Tag Archives: Aston Rebels

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Rebels’ Forward Yakovlev Makes NCAA Commitment to University of Wisconsin Superior

The Rebels, proud members of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), are pleased to announce that forward Evgeny Yakovlev has committed to play NCAA Division III Ice Hockey for the University of Wisconsin Superior Yellowjackets, who play in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC). His commitment begins in September.

Yakovlev, 20, had 38 points (11 goals and 27 assists) in 55 games during the regular season. He had eight points (5 goals and 3 assists) in eleven playoff games, including three game winning goals. His game winning goal in overtime in game three of the Robertson Cup semi-finals sent the team to the National Championship game. He had a total of 67 points during his two-year tenure with the Rebels, which is third highest in the team’s history. The Belgorod, Russia native played in two games in the NAHL’s Top Prospect Tournament back in February.

“I’m very excited to go UW Superior” stated Yakovlev. “I would like to thank my family, friends and teammates for supporting me through the years and helping me get to this point” concluded Yakovlev.

“I’m so excited for Yak” said Rebels head coach Joe Coombs. “He was instrumental in our back-to-back division championships. He is a very good hockey player but even better person. I know he will succeed in no matter what he does” stated Coombs.

The University of Wisconsin Superior is coached by Rich McKenna. This past season the Yellow Jackets had an overall 8-19-2 record.

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Rebels’ Hart Makes NCAA Commitment to SUNY Geneseo

The  Rebels, proud members of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), are pleased to announce that forward Andrew Hart has committed to play NCAA Division III Ice Hockey for the SUNY Geneseo Knights, who play in the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC). His commitment begins in the fall of 2017.

Hart, 21, came to the Rebels at the trade deadline in February. The Sellersville, PA native had 10 points in 14 games with Aston (6 goals and 4 assists). He and his linemates played an instrumental role in containing the oppositions’ top line during the playoffs He had four points (1 goal and 3 assists) in twelve playoff games.

“I’m excited to start my college career” stated Hart. “I would like to thank my family, coaches and teammates for all of their support” concluded Hart.

“We were fortunate to acquire Andrew for the playoff run” said Rebels Head Coach Joe Coombs. “He played with an edge and he gave it everything he had. I’m very happy for Andrew. I wish him nothing but the best” stated Coombs.

SUNY Geneseo is located in Geneseo, NY. The team finished the regular season with a 17-7-3 and were ranked in the top fifteen national polls.

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Rebels’ Forward Gianluca Esteves makes D1 NCAA commitment to Michigan State

The Aston Rebels, proud members of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), are pleased to announce that forward Gianluca Esteves has committed to play NCAA Division 1 Ice Hockey for Michigan State University. The Spartans play in the Big Ten conference. His commitment begins in the fall of 2017.

Esteves, 20, was fourth on the team in total points for this past season with 45 (17 goals and 28 assists). The Winnipeg, MB native led the Rebels in total points in the recently concluded Robertson Cup playoffs with nine (5 goals and 4 assists). He also was voted to the All Robertson Cup tournament team. He was named honorable mentioned for November’s NAHL forward of the month.

“I’m really excited to sign with MSU and move on to play hockey at the next level” stated Esteves. “I am extremely thankful to my parents and all of my coaches and teammates who have helped me get to where I am going. I would especially like to thank Coach Coombs and the Rebels organization” concluded Esteves.

“G was a great player for us all year” stated Rebels head coach Joe Coombs. “He got better as the year went along and certainly played his most consistent hockey when it mattered most. State got a good player that will only get better as he grows” concluded Coombs.

Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, MI. The Spartans had a 7-24-4 record this past season.

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Rebels announce 3rd Annual Blue vs. Red Game and Main Camp Schedule

The Rebels have announced today that the team’s third annual Blue vs. Red game will be held on Saturday, July 15 at 10am at the IceWorks Skating Complex. This game will be comprised of players who have advanced from the main camp games into the “All-Star” game, which will include returners from last year’s NAHL regular season championship team. Players selected from this game will make up the 2016-17 team.

Admission is free. There will be a FREE barbecue for those attending.

The following is the main camp’s schedule:

Wednesday, July 12th
Start               End                      Notes
3:00pm           4:00pm           Goalie Check-In
4:15pm           5:45pm           Goalie session
5:00pm           6:00pm           Player Check-in
6:15pm                                       Player meeting

Thursday, July 13th
Start               End                       Notes
10:00am         11:15am         Game 1 – Rink 3
11:30am         12:45pm         Game 2 – Rink 3
1:00pm           2:15pm             Game 3 – Rink 3

Lunch Break

3:00pm           4:15pm           Game 4 – Rink 3
4:30pm           5:45pm           Game 5 – Rink 3
6:00pm           7:15pm           Game 6 – Rink 3

Friday, July 14th
Start               End                       Notes
10:00am         11:15am         Game 1 – Rink 3
11:30am         12:45pm         Game 2 – Rink 3
1:00pm           2:15pm             Game 3 – Rink 3

Lunch Break

3:30pm           4:45pm           Game 4 – Rink 3
5:00pm           6:15pm           Game 5 – Rink 3
6:30pm           7:45pm           Game 6 – Rink 3

Saturday, July 15th
Start                End                        Notes
10:00am         12:30pm         All-Star Game – Rink 3

Hotel Information
Wyndham Garden Glen Mills Wilmington
1110 Baltimore Pike
Glen Mills, PA 19342
610-358-1700

If you’re reserving a room, please mention the Aston Rebels main camp. There is a special, reduced room rate for the camp

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Rebels 2017 NAHL Draft Recap: Team selects 5 Blueliners

Yesterday the North American Hockey League held its annual draft. Since the Aston Rebels finished in first during the regular season the team selected last beginning with the twenty third pick.

With the loss of Gvido Jansons, Brennan Kapcheck, Andrew Noel and Ryan Solomon, the focus for the Rebels was defense. It was so much so that five of the team’s nine picks were defensemen (three forwards and one goalie also were chosen).

To sum up the draft, Head Coach and General Manager Joe Coombs was very pleased with the way the it went. “We knew we needed defensemen” stated Coombs. “We went after the best players available. We feel that with the players we selected along with our tenders that we will have another formable core of blueliners. While we are very pleased with the draft we will certainly attempt to fill our holes. We also will continue to look for free agents” concluded Coombs.

The following is a recap of the players selected by the Rebels.

Round 1 – 23rd Pick
Jeremy Smith, Toronto Jr. Canadiens. Position: Left Defenseman. Shoots: Right. Born: July 19, 1998. Hometown: Toronto, ON. Height: 5’9”. Weight: 158 lbs.
Season                 Team                                     GP          G             A             Pts          PIM
’16-’17 Season   Jr. Canadiens                     42           7              10           17           47
17 Playoffs          Jr. Canadiens                     11           3              8              11           10

Round 2 – 36th Pick
Brandon Stanley, Waywayseecappo Wolverines. Position: Forward. Born: May 3, 1997. Hometown: Sioux Lookout, ON. Height: 6’2”. Weight: 205 lbs.
Season                 Team                                     GP          G             A             Pts          PIM
’16-’17 Season   Portage                                5              1              3              4              12
’16-’17 Season   Waywayseecappo           53           23           44           67           48

Round 3 – 69th Pick
Seth Bergeron, Las Vegas Storm. Position: Left Defenseman. Shoots: Left. Born: August 3, 2000. Hometown: Las Vegas, NV. Height: 5’11”. Weight: 170 lbs.
Season                 Team                                     GP          G             A             Pts          PIM
’16-’17 Season   Las Vegas Storm               38           4              13           17           18

Round 4 – 93rd Pick
Ryan Keane, Omaha Lancers. Position: Goaltender. Catches: Left. Born: March 15, 1998. Hometown: Lewisville, TX. Height: 5’9”. Weight: 157 lbs.
Season                 Team                     GPI         Mins      GA          SO          W            L              SV%       AVG
’16-’17 Season   Omaha                 9              507         36           0              2              5              0.876     4.26

Round 5 – 117Th Pick
Darren Rizzolo, Alberni Valley Bulldogs. Position: Left Defenseman. Shoots: Left. Born: January 12, 1998. Hometown: Mission, BC. Height: 5’10”. Weight: 173 lbs.
Season                 Team                                     GP          G             A             Pts          PIM
’16-’17 Season   Vernon                                 5              0              0              0              4
’16-’17 Season   Alberni                                 44           1              7              8              67


Round 6 – 140th Pick
No pick. Traded to Johnstown


Round 7 – 163rd Pick
Corey Clifton, North Jersey Avalanche 18U. Position: Forward. Shoots: Left. Born: February 3, 1999. Hometown: Matawan, NJ. Height: 5’8”. Weight: 160 lbs.
Season                                 Team                                     GP          G             A             Pts          PIM
’16-’17 Season                   North Jersey Avs 18         31           5              16           21           12
’16-17 Playoffs                  North Jersey Avs 18         5              1              1              2              2

Round 8 – 186th Pick
Jacob Nordqvist, Vastra Frolunda HC Jr. Position: Left Defenseman. Shoots: Right. Born: February 12, 1998. Hometown: Sweden. Height: 5’7”. Weight: 158 lbs.
Season                                 Team                     GP          G             A             Pts          PIM
’16-’17 Season                   V. Frolunda         1              0              0              0              0
‘16-17 Euro One               Frolunda              27           2              12           14           12
‘16-17 Euro Two               Frolunda              17           0              4              4              14
’16-1717 Playoffs             Frolunda              5              1              0              1              4

Round 9 – 209th Pick
Noah Finstrom, Detroit Little Caesars 18U. Position: Forward. Shoots: Left. Born: September 17, 1999. Hometown: Detroit, MI. Height: 5’6”. Weight: 130 lbs.
Season                                 Team                                     GP          G             A             Pts          PIM
’16-’17 Season                   Det. Little Caesers 18      21           6              9              15           36

Round 10 – 232nd Pick
Carson Moniz, St. Thomas Stars. Position: Right Defenseman. Shoots: Right. Born: October 25, 1998. Hometown: Lambeth, ON. Height: 5’11”. Weight: 198 lbs.
Season                                 Team                                     GP          G             A             Pts          PIM
’16-’17 Season                   St. Thomas                          19           3              8              11           56
’16-’17 Season                   Amarillo                               14           0              4              4              14
17 Playoffs                          St. Thomas                          4              1              0              1              22

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2017 NAHL Draft One Week Away – Rebels select 23rd

The 2017 North American Hockey League’s annual draft will take place one week from today on Tuesday, June 6 at 2:00pm ET. The Rebels, since they finished with the league’s best record during the regular season, will select last in the first round at number twenty-three.

You can follow the draft via nahldraft.com or hockeytv.com. Also, if you’re only interested with whom the Rebels select, you can follow the process on the team’s Facebook and Twitter feeds.

Here are the draft’s details.

Who is eligible for the NAHL Entry Draft?
Amateur players less than 21 years of age on December 31, 2017 who are not listed on an NAHL team roster or are listed on an NAHL team roster but played less than (10) NAHL regular season and/or playoff games during the 2016-17 season and did not accept a tender from an NAHL team prior to the 2017 NAHL Entry Draft are eligible for selection in the draft.

Do I have to register for the draft?
No. If you are eligible for the draft, each team will draft individual players largely based upon scouting throughout the season and/or a team’s needs.

How many players can each team select in the NAHL Entry Draft?
The number of players each team is able to draft varies on that team’s current roster (protected list) minus the number 30. Each team’s roster is comprised of veteran players and signed tenders only. For example, if a team has 15 veterans rostered and 8 tenders (23 total), that team is allowed seven (7) draft picks.

What is the order of the NAHL Entry Draft?
Eligible teams shall make selections in each round in reverse order of their finish in the 2016-17 NAHL regular-season standings. New member clubs shall have their order of selection determined by lottery. If there is only one new member club, it shall have the first selection in each round.

Do prospective NAHL players have to register for the NAHL Entry Draft?
No, there is no registration process to be eligible for the NAHL Entry Draft.

Are drafted players eligible to try out for other NAHL teams?
Unless agreed upon in writing by the two NAHL teams, tendered or drafted players are not eligible to try out for other NAHL teams.

Are drafted players eligible to try out for teams in other junior leagues?
Yes, all tendered and drafted players are eligible to try out for any team in any league other than the NAHL in the U.S. and Canada.

Will all NAHL tenders signings be posted on NAHL.com?
No, all tender signing will not be posted on NAHL.com. NAHL teams may make their tender signings public, but are not required to do so.

What if a prospective player is not drafted, but is still interested in playing the NAHL?
Players not drafted but who still want to play in the NAHL are encouraged to attend individual team’s open tryout camps.

Additional Notes:
All NAHL rosters must be reduced to 25 players by September 1.

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Rebels 2016-17 Year in Review begins May 30. 24 Players in 24 Days

The last time we saw the Rebels was back on May 14 when they gave a valiant effort against the Long Star Brahmas in the North American Hockey League’s Robertson Cup Finals where they lost 3 – 0. It was the team’s seventh game in ten days.

Despite the loss in the championship game, the Rebels won their second consecutive East Division Championship, and they had a 46-11-2-1 record for 95 points – the most in the league during the regular season. The team swept the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights three games to none in the divisional semi-finals, defeated the New Jersey Titans three games to two in the divisional finals and then defeated the Aberdeen Wings two games to one in the league’s semi-finals.

The Rebels recorded a league record seventeen shutouts. Goaltender Mareks Mitens was named the league’s Most Valuable Player and Vaughan Goaltender of the Year. Mitens, along with defenseman Brennan Kapcheck, was named to the all NAHL first-team while defenseman Gvido Jansons was selected to the all NAHL second-team. Head coach Joe Coombs was named the league’s top coach.

Forward Gianluca Esteves and defenseman Kolby Vergara were named to the NAHL’s all Robertson Cup tournament team.

The team had five players participate in the league’s Top Prospects Tournament back in February and many players won numerous divisional awards and the organization itself won the East Division’s organizational of the year. Eleven players made NCAA commitments – all division one.

Despite being twenty-two minutes and thirty-one seconds away from winning their first-ever NAHL Championship, the Rebels had a GREAT season.

Beginning on Tuesday, May 30, the Rebels will have a 2016-17 “Year in Review.” The YIR will appear on the team’s Facebook and Twitter pages. It will be a snapshot of 24 players in 24 days. Players will appear alphabetically beginning with Andrew Bellant – the team’s top scorer.

Click here for the team’s Facebook page or here for the team’s Twitter feed.

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Rebels lose to Brahmas 3 – 0 in championship game

The Aston Rebels played their 73rd and final game of the season today. Unfortunately, it didn’t turn out the way the players wanted it. Despite having playing their seventh game in ten days and coming off an exhausting but thrilling overtime game from the day before, their valiant effort came up short as they fell to the Lone Star Brahmas 3 – 0 in the North American Hockey League’s Robertson Cup National Championship Finals.

The Rebels played a very strong opening period cutting off the Brahmas neutral zone. However, each team did have their respective chances to score but Lone Stars’ goalie Max Prawdzik and Mareks Mitens each made several key saves to keep the score knotted at zero after the first period.

The second period continue as the same path as the first period with both teams playing very solid hockey. However, with time winding down in the middle stanza, Lone Star took advantage of a Rebels turnover in their own.

After a Rebels defenseman attempted to clear the puck out of their own zone it was intercepted at the nearside blue line by Austin Kamer. Kamer would bring the puck to the faceoff dot and passed it to Pete Kessel to his left. Kessel would take a shot on goal but the puck hit the side of the net where it picked up by Drake Glover. Glover would pass it out to Kamer in the slot and he one-timed it passed Mitens to give the Brahmas a 1 – 0 lead with 2:31 left in the middle stanza.

Lone Star would double their lead at the 4:04 mark of the final period. As the Rebels tried to break out of their zone and outlet pass was intercepted by Lone Stars’ Julian Biondo. Biondio brought the puck in close and took a shot that was saved by Mitens but Austin O’Rourke picked up the rebound to make it a 2 – 0.

With time winding down in the game and hoping to cut the Brahmas lead in half Mitens was pulled for an extra attacker. Tory York would score an empty net goal with 59 seconds left in the game to seal the championship for the Brahmas.

Mitens stopped 20 of 22 shots he faced while Prawdzik turned aside all seventeen shots. Click here for the box score.

Rebels defenseman Kolby Vegara and forward Gianluca Esteves were named to the 2017 NAHL All-Tournament team.

Despite the loss, the Rebels had an extremely successful season: best record during the regular season, team high 46 wins. Coach of the Year with Joe Coombs and the league’s Most Valuable Player and best goalie in Mareks Mitens along with eleven NCAA commitments to date.

The team will come back to Philadelphia tomorrow morning and the players will begin to clean out their locker rooms and, sadly, say their goodbyes.

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Yakovlev’s goal in OT sends Rebels to Robertson Cup Finals

Evgeny Yakovlev scored with 2:43 left in overtime to give the Rebels a 2 – 1 win over the Aberdeen Wings and send the Rebels to the North American Hockey League’s Robertson Cup finals tomorrow against the Lone Star Brahmas. It will be the first time in the team’s young history that it has reached the National Championship game.

After a scoreless first period that produced a total of ten shots, the Wings got on the board first at the 2:52 mark of the second period. After a faceoff outside the Wings zone, an Aberdeen defenseman dumped the puck into the Rebels zone. The puck went around the net and up the far side boards where a battle ensued. Carson Dimoff would get the puck and pass it down to Kevin Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald would come behind the Rebels net on a wrap around and beat Mareks Mitens up high to give the Wings a 1 – 0 lead. It was Fitzgerald’s fifth goal of the playoffs.

Despite starting the third period down by one and their season on the line, the Rebels came out hungry. The Rebels would tie it just fifty-three seconds in the final period on Gianluca Esteves’ fifth goal of the playoffs. Brennan Kapcheck would dump the puck into the Wings zone where Esteves would retrieve it behind Aberdeen’s net. He passed it up to the near side faceoff circle to Aaron Maguyon who passed it back to Ryan Solomon.  Maguyon would make a cross-ice pass back to Michael Underwood. Underwood would take a shot that was redirected by Esteves past Wings goalie Forbes Ploszaj to make it a 1 to 1 game.

The Rebels would then start to control the flow of the game. They came close to adding a second goal but Ploszaj had to make several key saves to keep the game tied and send it into overtime for the second straight day.

While the Wings had some changes in the third that were thwarted by Mitens, the Rebels dominated the overtime. Then Kapcheck would start the play at his own goal line. He passed the puck up along the near side boards to Esteves who brought the puck into the Wings zone. Esteves made a drop pass back to Maguyon. The Galloway, NJ native passed it back to a trailing Yakovlev. Yakovlev would make a cross-ice pass back to Gvido Jansons at the point. Jansons would pass it over to Solomon. Solomon would take a shot that was saved by Ploszaj but the deep rebound came out to Yakovlev who put it into an open net to give the Rebels a two-games to one series win over the Wings.

Mitens turned aside 23 of 24 shots while Ploszaj stopped 33 of 35 shots. Click here for the box score.

The Rebels will now face the Lone Star Brahmas tomorrow at 2:00pm ET in a winner take all for the NAHL’s Robertson Cup.

Photo Credit: The Rebels would like to thank John Elftmann for providing photos of today’s game.

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Wings top Rebels 3 – 2 in overtime to force deciding game

Gage Mackie’s goal with 3:49 left in overtime gave the Aberdeen Wings a 3 – 2 win over the Aston Rebels to even the Robertson Cup semi-final series one game apiece to force a third and deciding game today at 4:00pm ET. The winner of this series will move on to play the Lone Star Brahmas in the Robertson Cup finals tomorrow.

The Wings jumped out of the gate very quickly – just thirty-two seconds into the game. After a turnover by a Rebels defenseman at center ice, Wings defenseman Andy Carroll entered the offensive zone on a two on one with Colin Raver. As Carroll crossed the blueline he passed the puck over to his left to Raver. Raver took a shot that was saved by Rebels goalie Mareks Mitens but the rebound was picked up by Carter Roo who put it past Mitens to give Aberdeen a 1 – 0 lead.

Mitens and his Wings counterpart Forbes Ploszaj had to make several key saves to keep the score the same through two periods of play. However, as time was winding down in the second Aberdeen’s Colton Fletcher was called for cross-checking with forty Forbes Ploszaj six seconds left in the period.

Down by a goal and entering the third period with a man advantage, the Rebels looked to tie the score early. It didn’t.  After Jensen Zerban won the opening faceoff, the puck went back to Brennan Kapcheck. The Rebels defenseman took the puck behind his own net to set up the play. As Kapcheck skated into the neutral zone he sent an errant pass to his left that was picked up by Raver. Raver sent a bounce pass off the far side boards where it was picked up by Roo who walked in on Mitens and beat him bar down to give the Wings a 2 – 0 lead just eighteen seconds into the third period.

The Rebels then would make sure the dreaded two goal lead theory hold water. After a battle along their near side boards, Rebels forward Dustin Manz would bring the puck up through center ice. As he entered the offensive zone he dumped the puck into the zone. The puck went behind the net and up along the far side boards where it was picked up by Auggie Moore. Moore shot it on net where Ryan Patrick redirected the puck but Ploszaj made a big save but the rebound came out to Manz who put behind Ploszaj to cut the Wings lead in half just 1:41 into the third period.

A minute later the Rebels would tie the game at two. As a Wings defenseman tried to dump the puck out of his zone it was intercepted by Kolby Vegara. Vegara took a shot from the top of near side blueline that beat Ploszaj to knot the game at 2:42 into the third period.

Both teams had their chances to win it in regulation but each goaltender made key saves to key the other team at bay.

As the game entered into overtime and wore on Mitens and Ploszaj had to come up big. Then with time winding down in the extra period, Fletcher would enter the Rebels zone. He carried the puck all the way around the net and back towards the high slot. He took a shot that was redirect by Mackie past Mitens to give the Wings the 3 – 2 win to force the third and deciding game.

Mitens stopped 30 of 33 shots while Ploszaj turned aside 34 of 36. Click here for the box score.

The deciding game will be held today at 4:00pm ET.