michigan hockey september 20, 2010

Michigan Hockeymichiganhockeyonline.com

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PRESENTATIONSUSA Hockey ADM Overview and Q&A presented by Bob Mancini

“Sports Injuries and what you can do to prevent them” presented by the Detroit Medical Center

“What’s new in Pointstreak” introducing some exciting new features that are available to all LCAHL teams this season

“New Manager Training and Orientation” session designed to help new and, even, experienced managers get ‘up-to-speed’ for the season

There will be a House Summit meeting led by Gordon Lietz and Liz Koons and open to Association representatives to discuss ways to enhance our House Program. Association representatives interested in participating in this

‘Summit’ please RSVP to PW B Director Liz Koons at (734) 626-6133

Attendees will be entered in drawings to win Red Wings tickets and other prizes such as USA Hockey gear and First Aid Kits that have been donated by our vendors.

Vendors will be available onsite to discuss fundraising ideas, information and other products of interest to teams.

We will have a team networking area where teams can gather with other teams in their age classification to set up scrimmages or just tell war stories.

TEAMS WILL MEET AT THE FOLLOWING TIMES:

LCAHL Fall Face-Off MeetingLCAHL Fall Face-Off MeetingLCAHL Fall Face-Off MeetingSunday, September 26, 2010

MotorCity Casino Hotel in DetroitParking at this location is free for LCAHL teams

This is not a scheduling meeting. This meeting is designed to allow teams to complete their registration process, obtain league materials, network with league representatives, other teams and vendors, and to present our team management with educational opportunities.

It promises to be a full day and it is important to have the number in attendance correct to insure we have sufficient league materials and enough space to accommodate everyone. If you need to change your team’s status as to attendance, please let LCAHL know in advance so we can make adjustments.

10 AM All House Teams12 PM Girls Travel, Midget A, AA, Bantam A, AA, Pee Wee AA

2 PM Pee Wee A, Squirt A, AA, Mite A, AAThanks for choosing LCAHL! We are looking forward to a great season!Thanks for choosing LCAHL! We are looking forward to a great season!

4 Michigan Hockey MichiganHockeyOnline.com

PAGE 26 PAGES 27-29PAGE 19-22

Parent’s GuideHaving a good season, feeding your player, dates to remember

and more

Junior HockeyWhalers and

Spirit gear up for new season

Pro PreviewGriffi ns, K-Wings

and NHL start soon

AMATEUR HOCKEY REPORTRed Wings help at Kris Draper Hockey School 6

MH BEATRussian Lokomotiv wraps up Michigan tour 8-9Michigan Tech visits makes European hockey trip 10

GET BETTER Executing off ensively 11

STATE OF THE GAME By Lyle Phair I’m only a kid 12

HOMETOWN HERO Troy’s Sean Collins 13

REEBOK TOURNAMENT CALENDAR 14

PARENT’S GUIDEHaving a good season 19Training Table: Feeding your player well 20Fundraising gets creative 21Be Our Guest: Dr. Michael Czarnota on concussions 21Be Our Guest: Mitch Zorn on Being a good goalie parent 22Season Calendar: MAHA dates to remember 22

JUNIOR HOCKEYWhalers and Spirit get ready for start of season 24Central States Hockey League preview 26

PRO PREVIEWGrand Rapids Griffi ns expect to rebound 27Kalamazoo Wings ready to defend North Division title 27NHL Preview: Detroit is at the top of Western Conference 29

RED WINGS AND NHL INSIDERSDave Waddell: Red Wings are deep and talented 28Kevin Allen: Chris Chelios is Godfather of American hockey 30

PAGES 27-29PAGES 27-29

Table of Contents

September 20, 2010, Volume 21 : Issue 4

PAGES 27-29PAGES 27-29

Our annual Arena Guide will take a look at some of some recent renovations at rinks across the state. We’ll also preview

Michigan teams at the Midget AAA level and more

Look for it on arena stands, on michiganhockeyonline.com and in your e-mail In Box on October 1.

Advertising copy for the next issue of MH is due on September 22.

Contact Lucia Zuzga at (248) 479-1134 or [email protected] or Philip Colvin at (248) 479-1136

or [email protected] for more information.

COMING IN OUR NEXT ISSUEARENA GUIDEARENA GUIDEARENA GUIDEARENA GUIDE

Pro PreviewTomas Holmstrom and Pavel Datsyuk expect a big season in Detroit; Grand

Rapids ready to rebound and Kalamazoo could be even better.

5Michigan HockeyMichiganHockeyOnline.com

A Goodwill Tour

FROM THE EDITOR

While watching a few of the games on the Saint Petersburg, Russia Lokomotiv’s tour of Michigan (page 8-9), I was struck by how well hockey brought together 12-year old boys from two very diff erent places 4,500 miles apart.

On the ice before the games the players smiled nervously and some even tentatively shook hands after exchanging gifts. The games were on the whole competitive, wide-open and exciting to watch.

And while the players seemed to enjoy the on-ice action, they had even more fun off of it. The Michigan teams played host to the Russian kids, and despite the language barrier, the players bonded over the universal language of hot dogs, pizza, ice cream, Oreo cookies and juice boxes.

The host families took the Russian players swimming, bowling, fi shing and to the go-kart track for racing, miniature golf and laser tag. And some just let the kids hang out at home playing video games and Nerf Guns. One parent who hosted two Russian players for a night told me that their Nerf Guns got more use in the 24 hours the Russians were there than they had “in the last year.”

This was the second time that Lokomotiv has visited Michigan and as one parent told me, “everyone enjoyed having them in our homes. It was a great experience for the kids and for us.”

Our Parent’s Guide that starts on page 19 has tips for a great season, how to feed your player well, a concussion reminder and how fundraising is getting creative. In addition, check out more fundraising ideas, how to fi t your player’s equipment and our 150-term hockey glossary in our “Only on the Web” at michiganhockeyonline.com.

Our Pro Preview starts on page 27 with looks at the Grand Rapids Griffi ns, Kalamazoo Wings, Detroit Red Wings and the NHL.

If you have any ideas for future stories, things you liked (or didn’t like) in Michigan Hockey or just want to talk hockey, send me an e-mail ([email protected]) or give me call (248-479-1136) anytime.

Have a great season,


Cover: Red Wings’ Henrik Zetterberg by Tom Turrill/ Michigan HockeyPhotos page 4 (from top, L to R): Tomas Holmstrom and Pavel Datsyuk by Dave Reginek/DRW; Parent’s by Philip Colvin/Michigan Hockey; Saginaw Spirit celebration by Aaron Bell/OHL Images and the winning entry of the Grand Rapids Griffi ns jersey design contest by Ryan Muraro.

Cover reprints availableemail: [email protected]

Editor-in-Chief

Advertising

Database Manager

Design

Contributing Editor

Distribution

Administrative Director

EDITORIAL BOARD: Bob DeSpirt, Christine Szarek, Derek Blair, James Jenkins, Julie Pardoski, Kirk Vickers, Linda HollandLisa Zarzycki, Mark Vansaw, Nyron Fauconier, Randy PaquetteRob Mattina, Susan Bottrell, Tim Wilson, Todd Krygier

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: MICHIGAN HOCKEY® welcomes Letters to the Editor. They must be signed and include the writer's full home address and day and evening telephone numbers.

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. ©2010 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.

Philip D. [email protected]

Lucia [email protected]

Josh [email protected]

Chuck Stevens

Kevin Allen

Rob Murphy

Lucia Zuzga

Amy Jones

From the EditorSeptember 20, 2010, Volume 21 : Issue 4

MICHIGAN HOCKEY23995 Freeway Park Drive • Suite 200

Farmington Hills, MI 48335-2829(248) 478-2500 • FAX: (248) 478-1601

EMAIL: [email protected]: www.michiganhockeyonline.com

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More Parent’s Guide

Fitting your equipment

More Fundraising ideas

Glossary of hockey terms

More Pro and Junior Previews

The rest of the NHL’s Western and Eastern

Conferences

AAHL

GLJHL

Alpena Thunder

Soo Eagles

ONLY ON THE WEBONLY ON THE WEB


Red Wings’ Kris Draper hosts Red Wings’ Kris Draper hosts camp at CORE Sportscamp at CORE Sports

FUN MEALS for Hockey Moms

submitted by Hockey Moms

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts

1/2 cup barbecue sauce,

shredded four cheese

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MAKE ITHEAT greased grill to medium heat.

GRILL chicken 5 to 6 min. on each side or until done (165ºF), brushing with 1/4 cup sauce the last few minutes. Cut into strips.

SPOON remaining sauce down centers of tortillas; top with chicken, cheese and lettuce.

FOLD in opposite sides of tortillas, then roll up burrito-style.

CHEESY GRILLED BBQ CHICKEN WRAPS

Submit your recipe & photo to: [email protected]

Contact Lucia @ 248-479-1134 if you would like to sponsor this unique program.

As the Detroit Red Wings prepared for the upcoming season, several players took time out of their busy schedule to skate with some local youth players at the annual Kris Draper Hockey School at the end of August at the Troy Sports Center.

And who better to train you than Draper, a 12-year veteran of the Red Wings and co-owner of CORE Sports Fitness inside the Troy Sports Center, and the staff at CORE Sports?

Over ninety players, aged 6 to 16, trained each day at CORE Sports Fitness with professional trainers and on the ice with Draper, former NHL player Matt Elich and their team of instructors.

The school’s instruction focused on four major skills: skating, puck handling, passing and shooting. Utilizing CORE’s state-of-the-art facilities, the staff also put campers through off -ice training techniques that could be utilized throughout the season.

Several Red Wings stopped in over the four day school to skate with the players, sign autographs and hang out at CORE.

After racing around cones and skating on the BLADE hockey

treadmill, the campers were treated to some time with Red Wings Draper and Chris Osgood (top), Dan Cleary, Nick Lidstrom, Chris Chelios, Darren McCarty and Kirk Maltby.

Amateur Hockey Report

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Red Wings’ Kris Draper hosts Red Wings’ Kris Draper hosts camp at CORE Sportscamp at CORE Sports

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The Lokomotiv started their trip on the west side of the state with games in Lansing, Grand Rapids, Holland and Kalamazoo. The Lansing Capitals hung out with the Russian team after losing 3-2 on August 21 and traveled to Jackson a few days later to watch Lokomotiv play the Generals.

The Kalamazoo Wings lost 5-2 to the disciplined, well-conditioned Lokomotiv on August 24. As happened regularly on the tour, the two teams exchanged gifts before the game and had a pizza party after. During their stay with the K-Wings’ families the Russian players’ favorite foods were Oreo cookies, juice boxes, and hot dogs and the two teams went bowling, played laser tag, video games, and miniature golf the following day.

In the Russians third-to-last game in Michigan, Belle Tire (above) ‘98s beat Lokomotiv, 6-3, on Sept. 2 in a fast-paced up and down game with lots of scoring chances.

MH Beat

The 1998 Lokomotiv team (above) from St. Petersburg, Russia traveled to Michigan in late August and early September to play 17 games in 15 days against teams from across the state, including the Lansing Capitals, Grand Rapids Griffi ns, Holland Ice Dogs, Kalamazoo K-Wings, Jackson Generals, Plymouth Stingrays, Suburban Stars, Sun County Panthers (Canada), Lambton Sting (Canada), Novi Ice Cats, Birmingham Rangers, Allen Park Huskies, Victory Honda, Belle Tire, Compuware and the Kensington Valley Rebels.

Russian ’98 Lokomotiv wrapRussian ’98 Lokomotiv wraps up tour of MichiganRussian ’98 Lokomotiv wrapRussian ’98 Lokomotiv wraps up tour of MichiganRussian ’98 Lokomotiv wrap


COME SKATE IT’S GREAT

October 28 toDecember 20

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The Plymouth Stingrays shut out Lokomotiv 5-0 on Aug. 26, but the real fun came after the game. The Stingrays and their parents billeted the Russian players and went swimming, played video games and mini-sticks. Plymouth’s Alec Allen (left) and Riley Brass (right) fl ank Russians Nikolya Solovyev and Kirill Vilenskiy before a game of Nerf Guns. The Stingrays and Lokomotiv toured Michigan’s Yost Arena and had a BBQ at Heritage Park. (center photo on page 8)

Before heading to Novi where they lost to the Wildcats, Lambton and Sun County (Ontario) at an international festival on August 28-29, Lokomotiv beat the Suburban Stars, 9-6, on August 27 (below). The Stars’ families hosted the Russian players on September 2 and the kids played video games, air hockey, soccer and Nerf Guns, rode ATVs and went to Paradise Park.

s up tour of MichiganRussian ’98 Lokomotiv wraps up tour of Michigans up tour of MichiganRussian ’98 Lokomotiv wraps up tour of Michigans up tour of Michigan

www.onyxicearena.comCheck out all the fun

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Hockey Clinic Thursday, Sept 30th, 6:15pm

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Mighty Mite (ages 3-6) Wed or SatMini Mite (ages 6-8) Wed SatSquirt/Peewee (ages 9-12) Tues Sunday

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During the season Michigan Tech’s hockey trips are to towns like Anchorage, Minneapolis and Madison. But this summer the Huskies traveled to Germany and Austria in late August to play a series of games against European pro teams.

On August 12, the Huskies drove from Houghton to Marquette, fl ew to Detroit, then to Amsterdam and on to Munich, Germany. The team then took a 90-minute bus ride to Kaufbueren, Germany where they played in the four-team Joker Cup tournament.

Tech opened with a 3-0 win over the host team the following day, with Aaron Pietila, Bennett Royer and Brett Olson getting the goals and Josh Robinson earning the shutout. The Huskies lost 2-0 against the Linz Black Wings in game two and fi nished the tourney 1-2 after a 5-2 loss to the Augsburger Panthers on August 15. Steven Seigo and Anthony Schooley scored and Corson Cramer played in net.

The players and staff were able to spend some time walking around Kaufbueren and saw the old city walls that provided protection to the city over seven hundred years ago and churches that dated back to the 1300s.

The games in Kaufbueren drew some Michigan Tech alumni living in Switzerland and the team was awarded a third-place trophy (right) and John Kivisto was named tournament MVP.

The Huskies them went to Austria on a double-decker bus, with players on top and the staff below, and stopped for lunch in Innsbruck, the site of the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics, at a place that featured an animal petting zoo.

The Wildcats beat the Vienna Capitals, 6-5, on August 17 at the Klenk Dome in St. Polten, Austria. Mikael Lickteig’s goal late in the third period was the game winner as the Huskies overcame a 4-3 defi cit to even their record in Europe at 2-2. Tech wrapped up the tour with a 7-2 loss against Klagenfurt (Germany) on August 18 before heading back home.

D i th Mi hi T h’ h k t i t t lik A h

Michigan Tech Michigan Tech goes to Europegoes to EuropeMichigan Tech goes to Europe

The Michigan Tech Huskies team traveled to Germany and Austria for a fi ve-game trip against European pro teams in late August.


Get Better

Execute off ensivelyHockey is all about creating space and time for yourself and eliminating space

and time for the opposition. No matter what system a team uses, adhering to some key principles ensures that

everyone is pulling in the same direction. These basic ideas work because systems don’t win games, execution does:

READ, ANTICIPATE AND ACTDo your thinking during practice and on the bench, not on the ice. Expand your

on-ice vision and don’t get mesmerized by the puck. Don’t hesitate, anticipate. If you wait to react to what has happened you are already a step behind.

ON THE BREAKOUTDuring a breakout get into position quickly, support the puckcarrier by getting

into a passing lane so they don’t have to search for you. Get to the puck quickly and survey the ice before you get there so you don’t have to search for them.

Defensemen always need to know where their partner is, back up your partner and provide an outlet.

Wingers come in to at least the hash marks along the boards to discourage their defensemen from pinching. Know where your center is and then provide an outlet for your defensemen and center. Centers should provide an outlet for defensemen and wingers.

Make the easy pass, look for indirect lanes and use the boards to your advantage. Don’t pass through more than one player.

If there is no easy pass or seam to skate the puck, take it to the boards and battle. Don’t throw the puck away and don’t feed their points.

Exit the zone as a unit and don’t leave the zone ahead of the puck.

NEUTRAL ZONE AND OFFENSIVE ZONE PENETRATIONMove up the ice together, fi ll the lanes and attack the seams between opposing

defensemen and remember that speed kills. Head man the puck and don’t make teammates slow down to stay on-side.

Puck movement is key – keep the other team off balance and don’t let them set up defensively.

Make passes and receive passes in stride and create space in the outside lanes by moving the puck to the middle of the ice before passing to the wing.

Don’t expose the puck to be pokechecked, instead make your move outside of defender’s reach. Create 2-on-1’s and give and go.

The puck carrier drives to the net, the second man goes to the net (preferably a forward down the adjacent lane) and the man trails the play in the high slot.

When in doubt lay the puck in the corner along the boards and get on the forecheck.

IN THE OFFENSIVE ZONEOne forward must remain high in the slot to be the shooter and the fi rst back checker.Retain possession of the puck, win battles by the boards and don’t make blind

passes. Keep the puck deep. Don’t carry the puck from below hash marks to above the hash marks and use the corners to cycle the puck.

Move the puck quickly, anticipate where you might pass the puck before you get it and be open when the puck carrier is ready to pass it.

Look for openings on net and shoot for them. A quick release and accurate shot are better than a big wind-up that hits the glass.

Defensemen work to get your shots through and look for space at the side of the net for defl ections.

Source: Rob Palmer/Michigan Level 4 Coach’s Clinic Presentation

Web-enabled sports training software to help coaches teach and players learn

Call (248) 601-0100 or visit Vbksportsviewer.com for more information.VISUALLY BROADENING KNOWLEDGE

Keeping the puck deep, winning battles by the boards and creating space and time will help execute in the off ensive zone.


PHOTO BY TOM TURRILL/MICHIGAN HOCKEY

Source: weisstechhockey.com

Attack Triangle Drill

PurposeDevelop off ensive attack skills

SetupPlayers in two lines along boards on opposite sides of rink facing each other. First X (at top) leaves without puck and cuts across the neutral zone and receives a pass in stride and drives wide to the net. Passer takes off wide and follows up puck carrier in position as a trailer. Second X (at top) cuts inside the fi rst cone and drives wide to form an attack triangle.


September 20, 2010, Volume 21 : Issue 4State of the Game

Stateof the

Gameby Lyle Phair

As we drop the puck on another hockey season, it’s like a new day dawning, a fresh sheet of ice, a long and winding road ahead ready to be taken.

Many new adventures will unfold. Each practice and each game a new chapter in the novel that is the season. Countless lessons will be learned by those new to the game and re-learned and re-learned over and over again by those who have experienced it for years. Sometimes we forget. But the game never stops teaching.

As a coach and a parent I know every year that I need to remind myself to make sure that I am approaching the game from the proper perspective. As we all know (or if we don’t yet we soon will), it is pretty easy to get caught up in the emotions of the moment and do something or say something that we will very much regret later on.

WHAT’S IT REALLY ABOUTBut there are plenty of reminders around us at almost every youth

sporting event that takes place, be it soccer, baseball, football or hockey. Someone, somewhere will get out of hand and have to be reminded of what exactly this stuff is really all about.

One such reminder occurred this past spring. It was one of those beautiful spring nights in mid-May, warm enough yet cool enough to make for a great night for a game. And there were plenty of games going on at the Northville Community Park that night. Three soccer games on adjacent fi elds back-to-back-to-back with a lacrosse game just a Chuck Stevens 5-iron to the south.

Plenty of action and plenty of excitement. And as could be expected, plenty of noise. Much of it coming from the parents and coaches on the sidelines of the soccer fi elds, shouting, among other things, encouragement and directions to their young stars and starlets on the fi eld.

As much as I have grown to have an appreciation for “the beautiful game” (although it is not even close to hockey in terms of being a sport) the one thing that I will never quite accept is the fact that the parents and spectators are right there with the team on the sidelines. If not “right there” then just down the way.

And with that closeness comes the noise, the encouragement and cheering part of it good, some of the directions and sideline coaching, not so much.

On this particular night what caught my attention, somehow rising up and standing out above the din that is the sidelines, was an exchange from the fi eld directly behind us. Two teams of what looked

like nine-year olds were squaring off in a hotly contested match. Two athletic looking, athletically dressed alpha male coaches prowled the sidelines, toting clipboards and barking orders non-stop to their young charges on the fi eld.

Suddenly one of the coaches, a little angered by something he saw on the fi eld by an opposing player, blurted out something to the eff ect of, “Hey #7, keep your hands to yourself or I’ll show you what to do with them!” But apparently it was unheard or ignored because it was soon followed up with a “Hey #7, I told you to watch it or we’ll take care of you!”

That apparently caught the kid’s attention because his response was something that everybody heard, not just on their fi eld but for three fi elds over. Not so much because of how loud he said it, but what he said.

“Hey Mr. I’m just a little kid!” was his response. I happened to turn in that direction just as the words were coming out of his mouth. Seeing the confrontation was interesting. A barely four-foot tall nine-year-old standing up to and staring up at a six-foot-three, two hundred and twenty fi ve pound thirty-something coach. The coach’s reaction was priceless. He didn’t know what to do. He couldn’t respond. How do you respond to that? He turned, put his hands in his pockets and slinked down the sidelines, head down. Lesson learned. Maybe. At least for that night. The silence was deafening.

The coach probably wasn’t a bad guy. Most coaches aren’t. It’s tough to call anybody a bad guy for devoting the kind of time, energy and commitment it takes to coach a team in any sport. Most coaches mean well. As do most parents. Sometimes we just get caught up in the emotions of the moment and need a little dose of reality to set us straight.

That scene is sure to get repeated over and over and over this hockey season as it does every hockey season. Not the response from the player, but the over-exuberant yelling from the coach. Many coaches do it. Many parents do it. If not at the fi eld or the rink, then probably on the way to the rink. Or worse yet on the way home after a tough game where the kid didn’t play quite up to expectations.

THEY ALREADY KNOWHere’s a little news for you if you weren’t aware. The kids already

know when they don’t play that well. It’s not that diffi cult for them to fi gure out. They know what they did wrong and what they can try to do better next time. And rest assured, if they didn’t know during the game, at some point they were told about it by their coaches. More often than not they are told more times than they need to be.

That’s sort of the nature of coaching. It’s about correcting mistakes and trying to right wrongs. But obviously it is much, much more than that. About teaching the game, allowing players to learn the game, building skills and inspiring confi dence.

All too often we coaches spend too much time on the correcting and not enough time on the inspiring. I know I am guilty as charged on that one. It’s something I try to remind myself about every time I go to the rink or soccer fi eld.

What is a little sadly humorous is that while the players already know where they stand and what they did wrong well before any of us adults unnecessarily drill it into them again and again, is that they really don’t care as much about it as we adults do. It’s not that they don’t care about doing well and playing their best and winning and losing. They really do. But it’s just not as important to them as it is to the adults. They are kids. They move on to other things in their kid lives. It’s not that they don’t care. They do. But sometimes they do a much better job of keeping it in perspective than some of the adults do

Something to think about on your way to the rink this season. They’re just kids.

I’M JUST A I’M JUST A KIDKID

I’M JUST A KID

PHOTO BY JUST SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO COURTESY OSU ATHLETICS

PHOTPHOTPHOTPP O BYO BYO BYO BYO BYBY JUSJUSJUSUSJUSSU T SPT SPT ST ST ST ORTSTS PHOPPHOHOOOTOGRGRGGRG APHYY

PHOTPHOTPHOTPHOTTO COO COO COO COO COUURTEURTEURTURTESY OSY OOSY OSY OSSSS

DefensemanBorn: October 30, 1983 Hometown: Troy Height/Weight: 6-1/212 Shoots: R

Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM

2000-01 Cleveland Barons NAHL 55 0 10 10 30

2001-02 Cleveland Barons NAHL 56 5 23 28 54

2002-03 Sioux City Musketeers USHL 59 6 22 28 89

2003-04 Ohio State University CCHA 41 3 12 15 57




2006-07 Hershey Bears AHL 3 0 0 0 2


2007-08 South Carolina Stingrays ECHL 31 1 13 14 16


2008-09 Washington Capitals NHL 15 1 1 2 12


NHL Totals 15 1 1 2 12

A solid two-way defenseman who can move the puck, Collins is currently attending the Washington Capitals training camp after spending last season with the AHL’s Hershey Bears… Played baseball at Bishop Foley Catholic High School

in Madison Heights before graduating from Rocky River High School in Rocky River, Ohio, in 2002… Played two seasons with the Cleveland Barons (NAHL) and a season in Sioux City (USHL) before attending Ohio State and playing four years

with the Buckeyes… Was named team’s top freshman in 2004 and went on to serve as Buckeyes captain his senior year, when he led the team in scoring, was named second team all-CCHA and was one of three fi nalists for both the league’s Best Off ensive

Defenseman and Best Defensive Defenseman honors… Signed with Washington as a free agent on March 17, 2007 and made his pro debut with the Bears against Binghamton on March 25… Made his NHL debut against Toronto on December 6, 2008 and averaged over 14 minutes a game over 15 games with the Capitals. Picked up his fi rst NHL point with an overtime assist on Dec. 23 against the New York Rangers and scored his fi rst NHL goal on January 1, 2009 against Tampa Bay… Has won two straight Calder Cups with Hershey the last two seasons… Graduated from Ohio State with a BA in family resource management with a minor in business management ... nickname is Colly ... uncle Kevin played football for Central Michigan and then in the NFL, while uncle Greg was an All-American in football at Notre Dame and also went on to an NFL career… Lists Steve Yzerman as his favorite athlete… His favorite meal is fi let mignon and crab legs and his favorite movie is Braveheart.

TOURNAMENT CALENDARAdvanced TournamentsSeptember 24-26, 2010Holland, MIGreat Lakes Tournament SeriesSquirt A, Pee Wee A, Bantam AContact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343www.advancedtournaments.com Hockey Time ProductionsMotown Cup Tournament SeriesDetroit, MISeptember 24-26, 2010Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567www.itshockeytime.com Action TournamentsBattle at the Border CupBrownstown, Dearborn, Garden City, Melvindale, Westland, MISeptember 24-26, 2010Mite & Midget A & AA734-751-9105actiontournamentscentral.com COMPUWARE / HoneyBaked InvitationalPlymouth, MISeptember 30 - October 3, 2010Midget (Mj. & Mn.)www.compuwarehockeyaaa.com Advanced TournamentsOctober 1-3, 2010Holland, MIGreat Lakes Tournament SeriesMite AA, Squirt AA, Midget Minor & Girls 12UContact Advanced Tournaments 847-277-7343www.advancedtournaments.com Arenamaps.com Earlybird TournamentOctober 1-3, 2010Kalamazoo, MISquirt-Midget A & [email protected]/series Action TournamentsBattle at the Border CupBrownstown, Dearborn, Garden City, Melvindale, Westland, MIOctober 1-3, 2010Squirt & Pee Wee A & AA734-751-9105actiontournamentscentral.com Advanced TournamentsOctober 8-10, 2010Holland, MIGreat Lakes Tournament SeriesPee Wee House, Pee Wee AA, Midget Major/HS & Girls 14UContact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343www.advancedtournaments.com Action TournamentsBattle at the Border CupBrownstown, Dearborn, Garden City, Melvindale, Westland, MIOctober 8-10, 2010Bantam A & AA, Girls U-14734-751-9105actiontournamentscentral.com Hockey Time ProductionsMotown Cup Tournament SeriesDetroit, MIOctober 8-10, 2010Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567www.itshockeytime.com

Hockey Time ProductionsK-Zoo Cup Tournament SeriesKalamazoo, MIOctober 8-10, 2010Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567www.itshockeytime.com Advanced TournamentsOctober 15-17, 2010Holland, MIGreat Lakes Tournament SeriesSquirt House, Squirt A, Bantam HouseContact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343www.advancedtournaments.com West Shore Tournament SeriesScottville, MIOctober 15-17, 2010JV Preseason I231-843-9712www.westshoreice.com Grand Traverse Hockey AssociationTournament SeriesFall Color TournamentTraverse City, MIOctober 15-17, 2010Squirt A & [email protected] Action TournamentsBattle at the Border CupBrownstown, Dearborn, Garden City, Melvindale, Westland, MIOctober 15-17, 2010Girls U-12 & Girls U-16734-751-9105actiontournamentscentral.com Advanced TournamentsOctober 22-24, 2010Holland, MIGreat Lakes Tournament SeriesSquirt AA, Pee Wee House, Midget House Contact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343www.advancedtournaments.com Grand Traverse Hockey AssociationTournament SeriesFall Color TournamentTraverse City, MIOctober 22-24, 2010Pee Wee A & [email protected] Hockey Time ProductionsMotown Cup Tournament SeriesDetroit, MIOctober 22-24, 2010Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567www.itshockeytime.com Advanced TournamentsOctober 29-31, 2010Holland, MIGreat Lakes Tournament SeriesPee Wee A, Bantam House, Midget Major/HS & Girls 16UContact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343www.advancedtournaments.com Hockey Time ProductionsMotown Cup Tournament SeriesDetroit, MIOctober 29-31, 2010Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567www.itshockeytime.com

USA Wild FlowersHalloween Weekend TournamentDetroit, MIOctober 29-31Girls 12-U & 14-U Tier [email protected] Advanced TournamentsNovember 5-7, 2010Holland, MIGreat Lakes Tournament SeriesMite House, Squirt House, Bantam A & Girls 19UContact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343www.advancedtournaments.com Dirty 30 Women’s over 30 TournamentNovember 5-7Kensington Valley Ice House3-Game Guarantee$675 per teamRegistration Deadline: October 8810-494-5555www.kensingtonvalleyicehouse.com Grand Traverse Hockey AssociationTournament SeriesTraverse City Challenge CupTraverse City, MINovember 5-7, 2010Bantam A & [email protected] Hockey Time ProductionsMotown Cup Tournament SeriesDetroit, MINovember 5-7, 2010Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567www.itshockeytime.com

Advanced TournamentsSeptember 24-26, 2010Chicago, IL CHICAGO CUP Tournament Series: Chicago Preseason Challenge Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV\Contact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343www.advancedtournaments.com Advanced TournamentsSeptember 24-26, 2010Chicago, IL MYHockey Rankings Pre-Season Challenge Invitational Squirt Minor/A, Squirt Major/AA, Pee Wee Minor/A, Pee Wee Major/AA, Bantam Minor/A and Bantam Major/AAContact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343www.advancedtournaments.com Advanced TournamentsSeptember 24-26, 2010Pittsburgh, PA Steel City Tournament Series: Pittsburgh Preseason Challenge Mite through Midget: A, and AAContact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343www.advancedtournaments.com Hockey Time ProductionsRock ‘n Roll Cup Tournament SeriesCleveland, OHSeptember 24-26, 2010Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567www.itshockeytime.com

Hockey Time ProductionsRock ‘n Roll Cup Tournament SeriesCleveland, OHOctober 8-10, 2010Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567www.itshockeytime.com Hockey Time ProductionsHoosier Cup Tournament SeriesFt. Wayne, INOctober 8-10, 2010Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567www.itshockeytime.com Hockey Time ProductionsThree Rivers Cup Tournament SeriesPittsburgh, PAOctober 8-10, 2010Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567www.itshockeytime.com Niagra Sports TournamentNiagra Falls Columbus Day Early BirdNiagra Falls, NYOctober 9-11, 2010Mites, Squirts, Pee Wees, Bantams, and Midgets B, A & AA available.716-791-4068www.niagratournaments.com Advanced TournamentsOctober 15-17, 2010Nashville, TN Music City Tournament Series: Nashville Fall Classic Mite through Midget: B, A, and AA, Girls U12, U14, U16 & U19Contact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com Las Vegas Old-Timers ClassicLas Vegas, Nevada October 22 - 24, 2010Men’s, Women’s, COED 18+, 30+, 40+: A/B,C,D,[email protected] http://www.canlanclassictournaments.com Advanced TournamentsOctober 22-24, 2010Chicago, IL CHICAGO CUP Tournament Series: Chicago Fall ClassicMite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV, Girls U12, U14, U16 & U19Contact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343 www.advancedtournaments.com Advanced TournamentsOctober 22-24, 2010Pittsburgh, PA Steel City Tournament Series: Pittsburgh Fall ClassicMite through Midget: B, A, AA, Girls U12, U14, U16 & U19Contact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343www.advancedtournaments.com Advanced TournamentsOctober 22-24, 2010Rochester, NY Empire State Tournament Series: Empire State Showdown Mite through Midget: B, A, AAContact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343www.advancedtournaments.com

Hockey Time ProductionsRock ‘n Roll Cup Tournament SeriesCleveland, OHOctober 22-24, 2010Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567www.itshockeytime.com Advanced TournamentsNovember 5-7, 2010Pittsburgh, PA Steel City Tournament Series: Pittsburgh Veterans CupMite through Midget: B, A, AAContact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343www.advancedtournaments.com Hockey Time ProductionsRock ‘n Roll Cup Tournament SeriesCleveland, OHNovember 5-7, 2010Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567www.itshockeytime.com Hockey Time ProductionsHoosier Cup Tournament SeriesFt. Wayne, INNovember 5-7, 2010Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567www.itshockeytime.com Las Vegas Youth BlastLas Vegas, NevadaNovember 5 - 7, 2010BOYS - 2009, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993,1992,1991 (Travel B,Select, AE), A, AA, AAA1-888-422-6526 [email protected] http://www.canlanclassictournaments.com Hockey for Heroes / Armed Services Las Vegas, NevadaNovember 11-14, 2010Men’s, Women’s, COED 18+, 30+, 40+:A/B,C,D,E1-888-422-6526 [email protected] http://www.canlanclassictournaments.com Las Vegas Hockey Classic IIILas Vegas, NevadaNovember 19 - 21, 2010Men’s, Women’s, COED 18+, 30+, 40+:A/B,C,D,[email protected] http://www.canlanclassictournaments.com Chicago WolvesWindy City Challenge SeriesWishbone ChallengeWest Dundee, ILNovember 25-30, 2010Mite-Midget B, A & AA847-844-8700 Ext. [email protected] New Jersey Thanksgiving ClassicVineland, New JerseyNovember 26 – 28, 2010BOYS - 2009, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991 (Travel B,Select, AE), A, AA, [email protected] http://www.canlanclassictournaments.com

Fort Wayne Thanksgiving BlastFort Wayne, IndianaNovember 26-28, 2010 BOYS - 2002/2001, 2000, 1999/1998, 1997/1996, 1995/1994/1993,1992/1991 Tier II - B, A, AA [email protected] http://www.canlanclassictournaments. Advanced TournamentsNovember 26-28, 2010Chicago, ILCHICAGO CUP Tournament Series: Chicago Thanksgiving ClassicMite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JVContact Advanced Tournaments847-277-7343www.advancedtournaments.com

Gene Harrington InvitationalShootout ClassicNiagra Falls, NYDecember 3-5, 2010781-710-6560www.nahockey.com

Niagara Falls - Fall GetawayNiagara Falls, OntarioSeptember 24 - 26, 2010Men’s, Women’s, COED18+, 30+, 40+:A/B,C,D,[email protected]://www.canlanclassictournaments.com October ClassicOshawa, OntarioOctober 15-17, 2010Men’s, Women’s, COED18+, 30+, 40+:A/B,C,D,[email protected]://www.canlanclassictournaments.com November ClassicOshawa , OntarioNovember 19 - 21, 2010Men’s, Women’s, COED18+, 30+, 40+:A/B,C,D,[email protected]://www.canlanclassictournaments.com New Years Ultimate - 2011Oshawa, OntarioDec 31 - Jan 1 - 2011Men’s, Women’s, COED 18+, 30+, 40+:A/B,C,D,E1-888-422-6526 [email protected]://www.canlanclassictournaments.com Winter Whiteout - 2011Oshawa, OntarioFeb 11 – 13, 2011Men’s, Women’s, COED 18+, 30+, 40+:A/B,C,D,E1-888-422-6526 [email protected]://www.canlanclassictournaments.com

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Grand Traverse Hockey Association

TOURNAMENT SERIES

For More Information:www.advancedtournaments.com

847-277-7343

October 29-31, 2010Pee wee A, Bantam BMidget AA, Girls U16

November 5-7, 2010Mite B, Squirt B, Bantam A, Girls U19

November 12-14, 2010Mite A, Pee Wee B, Midget B

November 19-21, 2010Mite AA, Squirt A, Bantam B

January 21-23, 2011Mite A, Squirt B, Bantam B

January 28-30, 2011Squirt A, Pee Wee B,Bantam A, Girls U14

February 4-6, 2011Squirt B, Squirt AA, Midget B

February 11-13, 2011Pee Wee B Pee Wee AA, Bantam AA, Girls U16

February 18-20, 2011Mite B, Squirt B, Bantam B

February 25-27, 2011Pee Wee B, Pee Wee A, Midget B

October 22-24, 2010Squirt AA, Pee Wee B, Midget B

October 1-3, 2010Mite AA, Squirt AA, Midget A, Girls U12

October 8-10, 2010Pee Wee B, Pee Wee AA

Midget AA, Girls U14

October 15-17, 2010Squirt B, Squirt A, Bantam B

December 3-5, 2010Squirt B, Pee Wee A,Girls U12, Midget A

December 10-12, 2010Pee Wee B, Pee Wee AA, Bantam B

January 7-9, 2011Mite AA, Squirt B, Bantam B

January 14-16. 2011Mite B, Pee Wee B, Bantam AA

All Tournaments Four Game Minimum

Period Length Entry FeeGreat ValueMites 13 minutes $695

Squirts/Pee Wees 13 minutes $750Bantams 13 minutes $795Midgets 14 minutes $895

Play in a Holland, MI tournamentand receive 50% off the entry fee on a second

tournament in any other location

Great Lakes Tournament SeriesHolland, MI

March 4-6, 2011Mite AA, Squirt B, Bantam B

Tournament Locations:Chicago, IL Rochester, NY Washington, DCNashville, TN Pittsburgh, PA Riverside, CA

AdvancedTournaments

Nov 12-14 = Squirt B Tourney weekend, 8 teams ($675)

Dec 3-5 = Pee Wee B Tourney weekend, 8 teams ($675) FSU vs Michigan State, Friday Dec 3rd

call early for group tickets

Dec 10-12 = Mite Studio Rink Tournament, 8-10 teams ($350) 4x4 hockey played on the Ferris State Studio Rink

FSU vs Alaska-Fairbanks, Fri/Sat, Dec 10/11 call early for group tickets

Jan 7-9 = Mite B Tourney weekend, 8 teams ($675)

Full Ice games, non-D6 teams only

Jan 7-9 = Mite Studio Rink Tournament, 8-10 teams ($350) 4x4 hockey played on the Ferris State Studio Rink

Jan 14-16 = Mite Studio Rink Tournament, 8-10 teams ($350) 4x4 hockey played on the Ferris State Studio Rink FSU vs

Michigan, Saturday Jan 15thcall early for group tickets

Jan 21-23 = Bantam B Tourney weekend, 8 teams ($770)

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Midget and Bantam tournament games = 1.5 hours ***All participants/teams must be USA registered

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Parent’s GuideSeptember 20, 2010, Volume 21 : Issue 4

BY PHILIP COLVINKids regularly list their top reasons for playing sports as “to have fun” and “stay

in shape.” Winning barely cracks the Top 10.And playing sports can help kids develop character and leadership skills and

teach them life lessons of perseverance, overcoming adversity and becoming good team members.

“There isn’t any other youth institution that equals sports as a setting in which to develop character. Sports are the perfect setting because character is tested all the time,” said John Gardner, Presidential Medal of Freedom Winner and Founding Member of Positive Coaching Alliance’s National Advisory Board.

A 2001 research study, “The Development of Psychological Talent in U.S. Olympic Champions,” found that Olympic Champions reported having parents and coaches who “provided considerable encouragement and support and reciprocal trust and respect.”

A parent’s attitude can play a huge role in how a player competes in a sport, so try to be a good role model to ensure that your child is having fun and developing his or her physical, mental and social skills so they want to keep playing.

Here are some basic rules to being a good hockey parent:

Be on time - for all games and practices. Make sure that you arrive at the rink in plenty of time for your player to be prepared to get on the ice on time.

Be positive – Avoid criticizing your child’s play and ncourage your player to give his/her best eff ort every day to be able to learn and improve, and make sure that they do not let mistakes, or fear of making mistakes, stop them. Every player will make mistakes, it’s part of the development process, and if they are afraid to try something because they are afraid of failure, they will never achieve it.

Check your own ego at the door - For many parents, the end result (winning) seems to matter more than the process (becoming better athletes, enjoying physical activity and learning how to play as part of a team). You may thrive on competition but always remember that it’s your child who’s playing, not you. And their accomplishments (and failures) are just that—their own. Support your child, cheer your child and encourage your child but don’t confuse what you want with what’s best for your child.

Encourage eff ort and reward hard work - One of the most valuable lessons that sports can teach our children is that hard work and team eff ort can bring great rewards. Good sports parents help their children see that a valiant eff ort can be just as important as winning.

Know and respect your coach - Most youth coaches are under- or unpaid. Many are volunteers who invest an enormous eff ort in your child’s athletic activities. Take the time to talk to your coach, understand their coaching style and fi nd out how you can help. Understand that winning is a nice by-product of good coaching but

by no means is it the only goal. Treating coaches with respect will make them more receptive to your questions and concerns.

Let the coach do the coaching – Be supportive of the coach and the team. Disagreeing with coaching decisions in front of your child may make you think that you are sticking up for your player. In reality, it simply sends your child confusing messages as to who is in charge. By dividing his or her loyalty, you make it that much harder for your child to listen to the coach and be part of a team.

If you don’t understand something or have a question, by all means ask the coach for clarifi cation or voice your concerns in private. If you have grave concerns about the coaching, talk to your association president. But keep your child out of it.

Let your player be a player – Avoid comparing your child to other players. Each player is diff erent and will develop skills and knowledge of the game at a diff erent pace. Some have more athletic ability than others, some are more competitive than others, and some think the game faster than others.

During a game, avoid yelling directions to the players on the ice. Hockey is a very complex and fast sport. Chances are they can’t hear you, and even if they can, by the time they try what you are yelling, it will no longer be the right play. Let the players make their own decisions, and their own mistakes. Hopefully they are having fun and are developing a passion for the game so that they will continue to play and enjoy it.

Listen to your child - Talk to you child about what happens at practice and at games, not about the outcome and the wins and loses. Ask if they had fun, if they learned anything new and if they felt they gave their best eff ort.

Carefully listen to what they say about their own performance or that of their teammates and coaches. If your young player is upset about a bad game, help them fi gure out what went wrong — don’t just give them a list of all the problems you saw or gloss it over with empty praise. Help them fi nd a better strategy for the next time or set aside practice time away from the team.

Practice good sportsmanship in the stands - Players can be very aware of their parents in the stands and will often take their cue from you in terms of behavior. If you are out of control and screaming at referees or other players, then that is what they will be inclined to do.

A girl’s soccer league in Ohio instituted “Silent Sunday” to eliminate spectator cheers and jeers and sideline distractions. The experiment was wildly successful and a sad commentary on parents. Instead of being forced into silence in the stands, use your own conduct to teach your child that gracious winning and losing builds character.

Respect the referees – Referees do not get practice time like players and coaches. If a player or coach makes a mistake, others on the team can make up for it. If a referee makes a mistake, there is no one to help. Referees do make mistakes

at all levels of the game. They are constantly learning the game and how to control it. Berating offi cials

not only sets a poor example for the players, it also drives good referees out of the game, which results in more less–experienced referees calling the games.

Following these steps won’t guarantee a parent that their player will become the next Nick Listrom or Angela Ruggiero. However, these steps can take something that kids want to do (play sports) and turn it into something that parents want for their kids (healthy living and life lessons).

Remember, the goal of youth sports isn’t about building a career, it’s about building a life.

Parents can help kids have fun and learn life lessons Parents can help kids have fun and learn life lessons Parents can help kids have fun and learn life lessons

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Young athletes list “having fun” as the top reason they play sports.


September 20, 2010, Volume 21 : Issue 4Parent’s Guide

For Only $25

$100

Your Organization Earns $10 per Card

Dining Card

The right stuff : feeding a young player well takes a little planningBY SARAH ZIENTARSKI

During the busy season an easy stop at the nearest drive-thru restaurant can be appealing, but it is important that parents try to keep in mind what’s healthiest for their young athletes.

Following a balanced diet that includes foods from all the major food groups every day will give kids the nutrients - proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water – to provide young athletes with the proper nutrition that can help them get the most out of the game.

Schedules are not the only battle parents have in getting kids to eat healthy. Their young athletes may be opposed to healthier food options. Dr. Matt Marturano, naturopathic physician and nutrition and wellness coach for Lifetime Spa and Fitness in Troy, says the easiest way to get around this is to simply start introducing healthy foods into their diet rather than taking away the junk food and let the child decide.

“The athlete’s body will start craving the healthier foods, connecting how they eat with how they feel,” Marturano says. “Eating junk food leads to a lack of performance and their body feels like junk. When they eat better they will perform better.”

Parents can help by making sure that the proper foods are available for training for outstanding performance. Sturgis High School athletic trainer James Lioy suggests starting by fi nding foods that your athlete enjoys.

“Make a list of foods that your athlete likes and dislikes,” he says. “It gives them a say in the process.”

PRE-GAME MEALNutrition is the foundation of optimal performance. Poor nutrition means poor

energy levels, which in turn means poor performance and an increased chance of injury due to fatigue.

Athletes should eat their last large meal 3-4 hours before exercise that includes balanced food groups of complex carbs, low in fat with some protein. Hydrate with milk, juice and water.

Before any intense activity like a hockey game, athletes need a small snack for optimal performance (1.5 – 2 hours before exercise). Marturano recommends a piece of fruit and a small handful of nuts or seeds.

Young athletes need energy for games and practices, so meals before competition

should contain mostly carbohydrates and starches, which are easier to digest than fats and proteins, and help to steady blood sugar levels.

“You can’t have too much protein before exercise because your body will stop using that protein and it will weigh you down or cause cramping,” Marturano says. “Focus on a meal of mostly carbs and healthy fats.”

A few small meals that are quick and easy for young athletes are a handful of walnuts or almonds with fruit, or a fruit smoothie made with a tablespoon of peanut butter.

It’s best to exercise on a mostly empty stomach. Digestion routs blood that’s needed to carry oxygen to exercising muscles to the digestive tract, so eat at least three hours before exercise to allow time for digestion. Marturano suggests eating three small meals with two snacks throughout the day to avoid exercising on a full stomach.

Drink plenty of fl uids before, during and after exercise and stay away from sugary foods, as they can cause fl uctuations in blood sugar levels without any real energy boost.

ENERGYCarbohydrates provide the energy to working muscles during exercise. They also

contain other nutrients like antioxidants; vitamins A and C that help maintain healthy cells in the body, and B vitamins that help the body use that energy.

“Always the primary source of energy is a mixture of carbs and healthy fat,” Marturano says. “Complex carbohydrates are foods that also have fi ber and they are essential to a high-intensity work-out.”

Marturano recommends eating healthy fats - nuts, seeds, avocados and coconut milk - throughout the day to build your young athlete’s energy.

Foods high in energy-boosting carbs include whole-grain bagels, yogurt, oranges, bananas, apples, pears, fruit juices, pasta, rice, dried beans, breads, oatmeal and vegetables like potatoes, carrots, peas, corn, winter squash and sweet potatoes.

While it is specifi c to each individual and varies with activity level and body weight and height, a general guideline is for an athlete to consume 34-60 calories per kg of body weight. So a 100-lb player should consume between 1500-2700 calories a day.

According to nutrition experts, in order to supply essential fatty acids and to help their bodies absorb beta-carotene and vitamins A, D, E and K, young athletes can consume up to 30 percent of their calories as fat.

MUSCLE REPAIRPost-game is where protein comes into the diet – it’s essential for building and

maintaining enzymes, tissues and muscles – but a young athlete only needs it in moderation.

“All that was lost during the games were enzymes, so you need to replenish those with protein,” Marturano says.

Most nutritionists say that drinking a couple of glasses of milk and eating a serving of meat, fi sh or poultry along with a variety of whole grains and some vegetables spread out over the whole day will more than meet daily protein needs. Excessive protein intake doesn’t help muscles get bigger and can lead to dehydration.

Susan Kundrat, M.S., R.D., L.D., believes an easy way to eat for fi tness is to divide a plate into three equal portions. Fill 1/3 of the plate with grains, preferably whole grains, 1/3 with fruits and vegetables, and 1/3 with lean protein sources, like chicken or turkey breast, eggs, or nonfat/low fat yogurt. Then, choose a high-nutrient drink like skim milk or 100 percent juice.

STAYING HYDRATEDYour body is made up of about 60-70 percent water. Blood is mostly water, and

your muscles, lungs, and brain all contain a lot of water. Bodies need water to regulate body temperature and to allow nutrients to travel to all your organs. During exercise, muscles generate heat that is carried by fl uids to the skin where it’s released by sweating. When you’re severely dehydrated, sweating stops and the body overheats leading to fatigue, dizziness, or worse.

Children have a lower capacity for sweating capacity, don’t tolerate temperature extremes as effi ciently as adults and produce more heat during exercise.

So the best way for young athletes to stay hydrated and avoid fatigue is to drink water all day long.

But what about all those sports drinks out there? Where do they fi t in? Most contain a lot of sugar and shouldn’t be a substitute for water.

Marturano says, “Sports drinks are good used sparingly during the game. What’s best is to take a few sips of the sports drink to replace some of the electrolytes lost then switch to water.”


Parent’s Guide

Dr. Michael Czarnota, Ph.D.

Concussions in sport remain a very timely topic as hockey season begins. Proper guidelines and management strategies are no longer just for the pros. If done correctly, the goal is to get the player back to play as quickly and as safely as possible.

More and more states are passing legislation that requires improved education of coaches in recognizing concussions

and there is a bill pending in the U.S. Congress that would expand that eff ort to include funding for baseline testing, which measures how the brain works before an injury occurs.

WHAT IS A CONCUSSION?A concussion is a blow to the head or the body that changes

the way the brain works – how it thinks (memory), how it moves (poor coordination) or how it feels (fatigue, sadness) – not how it looks, which is why head CT scans are generally normal, although it may be important to rule out issues that require surgery, such as signifi cant bruising or bleeding. A TV set may not be missing parts or have obvious damage but if the picture is fuzzy you know there’s something wrong with the way the set works.

A player does not have to lose consciousness to have a concussion and this actually occurs in a relatively small percentage (5-10%) of cases.

It has been estimated that there will be over 1.6 million sport-related concussions per year. For athletes in collision and contact sports such as hockey, football and soccer that means about 10% of the team will have a concussion during a typical season.

INCREASED AWARENESS From 1997 to 2007, although sports participation had

declined, emergency room visits for concussions in organized team sports in 8- to 13-year-old children doubled and had increased by 200% in the 14- to 19-year-old group. This greater awareness has had an eff ect at all levels of sport.

At the college level, schools are required to have a concussion management plan on fi le “such that a student-athlete who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion shall be removed from practice or competition and evaluated by an athletics healthcare provider with experience in the evaluation and management of concussions.”

NCAA student-athletes must also sign a statement in which they “accept the responsibility for reporting their injuries and illnesses to the institutional medical staff , including signs and symptoms of concussions. During the review and signing process, student-athletes should be presented with educational material on concussions.”

A recent article on the dangers of repeat and multiple concussions off ered this basic idea: Return to play guidelines

after sport-related traumatic brain injury are designed to maximize athlete safety by insuring that speed of thinking and clarity of thought have returned to normal .

If mental abilities and physical refl exes remain impaired the athlete is at greater risk for further injury, which may result in permanent consequences.

BASELINE TESTING: BEFORE AND AFTERTests that measure how the brain works will be most

sensitive to the eff ects of a concussion and therefore most useful in managing those eff ects. Tests have been designed specifi cally for use in athletics and are most valuable when pre-injury baseline testing has occurred. Post-injury evaluation with similar tests provides a “before and after” comparison, which allows for individual decisions that can be tailored to each unique person and injury.

IMPACT is one such test (actually a 30-minute battery of tests and symptoms) and is the most widely-used, researched and accepted approach to testing sport-related concussion.

Baseline testing can be provided to teams and schools for very little cost and is generally done on a yearly basis to account for the growth and development of young skaters.

THE TAKE HOME MESSAGE• Become aware of concussion signs and symptoms (players, parents and coaches)

• Athletes need to be evaluated and cleared by experienced clinical health care providers

• Do not attempt to play with symptoms/do not allow a symptomatic athlete to play

• Expect or demand comprehensive care for concussedathletes that includes balance evaluations and cognitive testing

• When in doubt, sit them out

• Talk to your team, league or school about implementing pre-injury baseline testing of balance and cognition (memory, reaction time)

• Proper concussion management from the start results in fewer problems and a quicker return to play For free downloads and good information on concussion,

go to: cdc.gov/concussioninYouthSports For information on concussion, neuropsychology and

baseline testing, go to: sportconcussions.com Dr. Czarnota is a metro-Detroit based neuropsychologist who

has included the management of sport concussions in his clinical practice since 1999. He currently serves as a consultant for a variety of teams and leagues that include high school, major junior, collegiate and professional athletes. For questions or more information he can be reached at (248) 253-8208 or: [email protected]. Visit his website at sportconcussions.com.

When in doubt, sit them outWhen in doubt, sit them outWhen in doubt, sit them out

BY LARRY O’CONNORNext to the government, few can beat hockey teams

when it comes to creative ways to raise revenue.As the new season starts, so do a myriad of fundraisers

to help teams off set some of the costs of going to tournaments, team apparel and ice time. And, what once involved peddling candy and magazine subscriptions or collecting newspapers and bottles has evolved into multi-tentacled methods to extract money from family, friends and supporters.

Some eff orts, as evidenced by the ‘98 Livingston Lightning attempt to raise money for cancer awareness, are also becoming selfl ess.

On Oct. 2, the team will play a “Shoot for a Cure” benefi t at Grand Oaks Ice Arena in Howell. Parents will sell baked goods and auction off items to kick off Cancer Awareness Month.

The Lightning will play a scrimmage against a yet-to-be determined team. All proceeds benefi t the Woodland Cancer Center in Brighton.

Sandy Miller, wife of Lightning coach Dave Mitter, came up with the idea.

“We thought it would be a good idea to teach the kids to give back, to give something back to the community,” says Molly Tasker, whose son Evan skates for the Livingston outfi t. “We thought it would be a good lesson for the boys instead of just playing hockey and spending a bunch of money.”

Livingston Lightning players will wear pink jerseys bearing the name of a person they know who’s faced a cancer diagnosis. The Oct. 2 event runs from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

The charitable endeavor comes on the heels of the team’s annual fund-raiser, which took place Sept. 11 at Chemung Hills Country Club in Howell. About 120 duff ers attended the annual golf outing.

Money raised will buy warm-up suits and defray individual ice bills. Players and families sold individual sponsor holes with those proceeds also going towards ice fees.

A team approach, as opposed to singular eff orts, tends to work best in hockey fund-raising circles, organizers say.

The 2001 Jackson Generals Squirt A team marshaled family and friends for a spaghetti dinner on Sept. 17. The feast was planned at 6 p.m. for Kuhls Bell Tower, which is a catering business owned by team manager Jackie Gregory’s grandparents John and Mary Kuhl.

“They know what they are doing,” says Gregory, whose son Cade, 8, plays on the 2001 Generals squad.

Grandmother Mary Kuhl took the reins on the spaghetti making, Gregory says. Parents and players were asked to bring at least 10 paying guests in hopes of raising $1,000. Proceeds would go towards buying additional ice time.

Spaghetti dinners typically have low overhead, which makes for a better fund-raising yield. The team is looking at other money-raising ventures, possibly a pop can drive, to off set the higher costs of travel hockey.

The Gregorys moved up to squirt travel after learning Cade would have to play half-ice at the house level, which is part of USA Hockey’s American Development Model.

“We just know we need to get some money because we know it is expensive,” the team manager says. “We needed to do something.”

Southgate Mite B Senators decided to mask their money maker, which in this case involves a Halloween costume dinner dance. The event is tentatively planned for Friday, Oct. 29 at the Southgate Civic Center.

“We usually do a bowling fund-raiser, but we thought we’d change it up this year,” says Kelly Senterfi t, Southgate Senators Mite B manager and whose son, Trevor, is a team member.

The inaugural event has some built-in cost effi ciencies. Senterfi t’s cousin, George Kontos of Sonik Entertainment, is donating his services.

The goal is to raise $3,000, which will pay off the team’s new jerseys, buy warm-up suits and enable the Senators to play in the Silver Sticks Tournament in December.

Like a number of associations, Southgate Hockey Association is seeing a registration decline, which is sparking such creative endeavors.

“We usually do an association fundraiser, but things are a little bit low on registration,” says Senterfi t, who’s also association secretary. “So we’re kind of letting teams do their own thing.”

The Southgate team is also considering a link-up with the Detroit Red Wings where members can net proceeds from selling tickets, Senterfi t says. Another Downriver outfi t has a similar deal in place.

Parents of Grosse Ile Mite B teams work concession stands on game nights at Joe Louis Arena, says Jackie Morabito, team manager. The team gets 10 percent of the booth’s take, which is used to off set ice player ice bills.

“What happens is the person who works get a split of the funds toward their individual ice bill,” says Morabito in an e-mail. “We are trying to make hockey aff ordable for everyone.”

Teams get creative for fundraisers

PHOTO BY DAVE REGINEK/DIG PHOTO

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Parent’s Guide

Mitch Korn, Nashville Predators

It’s easy being the athlete, but it’s tough being the parent. Unfortunately, it’s the adults that sometimes make it tougher than it should be to be an athlete.

Goalies are a unique breed, and their parent’s should be as well. Simply, a good goalie parent is one who is “supportive” and lets their goalie play, learn and have fun:

Properly equip your goalie – Make sure you goalie has gear that properly protects and properly fi ts. Make sure the equipment is not too

heavy. Spend your money on quality, not fashion. Why spend $250 for a fancy mask paint job when the goalie wears inadequate pants or body protection?

Insure that the goalie’s stick fi ts and is not worn out. Some kids use sticks for a season. They never crack, but the heel is totally worn out. Keep the goalie in “fresh” sticks.

Bigger is not better - Often in an attempt to “help”, parents buy goalies gloves which are too large. A catch glove which is too large makes it tough to hold onto pucks when catching. A blocker that does not fi t hampers a goaltender’s stick control. An adult stick for a youth goalie diminishes stick control, rebound control and makes 5-Hole coverage more diffi cult.

Teach the goalie to dress him/herself – You are not helping by dressing your goalie when he/she is 10 or older. At a recent goalie camp, a dad insisted on dressing his 12 year old. Was he going to stop the puck for him too? This is the start of teaching independence.

Make the goalie carry his/her equipment – While parents may help the real young ones (8 – 10 year olds) by carrying their stick, the goalie must carry his/her own bag to/from the car. It’s about teaching responsibility and yet another chance to stress independence.

Remove the pressure – While kids get scared when home alone, I have rarely seen kids scared to play sports, especially goalie. It’s the parents who put pressure on them that creates the anxiety. Pressure to win, pressure to get a scholarship, pressure to make the team, etc. Assure them that you will love them and be there regardless of the results. Do your best, try hard, compete but have fun!

We are trying to develop good citizens fi rst, hockey goalies second. Remember the “big picture.” Playing is a life lesson, not life or death. They actually “grow more” when it’s harder rather than easier.

Say the right things, teach responsibility and blame no one – What a parent says, and how it is said can have a long lasting impact on a child . . . goalie or not. Innocent statements, in an attempt to sooth your child, or ‘motivate’ them, often does not turn out to be support at all. For example:

Situation: A “bad” goal is scored.Do not say: “That was horrible.”Do not say: “If the defensemen would have hit the guy in the neutral zone, the

play would have never happened.”You should say: “I bet you’d like that one back. What did you learn from the

goal? Why did it go in?”

Situation: The defensemen turns the puck over in the slot, the goalie was not expecting a turnover, and the opponent scores.

Do not say: “That defenseman is horrible.”Do not say: “The goal was all his fault.”Do not say: “How can the coach even play him?”You should say: “Were you ready for something unexpected to happen? Regardless

of whose error it was, you (goalie) must be prepared to give yourself a chance to make a big save for the team. That is your role”

Situation: The team has lost fi ve straight, all by one goal.Do not say: “The team has to score more goals.”Do not say: “If it wasn’t for those stupid penalties, you would have won.”Do not say: “It’s the ref’s/coaches fault.”You should say: “The goalie has the most opportunity to get this team out of

the slump. You have to try to fi nd a way to make one or two more saves per game.”

Situation: The goalie gives up a big rebound off his/her chest, and an opponent scores.

Do not say: “Your defense has to clear that rebound.”Do not say: “You had no chance.”You should say: “Some rebounds, like that one, you could control. How about at

next practice, you work on trapping pucks on your body?”

It’s simple, do not let your goalie blame anyone else or make excuses. Take responsibility for the goal (regardless how it occurred) good or bad and learn from it. Regardless of age, the goalie needs to be accountable, yet be able to “let go” after the goal and learning phase, and move on. You are not helping your goalie by encouraging blaming others, or letting him/her get defensive with excuses.

Be quiet in public - Thank goodness my dad was just a spectator. Today, many parents get more worked up and more nervous than the kids. Chill Out! Nothing embarrasses a kid more than hearing his parents in the stands. Well, maybe a simple “way to go” on a big save, but that’s it. No cheering, no yelling, no ridiculing the other team, no taunting the other goalie.

Being loud is often confused with being supportive. It is counter productive. On most occasions, goalies cannot hear the screaming parent and if they do, the parent is absolutely a distraction. It is a kid’s event so parents “should be seen and not heard.” Please just watch, be quiet and enjoy the fact your goalie is playing the toughest position in sports.

Sit in the crowd – Nothing is worse than a parent who stands right behind the

net while their child is playing. Are you comfortable when your boss looks over your shoulder while you are composing an e-mail or writing a memo? I see it all the time, parents banging on the glass and trying to talk to the goalie during stoppages. Leave them along during the game.

If handled correctly, goalie experiences are great character builders. But more importantly, they will help them grow up to be fantastic adults.

Now in his 13th season as the goalie coach of the Nashville Predators, Korn previously spent seven seasons with the Buff alo Sabres organization.

Korn also runs goaltending schools and his hard work, superb communication skills, ability to “dissect” a goalie’s game, and great sense of humor has gained him the respect and friendship of those he has coached and worked with at all levels.

Being a good Goalie ParentBeing a good Goalie ParentBeing a good Goalie Parent

SEPTEMBER18 Offi ciating Seminars Level 1, 2, 3 – Kalamazoo Level 1, 2, 3 – Holland Level 1, 2, 3 – Alpena LCAHL Travel season starts

19 Offi ciating Seminars Level 2, 3 - Southgate Level 1, 2, 3 - Milford Level 1, 2, 3 - Jackson CEP Level 1,2 Clinic - Alpena

25 Offi ciating Seminar Level 1, 2 - Bay County CEP Level 1 Clinic – Battle Creek CEP Level 1 Clinic – Walker CEP Level 1 Clinic – Kalkaska CEP Level 1 Clinic – Macomb

26 Offi ciating Seminars Level 3 - Bay County Level 1, 2, 3 – Marquette CEP Level 2 Clinic – Walker CEP Level 2 Clinic – Macomb LCAHL Faceoff Meeting – Motor City Casino

30 LCAHL House season starts

OCTOBER1 ACHL Metro season starts

2 Offi ciating Seminars Level 1, 2, 3 – Ann Arbor Level 1, 2, 3 – Flint Level 1, 2, 3 – S.S. Marie CEP Level 1 Clinic – Kalamazoo CEP Level 1 Clinic - Walker

3 CEP Level 2, 3 Clinic – S.S. Marie

8 ACHL East season starts

9 Offi ciating Seminar Level 1, 2, 3 - Traverse City CEP Level 1 Clinic - Hancock

10 Offi ciating Seminar Level 4 - Fraser CEP Level 2, 3 Clinic - Traverse City

16 Offi ciating Seminar Level 1, 2, 3 - Calumet CEP Level 3 Clinic – Fraser ACHL West season starts

17 Offi ciating Seminar Level 1, 2, 3 - Southgate CEP Level 1 Clinic – Fraser CEP Level 1 Clinic – Marquette ACE Directors Clinic - Alpena23 CEP Level 2 Clinic – Kalamazoo ACE Directors Clinic - Marquette

OCTOBER CONTINUED30 CEP Level 1 Clinic – Tawas City CEP Level 3 Clinic - Kalamazoo

31 CEP Level 1 Clinic – St. Ignace

NOVEMBER1 Girl’s/Women’s intent to enter state playoff s due Youth / Boys deadline for intent to enter State Playoff s

5 MAHA Executive Board Meeting Southgate Holiday Inn – 6 PM

6 State Playoff Committee Meeting Southgate Holiday Inn – 9 AM CEP Level 2 Clinic – Marquette

7 CEP Level 3 Clinic - Marquette

15 Request for Team/Player exceptions due for state playoff eligibility 30 Nominations for MAHA Offi cers due to secretary

DECEMBER 4 CEP Level 2 Clinic – Hancock Playoff Committee Meeting Southgate Holiday Inn – 8 AM

5 CEP Level 3 Clinic – Hancock 15 Rule Change Proposal deadline 31 Roster change deadline

31 Coaching Certifi cation deadline JANUARY14-15 MAHA Annual Winter Meeting Southgate Holiday Inn

18 LCAHL playoff s start

20-23 USA Hockey Winter Meeting Orlando, Florida

FEBRUARY18-20 Hockey Weekend Across America

2010-11 Dates to Remember


September 20, 2010, Volume 21 : Issue 4 Parent’s Guide

How can improve your shooting, stickhandling, passing and one-timers?Believe it or not the only major skill you can’t improve by using the Extreme

Passing Kit is your skating. So what is the Extreme Passing Kit?The Extreme Passing Kit was developed by Hockeyshot to provide players

with a massive shooting and stickhandling surface, complimented with a puck rebounding device.

Hockey players can spend hours practicing stickhandling and shooting on the roll up shooting pad (a big, fl at, very smooth surface) and then work on their passing and one timers by passing into the “one-timer” puck rebounding device that screws onto the end of the shooting pad.

If you run out of ideas of things to practice, here is a list of skills that you or your children can work on using the Extreme Passing Kit:

SHOOTING

• Quick release wrist shots• Powerful wrist shots• Snapshots• Slapshots• Backhands• Going top-shelf from in close on the backhand and forehand• One timers

PASSING• Giving and receiving a pass• Quick passes• One touch passes

• Backhand passes• Saucer passes• Behind the back passes• Between the leg passes• Drop passes

STICKHANDLING• Dribbling the puck (quick back and forth stickhandling )• Forehand to backhand transition• Fakes and dekes• Moving the puck around the body• Wide moves across the body• Moves from behind the body to in front of the body• Protecting the puck• Toe drags• Through the legs• Flipping the puck over a stick

When it comes to stickhandling, the list of things to work on is only as limited as the hockey player’s imagination.

And an important part of developing hockey skills is having the right tools available for play and practice. Having an ice rink year round is almost impossible for most hockey players, but the extreme passing kit can be a great substitute for any player who wants to improve their hockey skills year round, and become a better player.

To check out the extreme passing kit visit hockeyshot.com

Extreme Passing Kit helps you improveExtreme Passing Kit helps you improveExtreme Passing Kit helps you improve

PHOTO BY BOB BRUCE/MICHIGAN HOCKEY


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BY MATT MACKINDEROn a deep Plymouth blueline last year, Whalers rookie defenseman Nick Malysa

played just 42 games and recorded just three assists.This season, however, Malysa is considered a veteran defender and capable of

having a breakout year in the Ontario Hockey League.Last year as a 16-year-old, Malysa adapted to life in the OHL and had a mentor in

fellow defenseman Leo Jenner, who last year was playing his fi fth season in the league.“All last year, I just kind of took it all in and learned how the team rolls,” said

Malysa, a Bridgewater, N.J., native. “On our fi rst road trip, I actually roomed with Jenner and he sat me down and basically told me how things work with the team and the league and what I should expect. Even during practices, I’d ask Jenner and (Michal) Jordan things. They always answered my questions and helped me out and that really made it comfortable. I guess you could say they took me under their wing.”

Another area of the Whalers that made Malysa feel at ease was the atmosphere in the locker room and off the ice.

“Right away when I got here, I saw that there were no groups in the room or anything like that,” Malysa said. “There was never any rookies and veteran separation. We all hang out and talk and go go-karting, things like that. It’s really a good situation.”

And the fact Malysa had such a positive experience in his fi rst season in the OHL led him to recommend the league to a close friend, Nick Ebert, now a rookie with Windsor.

Both from the same area of New Jersey, the pair will now play against one another this season.

“Even after last season when Nicky came home from Waterloo (of the United States Hockey League), he wasn’t sure what he was going to do next season,” explained Malysa. “He didn’t know what the right spot for him was. I went to his house a couple times and sat down with him and his dad and just told them about the OHL.”

Ebert was drafted in the fi rst round in May by Mississauga, but was dealt to the Spitfi res in late August.

During the summer of 2009, Malysa was in the same boat as Ebert in having to make the decision as to where to play during the following season. The Whalers drafted Malysa in the fi fth round of the 2009 OHL draft and he signed in July. Malysa knew early on that the OHL was where he wanted to compete.

“I sat down with my advisor and we talked it over,” the 6-foot, 193-pound Malysa said. “Hockey is the No. 1 priority in my life and I know that if I played college hockey, I’d only be playing around 30 games a year, where in the OHL, it’s a 68-game regular season and then playoff s.”

Malysa has also shown his maturity by having a veteran-like attitude when it comes to Whalers rookies.

“I’ve been trying to help out the new guys we have this year,” said Malysa. “Everything from last year that I learned from Jenner and Jordan is still fresh in my mind. I’ve been hanging out with one of our rookies, Tom Wilson, and just showing him how things work around the locker room and at school.”

On the ice, Malysa sees a focused group of players that will give nothing short of 110 percent to have success.

“We have a very young team, but we are also the hardest-working team I’ve ever seen,” boasted Malysa. “We might be the underdog or whatever and we might start out

slow, but I think come mid-season or even sooner, we’ll start to surprise some people.”

PRE-SEASON TUNEUPSThe Whalers went 1-1-2 in four pre-season games – two with Windsor and two

with London.Stefan Noesen’s goal with 51 seconds to go in the third period gave Plymouth

a 2-2 tie with Windsor on Sept. 4 at the Arctic Coliseum in Chelsea. First round pick Max Iafrate (Livonia) also scored for the Whalers. Scott Wedgewood started in goal for the Whalers and had a shutout through 29:07. Matt Mahalak (Monroe) went the rest of the way and allowed both Windsor goals.

Two days later in Windsor, rookies Rickard Rakell and Chris Albertini scored in a 6-2 loss.

On Sept. 10, Plymouth and London played to a 1-1 tie as Jay Gilbert’s goal at 1:48 of the third period stood as the tying goal.

“We worked hard,” said Plymouth associate coach Joe Stefan. “We still have a lot of work to do, but we’ll take the point.”

Mahalak’s 26-save shutout helped the Whalers to a 5-0 win over London in St. Thomas, Ont., on Sept. 11

Noesen and Garrett Meurs each scored a goal and added three assists in the game. Veteran defenseman Beau Schmitz (Howell), who wore the ‘C’ in both London games, scored two goals, while rookie Ben Holtom scored the other Plymouth goal.

The Saginaw Spirit opened the pre-season with a 5-4 win at S.S. Marie on Sept. 10 before losing the second game of the home-and-home, 4-2, at the Dow Events Center the following night.

Saginaw opened up the pre-season with a split following a home and home series against division rival Sault Ste. Marie. The Greyhounds got a measure of revenge winning the rubber match 4-2 at the Dow Event Center on Saturday (Sept. 11), after the Spirit escaped with a 5-4 win at the Essar Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

Newly signed rookie forward Terry Traff ord scored on a penalty shot with 6:32 to go to snap a 4-4 tie and goaltender Mavric Parks secured the win with a spectacular save, sliding across the crease to rob Nick Cousins with little more then two minutes to play.

Rookie Brandon Saad had a goal and two assists in his Spirit debut and Micky Sartoretto and Vincent Trocheck completed the scoring for Saginaw with power play markers. In the rematch in Saginaw, Trocheck and Sartoretto scored for the Spirit. Tadeas Galansky made his fi rst start and went the distance stopping 33 shots.

SPIRIT NOTEBOOKSaginaw signed Traff ord, the team’s third round pick in the summer’s priority

selection before the exhibition season started. Last season Traff ord scored 24 goals and 53 points in minor midget play for the Mississauga Reps. Traff ord becomes the fourth player along with center Justin Kea, defensemen Jacob Ringuette and goaltender Jake Paterson to be signed from the draft class of 2010…. Seven players are attending NHL rookie camps, including Michael Kantor (Columbus), Garret Ross (Dallas), Josh Shalla (St. Louis), Ryan O’Connor (Philadelphia), Michael Sgarbossa (San Jose), Jordan Szwarz (Phoenix) and Ivan Telegin (Atlanta). HOCKEYTOWNCAFE.COM

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Junior Hockey September 20, 2010, Volume 21 : Issue 4

Four Michigan teams hope Four Michigan teams hope to make impact in CSHLto make impact in CSHL

BY MATT MACKINDERTwo new Michigan teams are now part of the 12-team

Central States Hockey League this season as two franchises from a year ago have re-located.

First, in early summer, the Dearborn-based Motor City Chiefs were sold and are now the Michigan Mountain Cats, a team that will play in Burton. Then in late August, the Grand Rapids Jr. Owls became the Battle Creek Jr. Revolution.

The Flint Jr. Generals and Metro Jets (Waterford) are back to comprise the Michigan quartet.

The past two years, all four Michigan-based teams have failed to qualify for the CSHL playoff s. That trend looks to end this season, especially in Battle Creek.

“My expectations are very high,” said Jr. Revolution head coach Nick Bet.

“I expect to have a winning team and am aiming for a minimum of 25 wins. I also expect to make the playoff s and make a run at the league championship. I hope to move as many players to the next level of hockey as fast as possible. Moving up players to the next level will be my No. 1 priority.”

Goaltenders Ruben Medrano (Holt High School) and Karel Popper, who played for Flint last season, defensemen Tyler Allen and Ben Belton, who played in Grand Rapids last year, make up the back end. Forward Maxim Norsov joins former Owls Radney Ritchie and Jordan Sabatino and ex-Jr. Generals forward Brett Menton up front.

Flint Jr. Generals - Flint has a new coach in Jeff Worlton and changeover will be a challenge at fi rst for the Jr. Generals.

Austin Willenborg (Tri-City, GLJHL), forwards Warren Carter (Tri-City, GLJHL), Andy Lay (Flint Powers Catholic High School) and Tyler Kennedy (Tri-City, GLJHL) and defenseman Billy Tilot should be the new go-to players, while returning forwards Joe McAuliff e, Bobby Cronk and Cody Thompson will be looked to for leadership.

“With a complete roster turnover, we will have lots of ups and downs, but our goal for the year is win the league and then go to nationals,” said Worlton. “With the coaches we have on staff , including assistant coach Eric Albrecht and goalie coach Jon Houle, we feel very good about the season ahead.”

Metro Jets - The Jets hired Jason Cirone, a former NHL forward with the Winnipeg Jets and assistant coach with the NAHL’s Motor City Metal Jackets last year, as their new head coach in August and he already knows what he wants to

accomplish at Lakeland Arena this season.“Everyone will have to show up every night for us to be

successful,” Cirone said. “We have a good crop of rookies and expect them to perform every night. Let’s wait and see which ones decide to be impact players. Our returning core will be very important to our team, especially (defenseman) Mike Corder, who will be our captain.”

Mike Denston (White Lake) and Brett Grech (Hartland), back for his fi fth season with the Jets, will be the veteran forwards, while rookie forwards Matt Stirling (Dexter) and Justin Bennett (Brighton) will be alternate captains under Corder. Dan Hudson (Gregory) scored three goals in two pre-season wins over Flint and could be a solid forward for Metro, who will go with Allan Dowler in net this season.

Michigan Mountain Cats - The Mountain Cats have another former pro player at their helm in Chad Grills and a slew of experienced junior players in former Jets defenseman Tyler Schofi eld (Clio) and ex-Jets forwards Paul Elezaj (Leonard) and Brad Tunesi (Sterling Heights). Goalies Schuyler Ferguson (Flushing) and Robert Schultz (Pinconning) will battle for the starter’s role.

Even with being a new squad, Grills has high hopes for his group.

“We are looking at having a great year,” Grills said. “We have set high standards and we are going to be a competitive team that is looking to be a contender in the playoff s. We have a good mix of older and younger kids that are hungry to win. We are excited to get the season going and looking at an exciting season of hockey for the Mountain Cats.”

Last season, the St. Louis Jr. Blues dominated the regular season and Hurster Cup playoff s and wound up going on a Cinderella run to the Tier III Junior A national title.

St. Louis moved up half their roster last season, leaving many gaps to fi ll for this year. New head coach J.P. Beilsten doesn’t see any issue with turnover, though.

“We feel like we will compete with every team,” said Beilsten. “The players we have signed have shown tremendous growth over the last couple of weeks. They are a hard-working group, but untested, and they will need to outwork teams to get wins.”

The CSHL regular season began the fi rst weekend in September with St. Louis sweeping Flint and continues until the beginning of March when the top eight teams qualify for the Hurster Cup playoff s.

Four Michigan teams hope Four Michigan teams hope to make impact in CSHLto make impact in CSHL

Four Michigan teams hope to make impact in CSHL

Metro defenseman Mike Corder will captain the Jets this season.

PHOTO BY ANDY GROSSMAN/DETAILED IMAGES

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Minor Pro Hockey

Griffi ns expect to reboundBY PHILIP COLVIN

The Grand Rapids Griffi ns are expecting things to get back to normal this season.

Last year the Griffi ns (34-39-3-4) missed the playoff s for the second time in three years, but the team has made the postseason 11 times in the franchise’s 14 seasons in the Furniture City.

A blend of veterans and top young players ready for breakout years has the team excited about the upcoming campaign.

“We’ve added players at both ends and our players from last year should be ready to step up,” third-year Griffi ns coach Curt Fraser, who re-signed for two more seasons on August 27, told WOOD TV. “Last year we had a lot of holes. This year we’re deeper and I am looking forward to getting something done.”

Up front the Griffi ns lost leading scorer Jeremy Williams (31 goals and 63 points), who signed with the N.Y. Rangers. But Jan Mursak (24-18-42), Tomas Tatar (16-16-32), Francis Pare (16-23-39) and Cory Emmerton (12-25-37) will be back.

“Mursak had a great season last year and we expect him to build on that,” Grand Rapids general manager Bob McNamara told WOOD TV. “And we expect Emmerton and Tatar to have big seasons.”

Last year the Griffi ns depth was compromised with call-ups to Detroit when the Red Wings were hit with the injury bug.

This season Grand Rapids added several players to help combat that threat. Center Joakim Andersson, Detroit’s second round pick in 2008 who played 10 games for the Griffi ns in the 2009 AHL playoff s, is returning to Grand Rapids after playing last season in Sweden.

Red Wings forward Valterri Filppula’s brother, Ilari Filppula, also signed with the Detroit in June after two seasons with TPS Turku in Finland and is slated to play for the Griffi ns.

And the Red Wings inked veteran centers Jamie Johnson and Chris Minard to free agent contracts in July.

Johnson set a personal best as a pro with 27 goals and 71 points last year for Rochester. Minard, a nine-year pro signed by Detroit in July, has averaged a point a game at the AHL level the last three seasons (95 points in 94 games), and has played 40 NHL games for Pittsburgh and Edmonton in that span.

“They are guys that can fi ll the net,” said McNamara. Last year’s captain, right wing Jamie Tardif, signed a one-year

contract and will be back for his fi fth season in Grand Rapids. Last year, he recorded 16 goals and 33 points to go along with 90 penalty minutes in 77 games.

And with a logjam at forward in Detroit, Kirk Maltby, Drew Miller and Mathias Ritola could also end starting the season in Grand Rapids.

“We have a lot of good pieces,” said Fraser. The Griffi ns have also re-loaded on the blueline, adding

veteran pro Greg Amadeo, a tough stay-at-home type who played at Michigan Tech and won two straight Calder Cups with Hershey the last two seasons.

Brendan Smith, Detroit’s fi rst-round pick in 2007 out of Wisconsin, also joins a group that also includes third-year Griffi n Sergei Kolosov, Logan Pyett and Brian Lashoff , who returns from junior hockey after playing six games in Grand Rapids last season.

Nine-year pro Doug Janik, who had a career high 37 points last season with the Griffi ns and served as alternate captain, will also be back. Derek Meech, who cleared waivers on September 9, could also end up in the AHL.

“With guys like Lashoff , Smith, Amadeo and Janik, all of a sudden our defense looks a lot better,” said Fraser.

The Griffi ns addressed their goaltending by bringing back veteran Joey MacDonald, who spent last season playing for both Toronto teams in the AHL and NHL. In six previous seasons in Grand Rapids from 2002-08, MacDonald played in 164 games, recorded 88 wins, 16 shutouts and helped mentor current Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard. MacDonald is expected to help Red Wings fi rst round pick Thomas McCollum, now entering his second season in Grand Rapids, the same way.

McCollum had ups and downs last year but according to Fraser was outstanding at Red Wings prospect camps in July.

“He looked fantastic there and having Joey here will help stabilize things and help him out,” said Fraser. “With the combination of those two, along with Jordan Pierce, we will be very good in goal.”

The Griffi ns open the season at Van Andel Arena on October 8 against the Abbotsford Heat.

“We’re excited about this year and think we’ll be back on track,” said McNamara.

GRIFFINS NOTEBOOKThe Griffi ns home schedule features 17 Fridays and nine

Saturday games, including the 14th annual New Year’s Eve celebration, which will feature a new 6 p.m. start time and the team’s fi rst-ever New Year’s Day game, on Jan. 1 at 7 p.m. against Peoria. Other holiday home include the day before Halloween (Oct. 30), the day after Thanksgiving (Nov. 26), and the day after Christmas (Dec. 26)… The American Hockey League will operate with an all-time high of 30 teams in 2010-11, which will also mark the AHL’s 75th season. The Griffi ns will compete in the North Division of the Western Conference along with the Abbotsford Heat (Calgary Flames), Hamilton Bulldogs (Montreal Canadiens), Lake Erie Monsters (Colorado Avalanche), Manitoba Moose (Vancouver Canucks), Rochester Americans (Florida Panthers) and Toronto Marlies (Toronto Maple Leafs).

Kalamazoo Wings prepare for second ECHL season

PHOTO BY MARK NEWMAN/GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS

BY MATT MACKINDERThe Kalamazoo Wings start the season with a new general

manager, a new NHL affi liate and a lot of new players.Welcome to the world of minor professional hockey.The Wings, starting their second season in the ECHL,

hope to improve on their 42-20-6-4 record of a year ago (third-best in the league) with eyes on a second straight North Division title.

And they’ll rely heavily on veteran goaltender Ryan Nie to get to the postseason once again.

“He is a work-horse that demonstrates poise and leadership between the pipes,” said Kalamazoo coach Nick Bootland. “Ryan’s performance during the regular season played a vital role in us winning the division.”

The 25-year old Nie’s trophy case includes a good deal of weekly and monthly awards from his years in Kalamazoo,

both in the ECHL and IHL. It’s a safe bet that more hardware will be added this season.

Forward Darryl Lloyd is back for his second year in Kalamazoo and his seventh as a professional. Last October 15, Lloyd scored the Wings’ fi rst goal in ECHL history in a 4-1 win over the Reading Royals. It was his fi rst of 20 goals last season.

“(Lloyd) is a hard-nosed player and plays with intensity,” said Bootland. “Our expectations of Darryl have certainly increased by the grit and determination he displayed last season and we believe he can duplicate those eff orts again this year.”

The Wings also re-signed a former junior teammate of Nie’s with the Plymouth Whalers in forward Andrew Fournier. Fournier and the Whalers won the 2007 Ontario Hockey League championship.

A third-year pro, Fournier led the K-Wings last season in scoring by posting 71 points (27 goals, 44 assists) in 70 games.

“Coming off a career-year, Andrew has proven that he is an impact player,” Bootland said. “He has been able to score at every level he has played at and last season, he showed the tenacity that helped him win a championship in junior.”

Also signed for next season at Wings Stadium are forwards Patrick Asselin (former Saginaw Spirit captain), Trent Daavettila (Howell), Sam Ftorek, Kory Karlander, Bryan Jurynec and Anton Kharin (Twin Lake) and defensemen Jon Landry and Finlandia University alum Ross Rouleau (Hancock).

Karlander is a grizzled vet that has been in Kalamazoo before. After spending the past two seasons with the Odessa Jackalopes of the Central Hockey League, Karlander is returning to Kalamazoo where he played fi ve of his previous 15 professional seasons.

“Kory brings leadership, championship experience and understands what we want to accomplish here,” said Bootland. “He continues to be a premiere face-off specialist and helps teams even-strength or on special teams.”

Karlander has a unique status as the only K-Wings player to represent the organization in every league Kalamazoo has participated in, including the original IHL.

Landry anchored the Wings’ defense after joining the team in January.

“Last year, Jon came in and gave our off ense a spark,” said Bootland. “Down the stretch, he played through pain and helped stabilize our blue line.”

Kharin is the son of Sergei Kharin, the United Hockey League playoff MVP of the1998-1999 Colonial Cup champion Muskegon Fury.

In addition to the players already signed, Kalamazoo will also have New York Islanders’ prospects and San Jose Sharks’ minor leaguers on hand, as both have their ECHL affi liations in Kalamazoo. The Islanders’ agreement is new this season.

“We are excited about being the ECHL affi liate of the New York Islanders,” said Kalamazoo president Paul Pickard. “The Islanders organization is full of young and talented prospects that will bring energy and a strong work ethic to the K-Wings organization. As part of the Islanders family, we will do our part to help them be successful both on and off the ice.”

New general manager Jim Burlew also returns to Kalamazoo after serving as the Wings assistant GM from 2002-04.

“While I left for an excellent opportunity outside of the hockey in 2004, I never lost my love for the sport or the Kalamazoo Wings,” said Burlew. “I am excited and honored to return to an organization that has such a remarkable tradition and has meant so much to the city of Kalamazoo and the communities of southwest Michigan.”

“Eight years ago, he played a vital role in our organization’s turnaround and because of his success, he received an off er that was compelling enough for him to leave,” said Pickard. “Jim has had success wherever he has been and we are thrilled he has decided to return to the organization.”

On the bench, Bootland has coached the Wings to a record of 86-49-8-5 over the past two seasons.

“He has made the seamless transition from player to coach that we thought he would,” said Pickard. “Looking at his overall record, wining the division and the amount of call-ups we endured (last) season, Nick has the shown the knack of getting the most out of his players.”

Kalamazoo’s sophomore ECHL season begins on the road October 22 against the Toledo Walleye. Their fi rst home game at Wings Stadium is slated for the next night versus the Cincinnati Cyclones.

PHOTO BY JOHN GILROY PHOTOGRAPHY

Former Plymouth Whalers goaltender Ryan Nie returns to Kalamazoo for his second consecutive season with the K-Wings.

28 Michigan Hockey MichiganHockeyOnline.comkey

Red Wings Preview

With bodies being thrown overboard as salary cap casualties in Chicago and free-agent and retirement losses altering the look in San Jose, the Detroit Red Wings could aff ord to watch with quiet smugness this summer.

Wings general manager Ken Holland proved a lousy actor when he feigned sympathy for the Hawks and Sharks.

“We’ve noticed that,” said Holland of the blood-letting of talent. “We feel bad about that.”

“We went through that last July, but now we feel we have our depth back.”There can be no doubt the Wings would’ve moved forward in the Western

Conference had they done nothing this summer with their two conference rivals weakened.

That they’ve added forwards Jiri Hudler and Mike Modano along with defenseman Ruslan Salei while keeping everyone they wished to, has thrust the Wings back into the forefront of the discussion regarding the team that’s the best in the west.

Holland knew he still had a formidable club that only required some tweaking this summer after watching his team’s tear in the fi nal 20 game of the regular season.

“A year ago, we lose all those players on July 1,” Holland said. “Most people judge our team against our team. I knew that.

“Then we had players dropping like fl ies. I always felt if we got our team together, we’d make some noise.

“We went on a great run. I look at those last 20 games (of the regular season) as who we were.

“Now you add Modano and Hudler. You hope players get excited because we’re adding and not losing players.”

DOMINO EFFECTIn adding players, the Wings have now positioned themselves to compare favorably

with the rest of the elite clubs in the league.The addition of Hudler, who scored 24 goals in the 2008-09 season before playing

in Russia last winter, along with Modano to center the third line has had a domino eff ect on the Wings’ line-up.

It’s allowed Detroit to play Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk to play together with Tomas Holmstrom on the top line while Valtteri Filppula will center Johan Franzen and Todd Bertuzzi on the second unit.

“He (Modano), along with the return of Jiri Hudler and the development of our kids, makes us as deep up front as we’ve been in a couple years,” Holland said. “I like our team.

“I think we are one of the legitimate contenders for the Stanley Cup. Lot’s of things have to go right for the team that wins it, but we’re in the conversation.”

One NHL scout in the Western Conference rates Holland’s off -season work as fi rst rate and pushes Detroit past the likes of Chicago and San Jose to the front of the in the western race along with Vancouver.

“I think getting Modano is quietly one the best moves of the summer,” he said. “I think he’s going to have a very good year there.

“He’s got a lot of hockey left in him. He’s going to be playing against the other teams’ fi fth and sixth defensemen and their third line.

“Look at Detroit’s third line now, Cleary, Modano, Hudler, how many teams can put something like that out there? He’s going to be excited playing in his hometown.”

With their depth restored, the critics have fallen back on that old chestnut of old age to claim the sky will fall this season in Detroit.

Certainly, with 40-year-olds Nick Lidstrom and Modano, a 36-year-old Brian Rafalski, a 37-year-olds Tomas Holmstrom and Chris Osgood and 39-year-old Kris Draper it’s no surprise the Wings average age is the league’s highest at over 30 years.

However, Osgood and Draper are being pushed to smaller roles while Lidstrom and Rafalski are still top pairing defensemen who actually played better in the second half of last season.

Holland also likes to point out the Wings are very specifi c about the 40 somethings they’ve had their line-ups.

“The 40 year-olds we’ve had – (Steve) Yzerman, Lidstrom, Modano, (Dom) Hasek, (Chris) Chelios - they’re superstars,” Holland said.

“They might not quite be what they were, but their skills are still better than average. We don’t bring just any 40-something in.”

EXCITED AND HUNGRYThe remainder of Detroit’s line-up is largely composed of players in their prime

or not having reached it. Fourteen players are 31 or younger with 11 of that group being in their 20s.

Coach Mike Babcock expects the team’s youngsters to step forward this season and take on even more responsibility.

“We’ve had some huge growth from some young players and we needed to,” Babcock said. “We had an unbelievable push just to get in the playoff s. They worked hard.”

Perhaps more important than Detroit’s age is how well rested they Wings claim to feel and whether they can avoid the rash of injuries that staggered the team last winter. Ironically, it wasn’t the team’s old guard that broke down either.

No one is more eager to get going than forward Johan Franzen, whose season was largely wrecked by a torn ACL.

“I’ve been working out a lot to make sure my knee is strong enough this season,” said Franzen, who had 10 goals and 21 points in 27 regular-season games after injuring his knee in the third game of the season last October. “I don’t want to sit out a lot of games again this year. I’m making sure I’m well prepared.

“I’ve had a lot time to get ready. It’s 100 per cent or even better than before the injury. This is the strongest I’ve ever been.”

In many ways, Franzen’s season resembled the Red Wings’ campaign as a whole.The six-three, 225-pound winger fought to get healthy after knee surgery, was

surprisingly good down the stretch and ran out of gas in the playoff s. “I think we’re going to respond well and have a great season,” Franzen said. “We

usually come back strong after a not successful game or season. I think we’ll be excited and hungry.”

Franzen said the Wings’ off -season additions of Hudler, Modano and Salei have restored the team’s depth.

“Good players is my fi rst thought,” Franzen said of the moves. “I’ve played with Hudler a lot in past years. He’s got great vision. Great passes. He’s really great on the power play.”

However, Franzen said the key to the Wings season will simply be whether Detroit can avoid the devastating injuries of last winter.

“A lot of it has to do with keeping a healthy team,” Franzen said. “If we have a full team playing, we’re going to produce.

“It’s hard when a lot of guys go out. The load gets heavy on some guys. If we can keep the team healthy, we’re going to be fi ne.”

With their top three lines and top three defensive pairings largely set, the only real battles in training camp will be for spots on the fourth line and the seventh defenseman’s spot. However, defenseman Jakub Kindl seems to have that spot all but locked up after the Wings placed Derek Meech on waivers earlier this month.

Darren Helm and Justin Abelkader are strong bets for two of those spots while Patrick Eaves has earned favor in Babcock’s eyes with his mix of speed, penalty killing ability and more off ensive upside than any of the other contenders.

It likely means either or both Drew Miller and Mathias Ritola could be playing in Grand Rapids or elsewhere while Kris Draper will have to battle to upgrade his status as the 13th forward.

“We’ll get to camp and let them sort it out,” Holland said.

Detroit reloads for a run at the CupDetroit reloads for a run at the CupDetroit reloads for a run at the CupDetroit reloads for a run at the CupDetroit reloads for a run at the CupWith a deep roster that includes stars Johan Franzen (from left), Nick Lidstrom and Pavel Datsyuk, the Red Wings are hoping to make another run at the Stanley Cup.

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NHL Preview

BY KEVIN ALLENThe Detroit Red Wings’ approach to hockey is akin to a dealer’s approach to art

in that they both like to own masterpieces.The Red Wings, with a long history of signing future Hall of Famers, added to

their collection this summer when they signed Westland native Mike Modano to one-year contract.

“I pointed out that we have had a lot of top players come here at the end of their careers and play very well,” Detroit general manager Ken Holland said.

Modano grew up about 40 miles from Detroit’s Joe Louis Arena, and there is a rink in his hometown named after him.

“He can still skate and he can still play, and I think he will be a good fi t here,” Holland said.

The Modano signing was Holland’s only major off season move, but the Red Wings feel as if they signed a major free agent acquisition because Jiri Hudler returned from Russia.

Those additions may be more noteworthy this season because Stanley Cup champion Chicago lost eight players off their roster and San Jose lost two major contributors. By keeping all of their players, the Red Wings may have made progress.

Defense: In Nick Lidstrom, Brian Rafalski, Niklas Kronwall and Brad Stuart, the Red Wings’ top four is among the league’s best. Jonathan Ericsson’s lack of development last season was alarming. Ruslan Salei was signed to be No. 6.

Forwards: On most NHL teams, Modano would be a second line performer, but he will be on Detroit’s No. 3 line. With Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, Johan Franzen Valterri Filppula, Tomas Holmstrom and Todd Bertuzzi, the Red Wings have a noteworthy top six. Modano, Dan Cleary and Jiri Hudler could end up on the third line. Darren Helm is a fi ne young player, and he’s slated for fourth line duty. Detroit still has an embarrassment of riches up front.

Goaltending: Jimmy Howard was Detroit’s best rookie goalie since Roger Crozier won the Calder Trophy in 1965. Howard lost the Rookie of the Year voting to Buff alo’s Tyler Myers, but he was probably Detroit’s MVP in 2009-10. When the Red Wings were overrun by injuries, Howard kept Detroit in the race.

SAN JOSE SHARKSAll-Star center Joe Thornton is the symbol of everything that is both right and

wrong about the San Jose Sharks.Thornton is magnifi cently skilled, and owns the reputation of one of the league’s

special performers. But historically, his playoff impact has been lacking. That scouting report would fi t his team as well. Each regular season, the Sharks seem special. Then in the playoff s, they seem to lose their confi dence.

Each summer there is fan outcry for the Sharks to make a major move, and general manager Doug Wilson did that this summer. But it was goalie Evgeni Nabokov, not Thornton, who paid the price for the franchise’s playoff shortcomings. He wasn’t re-signed.

Defense: The retirement of Rob Blake dramatically alters San Jose’s look on the blue line. However, Douglas Murray’s development has reduced that sting. Dan Boyle is the only thoroughbred in the defensive mix, but the Sharks have an impressive group that also includes Marc-Edouard Vlassic, Nicklas Wallin, Kent Huskins and Jason Demers

Forwards: The line of Patrick Marleau, Thornton and Dany Heatley is as dangerous as any in the NHL. And the line of Ryane Clowe, Joe Pavelski and Devin Setoguchi was just as productive at times. The Sharks will score goals by the bushel.

Goaltending: Having said goodbye to a Russian goalie, the Sharks will go into battle with Finns Antti Niemi and Antero Niittymaki.

VANCOUVER CANUCKSIn the salary cap world, the sales pitch is as important as dollars when it comes

to luring top free agents.That was proven again when Vancouver landed unrestricted free agent Dan

Hamhuis on July 1. Twelve teams were interested in Hamhuis and some were off ering more than the $4.5 million per season that Hamhuis accepted from Vancouver.

Defense: The defensive upgrade resulting from the Hamhuis signing and Keith Ballard acquisition was partially negated by Sami Salo’s long-term Achilles injury. Presumably, the Canucks might have traded Kevin Bieksa, but those plans were canceled when Salo was injured. Still, with Christian Ehrhloff and Alexander Edler also in the mix, the Vancover defense should be steady

Forwards: In an era when goals are still challenging to score, it’s noteworthy that the Canucks return six forwards who scored 25 or more goals. Alexandre Burrows led with 35, followed by Mikael Samuelsson with 30 and the Sedin brothers with 29 apiece. Ryan Kesler and Mason Raymond had 25 each.

Goaltending: Roberto Luongo’s reality has not lived up to his promise. In terms of superstar impact, Luongo’s reputation may be more monstrous than his presence on the ice. Although he did lead Canada to an Olympic gold medal in 2010, Luongo hasn’t altered the Canucks’ fortunes.

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKSThe key forwards for winning the Stanley Cup were Jonathan Toews and Patrick

Kane. The key forwards for defending it will be Jack Skille and Viktor Stalberg.With almost half of its championship roster now gone because of salary cap woes,

Chicago needs strong seasons out of their younger prospects to have a shot at repeating.The Blackhawks know what Kane and Toews will do, but it’s unknown whether

replacements can adequately fi ll the skates of missing players. Right wing Skille was a 23-goal scorer last season in the AHL, and he could replace

some the goals lost by the departure of Kris Versteeg and Dustin Byfuglien. Left wing Bryan Bickell (19 goals in the AHL) will also have an opportunity to play regularly.

Defense: The purge had the least impact on the blue line because the top four of Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Brian Campbell and Niklas Hjalmarsson are still intact. The importance GM Stan Bowman places on these four was noted when he matched San Jose’s four-year, $14 million contract off er to Hjalmarsson.

Forwards: After the Chicago reconstruction was completed, the Blackhawks still had fi ve forwards (Kane, Toews, Marian Hossa, Troy Brouwer and Patrick Sharp) who scored 22 or more goals last season.

Goaltending: Former Michigan standout Marty Turco rides to the rescue. An argument can be made that Niemi was still unproven even after he won the Stanley Cup. Niemi still only has 39 games of NHL experience. At last season’s training camp, it wasn’t even certain Niemi would win the team’s backup job.

NASHVILLE PREDATORSWhen the Predators traded captain Jason Arnott last summer it wasn’t as much

about Arnott’s performance level as it was about general manager David Poile’s belief that it was time to promote Shea Weber.

Coach Barry Trotz called it “a pretty easy decision” to award the ‘C’ to Weber, a multi-talented defenseman who is equally profi cient at scoring goals and delivering crushing body checks. Only a few players around the NHL can match Weber’s on-ice abilities and leadership skill.

Defense: The loss of Dan Hamhuis to free agency was signifi cant, but the reacquisition of Ryan Parent helps soften the blow. He’s still in his development stage and he has a chance to become the defensive stalwart that Hamhuis is. Weber and Ryan Suter are the horses of the defense, but Francis Boullion and Kevin Klein are key contributors. Look for Cody Franson to play an expanded role.

Forwards: Speedy center Matthew Lombardi was signed to add zest to a Predators squad that had to work excessively hard to score last season. No Western Conference playoff team scored fewer goals than the Predators in 2009-10.

Goaltending: Pekka Rinne is probably as important as Weber in terms of impact on the team. Given their lack of scoring, the Predators need a goalie who makes few mistakes. Rinne is the right man for that job, although his numbers took a tiny dip last season.

LOS ANGELES KINGSThe Los Angeles Kings went hunting for Ilya Kovalchuk and settled for Alexei

Ponikarovky last summer.That was like going to the showroom to buy a Lamborghini sports car and coming

home with a jeep. The Kings can certainly use Ponikarovsky’s modest goal potential, but the objective of getting LA ticket buyers stimulated by a major free agent splash didn’t materialize.

Defense: Drew Doughty is 20, and he could win the Norris Trophy this season. He’s already one of the NHL’s most well-rounded defenseman. He can pass, shoot, defend and hit. Jack Johnson is less consistent than Doughty, but might be even more passionate. He can also be a diff erence-maker. When the game is on the line, Johnson wants to make the big play. Rob Scuderi is a shot blocker and a defensive zealot and Matt Greene is a solid performer.

Forwards: Point-per-game center Anze Kopitar is the centerpiece of this improving off ensive team. His added a noticeable layer of aggressiveness to his game last season, and he improved his plus-minus from minus-17 to plus-6. Heavy-hitting Dustin Brown is the team’s heart.

Goaltending: Only fi ve NHL goalies boasted more wins than Jonathan Quick’s 39 in 2009-10. But Quick’s save percentage (.907) and goals-against average (2.54) were mediocre in comparison to rivals.

Former Michigan defenseman Jack Johnson is part of a young blueline corps in Los Angeles.

Livonia native Ryan Kesler is developing into a star with the Vancouver Canucks.

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and all of the East

Red Wings, Sharks and Canucks are the class of the West


Red Wing Insider

BY DAVE WADDELLWhen the late coach Herb Brooks met with then 39-year-old Chris Chelios in the

summer before the 2002 Olympic Games, he wasn’t even positive he wanted him on the U.S. squad.

When Brooks was fi nished talking with Chelios, he couldn’t imagine playing without him.

By the time Brooks had boarded a plane to travel home, he had decided that no one other than Chelios should be captain of the U.S. team. That’s how much Chelios impressed.

Chelios has an aura about him that is diffi cult to explain until you meet him. He’s engaging. He’s bright. He’s impish. He’s passionate. He’s tough. He’s the man you want standing next to you if you are going to a party or off to war.

I remember Brooks specifi cally telling me that the Chelios analysis of what had gone wrong for the Americans at the 1998 Olympic Games was as analytical and comprehensive as any report he had received about the event.

Brooks said the Chelios insight was so fascinating that he felt like he was talking to another coach.

When Chris Chelios announced his retirement on August 31, it was like hearing the Godfather was stepping down from the family business.

One of my most vivid memories of Chelios came at orientation camp before the 1998 Olympic Games when America’s NHL stars began showing up one-by-one to a large meeting room to complete their paperwork.

There were nods and waves from the assembled group as each man entered the room. But it was all rather perfunctary until Chelios entered the doorway.

It was if the circus had just turned onto Main Street or Elvis had entered the building. I remember Jeremy Roenick rising from his seat to greet him. Others followed

suit. I remember Mike Modano ribbing Chelios about leaving messages that weren’t returned. Quickly there were 10 or 12 players around Chelios.

He held court like he was George Clooney at the Oscars. Everyone laughed at all of his jokes. Everyone listened to his stories. There he was no doubt who was in command of the American troops.

At that point, I understood why the American players viewed him as the Godfather of America’s hockey program.

Around that time is when I also began to rank Chelios No. 1 on my rankings of the top American NHL players of all-time. I have never wavered from that conviction.

He retired at age 48 after 26 NHL seasons and I believe it’s impossible to say any American player was more meaningful to the NHL program than Chelios was.

Frank Brimsek is a Hall of Fame goalie. Modano is magnifi cent in his skating and scoring. Roenick was a swashbuckling scorer. Pat LaFontaine was a superb player. Brian Leetch was special. Phil Housley was dynamic. Joey Mullen was memorable.

Those players are all deserving of consideration, but Chelios off ered intangibles that the others did not. All of the above-mentioned players were fi rst-rate hockey players, and some were strong leaders. Many of them have worn the U.S. sweater proudly, but it would be hard to convince me that anyone wore it more proudly. He was USA Hockey’s ultimate leader.

This is a man who left in the middle of his sister’s wedding reception to make sure he was able to play in a game at the 1996 World Cup. At international competitions, if you saw Chelios away from the rink, there would always be a large contingent of U.S. players with him.

New York Islanders center Doug Weight once told me that Chelios was like the hardened sergeant from a combat platoon. You just trusted Chelios because there wasn’t too much he hadn’t seen in the hockey arena.

Fans in opposing arenas didn’t love Chelios the way his teammates did. He was a villain on the road, much like Chris Pronger is today. Like Pronger, Chelios played on the outer edge of the rule book. He was often in the middle of the pushing, shoving and mouthing off . Detroit fans hated Detroit before he was traded here during the 1998-99 season. He actually ended up playing more seasons in Detroit than he did in Chicago.

Chelios was also a Norris Trophy winner, a three-time Stanley Cup champion and one of the game’s ultimate warriors.

I would say the American program will miss his leadership, but I’m hopeful that USA Hockey offi cials will bring him aboard in a management capacity in future international tournaments. His ability to lead and rally the Americans isn’t gone just because he isn’t player. He doesn’t need a job because the Red Wings gave him one. He doesn’t need a title because players gave Chelios that years ago. He’s the Godfather of American hockey.

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Chelios retires as the top American player everChelios retires as the top American player everChelios retires as the top American player everChelios retires as the top American player everChelios retires as the top American player ever

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Former Red Wings defenseman Chris Chelios retired on August 31 after 26 NHL seasons, four Olympics and three Stanley Cups.

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