MiHockeyNow.com
V.23 : I.3 | OCTOBER 8, 2012
FIRST CLASS
Michigan natives shine at All American Prospects Game in Buffalo – Pages 31-33 THE LOCKOUT: A danger of disengagement, disillusionment, and apathy – Page 40
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
OCTOBER 8, 2012 VOLUME 23: ISSUE 3 6 THE LOCKER ROOM Talking hockey on Facebook and Twitter
8 SLIDESHOW
Photos from across Michigan...and Buffalo
10 SPEAKING OF HOCKEY Which team/league are you most excited to watch this season?
12 GET BETTER A drill for both goaltenders and players
14 YOU SHOULD KNOW
Saginaw Spirit goaltender Jake Paterson
16 YOUTH HOCKEY Honeybaked wins twice, so does Brighton prep
17 HENRIK ZETTERBERG
26-28
The Red Wings’ assistant captain talks photoshoots at a Warrior Hockey event
HOCKEY NEVER STOPS Check out MiHockey’s lockout-free calendar of some games worth watching this season, and see a breakdown of all the different teams and leagues to follow in 2012-13.
21 NAHL Evan Cowley represents NAHL in Buffalo
22 HOMETOWN HERO Northville native Kevin Porter
38 GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS Petr Mrazek is ready for his next challenge
31
ALL-AMERICAN PROSPECTS GAME
Michigan natives, connections showcase their talent in Buffalo
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MiHockeyMag
40
RED WINGS INSIDER
The Lockout: A danger of danger of disengagement, disillusionment, and apathy
42
LOOK FOR OUR NEXT ISSUE LAST LINE
Is it time to reassess the structure of midget hockey?
MiHockeyNow.com
OCTOBER 22, 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
October 8, 2012 V.24 : I.3
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 PUBLISHER 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.
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: Travis Lynch and Brock Shelgren (Dave Reginek/DRW), Mike McCarron (USA Hockey/Steve DeMeo) COVER: Photos from various team websites and other media platforms. Design by Emily Huston/MiHockey
Cover reprints available e-mail: mcaples@mihockeynow.com
Ocotber 8, 2012 V.24 : I.3
BY MICHAEL CAPLES
@michaelcaples
Don’t let millionaires and billionaires mess with our game Believe it or not, sometimes I struggle to come up with the words to put on this page. So whenever I have writer’s block, I walk to the rink across the street, laptop in hand. Long story short, I always write this ‘letter from the editor’ at a hockey rink. It seems fitting, considering the entire magazine is dedicated to the sport. But it loosens me up, because I feel more at home at the rink than I do at the office. I hope I’m not the only person that feels this way. And I hope that kids keep growing up at the rink, and that future generations feel the same way I do. There’s something missing from the hockey world right now. We all know that. It’s going to get real weird over the next few months, when we change the channel to Fox Sports Detroit around 7 p.m. and see poker or softball or whatever else they’re going to use to fill their programming schedule. The Red Wings won’t be the unifying force for hockey in the state the way they are supposed to be. After all, we call ourselves Hockeytown for a reason, and it’s because of the Red Wings. However, we can’t let the bickering between billionaires and millionaires ruin the game we love. Hockey may be absent in NHL arenas, but it’s as present as ever everywhere else. After all, USA Hockey reported record highs in youth players last season. Yet the last lockout showed that those numbers are affected by the NHL’s actions; we lost 14,115 kids across the country the year after the 2004-05 lockout. USA Hockey overcame the losses last time, and the hockey community grew the game to new heights in the following seasons. But we can’t have a setback again.
MiHockeyNow.com
We have to disassociate our anger with the NHL from our feelings toward the sport itself. Hockey isn’t locking anybody out. Billionaires are. That’s why we’re marching along with our ‘Hockey Never Stops’ message. Keep playing. Keep watching. Keep going to games (college, juniors, Griffins, high school, etc). Keep encouraging participation in the sport. Keep telling your friends about the good things associated with hockey. It would be a shame if the ridiculousness of another NHL lockout meant children and adults alike didn’t experience the good hockey has to offer. The friendships, the lessons, the lifestyle; hockey shouldn’t be stopped. And as the rink I’m sitting in starts to pick up as we inch towards another night of youth hockey, I’m reminded once again that hockey never stops. But we need to make sure it keeps growing, too. I hope you enjoy this issue of MiHockeyMag. Most of it is a reminder of all the different kinds of hockey you can use to fill the absence of the NHL. If we missed anybody, I apologize. The great thing about this state is that there’s so much hockey, and the only bad thing is that it makes it hard on our editorial staff to cover it all. It is in no way meant to serve as a snub or a shot at a program/team/league. If I could have it my way, I would be at every rink in the state every single day. Because hockey never stops. And that’s awesome. See you at a rink soon,
MiHockeyMag
5
THE LOCKER ROOM
THE
LOCKERROOM
ON THE FLY
TWO FOR TWEETING
Are you following us on Instagram? Check out @MiHockeyNow for photos from wherever the MiHockey team is…like the First Niagara Center in Buffalo. Noah Bradburn, who plays for Victory Honda’s ’01 Pee Wee A team, was one of the winners of our Warrior Krown 360 helmet contest on MiHockeyNow.com. Perhaps the new helmet is a lucky charm for Noah; he wore it for the first time during a tournament in Cleveland where his team won the championship, and he was named MVP. Not a bad way to kick things off with your new bucket, Noah!
We’re glad to have a great relationship with teams on social media; it helps us keep our fans informed about hockey across the state every day.
LOCKER ROOM POLLS our Facebook page, we asked hockey Q: On fans which Michigan-based CCHA team would finish highest in the standings this season. This is what they had to say:
A: 44%
6
University of Michigan Wolverines
21%
Michigan State Spartans
16%
Western Michigan Broncos
10%
Ferris State Bulldogs
9%
Northern Michigan Wildcats
0%
Lake Superior State Lakers
MiHockeyMag
Evan Allen retweeted what we said about him during the CCM/USA Hockey AllAmerican Prospects Game; we love how Twitter lets us connect with the players.
At a game or an event? Tell us about it through Twitter or Facebook!
The Macomb native sums up what a win for his team meant at the CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game.
MiHockeyNow.com
October 8, 2012 V.24 : I.3
find us on Facebook facebook.com/reebokhockey
The all-new Reebok 20K Sickick 4 is engineered with pro-level performance in mind so players can strike more quickly and more often. IN STORES 09.15.12
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FOR MORE INFO VISIT St-Louis Blues name and primary logo are registered trademarks of the NHL team. ©NHL 2012. All Rights Reserved. ©2012 Reebok International Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
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SLIDESHOW
MICHIGAN HOCKEY IN PICTURES: HOCKEY IN THE MITTEN...AND BUFFALO
Team McClanahan is welcomed to the ice at the inaugural CCM/USA Hockey AllAmerican Prospects Game in Buffalo. They ended up winning 5-2.
Top prospect Mike Downing of Canton skates through center ice at the First Niagara Center during the All-American Prospects Game. For more on how Downing did, flip to Page 31.
Members of the Little Caesars midget major team crash the net in a game against the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes. LC ended up winning 4-2. (Michael Caples/MiHockey) ended up winning 5-2.
A goaltender looks on as the action approaches during the 2012 Compuware/ Honeybaked Invitational in Farmington Hills. For more on the tournament, go to Page 16.
The West Michigan Hounds made the trek to Farmington Hills for the Compuware/ Honeybaked Invitational. In this game, they ended up falling to CCYHA 5-3.
Henrik Zetterberg signs autographs at a Warrior photo shoot in Madison Heights. For more, flip to Page 17.
Photos by Michael Caples / MiHockey 8
MiHockeyMag
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October 8, 2012 V.24 : I.3
THE NEW CCM RBZ POWERED BY TAYLORMADE FEATURING THE REVOLUTIONARY SPEEDBLADE TECHNOLOGY FOR INSANE VELOCITY. TM
FIND OUT MORE AT CCMHOCKEY.COM
EXPERIENCE THE #SPEEDBLADE FACTOR @ccmhockey /ccmhockey CCM and logo are registered trademarks of CCM Holdings (1983) Inc.and are used under license by Sport Maska Inc. and under sublicense by Maska U.S. Inc. © 2012 Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
SPEAKING OF HOCKEY
With the NHL lockout causing us to adjust our hockey viewing schedules, we asked…
“Which team/league are you most excited to watch this season?” 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!
WINNER
ROHA mini mites, squirt and peewee!!!
— Melissa Grubbs Clapp Whalers are supposed to have a good year. Zach Russell
College. Go Bulldogs! Might head down to Toledo for some Walleye ECHL games too. Steven Syrett
The Plymouth Whalers and U of M. I’m definitely going to try to get to at least a few of their games this season.
College hockey for sure, being that it is the final season of the CCHA. Hopefully some NHL hockey too, but that’s probably being a bit optimistic. Danny Bara
Alec Blake Petrelak
Yost has been updated and revamped. Watching and coaching my son’s mites and taking them to U of M games will be a blast. Christopher Sorel
Go Spartans!
Michael Shane Bryans
Well seeing as how there’s no NHL to keep up with, I’ll continue to follow my Belle Tire 16u team all over the country! And of course the free Whalers tickets from Meijer! Carol A Greca
Visit our Facebook page to try and win our next Warrior prize pack, facebook.com/mihockeynow 10
MiHockeyMag
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October 8, 2012 V.24 : I.3
GET BETTER
GETBETTER
POWERED BY
GOALTENDER DEVELOPMENT
GREAT DRILL FOR WARM-UPS OR END OF PRACTICE ORGANIZATION: Forward 1 starts on the blue line, carries puck into the zone, shoots from a wide angle, retrieves puck from corner and then passes to Forward 2/Forward 3. Forward 1 moves to Forward 2 line. Forward 2 and Forward 3 receive pass and go in the goalie 2-on-0. Forward 2 to Forward 3, Forward 3 to Forward 1. Both sides run continuous - switch sides halfway through. GOALIE: Helps improve one’s angles and net play
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October 8, 2012 V.24 : I.3
Hockey Player Age Hometown Height Weight Team Position Coach School Grade Favorite Team Favorite Player
Ryan Piros 9 Jackson 4'2" 60 lbs Little Caesars '03 Goalie Brian Beaufait Hanover Horton Elementary 4th Detroit Red Wings Jimmy Howard
2012 UNDER-18
FOUR NATIONS CUP
Hockey Player Age Hometown Height Weight Team Position Coach School Grade Favorite Team Favorite Player
World Class Hockey
Nate Williams
Tuesday, Nov. 6
11 Northville 50" 110 lbs. Honeybaked '01 Goalie Danny Veri Northville Christian 6 LA Kings Jonathan Quick
Sweden vs. Switzerland, 3:30 p.m. USA vs. Finland, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 7 Finland vs. Sweden, 3:30 p.m. USA vs. Switzerland, 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 9 Switzerland vs. Finland, 3:30 p.m. Sweden vs. USA, 7 p.m.
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.
Third Place Game, 3:30 p.m. First Place Game, 7 p.m.
ALL GAMES PLAYED AT
THE ANN ARBOR ICE CUBE 2121 OAK VALLEY DRIVE CALL 734.327.9251 FOR TICKETS! USAHOCKEY.COM/USANTDP
"STARS OF TOMORROW" c/o Michigan Hockey 'SFFXBZ 1BSL %SJWF t 4VJUF Farmington Hills, MI 48335-2829 mh@mihockeynow.com
Ocotber 8, 2012 V.24 : I.3
Saturday, Nov. 10
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MiHockeyMag
13
YOU SHOULD KNOW
you should know
Photo by: Aaron Bell/OHL Images
FAVORITE SPORTING EVENT:
Watching the Wings win the Cup in ‘02
FAVORITE BREAKFAST FOOD:
Waffles
MUST-SEE TV:
Prison Break, How I Met Your Mother
FAVORITE MOVIE:
Blindside, Step Brothers
FIRST CONCERT: Taylor Swift
FAVORITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY: Putting the skates on for the first time
IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE WISH GRANTED, WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH IT: Easy - play in the NHL
THREE PEOPLE YOU WOULD WANT TO HAVE DINNER WITH: Will Ferrell, Carey Price, and maybe Eric Church
NICKNAME: Patty
ONE PIECE OF TECHNOLOGY YOU CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT: Definitely, the cell phone
DO YOU HAVE A PRE-GAME ROUTINE: Pre-game skate in the morning, then nap, pre-game meal, and head to the rink
WHO WAS MOST INFLUENTIAL ON YOUR HOCKEY CAREER:
Piero Greco, my goalie coach, as well as Lukas Schueder, one of my best friends who passed away
Jake Paterson Saginaw Spirit goaltender Despite growing up north of the border, Jake Paterson is going to become a household name in Hockeytown. The talented goaltender is entering his third season with the Saginaw Spirit, and he is expected to be one of the top goaltenders in the OHL. Expectations of that magnitude come along with what happened to him this summer – Paterson was drafted by his favorite NHL team, the Detroit Red Wings. Ken Holland and Co. used a third-round pick on a player who idolized Chris Osgood growing up; if he can be like his hero, Paterson will be in Michigan for a long time to come.
Photos courtesy of: stanleycupwinners.net (Stanley Cup), howimetyourmothercommunity.webs.com (HIMYM), lyrics.wikia.com (Taylor Swift), pajamasandcoffee.com (Will Ferrell), en.wikipedia.com (Blind Side)
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October 8, 2012 V.24 : I.3
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YOUTH HOCKEY
HONEYBAKED WINS TWICE DURING 2012 COMPUWARE/HONEYBAKED INVITATIONAL BY MICHAEL CAPLES Some of the top teams from across the country, along with all-star teams with Michigan high school talent, took part in the 2012 Compuware/Honeybaked Invitational, a midget major and midget minor tournament held in Farmington Hills and Plymouth. Honeybaked, hosting along with their High Performance Hockey League neighbor Compuware, prevailed in both divisions during Sunday’s championships. The midget major Honeybaked squad topped a team compiled of players from the Michigan Development Hockey League 3-2 in overtime, while the midget minor team prevailed over Compuware 6-3. Photos by Michael Caples / MiHockey
BRIGHTON CAPTURES 2012 MIDWEST JV/PREP HOCKEY FALL KICK-OFF CLASSIC The Brighton Boys Hockey 2012 fall team were crowned champions of the 2012 Midwest JV/Prep Hockey Fall Kick-Off Classic tournament during the weekend of Sept. 29-30 in Lansing. From left to right: Front Row - Tyler Roy, Jake Price, Second Row - Jacob Hicks, Kevin Czajka, Cal Salmon, Lee Pietila, Colin Bilek, Max Cappellani, Nick Foran Back Bunch - Assistant Coach Chip Elliott, Head Coach Joe Augustyn, Jake Wessel, Garrett Mase, CJ LeClair, Adam Ackerman, Andrew Kozel, Jack Toth, Matt Rimanelli, Zach Maisevich, Cale Carpenter, Assistant Coach Dan Ackerman Not pictured: Manager Caroline Wessel
Have your team highlighted in MiHockeyMag and on MiHockeyNow.com this season! To see your team in print, contact MiHockey editor Michael Caples at mcaples@mihockeynow.com to tell MiHockey about your team, whether it be a big tournament win, a charity game, or simply how your team is doing this season.
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October 8, 2012 V.24 : I.3
Michael Caples / MiHockey
ZETTERBERG TALKS PHOTO SHOOTS AT WARRIOR HOCKEY EVENT BY MICHAEL CAPLES MADISON HEIGHTS – Despite the NHL season being put on hold, there’s still work to be done for Henrik Zetterberg. The Red Wings’ star forward traveled to the 2SP training facility in Madison Heights on Sept. 18 to be a part of a photo and video shoot with Warrior Hockey. Zetterberg, who is one of the top athletes to represent the Warren-based hockey company, took the Warrior cameras through a typical workout session, then sat down with the company for video interviews. “I think it’s a normal day,â€? Zetterberg said afterwards. “This is what we do when we do stuff – we have fun, it goes quick, and you know, I have a lot of fun.â€? The Wings’ assistant captain – he is expected to take over the ‘C’ when the season begins – spent roughly four hours with the Warrior group, laughing and sharing stories between video segments. Zetterberg appeared to enjoy the entire experience, which was no surprise to Christine Knight, brand manager for Warrior Hockey. “This is not our ďŹ rst time working with him, and he’s always been a really accommodating, friendly, outgoing guy any time that we’ve requested time with him,â€? Knight said. “You can tell he comes from kind of humble beginnings in Sweden and he comes from a small town. I think that’s the really impressive thing about him in
person, really just how humble he is, not only about being one of the most recognizable NHL athletes and how he handles that, but how he plays the game, too. “He really takes pride in being a two-way player, he’s not a ashy guy; on the ice he gets it done, game after game, that’s what he really takes pride in his game, which is why for us, he’s such an amazing athlete, in our hometown, and such a great match for our brand.â€? Zetterberg said that he’s learned to have fun with all aspects of his job, including events like photo shoots. “I think you have to [have fun with it], otherwise it won’t be fun,â€? Zetterberg said. “It’s a part of it, if you don’t do too much of it, I think you can actually enjoy it.â€? He did admit, however, that it’s still a little strange to work out with a camera crew following him around. “You know, it is, but I had a real good trainer here today,â€? Zetterberg said. “We went through all the steps and it’s a beautiful facility here, so everything was easy.â€? The native of Njurunda, Sweden, said he is still considering returning to his homeland during the lockout with wife Emma Andersson. “I’m staying home, we’ll see how long we’re going to stay,â€? Zetterberg said. “Hopefully we can ďŹ nd a fair deal soon, and get the season started. If not, we might go over to Europe somewhere and play.â€?
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Ocotber 8, 2012 V.24 : I.3
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the
DINNE R C LUB Suburban Ice-Macomb will run a special Suburban FUNdamental hockey session for Mighty Mites (ages 4-7) from September-March.
It’s not too late to get in the game! Great schedule and excellent ice times all at one location! One 50-minute skate each week for 24 weeks on Sundays at 4:30 pm September 23 - March 24, 2013 Emphasis is placed on creating a fun, challenging environment for players to learn the beginning principles of skating in equipment, stickhandling and puck skills at their competitive level. Skill stations and skillbuilding games will be a part of each session
FALL/WINTER 2012-13
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Instructional Training Camp | Team Play | Game Time Ages 18 & up 24 Weeks – September 16 through March 24 Sundays, between 5:30 & 7:00 pm No sessions November 25, December 23 & 30, and February 3
Program serves as the initiation program for the Macomb Hockey Club Full equipment required - equipment available to borrow
WITH QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT: Steve Kruk, Assistant Manager & Hockey Director skruk@suburbanice.com | 586.992.8600
54755 Broughton Road | Macomb, MI 48042 | (586) 992-8600
www.suburbanicemacomb.com
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October 8, 2012 V.24 : I.3
COMPLETE AND UP-TO-DATE TOURNAMENT LISTINGS AT
TOURNAMENT CALENDAR MICHIGAN OCTOBER 2012 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 October 12-14, 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
Ocotber 8, 2012 V.24 : I.3
Traverse City, MI October 19-21, 2012 Squirt AA 231-933-4842 gthatournaments@yahoo.com tchockey.com Battle at the Bridge 3 on 3 St. Ignace, MI October 20-21, 2012 906-643-8676 lbe@cityofstignace.net littlebeararena.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 October 26-28, 2012 Mite through Midget: House, B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV Hockey Time Productions (216) 325-0567 itshockeytime.com Fall Classic Hockey Tournament Dimondale, MI October 26-28, 2012 Squirt – Bantam B, A & AA & Midget AA 517-319-1000 thesummitsportsandice.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
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 October 19-21, 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
OUT OF STATE OCTOBER 2012 AMERICAN CUP October 11-14, 2012 Lake Placid, NY Bantam, Midget AA, A - Minor/Major/Mixed divisions Canadian Hockey Enterprises. 1-800-461-2161 chehockey.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
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
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CANADIAN CUP November 30-December 2, 2012 Montreal, Quebec Novice, Atom, Peewee, Bantam, Midget, High School Boys AA, A, B, Select - Minor/Major/ Mixed divisions Canadian Hockey Enterprises 1-800-461-2161 www. chehockey.com
NOVEMBER 2012
JANUARY 2013
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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 Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com
CANADA NOVEMBER 2012 Weekend Hockey Tournament Niagara Falls, ON Canada November 9-11, 2012 Adult men & women 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+ & 50+ A, B, C, D, E 1.877.702.5701 www.weekendhockey.com Canadian Hockey Enterprises November 9-11, 2012 Montreal Adult & Old-timer Tournament Montreal, Quebec
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
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NAHL
COWLEY DOES NAHL PROUD
Matt Mackinder / MiHockey
AT ALL-AMERICAN PROSPECTS GAME
BY MATT MACKINDER Evan Cowley’s story is pretty amazing. Playing AA hockey in Colorado this time a year ago, the Wichita Falls Wildcats’ goaltender’s stock has obviously soared through the roof as he played in the inaugural CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game – as in NHL-caliber prospects – on Sept. 29 in Buffalo. He was the lone player from the North American Hockey League picked to play in the contest, which was played before 5,519 fans at the First Niagara Center, the home of the Buffalo Sabres. And even though Cowley was a replacement for Michigan freshman goalie Jared Rutledge, he still felt like he had something to prove at the game. “I feel the NAHL is up to par with all the leagues that were here,” Cowley said. “Coming in, I wanted to impress some people and make sure I fit in pretty well.” Cowley played the second half of the second period and the entire third period for the winning Team (Rob) McClanahan side. McClanahan, a member of the 1980 “Miracle On Ice” U.S. Olympic Team, coached the team, while former NHL defenseman Phil Housley coached the other team. Team McClanahan won the game 5-2. Did Cowley’s performance help elevate the stature of the NAHL? “I think so, I hope so,” said Cowley. “Obviously, with two kids drafted last year (goalies Anthony Stolarz and Commerce native Connor Hellebuyck), the league has the credit there as well. I think it’s a great league and hopefully, we can keep pumping it up. It was a fun game (in Buffalo) and just a great atmosphere with a bunch of talented players. It was great to get into the game and see some pucks, too.” In late September, Cowley was named the South Division’s Star of the Week after posting back-to-back shootout wins over the Corpus Christi IceRays. “I think in total, Evan faced about 14 breakaways during the weekend and stopped all but one of them, so that is a testament to his natural ability,” said Wichita Falls head coach Paul Baxter. “He is learning at a really fast pace and has already adapted to the level of play in the NAHL.” Originally from Vancouver, Cowley’s family now resides in Evergreen, Colo. To know that this time last year, he was playing at a much lower level than the NAHL and to now think that he’s on NHL scouts’ radar screens as well as top NCAA schools’ recruiting schedules, Cowley simply brushes off any accolades. “My confidence is pretty high right now,” said Cowley. “You can’t get too ahead of yourself and just have to realize that this is just the beginning with a lot of hard work ahead. “I’m feeling good right now and it’s definitely a happy
time for myself and my family and friends and hopefully, we can keep it going.”
CLEVELAND LOOKING FOR CONTINUED SUCCESS IN NA3HL The Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks typically have one of the better teams in the North American 3 Hockey League year in and year out. At 5-1-0 so far this season, odds are that trend continues. “So far, we are right where we want to be,” Cleveland captain Fred West said. “We still have a long way to go, but we feel good about how we’ve played so far and we definitely have the potential to make a good run this season.” “We just have to keep doing what we’ve been doing everyday,” added assistant captain Andrew Mitch. “We’ve been a pretty competitive team the past few years and I think skill-wise, this might be a better team than last year. Time will tell.” Last season, the Jr. Lumberjacks went 19-1-0 in their first 20 games. Rookie goaltenders Christian Michalik, who won a Division 1 state title last spring with Brighton High School, and Dave Heflin have been notable first-year players. Returning players, including West, Mitch, Pat Smith, Louis Sawchik and Cameron Dimmitt, have helped the team stay focused while bringing the younger players into the fold.
NAPHL ALUMS CONTINUE TO CLIMB THE LADDER Two former North American Prospects Hockey League players were recognized on the NHL’s ‘Prospects to Watch’ list for 2013 draft-eligible players with the release of NHL Central Scouting’s preliminary list of players to watch in North America and Europe. The list includes former Omaha AAA Lancers 16U defenseman Jalen Schulz, who played for Omaha during the 2011-12 season. Schulz was tendered by Corpus Christi during the 2011-12 season and is currently on the IceRays’ roster for the 2012-13 season. The list also included goaltender Sean Romeo, who played in the NAPHL during the 2009-10 season for the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes 16U team. Romeo is currently in his second full season with the Youngstown Phantoms in the United States Hockey League. In other player advancement news, Omaha 16U defenseman Tyler Brown has signed a standard Western Hockey League education agreement with the Moose Jaw Warriors. Brown , a 15-year-old from Olympia, Wash., was a fifthround selection (106th overall) by Moose Jaw in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft this past May.
Matt Mackinder / MiHockey
photo courtesy of the NAHL
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PATHWAY to
success PHL
NAHL
NCAA DI Commitments
GABE LEVIN
ZACH DORER
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PHL 2009-2010
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PHL 2009-2010
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For a list of more player advancements, visit
NAPHL.COM
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HOMETOWN HEROES CURRENT NHL TOTALS
163 25 GAMES
GOALS
20
ASSISTS
45
POINTS
48 PIM
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN (2004-2008)
162 85 GAMES
GOALS
98
ASSISTS
183 115
POINTS
PIM
NHL photos courtesy of the Colorado Avalanche
2008 HOBEY BAKER MEMORIAL AWARD WINNER
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October 08, 2012 V.23 : I.3
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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 313-806-8668 email: adraymetro@comcast.com
Greater West Vice President Kevin Wood 616-560-6503 email: kwoodadraywest@yahoo.com
Treasurer/League Development Joe Spedowski 231-796-2565 email: nancyjoe@netonecom.net
October, 2012 V.23 : I.3
adrayhockey.org President Jeff Spedowski 231-796-0728 (h) 231-629-0435 (c) email: jspedows@charter.net
MiHockeyNow.com
Database Specialist Vice President Steve Miller 616-250-1458 email: me@stevenmiller.info
MiHockeyMag
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TEAMS AND LEAGUES TO WATCH THIS SEASON
Dave Reginek/DRW
Our state is filled to the brim with hockey to watch. Looking for a new team or league to follow because of the lockout? Here are just some of the other types of hockey to pay attention to in 2012-13.
PRO HOCKEY THE AHL Can’t watch today’s Red Wings? Watch tomorrow’s. The Griffins – Detroit’s AHL affiliate – are in charge of developing NHL-ready players out in Grand Rapids. That means you get to see Red Wings prospects battle prospects from various NHL teams, and do so at Van Andel Arena, a state-of-the-art facility on the west side of the state. The Griffins offer the top hockey in the state of Michigan currently, and they are worth the price of admission, especially with players like Brendan Smith and Gustav Nyquist returning to Grand Rapids.
THE ECHL Just below the AHL is the ECHL, which offers more pro hockey for fans searching for it during the lockout. The East Coast Hockey League serves as a stepping stone for players looking to crack AHL line-ups and continue their pursuit of one day playing in the NHL. Want to catch some
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ECHL hockey? Check out the Kalamazoo K-Wings, who skate out of Wings Stadium. They have affiliations with the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks and the AHL’s Chicago Wolves. And in case you were wondering, the Red Wings’ ECHL affiliate is the Toledo Walleye – which isn’t too far away from Detroit, either.
COLLEGE HOCKEY Things are changing in college hockey, and 2012-13 is the last time for fans to experience it the way that they have grown accustomed to over the years. This season will mark the final run for the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, and next year, the six Michigan clubs – Michigan, Michigan State, Western Michigan, Ferris State, Lake Superior State, and Northern Michigan – will all be moving to new conferences. Some will join Michigan Tech in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, and others will join the newly-formed Big Ten hockey conference and National Collegiate Hockey Conference. But that’s not all there is for college hockey. Adrian and Finlandia have Division-III NCAA teams, and they have women’s teams as well. Plus, the American Collegiate Hockey Association serves as the governing body for club hockey teams across the state. Adrian, Davenport, Eastern
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Michigan, Michigan-Dearborn, Oakland and Western Michigan all compete at the D-I level of the ACHA. In D-II you will find Grand Valley State, Michigan State, Michigan, Ferris State, Central Michigan and Michigan Tech. And at the D-III level, there are all of the following: Adrian College (Gold), Michigan State, Michigan-Flint, Grand Valley State, Davenport, Lawrence Technological University, Calvin College, Hope College, Northwood University, Lake Superior State, Kettering, Detroit Mercy, Mid-Michigan Community College, Aquinas, Delta College, Adrian College (Black), Lansing Community College, Saginaw Valley State, Wayne State University. At the women’s level of the ACHA, Michigan State, Western Michigan, Michigan, Northern Michigan, Grand Valley State and Lake Superior State all compete at the D-I level, and Michigan State hosts a D-II team, as well.
JUNIORS THE OHL Michigan’s Major Juniors teams, the Plymouth Whalers and Saginaw Spirit, offer fans the chance to see future NHL stars. The two clubs are members of the Ontario Hockey League, which is part of the Canadian Hockey League governing body. If you’re looking to see high skill
October 8, 2012 V.23 : I.3
and potential NHL draft picks, the Whalers and the Spirit are great teams to check out.
THE USHL The United States Hockey League – classified as Junior A Tier I – is arguably the top development league for the NCAA. Junior-age players play against top talent while keeping their college eligibility. The Muskegon Lumberjacks are Michigan’s lone traditional USHL program, while the U.S. National Team Development Program, based out of Ann Arbor, competes in the USHL as well. Six USHL players were selected in the first round of last year’s NHL Draft.
THE NAHL The North American Hockey League – classified as Junior A Tier II – is a storied junior league that routinely moves players into NCAA programs. Just like the USHL, the NAHL lets players compete on the national stage while keeping their eligibility. Four NAHL teams call Michigan home, meaning you catch NAHL action from anywhere in the state. The four Michigan squads are the Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings, the Michigan Warriors (who play in Flint), the Port Huron Fighting Falcons and the Soo Eagles.
THE MWJHL
YOUTH HOCKEY
New to the junior scene for 2012-13 is the Midwest Junior Hockey League. The MWJHL officially began operation this summer as a AAU-sanctioned Junior A league. The Great Lakes Lightning (Fraser), Hartland Hounds, Holland River Bandits, Michigan Ice Dogs (Wayne), Soo Fire Hawks, and Tennyson Chevrolet (Brownstown) are the Michiganbased teams for the inaugural season.
THE HPHL
HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY The Michigan High School Athletic Association serves as the governing body for high school hockey in the state of Michigan. High school hockey continues to grow in our state, and is a viable option for players who want to reach the next level of hockey, while doing so from home. Last year’s high school Mr. Hockey, Mackenzie MacEachern, had such a strong senior season that he’s now with the Chicago Steel of the USHL, committed to Michigan State, and property of the St. Louis Blues after hearing his name called in the third round of the draft. If you’re looking for
The High Performance Hockey League features three of the best Michigan AAA hockey programs in Honeybaked, Compuware, and Little Caesars. The three teams formed a league with three teams with Chicago to try to alleviate some of the travel difficulties AAA hockey presents. The HPHL offers Pee Wee minor and major, Bantam minor and major, and Midget minor and major age levels for boys, and U14, U16 and U19 age levels for girls.
THE TIER I ELITE HOCKEY LEAGUE The Tier I Elite league is a coast-to-coast AAA league for many age groups, designed to offer as much as exposure as possible for the players to advance into the ranks of juniors and college. Top programs Belle Tire and Victory Honda call the Tier I league home for both their boys and girls programs, while the Oakland Grizzlies’ boys teams compete in the league as well.
THE NAPHL The North American Prospects Hockey League is another elite league for midget major and minor teams. Thirty-six teams compete in the league (18 for each division), with the Detroit Falcons, Lansing Capitals and West Michigan Hounds serving as Michigan’s representation for the NAPHL.
THE NA3HL The North American 3 Hockey League – classified as Junior A Tier III – is a league that used to be known as the Central States Hockey League. Just like it’s partner league of the NAHL, the NA3HL offers a chance for players to gain exposure for scouts at various levels of hockey. The Battle Creek Revolution, the Flint Jr. Generals, the Metro Jets (Waterford) and the Michigan Mountain Cats (Grand Blanc) are the Michigan-based teams that call the NA3HL home.
LITTLE CAESARS AMATEUR HOCKEY LEAGUE The Little Caesars Amateur Hockey League is the nation’s largest amateur ice hockey league, containing teams from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and occasionally Tennessee. More than 650 Tier II travel (A/AA) and Tier III house teams participate in the league, which means over 11,000 players from 45 affiliated associations.
ADRAY COMMUNITY HOCKEY LEAGUE
competitive hockey with a captivating energy level on a Friday night, just head to your nearest rink that hosts your nearest high school. The Michigan Metro Girls Hockey High School League offers girls the chance to play high school hockey. The league is split into Division I and Division II, with 15 schools participating. The D-I teams are Grosse Pointe North, Grosse Pointe South, Cranbrook/Kingswood, Port Huron, University Liggett, Ladywood, Ann Arbor Pioneer, and Northville A and B squads. The D-II division features a unified Plymouth-Canton-Salem squad, along with Mercy, Walled Lake, Regina, Detroit Country Day, and Bloomfield Hills.
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The Adray Community Hockey League offers an alternative to the LCAHL, with boys divisions split into east, west, and metro, and a separate girls division. Age groups range from mini mite up through JV for the league that covers the majority of our state.
MICHIGAN GIRLS HOCKEY LEAGUE The Michigan Girls Hockey League offers another place for girls to play hockey in a competitive environment. The MGHL is comprised of different hockey associations’ girls divisions joining forces for fair play, yet competitive play, at the 10U, 12U and 14U levels.
MiHockey disclaimer – Any teams/leagues missed on this list was in no way intentional. The best part of hockey in this state – that there is so much at so many different levels – makes it difficult to capture everything on two pages of the magazine. If we missed something, let us know by emailing editor Michael Caples – MCaples@MiHockeyNow.com.
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HOCKEY NEVER STOPS CALENDAR OF GAMES No Wings? No problem. Here’s a calendar of just some of the many games you can watch this year, to get your fill of great hockey in the state of Michigan. They are all games to be played within Michigan’s borders, and yes, we realize that these are only some of the games to watch this season. The best part of hockey in Michigan is that a list like this can never, ever be complete.
OCTOBER 6 – Western Michigan, Lake Superior, and Michigan Tech start their seasons 7 – Northern Michigan and Ferris State start their seasons, while the Grand Rapids Griffins skate at Yost 8 – Michigan State starts their season by hosting Windsor 9 – Michigan starts their season by hosting Windsor 11 – Michigan Tech travels to LSSU for the first clash of Michigan D-I teams 12 – The Grand Rapids Griffins officially open their season 13 – LSSU returns the favor and heads to Michigan Tech, and there’s a pink-out at Compuware 16 – The NTDP U18 team hosts the Muskegon Lumberjacks at the Cube 19 – The Chicago Steel travel to Muskegon 19-20 – Minnesota arrives at Michigan Tech 20 – Pink Out Game between the Spirit and the Guelph Storm at the Dow Event Center 26-27 – First CCHA match-ups, highlighted by Miami at Michigan
Muskegon Lumberjacks 4 – Michigan Tech travels to Northern Michigan for a bragging rights battle 7 – Saginaw clashes with Plymouth 7-8 – Ferris State and Western Michigan get back to work on their rivalry 14-15 – Western Michigan visits Yost, while North Dakota visits Michigan Tech 15 – Ferris State takes on Michigan State 27 – Another showdown between the Spirit and Whalers 27-28 – The Great Lakes Invitational takes place outdoors 28 – Griffins vs. Marlies, indoor edition 29 – London at Plymouth, Windsor at Saginaw, but everything at Comerica Park 30 – Marlies and Griffins outdoor edition 31 – The hyped Alumni Showdown games at Comerica Park, plus the Griffins’ annual NYE game
NOVEMBER 1 – The NTDP U18 squad hosts Mike Downing and the Dubuque Fighting Saints at the Cube 4 – The Spirit welcome Sarnia to Saginaw 2-3 – Michigan travels to Northern Michigan 6 – Saginaw visits Plymouth for the first time in this in-state rivalry 6-11 – The Four Nations Tournament at the Cube brings international talent to Ann Arbor 7 – The Griffins play a matinee game at 11 a.m. 9 – Michigan State visits Michigan while the Whalers host the Windsor Spitfires 10 – Michigan drives up to East Lansing for a rematch, and the Whalers welcome the London Knights 14 – The Whalers show up in Saginaw 15-16 – Notre Dame heads to Ann Arbor for two games with Michigan 21 – Windsor returns to Plymouth 23 – The Griffins welcome the Chicago Wolves to Van Andel, and host a teddy bear toss at the same time 30 – The Buckeyes visit Michigan State for two games
DECEMBER 1 – The NTDP U17 team visits the
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FEBRUARY 1 – Michigan State heads to Yost 1-2 Western Michigan and Ferris State do battle once again 2 – Michigan and Michigan State take their rivalry to The Joe 8-9 Miami visits Western Michigan in a CCHA heavyweight bout 12 – Northern Michigan visits Michigan Tech in an up-north showdown 13 – Plymouth drives to Saginaw 15-16 – Northern Michigan drives down to East Lansing 22 – The Spitfires visit the Whalers 22-23 – Notre Dame comes to Western Michigan 24 – The Griffins host their second annual “Purple Game” to benefit the Van Andel Institute and cancer survivors
MARCH 1 – The Muskegon Lumberjacks visit the Cube and the NTDP U18 team 1-2 – Western Michigan at Michigan State, Ferris State and Michigan, and Lake Superior State at Northern Michigan mark the final regular-season weekend for the CCHA 8-9 – The CCHA playoffs begin at campus sites 15 – The NTDP U18 team drives to Muskegon 15-16 – The WCHA playoffs begin for Michigan Tech, and the CCHA playoffs continue 16 – The Spitfires come to Compuware 23 – The NTDP U18s go to Muskegon again 23-24 The CCHA hosts their final championship weekend at Joe Louis Arena, and the championship is played on Selection Sunday
Visit MiHockeyNow.com for a more comprehensive calendar that will be updated throughout the season!
JANUARY 1 – To be filled in later… 4 – The NTDP U18 squad travels down the street to Yost 5 – Michigan State drives out to Ferris State 11-12 – Notre Dame comes to East Lansing 12 – The Griffins take on Peoria as part of the Great Skate Winterfest 18 – Ferris State makes another trip to Munn 18-19 - Michigan visits Lake Superior State 20 – The NTDP U18 squad welcomes the Steel at Cube 21 – Erie visits Plymouth for the Whalers’ annual 2 p.m. start on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. 22 – The NTDP U18 team takes on the Spartans 25 – Michigan visits Western Michigan, while the Penn State Nittany Lions visit Michigan State
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ALL-AMERICAN PROSPECTS GAME
TEAM MCCLANAHAN WINS INAUGURAL ALL-AMERICAN PROSPECTS GAME IN BUFFALO GAME NOTES:
Buffalo-area natives Sean Malone (West Seneca) and Matt Lane (Rochester) received the biggest cheers during player introductions. Former Sabres’ and Red Wings’ coach Scotty Bowman, the winningest coach in NHL history, dropped the ceremonial first puck. Attendance was announced as 5,519. Fitzgerald took home game MVP honors.
BY MATT MACKINDER BUFFALO, N.Y. – The inaugural CCM/USA Hockey AllAmerican Prospects Game started out slow, but picked up the pace as the game wore on and Team McClanahan defeated Team Housley 5-2 Saturday night at First Niagara Center in front of scouts and general managers representing all 30 National Hockey League teams. The two teams of the top American-born prospects for the 2013 NHL draft were coached by two ex-Buffalo Sabres in former NHL defenseman Phil Housley, also the coach of this winter’s U.S. national junior team, and Rob McClanahan, a member of the 1980 “Miracle On Ice” U.S. Olympic team. “It’s all about the coaching,” laughed McClanahan after the game. “I was impressed with the players’ energy and I was impressed with their skill. Even though it was a onesided affair, I thought both teams had some very talented kids out there.” Housley said his team had nothing to hang their heads over.
“I thought we carried the play for most of the first period, but (Team McClanahan goalie) Cal Petersen was their equalizer,” Housley said. “Overall, I thought our team competed very well and I thought the game went according to plan and guys were hitting each other, getting in front of shots and it was very competitive out there.” Eight Michigan connections participated in the inaugural game. Macomb native Mike McCarron, Grosse Pointe Farms native Trevor Hamilton, and Saginaw Spirit forward Jimmy Lodge dressed for Team McClanahan, while Canton native Mike Downing, St. Clair native Tyler Motte, Sterling Heights native Evan Allen, Plymouth Whalers forward Ryan Hartman, and Wolverines commit J.T. Compher skated with Team Housley. Hudson Fasching and potential top-overall pick Seth Jones scored the first two goals for Team McClanahan over the first 26:06 of play. “I thought the first period was kind of slow, but once everyone calmed down and got comfortable with the
pace, there was a lot of hitting out there and it was pretty physical,” said Jones, son of former NBA player Popeye Jones. Montgomery then tallied on a nice give-and-go with Saginaw Spirit forward Jimmy Lodge to make it a threegoal advantage at 8:17. At 14:58, a bouncing puck found its way past new Team Housley goalie Hunter Miska during a goal-mouth scramble. Shore was credited with the goal. Sterling Heights native Evan Allen got Team Housley on the board 6:08 into the third period. Frank Vatrano’s initial shot was stopped by Evan Cowley, but the rebound came right to Allen and the Michigan recruit made no mistake in firing the puck into the net. Team McClanahan got the goal right back when Dakota Mermis tallied on a wrister from the slot at 10:50. Allen’s second of the game came on a rebound at 13:49 from a Steven Santini shot. (Above photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey)
MIKE DOWNING KICKS OFF DRAFT-ELIGIBLE YEAR BY MICHAEL CAPLES
BUFFALO, N.Y. – After the CCM/USA Hockey AllAmerican Prospects Game, players said that they were told more than 150 scouts would be watching them compete at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo. And you can be sure that a lot of scouts and NHL executives kept an extra-close watch on Canton native and University of Michigan commit Mike Downing. The defenseman, currently playing for the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the United States Hockey League, was given an ‘A’ rating by NHL Central Scouting in their preliminary ‘players to watch’ list for the 2013 NHL Draft. Yet Downing said that he wasn’t concerned with the scouting attention during the inaugural prospects game; at least not for long, anyway. “There’s more pressure, but you’ve just got to get it out of your head that nobody’s there watching, that it’s just a normal game,” said the 17-year-old defenseman. “So it was obviously a little nerve-wracking, but once you got used to it, you played your normal game, and you were fine.” Downing’s team – Team Housley – ended up falling to Team McClanahan 5-2 in the game. But the former Catholic
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Central star – who played for Honeybaked, Belle Tire, and Victory Honda growing up – had nothing to complain about. “It was a lot of fun playing in front of all these fans,” Downing said. “There were 6,000 fans here, and just playing in front of all the scouts and getting to know a group of guys who are your teammates and playing against another great group of guys, it was just a great experience all around.” Downing was the youngest player on the Saints’ roster last season, yet still posted four goals and 10 assists. After the season, Downing served as the captain of Team USA at the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Tournament. As he prepares for another USHL season, the 6-foot-3, 195-pound forward used the All-American Prospects Game as a chance to do some scouting of his own. Downing was well aware that he was playing against the top talent he will see in the USHL this year. “It’s nice seeing how good they are,” Downing said. “You’ll be up against them all year so you know what you’re up against, and there are so many great players in the game today, that our team will play against, so it’ll be good.”
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Photo courtesy of USA Hockey/Steve DeMeo
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ALL-AMERICAN PROSPECTS GAME Photo courtesy of USA Hockey/Steve DeMeo
EVAN ALLEN STARS WITH TWO GOALS IN ALL-AMERICAN PROSPECTS GAME BY MICHAEL CAPLES BUFFALO, N.Y. – If performing well in spotlight games is something he will do often, Evan Allen won’t have a hard time adjusting in Ann Arbor. The Sterling Heights native and University of Michigan commit posted two goals in the CCM/USA Hockey AllAmerican Prospects Game in Buffalo – the only two goals his team would score on the evening. Allen, a 17-year-old forward currently playing for the National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, scored twice in the final frame, knocking in rebounds at the 6:08 and 13:50 marks of the third period. It wasn’t enough for Team Housley, however, as they lost to Team McClanahan 5-2. The Michigan native and Honeybaked product said his performance in a game featuring the top draft-eligible players from across the United States will help him in a crucial year for young hockey players. “I thought I played pretty good,” said Allen, who is listed at 5-foot-10 and 195 pounds. “I didn’t really know what to expect from the game, but I got those two goals and got my confidence up. It was an awesome experience and to know that I’m getting up there with the top guys is a real confidence booster for me.” Allen said that he enjoyed skating with both his current
and former teammates at the NTDP, and meeting a new group of players that he will see for years to come. “Yeah it was awesome, back skating with the old 18s and the top guys for the draft and just getting to know everyone,” Allen said. “It was a good experience.” He also said he wasn’t concerned with the amount of scouts watching from the stands, even after the players were forewarned by Jim Johannson, USA Hockey’s assistant executive director of hockey operations. Every NHL team was in attendance for the inaugural prospects game. “They told us, Johannson told us before, maybe like 150 [scouts], but I wasn’t really aware,” Allen said. “I wasn’t too focused on it.” Allen cracked NHL Central Scouting’s initial list of players to watch for the 2013 NHL Draft. Last year, he recorded 17 goals and 19 assists for 36 points in 52 games with the U.S. National Under-17 team. And speaking of showing up for big games, Allen had four points (one goal and three assists) in the U17 team’s victory over Slovakia to claim first place at the Vlad Dzurilla Under-18 tournament. In 2010-11, he had 14 goals and 24 assists in 34 games with Honeybaked’s midget minor squad.
MCCARRON SHOWS OFF SIZE AND SKILL IN BUFFALO BY MICHAEL CAPLES BUFFALO, N.Y. – After the CCM/USA Hockey AllAmerican Prospects Game, Mike McCarron tweeted three words. “Bragging rights baby” Who could blame him for being excited about his Team McClanahan squad posting a 5-2 win over Team Housley in the battle of draft-eligible players in Buffalo? McCarron ended up playing against 13 players who are currently or previously skated with the U.S. National Development Program, the place McCarron has called home since the start of the 2011-12 season. Yet it was McCarron’s team who won the inaugural prospects game, with the Macomb native and Honeybaked product contributing in a big way. “He’s a big boy, a big boy,” said Rob McClanahan, McCarron’s coach for the night. “It took him a little bit of time for him to get comfortable out there, but as the game progressed, he got more comfortable. A lot of the kids, it took a while, they were a little nervous at first, and it just took them a while to get relaxed, get their energy out, and then they came around.” Once McCarron settled in, he started making his presence felt on the ice. The NTDP forward, who checks in at 6-foot-5 and 227 pounds, was a physical force for the entire night, playing a ‘crash and bang’ style that
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surely caught the attention of the many NHL scouts in attendance. The power forward said it was a speech from his coach that had him feeling comfortable throwing his weight around for the game, despite who he was playing against. “McClanahan is a great guy; he told us just to work hard,” McCarron said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re playing against your best friend, you still have to go out and work hard and compete. That’s what makes you a competitor. That’s what I picked up.” McCarron ended up picking up an assist on Team McClanahan’s fourth goal of the night; he fired a shot on goal that was stopped, but teammate Quentin Shore (Denver, Colo.) knocked in the rebound. Include the many hits he distributed throughout the night, and it was a typical outing for McCarron. “I picture myself as a power forward,” McCarron said. “You know, get pucks deep, play the body a lot, and just get shots on net … create room for everyone else. I think I’m a playmaker, I don’t think a sniper so to say, but I like to think I make room for other people out there.” The Michigan native has committed to Cornell University, where he will join his older brother John. It is also expected that he will hear his name called at the NHL Draft.
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Photo courtesy of USA Hockey/Steve DeMeo
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ALL-AMERICAN PROSPECTS GAME
WHALERS’ HARTMAN TAKES PROSPECTS GAME IN STRIDE BY MATT MACKINDER
Photo courtesy of Rena Laverty/Plymouth Whalers
When Ryan Hartman received a phone call last summer from USA Hockey assistant executive director of hockey operations Jim Johannson, he assumed it was simply a courtesy call explaining to him the details of the U.S. national junior team evaluation camp taking place in August in Lake Placid. Turns out it was much more than that. Johannson told Hartman, now a rookie forward with the Plymouth Whalers, that USA Hockey was going to host the inaugural CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game in September at the home of the Buffalo Sabres and asked if the Chicago-area native would like to participate. “I didn’t ask questions,” said Hartman. “I just said yes.” At the game on Sept. 29, Hartman played on the team coached by former NHL defenseman Phil Housley, who will also coach Team USA over the holidays at the IIHF World Junior Championship in Russia. The other team had Rob McClanahan behind the bench. McClanahan was a member of the 1980 “Miracle On Ice” U.S. Olympic Team. Team McClanahan topped Team Housley by a 5-2 mark. “I think it was good to play for Housley and to maybe get some extra exposure for the World Juniors,” Hartman said. “That can never hurt. Overall, I thought the game went well and I really enjoyed it. I think the city of Buffalo
LODGE REPRESENTS SPIRIT WELL IN BUFFALO
did a great job being that it was the first event like this and it was awesome to see the rink (First Niagara Center) and all the renovations they’ve done recently.” As one of eight Michigan connections in the game (two others backed out due to injury) and one with U.S. National Team Development Program ties, Hartman said he was very comfortable on the ice in front of the announced crowd of 5,519, plus more than 150 NHL scouts and general managers and a nationwide media presence. “It was a fun event, but it’s not something that’s necessarily going to determine where I get drafted,” said Hartman. “I hope a game like this can open some eyes and give all of us who played some more exposure, but I just have to go back to Plymouth and keep working hard and let the draft take care of itself.” In Plymouth, Hartman has adjusted well to the speed and style of the Ontario Hockey League and is also seeing time at center, instead of his natural wing position. He’s been skating with second-year forward Matt Mistele and veteran Garrett Meurs and the line seems to be clicking. “Before this year, I had only played center once or twice before, but I’m adjusting better than I thought,” Hartman said. “I’m enjoying it and I’m learning the different responsibilities, different routes, things like that. As for our line, the chemistry is coming along and I think as a team, we’re starting to come together.”
Photo courtesy of the Saginaw Spirit
BY MATT MACKINDER
Jimmy Lodge hopes that playing in front of numerous NHL scouts and general managers Sept. 29 in Buffalo at the first-ever CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game helped his draft stock for next summer’s NHL draft in New Jersey. With an assist in the game, Lodge’s side earned the victory as Team (Rob) McClanahan topped Team (Phil) Housley 5-2 at the First Niagara Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres. “I had a great time,” said Lodge, a 17-year-old forward from Downington, Pa. “We had a banquet Friday night and had a tour of the Sabres’ locker room and also met a lot of NHL scouts and GMs. The game went very well and it was just a great experience.” Lodge said he was “shocked in a way” that he was even selected to participate in the game. “I got a call in August from one of the USA Hockey guys telling me about the game and asking if I’d like to play,” said Lodge, now in his second season with the Ontario Hockey League’s Saginaw Spirit. “It was kind of shocking because I didn’t even know the game was happening and the phone call came in the middle of summer in the middle
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of a weekday. Obviously, I was excited and accepted the invitation to play in the game.” Lodge had the primary assist on a goal by Jacob Montgomery, but skated well throughout the game and felt the scouts in the stands should have taken notice. “I think a game like this makes the scouts want to come watch you more,” Lodge said. “My main goal for this game was to play my game, open some eyes and show these guys how I play and what I can offer.” As a U.S.-born hockey player, Lodge had to decide early on where he wanted to play once he turned 16 – wait for the right NCAA opportunity or play right away in the OHL. “I always knew I wanted to play in the OHL and I made it official during my OHL draft year (2010-11),” said Lodge, who Saginaw tabbed in the third round out of the Toronto Titans’ organization. “Coming to Saginaw was a change from what I was used to in Toronto, but I knew what kind of a league the OHL was and I’m hoping it can help get me to my dream of playing in the NHL. “I think the prospects game can help build momentum for myself and I think we have a lot of optimism in Saginaw. We just want to go out and have a good season.”
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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
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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
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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) 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
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October 8, 2012 V.23 : I.3
FALL/WINTER 2012-13
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Ages 18 & over 22 weeks Oct. 7th through March 17th $325 per player, Goalies skate free
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TM
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www.onyxicearena.com Phone: 248.601.6699
UPCOMING EVENTS Mount Clemens Ice Arena & Fitness Center: Turkey Day at the Clem
Thanksgiving Youth Hockey Tournament November 23 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 25, 2012 0LWH WKUX 0LGJHW +LJK 6FKRRO Âł $OO FODVVLĂ&#x20AC;FDWLRQV )RU PRUH LQIRUPDWLRQ YLVLW
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Mount Clemens Fire Department Charity Adult Hockey Tournament December 2012 2SHQ WR DOO )LUH 3ROLFH DQG (06
Mount Clemens Ice Arena & Fitness Center 200 N Groesbeck Phone: 586-307-8202 Fax: 586-307-8245 Email/Website LQIR#PRXQWFOHPHQVLFHDUHQD FRP PRXQWFOHPHQVLFHDUHQD FRP Contact Info: &RQWDFW &DUO\ +DUULV IRU PRUH LQIR
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GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS
Mrazek READY FOR NEW CHALLENGE BY KYLE KUJAWA
N
ot many 19-year-old goaltenders have the chance to hear their name chanted by a crowd of 20,000 people. Even fewer get that chance while representing their country on one of hockey’s biggest stages. You can forgive Petr Mrazek if he seemed a little excited. “Everyone asks me about that,” said Mrazek. “I couldn’t play for the national team for two years because I had a problem in the Czech Republic. When they called me and said I could, I was so happy.” One of the top young goaltenders from the Czech Republic, Mrazek didn’t even sniff the preliminary rosters of his country’s World Junior Championship teams the previous two seasons, despite being an NHL drafted goaltender who was considered a rising star for the OHL’s Ottawa 67s. When he found his country leading the United States late in the third period, on the back of his 52-save performance, he proudly wore his emotions on the sleeves of his jersey. He fist-pumped after a penalty shot save, dog-piled on a teammate who sealed the win with an insurance goal, danced while the Canadian crowd shouted his name, and even dove halfway into the bench to celebrate with his teammates. “I didn’t think I would celebrate like that,” he said. “I’m a quiet goaltender, but that was something special. It’s one of the biggest things that can happen in your hockey career. You can’t play in the under-20 every year. You only get one or two chances.” The celebration didn’t always go as planned, though. The tournament was hosted in Canada, meaning the crowd didn’t take too kindly to his energy after he celebrated a penalty shot save on a Canadian player during an earlier game. Mrazek was booed for the rest of the night, making the chants two nights later all the more interesting. “I knew that when we played against the USA that people would probably cheer for us,” said Mrazek. “I knew they didn’t like them [in Canada], so I tried again and they loved it. There were 20,000 people in the arena calling my name. It was unreal.” Although his celebrations drew the attention of several detractors, there was no doubting that his performance matched the hype. After being named the tournament’s top goaltender, he returned to Ottawa to cap off a threeyear junior career with a long playoff run. He led his team to the Eastern Conference Final and posted more than 30 saves in 11 of his 17 postseason appearances. “I think I ended up in a great city with Ottawa,” said Mrazek. “It’s like a European city a little bit, there are a lot
of Czechs. I met some Czech families and they helped me to adjust.” Mrazek came to North America prior to the 2009-10 season, as his agent told him it would provide him with a better chance of impressing NHL scouts and eventually getting drafted. Detroit selected the Ostrava, Czech Republic, native with their fifth choice in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. “When I was growing up, people said [the OHL] was a good way to get a chance to play in the NHL,” said Mrazek. “My agent told me it would be a good chance to get drafted, so of course I wanted to go. It was a new experience, and a lot can happen.” While it’s not too common, there are cases every year of talented European prospects who struggle after entering leagues around North America. Challenges range from adapting to a new culture and living alone at a young age to the language barriers in making new friends and understanding lessons from coaches. “The biggest thing was having no parents there, and I didn’t speak English well,” he said, adding that he missed his family and friends but never felt homesick. “It was hard, but I was able to use Skype and talk to them.” Now that he’s transitioned to the AHL, Mrazek is far more familiar with the North American lifestyle, more polished with the English language and in an environment he knows he can thrive, having been around many of his new teammates at previous Red Wings’ prospect camps. “I don’t think it will be a big change, just little changes like a new town, new people, new players and new coaches,” said Mrazek. “Maybe the hockey is a little different, but I was in Canada for three years, so living here won’t be too different. “I will work hard every day and take it step by step,” he continued. “I’ll try to play here a lot by practicing hard, working out in the gym hard and resting to be ready for games.” Mrazek began his first AHL training camp when players reported on Oct. 1, and he finds himself learning the same lessons he’s been learning since becoming a member of the Red Wings organization. “I worked with Jim Bedard and Chris Osgood in Traverse City, and I talked to them a lot when I was in Ottawa for two years,” said Mrazek, noting that the two goalie coaches were present during the Griffins’ training camp. It remains to be seen if and when the 10,834-seat Van Andel Arena will be chanting his name, but like new head coach Jeff Blashill, Mrazek is another component of a young and energetic core that hopes to lead Grand Rapids to a quick start once the 2012-13 season begins.
Petr Mrazek (Ryan Gajewski/Grand Rapids Griffins) 38
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JUNIORS PREVIEW RED WINGS INSIDER
THE LOCKOUT: A DANGER OF BY DAVE WADDELL
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or all the NHL’s progress in terms of speed of play, size, strength and skill level, not to mention the enormous sums of money the game is now generating, it’s still a league with a mindset cemented in the past in so many other ways. Change doesn’t come easy in hockey when it comes to the game’s culture. Judging by the fact the NHL is idled by its third lockout in 18 years, the hockey culture appears not to have progressed much from the 1950s when Ted Lindsay first proposed forming some kind of players association. It’s still dictation from the top. Now, no one need shed any tears for the modern player when the league minimum salary is at half a million dollars per season. Players are generally treated first class in every area and many owners are exceedingly generous with their own teams. Yet, when it comes to the bargaining table, something changes. The modern NHL goes retro when it comes to labor relations. It may have cost the Detroit Red Wings $250,000 to do it, but senior vice president Jimmy Devellano shone a bright light on that grubby little fact when he called the players cattle that fed on the owners’ ranches at the owners’ largesse. Oh, there were howls of derision and the predictable outbursts of political correctness, but Devellano was doing everyone a service in spelling out the cold hard facts. Many look at Jimmy D as that crazy old uncle at family reunions, but those of us who have taken in his fireside chats on the state of the game and the owners’ view on labor relations have heard this all before. Of course, this was merely a shot across the bow to reinforce the owner’s message that the worst is yet to come. It appears the message has been received as the two sides hunker down for what appears a long battle. “Everything in their proposal is just that (concessions),” Detroit forward Henrik Zetterberg said. “There’s no twoway street in their proposal. “We tried to find a way to partner up with them. We have problems in the league and I think we should work on them together to find solutions, both players and the league. “In their proposal, they want us to do everything.” Having done this three times in 18 years, the two sides are risking a much bigger industry this time around if they can’t keep this disruption brief. The danger out there is the one of disengagement, disillusionment and apathy on the fans’ part. There’s been an interesting abundance of “who cares” not only in the U.S. but in Canada already. A poll this week in Canada asked fans whether it was more important to them to get the NHL back or the regular NFL referees back first. An overwhelming majority of puck heads north
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DISENGAGEMENT, DISILLUSIONMENT, AND APATHY of the U.S. border opted for the return of the zebras first. NHL president Gary Bettman, in a rare public slip up earlier this summer, causally took for granted the fans return in the event of a lockout based on the most recent experience of 2005-06. However, much has changed since then. The U.S. economy is still stumbling along after the crash of 2008 and the nation’s institutions, whether they are banks, government or sporting, are looked upon with more suspicion, resentment and downright anger than at any time in recent memory. Now, it’s clear everyone understands that it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense for the men footing the bills to not get at least an even split of the revenues. It’s a plausible argument they even deserve more than half as reward for taking the financial risks of running an NHL franchise. Certainly, the UAW isn’t bringing home more than half the profits from any of the Big 3 in the automotive wars. However, the owners have also to understand the danger of not having the high ground in this dispute as plausible as their arguments may be. In the last lockout, the owners could argue they were fixing the game. You can only play that card one time with public opinion. They got everything they wanted in a thorough win in the last CBA, but now they’re saying the system they designed doesn’t work for them. In essence, the owners are asking the players to save them from themselves. It doesn’t help when the owners lashed out nearly $200-million in player signings in the 48 hours before the Sept. 15 lockout began. No doubt they were anticipating that they would get another huge salary rollback as part of the new CBA. When two of the worst offenders for doing this, Minnesota’s Craig Leopold and Boston’s Jeremy Jacobs, are also key members of the hardline group pushing the NHL’s agenda, the optics are downright lousy. Leopold in particular is the poster child for being hypocritical in moaning about players’ salaries being a team’s biggest expense before proceeding to hand out nearly $200-million in contracts to Zach Parise and Ryan Suter three months later. Such cynicism is where the owners are losing both the players and the public opinion battle. The league has further hurt its position with fans and players by its stubborn refusal to acknowledge failure in hopeless markets like Phoenix. With their salaries and the cap tied to hockey-related revenues, this is one of the single biggest irritants for players on the business side of the game. “You go back to ’04, they imposed the rollback and the salary cap and told us everything is going to be fine now in the league and the revenue has gone up the last seven
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years,” Zetterberg said. “It’s not that it’s been awfully bad. “I think hockey as a sport has grown since the last lockout. I think that the big problem is that we have the smaller revenue clubs that aren’t doing that well. “We’ve got to find a way to assist them. In our proposal, we agreed that us as players would partner up with the higher revenue teams and be part of revenue sharing. “That will help the smaller revenue clubs get stronger and the league to get stronger as well.” Despite all these factors, we return to Devellano’s comments. He’s right the owners won’t let a union push them around. He’s right the owners intend to hold out until they achieve another perceived win. What no one can be sure of is at what cost?
Tom Turrill/MiHockey
October 8, 2012 V.23 : I.3
JUNIORS THE LAST PREVIEW LINE
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hen I was growing up playing youth hockey, there was a category called “Juvenile”, which in and of itself brings to mind how hockey age groups ever got their names in the first place. I mean, when you think about it, Mite, Squirt, Peewee, Bantam and Midget (throw in Atom and Novice from across the river) are all descriptive terms, true, but they sound like they come from another era…because they really do. Yet, these designations have survived the test of time and are just another quirk to love about the game we all love. 16U and 18U may be more accurate and birth years more precise, but both descriptive methods lack the flavor of Midget Minor and Midget Major. Anyway, Juvenile was the age group after Midget Major if you grew up in Ontario. It was somewhere for players to keep playing outside the Junior A, B, C designations at the time. There were few high school options – even with Grade 13 as part of the high school experience – so, it was still technically youth hockey. Today we’d call it 20U. Most likely, though, it is the entry level to the beer leagues these days, since Juvenile has long since vanished, replaced by any number of Tiered/Lettered/Numbered “junior leagues”. Today, even though there are many more options for players, I get the sense that after 18 years of age, options dwindle in a hurry. Part of it, as was the case years ago in the Juvenile scenario, is as it has ever been. More to the point, though, it seems as if commitment to younger players is all the rage – to the point that it is compromising Midget Major Hockey. I spoke with several scouts during the Compuware/Honeybaked Invitational held over the final weekend in September, and while there was a large gathering of representatives from the OHL, USHL, NCAA, and NAHL, most were more interested in the Midget Minor teams than the Majors.
IS IT TIME TO REASSESS THE STRUCTURE OF MIDGET HOCKEY? BY DARREN ELIOT I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised. The NHL has seen more 18-year-olds crack their ranks than ever before. Colleges commit to rising sophomores. High school hockey continues to attract more and more upper classmen. And the USHL expanded its “tender rule” for 16-year-olds over the past two years. No wonder, then, that the Midget Minor games draw attention – everything is trending younger. Here in Michigan - unlike our neighbors in Canada - we combine our teams after Bantam Major into a 16U configuration. 15U doesn’t exist. That pushing up of prospects potentially pushes players out – especially when you carry that through the Major teams. Is there a better option? I can certainly see the benefit of “slowing the flow” at Midget, whereby the 15-year-olds play as Midget Minors and the 16-year-olds as Midget Majors. Sure, some top kids would move up, but that is no different than at any age group. Potentially, though, it would spread out the development process for the players and keep more kids in the game. In some areas
@Darren_Eliot around the country, 16U makes sense because of numbers – they don’t have enough players to split the age groups and remain competitive at the highest levels. That isn’t our situation here in Michigan. And as far as playing tournaments, I’m sure some top Midget Minor teams could play in Major events. That way, parents who would view this as “holding their player back” could take solace in the fact that they competed against “the big teams”. Beyond that, the 18U age division should be able to keep more 18-year-olds in the mix. Surely the bulk of many rosters would be 17-year-olds, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Organizations would have to decide what development path they want for their respective clubs - load up with older players, or really put an emphasis on those players moving up out of Midget Major. Come to think of it, if we truly split out first and second year Midgets into Minors and Majors, what do we call the next level? 18U would still apply. But, I hear Juvenile is still available after all these years.
Michael Caples/MiHockey
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