North Star Hockey

North Star is very proud to have been a part of the development of the players listed below including an amazing 4 players selected in the in the 1st round of the NHL Draft:

1st round of NHL Draft
- Ryan O’Marra - New York Islanders
- Andrew Cogliano - Edmonton
- Matt Pelech - Calgary
- Steve Downie - Philadelphia

Later Rounds
- James Neal - Dallas
- Rich Clune - Dallas
- Chris Lawrence - Tampa Bay
- Trevor Koverko - New York Rangers

North Star would like to congratulate the 2006 World Junior Hockey Champions Team Canada. Team Canada truly was a team that was more than the sum of its parts. The measure of good coach is the ability to have his players buy in to the systems in place, the higher caliber the players the more difficult this seems. Brent Sutter is an inspiration to coaches everywhere he has the ability to motivate high quality players to execute the systems in place nearly flawlessly with a relentless determination that almost guarantees victory.

North Star is very proud to have trained the following players on Team Canada’s roster:

- Steve Downie of the Peterborough OHL
- Andrew Cogliano of the Michigan NCAA
- Ryan O’Marra Erie OHL

We would also like to congratulate 2 time Team USA World Junior Player Robbie Schremp of London of the OHL.

North Star Hockey Director and Thunderbird GM/Coach Sean Carney took a hockey team consisting of many Toronto Thunderbirds OHA Jr.A players to Boston and have just returned from a very successful trip having taken part in this years edition of the 2005 John Cunniff Chowder Cup Junior Hockey Championship that was held in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The team performed very well making it to the Final Four. They were lead by returning veterans Mitch Dillon, Steve Tamaridis, Noel Lortie, Ron Toomey, Andrew Kizito, Greg Payne, Egor Mironov, Mike Ball,Andrew Favot, and Kyle Howe.

New additions already committed to the Thunderbirds this season were a big part of the teams success in Boston: Greg Miller, Jimmy Moodie, Chris Liscio, Chris Hattigan and Doug Clarkson.

It is billed as the largest Junior Hockey Championship in the world with 18 divisions of 4 teams each with a total number of teams taking part at 72. This prestigious tournament with some of the best Junior Hockey teams in the world, is a showcase of talent for various scouts and coaches looking for additions to their NCAA Hockey requirements.

On Tuesday, the team played an exhibition game against a team from Maryland coached by Craig Laughlin winning 6-4 at Babson College. The North Star team was in Division 11 which included: The Connecticut Clippers, Portland Jr. Pirates and the Washington Jr. Nationals. In tournament play, North Star finished up in first place in their division with wins over Connecticut (5 - 0), an Alumni team from Washington (6 - 1) and by defeating the Portland Pirates (4-2).

On Sunday August 7th, a one-day play off round was scheduled with 30n minute sudden death games. In the first game, the team from Toronto took on the hometown Junior Bruins. This game went into over-time

The championship game was then played between Texas Tornado and Champlain Valley with Texas taking the championship by a score of 3 -- 1.

Three of the North Star players finished up in the top 25 for total points. Claudio Cowdrey, Egor Mironov, and Mitch Dillon tallied up 7 points each and many of our players caught the eyes of NCAA Division 1 Scouts.

(Pending, OHA and OPJAHL approval) We are pleased to announce the sale of our hockey club the Thornhill major Islanders Junior “A” team to an ownership group headed up by Mark Healy of King City. We would like to thank all of our fans players and parents for their support over the years. We fully endorse the new ownership group and will be working very closely with them in an affiliation and advisory capacity to continue our vision of developing and promoting players to the highest possible level.

Sean Carney is also a part of the ownership group and will be the new General Manager and Coach he will be joined by assistant General Manager Bob Waters and assistant Coach Chris Byham, the rest of the staff will be named later. A prospect camp will be run Saturday June 19 and Sunday June 20, please see the OHA web site for more information and contacts.

North Star was asked to come to Nashville and prepare a select group of players that were going to represent the SAHA region at the USA hockey District Evaluations. The Program was run by Sean Carney and Max Saegert the weekend of April 23rd, and though intense the players were very much up to the task and enjoyed the experience.

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OHL Draft (May 04/04)

We are proud to announce that 5 of the players picked in the 1st round of the OHL Draft train with North Star they are:

North Star would like to congratulate all of the players chosen in this year’s priority draft and wish them good luck.

North Star is proud to announce Director Sean Carney is now the Head Coach of the North York Rangers Junior "A" Hockey club. Good luck to Sean and the Rangers!

North Star would like to congratulate all players that have been named to team Ontario Under 17 Team. The following seven players listed below trained with North Star and are having very strong seasons with their respective Junior "A" or OHL teams:

Kevin Baker - Owen Sound OHL
Richard Clune - Sarnia OHL
Andrew Cogliano - St. Micheals Jr. "A"
Steve Downie - Windsor OHL
Bobby Hughes - Kingston OHL
Chris Lawrence - Sault St. Marie OHL
Ryan O'Marra - Erie OHL

North Star is also proud to have one of our instructors Jason Nobili as an assistant coach with the team. The World Hockey Challenge Tournament will be played in St. Johns Newfoundland Dec. 28/2003 to Jan. 4/2004. 5 regional teams from throughout Canada will take on 5 teams 1 each representing Finland, Slovakia, U.S.A., Russia and Germany.

The Russian National Junior Team will play a series of 6 games, 2 each vs. the OHL, QMJHL and WHL all-star teams. North Star is proud to have 2 players that train with us named to the OHL all Star Team they are Wojtek Wolski of the Brampton Battalion and Dan Carcillo of the Sarnia Sting. The Team will be coached by one of North Stars instructors Jim Hulton. Good luck to both of you and the rest of the all stars in the CHL as they play the touring Russian National Junior Team. The series starts on Monday Nov. 19/03; the 2nd game vs. the OHL all stars is Wed. Nov. 19 in Sarnia.

Dave Brown who is a freshman at Notre Dame University led his team to their second straight Shut Out victory a 1-0 defeat of Boston College, Dave played Junior "A" for North Star Director Sean Carney in Hamilton and went on to train with North Star and play in the Prospects Tournament. Congratulations Dave on a great start to your NCAA career.

Hockey camp gives prospects an extra push as printed in the BRADINGTON HERALD

Aug 9, 2003 - ELLENTON - Escaping August's heat and humidity has been a breeze for Toronto-area visitor Daniel Carcillo.

The stocky 18-year-old, who was chosen by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the third round of the NHL Draft, has been training with 20 other teenage players in Sean Carney's North Star Hockey Development camp at the J.P. Igloo Ice and Inline Sports Complex.

Carcillo, a left wing who had 29 goals and 37 assists with the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League, is planning to spend another season with the OHL team owned by former Tampa Bay Lightning winger Dino Ciccarelli.

But with the cash-strapped Penguins undertaking a youth movement, who's to say when Carcillo will be sharing a shift with legendary center and team owner Mario Lemieux?

"It would be a pretty amazing experience just to get a pass from him in practice," Carcillo said. "He is one of the greatest to play the game. I'm fortunate to be part of that organization.

"Most likely, I'll be back in the OHL for another year, but the Penguins told us everyone will get a legitimate shot. So I have a chance."

Carcillo will report to Sarnia's training camp Aug. 24, then attend the Penguins' camp beginning Sept. 11. Under NHL rules, the Penguins retain his signing rights for two years.

Carney, a 37-year-old high school technology teacher in Toronto who has worked with the Canadian National Junior Team and USA Hockey and coached Junior A hockey the past eight years, began North Star in 2000 to help players devote more ice time to intensive training and skills development.

"We believe in creating a high-tempo environment," said Carney, who is assisted by goaltender instructor Chris Byham. "We practice at a tempo at least as high as the players get in their games."

Carney moved this week's North Star camp to J.P. Igloo after learning of ice availability from John Sprague, the father of former IMG Hockey Midget Triple A forward Jay Sprague (IMG folded its hockey division last spring).

Sprague was drafted by Brampton of the OHL and will play there or with the Georgetown Raiders of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League.

Several Bradenton players participated in the camp: twins Steven and Jesse Meyer, a defenseman and right wing; right wing Nathan Heinsohn and forward Mike Kolb.

"They all have aspirations of one day playing in the NHL, but that's a tough nut to crack," he said.

For the 5-foot-11, 200-pound Carcillo, the biggest benefit to this week has been "getting back into shape and getting up to speed again. I've also done private skating sessions with Sean, and he has been a big part of my development."

As part of the camp, Carney invited former Florida Panthers director of player development and sports psychologist Paul Henry to speak to the players.

After Friday morning's on-ice session, Henry told the campers "anxiety destroys self-confidence, and self-confidence destroys anxiety."

That's something for Carcillo to remember when he steps on the ice with Lemieux. Click HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/sports/6493168.htm
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Mike Henry , sports writer, can be reached at 745-7080, ext. 2212, or mhenry@bradentonherald.com.

North Star would like to congratulate Jim Hulton Head Coach of the Kingston Frontenacs for being named an assistant coach with the Canadian National Junior Team. Jim has been a North Star instructor for several years. Good luck to Jim and the Canadian National Junior Team as they compete for a gold medal at the World Junior Championships in Finland this coming December.

North Star would like to congratulate Steve Spott for being named a guest coach for the Los Angeles Kings training camp. Steve is an Associate Coach with the OHL Memorial Cup Champions Kitchener Rangers and has been a North Star Instructor for many years.

North Star would like to congratulate the following players that have trained with us and were selected in the NHL 2003 entry draft:

Dan Carcillo - 73 Pittsburgh, played for Sarnia Sting of the OHL
Kevin Jarman - 103 Columbus, played for Stouffville Ontario Provincial Junior "A"
Kyle Quincey - 132 Round Detroit, played for London of the OHL
Chris Beckford Tseu - 159 St. Louis, played for Oshawa of the OHL
Jeff Weber - 235 Buffalo, played for Plymouth of the OH

North Star would like to congratulate the Kitcheners Rangers on winning the Memorial Cup. Several players on the team train with North Star Evan McGrath, Carlo Dirienzo and David Clarkson as well Steve Spott is the Associate Head Coach and General Manager for the OHL club.

North Star would like to congratulate Robbie Schremp on being the 1st overall pick in the 2002 OHL draft to the Mississauga Ice Dogs. Robbie is a native of Syracuse, New York. Last year, he played in the Ontario Provincial Junior "A" League for Syracuse.

Robbie has trained with North Star during the last 2 spring sessions and has played on 2 prospect teams along with his brother Tyler. We wish Robbie good luck in the up coming season and for years to come.

North Star would like to congratulate Ron Gal on being named one of the Goalies for the Israeli National Hockey Team competing in the World Junior Hockey Championships B division held in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. Ron is a graduate of last summers North Star Camp. Good luck Ron!

North star is proud to congratulate Sean Samuel a goalie with the Newmarket Hurricanes of the Provincial Junior "A" League on accepting an offer to Dartmouth University. Sean has attended several North Star camps and thanks to his hard work and dedication has deservedly earned a spot on a division one team.

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3 players that have all attended various North Star programs are in the top 4 in OHL Rookie Scoring they are Robbie Schremp of the Mississauga Ice Dogs, Dan Carcillo of the Sarnia Sting and Evan McGrath of the Kitchener Rangers, congratulations guys keep up the good work.

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North Star would like to congratulate 3 players that have been involved in various North Star programs and have been chosen to play for Team Ontario at the Canada winter games. Evan McGrath and Carlo Direnzo both of the OHL Kitchener Rangers and Victor Oreskavik of the Milton Merchants of the Ontario Provincial Junior "A" League will all be representing Ontario. Good luck to the above players and the rest of Team Ontario.

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