Ozanic's wizardy looms large for Bartlett-Geneva
Ryan Ozanic stands tall for the co-op Bartlett-Geneva hockey team at, oh, 5-foot-2, 123-pounds.
"But he plays like he's 6-foot-2," said the team's coach Brian Hill.
Ozanic, 17, a senior at Bartlett in his second season on varsity, is the team's top center, likely to play between Bartlett senior Joey Petramalie on the right and Geneva junior Sam Leskin on the left. He also sees action on the penalty-kill unit.
"Ryan is the heart and soul of our team," Hill said. "He gives 110 percent effort on and off the ice; he's a natural leader."
He was the Bartlett captain last season who had many key, big-game goals, Hill said.
"Ryan brings a lot of positive energy to the team; the kids really love him," Hill said.
Ozanic and his Bartlett-Geneva teammates take the ice this weekend in the area's top annual preseason tournament, held at Centre Ice of DuPage in Glen Ellyn. The 16-team tournament hosted by Bartlett-Geneva, features many of the area's perennial powers, including New Trier Green, Stevenson, Barrington, Neuqua Valley, Fremd and York.
The tournament's championship game is 7 p.m. Sunday.
"We're really looking forward to (the tournament)," Hill said. "It has a lot of strong programs in it and I think it will be a great measuring stick for us early on."
Bartlett-Geneva plays Barrington, the co-op Rockford team and Providence.
"We had strong players coming back, and now have a lot of good, new players from Geneva," Ozanic said. "We now have two teams now, a varsity and a JV. The JV supports the varsity, and the varsity supports the JV.
"I'm pretty pumped, psyched for the season. When I'm on the ice, I go 110 percent, take a hit for the team, put the team first, pass whenever I can, communicate, keep the team fired up, pumped up; always be positive."
Size is not an issue with Ozanic.
"A lot of people get hit, knocked down and then make it real dramatic, getting up real slow, thus the crowd really feels bad for that player," he said. "But when I get hit, I always want to get right back up as quick as possible. Height is not everything. Small player, loud voice, big heart, always positive - that's my attitude."
He is not nervous because of his height. Never has been. Other than as a freshman - his first time ice skating.
You see, starting at age 8, Ozanic played roller hockey. But not just casual roller.
He has played three times (in 2007, 2009 and 2010) for Team Illinois in State Wars Hockey, which provides a competitive geographically-structured national roller hockey event that gives selected participants a chance to represent their home state or province. State Wars Hockey is governed by the United States Roller Hockey Commission (USRHC).
"I loved roller. There's less contact (than on ice) and (a player's) size really doesn't matter," Ozanic said of the 4-on-4 game.
Ozanic's 2007 Team Illinois squad finished in second-place, while the 2010 team had to settle for fourth place after losing 2-1 to Team Michigan in the bronze medal game, played in Darien in early-August.
"Roller, at times, can be a lot faster (than ice hockey) because there's a lot of passing and not any hitting," Ozanic said. "Roller has definitely helped by play-making ability (on the ice)."
Ozanic made the switch as a freshman to ice hockey after first attempting to skate in public skating sessions.
"I made the (JV) team as a freshman and though I didn't score a lot of goals, it was a lot of fun. I really got a hang of the sport as a sophomore," Ozanic said. "I've always played sports, and almost always been one of the smallest players (on my teams). But I stay focused, confident, and don't let anyone get me down.
"I love hockey. I know it's a game that involves passing, stick-handling and shooting, not just hitting. In fact, I probably hit others more than most on the team. Even if I don't knock them down, I'll slow 'em down. I love checking."
Prep powerhouse: The Lake Forest Academy prep team is off to a strong start, defeating the Lansing Capitals 4-1 and 4-2, and then splitting a pair against the Milwaukee Jr. Admirals. Senior Greg Major had 4 goals in the games against Lansing, while senior Charlie O'Connor had 5 assists.
Senior goalie Robert Levin stopped 67 of 70 shots he faced in the Caxys' first two games. The Caxys finished 44-5-4 last season, highlighted by wins over the No. 2, 4 and 6 teams in the country. The Caxys are coached by Darrin Madeley, who played in the NHL.
Honoring Steve Edwards: The New Trier Hockey Club has established the Steve Edwards Memorial Fund to assist Steve's teenage son, Christian, with the financial commitments related to his father's service and beyond. Contributions to this fund will be used only for the purpose of assisting with funeral expenses and, to the extent monies remain in the fund, to further the educational opportunities of Christian.
"Steve was my assistant (at New Trier) for six years," said New Trier Blue coach Rob Malstrom. "He left behind a 16 year-old son, Christian, who can use the generosity and kindness that our extended hockey community can afford to give him."
Christian, a junior, plays for Warren. Steve died in August.
"I continue to be in contact with Christian, and he is doing a great job coping with the changes that have gone on in his life," Malstrom said.
Donations can be sent to: Steve Edwards Fund, c/o New Trier Hockey Club, 556 Cherry St., Winnetka, IL 60093.
Around the rinks: Cody Miller, a newcomer to the co-op Rockford team, paced the Icemen to a shocking 8-1 win over defending state champion St. Rita. Rockford is the 14-time defending state champion for combined teams - Carmel battled the co-op Buffalo Grove-Wheeling-Hersey team to a 4-4 preseason tie in Vernon Hills on Sept. 12 - Fenwick will now play most of its home games at The Edge in Bensenville.
Top 10: Here are the Preseason Top 10 rankings of Illinois High School Hockey Teams, compiled by Ross Forman: 1. New Trier Green, 2. Loyola Gold, 3. Rockford, 4. Fenwick, 5. Marist, 6. Stevenson, 7. Glenbrook North, 8. St. Rita, 9. Prairie Ridge, 10. York.
Honorable Mention: Neuqua Valley, Barrington, Crystal Lake South, Waubonsie Valley, St. Viator.