Feature Story

Feature Story

A Successful Xposure

By John Russo

For the past two years, Shattuck -St. Mary’s School and the Upper Midwest High School Elite League have put on the Midwest Xposure Elite Tournament at Shattuck’s twin arenas in Faribault, Minn. It has been a raging success each year. Instead of Midwestern players having to travel to Toronto or Vancouver for one or the other two big “prospects” type weekends, they discovered they could save $750 or more on airfare and lodging and have an even better experience. They could also do it right here in Minnesota where they can drive and probably stay with hockey friends or “Uncle Ollie”.

Well, the nation’s best high school/U18 league (Upper Midwest High School Elite League) and the nation’s best U18 program (Shattuck-St. Mary’s) are at it again — with even a few improvements thrown in. Nike Bauer is again this year’s tournament sponsor.

On April 18-20, the 2008 Midwest Xposure Elite Tournament will again be at Shattuck. The scouts are calling for dates; the players are already getting their registration in — in droves.

“Last year we had over 450 applicants for the 240 spots (12 teams of 20 players). This year, we anticipate over 500 applicants,” John Russo, Commissioner of the Upper Midwest High School Elite League, said.

The tournament will be kept to 12 teams of 20 this year, and will also include carefully-selected young players from the USA Hockey 2007 National Select programs.

“We are not increasing the number of teams this year even though the demand will be much higher. We want to keep our quality very high, so we will not likely ever go beyond 12 teams”, Tom Ward, Shattuck prep coach and director of hockey operations, said.

“Both Russo and Ward are hands-on in developing, monitoring and operations, so it’s a sure bet to be outstanding,” Chris McAlpine, former Gopher, NHLer, and now Elite League coach, said.

McAlpine, along with other former standout players and current or former Elite League coaches Reed Larson, Joe Dziedzic, Pat Guyer, Pat Williams, John P. Russo, Steve Olinger and Eric Johnson are slated to coach teams at the tournament.

Each team will play five games. Two on Friday (April 18), two on Saturday, and one on Sunday.

“With all of the top players in Minnesota and the upper Midwest, the Midwest Xposure is a natural,” Mike Guentzel, University of Minnesota assistant coach, said. “It will be a great chance for scouts to assess players at the end of the winter season — to see how they’ve progressed over the winter months.”

Last year’s participants included two-thirds of Minnesota’s top NHL mid-year prospects and it was a chance for them to show their stuff before the coming NHL summer draft. The same involvement of NHL prospects is expected this year. Last year’s participants also included over 70 percent of the Upper Midwest High School Elite League’s players from Minnesota and Shattuck (approximately 120).

“This is a continuation of the great cooperation between Shattuck and the Elite League that they see every fall,” Ward said. “The synergy is amazing.”

“I am looking forward to again seeing the great talent that Shattuck and Elite League will bring together in April,” Florida Panthers scoutFred Bandel said. “It makes all NHL scouts’ jobs easier and gives the players great exposure.”

The Midwest Xposure brochures and applications are being distributed on its web site at www.xposurehockey.com and will be accepted until the third week in March. Player selection and notification will begin as applications arrive.

Scouts from the junior leagues (USHL, NAHL, EJHL), from each of the college divisions (DI and DIII), as well as from nearly all NHL teams, are again expected.

“By our selection process, we can insure involvement by top-end players and a highly competitive environment,” Larry Horstman, Shattuck tournament administrator, said.

The reputation built by the Elite League and Shattuck carry enough credibility with the scouting community to attract scouts from 75 to 80 organizations. This year, the scouts will enjoy a fully-printed profile book which will include all participants.

It looks like the Midwest Xposure will again meet their program goals: provide exposure for top players; save participants substantial money (participation is only $279); maintain high quality competition; run the program with class.

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