Luke Opilka is in his second year in the National Team Development Program, or Team USA. Lisa Opilka said Luke in his first year in the program competed both in the US Hockey League and internationally. This year, Luke is in the national program, is playing against college hockey squads, and is competing internationally. Last year, the stops along the way included Slovakia, Sweden and Nova Scotia.
Jake Henderson and Luke Opilka have been listed on the 2015 NHL Central Scouting Mid-Term Ranking Report.
Luke Opilka came very close to quitting hockey before realizing his true calling as a goaltender during an open skate at a friend’s birthday party.
“I was never too good a player; the only goal I ever scored was on my own net,” Opilka said. “I really thought I actually scored a goal so I began celebrating. I was probably a mite [8 years old] then and I probably should have known better, but I didn’t.”
A year of experience with the USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program and an intense summer of training have made a huge difference for goalie Luke Opilka.
The St. Louis native, who splits time with Michael Lackey on the U.S. National Under-18 Team, has a 7-3 record with a 2.71 goals-against average and .899 save percentage so far this season.
Wisconsin hockey fans hoping to get a peek at the future will get their chance on Thursday, as recruits Brock Boeser and Luke Opilka will play on national TV at the CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game.
Michael Lackey finished the tournament ranked first in both goals-against average (0.75) and save percentage (.958). Teammate Luke Opilka (St. Louis, Mo.) registered a 1.00 GAA (tied for second) and .927 save percentage (sixth).
Colin White (Hanover, Mass.) and Matthew Tkachuk (St. Louis, Mo.) scored two goals and added one assist each, as the U.S. Men’s National Under-17 Team defeated Canada’s Team Quebec, 9-1, here tonight at Centre 200 in semifinal action at the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. With the win, Team USA advances to the title game tomorrow at 4 p.m. EST.
USA Hockey today announced the 22-player roster for the U.S. Men’s National Under-17 Team that will compete in the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge Dec. 28, 2013 – Jan. 4, 2014, in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
For the second time in three months the University of Wisconsin men’s hockey team landed an elite recruit out of St. Louis.
Goaltender Luke Opilka announced Monday via Twitter that he was “very honored and proud’’ to commit to UW for 2015-16.
Kunin comes from the St. Louis Blues Midget Minor program where he totaled 68 points (30-38) in 34 games during the 2012-13 season. He also tallied two goals and added four assists in five playoff games.
Opilka was most recently featured between the pipes for the St. Louis Blues Midget Minor program, where he posted a 18-2-1 (W-L-T) record. He recorded a 1.55 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage while earning four shutouts.
