mihockeymag - december 24, 2012

MiHockeyNow.com V.23 : I.8 | DECEMBER 24, 2012 FIRST CLASS

IN MICHIGAN HOCKEY

DECEMBER 24, 2012 VOLUME 23: ISSUE 8

MiHOCKEY’S 50 MOST INFLUENTIAL Who are the most infl uential people on hockey in Michigan? Check out our Top 50 list.

Our top moments from another thrilling season

Lidstrom retires, another lockout, and more

Darren Eliot shares his list of the most infl uential people on his own hockey life

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

Caples at (248) 479-1136 or [email protected]

LOOK FOR OUR NEXT ISSUEJANUARY 14, 2013

21-23

28 32 34

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE LOCKER ROOM Our favorite ‘Locker Room’ features from 2012

6

SLIDESHOW Photos from a hockey-fi lled weekend at Yost and Munn

8

GET BETTERA multi-tasking 3-on-3 skill drill

10

TOP 10 COLLEGE HOCKEY MOMENTS FROM 2012

TOP 10 RED WINGS MOMENTS FROM 2012

LAST LINE

PLYMOUTH WHALERSThe Whalers’ top moments from the last year

26

HOMETOWN HEROES The Hometown Heroes designs from 2012

14 YOUTH HOCKEYSome of the latest youth hockey team news

18

YOU SHOULD KNOWOur favorite answers from 2012

12

NAHLLooking back on another great year of NAHL hockey

24

4 MiHockeyMag December 24, 2012 V.23 : I.8MiHockeyNow.com

The fi rst defi nition that pops up in Google says that the word ‘infl uential’ means “having a great infl uence on someone or something.”

And, because let’s face it, that defi nition is kind of like saying “an apple tastes like an apple.” So, after going back to Google to type in the word ‘infl uence’, this what I found:

“The capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce eff ects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others.”

I mention these defi nitions because it’s the main theme of this issue, in case you somehow landed on this page without seeing the cover. This edition of MiHockeyMag is our now-annual ’50 Most Infl uential’ list of the hockey people in Michigan.

So really, the defi nition of infl uential means a lot. And at the same time, it doesn’t really mean anything at all.

Because our list of the ’50 Most’ is going to be far diff erent than your list of the ’50 Most’. In fact, my own personal ’50 Most’ list is diff erent than the list you will see on the following pages. My colleague Darren Eliot even shares his own list of people who infl uenced his hockey life.

This is our attempt to take into consideration everything – or better yet, everyone – that goes into our game. That meant our staff breaking down every level of hockey in Michigan, from youth, to high school, to juniors, to college, to the pros (or what’s left of that one).

We took a swing at an objective look at hockey in Michigan. After all, that’s what the defi nition of a journalist is, at least for hockey journalists calling the Mitten home.

But the thing that stood out the most while we compiled this list is the same thing that stood out last year, when we compiled the list for the fi rst time.

There’s only 50 spots.It’s a big number, sure. But it’s pretty small, too.

Because if you break it down by the fi ve levels of hockey mentioned above, there are only ten spots for each. And I don’t know about you, but I can think of a whole lot more than just ten people that infl uence each level of hockey in Michigan, thus impacting hockey as a whole.

And if you’re still thinking we missed someone, after reading through this rambling and the actual list, tell us. In fact, that’s kind of the point. We put our analysis of the game into every issue of every magazine – but we would love to hear yours.

I hope you enjoy this issue for more than just our ’50 Most’ list. We have our top moments for the usual suspects – Wings, Griffi ns, Whalers and College – as well as some of our favorite pieces from our ‘Locker Room’ and ‘You Should Know’ features. It was great to refl ect on our favorite moments from 2012, and look ahead to 2013.

Until the next issue of the magazine comes out, keep up to date with holiday hockey action on MiHockeyNow.com, where we will still be posting daily content, no matter how much wrapping paper we have to fi ght through to fi nd the keyboard.

Hope you all have a happy and safe holiday season.

See you at the rink (in 2013),

PHOTOS AT LEFT: FSU photo courtesy of the Ferris State Bulldogs, Red Wings team photo by Tom Turrill/MiHockey

COVER: Design by Chuck Stevens/MiHockey

Cover reprints availablee-mail: [email protected]

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

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

EDITORMichael [email protected]

MIHOCKEYMAG

ADVERTISING & DISTRIBUTIONLucia [email protected]

DESIGNEmily HustonChuck Stevens

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSDarren EliotPat EvansBrian KalisherStefan KubusKyle KujawaMatt MackinderDave Waddell

ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTORSAmy JonesAnne Ellis

BY MICHAEL CAPLES @michaelcaples

FROM THE EDITOR

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

WHAT CONSTITUTES ‘INFLUENTIAL’ IN HOCKEY?

December 24, 2012 V.23 : I.8 5MiHockeyMagMiHockeyNow.com

THE LOCKER ROOM

ON THE FLY

LOCKER ROOM POLL

THE

LOCKERROOM

Throughout the year, we asked our readers questions on our social media accounts about all the hottest topics surrounding hockey in Michigan. It’s enjoyable – and interesting – to look back on them later on…like when a large percentage of our reader base was confi dent that Nick Lidstrom would play another season. From our May issue of MiHockeyMag:

We asked our Facebook friends if they thought Nick Lidstrom would return for another season. Here’s the consensus:

73% said he will be back for another year7% said he will not be coming back20% said he should come back, but with a cheaper price tag

Q:

A:

BEST OF

Erica Treais sent us this photo of her brother, Wolverines forward A.J. Treais, getting ready for the opening face-off in a rivalry game against Ohio State.

This photo was posted on our Facebook wall by Greg Spencley in February, with the caption, “District 7 playoff s”. Quite the action shot…

Vicki McGovern sent us this photo from a tournament in Cheboygan…talk about taking a photo at the right angle and the right time.

FROM2012

One of our favorite reader interaction moments from 2012 came when we let you pick the high school championship cover for the magazine.


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CLASSES: SNOWPLOW SAM 1, 2, 3 | BASIC 1-5 ADULT | HOCKEY SKILLS

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ONLY $8December 24, 2012 V.23 : I.8 7MiHockeyMagMiHockeyNow.com

SLIDESHOW

MICHIGAN HOCKEY IN PICTURES: THE CCHA’S FINAL SEASON IS UNDERWAY IN MICHIGANFOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @MIHOCKEYNOW

SLIDESHOW

Photos from the Dec. 14-15 series between Michigan and Western Michigan by Andrew Knapik/MiHockey; photos from the Dec. 15 match-up between Michigan State and Ferris State by Michael Caples/MiHockey


GET BETTER

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MULTI TASKING 3 ON 3 SKILLDRILL OBJECTIVE: DEVELOP SKILLS AND AWARENESSCreative, fun way to help develop hockey sense with skill components integrated into drill

KEY ELEMENTS: • Give-and-go passing• Creativity• Creating scoring chances• Develop skill element• Passing/receiving

ORGANIZATION: Nets are placed along the boards in the end zone. Eight cones are placed evenly; four at the goal line and four at the top of the circles. Three-on-three drill; after making a pass the player must skate to the nearest cone and perform a skill element; in this case, it is a tight turn around the cone before the player makes themself again an available pass receiver.

GOALIE: Read the rush, game-like situation, puck carrier is under pressure


THE ULTIMATE HOCKEY AND SUMMER CAMP EXPERIENCE.

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BUILDING & MAINTAINING COMPOSURE THROUGHOUT THE GAME

As a goalie, you have the diffi cult task of playing the entire game. Not only does playing the entire game require physical demands on the body, but it is also highly stressful and a taxing

demand on mental composure. It is this mental composure that will very likely be the determining factor in why you will win or lose the game.

While many good goalies possess all of the physical qualities to perform in practices and games, they often lack the essential and necessary quantitative skills that will allow him/her to succeed. These goalies that only possess the physical skills are commonly the back-ups on most teams. They typically perform well in practice, but are inconsistent with their play when the puck drops in the game. Without both physical and mental strength, and the ability to maintain consistent mental composure, they will eventually play themselves out of the game.

Here are a few tips that will allow you to learn how to build and maintain composure during your games:

• Learn to play in the “present.” Mitch Korn, goalie coach for the Nashville Predators, taught me to fl ip “the switch” on my mental concentration by focusing on “the present.” Forget about possible outcome and situations, goals against, mistakes, etc. Your only focus should be on the “next shot” in the present situation.

• Develop the ability to push out distractions that could aff ect your present mindset. These distractions could come from off -ice incidents or on-ice within your team. Good goalies possess the ability to focus on the present by forgetting about everything that could hinder their performance.

• Learn to forget goals against. Quickly analyze the play, how the goal was scored, then forget it. The goal has

been scored (nothing you can do now). Now is the time to re-focus on the “next shot” and play in “the present.”

• Don’t get “too high” on yourself when you make highlight-reel saves. As a goalie, it is your responsibility to come up big in games when the pressure is on. Don’t chirp or become cocky when you’re having success. Learn to maintain your composure by treating the save as routine (as if you’ve made the save a 1,000 times before).

When the goalie develops a calm and focused demeanor, he is allowing himself the ability to maintain his composure. Once the goaltender has a clear grasp on handling himself during chaotic events within the game, his composure and confi dence will carry like osmosis onto his teammates. And once you’ve won the mental game, you can allow your physical skills to carry your team.

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

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


you should know: YOU SHOULD KNOW

Jared RutledgeMichigan WolverinesIF YOU COULD HAVE ONE WISH GRANTED, WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH IT: I would want free unlimited hockey gear from all major equipment companiesTHREE PEOPLE YOU WOULD WANT TO HAVE DINNER WITH: Lil’ Wayne, Zac Brown, & Bob Probert

OUR FAVORITE ANSWERS FROM 2012

Mitch CallahanGrand Rapids Griffi nsFAVORITE BREAKFAST FOOD:Chocolate Chip PancakesIF YOU COULD HAVE ONE WISH GRANTED, WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH IT:To retire in Huntington Beach & surf every morning

Dakota Klecha

Ferris State BulldogsFIRST CONCERT: D12, Eminem, 50 Cent, & Dr. Dre at Comerica ParkFAVORITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY: Falling into my skating pond and running back to my house freezing

Phil DiGiuseppeMichigan WolverinesFIRST CONCERT: Taylor SwiftTHREE PEOPLE YOU WOULD WANT TO HAVE DINNER WITH: Gordie Howe, Wayne Gretzky and Bobby Orr

Brent DarnellMichigan State SpartansFAVORITE MOVIE: Happy Gilmore & The Mighty Ducks seriesTHREE PEOPLE YOU WOULD WANT TO HAVE DINNER WITH: Steve Yzerman, Steve Jobs, & Abraham Lincoln

David Wohlberg Albany Devils (Michigan Wolverines alum)FIRST CONCERT: Ted NugentIF YOU COULD HAVE ONE WISH GRANTED, WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH IT: To have an infi nite amount of wishes

Riley BarberMiami RedHawksTHREE PEOPLE YOU WOULD WANT TO HAVE DINNER WITH:Will Ferrell, Adam Sandler, &Jessica Alba

Matt DeBlouw

Michigan State SpartansFIRST CONCERT: ‘N SyncFAVORITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY: Skating on my pond with my familyWHAT THREE PEOPLE WOULD YOU PICK TO HAVE DINNER WITH: Pavel Datsyuk, Gordie Howe & Steve Yzerman


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TRY HOCKEY FOR FREEDECEMBER 29th 12:30 PM – 1:20 PM

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YOUTH HOCKEY

CANTON CROSSFIRE PEE WEE SQUAD WINS MOTOWN CUP

The Canton Crossfi re won the HTP Motown Cup Tournament, played from Nov. 30 through Dec. 2 in Southgate.

Their fi rst game - against the Trenton Hurricanes - ended in a 4-4 tie. On Saturday, the Crossfi re had two games, the fi rst of which against the Novi Tigers, which the Crossfi re won 4-3. In the second game against the Chelsea Bulldogs, the Crossfi re won again, this time by a 6-0 score. The two wins on Saturday advanced the Crossfi re to the Finals on Sunday morning.

In the Championship game the Crossfi re again faced the No. 2 Novi Tigers. The game was a contest of two evenly matched teams. The Tigers got off to an early 1-0 lead in the fi rst period. The Crossfi re then scored two goals in the second period to gain a 2-1 lead. The Crossfi re and Tigers each scored one more time in the third period, and the game ended with a Crossfi re win of 3-2.

SAGINAW SQUIRT TEAM CAPTURES ‘BATTLE AT THE BRIDGE’ TITLE

MOVEMBER ‘STACHES LEAD GRAHA PEE WEES TO TOURNEY WIN

The Grand Rapids Amateur Hockey Association’s Pee Wee 1 – Lobdell squad rocked their Movember moustaches at the GTHA Tournament at Centre Ice Arena in Traverse City last weekend, and it worked. The GRAHA squad beat another GRAHA team in the semifi nals, then topped the Novi Sabrecats 3-2 in the fi nal.

The MiHockey staff is very impressed with the quality of their moustaches, as well.

GRIFFINS 16U GIRLS’ TEAM WINS PITTSBURGH TOURNAMENT

On the fi rst weekend of December, the Saginaw Township Education Association Squirt hockey team took a long road trip to St. Ignace to participate in the 12-team ‘Battle at the Bridge’ – a part of the Bridge Brawl Tournament Series. After coming out fl at on Friday in a 5-1 loss to the Grand Rapids Panthers – a team that has not lost in their house division this year – the boys turned things around on Saturday, defeating the Traverse City Greyhounds 6-2 and the Mt. Pleasant Patriots 5-1 to qualify for the semifi nals on Sunday, with a return match-up versus the Grand Rapids club. Sunday was a diff erent story, as Saginaw dominated the semifi nal with a 5-0 victory to secure a spot in the championship game against perennial powerhouse and defending MAHA state runner-up St. Ignace, who had defeated Marquette 5-4 in

overtime in the fi rst semifi nal. In a hard-fought, evenly-matched title game, Saginaw pulled out a 1-0 victory to win the tournament, complete with Saginaw turning away a penalty shot awarded to St. Ignace. The Saginaw boys skated hard all weekend, knowing what they had to do and how many they had to win by on Saturday to even make the semifi nals. The coaching staff and parents couldn’t be more proud of their hard eff ort in bringing the title home. Photo (left to right): Front Row – David Smith; Middle Row - Michael Merrill, Mark Merrill, Andrew Woodcock, Owen Dreyer, Mason Cole, Brandon Brandt; Third Row - Logan VanNest, Matthew Warby, Kyle Brown, Andrew Romanowski; Back Row - Asst. Coach Brian Brandt and Head Coach Brian Merrill; Not pictured - Camren Howell, Lincoln Emeott, Asst. Coach Chris Erskine and Asst. Coach Stephan Woodcock.

The Griffi ns 16U girls’ team traveled to Pittsburgh for the annual Pittsburgh Girls Thanksgiving Classic, and for the second season in a row the girls returned to Grand Rapids as champions. While all tournament championships are special, this one meant a bit more to the girls after having played six games in three days with only 11 skaters.

The girls survived not only a small bench but also a nine-round shootout against the London Devillettes in the quarterfi nals. The girls were down to two remaining skaters when Maddie McIntyre beat the London goalie to send the Griffi ns to the semifi nals against the West Durham Lightning.

After beating West Durham, the Griffi ns vanquished the Grey Highlands Shooting Stars by a thrilling 2-1 score in the championship game. Laura Lundblad scored the tournament-winning goal while Dawn Salo earned ‘player of the game’ honors for her outstanding play in net.

The goaltending tandem of Salo and Marissa Ewald was outstanding throughout the tournament. Every girl on the roster put forth remarkable eff ort to secure the tournament championship.


52999 Dequindre Rd.Rochester MI 48307248.601.6699www.onyxicearena.com

Check out all the fun programs at the ONYX!Learn to Skate Play Hockey Skate with friends Birthday parties

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Learn To Skate ClassesSession 4: 7-Week Program

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TOURNAMENT CALENDARMICHIGANDECEMBER 2012Yost Holiday 3-on-3 TournamentAnn Arbor, MIThursday, December 27, 20122003 and 2004 age divisions734-764-4600

Holiday ClassicRoyal Oak, MIDecember 27-30, 2012House - Squirt B, Pee Wee B & Bantam B248-246-3950Royaloakicearena.com

Motown Cup Tournament SeriesDetroit, MIDecember 29–31, 2012Mite through Midget: House, B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JVHockey Time Productions (216) 325-0567itshockeytime.com

JANUARY 2013GTHA Tournament SeriesTraverse City, MI January 2-4, 2013JV231-933-4842 [email protected]

FSU-BRAJHA Mite ADM Studio Rink TournamentBig Rapids, MIJanuary 4-6, 2013Mite ADM (231) 591-2881ferris.edu/icearena or bigrapidshockey.org

St. Ignace Bridge BrawlSt. Ignace, MIJanuary 4-6, 2013Squirt Travel A & AA906-643-8676 [email protected]

8th Annual January Freeze TournamentBay City, MIJanuary 11-13, 2013Mite-Midget B & BB989-671-1000 chaffi [email protected]

Bottle KnockerMuskegon, MIJanuary 11-13, 2013Squirt – Bantam House, Midget BB, Mini-Mite/Mite Jamboree231-739-9423lakeshoresportscentre.net

GTHA Tournament SeriesTraverse City, MI January 11-13, 2013Squirt House231-933-4842 [email protected]

32nd Annual “B” Friendship TournamentSaginaw, MIJanuary 11-13, 2013Mite & Bantam B989-799-8950 [email protected]

FSU-BRAJHA Mini-Mite & IP ADM TourneyBig Rapids, MIJanuary 18-20, 2013Mini-Mite & IP ADM (231) 591-2881ferris.edu/icearena or bigrapidshockey.org

FSU-BRAJHA Mite Full Ice TourneyBig Rapids, MIJanuary 18-20, 2013Mite (231) 591-2881ferris.edu/icearena or bigrapidshockey.org

King’s CupDimondale, MIJanuary 18-20, 2013Squirt – Bantam B, A & AA & Midget AA517-319-1000thesummitsportsandice.com

32nd Annual “B” Friendship TournamentSaginaw, MIJanuary 18-20, 2013Squirt & Pee Wee B989-799-8950 [email protected]

Hockey Time Productions Motown Cup Tournament Series Detroit, MIJanuary 18-21, 2013Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567itshockeytime.com

Great Lakes Midwinter Classic Holland, MIJanuary 19-21, 2013Squirt through Midget; House, B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments

Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

Winter Break TournamentKalamazoo, MIJanuary 19-21, 2013Mite-Midget Travel A & AA269-349-PUCKKOHA.com or Wingsstadium.com

Bantam B “Deep Freeze”Scottville, MIJanuary 25-27, 2013Bantam B231-843-9712westshoreice.com

FSU-BRAJHA JV/Midget A TourneyBig Rapids, MIJanuary 25-27, 2013JV/Midget A (231) 591-2881ferris.edu/icearena or bigrapidshockey.org

St. Ignace Bridge BrawlSt. Ignace, MIJanuary 25-27, 2013Men’s906-643-8676 [email protected]

OUT OF STATEDECEMBER 2012Schwan Cup High School/YouthBlaine, MNDecember 26-January 1, 2013Youth Squirt-Bantam & High School763-717-3240Superrink.org

AMERICAN CUPDecember 27-30, 2012Lake Placid, NYAtom, Peewee, BantamAA, A, B, Select - Minor/Major/Mixed divisionsCanadian Hockey Enterprises 1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com

JANUARY 2013AMERICAN CUPJanuary 3-6, 2013Lake Placid, NYNovice, Atom, Peewee, BantamAA, A, B, House Select - Minor/Major/Mixed divisionsCanadian Hockey Enterprises 1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com

Hockey Time Productions South Bend Cup Tournament Series

South Bend, INJanuary 11-13, 2013Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567itshockeytime.com

Hockey Time Productions Rock ‘n Roll Cup Tournament Series Cleveland, OHJanuary 18-21, 2013Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567itshockeytime.com

Hockey Time Productions Three Rivers Cup Tournament Series Pittsburgh, PAJanuary 18-21, 2013Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567itshockeytime.com

CHICAGO CUP Tournament Series: Chicago Midwinter ClassicChicago, ILJanuary 19-21, 2013Mite through Midget; House, B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JVContact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

Buckeye State Tournament Series: Cincinnati Midwinter ClassicCincinnati, OHJanuary 19-21, 2013Squirt through Midget: House, B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JVContact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

Music City Tournament Series: Music City Cup Nashville, TNJanuary 19-21, 2013Squirt through Midget: B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JVContact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

Steel City Tournament Series:

Pittsburgh Midwinter ClassicPittsburgh, PAJanuary 19-21, 2013Squirt through Midget: B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JVGirls U10, U12, U14, U16, U19Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

Liberty Cup Tournament Series: The Liberty CupPhiladelphia, PAJanuary 19-21, 2013Squirt through Midget: B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JVContact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

Empire State Tournament Series: The Empire State CupRochester, NYJanuary 19-21, 2013Mite through Midget: House B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

Hemby Cup Tournament Series: Hemby Cup Midwinter ClassicCharlotte, NCJanuary 19-21, 2013Squirt through Midget: B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JVContact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

Niagara Falls Blizzard ChallengeNiagara Falls, NYJanuary 19-21, 2013Mites-Midgets, A, B, AE & AA716-405-7154 [email protected]

AMERICAN CUP – Martin Luther King WeekendJanuary 19-21, 2013Lake Placid, NYAtom, Peewee, BantamAA, A, B, House Select - Minor/Major/Mixed divisions

Canadian Hockey Enterprises 1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com

AMERICAN CUPJanuary 24-27, 2013Lake Placid, NYNovice, Atom, Peewee, BantamAA, A, B - Minor/Major/Mixed divisionsCanadian Hockey Enterprises 1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com

Winter Ice Experience Hockey TournamentNiagara Falls, NYJanuary 25-27, 2013House – AAA, Boys & Girls Divisions781-710-6560 [email protected]

CANADAJANUARY 2013Weekend Hockey TournamentBurlington, ON CanadaJanuary 4-6, 2013Adult men & women 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+ & 50+A, B, C, D, E1.877.702.5701weekendhockey.com

FEBRUARY 2013Weekend Hockey TournamentBrampton, ON CanadaFebruary 15-17, 2013Adult men & women 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+ & 50+A, B, C, D, E1.877.702.5701weekendhockey.com

CANADIAN CUP – Family Day WeekendFebruary 15-17, 2013Montreal, QuebecNovice, Atom, Peewee, Bantam, Midget, High School BoysAA, A, B, House Select -Minor/Major Mixed divisionCanadian Hockey Enterprises 1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com

MARCH 2013Weekend Hockey TournamentNiagara Falls, ON CanadaMarch 8-10, 2013Adult men & women 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+ & 50+A, B, C, D, E1.877.702.5701weekendhockey.com

COMPLETE AND UP-TO-DATETOURNAMENT LISTINGS ATMIHOCKEYNOW.COM


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18 MiHockeyMag MiHockeyNow.com18 MiHockeyMag December 24, 2012 V.23 : I.8

HOMETOWN HEROES

ALL OF OUR 2012 HOMETOWN HEROES

December 24, 2012 V.23 : I.8 19MiHockeyMagMiHockeynow.com

HOMETOWN HEROES

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IN MICHIGAN HOCKEY

JUSTIN ABDELKADERAbdelkader is the only Red Wing we kept on the list,

due to him being a Muskegon native, a Michigan State alum, and a player who has been out in the community during the lockout.

MIKE BAYOFFThe director of strategic hockey alliances for the Detroit

Red Wings, Bayoff has long served as the connection between Hockeytown and the rest of the hockey levels in our state.

BRIAN BEAUFAITAs the new director of Little Caesars Amateur Sports,

Beaufait is working with both the Little Caesars Amateur Hockey League, and the Little Caesars AAA hockey program.

BRIAN BELLGRAPHBellgraph is an active member of the Meijer State Games,

which gathers some of the top talent from Michigan for a tournament on the west side of the state. He also is the head coach of Grand Rapids Public – rebuilding a inner-city hockey program.

TOM ANASTOSRebuilding a traditional powerhouse in East Lansing

is Anastos’ current project. The Spartans’ head coach and former CCHA commissioner has played an important role in the growth of both college and youth hockey across the state, and now he aims to bring MSU back to national prominence.

GEORGE ATKINSONThe president of the Michigan Amateur Hockey

Association leads hockey at the grassroots level in Michigan. Atkinson has continued to guide Michigan’s youth hockey programs through major changes with the American Development Model.

RED BERENSONBerenson continues to run the legendary University

of Michigan hockey program with no signs of slowing down after signing an extension this summer. One of the top coaches in all of sports brings top-tier talent to the Wolverines every year. Berenson is one of the most prominent fi gures in all of college hockey.

The following 50 people are the hockey players, coaches, administrators, organizers, owners and activists that we deem most crucial to the growth and preservation of our sport in our state. These people infl uence policy, infl uence children and infl uence fans. They are the ones that make things happen, that motivate others to help grow the game.

Because this is such a unique list – a compilation of various positions at diff erent levels of hockey – we decided it would be best to simply organize them in alphabetical order. While one person on the list may be perceived to have a larger reach or impact, all of these people aff ect our game a great deal, and a numerical scale doesn’t seem to do it justice.

Disagree with the list? It’s kind of the point. Tell us why, we would love to hear from you.


JUNIORS PREVIEW50 MOST INFLUENTIAL

TERRY BISHOPBishop is the president of the Oakland Junior Grizzlies

hockey club, one of the fastest growing programs in the state.

JEFF BLASHILL In the midst of an NHL lockout, the Sault Ste. Marie

native is now the bench boss for the top team in Michigan. With his rapid ascent up the coaching ladder, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Blashill in charge of a NHL team soon.

GORDON BOWMAN/JACK WITTThe MAHA VP of coaching and Michigan’s coaching

program director play a crucial role in helping develop coaches of all age levels in the state.

BILL BURNSBurns directs the Michigan Development Hockey

League, designed to highlight the top high school hockey talent Michigan has to off er throughout the year.

DANTON COLEThe Pontiac native and former Michigan State Spartan

is one of the two head coaches of the National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, in charge of grooming some of the best young talent in the country.

RICK COMLEY JR.Comley, the son of the former Northern Michigan and

Michigan State coach, is the director of scouting for the USHL. Comley serves as the league’s top scout, going from coast to coast to fi nd top talent for the growing junior league.

JAMES COSGROVEMAHA’s executive vice president also serves as the

chairperson for the rules committee, which is always a hot topic in the state’s youth hockey scene.

RON DEGREGORIOThe president of USA Hockey visits the hockey hotbed

of Michigan often, and his organization dictates much of how hockey is played and perceived in our state and beyond.

JOE EMERYThe new commissioner of the High Performance

Hockey League is no stranger to running big programs; he was already the commish of the Little Caesar’s Amateur Hockey League, overseeing the largest league in the state.

CRAIG GOSLINThe co-owner of the Saginaw Spirit has built his club

into a factor in the OHL, despite playing in a league dominated by Canadian squads.

GREG HAMMARENOne of the top execs at Fox Sports Detroit, Hammaren

plays a crucial role on what hockey is seen in our state, and how often we get to see it – especially important during an NHL lockout.

RON HAYESThe long-time MAHA leader has worked with the Detroit

Red Wings to help grow the game with Try Hockey For Free clinics.

MIKE HENRYThe new head of the Compuware hockey program,

Henry directs one of the top organizations in the state.

KEN HOLLANDDespite the Red Wings not playing, we decided to keep

Holland on the list. He is the architect of the top team in the state, and a big reason why a lot of children in Michigan decide to take up hockey.

MIKE AND MARIAN ILITCHSince buying the Wings in 1982, Mr. and Mrs. Ilitch

have built Detroit into the best team in hockey. Between the Wings, Little Caesars’ AAA program, and the Little Caesars Amateur Hockey League, the Michigan natives truly are the foundation of “Hockeytown”.

SEAN JACQUESMichigan’s referee-in-chief oversees all the offi ciating

across the state – in other words, he leads the thankless troops in our game.

LARRY JOHNSONJohnson is in charge of the Tier 1 Hockey Elite League,

a league that holds some of the top talent in the country.

TODD JOHNSONDetroit Catholic Central’s coach is responsible for

maintaining a storied tradition and managing the expectations for one of the top high school programs in the state.

JOHN KAYKay is the director of Belle Tire hockey – one of the top

organizations in the state – and he also serves on the Tier 1 Hockey Elite League’s board of governors.

RYAN KESLERKesler is the one of the top role models for young

hockey players in Michigan as he evolves into an NHL superstar in Vancouver.

RAY KRAEMERThe long-standing MAHA member is currently the VP of

adult hockey – helping people of all ages continue to play the sport they love.

TODD KYRIGERThe former NHLer is Novi High School’s head coach,

and last summer he coached the prep team that won a tournament against the best high-schoolers Minnesota had to off er.

JEAN LAXTONLaxton leads the girls/women program for MAHA, an

ever-growing segment of hockey in Michigan. She also serves as GM for the Grand Rapids Amateur Hockey Association.

SCOTT LOCKLock is actively involved in the growth of high school

hockey; he coaches for Grosse Pointe North and serves as the MDHL’s director of hockey operations.

BOB MANCINIThe regional manager of the USA Hockey American

Development Model is in charge of bringing the new hockey model to Michigan. He is also working closely with Orchard Lake United.

ROGER MAURITHOMAHA’s VP of youth hockey helps manage amateur

hockey across the state, along with serving as the chairperson for the state playoff s.

JOSH MERVISThe owner of the Muskegon Lumberjacks – the only

USHL team in the state (not counting the NTDP) – is helping players from Michigan and beyond move on to the next level.

ANDY MURRAYThe former NHL bench boss won a CCHA tournament

title in his fi rst season with the Western Michigan Broncos, and has them ready to repeat this year.

JIM NILLThe Red Wings’ assistant GM still has plenty of work to

do during the lockout, as he oversees the Grand Rapids Griffi ns – currently the top-level team in Michigan.

BOB DANIELS The man in charge of the NCAA fi nalist Bulldogs is

reminding people that Big Rapids is a destination for top talent in college hockey.

PETER KARMANOS JR.Karmanos, the Compuware CEO, is the owner of the

Plymouth Whalers, annually a contender in the OHL. The Compuware AAA program is one of the best in the state. And the Detroit native happens to own the Carolina Hurricanes, as well.


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MEL PEARSONThe Michigan Tech alum is rebuilding his alma mater,

and making sure that the Huskies won’t be taken lightly in a revamped WCHA next season.

THE PERANI FAMILYIt wouldn’t be fair to give it to just one of them. The

late Bob Perani started what is now the biggest hockey supply company in the state (and potentially the world), and the family has been remarkably supportive of every level of hockey.

LYLE PHAIRPhair is the executive director of Suburban Sports

Group, which owns or manages six ice arenas in Michigan. He is also active in both the Honeybaked hockey club and in the High Performance Hockey League, along with the ‘One Goal’ program in association with MAHA.

FRED PLETSCHThe commissioner of the Central Collegiate Hockey

Association is guiding the league through its fi nal season.

LOU SCHMIDTThe founder of the Honeybaked hockey program and

coach of the Brother Rice Warriors continues to be one of the top hockey minds in Michigan.

CAROL SCHWANGERSchwanger is MAHA’s leader for disabled hockey in

Michigan. The long-time member of MAHA has helped people across the country experience playing the sport.

BRIAN SHERRYThe NTDP’s director of player personnel has a hand

in which players get identifi ed and scouted by the Ann-Arbor based program. Sherry is a Lansing native with years of experience in coaching and recruiting.

MIKE SNEEThe new executive director of College Hockey, Inc. will

be keeping a close eye on Michigan, which is perhaps the main battleground in the recruiting wars between college and junior programs.

JEFF AND JOE SPEDOWSKI The Spedowski brothers run the Adray youth hockey

league, the second biggest youth league in the state.

ANDY WEIDENBACHWeidenbach has been, among other things, the bench

boss for Cranbrook for almost two decades, and he has been nationally recognized for his accomplishments with the storied program.

DON WRIGHTThe vice president of the Michigan High School Hockey

Coaches’ Association is working to build a more united front for high school hockey in our state as the level of play continues to grow. Wright organized the high school squad that won a title in Minnesota, and he is the MAHA representative for high school hockey.

MIKE VELLUCCIThe coach and GM of the Plymouth Whalers helps

develop talent both in the OHL, and at the youth level; Vellucci is also active in the Compuware youth club.

JUNIORS PREVIEW

50 MOST INFLUENTIAL


Check out

for more on the 50 Most Infl uential

6) NAHL BREAKS ALL-TIME ATTENDANCE RECORD

The 2011-12 NAHL season saw a total of more than one million fans attend league games over the course of the year.

Three teams averaged more than 3,000 fans per game and fi ve averaged in excess of 2,000 spectators a game.

The grand total of 1,128,908 fans shattered the all-time league attendance record and the league average of 1,342 fans per game was also an NAHL record.

5) NAHL SETS NEW SEASON RECORD WITH 192 NCAA COMMITMENTS

Nearly 200 current or former players made NCAA college commitments during the 2011-12 season or during the off season – a new single-season record for the NAHL.

Of the 28 teams that competed in the NAHL during the 2011-12 season, the Amarillo Bulls boasted the most commitments with 13, while the Fairbanks Ice Dogs and Wenatchee Wild had the second highest totals with 11 players each.

League MVP Joe Kalisz, a Davison native, also committed to Connecticut.

4) NICHOLS SETS NEW SINGLE-SEASON RECORD FOR GAA AND SHUTOUTS

Wenatchee goalie Robert Nichols was exceptional between the pipes, setting new NAHL records with a 1.49 goals-against average and 10 shutouts.

Named to the NAHL All-Rookie Second Team and also named co-Rookie and Goaltender of the Year, the Dallas native went 24-6-4 during the season and will play for Connecticut in 2013-14.

League MVP Joe Kalisz, a Davison native.

BY MATT MACKINDER

NAHL

10) MOVEMENT: ALEXANDRIA TO BROOKINGS, ALASKA TO JOHNSTOWN

During the 2012 off season, two franchises were sold and relocated as the Alexandria (Minn.) Blizzard moved to Brookings, S.D., to become the Brookings Blizzard and the Alaska Avalanche went way east to Johnstown, Pa., and were christened the Johnstown Tomahawks.

In Michigan, the Traverse City North Stars moved north to become the Soo Eagles.

9) NAHL ANNOUNCES NEW PLAYER SAFETY INITIATIVE

Early in the 2012-13 season, the NAHL announced a new process that was put in place to help reduce on-ice injuries.

Created to address unwanted behaviors and to review all existing playing rules, the new player standards identify actions that negatively impact the game and have developed a supplementary discipline guideline that addresses these actions and are acceptable to the participating junior stakeholders. Each NAHL player, coach and offi cial will be required to review the documents and acknowledge their acceptance of the principles of the initiative and to signify their commitment to properly enforce the rules of the game.

8) ALL-TIME RECORD OF 324 SCOUTS ATTEND NAHL SHOWCASE

At the annual NAHL Showcase that starts the season every September in Blaine, Minn., a record 324 pro and college scouts attended the four-day event at the Schwan Super Rink.

All 24 NAHL teams played four regular-season games at the tournament, which was highlighted by three teams (Texas Tornado, Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings and Wenatchee Wild) posting perfect 4-0 records, with the Tornado taking home the NAHL Showcase title thanks to the best goal diff erential.

7) JOHNSTOWN TOMAHAWKS HAVE SUCCESS WITH NAHL MODEL IN OLD-SCHOOL HOCKEY MARKET

When the Avalanche moved to Johnstown, a city long known for minor-league hockey, many wondered how the junior game would be accepted in the city.

Through mid-December, the Tomahawks were fi fth in NAHL attendance with an average of 2,217 and sat fourth in the tough North Division with a 15-8-6 record. Johnstown also has two players (Ian Spencer/Vermont and Chris Truehl/Army) committed to NCAA schools for the future.

3) TEXAS TORNADO WINS FIFTH ROBERTSON CUP

One team was left standing at the 2012 Robertson Cup national championship tournament – the host Texas Tornado, which won its fi fth league title.

The Tornado topped the St. Louis Bandits 4-3 in overtime back on May 8 on home ice at the Dr. Pepper Arena in Frisco, Tex., as Texas native Justin Greenberg was the overtime hero.

2) STOLARZ AND HELLEBUYCK TAKEN IN NHL DRAFT; COWLEY NEXT?

Two goalies from the NAHL were drafted at the 2012 NHL draft in June as Corpus Christi Ice Rays’ netminder Anthony Stolarz went in the second round to the Philadelphia Flyers and then Commerce native Connor Hellebuyck from the Odessa Jackalopes was selected in the fi fth round by the Winnipeg Jets.

Hellebuyck, now at Massachusetts-Lowell, was the league’s co-Rookie and Goaltender of the Year and Stolarz is now playing at Nebraska-Omaha.

Wichita Falls Wildcats’ goalie Evan Cowley may be the next on this list as he played in the inaugural All-American Prospects Game in Buff alo, N.Y., in September.

1) PORT HURON HAS MAJOR TURNAROUND — SIX WINS TO 38 WINS

In their fi rst season of 2010-11, the Port Huron Fighting Falcons fi nished the season with a nasty 6-46-6 record, yet they turned around in the 2011-12 campaign to fi nish 38-19-3 and win the North Division’s regular-season championship.

The Falcons then won the North playoff title and advanced to the Robertson Cup tournament, which was ultimately won by Texas.

Commerce native Connor Hellebuyck from the Odessa Jackalopes

Texas Tornado, Robertson Cup champions 2012

Rarely was the North American Hockey League out of the headlines in 2012, and when the league was, it seemed to always be in the news for positive, exciting reasons.

The top 10 news stories from oldest Junior A league in the country:

All photos courtesy of the NAHL


33

north american hockey league

TOP PROSPECTs TOURNAMENT

Six teams comprised of the NAHL’s top committed and uncommitted college players, including those recognized on the NHL Central Scouting Bureau’s

“Players to Watch” list for 2012 draft-eligible players

Over 160 NHL and NCAA scouts attended the 2012 Top Prospects Tournament

Over half of last years NAHL Top Prospectparticipants are now playing at the NCAA level

NAPHL CHAMPIONSHIP

NA3HL SHOWCASE

February 15-18, 2012 - Troy Sports CenterNAPHL Regular Season Championship tournament will be held for all teams at Troy Sports Center. Held in conjunction with the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament and NA3HL Showcase.

February 17-20, 2012 - Troy Sports CenterThe four-day showcase will feature all 17 teams from the NA3HL in one facility. This Showcase also coincides with the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament and the NAPHL Championship Tournament Series Tournament.

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2012 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament Gabe Levin - University of Denver (WCHA, D1)Anthony Stolarz - University of Nebraska-Omaha (WCHA, D1)Adam Chapie - University of Massachusetts-Lowell (Hockey East, D1)

PLYMOUTH WHALERS

PLYMOUTH WHALERS TOP 10 YEARIN REVIEW

Another calendar year has come and gone and in what has become an annual trend, there was no shortage of top moments and news items that made 2012 a memorable year for the Ontario Hockey League’s Plymouth Whalers.

10) ALUMNUS WILLIAMS WINS SECOND STANLEY CUP

Justin Williams, who played for the Whalers from 1998-2000, hoisted the Stanley Cup for the second time in June as the Los Angeles Kings topped the New Jersey Devils and former Plymouth coach Peter DeBoer. Williams also won the Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006. The 31-year-old forward was originally drafted by the Whalers in the 1998 OHL draft before going in the fi rst round to the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2000 NHL draft.

9) KARLSSON TAKEN IN ANNUAL CHL IMPORT DRAFT

At the annual Canadian Hockey League import draft in early summer, the Whalers selected Swedish defensemen Ludvig Bystrom 21st overall and Simon Karlsson with the 90th overall choice. While Bystrom, a Dallas Stars’ prospect, did not report to Plymouth, Karlsson has stepped in and had an excellent rookie season in the OHL after being drafted by the Nashville Predators in the fi fth round of the 2011 NHL draft.

Karlsson and third-year forward Rickard Rakell fi ll Plymouth’s two-player quota of non-North American players.

8) MACDONALD NAMED CAPTAINIn the 2008 OHL draft, the Whalers took defenseman

Colin MacDonald in the 14th round – a spot most players get taken as gambles or on the advice of a scout that the players have fl own under the radar.

He came to the Whalers as a rookie in 2009 and now, in his fourth season in Plymouth and undrafted by an NHL team, dons the ‘C’ as team captain, following fellow defenseman Beau Schmitz, who was captain the past two seasons.

As steady a stay-at-home blueliner as there has ever been in Plymouth, MacDonald is proof that draft position means little and hard work most defi nitely pays off .

7) LEVI RETURNSLast spring, when defenseman Austin Levi signed with

the Carolina Hurricanes after being taken in the third round of the 2010 NHL draft, all signs pointed to the Colorado native starting his pro career in 2012-13 after four seasons in the OHL.

However, with the NHL lockout wreaking havoc on rosters at all levels, Levi was bumped from his spot in

the American Hockey League and assigned back to the Whalers for his fi fth season.

An alternate captain in 2011-12, Levi hasn’t missed a beat and has often been paired with MacDonald to have one of the OHL’s best shutdown units.

6) BRATINA TAKEN IN FIRST ROUND OF OHL DRAFT

The much-hyped Zach Bratina was the Whalers’ fi rst-round pick in April’s OHL draft, going 19th overall out of the Central Ontario Wolves’ organization.

Bratina scored 22 goals and 43 points for the Wolves in 2011-12 and scored his fi rst OHL goal on Nov. 3 at home against the Sarnia Sting.

The 16-year-old from Lindsay, Ont., joins prior Plymouth fi rst-round pick Garrett Meurs (2009) as the only two top picks on the roster after defenseman Max Iafrate (2010) was dealt to the Kitchener Rangers in August 2011 and 2011 fi rst-rounder Mitchell Dempsey was sent to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds last summer for Columbus Blue Jackets’ prospect Gianluca Curcuruto.

5) HEARD DRAFTED IN SECOND ROUND BY COLORADO, SIGNS

Mitchell Heard was never drafted by an OHL team, but made the Whalers as a training camp walk-on in 2009 and played two full seasons from 2010-12. He then proceeded to score 29 goals and 57 points last year, prompting the Colorado Avalanche to draft the 20-year-old, in his third year of draft eligibility, in the second round (41st overall) last June in Pittsburgh.

So far this season, Heard has just three points in 19 games for the Lake Erie Monsters, the Avalanche’s AHL affi liate.

4) WHALERS LOSE IN SECOND ROUND TO KITCHENER

With a stacked and talented roster in 2011-12, the Whalers roared to the West Division championship and fi nished second in the Western Conference in points behind the London Knights.

After taking out the Guelph Storm in the fi rst round of last spring’s playoff s, Plymouth next played Kitchener and the Rangers stomped Plymouth at the Compuware Arena in Game 7 in mid-April. London would go on to win the OHL title and then lose in overtime of the Memorial Cup fi nal to the QMJHL’s Shawinigan Cataractes.

3) VELLUCCI EARNS WIN NO. 400When Mike Vellucci took over as head coach at the start

of the 2001-02 season, many thought success was sure to follow.

After getting win No. 1 on Sept. 22, 2001 against the Owen Sound Attack at home, Vellucci has kept winning and earned win No. 400 on Oct. 6 at home against the Niagara Ice Dogs.

Vellucci is the winningest coach in Plymouth franchise history and had previously coached in the Compuware organization, where he also skated before playing in the OHL for the Belleville Bulls.

2) WILSON DRAFTED IN FIRST ROUND BY WASHINGTON

Tom Wilson wanted to make an impact in the 2010 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Kelowna, B.C., and after several big-time hits, dropped the gloves with Dalton Thrower of the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades.

NHL scouts took notice and Washington grabbed the former Whalers’ second-round pick in 2010 with the 16th-overall selection in the fi rst round.

Also drafted in Pittsburgh was Plymouth forward Cody Payne (fi fth round to the Boston Bruins), along with Heard.

Wilson became the 10th Plymouth player to be drafted in the fi rst round of the NHL draft.

1) HARTMAN, CARRICK SIGN WITH WHALERSTaken in the fi fth round of the 2010 OHL draft, forward

Ryan Hartman instead played two years in Ann Arbor for the U.S. National Team Development Program with an NCAA commitment to Miami University to follow.

Hartman reneged on his commitment and signed with the Whalers in May and has emerged as a high-end prospect for the 2013 NHL draft. He played in the inaugural All-American Prospects Game in September in Buff alo, N.Y., and was recently named to play in the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game on Jan. 16, 2013 in Halifax, N.S.

Another signing that has helped the Whalers is defenseman Connor Carrick. Originally a Guelph draft pick in 2010, Carrick’s rights were traded to Plymouth in June and he signed shortly thereafter, spurning the University of Michigan in the process after two years at the NTDP.

Named an alternate captain with the Whalers, Carrick was drafted by the Washington Capitals in the fi fth round (137th overall) last June.

BY MATT MACKINDER


JUNIORS PREVIEWCOLLEGE HOCKEY

10) SHAWN HUNWICK GRADUATES, PLAYS FOR JACKETS

For a long time, the goaltending plans for the Michigan Wolverines didn’t revolve around Shawn Hunwick. But the Sterling Heights native built a collegiate career that few will forget around Yost Ice Arena. The 2011-12 season marked Hunwick’s fi fth with the program, and he posted a 24-12-3 record with fi ve shutouts before all was said and done. Hunwick was a Hobey Baker fi nalist, and on Mar. 29, he was summoned to Columbus, of all places, to begin his professional career. Hunwick dressed for the Blue Jackets on a day where he was supposed to be in an astronomy class, and then saw game action on April 7, when the Jackets took on the Islanders.

9) CCHA AWARDS SHOW RECOGNIZES CONFERENCE’S BEST

The CCHA Awards Show was held at the Fox Theatre on March 15 (hosted by Shannon Hogan and MiHockey’s Darren Eliot) to celebrate the best the previous season had to off er. Some of the award winners included:• RBC Player of the Year–Torey Krug, Michigan State• Coach of the Year–Bob Daniels, Ferris State• Rookie of the Year–Alex Guptill, Michigan• Scholar-Athlete of the Year–Chad Billins, Ferris State• Terry Flanagan Award–Domenic Monardo, Lake Superior• Best Off ensive Defenseman–Torey Krug, Michigan State• Best Defensive Defenseman–Dan DeKeyser, Western Michigan• Best Defensive Forward – Luke Glendening, Michigan

8) WHIRLWIND SUMMER FOR JACOB TROUBAHighly-touted Wolverines recruit Jacob Trouba

had quite a summer. The soon-to-be freshman at the University of Michigan was one of the most talked-about prospects at the NHL Draft, and rightfully so - Trouba was taken ninth overall by the Winnipeg Jets. Yet the summer of 2012 will also be remembered as the time that a recruiting battle between an American college and the Canadian Hockey League almost made it to court. The Kitchener Rangers attempted to sue the Michigan Daily for reporting that the OHL club had allegedly made a cash off er to Trouba. It was a lawsuit that was later dropped,

but a lawsuit that kept the recruiting battle talks going throughout the summer months.

7) FINAL CCHA SEASON BEGINSThis would fall higher on the list, but the real story

will be in 2013, when the fi nal CCHA season concludes, not begins. The historic hockey conference released a commemorative logo for the 2012-13 season, and a slogan of “Celebrate The Legacy”. The conference is currently working to assemble as many former players as possible for the fi nal CCHA championship weekend at Joe Louis Arena in March.

6) MICHIGAN SENDS FOUR TEAMS TO NCAA TOURNAMENT

On March 18, 16 schools were selected to participate in the 2012 NCAA Tournament. Four of them call Michigan home, as our state led the nation in terms of representation in the national bracket. The University of Michigan claimed a No. 1 seed, Ferris State checked in at a No. 2 seed, and Michigan State and Western Michigan both received No. 4 seeds in their respective regions. It was the 22nd consecutive appearance for the Wolverines, and the second for the Broncos. The Spartans made their fi rst trip since 2008, while the Bulldogs made it for the fi rst time since 2003.

5) GLENDENING/BILLINS TO GRGLuke Glendening and Chad Billins spent four seasons

battling against each other for their respective schools. Now, they are both part of the same professional organization. Glendening signed a contract with the Grand Rapids Griffi ns on June 19. The University of Michigan alum was the fi rst Grand Rapids native to ever sign with the club. Almost a month later, the Griffi ns inked another Michigan native, signing Billins, a Marysville native and Ferris State alum.

4) PEARSON TAKING OVER MICHIGAN TECH Mel Pearson spent 23 seasons in Ann Arbor, working

with Red Berenson. But when his alma mater came calling, Pearson returned to Hougton, where he played for the Michigan Tech Huskies from 1977-81. Pearson led such a

turnaround in his fi rst season with the Huskies that he was named WCHA Coach of the Year. Under Pearson, Michigan Tech recorded a 16-19-4 record and a WCHA Final Five appearance – a season after the Huskies fi nished 4-30-4.

3) TOREY KRUG SIGNS WITH BOSTONLivonia native Torey Krug made plenty of headlines in

his time at Michigan State, but few were as signifi cant as his announcement that he would leave a year early – because he signed with the Boston Bruins. Krug, a two-year captain for the Spartans and the CCHA Player of the Year, announced he would forego his senior season to sign with the NHL club as an undrafted free agent. Nobody could blame him – Krug even played in two of the Bruins’ games before the playoff s.

2) WESTERN MICHIGAN WINS CCHA CHAMPIONSHIP

The Lawson lunatics made their presence known at Joe Louis Arena last March, and so did their team. In what was the conclusion of a coming-out party for freshman goaltender Frank Slubowski, the Broncos captured their fi rst CCHA tournament title since 1986. Slubowski was named tournament MVP after allowing only four goals in 120 minutes of hockey. It was also quite a way for fi rst-year coach Andy Murray to establish himself in the league, as Western Michigan topped perennial powerhouses Miami and Michigan at The Joe en route to the title.

1) FERRIS STATE REACHES NCAA TITLE GAMEThe Bulldogs are arguably the top story in college

hockey across the nation, not just Michigan, for 2012. After proving the critics wrong in the 2011-12 regular season – Ferris State was the opposite of a preseason favorite but ended up winning the CCHA regular-season title – they became the ‘Cinderella story’ of the 2012 NCAA tournament. While they entered the national tournament as a No. 2 seed in their region, few expected that the Bulldogs would be making their fi rst Frozen Four experience in school history. The Bulldogs went all the way to the fi nal game of the season for college hockey teams, and lost to Boston College in the NCAA title game. It was an incredible year of hockey in Big Rapids.

MOMENTS OFMOMENTS OF

COLLEGE HOCKEY

TOPTOP101020122012

BY MICHAEL CAPLESPhotos courtesy of the respective CCHA schools


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GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS

BY KYLE KUJAWAAll photos by Mark Newman/Grand Rapids Griffi ns

10) THE PURPLE GAMENearly everything at Van Andel Arena was “purpled

out” on Feb. 18, as the Griffi ns partnered with the Van Andel Institute for their fi rst-ever “Purple Game” versus Peoria. Purple Game elements included: special purple jerseys, stick tape and skate laces for the team; 10,000 purple t-shirts and 2,500 white and purple rally towels as giveaways; a purple redesign of the team website and social media channels; purple production elements from videos and graphics to cupcakes and popcorn; and four-year-old Clayton Kendall, a two-time cancer survivor from Grant, Mich., who dropped the ceremonial fi rst puck.

9) GRAND RAPIDS SHIFTS MIDWESTA slight division realignment in the AHL this summer

saw Grand Rapids shift from the North Division to the Midwest Division, joining Milwaukee along with the three Illinois teams: Chicago, Peoria and Rockford. In addition to reducing the number of miles the Griffi ns will log on the road going forward, the move also restores the team’s rivalry with the two clubs it has played most: the Chicago Wolves and Milwaukee Admirals.

8) CONKLIN LIFTS GRIFFINSPetr Mrazek may have broken the record, but it was Ty

Conklin who fi rst tied a 12-year old record by starting 5-0 after joining the Griffi ns in February. Conklin became the

fi rst netminder since Mathieu Chouinard in 2000-01 to start 5-0 when he helped the team to a fi ve-game winning streak – its second longest of 2012. The veteran’s time in Grand Rapids was short-lived, as injuries in Detroit saw him rejoin the NHL, but the team earned points in nine of his 12 starts (8-3-1-0) from Feb. 22-March 17.

7) PARE REWRITES RECORD BOOKSNo Griffi ns player hit more milestones in 2012 than

Francis Pare. Most recently, the fi fth-year Griffi n passed Kip Miller and now sits third in franchise history in points, behind only Michel Picard (380) and Travis Richards (238). Pare entered the calendar year sitting seventh all time in goals and assists and was not in the top 10 in games played, but now ranks second in goals, fi fth in assists and third in games played. Pare’s climb was due in part to a 10-game point streak in March, which was the longest of any Griffi n during 2012 and tied the seventh-longest streak in franchise history.

6) GRG EXTEND AFFILIATION WITH DRWOn March 7, the Griffi ns and Red Wings announced a

fi ve-year extension on their affi liation agreement, ensuring that the relationship between Michigan’s premier hockey teams will continue through at least the 2016-17 season. The 11-year-old affi liation has helped produce a Stanley Cup and an AHL regular season championship, along with multiple division titles for both teams. During the 2011-12 season alone, Gustav Nyquist, Brendan Smith, Joakim Andersson and Riley Sheahan made their NHL debuts, helping the Griffi ns list of NHL alumni swell to 125.

5) EIGHT-GAME WINNING STREAKAfter starting the 2012-13 season 1-3-0-1, the Griffi ns

began to click on off ense and defense, culminating in a dominating month of December that saw the team rattle off eight straight wins. The streak served as the fourth-longest in franchise history, behind a pair of nine-game runs and a franchise-record 11-game stretch from March 5-21. It also vaulted the Griffi ns into fi rst place in the Midwest Division, which marked the fi rst time since Feb. 2, 2009 – a 1,377-day stretch – that the club held sole possession of fi rst place.

4) CHRIS MINARD’S COMEBACKThe feel-good story of the year from Grand Rapids was

the comeback of Chris Minard, who missed the Griffi ns’ fi rst 36 games of 2011-12 while dealing with the continuing after-eff ects of a concussion suff ered during the 2009-10 season. Minard made his season debut on Jan. 15, scored two goals in his second game of the season and went on

to a 21-goal season in an abbreviated 39 games, including three hat tricks. The veteran forward captured Reebok/AHL Player of the Month honors for February and was further recognized by the league in April. Minard received the Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award as the AHL player who best exemplifi es the qualities of sportsmanship, determination and dedication to hockey. Minard has continued his good year in Germany, where he is among the DEL’s leaders in goals.

3) MRAZEK’S BEST-EVER STARTPetr Mrazek started his fi rst professional season with

the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye, but he was brought up to the AHL in early November. The 20-year-old netminder enjoyed a very successful Griffi ns debut, setting the franchise record for the best-ever start by a Griffi ns goaltender at 6-0. After his fi rst 10 starts, Mrazek sported a 7-3 record and ranked among the league’s goaltending leaders with a 2.39 goals against average (10th) and a 0.915 save percentage (17th).

2) NYQUIST SETS ROOKIE SCORING RECORDIn what could have been his fi nal game in a Griffi ns

uniform – he spent the rest of the season with the Red Wings and was slated to get a long look at training camp this season – Gustav Nyquist recorded two goals and an assist in a 5-3 win over Hamilton on March 17 to become the highest-scoring rookie in franchise history. Nyquist notched 58 points (22-36-58) in 56 games with the Griffi ns, which earned him a spot on the AHL All-Rookie Team. He also spent 18 games with Detroit, recording a goal and six assists, in addition to appearing in four playoff games for the club.

1) BLASHILL TABBED AS HEAD COACHJeff Blashill was named the ninth head coach in

Griffi ns history on June 25, one week after Curt Fraser, the longest-tenured and winningest coach in franchise history, departed Grand Rapids to join the NHL’s Dallas Stars as an assistant coach. Blashill was tabbed by the parent Red Wings after serving as an assistant coach to Mike Babcock during the 2011-12 season. He joined the organization with ties to the area and the state as a whole, as he was born in Detroit and raised in Sault Ste. Marie before playing goaltender for Ferris State. Blashill also served as an assistant coach for the Bulldogs (while commuting from Grand Rapids) and eventually as a head coach for the Western Michigan Broncos.

The Grand Rapids Griffi ns enjoyed a year full of ups and downs, fi nishing the 2011-12 season outside the playoff picture but seeing several individual players achieve success. After a summer of big changes, the team is trending up heading into 2013, building off the successes of the previous season to jump out to a fast start in 2012-13.

MOMENTS OF 2012TOP 10 GRIFFINS


JUNIORS PREVIEWRED WINGS INSIDER

10) JIMMY DEVELLANO THE RANCHER – Jimmy D’s analogy that the players were cattle living on the NHL owners’ ranch at their whim was a crude, but accurate portrayal of the current labor situation. He was fi ned $250,000 by the NHL for the remarks, but it’s the only kernel of truth that’s been off ered by either side in this dispute.

9) BRAD STUART TRADED TO SAN JOSE – The quiet, big man fi nally followed where his heart was by returning to San Jose where his family has resided since he fi rst came to Motown. Family and legal issues from his wife’s fi rst marriage prevented the family from moving to Michigan. Though his play slid a bit after it became apparent he was headed out the door, Stuart was a solid Top 4 D-man who was the fi nal piece of the puzzle in the 2008 Stanley Cup title.

8) ILITCH FAMILY ANNOUNCES ARENA INTENTIONS – It fi rst leaked out during last season that the Ilitch organization had decided a new rink was the better route to follow rather than refurbish the JLA. The plan has since evolved into a potential legacy project of urban renewal in downtown Detroit.

7) TOM RENNEY IS HIRED – Wings’ fans haven’t seen the fallout from this decision because of the lockout, but this will is one of the better moves Detroit made in the off -season. Renney is an excellent coach, one with plenty of head-coaching experience in the NHL. He has a top-notch reputation for working with younger players just as Detroit is pushing their own youngsters forward. The Wings should also benefi t from his expertise with special teams as his Edmonton Oilers had one of the best power plays in the league last season.

6) JIMMY HOWARD EMERGES – The Wings hadn’t developed a quality goalie from within their own system since Chris Osgood in the mid-90s. Howard gave notice he’s emerging into one of the NHL’s better puck stoppers

by earning his fi rst All-Star Game invitation. Unfortunately a broken fi nger sidelined him for about six weeks shortly thereafter and he struggled to get back on track and the Wings paid for it.

5) PAVEL DATSYUK BATTLES THROUGH INJURY The Wings had it all going until the last week of February when a nagging knee injury forced Datsuyk to the shelf for some arthroscopic surgery. Until then, the Wings sat atop the NHL standings and Datsyuk’s outstanding season had him in the top 10 in scoring. It was the beginning a long-slow side for the Wings that ended with a fi ve-game exit to Nashville in the fi rst-round of the playoff s.

4) WINGS FINISH THIRD IN THE CENTRAL DIVISION – This had to be a psychological blow to Red Wing nation to see the Blues and Predators sitting atop them in the Central Division. To put it in perspective, the Wings hadn’t fi nished third or lower in their division since George Bush Sr. was in the White House (1990-91 season).

3) 23-GAME HOME WIN STREAK MAKES HISTORY – The team that was so poor at home during the 2010-11 campaign was virtually unbeatable last season. In fact, from Nov. 5, 2011 until Feb. 23 the Wings were unbeatable. Vancouver fi nally ended the streak with a 4-3 shootout win.

2) NHL LOCKOUT COMMENCES – Hard to believe dividing more than $3-billion dollars could be so diffi cult. Both sides need to take a hard look at themselves for this debacle. They’ve combined to curtail some nice momentum the league had built. Hockey may be addicting to Canadians, who will likely return to the rink, but there’s palatable anger out there in the fan base. It is easy to think that the American-based fans won’t be as forgiving as after the last lockout. With the NHLPA threatening to dissolve itself, this dispute may end up in the courts before long.

MOMENTS OFMOMENTS OF

RED WINGS1020122012BY DAVE WADDELL

TOP

As the sands of time run out on 2012 marking the passing of another year, Detroit Red Wings’ fans head into the New Year without the building excitement of another battle to the playoff fi nish line.

The NHL lockout has spared all hockey fans the gut wrenching but entertaining experiences of living and dying with their favorite team on a daily basis.

The past is all we hockey fans have to live off of during these dark days of silence in NHL rinks, so let’s look back before we step forward into 2013 with the top 10 moments from the beginning of last season.

1) NICK LIDSTROM RETIRES - Wings’ fans had to hide the sharp objects for weeks following Lidstrom’s announcement that he was bringing down the curtain on his hall-of-fame career. Depression immediately set into the Hockeytown faithful and only the NHL lockout has spared them the unpleasant reality of watching their team without The Perfect Human. It may be the only silver lining in this latest work stoppage. Lidstrom glides into retirement having reached the 1,500-game mark in a career that arguably is second-best on the blue-line to only Bobby Orr.

Photo by Tom Turrill/MiHockey

Photo by Tom Turrill/MiHockey

Photo by Dave Reginek/DRW


BY DARREN ELIOT @Darren_Eliot

JUNIORS PREVIEWTHE LAST LINE

THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE ONMY OWNHOCKEY LIST

In planning this issue, I got to thinking about who have been the most infl uential on my life in hockey. Like most players, I’ll put my dad at the top of the list. He has always supported my eff orts, fuelling my initial

interest in the game and fi nding ways to nurture that interest from youth hockey all the way to today. He was always insightful, in his own street-smart way. He once told me that, “When you were 14 and still so passionate about going to the rink, I knew it was up to you then. You’d get your looks and get your opportunities to progress.”

That seemingly arbitrary age observation rings true as I now watch my own teenage son make his way in the game. The passion and drive is there in him, so I have to agree with Dad and say that the support and encouragement will always be there, but yes, he has reached the point where what he does will dictate where hockey takes him from here on. I guess the approximation of age has to do with where does hockey fi t into a 14-year-old’s life given all the other elements that elevate at that age – social, academic and other choices that enter into the equation.

Beyond family, though, it was a good exercise to go through and remember people who really impacted me in hockey. Here is my own, very personal Top-10 list of the (Dad as No. 1) most infl uential people in my hockey world:

ROGER CROZIERMy boyhood idol reached another level when he wrote

me personally and sent a second autographed picture. I had written him and asked for his autograph. I brought that treasure to school for show and tell in second grade where it mysteriously disappeared. My mom, unbeknownst to me, wrote to him and when his hand-written letter came, my 7-year-old mind couldn’t fi gure out how he knew I had “lost” the fi rst one. He answered a mom’s heartfelt request and in my books, it is his best save ever. Yes, I still have that autographed photo in a frame. The signature is faded, but the memory isn’t.

BRIAN HAYWARD“Hazy” and I were the goalies at Cornell together for

three seasons. We became good friends and remain so. At the time, though, we competed in everything we did, even training together in the summer—who could lift the most, run the fastest, win on the tennis court, on the golf course (goalie workout). We pushed each other to get better and never let the desire to be the “go-to guy” in goal overshadow the team goals. I learned the value of being a good teammate.

YAN KAMINSKYA former Russian Dynamo product who played for the

Islanders and spent time in AHL and the old IHL, Yan is the hockey director for the Ice Forum hockey programs in Atlanta, Ga. We worked together in trying to grow the game around the Thrashers’ brand. Mostly, though, Yan showed me how the same skills in hockey can be viewed diff erently. I enjoyed our hockey debates about the simplest of hockey nuances (teach one hand on the stick vs. two) and learned from him every time we got together.

MIKE KEENANMy coach for the Oshawa Legionnaires Jr. B team. He

introduced the notion of accountability to me (“… and if you don’t start making some saves, all the stuff I just said to everyone else won’t matter!”). Keenan also brought

intensity for results that I had never experienced before. Most importantly, he educated me about the college game as an option, taking our team to his alma mater, St. Lawrence University, and then giving me advice as I began getting recruited.

DAVE KINGI played for King on the 1984 Canadian Olympic Team.

He opened my eyes to what went into striving to get players to exceed expectations. From X’s & O’s, to off -ice training – both physical and mental – to motivation (“you think you are playing well and you are… just well enough to lose”). But what I admired most about King was his balanced perspective. He saw the value in the total experience away from the rink. He made sure we saw the sights in the countries we traveled and built our practice schedule to allow us to take in other events at the Olympics.

BRAD MCCRIMMONI never met anyone who genuinely respected everyone’s

role in the game more than “Beast”. No one was inconsequential to him and as such, he took time to get to know who he or she was and what that person was all about. He knew more people around the rink than anyone I’ve ever met. More telling, more people felt connected to him than he’ll ever know.

THE SNYDER FAMILYWhen Dan Snyder died after being in a horrifi c car

wreck with teammate Dany Heatley in Atlanta in 2003, it hit close to home. What a tragedy and what sadness. The grace, strength of character and forgiveness given in the aftermath by Dan’s parents, Graham and LuAnn, will stay with me always.

GROVE SUTTONOne of my best friends growing up in Oshawa, Ontario.

He was our star player, but I was always uneasy about how hard his dad was on him. If he scored three goals, his dad would chastise him for not scoring four. That criticism came no matter who was around – sometimes with just

the three of us in the car. Grovie went east to play at 16… and never came back. I still think a lot of it was to escape the unrealistic expectations put on him at such a young age. When I remember those days, I can’t help to think what might have been…

PAT QUINNMy fi rst NHL coach with the L.A. Kings, Quinn was a

“players coach”. He treated us like men and expected us to show up and act accordingly. It was eye-opening for me to see that the responsibility to perform collectively began with individual preparation. No excuses.

That’s my list, what’s yours?

Brad McCrimmon (Photo by Dave Reginek/DRW)


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mihockeymag - december 24, 2012

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