Indiana Ice Continues to be a First Class Junior Hockey Organization
It’s easy to write a positive article about a hockey organization that has given me an opportunity, but putting all bias aside, the Indiana Ice have had an impressive proven track record of success since their inaugural season in the USHL back in 2004.
The team has made the playoffs in each of their first six seasons in the league, and hoisted a Clark Cup Championship in 2008-09. They’ve also developed a plethora of NHL Draft picks, highlighted by Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson, and this season boasted three picks in Blake Coleman (3rd, New Jersey), Brian Ferlin (4th, Boston), and Sean Kuraly (5th, San Jose). Take the US Development Program out of the mix (12 players selected), and only the Green Bay Gamblers with 4 players drafted had more. Considering that Canada’s top three Jr. A leagues only had 7 players selected combined, with the Alberta Junior Hockey League leading the way with 4, followed by the BCHL (2) and OJHL (2), it is a testament to the Ice organization and to the entire USHL for that matter.
The club has also graduated numerous players into the NCAA ranks, developing good hockey players and even better individuals. I had a chance to catch up with one of Indiana’s former players recently in Brian Ferlin, and asked him about his time spent with the Ice.
“The Indiana Ice is a first class organization and in my opinion definitely the best place to play in the USHL. Paul Skodjt (owner) is hands down one of the best people I’ve had the pleasure to meet throughout my hockey career because he really cares about his players and really makes the Indiana Ice as “pro feeling” as possible. He is very involved with the team and attends many practices and tries to get to know each of his players individually off the ice as well.”
“The rink is historic and an extremely fun place to play in. Both the years I spent there, the coaching staff was unbelievable and really helped me make a huge jump in my game. My first year there, Jeff Blashill was head coach and he was incredible. I really owe him a lot for taking a chance on me and giving me the opportunity to play in a league such as the USHL. Brad Lutsch and Justin Lyle are both great coaches as well and they really helped me polish my game over my two years there. Charlie Skodjt (now president) was the head coach for the Ice last year and he is another example of a class act within the Indiana organization. He made a huge impact on me personally on and off the ice and is one of the best coaches/friends I have made throughout my hockey career.”
“The billet system is awesome; the families are all very welcoming and huge supporters of the Ice. I lived with the same family for two years and loved it. The city of Indianapolis is a great place to live and play as well. Its always fun to go a pro sports game such as the Colts or Pacers, which is something you don’t get in many of the other USHL cities.”
-Brian Ferlin (Boston Bruins 2011 4th Round Selection-121st Overall)
Newly appointed head coach Kyle Wallack, who comes over from a Yale Bulldogs club that was ranked among the top 2 teams in the ECAC over the past 3 seasons, is one of the brightest young hockey minds around. It isn’t easy to build a competitive team in the Ivy league when your handcuffed by a GPA, but the extremely hard working Wallack was able to do just that. And, things have started out on a positive note for Indiana’s new bench boss, despite missing many of their top scorers from the 2010-11 season, the Ice were able to go undefeated at the 2011 Fall Classic recently.
The organization simply continues to be top notch, and doesn’t seem to miss a beat year after year. As a parent of a young player you never know what to expect when sending them away to play junior hockey, but in Indiana their quickly cementing their reputation for more than just growing good corn, they’re also producing great hockey players and subsequently teams as well.
September 30th, 2011
Great piece on Indiana. They really are one of the class organizations of the USHL. I know Yale plays an up-tempo, exciting style of hockey that Coach Wallack was instrumental in using. As a parent of a kid who is hoping to be drafted into the USHL one day (and maybe even attend Yale), he would be fortunate to play for such a club.
ps: Indiana was also 2nd in attendance (at slightly above 3600 fans per game. There’s nothing more thrilling than playing in front of a great fan base.
September 30th, 2011
Thanks for the comment John, and the attendance info. They truly are a great organziation, and I wanted to bring some awareness to the tremendous job they are doing there in Indiana. Amazingly there are a lot of Western Canadian kids unfamiliar with the USHL as a whole, and their track record speaks for itself. Thanks again!
October 1st, 2011
Well when you have the WHL and BCHL in your backyard – it is hard for anyone else to compete with that. Of course, Western Canadian kids have been going the NCAA route for years with great success.
November 18th, 2011
Nice article Dan,
I agree with everything mentioned. As a parent with a son on the team, making the change to the USHL from the prep ranks has been a great experience for my son. While the team is doing well on the ice, its the off ice discipline, support, and education my son is getting that makes the organization great. The transition to the league is a challenge for many kids on ice, never mind the off ice changes. The Ice organization has made it a wonderful transition. This is the organization to be at for development on and off the ice. Great job and thank you
to the organization.