The following appeared in the July 2009 USA Junior Hockey Magazine
Move’em on mentality, Part 1: ‘Your Hockey Future’
One of George Haviland Jr.’s fondest memories was the Tier-2 Nationals run that the Titans Bantam 1989 (birth year) team put together in 2001-02.
It wasn’t so much for their momentous accomplishment, but for where the personnel on that team ended up. Their destinations are among the many described in his book “Your Hockey Future,” written with Vinnie Dicks.
Colby Cohen eventually landed with Boston University and scored the Division 1 National Championship game-winning goal in overtime for the 2008-09 Terriers. Anthony Borelli went to Salisbury Prep, then to the United States Hockey League and is now headed to Brown University. Jack Walchessen has spent three years with the major junior Ontario Hockey League’s Peterborough Petes.
Prep school, American Jr. A hockey, Canadian major junior hockey, Division 1 college hockey. The choices are widespread for the best players in North America, but getting there is the tough part.
Haviland uses his 40-plus years of hockey knowledge and advancement know-how to give youth, high school and prep players a “user’s guide” to finding out not only where they should go, but where they can go in the book.
“It is possible for very good players to get to play college, junior or professional hockey,” Haviland writes in Chapter 1, “Why You Need This Book.” “But it requires information. Information most parents and players do not possess.”
Haviland goes on to explain the NCAA system and the non-NCAA colleges (American College Hockey Association), often referred to as “club hockey.” After going over junior, prep and pro hockey options in separate chapters, he takes the virtual student through each grade of high school and even explains why there are so many 20-year-old freshmen in hockey. Women’s hockey is also covered in “Your Hockey Future.”
(For more information on ‘Your Hockey Future’ or to purchase a copy, go online at www.iceworldconsulting.com.)
Move ‘em on mentality, Part 2: College Hockey Directory/College Hockey Analyzer
The Titans are members of the Metropolitan Jr. B Hockey League, which has teamed up with the College Hockey Directory (www.collegehockeydirectory.com) to introduce players to the hundreds of college options out there, only 58 of which include men’s Division 1 programs.
By signing up as a member, the high school-aged hockey player has access to every college coach’s contact information – after all, first contact by a player to a coach can often be the most important connection made.
By clicking on a school’s name, a screen comes up showing the team’s mailing address, as well as each coach on the staff ’s e-mail and phone number. That’s just the start – it gives information on the rink, and if the team has its own dressing room. It lists the amount of scholarships available. It also, very importantly, lists the source of the team’s players – how many come from U.S. Junior A, how many come from Canadian Jr. A, etc.
That’s all just under the Hockey Program profile. There are also profile pages for each school’s Academics (majors, course catalog links), Admissions and Financial profile (minimum SAT/ACT scores, breakdown of tuition, etc.), Campus and Students profile (student body statistics, housing costs, etc.), and Community Profile (the town in which the college is located).
Students wanting to see what their chances of getting into a specific college might also want to check out the College Hockey Analyzer.
Available through George Haviland Jr.’s Ice World Consulting business (www.iceworldconsulting.com), players are asked a series of hockey-specific and academics-specific questions.
“The analyzer filters through his answers, and an ice rink lights up – you could be in the neutral zone academically, but in the slot, hockey-wise, meaning the school would like what you’ve done in hockey more than academically,” Haviland Jr. explains.
Your Hockey Future a new book on getting ready for hockey after high school hits the market
New Jersey group keen on bringing Jr. A back to town
Potential owners optimistic OHA wants Jr. A team in Trenton
Posted By Ernst Kuglin - The Trentonian Jan 2009
A New Jersey based hockey business, that owns and operates dozens of teams across the U.S. wants to bring Junior A hockey back to Quinte West.
Iceworld Consulting operates teams under the name of the ‘Titans.’
The company provides consulting services to ice rinks and manages hockey programs from New York, to California, Florida and Ontario.
It also runs a player placement consulting business.
Principle owner George Haviland, as a coach, has been to U.S. national championships eight times and medaled in three of them.
Haviland wants to expand the Titan’s footprint in to hockey hotbed that is Ontario. According to Haviland Iceworld Consulting has a “strategic interest’’ in the Smiths Falls Bears of the Central Ontario Junior hockey League.
“We want to bring the Titan brand of hockey to Trenton,’’ said Haviland. “Trenton/Quinte West is a great hockey market. Junior A hockey can flourish in the city.’’
Over 100 of Haviland’s former players and coaches have moved on to play prep school, college and professional hockey, including Colby Cohen 2007 second round NHL draft pick.
His brother, former Titan coach Mike Haviland, is assistant coach of the NHL Chicago Blackhawks.
Company officials have already been in discussions with the Ontario Hockey Association attempting to negotiate a deal to purcha se the Trenton Hercs franchise.
“We are optimistic the OHA and the Ontario Junior Hockey League want a Junior A franchise in Trenton,’’ said Haviland.
The OHA has to approve the purchase.
With just 12 games remaining in the OJHL season, Hercs ownership lowered the land gearing, permanently grounding the franchise due to financial turbulence.
“We’ve been in business for 20 years..we have the hockey experience and run successful Titan teams across the U.S.,’’ said company partner Dean Fernandez, originally from Mississauga.
Scarborough native Randy Walker is another partner in Iceworld Consulting. He played for the York University Yeoman and Richmond Hill Panthers in the OJHL.
“I still have a lot of friends involved with the league. That’s how we found out the Hercs were for sale,’’ said Walker.
Iceworld Consulting initially talked about a potential deal with Hercs co-owner Mark Borrowes.
The three business partners say the Titans strategy is to develop Junior A calibre players at the local level and move them up to the Junior level from minor hockey.
“We believe in having as many local players on the team as possible, and we know that Trenton and surrounding area is a hockey hotbed with a lot of great, talented players. It has a lot of growth potential,’’ said Walker.
Fernandez said in order for a Junior A franchise to be successful it has to be community-based.
“We would immediately develop a better, stronger connection with Quinte West Minor Hockey to develop young players,’’ said Fernandez. “We would want as many local players as possible on a Junior A team in Trenton.”
Walker said there currently seems to “be a disconnect’’ between minor hockey in the city and the previous Junior A teams.
“Our first first mandate would be to bring both sides together,” said Walker.
The Titans junior program in New Jersey, said Fernandez, annually moves between 20 and 25 local players to the Junior B level. “The bottom line is they are home grown,’’ he said.
Haviland said the Titans organization runs regular hockey camps at various locations.
Haviland said the company has strong ties with the U.S.collegiate system. “We have moved dozens of players into the U.S. college ranks,” he said.
Haviland said both the OHA and the OJHL are looking for a Junior A franchise with stability in Trenton.
“We can bring that stability to a Junior A team. Right now there’s a lot of ground to cover,” said Haviland.
Walker said the Titans would employee local management to run the Junior A team.
“The real good thing about Titans hockey is our development programs,’’ said Fernandez.
Haviland said if the Titans are successful in purchasing the franchise, they would invest money back into the community. “We believe strongly in a feeder system and moving players through the ranks,” said Haviland. “We have a lot of resources. We are a successful hockey business.”
Meanwhile, Quinte West mayor John Williams has spoken with Fernandez and Haviland.
Williams has fired off a letter to OHA president Brent Ladds confirming the city’s support for Junior A hockey.
“Quinte West has excellent arena facilities and a population who are enthusiastic hockey fans. We are supportive of a Junior A hockey team in our city,’’ wrote Williams in the letter.
Article ID# 1395749
January 20, for immediate release
Dean Ferandes joins Ice world Consultng as the company’s vice president of Business Development, as of January 1, 2009.
“Bringing on a talent like Dean represents our commitment toward building Ice World Consulting as a premier brand in hockey,” says Ice World Consulting President George Haviland. “There is no doubt in my mind that Dean is the right person and has the right credentials, and leadership to help us build our company.
Fernandes comes to Ice World Consulting with an extensive business and hockey background. He has spent the last 20 yrs holding various Senior Management roles in Operations, Consulting, Sales, General Management and Business Develoment with Nortel Networks. In Dean’s 10 + years in hockey management he has held many coaching positions and has a proven track record of player and team development. He is currently the assistant coach for Monmouth University in the ACHA league in New Jersey as well as the assistant coach for the Bantam Minor AAA team in the AYHL in the New Jersey Jr. Titans organization.
His responsibilities will include, working closely with Sales and Marketing to develop and implement innovative strategies to grow new business in various market segments. He will also be responsible to create a partner ecosystem that will provide a unique value proposition to our customers.
Dean and his family have recently moved from Mississauga, Ont. and are currently based in New Jersey, USA.
December 21, 2008 for Immediate Release
The NJ Junior Titans have reached an agreement to continue to skate at the Gold Coast Arena (GCA) in Wall Township. John Cunningham, Managing Partner of the Gold Coast Arena would like the club to field as many Tier 1 and Tier 2 teams as possible. They also want the Titans to grow the number of players we train and develop to skate at the facility. To help facilitate the development of players at the rink, GCA has hired Iceworld Consulting to rebuild the in-house hockey programs at the 3 sheet ice facility in Wall Township. Iceworld will be responsible for the Learn to Skate for Hockey, Initiation, and House League Programs, as well as bringing camps, tournaments and special events to the venue. George Haviland Jr., President of Iceworld said “I am excited to bring my company’s talents back to Wall. It is most satisfying to watch players develop from beginners into full fledged hockey players.” John Cunningham, Managing Partner at the Gold Coast Arena said, “We are pleased to have George and his staff helping to grow our base here at Gold Coast Arena. We have made investments into the facility over the last year, and are hosting some exciting high school and travel hockey. George knows how to teach kids the fundamentals. If you want to learn hockey, come on out.”
Iceworld Consulting consults to ice rinks and manages hockey programs from New York, to California and Florida to Ontario. It also runs a player placement consulting business. As a coach, George Haviland has been to National Championships 8 times and medaled in three of them. Over 100 of his former players and coaches have moved on to play prep school, college and professional hockey, including Colby Cohen 2007 second round NHL draft pick, and George’s brother, former Titan coach Mike Haviland, now assistant coach of the NHL Chicago Blackhawks.
11/25/2008 For Immediate Release:
Staten Island Skating Pavilion brings in George Haviland Jr. and the NJ Junior Titans to run the hockey programs at the Charleston, Staten Island facility. Staten Island Rangers club to be prime beneficiaries.
The New Jersey Junior Titans are one of the strongest franchises youth hockey. They boast over 500 families and operate both a Wall Township New Jersey club and another in Southern California. They have a first place Junior franchise in the Metropolitan Junior Hockey League and field 21 youth teams between the Atlantic Youth League at Tier 1 and in an independent Tier 2 program. George Haviland Jr., principal owner of the Titans will bring his proven brand of coaching and player development to the Arthur Kill Road facility. As a coach, he has been to National Championships 8 times and medaled in three of them. Over 100 of his former players and coaches have moved on to play prep school, college and professional hockey, including Colby Cohen 2007 second round NHL draft pick, and George’s brother, former Titan coach Mike Haviland, now assistant coach of the NHL Chicago Blackhawks.
Rink owner Sal Tirro said “We were looking to bring a boost to the Staten Island Rangers and our hockey at the rink. George has tremendous contacts in the hockey world and a program that the kids love while making them better hockey players. From the smallest skater to the college bound high school athlete, the Titan brand of hockey is very impressive.”
George Haviland, “We meet Staten Island kids playing for New Jersey teams all the time. Now they can play closer to home and get a better hockey product. My coaches follow our proven formula for player development. This is a beautiful facility, and with the Titan affiliation, there is no reason this can’t be a hockey hotbed. From men’s leagues to learn- to-skate, we will bring our brand of hockey and NHL contacts to Staten Island “ .
John Lopresti, President of the Staten Island Rangers Youth Hockey club, “Affiliating the Rangers with the Jr. Titans can only help improve the experience for all of our members. We are honored to have George and his staff, come to the rink to help us grow our club”.
The Staten Island Skating Pavilion is the only year round ice skating and hockey facility. There are extensive programs for figure skating, public skating, youth hockey, and is home for many of the Island’s High School teams. Visit our Website at http://www.thepavilion.org/
Contact: George Haviland, Iceworld Consulting 732-580-9429 http://www.jrtitans.com, http://www.iceworldconsulting.com
