Michigan Hockey September 14, 2009

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Michigan Hockey michiganhockeyonline.com V.20:I.04 | September 14, 2009 FIRST CLASS

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michiganhockeyonline.com | September 14, 2009

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MICHIGAN HOCKEY

FROM THE EDITOR

FROM THE EDITOR

Welcome Back

With the 100 days of summer over, I hope that everyone had a good break from the rink and is fully recharged and ready for the new season ahead. While most young players are still working back into game shape and getting to know their new teammates, junior teams have started the regular season. In this issue of Michigan Hockey (starting on page 32) we take a look at the Michigan junior teams in the Great Lakes Junior Hockey League, Central States Hockey League and North American Hockey League. We also have a preview of the Ann Arbor-based U.S. National teams, the Ontario Hockey League’s Plymouth Whalers and Saginaw Spirit and the teams they’ll be competing against in the West Division of the Western Conference. In our Parent’s Guide that starts on page 22 we have tips on fitting your equipment, some ideas for team fundraisers, MAHA dates to remember this season, a concussion update and a nutrition primer. In addition check out our 150-term glossary (page 26-27) to see how well you “speak hockey.” Also, we are introducing our new “Navigating the Frozen Waters” educational series (page 28) with a feature on the Tier I Junior A United States Hockey League (USHL). The Navigating the Frozen Waters features are 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. We’ll explore other junior leagues, along with high school and youth hockey in future issues. Finally, if you have any ideas for future stories, feedback (good or bad) on something you read in Michigan Hockey or just want to talk hockey, send me an e-mail (phil@michiganhockeyonline. com) or give me call (248-479-1136) anytime. Welcome back and have a great season,

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Call 734.834.0084 for info www.michiganpondhockey.com

September 14, 2009 | michiganhockeyonline.com

Register On-line Today!

INSIDE 09.14.09 6 MH AMATEUR HOCKEY REPORT

Editor-in-Chief

• New Buffalo Wild Wings ’99 AAA team ready for season • Ice Hawks ‘97s win McCann Tournament • Jenison’s Tyler Anderson makes U.S. National Junior Sled Hockey Team (p.8) • Michigan teams fare well at State Wars (p.10) • Detroit Mission Stars have big NARCh Finals (p.11) • Onyx Rochester Ice Arena celebrates 10th anniversary (p.11)

Philip D. Colvin

Advertising Lucia Zuzga

14 MH BEAT

• Adray Community Hockey League names scholarship winners • Kingsford’s Kevin Gravel’s European Journal (p.30)

Design Editor Chuck Stevens

16 STATE OF THE GAME

STAFF Contributing Editor ........................... Kevin Allen Advertising ......................................Lucia Zuzga ................................................... Philip D. Colvin ................................................... Lauren Kovacs Subscriptions/Distribution ...............Lucia Zuzga Administrative Director ............. Peggy A. Griffin Controller .................................. David J. Klavon Administrative Assistant ...................Amy Jones

• If only I had known BY LYLE PHAIR

18 MH TOURNAMENT CALENDAR 28 NAVIGATING THE FROZEN WATERS

Circulation: Weekly press run of 8,000-10,000 with an

• The first installment of our new educational series takes a look at the Tier 1 Junior A United States Hockey League (USHL)

estimated readership of 24,000-30,000. EDITORIAL BOARD: Bob Despirt, Christine Szarek, Derek Blair, Don Dales, Julie Pardoski, Kirk Vickers, Linda Holland, Lisa Zarzycki, Lori Yarnell, Mark Vansaw,

DEPARTMENTS

Randy Paquette, 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, a division of Suburban Sports Group, 23995 Freeway Park Drive, Suite 200, Farmington Hills, MI 48335-2829. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to MICHIGAN HOCKEY®, 23995 Freeway Park Drive, Suite 200, Farmington Hills, MI 48335-2829. ©2004 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.

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: The U.S. National Under-18 Team’s Bryan Rust (Bloomfield Hills), Jon Merrill (Brighton) and Austin Czarnik (Washington) in the NTDP locker room at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube by Michigan Hockey. This page (from top): Buffalo Wild Wings new ’99 AAA team with the BWW mascot by Kim Tauber/Michigan Hockey; Cheering parents by Dave Reginek/DIG Photo; Whalers’ Leo Jenner by Walt Dmoch/Plymouth Whalers and Red Wings Chris Osgood by Dave Reginek/DRW.

Cover reprints available: email mh@michiganhockeyonline.com

GUIDE ‘09 22 PARENT’S • Just right: equipment fitting tips • Fundraising ideas for your team (p. 24) • Some things to consider this season (p.25) • Dates to Remember (p.25) • Hockey Glossary with 150 terms (p.26-27) • Concussion update and good nutrition (p. 29)

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ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE • Central States Hockey League • Great Lakes Junior Hockey League • North American Hockey League (p.33) • U.S. National Teams (p.34) • Saginaw Spirit (p.34) • Plymouth Whalers (p.35)

WINGS INSIDER 38 •RED Waddell: Red Wings still feel

sting of finals loss • Allen: 20 things to think about as NHL camps open (p.39)

MH ARENA GUIDE COMING IN NEXT ISSUE!

With the 2009-10 season around the corner, you will need to know where you are going and what's there when you arrive. That is why you can't miss Michigan Hockey's Arena Guide in the September 28th issue. The Arena Guide will contain information on Michigan arenas. In addition, the September 28th issue of Michigan Hockey will also feature our Pro Preview, with a look at the Detroit Red Wings, Grand Rapids Griffins, the rest of the NHL and the Michigan teams in the IHL. For information on advertising in the Michigan Hockey Arena Guide, contact Lucia Zuzga at (248) 479-1134. Ad copy deadline is 9/16!

MICHIGAN HOCKEY 23995 Freeway Park Drive • Suite 200 Farmington Hills, MI 48335-2829

(248) 479-1134 direct

(248) 478-1601 FAX E-Mail: lucia@michiganhockeyonline.com

www.michiganhockeyonline.com

MICHIGAN HOCKEY

AMATEUR HOCKEY REPORT

New Buffalo Wild Wings AAA team gets ready for first-ever season Members of the brand new Squirt AAA 1999 Buffalo Wild Wings hockey team were introduced at a “Face-Off” party at the Buffalo Wild Wings store in Washington Township on August 26 to begin the squad’s first-ever season. The Buffalo Wild Wings inaugural team includes 10-year olds from Macomb, St. Clair and Oakland Counties and will skate out of both of both the OnyxRochester Ice Arena and Suburban Ice-Macomb facilities this season and is the only Metro Detroit AAA club based in the Northeast suburbs. “We’re looking forward to having fun and helping these young players improve this season,” said Buffalo Wild Wings 1999 AAA team head coach Jon Finstrom. Sponsored by Buffalo Wild Wings, Michigan’s newest AAA program provides families with high-performance development hockey under the umbrella of Michigan’s leading hockey instructional, publishing and ice arena management organization, the Suburban Sports Group.

In addition to the 1999 (Birth Year) team that will begin play this season, the Buffalo Wild Wings AAA Hockey Club’s long-term strategy will introduce additional teams over the next three seasons, resulting in six Buffalo Wild Wings AAA teams playing by the 2012-13 season. The new Buffalo Wild Wings 1999 AAA team is: Jacob Bringard (Fort Gratiot), Matt Stoia (Marysville), Noah Finstrom (New Baltimore), Geoffrey Orsini (Bloomfield Hills), Jonathon Thomas (Clio), Nicholas Aiello (Chesterfield), Trevor Granzow (Ray), Tyler Hargrave-Thomas (Madison Heights), Connor Scahill (Clyde), Steven Krajewski (Macomb), Cameron Milavec (New Baltimore), Zack Hartig (Fort Gratiot), Michael Gatz (Macomb) and Luke Lewallen (Macomb). The coaching staff includes head coach Jon Finstrom, assistant coach/team manager Mike Lewallwan, assistant coach John Scahill, goalie coach Marc Orsini and tournament director Chris Aiello.

Michigan Ice Hawks win McCann Tournament The Michigan ‘97 Ice Hawks spring team won the 2009 McCann Spring Tournament the weekend of April 24th. The Ice Hawks, comprised of 10 and 11 year-olds from the Grosse Pointes and many surrounding communities, went 4-0 to capture the championship, yielding just 3 goals in 4 games. The Ice Hawks beat the Toledo Cherokees in the championship game, 5-2. Pictured are: Front row, goalies Tyler Burroughs

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September 14, 2009 | michiganhockeyonline.com

and Andy Jakub; Second Row, kneeling: Brad Miller, Zack Zschering, Alexander Minanov, Jake Babbish, Shane Doig, Nick Kreda, Third and back rows standing: Marko DerManulian, Nick Azar, Richie Filippelli, Bobby Kaiser, Jason Sommerville, Justin Kusch, Will Poplawski, Jonathan Theros, William Walker, Nick Sieradzki, and Jordan Reece. Coaches (left to right) Greg Cheesewright, Lyle Reece and Manager Louis Theros.

MICHIGAN HOCKEY

AMATEUR HOCKEY REPORT Jenison’s Tyler Anderson has been named to the 2009-10 U.S. National Junior Sled Hockey Team. PHOTO BY MARK NEWMAN/GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS

Jenison’s Tyler Anderson makes U.S. National Sled team Jenison’s Tyler Anderson has been named to the 2009-10 U.S. National Junior Sled Hockey Team. The 18-year-old Anderson has played the last eight years for the Grand Rapids Sled Wings, a talented team of kids and teenagers with physical disabilities sponsored by the Griffins Youth Foundation, in partnership with Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. The USA Hockey squad, designed to help develop players for future U.S. National Sled Hockey Teams, will compete in the Western Sled Hockey League, a four-team league with clubs in Utah, Arizona and Colorado. The team will also participate in developmental camps in conjunction with the 2009-10 U.S. National Sled Hockey Team. The lone new face on the team, Anderson joins 14 returning members from last year’s squad. The players were selected following the USA Hockey Player Development Camp, held in Rochester, N.Y., from June 26-July 1. Named the Sled Wings’ 2008-09 most valuable player, Anderson is an avid athlete whose skills

extend to other sports, as he’s played for both the Grand Rapids Junior Pacers wheelchair basketball team and the Grand Rapids Wheelchair Sports Association’s tennis team. The 2009 graduate of Jenison High School will attend Grand Rapids Community College in the fall. “Tyler’s selection is a great representation of our foundation and the Sled Wings,” said Bob Kaser, foundation president and Griffins vice president of community relations and broadcasting. “Not just the fact that Tyler is amazingly skilled at what he does – and you admire him for that and how hard he has worked to get to the level he is at – but he is also such an awesome young man. He is just a well-rounded, great ambassador for the program and for the youth foundation.” The Sled Wings, who became the first juniorlevel sled hockey team in Michigan upon their founding in 2001, are gaining a national reputation after winning a pair of tournaments during their 2008-09 season.

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September 14, 2009 | michiganhockeyonline.com

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MICHIGAN HOCKEY

AMATEUR HOCKEY REPORT

Team Michigan returns from State Wars with medals and memories Michigan’s roller hockey cream-of-the-crop from Joe Dumar’s Fieldhouse in Shelby Township, Total Roller Hockey in Novi, and the JCC in West Bloomfield headed to Cincinnati (OH) in late July for the 2009 State Wars National Tournament with high expectations. Started five years ago by Tim McManus and Jason Domitrovic in Chicago, State Wars combines the best aspects of all of the other national tournament series and adds two big differences. In State Wars youth teams compete in a single birth year field of teams, meaning if a player was born in 1997 then all players in the division are 97’s. In addition every team must have only players that reside in their state. And new this year the tournament added teams from Canada so those players had to reside in the same province. Players were chosen at individual state tryouts by an outside State

Team Michigan 2000 won the Gold medal.

Team Michigan 2002 won the Gold medal. Wars’ staff that came to each state and selected the best players on the floor during a weekend of tryouts. Players are chosen to compete at an ‘A, ‘AA, or ‘AAA level. Once the teams are chosen, Michigan’s co-state directors Dave Zarem and Matt Koleski found each team a coach that fit well with the team and their team manager. Every effort was made to find non-parent coaches and the job of the team manager is crucial to the success and enjoyment that each team experienced. This year was special in that so many of the local players got to feel the sense of accomplishment of winning a Bronze, Silver or Gold medal. “I am very proud of how our players, coaches, parents, and especially the team managers conducted themselves this year at State Wars,” said Koleski, who also is the Director of Hockey Operations of the Little Caesars Roller Hockey at Dumar’s. “Everyone’s hard work and commitment to the sport really showed this year as you

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Corey Haas and Evan Grimme also scored in the final for the ‘95s. Both Team Michigan ’94 squads took home gold. The ‘94 A team was led by Alec Farrington who notched 12 goals, including two in the championship, and Max Dubin who recorded 3 goals and 10 points. Dominic Carollo added seven goals as well. Josh Raider was awesome in net in every game. The ‘94 AAA team, led by Vito Aluia, Michael Fowler and Scuba Beauvais, beat New York in the Gold medal game, 4-3, in overtime. After being shorthanded much of the game and killing off several minutes of 4-on-2 action, the boys were down just 3-2 with under two minutes to play. Aluia tied it with his second goal of the game with just over a minute left to set the stage for the heroics of Fowler, whose end-to-end rush capped off the win. Beauvais also scored in the final. Nick Malles won MVG for Team MI 94 AAA. The 1992 AAA squad opened with a loss to Alberta but rebounded with three straight wins behind Zach Witte, Ryan Kish and Keith Long, but lost to their nemesis, Missouri in their quarterfinals. The 92 A team took the Gold by beating Colorado 5-4 in the final when Joey Axt scored with just 30 seconds left. The team was led by Brian Cheesbro’s nine goals and 13 points and Kyle Cook’s four goals and nine ponts. Both Derek Recor and Drew Archer were superb between the pipes. Connor Enciso, Mitchell Steur and Tyler Spezia led the ‘93 team that won the Gold in the AA Division with a 3-2 OT win over New York. After Spezia’s last second tying goal sent the game into the extra period it was Steur who picked off a New York breakout pass and fired a wrist shot for the gamewinner. Steur went on to win MVP as well. Zach Lietz’s strong play in goal was also key. Team Michigan 2001 won the Silver medal. The 2001’s got the ball rolling on the last day of the tourney by capturing the Silver medal. Adam Beauvais led his team all weekend with the help of Andrew Schwartz, Brendan Walk, Bryce Livesy, Nicole Maddox, Michael Wilson, Eric Gal, Evan Gietzen and goaltender Ethan Hunsinger. Team MI 2002 took Gold with a 6-4 win over Florida behind the strong play of Sebastian Smith (11 goals/16 points) and Griffin White (10 goals/15 points). Bryce Livesy had two goals and Nikolas Simo notched one in the final. Other workhorses included Noah Somers, Seth Ferguson, Anthony Gattone, and Griffin Zaske. Andrei Gaffney held down the goalie duties and was awarded MVG. The 2000’s won all six of their games, led by their goaltender Robert Pegrum, to win Gold. In the final game against Pennsylvania, after falling behind three goals with under six minutes to go, Michigan turned things around. Gabe Temple scored once and Jonathon Gruden twice late to Team Michigan ‘92s won the A Division Gold medal. send the game into OT. In the extra period Gruden added the game winner. Calen Kiefiuk notched 15 goals and 3 assists, Gruden recorded 13 goals The ‘98s took a Bronze medal with a 2-1 win over Pennsylvania and 7 assists, Anthony Venuto had 10 goals and 3 assists, and as Kevin Maddox, Noah Bluestone, Zach Raider, and Bryan Glasser Temple put up 8 goals and 3 assists. The defense was headed up by played key roles down the stretch. Max Hartwell who pitched in with 2 goals and 5 assists. The other After losing to Missouri in the semifinals, Team Michigan ‘91s blueliners were Benjamin Raab, Adam Cantley, and James Burke. bounced back to win the Bronze medal game by beating Manitoba. The Michigan Women’s AA team lost to Missouri, 1-0, in the 6-4. Jon Paul and Will Fetcenko led the way in the game with three Bronze medal game, while the AAA Women’s squad won the Silver points each and Daniel Lawson was strong between the pipes. led by Jill Sandzik, Julie Bradford, Jamie Lushka, Jenna Donnelly Two ’96 teams went to Cinci – the AAA squad went 0-4 in a tough and netminder Rachel Roach. division while the A squad won the Bronze medal with a 3-2 win Michigan also won a Silver medal in the Senior AA division, a over Ohio on goals by Luke Gortat, Nash Irwin, and Gage Fisher. Bronze in Junior AAA, and the Masters team took home their fourth Kenny Wurth led the team in goals during round robin play with four. straight Gold medal, a first in the history of State Wars. Michigan also sent two ‘95 teams to State Wars. Again the AAA In all 27 Michigan teams traveled to State Wars and took home team struggled, but the A team went 7-0 and took home the Gold eight Gold, three Silver and five Bronze medals. medal. The squad used a balanced attack and in the final game against Georgia it was Daniel Schmidt’s two goals that were the difference along with the stellar performance of Wes Raske in net. can see by the number of medals Michigan took home. “Some of the games were just incredible and the kids got a chance to play in front of hundreds of fans packing the stands. State Wars will be the highlight of the year for most of these kids and was for me as well.” The Team Michigan ‘99s – led by Justin Eastman (4G, 6A), Harry Payne (6G,2A) and Chad Ritchie (4G, 2A) – earned a AAA seed by going 3-0-1 in the round robin but lost to Florida in the quarterfinals. The 1997 squad also went 3-0-1 in the round robin led by goaltender Spencer Applebaum and players Bradley Hoettel, Steven Fowler, Alec Badour and Nicholas Demchuk. After beating Louisiana 4-3 in the quarterfinal, the ‘97s lost to Missouri, 4-3, and their bid for a bronze medal bid was denied in a 3-2 loss to North Carolina.

September 14, 2009 | michiganhockeyonline.com

MH BEAT

MICHIGAN HOCKEY

Detroit Mission Stars and Storm score big at NARCh

LEFT AND RIGHT PHOTO BY BOB BRUCE/MICHIGAN HOCKEY

6-4, in the playoffs. this year and it paid off.” Going into their third season the Detroit Mission Stars were ready The 14U team, led by former Novi HS player Ryan Dixon, went The DMS 18 and Under squad won four straight games in the to bring home some hardware this year at the 2009 NARCh finals 3-1 in the round robin, beat Revision RBK in the semifinals and won round robin before losing 5-4 in the final seconds of regulation in in Mississauga (Ont.). the Cup with a 6-2 win over Brampton (Ont.) Radicals in the final. their first playoff game. Dave Zarem’s DMS program, based at Novi’s Total Roller Hockey, “Although in life winning is very important, the DMS program “We had a good group of young men with some returning players brought eight youth teams - along with the newly formed 12U and prides itself on sticking to their mission statement,” Zarem said. and some first year experienced work horses,” said Zarem. “They 14U Mission Storm squads – to the Canada in July. And after 54 games the teams will have to make room at the rink for the hardware. The Detroit Mission Stars’ 6 and Under team, coached by Tom Simo, went undefeated (3-0) in the round robin, won a tight game, 6-5, in OT against Maple Grove (Ont.) in the semifinals and beat the Tour Roadrunners (NY), 5-1, in the final. After a strong season at home, the 8 and Under team struggled after losing some key players. But the team gave it all they had in a very tough age bracket. “We are very proud of our kids after regrouping our roster to attend this year’s finals” said interim coach Jim Allen. “This builds character and I thank all the parents that stuck with the team till the end.” The DMS 10U team won the Gold, their third medal in a row after winning silver two years ago and bronze last season. The team, coached by Jeff Temple, won their first three games, before getting a wakeup call in a 6-2 loss against the Tour Roadrunners (NY) in game four. In the rematch in the semifinals the Stars rebounded with a 6-5 win. The victory set up an all-Detroit final against the rival RBK ‘98s and DMS won 4-0. After a 9-1 loss, the DMS 12 and Under team finished 2-2 in the round robin and beat the Mission Storm, 6-4, in the playoffs before losing to the London Fury (Ont.) in the quarterfinals, 4-1. “Our team got better as the tournament went on,” Coach Rob Mortiere said. “That’s all you can ask and I am proud of my team.” Competing in the biggest division at the tournament, Coach Tom Simo’s Bantam 93’s went undefeated in the round robin (2-0-2) before losing a tight game against the ISCA Grizzlies (NJ). “Our team fought through some adversity this year and really came together for the finals,” said coach Simo. “I am very proud of this first year Bantam team.” After losing in the first round of the NARCh finals last year, the DMS Bantam 92s had some unfinished business this year. Three Detroit Mission Stars teams, the 6U, 10U and 92s, along with the 14U Mission Storm, won Gold at the NARCh finals in Mississauga (Ont.) The team went 3-0-1 in the round robin, and then beat “Developing today’s youth for the challenges of tomorrow is our fought right up until the end.” Revision RBK (NY) in the quarterfinals, 2-0, and the Cougars, 6-1, in goal. Hard work on and off of the floor, combined with our young The first-year Mission Storm program, which plays under the the semifinals. In another all-Michigan final, the Stars scored two athlete’s education in the class room, will make for a more rounded Detroit Mission Stars umbrella, sent both a 12U and 14U team to shorthanded goals in a 5-2 win over Team Adrenaline in the final. individual.” NARCh. “Our core group talked about (last season’s) loss all year,” said The 12U team went 2-2 in the round robin and lost to the Stars, Zarem, who coached the 92s. “We added a couple of key ingredients

TM

Over 700 people came out to help the Onyx - Rochester Ice Arena celebrate its 10th Anniversary with a party on August 29 that featured free open skating (left), drop-in hockey, hotdogs, inflatable slides, sponsor tables and street hockey (right). Jacob McCaslin (center) won a Pavel Datsyuk Red Wings jersey in a drawing conducted by orthodontist specialists Tyler/Dumas/Reyes.

michiganhockeyonline.com | September 14, 2009

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MICHIGAN HOCKEY

MH BEAT

24th Annual “B” THANKSGIVING HOCKEY TOURNAMENT November 27-29, 2009

OPTIMIST ICE ARENA 1300 W. NORTH STREET JACKSON, MICHIGAN 49202

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DIVISIONS Mite B Squirt B Pee Wee B Bantam B

PLAY TIME: Will play (3) ten-minute stop periods. ENTRY FEE: $500.00 per team (with no paid gate) DEADLINE: November 6, 2009 Mail team rosters and entry fee to: JACKSON OPTIMIST ICE ARENA 1300 W. North Street • Jackson, MI 49202 Entries reserved upon receipt of payment in full. Double Rink Facility—All entries welcome. CONTACT: David Templin, Mgr. of Marketing OPTIMIST ICE ARENA (517) 783-2664 email: dave@optimisticearena.com

Adray Community Hockey League names 2009 scholars After Mike and Louise Adray established the Adray Community Hockey League 33 years ago, the pair started the Adray ACHL Scholarship program that is open to any former player who is a firstyear student enrolling in a Michigan college, university, community college or trade school Over the last 27 years there have been a total of 158 ACHL scholarships awarded and approximately $231,800 has been paid out in scholarship funds. This year there were five ACHL scholars - Kristi Chesney, Sarah Czarnecki, Kyle Esper, Amanda Paryaski and Charley Anna Porter - who each received $2,000 for a total of $10,000. As a group, the scholars had an average high school GPA of 3.84.

KRISTI CHESNEY

Kristi Chesney is from Wyandotte and graduated from Roosevelt High School. Kristi graduated with a GPA of 4.14 and was second in a class of 300 students. She has worked in the Wyandotte program with her father and has tried to continue to build the program. She has played hockey for the past eight years and also enjoys playing pond hockey. Chesney will be attending Wayne State University in the fall and hopes to achieve a degree in both Screenwriting and Acting. Her counselor stated that Kristi is more than her academic successes as she is witty, creative, and has a great disposition which is evident in the way she carries herself and relates to those around her. On behalf of the Adray family we wish Kristi our very best as she begins her career studies.

SARAH CZARNECKI

Sarah Czarnecki is from Brownstown and attended Carlson High School. She graduated with a GPA of 3.85 and carried many Advanced Placement classes. She was ranked 31 out of 272 students in her senior class. Czar necki will attend Wayne State University this fall and plans on becoming an Emergency Room Physician. Her school counselor stated that Sarah has been able to be successful balancing her time in school with extra curricular activities. She has worked in the summer as a life guard and has shadowed the Trenton Fire Department to gain more experiences with victims and emergency situations. The Adray family consider it an honor to recognize Sarah for her accomplishments.

KYLE ESPER

Kyle Esper is from Dearborn Heights and graduated from Annapolis High School. Kyle carried a strong academic program and had a GPA of 3.73. He has been very involved in the local hockey program and worked with young players. Kyle will be attending Eastern Michigan University in the fall and will study literature and hopes to increase his ability as a writer. Kyle has been inspired by his English teachers and would like to follow in the footsteps of those educators and become a teacher. During high school Kyle was a class officer, student council member and was in the drama club. The Adray family is pleased to present this award to Kyle for his excellent performance and his ability to set goals for himself in the future.

AMANDA PARYASKI

Amanda Paryaski is from Wyandotte and graduated from Roosevelt High School with a GPA of 3.85 with some very strong academic classes. She was twenty-one in a class of 300 students. Paryaski has worked with two different hockey programs doing many fundraising activities and working as a goal judge She worked

12

September 14, 2009 | michiganhockeyonline.com

teaching young players to learn how to skate. She stated that she volunteers as much as she can and has a goal to promote good sportsmanship and set good examples for younger children. Amanda will be attending Northern Michigan University in the fall to seek a bachelor degree in education. She would like to obtain the best education so she can assure that her future students will receive the best possible education. Her counselor stated that Amanda was very involved in school activities, including SADD, National Honor Society, MEGA Academic Athletic Award, and Academic Gold Medal. The Adray family consider it an honor to recognize Amanda with this award.

CHARLEY ANNA PORTER

Charley Anna Porter is from Midland and graduated from Midland High School. She carried a GPA of 3.67 that included many advanced classes. Porter has played hockey for 12 years and was very involved in school activities. She will be attending Saginaw Valley State University in the fall and would like to become a physical therapist. She is respected by the staff of the school for her maturity and work ethic. She was a “good kid” in the words of many staff members. Adray is pleased to honor Charley and wish her well in her future schooling and life.

ACHL 2009-10 Season Information Greater Michigan East Organization Meeting - Sept. 15 at 7 PM at Midland Arena Scheduling Meeting - (Tentative) Oct. 2 at 10 AM at Bay County Season Starts - October 9 Playoff Meeting - (Tentative) February 9 at 7 PM at TBD Season Ends - February 7 Division Playoffs - February 12 - March 14 Adray Championships - March 19-21 at Patterson Arena, Grand Rapids Metro Division Team Counts and Contact Information due – September 9 Kick Off Meeting – September 19 at 9 AM at Troy Sports Center Season starts – October 10 Season ends – January 24 Post Season – January 25 - March 1 Adray Metro Championship – March 6-7 Adray Championships - March 19-21 at Patterson Arena, Grand Rapids Greater Michigan West Organizational Meeting - September 9 at 7 PM at Walker Ice Scheduling Meeting - September 27 at 10 AM Walker Ice Season Starts - October 17 Playoff Meeting - TBA Season Ends - January 24 Playoff Scheduling Meeting - February 3 TBA Playoffs Start - February 12 Playoffs End - February 28

League Contacts President Jeff Spedowski 231-796-0728 jspedows@charter.net VP Metro Bobby Mitchell 313-885-1004 bmitchell8@yahoo.com

VP West and Girls Patty Madden 616-285-0643 hocemom0@aol.com

Visit adrayhockey.org for more information

14900 Beck Road • North of M-14 • Plymouth (734) 453-6400 compuwarearena.com • plymouthwhalers.com

7PM

Our 2 0

Sept 19 SATURDAY

Whalers v Oshawa

It may be hot outside, but it's even hotter in the rink! Join us for another exciting hockey season as we kick off our 20th Anniversary celebration!

GREAT SAVE PACK! 4 Executive Reserved Seats 4 Bob Evans’ Hot Dogs or slices of pizza 4 Pepsi Beverages & 4 Gamenight Line-ups $66 Value! forNoweveryavailable game!

CALL

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TICKETS 734-453-8400 EVERY SEAT IS A GREAT SEAT!

HAT TRICK

44

a w e v ay i G t e agn 7:05PM

Sept 26 SATURDAY

M

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Whalers v London

A fan favorite and tradition, we're giving away Whaler 2009-2010 Season magnets. Don't miss the chance to get one for your fridge today!

WHALER

GAME

PARTIES PAR ES

Packages include tickets to the game, food, a visit from Shooter, plus you get to meet the players and tour the locker room! To schedule your Whaler game party, call (734) 453-8400 today!

Make up to $3 per Whaler ticket sold by your team. Raise money quickly and easily. Enjoy great hockey, team building and family fun!

Call today (734) 435-8400

Fall Session begins September 22

All levels Beginner -- Adult Register now so you don’t miss out! Only $75! For more information or to register, call 734-453-6400

MICHIGAN HOCKEY

STATE OF THE GAME

State of Game

IF ONLY I HAD KNOWN

the

LYLE PHAIR

Like pretty much all aspects of parenting, navigating your way through the hockey world can be at the best of times confusing and at the worst of times frustrating as can be. But it is all part of what generally turns out to be a great experience for most players and their families. What would be helpful is little guidance along the way, kind of like the “What to Expect When You Are Expecting” books for new parents-to-be. While it doesn’t always necessarily turn out the way that the book says it could, it is always nice to have somewhat of an idea of what could occur so as not to be taken completely by surprise. Live and learn can be good, but having a good idea of where we are heading and what obstructions there might be along the way always seems to make the trip that much more enjoyable and less stressful. With that in mind, here are some thoughts on things for parents to be aware of as they stickhandle their way through their child’s hockey experience. Whether you are a completely new hockey parent who has had no experience or familial history in the game, or a parent of a child entering their last year of Bantam still clinging to that dream of a college scholarship, hopefully there is something here for you. 6 & Under – This is where it all begins and it sets the tone for the child’s lifelong hockey experience, so this is a crucial time. Every kid is different. Some players start skating at 2-years old, some not until they are 4, 6, or even 10 or 12. What happens at six doesn’t matter that much other than the kids are exposed to and allowed to enjoy the fun of the game. Some of the best players at 16 didn’t even start skating until they hit double digits. Having a good-skating 5-year old means nothing more than your kid skates pretty well for a 5-year old. Same thing for a poor skating 5-year old. Things change and they change fast. The worst skaters at the beginning of the year

14

often become the better skaters by the end of it. You don’t need to push your player, unless of course your goal is to push them right out of the game. Let them lead you to where they want to go. You just need to provide the opportunity for them if you can. If you want to give your child the best chance to enjoy the game, find a program that has cross-ice mini mite hockey. The size of the playing surface is age and skill level appropriate. The kids who are better skaters don’t dominate the game like they do in full-ice hockey just because they are better skaters. In fact, a more ageappropriate playing surface size allows them to become better players because they have to be able to maneuver laterally and play the game with their head up as opposed to just simply out-skating their opponents. The less experienced players get better because the game comes to them. They have to be involved, whether they want to or not. Full-ice hockey at 6 & Under is nothing more than a waste of valuable ice time for players and money for the parents. There is plenty of time to learn the rules of the game. Fundamental skating skills and enjoyment of the game should be the priority and two “organized” hockey events a week are plenty at this age. 8 & Under - Let their enthusiasm and love of the game, not yours, dictate where they play. Don’t force them into something that they might not want to do. Don’t let anyone tell you that “you have to play on a ‘travel’ team if your child is to have any hope to be a good player.” Puberty and genetics have way more influence over your child’s future in the game than playing travel hockey at 8-years old. Make sure that he or she is having fun practicing and playing the game. The more they skate the better, although that doesn’t necessarily mean the more hockey the better. Open skating can be fun, as can drop-in hockey, unstructured play without a coach or parent telling them what to do all of the time. Street hockey and roller hockey are beneficial too. Expose them to multiple sports. Better athletes become better players in all sports. Skating and stickhandling skills are the most important hockey skills for this age group and two to three “organized” hockey events per week is a good number. Knowing the rules and positioning are of very limited importance right now and are not a priority. 10 & Under – The game begins to change a little as players start to have a better understanding of the concept of team, teamwork and basic positioning. Skating and stickhandling can always be

September 14, 2009 | michiganhockeyonline.com

improved, but now passing and pass receiving become much more important, as does vision, awareness and playing a “heads up” game. Oftentimes the best skaters don’t easily grasp these other tools (because they can get by without them) that will become more important with each passing year and when they get to be 13 or 14-years old they wonder why they don’t have the puck as much. Players who are lacking in skating skills are often forced to find other ways to be involved and consequently “learn how to play the game”. These players often become the better players as puberty hits and their skating skills catch up. 12 & Under – The over-hyped art of body checking comes into play for boys. While it is an element of the game, it is not as big as many make it out to be. Bigger players can have more of an impact - but only if they are smart and can skate well enough to be in the right position to use their bodies. Smaller players can still be dominant if they can play the game with their heads up and understand that you can’t hit what you can’t catch. Players start to learn more about “who they are” as hockey players, what their strengths and weaknesses are and how to use them to their advantage. At this age you will start to get a real sense of just how interested your player is in the game and how much of a priority it is in his/her life. 14 & Under – Nature starts to run its course as players begin to physically mature. Some may grow more. Others may not. This is the age where you can really start to get a feel for what may or may not be as it relates to hockey. Potential becomes a little more defined, skills more developed, smarts more pronounced and size and strength more obvious. The more of those elements a player has, the more successful they have the chance to be. But none of it really matters if they don’t have the heart and desire to play the game. The wheat starts to become a little more recognizable from the chaff. The good news is that at every age group there is always a level for anyone to enjoy playing the game. The toughest part of hockey parenting is understanding that your child’s hockey life and where they fit in is not something that you can control. You can provide them with opportunity. Anything beyond that is really up to them. Just try not to get in their way.

MICHIGAN HOCKEY

TOURNAMENTS Grand Traverse Hockey Association

TOURNAMENT SERIES

Advanced

Tournaments

Holland, MI Great Value

Period Length

Entry Fee

Mites Squirts/Pee Wees Bantams Midgets

13 minutes 13 minutes 13 minutes 14 minutes

$695 $750 $795 $895

HOUSE TOURNAMENTS SQUIRT - $650 (Jan 8-10, 2010) MAHA Sanction #MIT100073 PEE WEE - $725 (Dec. 11-13 , 2009) MAHA Sanction #MIT100072 BANTAM - $775 (Nov. 20-22, 2009) MAHA Sanction # MIT100071

October 2-4, 2009

January 8-10, 2010

MITE HOUSE - $575 (Nov 20- 22, 2009) MAHA Sanction #MIT100071 (Feb 26 - 28, 2010) MAHA Sanction # MIT100074

Mite A, Mite AA, Midget A

Mite B, Squirt A, Midget B

Contact: Rich Noffsinger 231.463.6681 or gthatournaments@yahoo.com

All Tournaments Four Game Minimum October 9-11, 2009

January 15-17, 2010

Pee Wee B, Pee Wee AA, Midget AA

Mite AA, Squirt B, Bantam AA

October 16-18, 2009

January 22-24, 2010

Squirt B, Squirt A, Bantam B

Squirt AA, Pee Wee B, Bantam A

TRAVEL TOURNAMENTS TC Squirt A & AA Fall Color Tournament (Oct. 16- 18, 2009) - $775 12-minute periods MAHA Sanction #MIT100066

October 23-25, 2009

January 29-31, 2010

Squirt AA, Pee Wee B, Midget B

Mite B, Squirt B, Bantam B

TC Pee Wee A & AA Fall Color Tournament (Oct.23 - 25 2009) - $895 15- minute periods

Oct 30-Nov 1. 2009

February 5-7, 2010

4-game guarantee - 5 game max

Pee wee A, Bantam B, Midget AA

Mite A, Pee Wee B, Midget B

MAHA Sanction #MIT100067

Traverse City Challenge Cup Tournament Bantam A & AA (Nov. 6 – 8 2009) - $895 15 – minute periods

November 6-8, 2009

February 12-14, 2010

Mite B, Mite A, Bantam A

Squirt B, Pee Wee AA, Bantam AA

November 13-15, 2009

February 19-21, 2010

Mite AA, Squirt B, Midget B

Mite B, Pee Wee B, Bantam B

4-game guarantee - 5 game max

November 20-22, 2009

February 26-28, 2010

Mite B, Pee Wee B ,Bantam B

Squirt B, Squirt A, Midget B

December 4-6, 2009

March 5-7, 2010

Traverse City North Stars Cherry Chill Tournament - (Jan. 29 – 31, 2010) - $895 Girls U-19 Elite & Girls U19/U16 & Girls U14

Squirt B, Pee Wee A, Midget A

Mite B, Pee Wee B, Bantam B

December 11-13, 2009

March 12-14, 2010

Pee Wee B, Pee Wee AA, Bantam B

Squirt B, Squirt AA, Midget B

Chicago, IL

Fall Classic

Oct 23-25, 2009

Thanksgiving Classic

Presidents Cup Feb 13-15, 2010

Chicago Showdown

Nov 27-29, 2009

Mar 5-7, 2010

Midwinter Classic

Spring Classic

Jan 16-18, 2010

Apr 23-25, 2010

Pittsburgh, PA

4–game guarantee – 5 game max MAHA Sanction #MIT100068

(Jan. 15-17, 2010) - $925 15-minute periods MAHA Sanction #MIT100069

MAHA Sanction #MIT100070 15-minute periods 4-game guarantee - 5 game max

Games • Three 10 minute stop periods for Mites. • Three 12 minute stop periods for House Squirt and Squirt AA and Peewee A. • Three 15 minute stop periods for House Pee Wee, Bantam and Midget and all other Travel Tournaments. • If two competing teams have the same or similar jerseys the home teams will wear the off-color jerseys. Each team should attempt to bring two sets of jerseys.

Awards • Tournament trophy to finalist and runner up

Jan 16-18, 2010

Veterans Cup

Presidents Cup

Team Selection

Feb 13-15, 2010

• Team application, official signed & stamped roster and fee must be received one month prior to tournament date.

Spring Classic Mar 12-14, 2010

Tournament Locations in: Nashville, TN - Rochester, NY - Riverside, CA For More Information: www.advancedtournaments.com 847-277-7343 16

Nov 13-15 = Squirt B Tourney weekend, 8 teams ($675)

Dec 11-13 = Bantam B Tourney weekend, 8 teams ($770) FSU vs Western Michigan, Saturday Dec 12th – call early for group tickets Jan 29-31 = Pee Wee B Tourney weekend, 8 teams ($675) Feb 19-21 = Mite B Tourney weekend, 8 teams ($675) FSU vs Michigan State, Friday Feb 19th – call early for group tickets Feb 26-28 = Midget B/BB Tourney weekend, 8 teams ($770) FSU vs Western Michigan, Friday Feb 26th – call early for group tickets Midget and Bantam tournament games = 1.5 hours All Tournaments are 4-game guarantees, with Fri/Sat/Sun games unless noted

• Medals for all players in tournament finals

Oct 23-25, 2009

Nov 27-29, 2009

=SYXL 8SYVREQIRX 7GLIHYPI

• Three games guaranteed. With semifinal and final games.

Midwinter Classic

Thanksgiving Classic

,SGOI] %WWSGMEXMSR

Ice Breaker Tournament Midget A & AA /JV

Fall Classic Nov 6-8, 2009

*IVVMW 7XEXI -') %6)2% &MK 6ETMHW %VIE .YRMSV

• Game MVP Awards for house tournaments

• Teams will be notified one month prior by the Tournament Committee of the teams selected for the tournament.

Refunds • Any team wishing to withdraw must do so in writing to the Director.

Tournament Info: printable application, hotel info, tournament rules, etc

www.ferris.edu/icearena www.bigrapidshockey.org

• Refunds will only be granted up to one month prior to tournament.

GTHA • PO Box 5713 • Traverse City, MI 49696 Fax 231-933-0070

Tournament Hotline:

Contact: Todd Spaulding 231-649-1226 or todd_spaulding@yahoo.com

(231) 591-2881

September 14, 2009 | michiganhockeyonline.com

TOURNAMENTS

MICHIGAN HOCKEY

2009-2010 Niagara Falls Tournament Schedule Tournament Shootout Classic Winter Ice Experience The Falls Classic

Dates December 4th-6th January 22nd-24th March 5th-7th

Place Niagara Falls, NY Niagara Falls, NY Niagara Falls, NY

Why a Harrington Tournament ?

We are hockey parents too. Consequently we understand the importance of providing well organized, fun-filled hockey tournaments at a reasonable cost. We provide some of the lowest cost hockey tournaments in the Northeast, and our "No Gate Fee Policy" means that your parents will not have to pay an admission fee at our tournaments. But it's not just about the cost that keeps teams coming back to our tournaments. As coaches, we participate in hockey tournaments throughout the Northeast and, Canada, and have a first-hand knowledge of how teams compare in competition. With practical experience and a superior screening process, teams get "real value" by competing in balanced divisions, where the games run on time, and are officiated by the most experience referees in the Western NY. Sincerely, Your Tournament Staff

Tournament Features:

• • • • •

• Voted Best in WNY • No Gate Fees • Sanctioned by USA Hockey

Friendly, Courteous Staff 50% Canadian Participation Balanced divisions House to AAA playing levels Trophies for all Finalist

• • • • •

Best Officiating in WNY Finest hotels in Niagara Falls 3 game guarantee Friday night parent party Tournament Pizza Parties

• • • • •

Mementos for all players Walk to Niagara Falls Niagara Factory Outlet Mall Buffalo Sabres Hockey 3 Casinos in Niagara Falls

Contact: Bob Harrington • p 716.674.0026 • email: roberth824@aol.com

For more information or to download a tournament application please visit us at www.nahockey.com

BLUEHAWK-WARRIOR WISHBONE INVITATIONAL VII NOVEMBER 25-29, 2009 0,7( ‡ 648,57 ‡ 3(( :(( ‡ %$17$0 Tournament hosted by The Winnetka Hockey Club and Northbrook Hockey League

TOURNAMENT AGE DIVISIONS: MITE 25 /$7(5 ‡ 648,57 ² ‡ 3(( :(( ² ‡ BANTAM 1/1/95 – 12/31/96 72851$0(17 &203(7,7,21 /(9(/6 MITE $$ $ $ ‡ 648,57 $$ $ $ ‡ 3(( :(( $$ $ $ ‡ BANTAM AA A

72851$0(17 )((6 0,7( ‡ 648,57 ‡ 3((:(( ‡ %$17$0 *$0( *8$5$17(( ‡ $// *$0(6 3(5,2'6 6723 7,0( ‡ 0,7( 648,57 0,187( 3(5,2'6 ‡ 3(( :(( %$17$0 0,187( 3(5,2'6

632576 &(17(5 ,&( 5,1.6

WINNETKA ICE ARENA

THE NORTHSHORE ICE ARENA

1730 PFINGSTEN ROAD NORTHBROOK

490 HIBBARD ROAD WINNETKA

2111 FOUNDERS DRIVE NORTHBROOK

TOURNAMENT RINKS ARE WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF EACH OTHER TOURNAMENT CONTACTS 0,7( 648,57 3(( :(( %$17$0 Contact: Tom Gullen tgullen@winpark.org 847-501-2069

REGISTER Contact: Thomas Burke tburke@cbbel.com 847-823-0500 Fax: 847-318-9793

HOTEL CONTACT: Amy Oliphant amyoliphant@ameritech.net 847-509-1239

michiganhockeyonline.com | September 14, 2009

17

TOURNAMENT CALENDAR Hooter’s Adult Tournament August 28-30, 2009 248-670-5742 director@greatlakeshockey.com www.greatlakeshockey.com Compuware Honeybaked Invitational Plymouth & Farmington Hills, MI September 16-20, 2009 Squirt Minor, Squirt Major, Pee Wee Minor, Pee Wee Major, Bantam Minor & Bantam Major J_hare@sbcglobal.net Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MI September 18-20, 2009 Squirt AA, Pee Wee AA, Bantam AA Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com Inaugural Holiday Inn Alumni Tournament Kalamazoo, MI September 18-20, 2009 Alumni of all levels – pro, college, junior 269-345-1125 ext. 244 Big Bear -The Early Bear Grand Rapids, MI September 18 - 20, 2009 Peewee, Bantam, Midget, H.S & J.V.. A - AA plus Girls U12, U14, U16 & U19 www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694 Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MI September 25-27, 2009 Squirt A, Pee Wee A, Bantam A Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com Arenamaps.com Earlybird Tournament Sept. 25-27, 2009 – Kalamazoo, MI Mite AA through Midget AA 4 Game Guarantee Online Registration: http://www. tournaments.arenamaps.com/series/ (This tournament is for IL/IN Gold or Silver and MI non-elite level teams) MAHA Sanction # MIT100011 Arenamaps.com Bronze Earlybird Tournament Sept. 25-27, 2009 – Kalamazoo, MI Squirt-A, Pee Wee-A, and Bantam-A 4 Game Guarantee Online Registration: http://www. tournaments.arenamaps.com/series/ (This tournament is for IL/IN Bronze teams and MI teams who are the 2nd travel team in their age group or those that expect to be under 500 next season.) MAHA Sanction # MIT100011

Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MI October 2-4, 2009 Mite A, Mite AA, Midget Minor Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

Big Bear - The Fall Colours Ann Arbor, MI October 30 – Nov. 1, 2009 Mite, Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, Midget, High School & J.V., B - BB - A - AA www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694

Big Bear - The FlatWater Ann Arbor, MI October 2 – 4, 2009 Mite, Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, Midget, High School & J.V., B - A - AA www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694

Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MI November 6-8, 2009 Mite House, Mite A, Bantam A Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MI October 9-11, 2009 Pee Wee House, Pee Wee AA, Midget Major/ HS Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com Motown Cup Tournament Series DETROIT, MI October 9-11, 2009 Mite thru Midget/, JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House) Tony Prpic (216) 325-0567, tony@ itshockeytime.com www.itshockeytime.com

Big Bear - The Ursa Major Detroit, MI November 6 - 8, 2009 Mite, Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, Midget, High School & J.V. ¨ B - BB - A - AA www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694

K-Zoo Cup Tournament Series KALAMAZOO, MI October 9-11, 2009 Mite thru Midget/, JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House) Tony Prpic (216) 325-0567, tony@ itshockeytime.com www.itshockeytime.com

Big Bear - Cold Fusion Grand Rapids, MI November 6 - 8, 2009 Miter Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, Midget, High School & J.V. - B - BB - A - AA www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694

Girls K-Zoo Cup Tournament Series KALAMAZOO, MI October 9-11, 2009 U10, U12, U14, U16 & U19 (A,AA, AAA, B,House Select,House) Tony Prpic (216) 325-0567, tony@ itshockeytime.com www.itshockeytime.com Big Bear - The Victory Honda Inv. Detroit, MI October 10 - 12, 2009 Mite Major – 2001 Birth year www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694 Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MI October 16-18, 2009 Squirt House, Squirt A, Bantam House Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

Motown Cup Tournament Series DETROIT, MI September 25-27. 2009 Mite thru Midget/, JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House) Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, tony@ itshockeytime.com www.itshockeytime.com

Motown Cup Tournament Series DETROIT, MI October 16-18, 2009 Mite thru Midget/, JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House) Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, tony@ itshockeytime.com www.itshockeytime.com

Big Bear - The Fall Classic Grand Rapids, MI September 25 - 27, 2009 Miter Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, Midget, High School & J.V. - B, A & AA plus Girls U12, U14, U16 & U19 www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694

Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MI October 23-25, 2009 Squirt AA, Pee Wee House, Midget House Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

Big Bear - The FireStorm Indianapolis, IN September 25 – 27, 2009 Mite, Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, Midget/H.S. A - AA ¨ plus Girls U12, U14, U16 & U19 www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694

Motown Cup Tournament Series DETROIT, MI October 23-25, 2009 Mite thru Midget/, JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House) Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, tony@ itshockeytime.com www.itshockeytime.com

Big Bear - The Rouge River Shootout Detroit, MI September 25 – 27, 2009 Mite, Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, Midget, High School & J.V. B - A – AA www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694

Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MI October 30-November 1, 2009 Pee Wee A, Bantam House, Midget Major/HS Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

18

Motown Cup Tournament Series DETROIT, MI November 6-8, 2009 Mite thru Midget/, JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House) Tony Prpic (216) 325-0567, tony@ itshockeytime.com www.itshockeytime.com

Manon Rheaume Tournament Farmington Hills, MI November 12-15, 2009 Girls 19&/21U, 16U, 14U & 12U 248-479-1139 Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MI November 13-15, 2009 Squirt House, Mite AA, Midget House Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com Big Rapids Area Junior Hockey Association November 13-15, 2009 Big Rapids, MI Squirt tournament www.ferris.edu/icearena www.bigrapidshockey.org Tournament Hotline: (231) 591-2881 Motown Cup Tournament Series DETROIT, MI November 13-15, 2009 Mite thru Midget/, JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House) Tony Prpic (216) 325-0567, tony@ itshockeytime.com www.itshockeytime.com Great Lakes Tournaments Series Holland, MI November 20-22, 2009 Mite House, Pee Wee House, Bantam House Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com Motown Cup Tournament Series DETROIT, MI November 20-22, 2009 Mite thru Midget/, JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House) Tony Prpic (216) 325-0567, tony@ itshockeytime.com www.itshockeytime.com Michigan Thanksgiving Classic Monroe, Michigan November 27 – 29, 2009 Youth 2003-1990 BOYS - (Travel B, Select, AE), A, AA, AAA 1-888-422-6526 Email: tournaments@icesports.com www.canlanclassictournaments.com

September 14, 2009 | michiganhockeyonline.com

COMPLETE TOURNAMENT LISTING ON WEBSITE

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Edmonton Season Opener Edmonton, Alberta September 4 – 6, 2009 Adult Men’s, Women’s, COED 18+, 30+, 40+A/B,C,D,E 1-888-422-6526 Email: tournaments@icesports.com www.canlanclassictournaments.com Rock ‘N Roll Cup Tournament Series CLEVELAND, OH September 11-13, 2009 Pee Wee thru Midget/, JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House) Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, tony@ itshockeytime.com www.itshockeytime.com Toronto Fall Classic Toronto, Ontario September 18 – 20, 2009 Adult Men’s, Women’s, COED 18+, 30+, 40+A/B,C,D,E 1-888-422-6526 Email: tournaments@icesports.com www.canlanclassictournaments.com CHICAGO CUP Tournament Series: Chicago Preseason Challenge Chicago, IL September 25-27, 2009 Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com MY Hockey Rankings Pre-Season Challenge Invitational Chicago, IL September 25-27, 2009 Squirt Minor/A, Squirt Major/AA, Pee Wee Minor/A, Pee Wee Major/AA, Bantam Minor/A and Bantam Major/AA Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com Steel City Tournament Series: Pittsburgh Preseason Challenge Pittsburgh, PA September 25-27, 2009 Mite through Midget: A, and AA Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com Rock ‘N Roll Cup Tournament Series CLEVELAND, OH September 25-27, 2009 Mite thru Midget/, JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House) Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, tony@ itshockeytime.com www.itshockeytime.com Northcoast 2000 AAA Extravaganza CLEVELAND, OH September 25-27, 2009 2000 Squirt Minor AAA, 4 game minimum, 6 game maximum, 14 minute periods. Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, tony@ itshockeytime.com www.itshockeytime.com Bluehawk-Warrior Wishbone Invitational VII Northbrook, IL November 25-29, 2009 Mite & Squirt AA, A1, A2 – Pee Wee & Bantam, AA, A 847-501-2069 tgullen@winpark.org INDY CUP Tournament Series: The Indy Cup Indianapolis, IN October 9-11, 2009 Mite through Midget: A, and AA Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

Rock ‘N Roll Cup Tournament Series CLEVELAND, OH October 9-11, 2009 Mite thru Midget/, JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House) Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, tony@ itshockeytime.com www.itshockeytime.com

Empire State Tournament Series: Empire State Showdown Rochester, NY October 23-25, 2009 Mite through Midget: B, A, AA Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

Three Rivers Cup Tournament Series PITTSBURGH, PA October 9-11, 2009 Mite thru Midget/, JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House) Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, tony@ itshockeytime.com www.itshockeytime.com

Golden State Tournament Series: Golden State Showdown Riverside, CA October 23-25, 2009 Mite through Midget: B, A, AA Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

Queen City Cup Tournament Series CINCINNATI, OH October 9-11, 2009 Mite thru Midget/, JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House) Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, tony@ itshockeytime.com www.itshockeytime.com Niagara Falls Columbus Day Early Bird Niagara Falls, NY October 10-12, 2009 Mite – Midget A, AA & AAA Email: gcarella17@cs.com Big Bear - The Eye of the Storm Tampa, FL October 10 - 12, 2009 Mite, Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, Midget A – AA www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694 Big Bear - The Fall Prep Showcase Nashville, TN October 10 - 12, 2009 High School & J.V. www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694 Big Bear - Pond Rockets St. Louis, MO October 10 - 12, 2009 Mite B, Mite A & Bantam A only www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694

Rock ‘N Roll Cup Tournament Series CLEVELAND, OH October 23-25, 2009 Mite thru Midget/JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House) Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, tony@ itshockeytime.com www.itshockeytime.com Big Bear - Fire on the Water Cleveland, OH October 23 - 25, 2009 Mite, Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, Midget B - A - AA www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694 Las Vegas Youth Blast Las Vegas, Nevada November 5 – 8, 2009 Youth 2003-1990 (Travel B,Select, AE), A, AA, AAA 1-888-422-6526 Email: tournaments@icesports.com www.canlanclassictournaments.com Steel City Tournament Series: Pittsburgh Veterans Cup Pittsburgh, PA November 6-8, 2009 Mite through Midget: B, A, AA Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

October Classic Oshawa, Ontario October 16 – 18, 2009 Adult Men’s, Women’s, COED 18+, 30+, 40+A/B,C,D,E 1-888-422-6526 Email: tournaments@icesports.com www.canlanclassictournaments.com

INDY CUP Tournament Series: The Indy Fall Classic Indianapolis, IN November 6-8, 2009 Mite through Midget: A, and AA Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

Las Vegas Old-Timers Classic Las Vegas, Nevada October 23 – 25, 2009 Adult Men’s, Women’s, COED 18+, 30+, 40+A/B,C,D,E 1-888-422-6526 Email: tournaments@icesports.com www.canlanclassictournaments.com

Rock ‘N Roll Cup Tournament Series CLEVELAND, OH November 6-8, 2009 Mite 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: Chicago Fall Classic Chicago, IL October 23-25, 2009 Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

Hockey for Heros / Armed Services Las Vegas, Nevada November 12 – 15, 2009 Adult Men’s, Women’s, COED 18+, 30+, 40+A/B,C,D,E 1-888-422-6526 Email: tournaments@icesports.com www.canlanclassictournaments.com

Steel City Tournament Series: Pittsburgh Fall Classic Pittsburgh, PA October 23-25, 2009 Mite through Midget: B, A, AA Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

Las Vegas Hockey Classic II Las Vegas, Nevada November 13 – 15, 2009 Adult Men’s, Women’s, COED 18+, 30+, 40+A/B,C,D,E 1-888-422-6526 Email: tournaments@icesports.com www.canlanclassictournaments.com

Music City Tournament Series: Nashville Fall Classic Nashville, TN October 23-25, 2009 Mite through Midget: B, A, and AA Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

Las Vegas Hockey Classic III Las Vegas, Nevada November 20 – 22, 2009 Adult Men’s, Women’s, COED 18+, 30+, 40+A/B,C,D,E 1-888-422-6526 Email: tournaments@icesports.com www.canlanclassictournaments.com

MICHIGAN HOCKEY

PARENT’S GUIDE

Now is the time to check the fit, condition (and smell) of all your equipment

PHOTO BY KIRK DONALDSON/KIRKDONALDSONPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

BY PHILIP COLVIN

and reduce the glove’s protective ability. Also, it is important that the fingers of the gloves are not too short. The tip of the fingers should not go completely to the end of the glove. If they do, they may be exposed to injury by a slash from an opponent’s stick.

Whether your player is just starting out or is a veteran of numerous seasons, having equipment that fits correctly is important to enjoying the game. And this is the time of year to check for cracks or frayed gear and to adjust the fit of helmets and pads before the season gets going. Here are some things to look for:

Pants – While the fit should be loose and comfortable, pants should have the ability to be secured firmly by a belt around the waist. The bottom of the pants needs to overlap the top of the shin pad kneecaps by 1-2 inches. This will insure proper protection even when in a kneeling position.

Helmet – Check that it still feels comfortable. The helmet should fit snug – but not too tight - to prevent any shifting and maximize protection. Does the chinstrap gently make contact under the chin when fastened? It should not be too tight or create any other discomfort. Players must have a HECC sticker on both their helmet and facial protection. If your helmet, mask or shield is dented or cracked, it could lose its strength and must be replaced.

Shin Pads – A player’s kneecap should fit directly into the center of the kneecap. The shin pad should then extend down the full length of the lower leg. It’s always a good idea to have a skate available when fitting a shin pad to make sure it isn’t too long. If so, the skate would push it up and the kneecap would shift out of position. If the shin pad is cracked or dented it has lost its protection and should be replaced.

Shoulder and Elbow Pads – It is important that the center of the player’s shoulders lines up directly with the shoulder cups. These cups are designed to protect the shoulder joints from receiving direct impacts. The remainder of the shoulder pads can be adjusted to fit. Check that the shoulder pads are not pushed uncomfortably high around the player’s neck when lifting the arms above the head. Also check that the elbow pad fits comfortably into the center of the elbow pad cup and that any forearm protection extends to near the cuff of the player’s hockey glove.

Skates – Players should start tying their own skates when they are 10-years old at the latest – and they can practice at home. When taking skates off, take the laces out for about three With the season starting, now is the time pairs of eyelets and loosen up the remaining to check all of your equipment for wear laces significantly. When putting skates on the next time, make sure the player’s foot is and make sure its fits correctly. in correctly. While wearing the sock that will be worn when skating, the player should “kick down” on the heel of his/her skate so that the heel is firmly in place at the back of the Gloves – Make sure the gap between the glove and the elbow pad boot. The laces from the toe up through the last three eyelets just is minimal. If the glove is too loose it may turn on the player’s hand need to be “snug” – not overly tight – and pull both sides at the

same time as you snug them up. The last three eyelets need to be tighter – but also make sure that you pull both sides tight at the same time, not one lace at a time. Stick – Stick control is essential in handling the puck – a player’s stick should be no longer than “mouth or tip of the nose height” when standing on skates. Tape is needed at the end of the shaft where the top hand goes (not too large of a knob) and they should have tape on the full blade of their stick. Players should always have their top hand on the end of the stick and hold it over top not underneath as some players tend to do. The bottom hand should be about 12-14 inches down the shaft and can move up or down, or on or off, the shaft as needed. Mouth Guard – Mandatory for Pee Wee players and older, including goaltenders. Neck Guard – Be sure it’s not too tight! Cup and Supporter – Protective cup and supporter for boys, pelvic protector for girls. Garter Belt/Shorts with Velcro – To hold up hockey socks. Miscellaneous – Tape, extra skate laces, skate blade protectors and a skate towel are always good to have in your bag. Cleaning - Hockey is a demanding sport and your equipment takes a pounding. Gloves, skates and padding are wet for prolonged periods of time. So your equipment can be a breeding ground for bacteria, molds and fungus that can cause you skin rashes and serious infections. That active bacteria is responsible for making your gear smell. The Center for Disease Control (CDC), USA Hockey and NCAA have all issued warnings in recent years to athletes and sports teams to begin the routine cleaning of sports equipment due to a dramatic increase in serious infections. So hang your gear up to dry after every use and consider regular cleaning.

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MICHIGAN HOCKEY

PARENT’S GUIDE

Four Options: raising funds for your team doesn’t have to be a hassle Raising money to help reduce costs for your team is almost as important as having a good goalie or power play. And teams and organizations have some good choices when it comes to raising funds. Some are time tested while others are relatively new to the scene. Here are a few of your options:

LET’S GO BUFFALO Buffalo Wild Wings has stampeded toward the head of the fundraising herd. A local franchise group, which consists of 27 of the 35 Buffalo Wild Wings locations throughout Michigan, donated over $250,000 to local teams, schools and not-for-profit organizations through fund-raisers last year. “Buffalo Wild Wings prides itself on being a strong community supporter and one of the ways we do this is through fundraising opportunities,” said Cheryl J. Macedo, vice-president of marketing and advertising for Buffalo Wild Wings. “We feel that our fundraising program is one of the most turn-key programs for teams and leagues. We understand that raising funds for organizations can be time consuming and a hassle. Buffalo Wild Wings takes the hassle out of planning and organizing fund-raisers.” The Buffalo Wild Wings program is simple. The company designs a flyer that teams distribute to family, friends and supporters. To be successful, Macedo recommends handing out a minimum of 250 flyers for the event. Guests of the team then bring in the flyer on the day of the event and enjoy a Buffalo Wild Wings meal. A percentage of each meal, which varies between 10 to 20 percent, is donated back to the group. Macedo said that Buffalo Wild Wings stores hosted almost 1,000 fundraising events last year alone and that that groups make as much as $250 to $350 in a day. For more information, call (586) 781-0591 or log onto buffalowildwings.com.

EVERYONE LIKES TO EAT OUT The directors of Moocho Moola have been in the fundraising business for nearly 30 years and know that having a product that

team supporters and purchasers find valuable is very important. So Moocho Moola is constantly looking for innovative, cost efficient, high value products that everyone wants. That’s been the key to their success, according to CEO Terry Duperon. “We have discovered that organizations, coaches and parents aren’t interested in managing a financial risk,” he said. “They want low risk products, meaning products that don’t require deposits, don’t require up-front costs or products that don’t incur any penalties if the fund-raising item doesn’t sell.” One of Moocho Moola’s fundraising components, called Exciting Meals, offers $50 and $25 restaurant gift cards with no expiration date. The team sells a $50 restaurant gift card for $20 and the team receives $8 of the proceeds. The team sells a $25 restaurant gift card for $10 and the team receives $4 of the proceeds. Gift card buyers then go to the website, fundraising.restaurant. com, to see participating restaurants in Michigan and all around the country. Card buyers then select a restaurant and print out a certificate that the restaurant treats like cash. “It is a national program with quality restaurants,” said Duperon. “And new restaurants are added daily.” An organization requests a quantity of gift cards and Exciting Meals supplies that quantity and then after the fund-raising drive, picks up any unused cards at no cost and gives payment for the cards sold. “It’s really that simple,” Duperon said. In addition to an all-online magazine sale fundraiser, Moocho Moola also offers $10 Play It Again Sports gift cards to sell. An organization keeps $5 from every $10 card sold for a 50% profit. For more information, call Duperon at (248) 444-7572 or log onto moochomoola.com for more information.

PIZZA! PIZZA! Little Caesars Pizza Kits still remain one of the more delicious ways for hockey teams to raise some “dough.” They should come with a warning – “don’t eat the profits.” Little Caesars’ Pizza Kits are a good deal make getting dinner ready on a busy school night a breeze. The pepperoni pizza kit is

Back By Popular Demand

only $6 per pizza. The kits contain all the ingredients for delicious and nutritious pizza or specialty breads you can make at home. All the items are individually packaged, so whatever is not used immediately can be stored in the fridge or freezer. The popularity of the products makes selling easy and profitable. You don’t have to explain to anyone what a Little Caesars pizza is and it’s easy to see how easy they are to make. Little Caesars provides everything you need, including free order forms, tally sheets and color posters, to advertise your sale and their reps can walk you through the whole process. And if you register your fundraiser with a delivery date of Sept. 14 – Dec. 31 and sell 150 Pizza Kits, you get a free Mylec Sharp Shooter Pro that attaches to a net and can help you work on your shooting accuracy. For more information, call 888-452-5487 or send an e-mail to service@PizzaKit.com.

WE’RE NOT NUTZ To satisfy the sweet tooth in everyone, an Eaton Rapids-based commercially-licensed, nut-free kitchen and bakery called We’re Not Nutz has created specialty dessert products with chocolate, pure vanilla, fresh fruit and eggs that is guaranteed nut-free. Using their home baking approach, We’re Not Nuz offers cheesecakes, brownies, lemon squares and monster cookies that utilize local or fresh Michigan products whenever possible. We’re Not Nutz offers freshly made cookie dough to sell as a fundraiser. The company will send you free brochures and order forms and organizations keep $5 from each box of cookie dough sold. The cookies are available in Choco-Oatmeal, Old Faithful Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin, Snickerdoodles, Triple Chocolate, Less Fat Chocolate Chip and Cappuccino Chip. And the dough is delivered fresh, can be stored in the refrigerator or the freezer and tastes home made. Check out werenotnutz.com for more information. By Philip Colvin

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September 14, 2009 | michiganhockeyonline.com

election L a rg e s t S of Sticks ntr y! in the Cou

PARENT’S GUIDE

Fun should be the main goal this season Kids have listed their top reasons for playing sports as “to have fun”, “improve my skills” and “stay in shape.” Winning barely cracked the Top 10. And a parent’s attitude plays a huge role in how a player competes in a sport, so try to be a good role model to ensure that your child is having fun and developing his or her physical, mental and social skills so they want to keep playing. Here are some basic rules to being a good hockey parent: Be on time - for all games and practices. Make sure that you arrive at the rink in plenty of time for your player to be prepared to get on the ice on time.

PHOTO BY ADAM JACOBS/MICHIGAN HOCKEY

Be positive – Encourage your player to give his/her best effort every day to be able to learn and improve, and make sure that they do not let mistakes, or fear of making mistakes, stop them. Every player will make mistakes, it’s part of the development process, and if they are afraid to try something because they are afraid of failure, they will never achieve it. Avoid criticizing your child’s play. Listen to your child - Talk to you child about what happens at practice and at games, not about the outcome and the wins and loses. Ask if they had fun, if they learned anything new and if they felt they gave their best effort. Carefully listen to what they say about their own performance or that of their teammates and coaches. If your young player is upset about a bad game, help them figure out what went wrong — don’t just give them a list of all the problems you saw or gloss it over with empty praise. Help them find a better strategy for the next time or set aside practice time away from the team.

MICHIGAN HOCKEY

referees or other players, then that is what they will be inclined to do. A girl’s soccer league in Ohio instituted “Silent Sunday” to eliminate spectator cheers and jeers and sideline distractions. The experiment was wildly successful and a sad commentary on parents. Instead of being forced into silence in the stands, use your own conduct to teach your child that gracious winning and losing; not annihilating the other team, builds character. Know and respect your coach - Most youth coaches are underor unpaid. Many are volunteers who invest an enormous effort in your child’s athletic activities. Take the time to talk to your coach, understand their coaching style and find out how you can help. Understand that winning is a nice by-product of good coaching but by no means is it the only goal. Working with your coach will help make the season much more enjoyable. Treating coaches with respect will make them more receptive to your questions and concerns. Let the coach do the coaching – Be supportive of the coach and the team. Coaches have a plan for the entire team and your player needs to fit into that plan and work with his/her teammates. Disagreeing with coaching decisions in front of your child may make you think that you are sticking up for your player. In reality, it simply sends your child confusing messages as to who is in charge. By dividing his or her loyalty, you make it that much harder for your child to listen to the coach and be part of a team. If you don’t understand something or have a question, by all means ask the coach for clarification or voice your concerns in private. If you have grave concerns about the coaching, talk to the head of your sports organization. But keep your child out of it.

Let your player be a player – Avoid comparing your child Respect the referees – to other players. Each player is Referees do not get practice different and will develop skills time like players and coaches. If a and knowledge of the game at a player or coach makes a mistake, different pace. Some have more others on the team can make up athletic ability than others, some for it. If a referee makes a mistake, are more competitive than others, there is no one to help. Referees and some think the game faster do make mistakes at all levels of than others. During the game, Young athletes list “to have fun” as the top reason they play sports. the game. They are constantly avoid yelling directions to the learning the game and how to players on the ice. Hockey is a very complex and fast sport. control it. Berating officials Chances are they can’t hear you, and even if they can, by the time not only sets a poor example for the players, it also drives good they try what you are yelling, it will no longer be the right play. referees out of the game, which results in more less–experienced Let the players make their own decisions, and their own mistakes. referees calling the games. Hopefully they are having fun and are developing a passion for the game so that they will continue to play and enjoy it. Check your own ego at the door - For many parents, the end result (winning) seems to matter more than the process (becoming better Remember context - Everyone has off days, including your child athletes, enjoying physical activity and learning how to play as part and your child’s coach. One bad incident should not cloud your of a team). You may thrive on competition but always remember that opinions for the rest of the season. Rather, look at the event in the it’s your child who’s playing, not you. And their accomplishments context of the whole season. Ask yourself if the event is an isolated (and failures) are just that—their own. Support your child, cheer occurrence. If so, move on and focus on the positive. your child and encourage your child but don’t confuse what you want with what’s best for your child. Encourage effort and reward hard work - One of the most valuable lessons that sports can teach our children is that hard work and Following these steps won’t guarantee a parent the next Steve team effort can bring great rewards. Good sports parents help their Yzerman. However, these steps can take something that kids want children see that a valiant effort can be just as important as winning. to do (play sports) and turn it into something that parents want for their kids (healthy living and life lessons). Remember, the goal of Practice good sportsmanship in the stands - Players can be very youth sports isn’t about building a career, it’s about building a life. aware of their parents in the stands and will often take their cue from you in terms of behavior. If you are out of control and screaming at Some content by Laura Langendorf/sportsesteem.com

2009-10 Dates to Remember September 12 Officiating Seminars Level 1, 2 - Macomb Level 1, 2, 3 - Marquette 13 Officiating Seminars Level 2, 3 - St Clair Shores Level 1, 2, 3 - Port Huron Level 1, 2, 3 - Jackson 15 ACHL organization meeting Midland Arena 19 Officiating Seminars Level 1, 2, 3 - Bay City Civic Arena Level 1, 2, 3 - Holland Edge Level 1, 2, 3 – S.S. Marie 20 Officiating Seminars Level 1, 2, 3 – Mt. Clemens Level 1, 2, 3 - Milford HS Level 1, 2 - Mt Pleasant Level 1, 2 - Kalamazoo 20 CEP Level 1 Clinic – S.S. Marie 26 CEP Level 1 Clinic – Plymouth CEP Level 1 Clinic – Kalamazoo CEP Level 2 Clinic – Dearborn LCAHL Faceoff Meeting Motor City Casino 26 Officiating Seminar Level 1, 2, 3 – Ann Arbor 27 CEP Level 2 Clinic – Livonia October 2 CEP Level 1 Clinic - Marquette 3 CEP Level 1 Clinic - Macomb CEP Level 1 Clinic - Walker CEP Level 2 Clinic - Marquette 3 Officiating Seminar Level 1, 2, 3 - Lapeer 4 CEP Level 2 Clinic - Macomb CEP Level 2 Clinic - Walker CEP Level 3 Clinic - Marquette 4 Officiating Seminar Level 1, 2 - Dearborn Level 4 - Fraser 10 CEP Level 3 Clinic - Walker 10 Officiating Seminar Level 1, 2, 3 - Traverse City Level 1, 2, 3 - Calumet 10 A.C.E Directors Clinic Traverse City 11 CEP Level 2, 3 Clinic Traverse City 17 CEP Level 2 Clinic Kalamazoo 18 CEP Level 3 Clinic Dearborn 24 CEP Level 3 Clinic Kalamazoo 24 Officiating Seminar Level 1, 2, 3 Seminar – Tawas City 25 CEP Level 2 Clinic - Dearborn CEP Level 2 Clinic – Tawas City CEP Level 3 Clinic - Tawas City 25 Officiating Seminar Level 1, 2, 3 - Southgate November 6 MAHA Executive Board Meeting Southgate Holiday Inn 6 p.m. 7 State Playoff Committee Meeting Southgate Holiday Inn 9 a.m. 7 CEP Level 1 Clinic - Hancock 15 Girl’s/Women’s intent to enter state playoffs due 15 Request for Team/Player exceptions due for state playoff eligibility 30 Nominations for MAHA Officers due to secretary

December 1 Youth / Boys deadline for intent to enter State Playoffs 4 MAHA Executive Board Meeting Southgate Holiday Inn 6 p.m. 5 State Playoff Committee Meeting Southgate Holiday inn 8 a.m. 12 CEP Level 2 Clinic – Houghton CEP Level 2 Clinic - Dearborn 15 Rule Change Proposal Deadline 31 Roster change deadline 31 Coaching Certification Deadline January 22-23 MAHA Annual Winter Meeting Southgate Holiday Inn 29-31 Hockey Weekend Across America 30 Hockey Day in Michigan March 26-28 Women’s Sr. A, B, C National Tourney Cornerstone Arena - Green Bay, WI April 7 Pee Wee Tier 1 Nationals Amherst Pepsi Center - Williamsville, NY 7 Pee Wee Tier 2 Nationals Skatequest House - Reston, VA 7 Bantam Tier 1 Nationals Amherst Pepsi Center - Williamsville, NY 7 Bantam Tier 2 Nationals Ice Vault Ice Arena - Wayne, NJ 7 Midget Minor Tier 1 Nationals Seven Bridges Ice Arena - Woodridge, IL 7 Midget Minor Tier 2 Nationals Ice Line Quad Rinks - West Chester, PA 7 Midget Major Tier 1 Nationals Seven Bridges Ice Arena - Woodridge, IL 7 Midget Tier 2 Nationals ESL Sports Centre - Rochester, NY 7 Girl’s Tier 1 National Championships Cornerstone Arena - Green Bay, WI 7 Girl’s Tier 2 National Championships Suburban Ice – East Lansing, MI 8, 10 NCAA Frozen Four Ford Field, Detroit 8-11 Adult Elite/Checking Nationals Blue Line Club - Fond du Lac, WI 15-18 Adult Over 30/40 Nationals Ice Sports Forum - Tampa, FL 22-25 Adult Over 50/60 Nationals Ice Sports Forum - Tampa, FL 29-May 2 Women’s Adult Over 40/50 Nationals Ellenton Ice - Ellenton, FL July 8-11 MAHA Summer Meeting Shanty Creek, Bellaire August 15 First Day to Roster for 2010-11 season

michiganhockeyonline.com | September 14, 2009

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MICHIGAN HOCKEY

PARENT’S GUIDE

Whether you’re a new hockey parent, a veteran of the game, or you just want to test your knowledge of the sport, Michigan Hockey has compiled a glossary of 150 hockey terms to help you better understand and talk about the game: A

Altercation: a physical interaction between two or more opposing players that results in a penalty being assessed. Assist: The pass or passes that immediately precede a successful scoring attempt; a maximum of two assists are credited for one goal. A player is awarded one point for an assist. Attacking zone: The area between the opponent’s blue line and their goal.

B

Backcheck: An attempt by a player, on his way back to his defensive zone, to regain the puck from the opposition who has the puck. Backhand: A shot or pass made with the left side of the stick by a left-handed player, or from the right side by a right-handed player. Bench Minor: Minor penalty called against coaches or players on the bench who use profanity or interfere with the game. The coach designates a player to leave the ice and serve the two-minute infraction. Blind pass: To make a pass without looking at the target. Blocker: A special glove worn by a goalie on the hand the holds the stick that is used to block shots that are high on the goalie’s stick side. Blue lines: Two blue, 12-inch wide lines running parallel across the ice, each 60 feet from the goal; they divide the rink into three zones called the attacking, defense and neutral zones. The defending blue line is the line closer to the player’s own net. The attacking blue line is the one farther from his net; used in determining offsides. Boards: The wood or fibreglass walls that surround the rink. Body check: To use your body to physically separate the puck carrier from the puck. Box: A technique used to defend the power play. The four skaters arrange themselves in a loose box in the defensive zone. Breakaway: A fast break in which an attacker with the puck skates in alone on the goalie after getting past or clear of the defensemen. Breezers: A name for hockey pants; wide legs allow “breeze” to blow through when a player skates.

C

Captain: Selected by the team or the coaches for their leadership and communication skills, the captain wears a “C” on their jersey and can interact with the on-ice officials. Carry the puck: To skate with the puck on your stick. Catching glove: The glove a goalie wears on the non-stick hand to catch a player’s shot. Center ice: The area between the two blue lines, also called the neutral zone. Centering pass: A pass made by an attacking player towards the middle of the ice to a teammate with a better angle at the goal. Changing on-the-fly: Making player changes or substitutions while play is under way. Check: To defend or guard an opposing player with the aim of making them surrender the puck. Cherry pick: To stay at center ice and not help their team on defense in hopes of getting a break out pass or loose puck with no defenders in the way. Chip it out: During an attempt to clear the zone, a player touches and directs “chips” - the puck into the neutral zone. Clearing the puck: Getting the puck out of your defensive zone. Clearing the zone: When a defending player sends the puck out of the attacking zone, all the attacking players must leave or clear the zone to avoid being called offsides when the puck re-enters the zone. Not applicable with USA Hockey rule that calls for offsides to be called right as it happens. Coast-to-coast: To carry the puck from your own end to the opponents end without passing or losing the puck. Crease: A semi-circular area painted blue with a 6-foot radius in front of the opening

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of the goal. Denotes the playing area of the goaltender into which no player without the puck may enter. Cross bar: The horizontal bar that connects the top of the two goalposts of the net. Cross-checking: Hitting or pushing another player with your stick with both hands on the stick. A minor penalty. Cross-Ice program: In an effort to increase skill development and puck possession time, young players practice and play across the width of a rink instead of the full length of the rink. Crossover: A skating technique to turn forward or backward and accelerate into open ice. Cycling: An offensive strategy used to keep control of the puck by keeping it close the end boards. Offensive players make short passes to each other along the boards while moving until they see an opening to pass to a teammate moving into the slot for a shot.

D

Dangle: The ability to handle the puck, elude defenders and create scoring chances. Defensemen: The two players that line up, one on the left, one on the right, behind the forwards and are primarily responsible for helping to keep goals from being scored on their goaltender. Defensive Zone: The zone or area inside the blueline nearest a team’s goal they are defending. Deflection: Causing any pass or shot to stray from its intended course. A shot or pass that hits an object such as a stick or skate and goes into the net for a goal; or when a goalie hits the puck away from the net. Deke or Deking: A decoy or fake motion by the puck carrier - including shoulder, stick or head dekes - to make a player think you’re going to pass or move in a certain direction when you’re not. Delay of Game: An intentional stoppage of play (i.e.: shooting the puck into the stands, pinning the puck against the boards when unchecked, etc.) that results in a minor penalty. Delayed offsides: When a puck is shot across the blue line into the offensive zone with an offensive player inside the zone but is not touched by any offensive player and is indicated by the linesman with an upraised arm. If an offensive player touches the puck inside the zone, offsides is called. If the offensive players return to the neutral zone without touching the puck, no offsides is called. Delayed penalty: When the referee determines that a penalty will be assessed against a player they will raise their arm. If the puck is controlled by the team that does not have the player who committed the penalty, play continues until the offending team touches the puck. Dipsy-doodle: When stickhandling with the puck, a quick move or series of moves by the puckcarrier that dekes defending players. Dive: To exaggerate being hooked or tripped to draw a penalty on the opposing team; a minor-penalty. Double Minor: Penalty situation where a player is called for two simultaneous minor offenses. The player spends four minutes in the penalty box and no substitution is allowed for the duration of the penalty. Draw: A faceoff. Drop Pass: When a player simply leaves the puck behind for a teammate following him to pick up. Dump and chase: When an offensive player shoots the puck deep into the opponent’s zone rather than tries to carry it across the blue line through the defense. Usually done if the offensive team is having trouble getting though the defense or if the offensive team wants to change lines.

E

Empty net goal: A goal scored into an empty net after the opposition has pulled its goalie for an extra attacker.

September 14, 2009 | michiganhockeyonline.com

Extra skater: A player, usually a forward, who goes on the ice to replace the goalie, either during a delayed penalty or when a team needs a goal late in the game.

F

Face off: The method of starting play; the dropping of the puck by the official between the sticks of two opposing players standing one stick length apart with stick blades flat on the ice at one of five face-off circles on the ice surface; used to begin each period or to resume play after a whistle. Face off circles: The one blue and four red face-off circles that keep players separated during a face-off. Face off dots: The various circular dots on the ice where an official and two players will hold a face-off to begin or to resume the action of the game. Fan: To miss the puck completely when attempting a shot or pass. Finish a check: To continue a check after the offense player has gotten rid of the puck. Five hole: Potential scoring areas around the net are numbered from one to four starting in the lower right corner and proceeding clockwise at each corner of the net. The “5 hole” is between the goalies legs on the ice. Flood: To resurface the ice. Forecheck: To check or harass an opponent who has the puck in his defensive zone and keep the opponents in their end of the rink while trying to regain control of the puck; usually done by forwards. Forehand: A shot or pass taken from the right side of a right-handed player or from the left side of a left-handed player. Forwards: The three players that line up at the front of the team. Mostly responsible for a team’s offense, they include the left wing, the center and the right wing. Forward line: A left wing, center and right wing that play together. Freeze the puck: When a player pins the puck against the boards with a skate or stick, or a goalie covers it with his/her glove or stick in the crease, in order to force a stoppage in play. Full strength: when a team has all six players on the ice.

G

Game Misconduct: When a severe penalty is committed, the offending player is sent off the ice to the locker room for the rest of the game. A substitute skater may replace the penalized player. Gross Misconduct: Similar to a game misconduct penalty except that the offending player may not play in another game until a league official reviews the player’s conduct. Situation could involve an added suspension. A substitute player may fill the leaving skater’s position. Goal: When the puck completely crosses the goal line inside the net. The goalscorer is awarded a point. Goal Judge: Game official that sits behind the net and signals when a goal has been scored. Goalie: The player responsible for defending the team’s net. Wears special leg pads and equipment for protection. Rarely strays far from the crease, but can skate out and pass pucks to the other players. Goals against average: The average number of goals given up per 60-minute game by a goaltender or a team within a given period of time. The average is computed by dividing goals against by minutes played and multiplying the result by 60. Gordie Howe Hat Trick: When a player scores a goal, records an assist and participates in a fight in one game.

H

Hand pass: The act of batting, deflecting, or throwing the puck toward a teammate, resulting in stoppage of a play and a faceoff at the spot. A player is allowed to stop or bat the puck with a hand, provided it isn’t deliberately directed at a teammate.

PARENT’S GUIDE Hard around: A hard shot from an offensive player taken into the offensive zone that follows around the boards across the blue line, into the corner, behind the net and into to opposite corner to set up offensive plays or to give a team extra time on a line change. Can also be used by a defensive player, who trapped in his own zone, shoots the puck around the back of the net to clear the zone. Hash marks: The small lines perpendicular to the edge of the face off circles. Players cannot encroach on the hash mark areas during face-offs. Hat Trick: Three goals in a game by a single player. Headman: To move the puck up to a teammate closer to the opposing net. Hit the pipe: When a shot hits the goalposts or crossbar. Hooking: To impede an opponent with the blade of your stick. A minor penalty.

I

Icing: An automatic violation that occurs when the team in possession of the puck shoots it from behind the red centerline across the opponent’s goal line at the end of the rink (without going thru the crease). At the NHL level a member of the opposing team has to touch it first; usually done to break up an attack and ease pressure and results in a face-off in the offender’s defensive zone; a shorthanded team cannot be called for icing. Intermission: The time (usually 15 minutes) between periods when the ice gets resurfaced.

L

Left wing lock: A defensive strategy in which the left wing drops back to play parallel to the defense when the other team begins their breakout. Linesman: Secondary official who makes determinations on icing and offsides calls and can call a minor penalty if a team has too many men on the ice.

M

Major penalty: A type of penalty that lasts five minutes (For example: Intent to injure or spearing). If a powerplay goal is scored, the penalized player stays in the penalty box until the five minutes have been served. Minor penalty: A type of penalty lasting two minutes; if the non-penalized team scores a power play goal during this time, the penalty ends immediately. Misconduct penalty: Called on a player for unacceptable conduct. A player is removed from the ice for ten minutes and substitutions are allowed immediately. Misconduct penalties are often called in combination with another penalty.

N

Natural hat trick: When a player scores three goals in succession, with no other players from either their own team, or the opposing team, scoring any goals inbetween. Net (or goal): The stationary goalposts with a net attached located thirteen feet from each endboards, in the center of a red goal line. The posts are six feet apart and the top post (or crossbar) is four feet from the ice. The puck must cross this line entirely for a goal to be counted. Neutral zone: the area of the ice surface between the two blue lines. Neutral zone trap: A defensive strategy that fills the neutral zone with defenders to make it difficult for opposing team to breakout.

O

Offensive zone: The area behind the opposing team’s blue line. Offsetting penalties: When a player from each team is assessed a minor or major penalty in the same incident. The players must sit in the box but the teams continue to play at full strength (with six players each). Offsides: A violation which occurs when both skates of an attacking player cross the opponent’s blue line preceding the puck into the attacking zone or when a pass crosses more than one line without being touched (two-line pass); this is one of the most common calls made in a game. Olympic-size rink: a rink that measures the same length (200 feet) as NHL sized ice surface but is 15 feet wider (100 feet wide). One timer: When an offensive player takes a shot (usually a slap shot) directly off a pass. Outlet pass: A pass from an offensive player in their defensive zone to a teammate to break out of the zone and move play into neutral ice.

P

Penalty: A rule violation called by the referee, including a minor penalty, for which a player must sit in the penalty box for two minutes; a major penalty, for five minutes in the box; a misconduct, for ten minutes; and a game misconduct, which sends a player out for the whole game. When one team has a player in the box due to a minor penalty, it must play “shorthanded” (with one less skater) until the penalty expires or the opposing team scores a goal. This situation is called a “power play” for

MICHIGAN HOCKEY

the unpenalized team, and a “penalty kill” for the penalized team. If the penalty is a major penalty, the penalized team must kill the penalty for the entire five minutes, regardless of how many goals the opposing team scores. Penalty box: an enclosed area, one for each team, usually located next to the scorer’s box a box, where penalized players must remain until their penalty time has expired. Penalty killer: A player whose job it is to use up the time while a teammate serves a penalty. Good penalty killers are usually fast skaters who can break up an opponent’s power play and hold onto the puck. Penalty shot: A shot by a player one-on-one against the goalie. Depending on the circumstance, the shot is taken by the player who was fouled or by a designated player. Penalty shots are awarded only under major and blatant rule infractions. Period: The three playing intervals of a game, separated by two intermissions. Pipe: a goalpost Playmaker: A player (usually a center) whose skating, puckhandling and creative passes sets up others for scoring chances. 2. Three (or more) assists in a game by a single player. Plus/Minus: A statistic where a goal is scored for a player’s team while the player is on the ice is counted as +1. A goal scored against a player’s team while the player is on the ice is counted as -1. The total is known as a player’s plus/minus. Point: The area just inside the blue line of the attacking zone normally occupied by the attacking team’s defensive players. Poke check: A quick jab or thrust of the stick to take the puck away from an opposing player. Powerplay: An attack by a team at full strength against a team playing one man (or two men) shorthanded because of a penalty (or penalties) which resulted in a player on the opposing team receiving penalty-box time. Powerplay goal: A goal scored while a team at full strength against a team that is shorthanded due to a penalty. Puck: A black, vulcanized rubber disc, 1-inch thick and 3-inches in diameter, weighing between 5 1/2 and 6 ounces used to play hockey; they are frozen to prevent excessive bouncing and changed throughout the game; can travel over 100 miles per hour on a slap shot. Pulling the goalie: Taking the goalkeeper off the ice and replacing him with another player. Leaves the goal unguarded and is usually only done late in a game to attempt to score.

until one shooter scores and his counterpart on the other team fails to score. Shorthanded: A team with one or more players off the ice in the penalty box when the opponent has its full complement of six players; also a power play for the other team. A team can only be shorthanded by two players. If more than two of a team’s players are penalized the team will continue to play with four players (the penalized players must still serve their penalties before they can play). Shorthanded goal: A goal scored while a penalized team is short players while killing a penalty. Shutout: To prevent the other team from scoring a goal in a game. 2. A game in which one team is shut out. Slap shot: A shot in which the player raises his stick in a backswing, with his strong hand held low on the shaft and his other hand on the end as a pivot. Then as the stick comes down toward the puck, the player leans into the stick to put all his power behind the shot and add velocity to the puck; achieves an extremely high speed, but is less accurate than other types of shots. Slot: The area expending from in front of the net out approximately 30 feet; most goals are scored from this area. Soft hands: When a player can catch a pass and handle the puck in traffic well. Sudden-death Overtime: An overtime period that ends as soon as one team scores a goal, determining the winner and terminating the game.

R

Wash out: The disallowing of a goal by a referee, or disallowing of icing or offsides by a linesman. Wraparound: An offensive player skates around the back of the net from one side to the other and then attempts to quickly push the puck into the net between the goalie and the corner of the net. Wrist shot: A shot made with a motion with the puck directly against the blade of the stick and finishing with a snap of the wrists in the follow through.

Ragging: To hold onto the puck by good stickhandling, usually when shorthanded to kill time. Rebound: A puck that bounces off the goalie’s body or equipment. Red Line: The line that runs across center ice that divides the length of the ice surface in half. Referee: Head official in the game that has general supervision of play. Resurfacer: The four-wheel machine that shaves and cleans used ice from the surface of the rink and uses hot water to create a smooth ice surface between periods of a game. Rink: The iced area inside the boards on which the game is played; NHL regulation size is 200 feet long by 85 feet wide with rounded corners. The ice surface has painted lines to indicate face-off circles, the goal crease, and the various zones. Rink Rat: A young player who hangs around a rink practicing and playing all of the time. Rockering: Sharpening skates so that the middle section of the blade is the only part in contact with the ice. Done to allow players to be able to turn and change direction more quickly. Running time: To play a game where the clock does not stop when the referee stops play. Roster: List of players on a team. Rush: A rapid movement of the puck by one or more players into the attacking zone in an effort to score.

T

Tape-to-tape pass: A very accurate pass that goes from the tape on the passer’s stick to the tape on the receiver’s stick. Texas Hat Trick: Four goals scored by a single player in one game. Tip-In: A goal scored on a deflection, usually from just outside the crease. Top-shelf: A goal scored into the top corners of the net or just under the crossbar. Trailer: A player who follows his teammate on the attack in a position to receive a backward or drop pass. Two-line pass: A team violation occurring when a puck is passed across two or more lines without being touched; play is stopped for a face-off; a type of offsides. Two-on-one: when two offensive players are able to pass the puck back and forth or shoot with only one defending player to protect the goalie.

W

Z

Zones: Three areas made up by the two blue lines; the attacking zone is the farthest from the goal a player is defending; the neutral zone is the central area; the defending zone is the area where a player’s goal is.

POKE CHECK

S

Save: When a goalie deflects or stops a shot on goal. Scramble: When several players from both teams are close together battling for the puck; usually in the corners or in front of the net. Screen: When a forward purposely tries to block the view of the opposing goaltender in front of the net. Shadow: A defensive strategy to cover an opposing player very closely to keep them from scoring. Shift: The time a player is on the ice before going off for a line change. Shootout: A method of deciding a winner if the score is still tied after one overtime period. Each team designates five shooters and a goalie, and the teams alternate penalty shots, with a different shooter each time. If the score remains tied after each team has taken five shots, five new shooters are designated and the shootout continues

Whether you’re a rookie or a veteran fan, player or parent, knowing hockey terminology like “poke check” (above) can help you get the most out of the game.

michiganhockeyonline.com | September 14, 2009

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MICHIGAN HOCKEY

PARENT’S GUIDE

Navigating the Frozen Waters United States Hockey League is country’s only Tier 1 junior circuit Editor’s Note: The following article is the first installment of our new “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 junior leagues, along with high school and youth hockey in future issues. We invite you to share your questions and concerns regarding Navigating the Waters by e-mailing us at: mh@michiganhockeyonline.com. BY TIM WILSON Numerous hockey players from Michigan and the United States have the goal of someday playing at the Division 1 level. But unlike almost every other sport out there, the road to playing college hockey almost always involves a step between high school and college. Very few players manage to leave their high school or midget team and go directly to play on a college campus. Instead, the majority of players compete at the junior level for a year or two after finishing high school before making the next step. The USA Hockey junior system includes a number of leagues and three classifications – Tier I, Tier II and Tier III. The Tier III level is then broken down in “A”, “B” and “C” divisions. The spot at the top of the junior food chain belongs to the United States Hockey League (USHL), the nation’s only designated Tier I junior circuit. The league is home to many of the best 16-20 year old American players, and for any player looking to move up the ladder, the USHL should be a goal to shoot for before thinking about landing in the NCAA. “The on ice product is superb,” said USHL Commissioner Skip Prince. “You are watching a unique American sports experience that brings together the best kids in the country. This is as easy and powerful a pathway to the National Hockey League as any junior league in the world. And you can get four years of college paid for this way.” Based in the Midwest, the USHL features 14 teams, including two new teams that will begin play this season in the Youngstown (Ohio) Phantoms and Ann Arbor-based USA Hockey National Team Development Program (NTDP). Many of the league’s teams play in front of 2,000-4,000 fans per night in a circuit that has surpassed the one million mark in attendance each of the last ten years. The NTDP ices two teams, an Under-17 squad and an Under-18 squad, that represent the U.S i n international competition. Both squads will compete in the USHL during the regular season as one entity. Every team in the league will face both the U.S. Under-17 and Under-18 teams with all games counting equally. The teams’ combined records will be represented as one in the USHL standings. “One of the elements of aligning with the NTDP is the fact that so many scouts visit Ann Arbor,” said Prince. “And we are able to promote the USHL in the Detroit and Ann Arbor areas along with the rest of Michigan. Together, the USHL

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and NTDP represent the pinnacle of American hockey.” As a USA Hockey Tier I league, the USHL adheres to different standards than the other junior classifications around the country. Tier I teams must pay all of their player’s housing expenses along with the entire cost of equipment and ice time. The Tier I classification also sets a minimum and maximum number of league games and a practice-to-game balance. USHL teams play a 60-game regular season along with a number of preseason and tournament games. At the conclusion of the regular season, eight teams qualify for the postseason which culminates with the crowning of the Clark Cup champion. For most USHL players, making the team means moving away from home. Because of this, each team has a housing coordinator that places players with a local family. Younger players are then placed in a local high school while older players may take college classes or work part-time. Housing families normally receive a small stipend per month to offset the cost of the player along with season tickets. The majority of USHL players are scouted and then drafted in either the league’s Entry or Futures draft. Both drafts are conducted in May but differ in their goals. The Futures draft is aimed at players that are not expected to compete at the Tier I level for at least another year, while the entry draft is for players that are ready to step in and compete for a roster spot in the league. It’s also not uncommon for players to be discovered at one of the team’s tryout camps that are held during the summer. “If you’re playing well, we’re going to find you,” said Prince. “We have a fairly strong network of scouts. It’s hard if you are really good to go unnoticed. We spend a lot of time, effort and money on it.” Green Bay Gamblers coach Jon Cooper takes the majority of his roster from AAA programs along with a few from either high school or other junior leagues. “I’m a big AAA guy,” said Cooper. “But in this year’s draft I took two Minnesota high school kids, one from the (Tier II) North American Hockey League and 11 out of AAA.” Cooper has coached at the high school level, for Honeybaked’s Midget AAA team, and in the NAHL and (Tier III Junior A) Central States Hockey League. He has won consistently at each level and the Gamblers won the Anderson Cup as the USHL regular season champion last season. Included on the Gamblers’ roster last season were three undrafted players that were signed as free agents. Perhaps most impressive is the fact that every player from that team garnered interest from a college program, according to Cooper. “On our 23 man roster, all 23 are either committed to Division I schools or have multiple offers and have not committed yet,” he said. “This is obviously the league where the colleges are recruiting. About the only way a player wouldn’t get an offer to play Division I would be if he didn’t have the grades.” Among those in the Gamblers lineup last season was Lake Orion native and Belle Tire alumnus Kevin Albers. Selected by Green Bay in the entry draft last year, Albers spent his senior year with the Gamblers while attending a new high school and living with a host family. After the USHL season ended, Albers returned home to Lake Orion and graduated with his high school class. “I enjoyed my first season but I was fortunate that a few other guys from Belle Tire came here as well, which helped with the

September 14, 2009 | michiganhockeyonline.com

transition,” said Albers. “There were a lot of older guys that are bigger, faster and stronger but once you get going you get into the swing of things.” Last season Albers’ parents travelled to Green Bay and also made trips to see him play in Chicago and Indianapolis. “He was our youngest defensemen last season and kind of had to find his way,” said Cooper. “It’s hard to come in as a young player and dominate. It probably takes about half the year just to settle in and get adjusted. To see where he is now compared to the same time last year is night and day. He’s going to be one of our go-to guys this season.” During the 2008-09 season 180 USHL players made commitments to Division I schools while 17 were selected in the 2009 NHL entry draft. Currently, the league boasts 97 former players currently in the NHL or under NHL contracts, including Carolina’s Chad LaRose (Fraser), Detroit’s Brian Rafalski (Dearborn) and Justin Abdelkader (Muskegon), Anaheim’s Drew Miller (East Lansing) and Los Angeles’s Matt Greene (Grand Ledge).

United States Hockey League (USHL) Tier I Junior A 1327 W. Washington Blvd., Suite 3C Chicago, IL 60607 Phone: (312) 546-7300 Fax: (312) 546-7330 Ushl.com

Staff

Commissioner: Skip Prince Executive Vice President: Gino Gasparini Chairman of the Board: William “Butch” Johnson Director of Hockey Operations: Scott Brand Manager of Hockey Operations: Tony Gill Director of Communications: Brian Werger

Eastern Division

Cedar Rapids, Chicago, Green Bay, Indiana, USA NTDP, Waterloo, Youngstown

Western Division

Des Moines, Fargo, Lincoln, Omaha, Sioux City, Sioux Falls, Tri-City

PARENT’S GUIDE

BE OUR GUEST

ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION: SPORT’S CONCUSSION UPDATE

PHOTO BY ANDY KNAPIK/MICHIGAN HOCKEY

BY DR. MICHAEL CZARNOTA, PH.D. The area of sport concussion remains highly complex - and sometimes contentious - and there continues to be new developments in the field. Keep in mind that concussion is defined as a disturbance in how the brain works, not how it looks. That is why head CT scans are not sensitive to the effects of the injury: just because a CT scan is negative for damage does not mean that a concussion has not occurred. Secondly, a player does not have to lose consciousness to have a concussion and this actually occurs in a relatively small percentage (5-10%) of cases. Lastly, it has been estimated that there will be over 1.6 million sport-related concussions per year. For athletes in collision and contact sports such as ice hockey, football and soccer that means that about 10% of the team will have a concussion during a typical season.

EXPERT FINDINGS

school coaches to become better at recognizing and managing concussions. The coaches must complete a training course that stresses awareness of symptoms, proper management and medical referrals.

WHAT OTHER LEAGUES DO

The National Hockey League (NHL) began incorporating computerized neuropsychological testing in 2007 based in part on the successful use of such testing throughout the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and Western Hockey League (WHL). The majority of the minor pro Central Hockey League also uses this approach, while the ECHL mandated that all skaters must undergo baseline neurocognitive testing beginning with this season. Minor youth hockey in areas of Ontario have expressed great interest in making this available for their players and Hockey Canada is considering extending this service to its international tournament teams.

I n O c t o b e r, 2 0 0 8 a n international panel of experts called the Concussion in Sport Group met for the third time and THE TAKE HOME MESSAGE released its recommendations • Become aware of concussion on concussion management. signs and symptoms (players, parents and coaches) Known as the Zurich Consensus It is estimated that there will be Document, it largely reinforced over 1.6 million sport-related • Athletes need to be evaluated previous recommendations for concussions per year. For injury definition, recognition and and cleared by experienced athletes in collision and contact management. clinical health care providers sports such as ice hockey, However, it completely avoided football and soccer that means “grading” the severity of the injury • Do not attempt to play with that about 10% of the team will and made a strong statement that symptoms/do not allow a have a concussion during a all cases should be managed on symptomatic athlete to play typical season. an individual basis based on an athlete’s presenting symptoms (signs and • Expect or demand comprehensive care for symptoms, cognitive impairments, behavioral concussed athletes that includes balance changes, sleep disturbances), medical and injury evaluations and cognitive testing history, rate of recovery and availability of medical personnel. • When in doubt, sit them out There was a strong recommendation that athletes under 18 years of age should be managed • Talk to your team, league or school about more conservatively because of a combination of implementing pre-injury baseline testing of maturation, academic and risk factors. balance and cognition (memory, reaction time) The panel’s findings also stated that the child or adolescent athlete should not return to play • Proper concussion management from the the same day of a concussion. Since the brain is start results in fewer problems and a quicker return to play a thinking organ it was also recommended that “cognitive rest”, such as temporary absence from For free downloads and good information on school, modified examination schedules, limited video games and movies, etc., may be useful with concussion, go to: www.cdc.gov/concussioninYouthSports younger athletes. Lastly, because concussion can present Fo r i n f o r m a t i o n o n c o n c u s s i o n , differently from person to person, risk factors neuropsychology and baseline testing, go to: vary and management issues are often complex, www.sportconcussions.com the benefit of trained professionals was stressed. For these reasons and more it was suggested Dr. Czarnota is a local neuropsychologist that evaluating and integrating the thinking skills who has included the management of sport of an injured athletes is best provided by a trained concussions in his clinical practice since neuropsychologist. 1999. He currently serves as a consultant for a COACHING EDUCATION variety of teams and leagues that include high Several states have recently passed legislation in school, collegiate and professional athletes. For response to catastrophic injuries or deaths related questions or more information he can be reached to concussion and brain injury that require high at 248 253-8208 or his website.

MICHIGAN HOCKEY

Feeding a young player well takes a little bit of planning During the busy season an easy stop at the nearest drive-thru restaurant can be appealing, but it is important that parents try to keep in mind what’s healthiest for their young athletes. Following a balanced diet that includes foods from all the major food groups every day will give kids the nutrients - proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water – to provide young athletes with the proper nutrition that can help them get the most out of the game. Schedules are not the only battle parents have in getting kids to eat healthy. Their young athletes may be opposed to healthier food options. Dr. Matt Marturano, naturopathic physician and nutrition and wellness coach for Lifetime Spa and Fitness in Troy, says the easiest way to get around this is to simply start introducing healthy foods into their diet rather than taking away the junk food and let the child decide. “The athlete’s body will start craving the healthier foods, connecting how they eat with how they feel,” Marturano says. “Eating junk food leads to a lack of performance and their body feels like junk. When they eat better they will perform better.”

PRE-GAME MEAL Before any intense activity like a hockey game, athletes need a small snack for optimal performance. Marturano recommends a piece of fruit and a small handful of nuts or seeds. Young athletes need energy for games and practices, so meals before competition should contain mostly carbohydrates and starches, which are easier to digest than fats and proteins, and help to steady blood sugar levels. “You can’t have too much protein before exercise because your body will stop using that protein and it will weigh you down or cause cramping,” Marturano says. “Focus on a meal of mostly carbs and healthy fats.” A few small meals that are quick and easy for young athletes are a handful of walnuts or almonds with fruit, or a fruit smoothie made with a tablespoon of peanut butter. It’s best to exercise on a mostly empty stomach. Digestion routs blood that’s needed to carry oxygen to exercising muscles to the digestive tract, so eat at least three hours before exercise to allow time for digestion. Marturano suggests eating three small meals with two snacks throughout the day to avoid exercising on a full stomach. Drink plenty of fluids before, during and after exercise and stay away from sugary foods, as they can cause fluctuations in blood sugar levels without any real energy boost.

ENERGY Carbohydrates provide the energy to working muscles during exercise. They also contain other nutrients like antioxidants; vitamins A and C that help maintain healthy cells in the body, and B vitamins that help the body use that energy. “Always the primary source of energy is a mixture of carbs and healthy fat,” Marturano says. “Complex carbohydrates are foods that also have fiber and they are essential to a high-intensity work-out.”

Mar turano recommends eating healthy fats - nuts, seeds, avocados and coconut milk throughout the day to build your young athlete’s energy. Foods high in energy-boosting carbs include whole-grain bagels, yogurt, oranges, bananas, apples, pears, fruit juices, pasta, rice, dried beans, breads, oatmeal and vegetables like potatoes, carrots, peas, corn, winter squash and sweet potatoes. According to nutrition experts, in order to supply essential fatty acids and to help their bodies absorb beta-carotene and vitamins A, D, E and K, young athletes can consume up to 30 percent of their calories as fat.

MUSCLE REPAIR Post-game is where protein comes into the diet – it’s essential for building and maintaining enzymes, tissues and muscles – but a young athlete only needs it in moderation. “All that was lost during the games were enzymes, so you need to replenish those with protein,” Marturano says. Most nutritionists say that drinking a couple of glasses of milk and eating a serving of meat, fish or poultry along with a variety of whole grains and some vegetables spread out over the whole day will more than meet daily protein needs. Excessive protein intake doesn’t help muscles get bigger and can lead to dehydration. Susan Kundrat, M.S., R.D., L.D., believes an easy way to eat for fitness is to divide a plate into three equal portions. Fill 1/3 of the plate with grains, preferably whole grains, 1/3 with fruits and vegetables, and 1/3 with lean protein sources, like chicken or turkey breast, eggs, or nonfat/low fat yogurt. Then, choose a high-nutrient drink like skim milk or 100 percent juice.

STAYING HYDRATED Your body is made up of about 60-70 percent water. Blood is mostly water, and your muscles, lungs, and brain all contain a lot of water. Bodies need water to regulate body temperature and to allow nutrients to travel to all your organs. During exercise, muscles generate heat that is carried by fluids to the skin where it’s released by sweating. When you’re severely dehydrated, sweating stops and the body overheats leading to fatigue, dizziness, or worse. Children have a lower capacity for sweating capacity, don’t tolerate temperature extremes as efficiently as adults and produce more heat during exercise. So the best way for young athletes to stay hydrated and avoid fatigue is to drink water all day long. But what about all those sports drinks out there? Where do they fit in? Most contain a lot of sugar and shouldn’t be a substitute for water. Marturano says, “Sports drinks are good used sparingly during the game. What’s best is to take a few sips of the sports drink to replace some of the electrolytes lost then switch to water.” By Sarah Zientarski

michiganhockeyonline.com | September 14, 2009

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MICHIGAN HOCKEY

MH BEAT

Kingsford’s Gravel takes hockey trip to Slovakia and Czech Republic Kingsford’s Kevin Gravel was one of three Michigan players Brandon Archibald (Port Huron) and Austin Watson (Ypsilanti) were the others – named to the U.S. Under-18 Select Team that competed at the 2009 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka Tournament in Slovakia and the Czech Republic in mid-August. Gravel played last season with the Marquette Rangers (NAHL), has made a verbal commitment to attend St. Cloud State (MN) next year and will skate this season with the Sioux City (IA) Musketeers of the USHL. He kept a journal for Michigan Hockey during his trip to Europe. Here is an excerpt:

AUGUST 4 – APPLES TO APPLES After the whole team flew into Washington D.C., we met at the hotel to get our equipment situated and meet our new teammates. I got a quick nap before dinner which was one of the last times we’d have American food for a while. We played Apples to Apples after dinner as a team building activity. It was a fun game and a good way to break the ice. We ordered pizza for a snack and everyone headed for their rooms to get a good night’s sleep because tomorrow we’re traveling all day.

AUGUST 9 – FINAL EXHIBITION After breakfast we had a pregame skate to get our legs moving before our game tonight against the Czech Republic. I took a nap before heading down to the lobby for our pregame meal at 1:30 PM. We had mushrooms, french fries and chicken – not a real traditional meal you’d have before a game. I’m not a big fan of mushrooms and fries aren’t exactly the best thing to eat before a game so most of us left lunch still hungry. I had another nap and headed to the rink to pack our bags and set out to Breclav, Czech Republic. It was about an hour and a half drive that I spent sleeping and listening to my iPod. A few guys had to go to the bathroom but the door to the bathroom in the bus was locked, which made for some interesting times. When we got to the rink Sweden was practicing. They looked like a pretty solid team. We played well and ended up winning our game against the Czech Republic, 5-3. We got into a little penalty trouble and two of their three goals came on the powerplay. The fans were unreal, unlike anything I’ve ever played in front

AUGUST 6 – TRAVEL TIME We spent all of yesterday getting to Slovakia. We flew from D.C. to Frankfurt, Germany and then from Frankfurt to Vienna, Austria. From Vienna we had a two hour bus ride to Trnava, Slovakia. When we landed in Vienna we were missing a hockey bag and a few other clothes bags. We had quite a lengthy delay while they got it figured out and the bags made it to Trnava later that night. When we got into town we dropped our bags off at the rink, went to the hotel to eat, and then got situated with our rooms. I roomed with Scott Mayfield. The rink wasn’t like any in the United States that I’ve seen. There are windows all around so when the sun shines, it goes directly onto the ice. Our first practice was mostly a flow practice to get our legs back under us after the day of travel. Most of us didn’t sleep at all on the plane rides and I have been up for around 32 hours. So after dinner everyone went to their rooms to get some sleep as tomorrow we have a morning skate and our first exhibition game against Canada in Piestany, about a half hour from Trnava.

the first but just couldn’t bury our chances. The thing that made the loss so frustrating was that we beat ourselves - we definitely should have won the game. We stayed around and watched the Finland-Slovakia game. Slovakia ended up winning, 7-2, which was kind of surprising. We play Finland tomorrow and cannot take them lightly.

AUGUST 12 - A BETTER DAY The coaches let us sleep in and we didn’t have a pregame skate, and we beat a pretty good Finland team, 3-2. The win put us in line for the bronze medal game with a win tomorrow over Slovakia. We played a pretty solid game - the first time we’ve played all three periods. Again, though, we gave up a few power play goals but were able to overcome them. It was 2-2 late in the third period until Charlie Coyle put us ahead on a penalty shot. We were able to overcome another penalty late in the game to hold on for the win. After the game we stuck around again to watch Russia and Slovakia play. We needed Slovakia to win but their 7-1 loss put us out of contention for the gold medal. But we can still get to the bronze medal game with a win tomorrow.

AUGUST 13 – ANOTHER GOOD DAY After breakfast, coach canceled the pregame skate again today and everyone slept until about 1 PM. We had a pregame meal and headed to the rink. The Russia-Finland game was just finishing up so we watched the rest of that and signed a few autographs. We hit the ice at 5:30 to play the Slovaks. It was a see-saw game and ended up tied 6-6 at the end of regulation. About two minutes into overtime, Kevin Lind got a pass and buried it to give us the win. Our bench went crazy and we dog-piled at center ice to celebrate. After the game we went back to the hotel, had dinner right away and just hung around in each other’s rooms listening to music and watching movies.

AUGUST 14 – OFF DAY TRIP

Today is an off-day and we took an hour bus ride to Bratislava after breakfast. It was a pretty nice town and there were a lot of things to see. We split up into seven groups of three and headed Kingsford’s Kevin Gravel (far right) joined Port Huron Brandon Archibald (left) and Austin Watson of Ypsilanti on the out to check out the city. You could tell U.S. Under-18 Select Team that competed at the 2009 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka Tournament in Slovakia and the Czech it was a big tourist city as there were a lot of other people walking around with Republic in mid-August. cameras hung around their necks and there were a lot of shops for people to buy little souvenirs. My group of. There were constant chants and drums and horns going on AUGUST 7 – CANADA EXHIBITION stopped at an Italian pizza place for lunch and then took a pretty throughout the whole game which made it hard to hear, but the We lost to Canada, 6-1, in our first exhibition game tonight, but good hike up to see a castle. It was pretty high up and had a good atmosphere was great. I don’t think the score really represented the game. We had a lot of view of the whole city and Hungary and Austria in the distance. penalty trouble and four of their goals were on the power play and We got back to the hotel and had some down time before dinner. AUGUST 10 – GETTING READY FOR THE REAL THING the other two came right as the power play expired. Five-on-five After dinner we had a little stretch and headed back to our rooms After breakfast we checked out of the hotel and headed to the rink we played right with them. The game was good for us - it showed to play cards and get some rest before our bronze medal game to pack the bus for our move to Piestany to start the tournament. us what we need to work on, but it also showed us that we can play tomorrow against Sweden. When we got there we went straight to the rink to set up the locker with the best when we are disciplined. room and then went to the hotel for lunch. The hotel was right across AUGUST 15 – WRAP UP the street from the rink and it was pretty nice. They switched the AUGUST 8 – REST DAY Today didn’t go as planned. We bused two-hours to Breclav, rooming pairs up and I am now rooming with Brandon Archibald. Today we had a much needed rest day. We don’t have a game but Czech Republic and got beat by Sweden, 9-2, in the bronze medal After lunch we had a few hours to kill until our practice and I used we practiced twice. The first one at 11 AM was a good skate and the game. We played our worst game of the tournament by far. Sweden this time to sleep again. Practice went pretty well, we worked on second, at 7 PM, was all special teams, which needed some work. scored within the first two minutes of the game and I think that set defensive zone and special teams for the most part. After practice In between the two practices we had a lot of time to kill so we took the tone. If we played them again there might not be a different we had dinner and then walked to a grocery store to get some a tour of Trnava and went to the local mall, which was really nice. outcome, but it wouldn’t be as one sided as this game was. Canada snacks for the room. There wasn’t much of a selection other than It had a lot of clothing stores and the clothes were really different won the gold medal with a 9-2 win over Russia. chocolate and drinks. than in America. Some of the players bought a few things for their After the game we returned our equipment and rode the bus family and friends back home. Walking back from practice we passed back to Piestany. We had dinner and some free time before flying AUGUST 11 – A ROUGH OPENING GAME a stadium that was packed for a professional soccer game. Later to Vienna and then back to Washington D.C. Unfortunately for me, We had a rough day and got beat by the Russians, 4-3, in the that night we heard music playing by the field and at the bars, so I I do not get to go home and I have to go straight to Sioux City, Iowa first game of the tournament. We came out flying and playing really assumed it was a pretty good day for the Trnava team. for the start of next season. well and jumped out to a 3-1 lead. But in the second period we got Thank you for reading my journal and following me through this into penalty trouble again and they scored three straight to take unreal experience. the lead. In the third period I would say we dominated much like

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September 14, 2009 | michiganhockeyonline.com

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MICHIGAN HOCKEY

CENTRAL STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE

Four Michigan squads hope to rebound in Central States Hockey League BY MATT MACKINDER Of the 12 teams in the Central States Hockey League last season, the four that didn’t qualify for the playoffs all came from Michigan. All four squads – the Flint Jr. Generals, Grand Rapids Jr. Owls, Metro (Waterford) Jets and Motor City Chiefs – aim to change that this season and try to unseat the three-time Hurster Cup champion Dubuque Thunderbirds. New this season to the CSHL is the Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins, who played in the Empire Junior Hockey League in 2008-09.

C.J. Tangen and defensemen Jacob Frein and Zach Runge are back for more. Goaltenders Ben Belton (East Kentwood HS) and Nick Ceccolini (Metro Jets) should provide stability, while new forwards Phil Klaas, Luke McCarthy (Manistee HS), Jordan Sabatino, Anthony Wolfe and Radney Ritchie (Soo Indians U-18) add much-needed depth. Defensemen Justin Bowyer (Lowell-Caledonia HS), Jack Garrettson, Zane Scofield, Josh Sellden and John Starling (Saginaw Heritage HS) make the back end deep as well.

PHOTO BY WALT DMOCH/METRO JETS

FLINT JR. GENERALS Head coach George Dritsas took over during last year and the Jr. Generals made a late charge for the last playoff spot. Back from last season’s 17-27-1-0 team are forwards Dalton Bates, Matt Cinader, Jake Harlick, Brandon Hogrefe, Ricky Jones and Ben McParlan, defensemen Trevor Troupe and Zack Warson and goaltender Tyler Stricker. That group, along with a solid group of newcomers, has Dritsas excited for the season. “The team will most definitely be a team to deal with in the upcoming season,” said Dritsas. “This hard-working group of young men has come together to form a team that will definitely be very competitive this year.” Defensemen Ryan Eby (trade with Metro), Mark Haynes (Michigan Jaguars), Mike Maciag (Little Caesars U-16), Nick Page (USA Eagles), Nathan Sheriff (Michigan Travelers), forwards Jeff Birk (Gaylord HS), Joe Camarata (St. Clair Shores Midget AA), Will Dawson (Compuware U-16), Dean Kmiecik (trade with Motor City), Joe McAuliffe (Flint Icelanders Midget), Bret Menten, Drew Meyers (trade with Dubuque), Shane Olson (Michigan Ice Dogs Jr. C), Mark Riviera, Nate Scurfield (Midland HS), Jonah Spurlin (Flint Powers HS) and Cody Thompson (Flushing HS) and goaltenders Nick O’Lewen, Karel Popper and Jordie VanGaul (Belgium National U-17 Team) are all new, as is goaltending coach and former NHL goalie John Vanbiesbrouck. Flint won their two preseason games over the Jets on August 22-23.

MOTOR CITY CHIEFS

GRAND RAPIDS JR. OWLS Last season, the Jr. Owls (0-44-0-1) brought up the rear in the CSHL and have struggled the past few years with just nine wins since the 2006-07 season and one over the past two. Even so, optimism is booming in Grand Rapids. “With some experience under the belts of the returning players and the enthusiasm and work ethic displayed by the new players coming in, the Owls coaching staff is excited about the prospects of competing this year and look forward to a strong effort by all,” assistant coach and assistant GM Scott Runge said. “The influx of new players adds a different dimension to the Owls and we are looking forward to the start of the new season.” Forwards Mason Bohlinger, Mike Evans, Nathan Kranich and

With defensemen Brett Grech, Steve Lockwood (the league’s penalty minute king last year) and Tyler Schofield along with forwards Will Saley and Justin Vinson back in the mix, the only glaring hole the Jets needed to fill was in net and got Honeybaked U-16 goalie Ian Mercer and R.J. Heath, a 19-year-old who was with the NAHL’s Motor City Machine last year for a stretch. “We are ahead of last year at this point and we are stronger in all three positions – goaltending, defense and forwards,” Metro head coach Jamie Hayden said. “Getting an NAHL-caliber goaltender in Heath and a quality young goaltender with Mercer will be huge to our success this season. Both guys will go out game in and game out and give a chance to win, as well as win us a few games by themselves.” New to Waterford are forwards Michael Denston (Oakland Grizzlies U-18), Jonathon Elliott (Brother Rice HS), Mike Herter (Dexter HS), Josh Magnan (Soo Eagles, NOJHL), Anthony Marrocco (Summit Plastics Midget AA), David Merkle (Kettering HS), Matt Moeller (Troy Sting U-16), Joe Rutkowski (St. Clair Shores HS), Shane Wheatley and Jonathan Wickersham (Summit Plastics Midget AA), defensemen Mike Corder (Mt. Clemens Midget AA), Dylan Mantay (Summit Plastics Midget AA), Vinnie Pietrangelo (Traverse City West HS) and Steve Vandenberghe (De La Salle HS). “After the disappointing season last year, we knew we weren’t going to bring many players back, but the guys we did bring back are working hard and are positive role models for all the new players,” added Hayden. “I fully expect us to be in every game this year.”

Defensemen Steve Lockwood joins other returners Brett Grech and Tyler Schofield on the Metro Jets blueline this season.

METRO JETS With a renewed confidence and a roster the coaching staff has been raving about, Metro has a goal of far surpassing their seven wins of last year.

New head coach: Jeff Bond has just one returning player to work with this season, but there is no indication of panic in Dearborn. Last season, the Chiefs went 12-31-0-2 and going into this season, Motor City decided to promote from within and will have a slew of players from their midget program and Junior C (now Junior B) outfit. “This season’s team will be a young, fast team that we would like to build upon for two years,” said Bond. “We have very good leadership in having a seasoned junior defenseman in Jake Koslakiewicz and returning defenseman Derek Kessler. Goaltending should be a position that will have internal competition thought the year as the play of (Zak) Shaw, (Dan) Wenner and (Kory) Rickermann improve.” Jason Avedisuan, Conner Dresser, Brandon Greulich and Peter Wychocki are the Junior C promotions, while David Defever (Howell HS), Koslakiewicz, Anthony Lobstein (Michigan Travelers), Joel Majszak (Plymouth HS), Tyler Miller (Motor City Chiefs U-18), Andrew Theisen (Motor City Chiefs U-18) and Cole Workman (Howell HS) will also be CSHL rookies. “The Chiefs pride themselves as teaching puck possession and having the skill set to play a fast, finesse-style game,” Bond said. “The youngsters will have to adapt to the level of play quickly and be major contributors for the Chiefs to have a successful year.”

Talent helps Great Lakes Junior Hockey League moves up to Junior B This time last season, the Great Lakes Junior Hockey League was a first-year Junior C league. Then just months into the season USA Hockey granted the GLJHL Junior B status starting with this season. The GLJHL proved their talent pool was stronger than expected, their play was far greater than the Junior C probationary level granted as a new league and the benefits of moving up to the next level were greater and more beneficial to the players and the league than Junior C could offer. “This was something that has never been done before,” said Dan Esdale, VP of USA Hockey and chairman of the junior council. “A new league, four months into existence, granted the next competitive level, has two teams in the (national Junior C) semis and one (Chicago Huskies) moves on to win the national title, all in its first season. Great Lakes and Chicago, you have raised the bar.” Michigan has four teams in the GLJHL – the Michigan Ice Dogs, Michigan Mountain Cats, Motor City Chiefs and the Tri-City Icehawks. In Burton, the Mountain Cats have all the pieces in place to make a serious run this year.

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“We are returning nine players from last year, including David Pierce, who finished second in the league in scoring,” noted Mountain Cats head coach Matt Bendall. “Alex Toth was the captain last year and will lead the team from the blue line. Jake Bono led every goalie category last year and he also will be between the pipes for us again this year. I believe we are way better off this year compared to where we where at this point last year. We have added a lot of good players and we should have a successful and fun season.” Bendall is also pumped about a couple of new players in forward Cody Damon from Grand Blanc High School and defenseman Aaron Teal from Anchor Bay High School. The Dearborn-based Chiefs were still putting the final touches on their team, but the Icehawks, with a new home rink at the Bay County Civic Arena, have their roster set and it includes three 15-year-old players – goalie Dominic Orlando and defensemen Jae Pennicooke and David Higgs. “We have a lot of talent with a lot of speed,” Icehawks head coach Jeff Worlton said. “Those ‘94s are on the team for a reason as they

September 14, 2009 | michiganhockeyonline.com

have a lot of skill, but hopefully, they’ll grow into their roles as the season progresses. We’re also expecting big things from our captain, Matt Dufort, and one of our forwards, Eric Tien, who’s only a ‘93.” Worlton is looking forward to Tri-City’s games this season with the Mountain Cats, as well as moving some of his players on to higher levels. “Those games with the Mountain Cats always seem a bit more intense than the others,” said Worlton, starting his second season with the Icehawks. “But at the end of the day, if we can move a couple guys up to North American Hockey League teams and some D-III colleges, well, then I guess I’ve done my job.” Head coach Terry Kucharski’s Ice Dogs play in Plymouth and have high expectations and will lean on returning forwards Todd Burgess, Kurtis Kwolek and Fred Kowalski (three of the team’s top six leading scorers in ’08-09) to spark the offense. New goaltenders John Gosselin and Matthew Schnoes will rotate between the pipes and lone returning defenseman Benjamin Katan should be a leader on the back end.

NORTH AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE

MICHIGAN HOCKEY

Michigan teams will battle in NAHL’s North Division BY MATT MACKINDER

PHOTO BY ROBERT MEYER/NAHL

The four Michigan-based teams in the North American Hockey League have developed intense rivalries over the past few seasons and no doubt those will continue this year as Alpena, Marquette, Motor City (Wyandotte) and Traverse City will again make up fourfifths of the North Division. The expansion Janesville (WI) Jets are the fifth squad, replacing the USA Hockey National Team Development Program and Mahoning Valley Phantoms, who both left the NAHL for the United States Hockey League.

The trio joins current Ranger Collin Saint-Onge as the four “Yoopers” on the roster. In goal, Kevin Kissaw returns for his final junior season and will serve as a mentor to 17-year-old Lukas Hafner. Brent Bain and Andrew Kolb were two of the top three scorers in the Central States Hockey League last year and bring explosive offense to the Rangers. Rookie defenseman Dave Johnson cracked the lineup after playing for Lake Orion High School last season.

MOTOR CITY METAL JACKETS

After last season’s trying year that saw the team, then known as the Machine, move from the Ice Box Sports Center in Brownstown ALPENA ICEDIGGERS to the Yack Arena in Wyandotte, head coach Matt Romaniski quit The IceDiggers, who finished 27-25-6 last season and made the and just 11 wins to their credit, the Machine were sold to a group playoffs, hope to improve on those numbers this season with a solid from Japan, renamed the Metal Jackets and completely overhauled crop of returning players. the coaching staff. “We’ve got quite a few guys back and we’ve added some new The Metal Jackets were purchased earlier this year by the Tokyoblood through the draft and tenders,” head coach Jack Fritsche told based Hanroku Company, a group headed by Kenji Yamada, a hockey the Alpena News. “We’ve got one goalie tendered and we’ve got player, fan and enthusiast who has represented Japan’s hockey Tyler Stamler back, plus we’re looking at other options. Obviously, program in various capacities at the international level. we’re trying to replace Nicky Graves. He was solid for us. There “TheMotorCityMetalJacketswillprovideitsfanswithanopportunity are 12 defensemen we’ll have to pick from. That’s a good problem, to see a high-quality, affordable brand of hockey while watching the but it’s going to make it very tough for me. We’ll keep the top six, sport’s stars of tomorrow,” said Yamada. “Our team is extremely but I’d like to have eight. Last year, we carried almost 10.” family focused and committed to the community of Wyandotte and Losing J.C. Gulch the surrounding ( Te m p e r a n c e / U t i c a Downriver College) from Alpena’s communities.” defense is a big loss, The team’s but one Fritsche isn’t new head coach panicking over. Alpena’s and general offense, despite the loss manager is David of top scorer and Alpena Cole, a coaching native Erik Peterson veteran who led (Missouri Mavericks, the Bozeman Central Hockey League), Ice Dogs to a should also be in solid Junior A national shape. championship “I like where we’re appearance in at offensively,” said 1998. Fritsche. “We have “ We believe enough guys with goalhockey fans scoring ability. They just will be excited have to put the puck in about our new the net.” look and talented This season should players that we Livonia’s Phil Wendecker returns also start out a smidge are bringing to to the Traverse City North Stars smoother for Fritsche the Downriver blueline this season. as he had an entire area,” said Cole. offseason to build his “This is a fresh team, unlike last year start for the entire when he was thrown into the mix with little time to prepare and organization and we want to connect with our new fans, foster our get to know his players. community relationships and ultimately develop these student “It’s a lot easier because you know what every kid will bring and athletes for the next level.” they know me a little better,” Fritsche said. “They’re coming back Randy Willis should be a horse in goal, while huge defenseman into the same system. The players we drafted we picked to fit in for Sam Bell (6-foot-6, 235 pounds) and returnee Dustin Hopfner should a certain reason. I have a good feeling of what we’re trying to build.” log big minutes. Ali Dakroub is back up front and is one of eight 20-year-olds on the Metal Jackets’ roster.

MARQUETTE RANGERS

With 15 new players on the Rangers’ roster this season, some teams may see that as an inconvenience, but that’s not how head coach Kenny Miller sees things. “This is going to be a team that can skate, that’s for sure,” Miller said. “It looks like this will be a very coachable group too, which will make our job fun.” Miller also said that making the final cuts during training camp was nothing short of difficult, but feels he has a competitive team ready to go that can perhaps eclipse last season’s 26-24-8 record and make the postseason. “It’s always hard to make those final cuts,” said Miller. “Some guys clearly aren’t ready to play at this level, so you send them home with a few ideas on what they can work on to try and make our club next season. Others are very close and those are the tough calls. “We’re confident we’ve picked the best 23 guys to take our team to the next level.” Three of the newcomers to the Rangers roster will be familiar to the area as former Marquette Electricians (Midget AAA) Wolff Bellanger and Brad Chapman made the team along with former Hancock High School standout Tanner Kero.

TRAVERSE CITY NORTH STARS

Traverse City, coming off a franchise-best 34-win season a year ago, have more than half their roster back and the North Stars might be the early favorites in the division. Traverse City West product Eric Rivard and Traverse City Central’s Jared Van Wormer will make up the local flavor and both made the North Stars out of training camp. “We knew coming in that both of them were good hockey players,” Traverse City head coach and GM Anthony Palumbo said. “But they played their way in. Eric just kept making plays and showing up all over the ice. Everybody who was evaluating kept raving about his consistent performance. He was strong in the offensive end and a real presence physically. I wouldn’t call anyone who makes it onto the roster from our training camp a ‘surprise’, but I’m not sure we realized they were this ready.” Also back is All-North defenseman Travis White, Phil Wendecker, Bo Jacobs, Chris Heineman, Cody Walsh and Mike Schenfeld on the back end. Curtis Heinz (acquired from Wichita Falls), Matt Davis and draft picks Nilan Nagy and Trevor Campbell round out the defenders. Seven forwards – Dan Radke, Tim Opie, Kyle Jean, Eric McLintock,

Josh Miller, Garrett Thompson, Sean Burke and Chris Salomone – return and will be joined by first-round draft pick Taylor Burden, Sean Keane, Andrew Huff, Kelin Ainsworth and ex-Mahoning Valley skaters Nick Shkreli and Doug Clifford. Drew Strandberg, Tyler Marble and Brian Jean, Kyle’s kid brother, will vie for time in net. “It’s hard to say exactly what kind of team we’ll have yet, stylewise,” Palumbo added. “But it’s probably similar to last year’s team in that respect. There are some injuries to contend with, but we do have depth. There’s a lot of potential to meet and exceed some of the benchmarks we set last year, but ‘potential’ is a big word. We’re at the beginning now.” Ainsworth, Kyle Jean, Marble and Radke are all Lake Superior State recruits for the 2010-11 season as well.

SOO WANTS MORE SUCCESS IN NOJHL The Soo Eagles enter their second season in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League hoping to go beyond their 26 wins from a season ago. The Eagles have six players returning, including forwards Peter Formolo, Ryan McAleese, Jake Watchorn and Jake Johnson and defensemen Anthony Raymond and Ryan Axsom. “This is going to be a physical team that can skate, hit and move the puck,” Eagles GM Dave Guisbert said. Guisbert was promoted to general manager to allow Paul Theriault to focus solely on his head coaching duties. Conditioning coach Colonel Michael Carr is now director of hockey operations, while Dennis Bolton remains as assistant coach and Charly Murray as director of player development. On the ice, the Eagles will have a new look with a heavy Michigan presence. New forwards include Joseph DeLisle (Marquette Electricians Midget AAA), Brian Depp (Little Caesars Midget AAA), Aaron Leonard (Belle Tire Midget AAA), Kevin Michelcavage (Notre Dame Prep HS), Kyle Slicker (Orchard Lake HS), Justin Scott (Soo Indians Midget AAA) and Philip Webb (Little Caesars Midget AAA). On the blueline, newcomers include Frank Asztalos (West Bloomfield HS), Ryan Teal (Anchor Bay HS), Brendan Tuchowski (Marquette Electricians Midget AAA), Jimmy Morris (Soo Indians Midget AAA) and Sam Hadar (Lansing Capitals Midget AAA). John Kleinhans (De LaSalle HS) and Michael Doan (St. Mary’s HS) should be a solid 1-2 punch between the pipes and will also have Clayton Brown looking for time. The Eagles, who will again be in the league’s Western Division, begin the season with exhibition games against the NAHL’s Marquette Rangers on Sept. 11-12 at Pullar Stadium in S.S. Marie before their first regular-season home game on Sept. 19.

MOUNTAIN CATS PLAY IN CHA By the time the Michigan Mountain Cats’ Junior C team begins their first season in the Continental Hockey Association on Sept. 19, the team should have a full, competitive roster that can keep up with the other five CHA teams. “We are off to a very good start with a lot of young talent,” said coach Matt Bendall, whose team will play at Burton’s Ice Mountain Arena. “Zach Collins is a ‘94 birth year who a very big upside and should be the horse of the team. Anthony Gustanski will lead the team from the blueline with a lot of emotion. Matt Johnson, Corey Obee, Jeff Ullman and Brady Wright join Gustanski on the back line and should play well in front of well-hyped goalies Dalton Collins and C.J. Rushlow. “This goalie combo should make the team very competitive and lead the team to a successful first year,” Bendall added. Up front, Jonathon Arms, Joe Bono, Garrick Horvath, Mike Kavlakian, Nick Morris, Alec Olson and Kyle Parker make up the rest of the offense, along with Collins. The other five teams the Mountain Cats will have to contend with include the Buffalo Stars, Frederick (Md.) Freeze, Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins, South Hills (Pa.) Penguins and Suffolk (N.Y.) Juniors.

michiganhockeyonline.com | September 14, 2009

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MICHIGAN HOCKEY

SAGINAW SPIRIT

Saginaw enters season with strong defense and high hopes

PHOTO COURTESY SAGINAW SPIRIT

BY CARL CHIMENTI

In addition Saginaw has five other forwards back from last As he enters his third season year’s roster that played a limited behind the Saginaw bench, Todd role due to various reasons: Mitch Watson’s philosophy of hard work Fillman (five goals, 18 points), and competing for every puck John Kavanagh (two goals, has translated into success for seven points), Daniel Pachis, the the Spirit. team’s first round pick in 2007, Last season’s young squad who appeared in only 22 games surprised the OHL by finishing due to a lengthy injury, (three in third place in the Western goals), Dearborn native Barry Conference and then winning Sanderson (six goals/19 points) their first-ever playoff series and Ryan Schnell, a free agent who since the franchise relocated from was signed just before the OHL North Bay (Ont.) in 2002. trade deadline in January after And this off-season was spending two season’s with the another busy one for the Spirit, Chicago Steel of the United States as the team added several of Hockey League, (two goals and their top draft picks to the roster. six points in 23 games). Each is “(We signed) Alex Lepkowski, expected to be more productive Vincent Trocheck, Anthony with an increase in ice time. Camara, Tadeas Galansky, Garret The Spirit is also very excited Ross and Frank Schumacher,” said with their top two draft selections Watson. “It’s been a productive from the summer, Anthony summer to say the least.” Camara (Mississauga Senators) Still, Saginaw enters the and Bingham Farms resident new season a bit offensively Vincent Trocheck, a product of challenged after graduating their Little Caesars. two top scorers, Jack Combs and Saginaw forward Tyler Murovich had 27 goals and 63 points last The Spirit also expect forward Chris Chappell, to the pro ranks. season and is the Spirit’s top returning scorer this season. Josh Shalla, acquired from Tyler Murovich (27 goals and Guelph during the off season for 63 points), Jordan Szwarz (17 goals and 51 points), Jordan Skellett defensemen Adam Comrie, to contribute up front. The 6-1/187 pound (14 goals and 45 points) and Joe Pleckaitis (19 goals and 44 points) native of Oshawa, Ontario combined to score 14 goals and 20 points are the Spirit’s top four returning scorers and go-to guys up front. for Brampton and the Storm last season.

Also Dearborn native Garret Ross, signed as a free agent from the Victory Honda U18 program, is a possible dark horse to crack the roster. “The table is set for kids to step up,” says Watson. “The plan is for the veterans to get better and the rest of the roster is wide open for the new incomers to make the cut.” And Saginaw still hopes to sign Russian import forward Ivan Telegin. “We are working to get him over here,” says Watson. “We have to get the paper work cleared up so it will take a little time.” Back in goal is Edward Pasquale, who had a breakout season last year with 32 wins, a 3.02 GAA and a .911 save percentage. The Toronto native was selected by the Atlanta Thrashers 117th overall in the 2009 NHL entry draft. Anthony Peters, who was acquired in a mid season trade from Kingston and won four games last season, is the backup. Import Draft pick Tadeas Galansky of the Czech Republic will also be in the mix. The Spirit got 120 points from their defensemen last season and expect to be strong again on the blueline. This year’s squad will feature three NHL draft picks in T. J. Brodie (Calgary Flames), Nick Crawford (Buffalo Sabres) and Cody Sol, who was selected last June by the Atlanta Thrashers. Rounding out the rest of the top six will be Joe Underwood (Canton), Brad Walch (Saginaw) and Nick Trecapelli. Saginaw is extremely excited about a trio of rookie defensemen that includes Lepkowski and Schumacher (Brighton), along with 2008 draft Matt Braun. “Alex is a young kid with tremendous character,” said the Spirit’s Director of Scouting Jim Paliafito. “He has a lot of upside with his size and skating ability.” Schumacher played in Victory Honda’s U16 program last season and his head coach Tony Maci says his offensive upside will make him a good fit in the OHL. “Frank led our team in points as a defenseman, which is hard to do at our level,” said Maci.

PHOTO BY IIHF/HHOF IMAGES

U.S. National Teams get ready for new season in Ann Arbor If you had to come up with one word to describe this season at USA Hockey’s Ann Arbor-based National Team Development Program, it would most likely be “exciting.” The NTDP teams are coming off a banner season that saw the U.S. National Under-18 Team win its fourth gold medal at the 2009 International Ice Hockey Federation World Under-18 Championship in Fargo, N.D. Additionally, the U.S. National Under-17 Team won the Tier II Junior A North American Hockey League North Division regular-season title for just the second time in NTDP history. This season both the Under-17 and Under-18 teams will compete in the Tier I Junior A United States Hockey League for the first time since 2000-01. The schedule will be challenging and will include USHL teams coming in to play at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. After the exciting end to the season in 2008-09, the summer was busy in Ann Arbor. John Hynes, who had spent the previous six seasons as a head coach at the NTDP, announced his resignation and took an assistant coaching position with the American Hockey League’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. USA Hockey acted quickly in finding a replacement for the longest tenured coach in NTDP history. In July, the NTDP announced the hiring of Kurt Kleinendorst as its new head coach. Kleinendorst, a Grand Rapids, Minn., native, was the head coach for the Lowell Devils of the American Hockey League for the last three seasons. “We’re thrilled to get someone with Kurt’s background and experience level,” said Jim Johannson, assistant executive director of hockey operations at USA Hockey. “He’s well suited in helping develop players for the National Hockey League and college hockey and someone I know our players will benefit greatly from having as their coach.” Kleinendorst inherits the U.S. National Under-18 Team with top American players from the 1992 birth year. He will look to Port Huron native Jack Campbell to continue his historic run between the pipes for Team USA. Last season Campbell rewrote the NTDP record books for singleseason success as a member of the U.S. National Under-17 Team before

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Calif./Little Caesars). being called up to the U-18 squad early last spring. Campbell then The Under 17 Team will be immediately challenged by opponents backstopped the U.S. to the gold medal as an under-age goaltender, from the North American Hockey League as the team starts the season earning all-tournament team honors. at the NAHL Showcase in Blaine, Minn., Sept 16-19. Team USA will Along with Campbell, the elder U.S. squad will count on a take on both NAHL squads that faced off in the 2009 Robertson Cup Michigan connection that includes Brighton defenseman Jon Merrill final, the Wenatchee Wild and and forwards Austin Czarnik defending champion St. Louis (Washington) and Bryan Rust Bandits. The U.S. will also meet (Bloomfield Hills) to get through old NAHL North Division rival one of its toughest schedules in Traverse City and the Bismarck recent memory. Bobcats. Along with its 26-game USHL Then two weeks later the slate, Team USA will take on 17 Under-17 Team opens its 34NCAA opponents, including the game USHL schedule at home on last four NCAA Division I national October 2 against East Division champions (Boston University, foe Chicago. Boston College, Michigan State In addition to its demanding and Wisconsin) and its annual tilt USHL slate, the U17s will also against Ann Arbor-neighbor, the compete in three international University of Michigan. tournaments including the 2010 And every year new players World Under-17 Hockey Challenge come to the NTDP with the hopes in Timmons, Ontario from Dec. 28, of having their names mentioned 2009 – Jan. 4, 2010. with the likes of former national The NTDP opens their home team stars Phil Kessel, Ryan Suter schedule on September 18, when and Patrick Kane. the Under-18 Team welcomes the Coach Ron Rolston will enter University of Waterloo (Ontario) to his sixth season at the National the Ice Cube. Team Development Program with Again this season the NTDP has the new crop for the U.S. National Under-17 Team featuring top Goaltender Jack Campbell of Port Huron will be a big part in the a special ticket prices package for young players. Any Michigan players from the 1993 birth year. U.S. National Under-18 Team this season. youth player who wears his or her A few familiar names pop up on jersey to a Team USA game can get in for $1. the U-17 roster, including Michigan products Reid Boucher (Grand Ledge/Lansing Capitals), Andy Ryan (Brighton/Victory Honda), By Chris Peters Blake Pietila (Brighton/Compuware) and Rocco Grimaldi (Rossmoor,

September 14, 2009 | michiganhockeyonline.com

PLYMOUTH WHALERS

Plymouth looking for big season

2009-10

SEASON SCHEDULE Come join the fun!

Saturday, September 19............Oshawa ......................7:05pm .................... Labatt Welcome Back Party Saturday, September 26............London .......................7:05pm .................................... Magnet Giveaway Saturday, October 10 ................Sudbury......................7:05pm ............ Whalers Window Cling Giveaway Friday, October 16 .....................Ottawa........................7:05pm ............................ Team Poster Giveaway Saturday, October 17 ................Windsor ......................7:05pm .............................Team Autograph Night Saturday, October 24 ................Belleville .....................7:05pm .................................................. Pink Out! Friday, October 30 .....................Owen Sound ..............7:05pm .................................. Trick-or-Treat Night Friday, November 6 ...................Sarnia .........................7:05pm ..................................... Mascot Madness Saturday, November 7 ...............Sault Ste. Marie..........7:05pm .............................Salute to Heroes Night Friday, November 13 .................Guelph........................7:05pm .........................................Scout Night #1 Saturday, November 14 .............Kitchener ....................7:05pm .........................................Scout Night #2 Wednesday, November 25 .......Windsor ......................7:05pm ............................................. Turkey Bowl Saturday, November 28 .............Kingston .....................7:05pm ........................ College Night/Food Drive Wednesday, December 2 ..........Saginaw .....................10:45am .................................... Education Game Saturday, December 5 ...............Sault Ste. Marie..........7:05pm ...................................... Teddy Bear Toss Friday, December 11 .................Erie .............................7:05pm ............. 20th Season Party, Alumni Night Saturday, December 12 .............Saginaw .....................7:05pm .............................................Jersey Night Monday, December 28 ..............Erie .............................2:00pm ...................................................Kids Day Saturday, January 2 ...................Windsor ......................7:05pm ........................................Labatt Blue Out Saturday, January 9 ...................Kitchener ....................7:05pm ...........................................Country Night Friday, January 15 .....................Barrie ..........................7:05pm .............................................. Pepsi Night Saturday, January 16 .................Niagara .......................7:05pm ......................................Girls Rock! Night Monday, January 18 ..................Windsor ......................2:00pm ........................... Skate With the Whalers Saturday, January 23 .................Peterborough .............7:05pm ..................................... Special Olympics Friday, January 29 .....................Brampton ...................7:05pm ...........Hockey Weekend Across America Saturday, January 30 .................London .......................7:05pm ...........Hockey Weekend Across America Saturday, February 6 .................Owen Sound ..............7:05pm .....................Go Red! Shocks and Saves Saturday, February 13 ...............Sarnia .........................7:05pm ..................... Trading Card Set Giveaway Friday, February 19....................Mississauga ...............7:05pm .................................................Go Green! Saturday, February 20 ...............Sarnia .........................7:05pm .............................Team Autograph Night Saturday, February 27 ...............Guelph........................7:05pm ..................................... Mascot Madness Friday, March 5 ..........................Sault Ste. Marie..........7:05pm .............................................. Blood Drive Saturday, March 6 .....................Saginaw .....................7:05pm ............................ Fan Appreciation Night Sunday, March 14 .....................Saginaw .....................2:00pm ........................... Skate With the Whalers

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PHOTO BY WALT DMOCH/PLYMOUTH WHALERS

BY MATT MACKINDER

but that leaves a solid contingent of returnees in Jenner, Levi, Beau Schmitz (Howell), Josh Bemis The Windsor Spitfires plowed their way to the (Clarkston) and Jordan to go along with rookies Ontario Hockey League and Memorial Cup titles Colin MacDonald (2008 draft) and Nick Malysa last year, only losing 10 games during the 68-game (2009 draft) and on-again, off-again regular regular season. Anthony Donati from the 2007 draft. Two of those losses came at the hands of the “Our defense will be just fine,” said Levi. Plymouth Whalers, a team that also gave Windsor Up front, the offense will be led by Tyler Seguin, fits in the second round of last spring’s playoffs. a potential top-five selection in next summer’s NHL Then on Labor Day this year in a preseason tilt, draft, Florida draft pick AJ Jenks (Wolverine Lake), the Whalers again beat the Spits. While it may not Hayes, Toronto prospect Jamie Devane, RJ Mahalak seem like much, being able to say they’ve defeated (Monroe), Tyler G. Brown and Tyler J. Brown the league’s best definitely has given the Plymouth (Westland). Myles McCauley (Sterling Heights) reason to be optimistic for this coming season. is also back, while Peter Neal has another shot at “I think we’re going to have a really good season sticking all season, but will be pushed by rookies and should be just as good, if not better, than last Stefan Noesen (2009 draft), Austin Mattson (free season’s team,” said second-year defenseman agent from Livonia), Mitch Heard (free agent), Sean Austin Levi, a Farmington Hills native. “We have Myers (2008 draft) and Garrett Meurs, Plymouth’s a lot of the same guys back, our core is back, and first-round pick last May. we have some great leaders on this team.” “Garrett works real hard for a skilled guy, “said Plymouth’s 20-year-old overage players have Plymouth associate coach Joe Stefan. “You don’t already been decided as forwards Joe Gaynor and always see that a lot. He wants to win and he Ryan Hayes will join defenseman Leo Jenner as wants to be here.” the three 1989 birthdates on the roster. Gaynor Mattson also caught Stefan’s attention with and Jenner are also the first players to be on the three goals in his first three pre-season games. He played in the United States Hockey League last year with Sioux City (IA). “Austin’s just a little guy, but it seems like he’s got a real big heart,” said Stefan. “He skates like the wind and he opens up a lot of space.” Last year, the Whalers’ offense was ignited by the line of Seguin, Chris Terry and Matt Caria. With Terry signed by Carolina and Caria aging-out of the OHL, the big question now becomes who is going to play with Seguin. “It’s hard to say,” said Seguin, Plymouth’s first-round pick in the 2008 OHL draft. “I haven’t really been put with anyone, but we’ve got some really good players who can put the puck in the net like Jenks and Hayes, so we’ll see what happens.” Also gone from last year’s team that went 37-26-5-0 are forwards Kaine Geldart (traded to Kingston) and former top pick Florida draft pick AJ Jenks is back in Plymouth for his fourth Vern Cooper (traded to Sault Ste. season with the Whalers. Marie), as well as defensemen Scott Fletcher (Haslett native, OA roster full-time for all five of their junior-eligible last year) and Jan Latal (Czech import released). years with the Plymouth franchise. Forward Tomas Tatar, now Plymouth’s property Right now, before one game that counts in the after an August trade that saw Plymouth and standings has been played, the Whalers seem to Kitchener swap imports (Gabriel Landeskog went have a good mix of young players and veterans. to the Rangers), is not in the mix for this year. Just five 19-year-olds dot the roster, but all five Defenseman Jordon O’Neill will also not be back. will fill key roles for Plymouth, starting in goal The regular season starts for the Whalers with Minnesota prospect Matt Hackett. September 17 in Windsor and if all goes as planned, Considered a throw-in to the November 2007 will end sometime next May. trade that saw goalie Michal Neuvirth go to Levi said preparing for the first month of the Windsor for defenseman Michal Jordan, Hackett season will be key. earned a couple of starts last season and Whalers “It’s a lot of conditioning and working hard head coach and general manager Mike Vellucci in practice,” said Levi. “It’s a lot of getting the liked Hackett so much that he traded Jeremy Smith new guys learning the systems and the veterans (Brownstown) to Niagara to give the undisputed bringing along the young guys and working off No. 1 spot to Hackett. the summer rust.” Scott Wedgewood will once again play second Seguin summed it up the best when asked what fiddle to Hackett. he expects out of this season. “I think Hackett has always been a good goalie,” “We’re younger, but the core is back,” Seguin said Levi. “But he was playing behind Smith and said. “The fourth-line guys last year are now our that meant he didn’t play much.” third-line guys and so on. But we all work hard Just Brett Bellemore (Carolina) and Christian and hope that gets us to where we want to be. We Steingraber (University of Windsor) are gone want to go farther than last year and hopefully that from the Plymouth’s back end from a year ago, means closer to an OHL championship.”

MICHIGAN HOCKEY

14900 Beck Road • North of M-14 Plymouth • (734) 453-6400 compuwarearena.com • plymouthwhalers.com michiganhockeyonline.com | September 14, 2009

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MICHIGAN HOCKEY

ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE

Windsor is early favorite to repeat as Ontario Hockey League champs

PHOTO BY WALT DMOCH/PLYMOUTH WHALERS

BY MATT MACKINDER It was obvious at the beginning of last season that Windsor was the team to beat in the Ontario Hockey League, and the Spitfires delivered a regular season, playoff and Memorial Cup championship. Fast forward a year later and the Spitfires still look to be the dominant force in the OHL and just might be the first team to repeat as league champs since the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds accomplished the feat in 1991 and 1992. Still, questions abound around the league and not one game has been played yet. How will London fare without phenom John Tavares? Who is the OHL’s new poster boy? Can first overall pick Daniel Catenacci stay healthy all season to prove he’s an impact player for Sault Ste. Marie? Matt Duchene from Brampton went third overall to Colorado in June, but will he stick with the Avalanche? Is John Moore going to be the real deal in Kitchener? This season gets underway on Sept. 17 with four games, including Windsor hosting Plymouth for their banner-raising ceremony at the WFCU Centre. Here is a look at the three teams the Whalers will battle in the OHL Western Conference’s West Division:

regular season but never gets the job done when it counts in the early spring. Losing Sutch, their top pick in 2008, will hurt, but the Sting’s young crop of 2009 picks should bode for excitement across the Blue Water Bridge.

SAULT STE. MARIE GREYHOUNDS

Home arena: Essar Centre (built 2006, capacity 5000) Head coach: Denny Lambert (second season) Last season: 19-45-2-2 (fifth in West, out of playoffs) Back for more: Forwards Ryan MacLean, Tomas Rachunek, Brett Thompson, James Livingston, Jordan Carroll, Carson Dubchak, Michael Fine, Jake Carrick, Kyle DeCoste, Brendan Childerley and Tyler McGee, defensemen Marshall Fox, Brandon Archibald (Port Huron), David Mead, Dylan King, Cameron Odom and Brock Beukeboom and goalie Bryce O’Hagan Overage possibilities: Forward Jordan Nolan and defensemen Michael Quesnele and Jacob Muzzin Welcome: For wards Ver n Cooper (from Plymouth), TJ Battani (Armada native, from Kitchener), Brian Shaw (waivers from Erie), Trevor Morbeck (2009 draft), Nick Cousins (2009 draft) and Justin Thomas (2009 draft), defenseman Daniel Catenacci (2009 draft, first overall) and goalie SARNIA STING Robin Lehner (2009 Import draft) Home arena: Sarnia Sports & See ya: Goaltender Cody St. Entertainment Centre (built 1998, Jacques (to Guelph), defenseman capacity 5200) London forward Jared Knight of Battle Creek should be a go-to Andrew Campbell and forwards Head coach: Dave MacQueen Jamie Haines (home awaiting player for the Knights this season. (fourth season) trade), Matt Lyall and Simon Last season: 35-26-4-3 (fourth in West, lost to Plymouth in first Fischhaber round) The skinny: The ‘Hounds never really got untracked last year Back for more: Goalie Shayne Campbell, forwards Brett Appio, Chris and finished dead-last, but their reward for that was Catenacci. A Beauchamp, Marcus Pepe, Ben O’Quinn, Shayne Rhyno, Miroslav change of scenery for Cooper may help Plymouth’s top pick from Preisinger and Jesse Stoughton and defensemen Daniel Broussard, 2006. Battani brings sandpaper to the rink every night and Lehner, Nathan Chiarlitti, Brent Sullivan and Joe Rogalski Ottawa’s second-rounder in June, should be one of the top goalies Overage possibilities: Forwards Steve Reese, Matt Martin and and rookies in the OHL. Michael Neal and defenseman Jordan Hill Welcome: Forwards Brandon Francisco (2009 draft), Brett Ritchie WINDSOR SPITFIRES (2009 draft), Craig Hottot (2009 draft), Joseph Campagna (2009 Home arena: Windsor Family Credit Union Centre (built 2008, draft), Kyle Neuber (OA from Mississauga), Kale Kerbashian (from capacity 6500) Mississauga) and Ted Brithen (2009 Import draft), goalie Adam Head coach: Bob Boughner (fourth season) Courchaine (OA from Ottawa) and defenseman Ron Soucie (from Last season: 57-10-0-1 (first overall in OHL, won OHL title, won Windsor) Memorial Cup) See ya: Forwards Gregg Sutch (to Mississauga), Daniel Lombardi (to Back for more: Forwards Austin Watson (Ann Arbor), Adam Wallace, Belleville), Jamie Arniel (Boston) and Justin DiBenedetto, defensemen Taylor Hall, Adam Henrique, Justin Shugg, James Woodcroft, Greg Mark Katic (NY Islanders), Mitch Dunning (to Windsor) and Steve Nemisz, Ben Dubois and Eric Wellwood and defensemen Ryan Ellis, Ferry and goalie Dan Spence Jesse Blacker and Mark Cundari The skinny: Every year it seems Sarnia ices a decent team in the Overage possibilities: Forwards Conor O’Donnell, Lane MacDermid,

PHOTO BY KIM TAUBER/DRW

Red Wings fans celebrate at Hockeyfest For Red Wings fans the new season started on August 28 with Hockeyfest at Joe Louis Arena. The two-day event drew fans both young and old and featured something for everyone. Kids tested the speed of their slap shot, played street hockey (at left) and tried out their netminding skills by stopping pucks from an automatic puck shooting machine. In addition to an Original Six display, Red Wings players’ game worn equipment, including Steve Yzerman’s full uniform from the night he scored his 600th goal, was in glass cases. JLA concessions were open and the CCHA Mason Cup was on display along with promotions for the GLI and CCHA Championship at JLA and the 2010 Frozen Four that is coming to Detroit’s Ford Field in April. “We wanted to bring this event to life and try and grow it, to make it a destination point for years to come,” said Rob Mattina, the Red Wings Director of Marketing. Yzerman, along with Detroit players Kris Draper, Dan Cleary and

36

Jason Williams, also signed autographs at Hockeyfest. “It was great to have the kids get physically involved at all the stations and get autographs from the players,” said Chris Nicholas of St. Clair Shores, who brought his son Michael to Hockeyfest. “I think overall they did a nice job.” Williams believes Hockeyfest is an excellent way to help grow the sport to the younger fans. “Exposing kids to the game and having them test their hockey skills is a good thing,” said Williams. “And it’s a chance for us to give back a little for all of their support.” Hockeyfest included plenty of celebrities in attendance, including Ken Daniels from Fox Sports and Red Wing radio voice Ken Kal who seemed to be having as much fun as anyone. “Detroit is such a great hockey town, it’s just good to see everyone enjoying themselves,” said Kal. “This really gets people motivated for the up coming season.” By Carl Chimenti

September 14, 2009 | michiganhockeyonline.com

and Scott Timmins, goalie Josh Unice and defenseman Harry Young Welcome: Defensemen Cam Fowler (Farmington Hills, 2008 draft), Mitch Dunning (from Sarnia), Luke Turcotte (2006 draft), Saverio Posa (Grand Blanc, 2008 draft) and Craig Duininck (Compuware U-16, 2009 draft), forwards Austen Brassard (2009 draft), Michael Whaley (2009 draft) and Richard Panik (2008 Import draft) and goalies Michael Nishi (2009 draft) and Troy Passingham (free agent) See ya: Defensemen Rob Kwiet (Boston), Ron Soucie (to Sarnia) and Ben Shutron, goaltenders Andrew Engelage and Steve Gleeson (home awaiting trade) and forwards Dale Mitchell (Toronto), Richard Greenop (Toronto) and Andrei Loktionov (Los Angeles) The skinny: Even with all the accolades and championships won a season ago, some observers say this year’s Spitfires team may be even better. And that’s just plain scary. Four players – Fowler, Hall, Shugg and Watson – could be early picks in next summer’s NHL Draft, with Fowler and Hall possibly going among the top three.

WESTERN CONFERENCE MIDWEST DIVISION NOTEBOOK

Erie head coach Robbie Ftorek played for the Red Wings in the early 1970s and third-year forward Shawn Szydlowski is from St. Clair Shores … Erie will also have rookie defenseman Evan Accettura after the Novi native came to the Otters in an August trade from Brampton … Guelph defenseman Adam Comrie played the last two seasons in Saginaw … Rookie Kitchener forward Jeremy Morin and rookie goalie Brandon Maxwell were teammates the past two years with the U.S. National Team Development Program … Also coming to the Rangers is forward Gabriel Landeskog, Plymouth’s import pick from June who was swapped to Kitchener for Detroit prospect, and fellow import, Tomas Tatar, while second-year forward Alex Aleardi (Farmington Hills) is back along with sophomore defenseman Christian Stevens (Clawson) … Forward Jared Knight (Battle Creek) should be a go-to player in London this season … New Owen Sound assistant coach Brad Tiley played for the Detroit Vipers in the 1994-95 season, while head coach Mark Reeds coached the UHL’s Kalamazoo Wings from 2003-07.

EASTERN CONFERENCE NOTEBOOK

Madison Heights native Dean Pawlaczyk, Barrie’s fourth-round pick in 2008 who played this past season with Traverse City in the NAHL, signed, former Whalers forward Taylor Carnevale, also with Barrie, enters his third OHL season, while fellow forward Andrew Clouthier played for Saginaw from 2006 until early in the 2007-08 season … Rookie goalie Tyson Teichmann, Belleville’s top pick and the first goalie drafted back in May, is the son of former Detroit Ambassadors goalie Brad Teichmann … Belleville forward Stephen Johnston is a 2008 Red Wings’ draft pick … Kingston will have Kingston native Kaine Geldart on the roster after a late June trade with Plymouth … Forward Boone Jenner, Oshawa’s first-round pick last May, will get a chance to play against older brother Leo, an OA defenseman with the Whalers … Oshawa also signed their 2009 third-rounder, defenseman Colin Suellentrop (Compuware U-16), and 12th-rounder, defenseman Jimmy McDowell (Little Caesars U-16) … Ex-Red Wings forward Mike Foligno stepped down as Sudbury’s head coach, but will stay on as general manager.

MICHIGAN HOCKEY

RED WINGS

Red Wings still feel sting of Finals loss

BY DAVE WADDELL

Kopecky and Jiri Hudler. “We’ve done a good job getting some players in here for not a lot of money that are good players that we can fit into our cap and our team.” While replacing the nearly 90 goals the foursome provided won’t be easy, Osgood cautions the game is full of surprises each season. “Every year you need guys to step up and have big years,” Osgood said. “You’ll have some people who think they can’t do it or aren’t going to do it. It’s no different. “We had tons of good young players that played in the playoffs and played real well that are going to get the chance to play even more in the regular season. “I’m not worried.”

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September 14, 2009 | michiganhockeyonline.com

PHOTO BY DAVE REGINEK/DRW

Just how different their summer was going to be became obvious to the Detroit Red Wings only moments after they lost Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final to Pittsburgh last June. For the first time in a year, the whirling firestorm of attention no longer surrounded them. “When you win, you’re with your friends the whole summer and when you don’t it kind of tappers off,” said Wings goalie Chris Osgood. “That was abundantly clear after we lost. “Everybody in the media, except the people from here, were in (Pittsburgh’s locker) room. There was no one over here to talk to us whatsoever. “We kind of knew what it’s STILL LOOKING like to be on the other side of Free-agent defenseman that situation. From that there’s Chris Chelios is skating with some motivation. his former teammates at Joe “If you want to win, you Louis Arena and reported there want to be prepared to start the are some feelers out from teams season. I feel way healthier and but no concrete offers. rested than I was last year.” “There’s interest, but the Defeat has served as a problem is the cap and having mirror of their collective souls young guys under contract,” for the Wings. Much reflection the 47-year-old Chelios said. “I was done with the players’ understand it, that’s the way calendars not cluttered up it is, they’ve got to see if these with Stanley Cup par ty young guys can play or not. engagements. “After listening to agents “When we all left, it was and general managers, they a tough ending for all of us,” said just be patient, sit tight defenseman Niklas Kronwall and see how teams open up. said. “We all got some time Whether its injuries or young to think things through and kids not ready, that’s probably we all got some time to get my best hope.” re-energized.” Chelios confirmed he has But the sting of getting close little interest in going to Russia and losing hasn’t gone away. to play in the KHL after his “There’s no question (there’s father had a heart attack this more motivation after you lose). summer. When you win people keep “I ruled that out completely, telling you how good you are. I want to be close to him and When you don’t win, it’s not my kids,” Chelios said. “I don’t the same thing,” said Kronwall. want to say no, but right now “People congratulate you for that’s the last thing I would a good season and it’s almost want to do. Nothing to do with like you get offended. There’s the Russian League, its being nothing but first place. No one away that far from my family.’’ counts the second guy. That’s Chelios added he hasn’t what we’re all fighting for.” thought about setting a date However, before the Wings after which he’d retire if he’s can begin to look forward, still unemployed. they needed to look back at “I’m not going to have a why they came up agonizingly cutoff date,” Chelios said. short. “Between my sons going to Certainly significant injuries camp, it’s been so easy skating to key players diminished their After being hurt much of the last two seasons, veteran Red Wings with them and training with capacity, but Tomas Holmstrom forward Tomas Holmstrom is feeling as good as he has in a couple of them. wasn’t going to fall into that years after avoiding off-season surgery on his knee. “I don’t feel any pressure. If easy out. it’s the end, it’s the end. “You can find different excuses for why we lost, but I don’t think “It’s almost like the beginning of my career. I’m just looking for it was because we were hurt,” Holmstrom said. “Their guys were the opportunity.’’ probably hurt too. I don’t think that was the reason.” Perhaps Kronwall best captured where the Wings mindset is HOLMSTROM HEALING now after a summer of reflection. It’s a conclusion Kronwall admits Wings forward Tomas Holmstrom is feeling as good as he has in still irritates him. a couple of years after he avoided off-season surgery on his knee. “What bothers me the most is I feel we had a great team and “I feel really good,” said Holmstrom, who struggled through the we didn’t play as good as we could,” Kronwall said. “You have to playoffs with a banged up knee. “My knee is healing up good now. live with that.” I’m building up the small muscles around my knee.” With training camp about to start the players expressed an At the end of last season, Holmstrom mused about retiring after excitement at a bit of freshness being pumped into the Detroit line-up. this year if he continued to be plagued by injuries. Youngsters like Darren Helm, Ville Leino and Jonathan Ericsson He’s hoping to avoid mulling over those thoughts by staying will be joined by free-agent signings Patrick Eaves, Todd Bertuzzi healthy this season. and Jason Williams in helping turn over nearly a third of the Red “I’ve been hurt two years in a row,” Holmstrom said. “Missing Wings roster. a lot of time during the regular season and then coming into the “It’s happened to other teams prior to it happening to us,” said playoffs, it’s tough. It wears on you. Osgood of the loss of Marian Hossa, Mikael Samuelsson, Tomas “I can’t play any differently. I have to play my game.”

NHL INSIDER

MICHIGAN HOCKEY

Kevin Allen covers pro and college hockey for USA Today

Some thoughts as NHL camps open up I woke up this morning wondering who will serve as the Detroit Red Wings’ seventh defenseman. That either means I need a life, or at least more hobbies. But it also means that NHL training camps are here. Here are some other thoughts as I prepare for training camps: 1. I’m hoping 6-foot-8 rookie defenseman Tyler Myers can make the Buffalo Sabres roster because a novel player sometimes freshens up a lineup and excites a fan base. If he makes the Buffalo roster, ths Sabres will have someone who can match-up on the boards against 6-foot-9 Zdeno Chara. Wait it minute that’s the wrong sport. Sorry. 2. I believe the Florida Panthers will miss goalie Craig Anderson more than they realize. Of course, the loss of Jay Bouwmeester will hurt more. Right now I’m probably picking the Panthers to miss the playoffs for a ninth consecutive season. 3. When sizing up the 2009-10 NHL Rookie of the Year competition, don’t leave out New York Rangers’ college free agent signee Matt Gilroy. He’s 25 and could be a significant contributor to New York’s defense. 4. Although the Detroit Red Wings lost significant forwards Marian Hossa, Jiri Hudler and Mikael Samuelsson to free agency they are still going to be a Stanley Cup contender. They still have enough firepower and their defense, with Jonathan Ericsson now entrenched, could be the NHL’s best. 5. If I were Atlanta general manager Don Waddell, I couldn’t allow Ilya Kovalchuk to enter the season without a contract. It would be torturous on Atlanta fans to allow Kovalchuk to put the Thrashers through the same emotional blender that Hossa put them in during his last season in Atlanta. 6. Dany Heatley to San Jose makes the most sense to me because the Sharks, coming off another playoff failure, need to make a message-sending move beyond stripping Patrick Marleau of his captaincy. The problem, of course, is the Sharks still need to shed more salary. This situation could have been eliminated if the Senators simply told Heatley that he was going to have to learn to live with his coach, and vice versa. That’s what former Tampa Bay general manager Jay Feaster did with Vinny Lecavalier and John Tortorella and it resulted in a Stanley Cup championship. 7. With the Tampa Bay owners now acting more like traditional owners and less like fantasy team owners, the franchise made an impressive collection of moves this summer. I believe Toronto did the most to help itself this summer, but I would list the Lightning among the most improved teams. 8. I’m thinking that after the Vancouver Olympics, Steve Yzerman will be on the short list for general manager vacancies. 9. I also liked Stan Bowman’s hiring of Kevin Cheveldayoff as assistant GM in Chicago. My prediction is he won’t be an assistant very long. He is on the path to becoming a GM somewhere. 10. I’m wondering how much Tomas Holmstrom has left in the tank. Once you hit age 35, the difference between a slump and the wheels falling off is a matter of perspective. Holmstrom does have an excessive number of miles on his chassis. He couldn’t find the net in the second half of the season or in the playoffs. Given the players Detroit lost in the off-season, Coach Mike Babcock needs Holmstrom to at least be a 20-25 goal scorer.

11. As bullish as I was about Chicago coming out of last season, I was troubled by the dismissal of Dale Tallon as general manager. Maybe Scotty’s son Stan will do a splendid job as his replacement. We simply don’t know because Stan has no track record being in charge. But I knew Tallon and he was an aggressive administrator who knew talent and understood chemistry. He’s built a competitive roster. The other question about the Blackhawks is whether goalie Cristobal Huet will measure up this season. Last season, he was brought in to be No. 1 and couldn’t unseat Nikolai Khabibulin. Now Khabibulin is gone. Is Huet ready? How much confidence do the Blackhawks have in him? Those are questions with no answers as of yet. 12. Look for the Toronto Maple Leafs to be a vastly different team, and probably an Eastern contender if GM Brian Burke can trade for some goals over the next couple of weeks. He has his sights set on Phil Kessel. 13. Although the Nashville Predators did re-sign Steve Sullivan and he appears to be healthy, they didn’t add any offensive help. They probably will be the lowest scoring team in the Western Conference. Considering how challenging the Central Division will be, the Predators will be closer to the bottom than the top in the West. I can’t see them making the playoffs. 14. I also don’t see Minnesota making the playoffs. Owner Craig Leipold wanted to make a splash, but no one, other than Martin Havlat, wanted to play for him. They have outstanding goaltending in Niklas Backstrom, and they are average, at best, at all other aspects of the game. 15. Hockey is a team sport, but one man can make a difference. The addition of Chris Pronger in Philadelphia, to go with the improving Jeff Carter and Mike Richards, makes me believe that the Flyers can contend for the Eastern Conference crown. 16. I think Vancouver is the NHL’s most underrated team. No one talks much about the Canucks, but I believe GM Mike Gillis has done a good job of improving that team. He’s made the players happier by improving their travel situation. He re-signed the Sedin twins when it seemed like they were a flight risk. He signed Samuelsson and bolstered the defense. And they have Roberto Luongo. 17. My hunch is that Chris Osgood will perform better in the regular season than he did in 200809. He is a proud man, and I believe he was embarrassed by his struggles last season before the playoffs. Let’s not forget the man had 15 playoff wins last spring. 18. Certainly the Penguins will suffer from Stanley Cup hangover this season because every champion does. However, in terms of talent, they will be improved because Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin will be better and Maxime Talbot is established on the second line and Bill Guerin and Chris Kunitz will play a full season with Crosby. 19. The New York Islanders will not be better. John Tavares isn’t Sidney Crosby. He can’t turn this team into a competitive team overnight. 20. For all the legal wrangling commissioner Gary Bettman did to keep the Coyotes in Phoenix, we still won’t have a read on whether hockey will work in the desert because the Coyotes won’t be a playoff team.

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michiganhockeyonline.com | September 14, 2009

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