MiHockeyMag - April 23, 2012

mihockeynow.com

V.22 : I.20 | April 23, 2012

FIRST CLASS

MIHOCKEY’S 20th BANQUET OF CHAMPIONS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

APRIL 23, 2012 VOLUME 22: ISSUE 20 6 THE LOCKER ROOM Talking hockey on Facebook and Twitter

8 SLIDESHOW Photos from across the Mitten

10 SPEAKING OF HOCKEY

What are your hockey superstitions?

12 GET BETTER

Hold the blue line

14 YOU SHOULD KNOW Grand Rapids Griffins’ Mitch Callahan

16 AMATEUR HOCKEY

Catching you up on Michigan’s youth hockey teams

19 TOURNAMENT CALENDAR The latest tournament listings

20 HOMETOWN HERO The Ferris State Bulldogs

26 NAHL

Corpus Christi’s goalie has a busy summer ahead

22-23

BANQUET OF CHAMPIONS

28 MUSKEGON LUMBERJACKS

We celebrate the top youth hockey teams in the state

Matt DeBlouw is ready for the NHL Draft

29 SAGINAW SPIRIT Saginaw adds talent, depth, and speed at draft

34 GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS Riley Sheahan is fitting right in

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30 PLYMOUTH WHALERS

36

Whalers draft “The One” in first-round pick Zach Bratina

Dave Waddell shares the Red Wings’ thoughts on a suspension-filled first round of the NHL playoffs

MIHOCKEYMAG

RED WINGS INSIDER

38

LOOK FOR OUR NEXT ISSUE LAST LINE

Darren Eliot talks about what’s went right for the Blues, and wrong for the Red Wings

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MAY 21, 2012

To advertise in MiHockey please contact Lucia Zuzga at (248) 479-1134 or lucia@mihockeynow.com or Michael Caples at (248) 479-1136 or mcaples@mihockeynow.com

APRIL 23, 2012 V.22 : I.20

FROM THE EDITOR MIHOCKEYMAG EDITOR Michael Caples

mcaples@mihockeynow.com

ADVERTISING Lucia Zuzga

lucia@mihockeynow.com

DESIGN Emily Huston Chuck Stevens MICHIGAN HOCKEY STAFF Brian Kalisher bkalisher@mihockeynow.com

DISTRIBUTION Lucia Zuzga

ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR Amy Jones DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & PROGRAMMING Darren Eliot

EDITORIAL BOARD: Bob DeSpirt, Christine Knight, Derek Blair, James Jenkins, Julie Pardoski, Kirk Vickers, Linda Holland, Lisa Zarzycki, Mark Vansaw, Nyron Fauconier, Randy Paquette, Rob Mattina, Susan Bottrell, Tim Wilson, Todd Krygier LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: MICHIGAN HOCKEY® welcomes Letters to the Editor.

E-mail mcaples@mihockeynow.com

MICHIGAN HOCKEY is published by SUBURBAN SPORTS COMMUNICATIONS, LLC 23995 Freeway Park Drive, Suite 200, Farmington Hills, MI 483352829.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to MICHIGAN HOCKEY®, 23995 Freeway Park Drive, Suite 200, Farmington Hills, MI 48335-2829. ©2011

by Suburban Sports Communications. All Rights Reserved. The opinions and views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of MICHIGAN HOCKEY or its advertisers. All editorial copy, photographs and advertising materials remain the property of MICHIGAN HOCKEY.

BY MICHAEL CAPLES It’s good to be back.

We had a few weeks between issues for the first time in a while; though it certainly didn’t mean break time. We hosted our 20th annual Banquet of Champions on April 9, where we celebrated all the MAHA youth state champions at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. It was my first time experiencing the event – none of the teams I played for growing up were able to make it that far. I enjoyed the festivities, and appreciated the fact that so many people turned out to join in honoring not only their own team, but other teams as well. It was also my first true public speaking experience; hopefully I made emcee Fred Pletsch look and sound even better in his hour-plus of speaking compared to my five minutes. See photos from the banquet on Pages 22-23.

As usual, we cover everything from youth hockey all the way up through the NHL in the next 35 pages.

We celebrate the accomplishments of the Ferris State Bulldogs, we share some USA Hockey news, and we feature all the teams you love to follow. We also have

@michaelcaples some great stuff from Dave Waddell on the Red Wings’ opinions of what the first round of the NHL playoffs have been like, outside of their own series.

In my opinion, it’s time for the NHL players to start policing themselves. Sure, people around here aren’t too happy with Brendan Shanahan’s decision to only fine Shea Weber. But it really comes back to the players respecting one another on the ice. Hockey can be a physical game obviously that’s one of the reasons we love it – but what we have seen in this first round of the playoffs has been unnecessary roughness. Play tough, play hard, but don’t play to injure someone else. It’s hard to enjoy our sport at its highest level if its stars are being carted off night in and night out.

Enjoy the rest of the NHL season, everyone. Hopefully the games can be cleaned up a bit, and we can have fun watching the playoffs unfold.

See you at a rink soon,

MICHIGAN HOCKEY 23995 Freeway Park Drive • Suite 200 Farmington Hills, MI 48335-2829 (248) 478-2500 • FAX: (248) 478-1601 E-MAIL: mcaples@mihockeynow.com WEBSITE: mihockeynow.com PHOTOS AT LEFT: Members of a Belle Tire youth team flip through our magazine (Bob Bruce/ MiHockey), Zach Bratina (photo courtesy of the Plymouth Whalers), Johan Franzen and Mike Fisher (Tom Turrill/MiHockey) COVER: Photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey

Cover reprints available e-mail: mcaples@mihockeynow.com

APRIL 23, 2012 V.22 : I.20

THE NEXT ISSUE

OUR ANNUAL TRAINING AND FITNESS GUIDE TRAINING TIPS - WORK-OUT PLANS - SKILLS TO WORK ON (BOTH ON AND OFF THE ICE) Interested in being a part of this summer’s guide to staying in hockey shape?

Contact Lucia Zuzga (contact info on the left side of this page)

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5

THE LOCKER ROOM

THE

LOCKERROOM

LOCKER ROOM POLL

ON THE FLY

the eve of the Red Wings’ Game 4 match-up with Q: On the Predators, we asked our Facebook fans if they

thought the Detroit could still beat Nashville and advance to the second round. Here are their responses:

A: Yes – 87% No – 12% Not sure – 1%

Pure P Pu re e As As Po Pond ond d IIce, ce e a no non-profi on pr p ofi ofitt o organization rga rg an a nizat izza attion io on ttr trying ryi ying ying n tto o he h help ellp lp b build uiild d hockey hoccke key and key an nd support kids in Detroit at the same time, shared this photo on our Facebook page.

Check out what they’re doing to help people at PureAsPondIce.org.

TWO FOR TWEETING Are you staying up to date with our state’s only USHL team? We feature them in every issue of the magazine.

Twitter Tw wittte er was wa w as buzzing b zz bu z in ing g af after f te terr Shea Shea ea Weber’s Web eber berr’’ss attack att ttac a k on H ac Henrik e ri en rik ik Ze Zetterberg ett tter erbe berg g at at the th e th end of Game 1.

Check out how one of our Twitter followers decorated an Easter egg.

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MIHOCKEYMAG

Congrats to A C Aaron S Sagraves, who h was the h only l person to tellll us on Twitter T i that h Johan Franzen would have a big night in Game 2. “The Mule” ended up with the game-winning goal.

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APRIL 23, 2012 V.22 : I.20

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SLIDESHOW

MICHIGAN HOCKEY IN PICTURES:

Mike Fisher and Johan Franzen collide during Game 3. (Tom Turrill/MiHockey)

Shea Weber celebrates his Game 3 goal with Alexander Radulov and Detroit native David Legwand. (Tom Turrill/MiHockey)

Fans file into Joe Louis Arena before Game 4 of the Red Wings’ quarterfinals series with the Nashville Predators. (Michael Caples/MiHockey)

Pavel Datsyuk tries to escape coverage during Game 4. (Tom Turrill/MiHockey)

Pekka Rinne routinely frustrated the Red Wings’ offense in both games. (Tom Turrill/MiHockey)

Ian White battles Paul Gaustad for positioning in front of the Red Wings’ net during Game 4.

(Tom Turrill/MiHockey)

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APRIL 23, 2012 V.22 : I.20

SPEAKING OF HOCKEY

As the NHL playoffs got underway, we asked...

“What are your hockey superstitions?”

For each issue of the magazine, we will post a question on Facebook, and one randomly selected answer will win a Warrior prize pack: hoodie, hat, and T-shirt. Good luck!

Gotta wear the colors game day and Facebook photo turns upside down if they win. Laura Mysliwiec Hoskins Wear the colors and watch all the games! Lynn Marie Vittetoe When hockey season starts so does my beard, and I don’t shave ‘til the Cup is hoisted. Then I start alllll over again. Tony’s Pics Before each game I ref, I always start with lacing the left skate then the right skate. At the beginning of each game, I have to flip the puck before I drop it for the opening face-off. Norm Bona The “Playoff Beard” is the standard good luck charm. Andrew Stewart I don’t communicate with one of my friends over the phone because every time we talk or text on game day they lose. Zach Russell I name all of my sticks, and have to switch between them constantly to avoid jealousy. Avrumi Lorkis

WINNER

Wear two different shoes to the rink and eat only hot dogs 48 hours before game time. Jordan Peerbolte

I can only park on the left side of the parking lot; have to have a cup of coffee with me; have to sit on my MLB All Star game cushion; and when the Wings are in the playoffs I have to get my nails airbrushed with the Wings logo. — Karen Smith Strachan

Visit our Facebook page to try and win our next Warrior prize pack, facebook.com/mihockeynow 10

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APRIL 23, 2012 V.22 : I.20

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YOU SHOULD KNOW

you should know FAVORITE SPORTING EVENT: NHL Playoffs

FAVORITE BREAKFAST FOOD:

Chocolate Chip Pancakes

FIRST CONCERT:

Blink 182 back in Los Angeles when I was 9

MUST-SEE TV:

Jersey Shore

FAVORITE MEAL:

Mongolian BBQ

IF YOU WERE GIVEN $1 MILLION, WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH IT: Buy a sweet house on the beach

IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE WISH GRANTED WHAT WOULD IT BE:

To retire in Huntington Beach and surf every morning

FAVORITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY:

Making the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets as a walk-on

THREE PEOPLE YOU WOULD WANT TO HAVE DINNER WITH:

Emilie Hirsh, my favorite actor. Miley Cyrus, I’d like to take her out for a dinner date. Mila Kunis, Because she’s a really cool girl

IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE: Fly. I’d love to fly

ONE PIECE OF TECHNOLOGY YOU CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT: My iPhone

Mitch Callahan Grand Rapids Griffins forward

When the Red Wings drafted Mitch Callahan in the sixth round of the 2009 NHL Draft, they weren’t looking for the next Pavel Datsyuk. While Callahan can find the back of the net, there’s a better chance that you will find his name in the penalties column of the score sheet. The Whittier, Calif., native picked up 440 penalty minutes in three seasons with Kelowna of the Western Hockey League, and 103 in his first season with the Griffins. It’s safe to say that the Wings will love to add Callahan’s grit and toughness to their line-up sometime soon.

WHO WAS MOST INFLUENTIAL ON YOUR HOCKEY CAREER: My dad

Photos courtesy of: stanleycupwinners.net (Stanley Cup), myhomeidea.net (beach house), people.com (Mila Kunis), macworld.com (iPhone), blingcheese.com (Superman)

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AMATEUR HOCKEY

Michigan Icebreakers win Little Caesars title

The 12U Michigan Icebreakers couldn’t ask for a better finish to their season, as they won the Tier II Little Caesars Adams Division title with a 3-2 double overtime win over the Kensington Valley Ravens on March 18 at Farmington Hills Ice Arena.

The Suburban Ice Farmington Hills-based Icebreakers posted a 16-0-2 record in the regular season, a 6-1 LCAHL tournament record and a 4-2 state tournament record.

“This was my 14th year coaching youth hockey, including nine years as a head coach and five as an assistant, and it was the first time we did not cut one single player that came to tryouts,” said Icebreakers head coach Rob Murphy.

“We were blessed to have some really strong defensemen with Julia Barrett, Sophia Colvin, Shannon Murphy and Sarah Chase (“The Fantastic Four”) that were dominant blueliners that ensured our team nearly always outshot our opponents,” Murphy said. “Additionally second-year

Bantam A Bulldogs win Norris Division Little Caesars championship

forwards Mackenzie Kamm, Courtney Wright and Mikayla Pearson provided solid leadership and strong offense when it counted most this year.

“First-year forwards Jena Cruz, Peri Darmofal, Ruby Kolender, Sadie Storm, Kenzie Dascenzo and Maggie Convery grew as players and people and ensured the locker room was both loud and fun throughout the season. Emily Chen played both forward and defense and utilized her speed and grit to contribute at both ends of the ice. The goaltending duties fell on the reliable shoulders of Natalie Miller and Elizabeth Langley, who teamed up as good friends and great goaltenders for the Icebreakers this year.”

In addition to Murphy and Storm, the Icebreakers coaching staff included assistant coaches Philip Colvin, Tricia MacLeod and Tom Langley. Kristin Barrett and Bobbie Murphy managed the financial and scheduling duties, respectively.

The Bantam “A” Grosse Pointe Bulldogs continued their unbelievable year-end run with a 6-5 overtime victory over the nation’s top-ranked Plymouth Stingrays in the Little Caesars’ Norris Division Championship game. The Bulldogs also defeated the Stingrays just seven days earlier in the MAHA state championship game.

Coaches Robb McIntyre, Geoff Welsher and Mark Brooks were effusive about the team win, and the 20-game unbeaten streak (18-0-2) with which the Bulldogs

ended their season.

The ’98 Bulldogs are: kneeling, L-R: Alex Grimm, Jack Flynn, Mac Welsher, CJ Ramsdell, Andrew Tomasi, Griffin Brooks and Harrison Griffin. Standing, L-R: JP Navetta, Zack Pearson, Mac Cimmarrusti, Zack Kaiser, Jonathan Theros, Sam Knoblauch, Logan Jenuwine, Marshall Vyletel and Harrison Wujek. Coaches are L, Geoff Welsher and Mark Brooks; R, Head Coach Robb McIntyre.

For more information on the Bulldogs, visit www.98bulldogs.org.

East Lansing Spartans Squirt A win South Bend Tournament

Flyers win ROHA’s bantam title, complete with octopi Congrats to the 2012 Royal Oak Flyers who won the Royal Oak Hockey Association’s bantam regular season and playoff championships.

The Flyers pulled off a 3-2 victory in overtime to capture the title. You will notice in the team picture that an octopus was thrown on the ice at the start of the game and returned to join in the victory celebration.

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The East Lansing based 02 Spartans won the South Bend Tournament held February17th-19th.

The tournament featured teams from Michigan, Chicago and 2 from Ohio.

The Spartans started at Culver Military Academy with a 4-0 win over Chicago Bruins on Friday.

On Saturday morning at Norte Dame University, the Spartans came back twice from a 2 goal deficit to beat Elyria Panthers 5-4. Saturday night, the Spartans beat Jaguars Squirt 1 team 5-4.

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Sunday morning in the Championship Game against Elyria, the Spartans once again came back from a two goal deficit to win 40 seconds into overtime with the score 3-2 to claim their 1st ever championship.

The team consists of Coaches: Dave M, Heather D, Andrew S, and Dave D. Players: Jackson M, Isabelle G, Jonathon L, Cooper D, Riley D, William B, Carter S, Liam M, Lucus W, Connor G, Carson F, Evan B, Ethan B, Ryan K, Anabelle S.

APRIL 23, 2012 V.22 : I.20

AMATEUR HOCKEY

USA HOCKEY UPDATES United States Women’s National Team captures silver in Vermont

O’Leary Hawks win Women’s Senior B State Championship The O’Leary Hawks won the Women’s Sr. B State Championship on March 4th at the Taylor Sportsplex beating their rival Team Ices 3-2 in the championship game.

The Hawks started off the tournament beating Mission 10-3. The Hawks jumped out to 7-0 lead after 1 period, and never looked back. Vicki Crimmins and Carrie Sirola scored hat-tricks, while Suzy Pocock got 2 goals, and Sammy Irvin and Sara Sharp each got a goal each.

Game 2 for the Hawks was against Belle Tire, and the Hawks jumped out early in the first with 2 goals by Kelly Cahill and Marcie Walker. They scored 2 more in the 2nd by Amy Pattie and Suzy Pocock, and then put the game away in the 3rd with 4 more goals (2 from Irvin, and 1 from Sirola and Cahill), to take the 8-0 victory. Hawks goalie Lilly Pritula got the shutout.

The Hawks jumped out to an early 3-1 lead with 2 goals from Pocock, and 1 from Cahill. Team Ices never quit though and scored 2 goals to tie the game at three and send it into overtime. A little over a minute into OT, Kelly Gittleman scored the winner.

The Hawks were determined not to let

Saturday’s results ruin their final game, and started off with the first goal by Pocock 3 minutes into the game. Ices would answer back with a goal by Glenn a minute later. The Hawks finally scored a PP goal (by Cahill), with 1 minute left in the second period. The Hawks (Pocock) then scored an unassisted goal with 8 minutes left for a 3-1 lead. Team Ices still didn’t quit and scored with 6 minutes left to bring it back to a 1 goal game. In the final minutes of the game, the Hawks kept the pressure on Team Ices, so that they couldn’t even pull their goalie.

The O’Leary Hawks team is : Crystal Miotke, Kim Kelemen, Dori Borden, Sara Sharp, Amy Pattie, Vicki Crimmins, Sammy Irvin, Wendy Stibitz, Melanie Beaulieu, Kelly Cahill, Marcie Walker, Carrie Sirola, Kelly Hamilton, Tonya Hazzard, Nicole Falardeau, Michelle Saunders, Suzy Pocock, Kristina Lince, Melanie Hamilton, Lilly Pritula, & Rhonda Carveth. The Hawks are coached by Andrea Layman, and their team sponsor is John O’Leary’s State Farm Insurance.

The U.S. Women’s National Team fell to Canada 5-4 in overtime of the gold medal game in the 2012 International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championship on April 15. That meant a silver medal for a U.S. squad that posted an impressive 4-0-1-0 record throughout the tournament, held in Burlington, Vt. “I’m extremely proud of how our kids

battled out of a major hole that we were in against a really good team,” Katey Stone, head coach for the U.S. Women’s National Team, told USAHockey.com after the game. “We got ourselves in a position to win the game, but unfortunately it didn’t happen.”

Taylor Wasylk (Port Huron) was the lone Michigan-born player on the team.

National Sled Hockey Team defends world title The U.S. National Sled Hockey Team was able to successfully defend their world title when they won the 2012 International Paralympic Committee Ice

Sledge Hockey World Championship in Hamar, Norway. After topping Canada 2-1 in the semifinals, Team USA beat Korea 5-1 in the gold medal game.

Men’s U18s off to strong start The U.S. squad competing in the IIHF Men’s World Under-18 championship in the Czech Republic has plenty of Michigan representatives. Defensemen Patrick Sieloff (Ann Arbor) and Jacob Trouba (Rochester), along with forwards Riley Barber (Livonia) and Andrew Copp (Ann Arbor), have led the

American team to a 4-0 record in their first three contests. The U.S. team has outscored opponents Finland, Czech Republic, Denmark and Canada by a combined score of 18-3. They earned a bye to the semifinals with their blemishfree preliminaries.

MiHockey remembers the founder of “The Toy Store for the Hockey Player” Bob Perani.

COMMENTS FROM OUR FACEBOOK PAGE: “A great man that made unbelievable contributions to the development of the game. He will be missed.”

- Sparky Nitchman “This is sad. He helped me pick out my first pair of goalie skates and glove and blocker about 20 years ago.”

- Brandon Dutcher

“The Michigan Hockey Equipment Guru, RIP Mr. Perani.”

- John A. Ulicne “Mr. Perani was a innovator, creator and leader in the world of hockey retailing. He and his terrific team created a better model with great customer care and super sized “wow” stores that attract customers from throughout North America and beyond. Thanks for all the support, passion and fuel that have helped grow the game. RIP.” - Rob Murphy

Thanks for all you did for our game.

APRIL 23, 2012 V.22 : I.20

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APRIL 23, 2012 V.22 : I.20

COMPLETE AND UP-TO-DATE TOURNAMENT LISTINGS AT

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TOURNAMENT CALENDAR APRIL 2012 Oakland Edge Adult Hockey Tournament Rochester, MI April 20-22, 2012 Men’s A-D & 50+; Women’s Open age 21&U; Sled Division co-ed – age 15&U 248-721-1204 josse@oakgov.com www.oaklandedge.com Ferris State University’s 3 on 3 Hockey Tournaments Big Rapids, MI April 20-22, 2012 Squirt & Pee Wee House; Squirt A-AA, Pee Wee A-AA; Girls 10&U, 14&U, Girls High School and Midget AA-AAA 231-591-2881 Hockey Time Productions Motown Cup Tournament Series Detroit, MI April 27-29, 2012 Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV 216-325-0567 www.itshockeytime.com Big Bear - The Thunderbird Detroit, MI April 27 – 29, 2012 Mite, Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, Midget, High School Varsity & J.V. B - A - AA Visit us online at www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694 Ferris State University’s 3 on 3 Hockey Tournaments Big Rapids, MI April 27-29, 2012 Mini-Mites (2005 & U); Mite & Bantam House; Bantam A-AA; High School Varsity; Midget AA-AAA; High School JV; Midget B-BB-A 231-591-2881 Big Bear - The Thunderbird Detroit, MI April 27 – 29, 2012 Mite U6 & Mite U8 cross ice 248-399-1694 Visit us on line at www.shootouthockey.com MAY 2012 7th Annual Oakland Junior Grizzlies Tournament of Champions Invitational Troy, MI May 3-6, 2012 Squirt A – Midget AA 248-388-1001

email: aboncore@ oaklandjuniorgrizzlies.com www.oaklandjuniorgrizzlies.com Big Bear - The Ring of Fire Ann Arbor, MI May 4 - 6, 2012 Mite, Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, Midget/HS/ B - A - AA Visit us online at www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694 Big Bear - The Ring of Fire Ann Arbor, MI May 4 - 6, 2012 Mite U6 & Mite U8 cross ice 248-399-1694 Visit us online at www.shootouthockey.com Hockey Time Productions Motown Cup Spring Edition Detroit, MI May 18-20, 2012 Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV 216-325-0567 www.itshockeytime.com Big Bear - The Last Dance Detroit, MI May 18 - 20, 2012 Mite, Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, Midget, High School Varsity & J.V. B - A - AA plus Girls U12, U14, U16 & U19 Visit us online at www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694 Big Bear - The Last Dance Detroit, MI May 18 - 20, 2012 Mite U6 & Mite U8 cross ice Visit us online at www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694 The Elite Tournament Group Warrior Spring Shootout Troy, MI May 25-27, 2012 AAA and Select teams ’05-‘99’s elitetournamentgroup.com OUT OF STATE APRIL 2012 Canadian Hockey Enterprises Gamblers Cup Las Vegas, Nevada April 26-29, 2012 Over 19, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 divisions Canadian Hockey Enterprises...1-800-461-2161 www.chehockey.com email: goals@chehockey.com

Hockey Time Productions Rock ‘n Roll Cup Tournament Series Cleveland, OH April 27-29, 2012 Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV 216-325-0567 www.itshockeytime.com Chicago Cup Tournament Series: Chicago Spring Classic Chicago, IL April 27-29 Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV, Mite Cross-Ice Jamboree Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com North American Holiday Hockey April 27 – 29, 2012 Hartford, Connecticut International Skating Center of Connecticut Adult & Youth 1-800-322-NAHH www.nahhtours.com email: NAHHTOURS@aol.com MAY 2012 North American Holiday Hockey Atlantic City, New Jersey May 4 – 6, 2012 Flyers’ Skate Zone (Flyers’ Facility) Adult & Youth 1-800-322-NAHH www.nahhtours.com email: NAHHTOURS@aol.com Can/Am Hockey Madison, Wisconsin May 4-6, 2012 Boys ’97,’98,’99 – Girls U12,U14,U16 divisions 1-800-678-0908 www.canamhockey.com score@canamhockey.com Big Dog Invitational Detroit, MI May 9-13, 1012 18U – Squirt Major email: larrybthompson@ yahoo.com www.BigDogInvitational.com Walleye Chop Adult Tournament Blaine, MN May 11-13 Men’s and Women’s divisions for all levels The Stanley Cup of Adult Hockey

Chicago Cup Tournament Series: Seven Bridges Spring Classic Chicago, IL May 18-20 Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV, Mite Cross-Ice Jamboree Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Canadian Hockey Enterprises Gamblers Cup Las Vegas, Nevada May 25-28, 2012 (Memorial Day) Over 19, 25, 30, 35, 40, divisions Canadian Hockey Enterprises 1-800-461-2161 www.chehockey.com email: goals@chehockey.com CANADA APRIL 2012 Canadian Hockey Enterprises Montreal Men’s & Women’s Tournament Montreal, Quebec April 27-29, 2012 Over 19, 25, 30, 35, 40 divisions (also Women’s Divisions) Canadian Hockey Enterprises 1-800-461-2161 www.chehockey.com email: goals@chehockey.com Canadian Hockey Enterprises Okanagan Cup Kelowna, British Columbia April 27 – 29, 2012 Over 19, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 divisions (also Women’s divisions) Canadian Hockey Enterprises…1-800-461-2161 www.chehockey.com email: goals@chehockey.com Bluewater Sharks Spring Hockey Tournament Sarnia, ONT April 27-29, 2012 19 and over + Recreational ***New*** Men’s 19 and over + Recreational Girls 19U competitive contact: Ed Marcy (519) 344-8624 emarcy@sympatico.ca or Lance Marcy • (519) 344-2205 lmarcy@cogeco.ca APPLICATIONS ON: bluewatersharkshockey.com Weekend Hockey Tournaments

Niagara Falls, ON Apr 29 – May 1, 2011 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+ A, B, C, D, E Levels Mens/ Womens/ Co Ed 1-877-702-5701 905-827-3541 james@weekendhockey.com www.weekendhockey.com

Squirt (2002) contact: Ed Marcy (519) 344-8624 emarcy@sympatico.ca or Lance Marcy • (519) 344-2205 lmarcy@cogeco.ca APPLICATIONS ON: bluewatersharkshockey.com

MAY 2012 Canadian Hockey Enterprises Montreal Adult & Old-timer Tournament Montreal, Quebec May 4-6, 2012 Over 19, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50+ divisions Canadian Hockey Enterprises 1-800-461-2161 www.chehockey.com email: goals@chehockey.com

Otsego County Sportsplex Gaylord, MI AAA Early Bird Tournament October 5 – 7, 2012 4 game guarantee Level: 2000 8 team limit Jim Driver 989-858-3400 Email: jim@premierjd.com

Weekend Hockey Tournaments Niagara Falls, ON May 4 – 6, 2012 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+ A, B, C, D, E Levels Mens/ Womens/ Co Ed 1-877-702-5701 905-827-3541 james@weekendhockey.com www.weekendhockey.com Bluewater Sharks Spring Hockey Tournament Sarnia, ONT May 4-6, 2012 Boys Major Midget (1994-95) and Minor Midget (1996-97) Boys Minor Bantam (1998) contact: Ed Marcy (519) 344-8624 emarcy@sympatico.ca or Lance Marcy • (519) 344-2205 lmarcy@cogeco.ca APPLICATIONS ON: bluewatersharkshockey.com Bluewater Sharks Spring Hockey Tournament Sarnia, ONT May 11-13, 2012 Boys Major PeeWee (1999) and Boys Minor PeeWee (2000) contact: Ed Marcy (519) 344-8624 emarcy@sympatico.ca or Lance Marcy • (519) 344-2205 lmarcy@cogeco.ca APPLICATIONS ON: bluewatersharkshockey.com Bluewater Sharks Spring Hockey Tournament Sarnia, ONT May 18-20, 2012 Boys Major Atom/ Squirt (2001) and Boys Minor Atom/

OCTOBER 2012

Otsego County Sportsplex Gaylord, MI AAA Early Bird Tournament October 12 - 14, 2012 4 game guarantee Level: 2001 8 team limit Jim Driver 989-858-3400 Email: jim@premierjd.com Otsego County Sportsplex Gaylord, MI AAA Early Bird Tournament October 19 - 21, 2012 4 game guarantee Level: 2002 8 team limit Jim Driver 989-858-3400 Email: jim@premierjd.com

2012 SCHEDULE North American Holiday Hockey Adult & Youth 1-800-322-NAHH nahhtours.com NAHHTOURS@ aol.com Montreal, Quebec Complexe Sportif Bell (Canadiens’ Practice Facility) April 13 – 15, 2012 Toronto, Ontario Canlan Ice Sports April 20 – 22, 2012 Hartford, Connecticut International Skating Center of Connecticut April 27 – 29, 2012 Atlantic City, New Jersey Flyers’ Skate Zone (Flyers’ Facility) May 4 – 6, 2012

HOMETOWN HEROES

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The Michigan-born players on the Bulldogs roster

FERRIS STATE

APRIL 23, 2012 V.22 : I.20

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2012 BANQUET OF

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F CHAMPIONS

APRIL 23, 2012 V.22 : I.20

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SEE MORE PHOTOS AT MiHockeyNow.com

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LIVONIA 12U KNIGHTS

more photos of our banquet on

ALYSSA MASSA #5 Congratulations Alyssa!

We are proud of you.

Love, Mom, Dad, and Chris

s n o i t a l u t a r g Con ! r e h p o t s i r Ch We are so proud of you and all you have accomplished!

You continue to do amazing things.

DANIEL BAJA

Grosse Ile Islanders Pee Wee A State Champions Congratulations Daniel! We are very proud of you and your will accomplishments this season.You r life you of remember this for the rest r you of all for and it is a great reward p Kee . ance ever hard work and pers working hard and don’t ever give up!

Love, Dad, Mom and Rachel

Love, your family

99 OAKLAND JR. GRIZZLIES Congratulations AJ!!

PLAYER: AJ MARTINELLI

<RX ZHUH RQH JRDO DZD\ LQ EXW ÀQDOO\ won it in 2012! Congrats to you and your teammates and the entire Grizzly family!

You are a true champion in every sense of the word!

POSITION: DEFENSE

The Martinelli family

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APRIL 23, 2012 V.22 : I.20

CONGRATULATIONS WARRIORS 2012 MIDGET B STATE CHAMPIONS

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north american hockey league 2012

TRYOUT CAMPS

the league of opportunity

NORTH AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE Corpus Christi goalie Stolarz has ‘busy summer ahead’

BY MATT MACKINDER Not only does Corpus Christi IceRays’ goalie Anthony Stolarz have a chance to get drafted by an NHL team in June, odds are he may hear his name called pretty early – some scouts suggest as early as late in the second round.

Stolarz had a fast start to the season and saw his name on the “Hot List” of potential future NHL prospects. His stellar play continued and he later committed to the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

The best came in early April when Stolarz was ranked fourth among all North American draft-eligible goalies by NHL Central Scouting. He is the only NAHL player ranked for the draft.

“Although these rankings are still not 100 percent indicative of the draft, Anthony is in a class of elite goaltenders and this makes for an exciting couple months leading up to the NHL Entry Draft in June,” said Corpus Christi coach Justin Quenneville.

In January, NHL Central Scouting ranked Stolarz 21st among North American goaltenders.

“It is an honor to be on the list,” said Stolarz. “I am so happy I can represent the IceRays organization, as well as the NAHL, but I’d also like to thank them for giving me the opportunity to be seen by such prestigious scouts. Now, I must continue to work hard and just wait and see what happens when draft day comes around.”

In February, the NAHL selected Stolarz to play between the pipes at the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament in Troy, a place he shined as part of the NAHL 18U Selects team.

Stolarz put in two memorable performances to vault himself up the Central Scouting rankings “Anthony has been on nearly every NHL team’s radar throughout the season,” Quenneville added. “He has a very busy summer ahead of him.”

also provides fans in the respective NAHL communities a very exciting and entertaining product to watch.”

The Fresno Monsters ranked No. 1 in team attendance with 106,718 fans, an average of 3,557 fans per game – a better attendance average than some NCAA Division I programs.

GRANITE CITY WINS NA3HL CHAMPIONSHIP The Granite City Lumberjacks were crowned champions of the North American 3 Hockey League on April 2 at the Fox Valley Ice Arena in suburban Chicago as they defeated the St. Louis Jr. Blues 2-1 to win the inaugural 3HL Silver Cup. “I think the team had tremendous focus today and pulled together all tournament long to get the job done,” said Lumberjacks’ coach Brad Willner. “Their injured teammate Ezra McPhail was in the back of their mind and in the end, I knew they wanted to win it for him.”

Lumberjacks goaltender Matt Grove, also the NA3HL MVP and goaltender of the year, finished with 19 saves in the win, while Mitch Fernsler made 32 stops for St. Louis.

Kyle Castle and Trevor Ness scored for Granite City and Trace Jablin tallied the lone marker for St. Louis.

Other NA3HL award winners included Granite City’s Peter Lindblad (forward of the year), Cleveland forward and Howell native Cameron Dimmitt (rookie of the year), Cleveland defenseman Steve Lecey (defenseman of the year), Jablin (academic achievement), Chicago forward Jeremy Edwards (community service), North Iowa’s Todd Sanden (coach of the year), Willner (GM of the year) and Granite City (organization of the year).

All-3HL First Team Forwards Cameron Dimmitt, Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks Forward: Peter Lindblad, Granite City Lumberjacks Forward: Steve Klisz, Metro Jets

NAHL SHATTERS ATTENDANCE RECORDS During the 2011-12 season, the NAHL welcomed a record 1,128,098 fans to see a total of 840 regular-season league games in 28 cities and at the NAHL Showcase to start the season in Blaine, Minn.

The NAHL had a record number of teams (28) this past season, but the league average of 1,342 fans per game was also an NAHL record.

“Our teams have done a tremendous job of promoting our game and the players play with an exuberance and passion that translates into a competitive atmosphere on the ice,” said NAHL commissioner Mark Frankenfeld.

“I think fans enjoy the family fun entertainment and the ability to be up close and part of clubs and players with their community-based initiatives. Not only does the NAHL provide players with an opportunity to develop their hockey careers and advance to the next level, but it

APRIL 23, 2012 V.22 : I.20

Defense: Steve Lecey, Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks Defense: Nick Zierden, Granite City Lumberjacks Goaltender: Matt Grove, Granite City Lumberjacks All-3HL Second Team Forward: Matt Kroska, North Iowa Bulls Forward: Michael Mikulan, Peoria Mustangs Forward: Nico Vecchio, Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins Defense: Nikolas Sakellaropoulos, Peoria Mustangs Defense: Joe Bowler, St. Louis Jr. Blues Goaltender: Ben Myers, Flint Jr. Generals

NAHL.COM MIHOCKEYNOW.COM

Anothony Stolarz

Granite City Lumberjacks MORE NAPHL PLAYERS ON THE MOVE A pair of North American Prospects Hockey League players have signed tenders to play in the NAHL next season.

Connor Webb (South Lyon), a goaltender for the Lansing Capitals 18U team, has signed with the Michigan Warriors, while Detroit Falcons 18U defenseman Kurt Gosselin (Brighton) has inked with the Soo Eagles.

To date, 43 PHL players have signed 2011-12 NAHL tenders.

Omaha Lancers 16U forward Chris Wilkie has committed to join USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program for the 2012-13 season and will compete with the U.S. National Under-17 Team.

Wilkie accumulated 22 goals and 48 points in 18 NAPHL games. He led the NAPHL in points and power-play goals (10). He also skated in four playoff games with the Lancers, netting three goals and adding 10 assists.

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27

MUSKEGON LUMBERJACKS

MATT DEBLOUW

is ready for the NHL Draft

BY MATT GAJTKA MUSKEGON, Mich. – The United States Hockey League had 40 players chosen in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn., a new high for America’s premier junior circuit.

This June, the venue will switch to Pittsburgh’s CONSOL Energy Center, but the USHL’s yield of drafted players figures to challenge last year’s impressive total, if not surpass it.

According to NHL Central Scouting’s Final Rankings, which were released April 9, 45 young men who played in the USHL this season are on track to have their names called in western Pennsylvania June 22-23.

Among those top prospects was Muskegon Lumberjacks second-year center Matt DeBlouw, who was listed at No. 51 among skaters from North American leagues. The impressive ranking put the Chesterfield, Mich., native 11th among his USHL peers, including 16 from the Ann Arbor-based National Team Development Program and representatives from 10 other league clubs.

“It’s a tremendous feeling to be recognized with some great players,” said DeBlouw, who battled back from a ruptured spleen last year to be the team’s No. 2 scorer this season, netting 34 points in 58 games. “I’m planning on attending the draft and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Skating ability is critically important in the modern NHL, and the 6-foot-1 DeBlouw’s seemingly effortless strides stand out immediately upon first glance. His explosive speed is in the same category as Dubuque Fighting Saints star Zemgus Girgensons, a Latvian native who is projected to go in the first round this June.

“I just like [DeBlouw’s] presence on the ice, the way he competes and presents himself,” NHL Central Scouting’s Dave Gregory told NHL.com last fall. DeBlouw’s quick release of his surprisingly heavy shot has also earned raves.

DeBlouw certainly presented himself well last spring, when as a rookie he led the Lumberjacks in playoff scoring,

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picking up eight points (three goals) in six postseason tilts.

This year, he started briskly – eight points in his first nine games – and polished the season off with five multipoint efforts in the last two months.

But as a returner from Muskegon’s inaugural USHL entry, DeBlouw certainly wasn’t pleased with the Lumberjacks’ eighth-place finish in the Eastern Conference this season.

Despite that disappointment though, he looks at the stalled campaign as a growth experience.

“There have been a lot of ups and downs,” DeBlouw said during the final week of the season. “But I think the downs have made me a better player.”

DeBlouw, who will head to Michigan State University in the fall to play for head coach Tom Anastos, totaled 13 goals and 27 assists in 91 career USHL games. After his nearly catastrophic injury in 2010-11, he used this season to round out his game in preparation for NCAA competition.

“I think I’ve improved as an overall player,” said the former Little Caesars midget major standout. “My main focus this year has been playing a team game and working well with my teammates. I have to give a lot of credit to my linemates and the Lumberjacks organization for helping me improve and get stronger.”

Combine last season’s medical concerns with this season’s lack of team success, and DeBlouw has developed a much more resilient mindset than what he had when he was taken in the second round of the 2010 USHL Entry Draft.

“When it gets tough, you’ve got to go harder,” he said.

“You can’t focus at the adversity. Just keep playing your hardest.”

It’s an admirable attitude that has gotten him noticed

by NHL scouts, and now DeBlouw waits to see where his athletic aspirations may ultimately take him. It’ll be difficult until then, but he’s certainly been through worse.

Matt Gajtka is the Communications Director and Broadcaster for the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the United States Hockey League (USHL). Reach him at mgajtka@ muskegonlumberjacks.com.

MIHOCKEYNOW.COM

“It can be tough to play hockey and balance your academics, but in the end you are rewarded with a college degree and you get to pursue your hockey career.”

JUSTIN ABDELKADER Michigan State University

Detroit Red Wings Play It Smart. Play College Hockey. www.collegehockeyinc.com Follow us on:

APRIL 23, 2012 V.22 : I.20

SAGINAW SPIRIT

BY CARL CHIMENTI Jim Paliatifo said he kept things pretty simple during his first Ontario Hockey League draft as GM of the Saginaw Spirit – he picked whatever talent he could find.

It still worked out to be a pretty balanced draft for the Spirit, who selected nine forwards, six defensemen, and one goaltender in the online draft, held on April 7.

“We just went with the best player as we continued to move from round to round,” Paliafito said.

With their first pick (12th overall), Saginaw selected Jeremiah Addison, a left winger from the Toronto Marlboros, one of the top midget minor teams in the Greater Toronto Hockey League. Addison was one of twelve players selected from the team during the 15-round draft that lasted well over seven hours to complete. The 5-foot-11-inch, 180-pound forward scored 28 goals and 46 points last season. Addison is expected to bring both speed and pure scoring abilities to the Spirit roster next season.

“Jeremiah has a real good compete level and along with his offensive talent he also has a great shot,” said Paliafito.

“He is someone we had targeted and we are really happy to have him on our team.”

Saginaw got bigger on the back-end after selecting 6-foot-3-inch, 211-pound defenseman Brandon Prophet with the first of their two second round picks (32nd overall).

For all his size, Prophet has both an offensive upside and a mean streak, scoring eight goals and 24 points in 30 games last season for the Upper Canada Cyclones, along with 50 penalty minutes.

“We felt we needed to add size to the blue line and Prophet addresses that need,” said Paliafito. “Brandon is a very mature kid with leadership qualities. He is a shutdown defenseman who has offensive skills. Just a good character kid and we are very excited in what he will bring

APRIL 23, 2012 V.22 : I.20

to the Spirit.”

Dylan Sadowy, a 6-foot, 160-pound left winger, was also selected in the second round (37th overall). He is a graduate of the Vaughn Kings Minor Midget program, another GTHL team. Sadowy should add some scoring punch to the Spirit forwards, as they look to replace their top scoring line of Michael Fine, Josh Shalla and Brandon Saad who will all move on to the professional ranks next season.

“He is a great skater and one of the smartest players on the ice,” said Paliafito. “A great playmaker but again it was his hockey sense that attracted us to draft him.”

Saginaw also had two picks in the third round, where they selected another left winger, Kris Bennett from the North York Rangers (50th overall), and defenseman Trevor Abbott from the London Knights Gold minor midget team (62nd overall). Bennett is small in size (5foot-9, 145-pounds), but that did not stop his offensive production, as he averaged a point a game this past season.

“Kris is a skilled player and a great skater,” said Paliafito.

“As he fills out and gets a little stronger he has a great chance to be a goal scorer and a consistent point producer in the Ontario Hockey League.”

Abbott is an offensive defenseman with good size (6foot, 178-pounds), who posted 8 goals and 45 points in 41 games last season.

“Trevor is a player that we had rated very high and for some reason slipped to the third round and we’re very happy that he was still available,” said Paliafito. “He is a kid who physically has the ability to be able to play in the league next year.”

Overall, Paliafito was quite pleased with the draft.

“We expect three of our kids from this year’s priority draft to make our team next year as we continue to go with the youth as they develop like we have done in past.”

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Greg Gilbert – recently named OHL Coach of the Year – will have some new talent to work with next season. (Photo courtesy OHL Images)

A complete list of the Spirit draft selections: 1st round, Jeremiah Addison, LW, Toronto Marlboros 2nd round, Brandon Prophet, LD, Upper Canada Cyclones 2nd round, Dylan Sadowy, LW, Vaughan Kings 3rd round, Kris Bennett, LW, North York Rangers 3rd round, Trevor Abbott, LD, London Knights Gold 5th round, Brandon Lindberg, LC, Waterloo Wolves 5th round, Brandon Lukezic, RD, Vaughan Kings 6th round, Connor Graham, LW, Toronto Marlboros 7th round, Lucas Martellacci, LW, Toronto Marlies 7th round, Mark Jankowski, LC, Stanstead 9th round, Boyd Diclemente, G, Peterborough Petes 10th round, Michael Prapavessis, LD, Mississauga Rebels 12th round, T.J. Melancon, RD, Oshawa 13th round, Quinn Syrydiuk, RW, Jr. Canadiens 14th round, Kyle Connor, LW, Detroit Belle Tire U16’s 15th round, Carter Landry, RD, Whitby Wildcats

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29

PLYMOUTH WHALERS

Whalers draft “THE ONE” in first-round pick Bratina

BY MATT MACKINDER

Zach Bratina is sure to become a household name around the Ontario Hockey League in short order.

The Plymouth Whalers’ first-round pick (19th overall) during the OHL draft on April 7, Bratina was tabbed “The One” last summer after scoring the highest SPARQ rating in physical combines conducted in Ontario last summer.

SPARQ is an acronym that stands for speed, power, agility, reaction and quickness.

Bratina is equally as good on the ice, as the 16-year-old from Lindsay, Ont., scored 22 goals and added 21 assists with 60 penalty minutes in 30 games with the Central Ontario Wolves minor midget team this past season.

Even OHL Central Scouting thinks Plymouth got a steal at pick No. 19.

“Zach’s a very smart hockey player,” said OHL director of central scouting Darrell Woodley. “The puck really follows him around the ice. He has good vision and the ability to score, coming out of the corners or in tight around the net.”

Bratina, who trains with former NHL star Gary Roberts, was in Plymouth last week with his parents to visit Compuware Arena, meet the team and tour the city.

“I’m definitely excited to be a Whaler now and the arena seems to be looking nice,” Bratina told PlymouthWhalers. com. “The room and the guys have been very welcoming so far.”

Bratina described his game as that of a playmaker and a two-way player – something that should help him fit in with Plymouth next season and not miss a beat.

“I find that I’m good at finding open ice up in the front of the ice,” added the 6-foot-1, 165-pound Bratina.

In the second round, Plymouth went for a family affair as the Whalers chose 6-foot-4 defenseman Alex Peters from the Huron Perth Lakers minor midgets. Peters is the younger brother of former Whalers goaltender Justin Peters (2005-06), who is now in the Carolina Hurricanes’ system.

Peters scored 15 goals and 14 assists for 29 points in 58 games this past season for the Lakers.

Plymouth took another member of its extended family with current forward Tom Wilson’s brother, defenseman James Wilson, in the tenth round.

The Whalers went with another player they know in the fourth round, taking high-scoring forward Sonny Milano from the Cleveland Barons U16 team. Milano scored 63 goals and 57 points for 120 points in 64 games. Plymouth director of scouting Don Harkins is an assistant coach with the team. Milano is committed to playing for the U.S. National Team Developmental Program next season, as is fifth-round pick Josh Wesley from the Carolina Hurricanes U16 outfit. Wesley is the son of former NHL defenseman and current Hurricanes director of defensive development Glen Wesley.

Plymouth selected its first and only goaltender of the draft in the sixth round in Belle Tire midget minor’s Alex

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Zach Bratina

Nedeljkovic, who registered a 1.88 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage in 18 games last season.

The rest of the draft was spent on mid-level players and late-round flyers that may or may not turn into OHL players. With one of their eighth round picks, the Whalers grabbed offensive defenseman Daniel Willett from the New Jersey Rockets of the Metro Junior Hockey League.

Willett, who scored 23 goals and 38 assists for 61 points in 68 games, verbally committed to Northeastern University last September for either 2014 or 2015.

Defenseman Jake Linhart and forward Seamus Malone from the Chicago Mission U16 team were drafted by the Whalers in the ninth and 14th round, respectively, to round out their American draft picks. Both players have committed to the University of Wisconsin.

PLYMOUTH 2012 OHL DRAFT PICKS 1st round, Zach Bratina, LW, Central Ontario Wolves 2nd round, Alex Peters, LD, Huron-Perth Lakers 4th round, Sonny Milano, LC, Cleveland Barons U16 5th round, Joshua Wesley, LD, Carolina Hurricanes U16 6th round, Alex Nedeljkovic, G, Belle Tire U16 7th round, Mathieu Henderson, LD, Brantford 99ers 7th round, Liam Grande, RW, Whitby Wildcats

Sonny Milano

8th round, Daniel Willett, RD, New Jersey Rockets 8th round, Mitchell Smith, LW, Toronto Young Nationals 9th round, Jake Linhart, RD, Chicago Mission U16

Kyler Challis

10 round, James Wilson, LD, Jr. Canadiens th

11th round, Patrick Kudla, LW, Guelph 12th round, Kyler Challis, RD, Whitby Wildcats 14th round, Seamus Malone, LC, Chicago Mission U16 15th round, Camden VanBrocklin, LD, NPI Leafs

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APRIL 23, 2012 V.22 : I.20

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APRIL 23, 2012 V.22 : I.20

APRIL 23, 2012 V.22 : I.20

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MIHOCKEYMAG

33

NHL PREVIEW GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS

TOMAS TATAR

BATTLES WITH LUCK

BY KYLE KUJAWA

I

t’s easy to forget that at 21 years old, Tomas Tatar is one of the most veteran players on the Grand Rapids Griffins, having just completed his third season with the team.

In his three seasons, Tatar has experienced his fair share of ups and downs. Aside from the opponents he faces each week in the AHL, this year the Ilava, Slovakia, native found himself battling a new rival at every turn – Lady Luck.

“I think I played great, but I didn’t produce like I should,” said Tatar. “It’s hockey – you can’t expect every season to be really good.”

As the Griffins’ 16th season ended on March 15, Tatar found himself winning the battle. He was a big part of the team’s playoff push, recording 12 points (7-5-12) over the team’s final 10 games and ending the season on a sevengame point streak (5-4-9). He was held pointless in just four of the team’s last 17 games, and he enjoyed two-goal games on three different occasions during that stretch.

“Right now, it seems that my luck has turned, and I’ve started to produce,” he said. “The puck’s just coming to me and starting to chase me around the ice now. I feel lucky.”

While the skilled winger maintains that he had an off

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year, he still tied for the team lead in scoring with 58 points (24-34—58) in 76 games and led the team with 224 shots. He tied his career-high in goals and set new bests in assists and points. He was one of just three Griffins (along with Jamie Johnson and Brian Lashoff ) to play in all 76 games.

“My season was up and down,” he said. “I expected a little more. I’m not really happy that we didn’t make the playoffs.”

Tatar played well enough to earn two call-ups to Detroit.

In both instances, he was slated to be the replacement for a regular who was considered a game-time decision, and both times, he sat in the press box. Having played nine NHL games in 2010-11, Tatar admitted that his game was thrown off after not getting another shot in the big league, but he knows that the organization still thinks highly of him.

“It might stay in your head, you wonder what’s happening,” said Tatar. “If you think about it on the ice, you start making some mistakes. The whole season, I just missed a little luck.”

The 5-foot-10-inch, 186-pound forward is hoping that luck stays with him, as his season won’t be ending with Grand Rapids. He’ll take in a few playoff games and practice with Detroit as a “Black Ace” – a spare who doesn’t play – but he doesn’t intend to stick around for the entire playoff run.

“It would be nice to play in some games, but I don’t wish anybody an injury,” Tatar said. “I like all the guys up there. I’ll be staying in Detroit for about one week, but after I will join Slovakia and go to Sweden for the World Championships.”

Tatar has found a lot of success playing internationally.

He burst onto the stage at the 2009 World Junior Championship, helping his country to a fourth-place finish by leading the team with 11 points (7-4—11) in seven games, while boosting his draft stock high enough to be selected in the second round (60th overall) by Detroit the following June.

He debuted for the men’s team following his AHL rookie season at the 2010 World Championships, potting two

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goals in six games. Now more adjusted to the pro game, Tatar is looking forward to gaining more experience against NHL competition at this year’s tournament.

“It’s a really good experience,” said Tatar, who will be skating alongside NHLers like Buffalo’s Andrej Sekera and the NY Islanders’ Milan Jurcina. “I saw a couple rosters from Team Canada and Team USA, and they look really good. There’s a lot of guys who are experienced in the NHL, so it will be really interesting.”

Tatar hopes to parlay a strong tournament into a fulltime NHL job come September. However, due to his young age and early start to his professional career, he will still have the option of playing in Grand Rapids for a fourth season without having to pass through waivers. Should that happen, Tatar will continue to cement himself as one of the best offensive players the Griffins have ever had, as he finished the 2011-12 season sitting eighth in franchise history with 147 points with 64 goals (8th) and 83 assists (10th).

“It’s kind of funny, since I came here so young I’ve played in lots of games for the Griffins,” he said. “If I stay a couple more years, I could get pretty high with the stats.

I’m not really trying to do anything to get to the top, but I’m just going to try to produce for the team. If it comes, then that’s good.”

Just as Tatar was discussing his place in Griffins’ history, Francis Pare, who sits second all-time with 80 goals, walked past and saw an opportunity to razz his teammate.

“He’s trying to catch Frankie Pare,” said Pare. “That’s why he doesn’t want to pass me the puck in the last two weeks.”

“It’s totally true, I’m trying to catch up,” joked Tatar.

Much like his role on the ice, Tatar’s off-ice role has expanded as he’s grown more comfortable with the North American game. If he does crack Detroit’s lineup next season, the Griffins locker room will feel much different without the energetic Tatar’s familiar personality.

“I think it comes natural to me,” he said. “I hate it when it’s quiet in the locker room, it’s a little awkward. I love to make people laugh, so I think it’s my job to make a good atmosphere in the locker room.”

APRIL 23, 2012 V.22 : I.20

GRAHA

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Mark Beaufait beuf19@aol.com

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6:00-7:00 pm Griffs 6:00-7:00 pm Griffs 6:00-7:00 pm Griffs

Mike Kaminski coachkaminski1777@gmail.com

Tuesday May 29 Wednesday May 30 Friday June 1

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Bill Brewer 616-540-4860 brewerws@comcast.net

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JUNIORS PREVIEW RED WINGS INSIDER

A FIRST ROUND FULL OF FISTICUFFS

RED WINGS-PREDATORS SERIES TAME COMPARED TO REST OF NHL PLAYOFFS

BY DAVE WADDELL

I

t may have started out with the ugly scene of Predators’ defenseman Shea Weber slamming Red Wing forward Henrik Zetterberg’s head into the glass in Game 1, but the Nashville-Detroit series is looking absolutely tame compared to several of the other NHL first-round encounters.

Even players who have been through the NHL’s playoff wars for a decade are surprised how quickly some series have become littered with ugly, cheap-shots and head hunting.

“I feel a little bit embarrassed at times when it goes back and forth,” Nashville forward Mike Fisher said.

“To me that’s not hockey. I don’t like to see it.

“I don’t mind fighting and intensity, but the cheap shots are going too far.

“The league has to take charge. I know emotions are higher in playoff s and there’s more on the line, but you got to play within the rules.”

However, Detroit’s Brad Stuart and Drew Miller admitted they noticed the dwindling number of, and length of, suspensions handed down by the league as the season wore on. The waters were further muddied by NHL discipline czar Brendan Shanahan’s comments on the changing standards of enforcement just before the playoff s began.

“I did read a comment right from Shanahan that mentioned discipline in the playoff s might be different than it was during the regular season because playoff games are more important to guys,” Stuart said.

“They might take a one-game suspension in the playoffs that might be worth three or four during the regular season, which kind of sends mixed signals.

“If you can go after a superstar and get one game for it, knock him out for three or four games, whose got the advantage there?

“It does send a mixed message.”

Stuart said the only way the league is going to get a handle on this problem is by consistent enforcement.

“As players, I think consistency is something that would be

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more effective,” Stuart said.

Detroit defenseman Niklas Kronwall was more forgiving on what he’s seen on the highlights. He’s willing to give players the benefit of the doubt about their moments of madness.

“I think there are a lot of emotions out there,” Kronwall said.

“Everyone wants to win. It’s the playoffs and you’re doing everything you can and sometimes emotions get the best of you and you do things that you don’t necessarily mean to do.

“I also think some teams don’t seem to like each other.”

While that’s certainly the case in Philadelphia-Pittsburgh series, it doesn’t provide any reason for the incidents between New York-Ottawa, Chicago-Phoenix or San Jose-St. Louis.

None of those teams has any recent playoff history between them to account for lingering bad blood.

“Some of the hits, the respect level just doesn’t seem to be out there,” Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard said.

“The way some guys are head-hunting, it seems the way we’re going right now it’s like we’re back in the old days. [Goalie] pretty much is the safest place on the ice surface right now.”

Nashville color analyst Terry Crisp, who played for Philadelphia’s Broad Street Bullies in the 1970s, said what he saw over the weekend bears no resemblance to his playing days.

“If you delivered a cheap-shot back in my day, when you went into the dressing room you’d get crap from your teammates,” Crisp said. “They’d chew you out. They knew because of what you did, one of them probably would have to answer for it.

“You didn’t have this stuff because your own teammates policed it.”

Crisp added guys would just drop the gloves and settle the score immediately rather than hunt for a chance to run a guy.

“What I’m seeing is dangerous crap,” Crisp said.

“Yes, we fought but it was face-to-face and the worst you’d normally get was a stitch or two or a bloody nose. There was more respect.

“These guys are such great athletes in the NHL. There’s no excuse that they can’t stop or turn to avoid these things like (James) Neal on (Sean) Couturier.

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“The way they can skate, they can turn on a dime and give you nine cents change.”

Stuart paused as he searched for words to describe how he felt watching some of his peers’ antics over the weekend.

“I don’t know if it’s embarrassing, but it’s probably not the way we want to get ourselves on ESPN,” Stuart said.

“I’m watching ESPN and they showed one goal from the Philly game and then three or four fights and all the other hits and (cheap-shot) stuff.

“That’s probably not what we want as a league.”

Regardless of why it’s happening, Wings’ coach Mike Babcock admits to enjoying watching it.

“I just think it’s a bunch of guys having a good time,” Babcock said.

“Looks to me like it’s competitive. It looks like fun to me.”

Of course, Babcock isn’t on the ice either. Though players don’t express fear over what they’ve seen, they do fear the inevitable career-ending injury if this trend isn’t curtailed.

“In the end, we’re all in this thing together as players,” Stuart said.

“Guys are so much faster and stronger. Those things you’ve seen in the past are devastating.

“The game is so fast, if you don’t have respect for a guy, you can really injure him.”

Stuart added it’s too easy to blame the league for this ongoing issue and players have to start really pondering what they’re doing on the ice.

“We as players have to decide are we going to keep that level of respect for each other or are we going to throw it out the window and let the guys upstairs try to figure out what to do?”

Stuart said.

“We, as players, have to take responsibility as well. Let’s not blame the guy making the decisions because he’s a little bit unsure of what to do.

“Let’s take it upon ourselves to have that respect for each other. Those incidents wouldn’t happen and nobody would be talking about it.”

APRIL 23, 2012 V.22 : I.20

JUNIORS THE LAST PREVIEW LINE Most everyone said that this would be a close series.

On many levels it has been through the first four games, featuring three one-goal games and Game 4 last Tuesday in Detroit ending 3-1 Predators. Yet, the series tally wasn’t close, as the Predators held a commanding 3-1 lead. The easy answer is that goaltender Pekka Rinne has been the difference with his dominant, athletic goaltending each and every game. Take Game 4 for instance: The Red Wings outshot the Preds 41-17, yet only managed a lone power-play goal by Jiri Hudler on a waist-high deflection.

Red Wings’ coach Mike Babcock commented afterwards that he doubted the Predators strategy was to sit back and defend so close to their goal, adding, and “It’s hard to imagine controlling the puck as much as we have and things not going differently.” That’s one view, but Babcock’s remarks had a perplexed tone to them – not as in “we should have won,” but as in “we can’t do much more offensively.” In that sense, he is probably right.

Rinne is winning the battle in goal, with Jimmy Howard failing to make that crucial, must-have save in the past two home games – both losses.

To me, though, this series right from the outset was about the Predators knowing who they are versus a Red Wings’ squad struggling to remember who they were – not that long ago, even, as they led the NHL while setting an all-time home win-streak mark. The Preds’ identity on the ice has long been one of defensive discipline and puck pursuit more than puck control. Off the ice, GM David Poile has used many of the Red Wings’ tenets to build his organization, holding them up as the model to strive for. They’ve built from within, focused on the blue line and added necessary parts along the way. Where they differ right now is that they are bigger and younger up front, with more skill than at any time in their history.

Do they have a Pavel Datsyuk, or Henrik Zetterberg? No. They do have Mike Fisher and David Legwand to match up against the two Red Wings’ pivotal pivots, with both players making it difficult on the Wings’ key cogs each and every shift. As if to summarize the individual battle and maybe even the series overall, there was a small but telling play late in Game 4, as Fisher and Datsyuk took flight in a half-ice footrace on an icing. With both men straining with equal determination, Fisher found a way to get there first and nullify the icing, forcing the Red Wings to expend extra energy and go 200 feet yet again. As has been the case throughout, the Red Wings regrouped and got bogged down in the neutral zone, with the Predators forcing another dump in.

Mike Babcock is right. The Predators didn’t want to spend as much time in their own zone as they did. But, they were willing to do so. They had confidence in their defensive posture and ability to keep the puck mostly to the outside. What the Predators have taken away is the Red Wings’ speed on the attack through the neutral zone – the offensive M.O. that made them the best fiveon-five outfit in the NHL. Through Game 4, the Predators held the Wings to a goal a game at even strength. The Wings second wave on the rush that netted 44 goals from defensemen –tied for second

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RED WINGS VS. PREDATORS: A CASE OF IDENTITIES

BY DARREN ELIOT in the NHL during the regular season – had produced but one lone tally…in the only win of the series. The Predators led the NHL in goals from their rearguards with 47 and again have stayed true to form with four markers in the four games thus far – most in the playoffs.

So, there you have it. The Predators neutralized literally and figuratively - the strengths of the Red Wings and stayed true to their identity. They received better goaltending and scored first in all three of the wins - an area that has plagued the Red Wings for two months,

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@Darren_Eliot having blinked first in 17 of 21 tilts heading to Nashville for a must-win Game 5. It’s tough playing from behind, especially when the team standing in front of you knows your strengths and senses your vulnerability. The Predators stood on the precipice of passing the team they’ve been chasing, on so many levels, for over a decade.

They got their first opportunity Friday to prove they’ve truly arrived and turn this piece into a post mortem.

APRIL 23, 2012 V.22 : I.20

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