Michigan Hockey October 26, 2009

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2009-2010 LCAHL Operating Rules and Bylaws The updated LCAHL Operating Rules and Bylaws, as approved by the LCAHL Operations Board and the corporate legal department, have been posted on the LCAHL website at lcahl.org.

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

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

GENERAL REVISIONS Every team in the league is responsible for reading and adhering to all rules in this document. Below are some highlights of the changes. * Improved readability and clarity of the entire document, including Guiding Principles and Definitions

* Improved document structure and organization end to end * Removed content that clearly overlaps with MAHA or USA Hockey Rules and Regulations * Removed sections that no longer pertain to LCAHL charter [i.e. JV section] * Added new sections for Boundary Rules, the Annual Face-off Meeting, etc. * Restructured critical sections: League Play, Game Rules, Scoring, Competitive Divisions, Division Winners & Playoffs RULES UPDATES The following are some of the updates that were made to the rules. Teams should be sure to note this information and check the rules throughout the season. * The annual Face-off meeting is a mandatory league meeting that must be attended by a rostered coach or team manager. Teams not attending or sending someone other than a team official are subject to referral to the Discipline Committee (Section 8)

* To participate in League Playoffs, players must be rostered with the team by December 31. (Section 11.2) * Period Length information has been updated.

The home team will determine the length of the periods. (Section 12.10) * Forfeits are not allowed in this league. All games must be played. Any team attempting to forfeit a game should immediately be referred to the Division Director. (Section 14.5) * House team rules have been updated to reflect current practices. (Section 18) * Boundary rules have been added. (Section 19) * Competitive Divisions section has been updated.

(Section 20) * Division Winners and Playoffs documentation has been changed to reflect current practices. Divisions may have co-champions. (Section 21) * Playoff rules have been added. (Sections 22 and 23) Any questions regarding Operating Rules should be referred to any LCAHL official.

MICHIGAN HOCKEY

FROM THE EDITOR

FROM THE EDITOR Lots of really good players While researching our Top College Prospects feature in this issue (page 21) it struck me how lucky we are to have so many great players in the state to watch in person.

In addition to talented high school players who will hit the ice on November 2, Michigan has top-end midget, junior, college and professional players all skating near you.

Michigan center Louie Caporusso is a Hobey Baker Award candidate, Northern Michigan’s Erik Gustafsson is one of the best defensemen in college hockey and the Plymouth Whalers’ speedy forward Tyler Seguin is leading the OHL in scoring and is a top rated prospect for next summer’s NHL Draft.

Ann Arbor’s U.S. Under-18 Team is full of top college prospects (page 22), several of which will be drafted by NHL teams next summer. The NTDP teams now compete in the USHL, whose teams are stocked with some of Michigan’s best young talent.

This issue of MH also contains features on a pair of local boys who have made good at the highest levels. Defenseman Cam Fowler of Farmington Hills, himself a lock to go high in next summer’s NHL Draft, is lighting up the OHL in his first season with the Windsor Spitfires (page 25). And Grand Rapids’ native Luke Glendening (page 23) has found a spot in the Michigan Wolverines’ lineup the old fashioned way: he earned it.

The fourth installment of our Navigating the Frozen Waters educational series takes a look at the Tier III Junior B and Junior C levels (page 14). And in addition to a preview of the Adrian College teams (page 24), we have a feature on Score4Kids, a nonprofit organization that is collecting and redistributing hockey equipment to help keep kids in the game (page 19).

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October 26, 2009 | michiganhockeyonline.com

INSIDE 10.26.09 6 AMATEUR HOCKEY REPORT

Editor-in-Chief

• Livonia Kings Bantams, Squirt A Woodhaven Leafs and Belle Tire Midget B win • Big Bear Flatwater Tournament • Hockey Day in Michigan set for January 30 (p.7)

Philip D. Colvin

8 GET BETTER

Advertising Lucia Zuzga

• Coaching drills and the case for playing everyone

10 STATE OF THE GAME

Design Editor Chuck Stevens

• The Tournament by Lyle Phair

12 REEBOK TOURNAMENT CALENDAR STAFF Contributing Editor ........................... Kevin Allen Advertising ......................................Lucia Zuzga ................................................... Philip D. Colvin ................................................... Lauren Kovacs Subscriptions/Distribution ...............Lucia Zuzga Administrative Director ............. Peggy A. Griffin Controller .................................. David J. Klavon Administrative Assistant ...................Amy Jones

14 NAVIGATING THE FROZEN WATERS

• The fourth installment of our educational series takes a look at the Tier III Junior B Great Lakes Junior Hockey League (GLJHL).

MH BEAT 19 • Score4Kids helps keep players on the ice • Four from Michigan make U.S. Select Team • Tier I Elite League players hit the road (p. 20) • Frozen Four at Ford Field gets new seating configuration (p.20)

Circulation: Weekly press run of 8,000-10,000 with an estimated readership of 24,000-30,000.

EDITORIAL BOARD: Bob Despirt, Christine Szarek, Derek Blair, Don Dales, Julie Pardoski, Kirk Vickers, Linda Holland, Lisa Zarzycki, Lori Yarnell, Mark Vansaw, Randy Paquette, Susan Bottrell, Tim Wilson, Todd Krygier LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: MICHIGAN HOCKEY® welcomes Letters to the Editor. They must be signed and include the writer's full home address and day and evening

DEPARTMENTS

telephone numbers.

MICHIGAN HOCKEY is published by SUBURBAN SPORTS COMMUNICATIONS, a division of Suburban Sports Group, 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. ©2004 by Suburban Sports Communications. All Rights Reserved. The opinions and views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of MICHIGAN HOCKEY or its advertisers. All editorial copy, photographs and advertising materials remain the property of MICHIGAN HOCKEY.

MICHIGAN HOCKEY 23995 Freeway Park Drive • Suite 200 Farmington Hills, MI 48335-2829 (248) 478-2500 • FAX: (248) 478-1601 EMAIL: mh@michiganhockeyonline.com WEBSITE: www.michiganhockeyonline.com Cover: Clawson’s Shane Berschbach of the Indiana Ice by John and Kelly Wikman/Whiteshark Photography; Brighton’s Jon Merrill of the U.S. Under-18 Team by Dave Arnold and the Red Wings Nick Lidstrom by Dave Reginek/DRW. This page (from top): Hockey Day in Michigan fun by Michigan Hockey; S.S. Marie’s Kyle Jean of the Traverse City Northstars

by Robert Meyer/NAHL and Goodrich’s Kevin Kissaw of the Marquette Rangers by Meyer/NAHL.

Cover reprints available: email mh@michiganhockeyonline.com

COLLEGE PROSPECTS 21 TOP • Michigan continues to produce good collegiate players • Where are they now? Former top college prospects all over hockey world • U.S. Under-18 Team is chock full of prospects (p.22)

28

NORTH AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE REPORT • Standings, leaders and Marquette’s Kevin Kissaw backstops Marquette to the top of the North Division of the Tier II Junior A League

Attention Holiday Shoppers Michigan Hockey’s Holiday Gift Guide is coming in the November 9 issue!

Note to advertisers: Ad deadline is Oct. 28 for the Holiday Gift Guide – call Lucia at (248) 479-1134 for more info!

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NHL INSIDERS 30 •Waddell: Lidstrom joins exclusive 1000-point club • Allen: Franzen’s injury tests Red Wings depth

MICHIGAN HOCKEY

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Bantam Livonia Kings win Big Bear Flatwater Tourney The Livonia Bantam Kings went 3-1 to capture the Big Bear Flatwater Tournament in Chelsea on October 4.

After losing to the Chelsea Bulldogs, 3-1, in the opener, the Kings notched 11 straight periods of shutout hockey to win their first tournament of the year. The Kings beat the Cleveland Skating Club, 1-0, Plymouth Sharks, 2-0, and Cleveland Skating Club 5-0 in the championship game.

After his third straight shutout, goaltender Cody Bartlett was the unanimous tournament MVP, though the scoreless streak was a clearly a complete team effort.

The Kings are: Jack Hoover, Garrett Sculthorpe, J.R. Kalil-A, Evan Thompson, Jordan Cutting,

Brian Sexton-A, Jimmy McGrail, Scott Kardel, Matt Vanhulle, Kevin Kerpet, Craig Rizzolo-C, Justin Melville, Cameron Mount-Cambell, Matthew Byrne-A, Cody Bartlett and Joey Donavan.

Kings coaches are Mike Thompson, Phil Sexton, John Kalil, Bill Rizzolo, Bob Vanhulle, Pat Hoover and Ron Kerpet-Manger.

The Woodhaven Leafs (below) took the Squirt A division of the tournament with a 6-4 win over the Toronto Aces. In the Bantam AA division the Henry Ford Hurricanes (bottom) took the title with a 4-2 win over the Leafs and Belle Tire won the Midget B title with a 2-0 shutout of the Glenbrook (IL) South Titans.

PHOTO BY FASTPHOTOPRO.COM

MH BEAT

MICHIGAN HOCKEY

Hockey Day in Michigan is set for January 30

What is about hockey that makes players get up early on cold winter mornings to go to the rink and fans to go to great lengths to follow their favorite team?

That’s the idea behind Hockey Day in Michigan, a statewide celebration of the game. This year’s fifth annual event will take place on January 30 – and the CCHA, FOX Sports Detroit, the Detroit Red Wings and the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association are teaming up again to bring the coast-to-coast celebration to current and new participants and fans all across the state.

Hockey Day in Michigan celebrates the passion of the game and honors the contributions of the thousands of volunteers, coaches, officials, managers and players who give countless hours to the game. The day is also an opportunity to bring special attention to the sport so that more people might consider watching it and trying it.

Michigan has over 61,000 players, coaches and officials registered with USA Hockey, which is the second most of any state in the nation.

Ken Holland, the Vice President and General Manager of the Detroit Red Wings, says Michigan is one of the best places to live if you love hockey.

“The state of Michigan, year after year, continues to be an elite part of the hockey world at every level and age group,” Holland said.

“Michigan is currently home to the 11-time Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings, the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins, seven top-notch Division I NCAA programs and outstanding

junior hockey, not to mention the numerous high school and youth teams across our great state. It’s exciting to live in a part of the world where the game of hockey means so much to so many people.”

George Atkinson, the President of the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association, believes that Hockey Day helps grow the game of hockey in the state of Michigan.

“Hockey Day in Michigan helps to highlight the fact that the sport of hockey is part of Michigan’s heritage,” Atkinson said. “Hockey Day helps to provide exposure to people who may not be aware of the hockey programs offered in their area. The increasing participation in Hockey Day by MAHA associations and teams has enabled new players to experience the thrills and fun a player can have while playing hockey with their friends.”

Greg Hammaren, the Vice President and General Manager of FOX Sports Detroit, said FOX Sports is proud to provide coverage of the traditional CCHA Hockey Day in Michigan doubleheader. Hockey Day 2010 features Western Michigan at 2009 national runner-up Miami at 5:05 p.m. followed by “College Hockey’s Fiercest Rivalry”, as Michigan takes on Michigan State at 7:35 p.m. at Joe Louis Arena.

“The CCHA doubleheader on Hockey Day in Michigan has become a signature of our network,” said Greg Hammaren, Senior Vice President/General Manager, FOX Sports Detroit. “It’s an honor to be associated with this annual celebration of hockey – a sport that is so near and dear to participants and spectators throughout our

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FOX Sports Detroit’s coverage of Hockey Day 2009 involved more than just the traditional CCHA doubleheader. It included features on the history of hockey in Michigan, the Wheelchair Hockey League of Michigan, Hockey Day in Michigan Clinics in Novi, instructional pieces from former Red Wing and current FOX Sports Detroit analyst Larry Murphy (“Lessons with Larry”), and fun facts about other types of hockey like bubble hockey, air hockey and video game hockey. Area youth teams got a chance to give “Happy Hockey Day” greetings to the Fox Sports Detroit viewers as well.

And coast-to-coast doesn’t just mean Muskegon to Port Huron and Monroe to Houghton. This year’s Hockey Day in Michigan will again coincide with USA Hockey’s third-annual “Hockey Weekend Across America” celebration of the game on January 29-31, 2010.

“We are proud and excited that Hockey Day in Michigan, launched in 2006, is now part of a nationwide celebration whose scope continues to expand each year,” said CCHA Commissioner Tom Anastos. “It’s a great way for everyone involved in hockey to show their passion for the sport and share that passion with others who might consider trying it or watching it. We encourage everyone to get involved and celebrate in their own way.”

To get involved or to have your event included in the list of happenings around the state on CCHA.com, contact the CCHA at hockeyday@ccha.com or (248) 888-0600.

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7

MICHIGAN HOCKEY

GET BETTER

GET BETTER

Equal playing time helps develop the whole team

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

SUBMIT TO WIN COACHES, SEND US THE FOLLOWING INFO FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A COACH MATE BOARD AND BE FEATURED IN AN UPCOMING ISSUE OF MICHIGAN HOCKEY IN THE BEHIND THE BENCH SECTION.

Please include: YOUR NAME WHERE DO YOU LIVE THE LEVEL, TEAM AND ASSOCIATION WHERE YOU COACH NUMBER OF YEARS COACHING WHY DO YOU COACH MOST MEMORABLE COACHING MOMENT COACHING PHILOSOPHY/STYLE FAVORITE DRILL COACH YOU ADMIRE MOST AND WHY ONE THING YOU’D CHANGE ABOUT YOUTH HOCKEY PLEASE ATTACH A DIGITAL PHOTO OF YOURSELF WITH YOUR ANSWERS AND EMAIL EVERYTHING TO: MH@MICHIGANHOCKEYONLINE.COM

800-667-5141

www.coachmate.com

8

On most youth teams, there are players who are physically ahead of their teammates in size, speed or strength. These players often form a core of talent that coaches can use to their advantage to win games.

The temptation for many coaches is to use this talent more during a game to go for the win. While this method is appropriate at the highest level of athletic competition, it seldom has any place in youth sports.

Here is why playing everyone is a good strategy for having a fun and successful season:

both a player and a person.

Plans for the future - Injuries and illness are a part of every team’s season. That’s why it’s important to get everyone involved early in the season. If you don’t improve your entire team, how do you expect a fourth-line player to step up and contribute at a crucial point in the season?

Many coaches will tell you that winning seasons and championships take a back seat to seeing a former player years down the road and he or she says how much you helped them as

Better reflects coaching abilities - Winning games with kids who are physically more mature is more a success of drafting or picking players than coaching. Winning games by developing all the kids on a team is a better test of a coach’s abilities.

Avoids contention between coaches, parents and players – The resentments that can build between coaches and parents can often build among parents for the same reasons. More than a few youth teams have had successful seasons poisoned by hard feelings arising out of a coach’s game decisions. And if players feel that coaches have favorites, they may stop trying their hardest.

Minimizes player fatigue - In tough, Good enough to play - If they’re good physical games, coaches will lack skilled enough to make my team, they’re good players if the top players are exhausted enough to play. It’s a coach’s job to ensure and lesser players have had limited game that everyone has improved from the experience. beginning of the year to the end. If that doesn’t happen, you need to re-evaluate Simplifies coaching decisions - Coaches your roles as a coach. don’t have to guess or decide which players Early in the season you can mix and Getting all your players equal playing time are most likely to play well in a given situation. match your lines, and allow everyone an can help your team in many ways. opportunity to be a part of the power play Improves team chemistry - When players and penalty killing units. As the season hits its full stride and your feel everyone is treated fairly, they are more likely to focus on working No. 1 power play and penalty killing units take shape, it’s even more together. When players feel they can succeed by making someone important to find enough ice time for all your players. else look bad or themselves look better, they are learning the wrong A coach who shortens his bench may somehow think he’s lessons about team play. advancing his career, but even if that were true, would it be worth it?

Wins mean more to everyone - When everyone contributes to Maximizes player development - Without playing time and a win, there are no lingering resentments that will interfere with opportunities to play in special situations, players cannot learn. the celebration.

PUCK SUPPORT TIMING PURPOSE: To develop good offensive puck support positioning and timing skills to promote quick puck movement on the attack.

SET-UP: Players line up in one of two lines as shown, either at the red line along the boards or at the blue line in the center of the ice. On the whistle, X swings in and toward the boards for a pass from the coach and O times his movement to swing into the center lane to receive the pass from X, then breaks up-ice and around the cone for a shot.

Players move from the X line to the O line, then to the X line at the other end as they progress through the drill.

PUCK CONTROL RACE DRILL PURPOSE: To improve physical conditioning and work on puck control and scoring skills at high speeds while tired.

SET-UP: Divide players half on each side of the ice and try to pair them up by skating speed. Two players leave from the hash marks at each end on the whistle and skate to the red line, back to the blue line and up-ice again. The first player to the far blue line receives a pass from the last player in line and skates in for a shot, continues around behind the net and begins the same pattern on the other side of the ice.

The second player receives his pass, skates down around the cone and cuts to the middle to deke the goaltender, then continues the same pattern on the other side of the ice.

October 26, 2009 | michiganhockeyonline.com

Source: Developing Your Total Team by Harry Thompson/ BetterHockey.com and 10 Reasons for Equal Playing Time by Jeff Farris/Sports Esteem.com

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MICHIGAN HOCKEY

STATE OF THE GAME

State Game of the

by LYLE PHAIR

For many hockey teams at all age groups, from the youngest mites all the way up through the oldest adults, one of the highlights of the season is the tournament.

Oddly enough, as much as there is nothing quite like it, essentially most of the season is quite like it. Just in a much more drawn out version.

If you really think about it, pretty much every game played in youth hockey is a “tournament” game. The only games that really aren’t “tournament” in nature are scrimmage, exhibition or non-league games. All league or playoff games are really just part of a longer than usual tournament that results in one team officially (or sometimes unofficially) laying claim to the championship. Tournaments are the compressed version of a league or playoff. In fast forward. Amped up on caffeine.

But what we think of as a true tournament, one that is typically held over the course of a weekend, is very much different. In a lot of different ways. Some good, some not so good.

CHEMISTRY BUILDER

Going to an “early-bird” or “icebreaker” tournament early in the season can be a very valuable and worthwhile experience for a team. And not necessarily for what happens on the ice.

While that is definitely a part of it, the hours spent together away from the rink, in the hotel and at the restaurants are beneficial to the chemistry of a team that can often yield dividends on the ice for the remainder of the season.

And not just for the players. It is a great time for families, who will be spending substantial amounts of time with each other over the course of the season, to interact and get to know one another a little better.

Of course, sometimes that can not necessarily be a good thing because oil and water will never mix no matter how much you try, but in most cases everybody gets along. And the better they know one another, the more they do.

10

THE TOURNAMENT From a coaching standpoint, tournaments can be very effective opportunities to teach the game. No matter the age or level of play of the players, there is always something to learn. There is always something to teach.

The advantage that a tournament presents is that there is a significant amount of hockey played in a short time, usually at least three games in two days, oftentimes more than that.

Coaches who use that opportunity wisely will reap the rewards later on in the season. Tournament games are filled with teachable moments. As are all games. The difference is that with more games in a shorter time span, you can constantly reinforce those messages over and over with a greater likelihood that they will be retained by the players.

Tournaments can provide teams with an opportunity to play against different teams that they would never otherwise play.

It can be nice to get a break from league or local play where you might face the same team 3-4 times in a given season. It can also be annoying to drive four hours to a tournament only to find out you are playing the same teams that you play all year long.

A LITTLE FREEDOM

For many of the players (and some of the parents) the most memorable tournament moments are created at the hotel where the team stays.

Kids of all ages get together in packs and roam the hallways, moving from room to room, soaking up the opportunity (especially the younger ones) for a little freedom from parental supervision.

On the flip side, parents sometimes enjoy the same freedom from parental responsibilities. Some of them a little too much at times.

And they are usually very easy to spot the next morning slinking blurry-eyed into the rink at 6:55 for that 7 a.m. game.

Team meals in restaurants also can really help in bringing the players and their families together and literally forcing them to get to know one another. There is really nothing like sitting down and breaking bread. The dad that likes to sit off by his self during a game, away from all of the other parents, has to get into the group and has to talk to the rest of them. At the rink, he may be the yeller, or he may move away to get away from the yellers. But at the restaurant, there is nowhere to hide. Unless of course you want to be at the kid table.

Some tournaments do a wonderful job of creating a fun tournament atmosphere in the arena, aside from the games on the ice. Things like raffles and drawings, silent auctions, give-away goodie bags for players, pancake breakfasts, free skate sharpening, equipment vendors showing the newest products, hospitality/ snack rooms for coaches, the chance to buy pictures of your player

October 26, 2009 | michiganhockeyonline.com

or team in action, karaoke contests and skills competitions all add to the event.

THE NOT SO GOOD

With the good sometimes comes the bad. And tournaments can have more than their share of not so good hockey moments for players and families.

Missing school is never a good thing. Unless you are a kid, and even then many kids don’t like to miss school. More and more it seems the tournament format that used to be reserved for Friday evening, all day Saturday and most of the day Sunday now bleeds into all day Friday, sometimes even requiring a Thursday stay-over.

The tournament business is very competitive and for many the philosophy is “more is better”. Where 3-4 games was once the standard (a game Friday evening, two on Saturday and the semis and/or finals on Sunday), now tournaments are offering 4-game guarantees with teams playing as many as 6 games total if they go to the finals. That necessitates two games on Friday which means more school being missed. Not a good thing. Throw in the fact that players are forced to play 5-6 games in 48-56 hours and it only gets worse.

Playing that much hockey in that short of time results in tired and banged up players and games are not as well played as they could or should be.

As much as good coaches can influence their team positively by using the tournament format constructively as a teaching tool, they can go the opposite direction by being influenced by the win or go home mentality. It’s not hard to get caught up in that. The parents have spent their money and time to get there and there can be the perception of pressure to see it “pay off” for them.

So coaches coach the scoreboard and players get short-shifted.

Coaches justify it by thinking “if we win this game, then all of the other players get an opportunity to play one more game”.

The tournament format does not always allow for quality refereeing. Many referees get over-worked with too many games in too short of a time period. Some get tired, some get lazy. Some just make “bad calls” anyway.

Factor in the ultra-competitive, over-caffeinated, sleep-deprived and sometimes alcohol-impaired parents who have their sights set on the tournament championship and who live and die with every call and you can guess what happens next. A recipe for the perfect storm.

Like everything else in the youth hockey experience, tournaments are what we make of them. They can provide a great opportunity for coaches and parents to create a positive experience for the players. Or not.

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TOURNAMENT CALENDAR Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MI October 23-25, 2009 Squirt AA, Pee Wee House, Midget House Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

Great Lakes Tournaments Series Holland, MI November 20-22, 2009 Mite House, Pee Wee House, Bantam House Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

Big Bear - The Wild Turkey Tournament Detroit, MI November 27 - 29, 2009 Mite, Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, Midget.

B - BB - A – AA www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694

Motown Cup Tournament Series DETROIT, MI October 23-25, 2009 Mite thru Midget/, JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House) Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, tony@ itshockeytime.com www.itshockeytime.com

Motown Cup Tournament Series DETROIT, MI November 20-22, 2009 Mite thru Midget/, JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House) Tony Prpic (216) 325-0567, tony@ itshockeytime.com www.itshockeytime.com

Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MI December 4-6, 2009 Squirt House, Pee Wee A, Midget Minor Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MI October 30-November 1, 2009 Pee Wee A, Bantam House, Midget Major/HS Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

Eddie Edgar Thanksgiving Challenge November 27-29, 2009 Mini-Mites B, Mite B, Squirt B Peewee B, Bantam B Midget B, Midget BB Ph: 734-422-5172 jfeldman@livoniahockey.org

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

Thanksgiving Hockey Tournament November 27-29, 2009 (no Thanksgiving day games) Macomb, MI Mite B, Squirt - Midget B, Squirt - Midget A, Squirt & Pee Wee AA 586-992-8600 www.suburbanice.com

Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MI November 6-8, 2009 Mite House, Mite A, Bantam A Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com Motown Cup Tournament Series DETROIT, MI November 6-8, 2009 Mite thru Midget/, JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House) Tony Prpic (216) 325-0567, tony@ itshockeytime.com www.itshockeytime.com Big Bear - The Ursa Major Detroit, MI November 6 - 8, 2009 Mite, Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, Midget, High School & J.V. ¨ B - BB - A - AA www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694 Big Bear - Cold Fusion Grand Rapids, MI November 6 - 8, 2009 Miter Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, Midget, High School & J.V. - B - BB - A - AA www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694 Manon Rheaume Tournament Farmington Hills, MI November 12-15, 2009 Girls 19&/21U, 16U, 14U & 12U 248-479-1139 Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MI November 13-15, 2009 Squirt House, Mite AA, Midget House Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com Big Rapids Area Junior Hockey Association November 13-15, 2009 Big Rapids, MI Squirt tournament www.ferris.edu/icearena www.bigrapidshockey.org Tournament Hotline: (231) 591-2881 Motown Cup Tournament Series DETROIT, MI November 13-15, 2009 Mite thru Midget/, JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House) Tony Prpic (216) 325-0567, tony@ itshockeytime.com www.itshockeytime.com

12

Michigan Thanksgiving Classic Monroe, Michigan November 27 – 29, 2009 Youth 2003-1990 BOYS - (Travel B, Select, AE), A, AA, AAA 1-888-422-6526 Email: tournaments@icesports.com www.canlanclassictournaments.com Girls Michigan Thanksgiving Classic Monroe, Michigan November 27–29, 2009 Youth 2001-1990 GIRLS - Tier II (C, B,BB) and Tier I (A, AA) 1-888-422-6526 Email: tournaments@icesports.com www.canlanclassictournaments.com Turkey Day @ the Shores Saint Clair Shores, MI November 27-29, 2009 01, 00, 99, 98, 97, 96, 95, U16 & U18 248-670-5742 director@greatlakeshockey.com www.greatlakeshockey.com Great Lakes Thanksgiving Classic Holland, MI November 27-29, 2009 Holland, MI Great Lakes Thanksgiving Classic Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com Wolverine Cup Tournament Series BRIGHTON/NOVI (Western Detroit Suburbs), MI November 27-29, 2009 Mite thru Midget/JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House) Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, tony@ itshockeytime.com www.itshockeytime.com K-Zoo Cup Tournament Series KALAMAZOO, MI November 27-29, 2009 Mite thru Midget/JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House) Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, tony@ itshockeytime.com www.itshockeytime.com Big Bear - The S2 Invitational Kalamazoo, MI November 27 - 29, 2009 Bantam Minor & Bantam Major only Tier 1 AAA www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694

Motown Cup Tournament Series DETROIT, MI December 4-6, 2009 Mite thru Midget/JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House) Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, tony@ itshockeytime.com www.itshockeytime.com Big Bear - The FireBolt Ann Arbor, MI December 4 - 6, 2009 Mite, Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, Midget B - BB - A - AA www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694 Big Bear - The Urban Legends Detroit, MI December 4 - 6, 2009 Mite, Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, Midget.

High School & J.V. ♦ B - BB - A – AA www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694 Big Bear - The 40th Annual Trenton Invitational Detroit, MI December 11 - 13, 2009 Mite, Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, Midget, High School & J.V. ♦ B - BB - A – AA www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694 Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MI December 9-11, 2009 Pee Wee House, Pee Wee AA, Bantam House Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com Big Rapids Area Junior Hockey Association Big Rapids, MI December 11-13, 2009 Bantam tournament www.ferris.edu/icearena www.bigrapidshockey.org Tournament Hotline: (231) 591-2881 Motown Cup Tournament Series DETROIT, MI December 11-15, 2009 Mite thru Midget/, JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House) Tony Prpic (216) 325-0567, tony@ itshockeytime.com www.itshockeytime.com Compuware Holiday Classic Tournament Plymouth, MI December 26 - 30, 2009 Mini Mites, Mites, Squirt, Pee Wee, Bantam, JV/Midget A, AA, House Nick DeYonker (NickD@Plymouthwhalers. com) Mike Henry (MikeH@Plymouthwhalers.com) 734-453-6400 Santa Visits the Shores Saint Clair Shores, MI December 28-30, 2009 01, 00, 99, 98, 97, 96, 95, U16 & U18 248-670-5742 director@greatlakeshockey.com www.greatlakeshockey.com Bd’s Mongolian BBQ Puckmasters 3 on 3 Wixom, MI December 28-30, 2009 Mites – Bantam 248-926-5656 www.puckmasters.com/detroit

October 26, 2009 | michiganhockeyonline.com

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Weekend Hockey Tournaments Nov 13-15, 2009 Philadelphia, PA 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+ A, B, C, D, E Levels Mens/ Womens 1-877-702-5701 james@weekendhockey.com www.weekendhockey.com Weekend Hockey Tournaments Nov 20-22, 2009 Montreal, QC 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+ A, B, C, D, E Levels Mens/ Womens 1-877-702-5701 james@weekendhockey.com www.weekendhockey.com Weekend Hockey Tournaments Jan 1 - 3, 2010 New Years Tournament Burlington, ON 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+ A, B, C, D, E Levels Mens/ Womens 1-877-702-5701 james@weekendhockey.com www.weekendhockey.com Weekend Hockey Tournaments Feb 19 - 21, 2010 Brampton, ON 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+ A, B, C, D, E Levels Mens/ Womens 1-877-702-5701 james@weekendhockey.com www.weekendhockey.com Weekend Hockey Tournaments March 12 - 14, 2010 Niagara Falls, ON 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+ A, B, C, D, E Levels Mens/ Womens 1-877-702-5701 james@weekendhockey.com www.weekendhockey.com Weekend Hockey Tournaments March 19 – March 21, 2010 Tampa, FL 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+ A, B, C, D, E Levels Mens/ Womens 1-877-702-5701 james@weekendhockey.com www.weekendhockey.com Weekend Hockey Tournaments April 2 - 3, 2010 Philadelphia, PA 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+ A, B, C, D, E Levels Mens/ Womens 1-877-702-5701 james@weekendhockey.com www.weekendhockey.com Weekend Hockey Tournaments April 9 - 11, 2010 Pittsburgh, PA 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+ A, B, C, D, E Levels Mens/ Womens 1-877-702-5701 james@weekendhockey.com www.weekendhockey.com Weekend Hockey Tournaments April 23-25, 2010 Montreal, PQ 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+ A, B, C, D, E Levels Mens/ Womens 1-877-702-5701 james@weekendhockey.com www.weekendhockey.com Weekend Hockey Tournaments Apr 30 – May 2, 2010 Niagara Falls, ON 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+ A, B, C, D, E Levels Mens/ Womens 1-877-702-5701 james@weekendhockey.com www.weekendhockey.com

Weekend Hockey Tournaments May 14 – 16, 2010 Niagara Falls, ON 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+ A, B, C, D, E Levels Mens/ Womens 1-877-702-5701 james@weekendhockey.com www.weekendhockey.com Weekend Hockey Tournaments June 4 - 6, 2010 Atlantic City, NJ 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+ A, B, C, D, E Levels Mens/ Womens 1-877-702-5701 james@weekendhockey.com www.weekendhockey.com INDY CUP Tournament Series: The Indy Cup Indianapolis, IN October 9-11, 2009 Mite through Midget: A, and AA Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com Rock ‘N Roll Cup Tournament Series CLEVELAND, OH October 9-11, 2009 Mite thru Midget/, JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House) Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, tony@ itshockeytime.com www.itshockeytime.com Three Rivers Cup Tournament Series PITTSBURGH, PA October 9-11, 2009 Mite thru Midget/, JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House) Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, tony@ itshockeytime.com www.itshockeytime.com Queen City Cup Tournament Series CINCINNATI, OH October 9-11, 2009 Mite thru Midget/, JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House) Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, tony@ itshockeytime.com www.itshockeytime.com Niagara Falls Columbus Day Early Bird Niagara Falls, NY October 10-12, 2009 Mite – Midget A, AA & AAA Email: gcarella17@cs.com Big Bear - The Eye of the Storm Tampa, FL October 10 - 12, 2009 Mite, Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, Midget A – AA www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694 Big Bear - The Fall Prep Showcase Nashville, TN October 10 - 12, 2009 High School & J.V. www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694

CHICAGO CUP Tournament Series: Chicago Fall Classic Chicago, IL October 23-25, 2009 Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com Steel City Tournament Series: Pittsburgh Fall Classic Pittsburgh, PA October 23-25, 2009 Mite through Midget: B, A, AA Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com Music City Tournament Series: Nashville Fall Classic Nashville, TN October 23-25, 2009 Mite through Midget: B, A, and AA Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com Empire State Tournament Series: Empire State Showdown Rochester, NY October 23-25, 2009 Mite through Midget: B, A, AA Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com Golden State Tournament Series: Golden State Showdown Riverside, CA October 23-25, 2009 Mite through Midget: B, A, AA Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com Rock ‘N Roll Cup Tournament Series CLEVELAND, OH October 23-25, 2009 Mite thru Midget/JV & High School (AA,A,B,House Select,House) Tony Prpic (216)325-0567, tony@ itshockeytime.com www.itshockeytime.com Big Bear - Fire on the Water Cleveland, OH October 23 - 25, 2009 Mite, Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, Midget B - A - AA www.shootouthockey.com 248-399-1694 Las Vegas Youth Blast Las Vegas, Nevada November 5 – 8, 2009 Youth 2003-1990 (Travel B,Select, AE), A, AA, AAA 1-888-422-6526 Email: tournaments@icesports.com www.canlanclassictournaments.com

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

Steel City Tournament Series: Pittsburgh Veterans Cup Pittsburgh, PA November 6-8, 2009 Mite through Midget: B, A, AA Contact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com

October Classic Oshawa, Ontario October 16 – 18, 2009 Adult Men’s, Women’s, COED 18+, 30+, 40+A/B,C,D,E 1-888-422-6526 Email: tournaments@icesports.com www.canlanclassictournaments.com

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Las Vegas Old-Timers Classic Las Vegas, Nevada October 23 – 25, 2009 Adult Men’s, Women’s, COED 18+, 30+, 40+A/B,C,D,E 1-888-422-6526 Email: tournaments@icesports.com www.canlanclassictournaments.com

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TOURNAMENTS

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13

MICHIGAN HOCKEY

NAVIGATING THE FROZEN WATERS

Navigating the Frozen Waters Junior B and Junior C levels are part of USA Hockey Editor’s Note: The following article is the fourth installment of our “Navigating the Frozen Waters” educational series aimed at helping both new and veteran players and parents understand the different levels and pathways of hockey available in Michigan and across the United States. Michigan Hockey will explore midget AAA, high school and youth hockey in future issues.

We invite you to share your questions and concerns regarding Navigating the Waters by e-mailing us at: mh@michiganhockeyonline. com.

BY TIM WILSON The Midwest-based Great Lakes Junior Hockey League is one of four designated Tier III Junior B leagues in the United States and includes four teams in Michigan, three in Illinois and two in Wisconsin. This is the league’s first year with Junior B status after operating as a Junior C circuit last season in its inaugural campaign.

With the league being so new to the overall U.S. junior scene, the GLJHL is working to build its name and establish a reputation.

“With our league, not a lot of people know it and a lot are skeptical,” said Jeff Worlton, head coach of the Bay City-based Tri-City Icehawks. “People are finding out that we are competitive and you can move up.”

The main goal of GLJHL teams is to develop players so they can move to the Junior A level and possibly beyond, according to Worlton.

“A lot of coaches at higher levels like kids to play Junior B first,” he said. “It’s a good way for a kid to get his feet wet in junior hockey with the speed and the fighting.”

And educating parents and players comes with the territory.

“The hardest part of my job is explaining to parents that the bang is worth the buck,” said Burton-based Michigan Mountain Cats head coach Matt Bendall. “We get some parents that think if their kid plays junior hockey this year that they will be playing college hockey next year.”

Teams must convince a player that he is better off playing at a lower level of junior hockey than playing in midgets or at the high school level.

“You’re playing a 48-game regular season plus playoffs,” said Bendall, referring to the GLJHL. “Playing with better kids makes you a better player.”

“It’s more intense than high school both on and off the ice,” said Worlton. “If you get your elbow up at the junior level you may have to answer for it. In high school, it’s two minutes.”

Like Tier III Junior A, Junior B is pay-to-play. Although fees can v a r y f ro m team to team, a player can expect spend in the area of $5,000 per season.

Included in these fees are ice time, travel and lodging.

Both the Icehawks and Mountain Cats enjoy the luxury of having a team bus.

As is common in junior hockey, the GLJHL has a system in place that allows each team 10 draft picks and 10 tenders. Most players were scouted at the high school and midget AA or AAA level. Players can also make teams through open camps that are offered during the summer months.

Both the Mountain Cats

and Icehawks have players from out of the area but most have local connections. Local billet families are provided for out of town players, with a cost of about $250-$300 per month.

“Generally we are very local with most players living within 90 miles and the majority within 30 miles,” said Bendall.

While the Mountain Cats and Icehawks both have a strong local flavor to their teams, the Danville (IL) Inferno operate at the other end of the spectrum with just three players from the Danville area.

With a roster of 20 this season, 17 players needed to billet coming from as far as Alaska, Texas, North Carolina, Florida and Colorado.

“We probably have the most extensive billeting program in our league,” said Danville general manager Cameron Estes.

Located in east-central Illinois, Danville is small city with a youth hockey program that consists of a roughly 60 player house division.

So why move all the way to Danville to play Junior B hockey?

“Our rink, our fan base and our ethics behind our program,” Estes said.

The Inferno average 450 fans per game in a building that seats close to 2,500 and run a very strict operation. Similar to other teams in the league, Danville requires that all players attend school or have a job. The team also has a zero tolerance policy for alcohol and randomly drug tests players.

“We have a great group of owners in this league,” said Estes.

“We all do things differently but we’re all here for the kids first.”

“This is about more than hockey. This is about preparing them for the real world,” said Estes. “We like to pride ourselves on that out of 17 players last year, 10 have moved on. Out of our 20 players this season, two have already moved on to Tier III Junior A.” In Burton, the Mountain Cats also operate the state’s only Junior C franchise as the westernmost member of the Continental Hockey Association’s C division. One of only two Junior C leagues in the country, the CHA has six teams at the C level, with all but the Mountain Cats located in the Northeast section of the country.

“Junior C is a great place for a kid to start,” said Bendall. “It’s a good opportunity for kids that aren’t ready for Junior B.” Although Bendall does not coach the “C” Mountain Cats, the two teams do skate together over the summer and players have the chance to move up or down. Fees to play at the C level are very similar to playing Junior B. As the GLJHL works to establish itself, Bay City’s Worlton has a message for players and parents.

“Don’t let the letter B at the end of the word junior fool you,” he said. “This is very good hockey, kids do get moved on. The teams in this league are stable and the league is growing.”

Great Lakes Junior Hockey League

Staff

President - Gerry Lullove VP/Franchises - Terry Kucharski Director of Player Personnel - Mark Shutan Referee in Chief- Dan Monacelli, Jr.

Teams

Central Wisconsin Saints Chicago Junior Huskies Illinois Frontenacs Motor City Chiefs

Michigan Ice Dogs Michigan Mountain Cats Tri-City Icehawks Wisconsin Rampage

Continental Hockey Association Junior C

Teams Buffalo Stars Frederick Freeze Michigan Mountain Cats

14

October 26, 2009 | michiganhockeyonline.com

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MICHIGAN HOCKEY

TRAINING TABLE

TRAINING TABLE KIRK VICKERS

How to increase your speed and agility While most athletes will not develop worldclass speed, an athlete that is committed and willing to devote a little time and effort working on speed and agility principles should notice some improvement.

A simple definition of speed and agility is: moving from one point to another as quickly and efficiently as possible. Using this definition we understand that speed and agility is not just a function of “more is better” but also working more efficiently.

This leads us to our first principle of improved speed and agility: Work Smarter. Eliminate wasted movements that detract from speed and agility. Every running and movement drill should first emphasize form and technique, then move to increased load and velocity.

Then remember the Shortest Distance Between Two Points is a Straight Line, which is our second principle for improving speed and agility.

As an athlete are you moving in a straight line or not? Don’t only look at the legs but also look at the arms and torso. Don’t forget it’s the whole body that is moving, not just the legs.

Spend some time working on improving posture.

Posture is a cornerstone for increased speed, power and control.

A couple of quick tips to help improve posture – if you notice that when you are walking that you toe in or out, work on keeping your feet in a more straight alignment. Is your head over your body or is it protruding forward? Work on straightening out these subtle issues and you will start to see your speed and agility increase over time.

Principle number three is - A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. When looking at movement you begin to understand that the body is a chain of movement. Our bodies are only as fast and efficient as our weakest link. How is the flexibility throughout the hips and pelvic region? This is often an area that is overlooked

and becomes a major weak link. If an athlete is restricted in movement at the hip and pelvic region they are not capable of getting maximal hip turn-over or a proper running mechanic. By engaging in flexibility movements and drills that increase hip ROM (range of motion) an athlete can greatly improve speed and agility.

Another potential weak link is poor core strength. By instituting a proper core stability and strengthening program most athletes will see increased ability to generate more speed and directional change.

Balance is the final principle. This is another area that is overlooked. A good way to test balance is to do a single leg stork stand. Lift one leg as high as you can with the knee bent.

Can you hold this position for a 30-second count?

Compare both legs, are they equal? Now do the same test with your eyes closed. Doing this daily will improve balance and stability of the lower body, and as this improves you can add progressions. One example of a progression would be lifting the leg with knee bent and hop up and then hold the down leg steady for a two count, then repeat for 10-15 reps. Increased balance will improve cutting, pivoting and direction changes.

If you practice the principles outlined here you will definitely see changes in your speed and agility.

Kirk Vickers, the owner of TRIAD Health & Fitness, a high performance fitness training facility in Farmington Hills, has been a respected figure in the Michigan sports community for more than two decades. Vickers earned a bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training and Exercise Physiology from Central Michigan University and has developed a strong reputation working with many high level high school, collegiate, club and professional sports programs as well as individual athletes.

Goaltending Instruction

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October 26, 2009 | michiganhockeyonline.com

MH BEAT

MICHIGAN HOCKEY

Score4Kids wants to help keep players on the ice Four from Michigan named

BY PHILIP COLVIN Job layoffs that have forced families to cut back on hockey and other activities are sadly a story all too familiar across Michigan.

It happened to Karen Schultz of Huntington Woods. A single mother with two sons, Schultz had to drop out of her yoga class

Karen Schultz started Score4Kids, a non-profit organization that collects donated sports gear and redistributes it to families, leagues, camps and schools to help keep kids playing.

and couldn’t afford to keep her boys in hockey.

“I was laid off from my job and we had to cut back on many things,” she said. “But after six months of being stuck inside in a Michigan winter with no sporting activities for any of us, I wasn’t mentally or physically at my best and neither were my kids.”

So Schultz decided to try to do something about it. She started Score4Kids, a non-profit organization dedicated to making organized sports accessible and affordable for children in the Metro Detroit area.

“I thought ‘why should I give up my health and the health of my children?’” she said. “So I made a decision to do whatever I could to ensure that other children are not denied the benefits of organized sports.”

Score4Kids is based on the belief that sports benefit children in many ways, including keeping them physically fit and focused to do well in school and teaching them about team work, responsibility and boosting self-esteem.

“No child should be prohibited from playing a sport because their families are going through hard times,” said Schultz. “We want to ensure that all kids in our community have the resources necessary to participate.”

Since May, Score4Kids has collected donated sports gear and redistributed it to families, leagues, camps and schools that have been affected by the current economic conditions.

Working with the Berkley Dad’s Club Baseball League, Hockey Has Heart, Beaumont Hospital, the First Tee of Detroit and the Dragons Hockey Club, among others, Score4Kids has collected over 1,400 pieces of equipment, including gear for hockey, soccer, baseball, basketball, skiing, snowboarding and golf and donated over 500 pieces of the equipment so far.

Through donations and equipment drives, Score4Kids has stockpiled enough gear to fill a storage garage at the 1-800-Mini Storage facility in Troy and now the organization is focused on getting that gear into the hands of people who need it.

“Hopefully, teams and associations might know of someone not playing because they can’t afford equipment. Please send them to us because we want to help,” said Schultz, who serves as president of the Score4Kids Board of Directors that also includes Tracey Huff (Vice President), Deborah Underhill (Treasurer), Cheryl Stern (Secretary) and Darren Montreuil (Director).

Score4Kids will meet you at the storage facility in Troy, where you can try on gear and leave ready to get back on the ice. The equipment is free, or you can make a small donation to Score4Kids.

“We are trying to find ways to give it to people who need it,” said Schultz. “It’s what we’re here for.”

If you know of anyone who isn’t playing this season because they can’t afford equipment, check out the organization’s website, score4kidsmi.com, for an application, send Schultz an e-mail at: score4kids@gmail.com or call her at (248) 763-7970.

to U.S. Junior Select Team

Four Michigan natives, goalie Will Yanakeff of Jerome, defensemen Kevin Albers of Lake Orion and Kevin Gravel of Kingsford and forward Shane Berschbach of Clawson, are part of the 22-man U.S. Junior Select Team roster.

The team will compete at the World Junior A Challenge Nov. 1-8 in Summerside, Prince Edward Island.

The U.S. roster includes 21 players currently competing in the Tier I United States Hockey League, including Yanakeff and Gravel (Sioux City), Albers (Green Bay) and Bershbach (Indiana).

In addition five players who were members of the 2009 U.S. Under-18 Select Team that competed at the Memorial of Ivan Hlinka Tournament in Piestany, Slovakia last summer, including Gravel, defenseman Kevin Lind (Chicago Steel) forwards Connor Brickley (Des Moines Buccaneers), Mike Parks (Cedar Rapids RoughRiders) and Colten St. Clair (Fargo Force).

Mark Carlson, head coach of USHL’s Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, is the head coach of the team, with Andy Jones (Sioux City) and S.S. Marie native Jeff Blashill, head coach of the USHL’s Indiana Ice, serving as assistant coaches.

The 2009 World Junior A Challenge will also feature Belarus, Canada East, Canada West, Russia and Sweden. The U.S. Junior Select Team opens the tournament against Canada East on Nov. 1 and plays Belarus (Nov. 3), before the Quarterfinals start on Nov. 5. The semifinals are Nov. 6 and the final is scheduled for Nov. 8.

Kevin Gravel

Willie Yanakeff

Shane Berschbach

Kevin Albers

michiganhockeyonline.com | October 26, 2009

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MICHIGAN HOCKEY

MH BEAT

Showcases give Tier 1 teams nationwide exposure

2010 NCAA® Men’s Frozen Four®

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Seating configuration changes for Frozen Four With the goal of maximizing sight lines, and also taking into account the struggling Michigan economy, NCAA officials have unveiled a new seating configuration for the 2010 Frozen Four, scheduled for April 8 and 10, at Ford Field in Detroit.

The new layout moves the rink from the 50-yard line of the football field to the west end zone, adds riser seating on the east side of the rink and changes the seating capacity to 36,000 (see layout above).

When the championship was awarded to Detroit in 2005, officials hoped for a crowd of 60,000, three times the size of a typical Frozen Four. With approximately 22,000 tickets currently sold the 2010 Frozen Four will still be a record-setting event.

The Frozen Four attendance record is 19,432, which was set in the 2007 championship game at Scottrade Center in St. Louis, when Michigan State beat Boston College, 3-1. The North American indoor college record is 21,576, when Michigan State beat Michigan Tech, 7-0, in the GLI final on Dec. 29, 1984, at Joe Louis Arena.

“We are truly excited about the potential for a record-setting Men’s Frozen Four at Ford Field,” said Joni Comstock, NCAA senior vice president of championships. “The NCAA, the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA), Detroit Sports and Ford Field have been working together to ensure the 2010 Men’s Frozen Four will be one of the best ever.

“With this championship having more available seats than in previous years, as well as taking sight lines and the current economy into consideration, we felt this design was the best for everyone involved. The fans and student-athletes who are a part of this historic event will be talking about the championship for years to come.”

Ford Field will become the third venue to host both a Final Four and a Frozen Four event, and will become the first venue to host the events in back-to-back years.

Fans that have already purchased tickets to the 2010 Men’s Frozen Four through Ticketmaster will be relocated to comparable seats in the new configuration and also receive a 2010 Men’s Frozen Four commemorative ticket.

College basketball fans enjoyed additional events and activities at last year’s Final Four at Ford Field and hockey fans can expect the same at the 2010 Frozen Four.

“In addition to the championship, we are equally excited to be working with Ford Field and the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau in planning ancillary events, similar to the 2009 Men’s Final Four, which will engage our community and provide fans the opportunity to participate in another great NCAA championship event,” said Tom Anastos, commissioner of the CCHA. For more information on the 2010 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four check out NCAA.com/frozenfour.

All-session tickets, which includes both semifinal games on April 8 and the final on April 10, are priced at $40, $79, $119 and $189 and are available at going to: NCAA.com/frozenfour, ticketmaster.com or by calling (800) 745-3000.

By Philip Colvin

20

It’s a safe bet that Internet travel sites get their fair share of customers from teams playing in the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League.

Last season, the 25 hockey clubs in the expanded league, once known as the Midwest Elite Hockey League, started competing in showcase-type tournaments across the nation at the Midget Major, Midget Minor, Bantam and Squirt levels.

Each team in the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League plays in eight showcases a year, four each at home and four away. Each showcase features all of the teams from two of the league’s divisions, whose teams each play five games over the weekend. Standings within each showcase are compiled and a winner is decided.

The results of these showcases have been positive for the league, according to Tier 1 commissioner Larry Johnson.

“I get a lot of calls and e-mails about how the showcases go and they’re all very positive,” said Johnson. “I think one part that makes it so positive is that all the teams are good. In the past, teams would travel around and play five games in a weekend, but only one of those teams would be good. Now, they know who they’re playing and they know all the games will be good games.”

“To travel far distances to play these powerhouse teams is definitely worth it,” Honeybaked midget major head coach Rob Krohl said. “It also gives the kids a taste of what the travel is like in juniors and the chance to go places they may not normally go. Last season when we went to L.A., we got in at two in the morning and with the time change it really made it feel like 5 a.m., and we had a game at 7 a.m.

But still, the kids had a blast, as we always do on road trips, and we also went to Hollywood and Venice Beach and places like that.”

Having multiple teams playing multiple games all under one roof has meant making a tweak or two to the showcase format.

“There are too many games in a short span,” said Belle Tire midget major head coach Chris Coury. “So then they cut the games down to 18-minute periods and now, we don’t even play full games. It’s rushed.”

“They’re still not full games,” said Johnson. “But we feel that while the players may lose a couple minutes, re-making the ice is something the players need to showcase their skating to the scouts.”

MORE EXPOSURE

A BETTER WAY

Still, Coury sees the overall value the showcases present.

“It’s great to play in all of these different venues and the kids really like playing in the showcases,” he said. “It gets the kids more exposure, for sure, and it’s a good opportunity to see how all of the Detroit teams stack up against the rest of the top teams in the country.”

Compuware midget major head coach George Daniel also sees the benefits of the showcases for his team and the league.

“Playing in cities like Boston and L.A. really helps us showcase our players and compete for those players with prep schools, too,” Daniel said. “These showcases are better than tournaments.”

For Johnson, watching Michigan squads face competitive out of town teams is what the showcases are about.

“I think I was feeling a little overconfident in thinking the Detroit teams would dominate,” Johnson said. “They have, but all five of the teams have lost at various times and that just goes to show you the competitiveness of this league and the showcases.”

So what will next season bring?

Economics also played a role in creating the showcases.

“People don’t have to run around to see the different teams play,” explained Johnson. “Now, we have 10 teams in one location and that just makes it easier. It’s also easier for scouts, too, as at each showcase, we set aside a certain area for them and we give them a scouting book and stuff like that. It’s just more convenient for everyone.”

The MWEHL used to include Michigan teams and several in the Midwest. Now, the Tier 1 league is coast to coast with teams in Boston to Los Angeles.

“We had always wanted to establish a footprint in the east,” Johnson said. “There are so many junior teams and college teams that we really felt we needed to have a presence out there. That was a big part of why we went out there, but believe me, there are more than just Michigan Tier 1 Elite League teams like Little Caesars travel five good teams in the east.” regularly to the circuit’s showcase events.

Expanding to the western states also has its perks.

Expansion? More showcases?

“The L.A. Selects are always good and so is PF Chang’s,” noted “We have a meeting in January and expansion will be brought to Johnson. “The two Colorado teams are also very good and more the table,” Johnson said. “Will we expand and how would we do kids are coming out of those areas to play junior and college.” it will be things discussed. We just don’t want to have too many With the showcases taking place across the United States, the showcases. We still want to get the players exposure, but we still term “travel hockey” is pretty descriptive. Teams log thousands of need to keep it economically viable, too. So, we’ll see in January.” miles in the air and on the road to play.

Ryan leaves Boston College for Windsor Franklin native Kenny Ryan has left Boston College and signed with the defending Memorial Cup champion Windsor Spitfires (OHL).

Ryan, a 6-0, 204 pound right wing and second-round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2009 NHL Draft, played in two preseason exhibition games with the Eagles before packing up and driving back to Michigan.

Ryan was drafted by Windsor in 2007 and played the last two seasons with the Ann Arbor-based USA Hockey National Team Development Program, where he skated with Spitfires’ defenseman Cam Fowler.

October 26, 2009 | michiganhockeyonline.com

“I went to Boston College with the full intention of staying there,” Ryan told the Windsor Star on October 17. “I loved the campus and the coaches. I gave it my best, but at the end of the day, I didn’t think it was for me. (Windsor) is where I want to be.”

A solid two-way winger with a scoring touch, Ryan received his transfer from USA Hockey on Oct. 20 and was scheduled to practice with the Spitfires’ that day. He was expected be in the first-place Windsor lineup for their Oct. 22 game against London.

By Philip Colvin

After two years with the USA Hockey NTDP, Kenny Ryan has landed in Windsor

?

Where are they now Michigan Hockey’s former top college prospects are playing all over:

2008 TOP PROSPECTS Eric Alexander, F, Kentwood/Ferris State Power forward scored 25 goals in the USHL last season and started his college career with a goal and an assist in the Bulldogs first two games this year.

Andrew Miller, F, Bloomfield Hills/Yale Freshman at Yale led the USHL in scoring last season and was named USA Hockey’s Junior Player of the Year.

Luke Witkowski, D, Holland/Western Michigan Made USHL all-star team last season in Fargo and expected to take regular shift with Broncos this season.

2007 TOP PROSPECTS Chad Billins, D, Marysville/Ferris State Offensive blueliner played in 27 games with the Bulldogs as a freshman (2-9-11) and will play even bigger role this year.

Andy Miele, F, Grosse Pointe Woods/Miami Skilled forward starting junior season with RedHawks after finishing third on the team in scoring last season (15-16-31).

2006 TOP PROSPECTS Aaron Palushaj, F, Northville/Michigan Led the CCHA in scoring last season (13-37-50) as a sophomore and signed a pro contract with the St. Louis Blues in April and started this season with Peoria (AHL).

Zach Redmond, D, Traverse City/Ferris State Honorable mention pre-season All-CCHA after finishing as the Bulldogs second leading scorer (3-21-24) in 38 games last season.

Jeff Petry, D, Farmington Hills/Michigan State Has played in 80 games his first two seasons with Spartans and was fifth on the team in scoring last season (2-12-14).

2005 TOP PROSPECTS Steve Kampfer, D, Jackson/Michigan Begins his senior season with Wolverines after returning from an injury last season that limited him to 25 games.

Brett Blatchford, D, Temperance/Notre Dame Senior defenseman quarterbacks Fighting Irish powerplay and has two goals and 54 points in 115 games in three seasons in South Bend.

2003 TOP PROSPECTS Bryan Marshall, F, Livonia Finished as Nebraska-Omaha’s second leader scorer of alltime with 49 goals and 150 points and played 50 games with Lake Erie (AHL) last season.

2002 TOP PROSPECTS Lars Helminen, D, Brighton After four-year career at Michigan Tech, Helminen played last season with Linz EHC in Austria.

Drew Miller, F, East Lansing/Tampa Bay (NHL) Left Michigan State after his junior season to sign with Anaheim in 2006. Played 53 games with Ducks over last two seasons, was traded to Tampa Bay in August and started this season with the Lightning.

2001 TOP PROSPECTS Chris Conner, F, Westland/Wilkes-Barre (AHL) Finished career at Michigan Tech as Huskies 35th all-time leading scorer (69-60-129). Signed with Dallas in 2006 and split time between Stars and AHL last three seasons. Signed a free agent contract with Pittsburgh in July.

Andy Greene, D, Trenton/New Jersey (NHL) Three-time All-American at Miami signed as a free agent with New Jersey in 2006 and has played in 147 games with the Devils over three seasons.

Michigan players continue to stock collegiate rosters

BY PHILIP COLVIN

with offensive flair. Has good skill set, excellent hockey sense and plays hard. Has made a verbal commitment to attend Maine.

Whether it’s current captains like Michigan’s Chris Summers (Milan), Bowling Green’s Kyle Page (Wixom) and Lake Superior Kyle Jean, F, Traverse City (NAHL) State’s Steven Kaunisto (S.S. Marie), talented goalies like Bowling Date of Birth: March 1, 1990 Green’s Nick Eno (Howell) and Ferris State’s Pat Nagle (Bloomfield) Height/Weight: 6-3/205 or skilled defensemen like Notre Dame’s Kyle Lawson (New Hudson) Hometown: S.S. Marie and Ian Cole (Ann Arbor), Ferris State’s Zach Redmond (Traverse Comments: Lanky forward with a good skill level has returned City) and Michigan State’s Jeff Petry (Farmington Hills), the state strong from shoulder injury suffered last season. Starting to use of Michigan has a long and storied history of producing top-end big body more effectively and has soft hands and a scoring touch. college players.

At his best when he works hard to get This season there are 86 Michiganto loose pucks and gain position. Has born players (down from 89 the last made a verbal commitment to attend three years), and another 11 with Lake Superior State.

Michigan ties (up from eight a year ago), on Central Collegiate Hockey Reed Seckel, C, Green Bay (USHL) Association rosters alone. Michigan Date of Birth: August 28, 1991 State and Michigan top the list with Height/Weight: 5-9/170 17 players who were either born or Hometown: Melvin played junior hockey in the state.

Comments: Highly competitive, Ferris State has 13 players with throwback type center with good connections to the state and Western vision, hands and playmaking ability.

Michigan has nine.

Strong on his skates and hits like Michigan’s other Division I program a Mack truck. He can play a gritty Michigan Tech (Western Collegiate style or a skilled game and can finish Hockey Association) also recruits around the net. Has made a verbal in state: the Huskies’ roster has five commitment to attend Northern players with Michigan ties.

Michigan.

With the Ann Arbor-based National Team Development Program (see story Greg Wolfe, F, Chicago (USHL) on page xx) and Tier II Junior A North Date of Birth: April 25, 1990 American Hockey League’s Traverse Height/Weight: 5-10/187 City North Stars, Alpena IceDiggers, Hometown: Canton Marquette Rangers and Motor City Canton’s Greg Wolfe is in his second season with Comments: Natural goalscorer Metal Jackets, some of the best young Chicago (USHL) and has scored four goals in his first with great hands and big shot has players in the country are playing in four games with the Steel this year. improved his overall game. Sneaky and our state. Other top Michigan players slick, he knows where to be on the ice have found homes with teams in the to find openings in the offensive zone.

United States Hockey League, the Relentless in pursuit of the puck, good nation’s Tier I Junior A league that stickhandler, sees the ice well and can now includes the NTDP. finish around the net.

While the depth of top end players is not as plentiful as in some previous Willie Yanakeff, G, Sioux City years, here is an alphabetical list (USHL) of some of Michigan’s top college Date of Birth: April 30, 1992 prospects for 2010: Height/Weight: 6-2/185 Hometown: Jerome Shane Berschbach, F, Indiana Comments: Big, agile goaltender (USHL) makes things look easy. Not flashy, Date of Birth: May 19, 1991 but effective at handling the puck, Height/Weight: 5-8/140 challenging shooters and has a good Hometown: Clawson glove. Has made a verbal commitment Comments: Slick, speedy playmaker to attend Michigan State. loves to score goals. A pure offensive player with great vision and hockey KEEP AN EYE OUT sense, and despite his size, has no Here is an alphabetical list of some problem getting into difficult areas to other players to watch this season: create scoring chances. Makes players Kellin Ainsworth, F, Traverse around him better. Has made a verbal City (NAHL); Kevin Albers, D, Lake After scoring 22 goals last season in Green Bay, Melvin’s Orion/Green Bay (USHL); Clinton commitment to attend Miami.

Reed Seckel is back for another year with the Gamblers Bourbanais, F, Whitmore Lake/ Kevin Gravel, D, Sioux City (USHL) before heading to Northern Michigan in 2010.

Sioux City (USHL); Jake Chelios, Date of Birth: March 6, 1992 F, Bloomfield Hills/Chicago; Nick Height/Weight: 6-3/180 Czinder, F, W. Bloomfield/Youngstown (USHL), Brent Darnell, F, Hometown: Kingsford Canton/Sioux Falls (USHL); Dan Dekeyser, D, Algonac/Sioux City Comments: Tall and rangy, Gravel is a steady, solid blueliner (USHL); Justin DiMartino, F, Macomb/Waterloo; Luke Eibler, D, who thinks the game well, can move the puck and is at his best Pinckney/Youngstown (USHL); Mike Gunn, D, Livonia/St. Louis when he keeps things simple. Good skater with agililty for his (NAHL); Steven Hensley, D, Livonia/Cedar Rapids (USHL); Andy size. Uses long reach to clog passing lanes, but could be more Huff, F, Howell/Traverse City (NAHL); Jake Johnstone, F, Grand physical. Has made a verbal commitment to attend St. Cloud State. Ledge/Sioux Falls; Kevin Kissaw, G, Goodrich/Marquette (NAHL) Alex Krushelnyski, Bloomfield Hills/Chicago; John McCarron, F, Stuart Higgins, C, Youngstown (USHL) Macomb/Lincoln (USHL); Mike Montrose, D, Howell/Tri-City; Dan Date of Birth: May 8, 1992 Radke, F, Traverse City (NAHL); Brad Smith, D, Trenton/St. Louis Height/Weight: 5-8/165 (NAHL); D.J. Vandercook, F, Farmington Hills/Des Moines (USHL); Hometown: Troy Michael Voran, F, Livonia/Sioux Falls; Steve West, D, Milford/Lincoln Comments: Smallish center is shifty, quick and a good playmaker (USHL); Cam Wojtala, F, Trenton/Omaha (USHL).

michiganhockeyonline.com | October 26, 2009

21

PHOTO BY USHL IMAGES

2004 TOP PROSPECTS Jeff Lerg, G, Livonia After a great career with the Spartans that included a 2007 National Title, Lerg signed a free agent contract with the New Jersey Devils in July and is recovering from a knee injury he suffered just before training camp.

MICHIGAN HOCKEY

PHOTO COURTESY CHICAGO STEEL

Will Weber, D, Gaylord/Miami Second-round pick of Columbus Blue Jackets played in 38 games with RedHawks as a freshman (3-2-5).

TOP COLLEGE PROSPECTS

MICHIGAN HOCKEY

TOP COLLEGE PROSPECTS

Ann Arbor’s NTDP continues strong developmental track record

BY PHILIP COLVIN Now in its 13th year playing at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube, the two USA Hockey National Team Development Program (NTDP) squads play ultra-competitive schedules that include a regular slate of games in the Tier I Junior A United States Hockey League in addition to matchups against college teams and competition at international tournaments. The NTDP, which includes both an Under 17 and Under 18 team, and has sent over 215 players on to college hockey over the last twelve seasons.

Port Huron’s Jack Campbell, Brighton’s Jon Merrill, Washington’s Austin Czarnik and Bloomfield Hills’ Matt Rust are the U.S. Under-18 team’s Michigan natives, and as usual, this year’s roster has top-end players at every position.

Derek Forbort, D, 6-4/195, 3/4/92, Duluth, Minn.

Big, raw defenseman with tons of natural ability. Aggressive, is improving his decision making and has big upside. Has made a verbal commitment to attend North Dakota next season.

Stephen Johns, D, 6-3/220, 4/18/92, Wampum, Pa. Strong and physical, Johns has all the tools - and a nasty streak – to be a difference maker. Good skater with long reach and an extremely hard shot from the point. Still working on picking his spots better to make the big hit. Has made a verbal commitment to attend Notre Dame next season.

Jack Campbell, G, 6-1/171, 1/9/92, Port Huron Competitive and athletic, Campbell is technically sound and rarely gives up loose rebounds. He also handles the puck extremely well and makes good decisions with it. Has made a verbal commitment to attend Michigan next season.

Andy Iles, G, 5-8/150, 1/30/92, Ithaca, N.Y. Small, quick butterfly style goalie is ultra competitive and a hard worker. A straight-A student, Iles has made a verbal commitment to attend Cornell next season.

Jon Merrill, D, 6-3/205, 2/3/92, Brighton Great skater with good offensive instincts and a big shot. Solid defensively, thinks the game well and can play it physical, although he could get involved in his own end more. Has made a verbal commitment to attend Michigan next season.

Frankie Simonelli, D, 5-10/187, 10/29/92, Bensenville, Ill. Mobile, aggressive offensive defenseman is smart, can move the puck and has a good shot. Has improved his defensive game, sees time on the powerplay and has been used as a forward. Has made a verbal commitment to attend Wisconsin next season.

Jar red Tinordi, D, 6-4/204, 2/20/92, Millersville, Md. Team captain is smart, steady and physically imposing. Good down low, finishes checks and can make the first pass out of the zone. Has made a verbal commitment to attend Notre Dame next season.

Kevin Clare, D, 6-1/200, 3/13/92, New The U.S. Under-18 team’s Jack Campbell Rochelle, N.Y. of Port Huron will head across Ann Arbor Solid and steady, Clare is strong one-on- next season to attend Michigan. one and is rarely out of position. Good skills, keeps things simple and at his best when you don’t notice him. Has Bill Arnold, F, 5-11/185, 5/13/92, Needham, Mass. made a verbal commitment to attend Michigan next season.

Dropped weight and improved conditioning for first season in NTDP. Good faceoff guy with accurate shot and quick release and Adam Clendening, D, 5-11/187, 10/26/92, Niagara Falls, N.Y. can play in any situation. Has made a verbal commitment to attend Offensive minded blueliner has excellent on-ice vision and likes Boston College next season. to jump into the play. Good with the puck, although he sometimes holds onto it too long. Has made a verbal commitment to attend Chase Balisy, F, 5-10/175, 2/2/92, Fullerton, Calif.

Boston University next season.

Smooth skater with solid offensive skills. Has a good shot and can make plays but needs to get involved more at both ends of the rink.

Justin Faulk, D, 5-11/200, 3/20/92, South St. Paul, Minn.

Strong, puck moving defenseman skates well, can jump into the Austin Czarnik, F, 5-7/155, 12/12/92, Washington play and has a big shot. Good on the powerplay and is working to Dynamic, elusive and skilled offensive player with great instincts, improve focus for 60-minute game. Has made a verbal commitment agility and on-ice awareness. Will go into high traffic areas and plays to attend Minnesota-Duluth next season. bigger than his size.

22

October 26, 2009 | michiganhockeyonline.com

Jacob Fallon, F, 5-10/180, 2/27/92, Southlake, Texas Strong, physical forward currently suspended until Dec. 1 for an off-ice incident. A speedy goalscorer who is on the ice when game is on the line. Has made a verbal commitment to attend Michigan next season.

Michael Mersch, F, 6-2/200, 10/2/92, Park Ridge, Ill. Big forward has long reach and good puck skills. Is working to improve his skating, but has terrific hands, gets to the front of the net and knows how to score goals. Has made a verbal commitment to attend Wisconsin next season.

Luke Moffatt, F, 6-0/190, 6/11/92, Paradise Valley, Ariz.

Strong, power forward has good speed, plays with high energy and has great one-on-one skills. Still learning to use his teammates more and to improve his play in defensive zone. Has made a verbal commitment to attend Michigan next season.

Matthew Nieto, F, 5-11/180, 11/5/92, Long Beach, Calif.

Explosive skater with top-end speed, Nieto is tough, creates loads of scoring chances and can finish. Led the NTDP in scoring last season, but is still looking to put it all together this year. Has made a verbal commitment to attend Boston University next season.

Bryan Rust, F, 5-10/194, 5/11/92, Bloomfield Hills Complete power forward has come on like gangbusters. Smart, solid offensive player who sees the ice well, has improved his skating and can be a factor on both the powerplay and penalty killing units.

Has made a verbal commitment to attend Notre Dame next season.

Brandon Saad, F, 6-2/200,10/27/92, Gibsonia, Pa. Big, strong power forward has deceptive top-end speed to blow by a defender and the hands and finishing ability to make it pay off. Great in offensive zone, needs to improve commitment in defensive end.

Nick Shore, F, 6-0/190, 9/26/92, Denver, Colo.

Smart center who thinks the game well, makes good decisions with the puck but hasn’t shown that extra gear. Solid penalty killer, but has been inconsistent so far this season. Has made a verbal commitment to attend Denver next season.

Shane Sooth, F, 6-1/190, 4/18/92, Canyon County, Calif.

Solid, hardworking forward is currently suspended until Dec. 1 for an off-ice incident. Good skater and strong forechecker who brings honest effort every game.

Jason Zucker, F, 5-10/175, 1/16/92, Las Vegas, Nev. Offensively talented winger competes hard and likes to work one-on-one. Has great shot and soft hands, but needs to use his teammates better. Has made a verbal commitment to attend Denver next season.

CCHA

MICHIGAN HOCKEY

PHOTO COURTESY UM HOCKEY

Grand Rapids native Luke Glendening has earned ice time with the Michigan Wolverines through hard work.

National Team Development Program

Glendening earns ice time at Michigan with hard work

BY BOB MILLER Simply put, Michigan sophomore forward Luke Glendening has taken what life has presented him and managed to find success.

The Grand Rapids native excelled both academically and athletically at East Grand Rapids High School and the Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut, but arrived in Ann Arbor last fall as the least heralded member of the Wolverines incoming freshman class.

Still, by season’s end the 5-11, 185-pound Glendening had worked his way into the Michigan lineup, scoring six goals (three of them gamewinners) and even logging time on special teams in addition to a regular shift.

From the beginning Glendening knew he wouldn’t be the most talented player on a Wolverines’ squad loaded with NHL Draft picks, but he believed he could make an impact if he got the chance.

“I knew when I came in that my playing time was going to be slim to none, and I guess that fueled my fire,” he said. “I felt that I could contribute with energy every night. So, all year I tried to gain the coaches trust and let my work ethic be my defining attribute. I cherished the opportunity to be on the ice.”

Glendening’s route to college hockey was a bit different than most players competing at the Division 1 level. He also played football and baseball in high school, instead of concentrating full-time on hockey.

“There were cer tainly advantages and disadvantages to playing three sports throughout my prep years,” said Glendening, who was a member of the East Grand Rapids Pioneers 2006 state champion football squad. “One advantage is that I was certainly not burnt out on hockey.

I still love showing up to the rink everyday and going to practice.

“I was also able to play with my friends and continue playing other sports along the way. I met some really neat people through hockey at East Grand Rapids.

“Another advantage is that each sport I played presented its own unique challenges. Football was very demanding because of the punishment your body takes. Baseball was so much of a mental game and it taught me to maintain focus be aware of different potential situations.

Glendening believes the varied experiences of playing with a lot of different players and for multiple coaches helped him develop an appreciation for what it takes for team success.

“The only disadvantage that I have felt is with today’s sport specialization I am behind in some of my skills and hockey knowledge,” he said. “But I can’t do anything now besides work hard and continue to be a student of the game.”

Playing a season of eastern prep school hockey after graduating from high school in Michigan helped Glendening both on and off the ice.

“Hotchkiss really prepared me for Michigan in every way imaginable,” Glendening said. “I got homesick at first at Hotchkiss, so when I got to Michigan I didn’t have to deal with any of that.

The academics at Hotchkiss were tough, so I felt prepared for the rigorous academics at Michigan.

“And the coaches and people in the Hotchkiss athletic department helped me in my pursuit of college hockey, and I know without that year I would have never made it to Michigan.”

While Glendening’s path to college hockey was unconventional, his hockey roots are very typical.

“My first memory of playing is in my basement with my brother,” said Glendening. “We would set up a net. He would put on the goalie equipment and we would go at it. I got involved with organized hockey when I was relatively young. I did all of the “Learn to Play” and “Mini-Mite” leagues. It all started because I would go with my Mom and watch my Dad’s men’s league games, which gave me the hockey fever.”

Glendening credits his parents for supporting his goal of playing hockey at a high level.

“They stayed with me through thick and thin and just let me do what I loved to do, which was hockey,” he said. “I used to stand in my basement at attention and make my Mom sing “The Star Spangled Banner,” and when she finished I would skate around acting like I was a real hockey player.

“So, to be out on the ice now listening to that song, and standing on the blue line for Michigan is a dream come true to say the least.”

The Wolverines have been the beneficiary of Glendening’s new-found specialization in one sport. His goals for this season are pretty simple “I am a guy that needs to bring energy to the team every night and set an example with my work ethic on and off the ice every day,” he said.

“Anything I can do to help our team win is my goal.”

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Omaha Lancers – 7:05 p.m.

Saturday, October 31 U.S. National Under-18 Team vs.

Adrian College - 7:00 p.m.

General Admission Tickets $6 – Adults $4 – Students/Seniors Children under 5 are FREE! Youth players get in for a buck!

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For NTDP tickets and group rate information, call 734-327-9251 or visit usahockey.com/usantdp michiganhockeyonline.com | October 26, 2009

23

MICHIGAN HOCKEY

COLLEGE PREVIEW

Adrian College’s Division 3 men’s squad looking for a three-peat

PHOTOS COURTESY ADRIAN COLLEGE HOCKEY

Adrian College’s junior goal-scoring tandem of Eric Miller (above) (18-34-52) and Shawn Skelly of Wolverine Lake (30-35-65) finished as the top two scorers in Division III scorers last season.

BY LARRY O’CONNOR Adrian men’s hockey has won two consecutive league titles but has been left wanting come NCAA tournament time. Rest assured that won’t happen this season.

New this year, the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association tabletopper gets an automatic bid to the national Division III tourney.

While that was welcomed news among the Arrington Arena crowd, the propane pressure torch was turned up a notch for a Bulldog three-peat.

A preseason coaches poll has Adrian finishing first again. That’s hardly a sucker bet. After all, the team has amassed an impressive 53-4-1 record in only two years of existence.

“Our program has the same goals as the first two years,” said head coach Ron Fogarty. “We want to get better everyday and win each time out. We want to win the MCHA and everything else will fall into place.”

Talk hasn’t focus so much on the superlative start as much as the heartache associated with being snubbed by tournament organizers two years running.

“It’s no secret that the last two years we’ve had very good teams and have been left out by the NCAA, but this year it’s kind have been left up to us,” junior right winger Mike Towns says. “As long as we take care of our own business, we should get in.”

The nascent program is coping with its first major personnel loss due to graduation.

Last season’s leading scorer, senior Adam Krug (Livonia), signed with the East Coast Hockey League’s Cincinnati Cyclones. Fogarty has lined up ample candidates to replace Krug’s 30 goals and 77 points from last season.

Forward Zack Graham arrives from the Greater Ontario Hockey League’s Thorold Blackhawks where he scored 38 goals and 102 points. In last season’s playoffs, the 6-foot and 178-pound playmaking forward added five goals and 22 points.

To further fortify an offense that led the nation last season with 6.52 goals per game, the Bulldogs added center Jeff Young, a former Alaska Fairbanks recruit who scored 25 goals and 50 points as a member of the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Drumheller Dragons.

Meanwhile, Andrew Dovey checks in from the GOJHL Stoney Creek Warriors where he tallied 16 goals and 47 points in 39 games.

His 6-foot-2 and 210-pound frame will add heft to the Bulldogs’ up-tempo attack.

Krug’s leadership is not as easily replaced, though. “(Krug) did a great job of molding these guys,” Fogarty says. “(But) our guys are excited for the task at hand.

“We believe that the guys we recruited and the players already in our lineup can step up and fill that void.”

On defense, Kyle Crawford joins from the Central Canadian Hockey League’s Wellington Dukes where he played two seasons.

The 6-foot-2 rearguard scored 19 goals and 57 points in 50 games last term. In the playoffs, Crawford averaged better than a point a game (10 goals and 26 points in 20 games).

Those newcomers join a full complement of junior forwards led by the goal-scoring tandem of Shawn Skelly (Wolverine Lake) and Eric Miller. Skelly (30 goals, 65 points) and Miller (18 goals, 52 points) finished Nos. 1 and 2 among Division III scorers last season. Mike Dalhlinger should also improve on his 15-goal, 40-point campaign.

Junior defensemen Chris Stansik (Livonia) and Quinn Waller have averaged over a point a game at Adrian and were both First Team All-MCHA selections a year ago.

Another junior, Allen Park native Brad Fogel (25-1-1, 1.66 GAA .928-save percentage), returns in goal.

“There will be a different look in terms of our personnel,” Fogarty says. “Our play will not change, just different players.”

Marian University (Fond du Lac, Wisc.) poses the largest obstacle for Adrian to repeat as MCHA champs, the coach says. The Sabres (13-12-3 overall; 11-8-1 MCHA) were also picked as runners-up in the pre-season coaches’ poll.

Lawrence University and Milwaukee School of Engineering will also scrap among the MCHA’s upper echelon.

In three years, the Bulldogs have become a rallying point in and around the Lenawee County private college.

“The community is probably as excited to have an opportunity to obtain an automatic bid this year,” Fogarty says. “I think this area is craving a national championship and we want to bring a national championship to Adrian College, but we know there are a lot of processes and procedures that go ahead of that.”

The squad also added Dearborn native and former Wayne State player Stavros Paskaris as an assistant coach this season.

Veteran Adrian College women’s squad ready for move to NCHA

The grievance bus has left the station and Adrian College women’s hockey team will either have to qualify for the NCAA tournament or take a cab to Feel Sorry for Yourselfville.

With an automatic bid for the champion of the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association – a conference the Bulldogs join this season – there will be no repeat of the last two campaigns where the team was shunned at national tournament time.

“The NCHA is an automatic bid for the conference tournament winner and we feel that we can step up and make a run for that bid in 2009-10,” says Bulldogs’ second-year coach Melissa Lomanto, whose team finished 18-6-1 in her first term in charge. “I think the girls were a bit crushed (last year) because we had a great second-half finish.”

As an independent, the second-year program has made compelling case to secure a NCAA Division III invite. Last season, the Bulldogs soared to a No. 2 in the West Region and knocked off then No. 5-ranked Gustavus Adolphus, 2-1, at home on Nov. 7, 2008. The victory was one highlight in a campaign where the Bulldogs posted a nine-game winning streak (Jan. 10 to Feb. 21) and went unbeaten in 14 of 15 games (Nov. 23, 2008 to Feb. 21, 2009).

Adrian joins Marian as new NCHA members. In the northern circuit, the Bulldogs will hardly be sailing in uncharted territory.

The team compiled a 10-3-1 record last season against conference members, including a double-drubbing of NCHA champion University of Wisconsin-River Falls 5-3 and 3-2 (OT) on Jan. 17 and 18.

“We’ve already played a lot of these teams, so we know what to expect,” Lomanto says.

Junior center Stacey Kempson, who scored the OT game-winner Adrian College junior center Stacey Kempson in the Jan. 18 victory over Wisconsin-River Falls, returns as well as led the Bulldogs in scoring last season with 18 a full complement of last season’s offensive producers. Kempson led the team in scoring with 18 goals and 37 points followed goals and 37 points. by junior right wing Jessica Grubbs (25-11-36) and sophomore forward Brooke Zaleski (6-14-20). sophomores Kelly Salis (St. Clair Shores) and Olivia Rork (Wayne).

Grubbs, a Windsor, Ont. native, has game-breaking ability. She led In goal, senior Dana Timm (Southgate) will assume a bulk of the the team with 10 power-play goals and eight game-winning tallies. work. Last season, Timm started all but one game and posted a The 5-foot-5 dynamo was also a team-leading plus-31. paltry 1.54 goals against average and an equally superlative .946 On defense, junior rearguard Dana Funkhouser is back along with save percentage while going 17-6-1.

24

October 26, 2009 | michiganhockeyonline.com

“Our upperclassmen are ready to rock,” Lomanto says. “The leadership is tremendous.”

With the program being three years old, recruiting remains on a lower gear since juniors and sophomores comprise a bulk of the roster.

The second-year coach was pleased to land Honeybaked 19 and Under team product Ashley Gniewek (Southgate). The 5-foot-5 forward netted 11 goals and 25 points in 20 games and finished with four goals and assist in the state playoffs.

Lomanto lauds the freshman forward for her untiring work ethic and overall puck sense.

“She’s going to be a kid who surprises a lot of people,” the coach says. “On the ice, she’s been going non-stop.”

“She’s quick and has lots moves,” teammate Funkhouser says.

“She’ll match up well with our returning forwards.”

As a second-year head coach, Lomanto comes in more assured.

After serving as an assistant at her alma mater Utica, the Clinton N.Y. Native inherited a squad populated with underclassmen that had finished 11-11-2 in 2007-08 under Chandy Kaip, who left to coach at the University of Lethbridge (Alberta) in her native Canada.

With the new league and a possible automatic NCAA bid, Lomanto believes the 2009-10 Bulldogs will improve on last season’s performance.

“Where we are this year is definitely where we were last season,” she says. “Our upperclassmen are pushing our underclassmen and they all working towards the same goal.”

Her prognostication will be verified early as the team opens with six road games, including a trip out east to Neumann (Aston, Pa) on Oct. 30-31. The regular season home-opener is Nov. 29 against Chatham.

Long trips are the norm. Venturing to the outskirts of Wisconsin and Minnesota, the average excursion was nine hours last season, Lomanto says.

The team wiles away time studying or watching movies, Funkhouser says.

“You just try to stay comfortable,” she says.

But team members don’t plan on fluffing any pillows for opponents this season.

By Larry O’Connor

ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE

MICHIGAN HOCKEY

Farmington Hills’ Fowler having a big OHL rookie season

PHOTO BY AARON BELL/OHL IMAGES

Farmington Hills native Cam Fowler is tearing up the OHL in his first season with the Windsor Spitfires.

BY AARON BELL Farmington Hills native Cam Fowler isn’t your typical first-year Ontario Hockey League player.

The Windsor Spitfires’ 18-year old defenseman was selected in the first round of the OHL Priority Selection - twice. First by the Kitchener Rangers in 2007 and again in 2008 by the Spitfires. And

after playing two seasons with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor he planned to play in the NCAA. But after watching the Spitfires’ impressive run through the OHL playoffs and into the Memorial Cup last spring, Fowler decided to join the Spitfires this season. And so far, it’s been a very good fit.

“I think I’ve been pretty successful so far,” Fowler said. “The first couple of games I was just trying to get used to the league and try to get my feet under me. Now I think I know what to expect so it should be good from here on out.”

Fowler said that initially he didn’t think the OHL route was the best one for him to take, but after meeting with Spitfires’ GM Warren Rychel and coach Bob Boughner, decided that it was his best opportunity to get to the National Hockey League.

“It just kind of happened that by the time Windsor picked me up the OHL seemed to be the route that I wanted to take,” Fowler said.

“It was nothing against Kitchener or anything like that; it was just kind of a coincidence. The coaches were a big influence in me coming to Windsor. They haven’t let me down since I’ve been here. They know so much about the game and have been in the NHL before.”

Despite being a first year player, Fowler’s teammates aren’t treating him like a regular rookie. While Fowler helps with some of the rookie tasks like cleaning up the pucks after warm-up, he has been spared some of the other duties like loading the bus.

“He gets a bit of a pass,” Spitfires’ captain Harry Young said. “I think the guys have really taken to him. He’s a great guy for the room and he’s fitting in really well. He’s an elite player. He’s a rookie on

the team but he’s really not. He’s got the skill to play in this league and so far he’s been showing them off.

“He’s the real deal.”

Fowler has made an immediate impression in the Spitfires’ lineup.

He picked up four assists in his OHL debut against the Plymouth Whalers on Sept. 17 and has recorded points in nine of 13 games this season. Fowler is currently tied for sixth in the OHL in scoring and leads all OHL defensemen with 19 points on two goals and 17 assists.

“He’s adapted to the league quicker than I thought he would,” said Boughner, a former OHL and NHL defenseman himself. “He’s a real smart player. He’s a puck mover and he makes it easy on himself because he advances the puck. I think he’s still learning his opponents but you can see when he has the puck that his natural offensive instincts just take over. He has a real calming effect back there on the blueline.”

Fowler is one of five regular defensemen that the first-place Spitfires roll out on any given night and frequently teams with Ryan Ellis on Windsor’s potent powerplay.

“He definitely makes things a little easier out there,” Fowler said about playing with Ellis, a first round pick of the Nashville Predators last June. “He sees the ice better than anyone I’ve ever played with.

He made it a smooth transition for me to come in here. I think we’ve got a good powerplay going and hopefully we just keep it up.”

Fowler is a highly regarded prospect for the upcoming 2010 NHL Draft and, along with teammate Taylor Hall could make history as the first two players selected in the draft. So far, Fowler isn’t putting much thought into where he will be selected in the draft.

He is more concerned with helping the Spitfires enjoy another tremendous season.

“My main goal is just trying to help the team win another Memorial Cup,” Fowler said. “I think if we can do that then the personal goals will come along with that. Obviously I’d like to try to be drafted high into the NHL but I understand I still have a lot of work to do to do that. We’ll just see how things play out.”

Aaron Bell is the OHL’s Director of Media/Information Services and Publications.

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25

MICHIGAN HOCKEY

ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE

Whalers’ Jenks steps up; Seguin gets new linemate and Pink Out! game is Saturday

PHOTO BY WALT DMOCH/PLYMOUTH WHALERS

BY MATT MACKINDER It’s hard to believe this is already AJ Jenks’ fourth year in a Plymouth Whalers uniform.

The young kid who played in all 68 games, scored 10 goals and won an Ontario Hockey League championship ring in 2007 is now the veteran leader on the Whalers, sometimes wearing the ‘C’ on his jersey signifying team captain.

Since that title run three years ago, Jenks has been drafted by the Florida Panthers in 2008 and was invited the past two summers to USA Hockey’s Junior Evaluation Camp for the World Junior Hockey Championship.

Needless to say, Jenks has eyes watching him every game.

“I just try and put things like that in the back of my mind,” said Jenks, who turned 19 on June 26. “If I do my job here in Plymouth, I know it’ll help take me to where I want to go.”

Plymouth head coach and general manager Mike Vellucci thinks the Wolverine Lake native has a good chance at playing pro hockey next season, but an outside chance at playing for Team USA at the World Juniors.

“He’s got to earn that (NHL) contract,” Vellucci said. “He’s got to play the way he has been every shift. I know he’s World Junior material. I know he’s on the bubble right now (for the World Juniors) and I know they’re looking at him. He just has to keep competing.”

“I thought I had a good (evaluation) camp in June,” Jenks said.

“I had to play through a couple minor injuries, but I hope I made a good impression on the coaching staff.”

Through nine games this year, Jenks is on pace to break the franchise record for games played and is also well ahead of his average points output with five goals and six assists through the first month of the season. He’s also matured on and off the ice and said that championship season played a big role in his growth as a person.

“These past few years have gone by so fast,” Jenks admitted. “The years just run together and I can’t even distinguish what happened last year or the year before that. But being a 16-year-old kid and being on the same team with the older guys we had (in 2006-07), you couldn’t act like you were 16 or they’d be all over you. I think now that I’m one of the older guys, I’ve learned how to help the younger guys out, but to let them know when they need to pick it up. I was in their shoes once and I just want to be there for these guys in both lights.”

As for the NHL, playing in a preseason game for Florida against

on the ice, according to Gaynor.

“To be honest, he was yelling the whole time,” Gaynor said about Seguin. “I knew he was there and I came around on that side (right side) of the net and I knew he was screaming back door. Things like that help.”

Not everyone thinks Seguin should go first next summer at the draft, reportedly to be held in Los Angeles.

International Scouting Services, another scouting outlet, has Seguin third behind Windsor forward Taylor Hall and Windsor defenseman and Farmington Hills native Cam Fowler.

Ottawa this past September really made Jenks think about his future.

“Getting into that game really put me in my place,” Jenks noted.

“Yeah, maybe you could call it a confidence booster once I got back to Plymouth, but it just really makes you see how much further you have to go and how much work is still ahead of you.”

RED LINE REPORT LOVES SEGUIN

Leading the OHL in scoring as a 17-year-old will raise more than a few eyebrows and Seguin, already a surefire first-round pick at next June’s NHL draft, is now being pegged as the top ranked PINK OUT! GAME SATURDAY draft-eligible player by Red Line Plymouth’s second annual “Pink Report, an independent scouting Out!” game in support of breast newsletter. cancer awareness is Oct. 24 After finishing his rookie season at Compuware Arena against with 20 goals in his last 44 games, Belleville.

Seguin spent the summer in the The Whalers players will be gym and the rink and came to dyeing their hair pink and will be camp bigger and stronger. The wearing pink jerseys for the game. hard work paid off and the skilled The game-worn jerseys will be second-year forward has 15 goals available for fans to bid on during an and 26 points in his first 12 games auction at the game until the start this year. of the third period. The proceeds Now in his fourth season in Plymouth, Wolverine Lake’s AJ Overager Joe Gaynor teamed Jenks has developed into one of the Whalers’ leaders. from the jersey auction, along with up with Seguin and Myles the 50/50 raffle and chuck-a-puck McCauley (Sterling Heights) on a line two weeks ago. contest, will go to the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute.

“Seguin’s an unbelievable player and he makes everyone around The pink hair is something the Whalers hope helps the cause and him look good,” Gaynor said. “I hope to keep doing the little things to also draw fans to the game. and stay on that line for awhile. It’s my role to get them (Seguin “We did the same thing last year,” said Plymouth overage and McCauley) the puck and battle.“ defenseman Leo Jenner. “Doing this a couple of days before raises Seguin scored the game-winning goal against Ottawa on Oct. 16, awareness. People get to see you out in public and it raises questions. but was held pointless the next night against Windsor, a 4-0 loss, We can tell the public why we’re doing it and support the cause at and he finished with a minus-4 rating. the same time. (In the end) that’s what it’s all about.”

In scoring against Ottawa, Seguin showed his vocal leadership

PHOTO BY SAGINAW SPIRIT

Spirit starting to find their offensive identity

Saginaw veteran left wing Jordan Skellett is leading the Spirit in scoring with six goals and 20 points after 11 games.

26

After losing top scorers Jack Coombs and Chris Chappell, expectations for the Saginaw offense weren’t particularly high this season.

But so far the Spirit is fourth overall in the OHL and is tied for second in the Western Conference with 47 goals with Plymouth and trail only the powerhouse Windsor Spitfires in goals scored after 11 games.

“I think the team’s offensive performance is acceptable at this junction of the season, but I also think we can improve on that,” says Spirit coach and GM Todd Watson. “At the beginning of the season you have high hopes, but you never know. So far the guys have had a good jump, but it is still early.”

Second-year forward Josh Shalla, acquired in the off-season trade with Guelph, has been on a tear with 10 goals, including his first OHL hat trick against Belleville, and 15 points in the early going.

“I am getting a lot of opportunity here, along with a lot of ice time and things are really clicking for me so far,” said Shalla, now with his third team after brief stints with the Brampton Battalion and the Storm. “Being able to play as a top six forward and on the power play unit is good for me because I am an offensive type of player that can thrive in those situations.”

Saginaw’s leading scorer, left wing Jordan Skellett, is on his way to a break out season with six goals and 20 points after scoring 14 goals all of last season.

“He’s always had a lot of skill,” said the Spirit’s Tyler Murovich.

“He is very strong and is excellent on the special teams, especially the power play.”

And Russian import draft pick Ivan Telegin has adjusted well and has six goals and 12 points so far.

The team’s scoring depth has also been impressive. Barry

October 26, 2009 | michiganhockeyonline.com

Sanderson (Dearborn) has five goals, Jordan Szwarz (3-3-6) and Murovich, who just returned from a stint with AHL’s Syracuse Crunch, picked up an assist in each of his first three games back. Rookie Vince Trocheck (3-2-5) and defensemen Nick Crawford (3-10-13)) and T. J. Brodie (2-11-13) have also been good.

“I am not surprised, really,” said Murovich. “There is no question that the loss of Combs and Chappell would be hard to replace, but all we heard during training camp was that the team lacked scoring depth.”

“But we have a lot of guys here from last year that can contribute in a bigger role and the guys have been stepping up.”

SPIRIT NOTEBOOK Saginaw split their two-game weekend series, winning on the road in Sault Ste. Marie, 4-1, on Oct. 16 and losing 3-2 at home against the Ottawa 67’s the follwing night. Against the Greyhounds, Saginaw scored three power play goals as Skellett, Trocheck and Telegin each had two-point games. Crawford and Garret Ross scored second period goals and the Spirit never looked back. Edward Pasquale ran his record to 3-0 with 27 saves. Sault Ste. Marie, who had been the talk of the league with seven straight wins to start the season after finishing last overall last year, dropped their fourth straight game.

“I thought we got stronger as the game went on,” said Watson. “It was nice to get the win but there is a lot of improvement that we need to make.”… In the third-annual Pink Out Breast Cancer game, Ottawa broke a seven-game winless streak by scoring two third period power play goals to overcome a 2-1 Spirit lead. Saginaw’s fourgame winning streak came to an end despite goals from Shalla and Sanderson. Anthony Peters had a solid effort and stopped 33 shots.

By Carl Chimenti

2009-10 NAHL Standings (as of October 19)

TOP SCORERS Pustin, Mark Jubinville, Jeff Juola, Michael Curry, Nick Rickord, Jared Mingo, Dajon Pauly, Shawn Huff, Andy Larson, Jared Di Puma, Michael Ladd, Garrett Brodie, Kyle Smith, Zach Fabian, Jason Radke, Dan Sheehan, Brian Bain, Brent Kolb, Andrew Haider, Robb Severson, Cam Sheehan, Brian Bain, Brent Kolb, Andrew Haider, Robb Severson, Cam Burrell, Brandon McKellar, Duncan Sliwinski, Nathan McGlasson, Jed Kleisinger, Casey Pichler, Kyle Mauerman, Ross Nagtzaam, Nardo McLintock, Eric Vassalli, Jonas Schaber, Mike Prince, Jack Kleiman, RJ Bohrer, Ryan Thorson, Cory Iaquinto, Anthony Olszewski, Daniel TOP GOALIES Kissaw, Kevin Jaeger, Brandon Robertson, Kale Shibrowski, Mike Kamal, Chris

GP W L 11 8 2 11 6 5 10 4 3 14 4 7 11 2 9 GP W L 12 10 2 13 8 4 13 6 7 11 4 4 13 3 10 GP W L 10 9 1 12 8 2 13 6 5 12 5 5 12 4 6 GP W L 21 17 4 14 9 3 15 7 7 18 4 13

OTL 1 0 3 3 0 OTL 0 1 0 3 0 OTL 0 2 2 2 2 OTL 0 2 1 1

TEAM POS FBX F WNE F FBX F SPR F SPR F KRB F WNE F TNS F FBX F WNE F MAR F WNE D ALK F BIS F TNS F WIC F MAR F MAR F ALK F JNE D WIC F MAR F MAR F ALK F JNE D WNE D WNE F WNE F KRB F BIS F ALK F JNE F ALK F TNS F ALP F SPR F TEX F MCM F NIO F OWA F WIC F STL F TEAM MAR WNE ALK OWA ALX

GP 11 9 7 9 4

PTS 17 12 11 11 4 PTS 20 17 12 11 6 PTS 18 18 14 12 10 PTS 34 20 15 9

PCT 0.773 0.545 0.550 0.393 0.182 PCT 0.833 0.654 0.462 0.500 0.231 PCT 0.900 0.750 0.538 0.500 0.417 PCT 0.810 0.714 0.500 0.250

GF 36 33 28 35 27 GF 35 54 43 34 36 GF 44 43 51 32 38 GF 68 48 52 42

GP G A PTS 14 10 10 20 21 9 11 20 15 5 15 20 13 6 13 19 13 7 11 18 18 7 10 17 16 7 10 17 13 11 4 15 14 8 7 15 19 7 8 15 12 6 9 15 17 4 11 15 12 8 6 14 14 6 8 14 13 3 11 14 12 9 4 13 12 6 7 13 12 6 7 13 14 5 8 13 13 4 9 13 12 9 4 13 12 6 7 13 12 6 7 13 14 5 8 13 13 4 9 13 21 1 11 12 20 7 5 12 20 6 6 12 18 4 8 12 14 4 8 12 14 3 9 12 13 5 7 12 13 6 6 12 13 5 7 12 13 2 10 12 13 8 4 12 12 5 7 12 11 4 8 12 11 3 9 12 11 8 4 12 10 3 9 12 10 5 7 12

MIN 664:23 465:47 392:08 566:51 249:42

SO 3 1 1 1 1

GA 16 13 12 19 9

GAA 1.44 1.67 1.84 2.01 2.16

GA 31 40 33 44 49 GA 21 47 46 32 45 GA 29 31 43 42 45 GA 44 34 48 67

PIM 195 197 159 247 261 PIM 313 307 327 272 405 PIM 247 287 197 344 314 PIM 507 350 403 403

PIM PPG SHG 15 4 0 14 3 0 11 1 0 12 1 0 0 4 0 22 3 3 12 4 0 16 5 0 8 3 1 31 1 1 44 2 1 25 3 0 56 3 0 16 2 0 14 0 1 22 3 1 21 1 0 12 1 0 32 1 0 20 2 0 22 3 1 21 1 0 12 1 0 32 1 0 20 2 0 8 0 0 23 2 0 24 1 0 27 0 1 10 0 0 8 2 0 4 1 2 14 0 2 37 2 0 12 1 0 11 1 0 18 1 1 26 1 2 8 2 1 2 1 0 31 2 0 8 1 2 SV 379 192 162 242 116

SV% 0.959 0.937 0.931 0.927 0.928

Goodrich native backstopping Rangers to success

BY MATT MACKINDER When it comes down to game time, I’m focused on the game and Kevin Kissaw started this season in Marquette with the goal to not on the hype surrounding the game.” make it his best year ever.

The past year and change has been a whirlwind for Kissaw, a If the first month is any indication, the Rangers’ goaltender player who didn’t have many options after his senior year of high is more than on his way to accomplishing that goal. Kissaw, a school playing for Belle Tire’s Midget Major team in 2007-08.

Goodrich native who turns 20 next month, was named the NAHL’s ”After graduating from Goodrich High School, I hadn’t really Goaltender of the Week three had any offers given to me to straight times from Sept. 28-Oct. play for a team,” said Kissaw.

12 and has Marquette at the top “I had heard that (Marquette of the North Division. He also has head) coach (Kenny) Miller and had talks with several Division the Rangers had watched some I colleges. games during the season and “I’ve always been a humble were interested in me. When I got person when it comes to awards,” the call that I was being drafted Kissaw said. “Our defensemen by the Rangers, I went to the deserve a lot of credit. They have tryouts and made the squad.” kept a majority of the shots from Kissaw grew up playing the weak scoring zones and our for a plethora of minor hockey forwards have done a great job programs – Flint Icelanders, supporting our D-men. Goalie of Little Caesars, Ice Dogs (now the week honors are nice, but at Victor y Honda), Michigan the end of the day it’s all about Jaguars and Belle Tire. He’s winning games.” hoping that once his junior days Kissaw emerged last year are done, he can stay in the state as Marquette’s No. 1 goalie to play his college hockey. and finished with 16 wins in 33 “I have been in contact with games, but the Rangers finished a couple DI schools,” noted out of the playoff picture. Now Kissaw. “My main goal is to a veteran of the NAHL, Kissaw play in the CCHA because that’s feels that last season gave him the collegiate league I grew up confidence for this season’s Goodrich native Kevin Kissaw has helped the Marquette Rangers following being a Michigan boy. fast start. get off to a strong start this season.

I’ve always wanted to play for “At the start of the season Western Michigan. Western has I was obviously more comfortable than last year,” said Kissaw. great fans and all-around I just love the school.”

“Last year, I didn’t know what to expect since it was my first year of juniors and living away from home. I know Marquette very well NAHL NOTEBOOK now and the people are crazy about their hockey. From a hockey The Kenai River Brown Bears let go head coach Marty Quarters standpoint, I realize this is my last year of juniors, so coming into (Southfield) and replaced him with California native and Kenai the year I set personal goals for myself and want to make it the River assistant coach Oliver David earlier this month … The NAHL best year possible.” voted to grant conditional approval for an expansion membership Being counted on as much as he has comes with added pressure, to Chicago-area owners Dick Glass and Mark Hammersmith. The but it’s pressure Kissaw tries to brush aside. club, which will be named the Chicago Hitmen, will begin play “I don’t really feel too much pressure being the starter,” Kissaw next season and will be the first NAHL team in Chicago since the said. “I had high expectations for myself coming into the season.

Chicago Freeze ceased operations in 2003.

SHERWOOD PLAYERS OF THE WEEK (FOR WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 19) NORTH Janesville forward Zack Smoot had three goals and two assists as the Jets split a two-game series with Traverse City. On Oct. 16, the Fort Collins, Colo., native tallied an assist in a 5-4 loss. The next night, the 19-year-old had a hat trick, including the game-winning goal, and an assist as the Jets beat North Stars, 6-3. He was also a plus-1 on the weekend.

Honorable Mention: Marquette forwards Brent Bain and Josh Bussell; Motor City defenseman Mike Monfredo SOUTH Topeka forward Ryan White potted a goal and three assists as the RoadRunners skated to a 1-0-1 mark against Springfield. On Oct. 16, the Parker, Colo., native recorded a pair of assists in a 4-3 shootout loss. The next night, the 18-year-old had the game-winning goal and an assist as Topeka downed the Jr. Blues, 5-3.

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Honorable Mention: St. Louis defenseman Brad Smith; Texas forward J.D. Howard; Wichita Falls forward Anthony Iaquinto CENTRAL Alexandria forward Alex Altenbernd struck for four goals as the Blizzard skated to a 1-0-1 record. On Oct. 16, the Moorhead, Minn., native recorded a hat trick in a 6-3 victory over the Albert Lea Thunder. The 19-year-old added another goal the next night as the Blizzard fell to the Owatonna Express in a shootout, 5-4. He was also a plus-4 on the weekend.

WEST Alaska forward Jake Parenteau tallied two goals and two assists as the Avalanche skated to a 1-0-1 record against Wenatchee. On Oct. 16, the Shafer, Minn., native potted two goals, including the game-winner, and an assist in a

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4-0 triumph. The next night, the 20-year-old added another assist as the Avs fell to the Wild in a shootout, 3-2.

GOALIE Owatonna goaltender Mike Shibrowski backstopped the Express to three wins, turning aside 65 of 70 shots. On Oct. 16, the Edina, Minn., native made all 24 saves as the Express blanked Bismarck, 2-0. The next night, the 18-year-old stopped 22 shots in regulation and overtime and four of five in the shootout in a 5-4 triumph over the Alexandria Blizzard. On Oct. 18, Shibrowski steered aside 19 shots in regulation and overtime and four of five in the shootout as Owatonna edged the Bobcats, 2-1.

Honorable Mention: Marquette’s Kevin Kissaw; Motor City’s Jason Torf; St. Louis’ Tyler Bruggeman; Wenatchee’s Brandon Jaeger

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MICHIGAN HOCKEY

RED WINGS

Lidstrom joins elite 1000-point club

PHOTO BY DAVE REGINEK/DRW

BY DAVE WADDELL

his athletic ability.

“It’s an amazing feat,” goalie Chris Osgood Nick Lidstrom has been arguably the greatest said. “He’s been consistent the whole time since I defenseman of his generation and October 15 he began playing with him in 1993. One of the things joined another exclusive club that spans every Nick does is he makes everyone around him better.

NHL generation.

That’s something not a lot of players can do.

The six-time Norris Trophy winner collected two “He’s a Hall of Famer and people won’t realize assists in Detroit’s 5-2 win over the Los Angeles how good he was until he’s gone.”

Kings to give him 1,000 career points.

In any debate about the greatest defenseman Lidstrom is the first European defenseman of all time, which generally boils down to Boston and only the eighth NHL blue-liner to achieve legend Bobby Orr, Montreal great Doug Harvey the milestone. and the elegant Lidstrom, the three share one He joins defensemen Ray Bourque, Phil Housley, important trait.

Paul Coffey, Denis Potvin, Larry Murphy, Brian Each has been a revolutionary player at the Leetch and Al MacInnis in the 1000-point club. position, but in a different way. Harvey was the “I’m very proud to reach that milestone with the first defenseman who really was able to control a other players that are in there with 1,000 points,” game at both ends from his position. Orr injected said Lidstrom, who reached the milestone by the offensive element into the position with his totaling 229 goals and 771 assists. “When I first daring forays from end to end. And Lidstrom may joined the league I never thought I’d reach a 1,000 be the most unique of the three. games, let alone (a 1,000 points).

The splendid Swede has played the position “I do take a lot of pride in reaching some of the at such a high level for such a long time in a way milestones and being the first European doing it. that nobody else could imagine.

I think if you look back, when I joined the league, He doesn’t play a physical game, yet is nearly you didn’t see that many Europeans here. I think impossible to beat one-on-one. Lidstrom may possess the most active and disruptive stick the game has ever seen.

He’s efficient with his first pass and his ability to avoid making mistakes led the game’s greatest coach, Scotty Bowman, to label him as the nearly perfect player.

With a game that is an example of such subtle perfection, it’s extremely difficult to appreciate the true greatness of Lidstrom unless you get to watch him on a regular basis. It’s led to the unusual situation where Lidstrom is now judged by an almost mythical standard of perfection that he’s established for himself.

When asked what it is about Lidstrom that makes him such a special player, Bowman had a concise explanation befitting the man.

“The reason Nick is so good is he finds the first simple play and makes it every time,” Bowman said. “He doesn’t force things.

He’s not afraid to just bang it off the glass if that’s the best play.”

Detroit Red Wings veteran Nick Lidstrom is only the eighth NHL Current Wings coach Mike defensemen of all-time to score 1,000 points.

Babcock remembers what a revelation Lidstrom was in his Europeans have had much influence on today’s first season in Detroit. hockey.”

Babcock knew Lidstrom was good, but it took Lidstrom, who is also the first European to win daily exposure to the man and his demeanor ona Conn Smythe as well as the only Euro to captain and-off the ice to fully appreciate the Wings captain. a Stanley Cup champion, fittingly reached the “I waited half a season before I finally got to yell plateau on Henrik Zetterberg’s game-winning goal. at him in a practice,” Babcock recalled. “He never Like so many of his assists over the years, it made a mistake. It wasn’t much of a mistake, but I was a play of pure intelligence. had to yell because I knew I might not get another Rather than needlessly try to blast away through chance all season.” the forest of bodies in front of the goal, Lidstrom laid Not much has changed since for Babcock, who in a perfect slap pass that Zetterberg redirected says the team now has what he calls ‘Nickisms’. from the left face-off dot.

These are the package of video clips the team “That’s putting in a lot of years and being very has of different plays Lidstrom has made that are successful at it,” Red Wings defenseman Brian examples of what the coaching staff wants the Rafalski said. “It’s something not many guys will rest of the team to do. ever get a chance to accomplish. It definitely puts “Obviously, he’s a spectacular player and he has him in a special category.” been for a long, long time,” Babcock said. “You Perhaps the greatest accolade one can give got be real healthy and fortunate to play on a good Lidstrom is he’s made a career out of beating team and then you got to be an absolute star. For a opponents as much with his brain as he does with defenseman to get that milestone is very special.”

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October 26, 2009 | michiganhockeyonline.com

Kevin Allen covers pro and college hockey for USA Today

Losing Franzen tests Red Wings’ depth Now with Pavel Datsyuk’s injury, the Red Wings’ Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland depth is being tested even more severely. With iis a man known for exploring all of his options in tthe name of solving any problem.

Franzen’s goals off the books, the Red Wings theoretically have lost 84 goals. Obviously it doesn’t But he truthfully didn’t have any desirable a really work like that and other players will step alternatives when he pondered how to deal with tthe loss of veteran forward Johan Franzen for four up. But the bottom line: The Red Wings’ scoring reservoir is shallow compared to what it once was. tto six months with a knee injury.

Still no one is feeling sorry for the Red Wings, It’s not as if there are NHL teams with proven 30g and they only have to look at last season’s St. Louis goal scorers they aren’t using. Any scorer the Red Blues to see a NHL team that overcame a run of Wings could actually acquire right now probably W w injuries to succeed. Despite numerous injuries, would not be worth having. including Erik Johnson and Paul Kariya lost for Does anyone believe that free agent Mark Parrish w the season, the Blues were among the NHL’s best would be helpful to Detroit’s situation? A return e teams in the second half of 2008-09. engagement by Brendan Shanahan? Should the R Detroit coach Mike Babcock is looking at other Red Wings call Claude Lemieux? forwards to score more in Franzen’s absence, but The Toronto Maple Leafs are off to such a poor sstart that they would be happy to make a trade, my view is that goaltender Chris Osgood is the b key to overcoming Franzen’s loss. but they are looking for scorers.

When the Red Wings are playing sharply, they The Red Wings’ Franzen-relief plan is simply to d dig in and hope other Detroit players, V Valtteri Filppula and Ville Leino chief a among them, will step up and make u up for the loss of Franzen’s goals.

The Red Wings need Leino and F Filppula to be 20-goal scorers. The R Red Wings need Dan Cleary to have h his best offensive season and Darren H Helm to chip in 10-plus goals. The R Red Wings need Tomas Holmstrom tto produce, and thus far he looks llike he will do that. The Red Wings w would dearly love to have Holmstrom a around the 30-goal mark.

Also, the Red Wings will need to h have their defensemen contribute m more offensively. Niklas Kronwall is p probably capable of playing more o offensive than he has in the past.

Depth has been Detroit’s strength ffor or dozen or more years and they h have never needed it as much as they n need it now.

Here’s the interesting aspect of Franzen’s injury: if the Red Wings Veteran forward Johan Franzen will be out of the Red Wings’ F c can still thrive, or at least survive, in lineup for 4-6 weeks with a knee injury.

F Franzen’s absence, his injury could p still have a dominating defense and they simply prove to be benefit. The Red Wings were pushed u need Osgood to be at his best. In the early going, the up against the cap ceiling, and Franzen’s injury w Red Wings’ defensive game hasn’t been running will offer them some cap relief because he can be p at maximum efficiency. placed on the long-term injury list.

Turnovers have been too plentiful. Zone What this means is that the Red Wings could b coverage hasn’t been effective as it has been in be in position to make a move or two later in the sseason, once teams begin to sort themselves out. the past. Osgood had an outstanding performance T against Chicago, and he’s looked average in other The Red Wings should have money to act boldly at tthe trade deadline, if they desire to do so. games. A couple of pucks have squeezed through him, but with Vancouver’s Roberto Luongo sitting That’s also about the time that Franzen could b with an .870 save percentage we all remember be coming back to the lineup. His return could ffeel like a trade acquisition, although it’s been my that you can’t truly assess where a goalkeeper is at until we hit November or at least a dozen observation that players don’t come back smoothly o ffrom ACL injuries. Even after they start playing, games played. iit seems to take added time to regain top form.

If Osgood performs as sharply as he did in last spring’s playoffs, the Red Wings could still be It clearly won’t be easy for the Red Wings tto maintain their usual level of excellence among the leaders in the West. If he plays like w he did in the 2008-09 regular season, then the without Franzen’s 34 goals. Remember, they lost M Red Wings could be fighting for a playoff spot all Marian Hossa (40 goals), Jiri Hudler (23), Mikael S season long.

Samuelsson (19) and Tomas Kopecky (6) last ssummer and replaced them with three free agents w who totaled 38 goals.

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31

THE HOLES IN THE STICK ARE FOR AIRFLOW. NOT SHOW. The new Reebok 8.0.8 hockey stick. Designed with eight power ports to reduce drag by 31%.

Making it lightning-quick, incredibly reactive and downright deadly. Just like Victor Hedman.

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