“We are extremely excited to get a player of Max’s character and ability. I was looking for a quality individual to fill a hole in our line-up created when Kyle Troup left our team recently to enter the United States Air Force,” stated Panthers’ GM and Head Coach Andy Scott. “I called Justin (Knights GM and Head Coach Justin Lyle) to ask about Max’s availability once the Knights were eliminated from the play-offs. Justin didn’t hesitate to give Max the opportunity as a 20 year-old to extend his season with us. This is a great example of what the MJHL is all about. Justin and the Knights organization should be commended for putting the player’s interests first.”

“I’m thankful for the opportunities that the Knights organization provided me,” said Antonides when asked about the trade. “I will never forget the great coaching staff and my teammates. I just hope I will be able to adjust to a new team quickly and play the way I know I can play.”
It was a difficult decision for the 1991-born player to leave an organization he had called home for the past two years. He had made a countless number of friends at the rink and the community.

“I have no doubt that Max will help an already good organization get better,” said Knights GM and Head Coach Justin Lyle.

The MET Prospects took to the ice first thing Sunday morning. Team North, led by coaches Ken Hoey (Royals) and Dave Capuano (Reds), came right out of the gate on fire burying four goals in the first half with forward Jake Bichko (Royals) owning two of those. Team South, led by coaches Andy Scott (Panthers) and R.C. Lyke (Generals) relied heavily on NJ Rocket forwards Ryan Hitchcock (2g, 1a), Alec Marsh (3a) and Travis Geraci (1g 1 a). The three players scored every goal and assist for South Prospects, but came up short needing more back up.

Team North’s four first half goals were enough to take the win, but forwards Nick Balboa (Express) and John Shiavo (Moose) added two more for good measure and a final score of 6-3. Team North goalies Stephen East (Rockets – 12/14 saves) and Tyler Tracy (Jr. Pirates – 15/16 saves) were unbelievable in net making save after save against the highly potent South Prospects offense.

SBK Hockey Players of the Game for Team South Prospects went to forward Ryan Hitchcock (Rockets – 2g) and defenseman Daniel Willett (Rockets – 5 blocked shots). Team North Prospects Players of the Game went to forward Jake Bichko (Royals – 2g 1a) and defenseman Dzmitry Daniliuk (Juniors – 1a) who owned the defensive zone.

The MET All Stars took the ice next to finish out the day. Team North, led by coaches Craig Doremus (Metro Fighting Moose) and Mike Tenney (Express), and Team South, led by coaches Dustin DePalma (Jr. Titans) and Mike Dennis (Jr. Flyers) each came out looking to gain the interest of all the college scouts watching attentively. Both teams went back and forth exchanging goal after goal. With the score tied 4-4 heading into the third period, the South All Stars and forward Alex Zamchalov (Jr. Flyers – 2g) found another gear and didn’t look back.

Zamchalov found the back of the net for his first of the game and Team South’s fifth just 1:23 in the final period. Three minutes later, Kyle Johnston (Generals – 1g 2a) tallied what turned out to be the game winner for Team South. Team North’s Abe Edson (Express) added one in to bring the score to 6-5, but Alex Zamchalov notched the insurance goal for a final score of 7-5 for the Team South win. Team South goalies Brian Rhoads (Panthers) turned away 18 of 21 shots faced, while Gary Schoepler (Saints) saved 14 of his 16 shots faced.

SBK Hockey Players of the Game for Team North went to forwards R.J. Ricci (Reds – 2g) and Keith Buzzar (Juniors - 1g). Players of the Game for Team South went to forwards Alex Zamchalov (Jr. Flyers – 2g) and Kyle Johnston (1g 2a).

Overall, it was another very successful weekend for the MJHL and its players. The league will be back at Iorio Arena Feb. 17-20 for the President’s Day Showcase.

A 1990 graduate of Babson, Jamie Rice is currently in his eighth season as head coach of the men's ice hockey program. Rice has enjoyed great success in his first seven years back at his alma mater, leading the Beavers to a 110-71-13 record and a top-15 national ranking in all but two seasons. He was named ECAC East Coach of the Year and was a finalist for the prestigious Edward Jeremiah Award, given annually to the top coach in Division III ice hockey, in 2006, and in 2007 was named New England Coach of the Year after guiding Babson to its first ECAC East championship since 1992 and its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1993. Rice then led Babson to the ECAC East Championship and the program's 14th bid to the NCAA Tourney in 2009, as well as two more trips to the conference championship game in 2010 and 2011.

Rice returned to Babson in 2004 after spending 14 years as an assistant coach at Colby College, Dartmouth College, Brown University, and Northeastern University. During his five-year tenure at Brown, he helped guide the Bears to a 1993 NCAA Tournament appearance and a 1995 Ivy League Championship.

A native of Newton, Massachusetts, Rice played four seasons at the forward position for Babson from 1986 to 1990, helping the Beavers amass a spectacular record of 81-31-10 during that stretch. He recorded 24 goals and 55 assists for 79 points in 116 career games, including a career-high 32 points in 1988-89.

Game Schedule and Rosters:

MJHL Prospects – NHL Rink – Puck Drop: 10:35AM
Team North – White Jerseys
Team South – Dark Jerseys

MJHL Prospects Rosters MJHL Prospects Media Guide

MJHL All Stars – NHL Rink – Puck Drop: 12:55PM

Team North – White Jerseys
Team South – Dark Jerseys

MJHL All Stars Rosters MJHL All Stars Media Guide

Tickets can be purchased at Iorio Arena Sunday morning. General Admission tickets will be $5. Anyone who is 12 years old and younger or is a registered USA Hockey Youth or Junior player will be free.

Saturday’s game saw a dominant five-on-five performance by the Generals on route to a convincing 6-3 win. Kris Helweg and Max Mahood staked the visitors to a 2-0 first period lead. Early in the second, the Panthers struck three times in less than three minutes to take the lead. DJ Dinnison scored twice on the power play while Eric Wallis added the third. The Generals quickly regained control of the game on goals by Steven Valva and Dana Arnold. With seven minutes left in the third period, Max Mahood notched his second on a breakaway to effectively end the Panthers’ comeback hopes. Kyle Johnston added an empty net goal late in the game for extra measure. The Generals out-shot the Panthers 42-24.

Having suffered their first regular season loss at Regency Sportsrink in over two calendar years, the Panthers came out Sunday in search of redemption. Although out-shot and out-played in the first period, the Panthers scored late short-handed as Christian Grim banged home a rebound off a two-on-one shot by Kyle Bushong to take a 1-0 lead into the locker room after 20 minutes. Ben Mariano scored his first of two to increase the home team’s lead to 2-0. The Generals’ Pavol Bolibruch got his first of two mid-way through the period to get the visitors on the board. Kris Helweg struck less than five minutes later to even the score at the end of two. The Panthers power play went to work scoring twice early in the third period on goals by Ben Mariano and DJ Dinnison. Pavol Bolibruch pulled the visitors within one with just under five minutes remaining. However, on the next shift, John Wendling tipped a Kyle Bushong shot to restore the two-goal cushion and give the Panthers a big win. Landon Trutt was outstanding in the Panthers’ net stopping 44 of 47 shots.

“First and foremost, it was a great weekend of hockey,” said Panthers’ Head Coach Andy Scott. “The Generals are a very good hockey team. One of their great strengths is that they have what I believe is the best puck-moving group of defensemen in the league. This was a big reason they out-scored us 8-3 in five-on-five play. With that type of dominance, we were a little fortunate to get the split. I think we owe those two points to our special teams which out-scored them 5-0 over the weekend and to a great goaltending performance by Landon on Sunday.”

“This was the most anticipated week on our calendar since the two games at our home rink against the Panthers in the fall,” said Generals Head Coach R.C. Lyke. “The teams were both pumped up for the games and the action was extremely fast-paced and physical. They were two great games played in the atmosphere of a packed house. I thought special teams played a huge part in the series, especially on Sunday. The Panthers scored two power play goals and 1 short-handed goal and got a great performance from their goaltender Landon Trutt. They are a team that capitalizes on your mistakes and make you pay on the scoreboard with their excellent special teams play. This was the first time all year in a series that our power play was shut-out. Their penalty killing unit deserves a lot of credit. Their special teams were better this weekend and definitely were the deciding factor in their Sunday victory. This was a great weekend of hockey between two teams that have a ton of respect for each other. I look forward to a potential rematch in the playoffs.”

Panthers defenseman Kyle Troup played his final (and one of his best) MJHL game on Sunday. Having enlisted in the United States Air Force, Kyle will be leaving for basic training in the near future. Kyle played 127 midget and junior games in the Panthers organization. The Panthers would like to wish him success in his military career.

The All Star teams will be comprised of 12 forwards, 8 defensemen and 2 goalies. A total of two forwards, one defenseman and one goalie have been named as Alternates and will be used for either team should someone not be able to attend. The Prospects will have 9 forwards, 6 defensemen, and 2 goalies, as well as, two forwards, two defensemen and one goalie as alternates.

MJHL All Star Rosters can be seen HERE

MJHL Prospects Rosters can be see HERE