The Best Players in the US Have Arrived in Darien!

On Friday, many of the best players in the game started entering the Darien Sportsplex. It is always great to see some of the best talent in the United States playing this game, but seeing them in this unique setting is even more fun. Many players that would typically be found playing together on different sponsored Pro teams, here many times are playing against one another on their state teams. Our Elite AAA division makes for a very level playing field and after the first night of hockey it is obvious that most teams in the division have a great chance to win it all.

Players like Travis Noe (CA), Pat Lee (IL), Jr Cadiz (CA), Dave Makowski (MO), Greg Thompson (NY), Tyler Spezia (MI), and Zack Lane (IL) are just some of the top players you may be treated to watch play at State Wars 9. As the first night of Elite AAA hockey would kick off, the fans would swarm to the arena to check out the Missouri Meltdown take on the New York Mission Labeda squad. There were tons of local Illinois fans in attendance to check out Chicago Blackhawks player, Brandon Bollig who is playing for Missouri. Bollig is such a fan favorite and a terrific guy, it was awesome to see him signing tons of shirts and sticks before and after his games.

The Meltdown would win a tight one over the New York boys to kick off the night.  The best game of the evening was between the Missouri Alkali Young Guns and the California Pama Cyclones. The Alkali team would show a ton of poise against the powerhouse from Cali, and hold on for a 3-2 win.

Clearly any team in the division can win it all, as $10,000 is up for grabs.

Tonight is the “Alkali Hockey Elite AAA All Star Game”, being played at 630pm on the Tour Rink. All players are told to come down and watch some of the best in the business put on a fun show for all. All players in attendance will be given a raffle ticket,  we will call out 24 winners each will get to meet a player from the game and receive an autographed jersey from them. Rosters for the game are:

Team Pride

#1 Zack Lane (IL)

#2 Kyle O’Kane (MO)

#3 Jr Cadiz (CA)

#4 Ryan Perry (MI)

#5 Ryan Lemke (MI)

#6 Cody Kettler (MO)

#7 Adam Swims (MI)

#8 Casey Escarsega (MO)

#9 Travis Noe (CA)

#10 Pat Lee (IL)

#11 Andy Cripps (WI)

#30 Nick Maricec (CA)

Head Coach : Joe Cook

Team Honor

#1 Kevin Dwyer (MO)

#2 John Schiavo (NY)

#3 Sam Nixdorf (MI)

#4 John Siemer (CA)

#5 Cody Baugh (MO)

#6 Kyle Novak (MO)

#7 Chris Kendall (NY)

#8 Pete Messina (IL)

#9 Jack Combs (MO)

#10 Gerry Osterkamp (CA)

#11 Tyler Spezia (MI)

#30 James Cash (MO)

Head Coach : Rob Chormomud

**teams were selected in a draft by the coaches**