The tournament is in its fifth year and has showcased some of the best teams in the state. The last two WIAA Champions, Arrowhead (2009) and University School (2010) were champions of this tournament.

 

The Admirals have always been at the forefront of promoting and developing hockey in the area. With Mr. and Mrs. Pettit, Phil Wittliff, Mike Wojciechowski, Harris Turer, Jon Greenberg and a host of others, the franchise has always worked hard at growing the game.

 

University School co-head coach Doug Coleman talked about the growth in this part of the state at the press conference. “I moved here in ’97-’98. More rinks are being built in the area. You have more kids playing the game. You have more youth hockey organizations. In our area, with U. School, Marquette, Catholic Memorial and Arrowhead, the power has shifted from Madison to Milwaukee. There are more players. We have more depth in this area over the last 15 years.”

 

The pride shown by the coaches in the hockey being played in this area is truly evident. Cedarburg coach Dale West said, “Hockey in this area has really grown and has gotten really strong. We don’t have to take a backseat to anybody in the state as far as caliber of hockey.”

 

The President of presenting sponsor Bradley Corporation, Bryan Mullett, is impressed with the field. “These are probably some of the best coaches I’ve seen in the state,” said Mullett. “The most important thing has been the focus on life lessons. What goes on in the locker room, you can’t teach in a classroom.”

 

WNS Storm coach Maco Balkovec is leading the Storm in the tournament for the second time. He’s excited to be back. “This is an absolute highlight for my kids: playing in this tournament. This is an absolute first-class event. Kids get a taste of what it’s like to play at the professional level.”

 

The Showdown starts Mon, Dec. 27 with four games at Wilson Park. The day starts at 9 a.m. The first-round matchups are:

 

Marquette vs. Germantown

 

U. School vs. Kenosha

 

Homestead vs. Cedarburg

 

Arrowhead vs. WNS

 

On Tues, Dec. 28^th, two games will take place at the Bradley Center and two at Wilson Park. The Championship and 3^rd-place games will be Wed, Dec. 29^th at the Bradley Center with the other two games, again, at Wilson Park.

 

The Admirals are playing home games the nights of the 28^th and 29^th. Spend your holiday break with some great hockey at the Bradley Center.

 

Moving on…

 

I just found out that former Admirals forward and current co-head coach at University School, Cal Roadhouse, has been diagnosed with cancer. I’ve been told the prognosis is good. Dave Boehler will have a nice piece on Roadhouse in the Journal Sentinel. Keep him in your thoughts. When we talk about guys promoting hockey in the area, he’s certainly one of them. There are countless Admirals who came here from other parts of the world that stayed and became the coaches that helped spearhead the growth of hockey in Southeastern Wisconsin.

 

My two-year old nephew called me last weekend and told me what he wanted for Christmas: a snow cone maker, a scooter and hockey skates. I’m so proud.

 

I mentioned a couple weeks ago that I toured the American Banjo Museum in Oklahoma City. Be my friend on Facebook (Aaron Sims) and you can see the video I shot with my Flip. I’ll post it soon.

 

My favorite TV show is Dexter. Season five just ended. It was very good, but I was left wanting more after season four. John Lithgow was incredibly scary in that fourth season. His character was certainly one of the great villains of all time. “Acting!” “Genius!”

 

I leave you with some holiday cheer.