I wanted to thank all the readers of Stouthockey.com.  We have reached a milestone this past week, 100,000 page-views.  Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought this site would gain so much traction in such little time.  100,000! 

I hope it continues to grow and it’s your support that keeps the site running.  I currently receive no outside support from advertisers (there are none), booster club, the UW-Stout hockey program or any other entity.  It’s readers like you who have contributed gracious donations to keep this site up and running!

Thank you for everyone who had donated and continues to use Stouthockey.com as a resource.

Earlier this month, I asked for help from my readers about covering the costs of operating Stouthockey.com.  I never wanted to ask for donations but my “poor college student” finances mandate I reluctantly ask for help.  I have already received half of my goal with some very gracious parents and alumni stepping up to donate money.

If you’ve ever found this site helpful or enjoy browsing the content here; whether it’s photos, videos, player interviews or the Twitter updates I do on the road, I encourage you to donate to the site.  I certainly want Stouthockey.com to continue through the 2010-11 season, and I’m looking for a new student to take over the site once I graduate.  To those who have helped thus far, thank you!  Your donations mean a lot to me personally and all the students who use Stouthockey.com to follow the team.

Current Donations = $105

Donation Goal = $210

Donations are being accepted via PayPal, the most secure ways online to send money.

Send money to this e-mail:  mkaskavitch@gmail.com

If you’d like to send money, just not online, contact me via e-mail and we can setup something as well.

I want to thank all the readers of Stouthockey.com.  This website was an overnight success after UW-Stout traveled to Lake Placid, NY for the Div. III “Frozen Four”.  I have tried my best to get the latest and most unique content I can to the site.  This has included video clips, twitter posts, player interviews and so much more.  All of this comes at a price.

It costs me over $200 per year to keep this website hosted, and this cost comes out of my own pocket.  I’m asking for your help!  I never intended nor wanted to do this, but my personal finances mandate I ask for help from my readers.  I’m not asking for $25 or $50 a piece, even just $5 would be a great help.  I would just like to cover the $200+ hosting cost.

To donate to Stouthockey.com, please click the following logo below and use PayPal, a secure way to donate!

Send your gift to:  mkaskavitch@gmail.com  –  Use the link below…

It’s now golf time, dust off those 9-irons and practice your putting.  Hockey is many months away and I want to provide you with some entertainment while the news with the team is very slow.  Anyone who knows me will tell you I’m a viral video junkie.  I will post these from time to time, of course hockey related!  Enjoy them, hopefully you get a chuckle.

The first video is a great spoof of the current NHL Stanley Cup Playoff’s commercial airing on Versus and the NHL network. 

Mystery Menomonie 2010

Every year UW-Stout hockey alumni gather for what might be the most unique and prolific gathering in Div. III hockey. It’s called Mystery Menomonie and its become an ingrained tradition in the Menomonie community.  Mystery Menomonie brings together UW-Stout hockey alumni from as far back as the 1970′s for a day of food and fun, and of course hockey!

The tournament was started in 2000 by strength and conditioning coach Greg Slupe.  Greg’s father Tom Slupe was the head coach here at UW-Stout in the 1980′s when they were still just a club team. Tom played with now head coach Terry Watkins in the early 70′s.  Tom was named team MVP during the 1970-71 season as well as ‘Best Hustler’.  The Slupe family has put on the tournament now for 10 years and its extravagance is only matched by its popularity among UW-Stout alumni.

Fog machines, break-away wooden door frames, PA system complete with music and electronic score board are all put to use on the big day.  The game even has a ‘VIP’ seating area and is complete with a full game program for the fans.  The festivities even include an open skate session during an intermission on the custom built rink and some turkey bowling for fans following the championship game.

“Mystery Menomonie is a great experience and a great time for everyone involved” said Glenn Walker, 2008 UW-Stout hockey alumni.

“This was my second time playing in the event and both times I’ve had a blast!  This time around was more memorable you could say as I was able to get back on the ice again with the guys I played with at Stout and that I hadn’t seen in a while.” he said.

Coach Greg Slupe spends a lot of time with the help of his family and friends preparing their property for the event.  It’s not something you just do overnight.  All the players and spectators are  grateful to the Slupe family who host this event annually.  From preparing the ice to cooking pounds of brats and hot-dogs on the grill, there is a lot of work involved.

“I want to thank Coach Slupe and his family and close friends that devoted the time to help bring Mystery Menomonie together and go off smoothly.  Slupe puts in a lot of time into this and to be able to come out and play and show him the support is important.” said Walker.

Mystery Menomonie is what makes Division III hockey special.  A strong bond between the players, coaches and their families.  I can’t forget to mention the bond between players and the local fan base.  I have not heard of any other program doing something similar to Mystery Menomonie and that is what makes UW-Stout and the city of Menomonie special.  It’s a family affair with good stories you’ll never forget all entangled with a passion for hockey.

Menomonie,  a hockey town.

A photo gallery will be posted soon!  Here are a few more sneak peeks at some snapshots from this years tournament.

The Boys of Winter

Warm-ups underway

"The Sheet"

Plenty of food!

This Thursday is ‘whiteout’ night at the Dunn Co.  Devils’ Advocates are encouraged to wear white for the game against UW-Eau Claire.  The idea was from UW-Stout student and super-fan Brian Stutz.  Show your resolve and unity as a student section by wearing any piece of white clothing you own!   Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Dunn Co. Ice Palace on Thursday. Any questions can be directed to Brian by e-mailing him:  stutzb@uwstout.edu

SPREAD THE WORD TO WEAR WHITE!

Coach Greg Slupe

Here are some photos from today’s Mystery Menmonie Ol’ Time Hockey Classic.  2010 was the 10th year for the annual pond hockey game pitting alumni of all ages against one another.  The annual tournament is held by Coach Greg Slupe and his father Tom Slupe.  Tom was the former Stout Hockey Head Coach in the 70′s and 80′s. We will have a feature story with all the details in the coming days with more photos, so keep checking back for when it’s posted!   View sneak peek photos here.