And now we have Dirk Hambroff here with us to talk about the Meet the Hockey Huskies Community Mixer.
It's Meet the Hockey Huskies, and we have the head coach of the Hockey Huskies with us, Bill McColt, up here this morning.
Hey, here we go, coach.
Nice to get back in the groove of things.
We're just three weeks away from today, three weeks away from opening up against the Minnesota Golden Gophers here at the Mac.
How are you doing?
Doing great.
Thanks.
for having me.
It's great to be back with you.
Excited for the upcoming season.
Great to be back on ice with our team.
Yeah, we wanted to get you on the air before this.
We did this last year for the McCarthy event and it's a chance for the Huskies fans who are chomping at the bit right now to see the team and see some of the new guys and see some of the veterans on the team in a game-like situation.
And it's probably good for the team too.
Absolutely.
It's going to be a real good opportunity for our guys to get some game-like situation.
get to get to see our fans and I think it'll be a great time.
Really, I know the guys enjoyed it afterwards getting to sign autographs and meet and interact with the fans in our community.
But obviously a good test for for us to see where we're at and see what we're doing well and some things that we can do better.
You know, I asked you this last year before the Asia squad game, but how much weight do you coaches and you and your staff put in this game as far as I know we're still a ways away.
from actually putting together a lineup for that first weekend.
But this probably means a little bit to these players.
They're still trying out for positions, aren't they?
No question.
You're very intuitive.
We had a talk yesterday because we've got 29 players on our team, and we can dress 21.
do the math and there's a lot of depth on this group and a lot of competition.
So, you know, obviously the players will end up making the decisions for us through their performance.
Bill McCalters with us, head coach of the hockey Huskies.
They will be having an interest squad.
game and scrimmage tomorrow at 10 o'clock in the morning.
It's all part of the McCarthy community mixer.
It's Meet the Hockey Huskies and it starts at 10 o'clock tomorrow.
Doors open at 9.30 so get here early.
The band's going to come in just like they do for a regular game.
The full band is going to be blaring some great music, of course, the fight song and everything else for this intrasquad game that starts at 10.
But that intrasquad game is just a
One piece of the whole puzzle for the the day it goes from ten until two here at the Mac and they're gonna have locker room tours They're gonna have a green screen.
They haven't already set up over there, which was really popular last week last year with the kids Free followers hot dogs free popcorn free soda at the concession stands and and like Billy was saying the Skate with the Huskies after brought you by Edward Jones
Financial advisors of Houghton.
The interest squad game is presented by Aspirus Health and you're looking at the roster coach that you have now and looking at what we had for our final game last season.
There are only three guys that were in the last game of the season not on the roster going into this.
This next season which is pretty incredible and completely different than what you had to deal with last year at this time I know it was your first year back, but we had 18 new guys at that time
Yeah, we had a large freshman class a lot of new new players.
I think Really excited about the returning players They put a lot of work in in the offseason a credit to to them They've come back in in great shape.
They look a little bit stronger a little bit faster
little bit more comfortable so really really excited with the returning guys and you know it's been been nice even at practice like they know the drills and they they can lead the the new players but it's it's definitely
It's really nice to have the returning players.
I think it'll bode well for our season.
Two big guys leaving on the back end for us.
Proudie and Anderson, those are very important pieces of the puzzle that you were able to bring over from your last team.
We've got some big guys coming in.
Can you talk a little bit about the first year Huskies back on the back end?
Yeah, I mean, Lucas Brenton, you know, he's just a big workhorse.
He's got to be 6'4", 6'5", 225".
and he can move and he defends hard.
He's going to be a real stalwart for us and a great addition to our back end.
Luke Shipley is a right shot D-man that came from UMass Lowell.
He's got some really good offensive instincts to his game and he looks really, really good in practice and he's going to add some offense to our game and then we have a couple other
players on the back end as well that are going to add, you know, some Morgan Brady and Austin Moline.
So they're really big.
I think they're both about six, six, four, six, five.
And Brady's a really physical player.
And, you know, I think they're going to push guys on the back end.
Is this still?
Lack of is it right-handed defenseman that seem to be Searching forward or is it the other way around there?
There seems to be a lot more lefties these days than maybe 20 30 years.
Yeah, for sure There's no question, but you know we have you know Maline's a righty Brady's a righty Shipley's a righty obviously we got Kalin Parker back.
He looks terrific So yeah, we did we're definitely gonna have some some depth on the back end and some tough decisions to make
what are you excited about this team as far as
Filling some deficiencies from last year.
Where did at the end of the season?
Were there certain things that you felt we needed to get better at or stronger at and do we feel those?
Yeah, I what I'm really excited about is the middle of our ice this year.
Obviously, we'll have Max Coscoporette back.
Koski will be a huge workhorse for us.
He's so reliable 200 foot player Really excited, but
We brought in Gio Mernon, who was at Lindenwood last year, recruited him there two years ago.
He's played a lot of games in the CHL.
He's a tremendous playmaker, and he makes other guys around him better.
And then Tristan Delile, another kid that came out of the OHL, he's got a lot of poise.
you know, sees the ice really well.
So I think that's an area where we've really improved.
And I think it'll, it'll, you know, it's a really big area to help generate offensively.
And then Connor Roulette is a left winger.
You know, he's a draft pick and played a lot of hockey and has actually played pro games.
So he looks really comfortable and he's got a knack for to score.
We have four goaltenders.
Three of them are, I'm guessing, heavily buying for status as far as number one, number two, and number three.
And even with the goaltender Lee in the
mix here.
Talk a little bit about the goal tending going into the preseason coach.
Yeah, obviously, you know, to get Bart back, you know, we had an opportunity to sign pro at the end of the year.
You know, I think he feels like he's got a little unfinished business yet, but really comfortable with him.
And then we have Joey Kinstagna, who played in Windsor in the OHL.
He's
I had a lot of experience there.
I really like his battle and his his compete level.
We have Ryan Manzela back and you know, he's looked good.
He looks like he's taking a step and then obviously Bryant Lee and Bryant looks better.
He had a really good summer.
He worked hard.
He looks more comfortable.
So really, really like our depth.
All right.
Before we let you go.
coaching staff.
Tyler Shilast, obviously, veteran in this coaching staff for Michigan Tech Hockey.
Benton Mass had a chance to chat with him quite a bit yesterday.
He's back with you, too.
But you've got Zach Richards now, the latest or one of the newest assistants.
Talk a little bit about him and what he's bringing to the table for you guys.
Yeah, really, really happy with Tyler and Benton.
They've done a tremendous job of recruiting and coaching and the way that they're
interacting with our players in development.
But Zach Richards was in Chicago in the American Hockey League with Carolina.
They went to the Calder Cup Finals.
Last year, Zach's going to come in and work with our goalies and he's done a lot.
He's really, really good with the video.
So those are some of the things that responsibilities that he'll bring and add to our group.
He also do face offs and work with our centers in that capacity.
excuse me so really really like our staff and you know just can't wait to get at
it.
And Colin Sawyer also joining the group too as a grad assistant?
Yeah we don't want to leave Sawyer's out at all you know he could still be playing right now but he's got the coaching bug and he's so excited to every day walk in he's got a smile he's energetic he's passionate and he's gonna gonna bring a good amount of energy and knowledge for our guys.
Coach Bill McCullough is with
with us coach tomorrow, the band's going to come in like a regular game.
You were here at this event last season when your first year back, it was kind of cool, wasn't it?
It was really cool.
I just remember Jack Anderson and Joe Proudy coming, coming back and they're like, coach, there's more, more fans here than we got at a regular game.
So, and I mean that in a good way.
It just, that's how good the atmosphere is here.
And we, we, we, we got a great fan base community.
So looking forward to tomorrow.
Yeah.
It's a great time.
we were talking about too the guys will it's it's only about an hour scrimmage so it's not taking up your whole day the whole event is from ten until two you don't have to come for the whole event but we do recommend you get here before ten to watch the game and then there's it is free hot dogs and all that other stuff going on locker room tours the players are going to be sticking around and doing the skate with the huskies and doing the locker room tours and all that stuff so it's going to be very much uh...
engaging.
Your kids, your family get a chance to actually meet the Huskies, meet the coaches, and have a good time.
Coach, thanks for coming up here today.
We're looking forward to this tomorrow.
Three weeks away from the start of the season, when do you start getting that, or do you already have it, that little
pit in your stomach, that nervous energy that you're ready to go.
Yeah, it's already,
it's already happened.
I think you're getting back on ice and and everything like that.
You know, it's just time to put the golf clubs away and then the fishing pole away and it's time to get down to business.
All right, coach, thanks for your time.
We appreciate it.
We'll talk to you later.
That is head coach Bill McCall here on Mix 93 WKFJ.
We want to remind you that tomorrow 10 o'clock doors open at 9 30 here at the John McGinnis Student Ice Arena for the second
second annual McCarthy meet the Huskies Community Mixer.
Everyone is invited.
Everything is free.
The Volwars Hot Dogs, the popcorn, the soda, all free at the concession stands while supplies last and I know they're bringing in like a thousand Volwars Hot Dogs.
I believe level up is going to be here too.
Now they will have some items for purchase and for order I think is what they're going to be doing.
They'll be on the main concourse there as well.
Aspirus Health is going to be here.
They're the sponsor of the Intra Squad game.
Edward Jones, financial advisors of Houghton are sponsoring the skate with the Huskies after the game.
They have posters for the kids and those posters can be signed by the players that will be coming out after they get done.
taking a little breather from the Intra Squad game that is starting at 10 o'clock.
The band's going to be here, the Misfits are going to be here, and it's going to be an absolute blast.
It's all free, so make sure you come on by tomorrow.
The second annual McCarthy.
Meet the Huskies Community Mixer right here at the John McGinnis student ice arena from 10 to 2.
Sam, we'll send him back to you.
And now we have Dirk Hambroff here with us to talk about the Meet the Hockey Huskies Community Mixer.
It's Meet the Hockey Huskies, and we have the head coach of the Hockey Huskies with us, Bill McColt, up here this morning.
Hey, here we go, coach.
Nice to get back in the groove of things.
We're just three weeks away from today, three weeks away from opening up against the Minnesota Golden Gophers here at the Mac.
How are you doing?
Doing great.
Thanks.
for having me.
It's great to be back with you.
Excited for the upcoming season.
Great to be back on ice with our team.
Yeah, we wanted to get you on the air before this.
We did this last year for the McCarthy event and it's a chance for the Huskies fans who are chomping at the bit right now to see the team and see some of the new guys and see some of the veterans on the team in a game-like situation.
And it's probably good for the team too.
Absolutely.
It's going to be a real good opportunity for our guys to get some game-like situation.
get to get to see our fans and I think it'll be a great time.
Really, I know the guys enjoyed it afterwards getting to sign autographs and meet and interact with the fans in our community.
But obviously a good test for for us to see where we're at and see what we're doing well and some things that we can do better.
You know, I asked you this last year before the Asia squad game, but how much weight do you coaches and you and your staff put in this game as far as I know we're still a ways away.
from actually putting together a lineup for that first weekend.
But this probably means a little bit to these players.
They're still trying out for positions, aren't they?
No question.
You're very intuitive.
We had a talk yesterday because we've got 29 players on our team, and we can dress 21.
do the math and there's a lot of depth on this group and a lot of competition.
So, you know, obviously the players will end up making the decisions for us through their performance.
Bill McCalters with us, head coach of the hockey Huskies.
They will be having an interest squad.
game and scrimmage tomorrow at 10 o'clock in the morning.
It's all part of the McCarthy community mixer.
It's Meet the Hockey Huskies and it starts at 10 o'clock tomorrow.
Doors open at 9.30 so get here early.
The band's going to come in just like they do for a regular game.
The full band is going to be blaring some great music, of course, the fight song and everything else for this intrasquad game that starts at 10.
But that intrasquad game is just a
One piece of the whole puzzle for the the day it goes from ten until two here at the Mac and they're gonna have locker room tours They're gonna have a green screen.
They haven't already set up over there, which was really popular last week last year with the kids Free followers hot dogs free popcorn free soda at the concession stands and and like Billy was saying the Skate with the Huskies after brought you by Edward Jones
Financial advisors of Houghton.
The interest squad game is presented by Aspirus Health and you're looking at the roster coach that you have now and looking at what we had for our final game last season.
There are only three guys that were in the last game of the season not on the roster going into this.
This next season which is pretty incredible and completely different than what you had to deal with last year at this time I know it was your first year back, but we had 18 new guys at that time
Yeah, we had a large freshman class a lot of new new players.
I think Really excited about the returning players They put a lot of work in in the offseason a credit to to them They've come back in in great shape.
They look a little bit stronger a little bit faster
little bit more comfortable so really really excited with the returning guys and you know it's been been nice even at practice like they know the drills and they they can lead the the new players but it's it's definitely
It's really nice to have the returning players.
I think it'll bode well for our season.
Two big guys leaving on the back end for us.
Proudie and Anderson, those are very important pieces of the puzzle that you were able to bring over from your last team.
We've got some big guys coming in.
Can you talk a little bit about the first year Huskies back on the back end?
Yeah, I mean, Lucas Brenton, you know, he's just a big workhorse.
He's got to be 6'4", 6'5", 225".
and he can move and he defends hard.
He's going to be a real stalwart for us and a great addition to our back end.
Luke Shipley is a right shot D-man that came from UMass Lowell.
He's got some really good offensive instincts to his game and he looks really, really good in practice and he's going to add some offense to our game and then we have a couple other
players on the back end as well that are going to add, you know, some Morgan Brady and Austin Moline.
So they're really big.
I think they're both about six, six, four, six, five.
And Brady's a really physical player.
And, you know, I think they're going to push guys on the back end.
Is this still?
Lack of is it right-handed defenseman that seem to be Searching forward or is it the other way around there?
There seems to be a lot more lefties these days than maybe 20 30 years.
Yeah, for sure There's no question, but you know we have you know Maline's a righty Brady's a righty Shipley's a righty obviously we got Kalin Parker back.
He looks terrific So yeah, we did we're definitely gonna have some some depth on the back end and some tough decisions to make
what are you excited about this team as far as
Filling some deficiencies from last year.
Where did at the end of the season?
Were there certain things that you felt we needed to get better at or stronger at and do we feel those?
Yeah, I what I'm really excited about is the middle of our ice this year.
Obviously, we'll have Max Coscoporette back.
Koski will be a huge workhorse for us.
He's so reliable 200 foot player Really excited, but
We brought in Gio Mernon, who was at Lindenwood last year, recruited him there two years ago.
He's played a lot of games in the CHL.
He's a tremendous playmaker, and he makes other guys around him better.
And then Tristan Delile, another kid that came out of the OHL, he's got a lot of poise.
you know, sees the ice really well.
So I think that's an area where we've really improved.
And I think it'll, it'll, you know, it's a really big area to help generate offensively.
And then Connor Roulette is a left winger.
You know, he's a draft pick and played a lot of hockey and has actually played pro games.
So he looks really comfortable and he's got a knack for to score.
We have four goaltenders.
Three of them are, I'm guessing, heavily buying for status as far as number one, number two, and number three.
And even with the goaltender Lee in the
mix here.
Talk a little bit about the goal tending going into the preseason coach.
Yeah, obviously, you know, to get Bart back, you know, we had an opportunity to sign pro at the end of the year.
You know, I think he feels like he's got a little unfinished business yet, but really comfortable with him.
And then we have Joey Kinstagna, who played in Windsor in the OHL.
He's
I had a lot of experience there.
I really like his battle and his his compete level.
We have Ryan Manzela back and you know, he's looked good.
He looks like he's taking a step and then obviously Bryant Lee and Bryant looks better.
He had a really good summer.
He worked hard.
He looks more comfortable.
So really, really like our depth.
All right.
Before we let you go.
coaching staff.
Tyler Shilast, obviously, veteran in this coaching staff for Michigan Tech Hockey.
Benton Mass had a chance to chat with him quite a bit yesterday.
He's back with you, too.
But you've got Zach Richards now, the latest or one of the newest assistants.
Talk a little bit about him and what he's bringing to the table for you guys.
Yeah, really, really happy with Tyler and Benton.
They've done a tremendous job of recruiting and coaching and the way that they're
interacting with our players in development.
But Zach Richards was in Chicago in the American Hockey League with Carolina.
They went to the Calder Cup Finals.
Last year, Zach's going to come in and work with our goalies and he's done a lot.
He's really, really good with the video.
So those are some of the things that responsibilities that he'll bring and add to our group.
He also do face offs and work with our centers in that capacity.
excuse me so really really like our staff and you know just can't wait to get at
it.
And Colin Sawyer also joining the group too as a grad assistant?
Yeah we don't want to leave Sawyer's out at all you know he could still be playing right now but he's got the coaching bug and he's so excited to every day walk in he's got a smile he's energetic he's passionate and he's gonna gonna bring a good amount of energy and knowledge for our guys.
Coach Bill McCullough is with
with us coach tomorrow, the band's going to come in like a regular game.
You were here at this event last season when your first year back, it was kind of cool, wasn't it?
It was really cool.
I just remember Jack Anderson and Joe Proudy coming, coming back and they're like, coach, there's more, more fans here than we got at a regular game.
So, and I mean that in a good way.
It just, that's how good the atmosphere is here.
And we, we, we, we got a great fan base community.
So looking forward to tomorrow.
Yeah.
It's a great time.
we were talking about too the guys will it's it's only about an hour scrimmage so it's not taking up your whole day the whole event is from ten until two you don't have to come for the whole event but we do recommend you get here before ten to watch the game and then there's it is free hot dogs and all that other stuff going on locker room tours the players are going to be sticking around and doing the skate with the huskies and doing the locker room tours and all that stuff so it's going to be very much uh...
engaging.
Your kids, your family get a chance to actually meet the Huskies, meet the coaches, and have a good time.
Coach, thanks for coming up here today.
We're looking forward to this tomorrow.
Three weeks away from the start of the season, when do you start getting that, or do you already have it, that little
pit in your stomach, that nervous energy that you're ready to go.
Yeah, it's already,
it's already happened.
I think you're getting back on ice and and everything like that.
You know, it's just time to put the golf clubs away and then the fishing pole away and it's time to get down to business.
All right, coach, thanks for your time.
We appreciate it.
We'll talk to you later.
That is head coach Bill McCall here on Mix 93 WKFJ.
We want to remind you that tomorrow 10 o'clock doors open at 9 30 here at the John McGinnis Student Ice Arena for the second
second annual McCarthy meet the Huskies Community Mixer.
Everyone is invited.
Everything is free.
The Volwars Hot Dogs, the popcorn, the soda, all free at the concession stands while supplies last and I know they're bringing in like a thousand Volwars Hot Dogs.
I believe level up is going to be here too.
Now they will have some items for purchase and for order I think is what they're going to be doing.
They'll be on the main concourse there as well.
Aspirus Health is going to be here.
They're the sponsor of the Intra Squad game.
Edward Jones, financial advisors of Houghton are sponsoring the skate with the Huskies after the game.
They have posters for the kids and those posters can be signed by the players that will be coming out after they get done.
taking a little breather from the Intra Squad game that is starting at 10 o'clock.
The band's going to be here, the Misfits are going to be here, and it's going to be an absolute blast.
It's all free, so make sure you come on by tomorrow.
The second annual McCarthy.
Meet the Huskies Community Mixer right here at the John McGinnis student ice arena from 10 to 2.
Sam, we'll send him back to you.