The Chicago Mission won all three of its group play games in regulation to win Pool A, but they had competition anyway in the USA Hockey Tier I 18 & Under National Championship in Woodridge, Ill.

Expectations are high for the Tier I 18 & Under Philadelphia Junior Flyers. They’ve won 18 Atlantic Youth Hockey League championships and next month they’re heading to the USA Hockey National Championships in Woodridge, Ill., for the 13th time in 15 years.

Maybe it’s because he was born into a family that is so much into hockey that his grandfather, for example, built a roller hockey rink in his backyard. Or perhaps it’s because Madore wanted, like a lot of little brothers, to follow the trail his big bro blazed. Whatever the driving force behind it, Madore was seemingly pre-destined to play goalie for the Pittsburgh Hornets AAA team and help lead it to the USA Hockey Tier I Mid-American District Tournament title.

After a sizzling six months of hockey during which Tyler Gjurich nearly broke the century mark for points in the regular season, the Buffalo Regals’ forward wasn’t about to let his team’s season end in March.

The Russell Stover hockey program is a relatively new one, but it is making itself a home in the USA Hockey National Tournaments. For the third time in the last four years, Russell Stover is competing in the 18 & Under Tier I National Championship, this year at Seven Bridges Ice Arena in Woodridge, Ill.

Shattuck-St. Mary’s is accustomed to playing in the USA Hockey Tier I 18 & Under national championship game. Winners of back-to-back titles in 2007 and ‘08, the Faribault, Minn.-based Sabres are aiming for a return to the top in 2010 in Woodridge, Ill.

Pittsburgh Hornets captain Joe Mottiqua wasn’t explicitly given the nickname “Mad Dog” because of his style of play. But it certainly fits him.