MiHockeyMag - February 25, 2013

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V.23 : I.12 | FEBRUARY 25, 2013

FIRST CLASS

TRYING HOCKEY FOR THE FIRST TIME

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

FEBRUARY 25, 2013 VOLUME 23: ISSUE 12 6 THE LOCKER ROOM Hockey Day in Michigan via social media

8 SLIDESHOW Photos from across the Mitten

10 GET BETTER A puckhandling slalom drill

12 YOU SHOULD KNOW Future Wolverine Spencer Hyman

14 YOUTH HOCKEY

Districts are wrapping up

20 HOMETOWN HEROES Catholic League championships at Joe Louis Arena

26 NAHL

Commitments, tenders, championships and more

28 HIGH SCHOOL

30–31

32

PLYMOUTH WHALERS

Michael Whaley continues to play hockey for his dad

4

MiHockeyMag

HOCKEY DAY IN MICHIGAN 2013 Try Hockey For Free clinics introduce kids to the game for the first time

36

RED WINGS INSIDER

Despite the changes in Hockeytown, the Eurotwins remain the same

38

The MIHL Prep Showcase in Trenton

34 GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS

Mitch Callahan is thriving in Grand Rapids

LOOK FOR OUR NEXT ISSUE LAST LINE

Darren Eliot gives his latest ‘Power Rankings’ for the Western Conference

MiHockeyNow.com

MARCH 11, 2013

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

February 25, 2013 V.23 : I.12

FROM THE EDITOR MIHOCKEYMAG EDITOR Michael Caples

mcaples@mihockeynow.com

ADVERTISING & DISTRIBUTION Lucia Zuzga lucia@mihockeynow.com

DESIGN Emily Huston Chuck Stevens CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Darren Eliot Pat Evans Brian Kalisher Stefan Kubus Kyle Kujawa Matt Mackinder Dave Waddell 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

PHOTOS AT LEFT: Michael Whaley with his father, David; Henrik Zetterberg (Tom Turrill/MiHockey) COVER: Photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey. Design

by Emily Huston/MiHockey

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

February 25, 2013 V.23 : I.12

BY MICHAEL CAPLES

@michaelcaples

WATCHING TRY HOCKEY FOR FREE CLINICS AT THE RINKS I GREW UP IN There were more than 100 events to pick from for Warrior Hockey Day in Michigan 2013 coverage.

I picked two events where ankle benders were a guarantee.

Twenty-three rinks across our state hosted “Try Hockey For Free” clinics surrounding Hockey Day in Michigan.

Because they were so close, both in a literal and a figurative sense, I chose to attend the skates at Suburban Ice Farmington Hills and the Plymouth Cultural Center.

And I can tell you this – there’s something special about watching kids experience the game for the first time at the same rinks you grew up in.

The first team I ever played for was a Mite team that skated out of the Plymouth Cultural Center. Scored my first goal there, too, in case you were wondering.

Then we moved over to teams in Farmington Hills, where I skated until Bantams. That meant a whole lot of time at Suburban, and lots of visits back to the Cultural Center.

I know it’s not a reflection that means much; clearly I’m not one of the Michigan-born players we highlight in each issue of the magazine and every day on MiHockeyNow.com. Yet without those rinks – without those hockey experiences – I wouldn’t have the privilege of working for MiHockey. Nor would I have the bonds

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formed with family and friends, the lessons learned from falling and getting back up, or the passion for the sport that makes work rarely seem like…well, work.

Watching the next generation of hockey players take their first steps brought back all the memories, all of the feelings, all of the reasons why I decided that if I couldn’t play hockey for a living, I was going to write about it. Seeing parents walk them up to the door leading to the ice, then let go of their hand, gave me a new appreciation for what my parents did for me. And watching the volunteers guide them into hopefully a new lifelong passion made me proud to be a part of this hockey community we are all a part of in one way or another.

Thank you to all the rinks that donated the ice time to these clinics. Thank you to the all the volunteers who welcomed the future hockey stars onto the ice with open arms. Thank you to USA Hockey and the Detroit Red Wings Foundation for serving as the leaders in organizing the events.

And thanks to the parents and children who gave it a try.

Hopefully you see what we see in hockey. There’s nothing better.

MiHockeyMag

5

THE LOCKER ROOM

THE

LOCKERROOM

ON THE FLY

TWO FOR TWEETING

From our Facebook friend Vicki Spencley McGovern: “This is Nicklas Watson who plays for Cheboygan High School Chiefs. Nicklas sustained a serious head injury back in November while playing against the Alpena team which has resulted in memory loss.

Nicklas has lost out on his Senior year. This photo was taken by me during Senior Night 2/13/2013. Although Nick didn’t get to play he dressed his part!! We Love You Nick and wish nothing but the best to start happening for you!!”

Chris Matthews shared this photo with us on Facebook with the caption, “Myself and my 8-day-old daughter celebrating her first Hockey Weekend.” How awesome is that?

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January 28, 2013 V.23 : I.10

CAN/AM HOCKEY

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February 25, 2013 V.23 : I.12

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Team entry form MUST be received 3 weeks before tournament date.

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7

SLIDESHOW

MICHIGAN HOCKEY IN PICTURES: PHOTOS FROM AROUND THE MITTEN FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @MIHOCKEYNOW

More than 100 teams took part in the Michigan Pond Hockey Classic from Feb. 8-10. The three-day event featured skills competitions, live music…and lots of hockey.

(Tara Sobie/MiHockey)

Teams and fans alike needed some fire to keep warm during the Michigan Pond Hockey Classic – the barrels set up next to many of the rinks had the tournament’s logo cut into the sides.

(Nick Mannisto/MiHockey)

Sometimes you have to appreciate one’s hockey hair – especially when it’s Muskegon native Justin Abdelkader.

Members of the Orchard Lake United entertained the Joe Louis Arena crowd during the Red Wings’ home game on Feb. 15. We think they had some fun, too.

(Michael Caples/MiHockey)

(Michael Caples/MiHockey)

Chris Forfar’s goal turned out to be the game-winner for the Spartans on Feb. 16, as they topped Northern Michigan University during their Hockey Day in Michigan contest on Fox Sports Detroit. (Michael Caples/MiHockey)

8

MiHockeyMag

Lansing native and Red Wings forward Drew Miller celebrates his first goal of the season with teammate Cory Emmerton on Feb. 13. (Michael Caples/MiHockey)

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February 25, 2013 V.23 : I.12

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USA HOCKEY COACHING EDUCATION PROGRAM

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUTH COACHES

February 25, 2013 V.23 : I.12

USA HOCKEY IS HOSTING A HIGH PERFORMANCE COACHING WORKSHOP DURING THE CCHA CHAMPIONSHIPS. DATE/TIME: SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 9:00 AM TO 12:30 PM, AND MARCH 24, 9:00 AM TO 1:00 PM. LOCATION: COMPUWARE WORLD HEADQUARTERS, 1 CAMPUS MARTIUS, IN DOWNTOWN DETROIT. COST: $25 WHICH COVERS BOTH SESSIONS, CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST EACH DAY, AND CCHA PLAYOFF TICKETS. ATTENDEES ALSO GET A BUMP TO THE NEXT COACHING CLINIC LEVEL (1 THROUGH 3) OR AN EXTENSION OF THEIR LEVEL 3 (RENEWAL).

FREE PARKING IS AVAILABLE TO ATTENDEES IN THE COMPUWARE PARKING GARAGE ON FARMER. REGISTER ONLINE AT THE USA HOCKEY WEB SITE. ABSOLUTELY NO REGISTRATION AT THE DOOR! SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE USA HOCKEY STAFF AND FORMER CCHA COACHES. AGENDA IS ON MAHA WEB SITE (www.maha.org).

REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS MARCH 16, 2013. SPACE IS LIMITED. FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. ATTENDEES NEEDING HOTEL ACCOMODATIONS – SEE POSTING ON MAHA WEB SITE FOR SPECIAL CCHA RATE.

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9

GET BETTER POWERED BY

Coaches Wrap

Coaches Wrap

GETBETTER

March 9

SKATE WITH PLAYERS PUCKHANDLING SLALOM &THE team poster giveaway

to the first 250 fans

DRILL OBJECTIVE: PUCK CONTROL Excellent drill that combines body control, edge control and stick control KEY ELEMENTS:

• Skating • Agility • Puckhandling • Shooting while in motion • Keeping your head up

ORGANIZATION: Form two lines in opposite diagonal corners of the rink. Place eight to ten cones spaced evenly down each side of the rink. On one side, have the players skate aroud the cones while keeping the puck in the middle of the cones

and stickhandling up the ice, then have them finsh with a shot on goal. On the other side, have the players skate straight up the middle of the cones stickhandling the puck around the outside of the cones, and once again have them finish the drill with a shot on goal.

GOALIE: This drill helps the goalie to work on angle shots.

March 24

STAR WARS NIGHT

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tickets for youth hockey teams that wear their jerseys.

$7 adults $5 children/students/seniors

Catch any of these other great games: March 1, 2, 3, 8, 14, 19, 28 and April 5 All games played at

THE ANN ARBOR ICE CUBE

Stadium Rink, 2121 Oak Valley Drive

Call 734.327.9251 for tickets!

www.usantdp.com

10

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February 25, 2013 V.23 : I.12

LAKELAND ICE ARENA - April 9-14

The 20th Annual

Age Groups: 02,01,00,99, mid. 16u and mid. major Four games guaranteed Three 15 minute periods Please contact larrybthompson@yahoo.com

GOALIE SCHOOL

February 25, 2013 V.23 : I.12

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11

YOU SHOULD KNOW

you should know FAVORITE SPORTING EVENT: Stanley Cup playoffs

MUST-SEE TV:

Hockey Night In Canada, Sportscenter, The Walking Dead

FAVORITE BREAKFAST FOOD:

Egg White Omelette

FAVORITE MOVIE: Youngblood

IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE: The powers of Superman

NICKNAME:

My nickname is The Bus because I am a physical player

IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE WISH GRANTED, WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH IT: To play in the NHL after Michigan

THREE PEOPLE YOU WOULD WANT TO HAVE DINNER WITH: Gordie Howe, Scott Stevens, Jimmy Devellano

PRE-GAME ROUTINE:

Light work-out at 11 a.m., pre-game meal at 2:30 p.m. Spend the rest of the day preparing myself mentally

IF YOU WERE GIVEN $1 MILLION, WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH IT:

Donate it to a charity to help kids that can’t afford to play hockey

FAVORITE MEAL:

Grilled chicken breast, steamed vegetables, whole grain toast

FAVORITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY:

Winning a minor hockey championship

WHO WAS MOST INFLUENTIAL ON YOUR HOCKEY CAREER:

Spencer Hyman

Hamilton Red Wings defenseman Just as fans of a certain hockey team in Ann Arbor are getting used to one Hyman brother in the Maize and Blue, they’re going to need to get used to another one real soon. Spencer Hyman, the younger brother of sophomore forward Zach Hyman, has committed to Red Berenson and the Michigan Wolverines for the start of the 2013-14 season - just in time for the start of Big Ten hockey. Spencer’s nickname is ‘The Bus’; considering he’s a defenseman, we’re thinking it’s safe to assume that the younger Hyman will be bringing a physical game to the Wolverines’ blue line next fall.

My dad, he always supports me and encourages me to follow my dream

Photos courtesy of: stanleycupwinners.net (Stanley Cup), adweek.com (The Walking Dead), imdb.com (Youngblood), en.wikipedia.org (School Bus), superman.wikia.org (Superman)

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February 25, 2013 V.23 : I.12

JOHN LINDELL

ROYAL OAK ICE ARENA

SPRING

2013 SPRING TRYOUTS 2000

HEAD COACH Manon Rheaume

HEAD COACH Trevor Edwards

2004

1999

HEAD COACH Todd Waldo

HEAD COACH Jeff Mitchell

2003

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HEAD COACH Rob Krohl

2002

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MARCH 25 - MAY 23 Mite ( Full-ice) Squirt Pee Wee Bantam Midget HOUSE B PLAYERS ONLY

HEAD COACH Steve Dickenson SCAN FOR WEBSITE

HEAD COACH Mark Vellucci

INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATION LEAGUE

FOURTEEN SKATES MAHA District 3 Finalist Howe 1 Division Two Dates

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FOR TRYOUT DETAILS, DATES & TIMES PLEASE VISIT

HONEYBAKEDHOCKEY.COM February 25, 2013 V.23 : I.12

Grosse Pointe Community Rink 4831 Canyon St. Grosse Pointe, MI 48236 Contact: Dan Paolucci, Head Coach danpaolucci3@yahoo.com

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1403 Lexington Blvd.

Royal Oak, MI 48073 248-246-3950 royaloakicearena.com

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13

YOUTH HOCKEY

’98 GROSSE POINTE BULLDOGS WIN INTERNATIONAL SILVER STICKS The 1998 Grosse Pointe Bulldogs won the 2013 Bantam Major Division International Silver Stick Tournament held in Port Huron, Michigan the weekend of January 25, 2013. The team went 6-0 during the tournament, which included teams from throughout North America and Canada. The Bulldogs won the regional Silver Stick Tournament in St. Clair Shores in November to qualify for Internationals. They outscored their 6 opponents 33-11 during the International tournament.

The Bulldogs opened up against the North York Knights from Ontario. The Bulldogs fell behind 3-0 early in the second period but then outscored the Knights 6-1 to win 6-4. In the second game, the Bulldogs faced off against the Arvada Hockey Association from Colorado. The Bulldogs controlled from the start winning 8-2. In the third round-robin game, the Bulldogs faced off against the Ramapo Saints from New Jersey. In a closely fought, defensive game, the Bulldogs prevailed 1-0 on an early first-period goal.

The next game pit the Bulldogs against the Plymouth Stingrays in the quarterfinals. The game started poorly for the Bulldogs as they trailed 2-0 late into the second period. With just 38 seconds left in the second period, the Bulldogs scored to pull within a goal, 2-1. The third period saw the Bulldogs pressuring the Stingrays, when they knotted the score at 2-2 with just 4 minutes left in regulation. Neither team scored after that point, sending the game into overtime. At the 7 minute mark of overtime,

the Bulldogs scored to give them the 3-2 victory.

In Sunday’s semi-final, the team faced the Mississauga Ice Warrior’s. From the opening faceoff, the Bulldogs dominated the game. They scored five goals in the first period; four in the second; and two in the third period to prevail 11-1.

The championship game proved to be quite different than the semis, as the Bulldogs faced the Mississauga Jets, Ontario’s number 1 ranked team. The game was 0-0 until midway through the second period when the Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead. The teams entered the third 1-0 when the Jets scored just 50 seconds into the period to tie the score. The Bulldogs did not let that shake them and came back and scored just 2 minutes later to take a 2-1 lead. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, the Jets would not go away. They tied the game at the 9 minute mark, 2-2. Thereafter, the teams played a furiously paced game until the 3:21 mark, when the Bulldogs scored to take a 3-2 lead. With the clock running down, the Bulldogs scored an empty net goal to secure the championship.

The Bulldogs are, kneeling: Jack Flynn, Mac Welsher, Mac Cimmarrusti, Andrew Tomasi and Alex Grimm; standing: Zach Kaiser, Brandon VanOphem, Theo Calvas, Griffin Brooks, Tate McDonald, Jonathan Theros, Logan Jenuwine, Marshall Vyletel, CJ Ramsdell, Zach Pearson, Jacob Robinson, Sam Knoblauch and Gunner Markiewicz.

The team coaches are, l-r: Geoff Welsher, Robb McIntyre and Mark Brooks.

’98 FLINT PHANTOMS TAKE D-5 TITLE FOR FIRST TIME The ’98 Flint Phantoms won the MAHA D-5 playoffs this weekend with a 5-2 victory over the Midland North Stars, and will be heading to the State Tournament at The Summit in Dimondale from March 8–10. This is the first district championship for the Flint ’98 Team… they (and their coaches) are proud of their effort!

14

MiHockeyMag

Photo caption: Front row: (laying down) David Smith, 2nd row: (all kneeling, left to right) Kyle Brown, Andrew Romanowski, Brandon Brandt, Owen Dreyer, Michael Merrill, Andrew Woodcock, 3rd row: (standing, left to right) Logan VanNest, Matthew Warby, Mason Cole, Lincoln Emeott, Mark Merrill, Back row: Chris Erskine, Brian Merrill, Stephan Woodcock, Missing from photo: Camren Howell

SAGINAW SQUIRT TEAM TAKES DISTRICT 5 CHAMPIONSHIP

The Michigan Amateur Hockey Association held its Squirt Division District 5 Championship game at the Polar Palace in Lapeer pitting the visiting Flint Icelanders against the home team Saginaw Township Education Association.

In a highly-anticipated return match-up between both clubs, with Saginaw winning the first meeting 4-1 exactly one week earlier, the championship game proved to live up to its billing with Flint wanting revenge for the previous defeat. Saginaw jumped out to an early 2-0 lead off of goals from Logan VanNest and Michael Merrill, but Flint struck back with a power-play goal of their own to end the first period with Saginaw holding a slim 2-1 lead. In the second period, Flint came out ready to play and tied the game at 2 midway through the second period. Saginaw responded with a late goal from Brandon Brandt, his first of the year to take a 3-2 lead to the locker room after two periods of play. The third period proved to be the difference as Saginaw scored three straight goals off the sticks of Mason Cole, Andrew Woodcock and Matthew Warby to take a commanding 6-2 lead with less than 4 minutes remaining in the game. The Icelanders pulled their goaltender with a little over two minutes left and managed to score once, although the game ended with the Saginaw boys earning a hard fought 6-3 victory to capture the MAHA District 5 Championship and a trip to the MAHA State Finals which will be held March 15-17 in Trenton.

Note: The articles and photos on this page are reader submissions from a parent, coach, or player.

Have your team highlighted on MiHockeyNow.com and in MiHockeyMag by e-mailing editor Michael Caples at mcaples@mihockeynow.com.

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February 25, 2013 V.23 : I.12

YOUTH HOCKEY

’03 FARMINGTON HILLS FIRE HONEYBAKED SQUIRT A WIN 2012 MOTOWN CUP CAPTURES DISTRICT 4 TITLE SQUIRT A DIVISION Congratulations to the 2003 Honeybaked Squirt A District 4 champions.

The team advanced to the District 4 finals after a record of 6-1-0 in the tournament.

In the finals, the team had to face a tough Victory Honda team. It was a nail-biting first period, but Isak Holmstrom finished the first period with a rebound out in front of the opponent’s net putting the ’03 Honeybaked team up 1-0 after the first period. Parker Anderson scored the two remaining goals of the game for

a final score of 3-0 for the Honeybaked team. The team’s goaltenders, Nik Simo and Jacob Cianci, had an incredible District tournament, only allowing two goals-against in the final five games of the tournament. The impressive Squirt A team – led by head coach Jeff Mitchell and assistant coaches Tomas Holmstrom, Nate Putek and Rob Allerton – has been 33-116 over the season thus far. They will be playing in the upcoming State Tournament in Trenton from March 15-17.

After a close 2-1 defeat to the Newmarket (Ontario) Redmen in the preliminary round, the ’03 Fire won their other two games and earned a rematch in the final.

In the rematch the ’03 Fire played hard, controlled the game and defeated the Redmen 4-2 to win the Motown Cup at historic Joe Louis Arena on Nov. 11, 2012.

Photo caption: Front Row (left to right): Goalies Matthew Walla, Trevor Roy. Second Row (kneeling, left to right): Ben

Godlewski, CJ Fisher, Abby Allen, Andrew Brining, Nicholas Chartrand, Brendan Farhat. Third Row (standing, left to right): Joe Janda, Zac Holstad, Jacob Bjertness, Griffin Layne, Max Rallis, Jacob Nelson, Zack Domanke. Fourth Row (left to right): Assistant Coach Randy Walla, Assistant Coach Tim Roy, Head Coach Dave Farhat, Assistant Coach Jim Allen, Assistant Coach Denny Behen.

“TRY HOCKEY FOR FREE” WITH THE GRAND RAPIDS AMATEUR HOCKEY ASSOCATION

LIVONIA KNIGHTS MIDGET A CAPTURES DISTRICT 4 CHAMPIONSHIP The Livonia Midget A Knights travel hockey team captured the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association District 4 Championship with a 6-3 win Feb. 9 over the Plymouth Stingrays at Lakeland Ice Arena.

The Knights (24-6-2) advance to the MAHA state championship tournament scheduled for March 8-10 in Lapeer.

February 25, 2013 V.23 : I.12

The team is comprised of Cullen Barber, Alex DeFlorio, Bobby Diegel, Jeff Flannigan, Vince Glenn, Jay Hague, Luke Justice, Max McCrory, Robert Schneider, Drake Shepard, Nick Smith, Christopher Tripi, Michael Warner, Alec Wells, Alex Williams, head coach Ken Hunt and assistant coaches Craig Justice, Bob Warner and Don Barber.

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February 25, 2013 V.23 : I.12

Get Into the Cold Tournament Mt. Pleasant, MI March 9, 2013 ADM Jamboree 989-772-9623 fo@mpicearena.org mpicearena.org St. Patrick’s Day & Hockey Cares Kalamazoo, MI March 15-17, 2013 Mite-Midget House B, Travel A, AA & AAA 269-349-PUCK KOHA.com or Wingsstadium.com Clover Classic Dimondale, MI March 15-17, 2013 Squirt – Bantam B, A & AA & Midget AA 517-319-1000 thesummitsportsandice.com Motown Cup Tournament Series Detroit, MI March 22-24, 2013 Mite through Midget: House, B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV Hockey Time Productions (216) 325-0573 itshockeytime.com APRIL 2013 Motown Cup Tournament Series Detroit, MI April 5-7, 2013 Mite through Midget: House, B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV Hockey Time Productions (216) 325-0574 itshockeytime.com Oakland Edge Adult Hockey Tournament Rochester, MI April 12-14, 2013 Men’s - A, B, C, D, 50+ Upper/50+ Lower Women’s – Upper 21+/ Lower 21+, Sled Co-ed 15+ 248-721-1204 josse@oakgov.com Oaklandedge.com Motown Cup Tournament Series Detroit, MI April 26-28, 2013 Mite through Midget: House, B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV

Hockey Time Productions (216) 325-0575 itshockeytime.com MAY 2013 Motown Cup Tournament Series Detroit, MI May 17 – 19, 2013 Mite through Midget: House, B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV Hockey Time Productions (216) 325-0576 itshockeytime.com Warrior Spring Shootout Troy, MI May 24-26, 2013 All levels – travel, AAA & elite divisions (06-99) Wizard-Hockey.com

OUT OF STATE

FEBRUARY 2013 AMERICAN CUP February 21-24, 2013 Lake Placid, NY Atom, Peewee, Bantam A, B, House Select - Minor/ Major/Mixed divisions Canadian Hockey Enterprises 1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com South Bend Cup Tournament Series South Bend, IN February 22-24, 2013 Mite through Midget: House, B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV Hockey Time Productions (216) 325-0607 itshockeytime.com MARCH 2013 Hockey Time Productions Rock ‘n Roll Cup Tournament Series Cleveland, OH March 1-3, 2013 Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV 216-325-0567 itshockeytime.com CHICAGO CUP Tournament Series: Chicago Showdown Chicago, IL March 1-3, 2013 Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV Girls U10, U12, U14, U16, U19 Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com

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Steel City Tournament Series: Pittsburgh Spring Classic Pittsburgh, PA March 8-10, 2013 Squirt through Midget: B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com

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Liberty Cup Tournament Series: Liberty Cup Spring Classic Philadelphia, PA March 8-10, 2013 Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Empire State Tournament Series: Rochester Rumble Rochester, NY March 8-10, 2013 Mite through Midget: House B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV Girls U10, U12, U14, U16, U19 Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Hemby Cup Tournament Series: Hemby Cup Spring Classic Charlotte, NC March 8-10, 2013 Squirt through Midget: B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV Girls U10, U12, U14, U16, U19 Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Ironman Adult Tournament Blaine, MN March 8-10, 2013 Mens B,C,D 763-717-3240 Superrink.org Weekend Hockey Tournament

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Congressional Cup Tournament Series: Congressional Spring Classic Washington, DC March 15-17, 2013 Squirt through Midget: B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Niagara Falls Championship Cup Niagara Falls, NY March 15-17, 2013 Mites-Midgets, A, B, AE & AA 716-405-7154 gcarella17@cs.com niagaratournaments.com Three Rivers Cup Tournament Series Pittsburgh, PA March 15-17, 2013 Mite through Midget: House, B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV Hockey Time Productions (216) 325-0601 itshockeytime.com Rock ‘n Roll Cup Tournament Series Cleveland, OH March 17-22, 2013 Mite through Midget: House, B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV Hockey Time Productions (216) 325-0595 itshockeytime.com

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MiHockeyMag

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HOMETOWN HEROES

CONGRATULATIONS TO D1 WINNERS BROTH

CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL L AT JOE LOU

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February 25, 2013 V.23 : I.12

HOMETOWN HEROES

HER RICE & D2 WINNERS GABRIEL RICHARD

LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS UIS ARENA

February 25, 2013 V.23 : I.12

MiHockeynow.com

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Spring 2013 Youth Hockey Tryouts at The Summit Sports and Ice Complex

x Midget A- Rich Kopitsch:

“A Tradition of Excellence”

o Monday, March 25th 6:00pm o Tuesday, March 26th 9:30pm

BEST OF LUCK

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to all Michigan State Playoff Participants!!!

o Monday, March 25th 7:10pm o Tuesday, March 26th 7:00pm x

We are Proud to Announce Our Compuware Coaches for 2013-2014 TIER 1 99’s

Matt Mitchell cw99t2@comcast.net

M. Mn. Derek Langlois langlois1974@gmail.com

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Rod Porter 2000compuware@gmail.com

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Todd Jenkins toddjenkins@tds.net

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Ron Simons ron.simons@comcast.net

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Todd Krygier Compuware2000s@yahoo.com

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Gordie Lietz gordiehockey99@yahoo.com

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Jim Duhart duey19@comcast.net

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John Miller 03compuwarehockey@gmail.com

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Jeff Garcia 2002detroitcompuwareaaa@gmail.com

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view at: www.compuwarehockeyaaa.com

GU19 John Damrath jd@damrath.com

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Dominic Nieto dominic.nieto@ubs.com

GU16 Tom Byrne ThomasKByrne@aol.com

06’s

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Tryout information will be posted at: compuwarehockeyaaa.com

Squirt AA- Jason Whitten: o Monday, March 25th 6:00pm o Tuesday, March 26th 7:00pm

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PeeWee A- Frankie Dunn: o Wednesday, March 27th 6:10pm o Thursday, March 28th 7:30pm

Tim Osburn tim@osburnind.com

G12U Patrick Floyd treeb117@gmail.com

PeeWee AA- Doug Collins: o Monday, March 25th 7:20pm o Tuesday, March 26th 8:10pm

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M. Mj. Todd Krygier CompuwareU18@yahoo.com

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9410 Davis Hwy Dimondale, MI 48821 Ph: 517-319-1000 Fax: 517-319-1004 www.thesummitsportsandice.com

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February 25, 2013 V.23 : I.12

2013 Spring Travel Tryouts For General BHA Travel Hockey Information contact Tim Opie, BHA Travel Director 248-822-0020 2006 Birmingham Rangers Todd England, 248-413-9821, Rangers06@yahoo.com 3/23rd 12:15 - 1:30 PM @ Birmingham 3/24th 4:00 - 5:30 PM @ Birmingham 2005 Birmingham Rangers Mike Fitzpatrick, 734-812-2149, mdfitzpa@umich.edu 3/ 19th 6:20pm @ Birmingham Ice Arena 3/23rd 3:00pm @ Birmingham Ice Arena 2004 Birmingham Rangers Steve Carrel, 248-495-4012, steve.carrel@trpfund.com Brian Howard,(248) 977-9644, brian.04rangers@gmail.com 3/23rd 4:25pm – 5:30pm @ Birmingham Ice Arena 3/24th 5:40pm – 6:45pm @ Birmingham Ice Arena 2003 Birmingham Rangers Nate McCaughtry, 2484953465, natemccaughtry@yahoo.com Scott Marcus, 248-730-2227, Marcus@RSMDevelopment.com 3/23rd 11am - 12:15 @ Birmingham 5:30 - 7:00pm @ Cranbrook 3/24th 3/27th 6:30pm - 7:30pm @ Birmingham 2002 Birmingham Rangers Tim White, 248-761-0278 tim.white@itelligencegroup.com Jiim Keane, 248-842-2781 keanejc72@gmail.com 3/20th 8-9:30pm @ Cranbrook 3/22nd 7-8:30pm @ Birmingham 3/23rd 11:30am-1pm @ Cranbrook 2001 Birmingham Rangers Paul Siver, 248-302-3304, psiver@comcast.net 3/25th 6:30-8pm Cranbrook 8-9:30pm Cranbrook 3/28th

1998-97 Midget A Birmingham Jerry Reinhart, 248-705-5050, jerry@trg11.com Jack Leavy, 248-797-3207 3/23rd 4 - 5:30pm @ Cranbrook 3/25th 8 - 9:30pm @ Cranbrook 1995-96 Midget AA_Birmingham Rangers Spring/Fall Bruce Gilgallon , 248-303-0051, brucegilgallon@yahoo.com All positions open including goalie.

3/17th 11:30am – 1:00pm @ Cranbrook 3/19th 9:00pm – 10:30pm @ Cranbrook 3/24th 11:30am – 1:00pm @ Cranbrook Birmingham Little Caesars Teams Visit LittleCaesarsHockey.com for updates!

2005 Birmingham Little Caesars Marco Trevino, 2487639020, Marco.trevino.golf@gmail.com 2004 Birmingham Little Caesars Andy Rymsha, 2485917760, andy.rymsha@warrior.com 2003 Birmingham Little Caesars Brian Beaufait, 248-787-9595, stbbeaufait99@yahoo.com 2000 Birmingham Little Caesars Dave Taylor, 734-915-7418, tails2121@gmail.com 3/24th 4-5:30pm @ Cranbrook 7-8:30pm @ Birmingham 3/25th 3/31st 4-5:30pm @ Cranbrook 1999 Birmingham Little Caesars Keith Robertson, 3135304041, keith02knights@yahoo.com

2000 Birmingham Rangers Chris Kantgias, 586-596-8722, ckantgias@dietechna.com Coaches: Fred Perlini, Vicki Perlini, 586-804-3280, vickiperlini@hotmail.com Contact coach for tryout information.

1999 Birmingham Rangers Paul Dunbar, 248-388 9450, bham99rangers@aol.com Head Coach: Anatoliy Buliga 3/17th 4-5:30pm @ Birmingham 6:30-8pm @ Cranbrook 3/18th 7:40-9:00pm @ Birmingham 3/20th

Petr Tiche,4D Hockey Training Goalie Coach: Matt Gadladge, mjggoalie@yahoo.com

For more information, visit out website: www.birminghamhockey.net

NAHL

COMMITMENTS AND TENDERS AND CHAMPIONSHIPS–OH MY!

BY MATT MACKINDER

A

nd the North American Hockey League college commitments continue to pile up.

Over the past several weeks, Springfield Jr. Blues’ forward Brett Skibba has chosen Connecticut, Austin Bruins’ forward Brandon Wahlin gave the nod to Massachusetts and Bloomfield Hills native Nick Neville, playing on the blue line for the Texas Tornado, committed to Denver.

Skibba leads the Jr. Blues in scoring and competed at the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament last week in Troy.

“Brett has bought into the things that are going to make him improve and make his team successful,” said Jr. Blues’ coach Tony Zasowski. “He really works hard to get the puck and will shoot from anywhere. He plays really good two-way hockey, which translates into offensive success.

He came into the season in great shape and with a great attitude. He got off to a great start and has been our most consistent scorer. Brett has earned everything he got and I am excited to watch him excel at UConn.”

In Austin, Wahlin has been at or near the top of the league scoring race and has played in the past two Top Prospects Tournaments.

“Brandon brings a lot to the table, but he has also worked hard for it,” Bruins’ coach Chris Tok said. “Most importantly, he makes an impact on and off the ice. He came into the season more driven knowing this was his last shot. He is a very dynamic hockey player when he gets the puck on his stick and he makes his scoring chances count. It’s great that Brandon has been recognized by a Division I institution for the transformation into a player and person he is today.”

On the local tip, Neville, a Little Caesars’ alumnus, is beyond excited for the chance to play for the Pioneers.

He, too, played in Troy last week.

“I had been talking to a few pretty good schools throughout the season, but when I found out that Denver

26

MiHockeyMag

Photos courtesy of the NAHL

was interested, and knowing about their history, I really felt that was the right place for me,” said Neville. “I came here (to the NAHL) not knowing much about juniors or college hockey. As a man, I’d say I’ve grown a lot having to live on my own for the first time, but with the help of (Tornado coach-GM) Tony (Curtale), I’ve definitely become more of a complete player. When I first came here, I was kind of a sheltered player, someone who didn’t really think outside the box. The more I played, the more Tony seemed to trust me and as I saw that trust, my confidence grew.”

This trio of commitments brings the NAHL’s total to more than 70 with more sure to come once the smoke clears from Troy.

NAHL NOTEBOOK

The NAHL’s 2013 Robertson Cup championship tournament will be held May 10-13 at the Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco, Tex. … The Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings announced that due to market conditions, the team will cease operations after this season after a two-year run in the NAHL … Entering the league as an expansion franchise in 2013-14 will be the Minnesota Magicians, based out of Richfield, Minn.

NAHL TEAMS TENDERING NA3HL’S ELITE

North American 3 Hockey League players are starting to sign tender agreements with NAHL teams as Metro Jets’ forward Kyle Shreve signed with Springfield, Granite City Lumberjacks’ forward Drew Otto signed with the Coulee Region Chill and North Iowa Bulls’ defenseman Ron Lindgren signed with the Amarillo Bulls.

Shreve, an 18-year-old from Wixom, started the 201213 season with the NAHL’s Michigan Warriors, then came to the Jets before playing for the Belle Tire Midget Major AAA team and eventually finding his way back to the Jets.

“From what I hear, the Springfield organization is a great

MiHockeyNow.com

organization that runs things the right way and is loyal to its players,” Shreve said. “This is a great opportunity and I hope I fit in well and can contribute immediately. I think that there is a lot to work on before next season. I think the biggest part is adjusting to the size of the players and the speed of the game so I think that working on my speed and strength are key.”

Otto is currently the leading scorer for the Lumberjacks and began the season with the NAHL’s Port Huron Fighting Falcons, appearing in two games.

“Because of our relationship with the NAHL, Drew was able to skate with a few teams and was presented a great opportunity to sign with the Chill,” Granite City coach Brad Willner said. “He consistently is one of the hardest workers we have and his success is a product of some of that. He also has a knack of finding the open man and when his line is playing well, they are hard to keep off the scoreboard.”

Lindgren has been among the NA3HL’s top-scoring defensemen all year.

“Ron is a guy that is normally a shutdown defenseman,” North Iowa coach Todd Sanden said. “Lately, he has been doing a good job contributing offensively.”

NAPHL PLAYERS GETTING OPPORTUNITIES

Omaha AAA Hockey Club players are on a streak of signing NAHL tenders and most recently, 16U forward Kyle Patava has signed with the Janesville Jets.

Patava already has a Division I college commitment in place with Army.

Patava is the fifth player from the Omaha 16U team to sign an NAHL tender, joining Patrick Grasso (Austin), Rhodes Dolan (Austin), Lawton Courtnall (Texas) and Camden VanBrocklin (Janesville).

February 25, 2013 V.23 : I.12

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HIGH SCHOOL

MIHL PREP SHOWCASE CONTINUES TO ATTRACT TOP HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS, SCOUTS (Photos by Andrew Knapik/MiHockey)

BY AARIF MOHIE EL-DEEN TRENTON - It’s an annual event that has seen an increase in teams, scouts, and popularity since it first began in 2001.

And the MIHL ‘s thirteenth annual Prep Hockey Showcase, held at the Kennedy Recreational Center in Trenton, was a great success once again.

It included numerous great games, some even ending as nail biter. The nerves were definitely there, not only for the players, but their fans and parents as well.

“It’s usually my wife that gets nervous,” said Matt Dudzinski, the father of Dakota Cougars starting goaltender Justin Dudzinski. “I was so nervous at the end of that game.”

The Cougars were involved in a game against the Divine Child Falcons on the second day of the showcase that ended in a shootout. But not without a late push from the losing team. The Falcons tied the game off an offensive zone faceoff with just 1.9 seconds left after pushing the puck past Dudzinski.

“It was a nerve-wracking game,” the younger Dudzinski said. “I just wanted to win it.”

Similar to last season, every team in the NAHL and USHL had scouts at the event to watch Dudzinski and the rest of the players.

“I don’t really like to think about who’s watching” he said. “I just try to play my game and do a good job at it.”

Despite trying to not think too much about it, Dudzinski still agreed that it is pretty exciting to play in front of scouts.

This event continues to thrive as one of the biggest high school hockey showcases in the nation. It not only puts hundreds of players on the map, but it gives high school competition the recognition it deserves.

“Originally, the MIHL was formed to promote high quality high school hockey, strong competition and sportsmanship,” said MIHL league president Andy Weidenbach in a press release. “The showcase was a natural off-shoot of that mission. The first 12 showcases were great successes and we are very optimistic about this year’s event. High school hockey in Michigan has experienced tremendous growth in the last few years, both in the number of teams participating and in the quality of play. Accordingly, we have expanded the showcase so that we can continue our mission of providing exposure for the best of high school hockey. There were 12 teams in the

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MiHockeyMag

first showcase and now there are 43 teams competing”.

Divine Child Falcons Assistant Coach Dominic Skala agrees that the event gives players and schools the recognition they deserve.

“I played in it many years ago and it was always definitely something to look forward to.”

The showcase has seen increased success in each of its 13 years. In 2001, when the event began, only a few scouts from junior hockey teams were present for the limited number of teams. But this year, it was bigger than ever before, with 43 teams taking part in the threeday showcase – including teams visiting from Indiana, Wisconsin, and Ontario.

“It’s really fun to spend a couple days with a large number of fans and families taking part in this event,” Matt Dudzinski said.

The main hall was packed with hockey-crazed parents, friends, families, players, and coaches all throughout the day while games were being played. Many players and teams even stuck around to watch other teams play after their games had concluded.

While there was more than just the one game at the showcase, there is still a lot to be said about that particular game between the Divine Child Falcons and the Dakota Cougars on Thursday evening. Seeing the University Liggett Knights, who were scheduled to take the ice at the conclusion of the game, watch from the glass showed just how great showcases like this are for the game in general.

When the Falcons banked home the game-tying goal with just three-tenths of a second remaining on the clock, the entire Knights squad was jumping up and down banging on the nearside boards cheering for the goalscorer. Instead of sitting in their locker room waiting for their game to begin, they all came to ice level to watch an entertaining three round shootout.

The crowd, families and friends gave the two squads a standing ovation at the conclusion of the shootout (which the Cougars won).

It was a showcase that gave players a chance to show off their talents for scouts. It was a showcase where families could support their sons and watch them play the game they’ve loved for many years. And most importantly, it was a showcase that gave Michigan another look at why hockey, as many say, is truly the coolest game on Earth.

MiHockeyNow.com

February 25, 2013 V.23 : I.12

Macomb Hockey Club

SPRING 2013 TRAVEL TRYOUTS

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HOCKEY DAY IN MICHIGAN

GREAT SUCCESS:

TRY HOCKEY FOR FREE CLINICS INTRODUCE KIDS TO THE GAME

BY MICHAEL CAPLES

O

n Feb. 16, Ara Kabodian took his three children to a “Try Hockey For Free” skate at the Plymouth Cultural Center.

After talking to his oldest son, 9-year-old Andrew, through the glass while he was slipping and sliding through his first skating experience, Ara said he was taking advantage of the opportunity for his kids to finally try the sport they had been asking about.

“It exposes them to a new sport,” the potential hockey parent said. “We had never tried hockey before, and I think they’ve always watched hockey on TV, and liked it, but never had a chance to try it, so this is a good first try for them, give them some exposure to the sport. We’ll see where it goes from here, but they seem to be enjoying it, even though Andrew is falling a bit.”

They might not have known it, but the Kabodians were the poster family for Hockey Day in Michigan and the numerous “Try Hockey” skates hosted around the state. In an effort to grow the sport – to share the sport – 23 rinks across Michigan held the free one-day clinics for children wishing to try hockey.

At the Plymouth Cultural Center, 61 children officially tried hockey for the first time during the free clinic from 4 to 5 p.m. One of them just happened to be the daughter of Salem High School hockey coach Ryan Ossenmacher, who took to the ice only to skate with all the players her dad coaches. The Salem Rocks varsity team joined the event organizers to offer assistance for the aspiring hockey players.

“She’s been around the rink obviously, but I’ve never really pushed her to do it,” Ossenmacher said from the bench he coaches from, yet now viewing the ice as a parent. “She’s going to be four in June, and just recently she really started to ask about playing hockey, going on the ice, so this is an opportunity. Our players obviously came out here, and I was coming out here anyways, so I contacted them and said, ‘Hey, can I bring her out?’ and they said sure.

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“Somebody else asked me; it’s a totally different perspective. I’m not thinking hockey, I’m just watching her and thinking about how awesome it is that she’s out there and having a good time and she’s got equipment on and I’m taking pictures and sending them to my wife.

Sometimes you lose sight of what hockey is when you

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get in the heat of a game or a season when things don’t always go your way, but when you see this, as the root of it, it really brings back why we do it and what this game is really about, and that’s really just how good it is.”

Ossenmacher’s captain, Salem senior defenseman Kyle Downey, said it was a great experience to share the ice with the youngsters.

“Just kind of giving back to the hockey community hockey’s been such a big part of everybody’s life that’s on our team,” Downey said. “Everybody’s probably been playing for at least 10 years. I’ve been playing for 14 myself, so it’s just great to give back to the community, help the sport grow within Michigan.

“It brings back memories, you know? Definitely, falling down, I remember every time I fell down when I was a little kid, just about. It’s just fun.”

For Ron Hayes, there have been plenty of memories of watching kids fall down only to get back up. The Michigan Skills Development Director for MAHA has been working with the Detroit Red Wings Foundation in a collaborative effort to bring “Try Hockey For Free” clinics to kids across the state of Michigan.

“The program’s been pretty good,” Hayes said. “We’ve been all over the state, to Alpena to Grand Rapids, we’ve spent a lot of time in the west coast, Adrian’s been a bright spot. We’ve had a lot of bright spots with a lot of good turnouts, and I think anything over 35 is a good turnout. …It’s been a challenge and I think as it progresses year to year, it’s going to get better.”

There’s more to the “Try Hockey For Free” clinics than just free equipment and free ice time, however. Hayes said there’s a structured approach to the clinic, based around quickly introducing the children to basic skills, yet making sure they have fun at the same time.

“The non-skaters, all we do is one-on-one with the high school kids or whoever,” Hayes said. “Anybody that can get around, we take them through basic skills, just agility and balance if you will, cross-ice, and that’s for about 20 minutes. Then for 20 minutes we show them how to

February 25, 2013 V.23 : I.12

HOCKEY DAY IN MICHIGAN hold a hockey stick, how to shoot the puck, how to catch a pass, those types of things. And then for the last 20 minutes, we play pond hockey. Because whether we like it or not, the kids are here to put the puck in the net, and they don’t care about drills, they want to play. It’s proved to be successful and they have a ball.”

Plymouth wasn’t the only rink to host a “Try Hockey For Free” skate, either. Just a few hours earlier, Suburban Ice Farmington Hills hosted a free clinic of their own for another group of aspiring players. Rink GM Geoff Bennetts, a Wixom native and Ferris State hockey alum, said he enjoyed taking the ice to teach the kids the basics of the game.

“I thought the clinic was great,” Bennetts said. “We had lots of new hockey players out on the ice trying it for the first time. They come on the ice a little unsure and didn’t know what to expect but by the end of the session they’re smiling, they all got to score some goals - it was a success.”

As Bennetts pointed out, many young players have family connections to the sport. A “Try Hockey For Free” event is a unique way to spread the game to those who may not be too familiar with hockey.

“Absolutely, there’s no question that giving the kids the opportunity to try the game for free in this type of clinic. A lot of these players have not had hockey in their families, so this is something brand new to them. Most kids, if they’ve started the game already, they have some hockey in their family background somewhere, but most of these kids have never tried it before.

“Some have started with learn-to-skate programs, but for the most part these kids are new to the game. It’s a great opportunity for them to try it with no investment in it at all. As we know with the great game of hockey, once you try it and you get a taste of it, you’re going to be hooked.”

Back at Plymouth, Gordon Bowman, MAHA’s vice president of coaching, said he couldn’t be more happy with the turnout for the “Try Hockey” clinic he was assisting with.

“Big success, big success all the way around,” Bowman said. “Good showing for the kids, good showing for our on-ice help – it’s really great when you get the high school teams to come out. They did a great job, the association did a great way. Really, really pleased.”

And in case you were wondering, the kids weren’t the only ones having fun. For Hayes, who still referees youth hockey and teaches the game to youngsters in Plymouth, seeing kids grow into hockey players makes it all worthwhile.

“I’ve been doing this for 38 years because of the gratification,” said Hayes, who was given USA Hockey’s William Thayer Tutt Award in 2009 for his work at the grassroots level - the governing body’s highest form of recognition for volunteers. “I’m telling you, when you look at some of the kids who start out crying, and you feel sorry for them but you don’t help them with chairs and stuff like that, and then by Christmas they’re doing good, and if they come back into our program the second year, they’re on their way. They’re on their way. Once they learn the basic skills, these kids have fun. That’s what is rewarding for me. And some of the kids have gotten to have good careers out of it, too, so you can’t knock it.”

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PLYMOUTH WHALERS Photo courtesy of OHL Images

WHALEY THE WHALER: ROLE PLAYER PLAYS GAME WITH FATHER’S INSPIRATION

BY MATT MACKINDER Hockey players, like most athletes, learn at an early age how to channel all their focus on the ice and not let off-ice distractions hamper their game.

That said, there are obvious extreme exceptions.

Take Plymouth Whalers’ veteran forward Michael Whaley, who, after being acquired from Windsor at the 2011 Ontario Hockey League trade deadline, immediately brought inspiration to the team when it was learned he was playing with a heavy heart – his father, David, was terminally ill and nobody knew how long he had to live.

David Whaley passed away just prior to the 2011-12 season on Sept. 14, 2011. He was only 48 years old and left behind two children – Michael, now 19, and Laura, 21 – his wife Glenda, parents Reg and Gaye Whaley, brother Doug, and sister Angela.

“I remember rushing home to London from Plymouth early in September because my father had been given only a couple more days,” remembered Whaley. “This was obviously a very difficult time for me spending my last days with him, but I got to spend some beautiful moments in those couple days. I received multiple texts and phone calls from the guys on the team and the staff letting me know I had their support. As hard as those days were, one bright moment I had was when I was waiting to greet family and friends at the funeral and I saw our team bus pull in and 20 of my brothers step off. Everyone

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was so amazed by the class that the guys and the coaches showed.

“When my dad’s sickness took a turn for the worse, it was during the playoffs of my first year with the team (in 2011). The guys decided to dedicate that year’s playoff run to my father and I. The saying on the back of our playoff shirts read ‘LIVESTRONG13.’ (Plymouth coach and GM) Mike Vellucci understood the situation and went above and beyond anything my family could have asked for. I would not have been able to get through what happened without my Plymouth family.”

Even now, some 18 months later, not a day goes by that Whaley doesn’t reflect on what his father meant to him.

“Before every game I’ve played since I can remember, my father would say the same thing to me - work hard, keep your feet moving and have fun,” said Whaley. “This became such a tradition between the two of us that before his passing, I had him write down this saying on a piece of paper. I took that paper and turned it into a tattoo that will be written over my heart for the rest of my life.

In his last days, he explained to me that this saying wasn’t only something to remember before my hockey games, but it was something I should live my life by. He told me every time I feel something touch me there, that will be his way when he’s gone of telling me he’s still right there with me. During every American national anthem before my games, I bow my head and say a little something for him, followed by the saying covering my heart and remind him

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I’ll be playing that game for him.”

As a third- and fourth-line forward for the Whalers, Whaley recognizes his value to the team in that role and has embraced it wholeheartedly.

“I have learned many things during my four years of junior hockey and the biggest lesson I’ve learned is not to worry about the things that you cannot control,” said Whaley, who won a Memorial Cup with Windsor in 2010.

“Everyone in our locker room respects and understands that every decision Mike [Vellucci] makes is best for the team. When I look around at practice and see guys like Stefan Noesen, Tom Wilson and Vince Trocheck, to name a few, you can only notice the obvious talent and watch and learn. I understand that everyone is a piece of a puzzle and no matter where I am in the lineup, I am there for a reason. Mike knows what to expect from me when he puts me on the ice. I am not going to score a highlight goal or make an impossible pass.

“I know my job is to do the little things right. I tend to focus more on the defensive aspect of my game. I take pride in our team’s penalty kill and when our team takes a penalty, I feel like it is my time to shine. When I block a shot for my teammates, it doesn’t hurt anymore – it feels good. Everyone on the bench bangs the boards and when I come off the ice, I get a pat on the back and I love that.”

Scoring goals doesn’t hurt, either.

“My biggest highlight so far in Plymouth was during our 2011 playoff run,” said Whaley. “No one expected us to contend with Kitchener in that series, but we had managed to take it to a Game 7. Rickard Rakell had a high ankle sprain, so I was called up to play on the third line for the last couple games of the series. I don’t score many goals, but in front of my father, I managed to score the first goal of that seventh game. I can’t explain the feeling I got after seeing that puck going into the net and I know it lifted the team. We went on to win that game and that goal was the last goal my dad saw me score.”

Realistically, if not humbly, Whaley knows what his hockey options are moving forward. Like his role in Plymouth, he accepts what is reality. Whaley said he plans on playing Canadian university hockey while working towards a degree when his Plymouth days conclude.

Along with working hard, keeping his feet moving and having fun.

February 25, 2013 V.23 : I.12

GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS

CALLAHAN SEES CAREER LONGEVITY IN NEW ROLE

BY KYLE KUJAWA

A

t a glance, it’s not too hard to figure out what Grand Rapids Griffins winger Mitch Callahan brings to the table. Between the wavy, messy hairdo, the missing front tooth that can be noticed any time he grins, and the lighthearted and laidback attitude, it’s clear he’s dropped the gloves for his teammates a time or two.

While that element will always be present when he’s on the ice, the Whittier, Calif., native has relished the opportunity to concentrate on his all-around game this season.

“Last year, I was 20 years old, fighting 15 times,” Callahan said. “I think I needed to give my body and head a rest a little bit. I pretty much fought anyone who asked me to fight.”

It was a tactic that endeared him to fans, but also one that cut his season short. A March 20 fight with San Antonio’s Eric Selleck – Callahan’s fourth scrap in six games – sidelined him for the rest of the season.

“This year, I’m not backing away from it, but I’m picking my spots better,” said Callahan, who had just four fights in his first 44 games of the 2012-13 season. “I’m looking out for the circumstances of the game and looking out for my health as well.”

The makeup of the Griffins’ roster has also helped take the pressure off Callahan to drop the gloves. The team added Triston Grant and Brennan Evans this summer – two players that are no strangers to dropping the gloves, but also valuable leaders who can play regular minutes.

“The hardest thing last year was when Greg Amadio got traded,” said Callahan of his former teammate, who ranks fifth in franchise history with 574 penalty minutes. “We didn’t have the designated tough guy. With these two guys, it takes the weight off my shoulders. I can be more comfortable, and I know I’m protected on the ice, so I don’t have to worry about that side of the game as much.”

As a result, Callahan is getting back to the role he was more comfortable with in junior hockey, when he played with the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets. He was certainly no stranger to the penalty box with 440 penalty minutes in 204 career junior games, but he also enjoyed back-toback 20-goal seasons.

“I’m not known to be a goal scorer, but if I get the chances I can get a few,” he said. “I’m still playing as an agitator and getting under people’s skin a little, but I’m having more of an offensive touch. That’s just coming with being more comfortable in this league, and getting the chance to play a few more minutes.”

After just one goal in his first 30 games of the season, Callahan gained more offensive confidence in midJanuary. He scored seven goals in a 13-game span and, after not recording a multipoint game in his first AHL season, tallied at least two points on four occasions in a 10-game stretch.

In a Jan. 19 game at Rockford that set a franchise record for combined penalty minutes (230), Callahan’s stat line included three goals and zero penalty minutes.

“I could have had some penalty minutes if you counted everyone in the brawl,” Callahan said of the bench-clearing

brawl. “That was the first time it’s happened to me. In the big picture it was just our team standing up for each other, which is something we take pride in.

“After that night, it kind of sparked me and put it in my head that I can score more often,” he continued. “It puts thoughts in the back of your mind to not be afraid to make a play or shoot it, because good things can happen.”

Despite the hot streak, Callahan doesn’t have any confusion about what kind of player he is – “I’m not being used on the power play, which is totally understandable,” – it’s allowing him to play more minutes in more situations and get out of the healthy scratch rotation he fell into during parts of his debut season. “[Head coach Jeff Blashill] tells me what I need to do to stay in the lineup,” said Callahan. “What he needs from me is to be an energy guy and to get under people’s skin.

I need to be good on the penalty kill and good defensively at even strength. It could be my last game if I don’t do well. I could get taken out just as easily as I’m put in.”

Although he isn’t fighting as often, Callahan hasn’t scaled back the sandpaper. The ideal situation for any agitator is to do enough small pokes and prods to elicit one larger reaction from the opponent, taking them off their game – or, better yet, putting them in the box – to give the team a mental edge.

“It’s always funny to give them a nudge with your stick in the back of the knee,” Callahan said. “It doesn’t knock them down, but it puts them off balance. Doing anything to get in the way is fun. Just skate in front of them and start going really slow.

“That’s one thing Blashill always stresses on me, not to take any penalties. Earlier in the season I was taking to many minors, hitting guys from behind or not being cautious with my stick,” said Callahan, who has only put the team shorthanded six times among his 82 penalty minutes as of mid-February. “The only penalties I want to take are physical ones, or a fight here and there – anything that doesn’t hurt the team.”

Toeing the delicate line of legal and illegal is the challenge for any physical player, especially one that wants to be counted on in important situations and, eventually, down the road by the parent Detroit Red Wings.

Off the ice, though, sometimes the biggest challenge for Callahan is much simpler. As followers of his Twitter account can attest, he has several times asked for assistance in finding fake teeth around town.

“I get pretty careless with them,” confessed Callahan, who wears a removable retainer when he’s away from the rink.

“I throw them anywhere and I forget. I had them in my pocket and threw my jeans on the floor, and they fell out.

After a few hours, I found them under a pile of clothes.

Last year, I dropped them in the toilet. I had to rinse them off and leave them in mouthwash for a few days. That wasn’t too fun.”

Photo by Mark Newman/Grand Rapids Griffins

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February 25, 2013 V.23 : I.12

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Photos by Tom Turrill/MiHockey

RED WINGS INSIDER

DESPITE THE ROSTER CHANGES, THE

EUROTWINS REMAIN THE SAME

BY DAVE WADDELL oach Mike Babcock mused recently that the Detroit Red Wings aren’t as pretty to watch as they used to be.

There’s no arguing with that observation in general, but Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk certainly have been this season.

In this season of transition, one shudders to think how ugly it would be in Detroit had the duo not been performing at such a high level. Both players are averaging over a point per game.

Zetterberg has been up among the league leaders in the scoring race with five goals and 20 points in his first 14 games. Datsyuk’s all-around game has been superlative of late with seven goals and 16 points in 14 games.

Between them, Datsyuk and Zetterberg have scored 12 of the team’s 40 goals and been involved in the majority of those they haven’t potted themselves.

If you throw in Zetterberg’s winger, Damien Brunner and his seven tallies, that’s one short of half of the Wings’ offensive output.

“I don’t think it’s something I thought I had to do,” said Zetterberg of his increased offensive output. “I just go in and play and the puck’s been bouncing my way.

“Brunno (Brunner) and Mule (Johan Franzen) have done a good job and of course the power play has been getting better. That helps.”

With Franzen and his nine points now on the injured reserve list with a strained hip flexor muscle, the Wings most productive line has been broken up for now.

It doesn’t help that Todd Bertuzzi and Darren Helm are out for the foreseeable future with back ailments while Mikael Samuelsson is just getting his season started after

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being plagued by a sore groin since training camp.

That makes a load that’s even heavier for Detroit’s dynamic duo.

Of late, even Datsyuk has been hampered by the injury bug as a sore shoulder forced him to miss a game before returning for a two-point performance Feb. 17 against Minnesota.

Zetterberg has been around the league long enough to know you enjoy the points while they’re piling up because the ‘Hockey Gods’ have a way of balancing out the good and the bad for even the NHL’s top players.

“You just got to keep going,” Zetterberg said. “I know it won’t last forever.

“You will have slumps, when you’re not scoring and getting points. You better be happy when they’re coming.”

Babcock sees his two stars from a slightly different perspective than most. While fans have been mesmerized by their eye-catching skills, it’s their will to compete that provides the opportunities to be the great showmen they are.

“Watch Pavel Datsyuk play and you talk about how skilled he is,” Babcock said.

“When I watch Pavel Datsyuk play, all I think about is how much will he has and how determined he is.

“When I watch Zetterberg he’s the energizer bunny. He just keeps coming.

“He doesn’t care who it is or who he’s playing.”

Examples of those qualities appear in different ways for each player.

In Datsyuk’s case, it’s his absolute fearlessness to weave through traffic despite the dangers of getting flattened by the giants that patrol the dangerous ice on the inside.

Toughness is a often-discussed term in hockey with a multitude of definitions, but Datsyuk gave one such

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definition recently after he got crushed by Los Angeles’ Drew Doughty as he tried to slice his way to the net.

On his next shift, 90 second later, there was Datsyuk going right back to the same space and this time roofing a highlight reel goal.

“You know, Pav has been doing it all year for us, as he has year after year,” Wings’ defenseman Niklas Kronwall said after watching Datsyuk bounce back from the Doughty hit.

“It doesn’t matter if he gets hit, though it rarely happens because he’s so smart. Tonight Doughty was able to find him, but Pavel just got up and kept playing his game.”

The qualities that make Zetterberg a world-class player are best exemplified when Babcock can create a matchup that puts the splendid Swede under the microscope.

No example of that is better than the wonderful battles he wages with Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby. Zetterberg admits he lives for such assignments.

Though Crosby has matured greatly since their Stanley Cup Finals’ battles of 2008 and 2009, the young superstar couldn’t contain his disdain and frustration over Zetterberg’s constant attentions.

No one in the NHL does a better job one-on-one against Sid the Kid than the Wings’ center. While the teams split the cup triumphs, Zetterberg also hoisted a Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP and outscored Crosby over the two series.

“The best of the best are ultra-competitive and they bring it every single day,” Babcock said. “They don’t have it every day, but they bring it. Those guys are our best players and they drive our bus.

“They have to play well for us and they are. You don’t have to get them started or beg them to play.

“They come to play every night.”

February 25, 2013 V.23 : I.12

JUNIORS PREVIEW THE LAST LINE

W

ith a third of the condensed regular season already behind us, here is where I have the Western Conference teams. Our Red Wings are in for a fight, unable to get a consistent roster together due to injuries – this after already knowing that this was going to be a season of transition. Beyond the internal challenges, the Red Wings face an unbalanced schedule that makes four teams from one division making the post-season – as was the case last year in the Central Division - highly unlikely. So, even though I have them hovering in the Top 8, that might not be a clear indication of their playoff prospects.

More pertinent is the schedule that has the team headed west this week for the first time this season. The Wings travel to California for games against the Kings and Sharks, beginning a cycle that sees the team head all the way to the coast on four separate occasions. The telling portion of the season may well be the two-week stretch from March 13-28 in which the team plays seven of eight on the road and makes two successive trips out west. The Wings are hanging on right now, but they need wins this week. Getting healthy would be a huge help.

Anyway, a third of the way in, here are my power rankings. Since the conferences don’t play any crossover games this year, we’ll leave them out of the equation for now.

1. Chicago Blackhawks: Record start only marred by the Jannik Hansen hit to the back of the head of Marian Hossa.

2. Vancouver Canucks: Ryan Kesler and David Booth are back and Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider are coexisting in goal quite nicely.

3. Anaheim Ducks: A 30-year-old Swede in goal has backstopped the Ducks to their Fasth start.

4. San Jose Sharks: Cooled considerably after their 7-0 start, looking like the (inconsistent) Sharks of old.

5. St. Louis Blues: Jaroslav Halak is hurt and Brian Elliott has lost his game. Questions suddenly in goal raises questions about the early season dialogue on the Blues as a legit contender.

6. Nashville Predators: Pekka Rinne is in top form and Shea Weber has found his offense.

7. Detroit Red Wings: Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg have been phenomenal.

8. Los Angeles Kings: Sluggish start has lingered, but Kings have played 10 of first 14 on the road.

9. Minnesota Wild: Change the names and the cap number, but Wild still cannot score, having the lowest goals-for total in the conference.

10. Phoenix Coyotes: Mike Smith has returned to form in goal and the team is on the rise as a result.

11. Edmonton Oilers: Talented young group finding the going tough as goals haven’t been as plentiful as projected.

12. Dallas Stars: Derek Roy is on a point-per-game pace since returning from injury, hitting the score sheet in six of seven contests.

13. Colorado Avalanche: After a down season, Matt Duchesne is playing the best hockey of his young career.

14. Calgary Flames: No Kipper, no chance.

15. Columbus Blue Jackets: Conference-worst goal differential continues to plague the Blue Jackets.

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RANKING THE WESTERN CONFERENCE AFTER ONE PERIOD OF PLAY @Darren_Eliot

BY DARREN ELIOT

Photo by Tom Turrill/MiHockey

WESTERN CONFERENCE PROJECTIONS (SINCE WE DON’T SEE THE EAST UNTIL THE STANLEY CUP) MVP: 1. Patrick Kane 2. Pavel Datsyuk 3. Matt Duchene

TOP GOALIE: 1. Corey Crawford 2. Pekka Rinne 3. Viktor Fasth

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TOP DEFENSEMAN: 1. Sheldon Souray 2. Kevin Shattenkirk 3. Keith Yandle

TOP ROOKIE: 1. Brendan Dillon 2. Vladimir Tarasenko 3. Justin Schultz

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