Interested in playing for the Buccaneers?

The Des Moines Buccaneers continue to be a staple of hockey in the Midwest – with 30 years of experience the team has won four Anderson Cup regular season championships, as well as four “Tier 1” National Championships and 4 Clark Cup Playoff Championships. Des Moines is an amazing city that has supported the Des Moines Buccaneers for over 30 years. Playing hockey in this city affords our athletes many academic, cultural, and entertainment opportunities that serve to improve the overall experience of playing junior hockey.

Along with the team success and the support of a great community, a number of Buccaneer players have continued to have success in the sport of hockey long after their days in Des Moines were over. We have been the starting point for over 200 collegiate hockey players. On this year’s roster, 15 of our player’s have committed to play at Division I schools after completing their junior hockey careers. Our league places over 100 players annually in Division I college hockey. This means that you will be playing with and competing against the finest players in North America. If you want to be the best, you must compete against the best each day at practice and in every game.

We are currently in heavy preparation for the 2010 USHL Futures Draft, as well as the 2010 Entry Draft. Both drafts will be held in mid-May. Shortly after the conclusion of the drafts, the Buccaneers will host their tryout camps at Buccaneer Arena.

If you are interested in receiving consideration to attend a Buccaneers camp, please download and complete our Prospect Questionnaire. Our coaching staff will research each request received and letters of invitations to camp will be emailed and/or mailed to selected player following the 2010 USHL Draft on Wednesday, May 19th.

Open Camp Recap -

Just realized we never posted our Open Camp recap on the blog...so take a second and catch up on what's happened so far in the off season.

The Des Moines Buccaneers held their 2009 Open Camp this past weekend. With over 14 games between three different teams, the coaching staff got to take a look at over fifty players.

The Buccaneers also welcomed three special guests as coaches for the teams during Open Camp. Paul Jerrard, Assistant Coach of the Iowa Chops of the AHL, coached the Navy and ran practices throughout camp. Marty Wilford, professional hockey player who played for the German Elite League last year, coached the Red team and also ran practices throughout camp. Jordan Parise, son of J.P. Parise and professional hockey player who played for the Austrian Elite League last year, coached the White team and also coached the 9 goalies who attended camp.

At the conclusion of camp on Sunday, the Buccaneers invited a total of seven players to attend the 2009 Invite Camp in June.

"All of the players at camp skated hard and showed us their strengths. We were really impressed by their determination on the ice. They all have the chance to develop as hockey players and perhaps someday play in this league. The seven players we're bringing back will have the chance to impress us again in June," said J.P. Parise.

Below are the seven players that were invited back...

• Colton Saucerman - D - 1992 - 5'9" - 180 lbs.
• Matthew Boogard - F - 1991 - 6'3" - 200 lbs.
• Brett Agnew - F - 1990 - 6'2" - 190 lbs.
• Christian McCollum - F - 1991
• Steven Behm - F - 1991 - 6'4" - 205 lbs.
• Ryan Garber - G - 1991 - 6'4" - 205 lbs.
• Connor Brogan - G - 1989 - 6'2" - 180 lbs.

This Morning...

So far this morning we've had practice and a scrimmage between the Navy and White teams. Everything is running smoothly...the players are waking up a little more and playing together better this morning.

Thoughts So Far

So it's almost 5 o'clock and we've barely had time to write today! Luckily I saw that some of you wanted to see rosters - so I got those typed in between running between the office, Blackbeard's Lounge and the coaches table.

So far, the players are looking good - some stand out more than others but it's only the first day.

The one thing I have noticed is that this camp is TOUGH. The coaches they have out on the ice (Jordan Parise, Paul Jerrard and Marty Wilford) are running the real deal out there. The player isn't getting a drill - they run it until he does. They're out there yelling, encouraging and skating right along the guys.

Both Ami Peled and Nick Cecere, defenseman from last year's teams, are on the ice skating with the teams. Ice time's hard to come by - so their taking full advantage of the chance to spend three days on the ice.

Right now the Jordan Parise is out on the ice with the goalies - not every camp do players get a chance to get one-on-one time with a professional goalie.

I'm really excited for tomorrow - as I'll be able to spend some more time watching the practices and games as the office isn't "officially" open.

Keep checking back!

White Roster

White Roster

Goalies

• Schuyler Ferguson - 1993 - 6' - 160 lbs.
• Ryan Garber - 1991 - 6'4" - 205 lbs.
• Chase Freidig - 1990

Defense

• James Knight - 1991 - 6'4" - 220 lbs.
• KC Fraize - 1990 - 6' - 180 lbs.
• Adam Seipel - 1991 - 6'2" - 180 lbs.
• Kaleb Schwab - 1991 - 5'10" - 155 lbs.
• Scott Browning - 1991 - 5'11" - 190 lbs.

Forwards

• John McDonald - 1993 - 5'8" - 165 lbs.
• Alexander Spiros - 1991 - 5'8" - 150 lbs.
• Casey Kelso - 1990 - 6' - 180 lbs.
• Peter Bosseckert - 1989 - 5'10" - 190 lbs.
• Dalton Bew - 1993 - 6'1" - 170 lbs.
• Ryan Parker - 1993 - 6'3" - 195 lbs.
• Jeffery Spellmire - 1993 - 5'11" - 170 lbs.
• Andrew Palushaj - 1993 - 6' - 175 lbs.
• Ryan McNamara - 1993 - 5'8" - 155 lbs.

Red Roster

Red Roster

Goalies

• Mark Smith - 1990 - 6' - 175 lbs.
• Alexander Caravaggio - 1992 - 6' - 190 lbs.
• Luca Mullane - 1992 - 5'11" - 175 lbs.

Defense

• Brandon Bayer - 1990 - 5'10" - 190 lbs.
• Ryan Skalski - 1991 -5'9" - 160 lbs.
• Joe Minnich - 1991 - 5'11" - 185 lbs.
• Brennan Ritchie - 1992 - 6' - 175 lbs.
• Colton Saucerman - 1992 - 5'9" - 180 lbs.

Forwards

• Matthew Boogaard - 1991 - 6'3" - 200 lbs.
• Brett Agnew - 1990 - 6'2" - 190 lbs.
• Steven Kostaras - 1992 - 5'9" - 180 lbs.
• Matan Nadler - 1992 - 5'10" - 165 lbs.
• Cole Sheehan - 1991 - 6' - 180 lbs.
• Christian McCollum - 1991
• Morgan McLellan - 1990 - 6'2" - 175 lbs.
• Trenton Krueger - 1989 - 6'4" - 205 lbs.

Navy Roster

Navy Roster

Goalies

• Evan Oncay - 1993 - 6'3" - 210 lbs.
• Connor Brogan - 1989 - 6'2" - 180 lbs.
• Paul Bourbeau - 1992 - 5'11" - 145 lbs.

Defensemen

• Josiah Didier - 1993 - 6'2" - 180 lbs.
• Kinsey Cornick - 1991 - 6'4" - 215 lbs.
• Sean Sanford - 1992 - 6'9" - 205 lbs.
• Taylor Love - 1992 - 6'3" - 200 lbs.
• Mark Williams - 1992 - 6'4" - 210 lbs.

Forwards

• Kristofer Yelderman - 1991 - 5'8" - 145 lbs.
• Cody Wydo - 1991 - 5'10" - 160 lbs.
• Stven Behm - 1991 - 6'4"- 205 lbs.
• Jeffery Anderson - 1992 - 5'11" - 170 lbs.
• Steven Kowalczyk - 1990 - 5'10" - 165 lbs.
• Cory Alexieff - 1989 - 5'11" - 185 lbs.
• Craig Tomassi - 1993 - 6'3" - 205 lbs.
• Cody Weaver - 5'8" - 160 lbs.

Our next adventure...

We're going to try blogging about the 2009 Des Moines Buccaneers Open Camp, for those of you who want a peek inside the coaching staffs' heads and a look at the players who happen to be at camp. The schedule for camp is on the left hand side of the page.

Stay tuned!