Michigan Hockey April 26, 2010 by Chuck Stevens

Michigan Hockey michiganhockeyonline.com V.20:I.18 | April 26, 2010 FIRST CLASS

Congratulations to the LCAHL 2009-10 Regular Season Champions!

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PHOTO CONTEST A BIG SUCCESS Twenty nine entries were selected as winners in the LCAHL Pizza Pizza Photo Contest, sponsored by Little Caesars and the Detroit Red Wings, in conjunction with the Little Caesars Sports Foundation. The winning teams were invited to attend the Detroit Red Wings game against Calgary on March 9 at Joe Louis Arena.

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Table of Contents April 26, 2010, Volume 20 : Issue 18 AMATEUR HOCKEY REPORT Detroit Mission Stars give back to the community Lansing’s Doc’s Old Jocks take Old Timers Tournament Novi Predators get hot to win house championship Mission Women win USA Hockey National Championship GIRLS AND WOMEN’S MSWHL teams compete for Ruicci Cup First-ever Girls Tier II National Championship a hit in Lansing

PAGE 14

8 10-11

HOMETOWN HERO Calgary Flames David Moss

GET BETTER Improving your forward stride

STATE OF THE GAME By Lyle Phair Top five fallacies of youth hockey

FROM THE CREASE By Steve McKichan The Post Leg Up By Eli Wilson The Butterfly Slide

19 20

NAVIGATING THE FROZEN WATERS Ontario Hockey League

REEBOK TOURNAMENT CALENDAR

JUNIOR HOCKEY NAHL playoffs are in full swing Michigan players candidates for upcoming OHL Priority Selection

30 32

COLLEGE HOCKEY Frozen Four has big weekend at Ford Field Grosse Pointe Bulldogs shootout at the Frozen Four Skills competition has Michigan connection

2010 Banquet of Champions Bree Tasker (left) and Kortney Diaz of the Girls 14U Icebreakers celebrate their MAHA state title at Michigan Hockey’s annual celebration.

6 6 7 7

34-35 36 37

RED WINGS & NHL INSIDERS Dave Waddell: Red Wings counting on playoff experience Kevin Allen: Edmonton can’t go wrong with top pick in NHL Draft

COMING IN OUR NEXT ISSUE TRAINING AND FITNESS ISSUE

PAGES 22-25

PAGE 26

PAGE 34

2010 MH Award Winners Female and Male ScholarAthletes, Coach of the year and Hockey Person of the Year

USA Hockey National Champs Compuware, Honeybaked and Grand Rapids win titles

College Hockey Frozen Four a hit at Ford Field

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Spring hockey will be winding down and summertime is the time to get stronger, faster and improve your skills. We’ll have features on nutrition and fitness to help you get the most out of your summer training sessions and get ready for next season. Look for it on arena stands and in your e-mail In Box on May 21.

Advertising copy is due on May 12. Contact Lucia Zuzga at 248-479-1134 or lucia@michiganhockeyonline.com for more info.

38 38

April 26, 2010, Volume 20 : Issue 18

Editor-in-Chief Philip D. Colvin

phil@michiganhockeyonline.com

Advertising Lucia Zuzga

lucia@michiganhockeyonline.com

Lauren Kovacs lauren@michiganhockeyonline.com

Design Chuck Stevens Contributing Editor Kevin Allen Rob Murphy

FUN DESSERT for

Hockey Moms

A wrap to another great season

Submit your recipe & photo to: lucia@michiganhockeyonline.com

April has already been a big month for hockey with the Frozen Four at Detroit’s Ford Field (please see pages 34-37 of this issue for more) and for the Michigan teams that finished their seasons at the USA Hockey National Championship tournaments, April 7-11, all across the United States. Congratulations to Michigan’s four national champions – the Mission women won the Senior C title in Green Bay, Wisconsin; the Compuware Pee Wee AAA Major squad won the 12 and Under Tier I title in Williamsville, New York, the Honeybaked Bantam AAA Major team won the 14 and Under Tier I title in Williamsville and the Grand Rapids Griffins Bantam AA team brought home the 14 and Under Tier II hardware from Wayne, New Jersey (please see page 26 for more on their victories). In addition both the Little Caesars Girls 16 and Under team and the Dearborn Belle Tire Pee Wee AA squad lost in the finals of the national tournament, while five other Michigan teams made it to the national tournament semifinals. The first-ever USA Hockey Girls Tier II National Tournament took place in Lansing and included teams from all over the country and eight squads from Michigan (please see pages 10-11 for more). All in all a good showing, and win or lose, the trips make for memories that will last a lifetime. As we do every Spring, Michigan Hockey honored all of the MAHA state tournament winners at our 18th Annual Banquet of Champions on April 13 at Novi’s Rock Financial Showplace. The 24 teams and over 1000 players, coaches, family members, youth hockey supporters and special guests were treated to a big night of video presentations and prizes (please see page 14 for more). Finally, after pouring through numerous nominations across four categories, Michigan Hockey is proud to announce the winners of our 2010 Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Hockey Person of the Year and Coach of the Year on pages 22-25. Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations and congratulation to our winners. Have a fun Spring season,

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Controller David J. Klavon Administrative Director Amy Jones 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.

28 oz. cold reduced fat milk 1 (18 oz.) pkg. chocolate sandwich cookies 1 cup non-dairy, light whipped topping

MICHIGAN HOCKEY 23995 Freeway Park Drive • Suite 200 Farmington Hills, MI 48335-2829 (248) 478-2500 • FAX: (248) 478-1601 EMAIL: mh@michiganhockeyonline.com WEBSITE: www.michiganhockeyonline.com Cover photo: MAHA Squirt AA state champion Novi Ice Cats celebrate at Michigan Hockey’s 18th Annual Banquet of Champions on April 13 at Novi’s Rock Financial Showplace by Bob Bruce/Michigan Hockey. Photos this page (from top, L to R): Michigan Icebreakers Bree Tasker (left) and Kortney Diaz with the Buffalo Wild Wings mascot at the 2010 MH Banquet of Champions on April 13 at Novi’s Rock Financial Showplace by Bob Bruce/Michigan Hockey; MH Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year winner Chelsea Minnie by Michigan Hockey; Grand Rapids players (from left) Trevor Mills, Tyler Brewer and Sam Rennaker after the Griffins’ USA Hockey national title courtesy Grand Rapids Griffins Bantam AA team and Boston College celebrates their 2010 NCAA national title at Frozen Four at Ford Field on April 10 by Tom Turrill/Michigan Hockey.

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FROM THE EDITOR

submitted by Hockey Moms

Distribution Lucia Zuzga

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to MICHIGAN HOCKEY®, 23995 Freeway Park Drive, Suite 200, Farmington Hills, MI 483352829. ©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.

From the Editor

Crush cookies using the Chopper Machine and set aside. Make first batch of pudding by placing 14 oz. milk in Quick Shake® Container and 1 package of pudding on top. Shake until pudding thickens; set aside. Place crushed cookies in bottom of Sheerly Elegant Cocktail Stem or other stemware; spread a layer of pudding over cookies; repeat by making second batch of pudding. Top it off with a dollop of whipped topping and a final sprinkle of crushed cookies.

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Detroit Mission Stars give back to the community March was national reading month and when the students at Northville’s Thornton Creek Elementary School wanted a hockey player to read to them the Detroit Mission Stars were happy to help out. On March 11, Total Sports Complex director Tracy Pappas (above right) and Detroit Mission Stars Dave Zarem (second from right) read to three different classes in full roller hockey gear. “I don’t consider myself a celebrity but was honored to contribute to my community,” said Zarem said. “I have taught at every level in hockey and feel I have a lot to offer when it comes to education, nutrition and sportsmanship”. After seeing how much it meant to the students and teachers, Pappas and Zarem were eager to do it again. Stars parent Sue Mizgalski, a teacher at Messmore Elementary in Sterling Heights, arranged for the duo to come in on March 30. With the help of “Miss Sue” as the kids call her, and her son

Aaron (above left), a Mission Stars’ player, Pappas and Zarem talked to 165 students in the school gymnasium. “Helping our next generation stay active and eat a balanced diet is priceless,” said Pappas. “Just being mentors for a day was very rewarding.” Aaron Mizgalski demonstrated a few trick moves and the group went outside for recess to play everything from hop scotch to a quick game of soccer. “Interacting with the kids before reading to them helps set the stage for their full attention” Zarem said. “We wanted to make sure they took as much information home with them as they could.” The Stars, in conjunction with the Little Caesars Roller Hockey program, are planning more community outreach activities this summer, including a trip to a children’s hospital and a youth day.

For Ages 3-Adult

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May 5 - June 26 (7-Weeks)

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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

Lansing’s Doc’s Old Jocks take Old Timers’ Tournament Lansing’s Doc’s Old Jocks won the annual Old Timers Tournament in the 50+ division at The Summit in Dimondale on March 28. The tournament, which has been going for over 10 years, featured teams from Port Huron, Muskegon and Fort Wayne. Doc’s Jocks beat Fort Wayne, 2-1, in the tournament final to

Michigan Hockey

claim the championship. Doc’s Old Jocks are: Kirk Squiers, Al Boyce, Bob Wiltsie, ”Doc” Brownridge, Greg Maas, Tom Houle, Laverne Anderson, Kevin Schaibly, Brad Johnson, Rick Balagna, Joe Cook, Bob Porter, Bob Nowinski and Sheldon Brafford.

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Amateur Hockey Report

April 26, 2010, Volume 20 : Issue 18

presented by:

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.

C OA CH Level/Team ‘98 Redford Royals

KURT EBLING

Number of years coaching 4

Novi Predators get hot to win house championship The Novi Predators bantam squad finished off their season with a five-game winning streak and came back through the loser’s bracket to win their house league championship title. After losing their first game of the house playoffs, the Predators saved their best performance for when their backs were against the wall. All the credit goes to the players for their commitment to excellence and “never quit” attitude.

The Predators are: Adam Phillips, Mitchell Robinet, Evan Stockton, Mathew Robinet, Cameron Gromek, Andrew Stellon, Joey Johnson, Ben Brown, Ben Forhan, Griffin Peterson, Ryan Bomya, Alex Karian, Michael Massard, Michael Moloney and Alec Yanosy. Novi head coach is Rob Massard and assistants are Michael Robinet, Craig Forhan, Don Stockton and John Moloney.

Why do you coach? I love to be around the kids and help them improve on and off the ice. Most memorable coaching moment Our Squirt AA team showed a ton of improvement to Pee Wee A and advanced in districts this season. Coaching Philosophy/Style To teach kids discipline, sportsmanship and to be good young men on and off the ice. Also to make sure the kids do things the right way. Coach you admire and why Scotty Bowman. I always admired his philosophy and how he was always calm and never got worked up. He was always rock solid, no lows or highs. One thing you would change about youth hockey I think there are too many travel teams. Associations should get back to a solid house foundation, especially early on so kids can develop their skills.

SUBMIT TO WIN

COACHES, 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: • COACHING PHILOSOPHY/STYLE • YOUR NAME • WHERE DO YOU LIVE

• FAVORITE DRILL

• THE LEVEL, TEAM AND ASSOCIATION WHERE YOU COACH

• COACH YOU ADMIRE MOST AND WHY

• NUMBER OF YEARS COACHING • WHY DO YOU COACH • MOST MEMORABLE COACHING MOMENT

• ONE THING YOU’D CHANGE ABOUT YOUTH HOCKEY PLEASE ATTACH A DIGITAL PHOTO OF YOURSELF WITH YOUR ANSWERS AND EMAIL EVERYTHING TO: MH@MICHIGANHOCKEYONLINE.COM

Mission Women win USA Hockey National Championship Mission women’s team has won four straight MAHA Senior C state titles and has added USA Hockey national hardware each year. After two bronze medals and a silver medal, Mission came home with the gold this season. The Garden City-based Mission traveled to Green Bay, Wisc., and won six straight games against Minnesota, New York, Massachusetts, Washington D.C., Utah

and San Jose, to claim the national title. The squad, which includes players 18-47 years old, shutout San Jose, 7-0, in the title game. Mission is: Michelle Carnago, Janine Martinez, Karin Pearson, Sara Leszczynski, Rose Terwilliger, Tracy Cosenza, Stephanie Sabo, Cortney Rosin, Brittni Adams, Teresa Gorno, Bridget Godfrey, Katie Rini, Chelsey Smith and Gabby Matt.

800-667-5141 • www.coachmate.com

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Michigan Hockey

Women’s Hockey

April 26, 2010, Volume 20 : Issue 18

Twenty-three women’s teams competed in the annual Ruicci Cup playoff championship this year.

BY SARAH ZIENTARSKI

The Michigan Senior Women’s Hockey League wrapped up another good season with their annual year-end playoff on March 18-21 at Livonia’s Eddie Edgar Ice Arena. Twenty-three teams played a total of 42 games over the four days in hopes of taking home the league’s ultimate prize - the Ruicci Cup.

Michigan Hockey

Ruicci Cup a big weekend for women’s hockey in Livonia

“It’s the culmination of the season and a chance for the teams to come together,” MSWHL Board Vice President Carol Schwanger said. “Four out of our five divisions participate in the playoffs and sometimes we have some real surprises. It’s really a good time and a fun weekend to finish off the season.” For the players the weekend is more than just the games on the ice. “The games are great but the social part is the most fun,” said Schwanger. “It’s great to see all the ladies hanging out in the lobby and the parking lot and just getting together and having fun.” Michele Monson is the woman responsible for starting the MSWHL when 22 years ago she simply asked her husband, Gil Ruicci, if he could teach some women how to play hockey and he happily obliged. “That day 26 women showed up here (at Eddie Edgar) at six o’clock in the morning,” Ruicci remembers.“There was such a disarray of equipment, I never laughed so hard in my life and from that it’s grown to this.” The league currently consists of 36 squads in five different divisions. “I remember when there weren’t enough women to put on the ice,”Monson said.“Now, I’m just thrilled to see everybody here and the ladies having a good time. Everyone is having a party. I like to see all these people watching women’s hockey. It’s fun watching it grow. It’s fun to watch the people who come back every year.” Four of the five MSWHL divisions compete in the Ruicci Cup: Intermediate 1,

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Intermediate 2, Recreation 1, and Recreation 2. The Advanced Division participates in the MAHA National Bound Women’s Senior Tournament for a chance to go to the USA Hockey National Tournament. “We’ll have four teams go to Nationals this year representing Michigan and that’s huge to us,” Schwanger said. While the social aspect is important, competing for the league championship and the Ruicci Cup is all business. “The goal is to win,” Monson said who plays for the Intermediate 1 Polar Bears. “You play all year to have a good time and you like the women on the other teams but when you come to the Ruicci Cup, you come to win and play your best game. You can lose to a team all year long but when it comes to Ruicci Cup, anything can happen.” Detroit Red Wings legend Ted Lindsay was on hand – as he’s been for many consecutive past years – to drop the puck before each championship game and to present the awards to the winning teams. Lindsay said it didn’t take any convincing from Ruicci when he was asked to participate in the championship games. “Well, its hockey,” Lindsay said as he watched the Recreation 1 title game. “There doesn’t need to be any other explanation. I love hockey. My wife says hockey is a disease with me and I can’t argue with her.” Lindsay enjoys watching all the women compete and intends to continue supporting the MSWHL. “I come here and I go to every game,” Lindsay said. “I get to see these ladies year after year. They appreciate me being here and that appreciation is enough for me to come back year after year.” With spirited competition on the ice and great camaraderie off of it – the weekend goes a long way in helping women’s hockey grow. “I’m very proud of all the ladies who competed this weekend,” said Schwanger, “They take it very seriously, they have a competitive nature and they play the game well and represent the state of Michigan and the sport really well.”

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Girls Hockey

April 26, 2010, Volume 20 : Issue 18

Girls Tier II National Tourney a success

BY LARRY O’CONNOR

19U ICEBREAKERS TRYOUTS Coach : Ken Berkstresser kberkstr@ameritech.net 630-418-5529 Coach : Lauren Lobert lhlobert@gmail.com

Sat 5/1/10 1:30 to 3:00 pm Fri 5/7/10 6:00 to 7:30 pm all skates at Suburban Ice Farmington Hills

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At Suburban Ice East Lansing, license plates in the parking lot were from Connecticut, Virginia, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania while the lobby inside resembled a shopping mall with a converted portrait studio and vendors hawking Girls Scout cookies, jewelry, sports memorabilia and apparel. Otherwise it was business as usual as the USA Hockey Girls Tier II National Tournament completed a successful five-day run at Suburban Ice and The Summit in Dimondale. The amateur hockey revue of some of the country’s best girl’s teams concluded with the crescendo of four championship finals in the 12U, 14U, 16U and 19U age divisions on April 11. One of the eight participating Michigan teams, the 19U St. Clair Shores Saintes, advanced to the semifinals as Massachusetts-based squads made it a clean sweep. “It’s been a great event,” said tournament chairman Jeff Mitchell, who was busy keeping tabs on official USA Hockey merchandise for sale in a store set up off the lobby. “Everyone has been having fun.” While the overall experience spoke to advances in girl’s hockey, disparities in competition suggested the first-ever national event needs some tweaking, though. Massachusetts sent runners-up from its Tier I state tournament to the Tier II National Championship. The Massachusetts district didn’t make a distinction between Tier I and Tier II teams, which raised the ire of some coaches, parents and players. The issue became the white elephant in the room, which Mid Fairfield Connecticut 16U coach Jeff Beck addressed head on after his team lost in the finals to the Massachusetts Spitfires. “They’re a Tier I team,” Beck said. “It’s a bit of a controversy this year. In our minds, we are the top Tier II team in the country. “That’s a controversy that USA Hockey and others will have to take up. They played a great game and they’re a good team, but they are a Tier I team.” Michigan Icebreakers 14U Coach Richard Murray summed up the prevailing mood among non-Massachusetts squads. “In my opinion, we were all competing for second place,”said Murray, whose team advanced to the quarterfinals where they lost to the Wisconsin Ice Spirit. Karen Lundgren said the USA Hockey Youth Council Women/Girl’s Section is aware of the situation. “Let’s just say they will be addressing it,” said Lundgren, who noted the matter detracted from an otherwise highly successful inaugural tournament. “(But) I will go back and say of the 11 other districts that sent teams there, they did well.”

TEAMS FROM ALL OVER Organizers preferred to focus on how the expanded tournament allowed teams from remote outposts like Alaska and Wyoming to experience a USA Hockey National Tournament. During a battle of the 12-and-under Icebreakers squads April 9, Alaska’s traveling contingent included grandparents, parents and silblings as young as 2-months old. While cradling infant son, Loel, Julie Nichols anxiously watched daughter Sabrina earn a shutout in goal as the Alaska Icebreakers beat the host team, 3-0. With the win, the Fairbanks-based outfit advanced to the quarterfinals where they knocked off the Livonia Knights.

The national tournament experience was a whirlwind for the family, the mother said. “She’s pretty amped,” said Nichols, whose sons Lawson, 9, and Link, 4, were scampering through the stands at The Summit. “She’s only 12 years old and she got to come down here. That’s pretty cool.” After advancing from the Pacific District, the Fairbanks community rallied to raise nearly $39,000 in two weeks to help send the team on its way. Most flew into Chicago and chartered a bus to Lansing. Though the Alaskans crashed out in the semifinals to Susquehanna (Pa.) Rapids, coach Luther Brice saw the tournament as the first step to bigger things. “We’re pretty much a small community,” said Brice, whose daughters’ Helenka and Abigail played for the Icebreakers. “What you see here now is pretty much what came to tryouts. For us, it’s big for our organization. “Hopefully, it will help us grow in order to get more girls into the organization.”

LOGISTICS AND FACILITY ENVY The 19-and-under Team Wyoming members hailed from all corners of the sparsely-populated state, which led to some to logistical gymnastics. Many had to drive four hours or more to Denver, Colo. to catch a flight to Detroit Metropolitan Airport and then drove to Lansing. For a boyfriend of one team member, the long journey was worth it. “It’s great because you have some great facilities here,” said Dakota Seymour, whose girlfriend Ashleigh Trujillo played for Team Wyoming. “The Summit is really nice and you have two ice rinks here (at Suburban Ice East Lansing). “We have one little tiny rink (in Laramie).” Many Team Wyoming players played on both boys and girls teams to get enough ice time. As a squad, the Wyoming contingent only played 17 games in the regular season. “It’s a lot of hard work,” said Ann Coons, whose daughter Bailey was on Team Wyoming. “We pick girls from all over the state and we’re not exactly close together. “And a lot of girls are split up between the boys team and the girls team. When we can get together, that’s when we can practice.” In terms of size, Bailey Coon was punching above her weight. Though 13, she played against girls a foot taller in the tournament as the U19 Team Wyoming finished 0-3. “I play on a boys team and I’m pretty much used to the bigger kids,” Bailey said. With the divergent styles of play, spectators had plenty to take in. A couple of members of Michigan State University women’s club set up a booth at the national event to sell Spartan T-shirts and draw attention to the program where some of the standouts on the ice might consider playing someday. The Spartan women play in the American Collegiate Hockey Association Division 1 league. “There is some good talent,” said Megan Purcell, MSU sophomore and club team forward. “I was watching one of the 12U games and, if they keep working it, they are going to be great players.” Mitchell gave a major assist to the Suburban Ice staff and volunteers for helping pull the event together. “The biggest thing is the merchandise store,” Mitchell said. “We’ve had to reorder some merchandise. The girls like the hoodies.”

USA Hockey National Tournamen MichiganHockeyOnline.com

Girls Hockey

Michigan teams show well at USA Hockey Girls Tier II National Tournament in Lansing BY LARRY O’CONNOR

Eight Michigan teams held their own competing in the first-ever USA Hockey Girls Tier II National Tournament in Lansing. Most advanced to the playoffs – the 19U St. Clair Shores Saintes making it to the semis - while others showed why the state is one of top producers of girl’s hockey talent. With both MAHA state champs and host Michigan Icebreakers qualifying, the state had the most representatives at the inaugural event. Here’s how they fared:

12U DIVISION The state champion Livonia Knights finished the inaugural national tournament 2-2, which included victories over the Yellowjackets, 3-0, and Brewster (N.Y) Lady Bulldogs, 6-1, in pool play. Against the Yellowjackets, Brianna Buchanan struck for two short-handed goals while Taylor Whitney added an even-strength mark. Lauren Rippy turned away 14 shots to earn the shutout. Anna Julien netted a hat trick and added an assist in the rout of the Lady Bulldogs. Taylor Whitney, Julia Lutz and Buchanan also scored for the Knights, who led 6-0 before Brewster salvaged a goal with 23 seconds left. Rippy stopped 13 of 14 shots in earn the win in goal. The Knights were then blanked by eventual national champion Bay State Breakers, 3-0, in the preliminary round and then by the Alaska Icebreakers, 1-0, in the quarterfinals. “I thought the girls did great,” Coach Alan Buchanan said. “I went in thinking if we could play Saturday (in the playoffs) we did well. And we played on Saturday.” The state’s other representative, Michigan Icebreakers, finished the tournament 0-3 with Riley Langan as the team’s leading scorer with two assists. Madison Byrne, Marissa Cirino, Savannah Veri and Sophie Kanar had goals.

14U DIVISION Allison Lowe led the state champion Michigan Icebreakers with four goals and eight points in four games as the team finished 2-2. The Icebreakers advanced to the quarterfinals where they lost to the Niagara (N.Y.) Jr. Purple Eagles, 2-1. In pool play, the Icebreakers rebounded from a 2-1 loss to the national runners-up Wisconsin Ice Spirit to beat Alliance (Texas) Girls Prep, 5-2. The team then pounded Alaska Firebirds, 12-0, with Leah Elkins scoring a hat trick and adding two assists. Kendall Clary and Lowe had two goals apiece. Madison Murray stopped 13 shots for the shutout. “I thought they played really well,” Icebreakers Coach Richard Murray said. “We had one bad game, but the rest of the time they played really tough. It was a competitive tournament.” The state’s runner-up Michigan Capitals made the playoffs after going 1-2 in pool play. The Caps fell to the Wisconsin Ice Spirit, 3-1, in the quarterfinals. In the team’s lone victory, a 6-0 thumping of Connecticut Northern Lights, Marissa Avila scored twice while Rebecca Lough turned away 32 shots for the shutout. Other goalscorers were Abigail Grias, Lorrin Cox, Phoebe Cole and Madison Molinari.

16U DIVISION Both state champion Birmingham Rangers and runner-up Michigan Icebreakers advanced to the playoffs where they both lost in the quarterfinals. The Rangers blanked the Connecticut Polar Bears, 2-0, for their lone victory in pool play. Lauren Lee Willis and Karsyn Baker supplied the goals while Hannah Johnson stopped 11 shots to get the shutout. Katherine Danto (a goal and an assist) and Willis (two goals) led the Rangers in scoring with two points each. “I thought we did very well,” Rangers Coach Dave Baker said. “Our goal at the beginning of the season to get to nationals, so to get there was a great achievement.” The Icebreakers’ only victory in pool action came in a 3-2 decision over the Colorado Selects. Emily Hayes’ goal with 11:45 left in the second period stood as the game-winner as the Selects later replied with two goals. Heather Spagnola and Samantha Jenkins also scored for the Icebreakers, who finished the tournament 1-3.

19U DIVISION The state champion St. Clair Shores Saintes made the deepest run of any Michiganbased team by getting to the semis when the team knocked off the Icebreakers, 3-1,

in the quarterfinals. Staci Burlingame, who led the Saintes in scoring with three goals and six points, scored twice in the victory. Renee Wright had the Saintes’ other goal. In the semifinal, the Saintes lost to eventual national champion Massachusetts Spitfires, 6-1. The Saintes’ posted victories over Perinton (N.Y.) Edge, 4-3, in overtime and Team Wyoming, 6-2, during the preliminary round. Jaclynn Warner scored the game-winner with 3:24 left in OT against Perinton. “I think we went as far as we could considering the circumstances,” said Rich Warner, St. Clair Shores Saintes 19U coach. “We weren’t going to beat those teams (from Massachusetts). We gave it a shot, though. I think Anaheim (Lady Ducks) and us should have been the last two teams standing.” Tournament host Michigan Icebreakers scored wins over the Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Lady Roughriders, 4-1, and the Anaheim (Calif.) Lady Ducks, 5-3, in pool play. In the win over Cedar Rapids, Jennifer Polin scored twice while Jaimi Chiti and Abby Davidson added goals for the Icebreakers. Audrey Kobe’s hat trick propelled the Icebreakers past the Lady Ducks.

Eight Michigan teams competed at the first-ever USA Hockey Girls Tier II National Championship, April 7-11, in Lansing.

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Michigan Hockey

Right Wing Born: December 28, 1981 in Livonia Height/Weight: 6-3/200 Shoots: R Season 1999-00 2000-01 2000-01 2001-02 220 00022 033 2002-03 20 0033-004 2003-04 2004 4-005 2004-05 200 05-06 2005-06 22006-07 20 06-07 20 006-077 2006-07 20 007 0 -008 2007-08 2008-0 09 2008-09 2009 0 -110 09 2009-10

Team Catholic Central HS St. Louis Sting Cedar Rapids Michigan M Mi ich chhigann Michigan Mich higgann Michigan Mi ich chig i ann Michigan Om maha Kn nigght hs Omaha Knights Omah ha KKn nights Omaha Knights Ca alggary Fl lam ames mes Calgary Flames Ca alg lgar lgar aryy Fl Flam am ames m Calgary Flames CCalgary Ca Calg alggaryy Fl Flam am mes e Flames CCalgary Ca lgaryy Flam a es Flames NH HL To ottaals l NHL Totals

Lge MIHL NAHL USHL CCHA CCHA CCHA CCHA AHL AHL NHL NHL NHL NHL

GP 28 9 51 43 43 38 38 63 28 41 41 81 64 227

G 18 2 20 4 14 8 10 21 9 10 4 20 8 42

A 20 2 18 9 17 12 20 27 12 8 7 19 9 43

Pts 38 4 38 13 31 20 30 48 21 18 11 39 17 85

PIM 20 2 14 10 37 18 26 28 22 12 10 22 20 64

Powerr forw fforward fo o wa arrd ha has as bl blend lend d of ssize and goal scoring ability and can play on the wing or at center… cent n er… As a ffreshman r sh re hman at Mi Michigan played in the Cold War outdoor game at Michigan State St S tate atte on Oct October ctob ct o err 6 6, 20 2001… 0 W Was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the seventh round (220th overall) 2001 NHL Draft… Called up by Calgary on December 19, 2006 (220 (2 2 th h ove era r ll) in i tthe he e2 00 01 NH and d sc sscored orred o re hiss firstt NHL NHL H goal that night on his first NHL shift against the Los Angeles K Ki Kings… ngs… ng s… … Scored Sco ore ed his his second se econd career ca NHL goal in his second career game on his second care career eer e shot sho ot on o net on on Dec. D c. De c 26 vs. Vancouver… Set a new Flames record as the only rro rookie ookie e tto o sc score core in his first th three games when he scored on Dec. 27 vs. Vancouver… Missed Missed Mi ed e d a ttotal o al off 18 ot 8g games this season with injuries, including a four-game stretch in October Octo toberr and to an nd 13 games games in January… Ja After Flames missed playoffs for first time since 2004, 20 Moss s w ss was as iinvited, nv vited d, al a along o with teammate Eric Nystrom, to play for Team USA at the th he 2010 2 10 W 20 World orld Hoc Hockey ockeyy C oc Championships h in Germany, May 7-23… Became the official athlete a hlet at hlle e spokesperson spok sp okes espe es pe erson rson rs n ffor or tthe Calgary Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation November and pledged $100 for each regular season goal Founda dati at o on n (JDRF) (JDRF F) last No and and d participated partic iccip ipat pa ed d in in JDRF J RF events and fundraisers. JD

PHOTOS BY TOM TURRILL/MICHIGAN HOCKEY

fallseason

tryouts

Midget AAA

Midget A

Midget Major U18 Midget Minor U16

Birth Year 1994 and Younger

____________________________ June 19 and June 21 Cost: $115 at the door (pre-registration forms and schedule at www.GLAHA.org ) For more information contact AAA program director/ head coach Dean Dixon (ddixon44@hotmail.com)

Bantam AAA Birth Year 1996 and Younger

______________________________ June 22 and June 23 Cost: $75 at the door (pre-registration form and schedule at www.glaha.org) For more information contact AAA program director/ head coach Dean Dixon (ddixon44@hotmail.com) The Lansing Capitals Midget Major, Midget Minor and Bantam AAA teams compete in the North American Prospects Hockey League. www.NAPHL.net

Come learn and play with our coaches who have played out the dream!

____________________________ May 17, 7 to 8 p.m., May 18, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. and May 20 (TBD) Cost: $10 per session For more information contact head coach Joe Costello (joecostellocpa@aol.com or 517-281-3025)

Bantam A Birth Year 1997 and Younger

____________________________ June 1, 7 to 8:20 p.m. and June 3, 7 to 8:20 p.m. For more information e-mail capitals97@comcast.net

Pee Wee AA Birth Year 1998 and Younger

____________________________ Monday June 7, 7 p.m. and Tuesday June 8, 7 p.m. Cost: $20 each session For more information contact head coach Jon Smalley (jsmalley@mhsa.com or 517-881-3595) or assistant coach Tomas Brown (tomas@a2slansing. com or 517-402-1650) The Lansing Capitals Pee Wee AA team competes in the top Yzerman Division of the Little Caesars Amateur Hockey Association

Lansing Capitals

Squirt AA Birth Year 2000 or Younger

____________________________ Wednesday May 26, 6 p.m. and Friday May 28, 6 p.m. Cost: $20.00 each session For more information, contact head coach Jason Muzzatti (wjmuzz@aol.com) Players are expected to attend BOTH try-out dates.

Lansing Capitals

Squirt A Birth Year 2001 or Younger

___________________________ Monday May 24, 7 p.m. and Wednesday May 26, 7 p.m. For more information contact coach Steve Fenech (h1fenech@aol.com) or coach Travis Van Tighem (tvantighem@setseg.org)

All tryouts at:

2810 Hannah Blvd., East Lansing, MI 48823 517-336-4272 or suburbanice.com

Banquet of Champions

April 26, 2010, Volume 20 : Issue 18

PHOTOS BY BOB BRUCE AND TOM TURRILL/MICHIGAN HOCKEY

18th Annual Banquet of Champions a big night for amateur hockey in Michigan The MAHA state tournament continues to grow and so does Michigan Hockey’s annual celebration of all the state champions. This year’s 18th annual Banquet of Champions, held at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi on April 13, 2010, was another big night for amateur hockey in Michigan. This year’s Banquet of Champions featured 24 MAHA state championship teams, including boys teams in the squirt, pee wee, bantam and midget age groups at the BB, B, A, AA, AAA and new JV Prep levels, along with eight girls teams from the 12 and Under, 14 and Under, 16 and Under and 19 and Under Tier I and II levels. More than 1000 Michigan state championship players, coaches, family members, amateur hockey supporters and special guests were on hand for the 2010 Michigan Hockey Banquet of Champions. “Everyone at Michigan Hockey is proud to honor all of the MAHA state champions,” said Philip Colvin, Michigan Hockey Editor in Chief. “The Banquet of Champions gives the players, coaches and their families some recognition for their terrific seasons. It is a big undertaking, but seeing all the smiling faces enjoying the night makes it all worth it.” After the social hour, guests were treated to a program of dinner, action-packed team videos and a Super Drawing of great hockey prizes that included apparel, gift certificates, and equipment, including new Reebok and CCM sticks and skates. In addition, coaches were presented with wooden plaques to commemorate their

Michigan Hockey

team’s outstanding season. CCHA associate commissioner and hockey analyst Fred Pletsch served as the Master of Ceremonies and helped honor Michigan’s most successful youth hockey teams. “You have all earned state titles,”Pletsch told the players in attendance. “And with it you will have friends and memories for the rest of your lives.” During the social hour guests had a chance to catch up with teammates and friends and view some of Reebok and CCM’s newest products at the equipment manufacturer’s display. Sales representatives Steve Rymsha and Jill Gaudet brought skates, sticks, pads and helmets and were on hand to talk about the new products with players. There were 10 teams and 300 people at the first Michigan Hockey Banquet of Champions at the Dearborn Holiday Inn in 1993. The one-of-a-kind event has grown every year but wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of sponsors that include Reebok / CCM Hockey, Contemporary Industries, the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association, Buffalo Wild Wings, Perani’s Hockey World, Plymouth Whalers and Compuware, Honeybaked Hockey Club, Detroit Red Wings Foundation, Little Caesars Enterprises and Rock Financial Showplace. “We appreciate all of their tremendous support, because we couldn’t do this Banquet without the commitment of our sponsors,” said Colvin. “On behalf of our sponsors, congratulations again from Michigan Hockey on a great season.”

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GO ONLINE TO SEE FULL GALLERY

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Get Better The more technically sound a player skates, the better chance they have of developing the rest of their game.

Improving your forward stride It’s often said“if you can’t skate – you can’t play”. The more efficient and technically sound a player skates, the better chance they have of developing other skills related to it such as handling the puck and checking. Every player has a different skating style and you can work to develop the strengths and eliminate the problem areas.

BODY POSTURE Knee bend is critical – for balance and for creating power which translates into speed. The closer a player can get to bending his knees to 90 degrees, the better. It is almost impossible to achieve – but needs to be worked at endlessly- and takes time to develop the leg strength to be able to maintain it. The upper body should be bent slightly forward with the chest and head up. Often players think they are bending their knees, while in fact they are bending at the waist and their legs are relatively straight.

STICK POSITIONING How a player holds their stick has a tremendous affect on their balance and rhythm. The only time players need two hands on their stick is when they are battling for the puck, are expecting a pass, or are carrying the puck and are being confronted by a defender or about to make a play with it. The point is, you can skate faster and more efficiently with only one hand on the stick, whether you are carrying the puck or not. The stick should be in one hand and always on the ice out in front of the skates, moving up and back with each stride, not side to side.

RHYTHM AND ARM MOVEMENT The upper body needs to work in sync with the lower body. Arms should be close to

S HA

E PLETZ

the sides, slightly bent and move forward and backward with each stride – whichever leg a player strides with, that arm should be moving forward as the player strides back – much in the same fashion your arms move while running – creating a rhythm. If players have two hands on their stick, they tend to move their arms side to side, which they also then tend to do with one hand on their stick resulting in their arms moving across their bodies negatively affecting their balance and rhythm and their stride. Watch a skater’s stick blade – it should be on the ice, moving up and back with each stride – not side to side and the bottom of the blade should stay on the ice. Forward skating can be broken down into three phases or steps, the stride, glide and return, with all three playing a very important role in creating power and speed.

THE STRIDE The stride or “push” is where the power comes from. In striding, the foot is turned out to the side, gripping the ice with the inside edge of the skate blade, powering the body forward from the push. The push or stride is a diagonal movement – back and to the side – not straight back. The stride should start from a good knee bend position and at the end of the stride the leg should be completely straight with the knee “locked”. Power comes not only from the movement of the leg, but also from a push created while flexing or “snapping the ankle”. The end of the push is off of the toe of the skate blade and you should hear a “ripping” sound as the toe of the blade leaves the ice.

THE GLIDE The non-pushing leg is the glide leg – as you stride off of your right leg, you glide on your left – while recovering to position your body to stride with your left and glide on your right. This is the leg that needs to be bent as close as possible to 90 degrees. The more knee bend on the glide leg, the longer and more powerful the stride or push can be. On the glide, a player must make sure to be moving in a straight line up the ice. With the push or stride actually being diagonal, a player must control the body to move straight up the ice and not side to side. At the end of the stride, the weight is shifted or loaded up onto the glide leg in preparation for the next stride.

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go to the net for a rebound.

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PHOTO BY DAVE REGINEK/DRW

THE RETURN As the weight shifts onto the glide leg at the end of the stride – the pushing leg must now return into position for the next push – it becomes the glide leg as the other leg begins its stride. It is important that the return from the end of the stride is in a straight line back underneath the body to proper position. Oftentimes, because of the side to side movement of the upper body – the lower body is moved side to side – resulting in a “looping” of the skate on the return – which takes more time – and negatively affects balance. On the return, the skate should be kept close to the ice and not kicked up behind.

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May 1st - June 19th

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Michigan Hockey

State of the Game

April 26, 2010, Volume 20 : Issue 18

State Game of the

by Lyle Phair

Training & Fitness Guide

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Take a walk around any ice arena lobby immediately before or after a game and you can be assured of hearing a number of different tidbits of information. Or in many cases, misinformation. The intentions might be correct. The information just isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t necessarily. The old adage, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Believe half of what you see and none of what you hearâ&#x20AC;? might in fact be good advice when navigating your way through the hockey waters. There is a plethora of rumors and a passel of innuendo and myths that circulate from rink to rink and hockey family to hockey family, passed down from year to year and generation to generation. How does one know what to believe and what not to believe, who to believe and who not to believe? Where should you go for advice that you can trust? There is no substitute for experience. Those who have been there and done that often have a fairly good perspective. Although just because they have had the experience doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t necessarily mean they understood it or learned from it. The downside of â&#x20AC;&#x153;experienceâ&#x20AC;? is that â&#x20AC;&#x153;what wasâ&#x20AC;? has happened in the past, and perhaps things have changed. So here is a little advice from me on what I believe are the top five fallacies in the youth hockey community. These myths are often perpetuated by those who have something to gain from the message that they send. The reality is that there is a little truth to most of them, but taken out of context, they can send the complete wrong message.

5. PLAYING ON THE BEST TEAM IS ALWAYS BEST

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Michigan Hockey

It might be. But it just as easily might be the worst thing for a player. I guess it depends on priorities. If winning is the top priority, then being on a winning team might fulfill that playerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s objectives. But it probably wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help them to be a better player in the long run, if that is important to them. Sure, there are some advantages. Practicing with and against better players every practice can definitely help a player improve. But practicing is one component. Competing and playing the game is very much a different thing. A third line forward or third pair defenseman on the strongest team could very possibly be a top line or top pair player on another team. Those situations offer a very different set of opportunities for the player to take advantage of. Do you want to be locked into a third line situation, slotted into a role playing â&#x20AC;&#x153;checkerâ&#x20AC;? or defensive defenseman at the ripe old age of 12? Or do you want to have an opportunity to play in and learn from every situation that the game has to offer? The second, and maybe most important, negative with being on the best team is that you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t very often lose. Losing is important. No matter how good a coach is at getting the most out of the players and challenging them to get better, they are human. Human nature is to get complacent when you rarely fail. You see it every year in youth hockey. The team below the top team (that never loses) makes greater strides and closes the gap on the top team over the course of the year. They have a carrot dangling in front of them. A little more of â&#x20AC;&#x153;something to play forâ&#x20AC;? than the top team does. Losing games, learning from that and reacting to it is very much an essential part of the development of the player and the team.

4. MORE IS BETTER If practicing or playing hockey three or four times a week allows you to get good at it, then six or seven times a week will be even better. Maybe. Maybe not. It depends on the player and the playerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s age. There is a point of diminishing

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TOP FIVE FALLACIES OF YOUTH HOCKEY returns. Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s youth player has opportunities (or maybe challenges) that the players of yesteryear did not. Rinks are open year round and players can play year round. That can be good, but it can be bad as well. A break from the game is necessary for both the physical and mental well-being of the player. Refresh, re-charge, re-energize and come back with a hunger and enthusiasm. Too many players today do not get that break. They love to play. Their parents love that they love to play and love that they are good at it. They want to give them every opportunity to succeed. They donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want them to be left behind. So they allow them, and sometimes even push them, to do more and more. No matter how good a player gets, they have to have the desire and passion to play the game. Too much hockey is too much. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been there. Every player who has played at a higher level has been there. There are times when you just donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to be around the game. You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want that time to be when your child should be enjoying it most.

3. PAYING FOR â&#x20AC;&#x153;EXPOSUREâ&#x20AC;? IS NECESSARY Parents want to give their child every opportunity to succeed. Some will do almost anything to see that happen. A whole cottage industry of â&#x20AC;&#x153;exposure programsâ&#x20AC;?capitalizes on, or exploits (depending on your viewpoint) this premise. There are all kinds of â&#x20AC;&#x153;selectâ&#x20AC;? teams or â&#x20AC;&#x153;eliteâ&#x20AC;? teams that get put together during the off-season that promise players that they will be seen by coaches and recruiters from teams at a higher level. Players love the thought of being on aâ&#x20AC;&#x153;selectâ&#x20AC;?team. Parents love the thought of their player being considered a â&#x20AC;&#x153;selectâ&#x20AC;? player. The people that run these programs love the thought that the parents are willing to do or pay almost anything to see that happen. Bottom line is if you are a good enough player, you shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to pay for the opportunity to â&#x20AC;&#x153;be seenâ&#x20AC;?.

2. PLAYING WITH AND AGAINST BETTER PLAYERS MAKES A PLAYER BETTER At every age level up and every level of play up, the pace of play is faster. The hockey looks better. From that respect it is better. It should be. The players are either/or older and better. So it seems natural that a player (or the parents) would want to play that hockey as opposed to â&#x20AC;&#x153;the next level downâ&#x20AC;?. It makes them better, right? Maybe. But it can also make them worse. Many players can â&#x20AC;&#x153;playâ&#x20AC;? at the higher level. They can survive. They can chase the puck around, get in the way, break up plays. But they canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be a difference maker at that level. They donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t control the puck, make plays, try new things, gain confidence and develop skills. They are too busy just trying to keep up. Every NHL player of today was a dominant youth hockey player at the level they played at. They wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the skills that they have if they werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t.

1. A COACH WITH A WINNING RECORD MUST BE A GOOD COACH They could be. But they could just as easily be perceived as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;good coachâ&#x20AC;? because they have the best players. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the test. Do the players â&#x20AC;&#x153;make the coachâ&#x20AC;? or does the coach â&#x20AC;&#x153;make the playersâ&#x20AC;?? How do you determine that? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not easy to answer for the parent of a youth player. There are coaches of some of the better teams who couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t coach a stray kitten to a bowl of milk. Conversely, there are some who are excellent at actually coaching their players to be better, yet have teams that lose as much or maybe even more than they win.

From the Crease

STEVE McKICHAN From the crease The Post Leg Up (also known as the VH Position) The Post Leg Up is a strategy goalies are using today pervasively. Just like when the paddle down came into the goaltending world, the Post Leg Up save selection is now used with mixed success. The Post Leg Up save selection works beautifully when deployed in the correct situations and with correct technique. But like the paddle down, it will make you look foolish if misused. The Miami Redhawks lost the 2009 NCAA Championship when a last minute goal slipped though the goalie’s armpit while attempting a post leg up save.

limited time and space. Your ability to drive off the post as the attacker cuts in front is a key benefit to this position. The Post Leg Up presents a nice blocking surface that seals the low ice but still allows for rapid repositioning. As a general rule you should only attempt this save selection when the attacker is within a stick length. Once they get more depth on you they will be able to easily open up the net with puck adjustment. Other common errors are holes in the coverage and pulling off the post too soon.

STATIC POST LEG UP

DYNAMIC POST LEG UP

The Static Post Leg Up by definition is used as a way to hug the post. The Post Leg is vertical and the pad face is square to the puck. The inside pad is placed flush to the ice on a slight angle off the goal line. On the blocker side, the blocker pad seals the post, and the stick is placed flat on the ice centered properly. The glove side knee firmly presses against the blocker side skate sealing the 5-Hole. The glove itself is positioned with the palm square to the puck, stacked on top of the pad or slightly forward. This a classic block position so there should be no holes anywhere in the wall. On the glove side, the glove pad seals the post and the trapper is placed directly on top of the pad to fill the short side shelf. If it isn’t placed there, crafty players can hit this spot. The inside pad is placed as it was on the other side. The stick can be placed in the paddle down position, which is effective on strong tight wrap plays or with the stick blade flush if the attacker has some separation. The Static Post Leg Up works well on pressured wraps and low walkouts with

The Dynamic Post Leg Up works well on poor angle cut ins and shallow net drives. As the player approaches, the goalie begins to do a properly timed retreat back to the top of the crease. Near the end of the retreat the inside pad is placed in a post leg up position. This closes the 5-Hole option and covers the short side completely, leaving the attacker with really only one option - a cut in across the crease. With a proper momentum build the goalie can now drive laterally using a butterfly slide. This will ensure minimal net is available along the ice. Ideally, the attacker must be under serious pressure for this strategy to work well. A smart goalie will also protect the immediate area in front of them with a half poke check if the attacker chooses to come that close. The Post Leg Up should never be deployed on poor angle shots when the guy is over a stick length away. It is simply a save selection - often incorrectly applied in the wrong context. On poor angle shots where the attacker has depth you can simply

step off the post near the top of the crease and used a standard block butterfly, you would have the entire net filled and 99.9% save percentage on this play. Another key factor in the success rate of the Post Leg Up is the available time and space an attacker has. A smart shooter with time and space will still be able to attack the Post Leg Up position with quick lateral puck adjustments and be able to hit those small holes. A final negative that exists with the Post Leg Up is the tendency to generate slot rebounds. Because the Post Leg Up is a blocking save and some of the gear is not square to the puck, slot rebounds can result. Steve McKichan is the owner of Future Pro goalie school and the former goaltending coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

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. Send entries to Steve at info@futurepro.com with Name/Address/Phone Number/Email Winner: February - Peter Hansknecht

The most popular Goalie School in Michigan - REAL Credentials...REAL Results! Visit futurepro.com 519-247-3122

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Michigan Hockey

From the Crease

Eli Wilson From the crease How and when to use the Butterfly Slide If you watch a lot of NHL hockey you quickly realize that the speed of the game has never been so fast. For the last couple of years implementation of new rules regarding obstruction has created more space for skilled players and impacted how goalies must now play. Another important factor changing the game is the fact that hockey players now train better than they ever have. For goaltenders it means that everything now happens quicker, reducing the time of reaction to a minimum. As a result, one of the very important aspects of the position that goaltenders must now master in order to be successful is the butterfly slide. A perfect butterfly slide is a necessity, allowing the goalie to move laterally quickly while keeping his or her body on the puck . I will explain why goaltenders should butterfly slide, how they should execute a good slide, and finally when they should use it.

ATTENTION

WHY TO USE IT

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www.sportcamps.msu.edu/ email: hockey@msu.edu

THE STEP

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The butterfly is the best way for a goaltender to configure his or her body in relation to the size and shape of the hockey net (wider than it is tall). The goaltender creates a wall with no holes (knees together and arms tight to the body) and fully covers the bottom and middle portions of the net, where over 70% of all “game shots” are taken. When the goalie is down on their knees with heels flared out, and upper body erect, the shooter is forced to try and beat the goalie with a perfect shot in the upper corners of the net. The percentage of shots that can beat the goalie is very small, and goalies cover these holes with hand and elbow movement and shooters often miss the net trying to pick the upper corners. Under pressure (or perceived pressure) players will shoot at the middle of the net, or miss the net trying for the small openings. That is why in situations such as a quick lateral pass, back door pass, pass out from the corner, or a deke, the goaltender should replicate the butterfly configuration while moving into position. If done properly the butterfly slide will allow the goalie to simplify his or her game, and become more efficient and consistent. The butterfly slide can be broken into four phases: the step, the drop, the push, and the butterfly itself. Goalies have to keep in mind that if they are forced to use a butterfly slide it’s because the puck is quickly changing direction. With the puck changing direction, the angles that the goaltender must cover will be different. Therefore the goalie has to adjust their body position. In order to do this they have to “step back”. Leading the way should be the head and shoulders. Indeed, if the goalie keeps their eyes on the puck as it is moving, the upper body will automatically turn. The next thing the goalie has to do is adjust the lower body. It is done by pivoting the lead skate on the inside edge and at the at the exact same time the back leg (pushing leg) and skate will also change position, and the skate blade of the push leg will now be perpendicular to the direction of the push. Weight is transferred from the lead leg to the back leg. The ankle of the push skate turns over so the inside edge grips the ice. The step is

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the most important part of the slide for young goaltenders. Beginners often make the mistake of not stepping. Their skate blade stays on the ice and they end up doing a T-push followed by a butterfly drop. And as a result they expose the middle of the net for too long.

THE DROP After the goalie has stepped back, they must simultaneously drive the lead knee to the ice. This will release the lead skate blade from the ice and allow the slide to begin. It is important to get the entire pad on the ice as quickly as possible to cover the bottom of the net first. The lead skate and pad does not extend forward, rather movement comes from the push of the back skate. As soon as the lead skate blade is released from the ice the goalie must push hard with the back skate, using the inside edge. Power comes from having weight over the push skate, so the goalie should not lean with their upper body. The Five-Hole must be closed instantly with the knee of the push (back) leg. Inexperienced goalies often drag their back or push leg and leave a big hole.

THE PUSH Just like goalies do when they execute a T-push or an inside edge push, they must be sure to use the entire skate blade to grip the ice. The explosiveness and speed comes from gripping the ice with the entire inside edge, rolling the ankle inward, and finishing with a snap of the toe of the skate. Right after the goalie has pushed he or she has to bring the power (push) leg down under the body and squeeze the knees to cover the five hole.

THE BUTTERFLY POSITION As the goalie is sliding in a butterfly motion, the hands and elbows must be ready to react to a high or rising shot. No pucks should ever be allowed through the armpits, and the elbows have to be tight to the body. It is important that the goalie watches the release of the puck off the shooters stick. As the goalie is executing the butterfly slide, either glove can rise to stop a high shot. To make the high saves, the goalie can use elbows or hands (on both the catch and blocker side). The hand and arm motion should be upward with no rotation backwards with the body. Keeping the torso of the body square to the puck will cover the most space. Weight should be equal on both knees, giving the goalie good balance and the ability to react in either direction. The stick blade should be out in front of the goalie (not tight to the knees). The stick should not be used to attempt saves as this will cause the body to rotate and not be square to the puck. Instead, the stick will be used to retrieve a rebound, gather it in and cover the puck for a whistle. If the stick blade is tight to the knees, there will be a very large hole under the blocker side armpit, and the stick blade won’t be in a good position to retrieve a rebound. Inexperienced goalies have a tendency to lose control of their arms and hands when they slide. Their arms swing back and forth and as a result they leave holes, are un-square to the puck and can’t react to rising and high shots. The hands must move with the upper body, creating the largest blocking surface possible, with the ability to reach upward and outward on high shots. Keep training hard and check back next issue for more of my goalie tips and techniques. And remember eyes attached to the puck – always. Eli Wilson is president of Worldpro Goaltending School and currently coaches 14 NHL goalies.

Navigating Na vigating the Froz Frozen en Wa Waters ters A guide to helping players chart a course for their hockey careers

Ontario Hockey League Editor’s Note: The following article is the 12th installment of our “Navigating the Frozen Waters” educational series aimed at helping both new and veteran players and parents understand the different 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 Frozen Waters by e-mailing us at: mh@michiganhockeyonline.com. BY TIM WILSON

When a player from North America is working towards a career in the National Hockey League, chances are he will wind up competing at one of two levels: U.S. college hockey or major junior hockey. Major junior’s Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is made up of three leagues: the Ontario Hockey League, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. More than 50 percent of active NHL players have CHL experience, and the three junior leagues are the largest supplier of talent to the league. Legendary players like Steve Yzerman and Wayne Gretzky honed their skills in the OHL as well as recent graduates Steven Stamkos, John Tavares and Drew Doughty. “The Ontario League is a like a mini-NHL,” said Saginaw Spirit General Manager and Head Coach Todd Watson. “You get the opportunity to play against the best 16-20 year old players in the world.” Saginaw is one of two Michigan based OHL franchises along with the Plymouth Whalers. The Erie Otters are the league’s other American team while the remaining 17 are in Ontario for a total of 20 franchises. OHL teams employ full-time coaching staffs, trainers, equipment managers, scouts, ticket sales and marketing specialists who by and large run professional and profitable organizations. And maybe most importantly to parents, all player costs are covered at the major junior level.

A MAJOR DECISION By the time a high-end player is 15 or 16 years old, he will likely be faced with the decision to play either major junior or U.S. college hockey. Although the OHL is not a professional league like the minor pro IHL or AHL, the NCAA considers Canadian Hockey League teams as professional (NCAA Bylaw 12.2.2.3) because, in essence, its players receive stipends and some have already signed professional contracts with NHL teams. So a player that competes in an OHL game becomes ineligible for U.S. college hockey, although NCAA regulations do allow for an appeal process to restore that eligibility with the loss of at least

the first year of college competition (NCAA Bylaw 12.2.2.3.1). And while the players in the OHL get paid, it isn’t very much. On average, a player gets about $50 per week with over-age (20 or older) players getting slightly more, according to both Watson and Plymouth assistant coach Joe Stefan. While both U.S. college hockey and major junior employ no-touch icing, major junior allows fighting and does not require full face masks, instead mandating all players to wear visors. Players are selected through the OHL Priority Selection conducted each May at the midget minor age level. This year’s draft will be for 1994 birth year players. A team then has the rights to the player selected and must sign him to a standard player agreement. The agreements can include arrangements regarding educational costs as well as the weekly stipend, according to Watson.

MAKING THE TEAM While many players on a roster come from the draft, it isn’t unusual for a free agent or two to make a club in training camp. Players may also be traded during the season up until the league’s trading deadline in January. The league also has a limit on the number of 20-year olds a team may carry, which is three following the trade deadline. Up until that point a team may have up to five. The league also limits the number of Import Players (from outside North America) a team may carry to two. In preparing for the draft, team scouts scour the U.S. and Canada looking for talent. Each of the three leagues in the CHL has assigned provinces and states that fall within their territory for selecting players. For instance, Michigan kids can now only be drafted by teams from the OHL. Years ago this wasn’t the case when Michigan natives like Mike Modano ended up in the WHL and Pat LaFontaine played in the QMJHL. Teams begin training camps in August each year in preparation for a 68-game regular season schedule that starts in mid-September and runs through the middle of March. In the end, 16 out of the 20 teams make the playoffs, eight from the Western Conference and eight from the Eastern Conference. Each conference is divided into two five-team divisions during the regular season with division winners receiving the top two seeds in each conference for the playoffs. Because the majority of players are not from the town they are playing in, a billet system allows players to live with a local family during the season. The families are reimbursed with a monthly stipend that goes towards housing and feeding the player that runs in the $275 - $350 range. Billets also receive season tickets from the team as well. “Our billet families are great and do a fabulous job with our players,” said Stefan. “We do background and police checks to make sure everything is OK.”

A FULL SCHEDULE Normally, all of a team’s high school aged players attend the same school while older players may attend college. All educational costs are taken care of by the team. In addition, a team might agree to pay for a player to attend a college or university

after the player has finished competing at the major junior level. “For a 16- or 17-year old a typical day will be going to school and then spending the afternoon at practice and going over video,” said Watson. Older players may attend college classes a couple of times during the week and spend additional time at the rink. The majority of games during the season take place on weekends but a number are played during the week as well. Weekday games are usually scheduled against teams that are geographically close in an effort to minimize time missed at school. For a Wednesday night game, Saginaw will usually play Plymouth, Sarnia or Windsor which are all within a couple of hours travel time. The winner of the OHL playoff title earns a spot in the Memorial Cup tournament in May that features the winner of the OHL, WHL and QMJHL, along with a host team that is selected in advance. This season the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings are hosting the tournament in Manitoba while next year a team from the OHL will host. NHL scouts follow the league closely and teams enjoy strong fan support as well. It’s not unusual to find more than 6,000 on hand at Windsor while London regularly draws more than 9,000 per game. Saginaw regularly has crowds of over 5,000 and attendance was up this season in Plymouth this year as fans came out to see future NHL first round pick Tyler Seguin and company. Most OHL rosters include players that have been drafted by NHL teams and returned to major junior for more experience. For the first two seasons after being drafted by an NHL team, a player must be sent back to his junior team if he fails to stay with the NHL team, meaning a player that is 18 or 19 could not be sent to a minor league team. Three of the top ranked prospects for the upcoming 2010 NHL Draft currently play in the OHL and have local connections. The Whalers’ Seguin finished as the number one draft eligible prospect this season according to NHL Central Scouting, followed closely by Windsor’s Taylor Hall. At number five overall is Windsor defenseman and Farmington Hills native Cam Fowler.

The average CHL player in the NHL Height: Weight: Age: Shoots Right Handed: Shoots Left Handed: OHL experience: WHL experience: QMJHL experience: AHL experience: IHL experience:

6-1 205 26.8 36.7 63.3 41.7 39.2 19.1 83.4 10.1

Source: 2009-10 NHL rosters

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Michigan Hockey

Michigan Hockey Scholar Athlete of the Year

April 26, 2010, Volume 20 : Issue 18

Minnie earns Female-Scholar Athlete of the Year Award BY LINLEY WARTENBERG

Port Huronâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chelsea Minnie is the 2010 Michigan Hockey Female-Scholar Athlete of the Year.

Four years, two high schools, three different teams and four different coaches didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t affect Chelsea Minnieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hockey career during high school. If anything, it showed her adaptability and perseverance and helped her earn Michigan Hockeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2010 Female-Scholar Athlete of the Year Award. Minnie split her high school years at both St. Clair and Port Huron, but it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t because her family moved. Intent on earning a college scholarship, Minnie followed the sport to where she could get a good education and play at the highest level. It worked. The Port Huron senior will play at Grand Valley State next season. She plans to major in computer science. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I started watching CSI, and, obviously, the real world isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like that, but I researched it and it really interested me,â&#x20AC;? Minnie said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Before that, I had no idea what I wanted to do.â&#x20AC;? What sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s done since she was little, though, is play hockey. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I grew up watching hockey with my step dad and playing sports with all the boys. By the time I was seven years old, I was begging to play hockey myself,â&#x20AC;?Minnie said.â&#x20AC;&#x153;My step dad got me involved in clinics and camps and I could never get enough of them.â&#x20AC;? A hard worker on and off the ice, Minnie earned the respect of coaches and recruiters. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I never had to ask Chelsea to work harder in practice and or games, she is someone that has the internal drive to be successful no matter the challenge,â&#x20AC;? Port Huron coach Ron Cook said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She is very passionate and has all the tools to compete at a very high level.â&#x20AC;? Minnieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parents realized her hockey talent might get her farther than high school when, at 15, she attended a girlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s showcase camp in Toronto. Players competed together and not by age, and Minnie wound up playing on two different teams and a total of a dozen games. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When we got back home, she was getting some phone calls and letters from private high schools across Canada and the U.S.,â&#x20AC;? her father Randy Hinkley said. The following year, she attended a USA Hockey camp as an at-large player. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At that point, we figured there might be something to it,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Through high school, Minnie played for three different teams. During her freshman year at St. Clair, she played boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Bantam AA hockey. Aiming for a scholarship, she switched to girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; high school hockey her sophomore year, which meant moving in with her parents to play at Port Huron High School. She decided to return to St. Clair High School the following year and played for the Chatham Outlaws. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a higher paced game,â&#x20AC;? Minnie said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was still girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; hockey, but it was more fun and a little more experienced.â&#x20AC;? Minnie returned to Port Huron when Cook became coach of the Lady IceHawks. She met with him before tryouts and when Cook shared with Minnie his goals for the team, and she knew sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d met her coach. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He wanted to win everything,â&#x20AC;? Minnie said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He wanted to forget the past and push everyone to their fullest.â&#x20AC;? Things really clicked her senior year with Cook behind the bench. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our coach is a lot more like me: he wants to win at all costs,â&#x20AC;? she said. Minnie, the captain, led Port Huron in scoring with 29 goals and 46 points. She had her choice of a few colleges and selected Grand Valley over Adrian College in a close call. She had already verbally committed to Adrian, but realized Grand Valley was the better choice for her. Attending two high schools in alternating years made it hard for Minnie to thrive academically, but she maintained a 3.1 GPA and a spot on the honor roll throughout her high school career, even as she battled through a rough case of mono that struck her during exams. In addition to academics, she kept her eye on sports. Minnie ran cross country as a junior and a senior and also weight-trained with the football team. Minnieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parents, Randy and Carrie Hinkley, are glad to see her hard work pay off. Randy Hinkley coached her as a young player and tried not to show favoritism, even holding her back to some degree. Now, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s her time. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As we stepped away from being part of her team, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been nice to hear different people giving her praise,â&#x20AC;? he said.

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Michigan Hockey Person of the Year Lundgren named Hockey Person of the Year BY LINLEY WARTENBERG

When MAHA vice president Ray Kraemer arrived with Karen Lundgren in Green Bay, Wis., at this year’s USA Hockey Girls Tier I National Championships, he knew they wouldn’t be heading to their hotel rooms to unwind. “Her modus operandi is to go straight to the rink and meet with people, tour the rink – and I don’t mean a cursory tour, either. She’s a stickler and makes sure everything is correct,” said Kramer says. “Then we go to the other site, check out that rink and by then it’s time for the coaches and managers’meetings. It’s not until about 10 o’clock at night that she has lunch.” The next day when the tournament starts, Lundgren is always there, bright and early. “She doesn’t want to leave anything to chance,” said Kraemer. For over 20 years, Lundgren has provided leadership and guidance to girls and women in hockey. Her tireless dedication to female hockey has earned her Michigan Hockey’s 2010 Hockey Person of the Year award. “I’m glad to have been part of seeing the growth for the females,” Lundgren said. “It’s like `If you build it they will come.’ If you expose the girls to it, see how much fun it is and they will go play.” Lundren got involved when her son started playing, then her daughters decided they’d rather play hockey than figure skate. Teams were scarce at first, and gradually, Lundgren got involved. “First, it’s, `Hey, Ma, we need a manager,’ and then `Hey Ma, we need this’ and `Hey Ma, we need that.’”Lundgren said. “Then it’s an association: `Hey we need some help,’ and then the league says they need something.” Lundgren eventually found her way to USA Section Director for female hockey, and has served as the Michigan district representative. She plans to retire this summer. “Female hockey will always have a special part in my heart,” she says. “I think it’s time for me to move on and let the younger generation come in.” Lundgren has helped women all across the state get started playing, including Michelle Monson, who with Lundgren’s guidance, helped start the Michigan Senior Women’s Hockey League that now has 30 teams in five divisions. “She was instrumental right from the beginning and has logged more time than anyone in promoting the female game – from Learn to Skate to Senior Women –

across the country,” said MAHA girls/women’s VP Patty Madden. Lundgren, a retired emergency room nurse, says she’s “not the raging feminist,” and simply got involved because her daughters wanted to play. “I had sons and I had daughters,” she said. “If my sons could do it, how come my daughters couldn’t?” She said her biggest challenge was making people realize that females were capable of playing hockey. Growing up, she hadn’t been allowed to – there were no sports at all for girls – but her daughters wanted to, so she made a place for them. “I don’t think it changed quickly, but it has changed and that’s what important,” Lundgren said. “Girls really do want to play hockey.” She faced obstacles promoting what had been perceived as a male sport, but she stuck with it. “She paved the way, with her no-nonsense attitude and got things done,” said Carol Schwanger, MAHA Disabled Director. Lundgren encouraged Schwanger to play in the Metro Hockey League, but Schwanger didn’t feel like she was ready. Lundgren encouraged her to try it anyway, noting that she’d never improve if she didn’t seek out competition. “She was right, of course,” said Schwanger. Lundgren’s been a source of information for players, coaches, managers and coaches. “Karen was always the friendly voice of knowledge,”Monson said. “She was never too busy or uninterested.” A stickler for the rules, Lundgren worked to get answers and tackle complaints. “She researches and answers every question and she’s consistent. She doesn’t play favorites and she’s fair with everybody,” Kraemer says. “That’s been her trait and that’s why she’s so well-respected.” “She is a just a fine lady and she’s devoted her life to girls’ women’s, hockey,” Kraemer said. “She’s done it and she’s given her all.” Lundgren’s efforts have paid off for female hockey in Michigan and the country. Madden notes girls hockey is one of the fastest growing sections of USA Hockey. “Women’s hockey will have a big void when Karen retires,” Monson said. “She has paved the way for many good people to succeed her, but no one can replace her.”

Longtime USA Hockey girls/women’s section director Karen Lundgren is Michigan Hockey’s 2010 Hockey Person of the Year

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Michigan Hockey Scholar Athlete of the Year Mager named Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year BY LINLEY WARTENBERG

The Troy Stingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Alex Mager is Michigan Hockeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2010 Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Alex Mager had heard of Michigan Hockeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year award, but it never occurred to him he might qualify. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When I was a lot younger, I saw it and thought about it, but that was before high school,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was surprised to win.â&#x20AC;? A goalie for the Troy Sting Midget AA team, Mager has always had a focus on academics and hockey. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a smart kid and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s totally committed to hockey all year through,â&#x20AC;? said his mother Lisa Mager. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He puts school first but hockey is always second. He is the perfect scholar athlete.â&#x20AC;? The 17-year-old played for the Michigan Grizzlies during his freshman and sophomore years at Grosse Pointe South, then opted to play for Fred Costelloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team his junior year. After tryouts Costello, a former Michigan Hockey Coach of the Year, kept Mager even though at 15 he was two years younger than most of the players on the team. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fred had two goalie spots open and he made the team,â&#x20AC;? Lisa Mager said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fred said he wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t planning on a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;92 goalie but he liked the way he played.â&#x20AC;? Mager stayed with Costello when the team moved to Troy and became the Sting. This season Mager was a veteran on a team that consisted of mostly younger players. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a standout kid, very coachable and developed into a real team leader,â&#x20AC;? said Costello. Mager volunteered to help coach young people during his high school years and for the last three years, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s earned MAHAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Student Coach Award. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Alex has such an easy going attitude and is always upbeat, positive and optimistic. These qualities are what make him successful in both the classroom and also on the ice,â&#x20AC;? Lisa Mager said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He loves the challenges of school â&#x20AC;&#x201C; solving problems and learning new things â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and thrives from the challenges of being a hockey goalie â&#x20AC;&#x201C; always trying to maintain or better his save percentage.â&#x20AC;? Costello notes Magerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s athleticism, intelligence and courage, saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;He has one of the highest grade point averages on the team, and I would venture the entire league as well. He is highly self-motivated, both on and off the ice.â&#x20AC;?

Mager has also helped other students by tutoring using his trademark humor and camaraderie. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I saw many `ah-haâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; moments on childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s faces during his tutelage,â&#x20AC;? wrote Magerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s former math teacher Gina Walker in an e-mail. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He is on the recommended tutor list for the high school, and his reputation precedes him.â&#x20AC;? Mager was in Walkerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s math classes as both a seventh grader and an eighth grader, and he stayed in touch with his former teacher through the years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Alex is in my top three favorite children ever. He is a one-in-a-million kid and an exemplary child,â&#x20AC;? Walker wrote. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most deserving. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just a great kid.â&#x20AC;? Walker nominated Mager for Michigan Techâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Leading Scholars Program as well. One of over 700 applicants, Mager was named a finalist. He went to Houghton for a weekend to compete in the intensive scholarship program and check out the campus. By the end of the trip, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d earned a four-year tuition scholarship and skated with the club hockey team. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It felt more like home than anywhere else, and I have family in Marquette,â&#x20AC;? Mager said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were up there one day in winter and it was zero degrees outside. People were in shorts and T-shirts.â&#x20AC;? Although school comes first, hockey has always been Magerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love. He applied to six schools, each with a club hockey team. He hopes that playing while attending college will help him adjust and meet new people in Houghton. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Athletics have been an outlet, a way to keep in shape and have fun,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve played at a decent level and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been a lot of fun for me.â&#x20AC;? Mager plans to study to be a chemical engineer, something heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s thought about since he took chemistry in 10th grade. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always liked math,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Chemical engineering has all the elements of math and chemistry together.â&#x20AC;? Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s taking five honors classes this year and has a GPA of 3.8, but even though he keeps a busy schedule with hockey, he finds time to study. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I get most of my homework done at school so when hockey rolls around I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have anything,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hockey is fun and I play it a lot, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not that much to override my studying.â&#x20AC;?

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April 26, 2010, Volume 20 : Issue 18

Michigan Hockey Coach of the Year

Garden Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Guziak is Coach of the Year BY LINLEY WARTENBERG

Jeff Guziak counts himself lucky for having a dedicated coach throughout his youth hockey career. Since he was 4, his father, Greg, has been behind his bench. Now, fourteen years later, Guziak has earned Michigan Hockeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2010 Coach of the Year Award. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There will never be a better coach in the history of hockey,â&#x20AC;?said Jeff Guziak about his father. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He deserves the title for all of his hard work that he has done for all of us.â&#x20AC;? Throughout his oldest sonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s career, Greg Guziak has been behind the bench. In mites he was an assistant coach and began learning everything he could about the game so he could pass the knowledge on to his players. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He did everything in his power to learn how to coach,â&#x20AC;?said Karen Esparza, whose son Jordan also played under Guziak his whole career. Guziak went to clinics and learned each position so he could instruct players. He would bring in more experienced coaches to help out. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t afraid to step back and say, `You know this better than I do,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? she said. Guziak has also served as an assistant coach on his younger son Brendanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team and remains involved with the Garden City Hockey Association. His fairness and optimism made him a popular coach. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He has made this 14-year hockey experience one to remember,â&#x20AC;?Esparza said.â&#x20AC;&#x153;He has been the common denominator in everything positive, fun and crazy throughout the years regarding this team.â&#x20AC;? Mike Downey, the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s captain, agreed. He joined Garden City three years ago, giving up a spot on a travel team to play for Guziak. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t yell, he offers encouragement rather than embarrassment,â&#x20AC;?said Downey. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ask for a better team to be on.â&#x20AC;? Through the years, Guziakâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s players grew as young men, and, in their final season, Guziak let the team set its goals. They aimed high and mostly succeeded; the Stars won the LCAHL title, Silver Stick regional and made the state tournament. The low point of Guziakâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coaching career didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t happen on the ice. During the spring season two years ago, a former player committed suicide. The boy, a Midget, had taken that spring off from hockey. In hindsight, that was a sign, but no one saw it

coming. The Stars honored their teammate with banner in the arena and by wearing patches on their sweaters. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was kind of a wake-up call with the kids and the parents. It brought the team together.â&#x20AC;? Guziak said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At that time, my role as a coach changed to a counselor.â&#x20AC;? Guziakâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been that for his players. He gets kids to open up to him, and makes a point to recognize their accomplishments, whether theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re performed on or off the ice. Good grades were as much to celebrate as goals, and team outings were a regular occurrence. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d all go to Cedar Point, or the cottage and hang out when there werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t games,â&#x20AC;? said Karen Esparza. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The guy is phenomenal. The kids can talk to him about anything.â&#x20AC;? When Robert Bidner got cut from his travel team, he asked Guziak if he could make room for him on the Stars, and, even though Bidner was an out-of-district player, he made it work. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He was able to bring together many different players and create and environment where we all were able to have fun and win,â&#x20AC;? Bidner wrote in an e-mail. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He has Garden City Midget BB coach Greg Guziak (with his wife Pat and sons Brendan and been the best coach I have ever had and I would not Jeff ) is Michigan Hockeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2010 Coach of the Year. want to play for anyone else.â&#x20AC;? Guziak has been the constant behind the bench for â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even consider myself a head coach,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But I am honored.â&#x20AC;? the Stars, and although he hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been unappreciated, the team felt it was imperative He says that the assistant coaches, as well as managers Barbara Radcliffe and his to honor him this year. wife Pat and the cohesive group of parents have provided support deserve praise, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We really should have nominated him years ago but I guess we kept thinking, but Karen Esparaza wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t allow him to defuse his recognition. there is always next year,â&#x20AC;? goalie Jordan Esparza said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Well, this year there is no next â&#x20AC;&#x153;He will say that, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all him,â&#x20AC;? she said. year for him or for me. This is the year.â&#x20AC;? Guziak deflects praise and points assistant coaches Steve Quintana, Jim Radcliffe and Bill Kolstran as being instrumental.

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USA Hockey’s National Champions

Compuware goes unbeaten to win USA Hockey National Title The Compuware Pee Wee AAA Major squad capped off an unforgettable season by going undefeated to win the 2010 USA Hockey Tier I 12 & Under National Championship on April 11 at the Amherst Ice Center in Williamsville, N.Y. Compuware got two goals from Brendan Warren and Jared Dempsey made 13 saves in the title-clinching 4-0 shutout of the Chicago Mission. Just as in the regular season and MAHA state tournament Compuware used their size, strength and relentless puck pressure to wear down teams at the national tournament. Defenseman Jake Gingell scored on a point shot to give Compuware a 2-0 lead in the first period and Brody Stevens,

who led Compuware in scoring (7-7-14) during the five-day tournament, added another goal to make it 3-0 early in the third period. “We have a lot of weapons and everyone played great,”said Compuware coach Andy Copp. “This was one of our goals and they worked hard day-to-day to make it happen.” The Compuware national champions are: Brody Stevens, Brendan Warren, Alex King, Colin Theisen, Gordie Green, Ronnie Hein, Jack Meacham, Nick Wilson, Nick Boka, Jack Blumberg, Jake Gingell, Tyler Sensky, David Keefer, Chaz Thomas, Jordan Mitchell, Jared Dempsey and Tyler Copp.

April 26, 2010, Volume 20 : Issue 18

Honeybaked rebounds to take USA Hockey National Championship After opening the 2010 USA Hockey Tier I National Tournament with a 1-0 loss to Westchester, the Honeybaked Bantam AAA Major team didn’t panic. Honeybaked regrouped and reeled off five straight wins, including a 3-2 overtime victory over the LA Selects in the final on April 11 at the Amherst Ice Center in Williamsville, N.Y, to take the 14 and Under national title. Defenseman Alex Robert, who also scored the game winner in an OT win in the rematch against Westchester in the semifinals, came up big again in the final against the California-based Selects. Just seconds into the extra period Robert intercepted a pass in the neutral zone and took a shot on LA goalie Eric Comrie. The rebound went behind the net where Robert dug it out

and centered it to a streaking Adam Ulsfax, who buried for the national title winner. Alex Smith and Blake Gober had the other Honeybaked goals and Ian Jenkins made 24 saves in the win. “We’ve got really good hockey players who are really good kids, too,” said Honeybaked coach Larry Knapp. “I couldn’t be more proud of them.” The Honeybaked national champions are: Connor Hutchins, Evan Allen, Brendon Kearney, Adam Ulfsax, Alex Smith, Alex Robert, Tyler Gernhofer, Mike Sabatini, Mike McCarron, Blake Gober, Jack Gessert, Jon Pierret, Troy Saunders, Brendyn Smith, Brett Young, Eric Israel, Ian Jenkins, Trevor Hamilton and Tyler Motte.

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Grand Rapids brings home USA Hockey National Championship The Bantam AA Grand Rapids Griffins Bantam hadn’t played a game in three weeks when they headed to Wayne, NJ for the 2010 USA Hockey National Tournament. The Griffins opened the tournament with a 2-1 loss to the Romeoville Huskies, but shook off the rust and won five straight games, including a 3-1 win over the LA Hockey Club in the final on April 11, to bring home the national title. Justin Chopp’s goal gave the Griffins a 1-0 win over the Huskies in the rematch in the semifinal. In that game goalie Jarred Felt’s pads were ruled too wide and Todd Millar played the third period to preserve the shutout. The next day Felt made 16 saves using borrowed pads and

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Grand Rapids got goals from Sam Renneker, Tyler Brewer and Colin Rabach to clinch the title. The win was special for coach Scott Mills, as most of his players are moving on to play in high school and he is retiring. “We knew it was our last game together,” said Mills. “They are a great bunch of kids and we reached a huge goal.” The Griffins national champions are: Luke Gagnon, Sam Rennaker, Justin Chopp, Adam Robson, Chad DeShane, Colin Rabach, Tyler Brewer, Logan Hudson, Connor Sullivan, Nathan Hill, Calvin Wojtaszak, Cam Bathum, Jarred Felt, Kellan Buddy, Nathan Keller, Todd Millar and Trevor Mills.

LCAHL 2010 Playoff Champions The Bay County Blizzard won the 2010 Little Caesars Amateur Hockey League Mite AA Adams Division Playoff title. For more LCAHL Playoff Champion photos go to michiganhockeyonline.com.

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TOURNAMENT CALENDAR Big Bear - The Thunderbird Detroit, MI April 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 3 Big Rapids, MI April 23-25, 2010 Adult 18-30 Open, Adult 30&U Open, Adult 18-30 B & Adult 30&U B 231-591-2881 www.ferris.edu/icearena Big Dog Invitational Waterford, MI April 28 – May 2, 2010 16U – 2000s AAA 248-674-2913 www.bigdogaaahockey.com Big Bear - The Last Dance Detroit, MI May 14- 16, 2010 Mini-Mite, Mite, Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, Midget, High School & H.S.J.V. plus Girls U12, U14, U16 & U19 B - BB - A - AA www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694 Michigan May Sizzler Monroe, Michigan May 21 – 23, 2010 BOYS - 2009, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993,1992,1991 Recreational B,(Select-A), AA, AAA 1-888-422-6526 tournaments@icesports.com http://www. canlanclassictournaments.com/ Michigan Thanksgiving Classic Monroe, Michigan November 26 – 28, 2010 BOYS - 2009, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993,1992,1991 BOYS - Recreational B,(Select-A), AA, AAA, Elite AAA - GIRLS - Rep (HL, Sel, C, B,BB) and Elite (A, AA) 1-888-422-6526 tournaments@icesports.com http://www. canlanclassictournaments.com/

OUT OF STATE CHICAGO CUP Tournament Series: Chicago Spring Classic Chicago, IL April 23-25, 2010 Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com Rock ‘N Roll Cup Tournament Series CLEVELAND, OH April 23-25, 2010Mite thru Midget/JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House) Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, tony@ itshockeytime.com www.itshockeytime.com

North American Holiday Hockey Chicago, IL April 30 – May 2, 2010 All Levels 1-800-322-NAHH NAHHTOURS@aol.com North American Holiday Hockey Las Vegas, NV May 5-10, 2010All Levels1-800-322-NAHH NAHHTOURS@aol.com North American Holiday HockeySan Diego, CA May 12-17, 2010All Levels1-800322-NAHH NAHHTOURS@aol.com Rock ‘N Roll Cup Tournament Series CLEVELAND, OH May 14-16, 2010Mite thru Midget/JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House) Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, tony@ itshockeytime.com www.itshockeytime.com CHICAGO CUP Tournament Series: Seven Bridges Spring Classic Chicago, IL May 21-13, 2010 Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com Weekend Hockey Tournaments June 4 - 6, 2010 Atlantic City, NJ 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+ A, B, C, D, E Levels Mens/ Womens 1-877-702-5701 james@weekendhockey.com www.weekendhockey.com Big Bear - The Silver Skates Pittsburgh, PA August 21- 23, 2010 Bantam & Midget ♦ Minor & Major AAA Tier 1 www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694 South Jersey Fall Classic Vineland, New Jersey August 27 - 29, 2010 BOYS - 2009, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993,1992,1991 Tier II - B, (Select-A), AA 1-888-422-6526 tournaments@icesports.com http://www. canlanclassictournaments.com/ Fort Wayne Pre-Season Blast Fort Wayne, Indiana September 10-12, 2010 BOYS - 2002/2001, 2000, 1999/1998, 1997/1996, 1995/1994/1993, 1992/1991 Tier II - B, A, AA 1-888-422-6526 tournaments@icesports.com http://www. canlanclassictournaments.com/ Las Vegas Old-Timers Classic Las Vegas, Nevada October 22 - 24, 2010 Men’s, Women’s, COED 18+, 30+, 40+:A/B,C,D,E 1-888-422-6526 tournaments@icesports.com http://www. canlanclassictournaments.com/

Las Vegas Youth Blast Las Vegas, Nevada November 5 - 7, 2010 BOYS - 2009, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993,1992,1991 (Travel B,Select, AE), A, AA, AAA 1-888-422-6526 tournaments@icesports.com http://www. canlanclassictournaments.com/ Hockey for Heros / Armed Services / Las Vegas, Nevada November 11-14, 2010 Men’s, Women’s, COED 18+, 30+, 40+:A/B,C,D,E 1-888-422-6526 tournaments@icesports.com http://www. canlanclassictournaments.com/ Las Vegas Hockey Classic III Las Vegas, Nevada November 19 - 21, 2010 Men’s, Women’s, COED 18+, 30+, 40+:A/B,C,D,E 1-888-422-6526 tournaments@icesports.com http://www. canlanclassictournaments.com/ New Jersey Thanksgiving Classic Vineland, New Jersey November 26 – 28, 2010 BOYS - 2009, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993,1992,1991 (Travel B, Select, AE), A, AA, AAA 1-888-422-6526 tournaments@ icesports.com http://www. canlanclassictournaments.com/ Fort Wayne Thanksgiving Blast Fort Wayne, Indiana November 26-28, 2010 BOYS - 2002/2001, 2000, 1999/1998, 1997/1996, 1995/1994/1993, 1992/1991 Tier II - B, A, AA 1-888-422-6526 tournaments@icesports.com http://www. canlanclassictournaments.com/ New Jersey Christmas Classic Vineland, New Jersey December 27-29, 2010 BOYS - 2009, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993,1992,1991 (Travel B,Select, AE), A, AA, AAA 1-888-422-6526 tournaments@ icesports.com http://www. canlanclassictournaments.com/

CANADA Weekend Hockey Tournaments April 23-25, 2010 Montreal, PQ 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+ A, B, C, D, E Levels Mens/ Womens 1-877-702-5701 james@weekendhockey.com www.weekendhockey.com

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North American Holiday Hockey Montreal, Quebec April 23-25, 2010 All Levels 1-800-322-NAHH NAHHTOURS@aol.com 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/ Womens 1-877-702-5701 james@weekendhockey.com 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 tournaments@ icesports.com 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 tournaments@icesports.com http://www. canlanclassictournaments.com/ Bluewater Sharks 22nd Annual Tournament Sarnia, Ontario, Canada April 30-May 2, 2010 Major Bantam 1995 Boys/Minor Bantam 1996 Boys Women (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 tournaments@icesports.com http://www. canlanclassictournaments.com/ Toronto Cup Toronto, Ontario May 7–9, 2010 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 tournaments@icesports.com http://www. canlanclassictournaments.com/

Bluewater Sharks 22nd Annual Tournament Sarnia, Ontario, Canada May 7-9, 2010 Major Midget (1992-93) Boys – Minor Midget (1994-95) Boys Girls “AA” (19 & under – 1990 & under competitive www.sarnia.com/groups/ bluewatersharks Weekend Hockey Tournaments May 14 – 16, 2010 Niagara Falls, ON 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+ A, B, C, D, E Levels Mens/ Womens 1-877-702-5701 james@weekendhockey.com www.weekendhockey.com Edmonton Spring Sizzler - ASHN-NAQ Qualifier May 14-16, 2010 Edmonton, Alberta Men’s, Women’s, COED 18+, 30+, 40+:A/B,C,D,E 1-888-422-6526 tournaments@ icesports.com http://www. canlanclassictournaments.com/ May Madness & Future Stars May 14-16, 2010 Toronto, Ontario YOUTH HOCKEY TOURNAMENT 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993,1992,1991 BOYS Recreational B,(Select-A), AA, AAA, Elite AAA - GIRLS - Rep (HL, Sel, C, B,BB) and Elite (A, AA) 1-888-422-6526 tournaments@icesports.com http://www. canlanclassictournaments.com/ Bluewater Sharks 22nd Annual Tournament Sarnia, Ontario, Canada May 14-16, 2010 Major Pee Wee (1997) Boys – Minor Pee Wee (1998) Boys Girls “AA” (19 & over – 1990 & under competitive www.sarnia.com/groups/ bluewatersharks Memorial Holiday Classic Oakville / Toronto, Ontario May 28 - 30, 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 tournaments@ icesports.com http://www. canlanclassictournaments.com/ Burnaby Summer Challenge I Vancouver, BC May 28 - 30, 2010 BOYS - 2009, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993,1992,1991 BOYS Recreational B, (Select-A), AA, AAA, Elite AAA - GIRLS Rep (HL, Sel, C, B,BB) and Elite (A, AA) 1-888-422-6526 tournaments@icesports.com http://www. canlanclassictournaments.com/

Bluewater Sharks 22nd Annual Tournament Sarnia, Ontario, Canada May 28-30, 2010 Major Atom/Squirt (1999) Boys – Minor Atom/Squirt (2000) Boys www.sarnia.com/groups/ bluewatersharks East End Showdown / Future Stars Tournament Scarborough / Oshawa, Ontario June 4 – 6, 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 tournaments@ icesports.com http://www. canlanclassictournaments.com/ Burnaby Summer Challenge II Vancouver, BC June 4 – 6, 2010 BOYS - 2009, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993,1992,1991 BOYS - Recreational B,(Select-A), AA, AAA, Elite AAA - GIRLS - Rep (HL, Sel, C, B,BB) and Elite (A, AA) 1-888-422-6526 tournaments@icesports.com http://www. canlanclassictournaments.com/ Bluewater Sharks 22nd Annual Tournament Sarnia, Ontario, Canada June 4-6, 2010 Major Novice/Mite (2001) Boys – Minor Novice/Mite (2002) Boys Major Tyke (2003) Boys www.sarnia.com/groups/ bluewatersharks Bring Your Best / Girls Hockey Challenge Toronto, Ontario June 11 – 13, 2010 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993,1992,1991 BOYS Recreational B,(Select-A), AA, AAA, Elite AAA - GIRLS - Rep (HL, Sel, C, B,BB) and Elite (A, AA) 1-888-422-6526 tournaments@icesports.com http://www. canlanclassictournaments.com/ Toronto Airport Challenge Toronto, Ontario June 18 – 20, 2010 Men’s, Women’s, COED 18+, 30+, 40+:A/B,C,D,E 1-888-422-6526 tournaments@ icesports.com http://www. canlanclassictournaments.com/ Niagara Falls Youth Challenge I Niagara Falls, Ontario June 18 – 20, 2010 BOYS - 2009, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993,1992,1991 BOYS Recreational B,(Select-A), AA, AAA, Elite AAA - GIRLS Rep (HL, Sel, C, B, BB) and Elite (A, AA) 1-888-422-6526tournaments@ icesports.com

Blashill named new coach at Western Michigan After announcing that Jim Culhane was taking a university fundraising job, Western Michigan wasted little time in naming Jeff Blashill as the Broncos new head coach. A native of S.S. Marie and the current head coach and general manager of the USHL’s Indiana Ice, Blashill played at Ferris State, was an assistant coach with the Bulldogs for four years and then spent six seasons as an assistant coach at Miami under head coach Enrico Blasi. Blashill led the Ice to the USHL’s Clark Cup playoff title last season and Indiana is currently playing in the league playoffs. “I am extremely excited for the opportunity to lead the Western Michigan Bronco team and build upon the foundation laid by so many Bronco Alums,” said Blashill. “I’d like to thank President Dunn, (director of athletics) Kathy Beauregard, the athletic staff and those who were a part of this process, for the trust they’ve placed in me and for allowing me the opportunity and challenge of pursuing, with passion and integrity, championship level hockey at Western Michigan. I also owe a great deal of thanks to Indiana Ice owners Paul and Cindy Skjodt for the opportunity to lead the Ice the past two seasons.” While the announcement came on April 7, Blashill won’t officially become the Broncos fifth coach after the Ice have completed their run in the USHL playoffs. “When we set out to find our next head coach, we wanted a candidate with experience as a head coach, one that has had success at multiple levels and someone that has the drive and blueprint to take this program to championship levels with national prominence,” said Beauregard. “Coach Blashill embodies each and every one of these qualities.” Blashill played three seasons in the USHL and won a Clark Cup title in 1992 with Des Moines Buccaneers. “Jeff ’s intelligence, coaching talent, and commitment to the United States Hockey League have been singular over the past two seasons,” said league commissioner Skip Prince. “We were fortunate to have had the opportunity to know him in his role as the general manager and head coach of the Indiana Ice – and I know that Jeff will lead the Ice into the USHL playoffs again this year as an inspired, returning championship team. We’re not saying good-bye to him, as I know that he will be an instrumental part of our growing relationship with college hockey at Western Michigan. All I can say to all the CCHA fans out there is “Watch out for the Broncos.”

PATRICK TO COACH MUSKEGON’S USHL TEAM First came the news that Muskegon will have a new USHL team next season. Then the team named former Wisconsin assistant coach Kevin Patrick as its head coach. “Kevin’s knowledge of the game and superb track record of recruiting studentathletes made him the ideal person to help develop a culture of success both on and off the ice in Muskegon,” said team owner Josh Mervis.“The organization is very fortunate to have someone of Kevin’s caliber, who comes from one of the top NCAA Division I programs in the nation, taking on this leadership role.” Patrick spent the last five seasons at Wisconsin where he helped the Badger win a NCAA title in 2005 and make the Frozen Four final this season. “I am truly excited for the opportunity to be the leader of the Muskegon team and to be a part of the premier junior hockey league in North America as it begins its next venture into the state of Michigan,” said Patrick. “It is a great opportunity for me to be in a passionate hockey community.” Patrick played four seasons at Notre Dame and also served as assistant coach at both Union College and Bowling Green before Wisconsin. “We’ve known for several years that he needs to get out from being a passenger in the car and get behind the wheel and drive himself,” said Wisconsin head coach Mike Eaves. “He needs to be a head coach. He deserves this, he’s earned this and we couldn’t be happier for him.” By Philip Colvin

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2009-10 Robertson Cup Playoffs Best of Three Division Finals

NORTH AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE

CENTRAL DIVISION

ALEXANDRIA BLIZZARD VS. BISMARCK BOBCATS GAME 1: ALEXANDRIA 1 @ BISMARCK 9 GAME 2: ALEXANDRIA 2 @ BISMARCK 5 GAME 3: @ ALEXANDRIA, APRIL 23, 7:30 P.M. GAME 4: @ ALEXANDRIA, APRIL 24, 7:30 P.M.* GAME 5: @ BISMARCK, APRIL 26, 7:15 P.M.* BISMARCK LEADS SERIES, 2-0

Jackets and Stars battle for North Division crown

NORTH DIVISION

BY MATT MACKINDER

MOTOR CITY METAL JACKETS VS. TRAVERSE CITY NORTH STARS GAME 1: MOTOR CITY 1 @ TRAVERSE CITY 4 GAME 2: MOTOR CITY 1 @ TRAVERSE CITY 5 GAME 3: @ MOTOR CITY, APRIL 23, 7 P.M. GAME 4: @ MOTOR CITY, APRIL 24, 7 P.M.* GAME 5: @ TRAVERSE CITY, APRIL 26, 8 P.M.* TRAVERSE CITY LEADS SERIES, 2-0

SOUTH DIVISION

ST. LOUIS BANDITS VS. TOPEKA ROADRUNNERS GAME 1: ST. LOUIS 2 @ TOPEKA 1 GAME 2: ST. LOUIS 2 @ TOPEKA 6 GAME 3: @ ST. LOUIS, APRIL 23, 7:05 P.M. GAME 4: @ ST. LOUIS, APRIL 24, 7:05 P.M. GAME 5: @ TOPEKA, APRIL 26, 7:05 P.M.* SERIES TIED, 1-1

WEST DIVISION

FAIRBANKS ICE DOGS VS. WENATCHEE WILD GAME 1: FAIRBANKS 2 @ WENATCHEE 6 GAME 2: FAIRBANKS 2 @ WENATCHEE 6 GAME 3: @ FAIRBANKS, APRIL 23, 7:30 P.M. GAME 4: @ FAIRBANKS, APRIL 24, 7:30 P.M.* GAME 5: @ WENATCHEE, MAY 1, 7:05 P.M.* WENATCHEE LEADS SERIES, 2-0 TOP SCORERS TEAM POS GP Panetta, Dominic BIS F 5 Altenbernd, Alex ALX F 6 Cederborg-Nilsson, S. ALX F 6 Schneider, Cole TPK F 6 Lipsbergs, Edgars TPK F 6 Johnson, Bryce TPK F 6 Zierke, Steve ALX F 6 Fabian, Jason BIS F 5 McKenzie, Sean BIS F 5 Sheehan, Patrick STL D 7 Timar, Ryan WEN F 5 Jacobson, Ryan BIS F 5 Thompson, Garrett TVC F 5 Thomas, Tony TPK F 6 Rendle, Sam BIS D 5 Kleisinger, Casey BIS F 5 Jubinville, Jeff WEN F 5 McLean, Alex WEN D 5 Clifford, Doug TVC F 5 Serratore, Tim BIS F 5 Frey, Trent SPR F 4

G A 5 10 5 7 3 8 7 4 5 4 4 5 4 5 4 5 3 6 0 7 5 2 5 2 4 3 2 4 2 4 2 4 1 5 3 3 0 6 2 4 1 5

TOP GOALIES TEAM GP MIN Strandberg, Drew TVC 5 300:00 Jensen, Brendan WEN 1 60:00 Faragher, Ryan BIS 1 60:00 Sullivan, Dan TEX 5 363:17 Williams, Jake BIS 4 240:00 Rohrkemper, Eric TPK 4 239:24 Bruggeman, Tyler STL 6 402:11 Jaeger, Brandon WEN 4 240:00 Graveline, Phillip MCM 3 226:37 Hafner, Lukas MQT 3 225:32 Phillippi, Joe FAI 4 200:43

Michigan Hockey

SO 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0

PTS 15 12 11 11 9 9 9 9 9 7 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 GA 3 1 1 10 7 7 12 8 9 11 10

PIM 0 4 8 20 2 4 10 4 8 6 8 2 0 4 2 4 2 0 2 4 0 GAA 0.60 1.00 1.00 1.65 1.75 1.75 1.79 2.00 2.38 2.93 2.99

PPG 4 3 2 1 1 1 1 2 2 0 3 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 SVS 110 19 43 185 93 70 138 60 121 131 87

SHG 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 SV% 0.973 0.950 0.977 0.949 0.930 0.909 0.920 0.882 0.931 0.923 0.897

and the Ice Dogs earned a berth after winning their West Division semifinals series over the Alaska Avalanche.

Even as Traverse City holds a 2-0 lead on the Motor City Metal Jackets in the North MORE DIVISION FINALS Division finals, the North Stars realize it’s far from over. The Bismarck Bobcats and Wenatchee Wild also jumped out to 2-0 leads in their Traverse City won both games at home and now travel to Trenton to try and respective best-of-five divisional close out the series and move on to its finals series. The South Division series first Robertson Cup tournament next between the St. Louis Bandits and month in Wenatchee, Wash. Topeka RoadRunners is tied, 1-1. Going into the Motor City series, In the South finals, the three-time the North Stars knew what the upstart defending Robertson Cup champion Metal Jackets would be a tough team Bandits took Game 1 on April 15, 2-1, after sweeping the North regular with Topeka evening the series after a season champion Marquette Rangers 6-2 triumph the following night. in three straight games to open the “Our two teams always battle one playoffs. another and the first two games proved “That series is a pretty serious that,” said RoadRunners head coach statement,” said Traverse City coachScott Langer. “We know we have the GM Anthony Palumbo. “They come tools to advance, but we’ll need to at you with a lot of energy, a lot stay sharp. St. Louis is the defending of grit, and they have some pretty champions and they’re not going to talented guys up front. Plus, they let that go easily.” have a big, strong defensive corps. Shelby Township’s Erik Higby led the NAHL in scoring this season In the Central Division, Bismarck You add all that to the fact that we’ve with Topeka and is headed to Northern Michigan next fall. skated to wins over the Alexandria only had mixed success against them Blizzard on April 16 (9-1) and April this season and we could be in for a 17 (5-2), leaving the Bobcats one victory away from their second straight trip to very tough series. “The fact that they finished the regular season as the fourth seed means the Robertson Cup. “I thought our guys played really well,” said Bobcats head coach Byron Pool. “Our absolutely nothing.” “If we play our game, we really think we can go as far as we want to,” Motor City special teams were strong, our goaltending was good, and we got contributions from forward Jon Miller told the News-Herald. “I think we can play even better. There everyone in our lineup which is important at this time of year.” Wenatchee holds a 2-0 lead over Fairbanks in the West Division finals after wins were a few times at the beginning of the year when we showed how good we can be. And I think when we get everything going, we get good starts, I think we can on April 16 (6-2) and April 17 (6-2). play even better.” Traverse City took Game 1 by a 4-1 count on April 16 and then won 5-1 the next NAHL NOTEBOOK More college commitments – Traverse City winger Garrett Thompson committed night. The North Stars swept the Janesville Jets, their first playoff win in franchise to Ferris State, Shelby Township native Erik Higby, the NAHL’s top scorer this season, history, to reach the North finals. Now one win from a chance at the Robertson Cup, Palumbo wants his squad chose Northern Michigan, Farmington Hills native and Topeka forward Nickolas Gatt gave the nod to Alabama-Huntsville, Fairbanks forward Justin Kirchhevel to stay focused. “We have to keep playing within that strict team concept, winning the little has committed to Alaska-Anchorage, Alexandria goalie Chris Kamal also picked battles, playing our positions and making a play when the time comes,”said Palumbo. Alaska-Anchorage. Bismarck goaltender Ryan Faragher picked Dartmouth for the The rest of the series has Games 3 and 4 at the Kennedy Recreation Center on April 2011-12 season … The expansion Austin (Minn.) Bruins named Michigan Tech 23 and 24, and if necessary, a deciding Game 5 back in Traverse City Monday night. assistant coach Chris Tok its first-ever head coach and GM and Adam Kostichka the Metal Jackets head coach David Cole is optimistic his team can reverse its fortunes. team’s assistant coach and director of player development … The Texas Tornado “It’s not going to be easy, but we’ll fight our way back into this series,” he said. recently tendered two stars from the Tier III Junior A national champion St. Louis “We seem to be at our best when our back is against the wall. I think this will be a Jr. Blues in goaltender Josh Hillegas and forward Ryan McGrath. Hillegas led the Central States Hockey League in wins (25), goals-against average (1.68), and save long series and we’ll be better at home.” The winners of the Central, North and South Division finals, along with the West percentage (.936) in the regular season. McGrath had 60 goals and 134 points over Division’s Wenatchee Wild and Fairbanks Ice Dogs, will advance to the Robertson his two years in St. Louis. Cup on May 4-9. The Wild receives an automatic bid to the tournament as hosts,

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Ontario Hockey League

April 26, 2010, Volume 20 : Issue 18

Northvilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Vail leads group of potential selections for OHL draft

Northvilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Brady Vail played in the USHL last season as a 16-year old and is eligible for the May 1 OHL Priority Selection.

Playing in the USHL was difficult at first for Vail, but those struggles dissipated as the season went on. He said heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been improving his assets â&#x20AC;&#x201C; hands, shot and vision â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and his weakness â&#x20AC;&#x201C; footwork. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think I fit in pretty well,â&#x20AC;? Vail said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think for my age, I got a lot of ice time. Once I made the team after tryouts, I realized that playing here would be the best option for me. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great situation.â&#x20AC;? Vail played for the Compuware â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;93s (a year â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;upâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;) and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;94s his two years in Plymouth and said heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been seeing the past year or so that hockey may eventually be something he can do for as long as he wants. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been told for a while now that I can make hockey a career if I want,â&#x20AC;?Vail said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But there are a lot of otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;94s out there that have the same skill level as I do, so weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll just see what happens from here on out.â&#x20AC;? Other 1994 birthdates that will be considered for Mayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s OHL draft, with comments from Red Line Junior:

Jacob Trouba, D, Compuware: Powerful skater with good size and likes to hit. Has signed with the U.S. NTDP. Grant Webermin, D, Honeybaked: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Not a sexy pick, but a solid defensive defenseman.â&#x20AC;? Mitch Wedding, D, Honeybaked: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Has worked on his conditioning and has good skill. Is willing to get down and dirty.â&#x20AC;? Connor Wood, C, Honeybaked: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Small in size, but a goal scorer with great hands.â&#x20AC;? Others to watch: Garrett Cockerill, D, Compuware; Sheldon Dries, C, Honeybaked; Alex Kile, RW, Honeybaked; Jordan Masters, RW, Little Caesarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s; Nick Schilkey, C, Honeybaked; Mark Yanis, D, Belle Tire.

The top U.S. forward is Cristoval (Boo) Nieves of the Syracuse Jr. Nationals. Nieves Riley Barber, C, Compuware: Mat 5-10 he is the most skilled forward in metro-Detroit. Can finish, scores big goals and is good â&#x20AC;&#x153;has tremendous acceleration, makes slick moves at top speed and can turn on a playmaker. Not big now, but has growth potential. His dad played pro. dime,â&#x20AC;? said Red Line Junior The consensus top overall pick in the entire draft at this point is winger Matia Brett Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Andrea, C, Belle Tire: Not there yet, but could be a good player in Marcantuoni of the Toronto Marlies, a player Red Line Junior said is â&#x20AC;&#x153;a dominating power winger with skill.â&#x20AC;? the long haul.

PHOTO BY USHL IMAGES

BY MATT MACKINDER

The Ontario Hockey League draft is slated for May 1 and many Michigan players are being looked at as future stars in the league. The only glitch is the choice these players will have to make: stay out of major juniors and keep their NCAA eligibility, or play in the OHL. One such player is forward Brady Vail, a Northville native who just turned 16-years old on March 11 and played Tier I Junior A hockey in the United States Hockey League (USHL) with the Waterloo (Iowa) Black Hawks this season. As of now, Vail is on the fence about which route to take to further his career. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For the most part, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always wanted to play college hockey,â&#x20AC;?said the 6-foot-1, 190-pound Vail, who moved to Michigan two years ago to play for the Compuware organization. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But as far as the OHL is concerned, never say never.â&#x20AC;? Vail was born in North Carolina and then lived in Florida before the move to Michigan. Last summer, he traveled out to Waterloo to get some experience playing with Junior A players at an open tryout, but wound up making the Black Hawks. Vail wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the only player on the Waterloo roster to start the season as a 15-year-old as he was joined by New Jersey-born defenseman Nick Ebert. Both are considered first-round material for the OHL draft, should they totally commit to the league and both are the only 1994 birthdates in the USHL. Ebert is a player Red Line Junior, an independent scouting website that identifies players eligible for the OHL draft, says â&#x20AC;&#x153;has all the tools to be a superstar and at worst, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s safe and smart,â&#x20AC;?

Troy Donnay, D, Belle Tire: Older brother, Cody, was a Peterborough pick (in WHALERS NOTEBOOK For the second straight season, Windsor knocked Plymouth out of the OHL 2008), but never reported and is in Marquette (NAHL) now. Troy is already 6-foot-6, playoffs as the Spitfires completed a four-game sweep on April 7 in the Western has a long reach, good mobility and a mean streak. Conference semi-finals. Plymouth goalie Scott Wedgewood, playing in place of Josh Henke, C, Belle Tire:â&#x20AC;&#x153;Has been a big scorer all along and may have peaked.â&#x20AC;? the suspended Matt Hackett, made 70 saves in the 3-2 overtime loss in Game 4 at home â&#x20AC;Ś The next day, the Whalers signed 2009 second round pick Matt Mahalak, Brandon Hope, G, Honeybaked U18: Quick, athletic and a good skater, he a goalie from Monroe and younger brother of veteran forward R.J. Mahalak. Matt Mahalak played last season with the USHLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Youngstown Phantoms and should form has some longterm upside. a solid 1-2 combo in net next season with Wedgewood â&#x20AC;Ś Overage forward Ryan Max Iafrate, D, Belle Tire: Just like his father, Al â&#x20AC;&#x201C; go, go, go all the time. Hayes was named the OHLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Humanitarian of the Year on April 14. Takes a lot of chances but is tremendous skater with big upside. Kerby Rychel, LW/LC, Belle Tire: Son of former NHLer Warren Rychel struggled with injuries this season but competes and has goal-scoring touch. Patrick Sieloff, D, Compuware: Good all-round game. Plays a safe, smart game and could develop into shutdown defender.

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Frozen Four at Ford Field was record setting event

BY PHILIP COLVIN

On the ice at the 2010 Frozen Four Boston College became the third Boston school in a row to win the NCAA Division I championship with a 5-0 win over Wisconsin on April 10 at Detroit’s Ford Field. The Eagles won in 2008 and Boston University took the title last year. Off the ice, the event was a record-setter that players, coaches and fans will remember for a long time. Played for the first time inside a football stadium, this year’s Frozen Four set a world indoor attendance record for hockey with a crowd of 34,954 for the two semifinal games on April 8 and then set it again with 37,952 fans at the final between the Eagles and the Badgers. “Michigan was the place to try (having it outside a traditional ice arena) if we were going to do it,” said Kristin Fasbender, associate director of championships for the NCAA.“I thought things went really well. Working with the CCHA, Detroit Sports (Commission) and the folks at Ford Field, I thought it was an electric atmosphere.” The previous NCAA record was 19,342 for the 2007 Frozen Four in St. Louis. The former indoor record attendance of 28,183 was set during a 1996 NHL playoff game at Tampa’s Tropicana Field. “We wanted to do something unique,”said CCHA commissioner Tom Anastos, whose league secured the opportunity to host the Frozen Four in 2005.“We thought we had a unique building in a market that could support it. “I think the players who played in it will remember it for the rest of their lives.” The NCAA Men’s Hockey Championship was played at Detroit’s Olympia Stadium in 1977 and 1979, and Joe Louis Arena hosted the event in 1985, 1987 and 1990. Local organizers hope Detroit doesn’t have to wait another 20 years to host the Frozen Four again. “This shows how passionate people are about hockey here. In spite of how the economy was, there were a lot of people who came out to watch

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this. This is an awesome sports town,” said Anastos. “I’ll remember the size of the crowd and the reaction of the players, which is really the principal reason we did it.”

College hockey fans dressed in their favorite school’s jerseys – including numerous teams that weren’t even at the Frozen Four - walked the streets around Comerica Park and Ford Field and took part in the College Hockey Fan Fest at the GM Wintergarden at the Renaissance Center. A BIG WEEKEND Inside Ford Field the players and coaches couldn’t help but marvel at the setup With the Detroit Red Wings season finale the day before the national semifinal games, and the Detroit Tigers home opener sandwiched between the semifinals and the crowds. “When we first walked in and saw the rink it definitely had the wow factor,” said and finals at Ford Field, downtown Detroit was hopping for almost a week straight. Wisconsin coach Mike Eaves said. “And during the games the crowds were huge.” Despite warm temperatures and high humidity early in the week, the ice surface - constructed in the end zone of the football field using 20,000 gallons of water, 3,000 gallons of coolant and a 300-ton capacity mobile refrigeration truck - held up admirably. “The ice wasn’t perfect but it was such a cool place to play,”said Rochester Institute of Technology senior goalie Jared DeMichiel.“Who wouldn’t want to play in front of this many fans?” Several players signed autographs for fans at both Ford Field and at the Fan Fest and tried out the interactive elements at the Fan Fest. Others made a trip to a Detroit elementary school to read to students. And the whole Wisconsin squad watched as teammate Blake Geoffrion was announced as the 2010 Hobey Baker Award winner at the Friday Night at the Frozen Four festivities. “Everything about the whole experience was great,” said the Eagles’ senior forward Ben Smith. “We played in front of the biggest crowd ever for a Frozen Four. I thought the whole thing was great for college hockey.” And his coach Jerry York, who won his fourth national title this year, couldn’t agree more. “I certainly would give this an A-plus,”said York. “I don’t know if I’ll go to the Houston Astrodome, but I thought it was a great experience for our players, PHOTO BY TOM TURRILL/MICHIGAN HOCKEY and not just because we won.”

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College Hockey

April 26, 2010, Volume 20 : Issue 18

2010 Frozen Four

Fan Fest draws crowds at the Frozen Four

April 8-10 – Detroit’s Ford Field

PHOTOS BY TOM TURRILL AND ANDY KNAPIK/MICHIGAN HOCKEY

Not since the Kitchen Debates between Richard Nixon and Russian Premier Nikita Khrushchev has a household appliance been under the spotlight. At the College Hockey Fan Fest at the Frozen Four April 8-10, fans stood in line eagerly waiting to take a shot at putting pucks and balls into the laundry dryer’s drum - ala Sidney Crosby. The Reebok-sponsored interactive skills station was at the General Motors Wintergarden at the Renaissance Center, which was a beehive of collegiate hockey-inspired activity during all three days. Participants, who donned street hockey goalie regalia, could also take a crack at stopping projectiles hurled at them from an automatic ball dispenser while at a third station others took a rapid fire shooting test to measure their sniper-like skills. For Josh Hosking of Oxford, loading the dryer with pucks looks much easier when Sid “The Kid” does it on TV. “I didn’t get any (in),” said Hosking, who was watching younger brother Cullen take his turn against the appliance. The Victory Honda AAA midget player was taking in the activities with father John, mother Lori and brother Cullen, who were planning to go to NCAA hockey finals at Ford Field. “You come down early just so you can do this stuff,” said Hosking. “It just adds more fun to the whole experience.” Amid the clatter, the bands from the Frozen Four schools - including Boston College on opening day - performed and an emcee roused those in attendance by announcing promotions. All of the proceedings took place against the postcard backdrop of the shimmering Detroit River and Windsor skyline. Organizers took a page from the popular Central Collegiate Hockey Association Fan Fest held during the league’s championship weekend, said Sean Krabach of Detroit Sports, which helped produce the event. “When we got the bid, we decided from Day One we wanted to do a Fan Fest,” Krabach said. “We worked to have an event similar to what the CCHA does.” The NCAA Frozen Four version included a Hobey Baker Trophy display that included T-shirts, posters and pucks for sale honoring past winners and this season’s candidates. Those who bought pucks with Wisconsin’ Blake Geoffrion’s likeness hit the jackpot as he was the latest to receive college hockey’s version of the Heisman Trophy April 9. “Fans that are here obviously love college hockey,” he said. The event was free and visitors ranged from hotel guests, who were wearing Wisconsin, Boston College, Rochester Institute of Technology and Miami jerseys, to Detroit area residents soaking up the Frozen Four hoopla. Mitchell Doherty, 8, of Warren was proud he clanged shots off the pock-marked dryer eight times, but only four made it in. Meanwhile, his sister Jillian, 11, was rubbing a sore spot on her arm after taking a few shots in the cage. “It hit me where there was no protection,” Jillian said. Loren Jones, 8, of Fenton wasn’t phased by the netminding experience. “I’m already a goalie,” the boy said. When asked if the machine-produced shots were as hard as he faces as a member of the Kensington Valley Admirals, the boy shook his head no. His father, John Jones, liked how his wallet wasn’t taking a shot. “It’s beautiful,” the dad said. “It’s easy to get to. I pulled up my vehicle and they parked it for me. And the best thing about this is it doesn’t cost me anything,” The festive atmosphere also attracted hockey neophytes. Dave and Mayela Shaw of Southfield brought daughters, Melonie, 9, and Gina, 12, who took turns at the goalie station. “I only missed two shots,” said Gina, who admitted she wasn’t sure if the ice sport is for her. AlexWargo, who was supervising the goalie station, was one of the many volunteers assisting at the event. The Northwood University sophomore was impressed by some of the wannabe netminders. “We’ve seen some pretty good goalies today,” said Wargo, who is majoring in sports and entertainment management. “And everyone has had a good time.” By Larry O’Connor

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College Hockey

April 26, 2010, Volume 20 : Issue 18

PHOTO BY DAVE REGINEK/DRW

SHUT OUT Doug Snow

Dan Wieschowski

Andrew Agius Alex Benson Ryan Caldwell Kyle Fisher Griffin Maiani

HAT TRICK

Roddy Person Tyler Phillips Zac Rousseau Aaron Senchuk

PLAYMAKER Andrew Agius Alex Benson Ryan Caldwell Kyle Fisher

Griffin Maiani Roddy Person Zac Rousseau Aaron Senchuk

HIGH GRADE POINT Andrew Agius Ryan Caldwell Brendan Mason

Aaron Senchuk Doug Snow Ethan Weinkauf

HERE'S HOW IT WORKS:

The Grosse Pointe Bulldogs Squirt A team won the chance to do a shootout between periods of the Frozen Four final at Ford Field on April 10.

Bulldogs win contest to skate at Frozen Four BY CARL CHIMENTI

While Boston College won the 2010 NCAA National Championship, the Eagles weren’t the only winners during the Frozen Four on April 8-10 at Ford Field. The Grosse Pointe Bulldogs Squirt A squad sold the most tickets to the Frozen Four and won the “Skate on the Ice Contest” prize package that included a suite for the games and the chance to do a shootout on the Ford Field ice between periods of the championship final. Bulldogs manager Ed Lukas and head coach Pahl Zinn got their team on board with the contest, which was open to Michigan teams made up of players from the eighth grade or younger, by securing a link and password to a ticket sales website. “After we received our password and a link to the website, the kids passed that along to their friends and family members,” explained Zinn. “When the player acquaintances would purchase their tickets on the website they would enter our special team password and the ticket sale was credited to our team.” The Grosse Pointe players worked to let everyone they knew know about the contest and what was at stake. Each of the three winning prize packages included an hour of ice time to skate at Ford Field on April 6, a team photo on the ice, 50 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four pucks, 20 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four T-Shirts and a team mention on the Ford Field video board during the Frozen Four games. During the hour ice session the team practiced some short drills and finished with a team scrimmage and just being on the ice with the general surroundings made for a very exciting day for each of the three winning teams. “The kids had a great time on the ice,” said Zinn. “Ford Field did a very nice job of

1. Each time a player becomes eligible for a Michigan Hockey “ Winner ’s C ircle” NEW WAY achievement award, notify us by mail or TO ENTER you can email us at: mh@michiganhockeyonline.com. Please include the player’s name, level (squirt, etc.), team name, grade point & school attending and/or game date, opposing team and what award was achieved.

Frozen Four ticket drawing winner!

2. I nclude your name and telephone number along with the address information for mailing the awards. Awards can be mailed to coaches, team managers or to individual players.

Eleven year old Abby Gluchowski of Wixom (left), with her friend Paige Dobbs, won the Michigan Hockey drawing for two tickets to the Frozen Four at Detroit’s Ford Field. Gluchowski filled out an entry form at the MIHL Prep Showcase in Trenton.

3. Names of achievement award winners will be listed here in the "Winner's Circle" section of Michigan Hockey. 4. achievement. (Limit one award per category per player per year.)

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setting up the ice time and the logistics for the skate on Tuesday night.” The grand prize package also included a suite for 50 people, along with food and beverages, for all three games at the Frozen Four. “We had both parents and siblings of the team in the suite,” said Zinn. “Each family was allocated tickets and their choice of inviting family and friends. The suite was also a fun experience for the boys because it gave them a chance to not only to experience the Frozen Four but also to experience what a great facility Ford Field is.” Zinn said the view from the suite was terrific. “It was a little different from being down below,” said Zinn. “From above you could see the entire ice and the plays as they developed. What also was neat during the games, the boys talked about how they skated on the ice and how they were on the same bench (as the college players).” The Bulldogs capped off a great weekend at the Frozen Four by doing a shootout between the second and third periods of the championship game on April 10. The team dressed in a Ford Field locker room and walked down the tunnel to the rink before taking the ice in front of record crowd of 37,592 fans. “The kids enjoyed an incredible time through out the entire event,”said Zinn.“I think the highlight was the boys walking down the tunnel to the ice between the second and third period with the crowd leaning over the wall giving them high fives and as they walked past the Wisconsin marching band, members of the band also saluted them with more high fives and fist bumps which just fired up the kids even more.” The Bulldogs players included: Tommy Daudlin, Michael Burns, Connor Albrecht, John Cullen, Spencer Lukas, Weston Brundage, Ryan Murphy, Jack Hall, Zak Wollenzin, Pahl Zinn and goalies Michael Kambouris and Liam Quick.

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College Hockey

Skills Competition a hit at Friday Night at the Frozen Four BY MARC KOORSTRA

The Boston College Eagles weren’t the only champions crowned during the Frozen Four weekend at Ford Field. Even though the stakes were not quite as high, a group of 32 college seniors took to the ice one more time to compete in the Skills Challenge during Friday Night at the Frozen Four festivities. Dressed head to toe in brand new Bauer gear, the squads were divided between East and West and included eight men and eight women on each side. A total of six players and two coaches with ties to the state of Michigan participated in the event for the victorious West team, but none had more of a hometown advantage than goaltender Lindsey Park of Wayne State University. The Thornhill, Ontario, native was joined at Ford Field by several of her Warrior teammates to give her one of the strongest cheering sections. “It was great to have some of my teammates out here to support me and one of my coaches as well,” Park said. “This was a cool event and I think they enjoyed it too.” But what made the competition even more enjoyable was her performance. The West squad trailed 5-2 after three events when Park took her spot between the pipes for the Rapid Shot contest. Harvard’s Anna McDonald fired eight shots after taking feeds from each side of the net and Park stopped every attempt to earn the point for her team. The West went on to sweep the next five points and won the event, 10-6. The West got their first two points of the night with the help of Horton native Rachel Davis. The Ohio State star helped the team get a point in the Puck Control Relay and another with a win in the Hardest Shot Contest. Flint native Zach Harrison (Minnesota State-Mankato) sealed the win for the West by converting on his Penalty Shot attempt in the final event of the night. Three players from the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) also competed in the event. Lake Superior State goaltender Pat Inglis, a late addition to the roster to replace Northern Michigan’s Brian Stewart, joined Lakers teammate and Livonia native Zac MacVoy and Michigan State’s Nick Sucharski in the competition. Wayne State women’s coach Jim Fetter and Michigan State assistant coach Tom Newton were coaches on the West squad.

PHOTO BY BOB BRUCE/MICHIGAN HOCKEY

Lake Superior State goalie Pat Inglis stops Harvard’s Alex Biega in the Penalty Shot portion of the Skills Competition at the Frozen Four.

Inglis made six saves in the Rapid Shot contest to help the West gain another point for having the higher combined number of stops. MacVoy and Sucharski took on the role of entertainers in the Penalty Shot portion after failing to earn a point in the other events and after the West had clinched the victory. MacVoy picked up the puck and balanced it on the blade of his stick as approached the goal and Sucharski decided to go with a behind-both-legsbackhand shot. Unfortunately for the two players, neither came close to converting their trick shots.

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“Once I saw we won I was just going to go in and shoot,” Sucharski said. “I can’t deke and I was fumbling the puck all day. The guys just said ‘we won so you might as well try something, but it didn’t work.’” MacVoy, who also admitted improvising a little bit on his penalty shot, said he was glad to come home and represent Metro Detroit in the event. “I came home a day early and visited some family,” he said. “It’s right in my back yard – only a half hour away – so it’s good to come down and meet some new people and participate in something like this in Detroit. We had fun.”

Michigan Hockey

NHL & Red Wing Insiders

April 26, 2010, Volume 20 : Issue 18

Red Wings counting on playoff experience BY DAVE WADDELL

Detroit Red Wings captain Nick Lidstrom has done just about everything in his career, but he had to dig deep in his memory banks to unearth much about what adjustments are required when you start the NHL playoffs on the road. Lidstrom has never missed the playoffs in his 18-year career, but this year’s opening round against the Phoenix Coyotes is the first time he’s started the post-season in some place other than Joe Louis Arena since he was a rookie in the 1991-92 season. “To have success in the playoffs, you have to win on the road,” Lidstrom said. “You can’t just rely on you’re home ice all the time. You have to close games on the road. “I think it’ll be a battle for us. You start from scratch again. “Once it starts, you have to ramp up the intensity even more.” The road isn’t a place that has been all that unfriendly to the Wings in the past three post-seasons. Of the 11 playoff series the Wings have played in that span, Detroit has ended seven series with a win on the road. The Wings have been .500 on the road in 30 games in the past three playoffs. Detroit continued that trend by getting a split in the first two games in Phoenix in the first round. “We’ve been doing it for a lot of years,” Lidstrom said. “The whole team is used to traveling a lot, going out to the West Coast, having those long flights. “It’s a bigger test for us now that we’re starting on the road.” After starting slowly on the road this season when they were crippled by injuries, Detroit finished with a flourish. The Wings went 7-1-2 in their last 10 games on enemy ice. Overall, the Wings were 19-14-8 for the season. Detroit’s strong finish on the road was part of a 17-3-2 finishing kick that has the Wings feeling pretty good about their chances no matter where they’re playing. “Sometimes that’s what we need, a little challenge to get ourselves going,’’ Henrik Zetterberg said of moving from ninth place to fifth in the standings in the season’s final five weeks. “It shows that we have a lot of character in the organization. If you take away basically nine guys from any other team in the league, I don’t think they would have 100 points. “We’ve been there before, we know what we need to do. We’re playing well and we’re looking forward to the playoffs.” Defenseman Brian Rafalski acknowledges the Wings huge

Michigan Hockey

edge in playoff experience over the Coyotes should make the locale of the games meaningless, but he warns experience is less important in the first round than at any other time in the playoffs. “The first round it’s different,” Rafalski said. “Everyone is going out there flying. Every team has got pretty much a full gas tank. I think both teams are pretty healthy. “Going into the first round is always tough, regardless of who you’re playing.” However, it’s the Wings least experienced player in the playoffs that is the focus in the opening round. Rookie goalie Jimmy Howard made his debut in a cauldron of noise and emotion with the Coyotes making their first playoff appearance in eight years and trying to win their first playoff series since 1987 when they were still in Winnipeg. “It feels like we’ve been playing playoff hockey for a while, having to be desperate to get points every single night,’’ said the easy-going Howard. “The crowd’s into it, the buildings are loud. It’s a lot of fun. I enjoy playing in big games.’’ The last rookie to play goal for the Wings in the first round of the playoffs was Howard’s back-up Chris Osgood. The veteran netminder came in in relief of Bob Essensa in 1994 and the Wings eventually fell in seven games to San Jose. Of the nine rookies to start in goal for Detroit in the team’s history, five lost in the first round, three lost in the finals while Earl Robertson led the Wings to the 1937 Stanley Cup. However, Howard isn’t devoid of experience in pressure situations. He led the U.S. Under-18 team to a world championship, lost 1-0 in the NCAA’s championship game with Maine and has played 30 AHL playoff games for Detroit’s farm team in Grand Rapids. “I’ve been in pressure situations,” Howard said. “There’s going to be little pieces of experience I’ve had where I’ve played in big games. “I’ll be able to pull those from there, plus I got a great partner here in Ozzie. I’m sure he’s going to be giving me little tidbits here and there about situations. “I’m going to approach it as any other game. The intensity definitely is going to be turned up a notch. It’s up to me to respond and continue to give the guys a chance to win.”

Oilers can’t go wrong with first pick in the NHL Draft The best aspect of the Edmonton Oilers owning the No. Guy Lafluer? Plenty of coaches would chose Yzerman in that 1 pick in the 2010 National Hockey League Draft is that the comparison because he brings a defensive layer and tenacity. situation is knucklehead proof. He offers leadership. He’s the full package. It seems impossible for the Oilers to make a poor choice. Everyone in the hockey world agrees that Taylor Hall (Windsor Spitfires) and Tyler Seguin (Plymouth Whalers) are both going to be NHL superstars. Four or five years from now it could be another Sidney Crosby vs. Alex Ovechkin style of debate, meaning we can argue about who we like best, but both of them will be NHL kingpins. The Oilers say they haven’t made up their mind, and that is undoubtedly true. But around the NHL you’re hearing predictions that the Oilers will take Seguin because he’s a center and they need a center. Plus, he’s a right-handed center, and those are more difficult to come by. The second layer of the argument for the Oilers taking Seguin is that if they take the scoring left winger Hall, they won’t have anyone to give him the puck. Edmonton doesn’t have a top flight young center. Their best prospect Jordan Eberle is now projected as a right wing, although he has played center in the past. In theory, Seguin will be able to center Dustin Penner or Ales Edmonton owns the top pick in the Hemsky over the short term. 2010 NHL Draft and the consensus But what ever happened to taking the is the Oilers will select either best player regardless of position? Plymouth’s Tyler Seguin (above) It seems like it makes more sense for or Windsor’s Taylor Hall. the Oilers to select Hall because he seems to be the most ready right now, and he’s the more electrifying of the two players. He’s a fast, dynamic And that’s why the Oilers can’t lose. That’s why the Bruins scoring winger. can’t lose. No matter what choice Edmonton makes, the Bruins I read onTSN.ca that Devils scout Marcel Pronovost compared are still receiving a potential superstar. Hall to Guy Lafleur. Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers, picking No. 3, won’t do You can bet that quote will go out to season-ticket holders too badly either. whether he goes No. 1 to Edmonton or No. 2 to the Boston Although Farmington Hills native Cam Fowler, a defenseman Bruins, who have Toronto’s pick from the Phil Kessel trade. with the Windsor Spirtfires, dropped a couple of spots in the Other scouts have told me that Hall simply has more Central Scouting Bureau rankings, several scouts still have him entertainment value, and the recent playoff series between rated No. 3 because he’s a smart player and a dazzling skater. Windsor and Plymouth demonstrated that Hall is more ready He may have fallen a couple of spots simply because he’s to play right now than Seguin. not a physical player, but scouts tell me he’s exceptional at all Considering how sure everyone is that these players are other areas of the game. going to be stars, these are the two factors that would carry “His potential is endless,” said Windsor general manager the most weight if I were making the selection for the Oilers. Warren Rychel, a former NHL scout. Edmonton fans are first rate fans, and older fans have fond Hall calls Fowler“an elite OHL defenseman, one of the best.” remembrances of the days when the Oilers had a roster full of “This guy is going to be a world-class defenseman,” said dazzling performers. Windsor coach Bob Boughner, a former NHL defenseman. If this competition to be No. 1 is too close to call, why not give Considering that the Panthers are still smarting from fans a player who is the most ready to bring them out of their defenseman Jay Bouwmeester walking away as an unrestricted seats. Hall certainly has a higher pizzaz rating at the moment. free agent last summer, the selection of Fowler makes perfect But if they decide on the speedy and skilled Seguin, they sense. are set for 15 years. I’ve had scouts tell me he is either Jonathan When it comes to the first three picks of the 2010, it seems Toews or Steve Yzerman. as if everyone is a winner. Those comparisons would make any coach smile. Of course history says it rarely works out that way. Who would you rather have over the long run, Yzerman or

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PHOTO BY WALT DMOCH/PLYMOUTH WHALERS

PHOTO BY ANDY KNAPIK/MICHIGAN HOCKEY

The Red Wings have veterans at every position except goaltender, where rookie Jimmy Howard is playing in his first NHL playoff series.

Kevin Allen covers pro and college hockey for USA Today

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