We are pleased to congratulate all our teams that reached the playoffs for their regular season leagues.
We wish ALL our teams well in the Black Hawk Cup tournament.

Spring Hockey is here for the 2006 season. We look forward to building on the success of our fall season. I‘m pleased to inform you that we have held our players fees to be the same as last years spring season. To keep and attract goalies, we are offering a 50% fee reduction for this spring season. All this was done without any loss of ice time or cut backs in the player development programs. As your youth hockey organization, we will work hard to meet your needs while continuing to offer the highest quality programs and the best values.

PDF registration forms and information are available at:
.: http://www.cycloneshockey.net/registrationinfo.html

There is an increasing concern about the effects energy drinks (Red Bull, Monster, etc.) are having on children and athletes today. Are they safe or harmful? What do all the ingredients do?

To answer these questions and understand if these drinks are safe, I will break down the ingredients and discuss their impact on the body.

The main ingredient in energy drinks that provides the ‘energy boost’ is caffeine. Caffeine has both positive and negative effects:

• Caffeine is considered an ergogenic aid (enhances physical performance) as it has been found to stimulate physical and cognitive function.
• Negative effects include increased blood pressure and heart rate with possible abnormal heart rhythms, disturbed sleeping patterns, bedwetting, and anxiety. Caffeine also acts to dehydrate the body.
  The negative effects can outweigh ergogenic effects with high doses and over consumption of caffeine in developing bodies and brains. A typical energy drink contains about 80mg of caffeine, which is 2 times the amount of a cup of coffee, tea, or a can of soda.

The second ingredient is sugar. This sugar is your simple, refined sugar. Energy drinks are typically between 10 to 12% sugar. This is almost double the amount put in sports drinks. Here are the negative effects of sugar in energy drinks:

• A spike in blood sugar leading to a quicker fall in energy
• Decreased water absorption leading to dehydration
• Stomach distress causing nausea or vomiting

Once the sugar energy wears off (typically 30 to 40 minutes) reflexes slow, muscle power decreases and performance falls off.

Research has now shown that using this combination of caffeine and sugar together can alter proper brain function. Caffeine decreases blood flow to the brain and sugar fuels the brain. The decreased blood flow tricks the brain into having low blood sugar triggering the hunger mechanism. But the brain is getting too much sugar and this imbalance can lead to shaking, sweating, intense hunger, difficulty thinking properly, and impaired performance.

Other ingredients in energy drinks, such as vitamins, minerals, and herb have been added to “boost marketing and appeal” which ultimately lead to more sales. In all actuality there is no rational for these additives. There is even speculation that doses of these vitamins are too high and maybe more harmful than helpful.

Vitamins, minerals, and herbs should only be purchased in pharmaceutical grades from a reputable source.

Are energy drinks safe and helpful? NO.

If you do not allow your child to drink a cup of coffee than why do they get to drink something that has double the caffeine and sugar? These drinks produce negative affects on proper brain and body function. Drinking one can before a game leads to dehydration and impaired performance. And who knows where the source of vitamins, minerals, and herbs come from, the very elements our bodies use to grow and function.

As I have stated before, the proper diet of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats with the incorporation of a high quality multivitamin and adequate hydration will give the body exactly what it needs to work properly.

Performance Chiropractic is located in the main lobby of the Fox Valley Ice Arena. For more information please call 630-208-9702 or visit our Web site at http://www.performancechiropracticpc.com.

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The Cyclones Bantam AA team recently came away with 2 tournament championships, The Skokie Park District Father Time Tournament and Advanced Arena's Midwinter Classic:

In late December, the Bantams posted a 3 and 1 record in qualifying for the Father Time Tournament final.

The Cyclones beat Bantam AA level teams from Skokie and Glenview while losing to The Northern Express. This set up a showdown with the Orland Park Vikings to see who advanced to the tourney finals. In one of their best performances of the year the Bantams beat the Vikings 4-0.

In the Championship game on New Years Day the team avenged their earlier loss with a convincing 4-1 win over The Express.

The Bantams just completed competition in the Advanced Arena’s Bantam AA Mid Winter Classic in Chicago. In qualifying play the team rolled to a 3-0 record with wins over Team Arvada Colorado, Northern Colorado Kodiaks and the Twin Star Outlaws.

The final game saw the Bantams defeat the Kansas City Stars 3-1.

The team is currently in 6th place in the 16 team CSDHL Bantam AA division with three games remaining. The top 8 teams advance to the league playoffs in early February.

Standing Back Row: Coach Dr. David Glenn, Brendan Mayes, Rob Bock, Mike Mikulan, Joe Benda, Chris Huston, Mike Lutz, Peter Cappas, Austin Carlson, Will Sterne and Coach Peter Cappas. Front row: Christian Liatos, Dan Ruschke, Ross Heise, Brian Cornick, Max Novak, Blaik Doornbos, John Mcspadden. Not pictured Luke Gei	Standing Back Row: Coach Dr. David Glenn, Austin Carlson, Will Sterne, Mike Lutz, Luke Geier, Max Novak, Joe Benda, Ross Heise, Rob Bock, Blaik Doornbos, John Mcspadden, Coach Peter Cappas. Front Row: Brendan Mayes, Christian Liatos, Brian Cornick, Dan Ruschke, Chris Huston, Peter Cappas, Mike Mikulan.

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The Peewee Gold team took Cincinnati by storm over the Martin Luther King Day weekend. Besides great times at the hotel, Dave and Busters, and an awesome team meal while watching the Bears lose, the boys showed solid play on the ice. Facing primarily Cleveland and Cincinnati teams, everyone at the rink saw solid goaltending, great defense, and selfless passing and scoring. The Cyclones went undefeated for the tournament. Way to go boys!

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Wow – what an exciting tournament the Holiday Classic turned out to be. The Squirt Silver team went into this tournament with a drive and determination that I had not seen before. We won our first match up against the Northern Express (6-2) and moved onto our second game against the Grizzlies. Our team fought very hard but ended up losing to the Grizzlies (2-0). Our third game was against the Sabres, who beat both of their opponents in the previous games and were now in the lead position. As the kids entered the locker room for this third game there was a definite sign of unity and strength emanating from all of them. The game started and the Sabres were up 2-0 but then our team took over and ended up winning (4-2).

A chance to get into the championship game was now on the line and we needed to have the Northern Express beat the Grizzlies. As a team we all stayed and watched with great anticipation. Who would have thought we’d be cheering for any other team besides the Cyclones. Unfortunately our cheers did not help and the Grizzlies beat the Northern Express. There was now a tie for the championship game position. Our kids ran toward the tournament sheets anxiously awaiting the posting of the two teams that would compete in the championship game. Based upon a goal differential, we advanced to the championship game and had to face the Sabres again. The kids ran back upstairs to where we were and shouted, “We’re in the Championships!” I have never seen them so excited. The next day we arrived for the championship game against the Sabres. Kids and parents were beaming from ear to ear with Cyclones shirts, pom-poms and other memorabilia out in all their glory. The competition was fierce and neither team was going to give up without a tough fight. We held the Sabres to 2-0 and came in second place. The dedication and effort given by our Squirt Silver team made us all proud to be a Cyclone. Way to play Cyclones!

Congratulations to our Squirt Silver Team: Erik Anderson, Alex Arenkill, Ryan Bales, Matt Eberhardt, Jake Fernandez, Dalton Jahntz, Eric Karkos, Andrew Kielion, Corey Kurete, Stefanos Lekkas, Riley Mann, Charley Salk, Ian Sweeney, Daniel Zielecki, Pat Sweeney (Asst. Coach), Marty Mann (Asst. Coach) and Jim Allen (Head Coach).

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The weekend started off at the United Center an hour and a half before the Blackhawks played the Penguins. The “Next One,” Sidney Crosby, came out on the ice. In his sneakers and warm-up suit, he dazzled a handful of fans with his stickhandling warm-up. On his way from the ice to the locker room he stopped and signed the Crosby t-shirt that Cyclone squirt bronze player, Eric Andrews, was wearing. We stayed for two periods because there were only 10 hours left before our 7:30am game in Tomah, Wisconsin. After four hours of sleep it was time to hit the road for a 228 mile trip. Lit up by a full moon, the drive through the night had a unique look. Arriving an hour and a half before the game, we were right on time. We had a light breakfast and headed over to the rink.

All of the team was there and excited to be playing Wisconsin-Eau Claire. The Cyclones dominated this game from the first to last minute and won 10-1. After this game there was a three hour wait until our second game. The team returned to the Cranberry Inn and its famous indoor water park. But the water park had to wait until after the second game. In the lobby was a giant screen TV. We were able to patch in a DVD player and watch Don Cherry’s Rock’em Sock’em 16 hockey highlights. After this DVD the team was real fired up. We went off to the rink for game #2 against Farland. Again the Cyclone squirt bronze team dominated. The final score was 7-2. Winning both games, we were in the championship game. The team and some parents went to the water park. They played on the slides, swing ropes, water basketball and in the whirlpools.

Saturday night was an optional skills competition. Participating for the Cyclones were: Vitonio “V” Brandonisio, Andrew Lee, Tom McGee, Eric Andrews and Matt Yonkovich. There was an A and B division. Tom McGee and Eric Andrews won first and third place shooting accuracy. The highlight of the competition was Matt Yonkovich winning the A and B divisions in goaltending. The tournament director told me that in all the years of this squirt tournament they have never seen such a great goaltender. The coaches for Middleton, the team we were playing for the championship, were at the skills competition. Talk about having a psychological advantage for tomorrow’s championship game.

Sunday afternoon the championship game got off to a quick start. The play was up and down with neither team getting good scoring chances. Midway through the second period the Cyclones scored. Middleton kept coming back with numerous shots that Matt Yonkovich made look easy with his graceful saves. It wasn’t until the halfway point of the third period that the Cyclones scored their second goal. Down two goals Middleton poured it on, trying to break through and get on the board. Then with just a little over four minutes left, Middleton had a break away. Matt Yonkovich made a spectacular save. Just after that the Cyclones scored the final goal. As the final buzzer went off, the team charged the goal for a grand scale celebration. Players on both teams were awarded medals. Trophies for the skills competition were handed out. Brad Wilson received a patch for a hat trick, Eric Andrews for a play maker, and Matt Yonkovich for his shutout. Finally, Coach Ralph Brandonisio was awarded the giant championship trophy. This is the second tournament (pre-season tournament) that the squirt bronze team has won. As a side note, there was one trophy that we didn’t win. When you see coach Ralph, he will tell you all about it.

Congratulations to all the Cyclones Squirt Bronze Champions: Eric Andrews, Vitonio Brandonisio, Maggie Conroy, Matt Fossali, Cale Hoffman, Andrew Lee, Tom McGee, Frank Mullaghy, Melanie Othon, Sidney Peters, Jacob Samuels, Bradley Wilson, and Matt Yonkovich.

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The mite gold team showed off their commitment to team defense and unselfish play in the annual Wausau Warjack tournament over the Martin Luther King Weekend.

Brian Tierney showed great poise in the net recording 2 shutouts and posting a 1.25 GAA in 4 games. Solid defensive play and quick puck movement by standout defensemen, Connor Bingham, Jeremy Forbes, Christian Fischer and Lee Barnes paced the Cyclones and frustrated opponents.

"Completely Unselfish" are the words that best describe the play of our offensive players. Forwards Matt Balara, Alex Kielion, Cody Esposito, Matt Romano, Alex Vandenberg, Bayley Marshall and Brenden Payne all had multiple points in route to the 4 game sweep of their opponents.

Cyclone forwards controlled the offensive zone by routinely cycling the puck in the corners and out to the points. They also showed their commitment to team defense with their relentless back checking and willingness to sacrifice themselves for the prospect of a team victory.

The Cyclones go undefeated and take home 1st Place.

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The Mite Silver team celebrated over Christmas break with a well-deserved Cyclone Holiday Classic victory.  With well-timed goals and stellar net minding, the Cyclones gave their fans a lot to cheer about.
 
By beating the Chargers 6-2 in their first game, followed by a 4-2 win over the Vikings, the Cyclones set up a very tense game 3 versus the Sabres.  Out shooting the Sabres 26 to 4 after period 2, the Cyclones still trailed 1-0.  Most Valuable Goalie Adam Scheel was pulled with less than 2 minutes left in the game.  Tenacious fore checking and offensive zone pressure helped Liam OReilly put away the game tying goal with under 30 seconds to play.  As the final score of 1-1 indicates, this was a well-played defensive game.  The defensive unit (Sam Stern, Alex Lenski, Jared Weaver and Joey Papa) played as well a game as they had played all year.
 
The championship game versus the Vikings was a total team effort. Led by tournament MVP Graham Lillibridge, the offensive unit (Jake Hartge, Matt Metz, Quinn Green, Jake Hoffman, Sean Dhooghe and Nicholas McKeeby) kept passing, shooting and applying pressure to secure a 5-2 victory.  Head Coach Gus Liatos is hoping this valuable tournament experience will help down the road in the NIHL playoffs and Blackhawk Cup.

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With a 5-0 record the Cyclone Mite Bronze team won the MLK Showdown in Bensenville Illinois over the Martin Luther King Holiday.

After defeating the Sabres, Blues, and the Wilmette Braves it was on to the medal round. First up was a rematch with the Blues and this time Harry Bogle got the shutout and the Cyclones won 9-0 earning a trip to the finals!!

In the finals after a 1-1 first period, the Cyclones blew up with 5 second period goals and coasted to a 7-4 victory.

Watching the team receive gold medals and skating the ice with the silver cup was a proud moment for all the parents and fans. Let me introduce your champions:

4- Jonathon Albin
64- Lauren Barnes
47- Jason Behnke
53- Nicholas Bellandi
27- Harry Bogle
29- Jacob Breivik
48- Trenton Fuerst
7- Jacob Nau
46- Jacob Peters
65- Landon Real
3- Joey Smagacz
97- Jake Wiedenbeck
96- Marco Wiedenbeck
32- Martan Yelle

Don Breivik- Head Coach
Jeff Albin- Asst. Coach
Mike Real- Asst. Coach
Doug Peters- Mgr.

A special congrats to Joey Smagacz who was named tourney M.V.P.

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Ever wonder what's it's like to leave your home, your friends and family to play hockey in another country? Well that is exactly what Central State Midget Major defensive star Oliver Pravda did this year. Oliver is from the country of Slovakia. He is spending the year playing hockey and attending school here in the United States, and gaining some very valuable international experience that will look very good on College transcripts and Junior Team evaluation sheets.

In this interview with Oliver, conducted by Central State Midget Major scoring leader and host family room mate Shaun McKenzie, you will get to know Oliver a little better and wonder what it would be like, to take those next steps yourself someday!

.: How did you choose to come play for the Cyclones?
I was talking to my agent, and I told him that I wanted to come to America to play some hockey. He told me that I would be playing for the Cyclones.

.: So Ollie, why did you decide to come and play for the Cyclones?
Because I wanted to try something new, try some other style of hockey, meet some new people, and discover America.

.: How do you like America so far?
It’s ok, but I wish that we would do better in our league. I like the schooling here because it is much easier than it is back in Slovakia. You also have a lot of pretty cute girls, who fortunately really like me.

.: So do you like better girls here or back in Slovakia?
That’s really hard question, but Jean Paul Gaultier said that the most beautiful girls in the world are Slovenian girls (Russia, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Slovenia…). So I agree with him, but I have to admit that you have really cute girls too.

.: How does the food taste here compared to back home?
It’s not that bad, but our European food is much, much better. I was pretty surprised that you don’t use a knife, because I eat everything with a knife and a fork. And I really miss the bread since the bread here is nowhere near as good as back home. But we don’t have Taco Bell, so that is a good thing since I eat there more than any other fast food place.

.: Ollie, you are pretty big guy, how tall are you?
I’m 6’2 and weigh between 202 and 205.

.: So it means and looks like that you work out a lot, how much do you bench?
Yea, I love working out…I bench 275.

.: What kind of music do you listen on your way to the ice rink, before the games, in the work out room and in your free time?
My favorite is techno and house…you know in clubs in Europe they play mostly techno music…good for me because I really enjoy it. I think the king of all DJs is DJ Tiesto. I was at his concert in Greece; it was awesome. But in our locker room sometimes I have no choice and unfortunately my teammates listen mostly to hip-hop and rap so I have to serve one’s time. But lately the most popular song of our locker room is “The Final Countdown” from Jeff’s iPod.

.: You can go to clubs? But you just turned 18 right?
Yea that’s right but we have no curfew and we also can go to clubs…it is pretty crazy right after the end of our hockey season, because our whole team, every single guy goes out to our favorite club. We meet there at about 10 p.m. and we dance and celebrate and sign and whatever we want till late night. Over the season we have no time for anything so we really enjoy it.

.: Wow, sounds great…you said that you have been in Greece? What other countries have you visited?
As I said I was in Greece in Athens, Rhodos, and Creete. I have been also in Spain, Mallorca, Ibiza, Italy, Austria, Poland, Germany, France, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Canary Islands and also in Africa in Tunisia and in Asia in Turkey. With my hockey team I have been to Canada.

.: Do you like it better here or in Europe?
Our cultures are so different. I like both. But we don’t have huge cities like Chicago, except London and Paris. I really love your cities, they are spectacular, high skyscrapers, malls, Hard Rock Café’s, lights…that is America! I really enjoyed the tournament in Indianapolis because we played Downtown; it was awesome. Also, St. Louis was wonderful. I have had no time to go to Downtown Chicago so I’m little upset. We went to a few Blackhawks and Bulls games. Thanks to my host family, which is really nice to me…

.: What is your favorite TV show?
I love The Simpsons.

.: And what about fast food? Which fast food restaurant is your favorite?
Probably McDonalds and Taco Bell…but lately Shauny and I (my host bro) eat at Steak’n’Shake. If we are with Danny, who is our other friend, we usually stop at Pizza Hut, because he is pizza maniac.

.: What surprised you the most on America?
Actually, I was surprised by questions from kids. For example, one guy asked me if we still have a war in our country, or one girl asked me if we have a jungle… Other questions were if we have McDonalds, if I am from Czechoslovakia and other stuff. So I was really surprised that people know almost nothing about Central Europe.

.: What is your favorite movie? Is there any movie you just can’t stand?
Probably Beautiful Mind with Russel Crowe and Shrek are my favorites. I hate Spy Kids 3D and Eurotrip, because those kids travel through Europe and they stop in Bratislava, our capital town. It shows that it is really dirty poor town and people have no money for food and other horrible things like that. I live 30 minutes from Bratislava and it is my favorite town because it is just royal city. There is a lot of culture and old buildings interlaced with new modern buildings, museums, restaurants, cafes, malls, shops, and clubs. There are a lot of things to see. It is quite similar to Vienna, the capital of Austria.

.: In general European players are considered for more technical players, they are very good at stick handling and skating. Do you use wooden or composite stick?
I played long time with wooden stick, but 2years ago I started to play with composite sticks.

.: So Ollie, what are your intentions for the next year?
Now I am a junior at Aurora West High School, but hopefully, I will become senior next semester, because I want to graduate this year. We are working on it right now with my guidance counselor. Next year I want to play Juniors A…hopefully in NAHL or USHL.

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Be a part of Breakout!

Breakout! is always looking for ideas, contributors, and assistant editors.

Our next issue contribution deadline is April 1, 2006.

Email your comments, suggestions, and questions to: directorlekkas@cycloneshockey.net. Thanks.

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