All-Star teams announced, Dakota sends 5 players

DAKOTA SENDS 5 TO BHL ALL-STAR GAME

From left to right: Kristian Marosi, Greg Ezell, Ryan Sassman, Brian McDonald and Matt Mahoney

The BHL All-Star lineups where announced today and Dakota will be sending of its players to the big game.

Defenders Greg Ezell and Kristian Marosi will be accompanied by Matt Mahoney, Ryan Sassman and Brian McDonald. Chris Coogan and the Warbirds sent out a press release this afternoon after the line-ups were announced.

"We are excited to have 5 Warbirds representing us at the All-Star game. These players deserve to be where they are and I am glad to call all of them 'Birds."

Kristian Marosi was reached for comment:

"It's an honor to have been selected to represent Wilen in this game."

The annual BHL All-Star game is played between the Mack and Wilen conferences. There were some noteable misses, like Chris Walters , now playing and GMing for Gem City.

Here are the two All-Star teams in their entirety.

MACK CONFERENCE ALL-STARS
Alkievicz [SF] - Albanese [CAS] - Wong [CAS]
Sherris [BRI] - Gallagher [SF] - Chahal [VAN]
Iusi [ROS] - Karim [ROS] - Kuehn [AUS]
Borghese [SF] - Da Silva [VAN] - Kemp [BRI]

Hoover [SF] - Roy [CAS]
Wiedmann [ROS] - Svensson [VAN]
Tarver [CAS] - Ross [SF]

Silverling [CAS]
Toor [CAS]

WILEN CONFERENCE ALL-STARS
Makwana [BER] - Marquardt [BER] - Norton [MON]
Byun [TOR] - Kasper [MON] - Chambers [TOR]
Switzer [TOR] - Stevens [TOR] - Mayzes [GC]
Mahoney [DAK] - Sassaman [DAK] - McDonald [DAK]

Ezell [DAK] - Hie [TOR]
Lake [BER] - Casamitjana [MON]
Grundy [BER] - Marosi [DAK]

Walker [BER]
Kinney [NE]

"I am so proud of these guys and I wish them luck. They played extremely well this season, and as I said earlier, each player deserves to be there. I hope after this game, however, they get ready for Season 6 as the Warbirds have a certain cup to win." Coogan stated in the press release.

Dakota announces special patch

DAKOTA ANNOUNCES 5th ANNIVERSARY PATCH

The Dakota Warbirds franchise will hit a milestone when Season 6 comes rolling around. It will be the 5th season that Dakota has been in the BHL and to commemorate this special occasion, the 'Birds will be wearing a special patch on their home, road and 3rd uniforms.

"This is a very special event." Said Owner Chris Coogan in a press conference held earlier today. "It is a Christmas present to both the fans and the team as we continue forward in the BHL. I am very proud to be an owner and player for this team."

The patch was announced to players as they began to put together some designs in hopes of wearing their art on Dakota's uniforms.

"I am very happy to have my patch selected for the upcoming season," Said Miika Kemppinen, captain and center for the Warbirds.

"I went thinking what the Warbirds represents, and originally Googan made it to honor the old indian tribe - Dakotas. So the patch was supposed to be celebrating our 5th season in the league (DMSL/BHL). To combine those two elements I came up with the idea of five feathers in the original colors of the Warbirds."

Owner Chris Coogan, Co-GMs Robi Alberts and Greg Ezell, and Miika Kemppinen showed the patch to the St. Paul media today.

"We are very excited to have this patch on our uniforms this year. It is such a special occasion for the franchise and having our Captain design the patch makes it even better." Said Co-GM Greg Ezell.

The patch is designed with 5 feathers, one feather designating one season in the league.

Dakota's 5th season patch that will be worn on all uniforms this year

New Dakota Warbird blog, Dakota has two managerial announcements

Welcome to The Birdz Nest, the official blog of the Dakota Warbirds. Here you will find announcements, stats, interviews and everything related to the BHL Dakota Warbirds hockey team.

EZELL ANNOUNCED AS CO-GM

Greg Ezell was announced on Monday as the Co-GM of the Dakota Warbirds

Dakota made some news this week. First and fore-most, there are a few new faces on the management side of the Dakota Warbirds. Owner Chris Coogan is stepping down from his Co-GM position with Robi Alberts and appointed Greg Ezell as his successor.

"I'm very excited to have Greg as a GM. Greg shows passion and determination to take this team to the next level on the ice and I know he can do the same off it. I know he can help our team reach the ultimate goal." - Coogan said in a press conference held on Monday night.

Coogan went on to say that he will continue to play for the Warbirds and will serve as their owner. Coogan then went on to say why he chose Ezell as his successor.

"Greg has been one of this teams strongest leaders. I know he can do this job, you can tell the way he plays on the ice every night. He contacts me often about free agents we should sign. He intensely cares about this team. He is ready for this role. If any of my teammates have their doubts, all I ask is to give him a chance because I know he can be one of the best in the league if he's given the opportunity."

After Coogan spoke to the media, Greg Ezell was introduced as Co-GM.

"You know me very well and you know the passion that I bring in and out of the rink on a daily basis. My vision has, and always will be, to win a ThunderCup and bring it to Dakota. The fans deserve one and the you, the players, deserve one. I will do everything in my power to keep this franchise one of the BHL's elite."

But that wasn't the only change in Dakota.

ERIC BAILY ANNOUNCED AS ASSISTANT COACH

Eric Baily is now the new Assistant Coach of the Dakota Warbirds

On Tuesday, Dakota Warbirds coach Kristian Marosi announced defenseman Eric Baily as his assistant coach.

Baily has been viewed by the club as a hard worker and feel he will be an asset to them on the bench. The team offered a shot press release on the subject:

Eric Baily has been appointed as Dakota's new assistant coach. He'll be in charge of the defense and the penalty killing. Kristian Marosi will continue as the head coach for the Warbirds and will start his third season as a head coach with a new assistant coach.

Eric Baily was reached for comment.

"Thanks guys, I really appreciate the opportunity that Rob, Greg, and Kristian have given me. You guys have handed me an opportunity to help the team win, and I won't let you down.

I want to see this team succeed so badly, and last year left a bad taste in everyone's mouth I'm sure. I will be working closely with Kristian on game day lineups, strategies, and different lineup combinations until we find what works best."

There will be some new announcements shortly regarding Dakota's uniforms soon.