Thursday, December 15, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Recovery Update
Its been two and a half months since my surgery on September 8. The recover is going much better than expected although it is another three and a half months expected at least, until I am game ready. I have been working out daily and practicing with the Boulder Junior Bison on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. I began skating three weeks ago with just lightly gliding. Last week I began transitioning and shooting. Everything is feeling great with minimal pain. My therapist is confident that I will make a full recovery. I will continue to practice and travel with the Bison for the remaining months of my recovery.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Surgery Update
I had my surgery this last Thursday, September 8th. I have been home for two days now after spending one night in the hospital. The problems in my hip were a bit worse than what the doctor had first expected. The Labrum was severely damaged and took five anchors to repair it. Also there was an extreme amount of cartilage found in the hip and also a hole in that cartilage underneath the hip joint. The doctors put micro fractures into the bone in order to make the bone bleed to smooth over that hole in the joint. All in all the surgery was performed with perfection and my hip is as good as new with some hard physical therapy. I am now expected to be game ready in 8-10 months instead of 6 with the difficulties encountered in the surgery. I am feeling fairly well right now, the pain is rather difficult to get around and the restricted movement is very uncomfortable with the lifestyle I have. However, I am looking forward to getting back to school and starting physical therapy Monday!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Next Season Update
As many of you have heard by now, I will not be playing hockey this season. Unfortunately what I thought to be a severe groin injury was actually much more serious. I tore the labrum located in my hip and also need 3.5cm of my hip joint carved out in order to make it circular once again. Over my years of playing hockey it has flattened out and is no longer a spherical ball joint. The Surgery takes place on September 8th, and will be preformed by Dr. White who has been one of the primary contributors to research with this surgery which is a fairly new procedure.
The recovery time is six months. 2 weeks bed rest, 2 months on crutches and then 3 and a half weeks of rehabilitation before the doctor will give me the green light to once again begin training. I will be continuing my studies at Boulder Universal Online School for my senior this year. As a career credit I will be writing a paper on the surgery along with the recovery required. I will post the paper once it is complete for everyone to read so you all know what is going on.
I think that this surgery will have its bright sides as well however. I plan on really working on the finesse aspect of the game, working on my hands, footwork, and my shot and coming back a more versatile player adding this finesse to my physical play. I plan on coming back to Corpus Christi for my first post- high school year of juniors and then hopefully playing for a D1 college on a scholarship in my future!
I will keep everyone updated on my current status!
Thanks for the continued support!
The recovery time is six months. 2 weeks bed rest, 2 months on crutches and then 3 and a half weeks of rehabilitation before the doctor will give me the green light to once again begin training. I will be continuing my studies at Boulder Universal Online School for my senior this year. As a career credit I will be writing a paper on the surgery along with the recovery required. I will post the paper once it is complete for everyone to read so you all know what is going on.
I think that this surgery will have its bright sides as well however. I plan on really working on the finesse aspect of the game, working on my hands, footwork, and my shot and coming back a more versatile player adding this finesse to my physical play. I plan on coming back to Corpus Christi for my first post- high school year of juniors and then hopefully playing for a D1 college on a scholarship in my future!
I will keep everyone updated on my current status!
Thanks for the continued support!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Season Wrap-Up
Last Thursday and Friday night we concluded our season with a two game series against New Mexico. Thursday nights game was a close one, we lead 2-1 for most of the game until we were scored on late in the third on the penalty kill which took the game to Overtime. 15 seconds into OT off a broken play, New Mexico scored to end the game 3-2. On the bright side, on Thursday nights game we clinched the 5th place in the Southern Division getting one point from the OT loss.
Friday night Corpus Christi set a NAHL attendance record of over 6200 fans at our Harley Davidson sponsored game. Unfortunately, we could not pull out a win for our fans on our last game of the season and fell 3-2 in regulation.
As the off-season begins I am taking a little break from the ice to let my body heal up from the season and focusing on lifting weights and some physical therapy for some minor injures. I am hoping to attend a few United States Hockey League (USHL) camps throughout the summer and then tryout for Corpus Christi at the end of the summer!
I had a great season and I'm really grateful for such an amazing opportunity to play in the NAHL this year. I want to thank my host family, Rob and Karen Collins for opening their house to me. Also thanks to my roommate Joe Smereck, and the rest of the team. It was a pleasure playing with all those guys this year and I learned a lot from them. Also best of luck to Saucerman, as he goes to play D1 at UMass next year, and also Kyle Hughes, Jason Souva, and Sam Cheraso who aged out at the end of this season. I'd also like to thank the Coaches for all their instruction this year and giving me the opportunity to play for them. Last but not least I would like to thank Ryan Holt for the media support!
Most of all though I'd like to thank Coach Cully for giving me a place to play after Ice Jets did not work out at the beginning of the season and his continued support.
Friday night Corpus Christi set a NAHL attendance record of over 6200 fans at our Harley Davidson sponsored game. Unfortunately, we could not pull out a win for our fans on our last game of the season and fell 3-2 in regulation.
As the off-season begins I am taking a little break from the ice to let my body heal up from the season and focusing on lifting weights and some physical therapy for some minor injures. I am hoping to attend a few United States Hockey League (USHL) camps throughout the summer and then tryout for Corpus Christi at the end of the summer!
I had a great season and I'm really grateful for such an amazing opportunity to play in the NAHL this year. I want to thank my host family, Rob and Karen Collins for opening their house to me. Also thanks to my roommate Joe Smereck, and the rest of the team. It was a pleasure playing with all those guys this year and I learned a lot from them. Also best of luck to Saucerman, as he goes to play D1 at UMass next year, and also Kyle Hughes, Jason Souva, and Sam Cheraso who aged out at the end of this season. I'd also like to thank the Coaches for all their instruction this year and giving me the opportunity to play for them. Last but not least I would like to thank Ryan Holt for the media support!
Most of all though I'd like to thank Coach Cully for giving me a place to play after Ice Jets did not work out at the beginning of the season and his continued support.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Solid Defensemen, Justin Lutsch and Chance Creger
Blog Post Link
Ryan Holt - "I agree, we have two solid defensemen, Justin Lutsch and Chance Creger, who will never stick out on the scoresheet, but just are fundamentally sound."
Ryan Holt - "I agree, we have two solid defensemen, Justin Lutsch and Chance Creger, who will never stick out on the scoresheet, but just are fundamentally sound."
Blast from the Past
Daily Camera - "Monarch's Dillon Vendetti falls to the ground after being hit by Alexander Dawson's Chance Creger during the game at Monarch High School in Louisville, Thursday, April 29, 2010"
Monday, March 21, 2011
Last Roadtrip of the 2010-11 season
This past weekend we had our last road trip of the season, which began with a game against the Tornado in Frisco Friday night. Although both Cody Milligan and Seth Blair had two exciting fights, Blair's being a one-punch TKO we had no offense despite having a great start. We ended up losing 5-0 and traveled to Amarillo the next morning.
Saturday night's game was a great game overall we played well, we kept battling and every one worked hard! I fought Taylor Ward in the first period of the game which you can watch two links below. Unfortunately we lost the lead in the third and lost 3-2 with the Bulls scoring one on the Power Play in the third period.
Sundays game was definitely a thriller, the biggest win of the season in a 10-3 victory over the bulls after coming from a 2-1 deficit after the first period! In the second period I scored my first NAHL goal, and the third of the game, on a wrist shot from the point which was deflected in front and in. We would go on to score 1 more goal in the second. Then coming out on fire in the third with 5 more goals to end the game with a final score of 10-3!
We hope to end our season on a 3 game win streak at home against New Mexico with two games this weekend!
Saturday night's game was a great game overall we played well, we kept battling and every one worked hard! I fought Taylor Ward in the first period of the game which you can watch two links below. Unfortunately we lost the lead in the third and lost 3-2 with the Bulls scoring one on the Power Play in the third period.
Sundays game was definitely a thriller, the biggest win of the season in a 10-3 victory over the bulls after coming from a 2-1 deficit after the first period! In the second period I scored my first NAHL goal, and the third of the game, on a wrist shot from the point which was deflected in front and in. We would go on to score 1 more goal in the second. Then coming out on fire in the third with 5 more goals to end the game with a final score of 10-3!
We hope to end our season on a 3 game win streak at home against New Mexico with two games this weekend!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Two disappointing weekends, losing the playoff race
On the weekend of March 6th and 7th we had a home stand against The Amarillo Bulls, in both games we had a disappointing two losses. We lost 5-1 and 4-1 and after that weekend Wichita clinched the last playoff spot we were fighting for.
In the next weekend the team had trouble in the first game finding motivation to play after losing our chances at playoffs and we lost 5-1 against the Tornado. In the next game we had a fire lit under us and brought Texas into OT with a 6-6 tie. Unfortunately we could not finish in a Shootout and lost 7-6.
Now we are in a battle with New Mexico to not finish in last place in our division. They are currently 4 points behind in the standings. We have five games left one against the Tornado, two against the Bulls, and the last two against New Mexico at home!
In the next weekend the team had trouble in the first game finding motivation to play after losing our chances at playoffs and we lost 5-1 against the Tornado. In the next game we had a fire lit under us and brought Texas into OT with a 6-6 tie. Unfortunately we could not finish in a Shootout and lost 7-6.
Now we are in a battle with New Mexico to not finish in last place in our division. They are currently 4 points behind in the standings. We have five games left one against the Tornado, two against the Bulls, and the last two against New Mexico at home!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Another Nail-Biter in Amarillo
With the regular season winding down, last weekend's contests vs the Bulls still have us in a playoff race with Wichita Falls.
We lost our first game 7-3 to Amarillo last Friday. We started off the game fairly well as the score was tied at 1 after the first and through half the second period. Both Jacob Diamond and I fought in the second trying to get something rolling for our team but the deficit grew to 4-2 at the end of the second. During the third period it all fell apart the final score at 7-3 L.
The second game was a thriller however, neither team had more than a one goal lead the entire game and as we tied it to go in to Overtime. Even in OT the game was far from uneventful. Four Penalties were called during the period. After killing off a 5-3 disadvantage we sent it to a shootout. Copley stood on his head and we won 2-0.
We face the Bull again Sunday and Monday still nine points behind Wichita Falls
We lost our first game 7-3 to Amarillo last Friday. We started off the game fairly well as the score was tied at 1 after the first and through half the second period. Both Jacob Diamond and I fought in the second trying to get something rolling for our team but the deficit grew to 4-2 at the end of the second. During the third period it all fell apart the final score at 7-3 L.
The second game was a thriller however, neither team had more than a one goal lead the entire game and as we tied it to go in to Overtime. Even in OT the game was far from uneventful. Four Penalties were called during the period. After killing off a 5-3 disadvantage we sent it to a shootout. Copley stood on his head and we won 2-0.
We face the Bull again Sunday and Monday still nine points behind Wichita Falls
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
Breast Cancer Awarness weekend VS the Tornado
Last Thursday and Friday we hosted the Texas Tornado for our Breast Cancer Awareness weekend in Corpus Christi. Unfortunately the weekend could have resulted better with such a special occasion and such valuable points at stake in our playoff hunt.
Thursday night we fell 6-3 to the Tornado. From the very beginning of the game the entire atmosphere of the game was slow, neither team had much to show for at all but, after a 7 hour road trip from Dallas, we should have gained the upper hand immediately but we failed to do so and Texas took advantage.
Friday night was much of the same until the third period where we came back from a 3-1 deficit to tie the game 3-3 at the end of regulation. However, 12 seconds in to overtime. Off a seemingly harmless play one lone Tornado player came behind Copley and scored on a wrap around attempt. However we did pick up a much needed point for making it into overtime.
After the game on Friday we had our Jersey auction for our "Pink in the Rink" custom jerseys to help raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness. With all the money raised put together we came up with $24,250 all going towards the American Cancer Society!
We are now 9 points behind Wichita Falls with 11 games remaining going into the Top Prospects Tournament. Good Luck to Beau Walker and Michael Benedict who were selected from our team to attend!
Thursday night we fell 6-3 to the Tornado. From the very beginning of the game the entire atmosphere of the game was slow, neither team had much to show for at all but, after a 7 hour road trip from Dallas, we should have gained the upper hand immediately but we failed to do so and Texas took advantage.
Friday night was much of the same until the third period where we came back from a 3-1 deficit to tie the game 3-3 at the end of regulation. However, 12 seconds in to overtime. Off a seemingly harmless play one lone Tornado player came behind Copley and scored on a wrap around attempt. However we did pick up a much needed point for making it into overtime.
After the game on Friday we had our Jersey auction for our "Pink in the Rink" custom jerseys to help raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness. With all the money raised put together we came up with $24,250 all going towards the American Cancer Society!
We are now 9 points behind Wichita Falls with 11 games remaining going into the Top Prospects Tournament. Good Luck to Beau Walker and Michael Benedict who were selected from our team to attend!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Chance Creger #8 Pink in the Rink Jersey Auction
Corpus Christi IceRays take on the Texas Tornadoes on Thursday and Friday. Friday is PINK IN THE RINK night at the American Bank Center. Jersey auctions will be held after the game with proceeds benefitting the American Cancer Society. So come out and bid on #8 so we can raise money for such a great cause!! Cya at the rink!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Swept again vs Topeka
As another valuable weekend in our playoff hunt slips through our fingers we are now 8 points behind Wichita Falls with only 15 games remaining in the season. It was a disappointing weekend seeing how much better we played against Topeka in the first two games compared to our last meeting with them at home, yet still losing within the last moments of the 3rd period.
Thursday night we lost 5-3 after losing a two goal lead going into the 3rd period. I was a healthy scratch that night but, the team played very well in the first two periods and then let Topeka come back in the third.
Friday night was the complete opposite; we started poorly but came back from a 3-1 deficit to tie in the third. Unfortunately the Roadrunners came back with a fourth late in the period and the officiating did not go our way when our tying goal was called back in the last seconds of the game. We lost 5-3 again.
Saturday night was the huge disappointment of the weekend, after playing so well the first two games we lost 6-0. I did fight Kyle Sharkey in this game after Topeka scored their third goal late in the second period. The video of the fight and highlights from Friday night have been posted below.
This Thursday and Friday we have our Breast Cancer Awareness games against The Texas Tornado.
Thursday night we lost 5-3 after losing a two goal lead going into the 3rd period. I was a healthy scratch that night but, the team played very well in the first two periods and then let Topeka come back in the third.
Friday night was the complete opposite; we started poorly but came back from a 3-1 deficit to tie in the third. Unfortunately the Roadrunners came back with a fourth late in the period and the officiating did not go our way when our tying goal was called back in the last seconds of the game. We lost 5-3 again.
Saturday night was the huge disappointment of the weekend, after playing so well the first two games we lost 6-0. I did fight Kyle Sharkey in this game after Topeka scored their third goal late in the second period. The video of the fight and highlights from Friday night have been posted below.
This Thursday and Friday we have our Breast Cancer Awareness games against The Texas Tornado.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
First Roadtrip of the New Year
In our first road trip of 2011 we had three games, two against New Mexico on Thursday and Friday and one against Amarillo Saturday night.
Thursday night was disappointing in many ways, Coach came up to me before the game and told me that they wanted to give Fitzpatrick our newest defensmen a shot at proving himself because he had yet to have a game under his belt. I was told that I would be sitting out that game, unfortunately my parents had drove down for the game to see me play but i was able to sit with them. We ended up losing the game 6-0 an embarrassing loss to the last place team.
However the next day we came out with a fire under us. We came out hard, dumped pucks, finished hit and were defensively sound. we won in a deciding 4-1 final. Coach was pleased with our 3 period comeback effort and spirits were high going into Amarillo, currently ahead of Wichita falls in the 3rd place seed.
High spirits would not last long however, we blew a 2-1 lead going into the second period in a 6-3 loss to the Bulls.
We have a two game weekend at home against the Bulls this coming weekend. Looking for a much needed four points to tie in the points race with Wichita Falls for the final playoff seed.
Thursday night was disappointing in many ways, Coach came up to me before the game and told me that they wanted to give Fitzpatrick our newest defensmen a shot at proving himself because he had yet to have a game under his belt. I was told that I would be sitting out that game, unfortunately my parents had drove down for the game to see me play but i was able to sit with them. We ended up losing the game 6-0 an embarrassing loss to the last place team.
However the next day we came out with a fire under us. We came out hard, dumped pucks, finished hit and were defensively sound. we won in a deciding 4-1 final. Coach was pleased with our 3 period comeback effort and spirits were high going into Amarillo, currently ahead of Wichita falls in the 3rd place seed.
High spirits would not last long however, we blew a 2-1 lead going into the second period in a 6-3 loss to the Bulls.
We have a two game weekend at home against the Bulls this coming weekend. Looking for a much needed four points to tie in the points race with Wichita Falls for the final playoff seed.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Big Sweep Against New Mexico
With a much needed 4 point sweep this weekend against New Mexico, our team has put ourselves back into the playoff hunt with Wichita Falls for the final playoff seed.
In our first game we had a decisive 5-2 Win. As a team we started off really slow and were only up 1-0 at the end of the first. But we came through as a team and I received my first NAHL point with an assist to Brandon Marshall on his empty net goal. Also one of my hits in the first period was voted hit of the game.
In the second game however New Mexico came out with a harder push and we were playing extremely poorly. The first two periods of the game we couldn't make a pass or get anything rolling as a team. Luckily we finally received some help from the officials and scored a power play goal from Beau Walker with seven minutes left immediately following an even strength goal to tie it up. With 15.7 seconds left Beau Walker again buried the puck to win it in a huge last minute come from behind win
Now only 5 points out of forth place in the Southern Division, we go into another weekend with New Mexico, this time at their own barn, immediately followed by another road game against Amarillo.
In our first game we had a decisive 5-2 Win. As a team we started off really slow and were only up 1-0 at the end of the first. But we came through as a team and I received my first NAHL point with an assist to Brandon Marshall on his empty net goal. Also one of my hits in the first period was voted hit of the game.
In the second game however New Mexico came out with a harder push and we were playing extremely poorly. The first two periods of the game we couldn't make a pass or get anything rolling as a team. Luckily we finally received some help from the officials and scored a power play goal from Beau Walker with seven minutes left immediately following an even strength goal to tie it up. With 15.7 seconds left Beau Walker again buried the puck to win it in a huge last minute come from behind win
Now only 5 points out of forth place in the Southern Division, we go into another weekend with New Mexico, this time at their own barn, immediately followed by another road game against Amarillo.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Disappointing First Weekend After Break...
On our first series back from break, against The Topeka Roadrunners, we had a disappointing 0-3 weekend.
Our first game Friday night we lost 7-1. All of us agree we were not ready to play and our legs just couldn’t get going throughout the game. It was an embarrassing loss and we felt ready to come out and play for the next game.
However, although we played a very good game the second day we didn’t get any bounces and definitely no help from the officials. It was a much more physical game, which was very exciting from my point of view. I left the game with only six PIM even though I was involved in a full out line brawl and a fight. As a team we finished the game in a 6-3 loss even though two goals were called back for us and Topeka ran over our Goaltender, Anton Olson and capitalized while he was down. Take away the empty net goal, and have a fair officiated game and it was a very close game.
The very next day we came out with no intensity, and with 7 PP goals for Topeka we dropped the game 9-4. Our coach was obviously very displeased with our performance and we had a three hour bag skate the very next day.
This next weekend we play the New Mexico Mustangs, the team I made main camp for and was cut during the past summer. They are last place in the southern division, we also picked up my roommate Joe Smereck from them right before the break in a trade with our old Goaltender, so it should be a competitive weekend in which we hope to get four points out of and put us back in the playoff seed we are battling for with Wichita Falls.
Our first game Friday night we lost 7-1. All of us agree we were not ready to play and our legs just couldn’t get going throughout the game. It was an embarrassing loss and we felt ready to come out and play for the next game.
However, although we played a very good game the second day we didn’t get any bounces and definitely no help from the officials. It was a much more physical game, which was very exciting from my point of view. I left the game with only six PIM even though I was involved in a full out line brawl and a fight. As a team we finished the game in a 6-3 loss even though two goals were called back for us and Topeka ran over our Goaltender, Anton Olson and capitalized while he was down. Take away the empty net goal, and have a fair officiated game and it was a very close game.
The very next day we came out with no intensity, and with 7 PP goals for Topeka we dropped the game 9-4. Our coach was obviously very displeased with our performance and we had a three hour bag skate the very next day.
This next weekend we play the New Mexico Mustangs, the team I made main camp for and was cut during the past summer. They are last place in the southern division, we also picked up my roommate Joe Smereck from them right before the break in a trade with our old Goaltender, so it should be a competitive weekend in which we hope to get four points out of and put us back in the playoff seed we are battling for with Wichita Falls.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Chance Creger Mentioned in Rays Report
RAYS REPORT WEEK #7: ‘STANGS COMING TO TOWN!
..."BE POSITIVE…Chance Creger has provided strong defensive play in his first 10 games for Corpus Christi. The youngest member of the team (17 years old), Creger is also plus-one (+1) through 10 games played which is second on the team behind Mychal Monteith."
..."BE POSITIVE…Chance Creger has provided strong defensive play in his first 10 games for Corpus Christi. The youngest member of the team (17 years old), Creger is also plus-one (+1) through 10 games played which is second on the team behind Mychal Monteith."
Cole Creger Boulder Bison Squirt B Navy at Int. Silver Sticks
Congrats to my brother Cole's Boulder Bison Squirt hockey team making it to the Semi Finals at International Silver Sticks! The family was able to listen to our game from the hotel and they checked in with Ryan Holt, the Ice Rays' announcer, on 1440 Keys. Here's his shout out to the team!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
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