michigan hockey may 18, 2009

Michigan Hockeymichiganhockeyonline.com

V.19:I.22 | May 18, 2009FIRST CLASS

Michigan Hockeymichiganhockeyonline.com

V.19:I.22 | May 18, 2009FIRST CLASS

MICHIGAN HOCKEY

4 May 18, 2009 | michiganhockeyonline.com

FROM THE EDITOR

Bumps in the night

FROM THEEDITOR

The two noises you heard just before 10 PM on May 14 were the entire state cheering Detroit forward Dan Cleary’s go-ahead goal and the big, collective exhale after the Red Wings hung on for a Game 7 win over Anaheim.

But you didn’t really think Detroit was going to sweep every playoff series this year, did you?

The Red Wings roster is incredibly deep and talented, full of veterans and sprinkled with young up-and-coming stars, but the road to the Stanley Cup is long and arduous. You have to expect some bumps along the way.

In this issue Art Regner reminds us to appreciate Detroit’s veteran players before they are gone (page 35), while Dave Waddell gives us a look at how the team’s infusion of young players helped the Red Wings finally wear down the Ducks (page 34) and how that depth makes the team tough to handle in a long playoff series. On page 35 Kevin Allen takes a look at how the Detroit-Chicago Conference Final shapes up.

With the weather turning warmer our annual Inline Hockey Where to Play is on page 16, and hats off to the LCAHL who honored the league’s volunteers and recognized their championship teams with a day at Comerica Park to watch the Tigers (page 8).

In addition to a look ahead to the 2010 Frozen Four coming to Detroit’s Ford Field, Derek Berry’s journal of his experience at the 2009 Frozen Four in Washington, D.C. is on page 32.

And finally thank you to everyone who voted in the 2009 Quest for the Best arena contest. Michigan Hockey readers have spoken and congratulation to the Troy Sports Center for being voted this year’s winner (page 20).

Call 734.834.0084 for info www.michiganpondhockey.com

Register On-line Today!

INSIDE 05.18.09

DEPARTMENTS

20 QUEST FOR THE BEST ARENA• Troy Sports Center is 2009 winner

MICHIGAN HOCKEY23995 Freeway Park Drive • Suite 200

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

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

Cover photos: Detroit’s Brad Stuart and Marian Hossa celebrate a Red Wings playoff goal by Tom Turrill/Michigan Hockey.

This page (from top): LCAHL championship teams are honored at Tigers’ game at Comerica Park by Bob Beguelin/LCAHL; Red Wings Valteri Filppula, Tomas Holmstrom and Chris Osgood by Tom Turrill/Michigan Hockey.

Cover reprints available: email [email protected]

AdvertisingLucia Zuzga

Editor-in-ChiefPhilip D. Colvin

Design EditorChuck Stevens

34 NHL INSIDERS• Dave Waddell: Depth is key to Red Wings success

• Kevin Allen: Will and determination make Red Wingstough in postseason (p.35)

• Art Regner: Red Wings’ changing of the guard (p.35)

32 COLLEGE REPORT• Frozen Four diary from

Washington, D.C.

• Next year’s Frozen Four coming to Detroit

STAFFContributing Editor ........................... Kevin Allen

Advertising ......................................Lucia Zuzga

................................................... Philip D. Colvin

................................................... Lauren Kovacs

Subscriptions/Distribution ...............Lucia Zuzga

Administrative Director ............. Peggy A. Griffi n

Controller .................................. David J. Klavon

Administrative Assistant ...................Amy Jones

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

estimated readership of 24,000-36,000.

EDITORIAL BOARD: Bob Despirt, Don Dales, Julie

Pardoski, Kirk Vickers, Linda Holland, Lisa Zarzycki, Lori

Yarnell, Lucia Zuzga, Mark Vansaw, Randy Paquette, Rob

Murphy, Susan Bottrell, Todd Krygier

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: MICHIGAN HOCKEY®

welcomes Letters to the Editor. They must be signed and

include the writer's full home address and day and evening

telephone numbers.

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Farmington Hills, MI 48335-2829.

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materials remain the property of MICHIGAN HOCKEY.

6 MH AMATEUR HOCKEY REPORT• Troy Sting Over-50 and Over-60 teams win Nationals

• Mission women make finals of Sr. C Nationals

8 MH BEAT• LCAHL playoff champs spend day at Comerica Park

• New Buffalo Wild Wings AAA program to hit NE metro-Detroit• MAHA Girls Camp rolls through Taylor (p.10)• Manon Rheaume Foundation to host girl’s tournament (p.10)• USA Hockey National Championship Diaries (p. 12 and p. 26)• Team Michigan makes finals at Chicago Showcase (p. 17)

14 STATE OF THE GAME• Without the Puck BY LYLE PHAIR

16 INLINE ARENAS: WHERE TO PLAY• Michigan has several places to get your roller hockey on

22 REDD DAWG TOURNAMENT CALENDAR

28 JUNIOR HOCKEY REPORTY• St. Louis wins third straight NAHL Robertson Cup

• Plymouth and Saginaw make OHL draft coun

MICHIGAN HOCKEY


MH AMATEUR HOCKEY REPORT

Sting 50’s win USA Hockey National ChampionshipThe Troy-based Michigan Sting 50’s adult team

won the USA Hockey National Championship on April 19 in Florida.

Jeff Funk scored the eventual championship-clinching goal and Randy Aimoe added a pair of goals as the Sting Over-50 Recreation team built a 4-0 lead before disposing of the Darien Winter Club (CT), 5-3, in the final to finish an unbeaten 5-0 tournament run.

The Sting 50’s, who earned the top seed in the Lightning Conference, led 2-0 after the first period in the final following an unassisted goal by Aimoe and a power play goal by Kurt Gruebner with a helper from Steve Morris. Aimoe scored again at 2:24 of the second period and when Funk tallied midway through the period, the Sting was cruising with a 4-0 cushion.

Previously undefeated Darien, the top-seeded squad from the Red Wing Conference, responded with three goals in under three minutes to close the gap to 4-3 with 1:41 to play in the second stanza. But

the Sting re-energized and cranked up its tenacious forecheck to thwart a Darien comeback attempt. Morris sealed the victory with his 11th goal of the tourney with 7:31 to play in regulation time. Aimoe and Mike Langlois drew the assists.

The Sting win avenged a 3-2 loss to Darien in last year’s conference play. The 50’s advanced this year with a 10-1 semifinal win. In conference play, the Sting defeated the Meridian Marlins (MS) 9-1, Illinois Ice Holes 7-2, and the Regency Old Timers (PA) 6-0.

Sting Over-50 Rec team members were Randy Aimoe (Indian Rocks Beach, FL), Edgar Atnip (Shelby Township), Jeff Funk (Shelby Township), Len Gerbino (Shelby Township), Pete Gibb (Troy), Kurt Gruebner (Traverse City), Mike Howard (Holly), Mike Langlois (Clinton Township), Pat McGreevy (Linden), Steve Morris (Fenton), John Payotelis (St. Clair Shores), Frank Schietaert (Clarkston), John Schroder (Sterling Heights), Dan Shannon (Rochester Hills), and John Wirtanen (Romeo).

ANNUAL MEETING

JULY 7, 8, 9, 2006BOYNE HIGHLANDS

Harbor Springs, Michigan

Michigan Amateur Hockey Association

EXHIBITORS TABLESWe are in the process of planning our Summer Meeting to be held on July 10, 11, 12, 2009 at Boyne Highlands, Harbor Springs, Michigan.. We will be having exhibitors tables set up during this time. The cost of a table is $75.00 and is limited to 20 tables.

If you advertise with us in our Annual Guide the cost of the table is free.

If you are interested in a table, please complete the form and if applicable remit $75.00.

The exhibit table can be set up from 9:00 a.m. on Friday, July 10th and left until Sunday morning. Keep in mind the Presidents of Associations will be meeting on Friday at 1:00 p.m. and it would be beneficial to you to be set up by this time. Our hospitality room will be centered around the exhibit tables thus giving you great exposure. We expect to have 200-225 persons present at our meetings.

Forms for lodging and a tentative schedule are available on our web site at MAHA.org

Kerin R. Wear, MAHA Secretary366 Tara Drive, Troy, MI 48085

Phone: 248 879 1668 Fax: 248 879 2507Email: [email protected]

MAHA EXHIBITORSName of Company__________________________________________Contact Name_____________________________________________Address__________________________________________________City______________________________ State____ Zip____________Home Telephone ( ______ ) ___________________________________Work Telephone ( ______ ) ____________________________________E mail Address_____________________________________________Brief Description of Exhibit____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please return form and a check for $75.00 to: Kerin Wear, 366 Tara Drive, Troy, MI 48085

Phone: 248-879-1668

EXHIBITORS TABLES SUMMER MEETING

JULY 10, 11, 12, 2009BOYNE HIGHLANDS, HARBOR

SPRINGS, MICHIGAN

Mission women take Silver at National ChampionshipThe Mission Sr. C women’s team has a pretty

successful track record.Skating out of Garden City Arena, Team Mission

is the three-time defending state champion and took first place this year in the MSWHL.

The squad includes players aged 19-46 from Downriver, Livonia and Redford.

At the 2009 national tournament in Rochester, NY in March, Mission won their first five games over Massachusetts, Rochester, Pacific Fog, Rhode

Island (quarterfinals) and Utah in the semifinal earned them a berth in the championship final.

Mission lost to the Missouri Hericanes, 4-1, in a hard fought final game and received the Silver Medal.

Team Mission is: Michelle Carnago, Rose Terwilliger, Sara Leszczynski, Janine Martinez, Karin Pearson, Tracy Cosenza, Sally Thomas, Kimmi Zuccarini, Brittni Adams, Joy Zirger, Cortney Rosin, Teresa Gorno and Gabby Matt.

7michiganhockeyonline.com | May 18, 2009

MICHIGAN HOCKEYMH AMATEUR HOCKEY REPORT

Sting 60’s beat Golden Leafs for national titleThe Troy-based Michigan Sting 60’s adult team

won the USA Hockey National Championship on April 19 in Florida.

Dave Vorhes opened the scoring and Mike Salyzyn scored a hat trick to power the unbeaten Sting Over-60 Recreation team to a stunning 11-0 rout of the Golden Leafs (FL) in the title tilt at Ellenton, Florida. Goalie Bob Mudloff posted three shutouts in four games and surrendered just one goal.

The 60’s squad included a five-man contingent from Nova Scotia that scored eight goals to power the Sting in its rout of the home-grown Golden Leafs in the Labatt Blue Division finale. Among the other locals with goals were Canadian transplant Warren Eyers (Royal Oak) with two and Tim O’Dea (Ortonville) with one.

Salyzyn (3 goals and 1 assist), Don Bauld (2-3),

Ernie Johnson (1-2), Bernie Bishop (1-0), and Bill Boyd (0-4), all Nova Scotia residents, sparked the whitewash to cap a perfect 4-0 run in the tournament. Bauld led the team in scoring with 11 goals and 8 assists.

In division play, the Sting 60’s ravaged their southern rivals and defeated the Reno Aces (FL) 6-1, Golden Leafs (FL) 11-0, and the National Old Timers (NC) 7-0.

The Sting Over-60 Rec team members were Rich Anderson (Rochester Hills), Don Bauld (Nova Scotia), Bernie Bishop (Nova Scotia), Bill Boyd (Nova Scotia), Warren Eyers (Royal Oak), Ernie Johnson (Nova Scotia), Bill Mack (Bloomfield Hills), Bob Mudloff (Beverly Hills), Tim O’Dea (Ortonville), Mike Salyzyn (Nova Scotia), Dave Vorhes (Metamora), and manager Phil Parrinello (Sterling Heights).

Michigan Sting 60’s Elite win National FinalsThe Troy-based Michigan Sting 60’s Elite

team were finalists at the USA Hockey National Championships on April 19 in Florida.

In the Over-60 Elite division championship at Ellenton, FL the Sting dropped a 5-3 decision to Byfuglien Trucking (MN). The Sting closed the gap to 4-3 on a Mike Garrison goal (from Terry Boyette) with 50 seconds to play in regulation before Byfuglien hit the open net with 16 ticks remaining. The Sting posted a 3-1 record in the tourney.

The Sting Over-60 Elite skated to a 1-0 lead in the first period on an Arma Peddle goal assisted by Andre Van Opdenbosch. The club took a 2-1 second period lead following a steal and breakaway goal by Steve Miklos, but couldn’t protect its slim lead. Byfuglien scored three times in the third period to take a 4-2 lead with two minutes to go. Mike Garrison (from Boyette) cut the lead to 4-3

with 50 seconds to play. Byfuglien hit the open net with 16 seconds remaining to end the Sting’s comeback chances.

The Sting earned three victories in divisional play before advancing as the top seed. The 60 Elite defeated Minnesota Old Timers, 3-1, Olde Knights (MA) 8-1, and the Silver leafs (FL) 10-0.

The Sting Over-60 Elite team members were Tom Bommarito (Troy), Terry Boyette (Harrison Township), Cal Cornelius (Minnesota), Mike Garrison (Novi), Dave Hands (Grosse Pointe), Bill McCauley (Clinton Township), Frank Migda (Commerce Township), Steve Miklos (Suttons Bay), Dar Norrington (Grand Blanc), Arma Peddle (Florida), Tom Snyder (Rochester Hills), Andre Van Opdenbosch (Harrison Township), and manager Phil Parrinello (Sterling Heights).

Play cards and help Hockey Has HeartMichigan-based charity Hockey Has Heart

has always had a simple mission: help hockey families in need.

Hockey Has Heart has collected and distributed over $400,000 to qualified recipients and the need is still great. To help raise funds the hockey-focused charity is hosting an event that includes Poker, Blackjack and the Stanley Cup finals at Doc’s Sports Retreat in Livonia.

Along with Stanley Cup games on TV, Doc’s will have a Texas Hold’em and Blackjack room over four straight nights on June 2-5 from 4 pm – 2 am each night.

Minimum buy in for Texas Hold’em is $50 and Blackjack is $2. The charity event will be staffed with professional dealers, professional equipment will be used and all activities will be monitored and overseen by Aim High Proceeds, an official State of Michigan approved Charitable Gaming operation.

Doc’s is located on Victor Parkway, east of I-275 and north of 7 Mile Road. The Hockey Has Heart events include no dealer tipping and there will be food and drinks available.

Learn more about the charity at hockeyhasheart.com.

MICHIGAN HOCKEY


MH BEAT

New AAA club coming to Rochester and Macomb

Buffalo Wild Wings already knows good food. Now they’re going to get to know youth hockey.

The restaurant company is teaming up with Suburban Sports Group to sponsor a new Tier 1 (AAA) Hockey Club in Michigan.

The new Buffalo Wild Wings AAA Hockey Club will skate out of both the Onyx-Rochester Ice Arena and Suburban Ice-Macomb facilities and will begin play in the upcoming 2009-10 season.

The Buffalo Wild Wings AAA Hockey Club becomes the only Metro Detroit club based in the Northeast suburbs. The Club will start with a 1999 team next season and add additional teams over the next three years,

for a total of six Buffalo Wild Wings AAA teams in action by 2012-13.

Ryan Pardoski, General Manager of the Onyx-Rochester Ice Arena and the Buffalo Wild Wings Hockey Club is excited about having Buffalo Wild Wings as a new partner in the development and support of youth hockey.

“Buffalo Wild Wings provides a unique dining experience and is a fun, exciting brand that resonates incredibly well with today’s active youth hockey families,” said Pardoski. “In addition, we are thrilled to provide additional opportunities for players seeking to develop at the AAA Level at our Suburban Ice-Macomb and Onyx—Rochester Ice Arena facilities.”

Big Day at the BallparkBig Day at the Ballpark Little Caesars and the Detroit Tigers invited all 63 of the 2009 Little Caesars Amateur Hockey League division champions to Comerica Park on May 3 for the Tigers game against the Cleveland Indians.

More than 1,200 players and coaches attended the game and went on the field before the game to be recognized (left). Youth hockey photos and all of the championship team names flashed across the center field scoreboard while all the teams gathered in the outfield grass.

The Livonia Knights girls 12 and Under team (bottom right) posed for a photo and LCAHL Commissioner Joe Emery (with Tigers coach Andy Van Slyke) threw out the first pitch.

MICHIGAN HOCKEY


GIRL’S HOCKEY

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Everywhere you looked the first weekend of May at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube you saw girls working hard to get noticed.

The annual MAHA girls select camp featured 169 players, ages 14-17, hoping to land an invite to this summer’s USA Hockey National Camps. The Michigan camp was one of 12 district camps across the country that will send 14-and 15-year old players to Rochester, NY (July 21-28) and 16 and 17-year olds to St. Cloud, MN (June 26-July 2).

“Each district has their own try out camp and players are selected to advance to the national camp,” said USA hockey evaluator Ben Smith.

M A H A g i r l ’ s director Patty Madden said Michigan girls were notified by E-mail about the select camp during the regular season.

“I think it is a great opportunity,” explained Madden. “Having an Under-18 national camp is very exciting for the girls and gives them a

chance to compete on an international level.” The Michigan camp opened on Thursday with

each age group being divided into teams. Each year the number of available invitations changes but what the evaluators look for doesn’t.

“The first thing is their skating ability and then it’s puck skills,” revealed Smith, one of camp’s three evaluators. “Then we look for both

of those in a team setting.”

Since the last Winter Olympics Madden believes the overall skill level continues to improve and the competition at the camp is tougher.

USA Hockey has both an Under-18 and Under-22 National Team, along with a national residency program in Blaine, Minnesota for the Women’s National Team.

The Under-18 Team had recent success with two

Michigan natives, Taylor Waslyk (Port Huron) and Madison Packer (Birmingham), playing a big role in the team winning back-to-back gold medals in their first two years of existence.

Ice Cube hosts MAHA Girls Select Camp

Midland’s Alisha Day (with her parents Mitzi and Mike Day) participated in the 2009 MAHA Girl’s Select Camp at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube.

MOVING ONMOVING ON

Former Canadian National Team goaltender Manon Rheaume has won World Championships, played in the Olympics and was the first woman to play in an NHL game. But what she really enjoys doing is inspiring young girls with her story.

So she created the Manon Rheaume Foundation to help young women achieve their goal by providing scholarships.

Rheaume has partnered with Titan Sports to create an International Girls Hockey Tournament scheduled for November

12-15, 2009 in Farmington Hills. The tournament is inviting the top 12U, 14U, 16U and 19U girl’s teams from the United States, Canada and Europe to participate.

The tournament includes a four-game guarantee, 15-minute stop time periods and a banquet on Friday night that will feature guest speakers, an autograph session and silent auction.

For more information or to have your team considered for the

tournament contact Joe Jones at [email protected] or (248) 479-1139.

Manon Rheaume Foundation to host girl’s tournament

Manon Rheaume

The following girls have been invited to attend the USA Hockey Select Camps this summer. Per USA Hockey there will be no posting or notifications for the girls who have been recommended for At-Large slots. Instead, USA Hockey will notify players of At-Large invitations.

MOVING ONMOVING ON

1995ForwardsRachael BoothMichele ManningHaley McLeanGabrielle SchneppNoelle WalkoDefenseJulie BeattieChrista MoodyKirsten PadalisGoalieAlexis Shaw

1994Forwards

Erin Conway

Demi Crossman

MaryAnn Menefee

Taylor Strazzula

Defense

Melissa Channell

Taylor Marchin

Nicole Renault

Goalie

Kaitlyn Allard

1993ForwardsMaddie ColliasShiann DarkangeloNicole ElmbladAbbey McRaeAlyssa WestDefenseKatie CaseKari SchmittSara Schmitt 1992ForwardOlivia BrackettBirdie ShawTaylor WasylkDefenseAmy HendersonCaitlin Roach


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After winning a USA Hockey National Championship last season, Little Caesars Midget AAA Major defenseman Brandon Lubin went back to the nationals this season.

Going for back-to-backAfter winning a USA Hockey National

Championship last season, Little Caesars Midget AAA Major defenseman Brandon Lubin made another trip to the nationals this year. Here is an excerpt of his diary from Pittsburgh:

You never know how hard it is to repeat as champions until the opportunity presents itself.

After winning the 16 and Under USA Hockey National Championship last year with Little Caesars, many of my teammates believed we had something special and with the addition of some other players could make another run at the next level.

For some of us the idea of moving to the USHL or NAHL was attractive, but we wanted to accept the challenge and make a run at it. And the Little Caesars Midget AAA Major team assembled by coach Bill Ciraulo included a high-powered group of talented players.

Now the only question was were we as good on the ice as we were on paper? While we were pre-season favorites, the pressure we had came from one another to be better than our opponents and better than what everyone said we where.

This year was different from last year in that we lost some players who had the opportunity to join the USHL, including my good friend Michael Houser. I wished them all well and the question I had was how the new players were going to fit?

We added goalie Joe Rogers, who I faced in the past and had won a national title, and defenseman Matt Stewart, who had previously been in the Little Caesars organization. We ended up pairing together most of the season and were able to compliment each other.

Despite our success last year this was a different season, with different personalities and different motivating factors. Last year we were a young group with a lot us attending high school and juggling a schedule similar to one another. This year we had players who had already completed high school, and were either working or attending college classes. Things just were bound to be different.

STATE TOURNAMENTWhatever nervousness we felt going into

the state tournament was gone after we beat Honeybaked in our first game behind our outstanding goalie Matt Greene.

After a big double overtime win against Victory Honda in the semifinal, we moved onto the Best of Three final against Bell Tire.

We lost the first game (played shortly after our 2OT win the semifinal), but came back the next day and won the next two games as Rocco Grimaldi had the gamewinner in the deciding game to send us to the National Tournament in Pittsburgh.

GETTING READYThis time we only had a couple of weeks to get

ready for Nationals and some of us were banged up and bruises and needed the time to get healthy.

I had to deal with a sore foot that I though might be broke or fractured, but regardless I was set on playing and not allowing it to be a distraction or an excuse. The emotion of having the chance to compete for another national title eased the pain and discomfort. I realized last year was an accomplishment but to be in a position to have the same opportunity back to back was truly special.

NATIONAL TOURNAMENT TRIPWe left for Pittsburgh on a Tuesday after school.

I was already going to miss three days of classes so we waited until school was dismissed.

After arriving at the hotel that night, I hung out with some of our players and went to bed. We had an early game again Cleveland and they defeated us the last time we played them.

The National Tournament is a whole lot different than a Showcase or even the State tournament. The security is tighter, the anticipation is greater and emotions are elevated.

For me it was business as usual, I have always treated any game as that, a game. Do your best, prepare as this was the most important game I ever played and support my teammates to achieve our goal.

Today was my 18th birthday and I wanted to celebrate with a win, but Cleveland was tough. Steve Obarzanek buried a shot towards the end of the third period to tie the game but we lost in a shoot out. Still the positive thing at this point was we took a point in the standings.

After the game, the Housers, who lived in Pittsburgh, had our entire team over to congratulate us for making it to Nationals. The surprise was my friend Michael flew in from Des Moines to be with us. Later that evening we attended the opening


MICHIGAN HOCKEYNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP DIARY

The Little Caesars Midget AAA Major squad got a goal from Jack Prince to beat Dallas in overtime to win the 2009 USA Hockey national title in Pittsburgh, PA.

National Championshipsceremonies for the tournament and then headed back to the hotel.

NEED A WINThe next day our game against the Boston Jr.

Bruins was moved to the Pittsburgh Penguins practice facility and we were on right after their practice. I did not think this was a good idea as any distraction at this level was something we could not afford after losing the night before. We needed to concentrate on our objective and we needed to win. Instead we lost to Boston in a penalty-filled game.

On day three we faced the host team and came out hard, didn’t let up and won 11-1. Obarzanek had a hat trick and Justin Demartino and Vince Trocheck also had big games.

The win put us in at least a position to play in the quarterfinals again. We seemed to have found our groove and were playing well. The guys who had been here before knew what to expect and how to prepare, and the other seemed to follow. It wasn’t a team of individuals at this point – we were a group with a common objective.

After each game there where college coaches and scouts from NAHL, USHL and prep schools around, which was different than last year. The college coaches were not allowed to talk with us, but the junior coaches and scouts were. It was rather flattering and exciting - as long as you don’t lose focus as to why we were here.

BIG DAYSaturday was a big day, if we were going to

advance we would have win in the quarterfinals and semifinals. Our first game was against Mid-Fairfield and their goalie Andy Isles, who was as good as any goalie we faced this season. We won as Grimaldi, DeMartino and I had multi-point games and Jake Chelios provided the game winner.

The win meant we got a rematch against Cleveland. This time we got their goalie to move, shot low and moved the puck really well. We used our points (Coach Dave Taylor took over the defense and had us primed), finished our checks, and everything came together. Afterwards we had to wait to see who we would face on Sunday, but it didn’t really matter because we were playing for a National Championship.

ANOTHER BIG DAYNext up in the final was Dallas, who we had

played three times this year, splitting with them in the league and losing in the final at a North Dakota tournament. I knew we were better, I knew we could win and I knew this was going to be most likely my last youth game. But most importantly I knew it was probably the last time I would have the opportunity to play this group of players.

We were tied 3-3 and both Obie and I had chances to break the tie in regulation but didn’t. This time if we were going to win it would have to be in overtime. It seemed like an eternity before overtime began, but once it started, Jake Prince found the back of the net and the joys and jubilation began.

POST-GAMEOur parents and friends joined us on the ice for

celebration picture taking and congratulation hugs. My proudest moment was having my parents and brothers and sisters there with me as I left the ice. I remember looking back as the sweat ran down my face and feeling I made the right move playing this season with Little Caesars.

We all start playing this game for fun and enjoyment, and for some it becomes a way of life and your goals are set around the game.

Hockey is a great sport especially when you can keep everything in perspective and enjoy what it gives you and what you can take from it. Thinking about our back-to-back national titles I can sum it up in three words that coach Craig Furstenau instilled upon me: “For Each Other.”

But most importantly I would like to thank my parents and my brothers and sister who supported me and especially Bryan and Brent, who I hope has the chance to be in this position sometime soon. I will be there whenever you have that opportunity.

Little Caesars Midget AAA head coach is Bill Ciraulo, and assistant coaches Mike Rataj and Dave Taylor. Kenny Sidun is the team athletic trainer and equipment manager. The Little Caesars players are: Jake Chelios, Justin DeMartino, Matt Green, Rocco Grimaldi, Alex Jacobs, Matt Johnson, Brandon Lubin, Kevin McLean, Stephen Obarzanek, Saverio Posa, Jack Prince, Joseph Rogers, Petrus (Peppi) Sipila, Mike Sisk, Nick Stewart, Matt Stewart, Brent Tate, Vince Trocheck and Phillip Webb.

MICHIGAN HOCKEY


STATE OF THE GAME

NOVI YOUTH Hockey AssociationNow accepting applications for

Head Coach for 2009-2010 Ice Cats

Mite AA (2001)due by May 28th

Applications available at www.noviyouthhockey.org

TO APPLY Email coaching resumeand references to:

NOVI YOUTH HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

at [email protected]

• Season starts June 16, 2009• 11 games, plus playoffs• Championship Game: July 26, 2009• Insurance and SIFH Fitness Club Membership Included• Play a game, then work out under one roof• Minimum age: 15-years old (no maximum)• Jerseys provided• To sign up call Keith Pietila at (517) 548-4429

Michigan’s Longest Running Competitive Summer League

27th Season

AnnouncementThe Metro Summer Hockey League at

Suburban Ice Farmington Hills

WITHOUT THE PUCKState oftheGame

LYLE PHAIR

Over the years there have been a number of studies done related to puck possession and how long a particular individual player actually has the puck on his or her stick during the course of the game.

To some the results are startling. To others, not so much.The reality is that there is only one puck on the ice, while at

the same time there are as many as ten skaters plus the two goalies. At the highest levels of the game the very best players, the players that play the most, top out at around 22-25 minutes of actual on-ice playing time per game, with most players actually receiving around 15-20 minutes ice time.

During that playing time in games, it should come as no surprise that a given player might have control of the puck for a total of a minute to a minute and a half. That’s 60 - 90 seconds. That’s it. And that is for the really good players, the ones who play the most and who have the puck the most. The majority of the players have it far less than that. And some players rarely touch the puck at all.

There really are only three scenarios in any game as it relates to possession of the puck. From a team’s perspective the options are that the other team has it, our team has it, or it is up for grabs. From an individual player’s viewpoint the choices are that I have it, a teammate has it, an opponent has it or it is a 50-50 puck that can be won by either team.

It is pretty clear to see that in any game, at any level of play, an overwhelming majority of the game is played without the puck for every one of the players involved.

Yet we spend the majority of time in practices working with the puck, stickhandling it, passing it, shooting it. Everybody loves to play with the puck. And we should. And we should

practice it. When you don’t have it for very long, you really do want to make sure that you are able to do the right thing with it when you do get it.

TALES OF GRETZKYThere are plenty of tales about the legendary playing career of

Wayne Gretzky, one of the greatest players ever to play the game. Yet there was really nothing extraordinary about his physical abilities. Compared to other players he was skinny and relatively weak. Not the greatest skater at all, he was a little deceptive in that regard and always seemed to be able to get to where he needed to go when he needed to be there. While he was very good with the puck, there were plenty of others who were just as good or even better when it came to stickhandling wizardry, passing prowess or the velocity, accuracy and release of his shot.

Although not particulary exceptional at any individual skill, the total package he possessed was more than extraordinary. The sum of the parts was far greater than the whole.

And the reason was his ability not just to play with the puck, but how he played without it. He always seemed to be where he

needed to be one step ahead of anyone else on the ice. Legend has it that Gretzky honed his skills with hours and

hours of time spent on a backyard rink. And hours and hours more shooting all sorts of puck-like items at, and past, his more-than-game grandmother.

But maybe the best use of his time was that spent in front of the television watching hockey. While doing so he watched the movement of the puck during the course of the game and logged that movement with a pencil on a rink drawing. Wherever the puck went, he tracked it and over time developed an excellent sense of the movement of the puck during the course of the game.

Fable? Maybe. But it does provide a reasonable explanation of how he always appeared to be at least one step ahead of everyone else on the ice and how he always knew where to be and when to be there. While he obviously had some outstanding puck skills, the reason he seemed to have the puck so much is that he knew where to go without it. And that is why he was one of the greatest players of all time.

RED WINGS DO IT TOOFrom a team perspective the Detroit Red Wings have written

and re-written the book on puck possession. Some of the players may change from year to year but the story doesn’t. The Red Wings literally own the puck for most of the games that they play. And while as individuals they have excellent puck skills, they are probably not any better in that respect than the opponents that they face. Where they are better is in what they do without the puck. How teammates always seem to be able to get open for a pass just when the puck carrier needs it most. They very rarely give the puck away. And that is why they have been a perennial powerhouse for almost twenty years, arguably one of the most dominant team performances of all time.

It all comes down to knowing what to do without the puck.If the opposing team has it, it is all about getting it back.

Forechecking aggressively in the offensive zone, pressuring the puck carrier and forcing the play to create a turnover. It involves proper positioning, anticipation of what will happen next and then the ability to react to take away the time and space of the puck carrier or intercept a pass.

When possession of the puck is undetermined and it is up for grabs it requires the quickness and willingness to get to the right place and then the competitiveness, strength and smarts to win the battle any way

necessary to get the puck and keep it. In puck battles it is often more about will than it is about skill,

but hockey intelligence goes a long way to give a player the upper hand.

If our team has it, it becomes all about keeping it. For the puck carrier it starts with the ability to play the game with the head up to be able to see and recognize the risks and dangers presented by the opponents and options available with teammates.

For those teammates it becomes about supporting the puck, finding the holes and creating passing lanes to allow the puck carrier to make a play.

As chaotic and complicated as the game might seem to be from time to time, the best players, the ones who always seem to have the puck and the ability to make plays with it, also seem to be the ones who are best at understanding the organization or disorganization that is going on.

And while they might be the best players when they have the puck, more often than not it is because they are also the best players without it.

It is pretty clear to see that in any game, at any level of play, an overwhelming majority of the game is played without the puck for every one of the players involved.

LCAHL PLAYOFF CHAMPIONS

MICHIGAN HOCKEY


INLINE HOCKEY

Inline leagues, tournaments and camps will keep you rolling this summerBY PHILIP COLVIN

It’s that time of year again – ice hockey has cooled down and inline facilities are geared up for spring and summer leagues, clinics and tournament play.

Here are some of the places around the state where you get your fill of roller hockey:

ADRIAN SKATERY 517-265-6918 • adrianskatery.comThe Adrian Skatery has youth leagues and offers three different sessions (based on age) of drop in hockey.

CEDAR ROCK SPORTS PLEX – CEDAR SPRINGS616-696-8393 • cedarrocksportsplex.comLocated north of Rockford and south of Cedar Springs, the newly renamed Cedar Rock Sports Plex (formerly Lazer Skate) is a 50,000 square foot sports complex that features a 185’ x 85’ rink and houses both leagues and drop in for youth, high school and adults this spring and summer. And new this year is a 40 and over co-ed league.

INLINE HOCKEY CENTER- WEST BLOOMFIELD248-432-5584 • jccdet.org/ihcAt the IHC you will play on either a full size 180’ x 80’ surface, or if you attend a camp or clinic, you can tryout their 90’ x 50’ mini-rink. The IHC is home to the Eastern Michigan and Michigan college inline teams, houses the Get Inline Pro Shop and offers clinics, drop in hockey, private skating lessons and a youth program.

JOE DUMARS FIELDHOUSE – SHELBY TOWNSHIP586-731-3080 • lcrh.infoThe home of the new Little Caesars Roller Hockey League offers everything from grassroots to elite programs. While the Maxx Arena now unavailable for use, the Fieldhouse still has the largest youth league in the country – including house and open leagues for kid’s ages six and up, all the way to adult masters 40 and over. The facility also has Learn to Play classes, instructional clinics, a goalie camp in June and is the home of Halen’s Hockeyshop.The Fieldhouse is again hosting their annual NARCh regional qualifier on May 22-25 and a TORHS Mac Championship June 12-14.

RIVERTOWN SPORTS – GRANDVILLE616-538-5066 • rivertownsports.comWhen it comes to inline facilities on the West side of the state, Rivertown is the mainstay. Located in a suburb of Grand Rapids, Rivertown is a 35,000 square foot facility that includes a 174’ x

72’ IceCourt playing surface with Cascadia boards, a snack bar, a full service pro shop, four changing rooms and an enclosed 75’ x 50’ warm-up area. Rivertown Sports is the official practice home of the Grand Valley State roller hockey team and offers league play and drop-in.“Our emphasis is on developing youth hockey players,” said Rilletts.

SKATELAND ARENA – MT. MORRIS810-686-0833 • skatelandarena.comAfter opening their doors five years

ago, Skateland has seen their inline programs flourish. Located just outside of Flint, Skateland has one playing surface and is connected to a traditional roller rink that features a laser tag arena, a large arcade and Learn to Skate classes.Skateland offers youth and adult leagues throughout the year. Spring leagues are underway and the arena offers Learn to Play classes.

SKATE ZONE - ROCHESTER HILLS248-601-7755 • theskatezone.infoThe former U.S. Blades on Livernois, south of Avon, has full-sized 200’ x 85’ rink with a seamless floor that was used at the TORHS Nationals. The Skate Zone offers youth middle school, high school and adult league play, and is part of the Michigan Inline Hockey Travel Association (MIHTA).A Skills and Drills instructional program is held on Tuesday night and Adult drop in sessions are late Friday and Saturday night.

SPORTS FORUM - CLINTON TOWNSHIP(586) 790-5501 • sportsforumsskating.comLocated at 15 Mile and Harper, the Sports Forum has house leagues for all ages of young players and adults, including their popular Middle School program.“We’re trying to get young players involved in the game and it went over really well,” said Sopher. Sports Forum has also started a children’s Floor Hockey program (6 and Under) that runs on Sundays and Mondays.

STADIUM SPORTS CENTER517-437-3541 • skatehillsdale.comLocated on Will Carleton Road in Hillsdale, Stadium Sports Center offers recreational hockey for youth and adults.

TAYLOR SPORTSPLEX – TAYLOR 734-374-5924 • taylorsportsplex.com

The premiere downriver multi-use sports complex, the Taylor Sportsplex offers both youth and adult spring leagues, public skating, skating birthday parties and drop-in hockey.

TOTAL ROLLER HOCKEY – NOVI248-669-9831 • totalrollerhockey.comA longtime Westside metro Detroit hot spot for inline, Total Roller Hockey has a brand new a stand-alone facility on Grand River east of Beck that includes a full sized playing surface, an additional practice rink, locker rooms and solid competition for both house and travel players.The new location has already hosted a successful NARCh Silver/Club level regional qualifier. And the facility’s Chipmunk DekHockey and Mini Mite inline program for 3-6 year olds on Saturday mornings. Youth instructional and Adult leagues are going on right now and three clinics are set for the summer: Learn to floor hockey (June 22-25), Learn to skate (July 13-16) and Learn to play roller hockey (Aug 10-13).

TOTAL ROLLER HOCKEY GOING FULL BLASTAfter opening the doors to their new facility in January, Total

Roller Hockey finally got a chance to celebrate.The new TRH in Novi hosted an adult tournament and renowned

trainer Peter Dale on April 24-25. Mission Roller Hockey was also on hand to show off their new 2009 gear.

After Dale led an on and off-court youth training USA Clinic that included pro players, the young players were treated to product giveaways and prizes.

“It was one of the best workouts I have ever had,” said Pat Lee of the Mission Syndicate pro team based in California.

The weekend, which also included a barbeque, gave TRH a chance to show off their new digs.

“It was an awesome weekend of weather and fun,” said Gorney. “We put on a great show.”

FIELDHOUSE AND LITTLE CAESARS JOIN FORCESTwo of hockey’s most recognized names in Michigan are now

working together.Joe Dumars Fieldhouse and Little Caesars Pizza have partnered

to promote the growth of both roller and ice hockey.The 800-team roller hockey program at the Fieldhouse is now

known as the Little Caesars Roller Hockey League at Joe Dumars’ Fieldhouse. The Little Caesars Amateur Hockey League (LCAHL), which has 750 teams, in addition to a AAA program, is one oldest and largest ice hockey programs in North America.

A lot of roller hockey players also play ice hockey and “the reality is that our sports complement each other and the merging of these premier programs is going to advance both roller hockey and ice hockey in our area,” said Matt Koleski, the director of hockey operations for the newly-formed Little Caesars Roller Hockey program at the Fieldhouse.

The new Total Roller Hockey in Novi hosted Peter Dale and his USA Clinic at the facility’s open house on April 25.


MICHIGAN HOCKEY

BY PHILIP COLVIN

After making the semifinals last year at the Chicago Showcase, this year’s version of Team Michigan had an even better showing.

This season’s Team Michigan, made up of 20 of the state’s top high school seniors, lost to Minnesota, 3-2 in overtime, in the final of the 2009 Chicago Showcase on April 19 in Bensenville, IL.

“Minnesota always has a good team,” said Team Michigan coach/GM Kevin Ahern of Trenton. “I was really happy with the way the boys played all week. The final could have gone either way.”

The squad, who was selected from over 80 players after a two-day tryout in Dearborn, opened with a 5-2 win over Pittsburgh before losing to Minnesota, 4-2, in the second round-robin game. Michigan came back with wins over New Jersey (3-1) and Illinois (3-2) to make the semifinals against the top-seeded Northern New England squad.

In the semifinal Team Michigan beat Northern New England, 6-4, on the strength of two quick goals in under a minute to start the third period.

“They were a pretty strong team,” said Ahern, whose coaching staff also included Dan Phelps, Bill DeLyon and Randy Wilson. “And we had to play a solid game to beat them.”

The members of Team Michigan were all “go-to” guys on their high school teams and right from the beginning the coaching staff preached how everyone had to be on the same page for the team to be successful.

“We kept things simple (hockey-wise),” said Ahern. “We told them ‘if everyone does what they’re supposed to do, we’ll be OK.’ They bought into that and that’s what they did.”

And when you select a team over two days and then throw 20 kids together for a top-end competition you can’t always predict the outcome. But this year’s team came together quickly and stuck together both on and off the ice.

“This team had some of the best chemistry we’ve ever had,” said Ahern. “If a guy was down (after a mistake) there was always someone to pump them back up. And when you saw them off the ice they were always together. It makes a difference.”

Team Michigan’s depth at forward was a strength. Cranbrook’s Gregg Leonardo led the

team in scoring (3-3-6), with U of D’s Mac Olson (4-1-5) and Marquette’s Alex Lucas (3-2-5) right behind. Detroit Catholic Central’s Anthony Thomas (3-1-4) and Hartland’s Brian Depp (1-3-4) were next, while Marquette’s Mike Peterson (2-1-3), Gaylord’s Matthew Zaremba (1-2-3) and Grosse Pointe North’s Justin Kovacs (1-1-2) also chipped in. Other forwards included Trenton’s Camden Wojtala

(two assists), Midland’s Nate Scurfield, Flint Powers’ Jonah Spurlin and Bloomfield Hills Andover’s Chase Rogers.

“We really had a hard working group of forwards and we scored some dirty goals and some tic-tac-toe ones too,” said Ahern.

A n d w h i l e b o t h goaltenders, John Kleinhans (De LaSalle) and Eric Rohrkemper (Grosse Pointe North), had good weeks in suburban Chicago, Team Michigan’s defensive corps of Alex Brooks (Grandville), Craig Marrett (Brighton), Chris Sandmeyer (Portage Central), Matthew Wahl (Cranbrook), Jon Wilson (Trenton) and Michael Yanis (U of D) really stood out.

“I think this was the best group of six defensemen we’ve had in my 12 years,” said Ahern.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS’ MILLER WINS USHL AWARDS

As a senior at Cranbrook-Kingswood, Andrew Miller led the Cranes to the 2007 MHSAA Division 3 state title and was named Michigan’s Mr. Hockey.

Last season Miller joined Chicago of the Junior A United States Hockey League and as a rookie finished with 14 goals and 41 points.

This year Miller, who will attend Yale University new season, led the USHL in scoring all and was named the circuit’s 2009 Player of the Year and Forward of the Year. Miller was one of just five 30-goal scorers in the league. In 58 games this season, the native of Bloomfield Hills scored 32 goals and 82 points. In addition to leading the league in points, Miller also led the league in assists.

“Andrew has been the player that has carried the offense for Chicago all year long. He has shown time and time again that he has been the best forward on the ice in almost every game this season,” said Steel head coach Steve Poapst. “Not only is he a great offensive player, he is a true leader on and off the ice, and a deserving recipient of these awards.”

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Team Michigan makes finals at Chicago Showcase

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Team Michigan made the finals of the 2009 Chicago Showcase before losing to Team Minnesota.

Former Cranbrook-Kingswood star Andrew Miller of Bloomfield Hills won the 2009 USHL Player of the Year and Forward of the Year after a breakout season with the Chicago Steel.

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MICHIGAN HOCKEY


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Twelve year old, four-sheet Troy Sports Center voted Quest for the Best arena BY PHILIP COLVIN

Built in 1997, and home to numerous teams, leagues and programs, the Troy Sports Center looks like it could have opened yesterday.

The facility is spotless, comfortable and its arenas boast great lighting and well-kept ice. Michigan Hockey readers noticed and voted the four-rink facility as the best in the state in the 2009 Quest for the Best Arena poll.

A non-stop cleaning schedule, regular maintenance and upgrades have kept the facility looking like new as it approaches its 12th birthday later this summer.

“It’s really an honor and we appreciate it,” said Troy Sports Center general manager Vickie Lamerato, who has worked at the facility for over 11 years. “Everyone likes playing in a clean arena. It comes from our owner, Dennis Bostick, and we have a dedicated staff that is committed to keeping it that way.”

And details like powder coating the arenas nets instead of using red paint, cleaning the glass and installing new energy efficient lights that provide a more natural looking light with no wait after they are turned on provide users with a great place to skate.

“When you hit the ice we want it to look like Joe Louis Arena,” said hockey program director Jay Aydingoz.

Located at the northwest corner of Big Beaver and John R, the facility houses a concession area and a wide range of retail and

service companies, including a well-stocked B & R Sports, CORE Sports and Fitness, The Training Room, Michigan Sports and Spine Institute and Gotta Dance.

The Troy Sports Center is also home to youth teams from the Troy Youth Hockey Association, the Michigan Jaguars, Oakland Grizzlies and Michigan Sting, along with two figure skating clubs – the Troy Academy of Figure Skating and I.C.E.S.

In addition, high school teams from Avondale, Troy, Troy Athens, Notre Dame Prep and Oxford also call the Sports Center their home arena.

“Saturday nights during the season we’ll have three high school games going and the arena is buzzing,” said Lamerato. “I love to see it that way.”

The Troy Sports Center has worked to create a diverse selection of offerings for its customers. The facility works closely with the Troy Youth Hockey Association to offer a House League and hosts multiple tournaments throughout the year. Additional youth programs include the year-around Future Wings instructional programs, Learn to Skate sessions, Summer Meltdown camps and private lessons. Troy Sports Center offers adult drop-in and boasts one of the largest adult leagues in the state.

That diversity, and an easily accessible central location in Oakland County, has helped the Troy Sports Center retain customers and stay viable.

“We really work to offer quality and value in everything we do,” said Aydingoz.

Troy Sports Center general manager Vickie Lamerato (left) and the arena’s hockey program director Jay Aydingoz hold a banner in recognition of the facility being voted the 2009 Michigan Hockey Quest for the Best arena winner.

2009 QUEST FOR THE BEST


Boys Michigan May SizzlerMonroe, MIMay 15-17, 20091-888-422-6526Email: [email protected]

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Big Bear The Last DanceDetroit, MIMay 15-17, 2009 Mite, Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, Midget/HSB - BB - A - AA ¨ plus Girls U10 thru U19 Suburban Detroit ArenasUSA Hockey Sanction # MIT090092Visit us on line at www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694

Michigan May SizzlerMonroe, MichiganMay 15 – 17, 2009Youth 2003-1990 Recreational B,(Select-A), AA, AAA1-888-422-6526Email: [email protected]

Women at Wings StadiumKalamazoo, MIMay 22-24, 2009Women269-345-2277Email: [email protected]

Summer ClassicPort Huron, MIMay 29-31, 2009Mite thru Peewee House OnlySanction # TBA810-364-9797 [email protected]

Compuware Honeybaked InvitationalPlymouth & Farmington Hills, MISeptember 16-20, 2009Squirt Minor, Squirt Major, Pee Wee Minor, Pee Wee Major,Bantam Minor & Bantam [email protected]

Manon Rheaume TournamentFarmington Hills, MINovember 12-15, 2009Girls 19&/21U, 16U, 14U & 12U248-479-1139

Michigan Thanksgiving ClassicMonroe, MichiganNovember 27 – 29, 2009Youth 2003-1990 BOYS - (Travel B, Select, AE), A, AA, AAA1-888-422-6526Email: [email protected]

Girls Michigan Thanksgiving ClassicMonroe, MichiganNovember 27 – 29, 2009Youth 2001-1990 GIRLS - Tier II (C, B,BB) and Tier I (A, AA)1-888-422-6526Email: [email protected]

North American Holiday HockeySan Diego, CaliforniaMay 13-18, 2009Adult & Youth Tournaments1-800-322-NAHHEmail: [email protected] www.nahhtours.com

CHICAGO CUP Tournament Series: Seven Bridges Spring Classic Chicago, ILMay 15-17, 2009Mite through Midget: House, B, A, AA. 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

Rock ‘N Roll Cup Tournament SeriesCleveland, OHMay 15-17, 2009Mite thru Midget/High School (AAA, AA, A, B, House Select, House)Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, [email protected]

North American Holiday HockeyVancouver, British ColumbiaMay 22-24, 2009Adult & Youth Tournaments1-800-322-NAHHEmail: [email protected] www.nahhtours.com

Memorial Holiday ClassicOakville / Toronto, OntarioMay 22 – 24, 2009Youth 2003-1990 Recreational B,(Select-A), AA, AAA, Elite AAA1-888-422-6526Email: [email protected]

Bring Your BestToronto, OntarioMay 29 – 31, 2009Youth 2003-199 Recreational B,(Select-A), AA, AAA, Elite AAA1-888-422-6526Email: [email protected]

Girls Hockey ChallengeToronto, OntarioMay 29 – 31, 2009Youth 2001-1990 GIRLS - Rep (HL, Sel, C, B,BB) and Elite (A, AA)1-888-422-6526Email: [email protected]

Burnaby Summer ChallengeVancouver, BC May 29 – 31, 2009Youth 2003-1990 Recreational B,(Select-A), AA, AAA, Elite AAA1-888-422-6526Email: [email protected]

Girls Burnaby Summer ChallengeVancouver, BCMay 29 – 31, 2009Youth 2001-1990 GIRLS - Rep (HL, Sel, C, B,BB) and Elite (A, AA)1-888-422-6526Email: [email protected]

East End ShowdownScarborough / Oshawa, OntarioJune 5 – 7, 2009Youth 2001- 1990 Recreational B,(Select-A), AA, AAA, Elite AAA 1-888-422-6526Email: [email protected]

Future Stars TournamentScarborough / Oshawa, OntarioJune 5 – 7, 2009Youth 2004, 2003, 2002 BOYS & GIRLS - House League, Select, Super 6 & 71-888-422-6526Email: [email protected]

Toronto Airport ChallengeToronto, OntarioJune 12 – 14, 2009Adult Men’s, Women’s, COED 18+, 30+, 40+A/B,C,D,E1-888-422-6526Email: [email protected]

Montreal ManiaMontreal, QCJune 12 – 14, 2009Youth 2003-1990 Recreational B,(Select-A), AA, AAA, Elite AAA1-888-422-6526Email: [email protected]

Summer MeltdownToronto, OntarioJune 19 – 21, 2009Youth 2003-1990 Recreational B,(Select-A), AA, AAA, Elite AAA1-888-422-6526Email: [email protected]

Girls Summer ChillToronto, OntarioJune 19 – 21, 2009Youth 2001-1990 GIRLS - Rep (HL, Sel, C, B,BB) and Elite (A, AA)1-888-422-6526Email: [email protected]

Burnaby Summer ClassicBurnaby, BCJune 19 – 21, 2009Adult Men’s, Women’s, COED 18+, 30+, 40+A/B,C,D,E1-888-422-6526Email: [email protected]

Quest for the CupBurnaby, BCJune 19 – 21, 2009Youth 2003-1990 Recreational B,(Select-A), AA, AAA, Elite AAA1-888-422-6526Email: [email protected]

Girls Quest for the CupBurnaby, BCJune 19 – 21, 2009Youth 2003-1990 GIRLS - Rep (HL, Sel, C, B,BB) and Elite (A, AA)1-888-422-6526Email: [email protected]

Adult Summer MeltdownEdmonton, AlbertaJuly 3 – 5, 2009Adult Men’s, Women’s, COED 18+, 30+, 40+A/B,C,D,E1-888-422-6526Email: [email protected]

Edmonton Youth ClassicEdmonton, AlbertaJuly 10 – 12, 2009Youth 2003-1990 Recreational B,(Select-A), AA, AAA, Elite AAA1-888-422-6526Email: [email protected]

Youth ClassicOshawa / Toronto, OntarioJuly 10 – 12, 2009Youth 2003-1990 Recreational B,(Select-A), AA, AAA, Elite AAA1-888-422-6526Email: [email protected]

Future Stars TournamentOshawa, OntarioJuly 10 – 12, 2009Youth 2004, 2003, 2002 BOYS & GIRLS - House League, Select, Super 6 & 71-888-422-6526Email: [email protected]

Oshawa Hockey ChallengeOshawa, OntarioJuly 17 – 19, 2009Adult Men’s, Women’s, COED 18+, 30+, 40+:A/B,C,D,E1-888-422-6526Email: [email protected]

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MICHIGAN HOCKEY

MICHIGAN HOCKEY


Team USA wins 2009 World Under-18 Championship on American soilBY PHILIP COLVIN

The World Under-18 Championships are the last chance for Team USA to make its mark before the players scatter to college teams and junior programs across the country.

And the U.S. National U-18 Team made the most of that opportunity by beating Russia, 5-0, in the gold medal game of the 2009 IIHF World Under-18 Championship on April 29 in Fargo, North Dakota in front of 4,923 fans at the Urban Plains Center.

Team USA got on the board early when Cam Fowler (Farmington Hills) put a wrist shot into the lower right corner of the net through a screen. Matthew Nieto made it 2-0 when he tipped in Kevin Lynch’s (Grosse Pointe) feather pass in the slot. William Wrenn opened the second period by one-timing Drew Shore’s pass from the middle slot into the lower left corner for a power-play goal to make it 3-0. Chris Brown and Ryan Bourque scored in the final period. Team USA goalie Jack Campbell stopped all 17 shots he faced to earn the shutout.

With the win the U.S. Under-18’s avenged their loss to Russia in the final game of the preliminary round just five days earlier, a 6-5 decision in a game in which the U.S. outshot Russia 55-26.

The U.S. finished the tournament 6-0-0-1, and captured the first world title for a U.S. team on home soil since the 1980 Olympic Winter Games. This was the first time the World Under-18 Championship was held in the United States.

“Tonight was a culmination of two years of hard work for many of our players,” said Ron Rolston, head coach of Team USA. “They sacrificed for each other and they became a family. They had the focus, determination and persevered, which is what the National Team Development Program is all about. There is no better way to end the season and I am really happy for our players.”

The U.S. opened the tournament with wins over Norway (8-0), Finland (4-3) and Slovakia (12-0) before losing to Russia. Team USA then beat the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals, 6-2, and earned a chance for a rematch against Russia with a 2-1 win over Canada in the semifinals.

Fowler was named the tournament’s top defenseman and joined Campbell and Jerry D’Amigo on the tournament all-star team. Campbell led all goaltenders with a 0.75 goals-against average and .967 save percentage and D’Amigo led the U.S. with 12 points (4-8). Jeremy Morin (6-4-10) and Lynch (5-5-10) were next, while Fowler led all U.S. blueliners with eight points (1-7).

The win gives Team USA four gold medals, and seven total medals at the IIHF World Under-18 Championship.

TEAM USA WOMEN BEAT CANADA TO DEFEND WORLD TITLEThe U.S. Women’s National Team made history by successfully

defending its world title with a 4-1 victory over Canada on April 12 at

the 2009 World Women’s Championship in Hameenlinna, Finland. Caitlin Cahow scored twice and Jessie Vetter made 39 saves

to help Team USA secure its third world title in the last four world championships (2005, 2008, 2009).

The United States completed the tournament with a 4-0-0-1 record and holds the No. 1 world ranking for the first time since the system was introduced in 2004.

“It was amazing to be a part of our second consecutive world championship,” said veteran Team USA defenseman Angela Ruggiero. “All of the players on Team USA put team first and as a result we were victorious. This win provides us with tremendous momentum heading into Vancouver in less than a year (for 2010 Winter Olympics) and solidifies the US team as the top hockey nation in the world.”

Kacey Bellamy, Julie Chu and Hilary Knight were named the top three U.S. players of the tournament, while Vetter, Ruggiero, Chu and Natalie Darwitz earned spots on the Media All-Star Team. Chu finished as the tournament’s leading point getter with 10 points (5-5), while Darwitz was second with 10 points (3-7) and Knight was third with nine points (7-2).

The U.S. opened with shutout wins over Japan, Russia and Finland before losing to Canada, 2-1, on April 10, that set up the rematch in the final.

“I’m excited for the players,” said Team USA coach Mark Johnson, who is also the head coach at the University of Wisconsin and will be the head coach of Team USA at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. “What we saw was full commitment - they put the effort in for three periods (in the final) and were rewarded in the end. The game was good start to finish and we played disciplined hockey.”

NTDP JOINS USHLThe Ann Arbor-based USA Hockey National Team Development

Program (NTDP) will become full-time members of the Tier I United States Hockey League, effective in the 2009-10 season.

Team USA was previously a full-time member of the USHL for two seasons from 1998-2000.

“The re-association of America’s only Tier I program with the national program in place in Ann Arbor will yield a powerhouse league second to none in the United States – and the strongest opportunity ever developed for the world’s elite 17, 18, 19 and 20-year-old players to develop their skills,” said USHL Commissioner Skip Prince.

Team USA will play a full, 60-game schedule in the USHL, as well as maintain its commitment to international and college competition. The U.S. Under-18 Team, in addition it’s 20-plus games against college teams, is expected to play 24 games of that schedule and the U.S. Under-17 Team the other 34, and count jointly as one team

in the league standings.Team USA will compete for in the USHL’s Anderson Cup in the

regular season, be a participant in the Clark Cup playoffs and also participate in the annual USHL Fall Classic in Sioux City, Iowa. In addition to Team USA’s Eastern Division matchups, the team will play a home-and-home with all the of the USHL’s Western Division teams.

Team USA will also still compete at the World Under-18 Championships, with the players not selected to play at that tournament competing in the USHL playoffs.

USA Hockey and the USHL will now work in a joint effort to promote and grow USA Hockey’s American Development Model with the goal of developing world-class players, and world-class competition, while protecting the amateur status and collegiate eligibility of the country’s top young players.

Team USA’s move represents a departure from full-time affiliation with another vital block in the USA Hockey elite pyramid, the North American Hockey League, and USA Hockey and USHL management plan to develop opportunities for showcasing the NAHL and its players as part of USA Hockey’s American Development Model.

“We’re extremely pleased to have the NTDP join the USHL,” said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. “It’s a positive step and something that will be mutually beneficial. The NAHL has been a wonderful home and we feel fortunate to have been part of that league for more than a decade.”

MARTEL NAMED DIRECTOR OF USA HOCKEY’S ADM Former Lake Superior State defenseman, Michigan Tech assistant

coach and NTDP assistant coach Ken Martel was named the first-ever director of USA Hockey’s American Development Model (ADM) on May 1.

Martel played on the Lakers 1988 National Championship team before getting into coaching. He spent eight years in Ann Arbor with the NTDP before moving to USA Hockey’s national office in Colorado Springs, Colo., in the summer of 2006 to work on coaching education and player development projects in the organization’s youth hockey department.

“With his background and thorough understanding of the basis of the American Development Model, Ken is the perfect fit to lead this initiative,” said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey.

The ADM, which was created in January, provides for the first time a blueprint for associations nationwide to follow for optimal athlete development.

“Ken will do an excellent job leading our efforts related to the American Development Model,” said Jim Johannson, assistant executive director for hockey operations at USA Hockey. “He has the knowledge, passion and experience we need in the position.”

The U.S. National U-18 Team won the 2009 IIHF World Under-18 Championship with a 5-0 win over Russia on April 29 in Fargo, ND.

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MICHIGAN HOCKEY


NATIONAL TOURNAMENT JOURNAL

Little Caesars Women in NYThe Little Caesars women’s team made it through

a long season of injuries and headed to the 2009 USA Hockey Women’s Senior A National Tournament in Rochester, NY with a team that was very different than last year’s national championship winning team.

Here is an excerpt from Little Caesar’s Lauren Lobert’s National Tournament diary:

GAME ONE AND TWOAfter arriving yesterday

and checking into the hotel, we had a team meeting this morning about tournament rules. After some last minute sewing to fasten patches on our jerseys and close pants whose zippers were broken, we headed to the rink. The games were already almost an hour behind, so we had plenty of time to watch some games and warm up outside with some jogging and soccer.

We went into the first game feeling a little jittery and didn’t play our best. We had plenty of chances but had goals called off and hit some posts and we were down 2-1 with a minute remaining.

With the goalie pulled our captain Sarah Clark scored one goal with 37 seconds remaining and another one 17 seconds later to give us the 3-2 victory in what was probably the most exciting game I have ever played in.

It was a great feeling as our team pulled together and never quit, and showed everyone, including ourselves, that we were going to have a great weekend.

After the game, we had a team meal at a nearby Italian restaurant and had just enough time to relax at the hotel before it was time to make our way to the rink again.

Still excited from our first game, we played better than we had ever played before. We played as a team and pulled out a victory against a great team from Minnesota, winning 2-0. The entire

team left the rink ecstatic, exhausted and excited for tomorrow.

NOT OUR BEST GAMEWith the first seed in our division sealed up, our

morning game did not go as well. We got behind early and were not able to recover. Penalties hurt us, and we ended up losing 3-1 to the Needham Huskies. Frustrated that we did not play our best, we regrouped and prepared ourselves for the

national semifinal game later that day against the New Jersey Colonials.

We know that we play our best when we have fun and work hard and that’s what we did against the Colonials. We played better than I could have ever imagined and won 7-2. Scoring came from all three lines and our teamwork paid off. We are playing in the national championship game tomorrow morning!

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Heading into our fifth game in 48 hours, we had to dig deep. We had a team breakfast before we went to the rink and after taping, icing and BioFreezing all of our bumps, bruises and injuries we were ready to

go. We played hard and left everything we had on the ice, only to lose 2-0 to the Minnesota Blue J’s. While losing is never fun, we were proud to have come in second and were beat by a great team.

Even though we lost, we played together very well and had lots fun the entire weekend. We came together at the best possible time to play our best hockey of the season. On a different day, we might have won. Pucks hitting the post may have gone in, penalties may have been called differently.

While it is disappointing to lose in the championship game, second in the nation isn’t too shabby. I am incredibly proud to be a part of this team and can’t wait to be back at the tournament next year.

Lauren Lobert (second from bottom) and her Little Caesars teammates competed in the USA Hockey Women’s Sr. A National Championship in Rochester, New York.

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NORTH AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE

Threepeat: St. Louis Bandits win NAHL title once againTORNADO IS RETURNING; SHEEHAN TO NIAGARA AND MARQUETTE’S PARTACZ PICKS CONCORDIA

BY MATT MACKINDER

The St. Louis Bandits did it again.For the third year in a row, the Bandits won the North American

Hockey League’s Robertson Cup playoff championship with a 3-2 overtime win over the expansion Wenatchee Wild in Mason City, Iowa, on May 3.

Former Orchard Lake St. Mary’s star forward Clinton Bourbonais of Whitmore Lake, who was named to the Robertson Cup All-Tournament Team, connected for the Cup-winner in the extra session and Grant Gorczyca scored the other two Bandits goals. Between the pipes, goaltender Keith Kinkaid, who was named the tournament and league MVP as well as to the All-Tournament Team, turned aside 29 shots.

“It’s amazing,” Bourbonais said. “I’ve never been to a national tournament, but to come here to my first one and win it is an amazing feeling.”

On the game-winner, Bourbonais passed the praise a bit.

“I saw the pass coming from my linemate Andrew Hamburg and I just tried to get a nice, low shot for a rebound, but I saw it hit the post and went in,” said the Air Force recruit.

First-year St. Louis head coach Jeff Brown picked up where his predecessor, Jon Cooper, left off.

“We battled all year long,” said Brown. “The guys worked hard and we got to the point where we had five games in five days. (The championship game) was a great game, an even game. This is huge for the organization. I can’t take credit for the first two, but I’m glad I was around for the third one.”

Duncan McKellar and Junior Cadiz scored for Wenatchee and Mathieu Dugas finished with 35 stops in net.

Also named to the All-Tournament Team were Wenatchee forwards Michael Voran (Livonia) and DJ Vandercook (Farmington Hills) and St. Louis defensemen Shawn Jameson and Dan Weiss.

Other Michigan natives who played in the title game were St. Louis forwards Chris Ciotti (Romeo), Michigan Tech recruit Anthony Schooley (Romulus) and Ryan Rashid (Farmington Hills). Wenatchee defenseman Alex Charette (Wolverine Lake) was also on the Wild’s playoff roster. Bourbonais played last season for the Traverse City

North Stars as well.

TORNADO TO TOUCH BACK DOWN NEXT SEASONThe Texas Tornado will return to the ice next fall after sitting-out

this past year while the Deja Blue Arena underwent renovations. Detroit native Tony Curtale will also be back as head coach.“With the new, enhanced upgrades made to the Deja Blue Arena,

we’re poised to offer a great experience to fans in this region and are excited to be bringing back the winning tradition of the Texas Tornado,” said Tornado owner Kirby Schlegel.

Seating capacity at the newly-renovated arena has increased from 3,733 seats to 4,944 seats.

RANGERS VETERAN CHOOSES CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY

Marquette Rangers forward Dustin Partacz has committed to play college hockey next season at Concordia University.

The Division III Falcons are a member of the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association and are coached by former North Dakota forward and Hobey Baker winner Tony Hrkac.

“It’s been a great experience,” Patracz said of the recruiting process. “I have grown from it as a person and I’m excited to finally find a school where I can play hockey, hit the books and move on to the next chapter of my life.”

The Naperville, Ill., native was a member of the original roster when the team was formed in 2006.

“Dustin is the ultimate team player,” said Rangers head coach Kenny Miller. “Every coach should consider themself lucky if they are able to coach a player like Dustin once in their career.”

NOTEBOOK

The NAHL Entry Draft is set for May 20…St. Louis forward Brendan Sheehan has committed to Niagara University for next season and is the 19th player who competed in January’s NAHL Top Prospects Tournament in Ann Arbor to commit to a Division I program following the event…North Iowa forward Joe Harcharik gave the nod to Robert Morris University…Alexandria head coach and general manager Brad Willner has resigned from both positions…Marty Quarters (Southfield) was named Kenai River’s new head coach, replacing Brent Agrusa, another Michigan native.

ALL-NAHL TEAMForward: Austin Block, Fairbanks Ice Dogs

Forward: Jordan George, Topeka RoadRunnersForward: Brandon Saad, Mahoning Valley Phantoms

Defenseman: Drew Darwitz, Fairbanks Ice DogsDefenseman: Tyler Elbrecht, St. Louis BanditsGoaltender: Keith Kinkaid, St. Louis Bandits

ALL-CENTRAL DIVISION TEAM Forward: Brandon Brodhag, North Iowa Outlaws

Forward: Jerry Freismuth, Alexandria BlizzardForward: Jack Paul, North Iowa Outlaws

Defenseman: John Clark, Bismarck BobcatsDefenseman: Tim Smith, Owatonna ExpressGoaltender: David Bosner, Bismarck Bobcats

ALL-NORTH DIVISION TEAMForward: Kyle Bonis, Traverse City North Stars

Forward: Chad Pietila, Marquette RangersForward: Brandon Saad, Mahoning Valley Phantoms

Defenseman: Cullen Lundholm, Mahoning Valley PhantomsDefenseman: Travis White, Traverse City North Stars

Goaltender: CJ Motte, Traverse City North Stars

ALL-SOUTH DIVISION TEAMForward: Jon Gaffney, Springfield Jr. Blues

Forward: Jordan George, Topeka RoadRunners Forward: Andrew Hamburg, St. Louis Bandits

Defenseman: Eric Artman, Topeka RoadRunners Defenseman: Tyler Elbrecht, St. Louis Bandits Goaltender: Keith Kinkaid, St. Louis Bandits

ALL-WEST DIVISION TEAM

Forward: Austin Block, Fairbanks Ice DogsForward: Ryan Lemke, Kenai River Brown Bears

Forward: Mike Voran, Wenatchee WildDefenseman: Drew Darwitz, Fairbanks Ice DogsDefenseman: Sean McNeely, Alaska Avalanche Goaltender: Mathieu Dugas, Wenatchee Wild

ALL-ROOKIE TEAMForward: Trent Frey, Springfield Jr. Blues

Forward: Brandon Saad, Mahoning Valley PhantomsForward: Mike Voran, Wenatchee Wild

Defenseman: Brandon Burrell, Wenatchee WildDefenseman: Tim Smith, Owatonna ExpressGoaltender: David Bosner, Bismarck Bobcats

2008-09 AWARDS

Traverse City forward Kyle Bonis made the NAHL All-North Division Team.


MICHIGAN HOCKEY

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The formation of the Rangers team starts inearnest on May 15-17 in Detroit, MI withour pre-draft try-out camp. In addition, wewill also conduct open regional try-outcamps in Toledo, OH (June 12-14), andMarquette, MI (July 13-15). These 3-dayregional camps will identify players to attendthe final invitation-only camp in Marquette.

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MICHIGAN HOCKEY


BY CARL CHIMENTI

With a look to the near future, Saginaw added much needed offensive depth by selecting eight forwards in the 2009 OHL priority draft.

With the departure of overagers Chris Chappell and Jack Combs, their top two offensive forwards, the Spirit wasted little time by selecting forwards Anthony Camara and Bingham Farms resident Vincent Trocheck with their first two picks.

Camara, from Toronto, is skilled and is not afraid to get his nose dirty. The 6’1 185 lb left shooting center scored 31 goals and 56 points in 50 games for the Mississauga Senators of the GTHL.

“We were targeting Anthony and were lucky to get him,” said Saginaw coach Todd Watson. “He is a big competitor that hits, works and plays hard,” said Saginaw coach Todd Watson. “He has the skill to put up big numbers and we are excited to have him join our team.”

The feeling was mutual for Camara. “I’ve heard good things about the

organization,” he said. “I just want to make

that team better. “I’m a hard forward, hard-nosed, physical, I like to go up and down the ice and put the puck in the net and strong on the boards.”

Camara spoke briefly with Watson after the draft.

“He told me that my style of play is the kind of player he likes and also let me know just what he expects out of all his players.”

Senators head coach Mark Fillippone had high praise for his now former player.

“I love him, he is just a great kid and a great hockey player,” said Fillippone, who coached Camara for the past three years. “He works hard every shift and I think in the not to distant future Anthony will be one of the most feared player’s in the OHL. He has size, plays a physical style and has a very good offensive upside to his game.”

Trocheck won USA Hockey National titles the last two seasons with Little Caesars. A smart two-way center, Trockeck has good speed and had 27 goals in 45 games at the Midget AAA level last season.

“I feel like Vincent is a top ten pick and he could have been selected in the first round,” said Watson. “We are thrilled to have him as part of our organization. He sees the ice well, can score

and provides a lot of ability up front.”

NOTEBOOKSaginaw has a new director of scouting, James Paliafito, and a

new trainer, Brian Patafie. Paliafito previously was the VP of player personnel of the USHL’s Indiana Ice. Patafie spent the past six years with the Ottawa 67’s after 15 years with the NHL’s Calgary Flames.

ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE

Whalers ‘love’ first round pick of ‘dynamic’ and ‘phenomenal’ MeursBY MATT MACKINDER

Garrett Meurs is looked at as the possible next big-time player to suit-up for the Plymouth Whalers after he was taken 13th overall in the annual Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection on May 2.

Meurs is a skilled center that tallied 52 goals and 95 points last year for the Huron-Perth Lakers. From Ripley, Ont., he was the only player from north of the border drafted by the Whalers in the early Rd.s of the 15-Rd. online draft. The fact he’s a solid player and was available at No. 13 when Plymouth picked had the Whalers raving.

“We love Garrett,” Plymouth head coach and general manager Mike Vellucci said on draft day. “His skill is second-to-none. His speed is dynamic and he’s got phenomenal hands. From all of our reports and even the reaction after Garrett being drafted, I’ve been receiving a ton of text messages telling us what a great pick he is and what a great person he is. Obviously, we know he’s a good player, but from all reports and talking to Garrett, he’s a great person. That helps the decision.”

Meurs said he patterns his game after New Jersey Devils star Zach Parise.

“He’s fast, highly-skilled and can score, too,” said Meurs. “I’ve talked to Tyler Seguin about Plymouth and he said it’s a great city, so I’m looking forward to coming there. I just hope I get used to the game quickly and help the team out.”

After Meurs, Plymouth took four straight Americans – Monroe goaltender Matt Mahalak in the second Rd., Compuware Under-16 center Stefan Noesen (Northville) in the fourth Rd. and Pittsburgh Hornets center Jonathon Miller and New Jersey Avalanche defenseman Nick Malysa in the fifth Rd..

“I don’t think we made a conscious effort of making sure we went American-only,” Vellucci said. “We went with the best players available. All of those guys are AA-rated players. We watched them all year and like them.”

Mahalak is the younger brother of current Plymouth forward RJ Mahalak and played last season for Culver Military Academy in

Indiana.“Matt’s a good goalie and we know the family very well,” Vellucci

said. “It’s something we’ve been talking about doing for over a year. We’ve watched Matt for over two years and we’re really excited to have him.”

Noesen scored 24 goals and 24 assists for 48 points in 53 games last season as Compuware also won the national Under-16 championship

earlier this spring.“Our motto going into this

draft is ‘Hungry for Another Championship , ’” Ve l lucc i explained. “I think you start building your team with guys who have been on championships before. Stefan’s a great player. We’ve watched him all the time and I’ve had a chance to be on the ice with him and help run a couple of their practices. I love his skill. He’s a big kid with a big body. His hands are outstanding. Once we get him into shape and get him on the ice with us every day, I think he’ll be a great player.”

Noesen is looking forward to playing in the OHL.

“I had a long talk with my advisor in deciding what we wanted to do,” said Noesen. “We figured the best thing would be if I got drafted (in the OHL) high, that the Whalers would be a way to go.”

Malysa is another draftee who is excited about coming to Plymouth.

“I’m excited and relieved,” Malysa said. “I was looking for a good school package and to get it over with fast and know where I’ll be going - what team, what town

I’ll be going to - it takes a load off of you.”In Rd.s 6-15, Plymouth took four more Americans, including

Noesen’s teammate Peter Hand in the 10th Rd. and Ohio Blue Jackets U-16 teammates Conner Burton (eighth Rd.) and Sean Kuraly (15th Rd.).

TEAM AWARD WINNERS NAMEDThe Whalers finished the season with their annual banquet and

awards on April 20 at CJ’s Brewing Company inside Compuware Arena:

Regular-season MVP: Chris Terry

Playoffs MVP: Matt Hackett

Rookie of the Year: Tyler Seguin

Defenseman of the Year: Michal Jordan

Academic Player of the Year: Chris Terry

Humanitarian of the Year: Chris Terry

Most Improved Player: Matt Hackett

Unsung Hero: Matt Caria

Labatt Blue Collar Player of the Year: Joe Gaynor

Leading scorer (regular season): Chris Terry

Leading scorer (playoffs): Chris Terry and Tyler Seguin

The Whalers booster club also handed out awards to Terry (Barb Mohrlock Award – Fan Favorite) and Gaynor (Grinder of the Year). Plymouth’s off-ice officials named Brett Bellemore the Alice Iafrate Award winner as the team’s top overage player as well.

NOTEBOOKVellucci finished third in OHL Coach of the Year voting, Seguin was

second in Rookie of the Year voting and Terry won the Dan Snyder Humanitarian of the Year award, the Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy and made the OHL Third All-Star Team…Rookie defenseman Beau Schmitz is ranked No. 195 by NHL Central Scouting for the NHL Draft, while Matt Hackett is the top-ranked goalie available…Defenseman Christian Steingraber will play for the University of Windsor next season.

PLYMOUTH 2009 PRIORITY SELECTIONS1st Rd. – Garrett Meurs, F, Huron-Perth Lakers 2nd Rd. – Matt Mahalak, G, Culver Academy 4th Rd. – Stefan Noesen, F, Compuware U16

5th Rd. – Jonathon Miller, F, Pittsburgh Hornets 5th Rd. – Nick Malysa, D, New Jersey Avalanche 6th Rd. – Calvin Higley, F, York Simcoe Express 7th Rd. – Dylan MacDonald, D, London Knights

8th Rd. – Conner Burton, F, Ohio Blue Jackets U16 8th Rd. – Kevin Tansey, D, Eastern Ontario Wild 9th Rd. – Adam Nanji, F, Mississauga Senators

10th Rd. – Peter Hand, D, Compuware U16 11th Rd. – Adam Restoule, F, Thunder Bay Kings 12th Rd. – Kenny Gillespie, F, Shattuck St. Mary’s

13th Rd. – Christian Elsborg, F, Vaughan Kings 14th Rd. – Chris Albertini, D, Toronto Jr. Canadiens

15th Rd. – Sean Kuraly, F, Ohio Blue Jackets U16

Spirit uses Priority Draft to add much needed help up front

SAGINAW 2009 PRIORITY SELECTIONS1st Rd. - Anthony Camara, F, Mississauga Senators

2nd Rd. - Vincent Trocheck, F, Little Caesars 4th Rd. - Alex Lepkowski, D, St. Francis HS

4th Rd. - Jay Williams, G, TPH Thunder 4th Rd. - Paxton Leroux, F, Peterborough Petes

7th Rd. - Frank Schumacher, D, Victory Honda U16 7th Rd. - Mark Scheifele, F, Kitchener Rangers

9th Rd. - Billy Ulrick, F, Quinte Red Devils 10th Rd. - Dominick Shine, F, Compuware U-16

12th Rd. - Keenan Hodgson, F, Mississauga Reps 12th Rd. - Marc Bessey, D, Mississauga Senators 13th Rd. - Carlton Richard, F, Kitchener Rangers

14th Rd. - Joe Fiala, D, Verona 15th Rd. - Peter Dudek, G, Buffalo Select U16

Plymouth selected Compuware forward Stefan Noesen in the fourth round of the 2009 OHL Priority Selection.

Saginaw used their first pick in the 2009 Priority Selection to take Mississauga center Anthony Camera (left).

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MICHIGAN HOCKEY


COLLEGE HOCKEY

A 2009 Frozen Four Diary from Washington, DCGET READY DETROIT: THE BIG WEEKEND LESS THAN A YEAR AWAY

The following is Michigan Hockey reporter Derek Berry’s chronicle of the 2009 NCAA Hockey Championship Frozen Four in Washington, DC:

GAME DAY EXPERIENCEAs I came out of the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro stop and

turned the corner towards the Verizon Center, home of the NHL’s Washington Capitals, I could already hear the festivities.

There is always some hoopla before a regular season Capitals game, with guys banging buckets and people hawking tickets outside. But nothing like what I saw when the Frozen Four was in town for one spectacular weekend in early April.

Thousands of fans milled about outside the arena and guys on stilts in referee’s uniforms greeted me. Members of the Miami University RedHawk pep band warmed up the crowd and there were Frozen Four logos and banners on the sidewalks, doors and lampposts.

It was clear this was something special – everyone was here to see who would be crowned the best team in college hockey this year.

In addition to the fans of the four participating schools - Miami University, Bemidji State University, the University of Vermont and Boston University – there were also fans representing schools that had no team here.

I spotted Minnesota Golden Gophers and Wisconsin Badgers fans. Michigan Wolverines fans were scattered throughout the arena, as well as North Dakota Fighting Sioux and Michigan State Spartans fans too. I swore I saw a Western Michigan Broncos jersey in the mix somewhere.

And the press room is full of reporters and photographers from media organizations that range from student newspapers to D.C. local papers, national papers, magazines, bloggers and television. They were all here.

LOOSEY GOOSEYI spot members of the Miami RedHawks stretching and walking

around outside their locker room, getting the rust out before their

opening semifinal game against the Beavers of Bemidji State. The RedHawks are laughing and joking, playing with a soccer ball. They seem quite loose for a team playing in the national semifinals.

And it seemed like Miami’s carefree attitude helped them out. Playing loose is a must in this tournament. Teams that are too uptight never seem to do well. Miami never let Bemidji get anything going and the RedHawks beat the upstart Beavers, 4-1, to advance to the NCAA championship game Saturday night.

The Cinderella Beavers had quite a bit of support in the arena even without their Pep Band, who had made a previous commitment on Frozen Four weekend and was unable to attend. The George Mason University pep band sat in for them and even learned the Beavers fight song.

Game two of the semifinals was more exciting. Vermont, which had a lot of fans in attendance, and Boston University, whose student cheers are similar to those of Maize and Blue fans at Yost Ice Arena, played a very close game that was see-saw all the way. In the end, the Terriers prevailed.

During an intermission Michigan State senior goaltender Jeff Lerg of Livonia received the Lowe’s Senior Class Award for outstanding academic achievement and for his off-ice community service activities during his four years in East Lansing.

Fans who had never attended a college game got a good taste of what it might be like at one of the home teams’ arenas. Banners of all the NCAA teams who had won championships and the years they won hung from the rafters of the arena. The pep bands performed in between whistles and intermissions, instead of the loud, blaring rock music you hear at any NHL or NBA arena on any given night.

OFF DAYFriday of Frozen Four weekend is reserved for team

practices, a pre-championship news conference with coaches and players and the presentation of the Hobey Baker and Hockey Humanitarian Awards.

After Boston University senior defenseman Matt Gilroy won the 2009 Hobey Baker award, the arena hosts a Skills Competition where fans watched both male and female college players compete in contest that included a fastest skater competition and hardest shot competition.

THE FINAL Fans are buzzing around the outside of the arena in anticipation

of the final game. The Verizon Center is filled to capacity with 18, 512 fans on hand. The crowd is treated to Boston University’s come-from-behind 4-3 overtime win over Miami that included great plays, big goals and lots of drama.

In the overtime the entire arena gets really loud, but there also moments when it gets really quiet, as everyone knows one mistake by either team could lead to the goal that decides the national title. This is for all the marbles, as they say. Other than Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Finals, there is nothing else like it.

After Boston University wins it on a deflected goal and the Terriers celebrate, the two teams line up to shake hands in one of the great traditions of college hockey.

Then Miami slinks into their locker room, dejected and defeated. You feel their heartache just as much as you feel the joy for the BU players and their boisterous fans.

POST-GAME

After such an exciting and emotional game the two post-game press conferences couldn’t have been more different. Miami’s was somber with their players still shocked at the outcome. Boston University brought the championship trophy in with them and plopped it on the table.

And well after midnight the media room is still buzzing with reporters finishing up stories. Outside the arena there are still some exuberant Boston University fans and some dejected Miami faithful milling around but it’s much quieter a couple of hours after the championship has ended.

As I take a seat on the train next to some Terriers fans that look like they’d take the Frozen Four ride all over again, I couldn’t agree more. College hockey rocks!

College hockey fans enjoyed a big weekend in Washington, DC at the 2009 Frozen Four that included great games on the ice and refs on stilts.

2010 Frozen Four at Ford Field will be record breakerBY PHILIP COLVIN

With a NCAA basketball Final Four under their belt, Detroit’s Ford Field will be a record breaking host for the 2010 NCAA Frozen Four.

At next season’s NCAA Men’s Hockey Championship the ice rink will be centered in the middle of Ford Field (just like the basketball court was) and the 70,000 capacity should shatter the Frozen Four attendance record of 19,432, set in 2007 when Michigan State beat Boston College in St. Louis.

College hockey’s biggest weekend rolls into Detroit next April 8 and 10, 2010. The two semifinals are scheduled for Thursday night and the final is Saturday night. The Friday in between includes team practices and the announcement of the Hobey Baker Award winner.

“This area has so many great hockey fans and youth hockey participants,” said Tom Lewand, the President of the Detroit Lions and Ford Field. “They now have an opportunity to come here and watch an NCAA Championship and experience an outstanding weekend of hockey and a record-setting crowd at an affordable price.”

The NHL’s ice guru Dan Craig, who led the team that built outdoor ice at Spartan Stadium for the Cold War and NHL New Year’s Day games in Buffalo and Chicago the last two years, will be in charge of creating the ice surface inside Ford Field. With a veteran crew, time tested portable refrigeration system and Ford Field’s state-of-the-art air circulation system, Craig is confident his team will create a top-notch ice surface.

“It’s a controlled environment – it’s not like doing this outside where you wake up and wonder what Mother Nature is doing,” Craig said.

And with over 50,000 youth players in the country and its close proximity to Ontario and that country’s large and rabid hockey fan-base, Michigan is well positioned to host college hockey’s showcase event.

“It’s a combination of a terrific venue, great sightlines and great access and enormous youth hockey community,” said CCHA Commissioner Tom Anastos, who helped spearhead the Detroit bid to host the event in 2005.

“So we know that we have a big assignment ahead. I’m a Detroiter, I’m very proud to be a Detroiter and I look forward to doing everything possible, along with our team of people, to bring in the college hockey family and our college hockey friends across the country to show them the kind of spirit and kind of sports market that Detroit really is.”

Tickets for the event are on sale now at ticketmaster.com or by calling (800) 745-3000.

What: 2010 Frozen FourWhere: Detroit’s Ford FieldWhen: April 8 and 10, 2010Tickets: Starting at $40 for all three games available at ticketmaster.com or by

calling (800) 745-3000.


MICHIGAN HOCKEY

Grand Rapids knocked out in second round of AHL playoffs by ManitobaBY JOHN RAFFEL

After making it to the second round of the American Hockey League playoffs, the 2008-09 season ended quickly for Grand Rapids.

The Griffins were swept by Manitoba in the AHL North Division finals in four straight games, but it was still a season to remember for the AHL franchise in west Michigan. The Griffins won their first playoff series victory in three years against Hamilton.

In the fourth and final game against the Moose, Grand Rapids lost 3-2 despite outshooting Manitoba 16-4 in the third period. Manitoba goalie Cory Schneider allowed only five goals the entire series on 106 shots, giving the Moose the four-game sweep.

“Obviously we would have liked to have gone further,” said Griffins general manager Bob McNamara. “All in all, it was the right step in the opposite direction from being out of the playoffs last year to a team finishing in the top portion of the league this season. We have a good base to build on.”

The Griffins finished 43-25-6-6 during the regular season.

“Right from the opening faceoff in (training camp) the players really did a fantastic job of coming together and becoming a team and then going out and providing a lot of great entertainment,” said head coach Curt Fraser. “We worked through the season, experienced some callups and injuries and long road trips.

“These young kids worked though a lot this year. They really

had a good season and against Hamilton (in the first round of the playoffs) they did a fantastic job and ran into a very good team in Manitoba. The games were all close. With a couple of different bounces if could have been different. They know what they have to work toward and the level of play they have to achieve in order to compete against the best teams in this league. It was a good learning experience for everyone this year.”

Darren Haydar was the Wings’ leading scorer with 31 goals and 80 points in 79 games, while rookie Justin Abdelkader (Muskegon) had 24 goals and 52 points in 75 games.

As always, the Griffins and Red Wings brass will assess the season and plan for next year over the summer months.

“We’ll look at the guys replacing the guys we know for sure that won’t be back,” McNamara said. “We’ll assess where we need to get stronger. We’ll make those assessments over the next month or two. Heading into free agency, we’ll

address the needs.”Following the series, it was

announced that Abdelkader, Aaron Downey, Jimmy Howard, Jakub Kindl and Ville Leino would be joining the Red Wings for their playoff run.

Howard played 45 games for the Griffins and had a 2.54 goals against average and .916 saves percentage.

“For the young guys that went up there last year, when you get into that mix and into that group, you’re up there for one reason and that’s to win,” Fraser said. “They know how to get it done. I think that will rub off on our guys that are there. Then if they come back next year, they’ll get to bring in the things that they learned and share it with these guys.

“Detroit’s all about winning and they’re all about doing things right. The process of what you need to do to be successful, that’s what they provide our young guys. I wish more guys could go up there. Last year the season ended early and they had a ton of guys go up. This year, not as many guys are going up so they can plug them right into their lineup.”

Abdelkader also had a stint with the Red Wings in the 2008 Stanley Cup run.

“It was huge for me coming from a college team to have an opportunity to be up there with the Stanley Cup champions and getting the experience,” said Abdelkader, who played at Michigan State. “It made me feel more comfortable coming into this season.”

Looking ahead to the 2009-10 season, experience will be a key for his team to try reaching Manitoba’s level, Fraser said.

“Manitoba had a lot of guys who had played a lot of games,” he said. “I think our goaltending was good. I think we needed some help on the back end of the power play. We could have used one or two more guys to produce some offense. The team play was good. You couldn’t have had a better group of guys in the lockerroom.

“There’s no room for error, especially when you get in the top eight. We were close this year, but not good enough.”

It was Fraser’s first year with the team and it didn’t take him long to appreciate the Red Wings way of doing things.

“They’re not here by accident,” he said. “They know what they’re doing. They’re very unique in how they develop their organization. It’s great to be a part of it.

“The fans were fantastic. What a combination. During the season at VanAndel the energy in the building was fantastic. It was a great experience for everybody.”

Muskegon native Justin Abdelkader helped Grand Rapids win their first AHL playoff round in three seasons.

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PRO HOCKEY

In the end Detroit’s grit (and Cleary’s goal) was the difference against the DucksBY KEVIN ALLEN

Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock won a Stanley Cup last

spring and reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 2003. But he believes this season’s Detroit vs. Anaheim series was “the best series I’ve been in since I’ve coached in the League.”

Babcock’s comments came after the Red Wings needed a goal by Dan Cleary with three minutes left in regulation to oust the Ducks with a 4-3 win in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals on May 14.

“For sure it was the hardest series, the most even, the least (amount) of room,” Babcock said. “(There were) lots of high end to players.”

To survive Game 7, the Red Wings had to twice kill 5-on-3 power plays - once for 1:10 and the other for 35 seconds. They also had to kill a 4-on-3 power play for 1:02.

Then, they had to hang on against a surging Ducks team that had erased 2-0 and 3-1 deficits to tie the game 3-3.

“What people don’t understand is that people who have won know what it takes to win,” Babcock said.

Detroit goaltender Chris Osgood, a member of three Stanley Cup winning teams, also called the series “the toughest we’ve played in a long time.”

The Ducks are among the NHL’s most physical teams, and they pounded the Red Wings. But none of that seemed to bother the Red Wings whose intensity level is always higher in the post-season.

“Probably a series a lot of people thought we’d get bumped around physically, hammered around the ice,” said Osgood, who made 24 saves in the series’ clinching win. “I thought we stood up to that. Nobody panics when they beat us 2-1. They played really good in Anaheim. They’ve got a good team. We’re not the only team that’s good in the National

Hockey League. It took everything we had to beat that team.”Although the Red Wings are known for their high profile players,

their goal scorers in Game 7 were Cleary, Mikael Samuelsson, Jiri Hudler and Darren Helm, none of whom are considered their

premium players.In the final analysis, it was the Red Wings’ grit, not their goals,

that seemed to make the difference.

“They made some big blocks,” said Anaheim right wing Corey Perry. “Got to give them credit. They sacrificed their bodies.”

In the second intermission, the Red Wings talked about how their experience would guide them.

“We said we have to keep our composure, we know they’re going to be coming after us and laying the puck in,” Captain Nicklas Lidstrom said. “Even when they tied it up, I thought we were still able to keep that composure going and not really start panicking. We were playing our system the way we wanted to play it and we were grinding it out, waiting for our opportunities and it presented itself late in the game.”

On the winning goal, Cleary drove the net and Henrik Zetterberg flipped a pass from behind the net that Anaheim goalkeeper Jonas Hiller tried to snare.

“I tried to catch it,’ Hiller said. “It went through my glove. I didn’t know if he (Cleary) hit the puck or hit my pad onto the puck.”

Although Anaheim was a No. 8 seed and Detroit No. 2, this series seemed like it was a No. 1 vs. No. 2.

“They played the game one notch higher than us and they won the hockey game,” said Anaheim coach Randy Carlyle. “But we believe we could’ve done better in some situations, like 5-on-3 and 4-on-3. With three minutes left, I was just thinking, `Let’s get it to overtime because then there’s pressure on everybody.’”

Even heading into Game 7, the Red Wings believed they were in charge. That comes from winning the Stanley Cup 11 months ago, and the grand Red Wings’ tradition of success. The Red Wings expect to win every game, and no opponent intimidates,

even one that pounds them.“The series was 3-3, but in my opinion, we outplayed them in every

game,” Babcock said. “Their goalie (Hiller) stood on his head.”

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The Red Wings winning goal in Game 7 came when Dan Cleary drove the net and knocked a Henrik Zetterberg pass from behind the net past Anaheim goalkeeper Jonas Hiller.

MICHIGAN HOCKEY


RED WINGS

Red Wings depth wears down Ducks and bodes well for long playoff runBY DAVE WADDELL

It’s been over a month since the end of the regular season and the Detroit Red Wings have reached the halfway mark of a journey they hope ends with the franchise’s 12th Stanley Cup.

It’s taken the Wings 11 games to reach this point, the fewest of any of the remaining contenders for Lord Stanley’s mug and that’s more important than the casual observer might think. The finish line in the NHL playoffs takes two months to reach so its a marathon not a sprint.

Just ask the likes of Anaheim Ducks, who bolted from the starting blocks with an upset of the President’s Trophy-winning San Jose Sharks, only to run into a methodical Red Wings club that finally wore them out after seven games.

“Our depth was the key as the series went on,” said Dan Cleary, whose winner in Game 7 against Anaheim put Detroit in the Western Conference Final for the third straight year and eighth time in the past 14 seasons. “We got better and better. We wore them out.”

It’s the same formula Detroit used so successfully last spring in winning the cup.

The Wings have built an organization so deep they’re able to pull spare parts up from their farm team in Grand Rapids with no drop off in the NHL product.

“We didn’t have to rely on Zetterberg’s line or Pavel’s line to score goals or win the series,” Nick Lidstrom said. “When you have role players that can chip in, it makes it so hard to play against us.”

This spring the Wings have already overcome several injury blows. Defenseman Andreas Lilja hasn’t played since Feb. 28th because of a concussion and Brian Rafalski missed the first six games of the second round, but both absences have been negated by the outstanding play of Jonathan Ericsson.

The six-foot-five Ericsson hadn’t played an NHL playoff game prior to this season, but he found himself paired with Lidstrom in Rafalski’s absence and looked like a seasoned veteran.

In addition, center Kris Draper didn’t play his first playoff game until Game 7 of the Anaheim series. However, he’s been replaced by the energetic Darren Helm.

“I go right to Rafalski,” Cleary said. “We’re talking about a top five defenseman in the league that goes down and Ericsson, what is this, his first playoff? Unbelievable.

“Then Draper, who’s a huge part of our team defensively, and we bring in Helm. We’ve got guys that create depth for us and step in (like Justin) Abdelkader, what can you say? These guys are NHL players.”

With such depth, the Wings have a luxury unmatched in the NHL. They can roll four lines, ones that actually manufacture productive minutes not just consume them. It allows Detroit to play at a tempo

that creates the speed and quick puck movement to best exploit their skill.

“We’re trying to use all our four lines and get everybody going and get the tempo up,” Lidstrom said.

While their puck-possession game is often mistaken as a finesse-oriented offensive weapon, the Wings’ control of the frozen disc serves another purpose. Detroit simply wears teams out with its playing style.

“Whenever you make a team play defense more than being in the offensive zone, it’s a lot more tiring,” Lidstrom said. “It’s a lot harder to work in your own zone than the offensive zone.

With the addition of youngsters like Helm, Ericsson and Abdelkader,

the Wings also get an infusion of youthful energy and hunger.In his second run in the playoffs, Helm has been handed a bigger

role. He no longer is playing just a handful of minutes on search-and-destroy missions. As the third-line center, Helm is now being counted to provide a little offense in his hellbent style.

“I think being put in that spot, it was more of a challenge for me,” said Helm, who scored twice in the Anaheim series including one in Game 7.

“I wasn’t just going to be able to chip it down or run down their ‘D’ playing six or seven minutes a game. It’s a big challenge

holding on to the puck a little bit and making a couple more plays, extra plays. Just playing a little bit smarter longer with more ice.”

Helm’s role from last spring has been handed to Abdelkader, who showed in his first full AHL season solid offensive potential with 23 goals. But for now it’s hits the Wings are counting on and the former Michigan State star is delivering with bruising efficiency.

“That’s what they want me to bring and that’s kind of how I played in Grand Rapids too, so I didn’t really have to change anything,” Abdelkader said. “Just trying to be physical, trying to wear down their ‘D.’”

“Obviously the role’s a little different, not playing as much but you’ve got to keep yourself into it, keep yourself ready because you never know when your next shift is going to come.”

With so many interchangeable parts and more of them than anybody else, the Wings would seem well-equipped for another lengthy cup run. However, it won’t always be finesse, flash and dash for these Wings.

“When we’re not pretty and play smart, that’s when we’re at our best,” Chris Osgood said.

If Detroit is ultimately successful in becoming the first team to win consecutive cups in more than a decade, it will be because they have tediously worn out all comers.

The opposition will be deep-sixed by Detroit’s depth.“Over a seven-game series our depth has the ability to wear down

a defense, opponents’ top lines,” Cleary said. “You might not feel it in Game 1 or Game 2, but you’ve seen it now.’’

Justin Abdelkader Darren Helm Jonathan Ericsson


MICHIGAN HOCKEY

On a Detroit Red Wings team rich in star power, Dan Cleary earns his keep as the all-purpose in-betweener.

He’s not truly a big-time scorer, and he’s more than a checker. Sometimes he has played on the top line, and sometimes he has played on the fourth line.

But no one on the Red Wings seemed more important than Cleary on May 14 when he scored with three minutes remaining in regulation to give Detroit a 4-3 Game 7 win over the Anaheim Ducks in the Western Conference semifinals.

“This (Anaheim) team didn’t go away, and you really have to put a dagger in them,” Cleary said. “And with three minutes left, I thought that was

the dagger.”The win puts the Red Wings into the Western

Conference Finals where they will face the Chicago Blackhawks for the first time in the post-season since 1995. Game 1 will be May 17 in Detroit

“This is the biggest goal I’ve ever scored,” said Cleary who was set-up by a centering feed from Henrik Zetterberg.

This is what the Red Wings are all about. The attention is always on the glory guys like Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, Marian Hossa, Nicklas Lidstrom and Johan Franzen.

But what has carried the Red Wings to four Stanley Cup championships in 11 years has been the team’s depth. Darren Helm had a huge goal in Game 7, and he couldn’t even make the team’s roster all season. Mikael Samuelsson scored in Game 7, and the Red Wings now have so much talent that he has been busted down to fourth line duty.

Jiri Hudler scored in Game 7, and he probably won’t be with the team next season because the Red Wings have more talent than they can afford.

The Red Wings, the defending Stanley Cup champion, has now reached the Conference Finals for three consecutive seasons.

“In the (salary) cap world, that’s pretty phenominal,” Detroit coach Mike Babcock.

The key to the Red Wings’ success is general manager Ken Holland, his assistant Jim Nill and a scouting staff that is second to none.

Every team in the league is looking for a defenseman like Jonathan Ericsson, and he’s been sitting in the American League for three years under the Red Wings’ system.

The Red Wings are the only team in the NHL that “redshirts” its prospects and that helps them create the league’s best depth of talent.

Detroit led 2-0 and 3-1 before Anaheim rallied to tie it in Game 7. Asked how his team managed to survive Anaheim’s charge, Holland said: “Will

and determination.”That’s the second element of

Detroit’s success. The Red Wings have a tradition of post-season success. They expect to win every game, and anything short of a Stanley Cup is considered a disappointment.

It’s a tradition that is handed down from each generation of players. Steve Yzerman passed it on to Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg and they are passing it on the Helm, Ericsson, etc.

That’s the advantage that the Red Wings will have against the Chicago Blackhawks. Essentially, Chicago has a puck possession team much like Detroit’s squad. The Blackhawks are a young, skating team and they are dangerous because they are so young that they don’t know what they don’t know.

But the difference between the Blackhawks and the Red Wings is in playoff experience. The Blackhawks haven’t won a Stanley Cup since 1961, and the Red Wings won a Stanley Cup last June.

It would be a major blunder for the Red Wings to underestimate the Blackhawks because they have proven to be troublesome to Detroit. Detroit vs. Chicago generally ends up being a shootout. This could be a high scoring series.

It’s amusing that the Blackhawks were opening rooting for the Red Wings to win the series against the Ducks because they know they have been competitive against Detroit in the regular-season.

What the Blackhawks clearly don’t understand, and won’t understand until the Conference Finals begin, is that the Red Wings team that everyone sees in the regular-season isn’t the same Red Wings team that plays in the post-season.

The Detroit team in the regular-season is about playing hockey. The Detroit team in the playoffs is about winning.

The Columbus Blue Jackets learned quickly that the post-season Red Wings play with more dermination, more fire and more intensity. They just turned up the intensity level and the Blue Jackets didn’t have an answer for it.

And the Blackhawks won’t even recognize the Red Wings team they play this week for the Conference title. That’s why the Red Wings are so successful.

Will, determination and depth key to WingsKevin Allen covers pro and college hockey for USA Today

OPINION

Detroit’s playoff success is built on star power like Henrik Zetterberg (left) and the contributions of talented role players like Darren Helm (right), Dan Cleary and Mikael Samuelsson.

Red Wings Up CloseRed Wings Up CloseArt Regner

Call me a sentimentalist, but my emotions seem to get the best of me whenever I walk into the Red Wing’s dressing room at Joe Louis Arena.

There is sadness when I look at the nameplates hanging over the player’s lockers because, for the most part, the excellent team remains the same but the names have changed. Gone are legends like Yzerman, Shanahan, Fedorov, and the not so legendary – Hodson, Pushor, and Legace. Even though they continue to dominate the NHL, the core that established the modern day Red Wings’ tradition has almost faded away.

When you look at today’s team, Nick Lidstrom, Tomas Holmstrom, Kris Draper, Kirk Maltby and Chris Osgood are the ‘Final Five’ from the original group that was molded into Stanley Cup champions.

“We’ve all witnessed the changing of the guard with this team,” said Red Wings’ center Kris Draper. “But it’s still great to be a part of this team. We have a lot of great young players, but that’s something that makes it easy to wake up every morning and make the drive to the Joe; knowing that you have great teammates and a great opportunity to compete every year.”

While an injury has kept Draper out of the lineup for the playoffs so far, he has remained upbeat.

“I like to think I’m a positive person and I’m not going to let this beat me up,” Draper said. “It doesn’t do me any good. So, I try to just work hard before, during and after practice. I’ve stayed within my routine on game days, unfortunately when the puck drops, I hit the bike - that’s just how it is right now.”

After appearing in 194 NHL playoff games (including two with the Winnipeg Jets), Draper works out while watching the game on TV. In between periods, he sits in the players lounge and offers advice to teammates based on what he’s seen.

“These guys have everything under control and they’re playing unbelievably well,” he said. “That’s what makes it tough. You want to be part of something like that right now but that’s not the way it is. So I just try and encourage the guys as much as possible.”

If there is something that has remained a constant for Draper during this time of transition, it has been his bond with his fellow “Grind Line” compatriot Kirk Maltby.

“I don’t even like Malts (Maltby) that much,” joked Draper. “It has been good and this year was a special year for us. He was all excited when I played my 1000th game and three weeks later he did it too. It has been nice to have those accomplishments. We’ve had a lot of success together with this team and we want to keep it going.

“We know that our roles have diminished a little bit, but we still take a lot of pride in what we do – day in and day out. We love being a part of this and that’s something that we’re going to continue to do.”

Heading in to this playoff campaign, Maltby has played in 149 playoff contests, all with Detroit. Like Draper he is aware of how the Red Wings roster has changed around him.

“Some of the young guys definitely make you remember that (the roster is becoming younger), but it’s still the same winning tradition,” said Maltby. “Our goal remains the same. At the start of every season, with the old faces and the new faces it’s all about winning. A llot of things have changed and I feel fortunate for being a part of it for such a long period of time.”

Maltby is also aware that he Draper haven’t been paired up as much as the old days, but based on Detroit’s philosophy of rolling four line, he knows that eventually he could be playing with Draper as his center.

“It like anything, things change,” he said. “The great thing about this team is that pretty much everyone ends up playing with everyone sometime during the season. Whether it’s for a period, a game or a little stretch and that benefits us come

playoff time. So if me and Drapes haven’t played together for fifty games we can pretty much pick it up where we left off. We’re comfortable with each other.”

Having Draper out of the lineup during the playoffs is something Maltby can relate too. Last season he missed 10 playoff games with a torn hamstring. Even though you try and be a good teammate by cheering the guys on, Maltby concedes that it’s not easy.

“Not being able to play is tough, but with Kris, he’s one of the first guys when we come off the ice after a victory congratulating the guys,” said Maltby. “He’s still part of the team. I know it’s killing him, like anybody you want to be out there playing.”

All of this has made me realize that as fans we should never forget the players and coaches that came before and that shaped what our team has become.

While I was growing up, the Wings were known as the “Dead Things.” They’ve come a long way since then and their recent success should continue well into the future.

So, as your rooting for your current heroes, take a moment to watch Draper, Maltby, and veteran Chris Chelios because they’ve done a lot for the Red Wings and you never know when it’s going to end.

Changing of the guard can be tough

“Not being able to play is tough, but with Kris, he’s one of the first guys when we come off the ice after a victory congratulating the guys. He’s still part of the team. I know it’s killing him, like

anybody you want to be out there playing.”– Red Wings forward Kirk Maltby

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michigan hockey may 18, 2009

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