michigan hockey october 14, 2009

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V.20:I.06 | October 12, 2009FIRST CLASS

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The 2009-2010 LCAHL Face-Off meeting, held September 26 at Detroit’s Motor City Casino, officially starts the league’s 31st season and was a big day for LCAHL coaches, managers, administrators and vendors. Thank you to everyone who made it a great day and have a great season.

2009-2010 LCAHL Operating Rules and BylawsThe updated LCAHL Operating Rules

and Bylaws, as approved by the LCAHL Operations Board and the corporate legal department, have been posted on the LCAHL website at lcahl.org.

These rules were updated by the LCAHL Operating Rules Committee chaired by Dale Stauffer and composed of members: Joe Lafata, Liz Sullivan, Jim Sheridan and Todd Lynn. This committee will continue to review the rules and update them annually. If your team should come upon situations where the rules are not applicable or are conflicting, please document the issue and refer it in writing to any member of the Operating Rules Committee.

Information can be found on the league website under “Contacts”.

GENERAL REVISIONSEvery team in the league is responsible

for reading and adhering to all rules in this document. Below are some highlights of the changes.

* Improved readability and clarity of the entire document, including Guiding Principles and Definitions

* Improved document structure and organization end to end

* Removed content that clearly overlaps with MAHA or USA Hockey Rules and Regulations

* Removed sections that no longer pertain to LCAHL charter [i.e. JV section]

* Added new sections for Boundary Rules, the Annual Face-off Meeting, etc.

* Restructured critical sections: League Play, Game Rules, Scoring, Competitive Divisions, Division Winners & Playoffs

RULES UPDATESThe following are some of the updates

that were made to the rules. Teams should be sure to note this information and check the rules throughout the season.

* The annual Face-off meeting is a mandatory league meeting that must be attended by a rostered coach or team manager. Teams not attending or sending someone other than a team official are subject to referral to the Discipline Committee (Section 8)

* To participate in League Playoffs, players must be rostered with the team by December 31. (Section 11.2)

* Period Length information has been updated. The home team will determine the length of the periods. (Section 12.10)

* Forfeits are not allowed in this league. All games must be played. Any team attempting to forfeit a game should immediately be referred to the Division Director. (Section 14.5)

* House team rules have been updated to reflect current practices. (Section 18)

* Boundary rules have been added. (Section 19)

* Competitive Divisions section has been updated. (Section 20)

* Division Winners and Playoffs documentation has been changed to reflect current practices. Divisions may have co-champions. (Section 21)

* Playoff rules have been added. (Sections 22 and 23)

Any questions regarding Operating Rules

should be referred to any LCAHL official.

MICHIGAN HOCKEY

4 October 12, 2009 | michiganhockeyonline.com

FROM THE EDITOR

Back in the rinksFROM THE EDITOR

While I spend time inside arenas over the summer, there is something different about walking into a rink this time of year.

There are definitely more people in the building now than in August, no question, but it’s more than that. It’s the buzz of the season starting.

Players, coaches and even parents feel it. After weeks of practicing passing, shooting and stickhandling and working on breakouts, defensive zone coverage and moving the puck on the powerplay, the first game of the season is when everything finally matters.

And I like the smell of fresh popcorn and coffee brewing and I love watching how hard the players work and the look of exhilarated exhaustion on their faces when they come off the ice. I even like the sounds at the rink – the puck hitting the boards, the players calling for the puck on a 2-on-1 and the crowd cheering a great play.

So sit back and watch your player having some fun with his or her friends and enjoy the season.

This issue of MH features the third installment of our Navigating the Frozen Waters educational series with a look at the Tier III Junior A Central States Hockey League (p. 14).

Also inside is a preview of the 11 Midget Major teams in the state (p.19). Our College Preview starts with how the Wayne State women’s squad is working to overcome the graduation of their top three all-time leading scorers (p. 20) and the prospects of all the CCHA teams and the WCHA’s Michigan Tech Huskies (p. 21-25).

As always, thanks for your feedback on our recent issues. If you have any ideas for future stories, things you liked (or didn’t like) in Michigan Hockey or just want to talk hockey, send me an e-mail ([email protected]) or give me call (248-479-1136).

See you at the rink,

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14 NAVIGATING THE FROZEN WATERS• The third installment of our new educational series takes a look at

the Tier III Junior A Central States Hockey League (CSHL)

17 MH BEAT• LCAHL gets season going with Face-Off meeting

12 REEBOK TOURNAMENT CALENDAR

6 MH BEAT • Macomb Mavericks ‘96s collect food for Samaritan House

• MDHL Green squad wins Motor City Cup• Compuware/Honeybaked tournaments gets teams going (p.7)

8 GET BETTER• Coaching drills and how Herb Brooks’ motivated players

10 STATE OF THE GAME• A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lyle Phair

INSIDE 10.12.09

DEPARTMENTS

MICHIGAN HOCKEY23995 Freeway Park Drive • Suite 200

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

Cover: Michigan’s Louie Caporusso by Dave Reginek/DIG Photo.

This page (from top): Jiri Fischer, former Red Wings defenseman and current director of player development, addresses coaches and managers at the LCAHL Face-Off meeting at Motor City Casino on Sept. 26 by Bob Beguelin/LCAHL; Midget Major Soo Indians defenseman Jeremy Gravedoni of Petoskey by Randy Ritari/Marquette Electricians; Northern Michigan senior goaltender Brian Stewart by NMU Sports Information and Pittsburgh Penguins Evgeni Malkin by Dave Reginek/DRW.

Cover reprints available: email [email protected]

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Design EditorChuck Stevens

20 COLLEGE PREVIEW ‘09 • Veteran D will drive Wayne State women

• WSU recruits come from all over

• CCHA previews, polls, all-league teams and more (p. 21-25)

• Michigan Tech plans to move up in WCHA (p.25)

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

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19 MIDGET MAJOR PREVIEW• State’s 11 Midget AAA teams building for state tournament

30 NHL INSIDERS• Waddell: Red Wings renew

commitment to defense

• Allen: Top reasons why Penguins will repeat

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Macomb Mavericks collect food donations for Samaritan House

MDHL White squad goes undefeated to take Motor City Cup

The 1996 Macomb Mavericks, who play out of the Suburban Ice – Macomb arena in Macomb Township, collected over 175 bags of nonperishable food donations for the Samaritan House in Washington Township.

Samaritan House is a non-profit community organization that helps families in need in the Romeo, Washington, Macomb, Shelby, Bruce and Ray Townships and Armada areas. The team distributed flyers in the Macomb and Rochester

communities asking for donations. They collected from family, friends and neighborhoods.

The 1996 Macomb Mavericks include: Jason Recchia, Alex Fischer, Brendan Pahlow, Ryan McLean, Andrew Carroll, Nolan Arbour, Justin Huber, Michael DeAngelis, Brenden Szpont, Matthew Walny, Nickolas Santi, Max Weide, Hayden Richardson, Johnny Kochanski, Alex Blaska, Evan Ketner and Erik Gadzinski.

Two Under-18 teams from the Michigan Developmental Hockey League met in the final of the Motor City Cup tournament at Detroit’s City Sports Arena on September 13.

Team White took the tournament championship with a 7-4 win over Team Green in the final.

After opening with a 2-2 against the Pittsburgh Hornets, Team White beat the Soo Indians (3-1), the Wheatfield Blades (6-1), Victory Honda (5-4) and Belle Tire (4-3) to make the final.

Team Green beat Little Caesars, 6-3, in their opening game, then tied Dallas Alliance, 2-2, before beating California (7-1), Compuware (4-3)

and Honeybaked (3-1) to make the final. Team White included: Pat Brown, Jake Downing,

Ken Babinski, Zak Thompson, Mike Woynick, Scott Dornbrock, Martin Gruse, David Middleton, Kody Polin, Kevin Lander, Matt Lucchese, Bill Coole, Dan Milan, Austin Hervey, Reid Sturos, Evan Moore, Jake Goldberg and Kevin Killian.

Team Green included: Cole Rochowiak, Chris Hughes, Pat Riedy, Chris Waterstreet, Shane Totten, Eric Rizzio, Mike Hickson, Brad Wilhelm, Andrew DeBrincat, Matt Ragains, Kyle Hicks, Steve Hibbard, Ryan Obuchowski, Cody King, Anthony Stempin, Jon Kello, Joe Van Antwerp and Kevin Collon.

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Compuware/Honeybaked Invitational helps teams get ready for the seasonBY ERIK WESTFALL

As the weather changes, teams start preparing with workouts and early season tournaments.

At the fourth annual Compuware/Honeybaked AAA Invitational tournament, held at four metro-Detroit arenas September 17-20, both in-state and out-of-state teams got a jump on figuring out where they stand as the new season ramps up.

With 64 teams competing in four divisions, 1998, 1997, 1996 and 1995s, at Compuware Arena, Viking Arena, Suburban Ice – Farmington Hills, the Arctic Pond and the DISC, the rinks were buzzing with spectators, coaches and players warming up, stretching and getting ready to play.

“We came into this tournament with some confidence because this is a brand new team,” said Tom Miller, the new coach for the Compuware Bantam Major team. “This is my first year coaching this team. There are only four [returning players] from last year. For a team that has basically started over, I’m very encouraged with the way they’re playing.”

As he’s done with his past teams, Miller worked over the summer to help his players to develop some chemistry before the season got going.

“We had a team building camp to get them together, and from the team chemistry perspective, this is one of the better teams I’ve coached,” said Miller. “Now we’re just trying to get them to be the same way on the ice.”

Teams came from as far west as San Jose, California to participate in the tournament. Some teams flew while others, like the Colorado Thunderbirds Bantam Major AAA squad, hit the highway to get to Detroit.

“We travel in vans, so we have two vans with the players and one van with the equipment,” said Kris Kostolansky, head coach of the Thunderbirds. “It’s sort of the first time that the guys are on their own and responsible for all the things associated with that. It’s a good learning experience and it gets us off and running as a team.”

Things were not easy for the Thunderbirds, however. Where most teams in the tournament had anywhere from four to eight new players, Kostolansky’s team had all new players.

“I think we’ve got a fair amount of improvement to bring, in part just because we’ve got 18 guys who are playing at this level for the first time,” said Kostolansky. “So it’s going to take a while to come together. No one on the team played Bantam AAA last year.”

Regardless of how his team performed, Kostolansky was excited about being involved with the tournament for the third year in a row. His hope was to gain some new memories that this team could build around like their trip to quarterfinals in last year’s Invitational.

“It’s very, very helpful from a pre-season standpoint,” said Kostolansky. “Last year, when we lost to Compuware that was a real rallying point for us. You might think ‘Oh God, that’s the end of the world,’ but that was something we continued to focus on

throughout the season.”Local teams also used the tournament to get some early season

experience together. For the Victory Honda Bantam Major team, this was an opportunity to figure out what to work on.

“We haven’t had many practices and there are lots of things we haven’t worked on, so you’re just hoping you’re good enough to overcome the things you haven’t worked on,” said Victory Honda head coach Mike Humitz. “We haven’t had a lot of time to work on faceoff responsibilities and things like that, and in a one goal game, those are things that are important. You get away with them in six goal games, but not one goal games.”

Many of the coaches stressed what they gained from a preseason tournament such as this.

“It’s good to play a bunch of games in a row and figure out what things you really need to work more on and less on,” said Humitz. “You get to bring up your weaknesses and accentuate your strengths.”

The Compuware 1997 AAA team gets ready in between periods at the 2009 Compuware/Honeybaked AAA Invitational tournament.

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GET BETTER

800-667-5141www.coachmate.com

To recognize and promote the commitment of youth coaches in the state, Michigan Hockey would like youth coaches to tell us a few things about yourself and why

you coach youth hockey.

S U B M I T T O W I NCOACHES, SEND US THE FOLLOWING INFO FOR A

CHANCE TO WIN A COACHMATE BOARD AND BE FEATURED IN AN UPCOMING

ISSUE OF MICHIGANHOCKEY IN THE BEHIND THE BENCH SECTION.

Please include:YOUR NAMEWHERE DO YOU LIVETHE LEVEL, TEAM AND ASSOCIATION WHERE YOU COACHNUMBER OF YEARS COACHINGWHY DO YOU COACHMOST MEMORABLE COACHING MOMENTCOACHING PHILOSOPHY/STYLEFAVORITE DRILLCOACH YOU ADMIRE MOST AND WHYONE THING YOU’D CHANGE ABOUT YOUTH HOCKEY

PLEASE ATTACH A DIGITAL PHOTO OF YOURSELF WITH YOUR ANSWERS

AND EMAIL EVERYTHING TO: [email protected]

Olympians remember Brooks as ahead of his timeGET BETTER

Almost 30 years after making history in Lake Placid, the coach of the 1980 U.S. Olympic team, Herb Brooks, is still remembered as a trend setter.

Brooks’ now famous coaching style relied on toughness, strict discipline, and little positive reinforcement, and in many ways is a sharp contrast to the coaching style that is encouraged today.

“I think coaching certainly has changed a lot since them, and that was the old school of coaching,” said U.S. Olympic team member John Harrington, who now coaches in a pro league in Italy. “I don’t remember him saying really a lot of positive things to me.”

Jack O’Callahan agreed with his teammate on the fact that Brooks was tough on all the team’s players.

“I thought they taught coaches to be positive with their players, but we never saw too much of that,” said O’Callahan.

And it was all in accordance with Brooks’ coaching strategy. Mark Johnson, now coach of the Wisconsin women’s squad and the head of the 2010 U.S. Women’s Olympic team, explained that before the team selection and training sessions Brooks decided not to be friendly, or create close personal relationships, with his players.

But that’s not to say that he didn’t know his players well. Brooks was acutely aware of how to motivate each player on his team.

“Herb treated everyone differently and I think he knew how far he could take each guy down the road, before they said I’m not gonna do this anymore,” said Harrington.

Brooks even administered psychological tests to help gain an understanding of each of his players.

“I don’t know what he took out of them. For all I know he just gave them to us as an exercise in fear factor or something, but if he did

look at them he may have taken something out of the evaluations that allowed him to learn how best to communicate with each player, how best to motivate each player,” explained O’Callahan.

“Now that is a very common occurrence at the higher levels of the game.”

His players believe Brooks used the information gleaned from the tests to better communicate with his players.

“Herbie was always very straight with me, ‘Look Jack this is what I want you to do and you’re not doing it’, or ‘Jack you did this tonight and I need you to keep doing it’,” O’Callahan explained. “Maybe he learned that for me anyway, if you talk straight to me I get it, I understand it. Whereas other guys maybe he had to push different ways.”

Brooks implemented a European puck possession style of play and a rigorous off-ice conditioning program that the players finally warmed up to after seeing the results.

The Olympians agreed that Brooks coaching legacy lives on with them – including the importance of coaches working to increase their knowledge of the game.

“There’s experience to be gained from coaching, and there’s

also experience and knowledge to be gained being under coaches, and working with other coaches and exchanging ideas,” stated Harrington. “You can slice and dice these ideas, and tape them together and delete stuff and put them back together.”

In the end Brooks, who died in a car accident in 2003, is remembered for his innovative methods of pushing his teams to have success.

“When it came to hockey, he was ahead of his time,” said Olympian Ken Morrow of Flint. “All of his teams overachieved because Herbie understood how to get the best out of each player.”

Herb Brooks

FIGURE 8 AGILITY SHOOTING

PURPOSE: To develop scoring skills and shooting technique while moving backward through the slot area (as you would in trying to get open in a game situation).

SET-UP: Half-ice drill with players in corners at the goal line. First player begins by skating backward through the slot area where he receives a pass from the coach in that corner. After shooting quickly, he continues to skate around the circle always facing the net (and the coaches with the pucks) for three more shots (two from each side in total).

Brooks was acutely aware of how to motivate each player on his team.

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MICHIGAN HOCKEY


STATE OF THE GAME

A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS State

of the

Gameby LYLE PHAIR

One of the most easily recognized species in the ever-entertaining and always educational youth sports habitat is the goalie parent.

Take a quick glance around the outside of the playing surface at any hockey or soccer game and chances are you will be able to pick them out quite quickly.

Look past the over-caffeinated, bellowing, blow-hard whose hands and mouth are in constant motion spewing venom at every call or perceived non-call by the officials. Try to ignore the shrieking lady who really doesn’t know much about the sport at all and reinforces that point incessantly with everyone within earshot with every misguided rant that leaves her lips.

Search for quiet. Look for the nervous one, the fidgety one that seems to live and die with every shot taken in the direction of the goal. Sometimes they will have even broken a slight sweat, brought on as they gyrate and contort their bodies to make the very same saves that their goalie offspring is making on the ice.

Sometimes they will be still, head down, muttering to themselves about the one that just went past, the shutout that won’t be. When the action is at the other end of the ice they will often pace nervously from side to side like a caged tiger at the zoo. Years ago, their ancestors were able to calm themselves by chain-smoking right at rinkside. Today’s version has to get by without the nicotine fix during the action, but will often scurry for the nearest exit between periods for some hurried puffs to calm their nerves.

THE LAST LINE OF DEFENSENo doubt about it, the goaltender plays the most lonesome

position in the sport. You are on the team. You are behind the team. You are there for the team. But when you fail, there is no one behind you to cover for you. Nothing but a net to capture your mistakes for everyone to see. And for those who might have missed it, there can be a flashing red light to bring it to their attention.

At least the forwards have each other for support when they make a mistake. Not to mention the defensemen, ready, willing, able and properly positioned to back them up when that does happen. The defensemen have each other, not to mention the backchecking forward who can definitely make their role much less difficult.

Then there is the goalie, who backs it all up, like the data back-up server in an information technology system. There can be breakdowns everywhere else, but when that last component fails you know there is trouble. Definitely not a position for the faint of heart.

Talk about pressure. No wonder goalies are often like they are portrayed to be. Different. And that can be described in a variety of character traits, from goofy to cocky, from carefree to confident. I often wonder what comes first. Do those types convert to the position or does the position convert to those types?

All of that being said, I still contend, and always will contend, that the most important position in sports is not the goaltender. No disrespect to goalies, because they are very important. But the defense has much more influence on the game. They very much impact the offense and very much control how many and how dangerous the shots are that a goaltender will face. In fact, if your defense does a great job, the dependence on the goaltender is greatly reduced.

NOT ALL THEIR FAULTIn today’s youth hockey world there is a real shortage of

goaltenders. Maybe it is because of the specialization and commitment that needs to be made, the cost of the equipment and the importance of being at every game or practice because there is nobody else who can substitute. Maybe it is because of the pressure and isolation of the position.

But it shouldn’t be that way. More often than not goals against are not the fault of the goaltender. Rather, they are more than likely a series of unfortunate events that occurred that eventually resulted in the puck going in the net. Most people only see the end result. What they fail to see is what led up to that result and very much contributed to that outcome.

In that respect it really isn’t much different than an airline or automobile crash. Although I am in no way comparing the tragedy or magnitude of either of those events with what goes on when a goal is given up in a hockey game. What is similar is how we look at it.

Often we just focus on what happened immediately before the

crash, or goal, occurred. The puck was shot, the goalie missed it and a goal was scored. The driver didn’t see the oncoming car and pulled into the intersection. The pilot misjudged the approach and the plane crashed short of the runway.

More often than not we chalk these outcomes up to operator error. The goalie, the driver, the pilot are the ones who initially get the blame. But was it their fault? And if they were to blame, was it completely their fault? Probably not.

So what exactly were those events that led up to the outcome? In the driving and piloting instances there could be many contributing factors that happened long before the actual crash occurred. They might have been tired because something entirely out of their control disturbed their sleep the night before. There could have been a distraction created by a passenger in the car or crew member on the plane. There could have been a physical problem with the equipment. They could have been rushing to make up for lost time in an attempt to get back on schedule. There could have been any number of combinations of any of those circumstances that contributed just slightly or very significantly to the outcome.

ANATOMY OF A GOALAnd it’s no different in sports.A lazy forward or missed forechecking assignment allows an

opposing defenseman to make a nice first pass which results in the puck entering the neutral zone. One of the defensive forwards falls down and now it is a three-on-two. But one of the defenseman, not watching the play, decides to change and his substitute off of the bench can’t make it into the play in time to make a difference so it is now a three-on-one. The lone defenseman does a great job of forcing the puck to the outside and taking away the middle, but the puck carrier makes a very nice pass to the trailer on the play who gets a shot from the high slot. Unfortunately for him, and more unfortunate for the goalie, he doesn’t get a good piece of the puck so it trickles slowly toward the net. The goalie, expecting a much harder shot and somewhat distracted by the third opposing forward driving to the net whiffs on it and the puck makes its way over the goal line.

On the surface it looks like a very weak goal allowed by the goaltender. In reality, it was a sequence of actions, some preventable, some not, that happened to the defending team and for the offensive team. Is it the goalie’s fault? Partly. But no more so than the other players who allowed the puck to get to the area where the shot was taken. For the defensive team, a series of unfortunate events.


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or CONTACT: CREW 734-213-1600 x223


TOURNAMENT CALENDARGreat Lakes Tournament SeriesHolland, MIOctober 9-11, 2009Pee Wee House, Pee Wee AA, Midget Major/HSContact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

Motown Cup Tournament SeriesDETROIT, MIOctober 9-11, 2009Mite thru Midget/, JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House)Tony Prpic (216) 325-0567, [email protected]

K-Zoo Cup Tournament SeriesKALAMAZOO, MIOctober 9-11, 2009Mite thru Midget/, JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House)Tony Prpic (216) 325-0567, [email protected]

Girls K-Zoo Cup Tournament SeriesKALAMAZOO, MIOctober 9-11, 2009U10, U12, U14, U16 & U19(A,AA, AAA, B,House Select,House)Tony Prpic (216) 325-0567, [email protected]

Big Bear - The Victory Honda Inv. Detroit, MI October 10 - 12, 2009 Mite Major – 2001 Birth yearwww.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694

Great Lakes Tournament SeriesHolland, MIOctober 16-18, 2009Squirt House, Squirt A, Bantam HouseContact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

Motown Cup Tournament SeriesDETROIT, MIOctober 16-18, 2009Mite thru Midget/, JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House)Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, [email protected]

Great Lakes Tournament SeriesHolland, MIOctober 23-25, 2009Squirt AA, Pee Wee House, Midget House Contact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

Motown Cup Tournament SeriesDETROIT, MIOctober 23-25, 2009Mite thru Midget/, JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House)Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, [email protected]

Great Lakes Tournament SeriesHolland, MIOctober 30-November 1, 2009Pee Wee A, Bantam House, Midget Major/HSContact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

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

Great Lakes Tournament SeriesHolland, MINovember 6-8, 2009Mite House, Mite A, Bantam A Contact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

Motown Cup Tournament SeriesDETROIT, MINovember 6-8, 2009Mite thru Midget/, JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House)Tony Prpic (216) 325-0567, [email protected]

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

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

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

Great Lakes Tournament SeriesHolland, MINovember 13-15, 2009Squirt House, Mite AA, Midget HouseContact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

Big Rapids Area Junior Hockey AssociationNovember 13-15, 2009Big Rapids, MISquirt tournamentwww.ferris.edu/icearenawww.bigrapidshockey.orgTournament Hotline: (231) 591-2881


Great Lakes Tournaments SeriesHolland, MINovember 20-22, 2009Mite House, Pee Wee House, Bantam HouseContact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com


Eddie Edgar Thanksgiving ChallengeNovember 27-29, 2009Mini-Mites B, Mite B, Squirt B Peewee B, Bantam B Midget B, Midget BB Ph: [email protected]

Thanksgiving Hockey TournamentNovember 27-29, 2009 (no Thanksgiving day games)Macomb, MIMite B, Squirt - Midget B, Squirt - Midget A, Squirt & Pee Wee AA586-992-8600www.suburbanice.com

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]

Turkey Day @ the ShoresSaint Clair Shores, MINovember 27-29, 200901, 00, 99, 98, 97, 96, 95, U16 & U18248-670-5742director@greatlakeshockey.comwww.greatlakeshockey.com

Great Lakes Thanksgiving Classic Holland, MINovember 27-29, 2009Holland, MIGreat Lakes Thanksgiving Classic Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

Wolverine Cup Tournament Series BRIGHTON/NOVI (Western Detroit Suburbs), MINovember 27-29, 2009Mite thru Midget/JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House)Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, [email protected]

K-Zoo Cup Tournament Series KALAMAZOO, MINovember 27-29, 2009Mite thru Midget/JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House)Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, [email protected]

Big Bear - The S2 Invitational Kalamazoo, MI November 27 - 29, 2009 Bantam Minor & Bantam Major only Tier 1 AAAwww.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694

Big Bear - The Wild Turkey Tournament Detroit, MINovember 27 - 29, 2009 Mite, Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, Midget.B - BB - A – AA www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694

Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MIDecember 4-6, 2009Squirt House, Pee Wee A, Midget Minor Contact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

Motown Cup Tournament SeriesDETROIT, MIDecember 4-6, 2009Mite thru Midget/JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House)Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, [email protected]

Big Bear - The FireBolt Ann Arbor, MIDecember 4 - 6, 2009 Mite, Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, MidgetB - BB - A - AA www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694

Big Bear - The Urban Legends Detroit, MIDecember 4 - 6, 2009 Mite, Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, Midget.High School & J.V. ♦ B - BB - A – AA www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694

Big Bear - The 40th Annual Trenton InvitationalDetroit, MIDecember 11 - 13, 2009 Mite, Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, Midget,High School & J.V. ♦ B - BB - A – AA www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694

Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MIDecember 9-11, 2009Pee Wee House, Pee Wee AA, Bantam House Contact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

Weekend Hockey Tournaments Nov 13-15, 2009Philadelphia, PA19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+A, B, C, D, E Levels Mens/ [email protected] www.weekendhockey.com

Weekend Hockey Tournaments Nov 20-22, 2009Montreal, QC19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+A, B, C, D, E Levels Mens/ [email protected] www.weekendhockey.com

Weekend Hockey Tournaments Jan 1 - 3, 2010New Years Tournament Burlington, ON19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+A, B, C, D, E Levels Mens/ [email protected] www.weekendhockey.com

Weekend Hockey Tournaments Feb 19 - 21, 2010Brampton, ON19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+A, B, C, D, E Levels Mens/ [email protected] www.weekendhockey.com

Weekend Hockey Tournaments March 12 - 14, 2010Niagara Falls, ON19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+A, B, C, D, E Levels Mens/ [email protected] www.weekendhockey.com

Weekend Hockey Tournaments March 19 – March 21, 2010 Tampa, FL19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+A, B, C, D, E Levels Mens/ [email protected] www.weekendhockey.com

Weekend Hockey Tournaments April 2 - 3, 2010Philadelphia, PA19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+A, B, C, D, E Levels Mens/ [email protected] www.weekendhockey.com

Weekend Hockey Tournaments April 9 - 11, 2010Pittsburgh, PA19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+A, B, C, D, E Levels Mens/ [email protected] www.weekendhockey.com

Weekend Hockey Tournaments April 23-25, 2010 Montreal, PQ19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+A, B, C, D, E Levels Mens/ [email protected] www.weekendhockey.com

Weekend Hockey Tournaments Apr 30 – May 2, 2010 Niagara Falls, ON19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+A, B, C, D, E Levels Mens/ [email protected] www.weekendhockey.com

Weekend Hockey Tournaments May 14 – 16, 2010 Niagara Falls, ON19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+A, B, C, D, E Levels Mens/ [email protected] www.weekendhockey.com

Weekend Hockey Tournaments June 4 - 6, 2010 Atlantic City, NJ19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+A, B, C, D, E Levels Mens/ [email protected] www.weekendhockey.com INDY CUP Tournament Series: The Indy CupIndianapolis, INOctober 9-11, 2009Mite through Midget: A, and AA Contact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

Rock ‘N Roll Cup Tournament Series CLEVELAND, OHOctober 9-11, 2009Mite thru Midget/, JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House)Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, [email protected]

Three Rivers Cup Tournament Series PITTSBURGH, PAOctober 9-11, 2009Mite thru Midget/, JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House)Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, [email protected]

Queen City Cup Tournament Series CINCINNATI, OHOctober 9-11, 2009Mite thru Midget/, JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House)Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, [email protected]

Niagara Falls Columbus Day Early BirdNiagara Falls, NYOctober 10-12, 2009Mite – Midget A, AA & AAAEmail: [email protected]

Big Bear - The Eye of the Storm Tampa, FLOctober 10 - 12, 2009 Mite, Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, MidgetA – AA www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694

Big Bear - The Fall Prep Showcase Nashville, TNOctober 10 - 12, 2009 High School & J.V. www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694

Big Bear - Pond Rockets St. Louis, MOOctober 10 - 12, 2009 Mite B, Mite A & Bantam A only www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694

October ClassicOshawa, OntarioOctober 16 – 18, 2009Adult Men’s, Women’s, COED 18+, 30+, 40+A/B,C,D,E1-888-422-6526Email: [email protected]

Las Vegas Old-Timers ClassicLas Vegas, NevadaOctober 23 – 25, 2009Adult Men’s, Women’s, COED 18+, 30+, 40+A/B,C,D,E1-888-422-6526Email: [email protected]

CHICAGO CUP Tournament Series: Chicago Fall ClassicChicago, ILOctober 23-25, 2009Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

Steel City Tournament Series: Pittsburgh Fall ClassicPittsburgh, PAOctober 23-25, 2009Mite through Midget: B, A, AAContact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

Music City Tournament Series: Nashville Fall Classic Nashville, TNOctober 23-25, 2009Mite through Midget: B, A, and AAContact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

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

Golden State Tournament Series: Golden State Showdown Riverside, CAOctober 23-25, 2009Mite through Midget: B, A, AAContact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

Rock ‘N Roll Cup Tournament Series CLEVELAND, OHOctober 23-25, 2009Mite thru Midget/JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House)Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, [email protected]

Big Bear - Fire on the Water Cleveland, OHOctober 23 - 25, 2009 Mite, Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, MidgetB - A - AA www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694

Las Vegas Youth BlastLas Vegas, NevadaNovember 5 – 8, 2009Youth 2003-1990 (Travel B,Select, AE), A, AA, AAA1-888-422-6526Email: [email protected]

Steel City Tournament Series: Pittsburgh Veterans CupPittsburgh, PANovember 6-8, 2009Mite through Midget: B, A, AAContact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

INDY CUP Tournament Series: The Indy Fall ClassicIndianapolis, IN November 6-8, 2009Mite through Midget: A, and AAContact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

“Escape the Blues” AA TournamentToronto, CanadaFebruary 5-7, 2010Atom – Minor Midget905-854-3435www.torontocityblues.com

COMPLETE TOURNAMENT LISTING ON WEBSITEwww.michiganhockeyonline.com


MICHIGAN HOCKEYTOURNAMENTS

AdvancedTournaments

Chicago, IL

Pittsburgh, PA

For More Information:www.advancedtournaments.com

847-277-7343

Holland, MI

March 5-7, 2010Mite B, Pee Wee B, Bantam B

Oct 30-Nov 1. 2009Pee wee A, Bantam B, Midget AA

November 6-8, 2009Mite B, Mite A, Bantam A

November 13-15, 2009Mite AA, Squirt B, Midget B

November 20-22, 2009Mite B, Pee Wee B ,Bantam B

January 22-24, 2010Squirt AA, Pee Wee B, Bantam A

January 29-31, 2010Mite B, Squirt B, Bantam B

February 5-7, 2010Mite A, Pee Wee B, Midget B

February 12-14, 2010Squirt B, Pee Wee AA, Bantam AA

February 19-21, 2010Mite B, Pee Wee B, Bantam B

February 26-28, 2010Squirt B, Squirt A, Midget B

Thanksgiving ClassicNov 27-29, 2009

Midwinter ClassicJan 16-18, 2010

Presidents CupFeb 13-15, 2010

Chicago ShowdownMar 5-7, 2010

Thanksgiving ClassicNov 27-29, 2009

Midwinter ClassicJan 16-18, 2010


March 12-14, 2010Squirt B, Squirt AA, Midget B

December 4-6, 2009Squirt B, Pee Wee A, Midget A

December 11-13, 2009Pee Wee B, Pee Wee AA, Bantam B

January 8-10, 2010Mite B, Squirt A, Midget B

January 15-17, 2010Mite AA, Squirt B, Bantam AA

All Tournaments Four Game Minimum

Period Length Entry FeeGreat ValueMites 13 minutes $695

Squirts/Pee Wees 13 minutes $750Bantams 13 minutes $795Midgets 14 minutes $895

Additional Tournament Locations in:Rochester, NY - Riverside, CA

Spring ClassicMar 12-14, 2010

Spring ClassicApr 23-25, 2010

Spring Classic IIMay 21-23, 2010

Nashville, TNMusic City CupJan 16-18, 2010


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

Grand Traverse Hockey Association TOURNAMENT SERIES

Contact: Todd Spaulding 231-649-1226 or [email protected]

Games• Three games guaranteed. With semifinal and final games.• Three 10 minute stop periods for Mites. • Three 12 minute stop periods for House Squirt and Squirt AA and

Peewee A. • Three 15 minute stop periods for House Pee Wee, Bantam and

Midget and all other Travel Tournaments. • If two competing teams have the same or similar jerseys the home

teams will wear the off-color jerseys. Each team should attempt to bring two sets of jerseys.

Awards• Tournament trophy to finalist and runner up• Medals for all players in tournament finals• Game MVP Awards for house tournaments

Team Selection• Team application, official signed & stamped roster and fee must be

received one month prior to tournament date.• Teams will be notified one month prior by the Tournament

Committee of the teams selected for the tournament.

Refunds• Any team wishing to withdraw must do so in writing to the Director.• Refunds will only be granted up to one month prior to tournament.

TRAVEL TOURNAMENTS

TC Squirt A & AA Fall Color Tournament (Oct. 16- 18, 2009) - $775 12-minute periods MAHA Sanction #MIT100066TC Pee Wee A & AA Fall Color Tournament(Oct.23 - 25 2009) - $895 15- minute periods4-game guarantee - 5 game max MAHA Sanction #MIT100067Traverse City Challenge Cup Tournament Bantam A & AA(Nov. 6 – 8 2009) - $895 15 – minute periods4–game guarantee – 5 game max MAHA Sanction #MIT100068Ice Breaker Tournament Midget A & AA /JV (Jan. 15-17, 2010) - $925 15-minute periods4-game guarantee - 5 game max MAHA Sanction #MIT100069Traverse City North Stars Cherry Chill Tournament - (Jan. 29 – 31, 2010) - $895 Girls U-19 Elite & Girls U19/U16 & Girls U14 MAHA Sanction #MIT10007015-minute periods 4-game guarantee - 5 game max

HOUSE TOURNAMENTSSQUIRT - $650 (Jan 8-10, 2010) MAHA Sanction #MIT100073 PEE WEE - $725 (Dec. 11-13 , 2009) MAHA Sanction #MIT100072BANTAM - $775 (Nov. 20-22, 2009) MAHA Sanction # MIT100071 MITE HOUSE - $575(Nov 20- 22, 2009) MAHA Sanction #MIT100071 (Feb 26 - 28, 2010) MAHA Sanction # MIT100074Contact: Rich Noffsinger 231.463.6681 or [email protected]

MICHIGAN HOCKEY


Editor’s Note: The following article is the third installment of our new “Navigating the Frozen Waters” educational series aimed at helping both new and veteran players and parents understand the different levels and pathways of hockey available in Michigan and across the United States. Michigan Hockey will explore other junior leagues, along with high school and youth hockey in future issues.

We invite you to share your questions and concerns regarding Navigating the Waters by e-mailing us at: [email protected].

BY TIM WILSON

After a player has completed midget hockey or graduated from high school hockey, a number of options still exist to continue playing.

In the United States, USA Hockey sanctions a number of junior leagues for players age 16-20. Junior hockey is essentially broken down into five classifications: Tier I Junior A, Tier II Junior A, Tier III Junior A, Tier III Junior B and Tier III Junior C.

After covering the Tier I Junior A USHL (Sept.14 MH) and the Tier II Junior A NAHL (Sept. 28 MH) in previous issues, this time we will look at Tier III Junior A, the third highest level of junior hockey available in the U.S.

There are six Tier III Junior A leagues operating across the country, including the Midwest based Central States Hockey League (CSHL) and Northern Pacific Hockey League (NORPAC) in the Northwest U.S.

Both of these leagues serve as a stepping stone for players looking to move on from midget or high school to Tier II Junior A or Division III or college club hockey.

MICHIGAN WELL REPRESENTEDWith four franchises located in Michigan, the 13-team

CSHL plays a 48-game regular season schedule, plus playoffs. Geographically, the league spans from Pittsburgh in the east to Dubuque, Iowa and St. Louis in the west. Franchises in Michigan include the Flint Junior Generals, Motor City Chiefs, Metro Jets and Grand Rapids Owls as well as the nearby Toledo Cherokee.

While Tier I and Tier II teams consistently move players on to Division I college programs, the CSHL operates differently.

“We do have kids in this league that do go directly to college, just not Division I,” said Flint Junior Generals head coach, George Dristas.

And while the USHL and NAHL are heavily scouted by college and professional scouts, the CSHL is an option that is not nearly as well known.

“I am on the phone with Michigan kids all the time that don’t know about our league and what it is we do and what we look to accomplish,” said Waterford-based Metro Jets assistant coach Ryan Skop. “We get young kids looking to move on to the USHL or NAHL and some of our older guys looking to play Division III. About half will move on to play college club hockey while the other half will either play Division III or in the NAHL.”

Although Tier III is a step below the

NAHL, Dristas sees a number of talented players come through the CSHL.

“I think the top two or three teams in our league could compete in the NAHL,” he said.

With so many junior leagues throughout the U.S., the battle for players has become increasingly competitive. A player that does not make a USHL or NAHL team now has the option of playing junior hockey in a number of different leagues that were not around 10-15 years ago.

“When I call a kid I’m trying to sell exposure,” said Skop. “Last year at our showcase we had 10-12 Division III schools and five or six NAHL teams in attendance. A lot of our guys get noticed there. Last year Cleveland moved up 12 kids and we moved up two.”

MAKING THE ROSTERA player looking to make a CSHL roster needs to be drafted

or attend a team’s open tryout camp. The league does not have a tendering system in place.

“We look at top-end midget AA kids,” said Skop. “We have a tough time drawing some of the AAA players. We’ll look at the better high school players or draft from some other junior leagues. We’ll also attend exposure camps and see who is there.”

Open camps can consist of anywhere from 40-80 players with about half coming from high school and the rest from midget travel or other junior leagues, according to Skop.

Similar to many junior circuits, CSHL rosters are dotted with players from throughout the country.

“We have a head scout that has been all around,” said Dristas. “We have kids on our team from California, Washington, New Jersey and Wisconsin. That’s how you have to get your kids now. You have to have good connections.”

It also helps that nearly every NAHL team has a camp in Michigan that CSHL teams can attend, said Dristas. Teams can then go after players that have been cut from the NAHL camps. Flint also has the advantage of being affiliated with the NAHL’s Motor City Metal Jackets which opens the possibility of a player moving up during the season.

While the CSHL operates in markets that often have other levels of hockey available for fans, many NORPAC teams play in cities where Tier III is the highest caliber of play in the market. That’s the case in Cody, Wyoming where former Oakland University coach Sean Hogan took over the Yellowstone Quake this past season.

“We are the closest thing to a professional sport here in Wyoming,” he said.

Along with the Quake, the NORPAC has teams in Montana, Washington and Oregon. In Cody, the Quake regularly draw crowds of around 1,000 people and enjoy regular coverage in the local paper.

Like the CSHL, the NORPAC plays a 48-game regular season which is highlighted by the league’s showcase that will be held this January in Billings, Montana.

“The league mandates that each team in the league pay for at least one scout to attend the showcase. That way we’re guaranteed of having a minimum of 12 scouts,” said Hogan.

Scouts invited can be chosen by the team and can be from Tier I, Tier II, college or major junior organizations.

Hogan’s roster contains players from throughout the country including several from Michigan. Most of the Quake players came from midget AA or high school programs, although both goaltenders came from AAA. With more than 20 kids needing a

place to live, Yellowstone has a dedicated billet coordinator to handle the team’s housing needs.

Unlike the CSHL, the NORPAC does not have a league draft. Teams are given 10 tenders to secure rights to players of their choosing. Each team also has open camps during the summer.

One of the major differences between Tier III and the higher junior leagues is that Tier III is a pay-to-play league. On average a player can expect to spend somewhere between $5,000 - $6,000 per season, which includes travel and lodging in addition to ice time.

Players that move away from home and stay with a billet family can expect to pay an additional $250 per month for room and board.

The average attendance for CSHL teams is normally between 100-200 with the exception of Dubuque where the Thunderbirds sometimes see crowds of nearly 2,000. Dubuque is one of the rare organizations in Tier III where gate receipts are significant in operating the team, according to head coach Joe Coombs.

“In most Tier III organizations, the money that the kids pay to play is the heartbeat of the organization,” said Coombs. “That’s not the case in Dubuque.”

DEVELOPMENT IS THE GOALAnd while winning is definitely a priority for every team,

development is still the key goal for Tier III organizations.“Do I want to win every game?” asked Dristas. “Yes. But if

I move five kids on at the end of the year then I’ve done my job. When a player moves up it helps our organization. I have a couple of kids this year that may be able to move up to Motor City this season.”

As the CSHL continues to evolve, Coombs says that players owe it to themselves to take a look and see what the league has to offer.

“The CSHL is a fantastic league,” said Coombs. “Kids that don’t make this an option are making a mistake. Tier III is much better than many people think it is.”

Navigating the Frozen WatersCentral States Hockey League is part of Tier III Junior A system

Central States Hockey League (CSHL)

Cshlhockey.com

StaffPresident - James RufoVice President - Charles LeMayDirector of Player Personnel - Mark ShutanSecretary/Treasurer - Robin JewellReferee in Chief - Dan Monacelli, Jr. Webmaster - Mike Hazelton

TeamsChicago

ClevelandDubuque

FlintGrand Rapids

Metro Motor City

PeoriaToledo

Quad CityQueen City PittsburghSt. Louis

presented by

Mite B Three 11-minute periods - $525

Squirt B, A & AA Three 12 – minute periods - $550

Pee Wee B, A & AA Three 13 – minute periods - $575

Bantam B & A Three 14 – minute periods - $600

Midget B & A Three 15 – minute periods - $650

3 game guarantee

Team and individual awards to champions and finalists!

No gate fee!

1 free hotel room for the first 8 out of town teams registered – compliments of Holiday Inn Express Detroit – Utica

Register online at www.macombhockeyclub.com

Stampede guests contact arena for hotel informationStampede guests contact arena for hotel information

54755 Broughton Road Macomb, MI 48042586-992-8600

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in Michigan Hockey, plus sponsor gift.

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MICHIGAN HOCKEY

Meeting helps coaches and managers get ready for the new season

PH

OT

OS

BY

BO

B B

EG

UE

LIN

/LC

AH

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LCAHL Executive Board Member Brian Vella and Squirt A Director Kathy Gawronski (back left) meet with Squirt A team representatives to plan the upcoming new LCAHL Squirt A Festival.

Former NHL goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck spoke to one of the group of coaches and managers at the Face-Off meeting.

Former Detroit Red Wings defenseman and current Director of Player Development Jiri Fischer spoke to the LCAHL coaches and signed autographs at the Face-Off meeting.

LCAHL Operations Board (from left-to-right): Gordon Leitz, Laurie Golden-Birchler, Brian Vella, Carrie Gamrat, Joe Emery, Lisa Zarzycki and Robert Beguelin.

At the Face-Off meeting every LCAHL team representative received an orange binder full of information for the upcoming season.

Mickey Redmond and Lisa Ilitch-Murray each spoke to the LCAHL coaches and managers at the Face-Off meeting.

MH BEAT


MICHIGAN HOCKEYMIDGET MAJOR PREVIEW

Hurry–space

limited!

FORMAT: Four team round robin with semi-finals if needed and Championship game in each Division. USA Hockey rules; Tournament Committee decisions final on all written protests. 3-game guarantee.

24th Annual

November 27-29, 2009

OPTIMIST ICE ARENA1300 W. NORTH STREET

JACKSON, MICHIGAN 49202

PLAY TIME: Will play (3) ten-minute stop periods.

ENTRY FEE: $500.00 per team (with no paid gate)

DEADLINE: November 6, 2009

Mail team rosters and entry fee to: JACKSON OPTIMIST ICE ARENA

1300 W. North Street • Jackson, MI 49202 Entries reserved upon receipt of payment in full. Double Rink Facility—All entries welcome.

CONTACT: David Templin, Mgr. of Marketing OPTIMIST ICE ARENA (517) 783-2664 email: [email protected]

DIVISIONS Mite B Squirt B

Pee Wee B

Bantam B

“B” THANKSGIVING HOCKEY TOURNAMENT

Midget Major teams build toward March runBY MATT MACKINDER

Michigan’s Midget Major division always has an exciting group of players and this season is no different.

With five teams in the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League, four in the Northern Lakes Hockey League and two in the new North American Prospects Hockey League, there is definitely no shortage of talent.

BELLE TIREWith a solid mix of speed and skill, Belle Tire once again appears

to be a top team in the league.“It’s always the same goal - to win the Michigan state tournament,”

said head coach Chris Coury. “I think that’s the toughest tournament to win. Our team this year has a lot of goal-scoring ability and a couple of very good goaltenders.”

Kyle Laslo is back in net from last season and Tyler Green is new from Indianapolis. Josef Pontasch is a third-year player and also Belle Tire’s captain.

“Josef leads by example,” added Coury. “He’s a good presence for our team.”

COMPUWARECompuware has high expectations this year

with a team full of 1993 birthdates from their midget minor national championship team of a year ago, leadership from their 1992s and character from their 1991s.

Easton Powers, Josh Dangel, Brock Labelle and A.J. White lead the team up front, while Josh Malecki and Andrew Mills are a dominant combination in net.

“We feel that we have as good a chance as anyone to win the state tournament,” head coach George Daniel said. “We’ve had a pretty good start and are much improved over last season. We’re rebounding for sure.”

HONEYBAKEDAfter five years of success, this may be a down

year for Honeybaked. Head coach Rob Krohl said this season will be an “interesting year.”

“We only have three returning guys,” said Krohl. “This team is going to have to learn how to win and how to put teams away. That being said, we all know the regular season means nothing once March rolls around. It’s all about who gets hot in March.”

Captain Alex Sandora, Kaleb Shannon and Alex Frere will be looked to for offense, while goaltenders Brandon Hope, a 1994 birthdate who Krohl said “will be a good one” and “is in the same category as Jack Campbell,” and Josh Forrester are the biggest strengths of the team.

LITTLE CAESARSLast year’s state and national champions think they have enough

talent to do it again, but are off to a 1-3-1 start this season.In goal, Jeremy Shur makes the move up from the Little Caesars

midget minor team and Evan Plassman is new from Trenton High School.

Talented forward Zach Badalamenti is off to a fast start with seven points in five games, while defenseman Michael LaFrenier, from the Chicago area, leads all blueliners with two goals and an assist.

VICTORY HONDAJust call Victory Honda the farm team for the OHL’s Saginaw

Spirit, as three Saginaw prospects will play for head coach Sean Ortiz this year.

Goaltender Colin Greeley is back with the organization after playing Junior A last season with the Metro Jets, defenseman Frank Schumacher has already signed with the Spirit, and forward Jay Llewellyn is the third Saginaw prospect. Greeley recorded Victory Honda’s first two wins of the season.

Forward Tom Mitchell has five points, including four goals, to lead the team.

From last year’s team Victory Honda sent 12 players on to juniors, including Andy Ryan, who is now with the NTDP.

CAPITAL CENTRE PRIDEAfter not having a team last year, head coach Ron Gay has the

Pride looking to bounce back.Goaltender Nathan Phillips should carry most of the load in net,

but backup Sean McClure will also see starts. Defenseman Travis Walsh is attracting college attention and forward Jacob McDowell has already committed to Michigan State.

“As junior and college scouts come to see Walsh, that also helps out our team as a whole as a lot of our kids are under the radar,” Gay said. “We have some fresh faces, so moving as many guys on as we can to college and juniors is definitely our priority here.”

MARQUETTE ELECTRICIANSAfter going 0-4 at the Marquette Fall Classic, head coach Mike

Dagenais vented to the Marquette Mining Journal.“It’s a wake-up call for these guys to realize where they have to

get at, what level they need to get at, what level they have to play at,” Dagenais said.

The Electricians brought aboard 15 new players, including former Austrian U-17 national team forward Raphael Gobald.

“It’s going to take him a while to get used to the physical play,” Dagenais added to the Mining Journal. “But with all these guys,

it’s going to be a work in progress.”Marquette also competes in the NAPHL.

OJIBWA EAGLESWith eight returning players, head coach Dan

Giachino has big hopes this year.“We returned eight of 11 eligible players,

which is a great percentage at the AAA level,” Giachino said in the Daily Mining Gazette. “It tells me that our organization is doing something right. We need our second-year players to be leaders on and off the ice. They need to set the expectations high and make the younger players want to improve.”

Alex Roy, Robbie Payne, Josh Borgen, Bryant Froberg and Mike Gullan will be leaned on for offense, while third-year player Justin Reilley is a key cog on the back end. Josh Hendrickson has the ability to steal games in goal.

SOO INDIANSAfter five years as assistant coach, Jerry

Harwood takes over as head coach of the Indians.

”Jerry is very smart about hockey systems and coaching,” Soo GM Mike Kaunisto said. “He has proven himself.”

Harwood has a young team and one that has had trouble getting going out of the gates.

“They are a very talented group of players that have to get used to playing high caliber AAA hockey,” added Kaunisto. “These kids aren’t used to winning, but they have a strong, solid base to work with.”

LANSING CAPITALSHead coach Dean Dixon calls this year’s team “the most complete

team from top to bottom that we have had.”And that’s without stud forward Reid Boucher, who played in

Lansing a year ago, committed to Michigan State, and is now with the NTDP.

“A player like Reid Boucher is almost irreplaceable,” Dixon said. “The positive for us will be depth and more balanced scoring.”

Dixon didn’t want to single out any individual players he’ll lean on this season, instead taking a philosophical approach.

“We will promote a team concept and encourage them to be competitive and have fun,” said Dixon. “We are excited about the new league and the teams we will be competing against.”

S2 HOCKEYIt’s been a tough start for S2, as the team started out 1-4 in the

NAPHL.First-year head coach Mark Lawrence, who came over from the

Kalamazoo Optimist Hockey Association, played 12 years of pro hockey, including 142 games in the NHL with Dallas and the New York Islanders. He also played two seasons in the OHL with the Detroit Compuware Ambassadors (now Plymouth Whalers).

Forwards Brandon Morganroth, Mac Rushing and Michael Lawrence look to lead the S2 offense. Brandon Haase earned the team’s lone win in goal.

Negaunee’s Tyler Desjardins will be a fixture on the Midget Major Marquette Electricians blueline this season.

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MICHIGAN HOCKEY


Veteran D will lead Wayne State women’s squadBY MATT MACKINDER

The top three all-time leading scorers in the Wayne State women’s program graduated last spring, leaving a huge question mark for this season.

Rather, three question marks.How does one replace Melissa Boal, Sam Poyton and Lindsay

DiPietro, a trio that combined for 600 points from 2005-09?“It’s going to be tough,” WSU head coach Jim Fetter said. “I don’t

think you replace three players like that with one class. The good thing now, though, is that we seem to have more depth. We have three lines that all have the ability to do great things, and not just one line. Teams will have to concentrate on all three lines instead of one.”

The Warriors came within one win of their first College Hockey America championship last season, ultimately losing to perennial national powerhouse Mercyhurst College in the CHA final on Mercyhurst’s home ice in Erie, Pa.

Next March, however, WSU will have home-ice advantage as the CHA tournament will be played at the City Sports Center.

“Having home ice will be huge for us,” said Fetter, now in his seventh season as the Warriors’ head coach. “We’ll know the bounces and hopefully, we’ll have a decent turnout. It always seems like our tournament is during Spring Break, so people have either gone home or gone south. We’ll be able to sleep in our own beds, eat home-cooked meals and not have to eat hotel food. Being at home will be to our benefit with no travel and no packing up and things like that.”

But the regular season has to be played, as the tournament is still five months away. Getting through the season without the graduated superstar line may be tough, as Fetter explained, but he’s nowhere near panic mode.

“Before our exhibition game (Sept. 26 against York University), we had only had a few practices and pretty much only worked on the basics like defensive zone coverage, forecheck, things like that,” said Fetter. “I was excited after the game (which WSU won, 3-2). We really controlled the play and I think we doubled them in shots.”

The weekend following that, it was back to reality as the Warriors lost and played to a scoreless tie at Rensselaer (N.Y.). Still, Fetter is optimistic about what WSU can accomplish this season.

“Our ‘D’ has shown signs and I think we’re capable of great things back there,” said Fetter, who won his 100th career game last year by beating Robert Morris in overtime of the CHA semifinals (the longest game in WSU and CHA history) last March. “All three of our goalies are playing well and as a coaching staff, that’s going to make our job tough. Delayne (Brian) had a great freshman season last year, but we’ve told all three of our goaltenders to make our job tough in deciding who plays, and so far, they’ve all done that.”

Brian, starting her sophomore season, went 15-6-0 last year and was invited to Hockey Canada’s Under-22 national team camp over the summer. Fetter was also an assistant coach for Team Canada

for a three-game series versus Canada’s National Women’s Team in Calgary in late August and will be again for the 2010 MLP Cup in Ravensburg, Germany in early January.

Brian’s competition in net will come from senior Lindsey Park and sophomore Brittany Zeches (Westland).

On defense, WSU returns five players in senior captain Christine Jefferson, senior Chelsea Burnett, an All-CHA Preseason Team selection with 53 career points, and sophomores Marlee Fisher, Jill Szandzik (Warren) and Ciara Lee. The two newcomers are Jenaya

Townsend and Lauren Lovold.Jefferson has already shown the

meaning of being a captain in a touching story recapped by Fetter.

“Her brother passed away recently and that’s never an easy thing to go through,” said Fetter. “Right before we started practice this year, I talked to her briefly and all she said was to tell the girls to work hard. She’s a great leader, kind of quiet, but the girls really respond well to her. She gets the job done.

“We’ve had some pretty vocal captains here, but with Christine, I think it will be good to have a change in the type of leadership we have.”

Townsend and Lovold, two Canadians, should fit right in on Jefferson’s defense corps.

“Jenaya is a big, strong defenseman who can move the puck well and has great vision on the ice. She is a confident player,” said Fetter. “Lauren is a smart defenseman who also moves the puck well. She has good instincts and likes to jump into the play. She has good size and comes with a great work ethic. Lauren will be a good addition to the back end.”

Up front, assistant captain and sophomore Veronique Laramee-Paquette leads the way along with classmates Micheline Frappier, Alyssa Baldin and Mercyhurst transfer Lauren Ragen (Grosse Ile). Senior Katrina Protopapas and junior Adrianna Pfeffer (Farmington Hills) join freshmen Gina Buquet, Julie Ingratta, Julie Hebert, Lauren Coxon and Jaclyn Stapleton.

The five freshmen come to the Motor City with some pretty high praise.

“We are happy with this class as we feel we are going to be much faster this year,” said Fetter. “I love Gina’s feistiness, her speed and tenacity, and her competitive drive. She has good hands and is very athletic. Julie (Hebert) possesses great size, but can skate as well. She is a strong player who competes hard, battles, and can finish. She also has a great work ethic. Jaclyn possesses good speed and plays tough. She is a hard worker who is not afraid to get involved and makes things happen. I believe that both Lauren and Julie (Ingratta) are excellent athletes and will give our team a tremendous boost. I appreciate their work ethic and skill.”

The returning forwards scored just 23 total goals last season, as compared to the 73 goals that Boal, Poyton and DiPietro scored.

“We will be a hard working team that is going to out-work our opponents,” said Fetter. “It is going to be a different look having lost Lindsay, Sam and Mel, so although we are going to be very young, we are excited about who we have coming in along with our returning players.”

The Wayne State women’s squad will have a veteran defensive unit led by senior captain Christine Jefferson (above) and senior Chelsea Burnett, an All-CHA Preseason Team selection.

Recruiting is ‘a 12-month position’

Take a look at the Wayne State roster and a few things stand out right away.

Yes, the Warriors are a young team and yes, WSU is the only women’s Division I team in the state. But look at the players’ hometowns? Westbank, British Columbia? Chelmsford, Ontario? Lafayette, Louisiana?

How does the Wayne State coaching staff, Jim Fetter (from Alberta), Nicolette Franck and Allison Rutledge (both from Ontario) find out about players who play hundreds, even thousands, of miles away?

“Recruiting is really a 12-month position,” said Wayne State head coach Jim Fetter, the 2008 national coach of the year. “Once we see a kid play that we like, we stay in touch by phone and by email and put them in our database. We have probably 2,000 players in our database right now and start tracking them from when they’re sophomores in high school.”

To see these players compete means logging many, many hours in cars, planes, and in rinks all across North America.

“We go to a lot of tournaments,” said Fetter. “We build our contacts and maybe one tournament we go to see a girl we heard about and maybe at another one, we see someone whose name was passed along to us. At tournaments, too, sometimes there are 40 teams there and there have been many times I’ve been

in the rink from 7:00 in the morning until after 10:00 at night Friday, Saturday and Sunday and in that time, you can get a lot done. Just getting out and seeing players is the biggest thing and then selling them on our program.”

WSU’s roster has just four players from Michigan – sophomore goalie Brittany Zeches (Westland), sophomore forward Lauren Ragen (Mercyhurst transfer from Grosse Ile), junior forward Adrianna Pfeffer (Farmington Hills) and sophomore defenseman Jill Szandzik (Warren). In past years, some before Fetter came to Wayne State in 2003, Wayne State’s roster was chock-full of in-state talent.

“Getting every player to come here is a challenge, even with the Michigan kids,” Fetter said. “A lot of these players have never experienced living in the big city and some, even those from here in Michigan, have never been to Detroit before. But then they come down here and see what the Ilitches have done with the city and they see Ford Field and Comerica Park and then get to campus, they just fall in love with it. Once they’re on campus, too, I’ve had a number of players and their parents tell me that it doesn’t even feel like they’re in a big city.”

Fetter also noted that while a good number of in-state players either go out of state to play Division III hockey or stay here to play club hockey, there’s no denying the talent that Michigan has.

“We do a lot of our recruiting in Michigan, but like anything, sometimes you have to look outside to see if you can find better players,” said Fetter. ”Back (before 2003), this program had a lot of top-end players from Michigan, but now, I think the bottom-end players from Michigan are improving and there’s not as big a gap as there once was between the top-end players and the bottom-end players. The players are getting better ice times and better coaching where before, it seemed like a lot of the coaches were a player’s father and you’re just not seeing that as much any more.”

By Matt Mackinder

WSU Coach Jim Fetter

COLLEGE PREVIEW


MICHIGAN HOCKEYCCHA PREVIEW

out of our last six league games. We had an awful lot of offensive firepower returning and we feel we do again this year.”

Big Rapids native Cody Chupp, who had seven goals and 12 points last season, is the Bulldogs captain and will lead a veteran group returning up front.

“Cody is a terrific student,” Daniels said. “He’s very mature off the ice and is a hard worker on the ice and in the weight room.”

Senior Aaron Lewicki is the team’s top returning scorer (10-10-20) and Daniels hopes that his forwards can rebound to the form of two seasons ago.

“If you look at Blair Riley, Cody Chupp, Mike Fillinger and Justin Menke, they accounted for 42 goals for us (2007-08),” Daniels said. “Last year, they slipped to 20. The good news is that they’re all returning this season. The answer to our offensive difficulties from a year ago is still in our locker room.”

Incoming freshmen forwards include right wing Eric Alexander (Kentwood) and center-right wing Travis Ouellette (Tecumseh, Ontario).

“From what I have seen of them I’m very excited,” said Daniels. “I think they’ll contribute.

“But again, we have a lot of good returning forwards. If they return to form of previous seasons, the offensive difficulties can be put behind us.”

Last year four freshmen saw big minutes on the blueline, so the Bulldogs defensive corps, led by junior pre-season all-CCHA second team member Zach Redmond and senior Matt Case, is experienced.

“This season we have all veteran defensemen,” said Daniels. “Probably one of my biggest difficulties is determining which six to play each night.”

Returning in net for FSU are sophomore Taylor Nelson, who had a .912 save percentage last year and junior Pat Nagle, who had a .909 save percentage last season.

“We split the two of them last year,” Daniels said. “I’m not looking necessarily to split them this year. It wouldn’t bother me to see one take off. We’ll go with the one who gives us the opportunity to win each night.”

Another key returning senior will be forward Casey Haines, who had six goals and 10 assists last season.

“We’re definitely going to be a competitive team,” Haines said. “I wouldn’t say we had a bad attitude last year. We just were expecting a lot last year and more production from certain guys. This year, we seem to have a better team attitude and more of a team atmosphere. Everyone is sticking together. Workouts are going great.

“I feel that we’re a two-way team. At the same time I also feel our strongest point is definitely our defensive team and not just our defensemen. If we play our systems well, there’s no way we should be giving up three or four goals a game.”

In the CCHA this season “it changes year-to-year on who has the best team,” Haines said. “There’s always Michigan. Michigan State fell down last year but they’re always tough. We play a lot of non-conference game- and I feel the 12th place team in our league can be tougher than some of these other teams. We’re definitely a strong league.”

The Bulldogs will again play in the Badger Showdown, Jan. 2-3, in Madison (WI) and opens the tournament against Yale of the ECAC.

MacVoy (Livonia). MacVoy led the Lakers in goals last season with 14 and trailed only Schwab in total points (26). Sophomore Fred Cassiani (11-10-21), the Lakers’ freshman of the year last season, and junior Rick Schofield (9-12-21) will be counted on to produce even bigger numbers.

Freshman forward Domenic Monardo, who scored at a dizzying rate for the Aurora Tigers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League last season, could also contribute. Monardo tallied a goal a game

for Aurora, finding the net 39 times in 39 games and adding 40 assists

On the defensive side, the Lakers will count on a pair of seniors to log significant minutes. Steve Kaunisto will supply leadership and steady play while fellow Simon Gysbers, at 6-4, 200 pounds, is an imposing force with good offensive potential. Juniors Dillin Stonehouse and Tyson Hobbins, along with sophomore Kyle Haines, will provide blue line depth.

Another 6-4, 220 pounder expected to make a difference on defense is Zach Troutman, a freshmen who played last season with Wichita Falls of the North American Hockey League.

In goal Lake Superior State returns two veterans that should share minutes again.

Junior Brian Mahoney-Wilson (2.67 GAA) won seven games and had taken steps to capture the number one goaltending role before being sidelined with a mid-season injury. Senior Pat Inglis (3.01 GAA, .901 save percentage) is also back.

Roque will get early feedback on his expectations when the Lakers open the season with a string of quality opponents. The Superior Cup, a four-team tourney including fellow CCHA foe Northern Michigan and WCHA regulars Michigan Tech and Minnesota-Duluth serves as the team’s season opener on Oct. 10. The Lakers follow that with home series against Ohio State and Michigan to start the CCHA regular season.

BY JOHN RAFFEL

Ferris State didn’t live up to expectations last season, but veteran coach Bob Daniels is confident 2009-10 will be different.

The Bulldogs didn’t get a lot of offensive production and finished 9-14-5-2 in the CCHA.

“Last season with three weekends to go in the regular season, we still had a chance to finish in the top four,” said Daniels, who is starting his 18th season in Big Rapids. “But then we lost five

BY BOB MILLER

No team knows more about the slim margin for error in the CCHA than Lake Superior State. The Lakers, who finished 7-15-6-1 in the league last season, played in 20 games that either ended in a tie or with a one-goal difference.

Fifth-year Lake Superior State head coach Jim Roque believes the Lakers haven’t played up to their potential in recent seasons and hopes his squad can end up on the other side of more of those games this season.

”Like every team, we have very high hopes to start the season,” he said. “The last few years have been rather disappointing for us. We felt that a few years ago, when we got to Joe Louis Arena (for the CCHA Championship), we had turned a corner. I think we’ve underachieved the last couple of seasons. We’ve had to look hard at what we’ve done here and where we can change and get better.”

The Lakers will have to overcome the loss of three of their top four scorers from last season. Troy Schwab, team captain and the team’s leading point man, graduated. Second leading scorer Josh Sim graduated. Nathan Perkovich, second leading goal scorer and fourth in overall points, chose to pursue a pro hockey career.

Roque will be counting on depth, experience and improved conditioning as his “X factor” in changing the Lakers’ fortunes for the 2009-10 season.

“Our guys have done a very, very good job in terms of conditioning,” said Roque. “I think it’s the strongest team we’ve ever had since I’ve been here. We only have four freshmen and I think three will play. So, we have very big junior and senior classes. What we need is better play from the middle of our lineup.”

Much of the offensive burden will fall to senior forward Zac

Ferris State hopes to rebound offensively

Lake Superior State to count on upperclassmen

HEAD COACH: Bob Daniels

(18th season)

KEY PLAYER: Junior defenseman

Zach Redmond

THE SKINNY: Bulldogs need

forwards to produce to be successful

HEAD COACH: Jim Roque

(5th season)

KEY PLAYER: Senior forward

Zac MacVoy

THE SKINNY: Goaltending duo of Pat Inglis and Brian

Mahoney-Wilson need to come up big

Ferris State needs senior captain Cody Chupp of Big Rapids to have a big season.

Lake Superior State’s Zac MacVoy of Livonia returns for his senior season after leading the Lakers in goals last season (14).

MICHIGAN HOCKEY


CCHA PREVIEW

The Spartans, who finished tied for 10th in the CCHA with a 7-17-4-3 record and was 10-23-5 overall – the worst record since 1977-78, will rely heavily on a nine-player freshmen class and 10 sophomores to improve an offense that scored only 62 goals in 38 games last season.

“Our freshmen will contribute and our sophomores learned some hard lessons,” said Comley. “They’ve gone through a spring and summer of weightlifting and they have a chance to make an impact.”

MSU does have a potentially-solid group of upperclassmen that includes senior forwards Nick Sucharski, a co-captain, and Jay Sprague, junior forwards Corey Tropp, Andrew Rowe and Dustin Gazley and junior defenseman Jeff Petry, also a co-captain. Sophomore center Daultan Leveille is the team’s top returning scorer. He had nine goals and 18 points in 38 games.

The freshmen class includes six forwards and three defensemen. Four rookies are from

the British Columbia Junior Hockey League – left wings Derek Grant and Kevin Walrod and defensemen Matt Grassi and Zach Josepher. The other five are products of the USHL – forwards Zack Golembiewski of St. Clair, Anthony Hayes of Canton, Chris Forfar, Dean Chelios of Bloomfield and defenseman Torey Krug of Livonia.

“The freshmen are looking good and helping us push the team to the next level,” said Sucharski, who’s back for a fifth season of eligibility after sitting out most of last season with a shoulder injury. “Grant and Walrod are skilled players and can score. The freshmen have fit in better than any freshmen class that I’ve seen.”

Grassi, Joseph and Krug are expected to among MSU’s top six defensemen. They’ll be joined by Petry, who had a strong

freshman year but struggled last season, and sophomores Tim Buttery and either Matt Crandall or Brock Shelgren. Senior Justin Johnston and junior A.J. Sturges are also in the mix on defense.

“We’ve tweaked our style of play somewhat,” Comley said. “Everybody copies what works and obviously the Red Wings work very well. So we’ve tried to incorporate some of their systems into our game. We’re adding attacking situations and forechecking and neutral zone situations to our game.’’

For the first time in four seasons, Jeff Lerg won’t be standing in front of the MSU goal, frustrating opponents with stellar saves and high-level play. The standout goaltender, who won a slew of awards during his brilliant career and was the shining star last year during a miserable season, has graduated.

Drew Palmisano, a 5-foot-10, 165-pound sophomore from Ann Arbor, takes over the starting goaltending duties after backing up Lerg last season. Palmisano played in seven games, compiling a 1-3-1 record and a 3.33 goals-against average.

Bobby Jarosz, a senior who was MSU’s No. 3 goalie last season and did not see any action, is expected to play in several games.

“We’ll be very good in goal. Drew Palmisano is an excellent goaltender and Bobby Jarosz is

going to play,’’ Comley said. “Palmisano looks like he’ll play more often but Jarosz has worked hard.’’

Said Palmisano, “It’s always been a dream of mine to be the starting goalie at MSU. Growing up in Ann Arbor, I saw a lot of Michigan-Michigan State games.

“Ryan Miller was one of my favorites. I learned a lot from watching Jeff Lerg. It really means a lot. I hope I can represent the program well.”

Brown’s size, Kevin Lynch’s grittiness and A.J. Treais’ nifty puckhandling will make them candidates for regular ice time.

Last season, Mark Mitera’s early season knee injury gave the team’s young defensemen an opportunity to play more and elevated Summers to a leadership role. Expect Summers to have a big season, and the Wolverines’ deep blueline corps, that also includes senior Steve Kampfer, juniors Chad Langlais and Tristin

Llewellyn and sophomore Brandon Burlon, to be a strength.

In addition, sophomore Greg Pateryn and incoming freshman Lee Moffie should push the upper classmen for ice time

The Wolverines’ goaltending is a potential strength and a possible potential problem area at the same time.

Hogan stepped up last season, backstopping 24 of the Wolverines’ 29 wins and posting a 1.97 goals against average and a .914 save percentage.

“We brought Hogan here to be a number one goaltender,” said Berenson. “I think he had a lot of growth last year and gained a lot of confidence

and experience. He got a feel for college hockey when he played in the CCHA playoffs and in the NCAA tournament.”

Michigan fans, however, will undoubtedly be hoping for Hogan’s health and safety, since only untested walk-on goaltenders Shawn Hunwick and Patrick Summers grace the depth chart as back-up support.

In a chance to prepare for a December, 2010, outdoor matchup against Michigan State at Michigan Stadium, the Wolverines will make a road trip this season to Wisconsin’s Camp Randall Stadium in Madison for an outdoor non-conference tilt against the Badgers on February 6, 2010.

“I think any time a Division 1 team can play an outdoor game in a big stadium, it is great for the game and certainly great for the

participants,” Berenson said. “We were fortunate enough to play in the game at Spartan Stadium in 2001 and that was a tremendous experience and a tremendous success. I am looking forward to it, being an outdoor person. It’s what I grew up playing on.”

BY NEIL KOEPKE Coming off its worst season in 31 years, Michigan State will

have a new look in goal, up front and on defense.And Spartans coach Rick Comley is confident his team will

be better this season.“We’re bigger, we’re stronger and we’ll be much more

competitive. How many wins that translates into, time will tell,” said Comley, entering his eighth season at MSU.

BY BOB MILLER

Both the CCHA coaches and media agree that Michigan’s cup board is well stocked. Both voted the Wolverines into the top spot of each of their respective pre-season polls.

And it’s easy to see why. The Wolverines return 19 players, including nine of their top 12 scorers, a large group of veteran defensemen and their top goaltender, from a team that finished second in CCHA last season.

Junior forward Louie Caporusso is the top returning scorer, senior captain Chris Summers is a force on the blueline and junior goaltender Brian Hogan is back after taking over the number one spot and having a big sophomore season.

“We are a little more settled in goal with Hogan and a little deeper on defense,” said Wolverines coach Red Berenson, who is entering his 26th season behind the Michigan bench. “The key will be chemistry and leadership.”

Caporusso established himself as one of the nation’s elite scorers last year (24-25-49) with a sophomore season that ended in a Hobey Baker finalist nomination and first team All-American selection.

Despite the loss of last season’s top scorer Aaron Palushaj, to the professional ranks, Michigan still has a solid group of returning forwards that includes juniors Carl Hagelin and Matt Rust, and sophomore David Wohlberg, who was the CCHA’s Rookie of the Year last season.

Speedy second-year forward Robbie Czarnik will be better and senior Brian Lebler supplies a physical component to the lineup.

“We really need Caporusso to have another strong year up front, but he will have a lot of help.”

Michigan also adds a trio of freshmen forwards from the U.S. National Team Development Program Under-18 squad. Chris

Young Michigan State squad expects to be better

Michigan re-loads for another title run

HEAD COACH: Rick Comley (8th season)

KEY PLAYER: Junior defenseman

Jeff Petry

THE SKINNY: Looking to rebound after disappointing

season

HEAD COACH: Red Berenson (26th season))

KEY PLAYER: Junior center

Louie Caporusso

THE SKINNY: Talented team poised for run at CCHA title

Farmington Hills junior defenseman Jeff Petry will play a big role with the Michigan State

Spartans this season.

Michigan senior captain Chris Summers of Milan is ready for a breakout season with the Wolverines.


MICHIGAN HOCKEYCCHA PREVIEW

with sophomore Zac Dalpe, supply the punch up front. Junior Shane Sims and sophomore Matt Bartkowski anchor the blueline. Freshman defenseman Devon Krogh (Penticton/BCHL) has lots of offensive ability and knows how to run the powerplay. Former walk on junior goaltender Dusty Carlson earned the number one position and won 21 games last year.

The Buckeyes are a year older and experienced, and have enough talent to finish in the top of the league standings.

“It was a great learning experience for us last season getting back to the NCAA Tournament and having the success we did in turning things around,” said Ohio State coach John Markell. “We are still a relatively young team and we’re excited about taking the next step.”

NEBRASKA-OMAHA MAVERICKS New coach Dean Blais takes over the Mavericks and will

count on junior forwards Rich Purslow and Joey Martin, along with sophomore John Kemp, to provide offense on a team that was in led in scoring last season by defenseman Eddie DelGrosso.

A senior this year, DelGrosso will again log a ton of ice time for UNO, both at even strength and on special teams. A trio of defensemen, senior Mark Bernier, junior Nick Von Bokern and sophomore Matt Smith will also play large roles.

Senior goaltender J e r e m i e D u p o n t (2.67 GAA/.910 save

percentage) won six games last season.

ALASKA NANOOKSWith CCHA Player of the Year Chad Johnson graduated,

sophomore Scott Greenham has big skates to fill in the Nanooks’ net. But Alaska coach Dallas Ferguson isn’t worried.

“Greenham is going to be our goaltender and log a lot of minutes,” said Ferguson. “I feel really good about where he is at and being our starting goaltender from day one.”

Senior defenseman Dustin Molle and sophomore Joe Sovo could have breakout years on the blueline.

“They were put in a lot of situations last season,” said Ferguson. “So I think there was some growth there and I think that experience should benefit them coming into this season.”

Senior forward Dion Knelsen and juniors Kevin Petovello and Ryan Hohl (Northville) need big seasons up front to help the Nanooks build on last season’s fourth place finish.

“The big emphasis for us will be on working hard and getting lots of pucks and bodies to the net,” said Ferguson. “I don’t think there is any fancy way to create scoring chances other than working hard and being smart with the puck.”

BOWLING GREEN FALCONSFormer assistant coach Dennis Williams takes over a young

Bowling Green squad that could struggle with inexperience on defense and with limited offensive firepower.

Howell native Nick Eno, a junior, will compete with freshman Andrew Hammond for time in net. Senior defenseman Kyle Page (Wixom) is the Falcons leader in the locker room and on defense.

Seniors Josh Boyd, Tommy Dee, Kai Kantola and James Perkin, along with junior leading scorer David Solway (12-12-24) need big years at forward.

We’re a young team but the excitement is there and the guys have been working their tails off in conditioning,” said Williams.

Two of the top teams in the CCHA have two of the top players in the league in Miami junior forward Carter Camper

(right) and Notre Dame junior defenseman Ian Cole.

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BY DEREK BERRY

Last year Notre Dame finished at the top of the CCHA standings and was bounced in the first round of the NCAA tournament by Bemidji State.

Miami finished in third place and came within 17 seconds of winning the national title before giving up a late goal and then losing in overtime to Boston University.

This year both the Fighting Irish and RedHawks are stacked again and should compete for a top three spot in the league, while Ohio State is poised to build on last season’s strong performance.

Here is a look at the CCHA’s “Other Six” schools not in Michigan:

NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISHThe Irish have a deep group of veteran forwards led by senior

Ryan Thang, juniors Calle Ridderwall and Ben Ryan (Brighton) and sophomore Billy Maday.

But the strength of the Fighting Irish could be its defensive corps t h a t i n c l u d e s junior Ian Cole ( A n n A r b o r ) , senior Kyle Lawson (South Lyon), senior Brett Blatchford (Temperance) and junior Teddy Ruth, who is poised for a breakout season.

T h e o n l y uncertainty is in goal where junior Brad Phillips takes over for graduated Jordan Pierce. The athletic Phillips saw action as a freshman but missed most of last season with a knee injury, so expect Notre Dame to play shutdown defense as he gains experience.

“We are returning a pretty good group of players and have some good incoming freshman so we are excited about the prospects for this coming season,” said Notre Dame head coach Jeff Jackson. “I know the biggest thing for us will be the replacement of our captain Eric Condra, along with Christian Hanson and our goaltender Jordan Pearce. We are excited about the prospect of Phillips, who we expect to be the guy that will start for us on opening night in goal. Our speed and our skill has improved quiet a bit and I am excited about us playing an up tempo game.”

MIAMI REDHAWKSWith experienced, talented players at every position, Miami is

poised for another postseason run. And the fact the RedHawks made it to the National Title game and lost gives them something to prove.

“We learned from what happened last season, but last year was last year,” said Miami coach Enrico Blasi. “This is a whole new team. Different leaders and different team dynamics.”

The RedHawks return 17 players from that team, including five of their top seven scorers in junior forwards Pat Cannone, Andy Miele (Grosse Pointe Woods), Tommy Wingels and All-American, do-everything Carter Camper, along with sophomore defenseman Chris Wideman.

Senior power forward Gary Steffes (Grand Blanc) and sophomore defenseman Will Weber (Gaylord) will also play big roles on the RedHawks.

Miami is solid in goal with standout sophomores Connor Knapp and Cody Reichard returning to split time.

OHIO STATE BUCKEYESExpectations are high as the Buckeyes return 20 players from a

23-win team that made the NCAA tournament. Junior forwards John Albert, Peter Boyd and Hunter Bishop, along

Notre Dame and Miami again the class of the CCHA’s ‘Other Six’

Two of the top teams in the

y l dr n icas edth

Michigan at the top of both pre-season polls

For the first time in four years, the coaches and media agree on who holds down the No. 1 position in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association’s annual preseason polls. In two close races, Michigan received enough points from the conference’s 12 head coaches and 66 media members to be named the preseason favorite in both polls.

League coaches ranked the CCHA teams, excluding their own school, in the order they predicted the regular season will end.

The media members ranked the 12 CCHA teams in projected order of finish for the regular season. Points were awarded on a 12-11-10-9, etc., basis. League coaches ranked the CCHA teams, excluding their own school, in the order they predicted the regular season will end. First-place votes are in ( ).

COACHES POLL PTS. 1. Michigan (5) 114 2. Notre Dame (4) 111 3. Miami (2) 104 4. Ohio State 90 5. Northern Michigan (1) 85 6. Nebraska-Omaha 63 7. Alaska 61 8. Ferris State 50 9. Michigan State 4610. Lake Superior State 2911. Western Michigan 2812. Bowling Green 11

MEDIA POLL1. Michigan (24) 7312. Notre Dame (20) 7123. Miami (20) 7074. Ohio State (1) 5475. Northern Michigan 5026. Alaska 3867. Nebraska-Omaha 3778. Michigan State (1) 3329. Ferris State 31410. Western Michigan 25611. Lake Superior 18912. Bowling Green 95

CCHA PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMSVoting was conducted among the 12 head coaches in the CCHA. Coaches could not vote for their own players.

FIRST TEAMPos Name, Year, School 1ST TotalPos Name, Year, School 1ST TotalF Carter Camper, JR, Miami 11 55F Louie Caporusso, JR, Michigan 11 55F Mark Olver, JR, Northern Michigan 5 39D Erik Gustafsson, JR, Northern Michigan 8 49D Ian Cole, JR, Notre Dame 8 46G Brian Stewart, SR, Northern Michigan 5 36

SECOND TEAMF John Albert, JR, Ohio State 5 37F Billy Maday, SO, Notre Dame 1 19 F Calle Ridderwall, JR, Notre Dame 1 19D Eddie DelGrosso, SR, Nebraska-Omaha 4 28D Kyle Lawson, SR, Notre Dame 1 17G Bryan Hogan, JR, Michigan 5 30

Honorable Mention (next six point totals, regardless of position Honorable Mention (next six point totals, regardless of position with first-team votes in parentheses):with first-team votes in parentheses): Ryan Thang, SR, F, Notre Dame, (1) 15; Zach Redmond, JR, D, Ferris State, (1) 15; Chris Summers, SR, D, Michigan, (1) 15; Greger Hanson, JR, F, Northern Michigan, 14; Tyler Ludwig, SR, D, Western Michigan, 14; Chris Wideman, SO, D, Miami, 14.

Vote Values: 1st team = 5, 2nd team = 3, 3rd team = 1

MICHIGAN HOCKEY


CCHA PREVIEWCCHA teams to get three points for a win, two points for a SO win and one for SO loss

The Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) starts this season with a new point system in place: a regulation time or overtime victory will now be worth three points in the league standings, while a shootout win is worth two points and a loss in a shootout earns a team a point.

“We feel that this is a fairer system,” said CCHA Commissioner Tom Anastos. “Now, all teams will have access to the same number of points throughout the regular season and every game is worth three points whether it is decided in regulation time, overtime or a shootout.

“We also feel this will give teams an added incentive to win a game in regulation time or overtime because they will gain the maximum number of points for doing so.”

This season any game that goes to a shootout will see the victor credited with a tie and a shootout win in the conference standings, while the loser will receive credit for a tie.

This differs from the system utilized in 2008-09, where a regulation/overtime victory and a shootout win meant two points, a shootout loss gave a team one point, and a regulation/overtime loss was awarded no points.

However, like last year, CCHA league games that are decided in a shootout will go down as a tie in the overall national rankings and have no bearing on a team’s Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) come NCAA Tournament time. Additionally, a shootout will again not be used to decide games during the CCHA Tournament, with the exception of the third-place game at Joe Louis Arena.

Last season, the shootout proved to be both exciting for the fans and pivotal in the CCHA standings.

“I think it’s a good move because we are playing with the shootout and I think it is fair,” said Michigan coach Red Berenson.

BOWLING GREEN GETS COMMITMENT AND LAUNCHES FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN

After months of uncertainty, Bowling Green State University officials announced on Sept. 11 that the hockey program would continue and a $5 million fundraising campaign would begin to help strengthen the program and the BGSU Ice Arena.

After budget cuts put the future of the hockey program in jeopardy in early spring, and head coach Scott Paluch resigned and was replaced by Dennis Williams, a fundraising feasibility study presented to BGSU president Carol Cartwright in early September showed strong support for the hockey program.

In addition to the $5 million fundraising campaign for the program and the BGSU Ice Arena, the program also received a $4 million commitment this summer from the state and the school to provide ice arena renovations.

“We are committed to hockey at BGSU,” Cartwright said. “It is apparent

that the hockey program is a treasured part of our history, and we have assured our former and current hockey players and the community that the program will continue.”

The multi-phase campaign has begun and hopes to raise $2 million over the next 18 months for hockey scholarships.

“The fundraising effort for hockey will need to be a group effort, from alumni, Falcon supporters and the local community,” Cartwright said. “We hope the community will be eager to join the effort.”

FIFTY CCHA GAMES TO BE TELEVISED THIS SEASONEntering its 39th season the CCHA continues to increase its

presence on TV. This year, all 12 league teams will be on TV at least twice on the

FOX Sports Detroit, Comcast Television (CTV), CBS College Sports (CBSC) and Big Ten Network (BTN) schedules.

Altogether, 50 games involving CCHA teams will be televised, including 46 conference regular-season and playoff games.

FOX Sports Detroit starts its 13th season of televising CCHA hockey with a schedule of 10 regular-season games, a campus-site playoff contest and the CCHA Championship at Joe Louis Arena on March 19-20. The first game on Nov. 13 will feature arch rivals Michigan and Michigan State facing off in Ann Arbor.

Eleven of the CCHA’s 12 teams will appear in regular-season action on FOX Sports Detroit, including four during the fourth annual ‘Hockey Day in Michigan’ on Saturday, Jan. 30. Western Michigan will visit Miami in the first game at 5:05 p.m., followed by Michigan and Michigan State playing at Joe Louis Arena at 7:35 p.m.

Twenty conference games will also be featured as part of Comcast Television’s weekly CCHA package that begins with Michigan State’s first regular-season home game against Clarkson University on Oct. 9.

CBS College Sports has committed to an eight-game package, including three Notre Dame home contests. The defending CCHA champions will kick off CBSC’s CCHA coverage on Jan. 15 when they host Michigan State. CBSC will return to the Joyce Center two weeks later for a two-game series between the Fighting Irish and Nebraska-Omaha. Coverage will also include a home-and-home series between Michigan and Ferris State on Jan. 22-23, and the Wolverines’ two-game visit to Nebraska-Omaha on Feb. 12-13. The final game on Feb. 26 will feature Ohio State visiting Miami.

The Big Ten Network will televise the second CCHA Championship semifinal on March 19 from Joe Louis Arena and will air four all-CCHA matchups and Michigan’s trip to Wisconsin to take on the Badgers in the Camp Randall Hockey Classic on Feb. 6. Three other Wolverine games will be shown including a Jan. 23 contest against Ohio State and road trips to Michigan State and Notre Dame on Jan. 29 and Feb. 27, respectively. The other game will feature Alaska visiting Columbus to take on the Buckeyes on Feb. 12.

On the back end, the Wildcats have juniors T.J. Miller and All-American Erik Gustafsson (4-30-34), who is one of the most talented players in the league.

“He is one of the best players that I have had the privilege of coaching,” Kyle said. “He is a very good two-way defenseman and

contributes offensively. He is our captain and has been nothing but an exceptional leader.”

Another Wildcats standout is junior forward Mark Olver, who led Northern Michigan in scoring last year (16-19-35) despite an ice cold start.

“He’s led our team in scoring the past couple of years,” Kyle said. “He’s a real dynamic guy. But he did not have a point his first 10 or 11 games last year. He didn’t come out of the gate well at all. If he can come out of the gate, we’re expecting big things from him.”

Junior forwards Greger Hanson (13-21-34) and Jared Brown (12-13-25), along with sophomore forward and Marquette native Justin Florek (9-8-17), are also expected to carry much of the

offensive load for the Wildcats. “Hanson has big offensive skills and we look for him, Brown

and Florek to contribute on the scoresheet,” Kyle said. The Wildcats lost 140 games to injuries last season, including

several key players who were out more extended periods of time. Those players are back in the lineup and will be needed as Northern Michigan again has a rough early season schedule that includes Notre Dame, Ohio State and Miami right off the bat.

“Every year we seem to open the gate with some of the toughest teams in our league and it’s no different this year,” said Kyle. “We’ll get a real test and a real tell on where we are in those game.

“We know how challenging it is. Night-in-and night-out, it’s going to be a test for us. We’re excited to get started.”

BY JOHN RAFFEL

After previous years marked by slow starts and strong finishes, Northern Michigan is prepared to put together full season.

Last year the Wildcats were young and struggled out of the gate before making the CCHA Championships at Joe Louis Arena.

“We’re excited about the year,” said Wildcats head coach Walt Kyle. “The last couple of years, we’ve had slow starts, but we’ve had young teams. We’ve had good second halves and we’ve played well in the playoffs.

“This year we’re older and the class that has led us are the guys that were sophomores a year ago. Some of them weren’t ready to be impact players, but I think they are now. In my opinion, all of our seniors are very solid players and with them being healthy, I think those guys will be able to get us off to a good start, but we have a very difficult schedule to start.”

After opening with just three wins in their first 18 games, Northern Michigan finished with 16 wins and two ties in their last 23 games.

“I hope that we can carry over the momentum that was picked up late last year and in the playoffs,” Kyle said. “We feel real comfortable with the guys we have here that they’re much more prepared to come out of the gate and have success early.”

Senior goalie Brian Stewart had a 2.37 goals against average and a .927 save percentage and has shown flashes of brilliance.

“He is our go-to guy,” said Kyle. “He has put together some good numbers and held us in a number of games. If Brian can put together the consistency that we hope he can, we’ll obviously be a better team with that type of goaltending.”

Talented Northern Michigan has high expectations

HEAD COACH: Walt Kyle

(8th season)

KEY PLAYER: Junior forward

Mark Olver

THE SKINNY: Strong finish last

year bodes well for this season

Northern Michigan needs senior goaltender Brian Stewart to be consistently good all season.

Notre Dame senior Kyle Lawson (New Hudson) and the Fighting Irish will be on TV at least 11 times this season.


MICHIGAN HOCKEYCOLLEGE PREVIEW

Campbell, who had 16 goals as a sophomore.“He’s developed in our program and we like his game right

now,” said Culhane. “Senior forward Chris Clackson is really a big faceoff guy for us

and has a tremendous work ethic. They’re joined by Cam Watson and Jared Katz.”

Clackson had seven goals last season in 30 games. Watson had a career high 40 games and career-high eight assists last season. Katz played in 31 games for the Broncos last season after transferring from Wayne State University, which dropped its hockey program.

Culhane is also high on three sophomore forwards, Greg Squires, J.J. Crew and Kyle O’Kane, that saw a lot of ice time as freshmen.

“They had the baptism last season about the competitiveness of our league and I was really pleased the way in which they finished the season,” Culhane said. “They also spent the summer here and worked extremely hard with

our strength and conditioning coach throughout the spring and summer months. We look for the numbers of each of those three to be improved upon from last season.”

Squires played in 41 games and was one of four Broncos to play in every game. He was named CCHA rookie of the month for January with two goals, six assists and eight points and in February with two goals, seven assists and nine points. He was named to the CCHA all-rookie team honorable mention.

Culhane is also upbeat about his freshman class, which includes forwards Ben Miller (Waterloo/USHL), Trevor Elias (Langley/BCHL) and Brett Beebe (Waterloo/USHL, along with defensemen Ross Henry (Lincoln/USHL), Matt Tennyson (Cedar Rapids/USHL) and Luke Witkowski (Columbus/USHL), a NHL draft pick of Tampa Bay.

“A key for us is to get those guys comfortable with the level of play in the CCHA,” said Culhane.

BY JOHN RAFFEL

Despite being picked to finish towards the bottom of the CCHA in preseason polls, Western Michigan has higher expectations.

“I liked the second half of last season and we would like to build off of those successes. We know the challenges within the league but I’m really excited about this group,” said Broncos coach Jim Culhane.

Western Michigan improved in the second half to finish in seventh place last season, and the Broncos return a veteran core of defensemen and their top goalie and are confident they can prove skeptics wrong.

“I think we have a tremendous senior leader in defenseman Tyler Ludwig,” said Culhane. “He is perhaps an underrated player in the CCHA, but he logs a ton of minutes for us and is also a great ambassador for our hockey program. Jordan Collins, another senior defenseman, is a solid leader.”

Ludwig last season was one of four Broncos to play in all 41 games and became the first Bronco defenseman to collect 20-plus points since the 2002-03 season,

“Maybe he wasn’t a big name, blue-chip recruit coming in, but Tyler is just one of those players that has continued to improve and elevate his game each season,” Culhane said. “He has dedicated himself, on and off the ice, and has just continued to develop. Tyler’s hockey sense is exceptional. His competitive spirit is along the same lines. He is a great leader with aspirations to move to the next level and is one of those players who has really been allowed to develop because of the college game.”

Culhane also feels secure in his goaltending as Gill is starting his fourth season in the Broncos’ net and is a proven commodity.

“He has our career shutout record,” said Culhane.Up front the Broncos return New York Rangers draft pick Max

Senior leadership key for Western Michigan

HEAD COACH: Jim Culhane (11th season)

KEY PLAYER: Senior goalie

Riley Gill

THE SKINNY: Needs big seasons from a lot of players

Western Michigan needs consistent goaltending from senior Riley Gill this season.

players to improve and develop,” said Huskies head coach Jamie Russell. “We have challenged our team to collectively take a big step.”

Senior captain Malcolm Gwilliam is his sixth year with the program after missing the 2005-06 and 2008-09 seasons with injuries. He has tallied 42 points (17 goals, 25 assists) in 117 career games. Last year he sustained a stroke nine games into the season that ended his year. He also missed the 2005-06 season with a knee injury.

“We have a lot of younger guys making the transition from juniors to college hockey,” said senior captain Malcolm Gwilliam. “But we feel we can be competitive. We want to make our own rink a tough place to play at and make it hard for teams to get goals and win at our rink.”

“We get along very well. “Some guys stayed here over the summer so we had the opportunity to build some team chemistry with everyone.”

Junior Jordan Baker and sophomore Brett Olson were each selected as assistant captains. Baker was named the team’s MVP last season after leading the team in scoring (16-11-27). Olson was named the Norbert Matovich Memorial Award winner as the team’s outstanding freshman last season after having 23 points (10 goals, 13 assists) in 38 games.

Another standout on the power play, sophomore Alex MacLeod, had six goals and four assists last season. Junior forward Eric Kattelus, the team’s freshman of the year two years ago, returns after missing the final 15 games last season due to an injury. Senior Ryan Bunger has 19 career points (seven goals, 12 assists) in 93 games.

“We’ve very structured in terms of our systems,” Russell

said. “I like to give our players a lot of freedom offensively to be creative. We’re hardworking and we’re tough to play against. We’re a physical team. We’ve got a reputation that we’re a strong team defensively. We’ve always had great goaltending. We need to create more offense, score more goals and be stronger on the special teams.”

Defensively, senior Drew Dobson will probably start the season at forward but should also see time on the blueline. He had five goals and 19 points last year to rank third in scoring on the team.

Another offensive-minded defenseman is junior Deron Cousens (5-11-16). Senior Eli Vlaisavljevich will also see regular time.

The Huskies also return two physical defensemen and Michigan natives with seniors John Kivisto of Brighton and Mike VanWagner of Traverse City.

In net, sophomore Josh Robinson of Frankenmuth is back after having a 4-8-2 mark as a freshman when he recorded a 3.09 goals against average and an .889 save percentage.

“We graduated a senior goaltender (Rob Nolan), but Josh got a lot of experience in net,” Russell said.

Milos Gordic leads a group of four freshman forwards. The 6-4, 210 pound center averaged

over a point a game last season for the Langley Chiefs, finishing with 58 points (29 goals, 29 assists) in 50 games. In addition, a pair of freshmen forwards from Michigan join the Huskies. Aaron Pietila of Brighton scored 91 points (35 goals and 56 assists) in 85 games over the past two seasons for the Marquette Rangers. Anthony Schooley of Gaylord played in the North American Hockey League with the St. Louis Bandits, who won their third consecutive Robertson Cup Championship.

BY JOHN RAFFEL

After winning just two games last season in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, Michigan Tech is hoping for a big improvement.

The Huskies have 75% of their scoring back, but will be younger with 17 of their 27 players freshmen or sophomores.

“Although we will be a young team, we expect our returning

Michigan Tech squad looking to move up in WCHA

HEAD COACH: Jamie Russell (7th season)

KEY PLAYER: Junior forward Jordan Baker

THE SKINNY: Young team working to compete in tough

WCHAMichigan Tech expects a strong season from sixth-year senior captain Malcolm Gwilliam.

Western Michigan needs consistent goaltending from

TOP COLLEGE PROSPECTS AND PREVIEW DIVISION III ADRIAN COLLEGE MEN AND WOMEN’S TEAM COMING IN THE OCTOBER 26th ISSUE OF MICHIGAN HOCKEY

IN THE NEXT ISSUE:

MICHIGAN HOCKEY


ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE

Plymouth rookie Meurs finding his legs; captains still to be named

Saginaw names Watson GM and extends his contract; Spirit off to good start

BY MATT MACKINDER

When the Plymouth Whalers won their first Ontario Hockey League title in 1995, Garrett Meurs was just two years old.

The Whalers, then known as the Detroit Jr. Red Wings, wouldn’t win another championship until 2007, but are hoping Meurs can be an offensive catalyst to hoist another Robertson Cup in his time with Plymouth.

Meurs was drafted 13th overall back in May by the Whalers and came highly-touted. Plymouth head coach and general manager Mike Vellucci said on draft day that Meurs’ skill “is second-to-none, his speed is dynamic and he’s got phenomenal hands.” Meurs had the numbers to back up the hype with 95 points in 67 games a year ago with the Huron-Perth Lakers midgets.

That was then and this is now. Several weeks into the OHL season, Meurs looks to still be adjusting to the speed of major junior hockey.

“I’m definitely still getting used to it (the OHL),” said Meurs, a Ripley, Ont., native who patterns his play after New Jersey Devils star Zach Parise. “It’s something I expected, though.”

Meurs’ first OHL goal, in a 7-2 win over London on Sept. 26 at home, was quite a production. Late in the game, Meurs poked the puck away from Knights’ defenseman Matt Ashman, went in untouched on London goalie Michael Hutchinson and scored a goal that touched off a celebration where Meurs lost an edge, spun around on all fours on the ice and was mobbed by his teammates on the ice and on the bench.

It’s assumed when he scores his second OHL goal, though, that the celebration might be a tad calmer.

“Yeah, for sure,” laughed Meurs.

“Garrett’s getting better every game,” Vellucci said. “I think he’ll learn to calm down his celebrations when it’s 7-2, but it was a big weight off his shoulders and the guys were excited to see him score. He’s a good kid.”

Vellucci also said that he sees a lot of Tyler Seguin in Meurs in that last season Seguin also took a while to get up to speed.

“Seguin didn’t take off last year until after Christmas,” said Vellucci. “Usually, a 16-year-old kid takes some time, but Garrett’s got all the tools. He’s so skilled and so fast with great hands. He’s going to be a great player. I can put my finger on who he reminds me of, though. Maybe a David Bolland who played for London (and now with the Chicago Blackhawks) is who Garrett plays like – fast, skilled, can really fly.”

Meurs and Seguin also have a bond and not just because both were Plymouth’s first-round picks in consecutive years. Meurs sought out Seguin once he signed on May

18 for some insider information.“When I was drafted here, I knew nothing about the Plymouth

organization – absolutely nothing,” Meurs said. “I talked to Seguin a couple times and it sounded like a good team to come to. I think I’m fitting in so far.

“Being a first-round pick, there is some added pressure, I think,

but you get used to it and just keep doing what you’re doing.”If the scoring keeps coming on a consistent basis, even if it’s not

this year, Meurs looks like a sure bet to be part of a bright future in Plymouth.

NO CAPTAINS – YET While both overage forward Joe Gaynor and Wolverine Lake

native AJ Jenks have worn the ‘C’ during this season, nothing has been made official as Vellucci is waiting for a full, healthy roster.

“We’ve got a lot of guys out and we’re going to rotate it for a while,” Vellucci said. “The biggest thing I’m trying to teach all of the guys is how to be a leader and how to be a captain and that it doesn’t matter if you have the ‘C’ or the ‘A,’ you still have to work as a unit. We’re going to wait until we get guys like (overage forward Ryan) Hayes (shoulder surgery) and (defenseman Michal) Jordan (injured at Carolina Hurricanes’ prospect camp) are back.”

Seguin, RJ Mahalak (Monroe), Beau Schmitz (Howell), Josh Bemis (Clarkston) and Leo Jenner have also been alternate captains at one point or another this season.

MARSDEN COMES OVER IN TRADEThe Whalers acquired Kingston forward James Marsden on Sept.

30 to add to the team’s depth with five forwards out injured.Marsden was originally selected by Kingston in the seventh round

(134th overall) of the 2006 OHL draft. In three seasons with the Frontenacs, Marsden scored 13 goals with 10 assists for 23 points and 100 penalty minutes in 129 games.

Hayes, Jamie Devane, Stefan Noesen, Austin Mattson (Livonia) and Mahalak are all currently out of the lineup with various injuries.

WHALERS NOTEBOOKDaniel Catenacci, the first overall pick in last May’s draft by Sault

Ste. Marie, scored his first goal of the season Oct. 3 in Sault Ste. Marie against the Whalers. Sault Ste. Marie won the game, 4-1 … Plymouth trailed, 5-1, in Sudbury on Oct. 2, but rallied to win, 6-5, in a shootout. Schmitz scored the shootout winner and Matt Hackett stopped all five Sudbury shooters … Jenks played in his 200th OHL game Sept. 26 against London … Seguin sat atop the OHL scoring race with 18 points, one ahead of Windsor’s Taylor Hall, as of Oct. 4. Hall is expected to be the top pick in next summer’s NHL Draft with Seguin not far behind.

BY CARL CHIMENTI

After two years on the job, Saginaw has officially added general manager to the title of head coach Todd Watson and his five-year deal brings stability to the Spirit’s hockey operations, especially when it comes to convincing parents and draft prospects what’s best for their future.

“He has proven to us with a work ethic and the type of players he has been bringing in here that he certainly deserves the title,” said Spirit managing partner Craig Goslin.

Saginaw has divided front office duties and Watson makes it work.“This does not change the structure much because he has hired

good people to help him,” explains Goslin. “He has divided the general manager duties between himself and (director of scouting) Jim Paliafito, Adam Mattson, who handles day to day work with the league office and assistant coach John Kisil.”

“The credit goes to my staff who have been with me everywhere I have coached as well as all of our coaches,” said Watson. “My family and I couldn’t be happier. We’re happy to be here and we’re thankful to Dick and Craig for the continuing opportunity to be a part of the Saginaw Spirit family. We’ve been very successful on and off the ice thanks in no small part of the work ethic and devotion of our players and hockey staff.”

Spirit owner Dick Garber said the promotion was just a matter of time.

“Todd has done an outstanding job building and representing our community and franchise,” stated Garber. “I have complete confidence that with Todd and the staff he has assembled around him that we will accomplish the goal of competing for championships.”

Garber is impressed by Watson’s player development efforts, including how the Spirit conduct themselves off the ice.

“What I respect most about Todd is that he cares more about the players, program and our community then he does about himself or career and that is a sign of a great leader,” said Garber.

SPIRIT NOTEBOOKAfter ending September with a split at home that included a 6-1

win over Plymouth on Sept. 26 and a 6-4 loss to Erie on Sept. 26, Saginaw went out on the road to start October. The Spirit suffered their first road loss, 4-3, in Brampton on Oct. 1. Saginaw got goals from Ivan Telegin, Vince Trocheck and Cody Sol and rallied from two goals down in the second period only to see Scott Tanski score the game winner early in the third period for the Battalion. Edward Pasquale made his first start in net but was replaced by Anthony Peters after allowing three goals on six shots. Peters stopped 23 of 24 shots the rest of the way… The next night in Kitchener, Saginaw secured a point with a 6-5 overtime loss to the Rangers. Jason Akeson scored the winner 47 seconds into overtime after the Rangers tied it in the final minute of regulation. Nick Crawford scored two goals and an assist to lead the Spirit. Jordan Skellett, Josh Shalla and Telegin, who ran his goal streak to four games and point streak to five games, provided the offense. Peters recorded 43 saves… Back home the Spirit got back on the winning track beating the Sarnia Sting 3-1 on Oct. 3. Shalla paced the attack with a pair of goals and T. J. Brodie had two assists. Skellett had a goal and an assist. Peters and Pasquale stopped 19 shots. Forward Tyler Murovich has been released from the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL and is returning to the Spirit while Ryan Schnell is leaving after he inked a one-way deal with the AHL Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins… Import center Ivan Telegin, nicknamed the “Russian Bull” has scored five goals in his first seven games with the Spirit.

Plymouth 16-year old rookie forward Garrett Meurs scored his first OHL goal in a 7-2 win over London on Sept. 26.

Saginaw rookie center Ivan Telegin has five goals and seven points in his first seven games.

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2009-10 NAHL Standings (as of October 5)

CENTRAL GP W L OTL PTS PCT GF GA PIMOwatonna 7 4 2 1 9 0.643 24 24 145North Iowa 8 4 4 0 8 0.500 21 33 141Alexandria 7 3 3 1 7 0.500 16 22 107Albert Lea 8 2 6 0 4 0.250 20 33 195Bismarck 8 1 5 2 4 0.250 20 31 165

NORTH GP W L OTL PTS PCT GF GA PIMMarquette 8 7 1 0 14 0.875 26 15 210Traverse City 9 6 3 0 12 0.667 36 27 178Motor City 7 3 1 3 9 0.643 21 16 149Janesville 9 4 5 0 8 0.444 26 32 225Alpena 9 2 7 0 4 0.222 30 36 302

SOUTH GP W L OTL PTS PCT GF GA PIMSt. Louis 6 6 0 0 12 1.00 31 19 116Topeka 8 5 2 1 11 0.688 25 19 222Springfield 9 4 3 2 10 0.556 38 28 134Wichita Falls 8 3 3 2 8 0.500 26 30 194Texas 8 3 3 2 8 0.500 20 28 180

WEST GP W L OTL PTS PCT GF GA PIMWenatchee 14 12 2 0 24 0.857 51 29 387Alaska 11 8 2 1 17 0.773 42 27 283Fairbanks 10 5 4 1 11 0.550 40 33 346Kenai River 12 2 9 1 5 0.208 29 52 315

TOP SCORERS TEAM POS GP G A PTS PIM PPG SHGJubinville, Jeff WNE F 14 8 10 18 10 3 0Juola, Michael FBX F 10 5 12 17 7 1 0Pustin, Mark FBX F 10 8 8 16 13 4 0Pauly, Shawn WNE F 13 7 9 16 10 4 0Curry, Nick SPR F 9 4 10 14 12 1 0Smith, Zach ALK F 9 8 5 13 45 3 0Larson, Jared FBX F 10 7 6 13 8 3 1Ladd, Garrett MAR F 8 5 8 13 22 2 0Brodie, Kyle WNE D 12 3 10 13 23 2 0Mingo, Dajon KRB F 12 6 6 12 20 3 2Haider, Robb ALK F 11 5 7 12 30 1 0Rickord, Jared SPR F 9 5 7 12 0 2 0Taurence, Nick ALP F 9 5 7 12 8 3 0Sliwinski, Nathan WNE F 13 6 5 11 10 1 0Nagtzaam, Nardo ALK F 11 6 5 11 14 0 2Prince, Jack TEX F 8 5 6 11 6 1 1Pichler, Kyle ALK F 11 2 9 11 8 2 0Thorson, Cory OWA F 7 7 3 10 2 0 0Schaber, Mike SPR F 9 6 4 10 9 1 0Kolb, Andrew MAR F 8 6 4 10 10 1 0Di Puma, Michael WNE F 12 5 5 10 20 1 0

TOP GOALIES TEAM GP MIN SO GA GAA SV SV% Kissaw, Kevin MAR 7 424:59 2 11 1.55 259 0.959Robertson, Kale ALK 5 270:17 1 7 1.55 114 0.942Willis, Randy MCM 5 315:00 2 10 1.90 173 0.945Jaeger, Brandon WNE 6 312:03 0 10 1.92 127 0.927Carruth, Mac WNE 10 534:46 1 18 2.02 212 0.922Karambelas, Evan TPK 8 488:13 0 18 2.21 134 0.882Strandberg, Drew TNS 7 423:41 1 16 2.27 172 0.915Tadazak, Robert ALX 4 183:42 0 7 2.29 80 0.920Shibrowski, Mike OWA 5 312:09 0 12 2.31 153 0.927Sullivan, Dan TEX 7 406:28 0 16 2.36 200 0.926Graveline, Phillip WIC 7 409:35 0 17 2.49 206 0.924Bartus, Garrett STL 4 210:00 0 9 2.57 82 0.901Sadjadi, Geoff JNE 5 299:47 0 13 2.60 126 0.906Groh, CJ SPR 7 423:01 1 19 2.69 233 0.925Peterson, Landon ALK 4 213:10 0 10 2.81 95 0.905Taffe, Mike FBX 4 234:11 0 11 2.82 101 0.902Hamby, Jimmy KRB 7 377:11 0 20 3.18 201 0.910Bruggeman, Tyler FBX 6 366:45 0 20 3.27 188 0.904Waalkens, Ben ALB 4 200:00 0 11 3.30 125 0.919Holmes, Nick ALP 4 197:03 0 11 3.35 88 0.889Wichorek, Matt JNE 6 335:50 0 19 3.39 148 0.886

NORTHJanesville defenseman Cam Severson connected for a

goal and four assists as the Jets fashioned a 2-1 record against Springfield. Oct. 2, the Seattle native tallied a goal in a 9-3 loss. The next night, the 20-year-old recorded two assists, including one on Rui Encarnarcao’s game-winning marker, as the Jets downed the Jr. Blues, 3-1. Severson wrapped up the series with two more assists in Janesville’s 5-4 overtime victory on Sunday. He was also a plus-2 on the weekend.

Honorable Mention: Alpena forward Andy Yarber; Marquette forward Tanner Kero; Motor City forward Billy Balent

SOUTHSt. Louis forward Brad Smith recorded three goals

and an assist in his first two games with the team as the

Bandits skated to a two-game sweep over Wichita Falls. On Oct. 2, the Trenton native potted a goal in regulation in a 3-2 shootout victory. The next night, the 18-year-old put home two more goals, including the game-winner, and an assist as the Bandits outlasted the Wildcats, 9-7. He was also a plus-4 on the weekend.

Honorable Mention: Topeka forwards Nate Milam and Cole Schneider; Wichita Falls forward J.T. Osborn

CENTRALOwatonna forward Dan Cecka tallied two goals and

an assist as the Express downed the North Iowa Outlaws on Oct. 3, 5-1. The 20-year-old from Woodbury, Minn., was also a plus-2.

WESTFairbanks forward Jared Larson struck for four goals

and two assists as the Ice Dogs celebrated a two-game sweep over Alpena. On Oct. 1, the Apple Valley, Minn., native scored the game-winning goal and an assist in a 5-4 triumph. The next night, the 20-year-old rang up a natural hat trick and an assist as the Ice Dogs bested the IceDiggers, 6-5. He was also a plus-4 on the weekend.

Honorable Mention: Kenai River forward Dajon Mingo

GDI/NAHL GOALIEMarquette goaltender Kevin Kissaw backstopped the

Rangers to a two-game sweep over Motor City, turning aside 62 of 65 shots. On Oct. 2, the Goodrich, native made 29 saves in regulation and overtime and three of five in the shootout in a 4-3 victory. The next night, the 19-year-old stopped all 33 shots as the Rangers blanked the Metal Jackets, 2-0.

Honorable Mention: Janesville’s Geoff Sadjadi

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NAHL Showcase once again a success

SHERWOOD PLAYERS OF THE WEEK (FOR WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 4)

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The North American Hockey League staged their annual September Showcase Tournament and once again showed that the league is pretty solid on talent.

Held at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, Minn., for the seventh straight year, the event set new highs for attendance and scout presence while ushering in a record number of participating teams.

“I can’t think of another showcase of this magnitude that matches the kind of exposure we deliver for our student-athletes,” said NAHL commissioner Mark Frankenfeld. “All the feedback I received, from fans to parents to scouts to coaches, was nothing but positive.”

All 19 NAHL teams and the U.S. National Under-17 Team played four games at the tournament, which was won by the Wenatchee Wild.

“It’s great that we started out the season strong,” said Wild assistant coach Ryan McKelvie. “Now it’s important that we continue to work hard to improve every day so that we can be a championship-caliber team late in the season.”

Wenatchee goaltender Mac Carruth, a Minnesota-Duluth recruit, was named the tournament’s MVP after going 3-0 and stopping 74 of 76 shots.

“We’re very happy and proud of Mac for receiving this award and I think this early-season accomplishment is a direct result of the hard work he put in this summer,” said McKelvie. “As one of our returning players, Mac has mentally matured and has evolved into one of our team leaders. I’m excited to see him improve throughout this season.”

The week also included the first tournament of the North American Prospects Hockey League season, where more than 30 Under-18 and Under-16 midget teams, including three each from Michigan, competed.

In addition 28 teams also made up the at-large field of the NAHL Future Prospects Tournament, which included teams at the U-18, U-16 and Under-14 levels.

In all, close to 1,700 players from 82 teams played 184 games throughout the five days.

“It’s great to be able to evaluate junior players and midget major and midget minor players all at the same venue,” said Notre Dame assistant coach Andy Slaggert. “It saves us a lot of time and money.”

Los Angeles Kings scout Tony Gasparini, whose team selected Wenatchee forward Nic Dowd in last summer’s NHL draft, agreed.

“It’s an outstanding opportunity for these young men to showcase their talents in front of scouts from all across the country,” said Gasparini. “Having an event like this at this time of year allows every team to get a first look and feel for the league and the players, which is beneficial for everybody.”

“It’s a good opportunity for us to assess the talent in one of the prime junior leagues in the country,” added Florida Panthers scout Fred Bandel. “The league continues to develop players for the college level and the associated midget tournament provides a great opportunity to assess up-and-coming prospects.”

Greg Vanover, head coach of the Pikes Peak Miners’ U-18 team, which was crowned champions of its division with a 5-0 record to open the NAPHL season (the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes won the U-16 division), was wowed by the overwhelming scouting presence.

“It was unparalleled as far as midget hockey goes and what we’re used to seeing when we travel,” said Vanover. “It was excellent.”

In addition to the abundance of talent, scouts were also impressed with how well the tournament was run.

“I’ve been here the last three years and once again I was very impressed with the level of organization,” said Gasparini. “I thought they were well organized and very scout-friendly.”

And for many of the participating players, the experience will pay off.

“Our goal, first and foremost, is to maximize the exposure of our student-athletes to colleges and NHL teams and that’s what makes the Showcase so special,” said Frankenfeld. “The opportunities at an event like this are endless.”

Wenatchee goaltender Mac Carruth, a Minnesota-Duluth recruit, was named the NAHL Showcase MVP after going 3-0 and stopping 74 of 76 shots.

MICHIGAN HOCKEY


RED WINGS

BY DAVE WADDELL

One of these years the critics expecting the Detroit Red Wings to take a tumble down the standings are going to be right.

Despite losing four forwards that accounted for 88 goals last season, the Wings just don’t think it’s going be this year.

“We’ve been in the final four the last three years,” Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. “The final two of the last two years. We’ve won 213 games, more than anyone in hockey. I like where we’re at.

“When I came here four years ago they said we’re on the way down. ‘After the lockout Detroit’s in trouble.’ They’re saying the same thing again this year. We’ll see.’’

What has the experts predicting Detroit’s demise is the loss of forwards Marian Hossa and Tomas Kopecky to Chicago, Mikael Samuelsson to Vancouver and Jiri Hudler to a $10-million payday in the Russian league.

The Wings are clearly not the offensive force that led in the NHL in goals last season, but Babcock hardly sees them as a spent force either.

“We’ve done a good job of maintaining it year after year since the lockout,” Babcock said. “That’s

our focus and our plan this year. I don’t think we’re going away.”

Though no one can replace a talent of Hossa’s capacity, the likes of Todd Bertuzzi, Jason Williams, Patrick Eaves and Ville Leino would only have to average 15 goals apiece to replace about two-thirds of that total.

Darren Helm will also be a regular for the first time and his offensive capability is yet to be determined.

Where the Wings feel they can really make hay is at the other end of the rink.

Defensively Detroit had its worst season since Babcock arrived.

“The bottom line is, after the lockout, we gave up 206 goals the first year,” Babcock said. “The next year we gave up 191 and the following year we gave up 179.

“Last year we gave up 240. One of those things is not like the other. We’ve got to get that fixed.”

Wings captain Nick Lidstrom added if the Wings can get back to playing tighter at the back end, the loss of some firepower won’t matter as much.

“That was an uncharacteristic regular season for us with all the goals we let in,” Lidstrom said. “Our team defense wasn’t as strong as in the past. We lost 80 some goals, it’s hard to replace but if you play better team defense you don’t have to score as many goals.’

After being amongst the league’s most stingy units, the Wings were puzzled last season by what went wrong. Then just as quickly as they lost their defensive prowess, they found it again in time for the playoffs.

That development only seems to back up Babcock’s theory about the secret of playing good defense.

“You can talk about systems all you want, (but) a big part of it is just deciding you want to do it,” Babcock said. “Last year we scored goals so easy the first half of the year that it wasn’t a big deal when we gave them up. The bottom line is the best two regular seasons we’ve had since I’ve been here, not last year but the two previous years, we didn’t give up many goals.”

Goalie Chris Osgood admits Babcock is spot on in his analysis.

With less of a margin for error this season, Osgood expects the team to be better prepared to tend to the details of defensive hockey.

“We just got lackadaisical and took things for granted in the regular season.” Osgood said. “This year will be different. We’ll be ready from the onset.

“We were a little bit too easy to play against some nights in the regular season. We definitely played like we’re capable of in the playoffs.”

However, those words are going to be harder to back up than to utter. In dropping their first two games of the season in Sweden to the St. Louis Blues, the Wings displayed a lot of the same problems as last year. Only this time, there wasn’t enough firepower to bail themselves out.

The Wings blew two-goal leads in both games, showed lapses of concentration in their own zone, their penalty killing was inconsistent and they simply didn’t get NHL-caliber goaltending in either contest.

Osgood gets a bit of pass on his effort in the season opener as he had been suffering with some sort of bug that had left him weakened.

More disconcerting had to be the horrible performance of back-up Jimmy Howard. Howard let in a pair of dreadful goals 13 seconds apart in the second period to turn a 3-2 lead into the Blues’ winning margin of 4-3. On the Blues opening goal on the power play he was also guilty of not hugging his post and allowing a puck to slip in from a bad angle.

Still two games in a foreign land hardly make for a definitive picture of the future.

However, it can serve as a reminder of what the Wings need to do once they’re back home.

“Details and working hard,” said Henrik Zetterberg, who clearly isn’t quite up to speed after missing most of training camp with a sore groin. “Our system kind of demands that we do everything 100 percent. Last year we didn’t have the focus all the way, still we found a way to do pretty deep. If we take care of defense, it will be a little easier for us.’’

Picking the defending Stanley Cup champion to repeat is akin to putting all of your chips on 13 red and spinning the roulette wheel.

The odds are against you. It’s probably a fool’s bet. Just ask the Detroit Red Wings. They thought they had beaten the odds last spring, pulling within one win of back-to-back titles and then their last two spins ended on black.

No NHL squad has won back-to-back titles since Detroit accomplished that feat in 1997 and 1998, and many of the championship teams have looked bewitched, befuddled or bewildered the following season.

Again, the Red Wings are a prime example. Although they came close to repeating, no one on that team would say the team came close to playing in the regular-season as they had in the 2007-08 regular-season.

Goaltender Chris Osgood’s struggles were well documented. Penalty killers forgot how to kill penalties. There wasn’t the same level of efficiency.

The Wings still clicked off wins and they got to where they needed to be at the end of the regular-season. In the post-season, younger players Jonathan Ericsson, Darren Helm and Ville Leino arrived to help them bet the odds.

But in the end it was the Pittsburgh Penguins

who had the Cup and the Red Wings were simply another former champion that couldn’t repeat.

When Anaheim general manager Brian Burke was searching for a plan to prevent his champion Ducks from suffering the Stanley Cup hangover after they won in 2007, he turned to 2006 champion general manager Jim Rutherford whose Carolina team had missed the playoffs the following season.

“Your players have just climbed Mount Everest,” Rutherford told him. “Don’t ask them to do it again any time soon.”

A short summer. Mental exhaustion. Physical weariness. A target squarely on your back. There are many theories about why teams can’t repeat.

And yet despite what I’ve just penned, I believe the Penguins have a better chance to repeat than the Red Wings had.

Here are my ten reasons why the Penguins can repeat:

1. The Penguins won their first title before their top players reached the prime of their careers. Center Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal are all 23 and under, and goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury is 24 and Maxime Talbot is 25. None of these athletes have come close to reaching their prime.

2. Crosby and Malkin push each other because they both want to be the best. The scoring title and Hart Trophy are going to be in play for both players this season, and that’s just one more reason to push themselves to the highest level every night.

3. Alex Ovechkin is in the same conference. Don’t kid yourself: there is a Crosby vs. Ovechkin rivalry and there’s a Malkin vs. Ovechkin rivalry. There’s some thought that the Malkin vs. Ovechkin is more real than the Crosby vs. Ovechkin rivalry. Ovechkin helps motivate Pittsburgh’s dynamic duo.

4. The arrival of intimidating presence Chris Pronger in Philadelphia spices the regular-season for Pittsburgh. The heat will be turned up on the Flyers vs. Penguins rivalry.

5. Penguins veteran Bill Guerin is like the staff sergeant who can keep squad members on high alert at all times. He can make jokes, give pep talks and kick behinds. He is the remedy for complacency.

6. General manager Ray Shero did a good job of freshening up his lineup with the addition of role player Michael Rupp and defensemen Jay McKee and Martin Skoula. If McKee can restore his roar, he could offset the loss of shot blocker Rob Scuderi. Hal Gill and Scuderi were the team’s only important player losses this summer.

7. Coach Dan Bylsma, a Michigan native, came in late in the regular-season. His message hasn’t

grown stale with players. This is his first full season with the team.

8. The Pens have been an eyewitness to the Red Wings two-year run of 31 playoff wins. That’s as close as any team has gotten over the past decade. They can learn by Detroit’s successes and failures. They should know where Detroit went right and where Detroit went wrong in its attempt to repeat.

9. The Penguins have two of the top three players in the world today. No other team can match that boast.

10. Everyone is saying the Penguins can’t do it. They keep hearing the odds are against them. People tell them they are going to suffer from the Stanley Cup hangover. My hunch is that if you tell guys like Crosby or Malkin that they won’t be able to climb this mountain twice, they are going to prove you wrong.

“Who expects us to repeat? Probably no one,” Crosby says. “But how many people thought Detroit and Pittsburgh were going to get back to the Finals last year. Probably no one.”

Not many are saying that it could be a Detroit vs. Pittsburgh Stanley Cup Finals for the third consecutive time. It does seem like they have unfinished business.

Anyone who watched the Red Wings play the first two games in Sweden would say a third Pittsburgh vs. Detroit Stanley Cup Finals is even more unlikely than a Penguins’ repeat.

But it would be grand for hockey if it did occur.

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Henrik Zetterberg and the Red Wings have a renewed focus on defensive play this season.

Better defense is Red Wings’ goal

Ten reasons Pens could win Cup againtr

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It was the Penguins who had the Cup and the Red Wings were simply another former champion that couldn’t repeat.


MICHIGAN HOCKEY

ADULT HOCKEY Skills and Conditioning SeriesGET OFF THE BENCH!

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michigan hockey october 14, 2009

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