22 in 22 Series: Battle Creek Revolution
August 17, 2013
The 22 in 22 series features an in-depth look into all 22 teams in the NA3HL for the 2013-14 season, with a new team being highlighted daily, leading all the way up until the start of the regular season on Saturday, September 7th as four NA3HL teams take to the ice on Opening Night.
22 in 22 will go in-depth into each NA3HL team and will include interviews with all 22 head coaches in the NA3HL, as they provide fans with their expectations and outlook for the 2013-14 season, including taking a look at their roster and their strengths as a team for the upcoming season.
It will also take a look back on the 2012-13 season and how each team fared and what they accomplished. Best of all, 22 in 22 is done to provide the fans of the NA3HL with an inside look at their favorite team and what to expect.
Battle Creek Revolution
Head Coach: Rod Davidson
2012-13 Record: 7-38-1-2, 17 Points (5th, Central Division)
2012-13 Leading Scorer: Joey Lioy (17 G, 15 A, 32 P, -34)
Playoffs: Did Not Qualify
2013-14 Division: Central
First Regular Season Game: Sat, September 14th, 2013 4:15 PM at Michigan
Home Opener: Sun, September 15th, 2013 1:30 PM vs. Michigan at Revolution Arena
Even though their record may show a 5th place finish in the Central Division, the Battle Creek Revolution saw a 17-point improvement from their season of a year ago. Coming within one point from making the playoffs and putting two players on the All-NA3HL 2nd team, defenseman Kyle Ware and goalie Matt Hughes, shows that Battle Creek is trending upwards and hope to continue that trend in the 2013-14 season.
The Revolution got off to a slow start in the 2012-13 season not picking up their first win until December 16th against Queen City in a shootout victory. Coach Rod Davidson noted a change in play from his team in the second half of the season. He noted that players were pushing each other to be better and it showed on the ice as they battled all season and almost clinched a playoff spot in the difficult Central division.
Although their training camp does not open until the end of next week, Coach Davidson is expecting a solid group of returning players that will make significant contributions to the team. “I think we’ve got a head start on being able to plan in the off-season,” said Davidson “We will get a chance to get used to each other early in the season, which is something that will make us better.” A good start to the season is something that Davidson emphasized and being able to come out of training camp in the best conditioning shape possible.
After their 2011-12 season the Revolution brought Coach Davidson in to help revitalize a franchise and bring a new culture to the team and the city. The team built a new NHL-style locker room for the team and is was the first step in transforming the team into a top level junior program.
“I tried to say to our players last year when playing a team like St. Louis, which is a top tier franchise, take something away from the experience and learn from it,” Davidson said about the competition.
In addition to upgrading their team facilities, the City of Battle Creek has shown overwhelming support for the franchise packing the Revolution Arena with over 400 fans at multiple games during the season. Not only were the renovations a recruiting tool, but Coach Davidson noted that it made a huge impression on the youth hockey program and the team is an active partner in helping rebuild the youth hockey programs in Battle Creek.
Coming within one point of attaining a playoff spot is a heart breaking way to end the season, but no doubt the Revolution will have qualifying for the post-season as their expectation for this upcoming year. Through an emerging fan base and top-notch team facilities, it is gaining the tools off the ice that will hopefully transition to on the ice wins.
Next up in the 22 in 22 series: Breezy Point North Stars
