This day in Indianapolis hockey history: May 12

A busy day in Indy hockey history. The 2007 Ice see a late goal dash their championship hopes in the USHL semis. The 2000 Ice clinch the city's seventh hockey title with a 3-0 shutout in Game 7 of the Miron Cup Final. In 1990, the Ice get within a game of the Turner Cup on Mike McNeill's OT goal, and the 1982 Checkers have their Adams Cup celebration slowed by one game. Also, birthday celebrations for former IHL Ice Warren Rychel and Dave Christian, and current USHL Ice captain Tyler Pham.  

This date in Indianapolis hockey history: May 2

In today's installment, the 2009 Ice take a big step toward a title, the 2007 Ice take a step toward getting to the league final four, Mike McNeill has a Gordie Howe hat trick in 1990, the 1983 Checkers get to within a game of a championship, and the 1977 Racers are eliminated by the Nordiques. Also, birthdays for former Racer Jim Hargreaves, former Checker Steve Stoyanovich, CHL Ice Ryan Reid and USHL Ice Mike Gurtler and Tristin Llewellyn, as well as a posthumous recognition of ex-Capital "Jud" McAtee. 

Today in history: July 22

Another birthday post: 

Mike McNeill: Left wing who played a season and a half with the Ice from 1989-91, and was a key part of the Ice's Turner Cup championship team in 1990. He was the IHL's Playoff MVP that year, scoring six goals and four assists in the playoffs. All told, he had 33 goals and 33 assists for the Ice in 107 games. He got the NHL call to Chicago in 1990-91, and later was traded to the Nordiques that season. He played 63 NHL games, all in the 1990-91 and 1991-92 seasons, and then spent six more years in the IHL with the Milwaukee Admirals, before playing from 1998-2000 in Germany. McNeill's best offensive season was the year before he came to the Ice, as he scored 27 goals and 62 points for the Fort Wayne Komets in 1988-89, his rookie pro season. While he was born in Winona, Minn., McNeill grew up in Indiana, moving to South Bend when he was 2, as his father was Notre Dame's assistant coach. McNeill graduated from South Bend St. Joseph's High School and attended Notre Dame. Today, he is a volunteer assistant coach for the Irish and lives in South Bend. He is 45. 

Benoit Thibert: The first starting goaltender for the CHL Ice in 1999-2000, Thibert helped usher in a new era with a 27-23-2 record and a 3.39 GAA that year. Thibert also had three shutouts that season. He started the first four playoff games, but gave way to Jamie Morris, who put together an incredible run. The Ice won the Miron Cup championship in 2000, with Thibert being an integral part of the team's regular season and early playoff success. The following year, he played for the UHL's Missouri River Otters, and made one appearance in the higher-level IHL. He played nine games for UHL Adirondack in 2002-03, and then another season of senior hockey in Quebec. Prior to the Ice, he played the 1998-99 season for WPHL Alexandria, playing for his future Ice coach Rod Davidson. A native of Chateaguay, Quebec, he is 34. 

Garrett Kennedy: Defenseman for the USHL Ice in 2008-09, totaling four goals, five assists and 88 PIMs in 54 games. He also had a pair of assists in the postseason, helping lead the Ice to the Clark Cup championship. Kennedy then took his talents to Miami University in Ohio. After redshirting in 2009-10, Kennedy had a goal and an assist in 16 games this past season. A native of Brighton, Mich., he is 22.