B1G Player in the Big Leagues: Jack Skille

By Jessi Pierce

There’s no sweeter story than going to play college hockey for your hometown team. It’s the team you grew up cheering for and the team who’s posters and banners most likely hung on your bedroom wall. That’s exactly the sentiments that Jack Skille echoed when I had a chance to chat with the Madison, Wis., native last year.

“Ever since I was a little kid, I wanted to be a Badger,” said Skille, who now suits up for the NHL’s Florida Panthers. “My dad was a Badger and I used to fall asleep at the games when I was a little kid. It was a dream come true the day they offered me that full scholarship and I jumped on it.

"Being able to go home and play in front of my family friends was something truly great."

Making an immediate impact in his freshman campaign, Skille's most noteable impression was seen in the NCAA tournament when his triple-overtime game-winner pushed Wisconsin into the Frozen Four and the enivitable 2006 NCAA Championships.


"That was surreal," Skille said on winning the NCAA title. "I couldn't have asked for a better group of guys. It was a fun team to be a part of and the way [the tournament] was laid out, Green Bay and Milwaukee [for Regionals], if we were going to win a championship, that was going to be our year."

Injury sidelined the dominant forward for the 2006-07 season and following his sophomore year he turned his attention to the pros.

Drafted with the Blackhawks first pick in 2005 among an elite draft class including Sidney Crosby, Bobby Ryan and Jack Johnson, Skille saw ups and downs, jumping between Chicago and its affiliate in Rockford, Ill.

While it looked like Skille may have found his groove with the Blackhawks, even earning a spot on a line between Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews before rostering a permanent spot on the 4th line, a trade sent him away from the Midwest and down to Miami with the Florida Panthers where he currently has registered just six points (2G, 3A) in 31 games.

Check out my previous story and video interview with Jack Skille in USA Hockey Magazine.

New Feature: B1G Players in the Big Leagues

When you sit back and think about some of the most influential and dominant hockey players (with an emphasis on U.S. born ones) who comes to mind? Chances are at least half of your top ten will feature players from one of the future Big Ten hockey schools.

That's why each week, we here at B1G Ice Hockey will be bringing you a spotlighted "B1G Player in Big Leagues."

So send us some recommendations of your favorite hockey player(s), past or present, former and current NHLers (or even playing some form of pro somewhere) from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Penn State and we will try and feature them! Email at b1gicehockey@gmail.com or follow us on Twitter (@B1GIceHockey) and Facebook to share your ideas.

Up First:

Jack Skille (Wisconsin)

Erik Johnson (Minnesota)

Erik Nystrom (Michigan)

Alex Goligoski (Minnesota)

Check back soon!

Oops!

We wanted to correct our past use of "Nittany Lions" in Penn State posts. Currently, the Penn State hockey team is dubbed the "Icers", not Nittany Lions. We apologize for any confusion and will be sure to use the correct nickname from here on out.

If you spot any corrections that need to be made, don't hesitate to shoot us an email at b1gicehockey@gmail.com.

As always thanks for reading, and check back later today as we recap yesterday's Michigan-Ohio State Frozen Diamond Matchup.

**Oops we did it again...of course we mean that we will call them the Icers for the remainder of this season...sorry Adam ;)

The B1G Scoreboard (1/13/12-1/15/12)

(Articles are linked once available)

Men's Scores from 1/13/12:

• Northern Michigan 5, Michigan State 5 OT (MSU wins 1-0 in SO) - MSU Gets Shootout Victory Over Wildcats After 5-5 Tie
• Michigan 4, Ohio State 0  - Hunwick Makes 46 Saves in Shutout Win at No.2 Ohio State
• Wisconsin 4, Minnesota State 0 - Wisconsin grabs first road win, shutout of the season in 4-0 victory
• Minnesota 1 North Dakota 2 - North Dakota Edges Minnesota, 2-1
• University of Rhode Island 3, Penn State 9 - Icers Users Nine Goals to Cruise by Rhode Island

Women's Scores from 1/13/12:

• Ohio State 5, Bemidji State 3
• Minnesota 2, Minnesota-Duluth 4
• Penn State 3, Sacred Heart 4

Men's Scores from 1/14/12:

• Northern Michigan 1, Michigan State 2 - MSU Snaps Winless Skid with 2-1 Victory
• Wisconsin 0, Minnesota State 3 - Badgers blanked by Minnesota State
• Minnesota 6, North Dakota Minnesota 2 - Minnesota Rocks North Dakota 6-2
• University of Rhode Island 1, Penn State 2 - Icers Sweep

Women's Scores from 1/14/12:

• Ohio State 2, Bemidji State 4
• Minnesota 3, Minnesota-Duluth 0
• Wisconsin 8, North Dakota 2
• Penn State 3, Sacred Heart 2 OT

Men's Scores from 1/15/12:

• Michigan 4, Ohio State 1 - Wolverines Crush No.2 Buckeyes in Frozen Diamond Faceoff

Women's Scores from 1/15/12:

• Wisconsin 4, North Dakota 4 (UND wins in SO, 4 rounds)

Despite Loss, Penn State Still Winning at Citizen's Bank Park

By Jessi Pierce

It was a true test of NCAA calibur for Penn State January 3, on the same ice that just one day prior hosted another successful NHL Winter Classic between the Rangers and Flyers. Taking on the current NCAA III No.8 and 2009 National Champions in Neumann University, the top-ranked ACHA Icers fell to the Knights 6-3. While the outcome I'm sure wasn't exactly what Coach Guy Gadowsky had hoped for, the positives in my mind outway the tally in the loss column. Here's a look at some winning numbers from the contest:

• 5,000- That's the number of fans that turned out to Citizen's Bank Park to watch Penn State and Neumann University. I have to admit, I am incredibly impressed and a bit surprised with that number given the non-DI prescence. It's a number that shows promise for the Icers to make that next jump up where fan bases--especially for future Big Ten teams-- are already largely established.
• 24-22- So the scoreboard at the end of the day may not have favored Penn State, but the shot advantage did. Not only did the Icers keep pace with Neumann, but they weren't afraid to shoot.  That confidence is necessary, especially as they look ahead to next year and an even tougher schedule of games.
• 1- Usually not a number that garners much praise, I had to toss this in there to describe Penn State's Taylor Holstrom, who played in his first ever outdoor hockey game. As mentioned by Lions247 Andrew Dzurita 

This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for Holstrom, literally.

“That was the first time I’ve ever played ice hockey outside and I absolutely loved it,” said the California native. “Playing outside was an unbelievable experience, I don’t know if I'll ever be able to get that opportunity again, it is definitely something I’ll remember.”

Essentially this game was more than just the win, loss or draw, but rather a game to prove to the public that Penn State is for real. An opportunity like that is given to few teams--even as we see the number of outdoor games increase in recent years--so to be able to be invited to an event like this on a stage that played host to the much-anticipated Winter Classic says enough in itself. While the game scored a loss, Penn State still netted a win and I can't wait to see this team continue to grow into a real NCAA DI contender in years to come.


And for your viewing pleasure...Some great shots from Penn State