Center Dusty Collins Loaned to the Manchester Monarchs
ONTARIO, Calif. – The Ontario Reign, proud affiliate of the NHL Los Angeles Kings and the AHL Manchester Monarchs announced today that they have loaned center Dusty Collins to the Manchester Monarchs. In addition, the Reign announced that defenseman P.J. Atherton has been recalled by the Grand Rapids Griffins.
Collins, 23, makes his third professional career AHL appearance, and his first with the Manchester Monarchs, after skating in 24 games with the Reign this season. While with the Reign, Dusty netted six goals, registered the assists on eight others (14 points) and tallied 34 penalty minutes. Collins ranked fifth amongst his teammates in scoring, registering four multi- point games, his highest, a 3-point game (2g, 1a), where he netted the game-winner in a 6-5 win at Utah on November 8.
The Gilbert, AZ native, spent the 2007-08 season with the Arizona Sundogs where he averaged nearly a point per game, accumulating 53 points (23g, 30a) and tallying 126 penalty minutes in 63 games.
Collins joins the Monarchs, and former Reign teammate Jon Rheault, as they head to Manitoba to take on the Moose and former Reign Andrew Martens, on Tuesday, December 16 and Wednesday, December 17.
We are very saddened to hear that our friend Mark Whyte has passed away on Saturday. We send our sincere thoughts and prayers to his wife Cynthia and his children. His son Hamilton has been on our 95 black team for the past 3 years. Mark has been a huge part of managing and recruiting for Team Northwest AAA Hockey. May God bless the Whyte family.
GREAT WEEKEND
(May 28th 2008)
Hi Todd:
Just wanted to thank you again for a great weekend in Grand Forks, it was pound for pound the best hockey camp that Morgan has attended, he worked hard and learned allot about hockey at the college level.
The instructors really did a fine job with his age group and I know that the younger kids had a good time also, he especially enjoyed having Phil Lamaroux on the ice as he was Morgan's defense coach his first year with TNW in 2005.
Thanks to all the UND personnel.
Garry Hefty
HE'S HOOKED !
(May 28th 2008)
Todd and Pamm,
Amazing facility and an amazing teaching/coaching staff! Our son's first TNW experience and now he's hooked! Couldn't have asked for a better Memorial day weekend. See you in Canada.
Mike and Shannon Ahiers
Zach Ahiers - 97 TNW
AMAZING CAMP
(May 27th 2008)
Hi Todd and Pamm,
The trip to North Dakota was amazing. The experience exceeded our expectations. Can't wait until next year. I'll be sure to bring my older son next time!
See you in Canada.
Thanks,
Anne Dickson
GREAT CAMP !
(May 27th 2008)
Hi Todd and Pamm,
I just wanted to thank you for putting on a great camp this weekend !!. Zach had a great time...he really enjoyed the kids and the coaching staff.
Once again thanks for all your work putting this together,
Jody
Jody Landon
DUSTY COLLINS SUNDOGS/COYOTES ARTICLE
(April 24th 2008)
Gilbert's Collins is at home
Sundogs center is 1 of the 1st top-line players to emerge from Valley's youth hockey program
Dave Vest
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 24, 2008 12:00 AM
PRESCOTT VALLEY - Given he was born in Payson, grew up in the Southeast Valley and attended Gilbert High School, it's fitting that Dusty Collins is playing his first year of professional hockey in Prescott Valley for the Arizona Sundogs, a Phoenix Coyotes affiliate two levels below the NHL.
Collins, 23, is a third-line center for the Sundogs, who are one victory from reaching the Central Hockey League championship series in their second season. Leading 3-2, Arizona plays Laredo in Game 6 of the Southern Conference Finals on Friday in Texas.
"It's been pretty cool," Collins said of chasing his NHL dream so close to home these days. "On the weekends, I usually have five or six family members or friends come up (to watch). It's fun to have people you know watch you play."
Collins, who still calls Gilbert home, has been playing hockey since he was 5 and was one of the first players to emerge from the state's talent pool. The NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning drafted him in 2004, but Collins stayed at Northern Michigan University for four seasons (2003-04 to 2006-07).
Last summer, the Coyotes invited Collins, a free agent, to attend their American Hockey League affiliate's training camp in San Antonio. After watching him play, Coyotes officials encouraged him to sign with the Sundogs so it would be easier for the team to chart his progress.
Collins said OK and has displayed offensive skills for Arizona that were not utilized during his college career. In 137 games at NMU, Collins notched just 11 goals and 14 assists. In 74 games with the Sundogs this season, including the playoffs, he has 25 goals and 32 assists.
"Dusty came from college and I think he was put in a box a little bit (there) where he wasn't able to create too much," Sundogs coach Marco Pietroniro said. "Coming here, he's grown a lot and matured a lot as a player, and now he's able to get out of that box a little bit. He's brought a lot to our team. "
Coyotes assistant general manager Brad Treliving, who has attended about a half-dozen Sundogs games this season, said Collins is one of several players Phoenix is monitoring.
"When we saw him at (San Antonio's) camp, we could see he could skate well and he had decent (offensive) skills," Treliving said. "His success offensively this year is not that surprising to us."
The Coyotes like Collins' size - he's 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds - but Treliving said it's too soon to say if he'd be offered an invitation to their camp or San Antonio's again in the fall.
"We'll continue to monitor him and see how he finishes the year," Treliving said.
And that's fine by Collins.
"This is a great place for me to be right now as a first-year pro," he said. "My ultimate goal is the NHL. It always has been and always will be. That's something that I'll always keep in the back of my mind. So, right now, I'm on a pretty good course."
COACH MILLER WILL BE GREATLY MISSED!
(April 4th 2008)
COACH BOB MILLER HAS BEEN WITH TEAM NORTHWEST AAA HOCKEY FOR MANY SUMMERS, HE HAS BEEN A DEDICATED AND VERY WELL LIKED COACH BY ALL FOR OUR 93 TEAM.WHEN BOB TOLD US HE IS MOVING FROM CANMORE AND CAN NO LONGER COACH FOR TNW, IT FELT AS THOUGH FAMILY WAS MOVING AWAY. WE THANK~YOU BOB FOR ALL THE YEARS OF YOUR PROFESSIONAL COACHING AND FRIENDSHIP!! YOU WILL BE GREATLY MISSED!!
Coach Miller announced his resignation effective January 31, 2008 as he has accepted a career position outside of hockey in Kamloops, BC.
After serving as Head Coach/ General Manager with the Eagles, Miller leaves the program as the longest serving and "winningest" coach in franchise history, accumulating 246 wins 185 losses 36 OTL/ ties during his 7.5 year reign.
Coach Miller spoke of the many great memories, but drew attention to the two retired jersey's hanging in the rafters representing Mark Bomersback as the all time leading scorer of the AJHL and more the recent Brock Michalsky achievement as all time Iron Man of the AJHL. Bob went on to express his gratitude and thanks to the many fans, supporters, staff and Eagles board of directors.
President Doll, on behalf of the entire Eagles fraternity, thanked Bob for his professionalism, loyalty and leadership over the years. Al went on to wish Bob and Heather best wishes on their pursuit of new careers in Kamloops, BC.
Craig Cripps brought greetings and best wishes on behalf of the AJHL and fellow franchise members.
At this time President Doll announced that Bob would continue General Manager duties until January 31 and at which time he will assume the duties for the balance of the 2007-08 season.
The first responsibility of Miller as outgoing GM was to welcome Andrew Milne to the Eagles organization and introduce the co-coaching tandem of Milne and Jay Pylypuik for the duration of the season. Both gentlemen spoke opening and respectfully of the current situation and opportunity bestowed upon them.
Andrew Milne is no stranger to the AJHl as he has previously served assistant coach roles with St. Albert and Spruce Grove Saints and most recently 18 months as an assistant with WHL, Kamloops Blazers under coaching icon Dean Clark.
Coach Milne spoke of his appreciation and excitement to join the Eagles organization, providing him with the opportunity to pursue his lifetime dream, as a career coach.
President Doll welcomed Andrew and Jay as the Eagles coaches.
Sheraton ~ They may email their reservations saying they are with Team Northwest to groupers@sheratoncalgary.ca or call 403-291-0192
Thank you,
Pamm
Spring/Summer 2008
(December 30th 2007)
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA CAMP ~ GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA
MAY 23 ~ 26 2008
COST OF CAMP PER PLAYER ~ $550.00. IF PLAYER IS TRAVELING ALONE AND IS STAYING IN DORMS ~ $610.00. PLEASE HAVE DEPOSIT OF $250.00 MAILED TO TODD COLLINS NO LATER THAN FEBRUARY 1ST, 2008. BALANCE PAID IN FULL BY APRIL 1ST, 2008.
My name is Sarah Price and my son, Ethan (also known as EMAN) played with the 97' team this summer. I wanted to take the time to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to Team Northwest, parents, players and families. I am a single mother and was not able to make the trip with my son, however my parents took the time out of their schedules to bring EMAN to Canada. The many years my son has been playing hockey, I don't think he has ever had such a positive experience or learned more than when he was in Canada. Since I was not there I had to go by what my son told me over the phone, through emails, and what my parents had told me. It was difficult for me not to be there, however hearing my son's voice over the phone and how excited and happy he was it put me at ease. Eman had the time of his life and could not stop talking about the new friends he made, what awesome coaches he had, and even though he was working hard, hockey was still fun. As a parent, that is all that matters. I just wanted you to know the impact Team Northwest and Eman's experience in Canada has had on his life. He will cherish the memories and the new friendships for the rest of his life. I just wanted to Thank all of you for the time commitment you have put into Team Northwest, and I know my son's experience wouldn't of been the same without the positive people involved with Team Northwest. Thank you doesn't seem enough, but I am truly Thankful to all involved. Sincerely, Sarah Price
1988 Team Northwest Alumni
(June 10th 2007)
Todd,
My name is Rick Medvec. I was looking at your website and looked at your Alumni list. My son, Kyle Medvec, played with TNW for 2 years while lived in Colorado - back in the summers of 1999 and 2000.
Kyle played this year for Sioux City (USHL), will be attending University of Vermont this fall and was a 4th round draft pick of the Minnesota WIld in 2006.
The 2 years we went to Canmore for training, then to either Calgary or Edmonton (then later to Grand Forks and the Twin Cities) were some of the most memorable times of both my son and mine. Hopefully, this is still the case with people who are in the program now. I still proudly wear my TNW black sweatshirt and T-shirts and my son still has his white and black jerseys.
Thanks,
Rick Medvec
Mike Butters joins Team Northwest Coaching staff.
(January 8th 2007)
Mike Butters joins the Team Northwest coaching staff for his first season to assist the 94 Black Team. Butters has coached at both the pro (Bakersfield, WCHL) and junior levels (AWHL, NPHL, NPHL) and currently is the President of the Helena Bighorns, who have captured back to back league titles and have appeared at the USA Hockey National Junior tournament the past two seasons. Butters works with the Bobby Hull Shooting Camps and operates his own checking and body postioning clinics throughout the U.S.
CANMORE TEAM HOTEL INFORMATION
(January 7th 2007)
Our team hotels in CANMORE are ready for booking fpr 2007! Those who are new to our program, during training camp (June 22nd~ June 27th) you have a choice between "THE RUNDLE" or "THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN SKI LODGE". Please do not book elsewhere. You may call and reserve your choice of room with your credit card. Be sure to tell them you are with Team Northwest Hockey.
THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN SKI LODGE ~ 1~800~665~6111 / THE RUNDLE ~1~800~661~1610
Team Northwest Clothing
(January 30th 2006)
Nick Fuher will be selling TNW clothing in Canmore and Duluth. You may choose from sweatshirts, sweatpants, t-shirts, caps, shorts and polo shirt. He will bring things in bulk and sell things on a first come first serve basis. His prices are yet to be determined. No Canadian cash will be accepted, American only. You may pay by check and make it payable to Nick Fuher. If you have any questions, please email or call Pamm Collins.
92 TNW Coach Chad Johnson Takes new coaching job.
(June 6th 2005)
May 31, 2005
The Sioux Falls Stampede announced today that Chad Johnson, brother of Lincoln Stars General Manager/Head Coach Steve Johnson and west division foe to the Stampede, has been named the team's new assistant coach.
A native of Bismarck, ND, Johnson spent the past four seasons as head coach of the Bismarck Bobcats of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) where he compiled a record of 122-77-25. Under Johnson's tutelage, the Bobcats qualified for the playoffs three times, recorded a franchise record 37-win season in 2002-03 and captured the league championship (Borne Cup). "Chad brings great experience and enthusiasm to our team," said Stampede Head Coach/GM Kevin Hartzell. "He's looking to work his way back through the USHL and possibly into the college ranks and we want to help him achieve his goal as he helps our team."
Prior to coaching the Bobcats, Johnson was an assistant coach with the Lincoln Stars from 1996-99. While with the Stars, Johnson served as a the Recruiting Coordinator and Defensive Coach. He worked under head coach and brother, Steve Johnson and helped guide the team to a Clark Cup championship in their inaugural season.
Johnson also played in the USHL from 1987 to 1989 with the Rochester Mustangs. He was named USHL Rookie-of-the-Year for the 1989-90 season while helping the Mustangs to a Junior "A" national championship. Johnson played collegiate hockey at the University of North Dakota where he posted 22 points (6g, 16a) in 95 career games.
Johnson was a sixth round draft pick of the New Jersey Devils in 1988 and played two years of minor professional hockey with the Fort Worth Fire of the Central Hockey League (CHL). While with the Fire, Johnson tallied 99 points (35g, 64a) in 104 career games. He finished out his pro career playing for the Quad City Mallards and Muskegon Fury of the United Hockey League.
"I am extremely excited to get back into the league and join the Stampede," said Johnson. "It's the elite league in North America and I thought it was a great time to get involved again. "
Hartzell said Johnson will work mostly with the defense throughout the course of the year and is excited to have Johnson on board. "He had great success in Bismarck as a coach and we think he can bring that same mentality to Sioux Falls and help us be successful," Hartzell added.
Teams with Winning Attitudes
(January 14th 2005)
I want to extend some hockey hospitality to all new and returning players and their families. Welcome to Team Northwest!
Each year there is a very concerted effort on the part of our staff to develop one of the best AAA hockey programs to further develop the elite player's skills. On a yearly basis we strive to improve each of our team's competitiveness and our program. This can not happen without you, the player, and the parents supporting us and believing in Team Northwest.
A key ingredient to playing good hockey, is for the players to have fun on and off the ice. Along with this comes hard work, dedication and commitment to be all that you can be.
Founder of Team Northwest, John Fuher, adopted a team
motto~ "Team Northwest is a Team with a Winning Attitude". He and myself, firmly believe that all we do is found in the attitude we carry with us. I hope you will adopt this, Incorporate it in your play, and demonstrate it on and off the ice. Remember: Attitude is everything!
One of the greatest pleasures for me is to meet and coach such talented hockey players from all around the country. It is fun to see a team come together on the ice, as it is enjoyable to see parents coming together as a group supporting the team, and having fun before and after the game.
Again, Welcome back if your a returning player and Welcome aboard if its your first year with TNW!
Yours in Hockey,
Todd Collins
Lightning selects Arizona Native
(July 10th 2004)
The NHL dipped into Arizona's pool of talent on Sunday when the Tampa Bay Lightning drafted Dusty Collins of Gilbert with the final pick of the fifth round. Collins, who was chosen with the 163rd overall selection, is believed to be the first person born and raised in Arizona to be picked in the NHL's draft. An NHL spokesperson could not confirm or deny it, but several local coaches with knowledge of the state's brief history of developing hockey players were convinced no other native Arizonan had ever been chosen since the league started drafting players in 1963. "It's just a great feeling," Collins said. "It's really exciting to see the benefits of all my hard work pay off. I've wanted to play in the NHL ever since I was 5 years old. That's been my goal." Collins, 19, was born in Payson but grew up in Gilbert. He attended Gilbert High for his freshman and sophomore years, and during that time played for the Phoenix Polar Bears Junior B team. "That's really where I made my big steps toward becoming a serious hockey player," Collins said. Sensing the need for tougher competition, Collins moved to Ann Arbor, Mich., for his junior and senior years of high school and stayed with a host family as part of USA Hockey's developmental program. Collins recently finished his freshman season at Northern Michigan University. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound forward had one goal and six assists in 36 games. Collins' family still resides in Gilbert, and he said he plans to spend the summer there before heading back to Northern Michigan for his sophomore year. "Arizona will always be home for me," Collins said. "That's for sure." Tyler Haskins, who spent a brief time in the Valley and played with Collins on the Phoenix Polar Bears, was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings just prior to Collins on Sunday at No. 162. Haskins was born in Cleveland.
David Vest (The Arizona Republic - June 28,2004)
Canada was a great experience!
(July 7th 2004)
We hope everyone enjoyed themselves in Canmore and Calgary! The Canadian Rockies can sure touch a person!
We are so proud of our teams. They worked hard in all divisions. Congratulations to our 91 and 93 teams for coming in 2nd place! We also would like to congratulate our tournament MVP's (91's)~ Scott Schwartzman and (93's) Eddie McGovern. We would like to thank everyone involved in making Team Northwest a continued success. John Fuher, Nick Fuher, Phillipe Lamoureux, Jay Ladue, Bob Miller, Bill Chase,Oliver Mcgee, Kent Schmidtke, Bobby Smith, Steve Johnson, Dusty Collins, Craig St. Clair, Dayne Holstrom, Robert Hamburg, Lesly Adams and The Shasserre family for their donation of Power Aid bottles for the exhibiton games in Canmore. Also,"thank~you" to the dads who helped with score keeping! Last but not least, Steve Andersen our web master, you have done a terrific job! The list could go on, so once again, everyone who helped in some way, Thank~you!
We'll see you in Duluth!
Yours in Hockey,
Todd and Pamm Collins
Website moves to TNW-Hockey.com
(November 2nd 2003)
In our 1st year I was able to put the website on an AOL account. That worked fine for the 1st year. Here we are in our second year and a bit wiser. We have purchased the tnw-hockey.com domain and thanks to a good friend Tom Spina we now have a full fledged website complete with database technology.
Congratulations Team Northwest
(August 6th 2003)
DEAR TNW HOCKEY PLAYERS,PARENTS,COACHES AND MANAGERS,
HOPEFULLY, EVERYONE IS UNPACKED AND BACK TO REALITY. WE HOPE ALL OF YOU ENJOYED YOUR EXPERIENCE IN BEAUTIFUL ALBERTA!
CONGRATULATIONS ON TAKING THE CHAMPIONSHIP, 88 TEAM!!! WHAT A VICTORY!!! A HUGE THANK-YOU AND CONGRATS TO COACHES NICK FUHER,FRED HARBINSON AND THE AMAZING MANAGER, JOHN FUHER! GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE 88 PLAYERS IN YOUR FUTURES! IN ADDITION TO THANK-YOU'S, A VERY EXTENDED APPRECIATION GOES TO ALL OF OUR AWESOME COACHING STAFF, PHIL LAMMOUREUX FOR ALL HIS HARD WORK WITH THE GOALIES, (PHIL YOUR AWESOME) AND BOBBY SMITH FOR HIS TIME AND EXPERT INSTRUCTION WHILE IN CANMORE. THE BOYS ENJOYED THAT!
ALSO, THE 91 PLAYERS TOOK 2ND PLACE IN THEIR DIVISION, CONGRATULATIONS! ALL THE TEAMS COMPETED VERY STRONG IN EACH DIVISION WITH MUCH TALENT AND DETERMINATION!
OUR GOAL IN THE SUMMER OF 2004 IS TO PARTICIPATE IN AT LEAST 2 AAA HOCKEY TOURNAMENTS, INCLUDING THE STAMPEDE CHALLENGE AGAIN. WE'RE NOW IN THE PROCESS OF PREPARATION OF RESEARCHING OTHER TOURNEYS.
PLEASE KEEP VISITING OUR WEBSITE FOR UPDATES. http://www.tnw-hockey.com
oaned center Dusty Collins to the Manchester Monarchs. In addition, the Reign announced that defenseman P.J. Atherton has been recalled by the Grand Rapids Griffins.
Coach Miller announced his resignation effective January 31, 2008 as he has accepted a career position outside of hockey in Kamloops, BC.
The first responsibility of Miller as outgoing GM was to welcome Andrew Milne to the Eagles organization and introduce the co-coaching tandem of Milne and Jay Pylypuik for the duration of the season. Both gentlemen spoke opening and respectfully of the current situation and opportunity bestowed upon them.