ICEMEN PROSPECT REPORT
By Chris Stearns
Springfield Falcons Media Relations Intern
The Evansville Icemen of the ECHL are off to a 2-6-0-1 start through the first four weeks of their 2012-‘13 campaign. The squad is currently in last place of the gritty North Division of the Eastern Conference, nine points behind division front-runners, the Cincinnati Cyclones. However, after dropping their first seven games in the month of October, the ‘Men of the Igloo’ have been perfect so far in November, topping both the Wheeling Nailers and division rivals, the Toledo Walleye, in their last two contests.
The Icemen are getting good offensive production from Nathan Moon, who has four points in as many games for the Icemen after coming to the team from Cincinnati. The former Pittsburgh Penguins fourth round pick seems a perfect fit in Evansville’s lineup, bringing his tenacious net-front presence and physical play to the team’s offense.
Rookie Austin Madaisky is contributing offensively from the back end as well. As advertised, the 6’2” 190 lb. blue-liner has three assists in four games so far for the Icemen and will continue to be an offensive threat from the blue line, especially on the power play.
Fellow rookie and former Miami (Ohio) RedHawk Trent Vogelhuber is developing into a reliable power forward in his first year in the league. At 6’2” 195 lbs., Vogelhuber has the perfect frame to become a defensive-minded grinder at the professional level. Along with two assists in his first seven games of this season, Vogelhuber is +1, making him one of just three Icemen to be sitting in the plus column.
Another former RedHawk, Will Weber, joins his college teammate in Evansville and, although not much of an offensive threat, Weber is a reliable stay-at-home D-man whose big body presence is always felt in front of Evansville’s crease.
The Icemen are currently led in scoring by veteran centerman Todd Robinson. Robinson is playing in his 14th-pro season and continues to build on his storied career, as he has nine points in nine games, amassing eight assists and a goal so far. Right-winger Patrick Kennedy is another offensive luxury the IceMen’s coaching staff can always turn to when they need some spark. The Cornell graduate has six points in eight games in just his second season of pro hockey.
Evansville’s rookie goaltending duo, Rob Madore and Paul Karpowich, seem to still be battling for the number one tag. Former UVM Catamount Madore’s 337 minutes up Karpowich’s 205, and Madore has a higher save percentage (0.903) which tops Karpowich’s 0.869. Through the team’s first nine games, both goalies each hold one of the team’s wins.
For more information on the Evansville IceMen, visit EvansvilleIceMen.com.
