01/12/2010
Hudson Serves as launching pad for advancement
By Nick Clark/MnJHL Director of Media Relations

Ten alums now on college rosters

The list is a growing one, and it’s also one in which General Manager Harry Urschel and the rest of the Hudson Crusaders can take pride in.

In just its third year of existence, the Minnesota Junior Hockey League franchise, has already placed an astounding 10 players on Division III college hockey rosters, not to mention the equal number of names who have advanced within the junior hockey ranks.

That was the plan all along in Hudson, where development precedes everything else, but it is a bit shocking that it’s happened so quickly.

“It is, but we’ve done a good job,” said Urschel. “We work hard for our players. We make contacts and have people come see them. We do everything we can to make sure they are getting noticed.”

The trick has been mixing together the idea of development with the need to put a competitive team on the ice.

But in hindsight, the motto has been that the two work hand-in-hand.

“It is difficult, plus if you look at our team, we are very young, so we have a rough start,” Urschel said. “But what we like to see is our team improving more than anybody else, and I think we are starting to see this now. The guys are working hard.”

This year’s group has won 11 times heading into this coming weekend’s action, which left them in sixth place with 27 points, but just seven points out of fifth.

The Crusaders biggest boost has come from the balance within the top end of the lineup. Travis Payne (Gaylord, Mich.) has 38 points, and Brock Raffaele (Cadillac, Mich.) has 34, but three others have point totals in the 20’s, and nine players have recorded at least 10 points so far this year.

The goaltending duo of Corey Mogren (Stillwater, Minn.) and Zack Talentino (Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.) has been solid the entire season, and most importantly, Hudson has stuck to its developmental focus along the way.

Defenseman Ethan Warchol (Marine City, Mich.) left after dressing in 28 games after earning a spot with the Soo Eagles of the Northern Ontario Hockey League, and Jeff Westerhaus (Hastings, Minn.) received a tryout with the North American Hockey League’s Owatonna Express.

“We usually lose a couple guys mid-season by moving them up, and that’s all right, that’s what it’s about for us,” Urschel said. “A lot of people look at programs and think it’s all about your won/loss record, and if that’s what they are interested in, we probably don’t want them anyhow. What we are interested in is seeing them advance in their hockey careers. That is the most important thing to us.”