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V.23 : I.1 | August 13, 2012
FIRST CLASS
The cross-ice debate continues for 8U hockey. What’s your take on it? Find out ours.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
AUGUST 13, 2012 VOLUME 23: ISSUE 1 6 THE LOCKER ROOM Talking hockey on Facebook and Twitter
8 SLIDESHOW July 2012 CCM Skills Camp at Compuware
10 SPEAKING OF HOCKEY Which Red Wings alumni should be made into a bobblehead?
12 GET BETTER Drills to get acquainted with from the ADM
14 YOU SHOULD KNOW
Dubuque Fighting Saints’ Michael Downing
16 YOUTH HOCKEY Orchard Lake becomes first USA Hockey Model Association Program
24 HOMETOWN HERO
44
Livonia’s David Moss
RED WINGS INSIDER
39 COLLEGE HOCKEY
Detroit GM Ken Holland not fazed heading into the 2012-13 campaign
NCAA rule changes
40 PLYMOUTH WHALERS Young Matt Mistele searching for permanent role
42 GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS Free agency acquisitions bolster Griffins’ roster
20
MAHA MEETINGS
The latest changes in Michigan youth hockey
4
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MICHIGAN MUSTANGS
Competing for wheelchair hockey gold on an international stage
46
LOOK FOR OUR NEXT ISSUE LAST LINE
Darren Eliot deals his thoughts on changes to 8U hockey
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SEPTEMBER 17, 2012
To advertise in MiHockey please contact Lucia Zuzga at (248) 479-1134 or lucia@mihockeynow.com, or Michael Caples at (248) 479-1136 or mcaples@mihockeynow.com
August 13, 2012 V.23 : I.1
FROM THE EDITOR MIHOCKEYMAG EDITOR Michael Caples
mcaples@mihockeynow.com
ADVERTISING Lucia Zuzga
lucia@mihockeynow.com
DESIGN Emily Huston Chuck Stevens MIHOCKEY STAFF Ben Fleck Brian Kalisher Stefan Kubus Ryan Zuke DISTRIBUTION Lucia Zuzga ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTORS Amy Jones Anne Ellis DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & PROGRAMMING Darren Eliot
EDITORIAL BOARD: Bob DeSpirt, Christine Knight, Derek Blair, James Jenkins, Julie Pardoski, Kirk Vickers, Linda Holland, Lisa Zarzycki, Mark Vansaw, Nyron Fauconier, Randy Paquette, Rob Mattina, Susan Bottrell, Tim Wilson, Todd Krygier LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: MICHIGAN HOCKEY® welcomes Letters to the Editor. E-mail mcaples@mihockeynow.com
MICHIGAN HOCKEY is published by SUBURBAN SPORTS COMMUNICATIONS, LLC 23995 Freeway Park Drive, Suite 200, Farmington Hills, MI 483352829.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to MICHIGAN HOCKEY®, 23995 Freeway Park Drive, Suite 200, Farmington Hills, MI 48335-2829. ©2011 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.
BY MICHAEL CAPLES Is summer over yet? Don’t get me wrong; I love the summer and the related activities. I’ve been lucky enough to spend some time on the lakes and take in a few Tigers games. But I’m ready for the games to start. We have had to wait since April to see our favorite teams compete once again. While my fellow hockey journalists and I have slightly enjoyed the breather, we’re now rested, and ready to get back at it. Or at least I am. If you couldn’t tell from the cover, this issue is all about youth hockey – mainly about the American Development Model and the 8U cross-ice vs. full-ice battle. Sound familiar? This issue a year ago was my first true experience as editor of this fantastic magazine. Jumping right into the fire, I was covering the MAHA meetings and the highlydebated 8U rules within days of accepting the new job. Now, a year later, I feel like I have a pretty firm grasp on what USA Hockey is trying to do with their new approach
@michaelcaples to the game. But that’s enough on that one; I share my thoughts on the subject on Page 21. In our ‘Get Better’ feature, we explain what parents and players can expect from ADM-guided 8U hockey experience. We also share the latest news from this year’s MAHA meetings, with a focus on…you guessed it. Plus, our favorite Fox Sports Detroit analyst and hockey instructor, Darren Eliot, discusses his thoughts on the ADM, as well. That’s not all we’re talking about in here, though. We have Red Wings and Griffins coverage, as well as what some of our college and juniors teams have been up to. We share some photos from the CCM Skills Camp at Compuware. And we update you all on how the Michigan Mustangs did in their international tournament. Don’t know what I’m talking about there? You should…flip to Page 22. I hope you enjoy this issue. See you at a rink soon.
MICHIGAN HOCKEY 23995 Freeway Park Drive • Suite 200 Farmington Hills, MI 48335-2829 (248) 478-2500 • FAX: (248) 478-1601 E-MAIL: mcaples@mihockeynow.com WEBSITE: mihockeynow.com PHOTOS AT LEFT: Ken Holland (Dave Reginek/ DRW), MAHA voting ballot (Michael Caples/ MiHockey), Michigan Mustangs (courtesy of the Michigan Mustangs) COVER: Photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey, design by Chuck Stevens and Emily Huston/MiHockey
Cover reprints available e-mail: mcaples@mihockeynow.com
August 13, 2012 V.23 : I.1
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THE LOCKER ROOM
THE
LOCKERROOM
ON THE FLY
TWO FOR TWEETING
Turns out we weren’t the only ones from Michigan to travel to Pittsburgh for the NHL Draft. The photo we used for the MiHockeyMag cover of our July 2 issue – our draft recap – just so happened to have a Michigan family in the bottom right corner. We were thrilled to find out from Tim Hodges that the trio standing outside of the Consol Energy Center was him, his wife, Kelly, and their son, Taylor. Apparently Taylor’s a Penguins fan – hence the photo with Evgeni Malkin – and the trip was for his high school graduation. Not a bad way to celebrate…
Our friend Rick Bowness of the Detroit Red Wings tweeted us this photo of MiHockeyMag at the Red Wings’ development camp in Traverse City. He also called out editor Michael Caples for not being in attendance; little did he know that we had a writer on the way up. What if we here at the MiHockey offices got to decide on who was on the cover of EA Sports’ NHL ’13? We don’t, but we’re going to act like we do. Keep an eye on MiHockeyNow.com.
Think the NHL superstar summed it up pretty well there.
Rochester Hills native and Stanley Cup champion Alec Martinez is now on Twitter. If the whole state follows him, he will have almost 10 million fans on the social media site.
To get into the Olympic spirit, we shared this photo on our Facebook page on the eve of the Summer Games in London. While we might be a hockey publication, we’re still cheering for Team USA, no matter what the sport.
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Turn to Page 22 for more on the Michigan Mustangs and how they did in the North American tournament.
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SLIDESHOW
MICHIGAN HOCKEY IN PICTURES: JULY 2012 CCM SKILLS CAMP On July 21-22, CCM hosted an elite youth skills camp at Compuware Sports Arena for some of the top 11 and 12-year-old players in the region. Players experienced both on and off-ice training, learned about keeping a healthy diet, and heard about the different options players have as they move through the hockey ranks. The 100-plus kids in attendance also got to test-drive the latest CCM products, including the new RBZ stick. (Photos by Michael Caples/MiHockey)
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August 13, 2012 V.23 : I.1
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SPEAKING OF HOCKEY
With the Red Wings launching Year 2 of their popular bobblehead online voting, we asked…
“Which member of the Red Wings’ alumni are you voting for in Operation: Bobblehead? For each issue of the magazine, we will post a question on Facebook, and one randomly selected answer will win a Warrior prize pack: hoodie, hat, and T-shirt. Good luck!
Vladdy!! Vincent Rhodes
Vladimir Konstantinov Christopher Sorel Konstantinov Paula Heckman Definitely Howe Joshua Daniel Flack “Johnny O” David Bergen Mickey Redmond!! Austin Williams Yzerman. My 11-year-old son only wears his number and he is a goalie!!! Go figure... Sheri VanDamme Aquisto
WINNER
Ted Lindsay. My 13-year-old’s favorite player. Daniel Smith
Konstantinov would be awesome. Terrible Ted or Terry Sawchuk would be really cool too — Alec Blake Petrelak
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August 13, 2012 V.23 : I.1
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GET BETTER
GETBETTER
POWERED BY
What to expect for 8U Mites with the American Development Model
MORE PUCK TOUCHES
MAXIMUM ICE UTILIZATION
In hockey, we have 6-to-8 year-old kids skating the full rink surface, hardly touching the puck. How can we expect our kids to develop their skills – or a passion for the game – if they aren’t really participating? There’s a direct correlation between the amount of time a player spends with the puck and their passion for the game. A study of hockey games played on the full-ice surface was originally done by George Kingston in 1976 and has since been replicated in USA Hockey’s 2002 Olympic study.
By utilizing every inch of the ice through the cross-ice principles of our Red, White, and Blue hockey program, each player can spend more time developing skills for future success. For the best players, instead of relying on the comfort of open ice, they’re forced to make quicker decisions because the ice area is smaller – which makes them better. The players that are less experienced get better because they spend more time with the puck. For all players, more ice time and more repetitions mean more development.
The original results found the following: • In a 60-minute hockey game between 6-to-8 year old children, the average player had possession of the puck for 20.7 seconds. • Top NHL and international players were also timed, and no player exceeded 85 seconds of puck possession time. • Youth players took an average of less than 0.5 shots per game, and junior and professional players only 1.5 shots per game.
GAMEDAY:
The study concluded that: • For young players in the “full-ice game modelâ€? of development, the youngest players would require 180 games and the older youth players would require 180 games and the older youth players would require 80 games to enjoy 60 minutes of actual puck possession time to execute their stick handling, passing, pass-receiving, and shooting skills. • Professional and international players would require 60 games to ensure 60 minutes of puck-control skill development. • Many players never touched the puck in the game, especially in youth hockey. With all the increased touches and playing time they’ll get with Red, White, and Blue hockey, kids will remain active over the course of an entire game. And the more active we can keep them, the more enjoyable their experience will be. Because at the end of the day, all that matters is how much they love the game.
Start by splitting the ice up into three zones, with two games from blue line to boards and a skill area in the middle. Rotate teams every 12-15 minutes. (Photo illustration shown at right)
PRACTICE: Split the ice into six zones, with a different drill happening at each one. After 7-8 minutes, players switch zones until they have played in all six. Source:
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August 13, 2012 V.23 : I.1
SUMMER 2
CLASSES
Aug. 7 – Aug. 28
Tuesday: 5:00 – 5:50 p.m
Snowplow Sam 1, 2, 3 %DVLF ‡ $GXOW Hockey Skills
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For the fun of it
PROGRAM RUNS 25 WEEKS FROM SEPTEMBER THROUGH MARCH (no skates during holiday breaks)
YOU SHOULD KNOW
you should know FAVORITE SPORTING EVENT:
Stanley Cup Finals
FAVORITE BREAKFAST FOOD: Eggs and rice
MUST SEE TV:
How I Met Your Mother, or Prison Break
FAVORITE MOVIE: Miracle
NICKNAME:
‘Little Downing’, or just ‘Downs’
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU HAVE AN HOUR OF FREE TIME:
Try to spend it with my family; if not I’ll work out or watch a TV show
IF YOU WERE GIVEN $1 MILLION, WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH IT: I would either donate it to charity or buy my parents a new car or lakehouse
THREE PEOPLE YOU WOULD WANT TO HAVE DINNER WITH:
Nicklas Lidstrom, Niklas Kronwall and Wayne Gretzky
IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE: I would definitely want to fly
DO YOU HAVE A PRE-GAME ROUTINE:
Nap from 1-3, rice and chicken when I wake up, get to the rink and tape my stick in the stands, shoot a few pucks, bike ride, stretch and mentally prepare in my stall.
WHO WAS MOST INFLUENTIAL ON YOUR HOCKEY CAREER: My family, I wouldn’t be where I am without them
Michael Downing Dubuque Fighting Saints defenseman Canton native Michael Downing has been eating his vegetables. On Team USA’s roster for the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, the defenseman is listed at 6-foot-3-inches and 185 pounds – numbers that make him the biggest skater the U.S. U18 selection squad will have with them in the Czech Republic from August 13-17. Downing, a University of Michigan commit, will spend another season with the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints before heading to Ann Arbor to join the Wolverines.
Photos courtesy of: stanleycupwinners.net (Stanley Cup), howimetyourmothercommunity.webs.com (HIMYM), blingcheese.com (Superman), pubpages.unh.edu (Miracle), Tom Turrill (Lidstrom)
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August 13, 2012 V.23 : I.1
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YOUTH HOCKEY
NAHL ANNOUNCES HPHL PARTICIPATION AT THEIR ANNUAL SHOWCASE TOURNAMENT BY MICHAEL CAPLES The High Performance Hockey League will be invading Minnesota in September. The six-member league – consisting of Michigan’s Honeybaked, Little Caesars, and Compuware programs and three from Illinois - will compete in the 10th annual Combat Hockey/NAHL Showcase Tournament, to be played from Sept. 12-16, 2012, at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, Minn. “We believe the addition of the teams from the High Performance Hockey League will just add yet another competitive element to an already tremendous Showcase line-up,” said NAHL Commissioner and President Mark Frankenfeld in a press release. “With four different leagues playing under one roof, we believe that the partnership will be nothing but a positive for the thousands of players, scouts and fans that will be in attendance.” The HPHL teams – Chicago Mission, Team Illinois, and the Chicago Young Americans make up the rest of the six squads – will join 24 teams from the North American Hockey League (NAHL), 36 teams from the North American Prospects Hockey League (PHL) and 8 teams from the Upper Midwest High School Elite League (UMHSEL) for a fiveday, 74-team showcase event. Each HPHL 18U team will play five games, one against each of their league counterparts, during the showcase. Joe Jones, director of the Honeybaked Hockey Program, told MiHockey that he believes the event will serve as a great
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opportunity for both Honeybaked and the five other HPHL teams. “The NAHL Showcase is one of the most scouted events in North America every year,” Jones said. “It’s an honor for Honeybaked and the HPHL teams to now be included in it. It’s going to be great exposure for our players to be able to perform in front of a multitude of scouts watching over the entire weekend.” Compuware’s hockey director, Mike Henry, said his program is excited for the opportunity. “I think it’s going to be a great event for the HPHL, and I’m happy that Compuware’s going to be a part of it,” Henry said. “It’s great. It’s new for the HPHL, but I believe the North American League has been doing it for years, and they have great success out there with scouting, and it’s going to be great exposure for Compuware kids plus the HPHL kids.” Former NHLer Gino Cavallini, director of the Chicago Mission program, said it’s a great way for the league to start off their year. “The NAHL puts on one of the premier hockey events of the season with hundreds of scouts attending from across North America. We feel this opportunity ties into our mission and see the event as a jump start to our season,” said Cavallini in the press release. “There is no doubt the exposure the event promotes is invaluable and clearly a must place to be. We are thrilled to be able to offer players in the HPHL this sort of showcase.”
ORCHARD LAKE UNITED H.A. BECOMES FIRST USA HOCKEY MODEL ASSOCIATION PROGRAM BY RYAN ZUKE When the Orchard Lake United Hockey Association (OLUHA) ran a pilot program of the American Development Model (ADM) last year, president of the OLUHA, Brian Lenaghan, saw first-hand the effectiveness of the ADM. “My youngest son who is 11 went through the pilot program last year and the change in his abilities has been incredible, from his thinking, to his skating to his hand skills,” Lenaghan said. “And at the end of the day, he had a blast last year and that is what’s most important to me. The fact that we can run through a station-style practice with kids coming off the ice smiling and having fun is very important to youth hockey.” And because of that success, the OLUHA will serve as a trailblazer for hockey programs across the country. On July 30, USA Hockey announced that the OLUHA will be the first USA Hockey Model Association Program in the entire United States. “We had multiple applicants in Michigan and couldn’t be more pleased to have Orchard Lake as our first model association,” said Ken Martel, director of USA Hockey’s American Development Model. “We’ve focused on implementation of the ADM at the eightand-under level nationally the past two years, but felt it important to select a few associations that will take the ADM and put it into practice from 12U and younger.” Orchard Lake will continue to teach the ADM philosophies which focuses on age-appropriate training for all levels of the association. “What I see the model does for the kids is it completely retrains the hockey process and how we are teaching these kids to play the game,” Lenaghan said. “It involves station orientation and putting the kids in small areas and
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making them think quicker, making them work harder and keeping them moving all the time.” So far, Lenaghan said the concept has been a huge success. “Our Mini-Mite program is full, our Mite program is full for the 2012-13 season, and we’ve been able to max out our program completely at every age level. “The way we develop the drills is specific to the ages, so it isn’t like this is a template for all ages. The other thing, the game to practice ratio, it’s a four to one practice to game ratio, so they’re on the ice for a larger portion of the time practicing for the games. More focus on the training, and less on the game side of it. I think that’s important to add too… not only are we focusing on the small areas, but we’re also focusing on the age-appropriate drills, and a structure of less games and more practice.” During last year’s pilot program, OLUHA hockey director and Orchard Lake St. Mary’s varsity coach Brian Klanow said he saw significant improvements quicker than in the past. “I just feel this is the greatest step in youth hockey as far as the development of youth players,” Klanow said. “I think up from Mini-Mites through PeeWee, it’s the best thing that kids could do as far as building a strong foundation of skills going into Bantam, because that’s when there is a separation and a jump it seems, at the Bantam age group.” Before the adoption of the ADM, Klanow said he noticed a lot of kids standing around at practice and not utilizing the ice time as well as they could. But now, the kids are more active throughout the practice. “What I see with ADM and how we functioned last year, out of an 80 minute practice, the players are actually functioning and moving in a drill like 72 minutes, so we are maximizing the use of our ice,” Klanow said. “It seems like the kids are getting a lot more out of it, getting a lot more repetitions.” August 13, 2012 V.23 : I.1
YOUTH HOCKEY
DETROIT JR. RED WINGS BRICK TEAM IMPRESSES IN EDMONTON
Hockey Player Age Hometown Height Weight Team Position Coach School Grade Favorite Team Favorite Player
Andre Melis Jr
Hockey Player Age Hometown Height Weight Team Position Coach School Grade Favorite Team Favorite Player
Will Tragge
8 Macomb 4'8" 80 lbs Mt. Clemens Wolves FRUZDUG Carnaghi Immanual Lutheran 3 Detroit Red Wings 1LFN Lidstrom
The Detroit Jr. Red Wings recently competed in the 23rd annual Brick Hockey Invitational Tournament in Edmonton, Alberta – a prestigious annual Squirt Major tournament that features a field of 14 teams from all over North America. The Jr. Red Wings squad was selected and coached by former Detroit Red Wings forward Kris Draper, and assisted by Steve Dickinson and Mark Estapa. The team was selected from over 150 hopefuls back in April and skated in three major tournaments to gear up for the Brick. Detroit started out by tying Boston 3-3 after leading 3-1 after two periods. The comeback mounted by Boston seemed to inspire the boys, as they dominated the remaining games in the third period. The Jr. Wings defeated Toronto Pro Hockey 3-1, tied Minnesota 2-2, beat Atlantic (Canada) 7-2 and beat Saskatchewan 5-1 in their next round-robin games. The team needed a win or tie in their final roundrobin game against Chicago to lock up the No. 1 seed headed into weekend play. A game-tying goal with less than a minute
11 Livonia 4'7" 95 lbs. Victory Honda AAA Goaltender Rick Scero Riley Upper Elementary 6 Calgary Flames Miikka Kiprusoff
remaining meant a 2-2 tie, and the Wings accomplishing their goal of holding a top seed. A strong Winnipeg team was waiting for the Red Wings in the semifinals, yet Detroit delivered a 3-2 victory, cementing the first trip to the finals for a Detroit team at this tournament since 1994. The Jr. Wings came up just short in the finals, as they fell to the Toronto Bulldogs. Every player contributed to the success of the team over the week of play, displaying tremendous effort and tenacity. The scoring punch was led by Mark Estapa, Garrett Szydlowski, Tiernan Shoudy, Tanner Dickinson, DJ Dixon, Owen Michaels, Ben Schoen, Kienan Draper and Carter Mazur. Peyton Grainer and Xavier Medina were very strong between the pipes and supported defensively by Jacob Bauer, Nick O’Hanasain, Travis Shoudy, Jase Sofo, Jake McCatty and Jacob Truscott. Mark Estapa and Xavier Medina were named 2nd team tournament all-stars by the tournament committee.
Make your player a "Star of Tomorrow" Every player appearing on Reebok's Stars of Tomorrow will win a new Reebok hockey stick! Go to MiHockeyNow.com and fill out the form on the 'Stars of Tomorrow' page. We will contact you about a photo to appear in the paper.
"STARS OF TOMORROW" c/o Michigan Hockey 'SFFXBZ 1BSL %SJWF t 4VJUF Farmington Hills, MI 48335-2829 mh@mihockeynow.com
August 13, 2012 V.23 : I.1
Former Red Wings forward Kris Draper - who coached the squad - poses with (from left to right) Garrett Szydlowski, Carter Mazur, Owen Michaels, Kienan Draper and Jacob Truscott after the jersey swap that took place after the finals. Photos courtesy of the Jr. Red Wings
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MICHIGAN’S PREMIER ICE SKATING FACILITY TY
MAHA MEETINGS
BACK TO FULL ICE:
MAHA members vote to revise 8U rules BY STEFAN KUBUS While the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association (MAHA) reversed a rule requiring eight-and-under Mites (8U) to play a certain number of cross-ice games, it’s only delaying the future. The 8U division is no longer mandated to play crossice hockey under MAHA’s ruling on July 15 at their annual summer meeting in Sault Ste. Marie. The new rule reads that while 6U teams are required to participate in restricted space cross-ice and/or half-ice practices and games, 8U teams are only recommended to the same, as the USA Hockey American Development Model (ADM) suggests. What this now means, essentially, is that the individual associations now have the control of choosing whether their teams play cross or full-ice hockey. But ultimately, this is simply prolonging what’s coming down the road, as USA Hockey is mandating cross-ice for all Mites nationwide beginning in the 2013-14 season. MAHA president George Atkinson said he was pleased with the voting results, saying it was something necessary for the governing body to do for the short-term. “I think that is exactly what we needed to have passed,” Atkinson said. “I mean, obviously we had a committee that was very broad based. We had 35 members from all across the state, and primarily those were association people – people on the ground that know what needed to be done. They formulated that, brought it forward, and it has had a lot of discussion over the last couple of months. Everybody seemed to be behind it, and so I think what we needed to do was the right thing for MAHA right now. Atkinson explained that MAHA will be required to meet the USA Hockey Sept. 1 deadline next year for the change in playing surface. However, USA Hockey will allow MAHA to work into it, or have an exemption until they can get closer to the ultimate goal of utilizing it.
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“I put together a committee already to start working on that. USA Hockey has told us that – once we submit a plan – it will take approximately 30 days for the committee to review that plan, and get it back to us. By Mar. 1, 2013, we should know where we are for the ’13-14 season, so we won’t be here at the summer meeting next year, wondering what we’re going to do.” Gordon Bowman, MAHA vice president of coaching, ultimately feels the rule passing gives kids extra opportunity to play an active role on the ice. “Eventually, it’s going to become a matter of fact,” said Bowman, who was also named the 2012 William Kellogg Memorial Award winner for outstanding achievement and dedication to amateur hockey in Michigan during the MAHA meetings. “We’re going to have limited space hockey for that age group in the state. Eventually, it will phase out the full-ice component of it in the years to come, but I think this is a good buffer.” Bob Mancini, regional manager for USA Hockey’s ADM, said that while he felt the rule had to pass, he ultimately was not thrilled about the effect that the rule will have on kids and their development. “What’s sad is the rule is obviously not about what is good for kids, and it is taking a step backwards in doing what’s right in the state of Michigan for our kids,” said Mancini, former head coach of Michigan Tech, Ferris State, and the Saginaw Spirit. “So, from that standpoint, I’m looking forward to the transition now. I’m looking forward to us all working together to put the right programming in place for the kids, and for us to now comeback and find a way to work together and get this done.” Bowman also added that he was not surprised by the rule’s passing one bit, citing the hard work that went into shaping the final rule proposal. The longtime MAHA member also believes it gives kids more chances to play an active role on the ice. “I think that, after we worked on this rule and hammered it out, we had what almost seemed to be support
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throughout the state,” Bowman said. “It will probably satisfy a lot of people for the year, and I think it gives us an opportunity to work on our future aspirations for Mite hockey. “I’m a real proponent for cross-ice hockey. My local association is Plymouth, and we’ve done it for many, many years in our Learn to Skate program. We’ve always had great Mite teams that have come out of it, and part of it is that we emphasize skating, but the limited space gives kids that extra opportunity. ‘Johnny Rocket’ can become a better ‘Johnny Rocket,’ and ‘Johnny No-Rocket’ can become almost a ‘Johnny Rocket.’ “ A big concern over mandating cross-ice hockey is that some parents will want their kids to play on a fullice surface, no matter what. That’s where the American Athletic Union (AAU) has presented a fork in the road for MAHA. Mancini spoke to the frustration with the AAU because of the rule change. “What’s frustrating is their apparent lack of regard for putting in rules that are good for children playing sports; that’s frustrating,” Mancini said. “What’s frustrating is that Michigan had made, as a body, some great strides to get the rule where it was. With some tweaks it would have been a great rule to move forward with, and lastly, certainly not least, what is frustrating is the rule that is now on the books is not any better than the rule we went away from and that’s a shame.” Mancini praised districts around the state for hopping on board early with the cross-ice style, something he believes is absolutely crucial in making the transition to the 2013-14 USA Hockey mandate a much smoother process. “It’s obvious now that after three years there are some districts and some people who have absolutely done the right thing. Their numbers are showing it. The progress has shown it, and now it’s time for the rest of the state, instead of digging their heels in and fighting, instead of resisting what’s really good for the player development, is to find ways to educate their parents, and to get it done.”
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MAHA MEETINGS
A look at the new MAHA SOMETIMES, RULE CHANGES CHANGE IS FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK:
Photos by Michael Caples/MiHockey
NECESSARY
BY STEFAN KUBUS The 8U rule alterations weren’t the only changes made at the annual MAHA summer meetings in July. A proposal to delete a rule formerly in place stating that “players or referees playing for non-rostered or outlaw teams may not participate in the MAHA in any way to play, coach, or referee” unanimously passed. The reason stated for this change in the official summer meeting guide said that the rule should be deleted because MAHA “does not have legal control over players, referees, and coaches.” After some amending, a notable sanction passed that now will restrict all youth and girls’ national championshipbound teams to only two non-U.S. citizen players in a season. Much of the discussion surrounding this rule at the meetings related to the concern about teams recruiting talent from overseas and stacking teams. This rule was originally set to take effect on July 15, 2012, but will now go into effect Sept. 1, 2013, in time for the start of the 2013-14 season. MAHA president George Atkinson added the amendment to extend the effective start date due to concerns raised by several members that teams are already in the process of being chosen for the upcoming 2012-13 season. Before playing any games, a team must have a USA Hockey certified roster from the appropriate USA Hockey Associate Registrar. However, added to this is that “all rosters and required paperwork with signatures must be submitted to the appropriate USA Hockey Associate Registrar for review and certification 72 hours before the team’s first scheduled game.” Girls’ hockey will now be brought more in line with boys’ hockey, as the rules regarding player movement within organizations for the boys were simply copied over for the girls. A big reason listed in the official summer meeting guide for the change was to allow teams to replace injured players within their own organization, and to help
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strengthen girls’ hockey associations. Players can move up and down between teams for a maximum of eight games per winter season, and can only move within their own organization. Changes were made to the C youth programs – considered to be a recreational classification – in Michigan in order to protect the program at the older age groups where numbers typically decline. District 6, specifically, experienced a decline with only two Bantam C teams and one Midget C team. With the rule changes, all teams under the C youth classification are to play games within their association whenever possible, and are permitted to play outside association games with other C youth teams. On average, House B hockey costs an average of $500 more than House C hockey. Billet families already had to complete background screening checks for safety purposes, but now the rule has been extended to every person living in the house, should there be more than the paternal and maternal figures living in the house. In addition to these internal MAHA rule changes, there are a handful of USA Hockey rule changes that also affect MAHA rules by default. All coaches must already enter USA Hockey’s Coaching Education Program at Level 1, but now, they must continue their education with a coaching clinic each year until, at a minimum, they achieve Level 3. However, coaches of 8U or younger players may remain at Level 1 or their current level. Prior to overtime periods in the state playoffs, MAHA rules had previously allowed a five-minute rest period for teams. Now, that rest period has now been reduced to three minutes to comply with USA Hockey rules. MAHA, league or district referee supervisors of officials now have at the authority to suspend a referee up to ten days without a prior hearing. MAHA also has the authority to suspend a referee after a hearing, as well. Previously, the rule was that such action would only be taken after a review of the facts was reported.
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In the summer of 2011, MAHA voters approved a rule requiring cross-ice or half-ice games to be played by all eight-and-under teams. In the summer of 2012, they essentially voted to retract it. For one year, we are back to the way it was. Teams and associations can decide on what they want to do. They can decide if they want to follow guidelines set out by the governing body of hockey in our country – men and women who know the game and have been funded to create the best possible programs for our youth players. Or they can just keep doing it “the way it’s always been done.” I have heard arguments against the American Development Model and the ensuing 8U policies. They talk about money, about losing players, about how “it’s not hockey.” None of the arguments really pertain to the kids playing, however…and I kind of thought they were the most important things here. The creators of the ADM explored the very best ways to educate and develop hockey players. The principles are designed to help them excel in the sport and life in general. Know how often a kid touches a puck during a game on a full sheet of ice? Twenty to thirty seconds. Think that’s what is best for them when they are learning how to play? I remember games where I only touched the puck a few times. Got so excited I didn’t know what to do with it, turned it over, and then left thinking I had let my team down. Not great for development, if you ask me. The ADM simply wants things catered to the size and the learning capabilities of the players participating in each age group. If you cut up the ice (see what we did with the cover now?), kids learn how to work in the spaces that they will play in as they grow older. They will participate more; they will be involved in more drills and they will actually touch the puck in the games. They will learn, and they will have fun doing it. Because think about it, what’s the worst part of practice for young hockey players? Standing around. And what’s the worst part of games for young hockey players? Not getting a chance to play the puck. The ADM, simply, is here to make sure those things don’t happen anymore. Embrace the changes, everyone. The sooner, the better. — Michael Caples
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MICHIGAN MUSTANGS
MICHIGAN MUSTANGS REPRESENT THE MITTEN AT THE 2012 NORTH AMERICAN POWERHOCKEY CUP BY STEFAN KUBUS The Michigan Mustangs represented the Wheelchair Hockey League (WCHL) and all of Michigan in the 2012 North American PowerHockey Cup tournament in Ottawa, Ontario, from Aug. 3-6 – and they returned home with some hardware. The Mustangs, the 2011 U.S. PowerHockey Champions, earned silver in the international tournament. In their final match, Michigan rallied from a 5-1 deficit, only to have the tying goal with 1.3 seconds left in regulation overturned because of a high stick. The WCHL is based out of Warren, where all the league and playoff games are played at a Salvation Army location. League commissioner and longtime Mustangs player Chris Lemieux, now 30, has been strongly involved in wheelchair hockey since he was 10-years old. He said that for the
1980’s. However, once Lemieux came to be commissioner of Michigan’s wheelchair hockey league, he was shocked to see how much of an all-around hockey hotbed Michigan was. He attributes the league’s growth largely to this. “Over the years, we’ve caught up,” Lemieux said. “Now, I think we’re producing better players because we spend more time on it. Calgary is maybe a little more selfish. They just go and play, and aren’t really about teaching the game and stuff like that. We managed to flip our organization around pretty quick. “There’s teams in cities like North Carolina and Winnipeg struggling to find players. I was lucky enough to land near Michigan. I didn’t realize when I moved here how big the hockey is in Michigan. I had no idea. Now, I’ve been here 15 years, and I realize this is a hotbed. We should have the best wheelchair hockey team if we have the best everything in hockey in Michigan.”
not only an activity for the physically handicapped, but also a tight-knit social community, as well. “If you’re mentally handicapped, there’s a lot of activities and stuff like that out there for you, but if you’re just physically handicapped and you have no mental problems, there’s not really a lot of activities to do unless you’re physically really strong,” Lemieux said, citing sled hockey as one such activity for the physically strong. “Our league is more of a social thing, too. Some of these guys aren’t going to go on to get jobs. I’m smart, but I still can’t find a job, because of physical limitations. This allows us to keep a friendship, a family bond. “ Lemieux faced a near-death experience at a Minnesota tournament in 2001, completely unrelated to his muscular dystrophy, that required surgery. However, it was then that he truly realized how important the game was to him. “It made me realize, yeah, I was disabled, but it had
sport, this tournament is the grandfather of them all. “It means a lot to them,” Lemieux said. “This is our Olympics. This is our equivalent of the Stanley Cup. You can’t get bigger than this.” The Mustangs team is essentially an all-star travel team, consisting of WCHL players, that ventures to various PowerHockey tournaments around North America. Within the WCHL, headed by Lemieux, there are four teams – the Cobras, Seals, Hornets, and Wolf Pack – with 10 players on each squad. Each game is played 4-on-4 not including a goaltender, with either plastic or light carbon Floorball sticks for the players, and a plastic ball, similar to that of a wiffle ball. The four teams each play a 12-game regular season campaign that runs from October through January. The season is then followed up by the playoffs, in which each team is given a chance to participate for the Wheeler’s Cup. All WCHL games are played at the Salvation Army in Warren. Lemieux said that when the WCHL began in Michigan back in 1998, it was at a huge disadvantage against other leagues, like in Calgary, Alberta, which started in the mid-
In addition to traveling, an issue for some WCHL members playing on the Mustangs is the need for an electric wheelchair. PowerHockey, the official name for the electric wheelchair hockey sport, requires players to have an electric wheelchair, whereas the WCHL conveniently allows for the use of manual wheelchairs, as well. This, in turn, obviously means more players can participate. The North American championship and U.S. national championship games alternate each year. Last season, the Mustangs captured the 2011 U.S. PowerHockey Championship. And just two seasons ago, the Mustangs made an inspiring, undefeated run to the North American championship game, where they ultimately lost, taking home the silver medal. “When we lost last year, it was heartbreaking, but I think we almost had too much swagger,” said Lemieux. “I think some of the younger guys needed to be humbled. We’re going into this tournament that it’s not given, and we have to work for it… This year, we’re really determined to make a charge.” But above all else, Lemieux said PowerHockey provides
nothing to do with my disability. It was just some random thing that happened to me. I almost lost my life, and I had played hockey the day before. So, for the guys, I tell them to just have fun while they’re here, and that’s what hockey allows. It allows us to become friends. And we have a blast.” That experience was a humbling one for Lemieux, and made him strongly consider the future of the game. If there’s one thing he said he could pass on to future generations, it would be the game itself. “For me, it’s about giving back,” Lemieux said. “When I was a kid, I was 10 years old when I got on my first national tournament. I went from Calgary to Toronto, and that just blew mind because I saw other people who were just like me… The great thing about our team is that we have one guy who is 35, and then we just added a 13-year-old. It’s a nice blend, because we all teach each other. That’s my ultimate goal: to make everyone understand that you shouldn’t play just to compete and stuff, but if you can, teach someone else the game. Our motto for the league is, ‘Don’t just sit there. Play hockey.’ “
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Greater East Vice President Brandon Spedowski 989-486-1511 (h) 231-250-7031 (c) email: brandon.spedowski@gmail.com
Girls House Vice President Dina Howe 989-429-2653 (c) 989-435-7080 (w) email: dhowe@howeracing.com
Metro Vice President Bobby Mitchell 248-302-0913 email: Bmitchell8@yahoo.com
Greater West Vice President Kevin Wood 616-560-6503 email: kwoodadraywest@yahoo.com
Treasurer Joe Spedowski 231-796-2565 email: nancyjoe@netonecom.net
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adrayhockey.org President Jeff Spedowski 231-796-0728 (h) 231-629-0435 (c) email: jspedows@charter.net
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Database Specialist Vice President Steve Miller 616-250-1458 email: me@stevenmiller.info
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HOMETOWN HEROES
DAVID MOSS 24
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CURRENT NHL TOTALS
317 61 GAMES
GOALS
63
ASSISTS
124 94
POINTS
PIM
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN (2001-2005)
162 36 58 GAMES
GOALS
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ASSISTS
94
POINTS
104 PIM
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YOUTH HOCKEY Photo by Ben Fleck/MiHockey
• THE CELEBRATION ROOM A private banquet space seating up to 150 guests.
• THE ROOF & DECK An indoor/outdoor area perfect for social events & networking.
• THE CITY THEATRE
ABDELKADER guest stars at RED WINGS YOUTH CAMP
A 400-seat theater complete with stage, lighting & sound. Perfect for any type of presentation.
TO BOOK YOUR NEXT EVENT, CONTACT OUR GROUP SALES DEPARTMENT AT 313.471.3454 HOCKEYTOWNCAFE.COM • 2301 Woodward Avenue, Detroit MI 48201 Next to the Fox Theatre, Across from Comerica Park
BY RYAN ZUKE AND BEN FLECK DETROIT - Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader remembers how exciting it was to have special players or coaches running hockey summer camps when he was young. Now, he gets to return the favor. On July 26, the former Michigan State Spartan and Grand Rapids Griffin served as a guest coach at the Detroit Red Wings Youth Hockey camp at Joe Louis Arena. “For us, we’ve been given so much and we know how important role models are—especially at a young age,” Abdelkader said. “So it’s good to be here to help the kids out and hopefully be a positive influence on them.” Former Red Wings forward Kirk Maltby, goaltending coach Jim Bedard and assistant coach Keith McKittrick served as instructors for the camp, while Abdelkader and Cory Emmerton made guest appearances. “It’s been real good,” Abdelkader said. “Just to see the excitement on the kids’ faces and they are all having a good time, working hard. It’s good to be back out here at the Joe.” Players from ages 6-16 are allowed to participate in the event, but Abdelkdader said the message does not change that much between age groups. “The big thing is to have fun, enjoy what you’re doing. Being able to come out here and play hockey, and do what you love, I think it’s really exciting. You just got to work hard and take the game as far as you can and if you keep those two things in line, everything else will take care of itself.” And although Abdelkader is helping the players improve
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on their hockey skills at the camp, he also stressed the importance of academics. “For me, academics was always a big thing. You always have to have something to fall back on. At a young age, you have dreams and aspire to play in the NHL, and you maybe could one day, but at the same time you have to have something to fall back on and education was always important for me.” Bedard said his favorite part of being a part of the camp is seeing the kids’ reaction to skating at such a large venue. “The first day, seeing the kids’ reaction when they skate on the ice for the first time and they look up and see the banners and the retired sweaters, it’s stuff like that that’s amazing.” The camp is open to players of all skill levels which Bedard believes, makes it a better experience. “The great thing about this hockey camp is that it’s not a tryout, it’s not a hockey school; it’s more of a hockey experience,” Bedard said. “So we can have kids that are house league level players and kids who play travel hockey, and they can all enjoy it.” Both Abdelkader and Bedard said they have thoroughly enjoyed working with each other and with Maltby and the rest of the instructors. “Malts is one of the best guys ever,” Bedard said. “This is his first year doing it and he’s added a great dimension to it. And McKittrick, our video coach, is on the ice a lot with me a lot in Detroit and helps with the start of practice, special skills and goaltender training.”
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YOUTH HOCKEY
LUNCH AND A SCHOLARSHIP
Front row (L to R): Award recipients Joseph Kristofik, Austin Loshinskie, Taylor Marchin, Abigale Belcrest, Erik Gouin, and Vaughn Birchler. Back row (L to R): Ilitch Charities board of directors Robert Carr, Joan Rivard, David Agius, Christopher Ilitch, Kelle Ilitch, Elaine Lewis, Richard Fenton, and Michael J. Healy. (Dave Reginek/DRW)
DETROIT – On July 27, Ilitch Charities awarded $20,000 in scholarships to eight student-athletes from the Little Caesars Amateur Hockey League and the Little Caesars AAA Hockey Club. Detroit Red Wings play-by-play announcer Ken Daniels emceed the annual celebratory luncheon for the honored student-athletes, who received their awards from Ilitch Holdings, Inc. president Christopher Ilitch, and the rest of the Ilitch Charities board of directors. This year’s recipients were: • Abigale Belcrest of Harrison Township • Vaughn Birchler of Plymouth • Erik Gouin of Kimball • Abigail Harris of Bowling Green, Ohio • Joseph Kristofik of Farmington Hills • Austin Loshinskie of Howell • Taylor Marchin of Algonac • Maryanne Menefee of Lansing “Little Caesars youth hockey players represent some of the best young hockey talent in the country,” Ilitch said. “This year’s scholarship recipients are not only leaders on the ice, but also in their classrooms and community. Through sponsorship of our youth hockey programs we have had the opportunity to help these young athletes reach their goals in the sport of hockey. Now through Ilitch Charities, we have the honor of investing in their educational aspirations as well.”
UPCOMING EVENTS Mount Clemens Ice Arena & Fitness Center: Mount Clemens Customer Appreciation Day
Sunday, August 19, 2012 Free public skate and skate rental from 1 – 4 pm. Free hot dogs/refreshments and Rosco the Clown. Try Hockey for Free at 11:30 am
Turkey Day at the Clem
Thanksgiving Youth Hockey Tournament November 23 – 25, 2012 Mite thru Midget/High School — $OO FODVVLÀFDWLRQV For more information visit:
Mount Clemens Ice Arena & Fitness Center 200 N Groesbeck Phone: 586-307-8202 Fax: 586-307-8245 Email/Website info@mountclemensicearena.com mountclemensicearena.com Contact Info: Contact Carly Harris for more info
www.greatlakeshockey.com
August 13, 2012 V.23 : I.1
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MIHOCKEYMAG TOURNAMENT GUIDE Check out the next 10 pages for our annual listings of all the tournaments you need to know about. Visit MiHockeyNow.com for a constantly-updated listing of tournaments across North America.
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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
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Our “Buy One – Get One Free” Tournament offer for the 2011 – 2012 season was an overwhelming success with over 300 teams taking advantage of our
“Let’s Play 2” program.
BY POPULAR DEMAND WE ARE ONCE AGAIN OFFERING “BUY ONE - GET ONE FREE” TOURNAMENT PROMOTION FOR THE 2012 – 2013 SEASON!
LIMITED TIME OFFER! Travel teams must register by September 15th, 2012 & House teams by October 15, 2012
TOURNAMENT LOCATIONS TOURNAMENTS RUN SEPTEMBER 2012 – MAY 2013 THANKSGIVING EDITION MOTOWN CUP Brighton, MI CHI-TOWN CUP Chicago, IL ROCK-N-ROLL CUP Cleveland, OH
MOTOWN CUP Detroit, MI THREE RIVERS CUP Pittsburgh, PA SOUTH BEND IRISH CUP South Bend, IN
TO VIEW ALL OF THE 12-13 SEASON’S EVENTS AND/OR TO REGISTER VISIT:
WWW.ITSHOCKEYTIME.COM TOURNAMENT HOTLINE: 216-325-0567
TOURNAMENT CALENDAR MICHIGAN SEPTEMBER 2012 Hockey Time Productions Motown Cup Tournament Series Detroit, MI September 21-23, 2012 Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV 216-325-0567 itshockeytime.com Great Lakes Pre-Season Challenge Holland, MI September 28-30, 2012 Squirt, Pee Wee, Bantam; AA and A; Midget Minor and High School JV Girls U10, U12, U14, U16, U19 Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com FSU-BRAJHA HS Fall/Midget AA-AAA Showcase Big Rapids, MI September 28-30, 2012 HS, Midget AA-AAA (231) 591-2881 ferris.edu/icearena or bigrapidshockey.org House B Early Bird Tournament Kalamazoo, MI September 28-29, 2012 Mite-Midget House B Only 269-349-PUCK KOHA.com or Wingsstadium. com
OCTOBER 2012 Otsego County Sportsplex Gaylord, MI AAA Early Bird Tournament October 5 – 7, 2012 4 game guarantee Level: 2000 8 team limit Jim Driver 989-858-3400 jim@premierjd.com Hockey Time Productions Motown Cup Tournament Series Detroit, MI October 5-7, 2012 Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV 216-325-0567 itshockeytime.com Travel Early Bird Tournament Kalamazoo, MI
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October 5-7, 2012 Mite-Midget Travel A & AA 269-349-PUCK KOHA.com or Wingsstadium. com Otsego County Sportsplex Gaylord, MI AAA Early Bird Tournament October 12 - 14, 2012 4 game guarantee Level: 2001 8 team limit Jim Driver 989-858-3400 jim@premierjd.com Great Lakes Fall Showdown Holland, MI October 12-14, 2012 Squirt, Pee Wee, Bantam; AA and A; Midget Major and High School Varsity Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com FSU-BRAJHA HS Fall/Midget AA-AAA Showcase Big Rapids, MI October 12-14, 2012 HS, Midget AA-AAA (231) 591-2881 ferris.edu/icearena or bigrapidshockey.org Motown Cup Tournament Series Detroit, MI 10/12/12- 10/14/2012 Mite through Midget: House, B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV Hockey Time Productions (216) 325-0567 itshockeytime.com Otsego County Sportsplex Gaylord, MI AAA Early Bird Tournament October 19 - 21, 2012 4 game guarantee Level: 2002 8 team limit Jim Driver 989-858-3400 jim@premierjd.com Hockey Time Productions Motown Cup Tournament Series Detroit, MI October 19-21, 2012 Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV 216-325-0567 itshockeytime.com
JV Preseason Shootout Scottville, MI October 19-21, 2012 JV 231-843-9712 westshoreice.com GTHA Tournament Series Traverse City, MI October 19-21, 2012 Squirt AA 231-933-4842 gthatournaments@yahoo.com tchockey.com Great Lakes Fall Classic I Holland, MI October 26-28, 2012 Squirt A, B and House, Pee Wee AA, Bantam A, B and House, Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Hocktoberfest Muskegon, MI October 26-28, 2012 Squirt-Bantam Travel 231-739-9423 lakeshoresportscentre.net GTHA Tournament Series Traverse City, MI October 26-28, 2012 Pee Wee A & AA 231-933-4842 gthatournaments@yahoo. com tchockey.com Motown Cup Tournament Series Detroit, MI 10/26 - 10/28/2012 Mite through Midget: House, B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV Hockey Time Productions (216) 325-0567 itshockeytime.com
NOVEMBER 2012 Hockey Time Productions Motown Cup Tournament Series Detroit, MI November 2-4, 2012 Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV 216-325-0567 itshockeytime.com
Great Lakes Fall Classic II Holland, MI November 2-4, 2012 Squirt AA, Pee Wee A, B and House, Bantam AA, Midget B and House Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com GTHA Tournament Series Traverse City, MI November 2-4, 2012 Bantam A & AA 231-933-4842 gthatournaments@yahoo.com tchockey.com Bar Down Showdown Muskegon, MI November 9-11, 2012 Squirt & Pee Wee House/ Travel, Bantam House, MiniMite/Mite Jamboree 231-739-9423 lakeshoresportscentre.net Great Lakes Veterans Cup Holland, MI November 9-11, 2012 Squirt A, B and House, Pee Wee AA, Bantam A, B and House, Midget Major and HS Varsity Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Columbus Cup Mt. Pleasant, MI November 9-11, 2012 Pee Wee House B 989-772-9623 fo@mpicearena.org mpicearena.org FSU-BRAJHA Squirt B Tourney Big Rapids, MI November 9-11, 2012 Squirt B (231) 591-2881 ferris.edu/icearena or bigrapidshockey.org Motown Cup Tournament Series Detroit, MI 11/9/2012 - 11/11/2012 Mite through Midget: House, B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV Hockey Time Productions (216) 325-0567 itshockeytime.com
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Squirt B “Fall Kickoff ” Scottville, MI November 16-18, 2012 Squirt B 231-843-9712 westshoreice.com FSU-BRAJHA Pee Wee B Tourney Big Rapids, MI November 16-18, 2012 Pee Wee B (231) 591-2881 ferris.edu/icearena or bigrapidshockey.org Hockey Time Productions Motown Cup Tournament Series Brighton/Novi, MI November 23-25, 2012 Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV 216-325-0567 itshockeytime.com Great Lakes Thanksgiving Classic Holland, MI November 23-25, 2012 Squirt through Midget; House, B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Thanksgiving Youth Hockey Tournament Mount Clemens, MI November 23-25, 2012 Mite-Midget/High School – all classifications 586-307-8202 info@mountclemensicearena. com mountclemensicearena.com Black Friday Thanksgiving Tournament Kalamazoo, MI November 23-25, 2012 Mite-Midget Travel A, AA & AAA 269-349-PUCK KOHA.com or Wingsstadium. com 15th Annual Gravy Cup Tournament Bay City, MI November 23-25, 2012 Mite-Midget B & BB 989-671-1000 chaffint@baycounty.net
Hockey Time Productions Motown Cup Tournament Series Detroit, MI November 30-December 2, 2012 Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV 216-325-0567 itshockeytime.com GTHA Tournament Series Traverse City, MI November 30-December 2, 2012 Pee Wee House 231-933-4842 gthatournaments@yahoo. com tchockey.com
DECEMBER 2012 FSU-BRAJHA Mite ADM Studio Rink Tournament Big Rapids, MI December 1-2, 2012 Mite ADM (231) 591-2881 ferris.edu/icearena or bigrapidshockey.org Peewee B “Deke into December” Scottville, MI December 7-8, 2012 Pee Wee B 231-843-9712 westshoreice.com Get Into the Cold Tournament Mt. Pleasant, MI December 7-9, 2012 Pee Wee House B 989-772-9623 fo@mpicearena.org mpicearena.org FSU-BRAJHA Bantam B Tournament Big Rapids, MI December 7-9, 2012 Bantam B (231) 591-2881 ferris.edu/icearena or bigrapidshockey.org Danglers Cup Muskegon, MI December 7-9, 2012 Squirt – Bantam Travel/House, JV 231-739-9423 lakeshoresportscentre.net
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COMPLETE AND UP-TO-DATE TOURNAMENT LISTINGS AT
MIHOCKEYNOW.COM OUT OF STATE TOURNAMENTS SEPTEMBER 2012 Hockey Time Productions Rock ‘n Roll Cup Tournament Series Cleveland, OH September 7-9, 2012 Squirt-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV 216-325-0567 itshockeytime.com Hockey Time Productions Rock ‘n Roll Cup Tournament Series Cleveland, OH September 21-23, 2012 Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV 216-325-0567 itshockeytime.com Hockey Time Productions Three Rivers Cup Tournament Series Pittsburgh, PA September 21-23, 2012 Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV 216-325-0567 itshockeytime.com CHICAGO CUP Tournament Series: Chicago Preseason Challenge Chicago, IL September 21-23, 2012 Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Steel City Tournament Series: Pittsburgh Preseason Challenge Pittsburgh, PA September 28-30, 2012 Squirt through Midget: B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV Girls U10, U12, U14, U16, U19 Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com
OCTOBER 2012 Hockey Time Productions Rock ‘n Roll Cup Tournament Series Cleveland, OH
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October 5-7, 2012 Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV 216-325-0567 itshockeytime.com Hockey Time Productions Three Rivers Cup Tournament Series Pittsburgh, PA October 5-7, 2012 Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV 216-325-0567 itshockeytime.com Hockey Time Productions Chi-Town Cup Tournament Series Chicago, IL October 5-7, 2012 Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV 216-325-0567 itshockeytime.com Hockey Time Productions South Bend Cup Tournament Series South Bend, IN October 5-7, 2012 Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV 216-325-0567 itshockeytime.com Empire State Tournament Series: Rochester Fall Classic Rochester, NY October 5-7, 2012 Mite through Midget: B, A, AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Congressional Cup Tournament Series: Congressional Fall Classic Washington, DC October 5-7, 2012 Squirt through Midget: B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV Girls U10, U12, U14, U16, U19 Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Niagara Falls Columbus Day Early Bird Niagara Falls, NY October 6-8, 2012
Mites-Midgets, A, B, AE & AA 716-405-7154 gcarella17@cs.com niagaratournaments.com Hockey Time Productions Rock ‘n Roll Cup Tournament Series Cleveland, OH October 19-21, 2012 Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV 216-325-0567 itshockeytime.com Buckeye State Tournament Series: Cincinnati Fall Classic Cincinnati, OH October 19-21, 2012 Squirt through Midget: House, B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV Girls U10, U12, U14, U16, U19 Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Three Rivers Cup Tournament Series Pittsburgh, PA 10/19/2012 - 10/21/2012 Mite through Midget: House, B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV Hockey Time Productions (216) 325-0595 itshockeytime.com CHICAGO CUP Tournament Series: Chicago Fall Classic Chicago, IL October 26-28, 2012 Mite through Midget; House, B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Steel City Tournament Series: Pittsburgh Fall Classic Pittsburgh, PA October 26-28, 2012 Squirt through Midget: B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com
Empire State Tournament Series: Empire State Showdown Rochester, NY October 26-28, 2012 Mite through Midget: B, A, AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Liberty Cup Tournament Series: Philadelphia Fall Classic Philadelphia, PA October 26-28, 2012 Squirt through Midget: B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Hemby Cup Tournament Series: Hemby Cup Fall Classic Charlotte, NC October 26-28, 2012 Squirt through Midget: B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com
NOVEMBER 2012 Hockey Time Productions Rock ‘n Roll Cup Tournament Series Cleveland, OH November 2-4, 2011 Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV 216-325-0567 itshockeytime.com Hockey Time Productions Three Rivers Cup Tournament Series Pittsburgh, PA November 2-4, 2012 Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV 216-325-0567 itshockeytime.com Buckeye State Tournament Series: Cincinnati Veterans Cup Cincinnati, OH November 2-4, 2012 Squirt through Midget: House, B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments
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Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Music City Tournament Series: Nashville Fall Classic Nashville, TN November 2-4, 2012 Squirt through Midget: B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Niagara Showdown Hockey Tournament Niagara Falls, NY November 2-4, 2012 House – AAA, Boys & Girls Divisions 781-710-6560 bh@nahockey.com Hockey Time Productions South Bend Cup Tournament Series South Bend, IN November 9-11, 2012 Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV 216-325-0567 itshockeytime.com Steel City Tournament Series: Pittsburgh Veterans Cup Pittsburgh, PA November 9-11, 2012 Squirt through Midget: B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com All American Girls’ & Women’s Tournament Blaine, MN November 15-18, 2012 A&B U10-U14/Women’s A,B,C 763-717-3240 Superrink.org CHICAGO CUP Tournament Series: Chicago Thanksgiving Classic Chicago, IL November 23-25, 2012 Mite through Midget; House, B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV Girls U10, U12, U14, U16, U19 Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040
myhockeytournaments.com Team Illinois AAA Thanksgiving Classic Chicago, IL November 23-25, 2012 AAA; 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, Midget Minor and Midget Major Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Steel City Tournament Series: Pittsburgh Thanksgiving Classic Pittsburgh, PA November 23-25, 2012 Squirt through Midget: B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com OCTOBER 2012 Otsego County Sportsplex Gaylord, MI AAA Early Bird Tournament October 5 – 7, 2012 4 game guarantee Level: 2000 8 team limit Jim Driver 989-858-3400 Email: jim@premierjd.com Otsego County Sportsplex Gaylord, MI AAA Early Bird Tournament October 12 - 14, 2012 4 game guarantee Level: 2001 8 team limit Jim Driver 989-858-3400 Email: jim@premierjd.com Otsego County Sportsplex Gaylord, MI AAA Early Bird Tournament October 19 - 21, 2012 4 game guarantee Level: 2002 8 team limit Jim Driver 989-858-3400 Email: jim@premierjd.com
2012 SCHEDULE North American Holiday Hockey Adult & Youth 1-800-322-NAHH nahhtours.com NAHHTOURS@ aol.com
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WEST SHORE COMMUNITY ICE ARENA 2012 - 2013 TOURNAMENT SERIES
Tournament Levels and Dates Squirt B “Fall Kickoff” 12 Minute Periods Nov. 16 – 18 $650/team MIT130131 Peewee B “Deke into December” 13 Minute Periods Dec. 7 – 8 $655/team MIT130132 Bantam B “Deep Freeze” 14 Minute Periods Jan. 25 – 27 $670/team MIT130133 JV Preseason Shootout 15 Minute Periods Oct. 19 – 21 $800/team MIT130130
Tournament Features No Gate Fee Pizza party provided after Saturday evening’s games from Mancino’s Pizza and Grinders!!! Trophies for champions and runners-up No spots held without full payment and registration in our possession Arena located minutes away from beautiful Ludington and Manistee 4 game guarantee Medals for all participants All tournaments sanction through USA Hockey and closely monitored Teams from past tournaments include: Kentwood, Bay City, Sault Ste. Marie, East Grand Rapids, Lansing, Grand Valley, Holland, Midland, HAWKS, Muskegon, Big Rapids, Mt. Pleasant, Kalamazoo, Cheboygan West Shore Community Ice Arena and Recreation Center 3000 N. Stiles Rd | Scottville, MI 49454 Fax: (231) 845-7823 For more information on our tournaments call (231) 843-9712 or visit our website at
www.westshoreice.com
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2012 - 2013 KALAMAZOO TOURNAMENT SERIES SPONSORED BY KOHA AND WINGS STADIUM / WINGS WEST HOUSE B EARLY BIRD TOURNAMENT SEPTEMBER 28 - 29 MAHA SANCTION: PENDING MITE THRU MIDGET HOUSE B ONLY
WINTER BREAK TOURNAMENT JANUARY 19 - 21 MAHA SANCTION: PENDING MITE THRU MIDGET TRAVEL A & AA
TRAVEL EARLY BIRD TOURNAMENT OCTOBER 5 - 7 MAHA SANCTION: PENDING MITE THRU MIDGET TRAVEL A & AA
ST. PATRICK’S DAY AND HOCKEY CARES MARCH 15 - 17 MAHA SANCTION: PENDING MITE THRU MIDGET HOUSE B TRAVEL A, AA & AAA
BLACK FRIDAY THANKSGIVING TOURNAMENT NOVEMBER 23 - 25 MAHA SANCTION: PENDING MITE THRU MIDGET TRAVEL A, AA & AAA
KOHA.COM • WINGSSTADIUM.COM (269) 349-PUCK
WEST
Learn the basics of hockey in a fun environment Friday, August 31st, 6:30 PM Please come 1 hour early if you are borrowing equipment
Registration is limited to first 30 players, you must pre-register. Equipment will be provided by the Onyx
‘Like’ us on Facebook 52999 Dequindre | Rochester, MI 48307 Phone: (248) 601-6699 | Fax: (248) 601-0102 TM
August 13, 2012 V.23 : I.1
www.onyxicearena.com
MiHockeyNow.com
Please turn in registration forms to Chris Ballach in person or by fax/email cballach@suburbanice.com | Fax (248) 601-0102
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ISABELLA COUNTY EVENTS ARENA 5165 E. Remus Rd. Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858 Phone: (989)772-9623 Fax: (989)772-8031 email: info@mpicearena.org WWW.MPICEARENA.ORG Format -No Curfew Clock -4 Game Guarantee -Trophies for Winners & Finalists -USA Hockey Registered
Only $600/Team A $200 nonrefundable deposit must accompany registration.
Columbus Cup
Deep Freeze Tournament
November 9-11, 2012 Peewee House B Registration Deadline: November 26, 2012
February 15-17, 2013 Squirt House B Registration Deadline: February 1, 2013
Mt. Pleasant, I.C.E. Arena
Peewee House ‘B’
- December 7-9, 2012
Squirt House ‘B’
- December 14-16, 2012
ADM Jamboree
- March 9, 2013
Ferris State ICE ARENA Big Rapids Area Junior Hockey Association 2012 – 2013 Youth Tournament Schedule
Premier Tournament Sponsor — Holiday Inn Sept 28-30 = HS Fall/Midget AA-AAA Showcase 8 – 10 teams ($700-$800) 4 games Oct 12-14 = HS Fall/Midget AA-AAA Showcase 8 – 10 teams ($700-$800) 4 games Nov 9-11 = Squirt B Tourney weekend, 8 teams ($725) Nov 16-18 = Pee Wee B Tourney weekend | 8 teams ($750) Dec 1-2 = Mite ADM Studio Rink Tournament 8 teams ($450) 4x4/3x3 hockey played on the Ferris State Studio Rink. FSU vs Michigan, Fri/Sat, Nov 30-Dec 1 — call early for group tickets Dec 7-9 = Bantam B Tourney weekend, 8 teams ($800)
SIGN UP NOW! DIVISIONS OFFERED Mighty Mites: players ages 4 – 6 Recommended as a first step for beginning hockey players who have attended a Learn to Skate class Mini Mites: players aged 5 – 9 Introduction to team play with practice sessions and small sided games
Program runs 25 weeks from September through March. No skates during holiday breaks! Great schedule and excellent ice times. Commitment to the development of skills, knowledge of the game and FUN! Each player receives: jersey/socks, year end party and trophy. Sessions run by Suburban instructional staff with the help of parent volunteers
Limited enrollment! Remainder fees billed in installments.
586-992-8600 | SUBURBANICE.COM 54755 BROUGHTON RD | MACOMB, MI 48042
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Jan 4-6 = Mite ADM Studio Rink Tournament 8 teams ($450) 4x4/3x3 hockey played on the Ferris State Studio Rink. FSU vs Michigan State, Sat, Jan 5 — call early for group tickets Jan 18-20 = Mini-Mite & IP ADM Tourney weekend 8-10 teams ($400) 4x4/3x3 hockey played on the Ferris State Studio & Full Sheet. FSU vs Michigan State, Sat, Jan 19 — call early for group tickets Jan 18-20 = Mite Full Ice Tourney weekend 8 teams ($650) Games start Friday afternoon. FSU vs Michigan State, Sat, Jan 19 — call early for group tickets. Jan 25-27 = JV/Midget A Tourney Weekend, 8 teams ($850) Feb 8-10 = Midget B/BB Tourney weekend, 8 teams ($850) Feb 16-17 = Mite ADM Studio Rink Tournament 8 teams ($450) 4x4/3x3 hockey played on the Ferris State Studio Rink. FSU vs Bowling Green, Fri/Sat, Feb 15-16 — call early for group tickets (tourney discount) Feb 16-17 = Mini-Mite ADM Studio Rink Tournament, 8-10 teams ($400) 4x4 / 3x3 hockey played on the Ferris State Studio Rink. FSU vs Bowling Green, Fri/Sat, Feb 15-16 — call early for group tickets (tourney discount) All Tournaments are 4-game guarantees, with Fri/Sat/Sun games unless noted Studio Rink Dimensions — 100 x 85 with radiused corners Midget and Bantam tournament games = 1.5 hours All participants/teams must be USA registered Tournament Info: printable application, tournament rules, etc – www.ferris.edu/icearena or www.bigrapidshockey.org
Tournament Hotline: 231-591-2881 Ferris State Ticket Hotline: 231-591-2888 Hotel Sponsor, Holiday Inn: 231-796-4400 www.hibigrapids.com/ please call 3-4 weeks prior for reservations.
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4231 Shrestha Drive Bay City MI 48706 (989) 671-1000 Phone (989)671-9726 Fax chaffint@baycounty.net 2012/13 Tournaments 15th Annual Gravy Cup Tournament
Friday, November 23-Sunday, November 25, 2012
Mite B Squirt B Pee Wee B Bantam B Midget B & BB Mite-Pee Wee $400 Bantam & Midget $525.00 MAHA sanction # MIT130119 8th Annual January Freeze Tournament
Friday, January 11– Sunday, J anuary 13, 2013
Mite B Squirt B Pee Wee B Bantam B Midget B & BB Mite-Pee Wee $400 Bantam & Midget $525.00 MAHA sanction #MIT130120 15th Annual Puck ‘o the Irish Tournament
Friday, March 8– Sunday, March 10, 2013 Mite B Squirt B Pee Wee B Bantam B Midget B Mite-Pee Wee $400 Bantam & Midget $525.00 Sanction #MIT130121
All tournaments have 4 game guarantees NO GATE!! To register, please call Tara Chaffin 989-671-1000 ext 105
Or visit www.baycounty-mi.gov/ CivicArena
Tournaments fill quickly! Register today!
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USA HOCKEY
Six Michigan natives to participate in the All-American Prospects Game
Hocktoberfest October 26, 27, 28 2012
BY STEFAN KUBUS
O
n Aug. 1, USA Hockey announced the 40 players who will partake in the firstever CCM/USA Hockey AllAmerican Prospects Game – and six call the Mitten home. The inaugural game, set for Sept. 29 at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, N.Y. (home of the Sabres), will feature 31 players from the USHL, including 22 from the U.S. National Team Development Program. Furthermore, at least 28 of the 40 are committed to NCAA Division I college programs. Of 13 represented states, Michigan will be sending the second-most players to the game with six, behind only Minnesota who will have seven players present. An impressive six of the nine prospects with Michigan ties are committed to the University of Michigan. The group was chosen by USA Hockey in conjunction with NHL Central Scouting in an effort to showcase the top Americanborn prospects eligible for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.
This is a Travel Tournament. Sanction # MIT130029
Squirt, Peewee & Bantam Travel
MICHIGAN PLAYERS SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE Dawson Cook (Cadillac) - F – U.S. National Under-17 Team – Notre Dame commit Mike McCarron (Macomb) - F – U.S. National Under-17 Team – Cornell commit Evan Allen (Sterling Heights) - F – U.S. National Under-17 Team – University of Michigan commit Tyler Motte (St. Clair) - F – U.S. National Under-17 Team – University of Michigan commit Mike Downing (Canton) - D – Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) – University of Michigan commit Trevor Hamilton (Grosse Pte. Farms) - D – U.S. National Under-17 Team
OTHER MICHIGAN CONNECTIONS J.T. Compher - F – U.S. National Under-17 Team – University of Michigan commit Ryan Hartman - F – U.S. National Under-18 Team – Plymouth Whalers Jimmy Lodge – F – Saginaw Spirit Jared Rutledge - G – U.S. National Under-18 Team – University of Michigan commit
Six Michigan natives selected for 2012 USA Hockey Women’s National Festival BY RYAN ZUKE
O
n July 31, USA Hockey announced the 79 players selected to participate in the 2012 USA Hockey Women’s National Festival, and six of them are Michigan natives. Goaltender Alexis Shaw (Troy), defenseman Kirsten Padalis (Farmington Hills), forward Andrea Anastos (Farmington Hills) and forward Abby Roque (Sault Ste. Marie) are on the U18 roster, while forwards Brittany Dougherty (Chesterfield) and Taylor Wasylk (Port Huron) are a part of
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the U22 team. The festival will take place Aug. 5-13 at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, Minn., ending with the selection of teams who will represent the United States in a U18 series vs. Canada in Blaine and a U22 series vs. Canada in Calgary, Alberta. Three games will be played by each team between Aug. 16-19. The Festival participants will be divided into teams for daily practices and games.
Bar Down Showdown November 9, 10, 11 2012 Sanction # MIT130030
Squirt & Peewee House/Travel, Bantam House, Mini-Mite/Mite Jamboree
Danglers Cup December 7, 8, 9 2012 Sanction # MIT130031
Squirt Travel/House, Peewee Travel/House, Bantam Travel/House, JV
Bottle Knocker January 11, 12, 13 2013 Sanction # MIT130041
Squirt House, Peewee House, Bantam House, Midget BB, Mini-Mite/Mite Jamboree
Shamrock Shakedown March 8, 9, 10 2013 Sanction # MIT130042
Squirt Travel, Peewee House/Travel, Bantam House/ Travel VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFO WWW.LAKESHORESPORTSCENTRE.NET Muskegon, MI 231-739-9423
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COLLEGE HOCKEY
MSU HOSTS THEIR FIRSTEVER WOMEN’S CLINIC
Tom Anastos and the Michigan State Spartans hockey team hosted a women’s clinic for the first time on July 18. The one-night clinic was designed to let women of all different skill levels experience what it’s like to play for the Spartans. The participants - all wearing equipment provided by MSU - were given a tour of Munn Ice Arena, taught how to suit up and tape their stick, and given on-ice lessons from players and coaches. A photo gallery from the event can be found on MiHockeyNow.com.
YOST ICE ARENA IN THE MIDST OF AN OVERHAUL
NCAA ANNOUNCES RULE CHANGES TO HAND PASSES, NET DISLODGING, MORE BY MICHAEL CAPLES On Aug. 3, the NCAA announced on their official website that the governing body of all college hockey will not allow hand passes anywhere on the ice, among other rule changes. The Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved proposals “aimed at increasing offensive opportunities.” According to the release, all hand passes, even in the team’s defensive zone, will result in a whistle, and a face-off in the same zone. The team that commits the infraction will also not be able to complete a line change. The panel also adjusted the rules on net displacement; the new guidelines are quoted below: “Among the changes is to allow some displacement of the goal posts as long as the posts remain in contact with the pegs or pins. For a goal to be awarded in
these situations, the posts must have been displaced by the actions of a defending player. The referee must determine that the puck would have entered the net between the normal positions of the goal posts. Additionally, goals that ricochet into the net off an attacking player’s skates will be allowed, unless the referee determines that the puck was intentionally kicked.” Also, the NCAA said that they have approved an overtime procedure that conferences or competing teams can adopt that will allow for four-on-four overtime play. Five-on-five is the default procedure if a conference or two competing teams don’t agree on the four-on-four. The NCAA will make a two-referee, twolinesman system mandatory for the 201314 season. Goal judges will not be required, only recommended.
On July 18, MiHockey went over to Yost Ice Arena to see how the renovation project was going. A complete gallery of photos we took while we were in Ann Arbor checking out the storied hockey rink is on MiHockeyNow.com. (Photo by Dave Ellis/MiHockey)
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PLYMOUTH WHALERS
Mistele looking to find permanent spot in Plymouth line-up this season BY MATT MACKINDER
I
t’s rare when a 16-year-old rookie makes an immediate impact in the Ontario Hockey League and Plymouth Whalers’ rookie Matt Mistele wasn’t one to buck that trend last season. Mistele was in and out of the line-up, but the complaints never came. Not once. Instead, he showed a mature sense of reality all while playing as the youngest player on the Whalers and one of the youngest in all of the OHL. “I think my first year went well,” said Mistele. “Obviously, I was one of the younger guys on a team with a bunch of big-name players, so I just worked hard in practice and off the ice and tried to take advantage of the time I got and by the end of the year, I think I really came around and improved under the wing of some of the older guys and my coaches.” Drafted in the second round of the 2011 OHL Draft out of the Whitby Wildcats organization, Mistele ventured south of the border with an open mind – another sign of his maturity level. “The change from Canada to the States wasn’t that difficult besides the fact that school starts at 7 (a.m.) instead of 9,” explained Mistele. “One guy that really helped me out in my first year was Tom Wilson. He kind of took me under his wing and showed me how to go about the changes. Obviously, there were a few things that we’re a shocker like having 7,000 kids at your school instead of 500, but the teachers and coaches really helped us out in that area.” Last season, Mistele played just 28 regular-season games for Plymouth and recorded three goals among five points. He added five more points in 12 playoff games. Mistele said that while he never had permanent linemates, but was always ready to hop onto the ice when called upon. “I can’t really say I had two linemates that I really played with all year,” said Mistele, who still won’t turn 17 until October. ”It was always switching around, but on the team that we had last year, it didn’t matter who you played with because everyone was so talented and played a certain role. Whether it was Cody Payne and Mike Whaley on the fourth line or Mitchell Heard and Wilson on the second line, I was always playing with guys that would make the game easier for me, which I really appreciated as a rookie.” Now with training camp just around the corner and the start of the regular season not far behind, Mistele knows this next season is key to showing he belongs in the OHL. “This offseason, I have been working out and skating at Twist Whitby,” said Mistele. “Heard and (Plymouth defenseman) Chris Albertini both work out there with me as well, so I’m surrounded by good people and players. We skate four times a week and are in the gym five days a week, so we’re keeping busy. “My expectations for the team are to try and reach the Memorial Cup that we felt we missed out on last year and with the knowledge of hockey systems and the group of
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guys coach (Mike) Vellucci has put together, I feel that is well within reach. For myself, I just want to build on last year and keep working as hard as I can every day, get stronger and faster and be an impact player on the team this year every game.” Spoken like a player mature beyond his years. VETERAN DEFENSEMAN CURCURUTO ACQUIRED, DEMPSEY SENT TO SOO To start off August, the Whalers shored up their back end by acquiring veteran defenseman Gianluca Curcuruto from Sault Ste. Marie in exchange for 17-year-old left wing Mitchell Dempsey, Plymouth’s top pick in 2011 (11th overall), and 16-year-old center Dylan Mascarin. “With three defensemen leaving from last year’s team (captain Beau Schmitz and Austin Levi, who both signed with Carolina, and Dario Trutmann, who will play in his native Switzerland this season), we were looking to add more experience to our defense,” said Vellucci. “Curcuruto is a young veteran who will help.” Curcuruto was originally chosen by Sault Ste. Marie in the first round (14th overall) of the 2010 OHL draft and was selected in the seventh round (182nd overall) by Columbus in this past June’s NHL draft. “It wasn’t something I went out and asked for, but when the opportunity presented itself on the table, I discussed it with my family and we just went for it,” Curcuruto told the Sault Star. “To move forward in my career, I think a fresh start would be great. I’m definitely excited for the fresh change and the upcoming year. I just can’t wait for the season to get started.” The 18-year-old defenseman scored four goals and added 38 assists in two seasons with the Greyhounds. Dempsey played 34 games last season and tallied a goal and four assists last year. Mascarin was drafted by Plymouth in the fifth round (93rd overall) of the 2011 OHL draft and had not seen any action with the Whalers.
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Matt Mistele looks to expand his game in Year 2 with the Whalers. Below is a photo of his first OHL goal. (Photos by Rena Laverty/ Plymouth Whalers)
August 13, 2012 V.23 : I.1
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GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS
GRIFFINS ROSTER TAKES SHAPE AFTER FREE AGENCY BY KYLE KUJAWA
A
lthough they weren’t players in the Zach Parise and Ryan Suter sweepstakes, the Grand Rapids Griffins went a long way to filling out their 2012-13 roster with several key free agent acquisitions. To be more accurate, it’s the Detroit Red Wings who made the splash on the Griffins’ behalf. With full control of player personnel now in the hands of the parent club, the Detroit Red Wings are able to sign players to AHL contracts. In addition to several fresh faces coming to Grand Rapids through NHL entry-level contracts, Detroit used AHL contracts to sign several key components for the Griffins, allowing them to add a much-needed veteran influence to a young lineup without burning one of their 50 available NHL contracts. Here’s a look at some of the new faces who could see time in Grand Rapids.
CHAD BILLINS, D – Billins co-captained Ferris State to their 2012 NCAA Frozen Four appearance, where they were defeated in the championship game by Boston College. The Marysville native spent four seasons with the Bulldogs and is very used to playing in his home state, having played a season of junior hockey with the Alpena IceDiggers. Billins picked up 29 points as a senior, and earned several prestigious accolades, including CCHA RBC Player of the Year. DAMIEN BRUNNER, RW – The 26-year-old Swiss forward led his country’s National League in scoring last season, tallying 60 points (24-36—60) in 45 games for Zug. In particular, Mike Babcock is high on the skills of Brunner and expects him to compete for a top-six role in the NHL. BRENNAN EVANS, D – Evans adds size (6-foot4, 225-pounds) and toughness (1,349 career penalty minutes) to what will be a young Griffins team that will need the services of a 10th year pro. Evans has logged 636 career AHL games, and has an even 100 points (1486—100) in his career. LUKE GLENDENING, RW – The four-year University of Michigan winger became the first Grand Rapids-native to sign with the team when he inked an AHL contract with the organization in June. Glendening was named the CCHA Best Defensive Forward this past season, and had a career-best 10 goals. TRISTON GRANT, LW – Grant is a hard-hitting winger with good size who’s no stranger to dropping the gloves, having racked up more than 150 penalty minutes in six of his seven AHL seasons. Grant was one of only two players to have more than 150 penalty minutes and a double-digit plus-minus rating.
MAX NICASTRO, D – A two-way defenseman with size, Nicastro developed his game in his home state of California before two seasons in the USHL and eventually Boston University. In three seasons on a deep Terriers blueline, Nicastro never managed more than 15 points (as a freshman, which earned him a spot on the Hockey East All-Rookie Team), but his booming shot makes him a threat on the power play, where nearly half of his career collegiate goals came. NATHAN PAETSCH, D – Paetsch’s 167 games of NHL experience are the most on the Griffins roster right now, as the offensive defenseman played five seasons with the Buffalo Sabres and posted 42 points. Paetsch spent last season in Germany with the interestingly-named Wolfsburg Grizzly Adams, and hasn’t seen a full season in the AHL since his all-star year with Rochester in 2005-06, when he recorded 50 points. RILEY SHEAHAN, C – Sheahan has already gotten a taste of the AHL, skating in seven games with the Griffins after finishing his junior year with the University of Notre Dame, where he was a runner-up for the CCHA Best Defensive Award. He even made his NHL debut with Detroit in the last game of the season and showed fans that it won’t be long until he’s in the NHL full-time. MOVING ON: Several key parts of the 2011-12 edition of the Griffins will have new homes this coming season. Five of the team’s free agents signed overseas: Doug Janik (Adler Mannheim) and Chris Minard (Kolner Haie) in Germany; Jamie Johnson (Dinamo Riga) in the KHL; Fabian Brunnstrom (Frolunda) in Sweden; and Travis Ehrhardt (TPS) as a tryout in Finland. A trio of players were signed by other NHL clubs: Chris Conner by Phoenix, Garnet Exelby by Boston and Logan Pyett by the NY Rangers. Forward Mike Thomas and goaltender Ty Conklin remain unsigned.
TOMAS JURCO, RW – Losing is not something Jurco is overly familiar with, as his Saint John Sea Dogs won 81.1 percent of their games while he was there. Known for his YouTube stickhandling highlights, Jurco is an all-around offensive threat who recorded 68 points (30-38—68) in 48 games last season, while helping Saint John win a secondstraight President’s Cup. The lack of a transfer agreement with Slovakia has kept the Red Wings from signing him yet, but it is expected that he will be a member of the Griffins in 2012-13.
Almquist could play a crucial role on the Griffins’ blue line. (Photo by Mark Newman/Grand Rapids Griffins)
ADAM ALMQUIST, D – With two and a half seasons of Swedish Elite League experience under his belt, Almquist will ply his trade on North American ice as he hopes to assume a large role on a Griffins blue line that will look much different in October.
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PETR MRAZEK, G – Mrazek adds youth to a crowded minor league crease, where he is expected to compete for a starting job. Mrazek really rose to prominence at the 2012 World Junior Championship in Calgary and Edmonton, earning a spot on the IIHF tournament All-Star Team and winning the Directorate Top Goaltender Award. Mrazek made 52 saves in an upset over the United States and appeared on highlight reels across the world – mostly for his work between the pipes, but also due to his highenergy celebrations during the game.
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With Doug Janik, Fabian Brunnstrum and Chris Minard now gone from the Griffins’ line-up, who will take their place? (Photo by Mark Newman/Grand Rapids Griffins)
August 13, 2012 V.23 : I.1
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JUNIORS PREVIEW RED WINGS INSIDER
“IF YOU CAN KEEP YOUR HEAD WHEN ALL ABOUT YOU ARE LOSING THEIRS AND BLAMING IT ON YOU” -RUDYARD KIPLING’S “IF” BY DAVE WADDELL
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t’s hard to know if Detroit Red Wings’ general manager Ken Holland is familiar with Rudyard Kipling’s classic poem “If”, which starts with the virtues of keeping one’s head while all around are losing theirs. With Wings’ fans clearly feeling unease about their team having seen Nick Lidstrom, Brad Stuart and Jiri Hudler leave and Detroit coming up empty in the hunt for big-name free agents, Holland might find some comfort in Kipling’s prose. However, halfway through the summer, and with no one of consequence left out there in free agency, Holland is getting a true test of his faith in a system of team building heavily influenced by the New England Patriots. Simply, Holland believes in a system of slotting players’ values into salary bands. Fit the band’s parameters and the Wings are interested. When value and the monetary band gets out of sync, Detroit’s not interested. But it’s not like the Wings are averse to big salaries. Their offers to Ryan Suter and Zack Parise were both north of $7 million per season, but again the value fit the dollars. However, $7 million for a player with the baggage of Alex Semin or nearly $6 million for defenseman Matt Carle were simply never going to happen in Detroit. Not only were the salaries out of line for perceived value, but the Wings’ front office wasn’t enamored with the games of either player. It wasn’t a case of missing out; it was that Detroit wasn’t seriously interested like they were with Suter and Parise. How Holland navigates the rest of the summer is where he’s going to earn his salary. He’s clearly playing for time on a few fronts. Certainly Detroit is interested in Shane Doan, but not at $7.5 million per season for four years. Again, the value doesn’t fit the dollars. Whether that price is illusionary, as Doan’s agent claims, will soon be revealed. More realistically, Holland is patiently letting the clock tick down to get a better handle on where the negotiations for a new CBA are headed. The sense is a lower salary cap is coming and teams are going to have to buy out bad contracts on some useful players or dump others to get down to the reduced cap ceiling. The other aspect of the waiting game that has borne fruit repeatedly for Holland in past summers is the strategy of letting unsigned free agents get nervous as
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the calendar pages begin to flip through August while they’re still homeless. That’s precisely how the Wings landed Dan Cleary, Patrick Eaves, and Mikael Samuelsson in his first tour with Detroit. “I don’t think we need a whole bunch of guys,” Holland said. “I think if we can get one more player… “We’re done in goal and we’ve got a lot of pieces up front. With the loss of Lidstrom and the loss of Stuart we’re not as deep as we have been in the past, but the two players that are going to replace them are Brendan Smith and Kyle Quincey. “It’s not like we lost two guys and we don’t have any players.” Of course patience isn’t what the Wings’ faithful want to see. The excitement of sports is in the action and certainly the likes of Philadelphia general manager Paul Holmgren can claim that title in the NHL. Holmgren has shown he isn’t afraid to create offer sheets (Shea Weber), trading young stars (Mike Richards and Jeff Carter) or making risky signings. But for all the fireworks, Holmgren’s moves have resulted in Weber staying in Nashville, Richards and Carter helping Los Angeles win the Stanley Cup and the Flyers being left with goalie Ilya Bryzgalov’s horrible contract and the Flyers being tight against the salary cap. What may rescue the Flyers’ situation is precisely the same thing the Wings are counting on - the rise of their young, drafted talent. “We’re in a cap world,” Holland said. “We’re moving some younger people in. “If we’re not moving younger people in, we’re going backwards. Brendan Smith has to play. Gustav Nyquist has to have an opportunity. Jimmy Howard is 27. We signed Jonas Gustavsson and he’s 28. Darren Helm is 25. “Those players have to be a part of where we’re going.” Realistically, Holland is also keeping an eye on the future where he sees some of his own key players, goalie Jimmy Howard, Valtteri Filppula, Dan Cleary next year, and Pavel Datsyuk in a couple of seasons, become UFAs. Detroit currently has a touch over $13-million in cap space with 23 players signed. With that type of purchasing power and flexibility,
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Holland remains confident he can get something done. It almost certainly will be the acquisition of another defenseman to bolster the top four. “I don’t because I field calls,” said Holland of whether Detroit has slipped down the NHL rankings of desirable teams. “We might not always be No. 1, but we were one of two teams that Ryan Suter met with. The other thing is, once you make those types of decisions, you’re out of the game for a decade. “We’re not going to have major announcements this year, next year and the year after. The league doesn’t work like that. “I’m confident that at some point in time, and it might be next year, that the history, the tradition, the commitment of our ownership and the passion of the Red Wing fans is going to all add up to us bringing a player of significance here.”
August 13, 2012 V.23 : I.1
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JUNIORS THE LAST PREVIEW LINE
IF IT WAS LEFT UP TO THE KIDS, WHAT WOULD THEY SAY? BY DARREN ELIOT
E
ven Michael Phelps must have started in a wading pool. That’s all I could think of as I watched the Olympics these past couple of weeks. The sprinters, too, surely found out they were fast by playing tag and never getting caught. And like the commercial that has been running about gymnast Jonathan Horton climbing to the ceiling in the middle of a department store at age 4, when his parents thought that tendency might warrant some nurturing through entrylevel tumbling classes instead of curbing. I was moved to view these Olympics through that prism for several reasons, most notably, though, because I keep trying to understand the angst and vitriol surrounding the playing surface debate for Mite hockey players. Make no mistake; this isn’t about a bunch of gloomy 8-year-olds griping that the ice surface isn’t big enough. This is about the business of youth hockey, which I understand. But I also know that, like the young sprinter running freely just to avoid being tagged, any eight year old on any sized sheet of ice will find a way to skate, pass and shoot and at the end of it, when asked if they had fun, they will say “yes”. That’s true if it is 85 feet wide as in cross-ice, 100 feet long as in half-ice, 200 feet long as in full ice, or 400 feet long as in skating on, say, the Rideau Canal in Ottawa. In that situation, the kids may choose to modify the length of the ice surface depending on the size and number of the players and actually break into multiple games based on those very same dynamics. That’s a natural way for players to think and develop – make the ice surface fit the size and number of the players available. Simple. So simple, in fact, that while I was keeping in touch with all things Olympic, I was also at various rinks on a daily basis. I happened to be in Suburban Ice Farmington Hills one morning and watched a group of pros skating. I recognized a couple of them and spoke with David Moss
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(our ‘Hometown Hero’ for this issue), who seemed to be heading up the loosely organized skate. They ran through some warm-up skating drills then onto some full ice drills. When it came time to play, though, they moved the nets closer to each blue line, approximating a half-ice game – configuring the ice surface to fit the numbers and the training needs. I point this out because you won’t find many true hockey people who will argue the virtues of right-sized training when it comes to skill development. Anyone who rails on the “downside” for eight-year olds is disingenuous. I even heard one rink denizen explaining to a wide-eyed parent of a 7-year-old player that playing on smaller surfaces “hurts the development of the forward stride.” Better not tell David Moss and the boys that, as grown professionals, they are hurting their strides by not playing on the full 200-foot sheet. So, spotting the crackpots with other agendas is the easy part. What to do is more difficult. This whole Mite rule controversy isn’t so much about what’s best for the kids – development of passion and skills – it’s about adults. It’s about adults competing. It’s about business. And that is a valid concern. If it were just about development,
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@Darren_Eliot there would be no controversy. If left solely up to the kids, they’d say, “Let’s play some hockey!” That hasn’t changed. Kids just want to hit the ice with their friends and have fun. Even as we watch these Olympic Games, we know that these elite athletes began as little kids, with little kid pursuits – running, climbing, swimming… playing. That’s no different than when I began playing at Morningside Arena in Burlington, Ontario. Our Thursday night practices were on an outside square sheet of ice, under a string of lights that cast rays in some spots, but produced as many shadows as they did lighted areas. That was my thought as a beginner goalie as I peered into the semi-darkness to find the puck. I still remember the snowy, fenced-in practice rink – no Zamboni or boards out there - and the fun we had in the half-lit environment. We were 9 years old and we were playing hockey. That’s all that mattered. But, adult intervention and supervision has changed youth sports – all sports – since then. It is pervasive. In many cases, it is over the top. But it is here to stay. It is part of the business, which is work. By definition, that’s the opposite of play, which is all the kids want to do: anywhere, anytime, on any sized rink.
August 13, 2012 V.23 : I.1
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