Allgau Comets Hire Kyle Wantland as Offensive Coordinator

The following Press Release was translated from German to English

Via Allgau Comets

Looking for an offensive coordinator the Allgäu Comets have found it in Kyle Wantland.
The US-born comes from Fisher, Illinois and was until now at the Methodist University, in Division III, as JV offensive coordinator / wide receiver coach hired. He previously coached at Monmouth College and Fisher High School, Illinois and at St. Ambrose University in Davenport.

“I have decided for the Comets, as Coach Carter and the Organization gives me the chance as offensive coordinator. I enjoyed it as a position coach to, but now I’m ready for the post OC. The school where I am currently, has a great offensive coordinator and I appreciate it very much. Therefore, it is now time to go my way, “said the 28-year-old.

“What I expect in Kempten? To be honest, I expect great. Germany is a beautiful country. I look forward to the people there and the city itself. But of course I come over here to win football games. The Comets have given me a chance and I will not let them down. Currently I prepare everything. From my strategy game plans to language. And I’m going every second in Germany, enjoy in Kempten,” Coach Wantland  reported very pleased.

HC Brian Caler about his new OC: “In Coach Wantland we found a very hungry football coach who is very excited about the opportunity to lead an offense. Kyle has college coaching experience as Wide Receiver Coach and Passing Game Coordinator. I am very happy that we have found Kyle and expect him a very good job, so that we keep our offense goals in mind and he leads our attack back to a successful season. “

Danien Sietmann Moves from Feldkirchen Lions to Allgau Comets

The following press release was translated from German into English

Via Allgau Comets

Danien Sietmann, another defensive player for the Allgäu Comets adjoins. The 110kg-man played in Feldkirchen Lions positions Defense end and linebacker.

Danien Sietmann, another defensive player for the Allgäu Comets adjoins. The 110kg-man played in Feldkirchen Lions positions Defense end and linebacker.

In Kempten, he wants to prove himself now: “I for the comets decided, because I think that I was there the best ways have personally and football technically to develop myself further. I would also like a be part of the family of comets and with them the season contest. The general high level of the team is also a strong incentive for me, because the best get it best of you out!”

“I hope a successful season with the comets for 2016. I also hope my skills improve and to deny my first season in the GFL’ football, would Subash be already on GFL debut.

“I hope that in 2016 I have a successful season with the Comets. I also hope to improve my football skills and my first season in the GFL to deny” Danien looking forward to GFL debut.

“Danien is a big, strong and athletic boy with a lot of potential. He is our assist defensive line and he will certainly get some opportunities to as defensive end and playing on special teams. Each coach is enthusiastic, a player as Danien to have on its roster, “said coach Caler pleased about the new appointment.

From GFL to NFL: Tyler Davis Exclusive Interview

To begin the 2016 offseason, the Miami Dolphins didn’t make a huge splash but they did help make history. The Dolphins can credit themselves responsible for signing the first player to move from the German Football League (GFL) to the National Football League (NFL) when the team signed Tyler Davis to a reserve/future contract.

Though there is no guarantee he gets a contract for the Dolphins, the Dolphins, and Davis, are hoping that Davis is a diamond in the rough, much like Cameron Wake and Marcus Thigpen, both of which have made an impact previously for the Dolphins.

Davis, 24, comes from a football family. His father, Clarence, was a running back for the Oakland Raiders and was responsible for the catching the touchdown in the play forever immortalized as the ‘Sea of Hands’. Clarence Davis is also a super bowl winner, winning Super Bowl XI with the Oakland Raiders.

In college, Davis attend Missouri Valley, an NAIA, where he earned first-team all-conference accolades in all his four seasons. He also earned the Heart of America Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year award in 2012.

In his four years at Missouri Valley, Davis played as a defensive back, tallying 138 tackles and grabbed 19 interceptions. Davis also returned kicks and punts, where he took four kickoff returns for touchdowns. He also earned All-American accolades as a long jumper.

Davis began his professional career in the GFL, lining up on both sides of the ball for the Munich Cowboys. As a receiver, he had 28 receptions for 686 yards and seven touchdowns. On defense, he had six interceptions.

Last season, Davis played both defensive back and wide receiver for the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes, leading the GFL in reception and receiving yards, as well as finishing 4th in interceptions with 6. Davis’ performance was good enough for him to be crowned MVP of the GFL.

//www.hudl.com/embed/athlete/3939267/highlights/270680375

As for Kiel Baltic, the team would perform very well, finishing with a 9-3 record in the Nord (North group). In the playoffs, the would lose in the first round of the playoffs to the Allgau Comets in the first round of the playoffs.

Recently, I was granted a chance to sit down with this remarkable young man and talk about his journey to the Dolphins

Kevin Fielder: Tyler, what made you choose to go to Germany to play football right after college?

Tyler Davis: I didn’t really hear anything from any other teams here in the states after the draft. One particular team showed interest in me overseas and I took the opportunity to expand my career as a football player.

KF: How do you think going to a small school helped you prepare you for your professional career?

TD: It humbled me. I didn’t have a D1 facility, all the advanced things they have access to. I had to work that much harder than everyone else. With the small school tag, I had to get it out the mud! My determination, drive, and perseverance pushed me to the next level. Hard work ALWAYS pays off!

KF: Before going to Germany, did you have any offers from the NFL? If so, why did you decide to go to Germany?

TD: I talked to the Browns during the draft and worked out for the Rams, but didn’t hear anything else, not even a free agent deal.

KF: What do you think were the challenges of moving from strictly defensive back to both sides of the football?

TD: I didn’t really see it as a challenge. The transition was pretty easy to me. I used to play Receiver before making the move over to DB in college.

KF: What are the key differences, in terms of overall play, between football in Germany and in the States? Why do you think you were so successful while playing in Germany?

TD: I think I was so successful because I just wanted it more than anyone else. I still do, I’m not done yet. I have goals and aspirations. I want to be an inspiration to any and everyone.

KF: Why do you think Miami Dolphins fans should embrace you?

TD: If you’re a fan, you’re a fan, you should embrace anyone who comes in and is ready to make an impact on your team. Not just me.

KF: How excited are you to play for an Adam Gase lead team after his success in Chicago last season?

TD: I’m just excited to be playing for anyone at this point. My work isn’t done, its only the beginning. I’m just glad that we are both new to Miami and can both make a change.
You can follow Tyler Davis on Twitter, @lookmom_itsTD

You can track his journey on his Instagram and his Facebook page

If you are interested in buying his t-shirts, you can purchase them, here.

Reilly Smith: The Best Off-Season Acquisition

The previous offseason in the NHL was filled with surprising moves and very good moves. We saw Phil Kessel move to the Steel city (Pittsburgh) and Stanley Cup winner Justin Williams move to the Nation’s Capital. Though both of those acquisitions, in the grand scheme of things, were quality signings; the best falls to the Southern most NHL team, the Florida Panthers.

The man? Winger Reilly Smith. In the beginning of July, the Panthers acquired Reilly Smith from division rivals Boston for winger Jimmy Hayes in a straight up deal. The move seemed surprising at first, with Dale Tallon trading away a big time producer in Hayes (19 goals in 2014) for a similar winger who struggled in 2014 in Smith (13 goals).

At about the midpoint of the 2015 midseason, the move has proved to be a vital one for the first place Florida Panthers. Smith, 24, is a vital part to the top 6, commanding the right wing position on a second line featuring center Vincent Trocheck and fellow winger Jussi Jokinen.

Smith has already eclipsed his goal scoring tally from the year before, netting 16 goals and assisting another 12 in 49 games to date. Smith also has a +/- of 11, ranking 44th in the NHL and 4th on the Panthers.

Smith is 72 points off of 100, so that seems unlikely, but Smith’s impact has been proven in the past couple of games. Lately, Smith has proven he can be a nightly scorer, scoring in the previous 4 games.

Calling Smith the best offseason acquisition may be considered the long shot, especially with the large performances from players like Justin Williams (Washington), Brandon Saad (Columbus), among others but Smith’s impact goes further than his points.

Williams has better stats than Smith (16 goals, 17 assists compared to the 16 goals and 12 assists of Smith) and the Capitals lead the  NHL, yes, but the Panthers have had a larger surprise of the season, given that the team was expected to finish fighting for a playoff spot in the Atlantic.

Saad, who was traded from the Chicago Blackhawks to the Columbus Blue Jackets, has also had a better season stats wise (19 goals, 16 assists) but the Blue Jackets have struggled and currently sit without a playoff spot.

Smith’s impact is not all points but has also been a vital staple to the team. In previous years, the Panthers have struggled to find staples in the lines, often switching up lines after a couple losses. This season, on the contrary, has had plenty of staples. Among the list is Smith. He has sat on the second or third line and power play all year and is expected to remain there.

An Open Letter to the NHL

Dear NHL,

 

The way the referees have handled the last two games with the Florida Panthers has been pitiful, at best. A change needs to be made now, before stuff gets out of hands.

 

I’m a Florida Panthers fan until the day I die, yes, but I’m also an NHL fan and from both standpoints, the NHL should be disappointed with the way the ‘zebras’ handled the past few games.

 

I’ll start with the game against the Edmonton Oilers because the referees‘ performance in that game was by far the worst.

 

First, the fact that the referees allowed a clear cheap shot on Aaron Ekblad from Matt Hendricks go with no penalty and worst of all, no ejection. Don’t get me wrong, you did suspend him, but it took you a full day to hand out a suspension.

 

Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers were without Ekblad for the next game (a 3-2 loss to Vancouver, ending their 12-game win streak) and may be without him for a couple more games as he suffered a concussion on the play.

 

A boarding penalty should have been called on Matt Hendricks giving the Florida Panthers, at the very least, a 2-minute power play. According to rule 41.1 in the official NHL rulebook, “A boarding penalty shall be imposed on any player who checks or pushes a defenseless opponent in such a manner that causes the opponent to hit or impact the boards violently or dangerously.”

 

It’s quite evident that the play on Ekblad from Hendricks was a boarding penalty. Watching the play again, you see Aaron Ekblad attempt to flip the puck over to fellow defenseman Brian Campbell. When he does, Matt Hendricks charges to Ekblad and hits him into the board at a powerful force. The hit forced Ekblad to miss an early chunk of the third period when the Panthers led 2-1.

In the game overall, Hendricks would tally a total of 10 penalty minutes, a number that was behind the 17 minutes Nick Bjugstad (most of which was served on a 10-minute misconduct penalty). The 10 minutes served doubles his second highest total of 5 penalty minutes.

Now flip over to the game between the Panthers and the Vancouver Canucks, where a borderline penalty call virtually ended the game in overtime.

 

About two minutes into the overtime period, Emerson Etem of the Vancouver Canucks had a possible shot on target. However, it was ruled that Jaromir Jagr hooked Etem on the shot and the refs awarded the Canucks a 4 on 3 power play.

Almost immediately after the penalty call, Henrik Sedin of the Canucks would slot in the game-winning goal, ending the Panthers hope of winning 13 straight.

 

But back to the penalty, according to the NHL rulebook, “A player who does not have body position on his opponent, who uses his stick (either the blade or the shaft, including the butt-end of the shaft) to impede or prevent his opponent from moving freely on the ice shall be assessed a hooking penalty”

 

This play is really a 50/50 penalty call. It can very well be argued that Jagr did restrict Etem’s movement but I am a firm believer in letting the players play if the call doesn’t especially affect the result. 

 

In my personal opinion, the hooking penalty enforced on Jagr did not affect the game enough to warrant a call. It looked as if Etem was not in a position to effectively wrap around Roberto Luongo.

 

After the Sedin goal, though, is when stuff got ‘real’, for say. Following the result of the game and the mass celebration that ensued by the Canucks players, it is speculated that Shawn Thornton said something to Sedin earlier in the game that Sedin did not like.

 

The details of what happened next are not 100 percent clear but it is believed that Henrik Sedin skated over to the Panthers bench waving his finger, almost as if to say ‘no means no’. Alex Petrovic seemed to take offense to the situation and squirted water into the face of Sedin. The altercation tempted Derek Dorsett of Vancouver to come over and confront Petrovic. Instead of that, backup goalie Al Montoya shoved Dorsett with his glove, which, in turn, prompted Dorsett to respond by punching Montoya in the back.

 

What happened next could have been detrimental to player safety. Both teams got into a small skirmish. No injuries were suffered and no penalties were handed out and it is unlikely any suspensions are handed out, but if someone took too much offense to what was happening, or got too much into it, a simple back and forth could have resulted in a player(s) getting injured.

 

Simply put, the NHL needs to address their referees and player safety, as things got out of hands in both matchups.

Dear NHL, Where Is the Respect?

The Florida Panthers have won 11 straight. Yes, you heard it right, the FLORIDA PANTHERS have won 11 straight hockey games. Though it’s been a tough road, having to endure two shootouts and matchups against the always so tough Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens, the team a couple hours away from the place coined the “Happiest Place on Earth” has been able to beat every team since early December.

Now, you’d think winning 11 straight would have enough to have the NHL buzzing, and it has, but you also expect 11 straight to have earned your respect in the NHL as a force to be reckoned with, but it hasn’t.

I’m a Florida Panthers fan, I always have and I always will be one but I’m also a hockey fan. I love watching the darlings, as we call them, dominate the scene for a little bit of time and then, most of the time, fade back into obscurity. While you may think the Florida Panthers, a team that was expected to almost sneak into the playoffs, are this year’s darlings, they aren’t.

Advanced stats and metrics will disagree with that statement but I’m not one for those. I’m more for the statement that “games are won, and lost, on the ice” because they are.

The Florida Panthers have not allowed a first-period goal in 5 of the last 6 games and have scored 8 goals in the same stretch. The Panthers have as well had stellar play from goaltender Roberto Luongo who has saved 130 of the 134 shots on target that the other team have put up on net, that’s a whopping save percentage of .970. Al Montoya also contributed a 39 save performance against the Minnesota Wild. The two netminders performances to this date have thrust the into first place for goals against average in the NHL with 2.12.
The first line has also been effective during this stretch. Jaromir Jagr, who turns 44 next month, has played out of his mind scoring 4 goals in the previous 5 games which includes a 2 goal performance against the Minnesota Wild, which saw him score the first and game-winning goal in a 2-1 win. Jonathan Huberdeau has, as well, turned into the setup man for the Panthers, setting up 22 goals this season.

The Florida Panthers have as well seen production from their defensive line. The Panthers rank 9th on the penalty kill, killing 82% of the penalty kills. On the offensive front, defenseman Aaron Ekblad leads the core with 19 points. Ekblad as well leads the core with 10 goals which also ranks 5th on the team.

What is, even more, amazing for the southern most NHL team is its ability to attract fans during this span. Though they still sit at 27 in attendance, that is mostly due to the beginning season duds for the Panthers at the BB&T Center. In the last few home games for the Panthers, they have seen an increase in the figure and even saw back-to-back sellout crowds against the Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers. The question for the Florida Panthers from now until the end of the regular season will be whether the Panthers can keep up this streak or if the fans will only start pouring in when the Panthers are winning or if the times for South Florida hockey is changing.

As I have said before, I can see this team contending for a chance to hold Lord Stanley Cup up. The ‘Cats, as they are more commonly called, have turned into lions and we can’t hide from the truth. They will sadly have to lose this win streak but to hold onto the Atlantic division lead where they hold the first place spot by 5 points will be the first goal this season. If they make the playoffs, they will first have to win a playoff series, something that has not been accomplished since 1996, where the Panthers made the Stanley Cup final.

The Florida Panthers: Contenders or Pretenders?

Seven. This is the Florida Panthers current win streak. It has been seven games since the Florida Panthers, a team that wasn’t touted to perform very well, lost a game. During the seven-game win streak, the team has had to endure two straight shootouts (wins against the Ottawa Senators and Vancouver Canucks) and have outscored opponents by a total of 25 goals to 10. At the beginning of 2016, the Panthers sit second in the Atlantic Division with 46 points. It is no question the Florida Panthers have been effective but are the Panthers contenders or are they pretenders?

Simply put, the Florida Panthers are contenders. All of their first line forwards have over 20 points, including Aleksander Barkov who has played a mere 27 games, missing a good part of the season to a hand injury suffered against the Chicago Blackhawks. What is more effective is the way the first line is built. The first line features a confirmed set up man in Jonathan Huberdeau, who has 21 assists (8th in the NHL) and two scorers in the aforementioned Barkov (11 goals) and the future hall of famer, Jaromir Jagr, with 11 goals as well.

In the month of December, the Florida Panthers’ goaltenders have been a brick wall between the pipes. Combined, Roberto Luongo and Al Montoya have saved a total of 319 shots. In the month, Luongo has allowed less than two goals a game, while Montoya, who has played strictly backup to Luongo, has allowed under 1 a game. Both are impressive for tenders in their thirties.

The month of December was the most memorable for the Florida Panthers. On December 1, the Florida Panthers sat at sixth place in the Atlantic Division, 6 points behind the first-place Montreal Canadiens. On the 1st, the team looked out of sync as the rings of playoffs seemed to fade from the Panthers ears. As of January 2, the Florida Panthers sit 2nd in the Atlantic Division but have 3 games in hand of the Montreal Canadiens, who sit first in the Atlantic by two points. The team ,at this point, looks rejuvenated. The goalkeeping has combined to win 11 games and the attacking line has not struggled to score.

During December, the Florida Panthers have won the match-ups that they needed to. The Panthers defeated the Montreal Canadiens to end the month and take possession of first place in the Atlantic. To initially take control of the Atlantic, the Panthers were able to defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets a few days prior. The fact is that the team has won the key games; the question is whether the can keep it up.

For the Panthers, it is looking up. They have the advantage in the Atlantic Division and can walk into the playoffs with no worry. The Panthers will look to take sole possession of first place early in January (they face off against the New York Rangers on January 2) and will look to continue their seven-game win streak into January. With Nick Bjugstad expected to join the Panthers lineup in the coming days, the team will have back their second line center, who was absent during the team’s current 7 game win streak.

Whether or not they will contend for the Stanley Cup is up in the air at this point in the season but playoffs are looking likely for the Panthers. Expect them to be in the mix as the Eastern Conference representative in the Stanley Cup; this is barring any injuries or trades that could shake up the team.