MiHockeyMag - May 13, 2013

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MiHockeyNow.com

V.23 : I.17 | MAY 13, 2013

FIRST CLASS

THE STREAK LIVES ON

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAY 13, 2013 VOLUME 23: ISSUE 17 6 THE LOCKER ROOM Talking hockey on social media

8 SLIDESHOW Photos from across the Mitten

10 GET BETTER A breakout drill to try this summer

12 YOU SHOULD KNOW Muskegon Lumberjacks forward Chad McDonald

14 AMATEUR HOCKEY

High school players reunite in Lapeer

15 MEIJER STATE GAMES

Some of the state’s best will gather this summer

16 THE STREAK LIVES ON

The Red Wings make yet another NHL playoff appearance

20 NAHL

Quartet set to play for NAHL’s ultimate prize

22 PLYMOUTH WHALERS

Vellucci named OHL coach of the year

16

THE STREAK LIVES ON

Red Wings clinch 22 consecutive playoff appearance

23 GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS

Playoff hockey returns to Grand Rapids

24 RED WINGS INSIDER Inexperience shining through for Red Wings

26 LAST LINE “He had his head down” no longer applies

22

PLYMOUTH WHALERS

Vellucci named OHL coach of the year

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GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS

Playoff hockey returns to Grand Rapids

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LOOK FOR OUR NEXT ISSUE LAST LINE

Darren Eliot discusses how the perception of ‘the big hit’ is changing

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MAY 27, 2013

To advertise in MiHockey please contact Lucia Zuzga at (248) 479-1134 or lucia@mihockeynow.com, or Michael Peck at (248) 479-1146 or mpeck@mihockeynow.com

May 13, 2013 V.23 : I.17

FROM THE EDITOR MIHOCKEYMAG EDITOR Michael Caples

mcaples@mihockeynow.com

ADVERTISING & DISTRIBUTION Lucia Zuzga lucia@mihockeynow.com

Michael Peck

mpeck@mihockeynow.com

DESIGN Emily Huston Chuck Stevens CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Darren Eliot Pat Evans Stefan Kubus Kyle Kujawa Matt Mackinder Dave Waddell ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTORS Amy Jones Anne Ellis

@michaelcaples

BY MICHAEL CAPLES LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: MICHIGAN HOCKEY® welcomes Letters to the Editor. E-mail mcaples@mihockeynow.com

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

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

MICHIGAN HOCKEY 23995 Freeway Park Drive • Suite 200 Farmington Hills, MI 48335-2829 (248) 478-2500 • FAX: (248) 478-1601 E-MAIL: mh@mihockeynow.com WEBSITE: mihockeynow.com

PHOTOS AT LEFT: Red Wings celebrate (Jen Hefner/MiHockey), Mike Vellucci (Rena Laverty/ MiHockey), Luke Glendening (Michael Caples/ MiHockey) COVER: Design by Emily Huston/MiHockey, photo by Jen Hefner/MiHockey

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

May 13, 2013 V.23 : I.17

IN NEW ROLE, ZETTERBERG DELIVERED WHEN HOCKEYTOWN NEEDED IT THE MOST Walking into a hockey team’s locker room and talking to the players after a loss isn’t the easiest thing to do. You know that the last thing the players want to do is sit in their stall and try to explain why they made a bad play, why they couldn’t make more good ones, why they couldn’t score, why they couldn’t win. The majority of the team has the option to disappear when the doors are opened and the media storm in. But there’s one player who always has to be available, and that’s the one that wears the ‘C’ on his jersey. For the first time in a long time, that ‘C’ has been worn by Henrik Zetterberg. And for the first time in a long time, the man with the ‘C’ has had to field a lot more of those questions that no player really wants to answer. Even on nights where the Red Wings win, Zetterberg’s media crowd lasts longer than anybody else’s. He answers questions the way any captain should, serving as the voice and the leader of the Red Wings’ locker room. But that’s not all he’s had to do this season. As if filling the void left by the legendary Nick Lidstrom wasn’t enough, Zetterberg had to lead his team through the adventures of a lockout, and a shortened NHL season. He had to be the gel for a Red Wings squad with a whole bunch of new faces, and a smaller veteran presence. A lockout has its effects on a fan base, even one as solid as Hockeytown’s. Zetterberg had to be the leader in welcoming back the fans, and he had to make sure his team delivered on the ice, because losses only make things more difficult with an already-frustrated audience.

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And don’t forget, when Lidstrom had to take over for Steve Yzerman, No. 19 was just down the hall. For No. 40, No. 5 is a little farther away. Yet here we are, talking about the Red Wings continuing their remarkable playoff streak. And while there’s plenty of people to give credit to – with a franchise like the Red Wings, there’s way too many – it all starts with the captain. Because of Zetterberg’s leadership this season, we’re still talking about the Red Wings now. Considering the time of year, they’re our main focus for this issue of MiHockeyMag, especially when there’s a cause for celebration in them extending their playoff streak. We take a look back at some things that were happening in this world the last time the Wings weren’t in the playoffs, and we take a look at the inexperienced roster taking part in their first postseason. Plus, Darren Eliot examines the changing viewpoints of the check as it relates to our game – something that’s been of much debate since Justin Abdelkader was suspended for a questionable collision with Toni Lydman. We hope you enjoy this issue, and don’t forget, there’s always more – way more – hockey coverage on MiHockeyNow.com. See you around the rink,

MiHockeyMag

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THE LOCKER ROOM

THE

LOCKER ROOM

COLOR COMMENTARY

Thanks to you guys, 72,000-plus people saw this photo we posted on Facebook after the Red Wings’ regular-season finale win to preserve their playoff streak. Thanks for sharing and liking and celebrating the historic moment with us.

“Heidi (teacher) and Megan (student teacher) signed their students up for the Red Wings reading club. Two students from their class won tickets to a Red Wings game & were named Abby’s All Stars at the game!” (From Megan Brennan)

Muskegon native Justin Abdelkader was issued a two-game suspension from Brendan Shanahan and the NHL after his hit on Toni Lydman during Game 3 of the Red Wings vs. Ducks series. We asked for your thoughts on the suspension, and here are some of the comments.

TWO FOR TWEETING When the NHL announced that there will be multiple outdoor games next season, we asked Hockeytown how they felt about having to share. The Winter Classic in Ann Arbor will be the first of apparently many outdoor games in early 2014.

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MiHockeyMag

Alton McCoy - The initial contact is SHOULDER TO SHOULDER he NEVER makes contact with the head watch the other angle Brandon Dutcher - Seems like the usual over reaction that happens whenever a redwing is involved. Jean A. Harvey-Clark - If I remember correctly the refs didn’t call or signal it until they talked amongst themselves. Ken and Mickey didn’t call it either. Doreen Sarrach Defauw - Someone oiled the palms of the refs....clean hit. Watch it in slow motion frame by frame...Abby you rock!!! Don’t let poor judgment ruin your spirit!!! Scott Salo - Shanny blew this. He didnt want anyone thinking he woukd play favorites so he gave a bad decision so he looks good. No respect for Shanny anymore for this bull crap call on a clean hit. Bryan Bernath - Justified and very deserving. High elbow to the head seems to be intentional. He’s a big boy he will survive. Isaiah Arnold - What was he thinking Tricia Cooney - I say right call left feet..hit with elbow.. came from across the ice.. all red wings fans would agree with call if it was other way around. I called it right away. Go wings Antonio Schippono - You guys have no clue what you are talking bout!! He left is feet and made contact to the head, its worth a suspension!!!!! Get your facts straight!

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May 13, 2013 V.23 : I.17

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7

SLIDESHOW

MICHIGAN HOCKEY IN PICTURES:

PHOTOS FROM ACROSS THE MITTEN

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @MIHOCKEYNOW

Luke Glendening celebrates his goal in Game 3 of the Griffins’ openinground series against the Houston Aeros. (Michael Caples/MiHockey)

Al Sobotka fires up the Joe Louis Arena crowd with his famous octopus twirl. (Jen Hefner/MiHockey)

After 17 NHL seasons, Flint native Brian Rolston (pictured during his Compuware days) formally announced his retirement. (MiHockey archives)

On March 6, the Red Wings surprised some adult-league players at the Onyx Ice Arena. Visit MiHockeyNow.com for more info. (Nathan Kostegian/MiHockey)

MiHockey caught multiple octopus offenders during Game 3 of the Red Wings vs. Ducks series. (Photos by Jen Hefner/MiHockey)

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May 13, 2013 V.23 : I.17

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9

GETBETTER

GET BETTER

SIMPLE SUMMER DRILL THAT INCORPORATES SKATING, PASSING, SHOOTING AND TEAM PLAY. DRILL OBJECTIVE: Passing and puck support ORGANIZATION:

Defensemen line up along the boards at the top of the circles at opposite diagonal ends. The forwards are in one line at the same opposite diagonal blue lines facing the defensemen; one defenseman starts in front of each net. Two coaches are positioned at the goal line, also at the same opposite diagonal ends. On the whistle the coach dumps the puck between the corner and the back of the net; the ďŹ rst defenseman and ďŹ rst two forwards in each line start. The defenseman skates to the top of the circle, pivots backwards, then pivots to get the puck that the coach has dumped in. The ďŹ rst forward skates to the far boards to get in good receiving position to get the pass from the defenseman. The second forward acts as the center and skates in good support of the wing receiving the pass from the defenseman. The defenseman in front of the net activates and receives a pass from the wing in the middle of the ice. He outlets to the center and the center continues down the middle for a shot on goal. The ďŹ rst forward (acting as a wing) follows the play and gets a second pass from the coach at the far end for the second shot on goal. Both defensemen must stay on their half of the ice to

avoid collisions. the defensman in front of the net returns to his line after the forwards have shot. The defenseman that made the breakout becomes the next defenseman in front of the net.

VARIATION:

Defense to defense to wing or center - defenseman No. 1 retrieves the puck and passes over defenseman No. 2, who opens up on the opposite side of the net and passes either to wing or center. Defenseman No. 2 becomes next defenseman in front of the net in the rotation.

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YOU SHOULD KNOW

you should know FAVORITE SPORTING EVENT:

Stanley Cup Final

FIRST CONCERT: Eric Church

MUST-SEE TV:

NHL Network

FAVORITE BREAKFAST FOOD: Pancakes

FAVORITE MOVIE:

Billy Madison

IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE: Teleporting

NICKNAMES:

Chuck, Chuck Donald, Donnel

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU HAVE AN HOUR OF FREE TIME: Hang with the boys

THREE PEOPLE YOU WOULD WANT TO HAVE DINNER WITH:

Pavel Datsyuk, Will Ferrell, and Herb Brooks

PRE-GAME ROUTINE:

Pre-game nap, meal, get to the rink for team meetings

WHAT KIND OF CAR DO YOU DRIVE: Ford Fusion WHAT ONE PIECE OF TECHNOLOGY CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT: Cell Phone

FAVORITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY:

Hanging out at my grandparents’ lake house or growing up with the C.C.P.’s (Capital Centre Pride)

WHO WAS MOST INFLUENTIAL ON YOUR HOCKEY CAREER: My parents and longtime coach and trainer Ron Gay

Chad McDonald

Muskegon Lumberjacks forward

Chad McDonald may be concluding his junior hockey career soon, but the Michigan hockey community will still be seeing a lot of him in the upcoming years. McDonald, a Battle Creek native, has committed to Bob Daniels and the Ferris State hockey program, meaning he will be representing the Bulldogs as they move to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association next fall. After starting the 2011-12 campaign with the Kalamazoo Jr. K Wings of the NAHL, McDonald quickly jumped to the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers and registered 12 goals and six assists in 46 games. This year, he returned back to Michigan, and played in 38 games with the Muskegon Lumberjacks, recording 11 goals and 19 assists. We can’t wait to see what the Capital Centre Pride product will do next.

Photos courtesy of: stanleycupwinners.net (Stanley Cup), nhl.com (NHL Logo), urbanhonking.com (Billy Madison), Tom Turrill/MiHockey (Pavel Datsyuk), carinsurancecomparison.com (Ford Fusion)

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AMATEUR HOCKEY

HIGH SCHOOL TEAMMATES REUNITE FOR ALUMNI TOURNAMENT IN LAPEER BY KRYSTLE HOLLEMAN Some players had not seen each other in years. For others it had been just weeks or even hours. No matter how long it had been since they took the ice together, hockey players ranging from 18 years of age to over 40 were teammates once again in Lapeer to represent their alma maters in the third annual Mid-Michigan High School Hockey Alumni Tournament. The tournament is the brainchild of Eric Lemieux, a 1991 Swartz Creek graduate. Lemieux was playing in adult leagues three years ago with a handful of other grads from local high schools, all of whom continued the high school rivalries for decades after graduation. “A lot of people reminisce; there were a lot of ‘what-ifs’ and ‘this school is better than the other school’ talks. So I decided to try to get a tournament going and built it up with some other guys,” Lemieux said of the start-up. Those ‘other guys’ were Bryan Hall and Rico Phillips, who are now on the committee for the event, with Phillips representing his alma mater, Flint Southwestern Academy. The tournament’s first season featured mostly “Big Nine” teams – a league that is no longer in operation. The original 12 teams included Lapeer East, Lapeer West, Powers, Flushing, Clio, Grand Blanc, Goodrich, Fenton, Swartz Creek. Most of the original teams returned for this year’s tournament. “I was only going to take on 12 teams my first year, that was my goal,” Lemieux said of selecting teams. “I got those filled up right away.” While the chirping during “beer leagues” may have sparked the initial idea, keeping former high school players in touch with their community is the underlying theme. “We had alums coming from as far away as San Antonio to play with former teammates,” Phillips said. “That’s how far this thing reaches alumni.” The tournament was separated into two divisions: 18-and-over and 30-and-over. The 30-and-over division highlighted alumni from schools that no longer have varsity ice hockey teams, including Carmen-Ainsworth and Flint Southwestern Academy. Both divisions still featured area powerhouses such as Flint Powers Catholic and Davison. Many of the participants in the 18-and-over division were members of the University of Michigan-Flint team, which just played in the ACHA National Title game in March. They

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went from line-mates to foes for the tournament. “This tournament is something we look forward to every year,” said 2008 Swartz Creek grad Kirk Allen. “If anything, the rivalries have intensified over the years. Some of the schools do some recruiting for this really early in the year.” Other players came up from juniors including Clarkston’s Brad Pizzey, currently with the Michigan Warriors (NAHL) and Swartz Creek’s Derek Makimaa, currently with the Atlanta Junior Knights (EJHL South). “It’s good to get back and see everyone back from college,” Makimaa said of returning home. “My cousin played with some of the guys, so it’s fun to be on the ice with them after watching them for so long.” “I enjoy being in Genesee County because you know the teams you’re going to play and the guys you’re going to play,” Allen said. Tensions were a little higher with the younger division rather than the older one. “I know our game, the Swartz Creek-Powers game, was a pretty big rivalry,” Makimaa said. “Some of the guys on the teams now, back then they beat Powers 6-0 and every since then they never wanted to play Swartz Creek again.” This year’s tournament saw Powers claiming the Mullet Cup in the 30-and-over division while Davison took the cup from defending champs Swartz Creek in a hard-fought final. Players from both divisions say the real prize was being able to play with – and against – friends again while giving back to the community. “The hockey community is so close-knit and giving back is something we’re very passionate about,” Phillips said. One of the biggest issues plaguing area high school hockey teams is the combining of schools/teams to make a full roster. Schools such as Clio and Swartz Creek – once powerhouses on their own – have joined together to make one team. “High school hockey around here has been so down lately,” Makimaa said. “I think the rivalries will still be here. Guys from back then will remember their days playing. We hated kids from Powers, but off-ice we’re all friends.” “I graduated in 1987 and there were 23 high school hockey teams in this area,” Phillips said. “Today, there’s nine (in the Flint/Mid-Michigan area). It’s devastating.” “Hockey is expensive, there’s no doubt about it,” Lemieux said. “One of the ways we give back with this tournament

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is by raising money for the Youth Hockey Scholarship Fund, to help kids get started playing the game and help with the cost.” The donations were collected as either a voluntary $3 admission or boxes of cereal upon admission with the food donations going to the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan. Now that the tournament has been established in the area, the committee’s eyes are set on expanding throughout the state. “We’ll definitely always have an 18-and-over division. We’re trying to reach out to the Saginaw area and a little further south. This is Clarkston’s second year and we’d like to reach out more in that area,” Lemieux said of expanding the tournament. NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF CENTRAL COLLEGIATE HOCKEY ASSOCIATION, INC. TAKE NOTICE that the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, Inc., a Michigan non-profit corporation whose registered office is located at 23995 Freeway Park Drive, Farmington Hills, MI 48335 will dissolve pursuant to the Michigan Non-Profit Corporation Act. In order to realize or enforce any claim, all persons who are creditors of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, Inc. shall file their claims in writing with Mr. Fred Pletsch at: Central Collegiate Hockey Association, Inc. 23995 Freeway Park Drive Farmington Hills, MI 48335 Each claim must include the name and address of the claimant, the basis for and amount of each claim, and the date or days on which each claim arose. The description of the basis for each claim must include sufficient information to permit the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, Inc. to make a reasonable judgment whether the claim shall be accepted or rejected. This notice is published pursuant to the Michigan Non Profit Corporation Act. It is given on behalf of Central Collegiate Hockey Association, Inc. on May 13, 2013. Each claim must be received by Central Collegiate Hockey Association, Inc. no later than the close of business on December 31, 2013. The claim will be barred if it is not received by Central Collegiate Hockey Association, Inc. by such date. The giving of this notice does not constitute recognition that the persons or entities to whom the notice is directed has a valid claim against the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, Inc. Dated: May 13, 2013 FRED PLETSCH Commissioner Central Collegiate Hockey Association, Inc. 23995 Freeway Park Drive Farmington Hills, MI 48335 248-888-0600

May 13, 2013 V.23 : I.17

MEIJER STATE GAMES

MEIJER STATE GAMES:

BY PAT EVANS

When Darrel Newman takes the ice with the team he coaches in the Meijer State Games, he pulls out an old jersey. It’s the jersey from the Empire State Games the former pro player and current youth coach took part in when he was a teenager. “Those games were such a great experience for me that I kept the jersey,” Newman told his team. That’s the type of message the organizers of the hockey portion of the Michigan-based State Games, Brian Bellgraph and Andrew Hall, want to send. “He played in college and professional, but he still has that jersey,” Bellgraph said. “That’s the kind of experience we want the kids to have. We try to get coaches that can offer more than just go on the ice.” The games - held June 21-23 in Grand Rapids - bring teams from districts across the state to Grand Rapids for an Olympic-style competition. Bellgraph said its a different type of tournament than just bringing in various travel teams. “It’s to bring together the kids within the district, rather than opponents at the local arena,: he said. “It a whole happy utopian feeling we like to have. As more people get involved, we’re showing we’re a bigger community.” The tournament also tries to show off talent that is otherwise lost most of the times. The teams are Tier-2 players or lower. Hall said that is to hopefully show you don’t need that “third A” behind a team name to be a good player. “They get enough publicity; they go to showcases,” he said.

A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR PLAYERS ACROSS THE STATE

“We wanted to do Tier 2, to allow kids who could play AAA a chance to shine.” Bellgraph said he believes travel hockey to be counterproductive to the process of learning hockey until at least second year Pee Wee. Along with Newman, the games also have had Dennis Hextall, Rob Palmer and several other NHL players participate. ”We have had a lot of LA Kings for some reason,” Hall and Bellgraph said. This season, they’ve also had Drew Famulak, the associate head coach at Ferris State. “Our numbers for District 6 were already high, but now with a Ferris coach, we have a feeling we’re going to have a lot of kids trying out,” Hall said. The pair has also run into some road bumps as they attempt to promote the tournament. They said several groups don’t understand the whole Meijer State Games and West Michigan Sports Commission, which puts it on, are both non-profit. “Not a single dime will stay in our pockets or the sports

commission’s,” Bellgraph said. “Everything is going back into the community. We buy tryout and practice ice around the state. Every kid who tries out gets a jersey. Kids who play get jersey socks, ice, referees. It’s a lot of money and at the same time we try to keep the price low enough to get kids to play.” As the State Games enter its fourth year, the participation has picked up steam and the organizers hope to introduce a girls’ side of the tournament. This year, the games will offer a 19U girls tournament with four regional teams, North, South, East and West. “The interest just got stronger, we took a look at numbers, what age groups can we offer,” Hall said. The West Michigan Sports Commission also recently announced the addition of a Winter State Games, with the inaugural event taking place in February 2014. But the regionally-based hockey tournament won’t switch seasons, because of teams being in season. “This tournament will always stay in the summer. Winter games if they we do anything, it’ll be a team-based tournament, nothing special about it,” Bellgraph said. “There are too many hoops to jump through roster-wise. I can’t imagine a coach saying ok I’ll let my kid do this.” But no matter the season, Bellgraph said the State Games are about more than just winning a medal. “It’s not about winning, it’s about developing kids,” he said. “We’re just trying to reach out and offer kids advice, real world, been there done that advice.”

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RED WINGS

MIH

MOVIES RELEASED: Goodfellas

once again, to make it to postseason play. That’s why this year, the streak should be celebrated a little more than usual. So we decided to take a look back at the year 1990, the last time Detroit wasn’t a part of the postseason. Here are some of the things that happened that year. We couldn’t think of a better way to give some perspective on the subject.

The Cincinnati Reds won the World Series Nick Faldo won the Masters and the British Open

Edward Scissorhands

Greg Norman was the PGA Tour money leader

Pretty Woman Ghost

Phil Mickelson Championship

The Godfather: Part III

Mark Messier won the Hart Trophy

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

The Edmonton Oilers won their fifth Stanley Cup in seven seasons

TV SHOWS THAT AIRED FOR THE FIRST TIME: Seinfeld

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Before this spring, the Detroit Red Wings would casually build on their remarkable playoff appearance streak. A string of wins in the midst of a grueling, lengthy regular season would give the Wings the cushion they needed to rest their stars down the stretch, and give some future

stars their first taste of competitive NHL hockey. People would know that come April, the Red Wings would still be playing. This year, it was a little different. The Red Wings had to work for it. They needed wins in the final week. They needed a win in the final game (they could still get in without one, but they controlled their own destiny with the victory in Dallas). Yet they found a way,

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Beverly Hills, 90210 Law & Order Wings Blossom

MAJOR SPORTING EVENTS: The San Francisco 49ers beat the Denver Broncos, 55-10, in Super Bowl XXIV The Colorado Buffaloes took the top spot in the final AP college football poll

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IN PR

OTHER NEWS: Johnny Carson was still hosting the Tonight Show “Hold on” by Wilson Phillips was the top song on the Billboard Chart A gallon of gas cost $1.16 The Nintendo Game Boy was released in Europe (released in the U.S. in July 1989) AS B DAN DEKEYSER W MiHockeyNow.com

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14U Tier 2 Travel Girls May 30 from 5:30 –6:50 pm June 6 from 6—7:20 pm Tom Campbell campbe65@ath.msu.edu

12U Tier 2 Travel Girls May 30 from 5:30 –6:50 pm June 6 from 6—7:20 pm Bobby Herrera rherrera74@yahoo.com

Squirt A May 28 from 6 –7 pm May 31 from 6—7 pm Jeff Brick Jeff@brickinc.com

Tier 1 AAA Pre– registration is strongly recommended for AAA tryouts.

May 28 from 7-8 pm May 30 from 7-8 pm Dave Donahue Dave.donahue@comcast.net

Midget Major

PeeWee AA

June 11 and 13 from 6—7:20 pm

Midget Minor June 10 and 12 from 6— 7:20 pm AAA Program Director Dean Dixon ddixon16@yahoo.com

June 3 from 5:30 –6:20 pm June 4from 6—7:20 pm Chip Taunt chiptaunt@hotmail.com

May 21 from 6:30—7:50 pm May 23 from 7—7:50 pm Travis Van Tighem tvantighem@setseg.org

Bantam A May 21 from 5:30—6:20pm Jason Muzzatti wjmuzz@aol.com

More information and Registration forms available at

glaha.org

Squirt AA

PeeWee A

Midget AA June 17 from 6—7:20 pm June 18 from 6:30—7:50 pm Brandon Reed hockeycoachreed@yahoo.com

Bantam AA June 2 from 2:30 —4 pm June 4 from 6:30—8 pm Nate Putek nputek@suburbanice.com

nahl.com

U O Y ARE

TRYOUT CAMPS

? T X NE ryouts t / m o .c l nah www.n

the league of opportunity North american hockey league 2012-2013 college commitments Aberdeen Wings Jordyn Kaufer Zach Nagelvoort Justin Parizek

Concordia College (MIAC, D3) University of Michigan (CCHA, D1) University of Nebraska-Omaha (WCHA, D1)

Amarillo Bulls Paul Berrafato Clint Carlisle Ryan Cole Tyler Deresky Brady Ferguson Geoff Fortman Joe Grabowski Hampus Gustafsson Garret Peterson John Rey Tyler Rostenkowski TJ Sarcona TJ Sherman

Holy Cross (Atlantic Hockey, D1) Army (Atlantic Hockey, D1) Trinity College (NESCAC, D3) Bentley University (Atlantic Hockey, D1 Robert Morris University (Atlantic Hockey, D1)* Canisius College (Atlantic Hockey, D1) Princeton University (ECACHL, D1) Merrimack College (Hockey East, D1) Army (Atlantic Hockey, D1) Robert Morris University (Atlantic Hockey, D1) Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey, D1) ‡ Niagara University (Atlantic Hockey, D1) Trinity College (NESCAC, D3)

Austin Bruins CJ Smith Brandon Wahlin

University of Massachusetts-Lowell (Hockey East, D1) University of Massachusetts (Hockey East, D1)

Bismarck Bobcats Mike Dockry Bob Kinne Matt Pohlkamp

Army (Atlantic Hockey, D1) Bemidji State University (WCHA, D1) Bowling Green State University (CCHA, D1)‡

Brookings Blizzard Michael Bitzer Drew Brevig Aidan Cavallini Cody Marooney

Bemidji State University (WCHA, D1) # Ohio State University (CCHA, D1) University of Wisconsin (WCHA, D1) University of Alabama-Huntsville (Independent, D1)

Corpus Christi IceRays Michael Economos Beau Walker

Plymouth State (MASCAC, D3) University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (NCHA, D3)

Coulee Region Chill Garrett Hendrickson Jake Kauppila Brady Riesgraf Derek Smith

St. Cloud State University (WCHA, D1) Michigan Tech University (WCHA, D1) Bemidji State University (WCHA, D1) Quinnipiac University (ECACHL, D1)

Fairbanks Ice Dogs Jayson Angus Max Birkinbine Garret Clemment Preston Hodge Duggie Lagrone Devin Loe Tayler Munson Patrick Newell Steve Perry Doug Rose

Lake Superior State University (CCHA, D1) Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey, D1) Lake Superior State University (CCHA, D1) Uni. of Nebraska-Omaha (WCHA, D1) # Colorado College (WCHA, D1) Miami University (CCHA, D1) University of Alaska-Fairbanks (CCHA, D1) St. Cloud State University (WCHA, D1) Clarkson University (ECACHL, D1) Sacred Heart University (Atlantic Hockey, D1)

Jamestown Ironmen Matt Lanzillotti Reid Mimmack Ross Pavek Dylan Zink

University of Massachusetts-Boston (ECAC East, D3) Bemidji State University (WCHA, D1) St. Norbert College (NCHA, D3) University of Massachusetts-Lowell (Hockey East, D1)

Janesville Jets Brett Bauza Ryan Dau Zach Diamantoni Jason Ford Ruslan Pedan

University of Wisconsin-Superior (NCHA, D3) Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey, D1) ‡ Northern Michigan University (CCHA, D1) * Bemidji State University (WCHA, D1) Bemidji State University (WCHA, D1)

Johnstown Tomahawks Casey Nelson Ian Spencer Chris Truehl

Minnesota State-Mankato (WCHA, D1) University of Vermont (Hockey East, D1) Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey, D1)

Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings Brett Beauvais Luc Boby Danny Hamburg Sam Johnson Jesse Junttila Nick Kovalchik Mac McDonnell Robbie Payne Matt Wurst

Bemidji State University (WCHA, D1) Utica College (ECAC West, D3) Castleton State College (ECAC East, D3) Trinity College (NESCAC, D3) Northern Michigan University (CCHA, D1) * Castleton State College (ECAC East, D3) University of Windsor (CIS, D) Northern Michigan University (CCHA, D1) University of Wisconsin-River Falls (NCHA, D3)

Kenai River Brown Bears Mikhail Bushinski Brad Duwe Albin Karlsson Zac Lazzaro Dylan Meier Chris Nuth Ryan Walker

Utica College (ECAC West, D3) University of Alaska-Anchorage (WCHA, D1) Niagara University (Atlantic Hockey, D1) * Utica College (ECAC West, D3) Augsburg College (MIAC, D3) University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (NCHA, D3) Utica College (ECAC West, D3)

Michigan Warriors Levi Erkkila Brock Labelle Corey Schueneman

Northern Michigan University (CCHA, D1) Castleton State College (ECAC East, D3) Western Michigan University (CCHA, D1) *

Minot Minotauros Tyler Parks

St. Lawrence University (ECACHL, D1)

Odessa Jackalopes Ryan Doucet John Feemster Stephen Inman Mike Mezzano Taylor Portner

Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey, D1) St. Olaf (MIAC, D3) Saint Michael’s College (ECAC East, D3) St. Mary’s University (MIAC, D3) University of Wisconsin-River Falls (NCHA, D3)

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

NAHL.com Port Huron Fighting Falcons Mark Evan Auk Michigan Tech University (WCHA, D1) Brett D’Andrea Bowling Green State University (CCHA, D1) Rick DeRosa Penn State (Big 10, D1) Dan Dupell Plymouth State (MASCAC, D3) Alex Globke Lake Superior State University (CCHA, D1) # Ian Miller Lake Superior State University (CCHA, D1) Ryan Nick Army (Atlantic Hockey, D1) Kyle Plageman Army (Atlantic Hockey, D1) ‡ Tyler Spezia Bowling Green State University (CCHA, D1)* Nolan Valleau Ohio State University (CCHA, D1) # Soo Eagles Brandon Adams Tyler Marble Denver Pierce Jared VanWormer

SUNY-Oswego (SUNYAC, D3) Colorado College (WCHA, D1) Northern Michigan University (CCHA, D1) Ferris State University (CCHA, D1)

6SULQJÀHOG -U %OXHV Jon Carkeek Matt Leon Brett Skibba

Hamilton College (NESCAC, D3) SUNY-Geneseo (SUNYAC, D3) University of Connecticut (Atlantic Hockey, D1)

Texas Tornado Justin Greenberg Brandon Hawkins Drew Mayer Nick Neville CJ Reuschlein Max Shuart

Miami University (CCHA, D1) Bowling Green State University (CCHA, D1) Ferris State University (CCHA, D1) University of Denver (WCHA, D1) Army (Atlantic Hockey, D1) University of Michigan (CCHA, D1) ‡

Topeka RoadRunners Tyler Andrew Sean Gaffney Ross Luedtke Davey Middleton Kevin Patterson Kyle Sharkey Trace Strahle Spencer Viele

Ferris State University (CCHA, D1) * University of Connecticut (Atlantic Hockey, D1) Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey, D1) ‡ Brown University (ECACHL, D1) # Niagara University (Atlantic Hockey, D1) University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (NCHA, D3) University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (NCHA, D3) University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (NCHA, D3)

Wenatchee Wild Jono Davis Josh Hartley Robert Nichols Mario Puskarich

University of Nebraska-Omaha (WCHA, D1) Dartmouth College (ECACHL, D1) University of Connecticut (Atlantic Hockey, D1) University of Vermont (Hockey East, D1) #

Wichita Falls Wildcats Chris Knudson Ben Kucera Tyler Ledford Tucker Poolman Sami Salminen Will Vosejpka

Michigan State University (CCHA, D1) Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey, D1) * Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey, D1) * University of North Dakota (WCHA, D1) # Northern Michigan University (CCHA, D1) Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey, D1) *

2012 - 2013 College Commitments as of May 1, 2013 * 2014-15 # Alumni ‡ Committed while playing for another NAHL team

NAHL

ROBERTSON CUP QUARTET SET TO PLAY BY MATT MACKINDER FOR NAHL’S ULTIMATE PRIZE The four division winners in the North American Hockey League playoffs are off to the Dallas area this weekend to play for the Robertson Cup and the right to be called national champions. The 2013 NAHL Robertson Cup Championship Tournament runs from May 10-13 at the Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco, Texas. This year’s event will mark the third time in the last 10 years that the tournament will have been held at the Dr Pepper Arena. Last May, the NAHL Board of Governors voted to change the format to let the league operate and run the event, rather than a host team. As a result, the winners of the four divisional finals series earned a berth to compete in the tournament. The division finals wrapped up last week, with the lone exception being the West Division finals, which went to a deciding Game 5 after this issue of MiHockey went to press. In the North Division finals, the Jamestown Ironmen swept the Soo Eagles in three straight games, while the Amarillo Bulls did the same to the defending Robertson Cup champion Texas Tornado in the South Division finals. The Central Division finals saw the Bismarck Bobcats beat the Austin Bruins in four games, while the West Division finals with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs against the Wenatchee Wild was decided in their Game 5 on May 7. The winner will be the No. 2 seed in Frisco. Jamestown went a perfect 6-0 throughout the playoffs, the only team in the league to accomplish that feat. “No matter the situation, we are a tight-knit group,” said Ironmen coach Dan Daikawa. “Nobody picked us to be here and that motivates us. Our goal remains the same – to bring a national championship back to Jamestown – and we are going to give it all we got.” In conjunction with the Robertson Cup tournament, the North American 3 Hockey League and North American Prospects Hockey League will both showcase their respective Top Prospects Tournaments, featuring 160 of the best players (80 from each league) competing in four games each.

NAHL NAMES ALL-DIVISION ROOKIE, TEAMS The NAHL also announced its All-Division teams and All-Rookie teams recently. NAHL All-Central Division Forward: Brandon Wahlin, Austin Bruins Forward: Mac Jansen, Coulee Region Chill Forward: Adam Knochenmus, Bismarck Bobcats Defenseman: Cody Dixon, Austin Bruins Defenseman: Drew Brevig, Brookings Blizzard Goaltender: Aaron Nelson, Bismarck Bobcats NAHL All-North Division Forward: Jared VanWormer, Soo Eagles Forward: Brett Skibba, Springfield Jr. Blues Forward: Robbie Payne, Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings Defenseman: Dylan Zink, Jamestown Ironmen Defenseman: Brett Beauvais, Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings Goaltender: Tyler Marble, Soo Eagles

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MiHockeyMag

Left: North Iowa Bulls goaltender Matthew Bartels Right: North Iowa Bulls forward Bobby Chapman, a Holt native Photos courtesy of the NAHL

NAHL All-South Division Forward: Kyle Sharkey, Topeka RoadRunners Forward: Rudy Sulmonte, Corpus Christi IceRays Forward: Sean Gaffney, Topeka RoadRunners Defenseman: John Rey, Amarillo Bulls Defenseman: Nick Neville, Texas Tornado Goaltender: Paul Berrafato, Amarillo Bulls NAHL All-West Division Forward: Jono Davis, Wenatchee Wild Forward: Garret Clemment, Fairbanks Ice Dogs Forward: Alex Jackstadt, Kenai River Brown Bears Defenseman: Josh Hartley, Wenatchee Wild Defenseman: Doug Rose, Fairbanks Ice Dogs Goaltender: Robert Nichols, Wenatchee Wild NAHL All-Rookie 1st Team Forward: Jay Dickman, Austin Bruins Forward: Brandon Hawkins, Texas Tornado Forward: Peter Krieger, Aberdeen Wings Defenseman: Nate Repensky, Bismarck Bobcats Defenseman: Alex Robert, Soo Eagles Goaltender: Evan Cowley, Wichita Falls Wildcats NAHL All-Rookie 2nd Team Forward: Tyler Andrew, Topeka RoadRunners Forward: Scott Conway, Texas Tornado Forward: Matt Seidel, Kenai River Brown Bears Defenseman: Jake Horton, Aberdeen Wings Defenseman: Jake Bushey, Kenai River Brown Bears Goaltender: Marcus Due-Boje, Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings The remainder of the NAHL 2012-13 season awards, including the All-NAHL Team, Forward of the Year, Defenseman of the Year, Goaltender of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, General Manager of the Year

NAHL.COM MiHockeyNow.com

and Organization of the Year, along with the Academic Achievement Award, Community Service Award and Mark Messier Leadership Award winners, will be announced in the near future.

CHILL BLUELINER CHOOSES QUINNIPIAC Coulee Region Chill defenseman Derek Smith has committed to Quinnipiac University, Frozen Four runnersup to Yale last month. “Derek is a player who has achieved everything through hard work and dedication,” Chill coach A.J. Degenhardt said. “This level of commitment has clearly paid off for him. His outstanding character and work ethic will be a great addition to the Quinnipiac team.”

PAIR OF NA3HL’S BULLS OFF TO COLLEGE The USA Hockey Tier III national champion and NA3HL Silver Cup champion North Iowa Bulls have added to their list of accolades with goaltender Matthew Bartels and forward Bobby Chapman committing to play college hockey in recent weeks. Bartels will play at Division III Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minn., while Chapman, a Holt native, will skate at ACHA Division I Robert Morris University in Chicago. “Matt as has been the franchise goaltender for the North Iowa squad the last two years,” said Bulls’ coach Todd Sanden. “Bobby is a crowd favorite in Mason City with the Bulls fans and we could not be prouder of his achievements and wish him all the success that he deserves.” Eight players from the 2012-13 North Iowa team now have college commitments secured.

THE LATEST HEADLINES, CONTACT INFO, FULL SCHDULE & MORE May 13, 2013 V.23 : I.17

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PLYMOUTH WHALERS

VELLUCCI: Coach of the Year BY MATT MACKINDER

T

he game of hockey may change seemingly on a yearly basis, but to ask Mike Vellucci to change his coaching style is something he’s never had to do – and his track record behind the bench of the Plymouth Whalers speaks for itself. On April 30, Vellucci was named the Matt Leyden Trophy winner as the Ontario Hockey League’s coach of the year, becoming just the 10th coach in league history to win the award for a second time. Vellucci also won top coach honors in 2007 in guiding Plymouth to the OHL championship. The Whalers lost in a ďŹ ve-game Western Conference ďŹ nal to the London Knights the previous weekend. Ask Vellucci how he digests the honor, though, and he deects all the attention to the Whalers’ players and to his own maturation process. “This season was a lot of fun to coach,â€? said Vellucci. “We had great players, but what was awesome about it was that they all wanted to get better every day and they worked extremely hard. That makes the coach’s job that much easier when you have guys that take the game seriously and want to develop and make it to the next level. “I think over the years, I’ve learned to lighten up a little bit (as a coach). I’ve matured having my own kids and know that life is bigger than wins and losses. When you’re younger, each loss takes longer to get over and I think now, they’re a little bit easier to get over. I don’t take any loss as hard as I used to.â€? Vellucci, who still remains the lone American-born coach to win the award, guided the Whalers to their 12th division title in franchise history with a 42-17-5-4 record in 2012-13. The West Division title marks the 46-year-old Farmington native’s sixth in 12 years behind the bench for the Whalers, who have also made the playoffs for a record 22nd consecutive season.

Rena Laverty/Plymouth Whalers

“He’s been my coach for four years,â€? said Plymouth graduating captain and defenseman Colin MacDonald. “He can be tough, but he knows when to push guys. His results don’t lie and he’s continued to be a great coach year after year and always puts together successful teams. I’m really excited for him individually to win this award.â€? “He did a lot for me, personally,â€? added Whalers’ forward Stefan Noesen. “He believed in me when nobody else did. He’s one of the best coaches who have ever worked in the league and you deďŹ nitely learn a lot from him from start to ďŹ nish. Mike always seems to know the little bits and pieces (that) people need to know in order to be successful. I think he knew right away (this season) that he had a great core group, and everyone got along, so he needed to ďŹ nd players that could ďŹ t the puzzle, but at the same time, get along with everyone.â€? With a healthy dose of NHL draft picks on the roster this season, some who have already signed contracts, as well as highly-touted prospects, it would be easy to the casual fan to think that egos may emerge at some point during the year. Not so, said Vellucci. “The best thing I can say about our players this year is that they were so much fun to coach because if anyone was

at that last game of the year against Windsor and Vince Trocheck was going for the scoring title and we had already sewn up where we were going to be in the playoffs and every single guy on that ice was trying to get Vince the puck to get the points he needed,â€? Vellucci said. “The last ďŹ ve minutes of that game, everyone was passing him the puck and it was great to see all the guys with no jealousy whatsoever. They all wanted Vince to get that award and it was great to see as a coach that all the hard work you put in to see that the kids understand it’s a team game and not individual and to be honest with you, (Trocheck winning the scoring title on the last day) was probably my favorite moment of the season.â€? Another humbling aspect of Vellucci’s coaching honor is the fact that the award is voted on by his coaching peers. “That’s really the best,â€? said Vellucci. “Getting the award from your colleagues that you go up against 68 times a year is very special and I think the coaching in our league has grown in the past 5-10 years where every night, you know you’re in for a battle.â€? Looking ahead, Vellucci will be formally presented the award on June 4 at the Canadian Hockey League awards ceremony at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto and is the OHL’s nominee for the CHL Coach of the Year award.

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GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS

PLAYOFF HOCKEY

RETURNS TO GRAND RAPIDS BY MICHAEL CAPLES

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hen the Griffins welcomed the Houston Aeros to Van Andel Arena for Game 3 of their AHL opening-round series, it marked the first home playoff game since 2009 for the city of Grand Rapids. Prior to the opening face-off, the club played a video showcasing the city of Grand Rapids and their AHL squad. The pictures and video spots were accompanied by the voice of coach Jeff Blashill, a Michigan native in the midst of his first season behind the Griffins’ bench. Blashill said the following: “I think it’s great for the Griffins organization and everybody involved in it. I think it’s great for our ownership. I think it’s great for our fans and this city. It’s an outstanding city, and they deserve a team that can have a chance to compete for a

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championship, which is what we’ve done as a team. We’ve put ourselves into a position where now, we’re one of 16 teams left that can compete for a championship. “What I know for sure, as I said earlier, our focus is always controlling what we can control, and that’s taking the group that we have and going to try to win a hockey game. I learned real quickly in this league that you better take things day by day. Right now, we’ve got a group of 23 players that are going to travel, 20 of those are going to play, and we’re going to go try to do a good job.” The Griffins won that night – that’s where these photos come from – and eventually eliminated the Aeros in a winner-take-all Game 5 by shutting them out 7-0. Next up for the Griffins? The Toronto Marlies…and more playoff hockey for Grand Rapids.

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RED WINGS

INEXPERIENCE SHINING THROUGH FOR RED WINGS BY DAVE WADDELL

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ormer Detroit Red Wings coach Scotty Bowman used to always say a team could never have enough experience - especially on defense heading into the playoffs. General manager Ken Holland had his own version of Bowman’s vision by dividing his roster up into thirds, with two-thirds of it being 28-29 and older. They’re slightly different approaches, but essentially the same theory. One only has to watch the early stages of the Wings’ series with the Anaheim Ducks to see why the wily old dogs of the NHL are so prized. They can manage to keep their heads while all around the youngsters are losing theirs. In a scene Wings’ fans haven’t seen for a couple decades, Detroit iced a line-up with 14 of 20 players under 30 in Game 3. More signiďŹ cantly, many of those youngsters are playing regularly for only the ďŹ rst time in the playoffs. Green behind the ears can also result in the Wings’ faithful turning a little green as they ride the rough season of inconsistency that’s associated with youth. “That’s what poise and maturity does for you,â€? concedes Detroit coach Mike Babcock after watching his team fall apart in the third period of a 4-0 loss. “We didn’t show it.â€? In the playoffs, the third period is the ďŹ nal exam of each game. The Wings have come woefully short so far in the series in that frame. In the ďŹ rst three games, they only scored once in the third, plus one in overtime, while the Ducks have pumped eight of their 11 goals past Detroit netminder Jimmy Howard in the games’ ďŹ nal 20 minutes. “That’s a good question,â€? admitted Niklas Kronwall of Detroit’s third-period problems. “We have to ďŹ nd a way. There’s been enough talk, we have to do it. “We’re not getting the job done.â€? While Detroit went through a collective panic when they

stopped skating and blew a 4-1 lead in the third period of Game 2, the other two games in the series were punctuated by youthful miscues. Rookie Damien Brunner committed the cardinal sin of trying to stickhandle out of his own end when he was the last man back. It resulted in a back-breaking shorthanded goal. On the next couple of Ducks’ tallies, Brendan Smith and Brian Lashoff were each badly out of position after getting caught puck watching. Ironically, the Wings’ problems moving the puck out of their own end won’t be helped by the loss of another rookie defender – Danny DeKeyser. The Western Michigan product has been superb since joining Detroit late in the season with his combination skating and a great ďŹ rst pass exactly what the Wings needed. However, he’s lost for the duration of the playoffs with a broken thumb suffered in the third period of Game 2. Unfortunately, he’s not the only lonely one sitting in the press box. Forward Justin Abdelkader, who has evolved into a useful power forward on a line with Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg, was suspended for two games after his charging major. Abdelkader knocked Ducks’ defenseman Toni Lydman silly with a bodycheck that caught the Anaheim player’s head. Kronwall, who is as good as anyone in the NHL at opening the bomb bay doors and exploding an opponent with an open-ice hit, feels for his teammate. Body checking has developed into a skill where the penalty for a mistimed check is a suspension. “Everything happens so fast,â€? said Kronwall, who though what he saw on the ice was a legit check. “In a split second, a guy can change his position. No one is trying to hurt anyone. “I thought it was shoulder to shoulder.â€? So did Babcock, but he doesn’t get an opinion on the

NHL’s disciplinary decisions. His decision is how to plug another hole in a line-up that has had band aids slapped all over it all season. “We don’t have anyone with weight to play there (instead of Abdelkader),â€? said Babcock of his top line. “I can put Franzen there, but then we’re a one-line team. “When you’re deep, it’s not as big a deal when you lose people. When you’re like us, it’s a big deal.â€? The Wings must simply play the hand they’ve been dealt and that means more has to come from the team’s veterans. The kids will have their highs and lows, but Detroit can’t afford the vets going missing in action. Those veteran players also happen to be the people getting much of the ice time on Detroit’s biggest problem area in the series – special teams. Detroit went four-for-10 on the power play in the serie’s ďŹ rst two games, but zero-for-six in Game 3. That type of inconsistency won’t get it done, though it’s pretty typical of a team that was ranked 15th in the NHL during the regular season. “We’re trying to pass the puck into the net instead of shooting it,â€? Babcock said. “At playoff time, people have got to go to the net, through some pucks there and get some ugly ones to go in.â€? More problematic in this series is Anaheim, which was rated fourth on the power play, is scoring on 33.3 per cent of its opportunities with the extra skater. The Wings also know they have to make life a little more difficult for the goaltender they’re playing against, too. “I don’t think we’re making it hard on (Anaheim goalie Jonathan) Hiller,â€? Babcock said. “We’re not inside enough. That’s not part of the game plan.â€? If the Wings can’t adjust their game, they’ll have an opportunity to pick up another one that’s played at a more leisurely pace with carts and 18 holes soon. Photo by Jen Hefner/MiHockey

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JUNIORS PREVIEW LAST LINE

“HE HAD HIS HEAD DOWN” NO LONGER APPLIES BY DARREN ELIOT

Erik Roush/MiHockey

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he changing culture of hitting in the NHL continues to evolve before our very eyes. From “picking the head”, to “the head as the principal point of contact”, to “significant head contact” to what we’re witnessing in these NHL playoffs. If you take the interference hit by Eric Gryba of the Ottawa Senators, charging hit by Justin Abdelkader of the Detroit Red Wings and the boarding call in overtime by Daniel Sedin of the Vancouver Canucks, you have a snapshot of how things have changed. Both Gryba and Abdelkader received two-game suspensions and Sedin’s penalty led to a power-play goal by the San Jose Sharks to clinch the series win. Suspensions and calls in overtime in crucial situations have long been meted out sparingly. That is no longer the case, as the NHL – much like the NFL – moves player safety issues to the top of the priority list. Both sports have physical play at the center of competition, with violent collisions as a routine possibility. The NFL has long put the burden of discretion on the defender by restricting hits in certain situations. Hockey history has always put the burden of awareness on the offensive player, not the player without the puck. Playing with your head up is necessary to make plays to teammates, but also to account for defenders in position to disrupt a play with physical force. Clearly, with the calls on the ice and the supplemental discipline handed down from the NHL offices, the paradigm is shifting in our game. The player in position to deliver a check now has the burden of discretion. Taking advantage of an unsuspecting opponent is no longer explained away by “that was a suicide pass”, or “he had his head down” and “he should have braced for the hit”.

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Those explanations or views were all trotted out in analyzing and debating the three earlier examples. They are now archaic. The vulnerable player is no longer at fault. It is up to the player bearing down to use discretion and control the violent nature of the potential contact. This all stems from the societal concern over concussions and head trauma sustained in sports. Thus, the NHL is looking to eliminate injuries by adding an element of control in the fastest and at times most chaotic playing environment in all of sports. It is why the outcome – a player being injured – factors greatly in supplemental reviews. Even if this shift in responsibility seems radical, it makes sense. In the “keep your head up” era, offenses were faster than defenses. Back-checking meant you paced yourself back to your zone, as in “I’ve go my guy”. It wasn’t the furious footrace back to your zone to defend as a unit of five like it is today. Add in that today’s players skate better - top to bottom of every roster - and that the athletes are bigger, stronger and supremely conditioned and we now have defenses that play faster than the offense. This increases the potential for devastating hits exponentially over time.

@Darren_Eliot The result is that the onus for a safe environment now falls on the faster side, the players without the puck – the defenders. The puck-optional “blowing a guy up” hit is too risky for a league trying to promote speed and skill on the offensive side of the game, while keeping the playing environment safe to create. It cannot be viewed as it was. Like turning your back to protect the puck along the boards - once a hockey no-no, now an every shift “puck-possession” strategy - strategies change and so to must attitudes. With change, especially a cultural shift of this magnitude, comes shades of gray. One aspect that the NHL needs to look at to clear up the gray is having the checking player make his first move to the puck with his stick. Contact would then be delivered lower and through the puck carrier. By splitting the attention of the checking player, the potential violence of a collision would be mitigated by allowing the puck carrier a moment to recognize the situation, brace, protect the puck and engage in a one-on-one battle. After all, in every era, that is what the game comes down to.

Jen Hefner/MiHockey

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