Club News

ECU Invitational Jr. Showcase Canceled, Skate with the Pirates Added

Local Youth Players Invited to Skate in a Real ECU Practice! 

9/29/08 

GREENVILLE, NC – Due to unforeseen scheduling conflicts and travel difficulties for the incoming teams this weekend’s ECU Invitational Jr. Showcase has been canceled. Instead team management has announced a “Skate with the Pirates” event and invites all local youth hockey players to lace up their skates alongside the Pirates during an official ECU team practice. Admission is free to all and will be held from 4:30pm-5:30pm.

Get a chance to skate with the team as they prepare for their home opener October 10 against the University of Virginia.

Purple Gold Skills Competition

9/20/08

Greenville, NC - The ECU Ice Hockey Club officially opened its 2008-2009 season with the Annual Purple and Gold Skills Competition this past Friday night and Bladez on Ice. With strong attendance by fans, this years roster played 2 periods of hockey showcasing the newest members, seasoned players and the coaching of new head coach Markham. Starting goalie Matt Dalgetty earned a shutout for the gold team.

Following the scrimmage, the players next took to showcasing skills including speed relays, shootouts and target shooting with junior Sam Duehring finishing first. Finally, players mingled with enthusiastic fans. Shirley Duehring, President of the booster club signed up new members to a growing fan base.

The Pirate Ice Hockey Clubs first home game is October 3rd at Bladez On Ice. The game starts at 9:30pm. The ECU Ice Hockey Club, founded four years ago, has experienced robust growth both with student and non-student fans. This years season features many exciting rivalries, fast paced action and a team committed to community involvement.

Media requests may contact John D. Powell at 252-916-8450 or john_powell@yahoo.com.

ECU Announces 2008-2009 Roster

12 New Players Join Completely Revamped Pirates

9/9/08

GREENVILLE, NC – After a busy summer that saw the arrival of new Head Coach Mike Markham and the release of what is sure to be one of the toughest schedules in the ACHA DIII South, the ECU Ice Hockey Club has released the official roster for the 2008-2009 season.

Faced with the challenge of replacing a total of 10 players including founding member and three year team Captain Corey Fleitz the ECU coaching staff did so, and then some. After a three day tryout that saw a record 44 players participate the result was a nearly brand new and completely redesigned team with a total of 12 new faces joining the Pirate lineup. With five equally talented lines and a stout eight man defensive corps the Pirates’ strength will certainly be depth. Get a sneak peek at the reloaded ECU Ice Hockey Club September 19 at 9:30pm at Bladez on Ice before the Pirates begin their quest for a national title when they travel to Fort Myers, Florida to take on Florida Gulf Coast University September 26-27.

ECU Names New Head Coach, Welcomes Back Former Assistant Coach

Mike Markham Named Head Coach While Todd Carter Returns to Head up Defense 

8/15/08 

GREENVILLE, NC – The ECU Ice Hockey Club is proud to announce the addition of Mike Markham and Todd Carter to the Pirate Hockey coaching staff after the departure of coaches Wayne Cox and Mike Ormsbee. Shortly after the conclusion of the 2007-08 season Cox informed team management that it would be his last. Coach Cox steps down in order to spend more time with his wife and two young children, though he will remain on as the Director of Hockey Operations. Also, after earning his PhD in bioenergetics from ECU, former player and Assistant Coach Mike Ormsbee will be moving to Saratoga Springs, NY to assume a position as a Professor at his alma mater Skidmore College.  

With the resignation of Coach Cox the team loses perhaps its most fervent supporter. He has done more for our players both on and off the ice than any of us could have asked for. He has always been there both as a coach as well as a friend and has lead this team through thick and thin. Coach Ormsbee has been one of the strongest leaders on the team both as a player and a coach and his energy and emotion will be missed.  

The newest member of the ECU coaching staff, Mike Markham, comes to ECU with over 40 years of coaching experience having been behind the bench at various levels since 1968. With a Level 4 USA Hockey certification as well as a Ontario Hockey Association National Coaches Certification, Mike has coached many different teams with the most recent being the Syracuse Jr. Crunch and Jr. Stars. Both competed at the Tier II Junior A level in the OPJHL (Ontario Provincial Jr Hockey League). During his tenure with the team he has coached several high profile players including Robbie Schremp (Edmonton Oilers), Dustin Brown (LA Kings), Brian Gionta (New Jersey Devils), and Colby Cohen (Colorado Avalanche) just to name a few. The team has also placed at least one player on the National Development Team each of the 8 years of its existence.  

Mike has also been involved in the NIHOA (National Ice Hockey Officials Association) for over 30 years and has served as the Chief Referee for the New York Central Area AHAUS (Amateur Hockey Association of United States). He has been both a linesman and a referee in the NAHL, ECHL, AHL, and the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference at all levels (DI, II, III). “ECU hockey is at a great place in time, with the continuation of the hard work and effort in place, growth and success are sure to follow. It will be challenging but also very entertaining,” said Coach Markham. 

Also returning to the team is former ECU Assistant Coach Todd Carter. Todd has vast experience both as a player and coach at the Junior A level having played for the Truro Junior Bearcats (Nova Scotia since the age of 15. After retiring from Juniors he went on to coach the Midget AAA Bearcats and later coached the Jr. A Bearcats for three seasons. The ECU defense will benefit greatly from Todd’s knowledge and experience as they will once again be called upon to anchor the team as it pursues its first ever ACHA DIII Nationals appearance.

With the addition of these two incredible coaches along with Assistant Coach Kelley Smith and by far the most talented recruiting class ever to come to ECU, the Pirates will surely be one of the premier teams in not only the ACHA South but the nation as well. Come see the new look Pirates when they open their home schedule October 3rd against the Team Carolina Jr. B team.

Pirates Announce 2008 Tryout Schedule

Mandatory Pre-Tryout Meeting and Other Important Dates Also Announced

8/10/08 

GREENVILLE, NC – In preparation for its fourth full season the East Carolina University Ice Hockey Club has announced the dates for open tryouts for the 2008-2009 team as well as other important dates.

An informational meeting, which is mandatory for all who intend to tryout, will be held Monday, August 18 at 7:30pm in the Student Recreational Center classroom. All attending players must bring their completed tryout application and fee. If anyone is unable to attend please contact Zach Johnston prior to the meeting. Tryouts will be held August 22-24 and will consist of three, hour and a half ice sessions with cuts made at the conclusion of each session. All players are required to bring both a light and dark jersey. The selected team will then assemble for a meeting Monday, August 25 again to be held in the Student Recreational Center classroom. Practice will begin the following day, Tuesday, August 26 at 9pm. A full list of these dates is listed below:

August 18, 7:30pm: Mandatory informational meeting, Student Recreation Center Classroom (bring tryout application and fee, $50 for new players, $25 for returning players)

August 25, 7:30pm: Mandatory team meeting, Student Recreation Center Classroom, players must bring Student ID, insurance card, and class schedule

August 26, 9pm: First practice

September 18: First semester fees due ($500)

September 26: First game (at Florida Gulf Coast University)

Long Awaited 2008-09 Schedule Released

Home Schedule Features Duke, Virginia Tech, Among Others 

7/1/08 

GREENVILLE, NC – The ECU Ice Hockey Club has finalized its regular season schedule for 2008-09 which includes a club record 25 games including 13 at Bladez on Ice. With the largest and most talent-laden recruiting class ever to come to ECU, and the club’s recent acceptance into the newly formed Blue Ridge Hockey Conference Colonial Conference the Pirates will surely have one of the toughest schedules in the DIII South Region.  

The club will get started early as it continues the tradition of the annual Purple/Gold game which is scheduled for September 19. Admission is free and is a great way to get a sneak peek at this year’s team. This season’s Purple/Gold game will also see the addition of the first ever Skills Competition which will highlight individual skills of some of the best players in the ACHA.  

The Pirates will take on six DIII South Top-15 teams including five at home. Hockey fans can look forward to several marquee home match-ups as Duke, Virginia Tech, the University of Richmond, and the University of Virginia all visit Greenville in the first half of the season. Many firsts are in store for 2008-09 including the first annual ECU Invitational Jr. Showcase. The exhibition series will be a round-robin format and will feature two of the premier Jr. B teams in the nation in the East Coast Eagles and Team Carolina. The weekend will be a great recruiting tool as it will allow graduating junior players to tour the ECU campus and surrounding community while also giving the Pirate coaching staff an opportunity to scout potential incoming players. 

After the team recharges during Christmas Break, the second half of the season ramps up with a home and home series against UNCW as ECU hosts the Seahawks January 9 before traveling to Wilmington the following day to close out the weekend. The Pirates then host Loyola College (MD) and George Washington University before heading to Virginia for weekend games with Old Dominion and Virginia Tech. The regular season is closed out at home as the Pirates play host to the first annual ECU Ice Hockey Alumni Game. The event will be fun for all as fans will be able to watch former Pirates attempt to relive the glory days as they mix it up with the newest additions to the ECU roster.  

The coming season promises to be action packed as the Pirates’ talents are showcased 13 times at home, the most in the history of the club. With an incredible schedule and equally as impressive recruiting class this year will surely be the best yet. As always tickets can be purchased at the door for $5 for adults and $3 for students with valid ID. We hope that you are as excited as we are so get ready for another great season of Pirate hockey at Bladez on Ice!

 

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