MiHockeyMag - March 11, 2013

MiHockeyNow.com V.23 : I.13 | MARCH 11, 2013 FIRST CLASS

ONE MORE TIMETHE LAST BATTLE FOR THE CCHA’S MASON CUP BEGINSTHE LAST BATTLE FOR THE CCHA’S MASON CUP BEGINS

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MARCH 11, 2013 VOLUME 23: ISSUE 13

ONE MORE TIMEThe last battle for the CCHA’s Mason Cup begins

Check out more than 13 pages of youth hockey tryouts throughout this issue

Brian Lashoff proves hard work can pay off

CCHA Iimpressively young as it ages out at 42; DE’s All-Eyeball Team

To advertise in MiHockey please contact Lucia Zuzga at (248) 479-1134 or [email protected],

or Michael Caples at [email protected]

LOOK FOR OUR NEXT ISSUEMARCH 25, 2013

20–21

26 44 46

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE LOCKER ROOM Talking hockey on social media

6

GET BETTERProper angling for checking

10

YOUTH TRYOUTS RED WINGS INSIDER LAST LINE

YOUTH HOCKEYGRAHA and Little Caesars team up

14

YOU SHOULD KNOWMuskegon Lumberjacks forward Frederik Tiff els

12

MUSKEGON LUMBERJACKSManny Legace takes over as goalie coach

15

COLLEGE HOCKEYThe CCHA’s fi nal playoff s begin

20

NAHLThe latest from the NAHL

18

SLIDESHOWPhotos from across the Mitten

8

GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINSBrett Skinner’s journey now brings him to Michigan

42

PLYMOUTH WHALERSWhalers preparing for OHL Draft, OHL Playoff s

40

RED WINGS INSIDERBrian Lashoff establishing himself on the Wings’ blue line

44

LAST LINEDarren Eliot shares his favorites of the CCHA season

46

4 MiHockeyMag March 11, 2013 V.23 : I.13MiHockeyNow.com

While the Central Collegiate Hockey Association’s fi nal playoff s serve as the cover feature for this issue of MiHockeyMag, I’m starting to wonder if we should have just put in big block letters ‘The Calm Before the Storm’. While this hockey season, like all hockey seasons, has been a complete whirlwind, it’s about to get that much more…what’s the right word for it…crazy.

Between the time that this issue of MiHockeyMag arrives in your local rink and the next issue shows up, all of the following would have taken place:

• Twenty-three youth state fi nal games• Three state fi nal games for boys high school hockey• Two state fi nal games for girls high school hockey• The fi rst two rounds of the CCHA playoff s• The conclusion of the Ontario

Hockey League regular season• Seven Grand Rapids Griffi ns games• Seven Detroit Red Wings gamesI hope you realize that we are in no way complaining

– spring break is best spent at a hockey rink. It’s also a time to keep your perspective in check,

especially for those involved in the fi rst three bullet points above. It is exhilarating to win, and it is heartbreaking to lose. But I can promise you this – the hockey success of a young player is not determined by wins or losses. Experiencing a loss can teach as many

lessons (if not more) to a player than a win. And, while this really isn’t what youth hockey should be about for 99 percent of us, truly exceptional players will be discovered by scouts and teams whether they win or lose.

This should be a time to celebrate hockey. Yeah, I know, we’ve been using that word a lot lately, especially with Hockey Day in Michigan just taking place last month. But it’s true. This is the time of year where the best teams gather at rinks across the state, not only to compete, but to create lifelong memories and meet new hockey friends. Spend a little less time looking at the bracket in the main lobby of the rink, and a little bit more time soaking in the experience. Watch other games. Spend time with the other families on the team. Have fun.

Let’s also hope that nobody gets sick during their state fi nal games, like what happened last year. Yikes.

Anyway, I hope you can enjoy the craziness that March can bring. And if you are in the midst of it, keep us posted on how it’s going for you and your team via our Twitter (@MiHockeyNow) and Facebook (Facebook.com/MiHockeyNow) accounts. We love to hear how it’s going for you, no matter what level of hockey you’re involved in.

See you around the rink,

PHOTOS AT LEFT: Michael Whaley with his father, David; Henrik Zetterberg (Tom Turrill/MiHockey)

COVER: Design by Emily Huston and Chuck Stevens/MiHockey

Cover reprints availablee-mail: [email protected]

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: MICHIGAN HOCKEY® welcomes Letters to the Editor. E-mail [email protected]

MICHIGAN HOCKEY is published by SUBURBAN SPORTS COMMUNICATIONS, LLC 23995 Freeway Park Drive, Suite 200, Farmington Hills, MI 48335-2829. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to MICHIGAN HOCKEY®, 23995 Freeway Park Drive, Suite 200, Farmington Hills, MI 48335-2829. ©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.

EDITORMichael [email protected]

MIHOCKEYMAG

ADVERTISING & DISTRIBUTIONLucia [email protected]

DESIGNEmily HustonChuck Stevens

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSDarren EliotPat EvansBrian KalisherStefan KubusKyle KujawaMatt MackinderDave Waddell

ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTORSAmy JonesAnne Ellis

BY MICHAEL CAPLES @michaelcaples

FROM THE EDITOR

MICHIGAN HOCKEY23995 Freeway Park Drive�•�Suite 200Farmington Hills, MI 48335-2829(248) 478-2500 • FAX: (248) 478-1601E-MAIL: [email protected]: mihockeynow.com

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR…

March 11, 2013 V.23 : I.13 5MiHockeyMagMiHockeyNow.com

k,

THE LOCKER ROOM

ON THE FLY

THE

LOCKERROOMTWO FOR TWEETING

Whenever we can get our hands on some Red Wings tickets, we’re giving them to our readers. Make sure you’re following us on Facebook (Facebook.com/MiHockeyNow) and on Twitter (@MiHockeyNow) so that you don’t miss out on your chance to see Henrik Zetterberg and the Wings, or other contests we throw your way from time to time.

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @MIHOCKEYNOWWe posted this photo of Jonas Gustavsson

after he made his fi rst start – and picked

up his fi rst win – as a member of the Red

Wings. Follow all the hockey action across

Michigan with our social media platforms.

It’s that time of year – state fi nals are here. We love to see your pictures, like the one above, via social media. Did you win states? Tell us!

This picture of Senior Night at Michigan State made it onto Sportscenter, thanks to John Buccigross. The ESPN personality always does a great job of supporting hockey, and we enjoy it even more when it has to do with hockey in Michigan.

Keep us informed on what’s going on with your own hockey action.


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SLIDESHOW

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

SLIDESHOW

The fi ve Michigan State seniors salute the crowd during their Senior Night ceremony on March 2. (Michael Caples/MiHockey)

The Wolverines celebrate one of their four goals against the Bulldogs on March 1. (Andrew Knapik/MiHockey)

Found on the Ferris State bench before their game with the Michigan Wolverines on March 2. (Andrew Knapik/MiHockey)

Corey Crawford’s glove save on Pavel Datsyuk from the third period of the Blackhawks’ game with the Red Wings – a save that allowed the ‘Hawks to keep their streak alive. (Tom Turrill/MiHockey)

Tomas Tatar celebrates his third-period goal against the Chicago Blackhawks on March 3. (Tom Turrill/MiHockey)

Western Michigan goaltender Frank Slubowski before the Broncos’ game with the Michigan State Spartans on Mar. 2. (Michael Caples/MiHockey)


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VARIATION: Depending on the number of coaches on the ice this drill can be run with six stations.

GOALIE: Working in the net with a coach or the goalies can be working on transitional skating on their own.


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Photos courtesy of: nhl.com (NHL logo), fanpop.com (The Hangover), shakira.com (Shakira), Tom Turrill/MiHockey (Pavel Datsyuk), ticketmaster.com (AC/DC),

youshould

know

YOU SHOULD KNOW

FAVORITE SPORTING EVENT:NHL games

MUST-SEE TV:NHL Network

FAVORITE BREAKFAST FOOD:Three eggs, bacon, and two pieces of toast with butter plus chocolate milk

FAVORITE MOVIES:Miracle and The Hangover

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

Be able to fl y

NICKNAME:Freddy

IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE WISH GRANTED, WHAT WOULD

YOU DO WITH IT: I would wish to play in the NHL

THREE PEOPLE YOU WOULD WANT TO HAVE DINNER WITH:

Cristiano Ronaldo, Peter Forsberg, and Shakira

PRE-GAME ROUTINE:Taking a nap and watch highlight videos

of Pavel Datsyuk

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

Buy a big house and a Ferrari, then save the rest

FIRST CONCERT:AC/DC

FAVORITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY:Play with my brother and Leon Draisaitl

almost every day in street hockey

WHO WAS MOST INFLUENTIAL ON YOUR HOCKEY CAREER:

My parents and my fi rst coach Peter Kaczmarek

Frederik Tiff els Muskegon Lumberjacks forwardMuskegon Lumberjacks forward Frederik Tiff els may be from Germany, but he’s a name worth getting to know. Tiff els recently committed to coach Andy Murray and the Western Michigan Broncos, which means he will be staying on the west side of the state for the foreseeable future. In a press release from the Lumberjacks, Tiff els said that Murray’s ability to speak German was one of the reasons he picked the Broncos – not a recruiting pitch that you hear about in college hockey often. Tiff els has 20 points in 36 USHL games this season, along with a +12 rating.


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Being a goaltender is one of the most diffi cult positions to play in all of sports.

Think about the facts: the puck is only 1 inch wide, 3 inches in diameter and travels at speeds over 100 mph. It is very diffi cult to guard a net that is 6 feet wide and 4 feet

high, with players skating and passing the puck at high rates of speed. Now, add the fact that opposing teams purposely try to “screen” goalies, and the black puck has to travel through an array of optical distractions (moving players, dark team jerseys, black hockey skates, etc...) and you have an extremely diffi cult situation for goalies. It takes an enormous amount of precision and focus to fi nd the puck through traffi c.

When a goaltender is playing a great game, you will hear every opposing coach tell his team to get more traffi c in front of the net for tips, screens, and rebounds. Every young player is taught to go to the net if he wants to score

goals. As goaltenders, we need to counteract the goal scorers’ tactics by stressing the importance of developing this skill. The higher the level of play, the bigger the bodies, and the tougher it becomes to fi nd pucks through traffi c. It is obviously a hard skill to master, as we have all seen NHL goaltenders lift their arms up in surprise when a goal has been scored against them without them being able to fi nd it.

A simple type of screen occurs when an opposing team has a rush down the ice and your defensemen are playing their positions in front of you. Many times, players will use the defense as a screen and either shoot through or around their legs. The quicker the release, the tougher it is to pick up through the small screen. My advice for this play is to be extremely focused and anticipate that the players will use this play to their advantage. Line up to the shooters stick and not to the shooters body to ensure that you have a good angle on the puck. Goals are scored on these plays mostly due to the element of surprise.

The most common type of screen occurs when a team has possession in your zone, either even strength or powerplay. First, you need to fi nd the puck on the

opposing players’ stick and know that it will constantly be moving. Taller goalies are able to peak above the shoulders or around the players’ bodies in front of them. I am usually the smallest person on my team, so I constantly crouch low and look around the players and through their legs. You want to make sure that you don’t lean or move so far in one direction that you leave yourself vulnerable to a lot of net opening up on the other side. If you can’t fi nd it in one or two seconds, immediately move your head to the other side or look above or below the players. You can’t get caught too long using one method to fi nd the puck. Also, be sure not to back away from the screening players too much, as it will create more open net and it will also leave more room for a tipped puck to get past.

Reminder: Make sure to check out www.futurepro.com for all of the latest information on upcoming clinics and summer camps! We also have added a new element to Future Pro having a Player’s Development Camp. NHLer Erik Condra and AHL player Bryan Lerg will be directing this camp and it is a great opportunity to truly learn from the pros.

FUTURE PRO GOAL A D V E R T I S I N G F E A T U R E

Jeff Lerg is the head director of Future Pro USA Goaltending. Visit Future Pro on the web at futurepro.com

BY JEFF LERG

BATTLING THROUGH TRAFFIC


YOUTH HOCKEY

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 [email protected].

GRAHA TO OFFER A TIER 1 INDEPENDENT TEAM AT THE 1999 LEVEL

The Midget BB Novi Predators traveled out to Pittsburgh to partake in the Three Rivers Cup, and returned home with a tournament title.

The Predators were shut out in their fi rst game, falling to the Roanoke Express by a score of 4-0. But the Novi squad would battle back to save the trip. In their second game, a penalty-fi lled aff air – Novi played to a 2-2 tie with the Crawford County Flames. The Predators picked up their fi rst win of the tournament in the next contest,

topping the Armstrong Arrows 5-0.Because of the plus-minus diff erential

tiebreaker, Novi was able to reach the championship game, for a rematch with Roanoke. The Express took a 2-0 lead, but Novi answered with three goals at the midway point of the second period for a big momentum swing. The Predators ended up prevailing 4-3 for the tournament title, and the MVP award went to the entire squad.

A week after the Labatt U.P. Pond Hockey Championships in St. Ignace, youth hockey teams invaded the same outdoor rinks for a tournament of their own. Here are a few photos, courtesy of Paul Dunbar.

NOVI MIDGET BB WINS THREE RIVERS CUP IN PITTSBURGH

LITTLE CAESARS PARTNERS WITH GRAHA FOR A TIER 1 WEST TEAM

Little Caesars AAA is coming to the west side of the state.

One of the top youth programs in the state will join forces with the Grand Rapids Amateur Hockey Association for a 2002 team, in a new partnership designed to keep homegrown players within the GRAHA association, while also giving them the opportunity to play Tier 1 hockey. The 2002 Griffi ns team has been competing against elite Detroit teams, as well as AAA teams from across the country; now,

they will be able to play Tier 1 competition without as much travel.

Mark Beaufait will serve as head coach for the new 2002 Little Caesars West team, which will operate as an independent team at the Tier 1 level. They will have the ability to play in AAA tournaments and showcases in Michigan, Illinois and other states. The team will participate in several spring tournaments, a High Performance Hockey League event in April and possibly a second in Chicago in May.

YETIFEST IN SUTTONS BAYCongrats to (from left-right) Joe Rotondo, Corey

DeCamillo, Tucker Penning, and Brendan O’Malley for winning the inaugural Yetifest 4 on 4 Pond Hockey Tournament in Sutton’s Bay during Hockey Day in Michigan.

The Grand Rapids Amateur Hockey Association will off er a Tier 1 AAA program for 1999 birth-year players for the 2013-14 season. The new Griffi ns AAA team, much like the Little Caesars’ partnership at the 2002 level, is designed to off er elite competition and development without making kids leave home or travel a great deal.

A release about the new team says that they will utilize an elite development program that mimics the European model from a practice-to-game ratio. The ’99 Griffi ns team has been ranked No. 2 nationally at Tier 2 this season, and

will increase their amount of practice in the move to Tier 1. The club will have a corporate sponsor for their game

jerseys, along with private sponsors, to help manage the increased ice costs, but also construct a locker room with video capabilities and a new weight room at their home rink – the Patterson Ice Center.

Robert Nilsson will be the head coach for the new Tier 1 squad that will compete independently at the Tier 1 level, but have the opportunity to play in AAA tournaments and showcases.

OUTDOOR YOUTH HOCKEY IN ST. IGNACE


LUMBERJACKS

Every young man growing up in life needs a mentor to rely upon when things get into dire straits; someone who can pick them up when they’re down but also provide a little bit of “tough love” when the occasion arises. Like Mr. Miyagi was to Daniel LaRusso in “The Karate Kid” movie series, the relationship between Lumberjacks goaltending coach Manny Legace and his goaltending duo of Kevin Lindskoug and Jordan Uhelski has featured a father-son type of bond that stresses one important factor - keeping everyone’s best interests in mind.

Legace was hired into the Muskegon Lumberjacks organization just before Thanksgiving and had the opportunity to meet both goaltenders personally along with critiquing their technical aspects. As Legace explains, the relationship between him and his two “students” grew immensely as they were willing to take in as much information from him as possible.

“I was fortunate to come into a situation where both guys are very coachable and willing to listen to anything that I needed to talk to them about,” Legace said. “Both guys have no attitude problems and express a will to get better (in practice) every day of the week, and that’s the best possible coaching situation to be in.”

Kevin Lindskoug, a native of Trelleborg, Sweden, came over to the Lumberjacks this season after playing four years in the Rögle BK organization that included playing the last three seasons in the Swedish SuperElit league, the top junior league in Sweden. Lindskoug says that the addition of Legace to the coaching staff made him excited in the sense that he has someone who can relate to him in terms of being a smaller-sized netminder.

“It was an awesome feeling when I heard that Manny (Legace) was going to be our new goaltending coach because he could relate to playing the position at my size,” said Lindskoug. “Coach Legace is an inspiration to me because he played big for his size and had a great

career in the NHL that included winning the Stanley Cup. That’s where I want to be someday down the road.”

Legace says that Lindskoug presents a cool, calm, and collected customer that has the mental toughness of a warrior when playing on game nights, but is still trying to adjust to playing on a smaller American rink when comparing it to the bigger Olympic-sized rinks in Europe.

“Kevin (Lindskoug) and I have been working hard on getting rid of the tendencies he had when playing on the bigger rinks overseas in terms of getting to the pucks quicker in the corners and getting your head up to see where you are going with the puck next,” said Legace. “Kevin possesses good hand-eye coordination and plays very big for his size. He is an absolute ‘gamer’ that continues to play well excluding the fact that he has already played in more games during one season than he had played in Sweden his entire junior career.”

Lindskoug echoed the sentiments of his coach as he explained that while he continues to work on the faster pace of the game around him, the adjustment from the bigger European rink to the smaller American rink has been smooth.

“I have been working hard on turning my head quicker when I go for the puck (behind the net) along with being more controlled in terms of not giving up easy rebounds to the opposition,” said Lindskoug. “The adjustment to the smaller rink has been a good one as I continue work on my movement side-to-side in the crease to try and adjust to the faster pace around the net with screen shots being fi red at every direction constantly.

Jordan Uhelski, a Flint, Michigan native, arrived in Muskegon after spending the previous two seasons with the Belle Tire Under-18 Midget Major hockey team. Being a Michigan-born product, Uhelski was very familiar with the former Red Wings’ netminder.

“I was very excited when I heard the news of Manny

(Legace) being hired as our new goaltending coach as he was someone I looked up to growing up watching him play for the Red Wings,” said Uhelski. “It was a surreal experience getting to meet him for the fi rst time as he is very personable and down-to-earth with both Kevin and I.”

Legace says that Uhelski has come a long way in his development in the sense that he has been able to slow down his thought process and become more relaxed when positioned between the pipes during game situations.

“When I fi rst got to see Jordan play, I loved his energy, but he was approaching the game way too fast as he was going over 100 miles an hour while trying to stop a 10 mile-per-hour puck,” said Legace. “However, he has been able to reduce the amount of energy put into the games and has been able to use his size to his advantage. Jordan (Uhelski) is a big goaltender that uses his athleticism and agility well and competes with the best of them. His game has evolved at an astounding rate from four months ago.”

Uhelski admits that he sometimes gets too amped up when he gets the nod between the pipes on game nights, but explains that he has toned it down a bit from the beginning of the season. Uhelski also gives credit to Legace for helping him stay looser and not putting so much pressure on himself when things don’t go his way.

“I have learned to control and harness my speed while staying relaxed throughout the game,” said Uhelski. “Manny has informed me to just be myself through any game situation because things do change throughout the course of the game. He’s also told me to stay comfortable with what I do best and continue to get better every time I take to the ice.”

Visit MiHockeyNow.com for an extended look at Legace’s new coaching assignment. Photo from the MiHockey archives.

FORMER RED WING MANNY LEGACE MAKING IMPACT IN NEW COACHING

ROLE WITH LUMBERJACKSBY BRYAN FONGERS


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Weekend Hockey TournamentPittsburgh, PAApril 5-7, 2013Adult men & women 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+ & 50+A, B, C, D, E1.877.702.5701

weekendhockey.com

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesApril 4– 7, 2013Phoenix CupPhoenix, ArizonaOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40, divisionsCanadian Hockey Enterprises...1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com [email protected]

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesApril 5-7, 2013Atlantic City, NJOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40 divisionsCanadian Hockey Enterprises...1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com [email protected]

Pepsi Hockey TournamentBuff alo, NYApril 5-7, 2013A & B Travel Teams Squirt – Midget716-685-3660Holidayrinks.com

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesInternational TournamentsLas Vegas, NVApril 12-15, 2013Women Competitive & Recreational 1-800-461-2161chehockey.com

Hockey Time Productions Rock ‘n Roll Cup Tournament Series Cleveland, OHApril 12-14, 2013Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567itshockeytime.com

Weekend Hockey TournamentPhiladelphia, PAApril 12-14, 2013Adult men & women 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+ & 50+A, B, C, D, E1.877.702.5701weekendhockey.com

Weekend Hockey TournamentNew York, NYApril 12-14, 2013Adult men & women

19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+ & 50+A, B, C, D, E1.877.702.5701weekendhockey.com

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesApril 12-14, 2013Chicago Cup Chicago, IllinoisIncludes Blackhawks vs Blues ticketsOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 divisionsCanadian Hockey Enterprises...1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com [email protected]

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesApril 14-21 or 17-21, 2013Florida CupFt. Lauderdale, FloridaOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40 divisionsCanadian Hockey Enterprises...1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com [email protected]

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesLake Placid, NYApril 18-19, 2013Women Competitive & Recreational 1-800-461-2161chehockey.com

OUT OF STATEMARCH 2013

CANADIAN CUP March 15-17, 2013Montreal, QuebecNovice, Atom, Peewee, Bantam, Midget AA, A, B, House Select - Minor/Major/Mixed divisionsCanadian Hockey Enterprises 1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesMarch 22-24, 2013Capital CupOttawa, ONIncludes Senators vs Lightning ticketsOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40, divisionsCanadian Hockey Enterprises...1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com [email protected]

APRIL 2013Canadian Hockey EnterprisesApril 4-7, 2013Banff Cup Banff , AlbertaOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 divisionsCanadian Hockey Enterprises...1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com [email protected]

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesApril 5-7, 2013Vancouver CupVancouver, BCIncludes Canucks vs Flames ticketsOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 divisionsCanadian Hockey Enterprises...1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com [email protected]

Canadian Hockey Enterprises April 5-7, 2013London CupLondon, OntarioOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 divisionsCanadian Hockey Enterprises...1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com [email protected]

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesInternational TournamentsBanff , ABApril 11-14, 2013Women Competitive & Recreational 1-800-461-2161chehockey.com

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesApril 11-14, 2013Banff Cup Banff , AlbertaOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 divisions (also Women’s divisions)Canadian Hockey Enterprises...1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com [email protected]

International TournamentsNiagara Falls, ONApril 12-14, 2013Women Competitive & Recreational 1-800-461-2161chehockey.com

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesApril 12-14, 2013Niagara CupNiagara Falls, OntarioOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40 divisions (also women’s divisions)Canadian Hockey Enterprises...1-800-461-2161chehockey.com [email protected]

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesApril 12 – 14, 2013Montreal Adult & Old-timer TournamentMontreal, QuebecOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40 divisions Canadian Hockey Enterprises…1-800-461-2161chehockey.com [email protected]

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesApril 12-14, 2013Okanagan Cup Kelowna, British ColumbiaOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 divisionsCanadian Hockey Enterprises...1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com [email protected]

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesApril 18-21, 2013Banff CupBanff , AlbertaOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 divisions (also Women’s divisions)Canadian Hockey Enterprises...1-800-461-2161chehockey.com [email protected]

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesApril 19-21, 2013Montreal Adult & Old-timer TournamentMontreal, QuebecOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 divisionsCanadian Hockey Enterprises…1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com [email protected]

COMPLETE AND UP-TO-DATETOURNAMENT LISTINGS ATMIHOCKEYNOW.COM

NOW REGISTERING YOUTH SPRING HOCKEY LEAGUES

200 N. Groesbeck Hwy. Mount Clemens, MI 48043586-307-8202 www.mountclemensicearena.com

R r Y R Fb

LAKELAND ICE ARENA - April 9-14

The 20th Annual

Age Groups: 02,01,00,99, mid. 16u and mid. majorFour games guaranteedThree 15 minute periods

Please contact [email protected]


NAHL

2013 16U & 18U NAPHL League Champions

Justin Greenberg scored the Robertson Cup-winning overtime goal last season for the Texas Tornado and basked in the glory all summer of being a North American Hockey League champion before returning to the Tornado this season.

Recently, the Plano, Tex., native committed to Miami and will start playing for the RedHawks this fall as they leave the CCHA for the new National Collegiate Athletic Conference.

“Justin has been a great kid to coach over the last two seasons,” Tornado coach and general manager Tony Curtale said. “He had off ers from nine diff erent schools, including one in every league. We’re thrilled to see him move on to a great program like Miami.

”He’s a hometown success story. He had the opportunity to go to the USHL, but he stuck around and made his mark with his hometown team. Now, he’s being rewarded with a Division I scholarship to a highly-regarded program in Miami University.”

Greenberg skated at the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament last month in Troy where he tied for the event lead for assists with fi ve. He also played in the 2012 event, also held in Troy.

Greenberg noted that he’s going to Miami for more than just the hockey.

“Miami has the No. 2 business school in the country,” Greenberg said. “Obviously, I’m excited from a hockey standpoint, but the academics there are really great, too.

“I had talked to their coaches before Top Prospects and they told me they’d be watching me there. I didn’t want to be overconfi dent going in and I had talked to a few other schools, but when they made an off er after Top Prospects, I was thrilled and happy to sign.”

In other commitment news, Levi Erkkila of the Michigan Warriors chose Northern Michigan and Soo Eagles captain Jared VanWormer is off to Ferris State.

PLAYOFF FORMAT ANNOUNCEDFOR NA3HL

The North American 3 Hockey League has announced its schedule and format for the league playoff s and Silver Cup championship.

For the playoff s, the teams are seeded within their own division based upon their fi nish in the regular-season standings. The top four clubs from each division qualify for the playoff s with a 1 vs. 4 and 2 vs. 3 fi rst round best-of-fi ve series. The two clubs in each division that win that series will advance on to the Silver Cup championship, which will be played in suburban Chicago from March 27-30.

The Silver Cup will feature six teams at the Fox Valley Ice Arena, Geneva, Ill. The six divisional semifi nal playoff series winners will be placed in two three-team pools

where teams will be seeded according to their fi nish in the regular-season standings. A round-robin format will be used with the top team in each pool after round-robin competition advancing on to play for the NA3HL championship.

The winner of the Silver Cup will then advance to play in the USA Hockey Tier III Junior National Championship in Rochester, Minn., from April 4-8.

NAPHL CHAMPIONS CROWNED IN TROYAs part of the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament in Troy,

the North American Prospects Hockey League crowned its 18U and 16U league champions at the event.

In the 18U championship game, the Indiana Jr. Ice topped the Lansing Capitals by a 4-1 count.

Drew Doyon, who helped guide the Indiana 16U team to the NAPHL championship last season, had two goals

in the game. Chase Monroe made 27 saves for the win in goal and was also the goalie of record in the 16U title game last year, where he recorded a shutout.

The Omaha AAA Hockey Club earned the 16U crown in a 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Viper Stars. Omaha posted a 26-1 record in the NAPHL regular season and playoff s.

MORE NAPHL PLAYERS ON WAY TO NAHLAnd the beat goes on for NAHL teams taking note of

talented players in the NAPHL.Lansing Capitals 18U forward Tyler Durgan has signed

an NAHL tender with the Michigan Warriors. Durgan was named as the NAPHL’s Pointstreak Peak

Performer for the Month of January where his performance led Lansing to capture the 18U regular-season title.

Durgan is the second Lansing 18U player to sign an NAHL tender, joining Ryan Polin, who previously tendered with the Topeka RoadRunners.

West Michigan Hounds 18U forward Brandon Wolfe has also signed a tender with the Michigan Warriors, while his Hounds’ teammate, forward Collin Finkhouse, has signed with the Johnstown (Pa.) Tomahawks.

All photos courtesy of the NAHL

NAHL COMMITMENTS, NA3HL PLAYOFFS, NAPHL CHAMPIONSBY MATT MACKINDER

Justin Greenberg, Miami Redhawks commit

Tyler Durgan, Brandon Wolfe, and Collin Finkhouse


YOUTRYOUT CAMPS

ARENEXT?

www.nahl.com/tryouts

the league of opportunitynahl.com

COLLEGE HOCKEY

“There’s always next year.”It’s a saying used season after season, sport after sport. It’s a reminder that even if your team disappoints, in a few

short (or long) months, you can forget about it and start all over. But for the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and its member schools, that saying doesn’t really hold true.When the Mason Cup is awarded to a team at Joe Louis Arena on March 24, it will be for the fi nal time. Each of the 11

schools will either prepare for the NCAA Tournament, or prepare for fi nal exams. But there won’t be any preparing for another CCHA season. The teams will go their separate ways – some to the Big

Ten, some to the National Collegiate Hockey Conference, and some to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. There won’t ever be another shot at the Mason Cup.So the question arises – who will win it for the fi nal time? The Miami RedHawks, led by Michigan natives Austin Czarnik

and Riley Barber, captured the regular-season title last weekend. Notre Dame fi nished just three points behind, while Michigan’s top collegiate team this season, the Western Michigan Broncos, were only fi ve points off the pace.

Yet the beautiful thing about the CCHA playoff s is that everybody gets a chance. Just ask Bowling Green, who fi nished last in the regular season last year but made it all the way to the fi nal game at Joe Louis Arena.

It’s a story that Michigan State could take a peek at while they wait for their fl ight to Alaska for the fi rst round.On that note, here’s a look at the Michigan schools as they prepare for their fi nal CCHA playoff appearances.

ONE MORE TIMECCHACCHA REGULAR SEASON ENDS… REGULAR SEASON ENDS…

BY MICHAEL CAPLES

NO. 3 WESTERN MICHIGAN The Broncos entered the fi nal weekend of the regular

season with a realistic chance of moving past Miami and Notre Dame for the top seed. Instead, they split with Michigan State, but they are still a team to beat come playoff time. Western Michigan is the only Michigan-based school to lock up home ice for their fi rst playoff match-up, which will occur on the weekend of March 15-17. Broncos bench boss Andy Murray said that if his team didn’t have a bye, he would say it was a disadvantage, but that it’s great for his team to rest and work on the details before welcoming a team to Lawson.

It’s been a scoring-by-committee situation for the Broncos this season, and while sometimes they’ve been left hoping for more off ense, it’s gotten the job done. Senior captain Dane Walters and Nashville prospect Chase Balisy tied for the team lead with 24 points apiece this season, while ten diff erent Broncos picked up at least 10 points. Goaltender Frank Slubowski has continued to serve as the Broncos’ backbone, tending to the pipes for 95.6 percent of the WMU hockey action this season. He holds a 19-9-8 record with a .922 save percentage and 1.85 goals-against. Meanwhile, a defense with the likes of Danny DeKeyser, Kenney Morrison, Luke Witowski and Garrett Haar means that Slubowski is getting high-quality support night after night.

The Broncos stand the best chance of being the Michigan school that keeps the Mason Cup in our state for many years to come.

NO. 5 FERRIS STATEThe Bulldogs don’t have to play in the opening weekend

of the CCHA playoff s, but when they do begin, they will be on the road. Ferris State pulled their goalie in the closing moments of a tie game with Michigan last Saturday in a desperate attempt to gain extra points; their inability score a goal in that time frame means they weren’t able to gain the fourth and fi nal home-ice seed for the playoff s. Last year’s Cinderella Story of the NCAA Tournament can’t get bounced early from the CCHA Tournament again (they lost to Bowling Green in the quarterfi nals last year) if they want another shot at the national title.

Garrett Thompson leads the Bulldogs in scoring this season, with a line of 11 goals and 14 assists for 25 points. Kyle Bonis is one behind, with 24 points, but leads the team in goals, with 17. Jason Binkley has been FSU’s points leader on the blue line, posting two goals and 17 assists in 34 games. C.J. Motte continues to be their anchor in goal, playing in 32 of the Bulldogs’ 34 games this season. He holds a 14-13-5 record, with a .927 save percentage and 2.17 goals-against average.

The Bulldogs start the playoff s in Buckeye country; Ohio State and Ferris State make up the No. 4 vs. No. 5 second-round match-up.

NO. 7 MICHIGANWhile their season results are far lower than expected,

the Michigan Wolverines might just be fi guring things out at the right time. After struggling through the majority of the season, the Wolverines swept the No. 4 Buckeyes in Columbus two weekends ago, then last weekend topped

ONE MORE TIMETHE LAST PUSH FOR THE MASON CUP BEGINS


COLLEGE HOCKEY

the No. 5 Bulldogs in regulation Friday, and in a shootout on Saturday. Their late surge secured home ice in the fi rst round for the Wolverines, something that wasn’t looking like a sure bet in the heading into the fi nal stretch of the regular season.

A strong showing down the stretch has put Alex Guptill into a tie for the team lead with scoring; his 26 points matches him with rookie Cristoval ‘Boo’ Nieves. Phil Di Giuseppe checks in at No. 3 on the team scoring chart, having recorded 24 points in 34 games. Rookie Jacob Trouba led the Wolverines in scoring from the backend – he might just be our vote for off ensive defenseman of the year – with nine goals and 14 assists for 23 points.

The Wolverines welcome the Northern Michigan Wildcats to Yost for a fi rst-round series. In November, Michigan traveled to Marquette to win a shootout on Friday, and lose in regulation on Saturday.

NO. 8 LAKE SUPERIORThe Lakers set a school record with three shorthanded

goals in their Saturday win over Northern Michigan last weekend – a win that secured them home ice in the fi rst round of the CCHA playoff s. It was an important win for the Lakers, who had been swept by regular-season champion Miami the previous weekend.

Senior captain Domenic Monardo has lead the Lakers’ off ense the entire season, recording 19 goals and 11 assists for 30 points in 36 games this year. Fellow senior Nick McParland is second in team scoring with 21 points; they are the only two Lakers to eclipse the 20-point mark. A low-scoring team means lots of work for the goaltenders, but LSSU has two junior netminders that have proven to

get the job done. Junior Kevin Murdock has appeared in 22 games this season, and holds 10-11-0 record with a .935 save percentage and a 2.34 goals-against average. Meanwhile, Kevin Kapalka has appeared in 18, and posted a 6-8-1 record with a .916 save percentage and 2.89 goals-against average.

The Lakers welcome Bowling Green to the Soo this weekend, hoping to prevent the Falcons from making another improbable run to the CCHA championship weekend like they did last year. Bowling Green won both meetings between the two schools during the regular season, though.

NO. 10 NORTHERN MICHIGANIt’s been a bit of a down year for Northern Michigan,

but with the beginning of the playoff s comes new life for the Wildcats. They will start the playoff s on the road in Ann Arbor though – probably not high on the list of destinations for starting the postseason for many NCAA coaches.

The Wildcats will be hoping that strong season from Matt Thurber continues into the fi rst round of the playoff s. The senior forward has 32 points on the season – six goals but a CCHA-leading 26 assists. Sophomore Reed Seckel has 25 points, while Erik Higby and Stephan Vigier also passed the 20-point plateau during the season. Senior captain Scott Macaulay led the way on the blue line, with 16 points in 36 games. It has not been a ‘goaltending by committee’ season; junior Jared Coreau has appeared in all 36 games the Wildcats have played. He holds a 15-17-4 record with a .921 save percentage and a 2.59 goals-against average on the season.

The Wildcats will need a strong series from Coreau to keep the Wolverines’ off ense at bay during their fi rst-round match-up.

NO. 11 MICHIGAN STATEIt’s a familiar story for the Michigan State Spartans

– they’re heading to Alaska. Just two weeks after completing the trek out west for their regular-season match-up, this time the Spartans head to Alaska for their fi rst-round playoff match-up with the Nanooks. They split last time, but you can’t have any series ties in the playoff s.

The Spartans have been searching for an identity on off ense all season; sophomore forward Matt Berry is the only MSU player to crack the 20-point mark (he has 25). Brent Darnell checks in at the No. 2 spot on the scoring list, with 19 points, while junior captain Greg Wolfe has caught fi re of late, and is third with 18 points. The Spartans also didn’t get much help on the scoresheet from their blueliners; R.J. Boyd’s 10 points – good for 10th on the scoring list – lead the defense. Michigan State is strong in goal, however, as freshman Jake Hildebrand has emerged as top-tier goaltender in the CCHA. His 7-15-2 record is less than impressive, but Hildebrand didn’t have much scoring to work with most nights, and still posted a .930 save percentage, and a 2.30 goals-against average. Junior Will Yanakeff holds a 4-7-1 record with a .896 save percentage and 3.24 goals-against.

The Spartans won their fi nal regular-season game 2-1 over Western Michigan. If they can fi nd any momentum from the win, it could be a fun series out in Alaska this weekend.

Photos by MiHockey’s Andrew Knapik and Michael Caples, LSSU photo courtesy of the CCHA


Varsity & Junior Varsity teams Welcome!

B, A, and AA Players

There will be three separate divisions of the Suburban Showdown Spring High School League – (recommended for junior varsity teams or current 8th, 9th, and 10th graders), (recommended for varsity teams or current 9th, 10th and 11th graders) and - (current 12th graders).

Due no later than Monday, April 16

The intent in this league is to allow coaches to select their players and for players to play with friends. Therefore, each team may roster B, A and AA players as long as the “Sliding Scale” requirement for second year players is met. No AAA players allowed. Teams may register in Squirt through Midget age classifications. Due no later than Monday, April 22

LEAGUE GAMESPLAYED at

BOTH LOCATIONS

LEAGUE GAMESPLAYED at

BOTH LOCATIONS

TM

52999 DequindreRochester, MI 48307

Phone: (248) 601-6699Fax: (248) 601-0102onyxicearena.com

54755 BroughtonMacomb, MI 48042

Phone: (586) 992-8600Fax: (586) 992-8666

suburbanice.com

SPRING ADULT LEAGUE 2013

Team RegistrationsBegins in early April and

runs through June.

APRIL 7 toJUNE 16

SIGN UPTODAY!

SPRING ADULT LEAGUE 2013

SPRING2013

TM

MIDGET AA 96/95 COACH PAUL MARCUSE-mail for official tryout [email protected] MIDGET A 98/97COACH RICHARD [email protected] 21-MAR 8:15 PMSUNDAY 24-MAR 5:45 PMTUESDAY 26-MAR 8:15 PMTHURSDAY 28-MAR 8:15 PMSUNDAY 31-MAR 5:45 PM

GIRLS 16UCOACH JEFF JOHNSONE-mail for official tryout [email protected]

BANTAM AA 99COACH TED [email protected] 19-MAR 7:00 PMSUNDAY 24-MAR 4:00 PM*TUESDAY 26-MAR 7:00 PM INVITE ONLY BANTAM A 00COACH MARK [email protected] 13-MAR 7:45 PM CONDITIONING SKATE $10 MONDAY 18-MAR 8:00 PMWEDNESDAY 20-MAR 7:45 PMSATURDAY 23-MAR 5:45 PM

PEE WEE AA 01COACH DEREK [email protected] MONDAY 18-MAR 6:45 PMSATURDAY 23-MAR 2:45 PM

PEE WEE A 02COACH RICHARD [email protected] 21-MAR 6:45 PMSUNDAY 24-MAR 4:15 PMTUESDAY 26-MAR 5:30 PMTHURSDAY 28-MAR 6:45 PMSUNDAY 31-MAR 4:15 PM

SQUIRT AA 03COACH DAN [email protected] 18-MAR 6:30PM -7:50PMMONDAY 25-MAR 7:00PM- 8:20PM

SQUIRT A 04COACH BRIAN [email protected] 18-MAR 5:30-6:20 PMWED 20-MAR 6:15-7:05 PMSAT 23-MAR 1:15-2:05 PM INVITE ONLY

MITE AA 05COACH ERIC [email protected] WEDNESDAY 20-MAR 6:00 PM FRIDAY 22-MAR 7:00 PMSUNDAY 24-MAR 1:45 PM

ANDREW STEWART, HOCKEY [email protected]

RYAN PARDOSKI, GENERAL [email protected]

PEG GRIFFIN-WATSON, PROGRAM [email protected]

for more information on our adult leagues check our website – onyxicearena.com – or call or email Tom Zagacki at 248-601-6699

MIDGET 98/97 ACOACH SEAN COFFMAN

[email protected], 23-Mar 1:30 - 3:30 PM

Wednesday, 27-Mar 8:30 - 10:00 PM

BANTAM 99 AACOACH STEVE BETTLEY


Wednesday, 20-Mar 8:30 - 10:00 PMSaturday, 23-Mar 3:00 - 4:30 PM

BANTAM 00 ACOACH ROGER GRAFF


Saturday, 23-Mar 6:30 PM- 8:00 PM

PEE WEE 01 AACOACH CAL MCGOWAN

[email protected], 20-Mar 7:00 -8:30 PM

Saturday, 23-Mar 3:30 - 5:00 PM

SQUIRT 04 ACOACH DAVE MCCALLUM



MITE 05 AATO BE DETERMINED

MITE 06 ACOACH LOWERY DAY

[email protected]

Sunday, 17-Mar 12:30 - 1:30 PMSunday, 24-Mar 3:30 - 4:30 PM

PEE WEE 01 AA(NORTHSTARS)

COACH STEVE PETRUNO / MIKE RETFORD

[email protected], 16-Mar 3:30 - 5:00 PMMonday, 18-Mar 5:30 - 7:00 PM

PEE WEE 02 ACOACH DAN CESARZ



SQUIRT 03 AACOACH MATT WEST

[email protected], 23-Mar 2:00 - 3:30 PMMonday, 25-Mar 7:00 - 8:30 PM

Wednesday, 27-Mar 5:00 - 6:00 PM

248-888-1400suburbanice.com248-888-1400

suburbanice.com

GIRLS 2013SPRING TRYOUTS

GIRLS 2013SPRING TRYOUTS

10U ICEBREAKERSCOACH: JESSE HUBBENSCHMIDT

& DAVE [email protected]

26-Mar 7:30 - 8:30 PM28-Mar 6:30 - 8:00 PM

12U ICEBREAKERSCOACH: GEOFF BENNETTS

[email protected] 6:30 - 7:20 PM24-Mar 9:30 - 10:30 AM27-Mar 6:00 - 7:00 PM

14U ICEBREAKERSCOACH: JOE JONES

[email protected]

16U ICEBREAKERSAND

19U ICEBREAKERSCONTACT: CAL MCGOWAN

[email protected]

2013 SPRING TRYOUTS2013 SPRING TRYOUTS

SCAN

FOR W

EBSI

TE

SCAN FOR WEBSITE

TM

Macomb Hockey ClubSPRING 2013T R A V E L T R Y O U T S

posted atmacombhockeyclub.com

Mite AA (2005) Squirt A (2004) Squirt AA (2003)

Pee Wee A (2002) Pee Wee AA (2001) Bantam A (2000) Bantam AA (1999)

NEW! MACOMB MUSTANGS

TRAVEL HOCKEY

SQUIRT AA (2003) | PEE WEE A (2002)

PEE WEE AA (2001)

TO APPLY Please send coaching resume

and application to

[email protected] applica

[email protected]

NOW accepting Head CoachApplications for the

NEW! GIRLS’ HOCKEY PROGRAM U14, U12 & U10 LADY MAVERICKS TRYOUTS Saturday, March 9 9:00-10:05am (1.15 hour)

Saturday, March 16 8:15 – 10:05am (2 hours)

Saturday, March 23 6:00-7:20pm (1.5 hour)

Saturday, March 30 8:45 – 10:05am (1.15 hour)

DATES: 3/19 - 7:40PM, GLSC, FRASER; 3/21 - 6:45PM, MCCANN ARENA, GROSSE POINTE WOODS; 3/24 - 12:45PM, MCCANN ARENA, GROSSE POINTE WOODS

*NO TRYOUT FEES*

HEAD COACH: MICHAEL LUCCHESE – Non-parent professional coach with coaching experience from Squirt to High School. Well known skills instructor for over nine years. Player on national

championship college team. Assistant Coach: Michael Rourke.

*SUBSTANTIAL CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP* *PAID HEAD COACH* *REASONABLE ICE BILLS* *POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT* *TALENTED CORE OF RETURNING PLAYERS*

*COMMITMENT TO PLAYER DEVELOPMENT* *GREAT HOME RINK FACILITIES (MCCANN)*

For more information, please contact Scott at [email protected]. Team website: www.michiganicehawks.org/01.

(2001’s)

GO TO HONEYBAKEDHOCKEY.COMFOR DATES AND TIMES

2003HEAD COACH

Tomas Holmström

2004HEAD COACHTodd Waldo

2005

HEAD COACHManon Rheaume

2013 TRYOUTS2013 TRYOUTS2013 TRYOUTS2013 TRYOUTS

Girls 19U, 16U, 14U and 12U tryouts posted 3/11/13 @ honeybakedhockey.com

2013 Spring Tryoutsfor

Honeybaked Pee Wee Major Tier II

Saturday, March 16th 11:30 amSunday, March 17th 10:30 amTuesday, March 19th 6:30 pm

Please email head coach Rob Flannery for more information:

2003 Novi IceCats Squirt AA Spring Tryouts

Tuesday March 19 7:00-8:20pm Friday March 22 7:00-8:20pm Thursday March 28 5:00-6:20pm (invite only)

$15 per session. All tryouts at Novi Ice Arena. Coach Todd Martin [email protected] / phone 248-417-7974

SCAN

FOR

WEB

SITE

TIER

2

18UHEAD COACH

Steve Dickinson

16UHEAD COACH

Rob Krohl

1999HEAD COACHJeff Mitchell

2000HEAD COACH

Trevor Edwards

2001HEAD COACH

Brandon Kaleniecki

2002HEAD COACHMark Vellucci

2002 EASTHEAD COACH

Sean Kolodge


ELITE BRIGADE AAA HOCKEY

The Elite Brigade U18 Spring High School/AAA all-star program is designed to offer top HS players an opportunity

to compete at the AAA level during the spring season before going back to their respective HS teams in the fall.

This is the 3rd season the Brigade have operated in the Metro Detroit area.

www.icefithockey.comContact Coach & Program Director:

Chris Slater at 269-598-2197 or [email protected] for further info.

We are looking for players (95,96,97 birth dates) who want to use the spring season to develop their game

and get scouted by Junior teams.

Teams will practice 1-2 times per week; play in 3 tournaments including the North American Select

Prospects Showcase May 15-17th. (3 goalies: 6 Defensemen: 12 Forwards).

As an added feature this season we will be bringing in scouts/ coaches from the BCHL, NAHL, EJHL, and

the NCAA to run various practices.

KENSINGTON VALLEY ELITE BRIGADE Skating out of Kensington Valley Ice House in Brighton,

Michigan and Novi Ice Arena in Novi, Michigan.

FARMINGTON HILLS ELITE BRIGADE Skating out of Farmington Hills Ice Arena in Farmington

Hills, Michigan and Novi Ice Arena in Novi, Michigan.

NORTH MICHIGAN ELITE BRIGADE Skating out of Flint, Michigan; Lapeer, Michigan, and

Saginaw, Michigan.

DOWNRIVER ELITE BRIGADE Skating out of Melvindale Ice Arena.

Midget Major

Midget Minor

Bantam Minor 2013

Spring

TRYOUTS

Lansing Capitals AAA TIER 1 Hockey

Director Dean Dixon

Midget AAA Head Coach Dixon [email protected]

Bantam AAA Head Coach John Bowkus [email protected]

schedule at www.glaha.org

www.naphl.com

Greater Lansing Amateur Hockey Association

MIDGET U16 March 25, 27, 28 6:30 PM $60

MIDGET U18 March 25, 27, 28 4:30 PM $60

Midget Tryouts at

Suburban Ice-East Lansing

BANTAMS AAA March 25 @ 8:30 &

27 @ 7:30 PM

$35

Bantam Tryouts at The Summit-Dimondale


PEEWEE MINOR 02TRYOUTS

April 8 – PIC/NHL 6:00 – 7:20 pm PW MinorApril 9 – PIC/NHL 6:00 – 7:20 pm PW Minor

April 11 – PIC/NHL 6:00 – 7:20 pm PW Minor (invite only)

Head Coach: Mark Beaufait [email protected]

616-843-1491

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April 8 – PIC/NHL 7:30 – 8:50 pm Bantam Major April 9 – PIC/NHL 7:30 – 8:50 pm Bantam Major

April 11 – PIC/NHL 7:30 – 8:50 pm Bantam Major (invite only)

Head coach: Robert Nilsson [email protected]

616-240-3243

Tryouts are held at Patterson Ice Center 2550 Patterson Avenue

Grand Rapids, MI 49546$30 per player fee per team tryout.

Tier I Travel Tryouts

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2013-2014


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

INTRODUCING… Superior Skill Skates

Monday Nights from 7:10-8:20pm March 4th – May 20th All ages are welcome! Cost: $10 per session Work on stickhandling, shooting,

edge work, conditioning and more! Contact John Bowkus for more information:

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9410 Davis Hwy Dimondale, MI 48821 Ph: 517-319-1000 Fax: 517-319-1004

www.thesummitsportsandice.com

Midget A- Rich Kopitsch: o Monday, March 25th 6:00pm o Tuesday, March 26th 9:30pm

Bantam A- Ray Kibzey: o Monday, March 25th 7:10pm o Tuesday, March 26th 7:00pm

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

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

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

Squirt A- Karri Hobbs: o Wednesday, March 27th 6:00pm o Thursday, March 28th 6:30pm

Cost: $10 per tryout session


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The Novi SnowCats Girls Hockey Team is looking for experienced skaters for the Spring season. Combined tryouts

for 12U/14U/16U will be held at the Novi Ice Arena on:

March 23 from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pmMarch 26 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pmMarch 27 from 8:30 pm to 10:00 pm

Cost is $15 per skate. Goalies skate for free. Goalies will receive training from a professional goalie school.

The Novi SnowCats offer a fun environment for growing your hockey skills in one of the nicest rinks in Oakland County.

For the Novi SnowCats Tier 2 Girls Hockey Team

Friday, March 15th 6:00-7:30PM

Contact: Dan Paolucci, Head Coach [email protected]

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PLYMOUTH WHALERS

BY MATT MACKINDER

It seems like the spring of 2007 was ages ago.In one sense, it was. That May, the Plymouth Whalers won their second

Ontario Hockey League J. Ross Robertson Cup championship by defeating the Sudbury Wolves in a thrilling six-game series on an overtime goal by current Pittsburgh Penguins’ forward James Neal in Game 6 up in Sudbury.

Since then, the OHL playoff s have been heartbreak after heartbreak for the Whalers.

In 2007-08, Plymouth went with a youth movement and was swept in the opening round by the Kitchener Rangers. The following spring, the Whalers dropped the Sarnia Sting in the fi rst round in fi ve games before bowing out to the eventual OHL and Memorial Cup champion Windsor Spitfi res in a six-game series.

Windsor would again end Plymouth’s playoff run in 2010, downing the Whalers in a four-game sweep after Plymouth knocked out the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in fi ve games to open the postseason. The Spitfi res took home the OHL and Memorial Cup championships again in 2010

Two years ago, the Whalers beat Kitchener in a seven-game thriller in the opening round, but then fell fl at against the Owen Sound Attack, the team that eventually won the OHL crown in 2011, in a four-game sweep.

Last year, Plymouth toppled the Guelph Storm in six games and then faced the Rangers yet again. Optimism was high, but Kitchener bounced the Whalers in a Game 7 played at Compuware Arena.

What does this season have in store?“I think we have a great team that can go far in the

playoff s,” Plymouth forward Vince Trocheck, among the OHL’s top scorers, said. “We have a lot of fi repower and I believe we can make a run.”

“I think that the team will come together and take care of business come playoff s,” added Whalers’ forward Danny Vanderwiel.

The OHL regular season concludes Sunday, March

17 and the playoff s begin the following weekend. The Whalers will be in the playoff s for an OHL-record 22nd straight season, but as of right now, their fi rst-round opponent is still to be determined.

OHL DRAFT ON TAP FOR APRIL 6Call it what you will.The OHL draft. The OHL priority selection. A roll of the

dice.All of the above apply for the online event scheduled for

Saturday, April 6 when all 20 OHL teams will look to the future with the league’s annual draft.

Beginning in 2001, the draft has been exclusively held online. Prior to that, it was held in OHL arenas a la the NHL draft, with fi rst-round picks on stage with team jersey, hat, the whole shebang.

The Whalers have had major success in the draft, even if it hasn’t been in the fi rst round.

The lone exception is obviously Tyler Seguin, now honing his skills in the NHL with the Boston Bruins, after the Whalers nabbed him in the fi rst round back in 2008.

In 2005, Plymouth selected defenseman Nick Petrecki and the New York native instead went to the United States Hockey League and then to Boston College, winning a national championship his freshman season in 2007-08.

In the years since, a handful of Plymouth’s fi rst-round picks haven’t panned out or were traded for veterans as the Whalers loaded up for the playoff s – Vern Cooper (2006), Max Iafrate (2010), Mitchell Dempsey (2011) and Zach Bratina (2012). Reliable defenseman and two-year captain Beau Schmitz went in the fi rst round in 2007 and current forward Garrett Meurs was tabbed in 2009 and had solid careers with the Whalers.

On the fl ip side, picks outside of the fi rst round have defi nitely panned.

Take Chris Terry, the team’s third all-time leading scorer, in the second round in 2005, current captain and one of the OHL’s most underated defensemen Colin MacDonald in the 14th round in 2008, veteran pro AJ Jenks in the seventh round in 2006, current defenseman Austin Levi in the sixth round in 2008, goalie Scott Wedgewood one

WHALERS PREPARING FOR DRAMA OF OHL PLAYOFFS, OHL DRAFT

WHALERS NOTEBOOKPlymouth forward Rickard Rakell of the Plymouth

Whalers was named the OHL Player of the Week with six goals and three assists for nine points in four games along with a plus-6 for the week ending Feb. 24 … The Whalers were on the road last weekend, but are back at Compuware for the fi nal two regular-season home games on Sunday, March 10 for a 2 p.m. start against the Saginaw Spirit and then on Saturday, March 16 at 7:05 p.m. versus Windsor.

round after Levi, solid power forward Jamie Devane in the seventh round in 2007 and sparkplug Kaine Geldart in the 12th round of 2005 as perfect examples.

In looking at recent drafts as well, seeing names on some lists that chose to go the NCAA route, including Petrecki, brings to mind the Little Texas country ballad, “What Might Have Been.”

Torey Krug (2007), Zach Golembiewski (2007) and Trevor Nill (2005) all went to Michigan State after being drafted by Plymouth. C.J. Severyn (2005) went to Ohio State, Kevin Lynch (2007) went to Michigan and Sean Kuraly (2009) went to Miami as other players once selected by the Whalers on OHL draft day.

The 2013 draft starts at 9 a.m. on April 6 on www.ontariohockeyleague.com.

Tyler SeguinPhoto by Walt Dmoch/Plymouth Whalers(Above photo by Rena Laverty/Plymouth Whalers)


“A Tradition of Excellence”BEST OF LUCK

to all Michigan State Playoff Participants!!!

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>>> Please contact our Coaches directly for Tryout details<<<Tryout information will be posted at:

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TIER 1M. Mj. Todd Krygier [email protected]

M. Mn. Derek Langlois [email protected]

99’s Todd Jenkins [email protected]

00’s Todd Krygier [email protected]

01’s Jim Duhart [email protected]

02’s Jeff Garcia [email protected]

GU19 John Damrath [email protected]

GU16 Tom Byrne [email protected]

GU14 Chris Cirino [email protected]

G12U Patrick Floyd [email protected]

TIER 299’s Matt Mitchell [email protected]

00’s Rod Porter [email protected]

01’s Ron Simons [email protected]

02’s Gordie Lietz [email protected]

03’s John Miller [email protected]

04’s view at: www.compuwarehockeyaaa.com

05’s Dominic Nieto [email protected]

06’s Tim Osburn [email protected]


GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS

BY KYLE KUJAWA

LONG ROAD LEADS SKINNER TO

GRAND RAPIDS

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You could say that Brett Skinner’s journey to his current place on the Grand Rapids Griffi ns’ blueline has been longer than most. He’s in the eighth year of his professional career. He’s suited

up for 15 diff erent teams, spanning six countries, 10 states (and one province) and three trades between seven diff erent NHL organizations.

“I could write a book if you wanted me to,” said Skinner, who joined state No. 10 and organization No. 7 when he signed with the Griffi ns in February.

At 29, Skinner is in the same boat as a lot of AHL veterans. He’s a few years past “prospect” status, but his long resume shows that he’s been useful at every level, and that he’s an asset for a young team hoping to make a long playoff drive, like the Griffi ns. But how does one player fi nd two or three diff erent addresses nearly every season?

“It’s just one of those things where I moved a couple of

times early, so it’s not as daunting, I guess,” he explained. “With some of the moves, I made a decision through either free agency in the summer; other times it’s just been part of the game.”

A third-round choice (68th overall) by Vancouver in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, Skinner was considered a top prospect at a young age. He was a member of a University of Denver program that won the NCAA National Championship in his sophomore and junior seasons, paving the way for him to skip his senior season for an AHL job with the Manitoba Moose.

“I was probably a little anxious when I was younger to get to the next level,” said Skinner. “I probably should have let the process play out and be a little more patient.”

After fi ve AHL stops, and one stint in the ECHL, Skinner worked his way up to the big leagues with the New York Islanders – his fourth NHL organization – during the 2008-09 season. It was a quick experience for Skinner, playing 11 games on Long Island, but one that left an everlasting memory.

“I thought I made the team out of camp, but then they picked one of my buddies from Providence off waivers, so I got sent down,” said Skinner, who played with his replacement, current Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nate Thompson, in Providence during the 2007-08 season.

“I got called up a few weeks later. You always remember making your NHL debut. Beyond that, my parents were able to fl y out and see a couple games. I played in some cool places, like Madison Square Garden. You cherish every day you spend there. Especially because I had spent a few years in the minors, I really enjoyed my time up there.”

Following a season and a half with no more NHL action, Skinner decided to take his game overseas. His experience there was as mixed as the cities he’s played in. He spent the entire 2010-11 season with Amur in the KHL, a team that plays out of Khaborovsk, which is about 20 miles from China. Last season saw three stops – Iserlohn (Germany), Tappara (Finland) and MODO (Sweden).

“Each one was a diff erent scenario,” said Skinner, who battled injuries in both of his seasons in Europe. “Germany was okay, but I had the chance to go to Finland. I thought the opportunity was really good, at the time, so I took it and ended up getting injured.”

For veteran North American players like Skinner, playing in Europe isn’t quite as easy as fl ying over and fi nding a team. Similar to the AHL with its limit of veteran players, European teams have caps on the amount of North Americans teams can have to promote the development of the country’s own players. That can range from just one

or two (Sweden) to nearly half of a roster (Germany).“I don’t know the reason, but in Sweden, [MODO] had

their import defenseman get hurt,” said Skinner. “We weren’t going to make the playoff s in Finland, so I ended up getting loaned to Sweden. It was a good league, but I was injured most of the time so it aff ected the amount I could contribute. I enjoyed all three leagues. All three organizations treated me well. It was a fun way to see the world.”

And as Skinner learned, the import limits can have a major eff ect on how easily it is to adapt to a new country.

“In Germany, you have 10 other imports on the team,” said Skinner. “The coach spoke English most of the time. Finland was interesting because I was the only North American import on the team, the other import was Swedish. The coach spoke Finnish the whole time, so did most of the guys in the dressing room. That was a little more isolated – I was going out for a lot of meals by myself.”

With Markus Naslund as the general manager, Peter Forsberg as his assistant, and former Red Wing Ulf Samulesson as the head coach, he found that his club in Sweden was run more like a typical North American team.

“Everything was done in English in the dressing room,” he said. “Most of them had been over to North America to play, so they were familiar with English. We had a really good group of guys, we went out to eat together a lot. I really enjoyed the country, too.”

However, Skinner admitted that playing for three diff erent teams “didn’t set [himself] up well for this year,” as many potential European jobs were taken by NHLers looking for work during the lockout. So he started the season in Texas, joining the Allen Americans in the Central Hockey League.

“I got lucky to go to a great spot,” he said of Allen, which is managed by an ownership group that includes Mike Modano, Ed Belfour, Steve Duchesne and Craig Ludwig. “They have a really good coaching staff and really good owners. It was a lower level than I was used to, but I felt like I was getting better. It gave me the opportunity to be patient and fi nd [an AHL] job that I got to pick a little more.”

So when Brendan Smith and Brian Lashoff found long-term NHL employment, the Griffi ns needed a veteran who could log minutes in all situations, like Skinner.

“You want to have the opportunity to go somewhere where they have a good team,” said Skinner. “I feel like it’s a good atmosphere. I heard a lot of good things about how they run things here, so it seemed like a good situation for me.”


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2005 For tryout dates, times &

locations contact head coachSteve Chapman 248-917-7052

[email protected]

2004 March 24 @ 3:30 pm March 25 @ 6:00 pm March 27 @ 6:00 pm

Bill Murdock [email protected]

248-760-0250

2003 March 16 @ 4:00 pm March 19 @ 6:00 pm March 23 @ 4:00pm

Scott McNeil [email protected]

248-224-0878

2002 March 7 @ 6:00 pm March 10 @ 11:00 am March 14 @ 6:00 pm

Dave Dunscombe [email protected]

248-797-8083

2001 March 23 @ 5:15 pm

Tom Ricketts [email protected]

248-866-0761

2000 March 16 @ 5:15 pm March 19 @ 7:15 pm March 23 @ 5:15 pm

Bill Bowen [email protected]

313-300-1660

1999 For tryout dates, times &

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[email protected] 248-672-0211

GIRLS 14U For tryout dates, times &

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[email protected] 586-201-7502

ROYAL OAK EAGLES

TRAVEL HOCKEY TRYOUTS


RED WINGS INSIDER

BY DAVE WADDELL

nwanted and undrafted in the 2008 NHL draft, Detroit Red Wings’ defenseman Brian Lashoff is a testament to there’s more than just one way to work your way into the National Hockey

League.The Albany, N.Y. native slipped through seven rounds

of the draft that June, but Wings’ general manager Ken Holland wasn’t going to let him slip away this summer.

Not part of the Wings’ plans when the season started, injuries and Lashoff ’s ability to take advantage of the opportunity said injuries presented prompted Holland to sign the 22-year-old to a three-year deal worth $725,000 per season Feb. 25.

“We like to reward young people when they play well,” Holland said. “The reward is a one-way deal.”

In his 18 games, Lashoff has a goal and three points and is minus-four. However, the tale of Lashoff ’s worth isn’t told in statistics.

His is a game best measure by what scouts call the ‘eyeball test.’

The six-foot-three, 212 pound Lashoff reminds many of the previous holder of the No. 23 jersey in Detroit – Brad Stuart.

Lashoff is a gritty defenseman, who leads the Wings in hits and is among their leaders in blocked shots. He’s become a pivotal piece on the penalty kill and he’s gone from unwanted to one of the fi rst names called by coach Mike Babcock.

“He’s played on the top pairing with (Niklas) Kronwall, played against the best players, also played on the penalty kill,” Holland said.

“He makes a good outlet pass. He competes hard. He’s got a good reach. And he’s only 22.

“We think he’ll get better and better.”While others may have had questions about his ability

to develop into an NHL regular, Lashoff ’s faith never wavered.

These are heady times for the youngster nicknamed ‘Smash’, yet he refuses to be sucked into the vortex of good vibes.

“When I came here I was never going to get too high or too low, just kind of stay the same way throughout my time here and work hard every day,” Lashoff said. “It never changes for me, whether it’s a game day, a practice or if I’m playing.

“I’m going to be ready whatever opportunity is given to me.”

That quiet self-confi dence was one of the characteristics the Wings noticed when they off ered Lashoff a tryout in September, 2008.

Detroit was just coming off a Stanley Cup season and still had the likes of Nick Lidstrom, Brian Rafalski, Brad Stuart and Niklas Kronwall along with a young Jonathan Ericsson, who had played so well in the previous spring’s playoff s.

It hardly seemed a logical choice to try and work yourself up from the dregs of the minor leagues with that formidable blue-line looking set for the next few seasons.

However, Lashoff was playing the long game. He pleasantly surprised Wings’ general manager Ken

Holland that fall. Holland saw enough in the rugged defenseman to off er him a contract.

Lashoff signed and went back to the Ontario Hockey League to continue to polish his craft. The Wings’ foresight was rewarded when Lashoff made the U.S. national junior squad that would go on to win the world title in 2009-10.

He enjoyed his fi rst full season at the AHL last year in Grand Rapids. The plan was for him to remain there for another year.

However, the NHL lockout bought him another half

season of AHL action and he was ready when injuries ravaged the Detroit defensive corps. Lashoff has played in 18 of Detroit’s 22 games to date.

The irony of it all must have struck Lashoff as he signed his new deal.

In inking the one-way pact, Lashoff has cemented himself in the Wings’ NHL plans while none of the six draft picks Detroit made in 2008, which included fi rst-round pick Thomas McCollum and fourth-round selection Gustav Nyquist, have been able to stick with the big club permanently to date.

Though he still makes the occasional rookie mistake, Lashoff has become instrumental in helping the Wings fi nd some answers on a defense, which had been the biggest question mark coming into the season.

With Detroit leading the NHL in man-games lost to injury, the fact that the Wings remain solidly in the playoff race while watching their defensive numbers steadily improve bodes well for the Wings when they get healthy.

Detroit has only conceded seven goals in its last fi ve games following a 2-1 shootout loss to Chicago March 3 and now the questions are more about Detroit’s depth at forward.

Retired Wings’ captain Nick Lidstrom feels Detroit will reap the rewards of surviving thanks to the help of youngsters such as Lashoff and fellow rookies Damien Brunner, Tomas Tatar and Joaquin Anderson.

“Guys are getting an opportunity to play more,” Lidstrom said.

“I think it’s just the maturity of getting experience to play and play every day, against the top players and knowing that small mistakes can end up with the puck in your net.

“It’s a learning experience for the kids and it’s a great way to get a chance to play with so many guys out.”

LASHOFF PROVES THATHARD WORKCAN PAY OFF

Photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey


BY DARREN ELIOT @Darren_Eliot

JUNIORS PREVIEWTHE LAST LINE

CCHA IMPRESSIVELY YOUNG AS IT AGES OUT AT 42

My impressions of the fi nal CCHA season were varied and wide ranging. Here’s what impressed me the most:

YOST ICE ARENA: I love when universities opt to spruce up older facilities instead of razing them. Yost is brighter, with natural daylight streaming in during the afternoon. The video board is spectacular without being a distraction and overall, the new amenities don’t overwhelm the charm and history of yesteryear.

LAWSON LUNATICS: The Western Michigan Broncos fans are hysterical. I enjoyed visiting several of the campuses this season, but the lovingly self-labeled Lunatics are the most engaged and raucous rooters in the state. Plus, they travel well, continuing their chants and antics as if they were home at Lawson. Truly, they have become part of the college hockey experience in Kalamazoo.

MASCOT ANTICS: So, while the Lawson Lunatics collectively grabbed and held my attention, my fi rst trip to Ferris State had me laughing out loud the fi rst time I witnessed the mascot sled down the stairs after the Bulldogs scored. It isn’t a long run top to bottom in the comfy confi nes of Ewigleben Ice Arena, but it looked terribly uncomfortable – like something only a college kid would do – making the celebration all the more amusing.

SPARTAN SUPPORT: After experiencing the exhilaration of a surprise season and a trip to the NCAA tournament a year ago, the Spartans struggled to score goals this season, fi nishing last in the 11-team CCHA league in goals-for. It meant an 11th place fi nish in the standings as well, even though the team fi nished middle of the pack defensively. Impressively, the Spartan faithful turned up regularly and in large numbers, fi nishing fi rst in attendance despite the growing pains and less than favorable results on the ice.

Speaking of on the ice, there were numerous stellar performances turned in this campaign, but what stood out to me was the contribution of the freshman class. Miami RedHawks forward Riley Barber led the league in overall scoring and teammate and classmate Ryan McKay led the loop in overall goals-against. Meanwhile, over in Ann Arbor, fi rst-year Wolverine Jacob Trouba led all defensemen in scoring. That’s a clean sweep for the frosh! Unprecedented, I’m sure (my dedicated research team was still working on the details as we went to press).

The league leaders weren’t the only freshmen to impress this season in the CCHA. Trouba’s teammate Boo Nieves was Rookie of the Month in February, garnering the most points of any freshman in the nation. Nieves catches your eye most every game and looks to be a solid third round selection by the N.Y. Rangers. Taking Miami’s season a step further, coach Enrico Blasi’s tandem was all-frosh, with Jay Williams splitting time with McKay. No matter. The RedHawks led the CCHA with 59 points, positioning Blasi as Coach of the Year favorite, as he guided them to their fourth-ever CCHA regular season title.

And in case you think all of the fantastic freshmen played in only Oxford, Ohio, or Ann Arbor, think again. MSU’s rookie goaltender Jake Hildebrand was fourth in overall save percentage and WMU’s Kenney Morrison trailed only Trouba in defenseman scoring amongst fi rst-year players. In goal - aside from the RedHawks’ duo and besides Hildebrand - Alaska, Lake State and Bowling

Green all saw fi rst-timers get plenty of playing time and acquit themselves nicely. Most notably, John Keeney for the Nanooks stood out when taking over the reins. He backstopped his team to a 6-0 record in the month of January, securing home ice in round one in the process.

Which brings us to the “eyeball test”. You know, the players that just look like they belong. Here are the players that caught my eye this year. I guess you could call it… DE’S ALL-EYEBALL TEAMGOALIE

C.J. MOTTE, FERRIS STATE: I really like his competitiveness, ability to make saves in traffi c and puck handling acumen – the best in the CCHA. DEFENSE

JACOB TROUBA, UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN: A phenomenal talent who has such presence on the ice that it is easy to see why the Winnipeg Jets called his name with the ninth overall pick in last summer’s NHL Entry Draft. He looked to me to be the best NHL prospect in the entire CCHA this season.

SIMON DENIS, FERRIS STATE: Not big, or particularly fast, but always a factor when on the ice. I just love his sense and feel for the game. He’s just a hockey player – and I mean that as the highest form of fl attery.FORWARDS

ANDERS LEE, NOTRE DAME: Big power forward was a consistent threat all season long. He, like Trouba, appears to have the “it” factor to play at the next level.

DOMENIC MONARDO, LAKE SUPERIOR STATE: He just epitomized what a senior is supposed to do to help his team win: anything he possibly can. That’s the quality I saw in Monardo. (Ditto for Andy Taranto for the Nanooks)

RILEY BARBER, MIAMI: Took the CCHA by storm as a scorer, but what I liked most about his season thus far is how the Livonia native fi lled a checking role for Team USA in winning gold at the World Junior Championship in January.

So, that is my look back on the regular season, as we all get primed for the post-season – in which the 42nd and fi nal CCHA champion will be crowned.


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