With the 2017 -2018 junior hockey season coming to an end for those that didn’t make it, everyone’s gear bags are packed, sticks are wrapped. For those heading on to the Thorne Cup it is just a few more games away. The Thorne Cup is the Stanley Cup of the WSHL – Western States Hockey League. To win the Thorne Cup in this junior hockey league is a journey of 51 games to the play-offs. For a high school hockey player looking to join a junior league this is the journey you will take in the WSHL.
The WSHL is made of four divisions; Western division, Northwest divisions, Mountain division and the Mid-Western division, 22 teams all located west of the Mississippi. The road to the Thorne Cup takes each of these teams to several states across the western states.
This journey is not taken lightly by the teams in the league. It is such an honor to be able to make it to the Thorne Cup, each coach sets up his team early in the season by scouting for players from the United States and a variety of other countries; Russia, Canada, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Finland. Once the team is set they start their journey to the Thorne Cup.
One team in particular has fought their way from the middle of the pack in their division from the prior year to being a leader in their division in the road to the Thorne Cup. The team I am referring to is the Oklahoma City Jr. Blazers. For those of you that follow the Blazers here’s a map of their travels from this season.
The Oklahoma City Jr. Blazers have traveled to six away three game series and 28 home games this hockey season . Out of the 51 games played this season, they have won 42 games. This has left them in second place in the mid-western division. Securing them a spot for the Thorne Cup.
As a player, what does it mean to make it to the Thorne Cup?
Lets take a closer look into the life of one of the Oklahoma City Blazers players. Number 22 – Travis Hudek joined the Oklahoma City Blazers this year and he hails from Anoka, Minnesota. Hudek started playing hockey at the age of four and has never looked back. This year was his second in the junior league. He has signed with and will be advancing to St. Mary’s University a D-3 college o play next year.
Huek is a defenseman and has scored nine goals to add to his astounding record for this season. Hudek’s personal goals for his final season in the junior league include making it to the Thorne Cup and signing with a college team. This journey has certainly led him to a win for both goals.
“I have really pushed myself this season to improve my skills in order to make it on to a college team” said Hudek.
A teams journey to the Thorne Cup means something different for each team member. For some it will be the highlight of their hockey career, the end of their journey but for others it is just a stepping stone for their hockey career.
When asked what the Thorne Cup means to him, Hudek replied “It means a lot, it is a victory on the whole season.”
As Hudek and his fellow Oklahoma City players make their way to the Thorne Cup in mid-April the pressure has never been higher. As the team continues to move forward Hudek has had some time to reflect on his last season with the WSHL.
“This season showed me that no matter how hard the battle is, if you fight through it as a team it will all work out” said Hudek.
While the traveling is fun, it can be hard to be away form home. One destination in particular made Hudek and his teammates feel at home while they were away from home. This destination was Springfield, Missouri. (You can find this destination on the map located above.)
Hudek reflects; “While in Springfield we had a little bit of down time between games and it was really nice to go into a community and have the respect from the opposing team and their fans.”
When this season comes to an end Hudek shared he will miss just hanging out with this group of guys. The team has become very close and think of themselves as one family unit.
This year the Thorne Cup will be hosted in El Paso, home of the Rhinos. The other teams will be the Ogden Mustangs, Utah Outliers, Long Beach Bombers, Idaho IceCats and of course the Oklahoma City Blazers. There will be a series of games in a round-robin style that starts on April 10 and will continue through April 12. The semifinals will begin April 13 and will conclude April 14 with the championship game.
As Travis Hudek and the Oklahoma City Blazers make their journey to the Thorne Cup you can cheer them on through the round-robin. For those of you wanting to follow in his footsteps out of high school, here’s some advice.
“Work hard and make a goal. Once you reach that goal make another until you are happy with what you have accomplished.” said Hudek.
Mikayla Zimmerman Portfolio 