MiHockeyMag 03-25-13

MiHockeyNow.com V.23 : I.14 | MARCH 25, 2013 FIRST CLASS

STATE CHAMPSSTATE CHAMPSBRIGHTON • STEVENSON • CRANBRROKBRIGHTON • STEVENSON • CRANBRROK

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MARCH 25, 2013 VOLUME 23: ISSUE 14

BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPSBrighton defends their D1 title, Stevenson takes D2, and Cranbrook wins D3.

Trocheck and the Whalers gear up for the OHL playoff s

Wings thrilled to move back to the East

Darren Eliot shares some tips for the new spring hockey coaches

To advertise in MiHockey please contact Lucia Zuzga at (248) 479-1134 or [email protected],

or Michael Caples at [email protected]

LOOK FOR OUR NEXT ISSUEAPRIL 8, 2013

20–24

28 32 34

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE LOCKER ROOM Talking hockey on social media

6

GET BETTERA three-puck goalie warm-up drill

10

PLYMOUTH WHALERS

RED WINGS INSIDER LAST LINE

YOUTH HOCKEYA marathon 16U state title game

14

YOU SHOULD KNOWMuskegon Lumberjacks forward Joe Cox

12

BOYS HIGH SCHOOL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPSA page for each state title winner

20

28

NAHLThe latest from the NAHL

26

SLIDESHOWThe CCHA’s All-Time Team

8

GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINSA feature on Louis-Marc Aubry

32

PLYMOUTH WHALERSThe Whalers are ready for a playoff push

30

RED WINGS INSIDERHockeytown readies for the East

34 LAST LINETips for the new spring hockey coaches

4 MiHockeyMag March 25, 2013 V.23 : I.14MiHockeyNow.com

You know, this is an awesome time of year.In fact, it might be the best time of year.We have the best youth teams in Michigan battling

for state titles. We just crowned the high school state champions. The CCHA playoff s are almost wrapping up. The OHL playoff s are about to begin. And well, at least in most years, the Red Wings would be gearing up for the playoff s right now (we have to wait a bit longer for that this year).

Yet it’s also a frustrating time for yours truly. There are only so many pages in this issue of

MiHockeyMag. I could bore you with ratios and numbers and reasons why, but the simplest answer is that we would break the bank if we tried to put every single thing going on in this magazine.

So we had to pick and choose a bit. That means that this issue highlights the

boys’ high school state championships, and the next issue is dedicated to all the state championship-winning youth teams.

It’s like we’re spreading out the fun. However, if you need to fi nd out more about a

level of hockey that wasn’t covered in the following pages, we ask that you check out MiHockeyNow.com – you know, that other thing that we run out of the MiHockey offi ces. Our website off ers us the space and fl exibility to publish anything and everything.

So, hey, why don’t you check that out after you’re done fl ipping through the pages of the mag?

Despite the limitations in what content we could actually put into this magazine, it was a lot of fun to assemble. We ran our high school hockey cover contest for the second straight year, letting you

pick the cover instead of us. I like it – one less decision that we have to make. In all seriousness, it was a lot of fun to watch the schools battle against each other in the social media realm. We enjoyed watching all the kids recruit their friends to help gather more votes for their team of choice.

It might be something we incorporate into more issues of the magazine (we did it for the college and major junior preview in the fall, in case you missed it).

Congrats to Livonia Stevenson for winning the cover contest, and more importantly, winning their fi rst state title. And congrats to Brighton and Cranbrook for their state titles, as well. Sorry we couldn’t put you all on the cover.

I hope all the youth hockey parents out there are having a good conclusion of winter and start of spring (even though it’s still way too cold out). It’s a stressful time for you all, I’m sure. To those who won state titles, congrats. To those who didn’t, well there’s always next year.

Best of luck to the youth teams heading to the USA Hockey National Championships, as well. The Honeybaked organization had quite the showing at Taylor Sportsplex over the last few weekends, capturing six state titles between the boys’ and girls’ squads. Good luck to them as they move on to the national stage.

And best of luck to everyone who’s starting spring hockey.

See you around the rink,

PHOTOS AT LEFT: Brighton team picture by Andrew Knapik/MiHockey, Vince Trocheck by Rena Laverty/Plymouth Whalers, Red Wings team picture by Michael Caples/MiHockey

COVER: Design by Chuck Stevens/MiHockey, photo by Nathan Kostegian/MiHockey

Cover reprints availablee-mail: [email protected]

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: MICHIGAN HOCKEY® welcomes Letters to the Editor. E-mail [email protected]

MICHIGAN HOCKEY is published by SUBURBAN SPORTS COMMUNICATIONS, LLC 23995 Freeway Park Drive, Suite 200, Farmington Hills, MI 48335-2829. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to MICHIGAN HOCKEY®, 23995 Freeway Park Drive, Suite 200, Farmington Hills, MI 48335-2829. ©2011 by Suburban Sports Communications. All Rights Reserved. The opinions and views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of MICHIGAN HOCKEY or its advertisers. All editorial copy, photographs and advertising materials remain the property of MICHIGAN HOCKEY.

EDITORMichael [email protected]

MIHOCKEYMAG

ADVERTISING & DISTRIBUTIONLucia [email protected]

DESIGNEmily HustonChuck Stevens

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSDarren EliotPat EvansBrian KalisherStefan KubusKyle KujawaMatt MackinderDave Waddell

ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTORSAmy JonesAnne Ellis

BY MICHAEL CAPLES @michaelcaples

FROM THE EDITOR

MICHIGAN HOCKEY23995 Freeway Park Drive�•�Suite 200Farmington Hills, MI 48335-2829(248) 478-2500 • FAX: (248) 478-1601E-MAIL: [email protected]: mihockeynow.com

THIS ONLY SCRATCHES THE SURFACE

March 25, 2013 V.23 : I.14 5MiHockeyMagMiHockeyNow.com

THE LOCKER ROOM

ON THE FLY

THE

LOCKERROOMTHE CONTEST THAT DECIDED THE COVERThe Michigan High School Athletic Association crowned three state champions at Compuware Arena on March 9. The only problem with that is that we could only put one team on the cover of MiHockeyMag. Instead of making the decision internally, we decided to let the hockey people of Michigan pick which team would be on the cover. We posted three pictures – one of each team – and let people vote on which one they wanted to see on the cover by liking and sharing the pictures through our three main social networks – Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Here is how the fi nal vote turned out:

Our friend Jennifer Howard sent us these pictures of the Red Wings Alumni Association team taking part in a charity game with The Well Church All Stars held on March 9 at the Kensington Valley Ice House. The game raised money for the Livingston County Shop With a Cop Program, the ARC of Livingston (supporting people with developmental disabilities), and Stiggys Dogs, a program that unites military veterans and rehabilitated sheltered dogs. There’s nothing better than using hockey to help others.

Livonia Stevenso

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Amarillo BullsClint Carlisle Army (Atlantic Hockey, D1) Ryan Cole Trinity College (NESCAC, D3) Tyler Deresky Bentley University (Atlantic Hockey, D1Brady Ferguson Robert Morris University (Atlantic Hockey, D1)* Geoff Fortman Canisius College (Atlantic Hockey, D1) Joe Grabowski Princeton University (ECACHL, D1) Hampus Gustafsson Merrimack College (Hockey East, D1) Garret Peterson Army (Atlantic Hockey, D1) John Rey Robert Morris University (Atlantic Hockey, D1) Tyler Rostenkowski Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey, D1) ‡TJ Sarcona Niagara University (Atlantic Hockey, D1)TJ Sherman Trinity College (NESCAC, D3) Austin BruinsBrandon Wahlin University of Massachusetts (Hockey East, D1)

Bismarck BobcatsMike Dockry Army (Atlantic Hockey, D1) Bob Kinne Bemidji State University (WCHA, D1)Matt Pohlkamp Bowling Green State University (CCHA, D1)‡

Brookings BlizzardMichael Bitzer Bemidji State University (WCHA, D1) #Drew Brevig Ohio State University (CCHA, D1)

Corpus Christi IceRaysMichael Economos Plymouth State (MASCAC, D3) Beau Walker University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (NCHA, D3)

Coulee Region ChillGarrett Hendrickson St. Cloud State University (WCHA, D1) Jake Kauppila Michigan Tech University (WCHA, D1) Brady Riesgraf Bemidji State University (WCHA, D1)

Fairbanks Ice DogsGarret Clemment Lake Superior State University (CCHA, D1) Preston Hodge Uni. of Nebraska-Omaha (WCHA, D1) #Duggie Lagrone Colorado College (WCHA, D1) Devin Loe Miami University (CCHA, D1)Tayler Munson University of Alaska-Fairbanks (CCHA, D1) Patrick Newell St. Cloud State University (WCHA, D1) Steve Perry Clarkson University (ECACHL, D1) Doug Rose Sacred Heart University (Atlantic Hockey, D1)

Jamestown IronmenReid Mimmack Bemidji State University (WCHA, D1) Ross Pavek St. Norbert College (NCHA, D3)

Janesville JetsRyan Dau Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey, D1) ‡Zach Diamantoni Northern Michigan University (CCHA, D1) *Jason Ford Bemidji State University (WCHA, D1) Ruslan Pedan Bemidji State University (WCHA, D1)

Johnstown TomahawksCasey Nelson Minnesota State-Mankato (WCHA, D1) Ian Spencer University of Vermont (Hockey East, D1) Chris Truehl Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey, D1)

Kalamazoo Jr. K-WingsBrett Beauvais Bemidji State University (WCHA, D1) Sam Johnson Trinity College (NESCAC, D3) Jesse Junttila Northern Michigan University (CCHA, D1) *Mac McDonnell University of Windsor (CIS, D) Robbie Payne Northern Michigan University (CCHA, D1)

Kenai River Brown BearsAlbin Karlsson Niagara University (Atlantic Hockey, D1) *Zac Lazzaro Utica College (ECAC West, D3)Dylan Meier Augsburg College (MIAC, D3)

Michigan WarriorsLevi Erkkila Northern Michigan University (CCHA, D1) Corey Schueneman Western Michigan University (CCHA, D1) *

Minot MinotaurosTyler Parks St. Lawrence University (ECACHL, D1)

Odessa JackalopesRyan Doucet Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey, D1)

Port Huron Fighting FalconsMark Evan Auk Michigan Tech University (WCHA, D1)Brett D’Andrea Bowling Green State University (CCHA, D1)Alex Globke Lake Superior State University (CCHA, D1) #Ian Miller Lake Superior State University (CCHA, D1)Ryan Nick Army (Atlantic Hockey, D1) Kyle Plageman Army (Atlantic Hockey, D1) ‡Nolan Valleau Ohio State University (CCHA, D1) #

Soo EaglesBrandon Adams SUNY-Oswego (SUNYAC, D3) Denver Pierce Northern Michigan University (CCHA, D1) Jared VanWormer Ferris State University (CCHA, D1)

Jon Carkeek Hamilton College (NESCAC, D3) Brett Skibba University of Connecticut (Atlantic Hockey, D1)

Texas Tornado Justin Greenberg Miami University (CCHA, D1) Brandon Hawkins Bowling Green State University (CCHA, D1)Drew Mayer Ferris State University (CCHA, D1) Nick Neville University of Denver (WCHA, D1) CJ Reuschlein Army (Atlantic Hockey, D1)Max Shuart University of Michigan (CCHA, D1) ‡

Topeka RoadRunners Tyler Andrew Ferris State University (CCHA, D1) *Sean Gaffney University of Connecticut (Atlantic Hockey, D1) Ross Luedtke Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey, D1) ‡Davey Middleton Brown University (ECACHL, D1) #Kyle Sharkey University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (NCHA, D3)

Wenatchee WildJono Davis University of Nebraska-Omaha (WCHA, D1) Josh Hartley Dartmouth College (ECACHL, D1) Robert Nichols University of Connecticut (Atlantic Hockey, D1) Mario Puskarich University of Vermont (Hockey East, D1) #

Wichita Falls WildcatsChris Knudson Michigan State University (CCHA, D1) Ben Kucera Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey, D1) *Tyler Ledford Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey, D1) *Tucker Poolman University of North Dakota (WCHA, D1) #Sami Salminen Northern Michigan University (CCHA, D1) Will Vosejpka Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey, D1) *

2012 - 2013 College Commitments as of March 12, 2013

* 2014-15 # Alumni ‡ Committed while playing for another NAHL team

http://nahl.com/player-advancement/college/

North american hockey league2012-2013 college commitments NAHL.com

SLIDESHOW

MICHIGAN HOCKEY IN PICTURES:FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @MIHOCKEYNOW

SLIDESHOW

MICHIGAN’S REPRESENTATIVES ON THE CCHA ALL-TIME TEAM

Brendan Morrison (1993-97) – Michigan Wolverines John-Michael Liles (1999-03) – Michigan State Spartans Jim Dowd (1987-91) - Lake Superior State Lakers

Ryan Miller (1999-2002) – Michigan State Spartans Kip Miller (1986-90) – Michigan State Spartans

Wayne Gagne (1983-87) – Western Michigan Broncos Ken Morrow (1975-79) – Bowling Green Falcons (Flint native)

Andy Greene (2002-06) - Miami RedHawks (Trenton native)

Bill Joyce (1976-80) – Northern Michigan Wildcats



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YOU DO WITH IT: Play in the NHL

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Hang out with my brothers or friends

WHO WAS MOST INFLUENTIAL ON YOUR HOCKEY CAREER:

My father

Joe CoxMuskegon Lumberjacks forwardChelsea native Joe Cox will be heading to East Lansing when he’s done in Muskegon. The Compuware AAA product has committed to play for the Michigan State Spartans when he is done with juniors; Cox has signed with MSU for the fall of 2013. He has impressed in his USHL career, racking up 35 points in 57 games this year with the Lumberjacks. He’s no stranger to leading a team, either – Cox captained the Team USA squad for the Ivan Hlinka Tournament in 2011. The MSU scouting report that was released after he signed described him as, “A fi erce competitor that sticks his nose into every situation on the ice.”


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March 23 from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pmMarch 26 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pmMarch 27 from 8:30 pm to 10:00 pm

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TAYLOR — In all the years he’s been involved in hockey, Honeybaked 16U girls coach Lyle Phair said he’s never seen anything like what he saw at the Taylor Sportsplex on March 10.

In a game that saw more than 100 shots on goal and nearly 120 minutes of hockey, it was Phair’s Honeybaked squad that beat Little Caesars 2-1 after seven overtime periods to win the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association state championship.

“The longer it went, the harder it was going to be to score,” Phair said, citing his team’s ability to roll 10 forwards and six defensemen. “Both teams were drained, the tanks were empty, but it all comes down to will.”

Lea Boreland’s goal with 1:40 left in the seventh overtime ended a marathon game that took nearly four hours to complete.

With Little Caesars’ Brooke Lupi called for tripping, Boreland ended it, taking a pass from behind the net and fi nding the top left corner of the goal, right under the crossbar, to give Honeybaked the win.

She was named MVP for scoring the winner.

“I just tried to get it to the net because we were having a little trouble with that, considering it was the seventh overtime,” Boreland said. “It was great.”

Honeybaked goaltender Jessica Convery made 62 saves, keeping her team in the game despite being under intense pressure multiple times.

“I thought our goaltender was outstanding,” Phair said. “She wasn’t going to let us (lose).”

Little Caesars goaltender Bethany LeClair was equally as stout, stopping three Honeybaked breakaway chances in the overtime sessions. She made 42 saves.

As Honeybaked dog-piled onto Boreland after the goal, the entire Little Caesars squad gathered around LeClair, forming a circle around her, many dropping to the ice in disbelief when it was done.

“It was all heart,” Little Caesars coach Joe Kolet said. “They played with all heart and didn’t leave anything out there. They didn’t let up and played the whole way.

“It’s a tough one to lose, but somebody’s got to win it.”Molly Abraham scored in the second period for

Honeybaked, but Kelsey Tucker countered 26 seconds later for Little Caesars. It would be the only scoring until Boreland’s winner.

19U – HONEYBAKED 14U – HONEYBAKED 12U – COMPUWARE

GIRLS’ TIER 1 STATE TITLE WINNERS

NOTE: All state championship-winning teams will be highlighted in MiHockeyMag’s April 8 issue.

BY MATT BISHOP

SEVEN OVERTIME PERIODS LATER, SEVEN OVERTIME PERIODS LATER,

HONEYBAKED 16U CAPTURES STATE TITLE


On Sunday, March 3, the 2002 USA Eagles Squirt AA skated their way to victory by winning the Little Caesars championship game against Trenton by a score of 3-1.

The season culminated into a fi nal playoff weekend comprised of three games. Winning all three games was truly a team eff ort; out of a total of 14 goals, nine of them were off of diff erent sticks, with 12 skaters claiming assists.

(L-to-R Back Row): Kyle Bessonen, Michael Parent, Nick Harbaugh, Paddy Mullin, Ethan Adams, Kurt Gold, Vincent Anderson, Alex Miller, Bob Wachol (L-to-R Front Row): Draic Mullin, Brad Gold, Eamon Mott, Sterling Cooke, Liam Mott, Nick Wachol, Jake Bartholomew, Luke Elrod, Graham Ong, Will Drake.

2003 Novi IceCats Squirt AA Spring Tryouts

Tuesday March 19 7:00-8:20pm Friday March 22 7:00-8:20pm Thursday March 28 5:00-6:20pm (invite only)

$15 per session. All tryouts at Novi Ice Arena. Coach Todd Martin [email protected] / phone 248-417-7974

YOUTH HOCKEY

The Mercy Marlins captured the Division 2 state championship with a 3-2 victory over the Walled Lake Wild on March 9. It marked the fi rst Michigan Metro Girls High School Hockey Association championship for the Mercy squad.

The Squirt Moose, after losing the fi rst game of their ‘Deep Freeze’ tournament, won the next four games, allowing only two goals over the timespan. The kids had a blast at the water park and capped everything off with a 3 -1 win in the fi nal game. The Moose beat the Troy Blue Jackets - the team that had beat them in the fi rst game - in the championship.

SUBURBAN SQUIRT MOOSE WIN MT. PLEASANT DEEP FREEZE TOURNAMENT

MERCY GIRLS CAPTURE D2 STATE TITLE

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TOURNAMENT CALENDARMICHIGAN

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Canadian Hockey EnterprisesApril 5-7, 2013Atlantic City, NJOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40 divisionsCanadian Hockey Enterprises...1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com [email protected]

Pepsi Hockey TournamentBuff alo, NYApril 5-7, 2013A & B Travel Teams Squirt – Midget716-685-3660Holidayrinks.com

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesInternational TournamentsLas Vegas, NVApril 12-15, 2013Women Competitive & Recreational 1-800-461-2161chehockey.com

Hockey Time Productions Rock ‘n Roll Cup Tournament Series Cleveland, OHApril 12-14, 2013Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567itshockeytime.com

Weekend Hockey TournamentPhiladelphia, PAApril 12-14, 2013Adult men & women 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+ & 50+A, B, C, D, E1.877.702.5701weekendhockey.com

Weekend Hockey TournamentNew York, NYApril 12-14, 2013Adult men & women 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+ & 50+A, B, C, D, E1.877.702.5701weekendhockey.com

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesApril 12-14, 2013Chicago Cup Chicago, IllinoisIncludes Blackhawks vs Blues ticketsOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 divisionsCanadian Hockey Enterprises...1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com [email protected]

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesApril 14-21 or 17-21, 2013Florida CupFt. Lauderdale, FloridaOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40 divisionsCanadian Hockey Enterprises...1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com [email protected]

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesLake Placid, NYApril 18-19, 2013Women Competitive & Recreational 1-800-461-2161chehockey.com

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesApril 18 - 21, 2013Gamblers Cup Las Vegas, NevadaOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 divisions Canadian Hockey Enterprises...1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com [email protected]

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesApril 18-21, 2013American CupLake Placid, New YorkOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 divisions (also Women’s divisions)Canadian Hockey Enterprises…1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com [email protected]

Hockey Time Productions Chi-Town Cup Tournament Series Chicago, ILApril 19-21, 2013Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA

High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567itshockeytime.com

Hockey Time Productions South Bend Cup Tournament Series South Bend, INApril 19-21, 2013Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567itshockeytime.com

CANADAAPRIL 2013

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesApril 4-7, 2013Banff Cup Banff , AlbertaOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 divisionsCanadian Hockey Enterprises...1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com [email protected]

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesApril 5-7, 2013Vancouver CupVancouver, BCIncludes Canucks vs Flames ticketsOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 divisionsCanadian Hockey Enterprises...1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com [email protected]

Canadian Hockey Enterprises April 5-7, 2013London CupLondon, OntarioOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 divisionsCanadian Hockey Enterprises...1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com [email protected]

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesInternational TournamentsBanff , ABApril 11-14, 2013Women Competitive & Recreational 1-800-461-2161chehockey.com

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesApril 11-14, 2013Banff Cup Banff , AlbertaOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 divisions (also Women’s divisions)Canadian Hockey Enterprises...1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com [email protected]

International Tournaments

Niagara Falls, ONApril 12-14, 2013Women Competitive & Recreational 1-800-461-2161chehockey.com

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesApril 12-14, 2013Niagara CupNiagara Falls, OntarioOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40 divisions (also women’s divisions)Canadian Hockey Enterprises...1-800-461-2161chehockey.com [email protected]

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesApril 12 – 14, 2013Montreal Adult & Old-timer TournamentMontreal, QuebecOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40 divisions Canadian Hockey Enterprises…1-800-461-2161chehockey.com [email protected]

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesApril 12-14, 2013Okanagan Cup Kelowna, British ColumbiaOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 divisionsCanadian Hockey Enterprises...1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com [email protected]

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesApril 18-21, 2013Banff CupBanff , AlbertaOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 divisions (also Women’s divisions)Canadian Hockey Enterprises...1-800-461-2161chehockey.com [email protected]

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesApril 19-21, 2013Montreal Adult & Old-timer TournamentMontreal, QuebecOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 divisionsCanadian Hockey Enterprises…1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com [email protected]

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesApril 19-21, 2013Okanagan Cup Kelowna, British ColumbiaOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 divisions (also Women’s divisions)

Canadian Hockey Enterprises...1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com [email protected]

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesApril 19-21, 2013Niagara Cup Niagara Falls, OntarioOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 divisions (also Women’s divisions)Canadian Hockey Enterprises...1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com [email protected]

Weekend Hockey TournamentMontreal, QC CanadaApril 19-21, 2013Adult men & women 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+ & 50+A, B, C, D, E1.877.702.5701weekendhockey.com

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesInternational TournamentsKelowna, BCApril 19-21, 2013Women Competitive & Recreational 1-800-461-2161chehockey.com

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesApril 19-21, 2013“Quebec Cup”Quebec City, Quebec Over 19, 25, 30, 35, 40 divisionsCanadian Hockey Enterprises...1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com [email protected]

North American Holiday HockeyMontreal, QuebecApril 19-21, 2013Adult and Youth 1-800-322-NAHH [email protected]

Weekend Hockey TournamentToronto, ON CanadaApril 26-28, 2013Adult men & women 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+ & 50+A, B, C, D, E1.877.702.5701weekendhockey.com

COMPLETE AND UP-TO-DATETOURNAMENT LISTINGS ATMIHOCKEYNOW.COM

Varsity & Junior Varsity teams Welcome!

B, A, and AA Players

There will be three separate divisions of the Suburban Showdown Spring High School League – (recommended for junior varsity teams or current 8th, 9th, and 10th graders), (recommended for varsity teams or current 9th, 10th and 11th graders) and - (current 12th graders).

Due no later than Monday, April 16

The intent in this league is to allow coaches to select their players and for players to play with friends. Therefore, each team may roster B, A and AA players as long as the “Sliding Scale” requirement for second year players is met. No AAA players allowed. Teams may register in Squirt through Midget age classifications. Due no later than Monday, April 22

LEAGUE GAMESPLAYED at

BOTH LOCATIONS

LEAGUE GAMESPLAYED at

BOTH LOCATIONS

TM

52999 DequindreRochester, MI 48307

Phone: (248) 601-6699Fax: (248) 601-0102onyxicearena.com

54755 BroughtonMacomb, MI 48042

Phone: (586) 992-8600Fax: (586) 992-8666

suburbanice.com

SPRING ADULT LEAGUE 2013

Team RegistrationsBegins in early April and

runs through June.

APRIL 7 toJUNE 16

SIGN UPTODAY!

SPRING ADULT LEAGUE 2013

SPRING2013

TM

MIDGET AA 96/95 COACH PAUL MARCUSSATURDAY 23-MAR 11:45 AM

E-mail for official tryout [email protected]

MIDGET A 98/97COACH RICHARD [email protected] 24-MAR 5:45 PMTUESDAY 26-MAR 8:15 PMTHURSDAY 28-MAR 8:15 PMSUNDAY 31-MAR 5:45 PM

GIRLS 16UCOACH JEFF JOHNSONE-mail for official tryout [email protected]

BANTAM AA 99COACH TED [email protected] 24-MAR 4:00 PM*TUESDAY 26-MAR 7:00 PM INVITE ONLY BANTAM A 00COACH MARK [email protected] 23-MAR 5:45 PM

PEE WEE AA 01COACH DEREK [email protected] SATURDAY 23-MAR 2:45 PM

PEE WEE A 02COACH RICHARD [email protected] 24-MAR 4:15 PMTUESDAY 26-MAR 5:30 PMTHURSDAY 28-MAR 6:45 PMSUNDAY 31-MAR 4:15 PM

SQUIRT AA 03COACH DAN [email protected] 25-MAR 7PM- 8:20PM

SQUIRT A 04COACH BRIAN [email protected] 23-MAR 1:15-2:05 PM INVITE ONLY

MITE AA 05COACH ERIC [email protected] FRIDAY 22-MAR 7:00 PMSUNDAY 24-MAR 1:45 PM

ANDREW STEWART, HOCKEY [email protected]

RYAN PARDOSKI, GENERAL [email protected]

PEG GRIFFIN-WATSON, PROGRAM [email protected]

for more information on our adult leagues check our website – onyxicearena.com – or call or email Tom Zagacki at 248-601-6699

PLYMOUTH –Coming in to Saturday afternoon’s MHSAA Division 3 state championship game, Bloomfi eld Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood had lost just two games all season.The Cranes

exited the game still with two losses after posting a 4-2 win over Sault Ste. Marie at Compuware Arena to claim the D3 crown, outshooting the Blue Devils 38-10 in the process. With the win, Cranbrook captured their eighth D3 title, and fi rst since 2010. Alex Alger scored twice for the Cranes playing on a line with his brother, Austin, to lead the champs’ attack.

According to Cranbrook coach Andy Weidenbach, the Algers’ line has been sharp the last few months and helped the Cranes end the season on an 11-game winning streak.

Cranbrook goalie Spencer Applebaum is also a key part of the winning equation.

“We put the Alger brothers together around the fi rst week of December and they play well together and complement each other very well,” said Weidenbach. “They also wanted to play together and have done a great job for us.

“Our goaltending - Spencer has played all the important games for us and was our No. 1 guy going into the tournament and he’s done a great job as well.”

The fi rst half of the fi rst period was pretty even, until Austin Alger went around Christian Wilkins and picked the corner on Soo goalie Nickolas McKenzie with a quick snap shot at 8:11 for the early 1-0 Cranbrook lead and the lone goal of the opening 17 minutes.

The Blue Devils didn’t get their fi rst shot on Cranbrook goalie Spencer Applebaum until nearly 12 minutes were

gone in the fi rst period.Cranbrook made it 2-0 at 7:23 of the middle frame on

a goal by Kevin Shand in tight that beat McKenzie high to the glove side.

The Blue Devils cut the Cranes’ lead to 2-1 on a Kyle Teneyck laser past Applebaum at the 8:51 mark.

“We knew coming in that we’d probably allow 30-35 shots, but we felt if we could get 15-20 shots on their goalie, we’d have a chance,” said Sault coach John Ferroni. “When you get it close like we did, you think maybe you’ll get another shot if you just keep the pressure on. I thought if we could keep the penalties down that we would keep the shots on goal down, but Cranbrook has a fantastic hockey team and I think you had two of the best teams in the state here today.”

Cranbrook took the two-goal lead back at 10:10 when captain Alex Alger, while being taken down from behind, squeezed the puck past McKenzie.

Alex Alger pushed the lead to 4-1 with 5:34 to play in the second on a nice give-and-go with Michael Romund that went over McKenzie’s shoulder.

Alger’s second goal seemed to defl ate the Blue Devils, who generated just nine shots on Applebaum through two

periods.In the opening minutes of the third period, Sault

appeared to score and the red light went on, but after a short review, the on-ice offi cials ruled “no goal.”

At 5:34, the Blue Devils’ Chase Gamelin scored a defi nite goal on a re-direction in front of Applebaum.

McKenzie went to the bench with 1:50 left in the third, but Sault could not put any pucks on Applebaum.

“We’ve got a real interesting mix this year with nine seniors, two juniors and nine sophomores,” explained Weidenbach. “Normally, you don’t have that kind of a mix. To have this kind of a mix is really unique, but over the course of the season, everyone made a solid contribution.”

As for the Blue Devils, the hope is to recreate some of this 2013 magic next year.

“We had 21 guys on the team and 26 came to tryouts,” said Ferroni. “We sat down and fi gured it out today that we traveled 5,382 miles this season to get to this point and I think 1,200 or so was over Christmas. Boy, what a journey, but we made it here and hopefully, the kids here will see that and want to come back and give it one more shot.”

ononononononno ’s’’s’s’s’s’ssmememememeememee,, , , hhhhadadadaddnen s 4-2 aim the D3

CRANBROOK-KINGSWOODCRANBROOK-KINGSWOODWINS DIVISION 3 STATE TITLEWINS DIVISION 3 STATE TITLE

BY MATT MACKINDER

DIVISION 3 HIGH SCHOOL

Photos by Andrew Knapik/MiHockey


Macomb Hockey ClubSPRING 2013T R A V E L T R Y O U T S

posted atmacombhockeyclub.com

U14, U12 & U10 LADY MAVERICKS TRYOUTS Saturday, March 23 6:00-7:20pm (1.5 hour)Saturday, March 30 8:45 – 10:05am (1.15 hour)

NOW accepting Head CoachApplications for the

NEW! GIRLS’ HOCKEY PROGRAM

NEW! MACOMB MUSTANGS

TRAVEL HOCKEYSQUIRT AA (2003) | PEE WEE A (2002)

PEE WEE AA (2001)

TO APPLY Please send coaching

resume and application to

[email protected]

Mite AA (2005)Squirt A (2004)Squirt AA (2003)Pee Wee A (2002)

Pee Wee AA (2001) Bantam A (2000) Bantam AA (1999)

HOCKEY LEAGUESSPRING/SUMMER ADULT

30 & OLDERMonday league

Recreational hockey for players with organized hockey experience.

TM

Back from college or players looking for a very competitive league.

MAY - AUGUSTLast season over 15 teams participated so

don’t miss out!

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND

THURSDAYA LEAGUE

For any questions of for more information about the league, please contact Program Manager, Sean Coffman, at [email protected] or by phone at 586-992-8600.

April 8th to

August 31st

16 Game guarantee

Tuesday league Competitive hockey for

players with several years of organized hockey experience.

Wednesday leagueCompetitive recreational hockey for players with some organized hockey

experience.

Sunday leagueRecreational hockey for

teams beyond a beginner level, but not quite to a

competitive level.

18 & OLDER

54755 Broughton Rd.Macomb, MI 48042

suburbanicemacomb.com586-992-8600

ers looking league.

RR DEMADEDEMEMAMANDNDND

PLYMOUTH –At the start of the season, Livonia Stevenson coach Dave Mitchell stressed to his team that no team in the 43-year history of the program had ever won a state championship.

Next fall, he can harp on his team to know what a repeat feels like, as the Spartans topped Hartland 5-4 Saturday morning to take the MHSAA Division 2 state championship at Compuware Arena.

“This whole season, we’ve been getting these guys to go and do everything they could,” said Mitchell. “We’re more than a family and I couldn’t be happier for the Stevenson administration and the alumni and the whole Livonia community. This was the fi rst time a Stevenson team had the chance to play in a state fi nal and we got it done.

“This is something that is very special and something the whole community will be able to enjoy.”

As for the game, nine goals, including six in the second period, made for dramatic fl ow.

Travis Harvey made it 1-0 Stevenson off the draw at 4:55 of the fi rst period on a set play from Michael Sinclair and Blake Battjes that beat Hartland goalie Nick Wineka low.

Hartland then tied it at 6:26 when Austin Flores grabbed a loose puck in the slot and went top shelf over goalie Spartans’ goalie Connor Humitz.

Just 54 seconds into the second, Chris McRae gave Hartland a 2-1 lead on an individual rush from center ice and a quick shot that beat Humitz low stick side.

Stevenson came right back at the 4:30 mark. The Eagles were unable to clear their zone and LSHS captain Dominic Lutz found the puck on his stick and went upstairs on Wineka.

Lutz tallied again at 7:07 to put the Spartans ahead 3-2.Harvey wheeled around two Hartland defenders, then

deked Wineka down and out before backhanding the puck into an empty net at 9:10.

Not to be outdone, Ned O’Boyle brought the Eagles to within one with an unassisted goal at 9:56 of the second frame.

Ray Chartier whistled a shot past Wineka from just inside the blue line at 12:48 that Wineka appeared to see and get a piece of, but simply whiff ed on it.

“We’d rather not play that way (in the second) and we’d rather play more of a defensive game,” Mitchell said. “Give Hartland credit, though – they caught us and kept us in our zone. This is the state fi nals and I think you saw two really good hockey programs take a step forward today.”

Hartland came roaring out in the third and at the

14-second mark, McRae netted his second of the game by poking home a loose puck in the crease past Humitz.

That would be the extent of the scoring as Stevenson held on for their fi rst crown.

“The game plan coming out was more of a commitment to defense,” said Mitchell. “They always say it, but I didn’t say it to my team, that a two-goal lead is not the best lead to have in hockey. They got that quick one on us, but we were comfortable in the situation and we shut them down (the rest of the third period).”

“I’m speechless, I don’t know what to say,” said Lutz. “It’s just great to see how it all came together. This is just unbelievable.”

Eagles’ coach Rick Gadwa, even in defeat, found a positive attitude after the game.

“Hartland is now on the map and hopefully, it’s something that stays,” Gadwa said. “It defi nitely wasn’t our game plan to get into a shootout, but it’s a 5-4 state championship game, the crowd’s screaming and I don’t think you can ask for any more than that.”

LIVONIA STEVENSONLIVONIA STEVENSONCAPTURES FIRST-EVER STATE TITLE IN D2CAPTURES FIRST-EVER STATE TITLE IN D2

BY MATT MACKINDER


Photos by Nathan Kostegian/MiHockey


MIDGET 98/97 ACOACH SEAN COFFMAN

[email protected], 23-Mar 1:30 - 3:30 PM

Wednesday, 27-Mar 8:30 - 10:00 PM

BANTAM 99 AACOACH STEVE BETTLEY


BANTAM 00 ACOACH ROGER GRAFF

[email protected], 23-Mar 6:30 PM- 8:00 PM

PEE WEE 01 AACOACH CAL MCGOWAN


SQUIRT 04 ACOACH DAVE MCCALLUM


MITE 05 AATO BE DETERMINED

MITE 06 ACOACH LOWERY DAY

[email protected]

Sunday, 24-Mar 3:30 - 4:30 PM

PEE WEE 01 AA(NORTHSTARS)

COACH STEVE PETRUNO / MIKE RETFORD

[email protected]

PEE WEE 02 ACOACH DAN CESARZ


SQUIRT 03 AACOACH MATT WEST

[email protected], 23-Mar 2:00 - 3:30 PMMonday, 25-Mar 7:00 - 8:30 PM

Wednesday, 27-Mar 5:00 - 6:00 PM

248-888-1400suburbanicefarmingtonhills.com

248-888-1400suburbanicefarmingtonhills.com

GIRLS 2013SPRING TRYOUTS

GIRLS 2013SPRING TRYOUTS

10U ICEBREAKERSCOACH

JESSE HUBBENSCHMIDT& DAVE SCOTT

[email protected]

March 267:30 – 8:30 PM

March 286:30 – 8:00 PM


GEOFF [email protected]

March 249:30 – 10:30 AM

March 276:00 – 7:00 PM


JOE [email protected]

March 255:30 – 7:00 PM

March 277:00 – 8:30 PM


LILLY [email protected]

March 2311:00 AM – 12:30 PM

March 286:30 – 8:00 PM


JOHN [email protected]

March 2311:00 AM – 12:30 PM

March 286:30 – 8:00 PM

2013 SPRING TRYOUTS2013 SPRING TRYOUTS

SCAN

FOR

WEB

SITE

SCAN FOR WEBSITE

Brighton’s return engagement to the MHSAA Division 1 state fi nals started out strong and fi nished strong as the Bulldogs retained their championship with a 2-1 win over Detroit Catholic Central in front of a standing room-only crowd at Compuware Arena.

Jimmy Milletics stopped 37 shots for the win and was deemed the “diff erence-maker” by Brighton coach Paul Moggach.

“You always need good goaltending and Jimmy was there for us,” said Moggach. “We got the goals we needed and had good goaltending. If you only give up one goal a game, you’re going to be a tough team to beat. Yesterday (beating Detroit U-D Jesuit) and today, we didn’t dominate, but we didn’t give. We bent, but we didn’t break.”

“(Brighton) played a great game, blocked a lot of shots and really had a formula for success,” added Catholic Central coach Todd Johnson. “We didn’t like being in the position of being down 2-0 for what felt like an eternity. Once we got one, we fi gured that was the formula and the next one would happen and we had some chances.”

The game was scoreless until the 15:07 mark of the fi rst when Michael Yuhasz gave the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead on a broken play in front of Catholic Central goalie Derek Moore. The puck was loose in the crease, but Yuhasz swooped in and backhanded a soft shot under a sliding Moore.

Yuhasz then had a breakaway with 40 seconds left in the period, but was hooked by CC’s Carson Gatt, giving Brighton a power play that would carry over into the second period, but to no avail.

A senior in his fi rst season playing for Brighton after spending last season with the Little Caesars AAA organization, Yuhasz said he was initially undecided about playing for the Bulldogs until late in the summer.

“I went to all the summer workouts, even though I hadn’t committed to play here yet,” explained Yuhasz. “A few of the guys told me I should come and play here and that made the decision a little easier for me.”

“When you’re putting a team together and you get a guy like Michael, he’s sort of the piece that fi lls the puzzle,” said Moggach. “He’s a good academic student, a leader and just a real important piece of what we were trying to get.”

Brighton took a 2-0 lead when Lucas Morgan re-directed a Yuhasz pass upstairs over Moore 8:03 into the second period.

Catholic Central appeared to score with 3:11 to go in the second and the red light went on, but the referee had already blown the whistle. Shamrocks’ captain Michael Babcock even asked the goal judge if it was a good goal and the goal judge acknowledged that it was.

At the end of all that, the score remained 2-0 Brighton through two periods.

The Shamrocks fi nally penetrated Milletics on a power play at 9:58 of the third when Gatt fought through a check in the slot and went high on Milletics.

“After you get about 20 shots, you really get into a groove,” said Milletics. “My teammates helped me with the shots and the rebounds and then once I got beyond the 20 shots, I really felt like I was on top of my game.”

Moore was pulled with just under a minute to go in regulation, but the Shamrocks couldn’t fi nd the equalizer.

After the game, Moggach was asked to compare last season’s state title with this year’s championship.

“I don’t really have a perspective on it right now,” Moggach said. “In 2006, when we won the fi rst one, it was unbelievable and then last year, we put together a great team and won the second one and you’re thinking, ‘Wow, that fi rst one wasn’t a fl uke.’ I’m just happy for the guys because for some of them, this isn’t their back-to-back, so I don’t know. I don’t have a perspective on it, but maybe in a couple days.”

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BRIGHTONBRIGHTONWINS BACK-TO-BACK D1 STATE TITLESWINS BACK-TO-BACK D1 STATE TITLES

BY MATT MACKINDER


Photo by Andrew Knapik/MiHockey



Tyler Marble. Drew Mayer. Rick DeRosa. Cody Marooney. Casey Nelson. Brady Ferguson. Drew Brevig. Chris Knudson.

Those eight names represent the latest eight North American Hockey League players to make plans for their future with NCAA Division I college hockey commitments.

Four of the players – Marble, Mayer, DeRosa and Knudson – have Michigan connections.

Marble, a goaltender for the Soo Eagles, is off to Colorado College next season, while Mayer, a Troy native and forward with the Texas Tornado, chose Ferris State.

DeRosa, captain of the Port Huron Fighting Falcons and Pennsylvania native, gave the nod to Penn State.

Knudson will wear the green and white of Michigan State.

DeRosa is the Fighting Falcons’ all-time leading scorer with 74 points on 20 goals and 54 assists in 128 games and is one of just two players to have played for the Fighting Falcons in each of their fi rst three seasons in the NAHL. Ian Miller is the other.

“We couldn’t be happier for Rick,” said Fighting Falcons’ coach and general manager Michael Gershon. “Penn State is getting a great player and a better leader as they get their program off the ground. With Rick’s family living about three hours away, it’s a great fi t for everyone involved.”

Mayer has one more year of junior hockey eligibility and isn’t expected to land in Big Rapids until the fall of 2014.

“Ferris is a really great spot for me,” Mayer said. “It’s a small school with a good business program that really fi ts what I’m looking for. Hockey-wise, their systems are really going to help me develop as a player. They’ve also got a smaller ice surface with tight corners, which helps my game as well.”

Mayer played his last year of midget hockey with Honeybaked, where he was the captain of the 2011 U18 AAA state championship squad. He had signed an NAHL tender to play with the Tornado before the 2011-12 season.

“We’re really excited for Drew, players like him are hard to fi nd,” Tornado coach and general manager Tony Curtale said. “We’re especially happy he’s going to a school like Ferris, a program that’s been on the rise for the past couple of seasons. He’s a classic power forward who goes to the net hard. We think he’ll really thrive there.”

Knudson, a defenseman from the Chicago suburbs, said committing to Michigan State fulfi lls a lifelong goal.

“My Pee Wee coach played for Michigan State, so we used to visit there every year,” Knudson said. “Ever since then, I wanted to play there, so this is really a dream come true.”

Marble previously played in the NAHL with the Traverse City North Stars and originally committed to Lake Superior State in 2008.

Marooney (Brookings Blizzard) will skate at Alabama-Huntsville, Nelson (Johnstown Tomahawks) for Minnesota State, Brevig (Brookings) for Ohio State and Ferguson (Amarillo Bulls) for Robert Morris.

NA3HL APPROVES CHICAGO MEMBERSHIP

The North American 3 Hockey League has previously had Chicago-based teams in the form of the Chicago Force and Chicago Hitmen and next year will have the Chicago Jr. Bulldogs.

The team will play its home games out of Canlan Ice Sports in Romeoville, Ill.

According to an NA3HL press release, the addition of the Jr. Bulldogs is “part of a NA3HL expansion plan, which has been approved by USA Hockey, to place additional teams in markets in Illinois, Michigan and along the West

Coast for the 2013-14 season.”The Jr. Bulldogs were Great Lakes Junior Hockey

League champions in 2009, 2011 and 2012 and Junior C national champions in 2009.

ANDERSON CLIMBS LADDER FROM NAPHL TO NA3HL TO NAHL

North Iowa Bulls’ forward Brandon Anderson has signed a tender with the Tornado, continuing the progression under the NAHL umbrella.

In 2011-12, Anderson won an NAPHL championship with the California Titans and also spent part of the 2012-13 season in the NAHL with Brookings and the Fairbanks Ice Dogs and Brookings.

“Anderson brings a physical presence and is set to ply his trade in the South Division of the NAHL,” said North Iowa coach Todd Sanden. “He should do really well there and the NA3HL was a great training ground for him.”

HE SAID IT“I don’t think I have ever dealt with as many injuries this

season as I have in all my years of coaching combined. At one point in the season, we only dressed 16 players and called up some Midget Major players to fi ll in. When that happens, you struggle because there is no chemistry with guys in and out of the lineup. Last year, we had that chemistry because we didn’t have any major injuries.” – Metro Jets’ head coach Jason Cirone, after the Jets barely missed the NA3HL playoff s with a 22-23-3-0 record

CUTHRELL DOES WATERFORD PROUDWaterford native and Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks’

rookie forward Scott Cuthrell led the NA3HL in scoring this season with 88 points on 47 goals and 41 assists. He was also plus-48, posted two fi ve-goal games during the season and scored at least one goal in every game since Jan. 6 – a string of 33 goals in 21 games.

NA3HL TEAMS PLANNING FOR 2013-14 SEASON

NAHL

BY MATT MACKINDER

COLLEGE COMMITMENTS CONTINUE TO PILE UP FOR NAHL’S BEST

Drew MayerRick DeRosa Chris Knudson Tyler Marble


suburbanicefarmingtonhills.com

23996 Freeway Park Drive Farmington Hills, MI 48335 248-888-1400

suburbanicefarmingtonhills.com

WORLD SHOWDOWN

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APRIL 8TH - JUNE 26THMONDAY, TUESDAY OR WEDNESDAY NIGHTS,

APPROXIMATE START TIMESBETWEEN 8:30 PM & 10:30 PM

W.B.A.D.H.L.WOMEN’S BEGINNERADULT DEVELOPMENT

AGES 18 & UPWOMEN ONLY

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APRIL 14TH - JUNE 23RDSUNDAYS

START TIMES5:00, 6:00 AND 7:00 PM

PLYMOUTH WHALERS

BY MATT MACKINDER

In perhaps the understatement of the year, the Plymouth Whalers are on a roll.

Finishing the regular season on an eight-game winning streak and winning 16 of their last 17 games has the Whalers entering the Ontario Hockey League playoff s with momentum.

With the Sarnia Sting on tap in the opening round, which gets underway this Friday, the players are gearing up for what they hope is a long playoff run this year.

“I’d say we’re happy with how our season progressed,” Plymouth captain Colin MacDonald said. “We obviously wish we could have fi nished fi rst (overall), but we’re happy with the hockey we are playing right now. Going into playoff s, you want to be playing well and since Christmas, we have been a completely diff erent team and it shows with our record (26-5-0-1 since Dec. 27).”

The Whalers won the West Division for the second year in a row and 11th time in franchise history, and they fi nished second in the Western Conference to the powerhouse London Knights, who face the Saginaw Spirit in the fi rst round.

Perhaps no two players helped more to get the Whalers to this point in the season than forward Vince Trocheck, acquired at the OHL trade deadline from Saginaw, and rookie goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic.

Trocheck won the OHL scoring title and Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy with 50 goals and 59 assists for 109 points (59 of those in 28 games with Plymouth) and became the fi rst Plymouth player in 10 years to score 50 goals after Chad LaRose tallied 61 in 2002-03. Nedeljkovic, who won the F.W. “Dinty” Moore Trophy as the rookie goalie with

the lowest goals-against average (2.28), fi nished the year 19-2-1-1 with two shutouts and a .923 save percentage.

“To me, playing in the net isn’t something that I feel is stressful – it’s enjoyable,” Nedeljkovic said. “There are times when we have as many games in as many nights, but that just makes playing the game that much more fun. Being able to play in front of a crowd cheering you on is exactly what I had always thought it would be like. I try not to think of myself as being the No. 1 goalie. I instead think of it as my time in the net and how much time I spend in the net depends on how well I am doing.”

“Having a seasoned veteran like Matt (Mahalak) has been crucial in my development this year as he has shared some great advice along with our goalie coach, Stan Matwijiw. I consider myself to be very fortunate.”

As for Trocheck, his acquisition has been nothing short of a boon.

“Since Trocheck came, we have been playing really well,” said MacDonald. “He was a good addition to our team and is a great teammate on and off the ice. He’s provided more depth to our team, which defi nitely helps when it comes to playoff s. He’s an exceptional player who wants to win games and be a team player.”

“I felt like our regular season was a little slow to start, but we fi nished strong,” added Plymouth forward Stefan Noesen. “Getting ‘Tro’ was huge for us. I felt we were still trying to fi nd a missing piece before he got here and then once we acquired him and (Sebastian) Uvira (from Oshawa), I felt that we became a contending team.”

Seeing Trocheck eclipse Sarnia’s Charles Sarault for the scoring title was a highlight of the season, according to Nedeljkovic.

“Vince was in the race for the scoring title when he

came to the team and I think that was what really brought the team together,” said Nedeljkovic. “We all want to see ourselves achieve success, but we wanted to see Vince achieve the scoring title more than anything the past couple of weeks of the season. When he got his 109th point of the season (on the fi nal day of the regular season March 17 in Windsor), nobody cheered and yelled louder than the team.”

Last year, Plymouth had a stacked team going into the postseason, but came up short, losing to Kitchener in the second round in a Game 7 at home. The players remember that feeling and will do whatever it takes to avoid that outcome this spring.

”Coming into playoff s against Sarnia, we’re expecting a tough series,” said MacDonald. “They’re a close division rival and we see them six times a year before playoff s, so I think we know what to expect and are going to be ready for a hard-fought series. Anything can happen in playoff s and were going to have to be the harder working team and win all the battles to win games.

“Last year was defi nitely a disappointment because of the team we had and I think it’s stuck with all the guys who we’re a part of that team, which will help us. None of us want that to happen again. All I can do is try and be a leader and play my role within the team. That’s what everyone has to do, and to win in playoff s, you need everyone contributing and playing their role.”

“It’s going to be a hard-fought battle,” added Noesen. “They have a few good players on their team that could give us trouble, but I feel like we are up for the challenge.

“Our team is rolling right now and I feel that we are going to continue it into the playoff s.”

Photos by Rena Laverty/Plymouth Whalers

WHALERS TO BATTLE SARNIA TO OPEN OHL PLAYOFFS


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GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS

BY KYLE KUJAWA

AUBRY LOOKS TO JOIN NEXT WAVEDetroit Red Wings fans have gotten a long look at

several of their top prospects this season, as the likes of Gustav Nyquist, Tomas Tatar, Brendan Smith, Joakim Andersson, Petr Mrazek and Brian Lashoff have turned heads during NHL call-ups this season, delivering on scouting reports that promised bright futures.

The depth doesn’t just end there, though. Nine of the forwards regularly deployed by the Grand Rapids Griffi ns this season are fi rst- or second-year pros. Many will graduate to bigger roles with the club as the current crop of stars ascends to full-time NHL positions. Others, like Louis-Marc Aubry, have more defi ned plans in mind.

“I won’t go in the NHL as a top-six player,” said Aubry. “I will go as a third-line or fourth-line player. I have to be strong defensively and pay attention to the details of the game.”

A third-round pick by Detroit in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Aubry hasn’t seen the fanfare of some of his AHL teammates, but he off ers a combination of skills sought out by every NHL team. At 6-foot-4, he’s the tallest forward on the roster, and he provides a combination of speed, defensive awareness and physical play that make up the ideal shut-down, checking line forward at the next level.

“They want me to work a lot on my defensive play,” he

said. “I need to get stronger around the ice and defensively and work on my face-off s.”

Aubry already plays a large role on the team’s penalty killing units, but he knows that a more regular off ensive contribution will help him earn more ice time. After enduring a 42-game goalless drought, he hopes that a recent lucky break will open the door for him to chip in goals more frequently.

During a March 9 home game against Lake Erie, Monsters netminder Calvin Pickard came far out of his goal to play a loose puck. With the middle of the ice occupied, he attempted to put the puck off the boards, but found no room around the big body of Aubry and ended up putting the puck right on his tape. Despite having only one goal on the season, Aubry wasted no time confi dently getting the puck to the vacated net.

“I feel like I’m back on track,” said Aubry. “I was in a little bit of a slump, I couldn’t score for a while. I needed a bounce like that. I’ve had a lot of chances, so I just needed a break. I’ve never had a slump that long. You try to stay positive, but at the same time you feel a little bit of pressure.”

The slump was just one of a handful of setbacks Aubry has faced in his second professional season. Many hockey fans saw video of the bench-clearing brawl between the Griffi ns and Rockford IceHogs on Jan. 19. Despite the fact that both benches were empty within the blink of an eye,

Aubry was identifi ed as the fi rst Griffi n to hit the ice, so he earned the automatic six-game suspension that comes with it.

“When I jumped, I didn’t know it was six games automatically,” he recalled. “But I was going to defend my teammates. It cost me six games and I lost my rhythm, but I don’t regret it.”READ THE FULL ARTICLE ON MIHOCKEYNOW.COM.


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RED WINGS INSIDER

BY DAVE WADDELL

If the Detroit Red Wings have late starts in the playoff s after next season, fans will be overjoyed.

Those West Coast starts have been the bane of Wings’ fans through the past couple of decades, but they’ve been banished after the NHL offi cially passed a new realignment plan March 14 that shifts Detroit to the Eastern Conference after this season.

Now, the only way the Wings can draw a Western playoff opponent is in the Stanley Cup Final. It also means most of Detroit’s regular-season games will be in the Eastern time zone.

It’ll be easier for fans to stay up and watch games, boosting the coveted TV ratings, and easier on the players getting home at a reasonable hour.

“It’s a win-win for our fans and our team,” Detroit general manager Ken Holland said.

“There are more road games in prime time. We still have a home-and-home with the other teams in the West.

“I think it’s an hour and a half max to go everywhere in the East other than Florida and Tampa Bay, so there’s less time in the air.

“There are more opportunities to come home after road games at an earlier hour.”

Detroit and Columbus, which also heads east under the new plan, are the only teams in the NHL who currently have only one team in the same time zone as themselves in their conference and that being each other.

Getting shifted eastward has been a longtime wish for the Wings and they would’ve been happy to go into any division.

However, Detroit has landed the dream scenario of being lumped into a division with Original Six Rivals – Toronto, Montreal and Boston. Also in Division C are Ottawa, Tampa and Florida.

The league plans to name each division in the future.Division D - the other half of the 16-team Eastern

Conference - holds Carolina, Washington, Columbus, New Jersey, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, the New York Rangers and the New York Islanders.

In the Western Conference’s Division A are Anaheim, Vancouver, San Jose, Phoenix, Calgary, Edmonton and Phoenix.

Division B includes Chicago, Minnesota, Nashville, St. Louis, Dallas, Colorado and Winnipeg.

The Western Conference has two fewer teams than the East.

All teams will play unbalanced schedules, but will face every team in the other conference in a home-and-home format.

The playoff s will be on a divisional format with the top three teams in each division making the post-season. The next two highest-point getters in either division will earn wild-card berths.

“There’s always an electric atmosphere in the Joe when one of the Original Six is here,” Holland said.

“To go to a division with Montreal, Toronto, Boston, it won’t take long to renew rivalries in the East.

“It’s a win for our fans. There will be a real buzz in our marketplace with a whole new set of opponents.”

There has been little doubt the biggest complaint Wings’ fans have voiced in recent years is the staleness of the schedule.

The days where a visit from Colorado meant something disappeared with the retirement of Patrick Roy. Chicago still gets the juices fl owing, but beyond that there’s little in the west that stirs the interest of fans.

“I think it’s a great time for our fans,” Niklas Kronwall said.

“We’re not going to be heading out west as much. They’ll be able to watch our games in prime time a lot

more than they have in the past. “And of course playing Montreal, Toronto, Boston more

often, I’m hoping it’s going to spark that (enthusiasm from fans) even more. I know it will for us, for sure.”

Wings’ coach Mike Babcock was more excited about the practicalities of the changes. Getting to sleep in your own bed most nights of the season and less disruption to life in general are the big pluses.

“It’s good for our team in the fact that the travel – and it’s not the travel – it’s the time changes that kill you,” Babcock said.

“It’s way better for our fans.”Babcock added the changes also mean more work for

the coaching staff . With the way the NHL was previously set up, the Eastern Conference was almost like a diff erent league.

Teams didn’t face each other much, so the depth of knowledge of the eastern teams wasn’t near what it is for the western.

“I’m excited about who we get to play,” Babcock said. “I’ve never coached in the East and I have to learn the whole thing, but I’m excited about that opportunity too.”

From Jimmy Howard’s perspective, the details aren’t what grab his attention, it’s the opportunity to face more high-profi le opponents in cities much closer to his family in New York State.

“It’ll be a lot of fun,” Howard said. “Ottawa is 40 minute drive (from his hometown of

Syracuse). Toronto’s three hours. Buff alo’s three hours. Montreal’s an hour and a half.

“I’ll get to see a lot more family members, so that will be great. Ticket requests will go up.”

Howard said having to learn the other half of the league won’t be a problem.

“There’s so much video nowadays, it won’t take us long to learn everyone’s tendencies,” Howard said.

Photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey

MOVE BACK TO THE EAST

REALIGNMENT MADE OFFICIAL: RED WINGS OVERJOYED TO


It’s more than hockey.

EVERY GOAL MEANS MORE. EVERY POINT MEANS MORE.

*

*

BY DARREN ELIOT @Darren_Eliot

JUNIORS PREVIEWTHE LAST LINE

As we congratulate all of the coaches wrapping up the fall/winter hockey season, it is also the time of year to welcome the new coaches to the game. After all, the interest in coaching usually

stems from a parent getting involved because their son or daughter has shown an interest in the game. Spring is a time for many that begins a shared hockey journey for a youth player and novice parent coach. With the spring hockey season upon us, there are many out there about to hit the ice as fi rst-time coaches – and they may not even know it yet!

That dynamic has long been a part of the game – the parent turned coach out of necessity – and a sometimes unique way our game is passed on – up instead of down. Regardless of why you got into coaching, or how long you’ve been at it, remember that it is supposed to be a fun and satisfying experience for everyone involved. That means the players, parents and you - the coach.

Sometimes, though, coaching can seem like hard work with very little reward - especially when you’re just starting out. Part of it is the fear of making a mistake. It’s in our nature to worry when we make an error. No one likes to look silly and even if a mistake goes unnoticed we still cringe. You shouldn’t. After all, as John Wooden said: “If you aren’t making mistakes, you’re not doing anything.”

With that, here is a list of some of the most common coaching errors:

1. DON’T BE A PE INSTRUCTORKids come to practice to have a bit of fun and play

games with their friends - not to be bossed around by a coach who wants everyone to know that he (or she) is in charge.

Shouting, giving orders and imposing rigid discipline are the characteristics of a coach with no self-confi dence and no real understanding of why they are coaching.

So try to be relaxed, smile a lot and don’t try to impress anyone.

2. DON’T TALK TOO MUCHThe quickest way to take the fun out of hockey is to

make a child listen to a two or three-minute lecture. They will just switch off , get bored and you will get frustrated.

If you don’t think you will be able to explain what you want your players to do in less than 60 seconds, do something else.

3. DON’T IMPOSE DRILLS ON YOUR PLAYERSAnother way to bore the pants off young hockey players

to make them stand in a line, wait to get a touch of the puck for a second or two then go back to the end of the line again.

Yet that’s what many coaches make their players do every week.

Kids learn how to play hockey by playing the game, being exposed to the challenges they will experience in games and fi nding solutions to those problems – with or without your help.

So don’t make young players stand in lines. Play games - preferably small area games instead.

4. DON’T TRY TO PACK TOO MUCH INMany new coaches try to include too much in their

coaching sessions.

It’s much better to stick to one simple objective and don’t get sidetracked if you spot something else that needs improving. Just make a note to address the problem area in another session.

5. DON’T “WING IT”It is essential to plan your coaching sessions.If you walk into the rink with a bag of pucks and some

cones and try to make it up as you go along once on the ice, you will look unorganized, your players won’t learn anything and you will almost certainly have problems with discipline.

You don’t have to spend a lot of time working out what you are going to teach your players and how you’re going to teach it. USA Hockey has ready-made practice plans available (visit their offi cial website to see them).

They might not be perfect but they can usually be tweaked to fi t the age and ability of your players.

6. DON’T BANG YOUR HEAD AGAINST A BRICK WALL – IT HURTS!

Even the best practice plans don’t always work. That’s when you need to have some go-to games handy

- ones that you know your players love to play.

7. CHILDREN WANT TO COMPETEGames and drills that don’t involve competition are

OK...for about 30 seconds. If you make your players perform non-competitive drills

for longer, they will get bored and they’ll soon start to compete among themselves in ways that you might fi nd inappropriate.

Always try to satisfy the competitive instinct of your players. Even in 1-on-1 drills challenge your players to improve.

AND THE BIGGEST MISTAKE OF ALL IS...New coaches are, understandably, keen to impress

parents and colleagues and they can easily fall into the trap of equating success with wins, instead of by measuring success by the players’ growth in skill and confi dence.

No matter how you defi ne success, please don’t take hockey too seriously. It’s only a game.

If you get too intense and allow hockey to take on too much importance, you will only succeed in taking the fun out of it - for you and for your players.

A MESSAGE FORALL THE NEW HOCKEY COACHES(AND FOR THE OLD ONES, TOO)


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MiHockeyMag 03-25-13