Michigan Hockey February 22, 2010

Michigan Hockeymichiganhockeyonline.com

V.20:I.14 | February 22, 2010FIRST CLASS

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HOUSE DIVISION CHAMPIONSAge Division Champion (s) Mini Mite B Division 1 Belle Tire Lakers

Mini Mite B Division 2 Plymouth Tiger Sharks

Mite B Division 1 Trenton Spitfire/Trenton Devils

Mite B Division 2 Grosse Ile Islanders

Mite B Division 3 Plymouth Sharks - Simons

Mite B Division 4 Wayne Fire Dogs

Squirt B Division 1 Allen Park Huskies #1

Squirt B Division 2 Novi #4 Predators

Squirt B Division 4 Farmington Hills Heat

Squirt B Division 5 Farmington Hills Infer-

no

Squirt B Division 6 Ann Arbor - Sirota

Squirt B Division 7 Flint EMHA

Pee Wee B Division 1 Dearborn Dragons

Pee Wee B Division 2 Trenton Flyers

Pee Wee B Division 3 Novi #4 Sabres

Pee Wee B Division 4 Novi #1 Cougars

Pee Wee B Division 5 Garden City Stars

Pee Wee B Division 6 Ice Mtn. Cats & Liv. Thunder

Bantam B Division 1 Livingston Thunder

Bantam B Division 2 Allen Park Huskies

Bantam B Division 3 Redford Wolf Pack

Bantam B Division 4 Lakeland Royals

Bantam B Division 5 Kensington Valley Eagles

Midget B Division 1 Summit Falcons

Midget B Division 2 Berkley Brawlers

Midget B Division 3 Livonia Flyers

Midget B Division 4 Belle Tire Lakers

Midget BB Division 1 Garden City Stars

Midget BB Division 2 Summit Red Wings

TRAVEL DIVISION CHAMPIONSAge Division Champion (s)Mite A Lidstrom 1 Troy Sting

Mite A Lidstrom 2 Plymouth Stingrays

Mite A Lidstrom 3 Victory Honda

Mite A Lidstrom 4 Allen Park Huskies

Mite AA Lidstrom South Toledo

Mite AA Lidstrom North Kensington Valley Rebels

Mite AA Lidstrom West Flint

Mite AA Lidstrom Metro West Plymouth

Mite AA Lidstrom East Port Huron Flags

Mite AA Lidstrom Metro East USA Eagles

Mite AA Lidstrom Outstate Indianapolis

Squirt A Yzerman Novi Ice Cats

Squirt A Howe West Grand Rapids Griffins

Squirt A Howe East Port Huron Flags

Squirt A Howe South Columbus Blue Jackets

Squirt A Lidstrom 5 Kensington Valley Rebels

Squirt A Lidstrom 6 Sylvania Maple Leafs

Squirt A Lidstrom 7 Holland Ice Dogs

Squirt AA Yzerman East USA Eagles

Squirt AA Yzerman West Novi Ice Cats

Squirt AA Howe East Troy Sting

Squirt AA Howe West Birmingham Rangers

Squirt AA Lidstrom North Midland North Stars

Squirt AA Lidstrom South Kensington Valley Renegades

Pee Wee A Yzerman 1 Toledo Cherokee

Pee Wee A Yzerman 2 Holland Ice Dogs

Pee Wee A Howe 3 Suburban Stars

Pee Wee A Howe 4 Midland North Stars

Pee Wee A Howe 5 Canton Crush

Pee Wee A Howe 6 Macomb Mavericks

Pee Wee A Lidstrom 7 Ice Mountain Mountaineers

Pee Wee A Lidstrom 8 Michigan Ice Hawks

Pee Wee A Lidstrom 9 Rockford Rams

Pee Wee AA Yzerman 1 Suburban Stars

Pee Wee AA Yzerman 2 Trenton

Pee Wee AA Howe 3 Canton Crush

Pee Wee AA Howe 4 Kensington Valley Rebels

Pee Wee AA Howe 5 KOHA K Wings

Pee Wee AA Lidstrom 6 Henry Ford Hurricanes

Pee Wee AA Lidstrom 7 GRAHA #2 & Redford

Bantam A Yzerman East Rochester Rattlers

Bantam A Yzerman West West Michigan Warriors

Bantam A Howe 2 East Mt. Clemens Wolves

Bantam A Howe 2 West Kentwood Falcons

Bantam A Howe 3 Bay County Blizzard

Bantam A Howe 4 West Canton

Bantam A Howe 4 East Summit Plastics

Bantam AA Yzerman Rochester Rattlers

Bantam AA Howe 2 Holland Ice Dogs

Bantam AA Howe 3 Sylvania Maple Leafs

Bantam AA Howe 4 Midland North Stars

Bantam AA Howe 5 Chelsea Chiefs

Bantam AA Lidstrom 6 Michigan Mountain

Cats

Midget A Yzerman St. Clair Shores

Midget A Howe East Mt. Clemens Wolves

Midget A Howe West Jackson Generals

Midget AA Yzerman Summit Plastics

Midget AA Howe Troy Sting

Girls 12U Howe 1 Little Caesars # 1

Girls 12U Howe 2 Livonia 12U

Girls 12U Howe 3 St. Clair Shores 12U

Girls 14U Girls 14U Michigan IceBreakers 14U

Girls 16U Girls 16U Birmingham 16U

Girls 19U Girls 19U Gladwin G Force 19U

Congratulations to the LCAHL 2009-10 Regular Season Champions!

4 Michigan Hockey MichiganHockeyOnline.com

Women’s Hockey - Whether it’s in

a beginner’s league like Ann Arbor’s

MACRHL or at the Dirty 30 tournament in

Brighton, women are enjoying the game.

PAGE 48PAGE 42-43 PAGE 50

Boy’s High School The recent OAA-MAC Showcase

was a big success; also some

eastside defensemen to keep

your eye on down the stretch.

College Hockey

Jeff Petry

leads MSU

in tight race

OlympicsRed Wings

need break;

Team USA

counts on

Miller

AMATEUR HOCKEY REPORT

Bay County Blizzard take Governor’s Cup title 6

Royal Oak crowned Bantam AA Motown Cup Champions 6

Michigan Ice Hawks have big Penguin Classic 8

Little Caesars Girls U16s win league and tourney titles 8

MAHA District Champions and State Tournament schedule 10

YOUTH LEAGUE STANDINGS

LCAHL Travel, House and Girls champions 3

Adray Community Hockey League Final 12

Tier I Elite Hockey League 14

GET BETTER Good Hockey Habits 16

TRAINING TABLE The One-Legged Box Jump 18

STATE OF THE GAME BY LYLE PHAIR The Importance of winning & losing 20

NAVIGATING THE FROZEN WATERS Girls Hockey - Part 1 21

FROM THE CREASE

BY STEVE MCKICHAN Looking off the puck 22

BY ELI WILSON The T-Push 24

BEYOND THE STRIPES Observing the organized chaos 26

HOMETOWN HERO Plymouth Whalers’ A J Jenks 27

MH BEATHeroes of Hockey Day are all around the state 28

SPRING HOCKEYTryouts and where to play as rinks get creative for second season 29-33

REEBOK TOURNAMENT CALENDAR 34

GIRLS AND WOMENPort Huron clinches Division 2 title in MMGHSHL 33

JUNIOR HOCKEYTrade winds blow in NAHL 44

Whalers and Spirit get ready for stretch run 46

RED WINGS INSIDERRed Wings ready for Olympics and a break 50

PAGE 38PAGE 38-39-39

Table of Contents

February 22, 2010, Volume 20 : Issue 14

PAGE 38-39PAGE 38-39

With the ACHL and MAHA state tournaments,

along with the boy’s and girl’s high school state

tournaments, in full swing and the CCHA’s Road

to the Joe rolling along, March is championship

season. And don’t forget to see how Team USA

did at the Olympics

Look for it on the stands and in your e-mail

In-Box on March 5.

Advertising copy is due on February 24.

Contact Lucia Zuzga at 248-479-1134 or

[email protected] for more info.

COMING IN OUR NEXT ISSUETHE ROAD TO CHAMPIONSHIPSTHE ROAD TO CHAMPIONSHIPSTHE ROAD TO CHAMPIONSHIPSTHE ROAD TO CHAMPIONSHIPS

5Michigan HockeyMichiganHockeyOnline.com

Enjoy the excitement

FROM THE EDITOR

With ACHL and LCAHL playoff s in full swing its a good time to remember why kids

play the game – and it has more to do with making friends, having fun and becoming

the best they can be and not as much about winning and losing.

And at this time of year the emotions of everyone – players, coaches, offi cials and

fans – are amplifi ed. So take a deep breath and enjoy the excitement of a big game. But

if that still doesn’t get you thinking straight, try reading out loud some of the points of

emphasis in the MAHA S.T.A.R. program’s Parent’s Code of Conduct (see MAHA.org for

complete Code):

• I will promote the emotional and physical well being of the athletes ahead of any

personal desire to win.

•I will encourage good sportsmanship through my actions by demonstrating positive

support for all players.

• I will treat all players, coaches, offi cials, parents, and spectators with dignity and

respect in language, attitude, behavior, and mannerisms.

And my personal favorite: I will remember that my child plays hockey for his/her

enjoyment, not mine.

With the season winding down it is time to make your nominations for our annual

Michigan Hockey Awards – the Female and Male Scholar Athlete of the Year, Coach of

the Year and Hockey Person of the Year – to draw attention to outstanding achievement

in the classroom and on the ice and to recognize some of the people that make going to

the rink an enjoyable experience.

And we need your help. Check out the information on page 18 and please take a

minute to nominate that someone who is deserving of a MH Award.

Finally, congratulations to all of the MAHA District champions (page 10) and good luck

to everyone competing in league playoff s and the state tournament.

See you at the rink,


MICHIGAN HOCKEY23995 Freeway Park Drive • Suite 200

Farmington Hills, MI 48335-2829(248) 478-2500 • FAX: (248) 478-1601

EMAIL: [email protected]: www.michiganhockeyonline.com

Cover photos: Action at the Dirty 30-Plus women’s tournament at Brighton’s

Kensington Valley Icehouse by Jeff Vachow/TSS Photography.

Photos this page (from top, L to R): Royal Oak vs. Fraser at the MAC-OAA Showcase

by Bob Bruce/Michigan Hockey; Michigan State captain Jeff Petry by Rick Kimball/

Michigan Hockey and East Lansing’s Ryan Miller by Tom Turrill/Michigan Hockey.

Cover reprints available:email [email protected]

Editor-in-Chief

Advertising

Design

Contributing Editor

Distribution

Controller

Administrative Director

EDITORIAL BOARD: Bob DeSpirt, Christine Szarek, Derek Blair,

James Jenkins, Julie Pardoski, Kirk Vickers, Linda Holland

Lisa Zarzycki, Mark Vansaw, Nyron Fauconier, Randy Paquette

Rob Mattina, Susan Bottrell, Tim Wilson, Todd Krygier

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: MICHIGAN HOCKEY® welcomes Letters

to the Editor. They must be signed and include the writer's full

home address and day and evening telephone numbers.

MICHIGAN HOCKEY is published by SUBURBAN SPORTS

COMMUNICATIONS, LLC 23995 Freeway Park Drive, Suite 200,

Farmington Hills, MI 48335-2829.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to MICHIGAN HOCKEY®,

23995 Freeway Park Drive, Suite 200, Farmington Hills, MI 48335-

2829. ©2010 by Suburban Sports Communications. All Rights

Reserved. The opinions and views expressed in this publication are

not necessarily those of MICHIGAN HOCKEY or its advertisers. All

editorial copy, photographs and advertising materials remain the

property of MICHIGAN HOCKEY.

Philip D. [email protected]

Lucia [email protected]

Lauren [email protected]

Chuck Stevens

Kevin Allen

Rob Murphy

Lucia Zuzga

David J. Klavon

Amy Jones

From the EditorFebruary 22, 2010, Volume 20 : Issue 14

AT

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ION

For a FREE brochure, complete information and mail to: M.S.U. SPORTS CAMP, 400 E. Jenison Field House, East Lansing, Michigan 48824-1025 or phone (517) 432-0730.

Name ___________________________ Age ______

Address _____________________________________

City/Town ___________________________________

State ______________ Zip _____________________

Telephone ____________________________________

Position Playing ________________________________

where...MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

when...June 13 to 17June 20 to 24July 11 to 15July 18 to 22July 25 to 29

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITYRICK COMLEY HOCKEY CAMP

Rick ComleyHOCKEY CAMPwww.sportcamps.msu.edu/

email: [email protected]

2010

HEALTHY MEALS for Hockey Moms

submitted by Hockey Moms

1 pound semisweet chocolate

2 sticks (8 ounces) plus 1-1/2 tablespoons

unsalted butter

1-1/4 cups sugar

5 large eggs

1 cup our

2 half-pints fresh raspberries

CHOCOLATE-RASPBERRY TRUFFLE BARS

Contact Lucia @ 248-479-1134 if you would like to sponsor this unique program.


Royal Oak crowned Bantam AA Royal Oak crowned Bantam AA Motown Cup ChampionsMotown Cup Champions

Bay County Blizzard take Bay County Blizzard take Governor’s Cup titleGovernor’s Cup title

The Bantam AA Royal Oak Eagles defeated the Blue Water

Stars 4-1 in the championship game of the Motown Cup

tournament.

The ’95 Eagles are: Levi Hellebuyck, Steve Wroe, Drew

DeMarois, David Otto, Dan Leach, Trey Sobolewski, Joe Gibbs,

Trevor Temple, Brent Boudreau, Ellis Fried, Harry Stoolmiller,

Evan Fall, Nathan Gurzell, TJ Petzold and Jonah Folbe. Coaches

are Joe Provenzano, Chris Temple and Don McLean.

In an overtime thriller, the Bay County Blizzard defeated the

Winnetka Warriors, 4-3, to take to the Mite AA Division title

at the 2010 Capitol City Showdown for the Governor’s Cup on

January 18 at Munn Ice Arena in East Lansing.

Victor Mancini (with an assist from Michael Andriot) gave

the Blizzard a 1-0 lead with 7:12 left in the fi rst period. The

Warriors answered with a goal from Patrick Weimer (Henry

Horne) with just over two minutes left in the period.

Winnetka took the lead midway through the second period

on Horne’s (William Katsen, Jack Schwartz) power play goal.

The Blizzard tied the game with Kyle Kubiak’s unassisted goal

late in the period.

Kubiak (Tommy Papesh) struck again for the Blizzard giving

them the lead early in the third period. The Warriors sent the

game into overtime with just over three minutes left when

Katsen found the back of the net.

Eddie Symons scored the winning goal unassisted for the

Blizzard with 2:33 left in overtime.

Bay County Blizzard take Bay County Blizzard take Governor’s Cup titleGovernor’s Cup title

Royal Oak crowned Bantam AA Royal Oak crowned Bantam AA Motown Cup ChampionsMotown Cup Champions

HockeyShot Tip:HockeyShot Tip: work on your shot at home work on your shot at home

Amateur Hockey Report February 22, 2010, Volume 20 : Issue 14

www.onyxicearena.comCheck out all the fun

programs at the ONYX!

52999 Dequindre Rd.Rochester MI 48307

For Ages

3-Adult

Late registrations accepted through Week 3

Session 5February 24 - April 17 (7-Weeks)Current Student Registration: February 10-13

Open Registration: February 13 @ 1:15pm

Phone in Registration: February 15 @ 10am

Class Times: Wednesday 10-11am, 1-2pm, 4-6pm

Friday 10-11am, 1-2pm, 4-6pm

Saturday 10:30am-1:00pm

Taking first steps to playing hockey and freestyle skating

Phone: 248.601.6699email: [email protected]

Hockey skating skill classesee classes eestyle skating classes

The best way to improve your shot is to practice off the ice. Great areas to shoot at home are your driveway, basement or garage. All you need is your stick, a hockey goal and a bunch of pucks.

A shooting pad is strongly recommended when shooting off the ice as it will off er a much smoother and slipperier surface than concrete or cement, and also help save your stick from getting damaged.

A few tips for your off -ice shooting sessions: Work on improving all of your shots (wrist, backhand, snap and slap) each time you practice shooting.

Using proper form and technique is very important,

especially for beginners, when practicing shooting. Several DVDs, including the top selling Brett and Bobby Hull’s

Shooting & Scoring 2.0 DVD will help you learn all the proper shooting mechanics.

Always strive for accuracy when shooting. It’s important to pick your head up and aim for a target when shooting.

The most important part is to have fun while practicing. Don’t be too hard on yourself and give

yourself time to improve. Find Junior, Intermediate and Professional

sized shooting pads, targets and shooter tutors at HockeyShot.com.

52999 DequindreRochester, MI 48307

Phone: (248) 601-6699Fax: (248) 601-0102onyxicearena.comTM

54755 BroughtonMacomb, MI 48042

Phone: (586) 992-8600Fax: (586) 992-8666

suburbanice.com

Varsity & Junior Varsity teams Welcome!

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W & &

There will be three separate divisions of the Suburban Showdown Spring High School League - Platinum (current seniors), Gold (recommended for varsity teams or current 9th, 10th, 11th graders), Silver (recommended for junior varsity teams or current 8th, 9th, and 10th graders).

G G

G S

G S

S S Due no later than Monday, April 19

S

Gold ivi ion

Each team may roster a maximum of five players who competed at the A, AA level during the fall/winter 2009-10 season

Silver ivi ionNo players who competed at the A, AA, AAA level during the fall/winter 2009-10 season

G G

G S

G S

S S Due no later than Monday, April 19

S

All players will participate in an evaluation skate the week of April 12 so that teams can be formed. Each team will then be provided with a schedule that has four practices and eleven games (11 minute stop time periods). All teams will make the playoffs. Playoffs will be a single-loss elimination format.

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Michigan Ice Hawks play Michigan Ice Hawks play great at Penguin Classicgreat at Penguin Classic Little Caesars Girls U16s win Little Caesars Girls U16s win

league and tourney titlesleague and tourney titles


Congratulations to Denise Bull for winning

Michigan Hockey’s GLI prize package

D

The Michigan Ice Hawks, based in Grosse Pointe, sent fi ve

teams to the Great White North to compete in the 10th Annual

Toronto Penguin Classic in late January.

In a fi eld of over 100 teams, three of the Ice Hawk teams

made it into shoot-outs in their championship fi nals.

The ‘98 Ice Hawks (black jerseys above), who were juggling

a short bench due to injuries since before the Holidays, bulled

though their tough division rich in local Canadian League

Champions. The 98’s went a perfect 5-0 to make the division

fi nal against the powerhouse Toronto Eagles. After a grit-fi lled

1-1 tie in regulation and a four-minute overtime, the contest

was settled in a thrilling shoot-out.

The ‘96 Ice Hawks (white jerseys above) went the distance

and a little farther. After their shoot-out stalemate against

the Sudbury Rebels both teams were named co-champions.

All fi ve of the Ice Hawk teams were complimented by

tournament offi cials for infusing the tournament with good

will and American spirit.

After going 16-0-4 and claiming fi rst place in Tier 1 Elite

Hockey League, the Little Caesars Girls U16 team entered the

league playoff s with one goal: fi nish the season undefeated

in league play.

The weekend started out well as Little Caesars won all of their

three pool play games. In a 6-1 win over the Wisconsin Wild,

Kelly Harris and Alyssa West led the charge with two goals each.

Scoring was evenly distributed in a 4-1 win over the Chicago

Mission, with goals coming from Nicole Renault, Rachel Miller

and Morgann Madill. In the fi nal round robin game, Morgann

Madill got the game winner in a 1-0 win over Victory Honda.

The semifi nal draw lined Little Caesars up against Team

Pittsburgh, who had fi nished the regular season second overall

in league play. From the drop of the puck it was a tightly played

game. Despite several good scoring opportunities, neither team

scored in the fi rst period. Midway through the second period

Cassidy Tucker broke the deadlock with a nice backhand goal

over the glove of the Pittsburgh goalie. Pittsburgh fought back,

but Caesars was able to claim a 1-0 victory.

The championship game pitted the Madison Capitals against

Little Caesars. Given that both semifi nals games were decided

by a goal, everyone anticipated a great game in the battle for

league bragging rights. The game did not disappoint and was

chock full of great scoring opportunities and fantastic saves.

Little Caesars drew fi rst blood midway through the second

period when Cassidy Tucker scored a shorthanded goal. The

game was tied until the fi nal minute of play when Madison

pulled their goalie and scored the equalizer with 29 seconds

remaining in regulation. After two scoreless fi ve-minute

overtime periods the game went to a shootout. Little Caesars

shooters Alyssa West and Sydney Brickey beat the Madison

goalie. Caesars goaltender Alexis Shaw stood strong in net

during the shootout, securing the victory by allowing only

one Madison player to score.

The Little Caesars 16U team is: Julie Beattie, Abigale Belcrest,

Rachael Booth, Sydney Brickey, Allison Carter, Mellissa Channell,

Erin Conway, Taylor Fairchild, Kelly Harris, Morgann Madill,

Taylor Marchin, Shannon McFadden, Rachel Miller, Breanna

Peterson, Nicole Renault, Gabrielle Schnepp, Cassidy Tucker,

and Alyssa West. Little Ceasars is coached by David Erwin,

Maureen O’Bryan and Matt Berger.

Michigan Ice Hawks play Michigan Ice Hawks play great at Penguin Classicgreat at Penguin Classic Little Caesars Girls U16s win Little Caesars Girls U16s win

league and tourney titlesleague and tourney titles


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Pee Wee Bantam

You will learn: STRENGTH ON SKATES

PROPER BODY CHECKING TECHNIQUE BALANCE & CONTROL HOW TO RECEIVE A CHECK

HOW TO AVOID DANGEROUS SITUATIONS ANGLING AND BODY POSITIONING

DEFENSIVE POSITIONING SAFE, AGGRESSIVE HOCKEY STICK STRENGTH

CLINICS 2010

Classes fill quickly!Register now!

Call today to enroll (248) 478-1600 Call today to enroll (248) 478-1600

www.suburbanhockey.comwww.suburbanhockey.com

ADDITIONAL CLASSES/LOCATIONSTO BE SCHEDULED

ICE BOX SPORTS CENTER6:00-7:50 PM, TUESDAY, MARCH 23

LAKELAND ARENA6:50-8:40 PM, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24

ST. CLAIR SHORESCIVIC ARENA

6:00-7:50 PM, THURSDAY, MARCH 25

SUBURBAN ICE - FARMINGTON HILLS5:30-7:20 PM, SATURDAY, MARCH 27

SUBURBAN ICE - FARMINGTON HILLS

6:00-7:50 PM, SUNDAY, MARCH 28

DEARBORN ICE SKATING CENTER

6:00-7:50 PM, MONDAY, MARCH 29

SUBURBAN ICE - MACOMB6:00-7:50 PM, TUESDAY, MARCH 30

ONYX - ROCHESTER ICE ARENA

7:15-9:05 PM, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31

NOVI ICE ARENA5:30-7:20 PM, THURSDAY, APRIL 1

NOVI ICE ARENA7:30-9:20 PM, THURSDAY, APRIL 1



MAHA State Tournament BoundMAHA State Tournament BoundMAHA State Tournament Bound2009-10 District Champions

Spring Clinics

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Tuesday April 6thOutside Edges (6-14) ..................................................10:30-noonShoot to Score (6-14) ....................................................noon-1:30

Wednesday April 7thDefense Clinic (9-14) ...................................................10:30-noonBackward Power Skating (9-14) ....................................noon-1:30

Thursday April 8thStickhandling & Puck Control (6-14) ............................10:30-noonQuick & Fast (6-14) .......................................................noon-1:30

Friday April 9thShoot to Score (6-14) ..................................................10:30-noonOutside Edges (6-14) ....................................................noon-1:30

Tuesday April 6thBackward Power Skating (9-14) ..................................10:30-noonPlaymaker (9-14) ...........................................................noon-1:30

Wednesday April 7thShoot to Score (5-8) ....................................................10:30-noonOutside Edges (6-14) ....................................................noon-1:30Shoot to Score (9-14) .....................................................1:30-3:00

Thursday April 8thStickhandling & Puck Control (5-8)................................ 10:30-noonQuick & Fast (6-14) .......................................................noon-1:30Stickhandling & Puck Control (9-14) .................................1:30-3:00

Ages listed in parenthesis

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DISTRICT 2Squirt B Allen ParkSquirt A Grosse IleSquirt AA Allen ParkPee Wee B DearbornPee Wee A Allen ParkPee Wee AA DearbornBantam B Dearborn HooligansBantam A TrentonBantam AA Allen ParkMidget B Belle Tire LakersMidget BB Garden CityMidget A Allen ParkMidget AA Garden CityHS JV - D1 MonroeHS JV - D2 Woodhaven

DISTRICT 3Squirt B Fraser FalconsSquirt A SCS SaintsSquirt AA Oak. Jr. GrizzliesPee Wee B Fraser BruinsPee Wee A Mt. Clemens WolvesPee Wee AA Oak. Jr. GrizzliesBantam B Dragons FlyersBantam A Oak. Jr. GrizzliesBantam AA Rochester RattlersMidget B Summit FalconsMidget BB Summit Red WingsMidget A Troy StingMidget AA Mt. Clemens Wolves

DISTRICT 4Squirt B Novi PredatorsSquirt A Novi Ice Cats Squirt AA Novi Ice Cats Pee Wee B LivoniaPee Wee A PlymouthPee Wee AA SuburbanBantam B Livingston LightningBantam A Livonia KnightsBantam AA Suburban StarsMidget B Livonia FlyersMidget BB Livonia KingsMidget A CantonMidget AA Orchard Lake

DISTRICT 5Squirt B SaginawSquirt A Port HuronSquirt AA SaginawPee Wee B MidlandPee Wee A MidlandPee Wee AA Flint EasternBantam B MidlandBantam A MidlandBantam AA Greater FlintMidget BB Mt. Pleasant

DISTRICT 6Squirt B GRAHA Squirt A GRAHA

DISTRICT 6 continuedSquirt A GRAHAPee Wee B RockfordPee Wee A HollandPee Wee AA GRAHA #1Bantam B ChelseaBantam A W. Michigan WarriorsBantam AA GRAHA #1Midget BB Ann ArborMidget A Capital Center PrideMidget AA W. Michigan Warriors

DISTRICT 7Squirt B St. IgnaceSquirt AA S.S. MariePee Wee B St. IgnacePee Wee AA S.S. MarieBantam B St. IgnaceBantam AA Traverse CityMidget B AlpenaMidget BB Alpena

DISTRICT 8Squirt B Iron River Ice HawksSquirt A Marquette AmeriprisePee Wee AA Keewenaw Storm C.I.Bantam AA Marquette A. LegionMidget B Marquette Main St PizzaMidget A Calumet Rowe Furniture

Division Dates Arena/CitySquirt B 3/12 -3/14 Walker Ice ArenaSquirt A 3/5 - 3/7 Suburban Ice-East LansingSquirt AA 3/19 - 3/21 Summit Arena/DimondaleSquirt AAA Minor 3/1-3/7 Taylor Sports PlexSquirt AAA Major 3/1-3/7 Taylor Sports PlexPee Wee B 3/12 -3/14 Wells Sports, EscanabaPee Wee A 3/12 -3/14 Mackinaw City Ice ArenaPee Wee AA 3/5 - 3/7 Lakeview/MarquettePee Wee AAA Minor 3/1 - 3/7 Taylor Sports PlexPee Wee T1 AAA 3/8 - 3/14 Taylor Sports PlexBantam B 3/5 - 3/7 Mt. Clemens Ice ArenaBantam A 3/5 - 3/7 Troy Sports CenterBantam AA 3/12 -3/14 St. Clair Shores CivicBantam AAA Minor 3/1 - 3/7 Taylor Sports PlexBantam T1 AAA 3/8 - 3/14 Taylor Sports Plex

Division Dates Arena/CityMidget B 3/12 -3/14 Ice Mountain/BurtonMidget BB 3/19 - 3/21 Midland Civic ArenaMidget A TII 3/5 - 3/7 Polar Palace/LapeerMidget A T1 3/8 - 3/14 Taylor Sports PlexMidget AA 3/5 - 3/7 Great Lakes/FraserMidget T1 AAA 3/10 - 3/14 Taylor Sports PlexJV HS 3/12 -3/14 Farmington Hills Girl’s T1 2/24 - 2/28 Taylor Sports PlexGirl’s T2 3/5 - 3/7 Summit Arena/DimondaleWomen’s Sr. B) 2/26 - 2/28 Taylor Sports PlexWomen’s Sr. C 2/26 - 2/28 Taylor Sports PlexMen’s T1 3/12 -3/14 Summit Arena/DimondaleMen’s T2 3/12 -3/14 Summit Arena/DimondaleMen’s T3 3/5 - 3/7 Great Lakes/FraserMen’s Over 30 3/5 - 3/7 Great Lakes/Fraser

2010 MAHA State Tournament Schedule

The Oakland Jr.

Grizzlies beat the

Fraser Falcons, 5-4,

in overtime to win

the D3 Pee Wee

AA title

STARTS IN APRILOPEN & HOUSE

DIVISIONS Mite Squirt Pee WeeBantam High School

STARTS IN APRILHOUSE PLAYERS ONLY

Mite SquirtPee Wee Bantam

Team RegistrationTeam Registration

ALL GAMES PLAYED AT:42400 Arena Dr.Novi, MI 48375Phone: (248) 347-1010noviicearena.com

TM

23996 Freeway Park Dr.Farmington Hills, MI 48335Phone: (248) 888-1400suburbanice.com


ADRAY COMMUNITY HOCKEY LEAGUE FINAL STANDINGS

EAST DIVISIONMITE W L T TP GF GA GPWHITE SAGINAW 3 6 2 0 12 41 22 8MT PLEASANT 2 6 2 0 12 57 39 8LAPEER 2 4 3 1 9 36 33 8SAGINAW 1 2 5 1 5 25 27 8MIDLAND 2 1 7 0 2 12 50 8 RED SAGINAW 2 8 1 1 17 55 22 10MIDLAND 3 7 2 1 15 49 27 10MIDLAND 1 6 4 0 12 49 43 10SAGINAW 4 4 5 1 9 34 38 10LAPEER 1 3 6 1 7 18 41 10MT. PLEASANT 1 0 10 0 0 19 53 10 SQUIRT W L T TP GF GA GPWHITE SAGINAW 4 14 0 0 28 90 34 14BAY COUNTY 1 11 2 1 23 103 29 14BAY COUNTY 3 7 6 1 15 73 39 14MT. PLEASANT 1 7 6 1 15 59 60 14MIDLAND 3 6 8 0 12 37 58 14SAGINAW 2 5 8 1 11 52 87 14MIDLAND 1 3 11 0 6 29 67 14LAPEER 2 1 13 0 2 26 95 14 RED MIDLAND 2 10 2 2 22 47 28 14BAY COUNTY 2 9 3 2 20 69 41 14LAPEER 1 6 1 7 19 43 25 14TAWAS 4 5 5 13 29 27 14SAGINAW 1 4 7 3 11 44 55 14SAGINAW 3 4 8 2 10 27 34 14MT. PLEASANT 2 3 8 3 9 29 44 14SAGINAW 5 3 9 2 8 35 69 14 PEEWEE W L T TP GF GA GPWHITE MIDLAND 2 10 1 1 21 61 14 12MT. PLEASANT 1 5 2 5 15 39 28 12BAY COUNTY 1 6 3 3 15 33 19 12BAY COUNTY 3 5 2 5 15 35 25 12MIDLAND 4 4 5 3 11 31 35 12SAGINAW 3 2 9 1 5 25 62 12SAGINAW 2 0 10 2 2 16 57 12 RED MIDLAND 1 11 1 2 24 53 16 14MIDLAND 3 9 1 4 22 45 18 14TAWAS 8 2 4 20 55 27 14MT. PLEASANT 2 7 5 2 16 52 40 14BAY COUNTY 2 6 5 3 15 50 31 14LAPEER 4 8 2 10 40 52 14SAGINAW 1 2 11 1 5 34 69 14SAGINAW 4 0 14 0 0 12 88 14 BANTAM W L T TP GF GA GPWHITE BAY COUNTY 1 10 0 2 22 68 19 12BAY COUNTY 3 9 2 1 19 73 16 12MIDLAND 2 9 2 1 19 39 25 12MIDLAND 4 5 7 0 10 47 40 12LAPEER 1 3 8 1 7 26 48 12SAGINAW 4 1 9 2 4 13 68 12SAGINAW 2 1 10 1 3 18 68 12 RED BAY COUNTY 2 12 0 0 24 92 6 12MT. PLEASANT 1 9 2 1 19 69 23 12MIDLAND 3 7 3 2 16 59 33 12MIDLAND 1 5 7 0 10 50 44 12SAGINAW 1 3 7 2 8 33 70 12SAGINAW 3 2 9 1 5 25 87 12TAWAS CYCLONES 0 10 2 2 6 71 12 MIDGET W L T TP GF GA GPWHITE MT PLEASANT #1 10 0 0 20 69 11 10TAWAS TSUNAMI 5 3 2 12 31 38 10MIDLAND 2 5 5 0 10 39 36 10SAGINAW #3 3 4 3 9 30 26 10SAGINAW #1 1 6 3 5 19 46 10BAY COUNTY #2 0 6 4 4 27 58 10 RED FLINT 10 0 2 22 85 30 12MIDLAND 1 8 4 0 16 58 40 12SAGINAW #4 6 5 1 13 57 49 12LAPEER #1 6 6 0 12 52 43 12SAGINAW #2 6 6 0 12 53 53 12MIDLAND 3 3 8 1 7 42 62 12BAY COUNTY #1 1 11 0 2 26 96 12

METRO DIVISIONMITE W L T TP GF GA GPRED RED WINGS 12 0 0 24 98 25 12RANGERS 9 2 0 18 74 19 11BRUINS 6 4 1 13 47 54 11MAPLE LEAFS 4 7 1 9 47 52 12SUMMIT 2 9 1 5 30 69 12CANADIENS 2 9 1 5 27 76 12

BLUE MAPLE LEAFS 9 1 1 19 61 17 11BLACKHAWKS 7 3 1 15 49 31 11ICE DAWGS 6 5 0 12 29 32 11GIANTS 2 7 1 5 16 44 10DEVIL’S 1 8 1 3 7 41 10CHARGERS 1 6 0 2 13 38 7 SQUIRT W L T TP GF GA GPWHITE WILD 13 0 3 29 62 17 16MAPLE LEAFS 10 2 4 24 61 26 16PUCK HOGS 10 3 3 23 44 26 16TROY 8 7 1 17 45 35 16BLACKHAWKS 4 10 2 10 35 66 16GROSSE POINTE 2 13 1 5 33 68 16BLACKHAWKS 1 13 2 4 22 64 16 RED FALCONS 14 2 0 28 103 40 16JR. ICEHAWKS 12 3 1 25 63 41 16SABRES 9 6 1 19 84 31 16SHARKS 8 6 2 18 45 38 16COBRAS 7 7 2 16 43 33 16FLAGS 3 13 0 6 25 96 16BRUINS 0 16 0 0 20 104 16 BLUE RED WINGS 14 1 1 29 76 27 16LONGHORNS 9 2 5 23 77 37 16DEVILS 10 5 1 21 76 35 16BLUE JACKETS 7 8 1 15 65 56 16KINGS 5 9 2 12 48 59 16FLYERS 4 10 2 10 37 73 16WILDCATS 1 15 0 2 24 116 16 PEEWEE W L T TP GF GA GPRED THRASHERS 9 1 6 24 66 39 16OUTLAWS 10 4 2 22 73 50 16BRUINS 10 4 2 22 62 48 16WOLVERINES 9 5 2 20 44 32 16FLAGS 9 6 1 19 75 62 16STARS 7 8 1 15 60 66 16COLTS 4 10 2 10 43 62 16DEVILS 2 11 3 7 34 68 16TRAVELERS 1 1 12 3 5 35 65 16 BLUE PENGUINS 17 0 1 35 83 19 18BRUINS 12 3 3 27 79 29 18SABRES 12 4 2 26 75 42 18STALLIONS 12 6 0 24 71 39 18PREDATORS 11 6 1 23 64 34 18HURRICANES 6 10 2 14 69 76 18BW LIGHTNING 4 12 2 10 36 72 18STORM 4 13 1 9 30 61 18NORTH STARS 2 12 4 8 46 74 18LIGHTNING 2 16 0 4 44 151 18 BANTAM W L T TP GF GA GPWHITE FLYERS 14 2 0 28 111 33 16STAMPEDE 10 3 3 23 57 36 16TITANS 11 4 1 23 82 57 16WILD 10 5 1 21 85 53 16DEVILS 7 6 3 17 77 65 16LONGHORNS 6 10 0 12 40 77 16WRANGLERS 5 10 1 11 54 86 16BRUINS 2 13 1 5 35 75 16FALCONS 1 13 2 4 35 94 16 RED LIGHTNING 14 0 2 30 118 22 16PREDATORS 13 2 1 27 85 33 16SHARKS 10 5 1 21 81 48 16MUSTANGS 8 5 3 19 63 54 16SABRES 7 8 1 15 66 65 16COUGARS 6 9 1 13 45 64 16TITANS 5 8 3 13 61 81 16PHANTOMS 5 11 0 10 56 100 16BRUINS 2 11 3 7 20 71 16HAWKS 2 13 1 5 21 78 16

WEST DIVISIONMITE W L T TP GF GA GPWHITE HOLLAND 1 11 1 0 22 109 8 12HAWKS 2 11 1 0 22 89 27 12GRAHA 2 8 4 0 16 88 33 12ROCKFORD 4 8 0 8 35 76 12EGRAHA 1 3 8 1 7 25 73 12OWLS 2 9 1 5 28 79 12WEST SHORE 1 2 10 0 4 15 93 12 RED GRAHA 1 11 0 1 23 64 22 12CAPITOL PRIDE 1 7 3 2 16 50 37 12HOLLAND 2 7 4 1 15 49 36 12HAWKS 1 6 4 2 14 55 44 12GRAHA 3 4 7 1 9 32 53 12GRAND VALLEY 3 8 1 7 28 41 12BATTLE CREEK 1 0 12 0 0 28 73 12

SQUIRT W L T TP GF GA GPWHITE GRAHA 2 9 0 3 21 39 15 12GRAND VALLEY 8 3 1 17 54 34 12HAWKS 2 7 5 0 14 42 39 12B2 3 6 3 9 35 42 12CADILLAC 1 3 7 2 8 19 29 12ROCKFORD 3 7 2 8 23 38 12KENTWOOD 2 2 7 3 7 19 34 12 RED KENTWOOD 1 10 0 2 22 49 15 12GRAHA 3 10 1 1 21 72 19 12BIG RAPIDS 1 5 4 3 13 40 48 12WEST SHORE 1 5 6 1 11 41 50 12EGRAHA 1 3 5 4 10 38 36 12MUSKEGON 1 3 9 0 6 34 52 12CADILLAC 2 0 11 1 1 18 72 12 BLUE KOHA 2 10 0 0 20 55 22 10BATTLE CREEK 1 5 3 1 11 28 25 9KOHA 1 4 5 1 9 26 28 10SW MICHIGAN 4 5 1 9 21 22 10JACKSON 2 2 6 1 5 13 34 9JACKSON 1 0 6 4 4 21 33 10 GREEN HAWKS 1 8 2 2 18 33 17 12GRAHA 1 7 2 3 17 34 18 12WHITE STARS 7 3 2 16 35 22 12BLUE STARS 5 6 1 11 31 27 12HAWKS 3 5 7 0 10 26 27 12HOLLAND 1 4 7 1 9 20 34 12OWLS 1 10 1 3 18 52 12 PEEWEE W L T TP GF GA GPWHITE KOHA 2 14 0 2 30 82 23 16RED STARS 13 3 0 26 81 33 16HAWKS 1 9 4 3 21 44 36 16BATTLE CREEK 1 8 6 2 18 32 33 16HOLLAND 1 7 6 3 17 40 31 16CAPITOL PRIDE 1 5 6 5 15 41 52 16GLAHA 2 4 11 1 9 38 71 16JACKSON 1 3 13 0 6 39 80 16GRAHA 2 1 15 0 2 32 70 16 RED KENTWOOD 2 11 4 1 23 49 32 16BLUE STARS 11 5 0 22 62 36 16BIG RAPIDS 1 11 5 0 22 77 45 16CADILLAC 1 9 5 2 20 50 41 16WEST SHORE 1 7 7 2 16 51 44 16MUSKEGON 1 4 7 5 13 32 54 16HAWKS 3 5 8 3 13 41 53 16EGRAHA 1 4 10 2 10 38 54 16GRAHA 1 2 13 1 5 22 63 16 BLUE ROCKFORD 14 1 1 29 73 26 16WHITE STARS 11 2 3 25 74 35 16KENTWOOD 1 8 3 4 20 58 26 15EGRAHA 2 8 5 3 19 68 41 16SW MICHIGAN 8 5 3 19 57 42 16KOHA 1 7 6 3 17 59 41 16HAWKS 2 3 12 1 7 48 74 16GLAHA 3 2 13 1 5 38 78 16JACKSON 2 0 14 1 1 31 143 15 BANTAM W L T TP GF GA GPWHITE KENTWOOD 2 17 1 2 36 112 34 20RED STARS 13 3 4 30 80 45 20EGRAHA 1 11 6 3 25 74 51 20HAWKS 1 11 7 2 24 70 51 20GLAHA 2 9 9 2 20 57 57 20WHITE STARS 9 10 1 19 69 62 20KOHA 1 7 10 3 17 47 64 20SW MICHIGAN 7 13 0 14 54 87 20GRAHA 1 4 11 5 13 46 72 20HOLLAND 1 3 11 6 12 53 67 20JACKSON 1 3 13 4 10 53 125 20 RED HAWKS 2 16 0 2 34 135 16 18EGRAHA 2 14 2 2 30 107 35 18BLUE STARS 12 3 3 27 93 41 18MUSKEGON 1 11 6 1 23 83 65 18BIG RAPIDS 1 7 10 1 15 71 92 18OWLS 6 11 1 13 42 85 18GLAHA 1 5 11 2 12 36 83 18KENTWOOD 1 5 12 1 11 65 72 18KOHA 2 4 12 2 10 49 91 18WEST SHORE 1 2 15 1 5 24 125 18 MIDGET W L T TP GF GA GPRED OWLS 9 3 0 18 64 20 12GRAHA 1 8 3 1 17 40 29 12EGRAHA 1 4 8 0 8 36 53 12GLAHA 1 2 9 1 5 18 56 12

ADRAYHOCKEY.ORGADRAYHOCKEY.ORG

ACHL Standings February 22, 2010, Volume 20 : Issue 14

800-667-5141www.coachmate.com

To recognize and promote the commitment of youth coaches in the state, Michigan Hockey would like youth coaches to tell us a few things about

yourself and why you coach youth hockey.

presented by:

COA CH STEVE COPE Level, Team and AssociationSquirt AA ‘99 Canton Crush

Number of years coaching - 14

Most memorable coaching moment

When my ‘94 Bantam team won the

Silver Stick Internationals.

Coaching Philosophy/Style

Concentrate on skill development, basic values

and having fun.

Coach you admire and why

Keith Sergott, an NCAA Referee who coached ten years in AAA.

He did a great job of mixing hard work and core values.

One thing you would change about youth hockey

Put less emphasis on always moving up to the next level.

S U B M I T T O W I NCOACHES, SEND US THE FOLLOWING INFO FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A COACH MATE BOARD

AND BE FEATURED IN AN UPCOMING ISSUE OF MICHIGAN HOCKEY IN THE BEHIND THE BENCH SECTION. PLEASE INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

• YOUR NAME

• WHERE DO YOU LIVE

• THE LEVEL, TEAM AND ASSOCIATION WHERE YOU COACH

• NUMBER OF YEARS COACHING

• WHY DO YOU COACH

• MOST MEMORABLE COACHING MOMENT

• COACHING PHILOSOPHY/STYLE

• FAVORITE DRILL

• COACH YOU ADMIRE MOST AND WHY

• ONE THING YOU’D CHANGE ABOUT YOUTH HOCKEY

PLEASE ATTACH A DIGITAL PHOTO OF YOURSELF WITH YOUR ANSWERS

AND EMAIL EVERYTHING TO: [email protected]

20/20 CLASSIFIED ADS20 words for $20 • 50¢ each word over 20

North American Hockey Tournaments — Fort Lauderdale, Florida - March 24-29, 2010, Atlantic City, New Jersey - April 9-11, 2010, Hartford, Connecticut - April 16-18, 2010, Montreal, Quebec - April 23-25, 2010, Chicago, Illinois - April 30 - May 2, 2010, Las Vegas, Nevada - May 5-10, 2010,

San Diego, California - May 12-17, 2010

CONTACT: BENJAMIN M. ALAIMO, P.O. BOX 3172, ENFIELD, CT 06083-3172 - Call/Fax: 1-800-322-NAHH - EMAIL: [email protected] | www.nahhtours.com

248-479-1134To place a classified ad please call:

TOURNAMENTS

23996 FREEWAY PARK DRIVEFARMINGTON HILLS, MI 48335248.888.1400|SUBURBANICE.COM

Individual Registration

R R I

dult eagues

Individual Registration

Leagues

Separate Leagues for

Men and Women

CALL ARENA FOR MORE DETAILS

Spring Session I = $84.00 ee s r pri 4 no sses pri 4 pri 0

es 0 0 0 S r 0 00 0

Spring Session II = $84.00 ee s ne no sses on

es 0 0 0 S r 0 00 0

R R

WO

R

LD SHOWDOW

N


U18 Midget Major GP W L T PTS GF GA PIMCYA (MM) 48 35 9 4 74 198 112 797Belle Tire (MM) 46 34 7 5 73 217 132 646Chicago Mission (MM) 48 34 11 3 71 189 111 567Team Illinois (MM) 48 29 9 10 68 187 118 619Russell Stover (MM) 48 30 12 6 66 180 106 579LA Kings (MM) 48 29 12 7 65 168 114 742St. Louis Amateur Blues (MM) 48 31 15 2 64 194 139 1003Compuware (MM) 47 27 11 9 63 141 83 702Colorado Thunderbirds (MM) 48 27 17 4 58 164 129 782Honeybaked (MM) 47 22 19 6 50 161 142 629Dallas Stars (MM) 47 19 20 8 46 156 153 993Philadelphia Jr Flyers (MM) 47 21 23 3 45 136 144 548Madison Capitols (MM) 48 21 24 3 45 153 165 810Boston Advantage (MM) 43 18 18 7 43 130 114 482Little Caesars (MM) 46 17 23 6 40 152 167 1047Ohio Blue Jackets (MM) 47 16 24 7 39 135 179 861Pittsburgh Hornets (MM) 45 16 24 5 37 129 146 622Chicago Fury (MM) 48 16 27 5 37 134 163 653PF Changs (MM) 48 16 28 4 36 155 204 671Cleveland (MM) 48 11 28 9 31 111 195 734Colorado Rampage (MM) 48 13 31 4 30 129 195 610Victory Honda (MM) 48 10 31 7 27 114 184 951Buffalo Regals (MM) 45 10 31 4 24 94 174 599LA Selects Hockey Club (MM) 48 9 35 4 22 120 217 760Team Comcast (MM) 42 7 29 6 20 114 175 596

Midget Minor U16 GP W L T PTS GF GA PIMChicago Mission (mm) 38 29 6 3 61 156 74 648Little Caesars (mm) 35 27 5 3 57 152 85 902Colorado Thunderbirds (mm) 37 22 7 8 52 122 69 347Compuware (mm) 36 22 8 6 50 117 74 576Chicago Young Americans (mm) 38 22 13 3 47 143 114 671Honeybaked Hockey (mm) 36 21 10 5 47 154 97 711Team Illinois (mm) 38 19 12 7 45 138 112 520Russell Stover (mm) 36 18 11 7 43 131 103 497Pittsburgh Hornets (mm) 38 16 14 8 40 110 114 422Belle Tire (mm) 35 18 15 2 38 98 84 612St Louis AAA Blues (mm) 38 16 16 6 38 89 89 419Chicago Fury (mm) 38 14 17 7 35 97 100 601LA Selects Hockey Club (mm) 36 12 14 10 34 112 105 561Cleveland Barons (mm) 36 14 17 5 33 94 101 445Victory Honda (mm) 37 9 20 8 26 105 134 919Dallas Stars (mm) 38 9 21 8 26 67 107 504Madison Capitols (mm) 38 10 23 5 25 70 128 544LA Kings (mm) 38 8 27 3 19 77 142 409Colorado Rampage (mm) 38 5 30 3 13 59 155 600PF Changs (mm) 38 5 30 3 13 56 160 687

1995 Bantam Major GP W L T PTS GF GA PIMHoneybaked Hockey (1995) 29 27 2 0 54 146 42 382Team Illinois (1995) 31 21 5 5 47 145 56 401Victory Honda (1995) 29 16 7 6 38 89 66 208Little Caesars (1995) 27 17 8 2 36 90 56 297Cleveland Barons (1995) 31 15 12 4 34 94 80 364Chicago Mission (1995) 31 12 17 2 26 77 95 478Belle Tire (1995) 28 10 14 4 24 77 91 533Chicago Young Americans (1995) 31 7 17 7 21 59 102 404Compuware (1995) 28 2 21 5 9 45 117 345Chicago Fury (1995) 31 3 27 1 7 39 156 412

1996 Bantam Minor GP W L T PTS GF GA PIMBelle Tire (1996) 29 28 1 0 56 202 35 222Team Illinois (1996) 31 21 6 4 46 129 66 366Cleveland Barons (1996) 29 21 5 3 45 136 60 398Chicago Mission (1996) 31 20 8 3 43 134 73 292Little Caesars (1996) 31 12 12 7 31 100 88 413Honeybaked Hockey (1996) 28 10 14 4 24 83 84 345Chicago Young Americans (1996) 31 9 16 6 24 74 110 316Victory Honda (1996) 31 7 21 3 17 82 136 442Compuware (1996) 30 7 21 2 16 66 153 428Chicago Fury (1996) 31 0 31 0 0 33 234 365

1997 Pee Wee Major GP W L T PTS GF GA PIMCompuware (1997) 30 27 1 2 56 182 52 584Chicago Mission (1997) 31 24 3 4 52 153 51 430Little Caesars (1997) 29 21 6 2 44 167 69 435Chicago Young Americans (1997) 30 20 8 2 42 95 55 314Belle Tire (1997) 29 16 12 1 33 109 79 475Victory Honda (1997) 30 10 20 0 20 114 137 715Honeybaked Hockey (1997) 29 9 18 2 20 71 102 367Cleveland Barons (1997) 28 6 22 0 12 53 158 551Team Illinois (1997) 29 5 23 1 11 60 165 208Chicago Fury (1997) 27 1 26 0 2 23 159 380

1998 Pee Wee Minor GP W L T PTS GF GA PIMLittle Caesars (1998) 29 25 2 2 52 211 53 285

Chicago Mission (1998) 31 23 6 2 48 152 47 436

Team Illinois (1998) 30 21 7 2 44 138 60 419

Honeybaked (1998) 29 18 6 5 41 155 62 390

Victory Honda (1998) 28 13 11 4 30 106 78 248

Compuware (1998) 27 11 12 4 26 91 83 323

Cleveland (1998) 25 11 13 1 23 90 90 288

CYA (1998) 30 8 22 0 16 66 117 329

Belle Tire (1998) 28 1 26 1 3 21 209 423

Chicago Fury (1998) 29 1 27 1 3 29 260 391

1999 Squirt Major GP W L T PTS GF GA PIMChicago Mission (1999) 31 30 0 1 61 213 39 336

Little Caesars (1999) 28 21 5 2 44 131 67 384

Team Illinois (1999) 31 21 8 2 44 149 85 324

Belle Tire (1999) 30 16 10 4 36 123 79 254

Honeybaked Hockey (1999) 28 13 11 4 30 106 91 270

Compuware (1999) 29 14 14 1 29 105 100 308

Victory Honda (1999) 28 7 19 2 16 90 141 350

Chicago Young Americans (1999) 31 6 24 1 13 88 196 335

Cleveland Barons (1999) 31 5 23 3 13 71 173 374

Chicago Fury (1999) 31 5 24 2 12 72 177 307

2000 Squirt Minor GP W L T PTS GF GA PIMLittle Caesars (2000) 18 14 0 4 32 92 43 228

Cleveland Barons (2000) 18 11 5 2 24 82 58 178

Compuware (2000) 17 6 8 3 15 52 64 229

Honeybaked Hockey (2000) 17 5 8 4 14 55 63 216

Victory Honda (2000) 17 4 7 6 14 43 52 210

Belle Tire (2000) 17 1 13 3 5 35 79 116

Girls 19U GP W L T PTS GF GA PIMChicago Mission 19U 18 15 1 2 32 81 23 174

Little Caesars 19U 18 12 2 4 28 76 36 245

Team Illinois 19U 18 12 4 2 26 56 25 174

Belle Tire 19U 18 11 5 2 24 50 26 204

Anaheim Lady Ducks 19U 18 11 6 1 23 69 37 144

NJ Rockets 19U 18 10 7 1 21 75 49 211

Victory Honda 19U 17 9 7 1 19 36 39 210

Ohio Flames 19U 18 9 9 0 18 84 48 91

Madison Capitols 19U 17 8 9 0 16 49 49 128

Honeybaked 19U 17 7 9 1 15 58 44 137

Grand Rapids 19U 17 6 9 2 14 44 34 148

Team Pittsburgh 19U 18 5 10 3 13 37 51 153

CYA 19U 18 3 12 3 9 26 46 146

St Louis Lady Blues 19U 15 3 12 0 6 17 83 80

Shamrocks(Exhibition NH) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Chicago Fury 19U 19 0 19 0 0 7 175 145

Girls 16U GP W L T PTS GF GA PIMLittle Caesars 16U 20 16 0 4 36 93 14 164


Honeybaked 16U 20 12 4 4 28 58 22 166

Victory Honda 20 12 5 3 27 50 26 160

Chicago Mission 16U 20 12 7 1 25 59 27 212

Madison Capitols 16U 20 10 6 4 24 61 42 104

Ohio Flames 16U 20 8 8 4 20 38 40 140

Wisconsin Wild 16U 20 8 9 3 19 59 50 203

CYA 16U 20 5 13 2 12 32 53 195

Grand Rapids 16U 20 5 14 1 11 24 65 124

Team Illinois 16U 20 2 17 1 5 18 87 92


Girls 14U GP W L T PTS GF GA PIMChicago Mission 14U 20 18 1 1 37 121 11 102

Honeybaked 14U 20 17 1 2 36 87 13 106



Little Caesars 14U 20 10 5 5 25 52 26 225

Ohio Flames 14U 20 9 9 2 20 43 49 136

CYA 14U 20 8 8 4 20 37 38 141

Compuware 14U 20 8 9 3 19 28 48 153

Belle Tire 14U 20 8 12 0 16 40 69 217

Team Illinois 14U 20 5 13 2 12 26 57 124

Wisconsin Wild 14U 20 2 15 3 7 26 83 126

Chicago Fury 14U 20 3 17 0 6 28 91 146

Victory Honda 14U 20 1 18 1 3 21 128 188

Standings as of Feb. 16

Standings by Pointstreak

Tier 1 Elite League Standings

EGGSTRAVAGANZASaturday, April 3

OPEN & HOUSE DIVISIONS:Mite Squirt Pee Wee

BantamHigh SchoolAdult

EGGSTRAVAGANZA3-on-3

Session 5: February 21 - April 22

7-Week Program NO Classes March 28 - April 8Current Student Priority Registration: February 7-11

EASTER “ICE” EGG HUNTPICK YOUR TIME

Sunday, March 2812:30-1:15pm or 1:30-2:15pm



Off ice training program by Triad Performance Gym and Training Center’s Kirk Vickers, former Detroit Red Wings head athletic trainer.

suburbanhockey.com or call 248-478-1600

A comprehensive training program for A/AA/AAA players ages 9-14

July 26 - July 30

Applications can be found at:

Train Hard. Play Hard.

Now accepting Head Coach Applications

2010-11 Buffalo Wild Wings

AAA Hockey Club

Please forward your hockey coaching

resume and letter of interest to:

Buffalo Wild Wings AAA Hockey Club

Fax 586.992.8666


Good HabitsGood habits make good hockey players. And the sooner a player develops these

habits the deeper they will root and the more consistent they will be.

Take what is given - Be aware of and take advantage of opportunities given to

you. If you are given a shot, passing lane, dump in, hit, time or open ice, then take

it. Do not miss the opportunities that are given to you.

Head Up - Keep your head up. You must see the play and read it. You must see

the opportunities given to you so that you can take what is given. Keep your head

up or you will be hit and hurt.

Talk - Talk to your teammates. Hockey is a team sport. Players must talk if they

are going to work together. Talk on both off ense and defense.

Hard off - Skate hard when coming off for a change up. Quick hard changes keep

off ensive and defensive pressure on the opposition. Coming off hard is an easy way

to set and keep the tempo high.

Never retaliate - Retaliation will cost your team a penalty. Referees often see

the retaliation but miss the fi rst penalty. Do not let the opposition see that they

have gotten to you. Keep your emotions under control. Instigate, do not retaliate.

Only captains talk to the referee - Unless you are a captain carrying out

you duties, do not talk to the referee. Nothing good will come of it. Direct all

communications through the coach and captain. This will buy time and show that

the team is intelligent and disciplined. Keep your emotions under control.

Show positive emotion - Emotion is good and should be shown when it

is positive. Emotion is powerful. Positive emotion will generate positive results.

Negative emotions will generate negative results.

PLAYING THE MAN WITH THE PUCK5-on-5 Stick and Pin - When playing at even strength, hit your man and pin him,

keeping him from returning to the play. Always beat your man back into the play.

4-on-5 Stick and Move - When playing a man down, hit your man and move

on, quickly getting back into the play. Do not get tied up with your man, giving the

opposition more ice and your team less defensive coverage.

Numbers Hard At - When forechecking and the puck carrier’s back is to you,

numbers showing, go at him hard, quickly taking away time and space.

Crest Control Angle - When forechecking and the puck carrier is facing you,

crest showing, control him by angling towards the boards. Make him go where you

want him to go. Take away time and space in a controlled manner.

AWAY FROM THE PUCKHead on a swivel - Keep you head on a swivel, always turning your head, looking

around, and seeing and reading the play.

Stick in passing lanes - Keep your stick in the passing lane, taking away the

passing lane and ready to intercept passes.

One hand on the stick - Keep one hand on your stick (in the passing lane)

presenting a bigger profi le and keeping one hand free for making contact with

your check.

Back check through the middle – Back check through the middle of the ice

all the way to the front of the net, the house. Pick up trailers, help out in front. This

allows defensemen to pursue, maintain defensive pressure and perhaps make a

quick transition.

Never get caught fl atfooted - Stay on your toes with a wide stance and a good

knee bend so that you are able to react quickly in any direction.

ON THE RUSH 3-ON-1

PURPOSE: To develop timing and positioning skills of support players and decision-making skills of the puck carrier in a three-on-one attack.

SET-UP: Players begin in three lines as shown with a defenseman at the blue line in the middle of the ice. The play begins with a coach making a pass to the defenseman who quickly gets off a shot and sktes backward up the ice to defend the rush. The coach give s a second puck to a winger who moves with his linemates at full speed up the ice to attack the offensive zone. Do not allow any passes until they have entered the offensive zone. The support player should move into proper position to be available as a passing option. The puck carrier needs to assess the situation and make the best play, based on the positioning of the defender.

Web-enabled sports training software to help players teach and players learn

Call (248) 601-0100 or visit Vbksportsviewer.com for more information.VISUALLY BROADENING KNOWLEDGE

presented by

Putting pressure on a puck carrier to take away

time and space is a good hockey habit.

Get Better

Adult Hockey Tournament

TOP SHELF SPRING CLASSIC

March 19th- 21st, 2010 @ Kensington Valley Ice House

Brighton, Michigan

MEN’S 18 & Up (Open)

21 & Up (4 Divisions) 30 & Up (2 Divisions)

WOMEN’S 21 & UP (2 Divisions)

CO-ED 21& UP (2 Divisions)

3 Game Guarantee up to 5 Games USA Certified Refs Includes 1 case of Beer or other Refreshment Delivered to your Locker room after each game and Pizza at our Top Shelf Pub. Championship Prizes USA Hockey Sanctioned Full Service Pub with Rink View

ENTRY FEE: $695 per team

$100 discount for current KVIH Teams

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: March 5th, 2010

For More Information visit www.kensingtonvalleyicehouse.com

or Contact Amy Hawes @ 810-494-5555 Ext 5

[email protected]

MAHA & USA Hockey Sanctioned # MI100286

skates backward up the

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Fundamental Goalie SchoolOpen to goaltenders ages 7-12, this program focuses

on laying the foundation and building upon the

fundamental skills of the position. The class is designed

for goalies in their first three years at the position and

features 40 minutes of off-ice training and an 80 minute

on-ice session each day. There is a maximum student-

to-trainer ratio of 4-to-1.

Available at Farmington Hills and Macomb locations.

GOALIE EQUIPMENT RENTALGoaltending equipment – leg pads, arm and chest protector, catching glove,

blocker and stick – is available for rental. Call (248) 478-1600 for details.

Advanced Goalie SchoolFeatures a maximum student-to-trainer ratio of 3-to-1

and is geared toward experienced goaltenders ages

9-16 who are serious about refining their physical and

mental skills to take their game to the next level. Each

day consists of two 80-minute on-ice sessions and

a 45-minute classroom or dryland training session.

In each program, goaltenders are divided into small

groups with the training in each skill station tailored to

challenge each player individually.

Available at Farmington Hills and Rochester locations.



Training Table

TRAINING TABLE

Hockey Person of the YearThis award is presented annually “to a person who has made outstanding contributions to the sport of hockey in Michigan as a

administrator.”

Coach of the YearThis award is presented annually “to a head coach from Michigan who is widely regarded as an excellent teacher, role model, and tactician and whose players are regarded to be well-disciplined and reach their full potential under the coach’s guidance.”

Male Scholar-Athlete of the YearThis award is presented annually “to a male student-athlete born in 1991 or later who has achieved a high level both in the classroom and on the ice during the past hockey season.”

Female Scholar-Athlete of the YearThis award is presented annually “to a female student-athlete born in 1991 or later who has achieved a high level both in the classroom and on the ice during the past hockey season.”

SEND YOUR NOMINATIONS TO:MICHIGAN HOCKEY

23995 Freeway Park Drive Farmington Hills, MI 48335-2829

EMAIL to: [email protected] include name of nominee, reason for nominating him/her, biographical information about your nominee, your name and

your daytime and evening telephone numbers.

HOW TO NOMINATE SOMEONE

Would you like to become a sponsor of this unique event? Please contact Lucia Zuzga at (248) 479-1134 or

[email protected].

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Warm up, power and explosiveness

Speed and agility training takes a lot of hard work and

attention to detail. Warming up for speed and agility training is

important, since the training itself involves multiple movements

in multiple directions in multiple ways (sprinting, shuffl ing,

jumping, etc.)

SOME WARM UP TIPS- Use dynamic warm up drills

such as walking knee hugs, foot

grabs to the rear, and forward/

sideways/backwards lunges

- Get your blood and heart

rate up using movements such

as high knees, butt kicks, and

lateral shuffl es

- Joint warm up is important,

so perform “bunny hops” (ankle

hops) forward/backwards/lateral

- Incorporate change of

direction in your warm up drills (ex: shuffl e ten yards, plant

and sprint back to starting point)

-Keep it creative and useful to your sport specifi c needs!

PLYOMETRIC BOX JUMP FOR POWERPlyometrics are fantastic for developing athletic power

and explosiveness. There are various forms of plyometrics - in

place, bounding, on an object, over an object - to name a few.

After learning to profi ciently jump and land on two feet,

you can move onto the one-legged jump. The one-legged

jump is similar to its two-legged counterpart, yet requires an

athlete to use more stability and strength to perform the action.

The one-legged jump will increase leg drive during athletic

action, aid stability when planting to make cuts and improve

speed and acceleration.

REMEMBER- Jump off the ground landing

on your power pad (forefoot) then

transfer the weight on to your entire

foot at the end of the landing

- Use your arm action to drive

your momentum up as you drive

the jumping leg into the ground

- Start with a single response

jump ( jump once, stick your

landing, then step off )

Move up towards multiple

re s p o n s e j u m p s ( j u m p i n g

receptively on and off the box

non-stop)

- Start with a low level box (6 or 12 inches) then increase

the box size.

- Start with low reps (4-6) and sets (2-4 per leg) just using

your body weight. As you grow in skill and strength, increase

sets and reps (and add the use of a weighted vest).

Dixon is a West Michigan-based SPARQ Certifi ed Trainer and

author of the Pro Power Training blog at: www.propowertraining.

blogspot.com.

E-mail him at: [email protected].


with DAIMOND DIXON

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It can be diffi cult to give credit where credit is due – namely to the other

team when they have defeated you. The fi rst time I can actually remember that

happening was when I was playing professionally in the American Hockey League

and our coach Robbie Ftorek told us after a game that we had played as well as

we could that day, but the other team played better.

Maybe that is a result of having been fortunate enough to have played on good

teams where we were expected to win or had a chance to win every game. That

is not always the case. Maybe it was a result of coaches not recognizing how well

the team actually did play on a given day because they didn’t win. If you didn’t

win, you couldn’t have played well, could you?

MEASURING SUCCESSAnd that is one of the biggest problems with winning. It is the only measure

of success in some people’s eyes. A couple of years ago I was coaching a girls

team that lost a hard-fought 3-1 game to an opponent that was a little better

than we were on most nights and probably should have beaten us 75% of the

time that we played them.

In the post-game mingling in the lobby while waiting for the players to come

out several of the parents gave it the old “Well, they just didn’t have it tonight, did

they?” Well, actually they did. In fact after the fi rst period, which we dominated

territorially yet trailed 1-0 on a late goal, both I and our other coach said to each

other, pretty much at exactly the same time, “What was that? That was the best

period we have played all year!”

It actually was one of the best games that we played the whole year. But

because we ended up losing that night, the perception was that we didn’t play well.

One of the main problems with the importance of winning and losing is that

many people use that as their sole form of measurement in how the game went.

Lose? Bad. Win? Good. Even though at times it couldn’t be further from the truth.

I have coached teams that have had virtually no chance of winning games,

yet gave a great eff ort and played as well as they could. Unfortunately because

they lost the prevailing thought among the players and their parents was that

they had “played awful”.

I have also coached teams that could have, should have and did beat an inferior

opponent without their best eff ort. Because they won, the players and parents

thought that they had played well, even though they were not good at all that

day. That’s a tough “coaching moment”. While you want to and have to give your

team credit for doing what they are supposed to do - winning the game - at the

same time you need to attempt to get them to understand that winning isn’t

everything. Giving their best eff ort and playing as well as they can is. Sometimes

the wrong message gets sent with a win.

THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENT Actually winning can mask a lot of problems with a team. Everything must

be going well right? The coach must be good. The players must be learning

and improving.

Conversely losing can create problems that aren’t really there at all. But there has

to be something wrong, doesn’t there? Someone has to be to blame, don’t they?

Really, it is not winning, or the measurement, that is the most important

element of a game. Rather it is competing, the process and the path that is

much more signifi cant. To me, one of the greatest benefi ts of playing a sport is

competing. Giving it your best eff ort and seeing where that takes you. Over time,

your best eff ort will undoubtedly result in improvement. If you are fortunate it

will even result in some wins.

Unfortunately there are many players who never get the opportunity to see

both sides of the equation. Some players always end up on the better teams and

while it looks like a good deal short-term to win all of the time, long-term it can

actually be a detriment to the player. They never have the chance to learn the

lessons that only losing can teach you about what it takes to be a winner. And,

maybe more importantly, how to handle it when you don’t win.

Conversely there are players that always seem to end up on the weaker teams

that lose much more frequently than they win. Ironically, these are the kids that

just might get the most benefi t out of participating, although it never seems so

at the time. They have the opportunity to learn how to compete and what it takes

to close that gap between losing and winning.

To some, parity is a dirty word and is equated with trying to “dumb down the

game” or bring the best “back to the pack” and giving the rest a chance to catch up.

But to me it is more about creating great competition. In youth sports parity

provides the players (and their coaches) with the best opportunity to experience

everything that both winning and losing have to off er.

Stateof the

Gameby Lyle Phair

Winning is important. When we play, we play to win. And we should. There

are a number of other reasons to participate in a competitive sport, but one of

the most important reasons is always to win. If we didn’t, there wouldn’t be any

need for a scoreboard and there wouldn’t be a lot of the great elements that are

part of a competition.

I have never been a big fan of the saying that “winning is not important”.

Because it is. It always is. At every level. We play the game, and we compete, with

the ultimate goal of winning. It’s that simple. Adults and kids of every age love

to win and hate to lose. Some more so than others. And there is nothing wrong

with that. But we are kidding ourselves if we think that winning isn’t important.

Youth sports studies always indicate that winning does not rank high on the

list of reasons why kids participate in competitive sports. And that is very true. If

you have ever had the pleasure of coaching kids of any age you should understand

that. Having fun, meeting new friends, being part of a team and learning new

skills are always higher on that list. Winning comes much closer to the bottom

for kids. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t important to them. Nor does it mean that

it isn’t an important part of competition. It is just not as high a priority for kids.

MORE IMPORTANT TO ADULTSThe reality is that winning is much more important to the adults than it is to

the kids. The problems arise when adults are unable to cope with winning and

losing in sports. In their own adult games that they play, or worse yet, in games

that are for the kids and the adults are merely involved as coaches or spectators.

Like most adults, I love to win and have always hated to lose. In fact, I have

always been a horrible loser. I am sure that part of it was because of the culture

I was brought up in. The other team never played well enough to beat us. When

we lost it was because we played poorly enough to lose.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF WINNING AND LOSINGWINNING AND LOSING

State of the Game February 22, 2010, Volume 20 : Issue 14

THE IMPORTANCE OF WINNING AND LOSING

Editor’s Note: The following article is the ninth installment of our “Navigating

the Frozen Waters” educational series aimed at helping both new and veteran players

and parents understand the diff erent levels and pathways of hockey available in

Michigan and across the United States. Michigan Hockey will explore other topics in

youth hockey in future issues.

We invite you to share your questions and concerns regarding Navigating the

Waters by e-mailing us at: [email protected].

BY TIM WILSONDespite familiar designations of Tier I, Tier II and House, the girl’s hockey landscape

in Michigan is signifi cantly diff erent than the way boy’s hockey is set up.

While boys have single year age groups for travel teams, girl’s hockey has two-year

divisions – 10U, 12U, 14U and 19U - due to the smaller number of players involved.

And most associations in the state with a girl’s house team have only one team

per age group, so more often than not those teams travel outside their association

to play other teams.

Tier I and Tier II girl’s teams in the state begin competing in leagues at the 12U

age group. And while Tier I teams exist in Michigan at the 12U level, they play in Tier

II leagues like the Little Caesars Amateur Hockey League (LCAHL) as the Tier I Elite

Hockey League includes only 14U, 16U and 19U divisions.

In the Tier I Elite Hockey League, Little Caesars, Honeybaked and Victory Honda have

teams in all three divisions, while Belle Tire has 14U and 19U squads. Grand Rapids

has teams in the 16U and 19U divisions and Compuware ices a team at the 14U level.

Another unique facet to the girl’s game is the lack of districts boundaries that

govern the boy’s game. With roughly 2,800 girls under 19-years old registered in

Michigan, there are no geographic restrictions to where someone can play.

And, at this point, there is nothing in Michigan that defi nes the diff erence between

Tier I and Tier II girl’s hockey. A rule change proposal that clearly lays out the criteria

for three levels of girl’s hockey - Tier I 12U -19U, Tier II Competitive 10U -19U and Tier II

House Recreational for all ages - will be voted on at the MAHA Summer Meeting in July.

Right now being Tier I or Tier II is “what you decide to market yourself as,” according

to Lyle Phair, coach of Honeybaked’s 12U squad.

NEED MORE GIRLSWhile the 1998 Winter Olympics that featured women’s hockey for the fi rst time

generated some excitement for the sport, it hasn’t translated into more girls playing

the game in Michigan.

The LCAHL has seen the number of girls teams drop from 53 during the 2003-04

season to 30 in 2009-10. At the 12U level the number of teams has gone from 24 in

2003-04 to 11 in 2009-10.

“I think some of it has to do with the economy and

the recognition of the sport,” said Greg Packer, the Little

Caesars director of girls programs. “And you don’t see

girl’s college hockey covered much with only 37

schools at the Division I level.”

With 66 Michigan girls playing at the Division

I and Division III college levels last season,

the state ranks fourth overall nationally

but signifi cantly trails the top three of

Minnesota (383), Massachusetts (222) and New York (149), and ranks only slightly

ahead of Illinois (62) and Wisconsin (60).

“Minnesota probably has four times as many girls participating in hockey as

Michigan,” said Phair. “The drawing card there is their high school teams. If Michigan

had more high school teams there would be more girls playing. It becomes the

chicken and the egg because the high schools don’t want to start teams until there

are more girls playing the sport.”

MAKING IT WORKBelle Tire 19U coach Mike Vigilante’s team skates out of the Taylor Sportsplex

and draws players as far away as Grand Rapids and Holland. Many of his players

are 16-years old and are playing up a level in hopes of attracting college attention.

“Some of our girls are in contact with Division I and Division III schools,” said

Vigilante, who said the organization hopes to add a 16U team next season. “With

their work ethic and commitment I know many of them will move on.”

In Ann Arbor, coach Erik Penhollow was able to take his 14U Tier II state champion

team and move them to Tier I this season as part of Compuware, the fi rst time the

organization has iced a girl’s team.

“Right now 14U is the only team we have but we are planning to expand next

year and include a 16U team as well,” said Penhollow, who also serves as the Ann

Arbor Amateur Hockey Association’s Girls Director.

The move to Tier I made sense as Compuware hockey director Randall Paquette

was considering adding a girls program and Penhollow’s team was comprised of

players from Ann Arbor, Jackson and Marshall, making it a good geographic fi t. The

team splits practices and games between Compuware Arena and the Ann Arbor Ice

Cube and often shares practice time with the Ann Arbor Cougars 14U or a boy’s house

team in order to reduce costs.

Compuware recently completed their fi rst Tier I regular season in eighth place

out of 13 teams and earned a spot in the playoff s.

“So far it’s been a really good experience” said Penhollow.

“We can’t be more proud of what Erik, Dan Goosetrey and the girls have done this

year (by) upholding the principles Compuware stands for and giving the girls such a

good experience,” said Paquette.

Girl’s hockey faces many challenges, not the least of which is getting more girls

playing. For the higher level programs to prosper there needs to be a greater number

of girls suiting up at the younger ages. We’ll take a look at getting girls started playing

and the Tier II level in a future issue.

NaNavigating the vigating the FrozFrozen en WaWatersters

Girl’s Hockey – Part 1 A guide to helping players chart a course for their hockey careers

The Average NHL PlayerHeight 6-1Weight 204Age 27.5Draft round 3rdShoots Right Handed 33%Shoots Left Handed 67%Junior League experience 89%College experience 26%AHL experience 80%IHL experience 10%WHL experience 22%OHL experience 22%QMJHL experience 10%CHL experience 54%

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STEVE MSTEVE McKICHANFrom the crease

Looking off the puck and centering passesFundamental level goaltenders are very puck-focused and rarely look around

at other players. Full concentration on the puck is crucial for the developing goalie

but as the game quickens the elite goalie must learn to implement the advanced

technique of “Looking off the puck.”

This simply means taking in various important visual cues away from the

puck in brief non-dangerous moments. These glimpses allow the goaltender to

intelligently anticipate potential attacks and identify dangerous players.

A prime example of “looking off the puck” occurs when the line rush develops

in the neutral zone. The pro goaltender will quickly glance at all the players

involved and assess whether threats like drop passes, back-door passes or cut-ins

are likely.

Once the play has set up in the defensive zone there are key situations when

a goaltender should look off the puck. Sideboard or corner puck battles allow the

goaltender a chance to see if some crafty player is open out front.

Most saves on centering pass one timers are the result of fore knowledge on

the part of the elite goaltender. Knowing generally where the man is and what

hand he is can be learned with these quick looks to the slot. On a penalty kill

subtly looking off the puck as it moves around the perimeter will allow accurate

prediction of cross-crease or cross-box passes.

Almost every game played at the pro level will provide an example of a goal

scored as a result of a centering pass. They are dangerous plays to be sure, but if a

few key tactics are employed we can shift the margin of success to the goalie.

Quick looks - Knowing who is open, where he is and what hand he is

allows the goaltender to get a mental jump on the save. If these quick looks

indicate a centering pass is imminent bring your close post arm inside the post in

preparation for your explosive challenge.

Which hand? - Your explosive challenge off the post needs to be targeted

at the stick side of the opponent otherwise you’ll leave massive amounts of net

available.

Pass prevention - If the puck never makes it to the man in front he can’t

score. Break up all tight passes and every once and a while try to suck the man

in by pulling your stick out of the passing lane. A fl at pass can now be easily

intercepted.

Angle hesitation - Only the best goalies in the world exhibit this strategy

eff ectively. Instead of exploding out dead in the middle of the angle, explode

out holding to the short side of the angle. In the instant the shooter assesses the

open space he won’t realize you are baiting him into that open side. When done

correctly, it won’t occur to him that you purposely did it and you’ll be able to slam

the door upon release.

Assessing the pass - The quality of the centering pass will dictate what the

man in front will likely attempt. If the pass is bouncing or defl ected slightly the

man in front will need to corral it fi rst before he can hammer it. On a pass in his

feet or closer to his backhand, a one timer is highly unlikely. A fi rm fl at pass in his

wheelhouse will be pounded on net.

From the Crease

Future Pro Goal is again sponsoring a “GOALIE ONLY” Contest! Enter to win one of 12 Top-Selling DVD sets! Contest will run from November - March with a winner selected randomly from each MH issue.

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Team Michigan tryouts are March 26-28

Twenty of Michigan’s top high school seniors will again make up this year’s Team

Michigan squad.

But instead of competing at the Chicago Showcase, which ended operations last

year, this year’s Team Michigan will be heading to the Minnesota Showcase on April

23-25, 2010 in Plymouth, Minnesota. And while the location is diff erent, the Minnesota

event will be again heavily scouted by junior and college coaches.

Open tryouts for Team Michigan are March 26-28 at the DISC in Dearborn. The

process puts the team selection process in compliance with the MHSAA rules and

participating players will not lose high school spring sport eligibility. Per MHSAA

rules only players who participate in the open tryout are eligible to be selected to

Team Michigan.

In order to qualify for Team Michigan a player must be a graduating Michigan high

school senior and have competed in at least 75% of your team’s 2009-10 games. To play

at the Minnesota Showcase a player has to be chosen at the Open Tryout, have USA

Hockey Registration for Showcase Team Eligibility and participate in Team Michigan

Training Camp, April 16-19 and 21, 2010.

The deadline for applications to tryout for Team Michigan is March 18. Check out

team-michigan.net for more information and to print out a tryout application. Contact

Team Michigan coach Kevin Ahern at: [email protected].

Coming SoonThursday A/B League

Starts in MayDetails coming in next issue

586.992.8600 suburbanice.com

[email protected] Saturday, March 20 10:45-11:35am Monday, March 29 5:30-6:20pm Thursday, April 1 5:30-6:20pm

Saturday, March 20 11:45-12:35pmTuesday, March 23 7:15-8:05pm Tuesday, March 30 6:15-7:05pm

[email protected] Friday, March 19 7:00 – 8:05pm Wednesday, March 24 6:00-6:50pmFriday, March 26 7:00-8:05pm

Thursday, March 25 7:30-8:20pm Sunday, March 28 4:45 – 6:05pm Tuesday, March 30 7:15-8:05pm

[email protected] Sunday, March 21 12:30-1:50pm Wednesday, March 24 7:00-7:50pm Friday, March 26 5:45-6:50pm

[email protected], March 22 6:30-7:35pm Wednesday, March 24 6:15-7:35pmSaturday, March 27 9:45-11:05am

2010TM

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Spring SeasonApril 5th to June 21st

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Permission slips from 2009-10 team coach recommended.


Eli WilsonEli WilsonFrom the creaseFrom the crease

The T-Push motionThe T-push is the skating movement used by all elite

goalies to follow passes, rebounds and skaters while

handling the puck in the defensive zone. It is also used when

a goalie stops the puck behind the net.

The T-push allows them to move in their crease with

the most speed and effi ciency. When executing a T-push

the goalie starts by placing their feet in a “T” position. This

position enables them to dig hard into the ice with the back

foot (the pushing foot) and glide with the lead foot. The

goalie is able to move without slowing down. This is why

the T-push is preferred to the shuffl e. For instance, in the

shuffl e position a goalie does not put his/her feet in a gliding

position, instead they keep their skates facing forward

and have to scrape the ice while moving laterally and are

slowed down as they move towards their next position. Only

the T-push allows a full explosive maneuver towards the

goaltenders next position. Young goaltenders cannot expect

to be fast and have success making saves unless they always

push hard and stop hard.

Ideally, the goalie should be set and ready for a shot at

the same time or just before a player receives the pass and

starts a shooting motion. Therefore, every time a goalie

executes a T-push they have to push as hard they can. It

does not matter if they are executing a long push (from the

post towards the far side face off dot) or a short push (from

the post towards the near side face off dot). In order to be

successful, the push always has to be hard. The goalie needs

to grip the ice with the inside edge of their skate blade,

rolling their ankle inward. Sharp skates are essential. For

maximum speed the goalie has to explode into the push.

There are only three steps to follow: the fi rst is head and

shoulder control. The goalie has to keep their eyes on the

puck as the play is changing direction. By doing so, the head

and shoulders will automatically rotate in the direction of

the puck. Goalies should always focus on their upper body

while moving. Too many goalies “work” more with their

feet than with their upper body, resulting in too many

movements and wasted time.

The second step is bringing the inside (lead) foot back in

the direction to travel. Slightly lift the lead foot and rotate it

while bringing the skate back and under the body and close

to the pushing (back) foot. When done, the goalie should

have their feet in a “T” position. Stepping back requires good

skating ability as the goalie will be standing on one skate

momentarily while rotating back. This motion will save time

and produce more power.

The third step is execution of the push. The goalie has to

make sure that once their feet go in the “T” position that they

step towards the puck. The ankle of the pushing foot has to

lean inward so the inside edge of the skate blade can grip

the ice and then push off the back foot and snap the ankle.

When the goalie immediately lifts their lead foot during

their rotation, they will explode off the back foot. There is

a weight transfer from the back to the front foot during the

process.

If a goalie executes a strong push and is moving with

great speed, they will then have to stop the hardest they can.

The stop always has to match the push.

If the goalie does not stop hard they will still keep gliding

and will not be able to set quickly enough to face the shot. In

order to execute a hard stop, the goalie must rotate the foot

and ankle and stop hard on one foot, the lead foot.

The goalie will utilize the inside skate edge of the lead

foot to dig into the ice hard, gripping the ice with a sudden

and deliberate stop. It is important to rotate and bend the

ankle inward on the lead foot while stopping. The goalie

always stops with the lead foot. Always push with the back

foot and stop with the lead foot. This will assure you stay

square to the play. Avoid snowplow and two foot stops. They

are too slow and the goalie fi nishes off balance and not set

and ready to make a save.

Keep training hard and remember eyes attached to the

puck, always!

Eli Wilson currently coaches 13 NHL goalies, and is the

president of Worldpro Goaltending School.

THE DEFENDING CENTRAL DIVISION CHAMPIONSARE HOSTING OPEN TRYOUTS FOR 2010-11

May 14-16

May 21-23

July 9-11

July 16-18

Pre-Draft Camp

Pre-Draft Camp

Denver, CO - Big Bear Ice Arena

Prior Lake, MN - Dakotah Sport and Fitness

Woodridge, IL - Seven Bridges Ice Arena

Canton, MI - Arctic Edge Arena

TEN TO FIFTEEN PLAYERS FROM EACH CAMPWILL BE INVITED TO OUR FINAL CAMP

AT NO ADDITIONAL COST

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO SIGN UPON OUR SECURE WEBSITE GO TO:

HTTP://WWW.BISMARCKBOBCATS.COM

OR CALL ASST. COACH LAYNE SEDEVIE AT(701) 226-8999 OR AARON KINSLOW AT

(701) 866-0789 OR [email protected]

www.worldpro.ca

From the Crease

2010 AdultSpring Leagues

Divisions Offered

D Tuesdays

Open B

30 & Over C Thursdays

40 & Over

C Saturdays

D+ League Sundays

Adult Drop-In Hockey

Mondays/Fridays: 6:30 - 7:50am

Wednesdays/Fridays: 11:30am - 12:50pm

Wednesdays: 10 - 11:20pmTimes subject to change, call the arena for details.

42400 Arena Drive Novi, MI 48375248-347-1010 noviicearena.com

TM

NOW YOU CAN REGISTER FOR THE ADULT LEAGUES ONLINE


Observing the organized chaos and moving partsObserving the organized chaos and moving parts

Beyond the Stripes February 22, 2010, Volume 20 : Issue 14

NOW REGISTERING YOUTH SPRING HOCKEY LEAGUES

200 N. Groesbeck Hwy. Mount Clemens, MI 48043586-307-8202 www.mountclemensicearena.com

Like most players, offi cials at all levels can usually remember the details of an

exciting game like it happened just seconds ago.

Whether it was a “this close” on-sides play that resulted in a goal or a late penalty

call and the ensuing powerplay action,

offi cials break down the game, and assess

their performance, just like players do.

One of these offi cials, District 3’s Jim

Siedel, is shaking off a stinger on his hand in

the ref room after a Squirt game at Berkeley

Arena. I had watched Siedel with the intent

of trying to understand a day in the life of a

youth hockey offi cial.

And his answer to my question, “What

happened to your fi nger?” really made me

realize how many things, or moving parts,

occur on the ice at any given moment of a

hockey game.

In a matter-of-fact style, Siedel jumped

into a passionate bullet-pointed explanation

of how his fi nger was hit in the second period

by an errant defl ected pass that found the

sweet spot of his knuckle.

What seemed like an innocent situation

was actually much more complex in reality to

the man wearing the stripes. The referee is constantly adapting, reacting, assessing,

interpreting, evaluating, judging and mediating diff erent elements at any given

moment - while at the same time meeting the physical demands of the game.

In other words there is a lot of information

a referee has to process in order to manage

and navigate the organized chaos that is a

youth hockey game.

The excitement in Siedel’s voice as he

detailed how he hurt his fi nger gave me a

glimpse of why referees do what they do.

“For the love of the game, to stay fi t and

to give back,” was his answer.

FOR THE MONEY?What about the perception that youth

referees do it just for the money?

“I am sure there are a few, but not as

many as one would think,” said Siedel. “If

you are in it for the money, then you are in

the wrong business.”

While offi cials are paid, Siedel points

out that the fi nancial consideration isn’t a

big reason to keep working.

Take any one hour long game,” he said.

“On average refs are at the rink at least 15 minutes prior to the game and 15 minutes

after with a half-hour of travel time each way to and from games. So now that

one hour game takes 2.5 hours at an average rate of $25. So $10 an hour minus

expenses like gas and car wear usually are not motivation enough for most senior

and experienced referees with families.”

Just like coaches and players, offi cials make sacrifi ces to stay involved and be

prepared to work games.

“A big one is time from the family on the weekend after a long week at work,”

said Siedel, now icing his hand and smiling. “And the pains, cuts and bruises that

are with you 24/7 away from the rink.”

Again like players and coaches, offi cials could have 5-6 games at 2-3 diff erent

arenas on any given weekend.

“So, actually the biggest sacrifi ce is in the time it takes to prepare,” said Siedel. “It

takes time to keep fi t, eat right and most importantly get focused between the games.”

PREPARATION IS KEYParents, coaches, players and fans in the stands usually don’t think about that

preparation time.

“Focus is the key,” said Siedel, who regularly does back-to-back games involving

diff erent age groups. “The diff erences between the levels of play from game-to-game

at various age levels are dramatic.”

And as the season progresses the pressure mounts as the stakes go up with each

passing weekend.

“And when you make a bad call or miss a call, trust me it takes a toll,” said Siedel.

“A referee can’t carry that baggage from game to game. It is very hard to manage the

chaos without keeping focus and adjusting to each game on a weekend.”

Siedel enjoys watching everything that goes on during a game – the game within

the game – and takes pride in processing everything and keeping the organized

chaos under control.

And I gained a better understanding and a deeper appreciation and respect for

the men and women who wear the stripes.

Dean Krispin is a former offi cial that is back watching youth hockey. Contact him

at: [email protected]

BYDEANKRISPIN

Observing the organized chaos and moving partsObserving the organized chaos and moving parts

CenterBorn: June 27, 1990 in Wolverine Lake

Height/Weight: 6-2/200 Shoots: L

Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM

2006-07 Plymouth Whalers OHL 68 9 14 23 50




OHL Totals 238 76 106 182 268

Grew up playing in the Compuware youth hockey organization before

spending the 2005-06 season with the Honeybaked Midget team where

he scored 26 goals and 55 points and had 97 penalty minutes in 66

games… Was selected by the Whalers in the 7th round (132nd overall) in

the 2006 OHL Draft… Holds Plymouth franchise record for consecutive

games (regular season and playoff s) played (165) from Sept. 22, 2006

– March 6, 2008. Streak was snapped when he missed a September

19, 2008 game while attending the Florida Panthers training camp…

Played in the 2008 Home Hardware CHL-NHL Top Prospects Game at

the Rexall Place in Edmonton on January 22-23, 2008. Finished second

in the hardest shot skills competition (94 MPH)… Drafted in the fourth

round (100th overall) by Florida in the 2008 NHL Draft… Represented the

Western Conference at the 2010 OHL All-Star Classic in Kingston… Won a

gold medal with Team USA at the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship in

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and had 3-2-5 line in seven games.

PHOTOS BY DAVE REGINEK/MICHIGAN HOCKEY


MH Beat February 22, 2010, Volume 20 : Issue 14

Birmingham Hockey2010 Spring Travel Tryouts

For General BHA Travel Hockey Information contactTim Opie, BHA Travel Director 248-822-0020

2001 Birmingham Rangers Paul Siver (248) 302-3304,

[email protected] 15-Mar 6:30 – 8:00 pm @ Cranbrook 20-Mar 4:14 – 5:45 pm @ Troy Rink 2 22-Mar 6:30 – 8:00 pm @ Cranbrook

2000 Birmingham RangersTodd Antenucci, (248) 321-7222,

[email protected] 14-Mar 4:30 - 6:00 pm @ Hazel Park

17-Mar 7:30 - 9:00 pm @ Hazel Park 21-Mar 4:30 - 6:00 pm @ Hazel Park

2000 Birmingham LibertyBob Stone (248)229-7830, [email protected] or

Jason Woolley (248)977-9969, [email protected]

14-Mar 12:30 - 1:30 PM @ Cranbrook 21-Mar 1:00 - 2:30 PM @ Cranbrook 28-Mar 1:00 - 2:30 PM @ Cranbrook

1999 Birmingham Rangers Kevin Shea, (248) 867-6211,

[email protected] March 22nd 7-8:30 @ BirminghamMarch 27th 6-7:30 @BirminghamMarch 29th 7-8:30 @Birmingham

1999 Birmingham LibertyPaul Dunbar, (248)388-9450,

[email protected] Head Coaches Anatoliy Builga and

Petr Tichy March 24th 5:30-7:00pm @ TroyMarch 26th 5:45-7:15pm @ Troy

1998 Birmingham RangersJohn Duncan, (248) 514-5229,

[email protected] March 14th 12:00 – 1:30 pm @

BirminghamMarch 16th 6:00 – 7:30 pm @

Cranbrook March 20th 10:30 – 12:00 pm @

Cranbrook

1998 Birmingham LibertyPaul Apap, (248) 464-4207,

[email protected]

1997 Birmingham RangersJerry Reinhart 248-705-5050,

[email protected] March 14th 4:00-5:30 p.m. @

Cranbrook March 19th 7:30-9:00 p.m. @

BirminghamMarch 21st 4:00-5:30 p.m. @

Cranbrook

1996 Birmingham RangersBruce Hulsher (248) 318-4842,

[email protected] Dave Gentile, (248)840-0812,

[email protected]

1995 & 1994 Midget A_Birmingham

Rangers_Spring/Fall(Ranked)Steve Bester, (248) 842-9580,

[email protected] March 9th 7:30-8:50pm @ Cranbrook

March 18th 8:00-9:20pm @ Cranbrook

March 27th 9:00-10:20am @ Cranbrook

2010 Rangers Girls Tryouts

19U Girls Rangers Angela Dickinson 248-709-2033,

[email protected]

10U & 12U Girls Pink WingsSteve Faliski 248-225-7347, [email protected] March 9 6:20 - 7:10 pm @

BirminghamMarch14 11 AM – 12:00pm @

Birmingham

2002 Birmingham RangersTaking franchise applications

The recent Hockey Day in Michigan on January 30 celebrated

the passion of the game and honored the contributions of the

thousands of volunteers, coaches, offi cials, managers and

players who give countless hours to the game.

And the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA), along

with the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association (MAHA), FOX

Sports Detroit and the Detroit Red Wings, also recognized three

special Heroes of Hockey Day who have worked tirelessly to

help make the game enjoyable for others.

Selected from numerous e-mailed nominations, the three

2010 Heroes of Hockey Day received a prize package that

included tickets to the Michigan-Michigan State game at Joe

Louis Arena on Hockey Day and also tickets to the see the Red

Wings play in March.

CHRIS ROOSEAn Ishpeming resident and coach and board member in the Iron Range Hockey

Association, Roose helped procure a grant for the One Goal program, developed

advertising for the area’s instructional mite program, and enlisting members of the

Jr. A Marquette Rangers to help the young players.

“In his eff orts to grow the game in our local association he has went above and

beyond,” wrote IRHA president Scott Carter. “My hat is off to Chris Roose.”

Roose grew up playing “boot hockey” in the street with snow chunks for the goals

and “time outs” when cars passed by.

“I still remember the memorable shots, checks into the snow bank and the bruised

shins,” he said.

“I was really surprised when I was awarded this distinction. The credit really goes

to the Iron Range Hockey Board and coaches. Without their support none of the

programs and events would have come to fruition. I enjoy volunteering for an

organization that shares the same love for the game.”

MICHAEL BERGLUND After starting coaching as a teenager, Iron Mountain’s Berglund is still volunteering his

time and teaching young players the game 20 years later. The ACE Program director

for the Dickinson Amateur Hockey Association, Berglund coaches a Pee Wee B team

and runs a free weekly goaltending clinic.

“Mike is a not only a great husband and father, he is an invaluable resource for our

local association and promotes a life-long love of the game,” wrote his wife Julia.

“Mike’s love of the game is contagious and he’s an asset to our family, community

and association.”

Berglund started playing in the association in 1976, still plays in a men’s league

twice a week, and hopes to instill in his young players a love for the game that keeps

them playing into adulthood.

“I am very honored to receive this recognition,” he said. “I have gotten so much from

hockey. And I feel like I’m giving back the same way the people did when I was

growing up. Between playing, practices, and games I fi nd myself on the ice or on a

bench six days a week. I couldn’t imagine it any other way.”

MICHAEL FAULKINERA native of Troy and resident of Yale, Faulkiner coached at various levels over the past

decade, including his most recent stint with a Bantam AA squad in Port Huron, as

well as coaching at Mt. Pleasant High School while on a temporary job assignment

as a professor of economics at Central Michigan University. Faulkiner is currently

working on his doctoral dissertation for a Ph. D. in economics from Wayne State and

has taught at both Wayne State and Oakland University.

“He has done all of this while working full time, going to school full time, guiding

his son’s football career and raising his daughter,” wrote Randy Hinkley. “His wife also

was working and going to school, but would support Mike and even manage his

teams. Mike really deserves some recognition for giving back so much and realizing

what he received as a youngster. His knowledge, care and support so everyone could

play has truly been second to none.”

Heroes of Hockey Dayare all around the state


Why would you go anywhere else for tryouts – WE HAVE IT ALL!

Get more for your money with Michigan Hockey– we reach more players and parents, period!

Call Lucia today at (248) 479-1134 to place your ad or go online to our new website: www.michiganhockeyonline.com

Michigan Hockey Tryout IssuesFebruary 22, 2010 - Ad copy due: February 10

March 8, 2010 - Ad copy due: Febuary 24March 22, 2010 - Ad copy due: March 10

April 5, 2010 - Ad copy due: March 24April 26, 2010 - Ad copy due: April 14

NEW!All ads

incolor!

Updateonline

adsdaily!

IS the complete resource for Michigan hockey players, parents & coaches!

2010SPRING TRYOUTS

2010SPRING TRYOUTS

With our print, digital versions and website we are read by more than 36,000 hockey enthusiasts!

Place your tryout ad in Michigan Hockey and reach the most players and parents - 3 to 1 over any other hockey

publication in Michigan.ALL PACKAGES INCLUDE A FREE ONLINE AD THRU DURATION OF YOUR

TRYOUTS - SINGLE ISSUE ADS ARE ONLINE UNTIL NEXT ISSUE IS POSTED.


Spring Hockey

Garden City Hockey Association along with the support of USA Hockey and MAHA make their Skills development a success for the 2009-2010 season.

The Garden City Hockey Association Skills program exceeded 40 players this season after having very low registration in the 2008-2009 season. This is due in part to the support from the grant money provided by USA & MAHA to supply equipment to young players wanting to start the great game of hockey. All new players are eligible to use equipment free of charge for the entire season when they sign up for the GC Skills program. GC even offers skates at no charge through their equipment exchange program where a player can exchange gently used outgrown equipment for used equipment that they will fit into now. This program was set up by current GC Vice President Mike Morton who also

coaches the 99 GC Gold Wings Squirt AA team. The on ice skills program is run by USA level 3 and above coaches with the help from volunteer parents. Greg Guziak, GC Midget BB coach says "It's not just about teaching the kids, it's

about teaching your future coaches and managers what is involved with running a youth hockey program."

Garden City Skills program started September 1st and continues until March 27th. They are still accepting new players at a reduced rate of $25 per player. Loaned equipment is available. If you are interested, please email [email protected] .

Garden City Hockey Association is currently accepting coaching applications for the 2010-2011 fall season. They are available at the GC arena concession stand and are due March 1st, 2010.

Garden City Hockey Association fall sign ups are as follows: March 13 and March 20th from 12-2pm at the Garden City arena.

Garden City Hockey Association will be hosting their annual year end hockey banquet on March 31st at 6pm at Roma's of Garden City. There is no fee to registered players and coaches of GCHA but you must have a ticket provided by your team. Additional tickets are available for purchase.

Any questions or concerns should be directed to [email protected]. Please visit our website for current updated information at www.leaguelineup.com/gcha.

Arenas get creative for Spring SeasonBy Larry O’Connor

On Lakeshore Sports Centre’s web site, there’s an online poll on proposed

modifi cations to its adult hockey spring league. The populist barometer may be a

product of need as much as it is democracy.

While spring leagues continue to do brisk business in strongholds like Brownstown’s

Ice Box or Livonia’s Eddie Edgar Arena, others fi nd it an increasing struggle to have

players stick it out for six more weeks.

Organizers cite the usual culprits: Warmer weather, kids playing more sports and

the state’s decimated economy.

Lakeshore management is checking its adult hockey community’s pulse to fi nd

out what they think about playing fewer games to having a three-on-three format.

While three-on-three competitions may seem gimmicky to hockey purists, the

boiled down version of the game may be a lifeline for rink operators seeking to fi ll

ice times that would otherwise go wanting. And shutting the doors in April and

May is not an option.

“Once the regular season is over, if you don’t have spring hockey your revenue just

drops tremendously,” says Wayne Alexander, Lapeer Polar Palace general manager.

“So without spring hockey, I don’t know how a rink could survive really.”

Muskegon’s Lakeshore is debuting three-on-three competition for youth players

this spring. Pee Wees and up will play on a half sheet of ice with netminders while

squirts and younger will compete on one-third of the rink with unattended mini goals.

“The parents make their eff ort to get their kids on the ice during the regular

season,” says Jason Goodell, Lakeshore general manager. “Spring is kind of a luxury

thing or it’s something preparatory for a tryout.

“Traditionally, we have always had a decent spring league with our adults. But

the last couple of years it’s been really hard to get them out due to the economy.”

Suburban Ice - Macomb is also veering into the three-on-three territory this spring

as cover for kids taking part in other sports.

Recent three-on-three tournaments have been popular and the arena decided

to take it to the next level. Traditional six-on-six leagues - including its high school

competition - will continue at the Macomb Township facility, which runs its spring

programs with the Rochester Onyx, says Julie Pardoski, general manager.

“We know (three-on-three is) good for players,” Pardoski says. “They get lots of

touches of the puck. And the kids have a blast - it’s like pond hockey. There are no coaches

involved, which the kids love. We also thought it would be a break for the coaches.”

Each team’s roster will consist of ten players, including two goalies. That number

factors in player commitments to outdoor sports with the belief that at least four

skaters would turn out for each game, Pardoski says.

“I think it’s more in response to kids playing other sports, really, and the economy,

making it more aff ordable,” Pardoski says.

The move also runs parallel with USA Hockey’s American Development Model,

which calls for cross-ice games for players age 8 and under. The scaled-down request

is in response to studies that show 60 percent of kids stop playing the game before

pee wee while another 20 per drop out after one year.

At the Polar Palace, three-on-three competition isn’t on the horizon. The facility

is one of the few that hasn’t seen a fall off in spring participation despite nearby Flint

being one of the state’s most economically depressed areas.

To ease the fi nancial pain, the facility off ers a monthly payment plan to parents.

“I think off ering payment plans are the big thing right now with the economy

the way it is,” Alexander says. “If you say, ‘Your payment is $1,100 and you have to

come up with it now,’ you might as well close your doors.”

The Polar Palace GM also attributes good coaching and consistent ice times as

two reasons for skirting the downward trend.

Spring hockey’s ongoing lure is its laid-back nature. Players often use the six

weeks to hone individual skills while having fun before breaking for the summer.

Hockey associations also step away from spring proceedings, leaving arenas to

oversee registration and scheduling. On its web site, Livonia Hockey Association

offi cials posted a reminder that it’s not affi liated with the highly popular Eddie Edgar

Challenge Spring League.

As a result, coaches have the task of picking players and registering their respective

teams. Though there is no individual registration, players can be put on a list that

coaches can use to fi ll out rosters.

The formula works as the Eddie Edgar spring circuit hasn’t seen a downtown.

“We’ve been lucky in terms of our spring leagues being very popular,” LHA’s

Lori Yarnell says.

Spring leagues also fortify Traverse City’s Centre Ice facility, which aided by a

vibrant adult hockey circuit and an adult tournament in May.

“That obviously helps us,” Centre Ice Executive Director Terry Marchand says.

Those are sentiments folks in Muskegon hope to repeat, which is why the online

poll is being monitored.

The ongoing survey found voters favoring a format with two games a week

followed by playoff with a discount on fall registration going to the league winner.

An adult three-on-three alternative is more diffi cult to gauge, though.

“Guys don’t really give you a good answer,” Goodell says. “They say they are

interested, but when it comes to paying the bill and signing up they are not always

there. We can get a lot of interest verbally but, it really doesn’t matter until the

rubber hits the road.”

Fun and skill development are a

big part of spring hockey.

PH

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O B

Y F

AS

TP

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PR

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TM

23996 Freeway Park DriveFarmington Hills, MI 48335248 888 4 s r ani e om

2003 StarsCoach: Todd Waldo

[email protected] = 5:30 - 6:30 PM3-24-10 = 6:00 - 7:00 PM

2002 StarsCoach: Vicki Crimmins

[email protected] = 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM3-20-10 = 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

2001 StarsCoach: Cal McGowan

[email protected] = 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM3-22-10 = 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

2000 StarsCoach: Larry Fuciarelli

734-981-2345 • [email protected] = 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

3-27 = 2:00 PM - 3:00 PMIf you can’t make these tryouts, please contact

the coach to make other arrangements.

99 StarsCoach: Mike McCullough

[email protected] = 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM3-20-10 = 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM3-25-10 = 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

3-27-10 = 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM (invite only)

98 StarsCoach: Steve Wood

[email protected] = TBD

3-16-10 = 7:00 PM- 8:30 PM3-18-10 = 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

97 StarsCoach: Joe Jones

[email protected]

96 StarsCoach: Scott Wolter

[email protected] = 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM3-21-10 = 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM 3-23-10 = 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Midget AACoach: Doug Wischmeyer

Manager: Karl Christen248-318-1527 • [email protected]

3-19-10 = 8:30 PM - 10:00 PM3-21-10 = 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

3-23-10 = 8:30 PM - 9:30 PM (if necessary)


TRYOUT DATESMarch 8th @ 8:30pm

Southfield Arena

March 10th @ 7:00pmSouthfield Arena

ALL POSITIONS OPENCome be a part of the

Championship Tradition!

A A A H O C K E Y98

SPRING/FALL 2010/2011 SEASON

TRYOUTS

LITTLE CAESARS 98AAA HOCKEY TEAM

2009 STATE CHAMPIONS

2009 SUPER SERIES CHAMPIONS

2010 BELL CUP WORLD CHAMPIONS

Head Coach: Frank Scarpaci586-747-8118 • [email protected]

Assistant Coaches:Andy Rymsha & Steve Rymsha

2010 TRAVEL

TRYOUTS99s & 00s

DragonsYouthHockey.com(for more details on the teams and tryouts)

PEE WEE - AALL TEAM TRAINING BY

ANATOLIY BULIGA & PETR TICHY E2 HOCKEY TRAINING

[email protected] 248.613.5074

FRIDAY MARCH 19 @ 7:15PMTHURSDAY MARCH 25 @ 8PMEACH SESSION 1 HOUR - $10 PER PLAYER

GOALIES SKATE FREE

SQUIRT - AAMIKE VALASCHO, HEAD COACH

[email protected] OR 248.910.4548

THURSDAY MARCH 11 @ 8PMFRIDAY MARCH 19 @6:15PM

EACH SESSION 1 HOUR - $10 PER PLAYERGOALIES SKATE FREE

ALL TRYOUTS AT JOHN LINDELL ARENA – ROYAL OAK

2002 Mt. Clemens Wolves Mite AA

Spring Tryouts

Monday March 15, 2010 @ 6 PM – 7 PM Saturday March 20, 2010 @ 12 PM – 1:30 PM

Monday March 22, 2010 @ 6 PM – 7 PM Saturday March 27 2010 @ 12 PM – 1:30 PM

$15.00 per skate / Goalies free

All Positions Open Any questions please feel free to contact us

by email at: [email protected] Or by phone: (586) 484-3210 ask for Steve Puma

(586) 873-1802 ask for Patrick Brunsman

All tryouts are held at the: Mount Clemens Ice Arena and Fitness Center

200 N. Groesbeck

Mount Clemens, MI 48043

AdvancedTournaments

For More Information:www.advancedtournaments.com

847-277-7343

Holland, MI

March 5-7, 2010Mite B, Pee Wee B, Bantam B

March 12-14, 2010Squirt B, Squirt AA, Midget B

All Tournaments Four Game Minimum

Period Length Entry FeeGreat ValueMites 13 minutes $695

Squirts/Pee Wees 13 minutes $750Bantams 13 minutes $795Midgets 14 minutes $895

Chicago, ILChicago ShowdownMar 5-7, 2010

Spring ClassicApr 23-25, 2010

Seven Bridges Spring ClassicMay 19-21, 2010


Looking for players to play for these tournament teams

$100 for Montreal, Toronto, New Hampshire –we are Not affiliated with one hockey

SPRING/SUMMERElite Development Program

Double roster with AAA Coaching

SELECTION IS LIMITED TO 17 PLAYERS

SQUIRT 2000MARCH 16 6:30-7:30PM &

MARCH 18 7-8PM @ GARDEN CITY

PEE WEE 98MARCH 16 7:30-8:30PM &

MARCH 18 8-9PM @ GARDEN CITY

$15 PER SKATE OR $20 FOR BOTH SESSIONS

Head Instructor: Richard Klapko16 Development skates 1-2 x a week with one to two

tournaments April to June (cost $360)USA Hockey Level 5 coaching certifi ed with over 25 yrs exp.Cutting Edge Hockey Academy’s Skating & Skills instructor

HC: 2000 AAA Team Easton Minnesota

HC: 2000 AAA CEHA – Team Michigan

HC: Midget Minor AAA Prospect CEHA Team

Contact [email protected] online at

www.cuttingedgehockeyacademy.com

LEARN TO PLAY Ages 4-9

HOUSE LEAGUES10U | 12U | 13+

GIRLS ONLY HAVE FUN - PLAY HOCKEY CLINICS

MARCH 30TH 6:00 - 7:00 PMMUST PRE-REGISTER

Fall/Winter Girls Hockey Program

All tryouts held at Suburban Ice - Farmington Hillswww.michiganicebreakers.com

GIRLS SPRINGTEAM TRYOUTS

AVE FUNFREE

Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills

For more information contactGeoff Bennetts at [email protected]

HOST OF THE 2010 GIRLS TIER IINATIONAL TOURNAMENT


TOURNAMENT CALENDARGreat Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MIFebruary 19-21, 2010Mite House, Pee Wee House, Bantam HouseContact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

Big Rapids Area Junior Hockey AssociationFebruary 19-21, 2010Big Rapids, MIMite tournamentwww.ferris.edu/icearenawww.bigrapidshockey.orgTournament Hotline: (231) 591-2881

Big Bear - The Ursa Minor Ann Arbor, MI February 19 - 21, 2010 Mini-Mite, Mite, Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, Midget - High School & H.S.J.VB – BB – A – AA www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694

Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MIFebruary 26-28, 2010Squirt House, Squirt A, Midget House Contact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

Big Rapids Area Junior Hockey AssociationFebruary 26-28, 2010Big Rapids, MIMidget tournamentwww.ferris.edu/icearenawww.bigrapidshockey.orgTournament Hotline: (231) 591-2881

Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MIMarch 5-7, 2010Mite House, Pee Wee House, Bantam House Contact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

Motown Cup Tournament Series (DETROIT, MI)March 5-7, 2010Mite thru Midget/JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House)Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, [email protected]

Hockey Cares Weekend - House B TournamentA(An American Cancer Society Benefi t Tournament)Kalamazoo, MIMarch 5-7, 2010Squirt, Pee Wee, Bantam, and MidgetsOnline Registration: http://www.tournaments.arenamaps.com/seriesEmail: [email protected]

12th Annual Puck ‘O the Irish TournamentBay County, MIMarch 5-7, 2010Mite – Midget B 989-671-1000 x105www.baycounty-mi.gov/CivicArena

11th Annual Puck ‘O the Irish II TournamentBay County, MIMarch 12-14, 2010Mite – Midget B 989-671-1000 x105www.baycounty-mi.gov/CivicArena

Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MIMarch 12-14, 2010Squirt House, Squirt AA, Midget HouseContact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

Wolverine Cup Tournament SeriesBRIGHTON/NOVI (Western Detroit Suburbs), MIMarch 12-14, 2010Mite thru Midget/JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House)Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, [email protected]

Big Bear - The Luck of the Irish Kalamazoo, MIMarch 19- 21, 2010 Mite, Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, MidgetHigh School & H.S.J.V ♦ .B - BB - A - AA www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694

Kids College ClassicFarmington Hills, MIMarch 19-21, 2010Squirt & Pee Wee A & AA248-479-1139Email: [email protected]://www.ccha.com/the_ccha/2010_kids_college_classic.aspx

St. Pats Tournament @ THE SUMMITLansing, MIMarch 19-21, 2010Mite-Midget (B, BB, A, AA)[email protected]

Top Shelf Spring Classic Adult TournamentBrighton, MIMarch 19-21, 2010Men, Women & Co-edwww.kensingtonvalleyicehouse.comahawes@kensingtonvalleyicehouse.comAmy Hawes 810-494-5555 Ext 5

Motown Cup Tournament Series (DETROIT, MI)March 26-28, 2010Mite thru Midget/JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House)Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, [email protected]

Motown Cup Tournament Series DETROIT, MIApril 9-11, 2010Mite thru Midget/JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House)Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, [email protected]

Ferris State 3 on 3Big Rapids, MIApril 9-11, 20102001 & Younger Mite B, 1995-96 Bantam B, 1995 Bantam Travel A & AA,High School JV & Varsity & Midget B, BB, A, AA & AAA231-591-2881www.ferris.edu/icearena

Big Bear - The Ring of Fire Ann Arbor, MI April 16 - 18, 2010 Mite, Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, Midget/HSB - BB - A - AA www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694

2nd Annual Oakland Edge Adult Hockey TournamentRochester, MIApril 16-18, 2010Men’s A (30+), B (30+), C (30+), D (30+)Goalies age 25 & up/Women’s Division Open 21+248-721-1204Oaklandedge.com

Ferris State 3 on 3Big Rapids, MIApril 16-18, 20101999-2000 Squirt B, A & AA, 1997-98 Pee Wee B, A & AAGirls 14&U, Girls High School & Midget AA-AAA, Women’s 18&U231-591-2881www.ferris.edu/icearena

Big Bear - The Thunderbird Detroit, MIApril 23 - 25, 2010 Mite, Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, Midget,High School & H.S.J.V.B - BB - A - AA www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694

Ferris State 3 on 3Big Rapids, MIApril 23-25, 2010Adult 18-30 Open, Adult 30&U Open, Adult 18-30 B& Adult 30&U B231-591-2881www.ferris.edu/icearena

Rock ‘N Roll Cup Tournament SeriesCLEVELAND, OH February 26-28, 2010Mite thru Midget/JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House)Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, [email protected] CHICAGO CUP Tournament Series: Chicago ShowdownChicago, IL March 5-7, 2010Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

Tournament of Champions InvitationalChicago, IL March 5-7, 2010Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com Gene Harrington Invitational – The Falls ClassicNiagara Falls, NY March 5-7, 2010716-674-0026House - [email protected] Steel City Tournament Series: Pittsburgh Spring ClassicPittsburgh, PA March 12-14, 2010Mite through Midget: B, A, AAContact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com Empire State Tournament Series: Rochester RumbleRochester, NY March 12-14, 2010Mite through Midget: B, A, AAContact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com Congressional Cup Tournament Series: Congressional Spring ClassicWashington, DC March 12-14, 2010Mite through Midget: B, A, AAContact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com Golden State Tournament Series: Riverside RumbleRiverside, CA March 12-14, 2010Mite through Midget: B, A, AAContact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com Rock ‘N Roll Cup Tournament SeriesCLEVELAND, OH March 12-15, 2010Mite thru Midget/JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House)Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, [email protected] Queen City Cup Tournament Series CINCINNATI, OH March 12-14, 2010Mite thru Midget/JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House)Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, [email protected] Three Rivers Cup Tournament SeriesPittsburgh, PA March 12-14, 2010Mite thru Midget/, JV & High School AA,A,B,House Select,HouseTony Prpic (216)325-0567, [email protected]

GIRLS Three Rivers Cup Tournament Series Pittsburgh, PA March 12-14, 2010U-10, U12, U14, U16, U19A, AA, AAA, B, House and House SelectTony Prpic (216)325-0567 [email protected] Pepsi Hockey InvitationalMarch 12-April 11, 2010House, House Select & A & B Travel TeamsMini-mite - Bantam716-685-3660www.holidayrinks.com

St. Patricks Tournament Vineland, New JerseyMarch 12-14, 2010BOYS - 2002/2001, 2000, 1999/1998, 1997/1996, 1995/1994/1993,1992/1991 Tier II - B, A, AA 1-888-422-6526 [email protected] http://www.canlanclassictournaments.com/

Niagara Falls Championship CupNiagara Falls, NYMarch 19-21, 2010Mite – Midget A, AA & AAAEmail: [email protected]

Weekend Hockey Tournaments Feb 19 - 21, 2010Brampton, ON 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+A, B, C, D, E Levels Mens/ [email protected] www.weekendhockey.com

Weekend Hockey Tournaments March 12 - 14, 2010Niagara Falls, ON 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+A, B, C, D, E Levels Mens/ [email protected] www.weekendhockey.com

Playoff Primer Etobicoke, Ontario March 19-21, 2010 ADULT HOCKEY TOURNAMENT Men’s, Women’s, COED 18+, 30+, 40+:A/B,C,D,E 1-888-422-6526 [email protected] http://www.canlanclassictournaments.com/

OldTimers / COED Classic Oshawa, Ontario March 26-28, 2010 ADULT Men’s, Women’s, COED 30+, 40+:A/B,C,D,E 1-888-422-6526 [email protected] http://www.canlanclassictournaments.com/

Kitchener Spring Classic Kitchener/Cambridge, OntarioApril 16-18, 2010 Men’s, Women’s, COED 18+, 30+, 40+:A/B,C,D,E 1-888-422-6526 [email protected] http://www.canlanclassictournaments.com/

Future Stars Tournament Toronto, Ontario April 16-18, 2010 BOYS - 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001 BOYS & GIRLS - House League, Select, Super 6 & 7 1-888-422-6526 [email protected] http://www.canlanclassictournaments.com/

Weekend Hockey Tournaments April 23-25, 2010 Montreal, PQ 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+A, B, C, D, E Levels Mens/ [email protected] www.weekendhockey.com

North American Holiday HockeyMontreal, Quebec April 23-25, 2010All [email protected]

Weekend Hockey Tournaments April 30–May 2, 2010 Niagara Falls, ON 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+A, B, C, D, E Levels Mens/ [email protected] www.weekendhockey.com

Spring Showdown Toronto, Ontario April 30 -May 2 BOYS - 2009, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993,1992,1991 Recreational B,(Select-A), AA, AAA, Competitive A 1-888-422-6526 [email protected] http://www.canlanclassictournaments.com/

Spring Slam Oshawa, Ontario April 30 -May 2, 2010 Men’s, Women’s, COED 18+, 30+, 40+:A/B,C,D,E 1-888-422-6526 [email protected] http://www.canlanclassictournaments.com/

Bluewater Sharks 22nd Annual TournamentSarnia, Ontario, CanadaApril 30-May 2, 2010Major Bantam 1995 Boys/Minor Bantam 1996 BoysWomen (19 & Over recreational)www.sarnia.com/groups/bluewatersharks

North Shore Spring Sizzler Vancouver, BC April 30 -May 2, 2010 BOYS - 2009, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993,1992,1991 Recreational B,(Select-A), AA, AAA, Elite AAA 1-888-422-6526 [email protected] http://www.canlanclassictournaments.com/

COMPLETE TOURNAMENT LISTING ON WEBSITE

www.michiganhockeyonline.com

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FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY

Team entry form MUST be received 3 weeks before tournament date.

About 3-on-3 Hockey: 3-on-3 Hockey is a unique brand of ice hockey developed to enhance your individual hockey skills in a fun-filled environment. Games are four, four-minute periods. Three separate 3-on-3 rinks will be set up in the facility. Three rinks measuring approximately 100 feet long by 85 feet wide with 12 foot-high boards add a new and quicker way to play the game.

$288 per team

• Saturday Skills Competition – Everyone is invited to participate!• The number of teams registered will determine how many divisions and

teams per division. A round robin within each division will be conducted with two to four teams advancing to a single elimination play-off round.

• Teams are encouraged to bring goalies, but they will have their own game schedule. Goalies will play two periods for each team per game.

T O U R N A M E N T H O T L I N EMonday-Friday • 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

(231) 591-2881

"The Original"

Goalies needed in all divisions

See website www.ferris.edu/icearena for application

APRIL 9-11, 20102001 & Younger Mite House B, 1995-96 Bantam House B, 1995

Bantam Travel AA, 1996 Bantam Travel A, High School Varsity and Midget AA-AAA, and

High School J.V. and Midget B-BB-A

APRIL 16-18, 20101999-2000 Squirt House B, 1999 Squirt Travel AA,

2000 Squirt Travel A,1997-98 Pee Wee House B, 1997 Pee Wee Travel AA,

1998 Pee Wee Travel A,Girl’s 14 & Under, Girl’s High School and Midget AA-AAA, Women’s

18 & Up

APRIL 23-25, 2010Adult 18-30 Open, Adult 30 & Up Open,

Adult 18-30 B and Adult 30 & Up BReduced goalie rate of $40, and 4 players per team

Check out the new redesigned michiganhockeyonline.com!The newly redesigned Michiganhockeyonline.com is a one stop website for players, parents and coaches is your source for everything hockey in the

state of Michigan and beyond. Players can find training, fitness and nutrition tips, league standings and rankings, while parents can get information

on hockey schools and youth associations, a comprehensive tournament directory and educational stories on fundraising opportunities and hockey’s

different levels in our Navigating the Frozen Waters series. Coaches can find drills, skill development ideas and instruction-themed content. And the

Events Calendar will help keep everyone up to date on what is coming up in the state hockeywise. Our online tryout directory helps bring together

coaches looking for players and parents and players looking for teams for both spring and fall seasons. Players and coaches are recognized for their

efforts on and off the ice with our Hustler of the Game, Winners Circle, Stars of Tomorrow, Behind the Bench, and Future Pro Goal Awards.

Michigan Hockey

Highlights

Top stories from the current

issue of Michigan Hockey,

including the Letter from

the Editor, features and the

other must read articles.

Digital version of

Michigan Hockey

Michigan Hockey’s current

issue, in addition to an

archive of our past issues, can

be viewed full-screen online.

Scoreboard

From the Little Caesars

Amateur Hockey League to

the Detroit Red Wings and

everything in between,

Michiganhockeyonline.com

has the latest standings and

rankings.

Headlines

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from around the country,

including youth, junior,

college and pro.

Calendar

A list of the upcoming big

hockey events happening

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teur tournaments to OHL,

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and coaches to enjoy.


Womens’ Hockey

BY MIKE LARSONAt most rinks around the state it’s not unusual to see hockey moms in the stands

cheering on their players.

But on Friday nights at Ann Arbor’s Veterans Arena, hockey moms and other

female athletes can be found at a diff erent spot in the rink - on the ice, competing

against one another.

Women players from all over the metro-Detroit area are part of a beginner league,

MACRHL (pronounced “Mackerel”). The name stands for “Michelle’s and Camille’s

Recreational Hockey League”, a nod to the league’s founding members. MACRHL is

diff erent than most other women’s leagues in that it attracts female players with

little or no playing experience in competitive hockey.

The league started 15 years ago when organizers wanted to create a fun, supportive

place for women of any age to start playing the game.

“We have people who start when they are 20-years old, as well as people who

start when they are like 50,” said MACRHL’s Mich Rasulis.

ALL KINDSThe league’s players all come from diff erent hockey backgrounds. Some have

never played before and got involved after watching their friends play. Others played

growing up with siblings, but haven’t played in years. And some of the women

decided to try the sport after cheering on their sons or daughters at the youth level.

Gail Monds, 49, played a couple seasons of intramural hockey at Michigan Tech

in the early 1980s, but that was a lifetime ago. She signed up for MACRHL for the

fi rst time last fall having hardly skated in 25 years.

“I was kind of intimidated our fi rst game,” she said. “I couldn’t skate; I remember

being off sides and people yelling from the bench, but I love it.”

“It’s so much slower than my son’s hockey games, but when you’re out there

things happen pretty fast,” Monds said.

For Rasulis, getting involved in MACRHL was more about coincidence.

“It was kind a fl uky thing,” she said. “I was skating with friends from work, and

one day one of them said, ‘Hey, why we don’t play hockey?’”

And Rasulis, in her late 30s at the time, couldn’t think of a good reason not to.

Now she says she has developed a deep love for the game and looks forward to her

Friday night skates at Veterans.

A true beginner when she started in MACRHL, Amy Whitesall learned the game,

and its rules, on the fl y.

“I got my fi rst penalty in my fi rst season when the brittle old wooden stick I’d

fi shed out to of the basement snapped in half when I took a pass,” she remembers.

“My teammates were all yelling for me to drop the stick, and they only got louder as

I skated over to the broken end and picked that up too... at which point the poor ref

had no choice but to blow the whistle. I was just thinking, ‘I can’t leave that there.

Someone might trip on it.’”

Although technically not a beginner, Courtney Fathers joined MACRHL and loves

playing in the all-female environment.

“When I started playing hockey, I started playing with the guys so it was kind of a

diff erent level,” said Fathers. “But playing in this league is a good way to get started.

The people really help each other.”

FUN AND SUPPORT

That camaraderie helps fuel an atmosphere of fun and improvement that is one

of the hallmarks of MACRHL.

“In most competitive leagues, it’s all about the scoring and trying to win,” Rasulis

said. “Here things are a little diff erent. We still like to score and try to mix it up, but we

also realize that there are players from all over the spectrum of abilities. So, players

who are a little better get a chance to kind of mentor players that don’t have the

best skills yet. It’s a really neat set up.”

Just like at the youth level, teams in the MACRHL are assembled with players of

varying experiences and abilities.

“It’s set up so that teams have a couple of players that are more skilled, but they

also might have a couple of players who have never played before,” said Fathers. “So

there isn’t really an advantage for any team.”

The combination works because all the players are trying to improve and have

fun at the same time.

“Some of the more skilled players get a chance to open things up, while the newer

players are getting a chance to skate and learn the game,” said Fathers. “We’re always

giving each other tips on the bench.”

And what the play in the MACRHL might lack in speed, the league more than

makes up for it in fun.

“For a lot of us our only chance to play hockey was to play in men’s leagues and

that can be pretty intense, because it gets so competitive,” said Fathers. “This league

is a good mix – it’s competitive enough and it’s a lot of fun.

Fathers said that her MACRHL experience has been overwhelmingly positive - and

she especially enjoys how the league fosters an environment where all players have

a chance to shine.

“If you play against guys they usually try to will knock you off the puck to really

show you how much better they are,” said Fathers. “Here, if a new player gets the

puck we try to let them skate a little, and try to give them a chance to learn how to

play, not just have the better players show how good they are.”

That sentiment is echoed by Whitesall, who started playing in the league at 35.

“The thing that makes it special is its supportive atmosphere,” she said. “No one

has anything to prove.

“As an adult I appreciate having the opportunity to play the game more than I would

have when I was younger. For an hour every week I’m not anyone’s wife or mother.

I’m just a forward or a center or a defenseman, just playing a game and having fun.”

In that kind of atmosphere inexperienced players can quickly gain confi dence

and improve their skills – and that makes the game even more enjoyable, no matter

what age or gender you are.

“It’s kind of cool because we get to see players when they fi rst start and then we

get to see them improve,” Rasulis said. “From there, they might go join a diff erent,

more experienced league.”

A MAN IN GOAL

Since not everyone can attend every game, teams try to make sure they have at

least ten skaters on the bench, running two full lines of forwards and defense. If a

team is short, the manager can borrow volunteer players from another team to help

out, a process that often happens ten minutes before game time.

Generally, if a beginner is missing they are replaced with a beginner, and a more

skilled skater is replaced appropriately. This allows occasional bonus ice time for new

players, and gives others a chance to try a position they might not normally play.

Subs are logged each week on the score sheets to make sure volunteer ice time is

shared throughout the league’s players, as well as check that more skilled players

aren’t repeatedly brought in as short term ringers.

And because of a shortage of female goaltenders, league teams don’t have a

specifi c netminder every game. Rather, teams use a pool of pickup goalies that

show up at the rink ready to play.

Games are played with two halves, rather than three periods, and the goalies

switch teams at the half. And sometimes the all women’s league lets a man or two

play between the pipes.

“It’s really a neat league,” said one such goalie, Rob MacDougall. “It’s a lot of fun

playing with the girls.”

Monds’ 11-year-old son, Eliot Solbrig, plays goalie for a Pee Wee house team in

Chelsea. He’s also part of the MACRHL goalie pool, which means he sometimes minds

the net for Monds’ team and sometimes plays against her.

Asked if he’d let his mom score if she got the puck in front of the net, Solbrig

just smiles.

MACRHL competes on Friday nights from October-May in Ann Arbor and just started

its winter session. For more information or to sign up to join a team, visit the league’s

website at macrhl.com.

MACRHL means fun and games MACRHL means fun and games

PHOTOS BY COURTNEY FATHERS

Women of all ages and skill levels have fun playing in the

MACRHL on Friday nights at Ann Arbor’s Veteran’s Arena.


Womens’ HockeyFebruary 22, 2010, Volume 20 : Issue 14

ANNOUNCING THE NEW HONEYBAKED TIER II PROGRAMANNOUNCING THE NEW HONEYBAKED TIER II PROGRAMANNOUNCING THE NEW HONEYBAKED TIER II PROGRAMThe American Development Model from USA Hockey will begin to be implemented in the 2011-12

season. The Honeybaked Hockey Club embraces the Long Term Athlete Development principles which

are integral to the ADM program and the accompanying High Performance Clubs. We are beginning

to build our structure for the future, and as a result we will be launching Tier II teams out of

the Hazel Park Ice Arena for the 2010-11 season at all ages.

These teams will be part of Honeybaked Hockey Club, and will be integrated into our club structure.

We are now accepting applications for coaches at all ages. Candidates should download the coaching application at www.honeybakedhockey.com

and either submit by mail or send to Joe Jones at [email protected] .

Questions can be directed to Joe at 248-479-1139, or go to the website for more information.

The deadline for applications is March 1st.

Women’s Dirty 30-Plus Tourney a big hitWomen’s Dirty 30-Plus Tourney a big hitWomen’s Dirty 30-Plus Tourney a big hitWomen’s Dirty 30-Plus Tourney a big hitBY TIM ROBINSON

The teams that competed in the inaugural Dirty 30-Plus women’s hockey

tournament at Brighton’s Kensington Valley Ice House in mid-January were there

for the hockey — and the post-game socializing afterward.

But the hockey was the primary focus, and for organizer Michele Monson of

Milford, the tournament is a rarity in Michigan.

“They don’t have women’s hockey tournaments for 30-and-over (brackets),” she

said. “They don’t even have divisions. You

play against 19- or 20-year-olds. The (30

and over) guys were having so much

fun, and I thought we would have one

for the women.”

Monson came up with the idea half

way through this season and worked hard

to make it a reality.

“There is just nothing like this for

women,” said Monson. “Women are so

serious.”

“Everyone played hard, partied hard

and had such a good time.”

The tournament included eight teams,

four each an upper and lower division and

included two squads from Ohio.

“We had an absolute riot,” said

Carol Schwanger, who helped Monson

organize the tournament. “Our whole

idea and intent was to make a very fun

and competitive weekend for the ladies. And it was – we had just as much fun on

the ice as we did off .”

Monson was busy herself, playing defense for her team, the Polar Bears,

coordinating appearances by former Red Wings player and coach Ted Lindsay, and

distributing trophies after the championship games.

Lindsay, whose business adviser, Gil Ruicci, is Monson’s husband, proclaimed her

“a hockey nut,” and dropped the ceremonial puck before both games in Sunday’s

championship round.

Ruicci and Monson helped put together one of the fi rst over-30 teams in Michigan

and also sponsor the Ruicci Cup tournament in Livonia that has grown to 36 teams.

“Gil has been very good for this,” Lindsay said. “And there are a lot of good

women’s hockey players.”

On Sunday, the teams played three 10-minute periods with a clock that stopped

on whistles, but with no resurfacing between periods.

Lynn Edgar and Barbara O’Leary of White Lake played for the Ice Hawks, and were

invited to play for the weekend.

“Lynn told me she wanted to exercise, and I told her to play hockey. It’s the best

workout,” O’Leary said.

“I love it,” Edgar said, laughing. “I’m fanatical.”

Monson began organizing it well after the season started, but still was able

to obtain ice time at the Ice House, thanks in part to some gentlemanly behavior.

“(The Ice House) was wonderful to us,” Monson said. “I don’t think we would have

gotten ice anywhere else during (MAHA)

districts. The men’s leagues here were very

nice, too. They moved some games and

gave up their ice. I mean how nice is that?”

Monson’s team, the Polar Bears,

lost to the Mag-a-ritas, 1-0, in their

championship game, possibly due to an

off -ice tactic by the Mag-a-ritas.

“This was our fi rst tournament,” said

Mag-a-rita Elissa Brode, who lives in Ann

Arbor. “We knew we were going to be

in this championship, so we fi gured we

would spend the night, wake up, have

fun and play.”

And there were plenty of opportunities

to socialize, too.

“This weekend turned out to be a

whole lot of fun, and that was our focus,”

said Schwanger. “We had free pitchers

and beer after games and beer brought

to the locker room. We had coff ee, juice, bagels and pastries in the morning, so it’s

been a really social event.”

Asked if pastries and coff ee in the morning was what made a women’s tournament

diff erent from a men’s tournament, Schwanger laughingly agreed.

“That could be,” she said. “I’ve worked adult tournaments, and men do get beer

for every game.”

The tournament, which ran from Friday to Sunday, featured much post-game

celebrating after the days’ games were done, including a big Saturday night at the

arena’s upstairs Top Shelf pub.

Plans are already under way for the second edition of the tournament, which is

planned for November with 12 teams, to accommodate some of those who were

turned away.

Monson said she was moved to tears by the praise and positive feedback from

the participants.

“I love hockey more than anything,” she said, “I can’t tell you how many people

thanked me for it. I got cards that were so sincere. They said ‘we enjoyed it and had

so much fun.’ It makes all the work worthwhile.”

And, it was suggested, the calories burned by playing might have off set the

pizza and beer consumed.

But Monson, with a comic’s timing, shot that idea down right away.

“Oh, no,” she said. “They’ll have to skate a lot longer if they want to skate that off .”

With a fi le from Philip Colvin

Eight women’s teams had a great time at the inaugural Dirty

30-Plus tournament at Brighton’s Kensington Valley Ice House.

Photos by Jeff Vachow/TSS Photography


Girls High School February 22, 2010, Volume 20 : Issue 14

Ice RinksIce Skating RinksSports Complexes

HockeyFigure SkatingAdult LeaguesYouth LeaguesSpecial EventsCivic CentersExhibitions

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BY BOB ST. JOHNWith the regular season winding down, Grosse Pointe South joined Port Huron

as the division winners in the Michigan Metro Girls High School Hockey League.

The Blue Devils won the Division 1 crown by beating Cranbrook Kingswood, 4-2,

and Ann Arbor, 4-1, on back-to-back nights on Feb. 10-11.

Against the Pioneers, Ana Harris scored two unassisted goals, while Shannon

Gianino added an insurance goal.

In the third period, the Blue Devils endured three minutes of 5-on-3 power play

opportunities for the Pioneers. In the fi nal period, Julia Solecki scored for GPS and

Rachel Freeman tallied for the Pioneers, who dropped a 2-1 overtime game to Grosse

Pointe North on Feb. 13, to fall to third place.

“We played very well in both games and now we’re division champs,” South head

coach Bill Fox said. “We played a tough three-game stretch and played pretty well.”

“We know every team will be ready to play against us, so our girls have to be at

the top of their game, especially with the playoff s coming up.”

Twenty-four hours later, the Blue Devils used an aggressive off ense to outshoot

the Cranes 51-13. Harris scored to make it 1-0 Blue Devils and the Cranes’ Amanda

Schimpke evened it up midway through the opening stanza.

In the fi nal period, Claire Boyle gave the Blue Devils a 2-1 lead at the 12:59 mark,

but once again the visitors tied it when Caley Chelios tallied two minutes later.

The game-winner came from Harris and Jessica Snella provided an insurance

goal against one of the best goalies in the league, Colleen Jacoby.

South improved to 17-0 and increased its league over the Cranes to two games

after sweeping them.

Ann Arbor, as of Feb. 14, holds a slim one point lead over Grosse Pointe North,

who also secured one of the top four seeds for the state playoff s.

“We have played some close games and lost some tough ones, but we fi nally

earned a solid win against Ann Arbor,” North head coach Scott Dockett said.

Kailey Sickmiller scored the Norsemen’s fi rst goal and Sara Villani had the game-

winner midway through the overtime. Malaika Whitney scored the Pioneers’ lone goal.

University Liggett is in fi fth place in Division 1, and picked up a 6-4 win over

Farmington Hills Mercy on Feb. 10.

Paige Counsman had four goals and Liz Smith added two for the Knights. Jackie

Buckley scored twice for the Marlins.

Northville and Livonia Ladywood are playing better down the stretch. However,

the Knights, Mustangs and Blazers are going to have to play GP South, Cranbrook,

Ann Arbor or North in the state quarterfi nals on March 9 at City Arena in Detroit.

In Division 2, head coach Ron Cook and his Port Huron squad are preparing for

their playoff , set for the fi rst week of March at St. Clair Shores’ Civic Arena.

Chelsea Minnie is the league’s top scorer with 28 goals and 45 points. Teammates

Morgan Thompson and Hayley Cox are also in the top 13 in scoring with 24 points apiece.

Head coach Mary Beth Johnson has Plymouth-Canton-Salem playing much better

of late also, thanks to solid leadership and the girls getting used to a new style of play.

Riccardo DiPasquo and his Detroit Country Day squad have been on a rollercoaster

ride during the second half of the season.

The Yellowjackets’ recent game was a 3-2 setback to Walled Lake. Despite the loss,

Maddie VanAntwerp remains one of the leagues top scorers with 19 goals and 29 points.

Emma Crone, with nine goals and 21 points, and her Walled Lake teammates

have been eff ective as they have grown more comfortable with new head coach

Kathy Markovich’s system.

In the win over Country Day, the Wild’s Grace Jardine had a goal, while Katie

Acheson and Brittney Pasekel drew assists.

Coach Pat Gregory’s Marlins have been stuck in neutral for most of the season,

but he does see a light at the end of the tunnel.

“The girls are getting better, but they have to play three full periods every game,”

he said. “I think after our recent ups and downs the girls see what they have to do

to be a better hockey team.”

Warren Regina remains in sixth place in Division 2, but that hasn’t prevented Kristwn

Taylor from putting solid numbers on the board. She has 21 goals and 35 points.

Bloomfi eld remains winless and has upcoming games against Northville and

Port Huron to try to get that elusive victory.

MMGHSHL Standings as of February 15

Division 1 GP W L T PTS GF GA

GP South 17 17 0 0 34 102 17

Ann Arbor 16 11 4 1 23 59 39

Cranbrook 13 11 2 0 22 68 25

GP North 16 11 5 0 22 69 34

Univ. Liggett 15 8 7 0 16 56 41

Northville 15 5 9 1 11 47 75

Ladywood 18 5 12 1 11 37 68

Division 2 GP W L T PTS GF GA Port Huron 17 16 1 0 32 92 13

PCS 17 8 9 0 16 58 67

Country Day 16 6 10 0 12 53 63

Walled Lake 16 4 12 0 8 54 87

Mercy 12 3 9 0 6 39 57

Regina 15 2 12 1 5 48 85

Bloomfi eld Hills 15 0 15 0 0 8 119

Top Scorers School GP G A PtsChelsea Minnie PH 17 28 17 45

Caley Chelios CK 13 16 28 44

Sydney Sakwa CK 13 26 10 36

Claire Boyle GPS 17 14 22 36

Kristen Taylor Reg 15 21 14 35

Ana Harris GPS 17 17 16 33

Shannon Gianno GPS 17 14 16 30

Paige Counsman ULS 15 20 9 29

Maddie Van Antwerp DCD 16 19 10 29

Amanda Schimpke CK 13 12 15 27

Rae Sklarski GPS 17 9 18 27

Top Goalies School GP GA GAA W-LTaylor Cook PH 740 13 0.79 16-1

Maggie Miller GPS 419 10 1.07 11-0

Colleen Jacoby CK 570 25 1.97 11-2

Emma Huellmantel GPN 705 34 2.17 11-5

Emma Huellmantel has backstopped GP North to 11 wins this year.

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G.P. South and Port Huron clinch titlesG.P. South and Port Huron clinch titles

Programs for players of all ages & abilitiesKID TESTED PARENT APPROVED SINCE 1974



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(866) [email protected]/sports/camps

Find us on

Boys High School

Rankings(as of Feb. 7)

USHSHO.COM1. Detroit CC

2. Trenton

3. OL St Marys

4. Novi

5. Liv. Stevenson

6. Brother Rice

7. Cranbrook

8. De La Salle

9. U of D

10. Howell

11. Marquette

12. Flint Powers

13. S.S. Marie

14. Plymouth

15. Midland

16. Cadillac

17. Brighton

18. Farmington

19. GP North

20. Farmington Hills

21. Grosse Ile

22. TC West

23. Liv.Churchill

24. Utica Eisenhower

25. GR Catholic Central

26. Monroe SMCC

27. Rochester United

28. Salem

29. GP Liggett

30. St. Clair Shores

31. Davison

32. Walled Lake North

33. Escanaba

34. Hartland

35. Calumet

36. Canton

37. Divine Child

38. Saginaw Heritage

39. Wyan. Roosevelt

40. Troy-Athens

41. Houghton

42. TC Central

43. Southgate Anderson

44. Waterford Kett

45. Mona Shores

46. East GR

47. Lake Orion

49. Pinckney

50. Woodhaven

MHSAA STATE TOURNAMENT

Regionals - March 1-6

Quarterfi nals - March 9-10

COMPUWARE ARENA

Semifi nals - March 11-12

Finals - March 13

Division 2 – 11 a.m.

Division 3 - 3 p.m.

Division 1 – 7 p.m.

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MAC and OAA go head-to-head MAC and OAA go head-to-head MAC and OAA go head-to-head MAC and OAA go head-to-head BY SETH FISHER

In a showdown between two Metro Detroit counties, teams

from the Oakland Activities Association went head-to-head

against teams from the Macomb Area Conference at the Onyx

– Rochester Ice Arena on Feb. 6.

The fi rst ever MAC-OAA Showcase pitted each team against

their like-ranked competition in the opposite conference (the

last two MAC seeds played each other to make up for the

two-team discrepancy in the leagues’ memberships). The

event, which used all three sheets of ice at the Onyx, went all

day and culminated with a hard-fought 1-1 tie between No. 1

seeds Farmington and St. Clair Shores United that typifi ed the

high level of competition throughout the day.

While OAA teams fi nished with a 7-4-3 record, the MAC

gave their rivals all they could handle.

The winners were the players, fans and junior scouts who

packed the arenas to take advantage of the opportunity to see

two conference’s worth of players under one roof.

“They did this right, staggering the games so it’s easy to

see everybody,” one scout said.

The opportunity to get MAC and OAA player’s exposure put

a smile on the face of Macomb Dakota head coach Dave Koons,

who originally came up with the idea of an inter-conference

showdown.

“Our ultimate goal is to get scouts out here – junior teams,

colleges – to watch these kids,” he said. “If one kid gets his

books covered because of this, it’s worth it.”

The showdown’s matchups were created using the USHSHO.

com rankings, which proved to be a point of contention. For

example, the rankings ended pitted an undersized Port Huron

squad from the MAC’s Blue Division against the hometown and

highly regarded Rochester United team (Rochester won 8-0).

Koons’ Cougers, on the other hand, came into the matchup

atop the MAC Red Division, but drew a No. 4 seed, and defeated

Clarkston 5-2.

Still, the coaches involved were overwhelmingly positive

about the event and the opportunities it provided for their

players.

“This many teams and all that talent in one place made this

just a great event for our kids to take part of,” said Bob Hall,

whose No. 2 seeded Utica Eisenhower Eagles lost 4-3 in an

exciting, back-and-forth battle with Farmington Hills Unifi ed.

“The kids are excited; we’re using this opportunity against

some tough opposition to gel as a team and get ready for the

playoff s,” said No. 7 seed Troy Athens coach Joe Barone.

“We’ve been trying to get some games against some of the

better teams out there, and they’ve really got some of the better

teams [in the OAA],” said top-seeded St. Clair Shores coach Frank

DiCristofaro. “Many of our teams did well. I think all-in-all, us

being the new guy on the block, we had something to prove

against the established old guard.

“We’ve got two great leagues and the more crossover we get

between the leagues, it just makes all of us that much better.”

Last season, both the MAC and OAA hosted separate January

showcases, but teams from either division had seen little of

each other before this year’s event. “Hopefully we’ve earned

some newfound respect for our teams, and we can schedule

each other more throughout the season,” said Koons.

Koons said he initially got the idea for an OAA/MAC head-

to-head from high school wrestling, which hosted a similar

competition this past January.

“I brought it to the other MAC coaches and everyone liked

the idea,” he said.

Most of the credit, however, the Dakota coach reserved for

Rochester Hills Stoney Creek athletic director Shane Redshaw.

“I called Shane from the OAA side and he just ran with

it – he got everything organized and really made it happen,”

said Koons.

Redshaw, in turn, passed the credit to the Onyx, and

parents from the two Rochester programs, Stoney Creek and

Rochester United. The parent volunteers fi lled over 80 positions

throughout the day as bench managers, ticket supervisors and

myriad other jobs.

“They asked J.V. parents to come volunteer so the varsity

parents could watch their kids,” said Rochester parent volunteer

Lynette Hillman. “The J.V. boys are working the penalty boxes

and having a blast.”

The end result was a big day for high school hockey in

the area.

“When you can put 30 schools in one building, and

everything works smoothly, it’s a good Saturday. The Rochester

United and Stoney Creek parents really stepped up,” said

Redshaw.

“Everyone I’ve talked to wants to do it again,” said Koons.

“I’d like to do it every year.”


Boys High SchoolFebruary 22, 2010, Volume 20 : Issue 14

Eastside D to watch down the stretchBY MATT MACKINDER

Whether it’s big and bruising or small and speedy, the east side of the state has

an impressive crop of senior defensemen. Below are a few blueliners who will play

a large part in their team’s fortunes down the stretch:

BRETT BERGER – TRENTON Trojans head coach Mike Turner thinks the world of the smart, mobile playmaking

Berger.

“He’s our top defenseman,” said Turner. “He’s just a solid all-around performer.

He makes good passes and anchors our defense.”

KEVIN COLLON – CRANBROOK A co-captain of the Cranes in his third year on the varsity, Collon logs a ton of

icetime for the defending state champs.

“No player works harder in practice or in off -ice training – I’m not sure he takes

a day off ,” said Cranes head coach Andy Weidenbach. “He is physically strong and

rarely gets taken off the puck. His quick, accurate shot from the point and physical

presence on the ice makes him very diffi cult to play against – he has to be watched

in either zone.”

TJ LOVELL – MONROE ST. MARY’S CCA three-sport athlete, Lovell is one of the most solid blueliners in the state.

“TJ is intensely competitive,” said SMCC head coach Jim Baker. “He can play any

position and has sacrifi ced playing forward to unselfi shly anchor our defense.”

DAN MILAN - ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARY’S Big, strong and physical, Milan has a big shot and has signed a tender with the

Traverse City North Stars of the NAHL.

One of three highly touted defensemen on OLSM, along with Kevin Killian and

Cody King, Milan has Eaglets head coach Brian Klanow raving.

“In my mind, Dan Milan is the top defenseman in the state,” Klanow said. “I have

three defensemen that I would put up against anyone.”

EVAN MOORE – U OF D JESUITA smooth skating defenseman, Moore anchors the Cubs’ blueline corps with

fellow senior Ryan Walker. Moore has lots of skill, can handle physical play and

has a big upside.

“Evan has good size, is a good skater, sees the ice well, has a very good shot and

has the grit it takes to take his game to the next level,” said Bennetts. “He is being

looked at by teams in the USHL, NAHL, EJHL and Division III colleges already.”

RYAN OBUCHOWSKI – DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRALAn aggressive and intelligent blueliner, Catholic Central head coach Todd Johnson

calls the 6-foot-1, 175-poiund Obuchowski a “great skating off ensive defenseman.”

It also appears Obuchowski is headed for the next level as he reportedly has

multiple tender off ers from the NAHL and interest from teams in the EJHL.

JAKE POYNTER – LIVONIA STEVENSONHeady defenseman thinks the game well, is tough to beat 1-on-1 and excels at

making a good fi rst pass out of his own zone. Keeps things simple, but can run the

powerplay and plays in all situations for the Spartans.

JOE VAN ANTWERP – BIRMINGHAM BROTHER RICEExtremely smart player with good size and loads of skill, Van Antwerp was an

all-stater last year and should repeat as one of Michigan’s best this year. Mobile

and effi cient, Van Antwerp has a calming eff ect on his teammates and logs a ton of

ice time for the Warriors. A two-year captain, Van Antwerp has played all four years

on the Warriors’ varsity squad and seems to plays his best in pressure situations.

“Joe is an excellent leader on our team,” said Brother Rice head coach Lou Schmidt,

Jr. “He plays in every situation and his strengths are his poise and vision. He sees the

ice, recognizes his options, and is also a physical presence. You can count on him to

make the fi rst pass out of the zone and to jump into the play in the off ensive zone.

He quarterbacks the power play, but also is excellent in the defensive zone killing

penalties. Joe is just an all-around very good defenseman.”

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Birmingham Brother Rice senior defenseman Joe Van Antwerp

will play a big part in the Warriors stretch run.


2009-10 NAHL Standings (as of February 16)CENTRAL GP W L OTL PTS PCT GF GABismarck 46 29 9 8 66 0.717 146 110 Owatonna 47 27 16 4 58 0.617 153 148 Alexandria 43 21 18 4 46 0.535 125 118 North Iowa 43 13 25 5 31 0.360 115 179 Albert Lea 44 11 28 5 27 0.307 106 176

NORTH GP W L OTL PTS PCT GF GA Traverse City 44 26 14 4 56 0.636 166 136 Marquette 43 27 16 0 54 0.628 144 113 Janesville 43 22 18 3 47 0.547 134 134 Motor City 43 19 18 6 44 0.512 120 137 Alpena 45 15 28 2 32 0.356 123 156

SOUTH GP W L OTL PTS PCT GF GA Topeka 46 35 7 4 74 0.804 197 109 St. Louis 43 34 8 1 69 0.802 153 90 Texas 43 20 19 4 44 0.512 134 146 Springfield 45 17 23 5 39 0.433 132 148 Wichita Falls 47 13 28 6 32 0.340 135 200

WEST GP W L OTL PTS PCT GF GA Wenatchee 45 34 8 3 71 0.789 154 96 Fairbanks 49 27 19 3 57 0.582 178 157 Alaska 44 25 13 6 56 0.636 153 131 Kenai River 45 10 32 3 23 0.256 105 181

TOP SCORERS TEAM POS GP G A PTS PIM PPG SHGJuola, Michael FBX F 49 20 50 70 54 9 0Higby, Erik TPK F 46 23 39 62 46 5 2Pustin, Mark FBX F 47 23 33 56 31 9 0Rickord, Jared SPR F 45 21 31 52 12 7 0Fabian, Jason BIS F 46 18 31 49 44 7 1Kolb, Andrew MAR F 43 17 32 49 30 4 2Ladd, Garrett MAR F 40 17 32 49 87 3 5Sheehan, Brian WIC F 47 24 23 47 64 7 1Thorson, Cory OWA F 47 21 26 47 16 5 0Johnson, Bryce TPK F 46 17 29 46 48 5 1Nagtzaam, Nardo ALX F 39 17 29 46 49 7 1Clay, Kyle ALX F 43 16 29 45 18 6 0Larson, Jared FBX F 48 21 21 42 61 11 1Politz, Kyle FBX F 46 16 26 42 39 5 1Curry, Nick SPR F 41 15 27 42 34 6 0Kleisinger, Casey BIS F 46 16 25 41 65 8 0Jubinville, Jeff WNE F 45 20 21 41 36 7 0Panetta, Dominic BIS F 45 20 21 41 90 5 0Encarnacao, Rui JNE F 43 24 17 41 28 3 0Kero, Tanner MAR F 42 28 13 41 31 12 1Clifford, Doug TNS F 42 18 23 41 61 6 0Hagaman, Alec TPK F 40 21 20 41 76 6 0Olszewski, Daniel STL F 43 19 21 40 71 4 3Prince, Jack TEX F 42 19 21 40 32 5 2Thomas, Tony TPK F 46 15 24 39 40 8 1Kleiman, RJ MCM F 43 17 22 39 47 6 2Thompson, Garrett TNS F 43 19 20 39 66 5 0Zierke, Steve ALX F 43 14 25 39 40 7 1Saint-Onge, Collin MAR F 41 15 24 39 30 8 0Saintey, James FBX F 46 18 20 38 62 6 1Jacobson, Ryan BIS F 45 21 17 38 4 4 0Radke, Dan TNS F 44 14 24 38 40 2 1

TOP GOALIES TEAM GP MIN SO GA GAA SV SV%Jaeger, Brandon WNE 19 1069:36 2 32 1.80 459 0.935 Bartus, Garrett STL 17 880:01 2 28 1.91 346 0.925 Karambelas, Evan TPK 19 1151:27 2 37 1.93 353 0.905 Bruggeman, Tyler STL 28 1657:29 2 57 2.06 746 0.929 Faragher, Ryan BIS 32 1767:43 3 65 2.21 720 0.917 Frederick, Cooper TPK 16 860:26 1 34 2.37 302 0.899 Kamal, Chris ALX 29 1684:11 1 67 2.39 752 0.918 Carruth, Mac WNE 16 866:02 1 35 2.42 360 0.911 Kissaw, Kevin MAR 32 1817:45 3 76 2.51 982 0.928 Strandberg, Drew TNS 27 1499:20 2 63 2.52 611 0.907 Torf, Jason MCM 19 1009:28 0 43 2.56 542 0.926 Taffe, Mike FBX 28 1568:17 0 69 2.64 684 0.908

NORTH DIVISIONMotor City forward Eric Millisor connected for four goals and an assist as the Metal Jackets skated to a two-game sweep over Traverse City. On Feb. 12, the Ecorse native notched the game-winning goal and an assist in a 3-2 victory. The next night, the 19-year-old recorded a natural hat trick, including the game-winning marker, as the Metal Jackets downed the North Stars, 4-3. He was also a plus-1 on the weekend.HONORABLE MENTION: Janesville forward Pat Dalbec

SOUTH DIVISIONTexas forward J.D. Howard struck for two goals and two assists as the Tornado celebrated a two-game sweep over Fairbanks. On Feb. 12, the Canfi eld, Ohio, native picked up a pair of assists in a 3-1 triumph. The next night, the 19-year-old scored two goals as the Tornado downed the Ice Dogs, 5-3. He was also a plus-5 on the weekend.

HONORABLE MENTION: Topeka forward Michael Hill; Wichita Falls forward Jason McAloon

CENTRAL DIVISIONAlexandria forward Kyle Clay rang up fi ve goals and fi ve assists as the Blizzard skated to three wins. On Feb. 12, the Henderson, Nev., native recorded a hat trick and assisted on Chris Franks’ game-winning goal in a 4-1 victory over North Iowa. The next night, the 21-year-old tallied a goal in a 4-3 victory over the Outlaws. On Feb. 14, Clay notched another goal and four more assists, including one on Nardo Nagtzaam’s game-winner, as the Blizzard downed the Albert Lea Thunder, 7-2. He was also a plus-5 on the weekend.HONORABLE MENTION: Bismarck forward Ben Danford

WEST DIVISIONAlaska forward Matt Friese put home two goals and three

assists as the Avalanche skated to a two-game sweep over Kenai River. On Feb. 12, the Wasilla, Alaska, native tallied a goal and an assist in a 3-2 victory. The next night, the 17-year-old potted another goal and two more assists as the Avs bested the Brown Bears, 5-2. The University of Alaska-Anchorage (WCHA) recruit was also a plus-3 on the weekend.

SHERWOOD GOALIESt. Louis goaltender Tyler Bruggeman backstopped the Bandits to wins in his two starts against Wichita Falls, turning aside 67 of 68 shots. On Feb. 12, the Mankato, Minn., native made all 33 saves in a 3-0 victory. Two nights later, the 18-year-old stopped 34 shots as the Bandits downed the Wildcats, 4-1.HONORABLE MENTION: Bismarck’s Jake Williams; Janesville’s Matt Wichorek; Motor City’s Jason Torf; Texas’ Dan Sullivan; Topeka’s Evan Karambelas

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IceDiggers deal Timar, McCusker at trade deadline

SHERWOOD PLAYERS OF THE WEEK (FOR WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 14)

The annual North American Hockey League trade deadline came and went on

February 6 and several teams tweaked their rosters in hopes of prolonging their season.

In one of the bigger moves, Wenatchee acquired 20-year-old Novi native Ryan

Timar from Alpena. The IceDiggers also sent captain Jimmy McCusker, another

20-year-old from Novi, to Marquette for forward Danny Wood and added forward

Shay Cizmar from Texas.

Marquette obtained defenseman Andrew

Mueller from Texas as well.

With the trades of two of their better players,

it would appear Alpena, mired in last place in the

North Division, is looking toward next season.

Not so, according to head coach Jack Fritsche,

who also refuted rumors that this season is the

IceDiggers’ last in Alpena.

“Are we throwing in the towel? Absolutely

not,” Fritsche told the Alpena News. “We’ve

got a big road ahead of us. We’ve created an

opportunity for Timar and we picked up Danny,

who is the same type of player as Jimmy.

“(Owner) Steve (Marks) has told me he’s

doing everything he can to keep the team in

Alpena.”

In dealing McCusker to the Rangers, he’ll be

reunited with Marquette head coach Kenny Miller, formerly Alpena’s bench boss.

“We’ve been working this one for a while,” Miller said. “Jimmy’s a team guy who’ll

do really whatever we ask. He’s a player who’s been in this league for a long time

and knows what’s expected of him. He’s got the ability to kill penalties, put pressure

on the opponent in their zone and put the puck in the net. He adds a dimension

that really fi ts into our plan.”

Marquette and Traverse City have battled for the top spot in the division all year.

Meanwhile, Timar becomes the fourth Wenatchee player to have a commitment

to play Division I college hockey at the U.S. Air Force Academy along with Adam

McKenzie, Alex McLean and Mitch Torrel.

“We are excited to have Ryan coming,” said Wild associate head coach Ryan

McKelvie. “He is a very gifted player that plays hard every night. Even more

importantly, he is a high character person that will be a great addition to our

locker room.”

At the time of the trade, Timar was leading the IceDiggers in scoring.

In another high-profi le trade, Bismarck picked up forward Tyler Klein and

defenseman Ben Danford from North Iowa for future considerations. That trade

came just a week after the Bobcats traded for Air Force recruit Aaron Quick from

Wichita Falls.

ANOTHER NEW TEAM COMINGThe NAHL has accepted the membership for an

expansion team in Aberdeen, S.D., the Aberdeen

Wings, which will begin play next season and

play its home games at the Odde Ice Center in

Aberdeen, S.D.

“We couldn’t be happier to welcome

the Aberdeen Wings to the North American

Hockey League,” said NAHL commissioner Mark

Frankenfeld. “As we explored this market over

the past year, we were overwhelmed by the

city’s passion and enthusiasm for hockey and

we’re looking forward to becoming part of the

community’s fabric for years to come.”

The team’s owner, Greg Odde, is also the

proprietor of L&O Acres, a farming, trucking and

machinery sales business. Odde has been a member of the Aberdeen Youth Hockey

Association in various capacities for a number of years.

Pete Sauer will serve as the team’s head coach and general manager.

NOTEBOOKMore D-I college commitments: Fairbanks forward Mark Pustin (Alaska-

Anchorage), Bismarck defenseman Tom McCarthy (Merrimack), Fairbanks

defenseman Zach Tolkinen (Quinnipiac), Owatonna forward Brian McGinty (Canisius),

Fairbanks forward Jared Larson (Minnesota), Janesville forward Rui Encarnacao

(Connecticut) and Bismarck forward Casey Kleisinger (Air Force) … Forward Michael

Henderson, picked up in a trade from St. Louis in January, was named Alpena’s

new captain after the McCusker deal and forward Andy Yarber was named the new

alternate captain, replacing Timar.

NORTH AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUENORTH AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUENORTH AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE

Marquette acquired veteran forward Jimmy

McCusker (Novi) at the NAHL trade deadline.


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Ontario Hockey Leaugue February 22, 2010, Volume 20 : Issue 14

BY MATT MACKINDERThe Plymouth Whalers trailed the Sarnia Sting by a 4-1 margin early in the second

period at home on Feb. 13, but came all the way back and scored four unanswered

goals to win, 5-4 in overtime.

The win was Plymouth’s 33rd of the season and has the Whalers in second place

in the Ontario Hockey League’s West Division and fourth in the Western Conference.

Beating Sarnia also snapped a two-game losing streak for the Whalers.

Tyler Seguin, a surefi re top two pick in June’s NHL Entry Draft, scored on the power

play 4:02 into the extra session for his second goal and fourth point on the night. He

now has an OHL-best 90 points on the year.

“I think we’re going to use this game as a turning point,” Seguin said. “We’ve

had a couple of bad games lately and tonight we didn’t have the best start, but we

fi nished strong. It’s a big two points. We were facing adversity and this is going to

happen in the playoff s a lot, so I‘m glad we responded well.”

Sarnia remains in last place in the OHL with a record of 14-38-3-1, including an

0-15-2-0 mark over its last 17 games.

QUARTET TO BID FOR MEMORIAL CUPThe OHL announced that four teams – Barrie, Kingston, Mississauga and Windsor

– have offi cially submitted bid applications for the opportunity to host the 2011

MasterCard Memorial Cup.

All four teams indicated their intentions by providing the OHL offi ce with the

completed application form by the Feb. 10 deadline.

The winning team will be announced during the week of May 3, 2010.

The 2011 national championship tournament will take place May 20-29, 2011,

and will feature the league playoff champions from the OHL, Western

Hockey League and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, along

with the host team from the OHL. If the OHL champ is the same as the

host city, then the playoff runner-up gets a berth in the Memorial Cup.

WHALERS NOTEBOOKPlymouth rookie Garrett Meurs, the team’s top draft pick in 2009,

scored his fi rst OHL hat trick to lead the Whalers to a 5-1 win over

Owen Sound on Feb. 6 … Seguin was named the OHL’s Player of the

Month for January for the second straight month after 26 points in

13 games … Former Plymouth goalie Justin Peters (2005-06) won

his NHL debut with Carolina on Feb. 6 by making 31 saves in a 3-1

win over the New York Islanders… Michigan connections coming

to Compuware Arena as the season winds down include Sault Ste.

Marie defenseman Brandon Archibald (Port Huron), Sault Ste. Marie

forwards Vern Cooper (ex-Whalers forward from 2006-09) and Myles

McCauley (Sterling Heights native traded from Whalers at the Jan. 11

trade deadline for forward James Livingston), Guelph defenseman Sam

Lofquist (played for U.S. NTDP in Ann Arbor from 2006-08) and Guelph

forward JR Marsden (played 15 games for Plymouth this season).

HE SAID IT“I was a player until the age of 9 and I was an assistant captain,

so I was OK, I guess. But one week, my team’s starting goalie went

on vacation and we didn’t have a goalie, so my dad, who was the

coach, said ‘Strap on the pads!’ I was up for it (and) I turned out to be

pretty good, I guess, so here I am now, eight years later.” – Plymouth goalie Scott

Wedgewood, to PlymouthCantonSports.com

SAGINAW’S O’CONNOR NABS OHL AWARDThe Spirit’s Ryan O’Connor was named the OHL’s defensemen of the month for

January. O’Connor, who along with Michael Sgarbossa was acquired from the Barrie

Colts in a trade for T. J. Brodie and Nick Crawford earlier this season, scored nine goals

and 15 points in 14 games in January. The 18-year old is ranked 15th in scoring

among league defensemen with 12 goals and 34 points in 50 games this season.

He is eligible for the upcoming NHL Entry Draft in June.

SPIRIT NOTEBOOKSaginaw registered a weekend sweep with wins over the Plymouth, 5-2, Windsor,

7-2, and S.S. Marie, 4-0, on Feb. 12-14. At home in front of a capacity crowd the Spirit

netted three goals in the fi rst period versus the Whalers. Five diff erent players scored

for Saginaw, led by Ivan Telegin with a goal and two assist. Peter Hermenegildo, Jordan

Skellett and Jordan Hill rounded out the scoring. Edward Pasquale was solid stopping

42 of 44 shots… Saginaw made it two straight at home against the Spitfi res behind

a goaltending clinic from Pasquale, who was spectacular in making 61 saves as the

Spits outshot Saginaw 63-19. Josh Shalla scored twice while Sgarbossa, Trocheck,

Sanderson, Camara and Szwarz had single goals. Brad Walsh had three assists…

In the Soo, Tadeas Galansky earned his fi rst career OHL shutout, stopping 39 shots.

Szwarz had a goal and two assists while Murovich, Sol and Sgarbossa found the back

of the net… The third annual MCVI Foundation Shocks and Saves charity game, held

January 30 at Saginaw’s Dow Event Center and sponsored in part by the Spirit, raised

a whopping $39,000 in the battle against heart disease. “Things went great and the

crowd was ecstatic,” said Jiri Fischer, who was one of four former Detroit Red Wings

that skated in the event and whose Healthy Heart Foundation also sponsored the

fundraiser. “We had a lot of fun playing along side with so many great people and

I would like to thank them all for their participation.”

With a fi le from Carl Chimenti

Whalers win over Sarnia could be ‘turning point’

Canadian Hockey League Top 10(as of Feb. 10)

1. Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL) 44-8-1-0

2. Barrie Colts (OHL) 43-7-0-2

3. Windsor Spitfi res (OHL) 42-8-0-5

4. Tri-City Americans (WHL) 39-13-0-2

6. Saskatoon Blades (WHL) 36-12-3-3

9. Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) 36-12-1-4

10. Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) 38-16-1-3

5. London Knights (OHL) 37-14-0-2

7. Miss /St. Mike’s Majors (OHL) 35-13-4-1

8. Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL) 37-15-0-2

Source: BMO MasterCard rankings

Plymouth Whalers rookie Garrett Meurs scored his fi rst OHL hat trick to lead the

Whalers to a 5-1 win over Owen Sound on February 6.

PHOTO BY WALT DMOCH/PLYMOUTH WHALERS

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College Hockey February 22, 2010, Volume 20 : Issue 14

Talented Petry leads Spartans resurgenceBY PHILIP COLVIN

When Michigan State defenseman Jeff Petry arrived in East Lansing three years

ago he was tall, lanky and oozing with potential.

A few years of experience, some adversity and natural ability has helped the

Spartans junior captain develop into one of the best blueliners in college hockey.

A native of Farmington Hills, Petry was a bit of a late developer. He just scratched

the surface of his potential at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s High School before spending

two seasons with the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL, where he was named the

2007 USA Hockey Junior Player of the Year.

After a solid freshmen season at Michigan State, Petry struggled last year as the

Spartans suff ered through a 10-win season. The team battled injuries and suspensions

and with a depleted lineup Petry tried to do it all himself.

“Last year was tough for him,” said Michigan State coach Rick Comley. “He did

everything he could, and often too much, to try to turn games around.”

This season, with a strong freshmen class and senior captain Nick Sucharski and

sophomore forward Corey Tropp back in the lineup, the second-place Spartans roared

out of the gate and are looking forward to a long-playoff run.

“He’s played great this year,” said Comley. “There are many games where he is

the best player on the ice.”

The son of former Detroit Tigers’ pitcher Dan Petry, the younger Petry helped

drive the Spartans resurgence by leading team-building workouts last summer. On

the ice he’s picked his spots to join the rush, has improved his decision making with

the puck and focused on playing better in his own end.

“We just decided to put last year behind us and have a fresh start and everyone

dedicated themselves to being better,” said Petry, a second-round pick of Edmonton

in the 2006 NHL Draft. “It comes with experience – last year I forced things when it

wasn’t there. This year I have tried to be smarter with the puck, make the easy fi rst

pass instead of holding onto it and be better defensively.”

A top-fl ight skater with speed and a long stride, the 6-foot-2, 195-pound Petry

handles the puck well, is a good passer and has a big shot from the point.

“He’s special,” said RPI head coach Seth Appert, whose Engineers lost to Michigan

State in the Great Lakes Invitational fi nal this year. “He’s evolved into a dominant

defenseman. He’s very good off ensively, he moves the puck and he has great

anticipation.”

Petry, who grew up idolizing the poise and effi ciency of the Detroit Red Wings

Nicklas Lidstrom, has also gotten stronger, which coupled with his tremendous

mobility, has made him a much more eff ective defender.

“The off ensive part of the game was never in question,” said Comley. “But he’s

so much better defensively now. He’s matured and just continues to grow and get

better and round out his game.”

Being selected co-captain (with Sucharski) has also helped make Petry more

outgoing.

“He is extremely competitive, but he kept it inside,” said Comley. “Putting a “C”

on his jersey has helped him be more interactive and talk to guys about what just

happened (on the ice).

“He’s gained confi dence, patience and maturity – all those subtle things make

the great players.”

And playing with outstanding freshman defenseman Torey Krug (Livonia) has

also helped Petry elevate his game.

“We do have more talent around him this year,” said Comley. ““He and Krug have

been a great pair this year.”

Comley, who coached Dallas Drake, Duncan Keith and John-Michael Liles in his 37

years behind the bench at the college level, has no doubt Petry will play in the NHL.

“Every team we play against, what they talk about is him,” said Comley. “He can

swing the game.”

BIG HOUSE WILL HOST WOLVERINES VS. SPARTANSMichigan and Michigan State met in the fi rst outdoor college game of the modern

era, dubbed the “Cold War”, on Oct. 6, 2001 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.

Now the two schools will face off in the rematch, called the “The Big Chill at the

Big House” in the middle of Ann Arbor’s Michigan Stadium on Dec. 11, 2010.

The Cold War drew a record crowd of 74,544 and set the stage for the recent series

of outdoor games at the college and NHL levels.

With Michigan Stadium seating 106,201 for football, the game could be another

record-breaker.

“This will be an unbelievable event,” said Michigan head coach Red Berenson.

“Not only is this a great rivalry between two top programs, but for it to be held in

the Big House at Michigan is beyond what any of us have ever dreamt. This is fi nally

a reality and it could be the largest crowd ever to witness a hockey game of any kind.

I know our team, our staff and our fans from all over the country will be counting

the days until the Big Chill at the Big House arrives.”

The playing surface will be placed in the center of Michigan Stadium. The red

line (center ice) will run on top of the 50-yard line, and the end boards will extend

to reach the 17-yard lines.

“Michigan State-Michigan is one of college hockey’s great rivalries, and this will

be a grand stage on which to showcase it,” added Rick Comley, head coach of the

Spartans. “This is an exciting event for the student-athletes, coaches and staff , and

the fan bases of both schools.”

School Points Record1. Miami 508 22-4-6

2. Denver 478 20-6-4

3. Wisconsin 441 18-7-4

4. St. Cloud State 379 19-9-4

5. Yale 369 16-6-3

6. Minnesota Duluth 297 18-11-1

7. Bemidji State 281 19-7-2

8. Colorado College 273 17-10-3

School Points Record

9. Boston College 262 17-9-2

10. Cornell 231 14-7-3

11. North Dakota 162 14-11-5

12. Michigan State 140 17-10-5

13. New Hampshire 123 14-10-4

14. Ferris State 56 18-10-4

15. Maine 29 14-11-3

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine College Poll (as of Feb. 14)

Rank/School, Pts

PHOTO BY RICK KIMBALL/MICHIGAN HOCKEY

Michigan State junior captain Jeff

Petry is having a big season on the

blueline for the Spartans.


As teams finished preparation for the men’s hockey

tournament at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, the prevailing

sentiment in Vancouver was that it was Miller Time for the

Americans.

Any analysis of the U.S squad includes the reality that the

Americans’ hope for medal success centers on Buff alo Sabres’

goalie Ryan Miller, a native of East Lansing.

“I think he’s the best goaltender in the NHL this season,”

U.S. general manager Brian Burke said. “…he’s compact and

reserves energy. He’s calm and reserved, defi nitely an asset.”

Miller’s composure is his trademark.

“It doesn’t seem like

much bothers him,” Anaheim

defenseman Ryan Whitney

said. “That’s really important

for a goalie. You don’t want a

goalie who is tense.”

The former Michigan State

standout and Hobey Baker

Award winner is among the

many state connections on

the U.S. squad.

Michigan natives Brian

Rafalski, Jack Johnson and

Tim Gleason (who was added

to the roster for injured Mike

Komisarek) are on the U.S.

defense, Tim Thomas will

back up Miller in net and

Ryan Kesler is one of the key

forwards.

A contender for his fi rst

Vezina Trophy, Miller seems

to be entering the prime of

his career. Not many players

have been as important to

their team as Miller has been

to the Sabres this season.

Per his custom, Miller has entered the tournament with

a quiet confi dence in his own ability. Although he’s on the

biggest stage of his career, Miller is trying not to approach

the Olympics with the same workman-like eff ort he puts into

every NHL game.

“It’s not like I’m going to sit back in my net and make big

glove saves,” he says. “I’m going to try to make it very, very

boring but getting hit square in the chest a lot.”

America has a strong tradition of quality goaltending. Jack

McCartan was a primary reason why America claimed gold at

the 1960 Olympics. Jim Craig played superbly when USA won

in Lake Placid in 1980 and Mike Richter was stingy in net when

USA won the World Cup in 1996.

It’s clear that Burke and Coach Ron Wilson believe Miller

has the potential to provide that same goaltending push that

McCartan, Craig and Richter supplied.

Although Miller was born a few months after Craig wrapped

himself in a fl ag after helping USA win gold in 1980, Miller

knows the story well.

“My dad played college hockey around that time and

played against a lot of those guys,” Miller said. “My dad was

very competitive, and it’s interesting to hear him talk about

those guys. He really admired them.”

The Millers are a proud hockey family, and it’s clear that

Ryan is proud to wear the USA jersey. He was one of 10 family

members to play at Michigan State, and cousin Kelly came

close to making the 1984 team and cousin Kevin did make

the 1988 team.

“That was not that far removed from the 1980 team,” Miller

said. “I remember hearing about what Kevin was going to

do in Calgary and having that all explained to you defi nitely

creates a vast aura around it. At the time, I thought Michigan

State was the pinnacle of hockey and I thought my cousins

were the best players in the

world. I thought if Kevin was

going to go off and play in a

big tournament then it was

the best tournament around.”

Miller is the centerpiece

of an American team that is

fi ve years younger than it was

in Torino, Italy in 2006. Those

younger players, such as New

Jersey’s Zach Parise, Chicago’s

Patrick Kane, Nashville’s Ryan

Suter and St. Louis Blues’ Erik

Johnson, are expected to be

among their better players.

“If we play well, (the

media) will say we picked the

right guys,” Burke said. “If we

don’t, they will say we got the

wrong guys.”

The Americans are playing

in a pool with Switzerland,

Nor way and Canada. If

they win their pool, they

would earn a bye into the

quarterfinals. If they don’t

win their pool, they would have to play a wild card game to

get into the quarterfi nals.

Wilson has said the key for the Americans is their ability to

quickly develop team chemistry.

“It makes a big diff erence, believe it or not,” Parise said.

“It’s not just something to talk about. It makes a big diff erence

when you have guys that are getting along with each other.

You would be amazed how a couple of bad attitudes or bad

relationships in the locker room can screw up team chemistry.”

Although USA placed emphasis on adding some young

talent, most of the younger players are seasoned international

players and proven NHLers. Dustin Brown, for example, is

among the younger players and he’s already the Los Angeles

Kings captain. He said he has been on a team at one point with

all but two of the players on the Olympic team.

Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said there is a chance

this Olympic tournament, played for the fi rst time on NHL ice,

“could be the best hockey event of all time.”

Miller is trying not to be caught up in the heavy hype of the

tournament. This is the fourth tournament using NHL players,

but none of the previous three have experienced this level of

build-up. Said Miller: “ We just have to look at those games one

at a time, and make them important only that day.”

It’s Miller Time for Team USA

Wings ready for Olympics and the breakWings ready for Olympics and the break

Kevin Allen covers pro and college hockey for USA Today

NHL & Red Wing Insiders January 25, 2010, Volume 20 : Issue 12

RED WINGS

BY DAVE WADDELLStaggering into the Olympic break, few teams need the

respite as badly as the Detroit Red Wings.

The Wings went 5-6-6 in their last 17 games and hope to

fi nally have a completely healthy team for the fi rst time this

season when they resume the NHL schedule March 1 in Colorado.

“The guys going to the Olympics are so excited and so proud

to represent their country, but the other guys, it’s an opportunity

to wind down for a bit,” said Kris Draper, who was part of the

2006 Canadian Olympic team.

“Going on vacation, I know a lot of guys are going to be doing

that. We’ll be sitting back on the beach watching the games.

“We’ve had a lot of games, a lot of travel and we’ve had a

lot of guys that have been injured. Hopefully with this break,

and everyone comes back from the Olympics healthy, we’ll

make a strong push in March.”

While the compressed schedule has been tough for all NHL

teams, the Wings have been really racking up the frequent fl ier

miles since Jan. 1.

Detroit’s been on the road for 14 of 21 games during that

time span, including two long swings to the west coast.

“Having the schedule we’ve had, it’s going to be well

needed,” said Drew Miller, who is going to Las Vegas with his

wife during the Olympics.

Detroit coach Mike Babcock, who will coach the Canadian

team in Vancouver, admits some of his players are simply

gassed at this point.

The avalanche of Wings’ injuries has forced Babcock to

overplay some guys to cover up the holes in the Detroit line-up.

“We’ve overtaxed a few players because we’ve just had to,”

said Babcock, who has been short as many as nine regulars at

a time this season due to injuries.

“I don’t care who you are, you’ve been in the grind because

of the way the schedule is. Being overtaxed all the time, it can’t

help you. It leads to injuries. It’s no good for us.”

Defenseman Nick Lidstrom, one of seven Red Wing

Olympians, shouldered an especially heavy burden. However,

Lidstrom is raising his level of play as he typically does in the

season’s second half with fi ve goals and 22 points in the past 25

games. Lidstrom had one goal and 13 points in his fi rst 37 games.

“I don’t think that (fatigue) is an issue at all,” said Lidstrom of

being ready for the post-Olympic push. “We’re all in good shape

and we’re all looking forward to playing in a big tournament too.

“Once you get back from that, you’re feeling good about

playing in a big event. You’re ready to get going again.”

For players like Pavel Datsyuk, who hasn’t played for Russia

since the 2006 Olympics because of the Wings’ long playoff runs,

it’s hard to argue the Olympics aren’t a jolt of excitement that

breaks up a long season.

“It’ll be exciting,” said Datsyuk, who has played in the past

two Olympics and picked up a bronze medal in 2002. “Canadian

fans love hockey and it’ll be a good atmosphere for the Olympics.”

Datsyuk and his Russian teammates enter the Olympics as

the top-ranked team in the world having won the past two

world championships.

However, the usually playful Datsyuk quickly turns serious

when asked if this is the most talented Russian team he’s

been a part of. Perhaps, he still remembers the talent-laden

disappointments of the past decade.

“Nobody cares about talent,” Datsyuk said. “Everyone cares

how the team fi nishes. Everybody forgets about a talented

team that doesn’t win.”

If Datsyuk needs any more motivation, he only has to look

around the Detroit dressing room to see six other players

going to Vancouver.

With four members of the defending gold-medallists from

Sweden (Nick Lidstrom, Henrik Zetterberg, Niklas Kronwall and

Johan Franzen (who replaced the injured Tomas Holmstrom),

American Brian Rafalksi and Finn Valtteri Filppula along with

Canada’s management team of Steve Yzerman and Ken Holland,

Datsyuk knows the value of dressing-room bragging rights.

“I don’t have friends on the ice,” Datsyuk said of facing his

teammates. “Off the ice we’re friends. It’s like everyone else,

there’s no friends on the ice.”

Datsyuk said amazingly there hasn’t been any Olympic talk

in the Wings dressing room. With Detroit struggling this season,

the focus has been all on the Wings.

“We haven’t talked about it,” Datsyuk said. “We have lots

of time to talk in the Olympic village.”

For those concerned about after the games, the Olympic

years have generally been kind to the Wings despite their

sending a signifi cant number of players to the competition.

While they crashed and burned in the fi rst round of the

2006 playoff s to a Cinderella Edmonton team that reached

the fi nals, the Wings won the Stanley Cup in the previous two

Olympic years (2002, 1998).

However, this year’s team faces a diff erent scenario when

the NHL resumes action. Detroit never had to worry about

fi ghting for each point just to make the playoff s in the previous

Olympic years.

“I don’t think that at all,” said Babcock of whether the

Olympics adds to the burden of an already challenging season.

“It’s a great motivator and a great adrenaline rush to go and play

at a high level, then to comeback that much more energized.

“Would you rather go to the Olympics than lay on the beach?

Absolutely. Would you like to lay on the beach afterwards?

Absolutely.

“They’re not going to hold the season up for you. That’s

just part of being good. There’s lots of time in your life to lie

on the beach.”

Nicklas Lidstrom is one of

seven Red Wings playing in

the Winter Olympics.

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Ryan Miller

Wings ready for Olympics and the breakWings ready for Olympics and the breakWings ready for Olympics and the break

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© 2009 Reebok International Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Reebok is a registered trademark of Reebok International. NHL and the NHL Shield are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. All NHL logos and marks and team logos and marks depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. © NHL 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Michigan Hockey February 22, 2010

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Transcript of Michigan Hockey February 22, 2010