout camp, which was held here at the rink between Tuesday, June 18th and Friday, June 21st. Additionally, we also have a special Steel TV Segment featuring some of our vets.

Registration for tryouts started at 8am on Tuesday, and 

many of the players were there bright and early!

Following registration, Coach McConnell had a meeting with the players.

After an inspirational talk from Coach McConnell, it was time for the players to show the coaches what they got in some games. Each player was able to play a minimum of four games before the All-Star list was posted.

In between all of these games, our Steel TV crew was able to talk with Alex Roos, Biagio Lerario, Chris Dodero, and Chris Nell. Check it out!! 

All the players were on edge waiting for the All Star list to be posted. The list was finally posted on Thursday at 2:30pm. The players who made the cut then had a fitting and a practice with their team. 

There were two All-Star games that were held on Friday.

Finally, at 4pm on Friday, the final list went up! Unfortunately fans you are going to have to wait until the season gets closer before you can see who made the team.


Until then, don't miss out on the opportunity to purchase your season tickets and flex plans for the 2013-2014 season!! To order your tickets call RJ Bosworth at 
630-594-1161 or visit http://tickets.chicagosteelhockeyteam.com. 


Also don't forget to enter to win an autographed puck by a Chicago Steel player. There are only two days left! Follow this link to be entered to win: http://chicagosteelhockeyteam.blogspot.com/2013/06/whats-caption.html

Sitting Down With The Coaches

Happy Thursday Steel Fans! We took some time today to sit down and talk to coaches Scott McConnell and RJ Enga to get their thoughts on tryout camp next week. Check out what they have to say!

What are you looking forward to most during tryout camp?

“The ability to pick the nucleus of the team, furthermore to see how the guys developed over the summer. All teams start over at zero and this will be the group that we can develop for the core of hockey season.”

What are you looking for in players who are trying out?

“Effort. From there we look for passion and the drive to get better and earn a spot. Then we break down skill sets and how they fit in our puzzle to win hockey games.”

What are the challenges of watching so many players?

“They all bring a different thing to the table. It’s hard to predict the type of player they will be when they come to the next level. The nice part is that we have seen over 90% of the kids trying out so we know the type of player they can be. However, there are kids every year that come and make our team out of pure desperation and their will to compete is invaluable to any organization.”

How does your selection process work?

“As a staff we have lengthy conversations prior to the start of camp about each player, but once camp starts every kid has a clean slate and their job is to prove to us they can play their role at our level. Each night our staff meets to discuss each game, players, who impressed us, who did well, who is out of their league, etc. By the end of the week the staff feels confident and together on who to start the season with.”

What are your expectations for the players?

“Their effort level and ability to give everything they can. Once there’s a team giving everything you have a chance to make a run. The players need to give everything they can to develop into a team that can compete in the championship. ”

What is your goal for the season?

“To develop a play-off team with potential in winning the Clark Cup. Making the play-offs is an expectation, with our ultimate goal being the championship.”

What role will the vets play next season?

“The vets will play a big role in the team quickly coming together. Most of the kids are coming from midgets or prep school. The vets have been through the ups and down of a season (slumps, traveling while sick, winning streaks), and they are going to be looked to for guidance through the tough spots. The vets are going to have to understand though that they need the entire team to succeed.” 

For the complete schedule of tryout camp visit http://chicagosteelhockeyteam.com 

What's the Caption??

Happy Tuesday Steel Fans!! We figured that everyone needs to start the week out right so why not start with a contest?! You read that correctly, its time for another Steel giveaway! What's the prize you're wondering...how about an autographed puck from veteran Steel players?!

It's easy to enter, all you have to do is write a caption for this photo of Patrick Polino. 

You can write anything you want! Just post a comment, with your name, and you will be automatically entered to win an autographed puck! The contest ends June 27th at 11am, so don't wait too long to enter!! 

Good luck Steel Fans and we look forward to hearing your responses!!

Time Is Running Out!! Hurry, Hurry!!

Happy Thursday Steel Fans!! We hope that you are all having a wonderful day, and getting ready for the weekend! Who knows maybe you will even take some time this weekend and make some plans for the summer. As many of you parents probably already know, kids like to stay active and are always looking for something to do with their days. Well parents we might have a solution for you! Think about these questions:

1. Do your kids like make new friends?
2. Do they enjoy playing hockey?
3. Would they like to meet and hang out with the Steel coaches and players?
4. Does you child want to spend time this summer playing hockey?
5. Do they want a day full of hockey, swimming, and other fun activities?

If you've answered "YES" to any of these questions then we have something for you!! 

YOUTH HOCKEY CAMP!! 

Youth Hockey Camp is a full day of fun activities. Campers will get 2+ hours of ice time each day, on ice instruction with Chicago Steel Coaches and Players, and a camp jersey. They will also be able to play other sports like soccer, baseball, basketball, football, kickball, and much more. Additionally, every day the campers will be able to go swimming. On the final day of camp their will be a final on and off ice game followed by a BBQ for all campers, where they will receive a Chicago Steel Prize Pack!


Parents sign up NOW for your child's fun filled week of hockey!! Spots are filling up fast and their is only limited availability!!

To recap:

What: YOUTH HOCKEY CAMP

Where: The Edge Ice Arena

When: July 9th - July 12th 

Time: 8:30am - 5pm

Register by June 15th and pay only $275!! 

Registrations between June 16th to July 1st will be $300. 

(No more registrations will be received after July 1st)

Aviation Player of the Year Is...

Alex Sakellaropoulos!!

The Chicago Steel are proud to announce that Alex Sakellaropoulos has been named the Aviation Universe Player of the Year for the 2012-2013 season.

Sakellaropoulos registered 1,421 saves this season and ended the 2012-13 campaign with a .914 save percentage. The 6-foot 2, 220-pound goalie also holds the current record of 22 regular season wins, the highest number sine the organization was established in 2000. Throughout the season, Sakellaropoulos recorded a total of three shutouts--Cedar Rapids on Feb. 1, Team USA on Mar. 2, and Youngstown on Apr. 13. Furthermore he was added to the 2013 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game on Jan. 24. In his 29 minutes of action, Sakellaropoulos stopped all shots he faced while in net for Team East.

In two season with Chicago, Sakellaropoulos exemplified strong leadership skills, and a never-quit-attitude both on and off the ice. Sakellaropoulos will play collegiately at Union College beginning in the Fall of 2013.

Aviation Universe is Chicago's Aviation Emporium, and your local shop for all things aviation, including kid’s toys, collectible models, unique gifts and pilot supplies. Aviation Universe is conveniently located across from the Metra station in downtown Bensenville. Stop by and try our free flight simulator!  For more information and hours of operation, please visit www.aviationuniverse.us/shop/ or call 630-350-7913.