MAY 2013 VOLUME 23 : ISSUE 19
MiHockeyNow.com FIRST CLASS
2013 PREVIEW
GAME CHANGING GEAR?
• STICKS • GLOVES • PROTECTIVE • SKATES • HELMETS What to buy as you prepare for next season THIS ISSUE
EQUIPMENT BUYER’S GUIDE PAGES 16-23 PLYMOUTH WHALERS PAGE 28 GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS PAGE 30
The Arena Sale is back at Lakeland Ice Arena Don’t wait until the end of the year to stock up! Everything is 10-75% OFF!
Tons of items
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75% GET 1 FREE OFF!
up to
select apparel
D&D Arena Warehouse Sale only.
D&D Arena Warehouse Sale only.
Register to WIN a $100 Gift Card.
Hurry... everything is while supplies last! Financing options available.
D&D
D&D
at the SE corner of 12 Mile and Greenfield
4141 12 Mile Rd. Berkley, MI 48072
Arena Sale Location
D&D
D&D
just west of Whitmore Lake Rd
inside the Lakeland Ice Arena
located next to Livonia, Garden City & Dearborn
9977 Grand River Ave. Brighton, MI 48116
7330 Highland Rd. Waterford, MI 48327
8383 N Middlebelt Rd. Westland, MI 48185
Bicycles and Hockey Bicycles and Hockey Bicycles and Hockey Bicycles and Hockey - Berkley NEW - Brighton NEW - Waterford - Westland (248) 547-0770
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TABLE OF CONTENTS JUNE 17, 2013 VOLUME 23: ISSUE 19
36
PAGES 16-23
30
28
38 FEATURED
EQUIPMENT BUYERS GUIDE
4
14
YOUTH JUNIORS
REGULAR 6
THE LOCKER ROOM
8
SLIDESHOW
16
STICKS
29
17
GLOVES
30-31 WHALERS
10
GET BETTER
20
PROTECTIVE
33-34 GRIFFINS
12
YOU SHOULD KNOW
21
SKATES
27
TOURNAMENT CALENDAR
22
HELMETS
36
RED WINGS INSIDER
23
EQUIPMENT NEWS
38
LAST LINE
MiHockeyMag
June 17, 2013 V.23 : I.19
MIHOCKEY STAFF
FROM THE EDITOR MICHAEL CAPLES
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 Kyle Kujawa Pat Evans Matt Mackinder Stefan Kubus Dave Waddell CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Jen Hefner Ellina Stein Andrew Knapik Tom Turrill Jennifer Leigh ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTORS Amy Jones Anne Ellis
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
WHAT A WAY TO END IT The season is almost over. It’s been quite a wild ride this year. The NHL didn’t start on time, but it sure did start with a bang – and kept us on the edge of our seats for a solid five months. The CCHA celebrated its final season. The Plymouth Whalers made a whole lot of noise in the OHL. And the Grand Rapids Griffins? Well, the Griffins are having the best year in franchise history, and they’re still going strong. The Red Wings’ AHL affiliate is in the midst of the Calder Cup Final right now – the team’s first appearance in the final round of the AHL playoffs. There are Michigan storylines galore, such as: • Marysville native Chad Billins thriving in his rookie season • Clay Township native Danny DeKeyser making his AHL debut – in the finals • Grand Rapids native Luke Glendening proving that the ECHL isn’t for him • Sault Ste. Marie native Jeff Blashill guiding GRG to their best season in his first season The last is probably the most important of the four. Blashill, a Ferris State alum, is surging through the coaching ranks with the speed of Usain Bolt. While he has impressed at every level, his performance with the Griffins has been remarkable. Blashill made dealing with a roster foreverinflux because of the NHL lockout and the injury-ravaged Red Wings look easy while leading the Griffins to their first
AHL Final appearance (this magazine goes to press before we know if the Griffins captured the Calder Cup or not). Yet the performances of the Michigan natives on the roster have certainly helped Blashill’s cause. Billins, the other Ferris State alum on the Griffins’ roster, recorded 37 points this season, good for No. 19 on the AHL rookie scoring list. For perspective’s sake, that’s one more point that Riley Sheahan, a forward who was the Red Wings’ top draft pick in 2010. Glendening, meanwhile, had to start the season with the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL. From the moment he got the opportunity to skate with his hometown team, he proved he was AHL material. Glendening was +12 with 26 points in 51 regular-season games, and he is currently +6 with 13 points in the playoffs. And DeKeyser, fresh off his impressive debut with the Red Wings, has returned from a hand injury to help the Griffins’ defense shut down the Syracuse Crunch in the finals. Helping the Red Wings preserve their playoff appearance streak, helping the Griffins in the league finals, all while needing to clean out his apartment at Western Michigan – not bad. I hope you’re enjoying the Griffins’ playoff run. We sure are. See you around the rink, nk,
@MICHAELCAPLES
COVER: Design by Emily Huston/MiHockey, photos by OHL Images, USA Hockey and MiHockey
Cover reprints available e-mail: mcaples@mihockeynow.com
OUR NEXT ISSUE
JULY 20, 2013 MiHockeyNow.com
TO ADVERTISE IN MIHOCKEY PLEASE CONTACT: Lucia Zuzga at (248) 479-1134 or lucia@mihockeynow.com, Michael Peck at (248) 479-1146 or mpeck@mihockeynow.com
MiHockeyMag
5
THE LOCKER ROOM TWO FOR TWEETING
PLAY VIDEO
ON THE FLY
Did you know that Ndamukong Suh is a Red Wings fan? His surprise appearance on the Zamboni during a game at Joe Louis Arena this postseason thrilled the crowd.
Livonia native Torey Krug has become one of the most talked-about players in the NHL playoffs, after the Bruins’ rookie had no problem jumping into the line-up for the second round of the postseason. His play prompted a #LegendOfKrug hashtag on Twitter that exaggerated the former MSU captain’s feats in a ‘Chuck Norris joke’ fashion. Here are some of our favorites: Danny DeKeyser (@DeKeyser5) tweeted this picture of himself with (from left) Brendan Smith, Justin Abdelkader, Darren Helm, Cory Emmerton, and Jordin Tootoo at the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix.
Former Plymouth Whalers forward Gregory Campbell was the talk of the hockey social media scene after breaking his leg…and finishing his shift.
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MiHockeyMag
MiHockeyNow.com
May 27, 2013 V.23 : I.18
GABRIEL
LANDESKOG . 92 COLORADO AVALANCHE速
INTRODUCING THE ALL NEW RBZ SKATE, FEATURING THE SPEEDBLADE +4.0 HOLDER TO MAKE YOU FREAKISHLY FAST. IN STORES 07.19.13
#FREAKISHLYFAST
SLIDESHOW FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @MIHOCKEYNOW
All photos by Ellina Stein/MiHockey
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MiHockeyMag
June 17, 2013 V.23 : I.19
Announcing the Novi Youth Hockey Travel Team Tryouts for 2013-2014 Season! Fall hockey travel team tryouts are starting soon. Sharpen your skills and your skates and get ready to take on the new season with the Novi Ice Cats, Fire Cats and girl’s Snow Cats teams! Check the NYHA website for travel team tryout dates, locations and costs.
TEAMS: Mite A (2006) Mite AA (2005) (2) Squirt A (2004) (2) Squirt AA (2003) (2) Pee Wee A (2002) (2) Pee Wee AA (2001) Bantam A (2000) Bantam AA (1999) Girl’s Snow Cats Hockey
Play Hockey Like a Girl! The Novi Youth Hockey Association invites Girls ages 7-10 years old to come play hockey at the Novi Ice Arena on:
Monday, June 24 from 5:30pm to 6:50pm Friday, June 28 from 6:00pm to 7:20pm All skill levels are welcome! Bring a friend! An experienced coach will be conducting skills training and perhaps even a scrimmage in a super fun and relaxed environment! Registration is required. Pizza and drinks provided! Cost is $10 per skate. Girls may attend either or both skates. Protective hockey equipment is required (i.e. helmet, chest protector, shin guards, elbow pads, gloves, hockey pants, mouth guard, neck guard and skates). Some hockey equipment is available at the arena, given advance notice.
Novi Youth Hockey Association www. noviyouthhockey.org 42400 Nick Lidstrom Drive s Novi, MI 48375
To register or for more information, please email Phil Coleman at: pcoleman@noviyouthhockey.org PLEASE PROVIDE: s Player Name & DOB s Email / Contact Information s Dates Planning to Attend s Experience Level s Hockey Equipment Needed
For Tryout Information: Please check our website for updates on individual team information, and tryout dates, locations, and costs.
www.noviyouthhockey.org Novi Youth Hockey Association 42400 Nick Lidstrom Drive Novi, MI 48375
GETBETTER
GET BETTER
10
MiHockeyMag
SEATTLE SHOOTING DRILL OBJECTIVE: WARM UP SHOOTING DRILL ORGANIZATION: Begin in both end zones with two lines of shooters at the hashmarks along the boards. S1 in each zone must be on opposite sides from one another. 1) S1 starts by skating across the ice and once arriving in middle receives a pass from S2 2) S1 skates down the ice through the dots then cuts through the top of circles.
3) Once arriving in middle of ice S1 passes to S3 4) S1 curls behind S3 and skates up ice along boards. 5) S3 makes one pass to S1. Both players skate up the ice with speed. 6) S1 Shoots from top of circle then drives net. 7) S3 drives net looking for rebound.
POWERED BY
June 17, 2013 V.23 : I.19
YOUTH HOCKEY
KRYGIER NAMED NEW COACH OF THE MUSKEGON LUMBERJACKS for the University of Connecticut and then advance to the NHL. He played in 543 NHL games from 1989 to 1998 with the Hartford Whalers, Anaheim Mighty Ducks and Washington Capitals, and totaled 243 points (100 goals and 143 assists in the process. The Chicago Heights, Illinois native led Novi High School to their ďŹ rst D1 state championship in 2011, and led Team Michigan to their ďŹ rst Minnesota Showcase Tournament championship in 2012. “Todd Krygier has been a driving force in the success of building teams and developing talent since he retired as a professional player in 2000. Todd has been where our student-athletes are and he accomplished what they are
“Throughout the last 12 years, I dedicated myself to teaching, training, and developing hockey players in Michigan.â€? -Todd Krygier Former Novi High School coach Todd Krygier is heading to the west side of the state. The Muskegon Lumberjacks announced on June 6 that Krygier will be taking over as head coach of the USHL club. Krygier, 47, played 12 years in the National Hockey League. He was the ďŹ rst and is still the only player to skate
dreaming of,� said Lumberjacks’ President Tim Taylor in a press release. “We had a number of very strong coaching candidates interested in the position, however, Todd’s experience as a student-athlete, professional player, business leader, and most importantly, as a successful coach of young men focused on developing both hockey
skills and character set him apart in our eyes.â€? Krygier, who officially retired from hockey in 2000, said he is looking forward to the next step in his coaching career. “Throughout the last 12 years, I dedicated myself to teaching, training, and developing hockey players in Michigan. At every level and age group, we worked hard, had success, and won team championships,â€? Krygier said in the release. “Our team achieved high rankings at both the state and national levels, and we helped develop players that are competing on top junior teams and NCAA Division I programs. “I am honored and humbled to have this opportunity, and I am thankful to Tim (Taylor) and the new ownership team at Muskegon. I could not be more impressed with Tim and the new ownership group and I am excited about the privilege and responsibility to further develop the skills and character of Muskegon Lumberjack studentathletes. We will hold ourselves to the highest standards, compete with honor and integrity, and will do everything in our power to make the Muskegon community proud to be associated with their Muskegon Lumberjacks.â€? Krygier, who graduated with a bachelor’s of science in ďŹ nance from the University of Connecticut in 1987, currently resides in Northville, with his wife, Kim, and their ďŹ ve children – Brock, 20; Natalie ,18; Grace ,14; Cole, 12 and Christian, 12. Brock Krygier, a member of the Michigan State hockey program, will be a redshirt freshman next season.
MICHAEL CAPLES
NEW
T ORMA F Y A 3D
INTEGRATED TRAINING MODULES LIMITED TO 18 FORWARDS, 12 DEFENSE & 6 GOALIES 104*5*0/ 53"*/*/( r */5&(3"5&% 0''ĹŹ*$& 7*%&0 r (".& $0/$&15 4$3*.."(&4 AGES: 6 6 6 )*() 4$)00- t 6 (*3-4 t 6 (*3-4
SUMMER 2013 ĹŹ ĹŹ
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MiHockeyMag
11
YOU SHOULD KNOW CAM JOHNSON FAVORITE SPORTING EVENT:
Stanley Cup Playoffs & the Super Bowl
FIRST CONCERT:
Hilary Duff — I was in love with her!
MUST-SEE TV:
Duck Dynasty
FAVORITE BREAKFAST FOOD:
Eggs (sunny side-up) with bacon
FAVORITE MOVIE: Step Brothers
IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE: Invisibility
NICKNAME:
Camer or Johnson
IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE WISH GRANTED, WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH IT: Myself, my family and
loved ones all living a long and healthy life
THREE PEOPLE YOU WOULD WANT TO HAVE DINNER WITH:
Carrie Underwood, Rob Dyrdek and Si Robertson
PRE-GAME ROUTINE:
The way I get dressed is always the same but I try not to be superstitious
WHAT KIND OF CAR DO YOU DRIVE: Charger FAVORITE MEAL:
Beef Carver roast beef dinner with green beans
FAVORITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY:
Winning the District Championship in 2005 when we were the underdog team in the tournament
WHO WAS MOST INFLUENTIAL ON YOUR HOCKEY CAREER:
My dad who passed when I was in sixth grade but also my mom who pushes me to perform well every game
CAM JOHNSON
FARGO FORCE GOALTENDER He won’t be spending much time in the Mitten, but you should still be keeping an eye on Cam Johnson. The Troy native, currently a goaltender with the Fargo Force of the United States Hockey League, recently committed to the University of North Dakota. That means that the ’94 birth-year netminder will be taking his game to one of the top hockey programs in the country when his USHL career concludes next season. This year, Johnson – a Little Caesars alum - posted a 14-8-6 record with a 3.07 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage with the Force.
Photos courtesy of: stanleycupwinners.net (Stanley Cup), usmagazine.com (Duck Dynasty, Carrie Underwood), en.wikipedia.com (Step Brothers), abbym.edublogs.org (Invisible Man)
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MiHockeyMag
June 17, 2013 V.23 : I.19
GIRLS LEARN TO PLAY AGES 4-10
MIGHTY MITE AGES 4-7
MINI MITE
MICHIGAN ICEBREAKERS HOUSE LEAGUES 10U DIVISION ‡ 12U DIVISION 14U DIVISION ‡ 16U DIVISION
SUBURBAN HOCKEY CLUB HOUSE LEAGUES MITE THROUGH BANTAM
AGES 5-8
)25 025( ,1)250$7,21 3/($6( &$// RU VISIT THE SPECIFIC FALL PROGRAM WEBSITES: VXEXUEDQLFHIDUPLQJWRQKLOOV FRP ‡ PLFKLJDQLFHEUHDNHUV FRP ‡ VXEXUEDQKRFNH\FOXE FRP
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)XOO (TXLSPHQW 5HTXLUHG ‡ IRU KRXUV
Open Skate 11:30 – 1:30 pm For a detailed schedule visit suburbanicefarmingtonhills.com
Ages 3 to Adult
SUMMER 1
JULY 10TH – JULY 31ST
Wednesdays: 9:00 – 9:50 am
Greater East Vice President Brandon Spedowski 989-486-1511 (h) 231-250-7031 (c) email: brandon.spedowski@gmail.com
Girls House Vice President Dina Howe 989-429-2653 (c) 989-435-7080 (w) email: dhowe@journey.com
Metro Vice President Bobby Mitchell 248-302-0913 email: adray.metro@comcast.com
Greater West Vice President Kevin Wood 616-560-6503 email: kwoodadraywest@yahoo.com
Treasurer/League Development Joe Spedowski 231-796-2565 email: nancyjoe@netonecom.net
adrayhockey.org President Jeff Spedowski 231-796-0728 (h) 231-629-0435 (c) email: jspedows@charter.net
Database Specialist/Secretary Steve Miller 616-250-1458 email: me@stevenmiller.info
NEW
IDAYS R F R FO
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14
MiHockeyMag
Holland, MI Chicago, IL Fort Wayne, IN Pittsburgh, PA Charlotte, NC Washington, DC Rochester, NY Philadelphia, PA Nashville, TN
855-898-4040 www.myhockeytournaments.com June 17, 2013 V.23 : I.19
& the new B U C L E R N N I D
D Sundays July 14 - Aug. 18 6 Weeks
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SUNDAY, JULY 7 4:45 - 5:35PM
Pre-registration required, inquire at front desk or call (586) 992-8600 to register
REGISTER TODAY!
2013-14
%URXJKWRQ 5RDG ‡ 0DFRPE 0, suburbanicemacomb.com ‡ )D[
The Macomb Hockey Club, established in 2005, is the newest hockey club in the area and has a membership of over 450 players making it one of the largest hockey clubs in the district.
HOUSE B PROGRAM
DIVISIONS OFFERED Mite players born in 2005 and younger Squirt players born in 2003 & 2004 Pee Wee players born in 2001 & 2002 Bantam players born in 1999 & 2000
Coaches are selected for the Positive Coach Award every season. Schedules are given at the beginning of the season so that parents can plan ahead.
MACOMBHOCKEYCLUB.COM
LEARN TO PLAY HOCKEY PROGRAM DIVISIONS OFFERED Mighty Mites: players ages 4 – 6 Recommended as a first step for beginning hockey players who have attended a Learn to Skate class. One 1-hour skate each week Mini Mites: players aged 5 – 9 Introduction to team play with practice sessions and small sided games. Two 1-hour skates each week Program runs 25 weeks from September through March. No skates during holiday breaks! Great schedule and excellent ice times. Commitment to the development of skills, knowledge of the game and FUN! Each player receives: jersey/socks, year end party and trophy. Sessions run by Suburban instructional staff with the help of parent volunteers
Limited enrollment!
STICKS
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Graf Ultra G75 Lite
Warrior Dynasty AX1
CCM RBZ Stage 2
Weighing in at 420 grams, the ULTRA G75 Lite is a high performance, lightweight, 100-percent 3K carbon fiber hockey stick. Featuring Graf’s ‘D3 Power Technology’ and ‘Spear Shaft Technology’ along with a thin foam core blade design, enhanced textured grip, and extended Pro G Taper the ULTRA G75 stick provides an excellent feel and performance allowing for quicker shot response. This year, Graf will also offer a 65flex option at the senior stick size, and an intermediate 55-flex option.
Warrior’s new Dynasty AX1 features a mid kick point with Warrior-patented ‘AxySym Technology.’ AxySym uses compression fibers on the back and under-sides of the stick and stretch fibers on the front. This maximizes the amount of energy going into the puck, and provides the player some extra ‘pop’ on every shot. Warrior’s ‘Strong Arm Technology’ also plays a significant role in the AX1. Strong Arm is a reinforced lower part of the stick to ensure a strong hold on the blade, which means less twisting and much more blade stability.
CCM took their successful RBZ and made some minor improvements to the popular stick. The RBZ – designed with golf company TaylorMade – improved one’s ‘Coefficient of Restitution’ during a shot – the trampoline effect of a puck launching off the blade. With their ‘SpeedBlade 2’ technology in the blade of the Stage 2, CCM expects the player’s C.O.R. to be even better. The top of the RBZ Stage 2 is black, as compared to the original’s all-white appearance.
Bauer TotalOne NXG
Reebok RIBCOR
Easton Mako II
The TotalOne NXG currently checks in at the top of the Bauer stick options. The Bauer team says that with the NXG, there’s no need to hold back on those heavy slapshots. With an amplified mid kick though, the Bauer twig will give you maximum energy output with minimal effort. The shaft is protected with the company’s ‘eLasTech Technology’, designed to reduce the spread of micro-fractures and keeping the stick feeling like new for longer. Aero Foam – also used in the APX stick – gives the blade both stability and shot accuracy.
The latest offering from Reebok is the RIBCOR, a stick designed to give the player the most energy transfer from his hands to the puck as possible. The ribs running down the shaft give the latest option from Reebok its unique name – and that ever-important quick load-and-release with plenty of jump for one’s shot.
Using a ‘Uni-Carbon Fiber’ system in the shaft, the team at Easton has created an updated Mako stick that provides the strength necessary for a hard hot on goal, while keeping the weight down. Each fiber is directed to align the same way during construction, keeping a tighter layer for the best energy transfer. A ribbed blade keeps the launching pad light yet stiff. And the textured shaft contours to your palm and fingers.
MiHockeyMag
June 17, 2013 V.23 : I.19
GLOVES Graf ULTRA G75
Warrior Covert DT1
CCM CL 500
The latest glove offered by Graf – the ULTRA G75 – is designed with an all pro-knit exterior and dual density foam with plastic inserts provide a lightweight fit, as well as pro protection. The unique thumb angle, sheepskin palms and seamless pinky and index fingers provides the ultimate feel with an enhanced grip.
The Covert DT1 gloves feature Warrior’s Covert Taper Fit, which contours to the natural shape of your hand. It also includes Smart Palm technology that utilizes a double Clarino base palm with grip dots that draw out moisture, keeping the palm dry. The Bone Protection System with Tri-Lam Foam is specifically designed to be the best lightweight protection available. The Bone System’s high-density molded plastics take high impacts and redirect them away from the hand. While the Tri-Lam foams are used to disperse the remaining impact. Protection and fit are the two main features of this great line of gloves.
The latest glove model from CCM features a snug tapered fit, yet a wide cuff to allow for more control and better stickhandling. The CL 500 offers a 90-degree mobile thumb – the most mobile thumb ever offered on a CCM glove. A pro-feel N8080 Nash palm increases durability and helps with the player’s feel of the stick while stickhandling, passing and shooting.
Bauer TotalOne NXG
Easton Mako
With their TotalOne NXG gloves, bauer segmented the back roll, cuff and thumb multiple times to give the player’s hands plenty of mobility, while not sacrificing any protection. Their ‘Poron XRD’ foam was placed in the backhand, which molds and contours to the player’s hand to give a custom, protected fit. Their ‘Thermo Max+’ liner keeps the player’s hands dry during play.
Easton took a closer look at the player’s fingers with the Mako glove. Instead of having the finger breaks exposed, the Mako’s breaks are underneath padding, and closer to the player’s fingers. That means less exposure for injuries, and better aerodynamics while stickhandling or shooting. With molded high-density foam, and side blocks with PE inserts, the player doesn’t need to worry about slashes around his or her hands, either.
MiHockeyNow.com
MiHockeyMag
17
FIT T TO WIN SUPERIOR FIT, LIGHTWEIGHT MATERIALS, TECHNOLOGY, KNOWLEDGE, AND CRAFTSMANSHIP: THIS IS GRAF’S FORMULA FOR SUCCESS. For more than 70 years, GRAF has focused on manufacturing equipment for athletes around the world who recognize that fit is the key to function and performance. Today, we strive to
combine our knowledge of fit with innovative materials and a dedication to craftsmanship unlike any other, applying our unique mix to a range of high-performance hockey gear made just for you.
GRAFCANADA.COM
PROTECTIVE
Easton Mako series The MAKO series of protective equipment was designed around creating more natural movement to increase mobility. The shoulder pad features a conic fit and a front closure system. The elbow pads are designed with a two piece cap and an anatomically correct flex point to improve flexion. The shin pad’s unique 3-piece cap construction provides improved coverage while the full length removable liner creates maximum ventilation.
Reebok 20K series
Dynasty AX1 Protective series
The Reebok 20K protective series was designed with the help of pro equipment managers and players. Their main focus? Provide players with maximum coverage without sacrificing mobility and comfort. The 20K line features a low-profile shape and offers all foam JDP protection to provide the best fit and
The new Warrior Dynasty protective line (shoulder, shin and elbow pads) is designed to not only fit better but provide exceptional protection. The ‘AxySym Fit’ guide system is tailored to fit adult, teen and junior specific proportions. In addition, the ‘AxySym I.S.T’ gusset system allows the players to move freely with enhanced mobility and protection. Some of the biggest advancements come in the ‘Smart Cap’ technology. This is a multi-layered flexible design, which reduces bulk, but distributes energy providing players with unmatched protection. The Dynasty line also features Polygiene, which inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria, keeping the gear fresh and odor-free.
protection possible.
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MiHockeyMag
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Bauer Supreme TotalOne NXG series The TotalOne NXG series offers players maximum power as a result of top-of-the-line anatomical fit and protection. An added focus when designing the NXG equipment was for a superior coverage to maximize protection for the player, as well. The NXG line features Poron XRD, cutting-edge foam that offers tremendous protection for the player.
June 17, 2013 V.23 : I.19
SKATES Bauer Vapor APX2
Graf MCI 9035
Reebok 20K
The Vapor APX2 is the latest offering from Bauer’s three skate families. The shell of the new APX2 is built with a ‘Curv Composite Upper’ support system, designed to provide you with stability in your entire boot. The boot is also cut to allow for as much forward flex as possible. The Form-Fit and Footbed with ErgoToe protection allows for custom comfort for your entire foot. Plus, the APX2 comes with the new Tuuk Lightspeed Edge holder, which allows you to pop out your runner quickly and replace the steel in a hurry. Who wants to miss a shift?
With their patent-pending ‘MCI’ technology, the MCI 9035 features a light-weight MCI carbon molded quarter construction to allow skaters to choose the correct flex based on their size, strength and style of play. With a unique asymmetrical cut that allows the inside ankle bone to sit naturally, the MCI 9035 also features the ULTRA 5000 holder, the world’s lightest holder allowing a more fluid, powerful skating motion. The MCI 9035 also features Graf’s non-absorbent 3D Comfort Liner and a 3D Heel Lock to provide a better fit and improved performance.
The Reebok 20K skates introduced a new ‘Dynamic Support System’ which creates a tighter heal lock and therefore, creates greater energy transfer during every stride. The flexible tendon guard on the 20K provides a greater range of motion, allowing the player utilize full strides and helping with a player’s agility on the ice. Reebok also made advances in the comfort of the skate by adding EPP foam. This dense but comfortable foam is made specifically for comfort.
CCM RBZ
Easton Mako
The popular RBZ stick is now accompanied by RBZ skates. CCM’s latest skate offers the company’s new SpeedBlade + 4.0 holder, which gives a 10-percent tighter turning radius, and the most aggressive angle of attack for the skater. The fourmillimeter increase in holder height means deeper and more aggressive turns. The inside of the boot will feature a full clarion liner, allowing the smooth contour design to help with comfort and fit for the player.
The Mako skate is built around Easton’s “The Art of Speed” slogan. With the inner side of each ankle cut lower than the outer side, the asymmetrical pattern of the Mako boot allows each skate to fall in line with the direction of travel. The new design also helps with turning and speed, because it allows for a more aggressive skating angle. Easton’s new ‘Extendon Guard’ flexes with the calf of the skater, which creates a spring-like effect during each stride – more speed, less energy.
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MiHockeyMag
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HELMETS Reebok 11K
Warrior Krown 360
Bauer IMS 11.0
The 11K remains the top-of-the-line helmet from the Reebok family. Serving as one of the safest helmets on the market due to Reebok’s ‘5-Point Safety System,’ the 11K provides as much protection for the player as possible. The 11K is designed to absorb and distribute the energy transferred during bonejarring hits, while keeping the player’s head comfortable with their 360-degree fit design. Reebok also used carbon-fiber technology in the subshell, which means that the helmet still protects, but it’s light at the same time.
The Krown 360 is Warrior’s debut into helmet market. The Warrior bucket features a four-piece fit system that allows for an accurate fit without sacrificing protection. The four-piece fit system is controlled by a single dial on the back of our helmet, built to give as much positive contact, 360-degrees around your head. The Krown 360 also features a EPP-faced liner enhanced with impact foam, which molds around the back of your head to give a comfortable and soft feel.
The latest helmet from Bauer is the IMS 11.0, which features their newly-acquired ‘Seven Technology.’ In the IMS 11.0, clusters of seven cones manage high and low and impacts, while the ‘Poron XRD’ protective foam gives a comfortable feel for the player. On the back of the IMS 11.0, Bauer has included the new ‘ProFit2 Adjustment System’ to provide a 15-point secure fit to lock the player’s head in the correct spot.
NEWS
LACROSSE COMPANY STX TO ENTER HOCKEY MARKET STX, a leader in lacrosse equipment, has decided to enter the hockey arms race. The Baltimore-based company, which has been a leader in lacrosse since they introduced the first synthetic lacrosse head in 1970, formally announced during the first week of June that they will begin production and distribution of hockey equipment for the fall of 2014. “Over the past two years, we have taken a very methodical and deliberate approach by leveraging our existing knowledge of protective gear and stick composites to create products of which we are really proud,” said STX president Jason Goger in a press release. “Recently, the process has dramatically accelerated due to the addition of some key players with extensive experience in the ice hockey industry who will help us equip the world’s best players with STX products by the 2014 season.”
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Matt Hoppe, an East Lansing native and University of New Hampshire alum, will lead the new hockey division of STX. “We are looking to make our mark on the sport of ice hockey as we have done with our game changing equipment introductions in the lacrosse industry,” Hoppe said. “The research and development team here at STX is unmatched in its approach. An intense level of research and understanding of the athlete’s needs are completed first and foremost, in order to inform the design and development process.” STX currently produces equipment for men’s and women’s lacrosse, along with field hockey and golf. They are the official lacrosse equipment supplier for the NCAA.
“We are looking to make our mark on the sport of ice hockey as we have done with our game changing equipment introductions in the lacrosse industry” -Matt Hoppe
MICHAEL CAPLES
MiHockeyNow.com
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NEWS MICHIGAN TECH ALUM ANDY SUTTON HANGS UP HIS SKATES TO MAKE HIS OWN EQUIPMENT COMPANY Michigan Tech Alum Andy Sutton has decided to retire, but it doesn’t mean he is leaving the hockey industry. In an article published by the Edmonton Journal, the former Oilers defenseman discussed his plans to build a new company called H3llium, which will create protective padding for not only hockey and other sports, but also recreation, military, law enforcement, workplace environment, extreme sports and motocross. In 1998, Sutton graduated from Michigan Tech with an engineering degree, but he took advantage of his hockey training in Houghton by playing professionally for 14 seasons. The undrafted defenseman played 676 games with eight different NHL clubs. Sutton officially retired on May 22 as a member of the Oilers after a knee injury prevented him from seeing any game action this season. Now, Sutton is using his engineering degree to help with player safety. That didn’t make retirement any easier on the former defenseman, however. “It is a trick to retire from something that you’ve done your whole life, and even with me having this (H3llium) in place for the past three years, it has still been tough,” Sutton said in an interview with the Edmonton publication. “People should talk more about it, because it is quite something to be almost 40 and basically have to reinvent yourself. “I’m thankful I have this business in place to challenge me and give me something to be passionate about.” Using his knowledge from the classroom and on-ice experience, Sutton’s main focus is making equipment better.
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“It spawned from my inquisitive nature, my background in engineering and the style of play that I had during the duration of my career,” Sutton explained. “It got me thinking that I could potentially find a way to do things differently, and to do them better.” Sutton is devoted to improving player safety, especially reducing head injuries, which he is no stranger to. Although he was only diagnosed with a concussion once, Sutton realizes that even clean checks can cause injuries. With his new line of gear, Nliten, Sutton has plans to improve the safety design of equipment along with protecting the players better. “It is time for a paradigm shift. The equipment has remained virtually unchanged for 30 years. These companies have done a great job with the foam and plastics that they’ve been using for a long time, but it is time for a change, it is time for something new that gives people a better chance of being more protected. “We’re really looking to replace all of the hard plastics and deviate away from the type of foams most of these companies are using. We use a proprietary blend of materials that really are doing a far superior job of deflecting and dispersing the forces involved with the game. We’ve alleviated a lot of the plastic with high-grade carbon fiber.” The Edmonton Journal article also said Sutton and his H3llium team are in discussions with one of the major equipment brands, but did not mention which one.
DAVID DEFEVER
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30th Annual
MAY 31 - JUNE 2
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STERLING HEIGHTS, MI 37150 Van Dyke Ave. Sterling Heights, MI 48312 (586) 264-7860 BRIGHTON, MI 1019 E, Grand River Ave. Brighton, MI 48116 (810) 588-6546 N. OLMSTED, OH 24126 Lorain Rd. North Olmsted, OH 44070 (440) 979-9700
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LIVONIA, MI 19330 Middlebelt, Livonia, MI 48152 (248) 476-8100 PITTSBURGH, PA 1600 Cochran Rd. Pittsburgh, PA 15220 (412) 343-5857 SAGINAW, MI 5711 Bay Road, Saginaw, MI 48604 (989) 799-5604
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June 17, 2013 V.23 : I.19
2013 TRYOUT INFO USA HOCKEY CLUB Visit our website:
WWW.USADSCHOCKEY.COM for additional or updated information
MIDGET A USA EAGLES
Sunday, June 23, 4:00-5:30 pm DSC Rink B Tuesday, June 25, 7:00-830 pm DSC Rink C Thursday, June 27, 7:00-8:30 pm DSC Rink C $15 per Skate, Goalies free. Contact Zack Warson (non-parent) NCAA, ACHA Assistant Coach Oakland University D3: zack.warson@gmail.com or Dan Henzie at usaeagles98@yahoo.com 989-751-2733
1999 EAGLES
For information and tryout details please contact Head Coach Tod Hartje at nhartje@yahoo.com
1999 USA PATRIOTS
Thursday, June 13, 7:45-9:15 pm, Rink B Saturday, June 16, 6:00-730 pm, Rink C Sunday, June 17, 6:00-730 pm, Rink C All Tryouts at Detroit Skate Club. $15 per skate. Goalies skate for free. All positions open. Contact Head Coach Peter Lopez at usapats99@yahoo.com
2000 EAGLES
For information and tryout details please contact Head Coach Derek Burny at usa2keagles@yahoo.com
2001 EAGLES
For information and tryout details please contact Head Coach Tod Hartje at nhartje@yahoo.com
2001 PATRIOTS
June 24 @ 7:45 – 9 pm, $15, Rink B, July 11 @ 6:30 – 7:30 pm, $10, Rink C. All Tryouts at Detroit Skate Club. Goalies skate for free. Team is sponsored. Experienced coaching staff, including speed skating instructor and goalie coach. Contact Head Coach Steve Liddle at sliddle@mlclassaction.com
2003 EAGLES
For information and tryout details contact Head Coach Craig Ward at 2003usaeagles@gmail.com or 248-217-1905.
2003 PATRIOTS
Looking for 2nd goalie. Goalie coach brought in weekly for consistent, qualified instruction. For information and any other tryout details contact Head Coach Eric Goldberg at usa2003patriots@aol.com
2004 EAGLES
For information and tryout details please contact Head Coach Tod Hartje at nhartje@yahoo.com.
2004 PATRIOTS
For information and tryout details please contact Head Coach Tom Seeber at tdseeber@gmail.com
2005 EAGLES & 2005 DSC REVOLUTION
For information and tryout details please contact Head Coach Nick Perreault at nicolas.perreault@bauer.com or Tom Seeber at tdseeber@gmail.com.
USA EAGLES GIRLS U12 & U14 Thursday, June 13, 7:15 - 8:30 pm, Rink C Thursday, June 20, 7:15 - 8:30 pm, Rink C All Tryouts at Detroit Skate Club. $15 per skate. Contact U14 Head Coach Chris Koch at chkoch1@att.net, 248-421-6649 Contact U12 Head Coach Walt Bartels at wfb1@chrysler.com, 313-263-8230
U10 WILDFLOWERS TEAM
For information and tryout details please contact Head Coach Sean Flynn at sean.flynn.qsuh@statefarm.com
2002 EAGLES
Tuesday, June 18, 7:00-8:00 pm, Rink B Thursday, June 20, 6:00-7:15 pm, Rink C Saturday, June 23, 6:00-7:00 pm, Rink B All Tryouts at Detroit Skate Club. Goalies skate free. Contact Head Coach Jason Biederman at jibieder@me.com Jason and his staff have a background in NCAA, CCHA and youth hockey. Goalie coaching is on staff.
June 17, 2013 V.23 : I.19
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MiHockeyMag
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Michigan Amateur Hockey Association EXHIBITORS TABLES SUMMER MEETING JULY 12 – 14, 2013 6+$17< &5((. 5(6257
IN BELLAIRE, MICHIGAN
EXHIBITORS TABLES SUMMER
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HONEYBAKED HOCKEY CAMP
We are in the process of planning our Summer Meeting to be held on July 12-14, 2013 at Shanty Creek Resort, Bellaire, Michigan. We will be having exhibitors tables set up during this time. The cost of a table is $75.00 and is limited to 20 tables. If you are interested in a table, please complete the form and if applicable remit $75.00. The exhibit table can be set up from noon on Friday, July 12th and left until Sunday morning. Keep in mind the Presidents of Associations will be meeting on Friday at SP DQG LW ZRXOG EH EHQHÀFLDO WR \RX WR EH VHW XS E\ WKLV WLPH 2XU KRVSLWDOLW\ room will be in the same room as the exhibitor’s tables thus giving you great exposure. We expect to have 225-250 persons present at the meetings. A form for lodging and a tentative schedule are available on our website at MAHA.org. Kerin R. Wear, MAHA Secretary 366 Tara Drive, Troy, MI 48085 Phone: 248 879 1668 Fax: 248 879 2507 kerinwear@yahoo.com
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THE TOY STORE FOR THE HOCKEY PLAYER
0$+$ (;+,%,7256 Name of Company_________________________________________ Contact Name____________________________________________ Address_________________________________________________ City______________________________ State____ Zip__________ Home Telephone ( ______ ) _________________________________ Work Telephone ( ______ ) __________________________________ E mail Address____________________________________________ Brief Description of Exhibit___________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ Please return form and a check for $75.00 to: Kerin Wear, 366 Tara Drive, Troy, MI 48085 Phone: 248-879-1668
MiHockeyNow.com
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COMPLETE AND UP-TO-DATE TOURNAMENT LISTINGS AT
MIHOCKEYNOW.COM
TOURNAMENT CALENDAR MICHIGAN
SEPTEMBER 2013 Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MI September 27-29, 2013 Squirt, Pee Wee, Bantam; AA and A / Midget Minor & High School JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com OCTOBER 2013 Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MI October 11-13, 2013 Squirt, Pee Wee, Bantam; AA and A // Midget Major & High School Varsity Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MI October 25-27, 2013 Squirt A, B and House, Pee Wee AA, Bantam A, B and House, Midget Minor/HS JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com NOVEMBER 2013 Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MI November 1-3, 2013 Squirt AA, Pee Wee A, B and House, Bantam AA, Midget B and House Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MI November 8-10, 2013 Squirt A, B and House, Pee Wee AA, Bantam A, B and House, Midget Major/HS Varsity Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com
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DECEMBER 2013 Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MI December 13-15, 2013 Squirt through Midget; House, B, A and AA; High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com JANUARY 2014 Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MI January 18-20, 2014 Mite through Midget; House, B, A and AA; High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MI January 31-February 2, 2014 Mite through Midget; House, B, A and AA; High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com FEBRUARY 2014 Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MI February 15-17, 2014 Mite through Midget; House, B, A and AA; High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MI February 28 – March 2, 2014 Mite through Midget; House, B, A and AA; High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com
MARCH 2014 Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MI March 7-9, 2014 Mite through Midget; House, B, A and AA; High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com
OUT OF STATE TOURNAMENTS
JUNE 2013 USA International Hockey Cup Blaine, MN June, July & August Boys’ & Girls’ Divisions 763-717-3240 Superrink.org Weekend Hockey Tournament Atlantic City, NJ June 14-16, 2013 Adult men & women 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+ & 50+ A, B, C, D, E 1.877.702.5701 weekendhockey.com Weekend Hockey Tournament Atlantic City, NJ June 21-23, 2013 Adult men & women 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+ & 50+ A, B, C, D, E 1.877.702.5701 weekendhockey.com JULY 2013 Walmart Hockey Cup Blaine, MN July 13-14, 2013 Boys’ & Girls’ 6-18 July 19-21, 2013 High School, Boys’ & Girls’ teams 763-717-3240 Superrink.org SEPTEMBER 2013 CHICAGO CUP Tournament Series: Chicago Preseason Challenge Chicago, IL September 27-29, 2013 Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments
Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Steel City Tournament Series: Pittsburgh Preseason Challenge Pittsburgh, PA September 27-29, 2013 Squirt through Midget: B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com OCTOBER 2013 Empire State Tournament Series: Rochester Fall Classic Rochester, NY October 4-6, 2013 Squirt through Midget: B, A, AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Liberty Cup Tournament Series: Philadelphia Early Season Challenge Philadelphia, PA October 4-6, 2013 Squirt through Midget: B, A, AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Congressional Cup Tournament Series: Congressional Fall Classic Washington, DC October 11-14, 2013 Squirt through Midget: B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com The Steel City Tournament Series: Pittsburgh Columbus Day Clash Pittsburgh, PA October 12-14, 2013 Squirt through Midget: B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey
MiHockeyNow.com
Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Hoosier Cup Tournament Series: Fort Wayne Fall Classic Fort Wayne, IN October 18-20, 2013 Squirt through Midget: House, B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com CHICAGO CUP Tournament Series: Chicago Fall Classic Chicago, IL October 25-27, 2013 Mite through Midget; House, B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Steel City Tournament Series: Pittsburgh Fall Classic Pittsburgh, PA October 25-27, 2013 Squirt through Midget: B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Empire State Tournament Series: Empire State Showdown Rochester, NY October 25-27, 2013 Squirt through Midget: B, A, AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com
Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Hemby Cup Tournament Series: Hemby Cup Fall Classic Charlotte, NC October 25-27, 2013 Squirt through Midget: B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Music City Tournament Series: Nashville Fall Classic Nashville, TN October 25-27, 2013 Squirt through Midget: B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com NOVEMBER 2013 Steel City Tournament Series: Pittsburgh Veterans Cup Pittsburgh, PA November 8-10, 2013 Squirt through Midget: B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com CHICAGO CUP Tournament Series: Chicago Thanksgiving Classic Chicago, IL November 29-December 1, 2013 Mite through Midget; House, B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com
Liberty Cup Tournament Series: Philadelphia Fall Classic Philadelphia, PA October 25-27, 2013 Squirt through Midget: B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments
MiHockeyMag
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'HTXLQGUH 5G Â&#x2021; 5RFKHVWHU 0, Â&#x2021;RQ\[LFHDUHQD FRP
8:22*7 AGES 3 - ADULT
SESSION 1
-4(0*>
July 10 - August 17, 2013 6-Week Program
July 9 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; August 13
Current Student Priority Registration
LIMITED REGISTRATION Full equipment required
June 19-22 Open Registration
(6 Weeks) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; $95 per player Ages 4â&#x20AC;&#x201C;13, Tuesdays at 6:45 pm
Phone-In Registration
Emphasis on creating a fun, challenging environment for players to learn the beginning stages of balance, skating in equipment, and handling the puck
June 25 @ 10:00 am
Equipment available upon request
June 22 @ 1:15 pm
SUMMER ADULT LEAGUE 2013 Team & Individual Registrations
Begins in early July and runs through August.
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED, INQUIRE AT FRONT DESK OR CALL TO REGISTER
TRY HOCKEY FOR FREE SATURDAY, JUNE 29 30
for more information on our adult leagues check our website â&#x20AC;&#x201C; onyxicearena.com â&#x20AC;&#x201C; or call or email Tom Zagacki at 248-601-6699
JUNIOR HOCKEY
40 PLAYERS INVITED TO WORLD JUNIOR EVALUATION CAMP USA Hockey announced the 40 forwards and defensemen who will be invited to their National Junior Team Evaluation Camp today. The camp, designed to give the program a closer look at which players they will select for the World Juniors, which are held from Dec. 26, 2013-Jan. 5, 2014, in Malmo, Sweden. University of Minnesota coach Don Lucia will be in charge of the latest Team USA squad to compete in the prestigious international tournament.
Connor Carrick: Plymouth Whalers (OHL)
Hudson Fasching: U.S. National Under-18 Team (USHL)
Mike Brodzinski: Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
John Hayden: U.S. National Under-18 Team (USHL)
Will Butcher: U.S. National Under-18 Team (USHL)
Nicolas Kerdiles: University of Wisconsin (B1G)
Connor Clifton: U.S. National Under-18 Team (USHL)
Jimmy Lodge: Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
Steve Santini: U.S. National Under-18 Team (USHL)
Stefan Matteau: Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
Patrick Sieloff: Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
Michael McCarron: U.S. National Under-18 Team (USHL)
MICHIGAN CONNECTIONS INVITED:
Riley Barber: Miami University (NCHC)
Tyler Motte: U.S. National Under-18 Team (USHL)
FORWARDS
DEFENSEMEN
J.T. Compher: U.S. National Under-18 Team (USHL)
Gage Ausmus: U.S. National Under-18 Team (USHL)
Andrew Copp: University of Michigan (B1G)
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Cristoval ‘Boo’ Nieves: University of Michigan (B1G) Henrik Samuelsson: Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL) Quentin Shore: University of Denver (NCHC)
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PLYMOUTH WHALERS Jordan Greenway had a feeling the Plymouth Whalers would call his name in the first round of the Ontario Hockey League draft back on April 6. When his name will be announced over the public address system at Compuware Arena is anyone’s guess. A 16-year-old native of Potsdam, N.Y., Greenway played last year for Shattuck-St. Mary’s prep school in Fairbault, Minn., and is committed to play for the United States National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor this fall. “For the most part, I think I knew they wanted to draft me and I had a good relationship through the phone with them before the draft,” said Greenway, a towering 6-foot-5, 205-pound forward. “During the draft when the 16th pick came, I had a good feeling they were going to draft me. “I will be at the NTDP 100 percent next season and next year is really all I have thought about. That’s where I’m at right now.” Leaving home at 14 to play at Shattuck the past two years, Greenway said the knowledge and training he experienced there has contributed greatly to his on-ice success. “Shattuck does a lot of great things for players,” Greenway said. “Last year, I feel it was a learning year for me. I learned a lot of things that changed my game. My season wasn’t as good as usual and overall we as team didn’t do as good as we wanted to, but as an individual, I think it was still a productive season for me.” Greenway scored 22 goals with 38 assists for 60 points and 90 penalty minutes in 2012-13 and the junior and college scouts came out in droves. “Having scouts at my game I think gave me some motivation,” said Greenway. “At first, it was a change, but I learned when I don’t change a thing and play with the team that everything works out. Getting the opportunity (to commit to the NTDP) just arose after my past two years at Shattuck. The national camp was a way to show what I can do and I think that helped a lot, too. I went on an official visit (to the NTDP) during one of my breaks and saw everything and then after talking to my parents for a while, we felt Team USA is the right spot for me for next year.” After next year, as Greenway said, he’ll continue to look at all of his options, but he did say that the NCAA route is very appealing. “Looking down the road, I think the NCAA is great league as well,” Greenway said. “As of right now, all my options are open and overall, I just need some more time to make a good decision. I can’t say I really have a dream school, but I do like some of the bigger schools like Boston College, Boston University and the University of Minnesota. I think this is just the start of some of the decisions I will have to make in the future. I think patience is key when going though the process. Now that I know I’m going to the (NTDP) program next year, I have another year to think about everything and make a decision when I’m 100 percent sure.” First things first and Greenway is looking forward to the next few months doing what all dedicated hockey players do. “This summer, I will mainly be working out and trying to skate as much as I can,” explained Greenway. “I’ll travel here and there to train. I’m just trying to get ready for the upcoming season and the NTDP.”
PLYMOUTH’S TOP DRAFT PICK GREENWAY STILL UNDECIDED ABOUT OHL
MATT MACKINDER 30
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PLYMOUTH WHALERS
WHALERS NOTEBOOK
On May 31, Plymouth signed 17-year-old defenseman Josh Wesley, taken by the Whalers in the ďŹ fth round (98th overall) of the 2012 OHL draft. Wesley is the son of longtime NHL defenseman Glen Wesley and played last year in Ann
Arbor for the NTDPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Under-17 Team â&#x20AC;Ś The Whalers dealt overage goaltender Matt Mahalak, a Monroe native, to Kingston on June 3 for third-round picks in the 2014 and 2015 OHL drafts and then sent 19-year-old forward Cody Payne to Saginaw on June 7 for a second-round pick in 2015 and a third-rounder in 2016 â&#x20AC;Ś The Whalers also acquired
17-year-old center Francesco Vilardi from Sudbury on June 7 for a third-round draft choice in 2015 â&#x20AC;Ś Plymouth head coach and general manager Mike Vellucci, already named the OHLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coach of the year, was also named the OHLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s executive of the year.
CLASSIC .*/* .*5& 108&3 4,"5*/( )0$,&: 4,*--4 SUMMER HOCKEY SCHOOL .*5& 108&3 4,"5*/( )0$,&: 4,*--4 r 6 (*3-4 108&3 4,"5*/( )0$,&: 4,*--4
SUMMER 2013 ĹŹ ĹŹ
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GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS
HISTORIC GAME 7 VICTORY sends Griffins to their first-ever AHL Finals appearance
GRAND RAPIDS - The Grand Rapids Griffins now have an opportunity to give the city’s signature Alexander Calder sculpture a nice friend: the Calder Cup trophy. Following an up-and-down series full of emotion against Oklahoma City, the Griffins are now moving on to the franchise’s first AHL Finals appearance. Playing on low fumes following four games in five days, both teams gave it their all in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, with the Griffins pulling it out, 5-4. “Both teams fought as hard as they could, neither team quit,” Griffins head coach Jeff Blashill said. “It was an emotional series both ways, and this game replicated it.” That emotion included a postponed game because of the massive tornado that struck Oklahoma City last Friday, delaying the series and seeing the Griffins staff helping with clean-up and fundraising efforts. But it also included the Barons going up early in the series, 2-1, before the Griffins took a 3-2 lead coming back to Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids. Game 6 looked to be sealed with a 3-1 Griffins lead before losing the game in the last 10 minutes.
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Game 7 had all the makings of a classic game to cap an exciting series. The game had four ties and five leadchanges. Grand Rapids took an early lead 54 seconds into the game when forward Jan Mursak deflected an Adam Almquist shot into the OKC net. A little more than half way through the first period, Oklahoma City tallied two goals within 30 seconds of each other. Griffins forward Tomas Tatar grabbed the lead with a power-play goal with about four minutes left in the period. The Griffins took another lead early in midway through the second when forward Gustav Nyquist netted a gorgeous shot from the right wing above Oklahoma City goaltender Yann Danis. The Barons responded with three minutes left in the period to keep the game tied headed into the third period. Mursak tied the game up with his second goal of the game with a little more than 13 minutes left in the game. Grand Rapids forward Tomas Jurco used his flashing breakaway speed to take a puck and slip it past Danis with
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GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 6:52 to go and seal the game at 5-4. The breakaway game-winner seemed fitting as Jurco missed a chance to win Game 6 with a penalty shot. The Game 7 goal was Jurco’s seventh of the playoffs. “It’s a great feeling,” Jurco said, shortly before taking a shaving cream pie to the face in a celebratory locker room. “I guess I got a little lucky, maybe a little was skill, I don’t know. I was just happy it went in.” Blashill said Jurco was too hard on himself following that miss. “I know he felt real bad about that he didn’t score (on the penalty shot the night before),” Blashill said. “He takes things hard. He wants to be a winner and so it was nice to get that retribution. It was great for him.” Just as it was one play of many, the Calder Cup is just another step according to Blashill. “It’s a great next step for the team,” Blashill said. “It was obviously a grueling, hard series with two even swings both ways. We feel very fortunate and excited to compete
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for the Calder Cup championship.” The championship series will begin Saturday in Syracuse, N.Y., in a 2-3-2 series, as Syracuse finished the regular season with more points. The Crunch have won 11 of 12 games in the playoffs, but that’s just a stat on the stat sheet to Blashill. Ten players on the roster were part of the Norfolk team that won the Calder Cup last season. “The only stat that matters is the series starts 0-0,” he said. Syracuse plays an aggressive forecheck, get-to-thenet-hard game, similar to the Barons, Blashill said, unlike the road to the Calder Cup, where all the series pitted the Griffins against different styled opponents. “Oklahoma City was real different from the other two teams we faced,” Blashill said. “This series will help us prepare for the next one.” Regardless of the way the next series goes, Grand Rapids is in uncharted territory, playing deeper into June
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than ever before. The Griffins did have a trip to the IHL finals in 2000, but this season’s run will help them fill out the rafters a little bit more. “I’m happy for our guys and this organization deserves to celebrate,” Blashill said. “We fought through ups and downs and we’re Western Conference Champions.” Coming as far as Grand Rapids has, a lot of the credit could go to Blashill for molding a fairly young team into a championship-worthy squad. “He’s a great coach for us, he’s taken us this far” Nyquist said. “He’s helping us young guys be ready for the NHL and it’s great for us to learn from him.” But Blashill sees it differently. “Honestly I don’t see it that way,” he said. “It’s not about the coach. This is an unreal group of players who bought into the system. They went out and did all the work.”
PAT EVANS
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DETROIT RED WINGS
RED WINGS ANSWERED PLENTY OF QUESTIONS IN 2013
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It would’ve been appropriate had the Detroit Red Wings wore a question mark on the chests of their sweaters rather than the winged wheel this season. Questions were the only thing the Wings had in abundance in a season where Nick Lidstrom retired and Brad Stuart asked for a trade closer to home. Could goalie Jimmy Howard survive without the greatest defenseman of his generation patrolling in front of him? Would a no-name and young defense be able to headman the puck to a group of forwards who had their own question marks beyond Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk and Johan Franzen? The questions that were perhaps the most important of all were whether this was still a playoff team and could they hang with the NHL’s big dogs? After knocking out the NHL’s third-best squad in the regular season in the first round of the playoffs, the Anaheim Ducks, and taking the league’s best team, Chicago Blackhawks to overtime of a seventh game, the answers provided this season have to be considered encouraging. The Wings overachieved and not by an insignificant margin. In the playoffs, Detroit iced a team where threequarters of the line-up was under 30. Half a dozen of those players had insignificant or no NHL playoff experience. When was the last time a Wings’ team could claim that? “That would be more than true,” said Wings coach Mike Babcock of whether he thought his team had overachieved “I thought the guys worked real hard. I thought it was a competitive group that tried to get better each and every day. Our leadership group – Zetterberg, Kronwall, Datsyuk – set the bar very high. In the all the years I’ve been in coaching, I thought that group helped the coaching staff and their teammates as much as any group I’ve ever been around.” Babcock, who is a shoo-in to be named Canada’s Olympic Team coach for 2014 in the near future, may have done his best coaching job since he joined the NHL. He claimed no team he’s ever coached has experienced such internal growth and been more fun to coach. It’s a testament to the professionalism of the Wings’ players to have persevered through a difficult regular season with admittedly a very demanding coaching staff. They have emerged from the other side having delivered a message that the expectations of the Wings’demise is greatly exaggerated. As painful as it was to witness at times, the Wings’ youth movement has proven to have much quality as well as substance. Detroit appears on the verge of doing the most difficult task in sports, retooling without tanking. “We made mistakes but I don’t think we made mistakes because of lack of work ethic,” Babcock said. “I thought we competed. I thought this group was spectacular as far as that and energy. I enjoyed coaching this year may be as much as I ever enjoyed it. I had a great time.” By season’s end, the Wings were icing a highly effective all-rookie line of Joakim Andersson, Gustav Nyquist and Damien Brunner. Rookie defensemen Brendan Smith and Danny DeKeyser have also emerged as central pieces while Jonathan Ericsson has established himself as a top-four defender. With winger Tomas Tatar among the youngsters also
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pushing hard in Grand Rapids, which has reached the AHL league final for the first time in the Griffins’ history, the Wings have options. More importantly, they enter the off-season with some answers. “We’ve got some big decisions because there’s a push from below,” Holland said. “When the season started last year, guys like Brian Lashoff, Nyquist, Joakim Andersson, Smith, they were all in Grand Rapids. Tomas Tatar’s in Grand Rapids, we signed a Danny DeKeyser, there’s five or six players that at the start of the ‘12-’13 season weren’t on our roster. Those guys are all on our radar screen. “Other than DeKeyser, they’ve all got to go through waivers. I’m pretty comfortable saying that none of them are going through waivers. “We started the year with 23 players and you add those five, that’s 28, so we probably have 27 or 28 players. We’ve got some tough decisions to make and at the same time, obviously I don’t think it’s a big free agent market. “So much like the Red Wings were built in the ‘90s, through the draft, you know Fedorov and Yzerman and Lidstrom and Konstantinov, we’re trying to do the same thing now. We’ve got to build through the draft.” Of course this summer isn’t entirely about more youngsters coming forward. Holland has plenty or work to do in securing the services of several veterans. Perhaps, he has no decision greater than Valtteri Filppula’s future. Filppula is the great tease, giving glimpses of his talents, but never showing his gifts on a regular basis. If he wants more than $4-million a year he’s simply not worth it after such a dreadful season. As swiftly as he skates and the versatile options he offers, Filppula is by far the softest player on the roster and the most easily knocked off the puck. Other veterans like Dan Cleary and Drew Miller are tougher calls. Cleary, who is nicknamed Bear, had a great playoff and his character and grit cannot be questioned. Only his ability to will his body through 82 games and playoffs is a question mark. Miller has also shown what useful player he can be and he’s vital on the penalty kill. It’s a question of how far the Wings want to push their youth movement next season. Others up for renewal include restricted free agents Smith, Andersson, Nyquist and Jakub Kindl along with unrestricted free agents Ian White and Damien Brunner. Brunner was coy about his plans, but White certainly has played his last game as a Wing. Like everyone, Holland wasn’t sure what he had on his hands entering this season. He likes what he’s seen and knows now where his club is in the NHL’s pecking order. “My feeling is we’re in the thick of things,” Holland said. “We’re not at the top of the heap, but we’re in a pile of teams that there are 24 of us in that pile. There are maybe three or four ahead of us in the class, but we don’t have those young studs. “We don’t miss the playoffs to get those guys, so we have to go through a longer process”.
DAVE WADDELL
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RED WINGS LEARN MORE ABOUT THEIR PROSPECTS, BUT SCORING HELP IS NEEDED After a strong finish to the regular season and a fine showing in the playoffs, the Red Wings know more about many of their young players than they otherwise might have. In that regard, the lockout-shortened season may have hastened the organization’s reload process. The vets who didn’t play during the lockout suffered injuries and the kids from Grand Rapids stepped in – mid-season for them – and never looked back. More importantly, they showed they could not just play at the NHL level, but they could help the big club win. That is a vital distinction when assessing young players and often times is the defining difference between perennially contending clubs and teams that never seem to be in the playoff mix consistently. Contrast the Florida Panthers, Winnipeg Jets and Columbus Blue Jackets with the Wings over the last decade or so. Look at the number of top picks those organizations put right into their lineup and to what end? Not much. And it wasn’t as if Jay Bouwmeester, Evander Kane and Rick Nash couldn’t play at the NHL level. They could and did - commendably for teenagers. But, winning and bearing the weight of a franchise was too much to expect. Interestingly, in those examples above, both Bouwmeester and Nash are no longer with the franchises that drafted them and made them the “face of the future” in their respective markets. The same goes for the Edmonton Oilers, who have been in full rebuild mode seemingly forever. With the hiring of Craig MacTavish as the new GM, they are embarking on their third successive incarnation whereby they performed so poorly that the Oilers had three straight first overall picks. The Taylor HallRyan Nugent-Hopkins-Nail Yakupov trifecta represented rebuild number two. Players like Ales Hemsky, Sam Gagne, Ladislav Smid and Andrew Cogliano formed phase one. Hemsky in now 29 years old and primed to move on in the prime of his career. Cogliano moved two seasons ago and now has a defined role on the Anaheim Ducks. The point is that playing in the NHL is a player’s dream. Winning in the NHL is the job. Facilitating the dream is what so many poorly-run franchises perpetuate. Seldom does it equate to winning. For every turnaround tale (see Chicago Blackhawks and Pittsburgh Penguins – teams that cashed in top picks then built strong organizational philosophies) there is a John Tavares growing up in public while his team continues to muddle along, struggle and lose. Even when the player, as is the case with Tavares, finds a way to continue to develop and the team has a moment of “success” – like the N.Y. Islanders making the playoffs this year – expecting a young player to lead the charge at the NHL level is folly.
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Granted, the cap era has the NHL trending younger, where drafting and development are paramount. Which brings our analysis into focus: good organizations draft AND develop, while many simply draft and deploy. The Red Wings have seen this trend coming for some time and since they haven’t had the luxury of drafting the highest-end teenagers available due to their consistent success, development has long been central to the overall plan. This season alone we witnessed five players solidify roster spots for next season – three on defense in Jakub Kindl, Brendan Smith and Danny DeKeyser. That is quite a makeover on the blue line. Up front, Gustav Nyquist showed that he has a better chance of becoming what everyone hoped Valtteri Filppula could be than Filppula himself. Joakim Andersson proved to be a smart, effective and useful player – the type of glue guy coaches love and teams need. All of which is good for the team – something the organization can be proud of and fans can take stock in. However, the cautionary part in all this is twofold. First, a
short run of success in intensity-fueled games by young players doesn’t always translate into the same effort and results in the subsequent regular-season grind. And second, the Wings still lack a bona fide 20-something scorer on its top two lines. Meaning, don’t expect the young players’ progress to be all upward and linear from where this season ended. Temper your enthusiasm with a dose of regular season “rigoritis”. Additionally, the team needs to add a big scoring winger from outside the organization. You can draft and develop all you want, but if you don’t have anyone that fits that one glaring need an organization has to address it via trade or free agency. The Wings have a hole to fill, so names will start circulating shortly. I’ll leave the speculation to others. All I know is that during this Stanley Cup Final I’ll be watching Nathan Horton very, very closely. I hope Wings’ GM Ken Holland is as well.
DARREN ELIOT @DARREN_ELIOT
You can draft and develop all you want, but if you don’t have anyone that fits that one glaring need an organization has to address it via trade or free agency.
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