Boston, MA - 

There are few players in the Light The Lamp Hockey League who embody professionalism quite like Ed Zandbeek.

For years, the veteran defenseman has been the backbone of the Massachusetts Militia. He has logged the hard minutes, blocked the shots no one else wanted to block, battled through injuries, mentored younger teammates, and worn the Militia sweater with tremendous pride. His remarkable Season 5 campaign only cemented his legacy, as he captured the league's Defenseman of the Year Award after producing one of the finest all-around seasons by a blueliner in recent memory.

But as another season unfolds, Zandbeek finds himself reflecting on something bigger than personal accolades.

At 36 years old, the veteran knows the game doesn't last forever.

"I've been incredibly fortunate," Zandbeek reportedly shared with those close to him. "I've played for a tremendous organization, alongside teammates I'll call friends for life. Massachusetts has become home."

That statement isn't simply lip service.

Around the league, Zandbeek has earned a reputation as one of hockey's true gentlemen. Whether chatting with fans after games or spending an afternoon watching hockey simply because he loves the sport, his passion has never been limited to the Militia alone. It's become something of a quiet tradition for him to make the drive down to Cape Cod on off days, grabbing a seat at a Stingrays home game despite the fierce divisional rivalry. For Zandbeek, good hockey is good hockey, no matter whose sweater is on the ice.

That appreciation extends throughout the league.

Which makes what comes next all the more difficult.

Sources indicate Zandbeek has privately informed the Militia organization that, if the opportunity presents itself, he would welcome a trade to a legitimate Beacon Cup contender.

Not because he wants to leave.

Not because he's unhappy.

And certainly not because he's lost faith in Massachusetts.

Quite the opposite.

The veteran simply recognizes that his career is entering its twilight, and like every player who has devoted decades to the sport, he'd love one opportunity to compete for the Beacon Cup before hanging up his skates—whenever that day ultimately comes.

"It's not about escaping," one league source close to the situation explained. "It's about chasing one dream that's still left on his list."

The request reportedly comes with no demands, no deadlines, and no hard feelings.

If a suitable hockey trade can't be found, Zandbeek is expected to continue doing exactly what he's always done: leading by example, mentoring younger players, eating difficult minutes, and giving everything he has to the Militia crest.

No one inside the organization questions his commitment.

In fact, many believe that's precisely what makes this request so difficult to ignore.

Players of Zandbeek's caliber don't often ask for anything.

After all he's given the franchise—from elite offensive production to league-leading defensive play, countless blocked shots, record-setting takeaways, and tireless leadership—it's hard to argue he hasn't earned the right to ask.

Whether General Manager Keith Evans ultimately grants that wish remains to be seen.

Perhaps the Militia will find themselves back in the championship conversation before the season is over.

Perhaps another contender will call.

Or perhaps Ed Zandbeek finishes exactly where his LTLHL journey began—with the Massachusetts crest across his chest.

Whatever happens next, one thing is certain:

He'll always be remembered not only as one of the greatest defensemen to wear a Militia sweater, but as one of the classiest competitors the Light The Lamp Hockey League has ever seen.

And if fate allows him one final run at the Beacon Cup, few around the league would argue he hasn't earned it.

On Sunday August 30 the 6th Annual All Star Game will be played at the Chaos Center in Halifax Nova Scotia.  Since we realigned the divisions this past off season we will begin a new rivalry between the Western Conference and the Eastern Conference.   

The Eastern Conference All Stars will be selected and managed by Wes Oddan of the Saint-Lambert Maulers.  

The Western Conference All Stars will be selected and managed by Casey Schuhmacher of the Los Angeles Dynasty.  

Each Conference will feature 12 Forwards, 6 Defenseman and 3 Goalies.   All teams will have at least 1 player on the All Star roster to represent their team.  

The host club will receive a $5,000,000 bonus for hosting the event.  

He had seen enough.  The Blizzard left the ice to head to the visitor’s dressing room after last night’s game against the Blues and the team was down 5 to 1 despite outshooting the Blues 23 to 17.  Starting goaltender Tor Kronberg was pulled midway through the period after surrendering  five goals on 10 shots with Remy Botelho coming in to finish the game.  Once again, the Blizzard had been out goalied by the opposition and enough was enough.

GM Kelly Flewelling was seen on his cell phone in between periods and at the conclusion of the game, the Blizzard GM had pulled the trigger on a big trade that brings in one of the premier goaltenders in the LTLHL, acquiring Andrew Dumont from the New York Knights in exchange for Tor Kronberg and a S7 1st round pick.

This morning, Flewelling held a press conference where he officially made the announcement.  “
We are excited to bring in Andrew.  He has consistently been near the top of his position and that is something we feel we really need for our team. 

It is tough to let a good young player like Kronberg go, especially since he played a huge role in our cup win in Season 3.  However, A player of Dumont’s calibre does not become available often and we have suffered from a great deal of inconsistency on a season to season basis and this season seemed to be going in the same direction so I had to make a change.”

Dumont will make his debut in the Blizzard net tomorrow night when the Blizzard host the Redbull at home.

The Nissen Junior League is off to a good start.  With 13-14  games played for most teams the top players are starting to separate from the pack. 

Axel Riederer of the Reign(Razorbacks) has 19 points in 13 games played.  Tied with him is Spike Ruddy of the Reds(Muertos) and Timo Schenk of the Nighthawks (Royals).

Gabriel Pardy, Raiders(Muertos), Ivan Kapustin, Gators(Razorbacks) and Denny Brega Menace(Privateers) are right behind them at 18 points each.  

There are quite a few new faces in the scoring leaders, Gabriel Pelletier, Howlers and Vsevolod Pakudin of the Reds find themselves in the top 20 scorers in their debut season.   Islanders Center Braydon Sandwith is not far back with 13 points in 14 games.  

In net the league is being led by Sigbert Dahms of the Howlers with 9 wins and a save percentage of .943.  Somehow Dahms remains an undrafted prospect at age 20.  Just behind Dahms is Mikalay Kubarew of the Firebirds(Razorbacks) with 7 wins and a save percentage of .921

Lots of players to keep an eye on in the Nissen.  It's never to early to scout for the draft or prospects who may make a pro player expendable in the near future.  

The committee nominated 6 players for the Beacon Cup MVP: RW Brentt Bing (Harfang), C Lenny Koonts (Trident), G Igemar Sjoberg (Harfang), G Daulton Gammond (Trident), D Elijah Sanner (Harfang) and G Tsurayuki Shibahara (Trident).

Congratulations to Quebec City’s RW Brentt Bing and the Harfang! The 31 year old American earned a unanimous selection (11 first place votes) from the committee.

Bing’s Statline:  24 GP - 17 G - 15 A - 32 Pts - +15 - 22 PIM - 4 PPP - 4 GWG - 18.89 S% - 37 Hits - 11 TA - 23 GA - 14 SB - 17.83 AM/G

Accolades: Beacon Cup Champion; Northern Conference Champion

Here are the nominations from the Awards Committee:

- “Brentt Bing - Harfang - 17 goals in 24 game?? Led all playoff performers with 32 points. Had some HUGE goals to help Harfang win Championship.”

- “I nominate Brent Bing. He scored 3 big unanswered goals in less than 8 mins in the 1st period of game 7, which gave his team a huge momentum and practically sealed the deal right then and there. He also finished as the best scorer in the playoffs with 32 points in 24 games and a +15 rating.”

- “Brentt Bing - Led skaters in goals and points, had 4 GWG and 3 game tying goals (led both categories) and single handedly led the Harfangs to a Championship.”

- “RW Brentt Bing - Harfang: led all players in goals and points, tied 1st in +/-, 1st in shots, and led the league in PP goals”

- “Bing led all playoffs in points (32), goals (17), +/- (+15), shots (90), and GWG (4). The RW scored a hat-trick in game 7 of the finals and is an all-time Beacon Cup performance. He is the straw that stirred the Harfang drink and led this team to its first Beacon Cup Championship.”