In late 2006, the hockey world got to know the kids of the California Wave, a Bantam AAA team that began its quest for a USA Hockey National Championship.
Within a matter of weeks, “In the Crease” became an instant hit in terms of both DVD sales as well as being viewed by more than 200,000 American households during a broadcast on Versus.
As for the Wave players and coaches, their appearance in the film has brought them unexpected celebrity as they have been recognized and sought out for autographs in rinks wherever they play.
As the movie has continued to sport a strong following, the players have moved on to the next stage in their lives and hockey careers.
Mitch Wahl – The Wave’s co-captain and leading scorer is now in his third year with the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League and helped lead them to a Memorial Cup championship last season with 73 points in 67 games. The Calgary Flames selected Wahl in the second round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
Mitch WahlTroy Power – Power, who helped lead the Wave to their 2006 national championship, is now in his second season in the United States Hockey League and is an alternate captain for the Omaha Lancers. He was voted Most Improved Player for his team, Tri-City Storm, last year, and currently has a number of Div. I schools pursuing him but he has not yet made a commitment.
Wayne Ravdjee – Defenseman Ravdjee followed up his national championship with the Wave with two more stellar seasons of hockey in Southern California. Ravdjee was selected by the Alaska Avalanche in the 2008 NAHL draft and is playing his final season of U18 AAA hockey with the LA Jr. Kings.
Steven Hoshaw – Wave co-captain Hoshaw graduated from Culver Military Academy in 2008 where he was awarded “Best All-Around Athlete” as a three-year varsity letterman in hockey and football. This season, Hoshaw is playing hockey for the Waterloo Blackhawks of the USHL. He has committed to the University of Alaska-Fairbanks for 2010.
Coach Mike Lewis – After leading the Wave to a USA Hockey National Championship in 2006, Lewis returned to Nationals with his teams in each of the last two seasons. This season, Lewis is preparing his Wave Midget AAA18 team for another run at making Nationals.
For more information, visit the official Web site at InTheCreaseMovie.com. To learn more about team discounts and fund-raising opportunities, e-mail info@inthecreasemovie.com
Matt Gannon and Michael Sarner were the producers and directors of “In The Crease.”