mihockeymag - january 14, 2013

MiHockeyNow.com V.23 : I.9 | JANUARY 14, 2013 FIRST CLASS

BRINGING GOLD BACK TO THE MITTENMICHIGAN TECH WINS GLI • JACOB TROUBA TALKS WORLD JUNIORS • THE NHL RETURNS

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JANUARY 14, 2013 VOLUME 23: ISSUE 9

HEY, HEY, HOCKEYTOWN It’s time to get ready for the upcoming NHL season…in a hurry

Michigan connections help Team USA capture gold in Russia

The Rochester native continues to add to his hockey resume

X-Factors in a shortened NHL campaign

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

or Michael Caples at [email protected]

LOOK FOR OUR NEXT ISSUEJANUARY 28, 2013

28

18 26 30

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE LOCKER ROOM Fans share their thoughts on the lockout ending via Twitter and Facebook

6

SLIDESHOW The 2012 Great Lakes Invitational

8

GET BETTERA two-on-two ‘rover’ game for your next practice

10

WORLD JUNIORS RECAP

JACOB TROUBA TALKS WJC LAST LINE

NAHLCollege commitment list continues to grow for NAHL teams

20

14 YOUTH HOCKEYGriffi ns 16U team wins Pittsburgh tournament

HOMETOWN HEROES The Michigan Tech Huskies

16

YOU SHOULD KNOWGrand Rapids Griffi ns defenseman Chad Billins

12

TEAM USABoys win gold, girls win silver this holiday season

18

GREAT LAKES INVITATIONALTech takes title for fi rst time since 1980

24

PLYMOUTH WHALERSVanderwiel fi nding his niche in Year 2

22

RED WINGS INSIDERGetting ready for an impromptu NHL season

28

COLLEGE HOCKEYJacob Trouba talks about his new gold medal

26

LAST LINEX-Factors in a shortened NHL campaign

30

4 MiHockeyMag January 14, 2013 V.23 : I.9MiHockeyNow.com

Jan. 6, 2013 was a good day for hockey fans.Everybody – including yours truly – woke up to

discover that the top professional hockey league was back in business. The NHL and the NHLPA had fi nally stopped their petty arguing, and it was time to get the show back on the road.

It was an exciting day. Personally, I was thrilled to throw on my 2009 Winter Classic hoodie when I left my house for some pond hockey, because the NHL’s return means new hope for seeing an outdoor game in our state. The fact that the NHL season would be saved brought a sense of calm, as well - we, the hockey fanatics, wouldn’t have to deal with the collective embarrassment of another “season not played” carved into Lord Stanley’s Cup.

Yet as the day went on, and I followed the news and the tweets and the Facebook posts, I grew a little frustrated with the words I was reading.

Hockey is not back, everyone. Hockey never left.As we have voiced all along, hockey never stops. The

NHL closing its doors on us once again did not mean that your nearest rink closed its doors, as well. I was still at a rink almost every day, despite that rink not being Joe Louis Arena (with the obvious exceptions of the high school games and the Great Lakes Invitational). College and junior hockey was, and still is, alive and well. And nothing can compare to the enthusiasm displayed on the ice by young hockey players.

Heck, the World Juniors alone should have served as the perfect example that hockey lives on, no matter what.

The people in charge of our highest league of hockey have disappointed us. But the one thing we can’t let them take away is the spirit of our sport. The NHL is crucial to hockey’s growth, yes. And I am in no way saying we should turn our backs on the pros, either; I will be welcoming them back with open arms (well, actually with a tape recorder and a laptop, but we won’t get into details).

But I ask you to avoid the phrase “hockey is back” because hockey never left. If you’re reading this, you’re probably one of the people that loves hockey as much as I do. Make sure that the message you deliver to your friends and family is that you are happy that the NHL is back, but that the NHL can never take hockey away from you.

We will be thrilled when the Red Wings are back on FSD. We will be thrilled when we tune in to Hockey Night in Canada. And when the playoff s begin, it will be like Christmas morning for us.

But we’re not going to forget about the hockey that got us through the dark days of the lockout. Nor will we stop paying attention to it. Because our junior teams, our college teams, our high school teams, our youth teams, they aren’t going anywhere.

On a separate note, our congratulations go out to the U.S. World Junior team, and the four Michigan natives who captured gold. Thanks for showing the world - again - that we know how to play hockey around here.

See you around the rink,

PHOTOS AT LEFT: Red Wings team photo by Tom Turrill/MiHockey, Riley Barber (Images on Ice/HHOF), Jacob Trouba (Images on Ice/HHOF)

COVER: Photos courtesy of USA Hockey and Images on Ice/HHOF, along with the players’ respective schools. 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

HOCKEY IS BACK THE NHL IS BACK

January 14, 2013 V.23 : I.9 5MiHockeyMagMiHockeyNow.com

rink,

THE LOCKER ROOM

ON THE FLY

TWO FOR TWEETING

The good news is that this puppy now has a reason to cheer up.

THE

LOCKERROOMOUTDOOR HOCKEY IS HERE

Time to shovel off the ponds and backyard rinks and play some hockey in the freezing cold. Here are some of the photos people have sent us so far.

Thanks to everyone who sent us photos throughout the Great Lakes Invitational. We were so glad we could share in the excitement with you.

This picture was pretty popular on Twitter, thanks to our readers. We were blown away by the amount of people who retweeted this post for a chance to win tickets to the GLI.

We have been using the slogan ‘Hockey Never Stops’ this season, and it certainly doesn’t – just ask everybody who was waking up in the middle of the night to watch the World Juniors with us.

3:57 AM


SOUND OFF: The NHL is back, but are you going to watch?

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FRIDAY FEBRUARY 2210:30 AM- 12:00 PM .................................................Shoot to Score12:00 - 1:30 PM ........................................................ Quick ‘N’ Fast

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TUESDAY FEBRUARY 1910:00 - 11:30AM .......................................................Shoot to Score11:30 AM - 1:00 PM .................................................. Quick ‘N’ Fast1:00 - 2:30 PM ..................................Stickhandling & Puck Control

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MONDAY FEBRUARY 1810:00 - 11:30 AM .......................................... Goalie Puckhandling11:30 AM - 1:00 PM ........................................................... D-Skills1:00 - 2:30 PM ......................................................... Outside Edges

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A lockout that stretched for 113 days wore on the NHL’s fan base. Now that the league is returning, we asked for your current opinions on the NHL, and if you will be watching and attending games when the league resumes play later this month.

FACEBOOK RESPONSESTJ Ridenour I’ll watch, but have lost a lot of respect for the NHL.Ian Albrecht Boycotting until Bettman is fi red. Three lockouts? Unacceptable by a commissioner.Bob Robinson My plan is to lock out the NHL for 113 days, the same number of days they (NHL and NHLPA) kept the game from us.Kris Bolan Maybe next season, I won’t pay the NHL any attention this year. I might fi nd out who won the cup, but it will be a hollow cup win.Dan Foss I will watch, I haven’t bought a ticket since the last lockout, and won’t for a very long timeWilliam Gipson Right now, my money will go to the

Saginaw Spirit, Plymouth Whalers, and Port Huron Fighting Falcons. Other than that, I will fi nish the season watching the Squirt B Troy Bruins, my son Connor’s Team.David Defever Feelings don’t change if you’re a true fanLisa Mager Defi nitely - can’t wait to watch my favorite team!!! Heck with the lockout....let’s move on and enjoy hockey again.Alton McCoy Opening day for all 30 teams should be free. They owe us.Jean A. Harvey-Clark I’m happy for all the rink staff , concession workers, parking lot attendants, restaurants near the rinks, etc. that will be back to work. I’ll watch the games on TV, but continue to watch my son play in the NA3HL and the kids at the local rink.Chris Fugedi 1/2 price tix for playing 1/2 a season.Philip Michalski I’m a lemming...I’ll be watching.

TWITTER RESPONSESDonna (@deafknitter)

@MiHockeyNow I didn’t miss them, not with the

#Griffi ns being closer and plenty of college hockey going on. won’t be attending a NHL game.

Courtney(@HelmerChick43)@MiHockeyNow I’m soooo ready for it to start! I am

gonna do my best not to attend games tho.

Joe Jaenicke(@theREALjoejaen)@MiHockeyNow fan of the game, and appreciate seeing

it played at its highest level. Welcomed back with open arms.

Norm B. (@TheNorm41)@MiHockeyNow I’ll end up watching, yes-the Wings are

too fun to watch. But attend/purchase NHL merchandise? That might be awhile.

Kris Lacy(@BabyBoss87)@MiHockeyNow Nothing has changed for me! I love

hockey & I can’t wait until the #Wings are back on the ice!


SLIDESHOW

MICHIGAN HOCKEY IN PICTURES: PHOTOS FROM THE GREAT LAKES INVITATIONALFOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @MIHOCKEYNOW

SLIDESHOW

Photos from the Great Lakes Invitational championship game by Dave Reginek/DRW Photos from all other GLI games by Andrew Knapik/MiHockey


TO APPLY:Please send coaching resume / application and references to:Novi Youth Hockey Association42400 Nick Lidstrom DriveNovi, MI 48375

OR submit application by email to “Attention NYHA Travel Director” at: [email protected]

The NYHA is now accepting Head Coach applications for Novi travel teams for Spring

2013 and 2013-2014 Seasons

Mite A (2006)Mite AA (2005)Squirt A (2004)

Squirt AA (2003)Pee Wee A (2002)

Pee Wee AA (2001)Bantam A (2000)

Bantam AA (1999)Midget A (1998)

Novi Youth Hockey Association is now accepting Head Coach applications for U8, U10, U12 and U14 Girls’ HockeyTO APPLY:Please submit your resume / application and references to: Novi Youth Hockey Association42400 Nick Lidstrom DriveNovi, MI 48375

OR submit application by email to:[email protected]

Resumes / Applications are due by Noon on January 25, 2013

Applications available at

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:(248) 735-039342400 Nick Lidstrom DriveNovi, Michigan 48375www.noviyouthhockey.org

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KEY ELEMENTS: • Skating• Passing/Receiving• Shooting/Scoring• Puck Protection• Communication

ORGANIZATION: Players play 2-on-2 and battle for the puck in front of the net. A separate player behind the net know as the “Rover” can skate to either side to set up the off ensive team. The team that passes the puck to the Rover is on off ense. This changes when the other team intercepts a pass or checks the puck off the other player. They become the off ensive side once they pass the puck to the Rover. GOALIE: Develop awareness to various situations. Quickness, agility and balance. Quick reaction to a lot of shots.


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knowFAVORITE SPORTING EVENT:

Stanley Cup Playoff s

FAVORITE BREAKFAST FOOD: Eggs and toast, keep it simple

FIRST CONCERT:Rock the Mic tour when I was 14. I don’t know how my parents let me go to that.

MUST-SEE TV:Dexter

FAVORITE MOVIE:Law Abiding Citizen

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU HAVE AN HOUR OF FREE TIME:

Relax or have some friends over

WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH $1 MILLION:

Buy a new car, donate some to charity and put the rest away to save.

IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE WISH GRANTED, WHAT WOULD YOU DO

WITH IT:World peace

PRE-GAME ROUTINE:Eat, take a nap with the shades open so I don’t get groggy and head to the rink

2-2.5 hours early.

WHAT KIND OF CAR DO YOU DRIVE: Nissan Altima

WHAT THREE PEOPLE WOULD YOU PICK TO HAVE DINNER WITH:

My Grandpa Haggerty, Wayne Gretzky and Jennifer Aniston

FAVORITE MEAL: Steak and potatoes

FAVORITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY:Winning the Silver Stick tournament

with my hometown team in Port Huron. We literally won a silver stick, so that

was cool.

Chad Billins Grand Rapids Griffi ns defensemanHopefully by now you have heard the name Chad Billins. The former Ferris

State Bulldogs standout has been one of the anchors on the Grand Rapids

Griffi ns’ blue line this season. We are profi ling Billins now, however, because

as the NHL resumes play, Billins’ role with the Griffi ns will become that much

more important. The Marysville native has one goal and 16 assists in 33

games with the Griffi ns so far, and his ice time is about to increase, as some

of his teammates get promoted to the Red Wings’ roster.

YOU SHOULD KNOW


During a break-out drill at a practice last month, Jeremiah Dubbink yelled out, “I got low,” as he skated.

For Dubbink, now an assistant captain on the Grand Rapids Public Schools hockey team, it was a huge step in improvement; especially for head coach Brian Bellgraph.

Bellgraph took the helm of the inner-city program that had never won a game last season. This year, he knew he had a captain in All-Conference forward Max Bultman, but beyond that the coach had limited choices.

Last season, Bellgraph was lucky if he heard more than a “Yes sir,” from Dubbink’s mouth. Now, the senior is leading practices as Bultman is out two months with a broken hand.

“He tends to work really hard on the ice,” Bellgraph said.

“I pulled him aside and said, ‘I need you to be lead.’ We were really trying to get them to communicate and talk last year and he literally would not say a word. I needed someone who’s really been around and he’s really done it.”

A player such as Dubbink is a dream come true for Bellgraph, especially with Bultman sidelined. The team only has about eight players who actually play in games, with several more players at the varsity level just now learning how to skate.

With just two practices a week, it could take until February for the team to be where it wants to be.

But for a program in the building stages, Bellgraph is worried about a lot more than winning.

“Winning doesn’t even enter his fi ve-year plan until year three,” Bultman said, talking about how Coach Bellgraph is implementing systems used by the Grand Rapids Griffi ns and Detroit Red Wings. “He has the forethought of creating that system and we really feel like he believes in us.”

To get to that third year with a chance of winning, Bellgraph knows it’s a culture that needs to be developed and a pipeline of kids who play hockey.

“If we get to the point going forward where all of our kids coming in have some experience, we’re pretty confi dent

we can teach them what we need to teach them,” he said. “Even the kids who haven’t skated, we’ve seen remarkable improvement in a month.

“But it’s more than just hockey with our team. We’re trying to instill some life skills, some work ethic and camaraderie.”

In Bultman, Bellgraph already has a program player.He recruited players when the team struggled to fi ll the

ice. He speaks highly of the coach and what he’s been able to do in just a season. And he provides leadership and a high-level of play to a team in dire need of someone who can put the puck in the net.

But Bultman nearly fell victim to the bug that’s pulling players out of the program.

“I almost decided to go the Catholic school route so I could play on Catholic Central,” he said. “But just having

a hockey team and the academics that City has, I stayed.”With athletes becoming more specialized - deciding

at younger ages to focus on a single sport - schools are specializing in sports as well, making it extra diffi cult on inner-city schools with limited budgets. Bellgraph’s program has roughly $15,000 for the season, compared to some of the area’s other programs which nearly triple that.

“We have a black cabinet that our pucks and water bottles stay in and that’s basically it for a locker room,” he said. “Grand Rapids has no pay-to-play, so our kids pay nothing. In that, they get about two hours of ice time a week.”

Grand Rapids has a lot of the same struggles most inner-city school systems do – mostly fi nancial. However, the school system does have excellent academic choices, like City High School, a school that has received U.S. News and World Report’s silver medal in its rankings of top American high schools.

Bellgraph said he ran some numbers and found that there are plenty of hockey players within Grand Rapids city limits, they just aren’t playing hockey at public schools. And that hurts his team’s talent.

“We hear about a team’s struggles, and we watch them play and think there are some things we can do against these guys, then they turn around and beat (a great

team),” Bellgraph said, adding that most fourth lines have more talent than his team. “I’m scratching my head; even the coaches who express to me that they’re gonna be weak aren’t playing bad hockey.”

In his team’s fi rst three games, the team lost 11-1, 8-0 and 11-0. Head to a practice, and Bellgraph said the team will look like a really good squirt team, with two separate practices going on: a system practice and a learn-how-to skate practice.

Fatigue is the largest problem the team faces now; with only eight players who can regularly skate, legs get tired.

“We came up with a defensive scheme to match our talent last year,” Bellgraph said. “We took great pride when we ran it and it worked and we shut down a team that had two All-State players on it for a good eight-to-nine minutes and they couldn’t fi gure it out.

“Once we got tired, it didn’t work anymore.”With a limited selection of kids and an even more

limited selection of talent, Bellgraph can only do so much. He receives help from opposing coaches who donate equipment for players who can’t aff ord the startup costs.

“Our reality is, if this program folds, it’s never coming back,” assistant coach Andrew Hall said. “A lot of the teams we play, they don’t want to see that happen. It’s a Grand Rapids team. We’ve gone from four teams to one.”

To keep the program from folding, Bellgraph knows he needs to start kids young and fi nd more fi nancial backing.

Soon, the coaching staff and team will start an elementary intramural fl oor hockey league, in hopes of generating interest of young students.

Bellgraph also hopes a co-op with the West Michigan Aviation Academy could help ‘up’ the talent level. That would put the program on the coach’s fi ve-year plan. And his captain can’t wait to come back in a few years down the road.

“Everything coach has done is outstanding and we couldn’t do anything without him,” Bultman said. “It’d be nice if, a few years down the road when I’m in college, I can come back and catch a game and it’d be competitive.”

Photos courtesy of Jenn Bellgraph

HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY

THE CONSTRUCTION – AND CHALLENGES – OF A HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY PROGRAM AT GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC


2013 U.P. 4-on-4 Youth Pond Hockey ChampionshipFebruary 23rd-24th

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YOUTH HOCKEY

PITTSBURGH TOURNAMENT

From Suburban Stars ’98 coach Sean Coff man, whose team accumulated 10 bags worth of equipment to donate

to the MORC Stars program after their game:“We ended up losing to MORC 6-5 in a nail biter and

they got goals from up and down the roster. Their goalie played great in net and stopped two penalty shots. It was a fast back and forth game and although Suburban pulled their goalie with two minutes remaining, we were unable to tie the game.

‘98 Suburban would personally like to thank MORC for making the long trek to play us and we look forward to a fun-fi lled rematch at Eddie Edgar Ice Arena in the near future. For information on how to donate or participate in opportunities with MORC, please contact Andy Hannah at [email protected].

The MORC Stars are always looking for youth hockey scrimmages.”

The ‘98 Stars roster: Jack Barker, Mike Knoth, Kyle Soderlund, Colton Hamilton, Alec Rotter, Josh Simpson, Max Denomme, Cole Dupuis, Alex Tarrant, Adam Tarrant, Nelson Turnage, Brendan Cheslock, Josh Solomon, and Lance Henry. Coaches are Jason Dupuis and Sean Coff man.

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.

GRIFFINS 16U GIRLS TEAM WINS

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GOALIE SCHOOL


16 MiHockeyMag MiHockeyNow.com16 MiHockeyMag January 14, 2013 V.23 : I.9

HOMETOWN HEROES

MICHIGAN MICHIGAN TECH TECHGREAT LAKES

INVITATIONAL CHAMPIONS

January 14, 2013 V.23 : I.9 17MiHockeyMagMiHockeynow.com

HOMETOWN HEROES

For the third time, the members of Team USA returned from the World Juniors with gold medals around their necks.

On Jan. 5, the U.S. beat Team Sweden 3-1 in the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship gold-medal game to capture the nation’s third title in the prestigious tournament.

Team USA featured four players from Michigan – Jacob Trouba (Rochester), Patrick Sieloff (Ann Arbor), Riley Barber (Livonia) and Blake Pietila (Brighton) – which was tied with Ohio for the most of any state.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our players and staff ,” said Phil Housley, head coach of the U.S. National Junior Team, in a press release. “And I’m also really happy for hockey fans in our country. This was a total team eff ort throughout the tournament. It was a very diffi cult challenge tonight against an excellent Swedish team. We had a terrifi c experience here and I’d like to thank the Russian Hockey Federation for being an excellent host.”

MICHIGAAN NNATIVESJACOB TROUBA - ROCHESTER

Trouba, currently a freshman at the University of Michigan, was named the best defenseman of the tournament after recording four goals and fi ve assists in seven games – the most of any Team USA player. The Rochester native and National Team Development Program alum is just the third U.S. player to be given the directorate award as the tournament’s best defenseman, joining Erik Johnson (2007) and Joe Corvo (1997). The Winnipeg Jets prospect, who served as one of the assistant captains for Team USA, drew attention from the opposition night after night with his booming slap shot on the blue line, and his physical presence in the defensive zone.

RILEY BARBER – LIVONIA Livonia native Riley Barber has been tearing up the

NCAA in his rookie season, and his scoring continued into World Junior play. Barber, currently a freshman at Miami University, scored three goals and three assists in seven games, putting him tied for sixth in team scoring. The Washington Capitals prospect impressed throughout the entire tournament.

PATRICK SIELOFF – ANN ARBORSieloff was the fi nal addition to the U.S. roster, and he

proved to the coaching staff that they made the right decision. The NTDP alum only had one assist in the tournament, but he kept an even plus/minus, and played a crucial role in shutting down the high-powered Team

Canada off ense in the semifi nals. Sieloff , a Calgary Flames prospect, brought toughness to a defensive unit that played seven games in 10 days.

BLAKE PIETILA - BRIGHTONWhile his Michigan Tech Huskies were winning their fi rst

Great Lakes Invitational championship in 32 years, Pietila was helping Team USA win a gold medal. The Brighton native – a New Jersey Devils prospect – served as one of the ‘lockdown’ forwards for the American squad. Pietila record two assists and a plus-fi ve rating, while logging lots of time on the penalty kill and against the oppositions’ top forward units.

MICHIGAAN CCONNECTIOONSJ.T. MILLER – PLYMOUTH WHALERS

Miller, both an alum of the Plymouth Whalers and the

NTDP, tied Trouba for the team lead in scoring with nine points. Miller, an Ohio native, had two goals and seven assists during the seven games of the tournament.

VINCE TROCHECK – SAGINAW SPIRITTrocheck, the captain of the Saginaw Spirit, had three

goals and three assists in the tournament. He also had one of the best goals anyone can ever score – the empty-netter in the closing seconds that sealed the deal for Team USA in the gold-medal game.

RYAN HARTMAN – PLYMOUTH WHALERSThe Plymouth Whalers forward had two goals and one

assist, along with a plus-four rating, during the 2013 World Juniors. The Illinois native – another NTDP alum – scored in the tournament opener against Germany, and then in the quarterfi nals against the Czech Republic.

BY MICHAEL CAPLES

BRINGING GOLD BACK TO MICHIGAN

WORLD JUNIORS

A look at how the Michigan connections performed at the 2013 World Juniors

After a highly successful tournament run, Team USA came up just short in the gold-medal game of the 2013 International Ice Hockey Federation U18 Women’s World Championship against Canada.

The U.S. lost to their main rivals by a score of 2-1 in the Jan. 5 championship contest, with Canada scoring 58 seconds into overtime to break a 1-1 tie.

Team USA returned home with silver, but the fi nal result is not indicative to their overall tournament performance. The women’s team did not allow a single goal during the preliminary and semifi nals rounds, out-scoring their opposition by a total of 25-0.

The lone Michigan representative on the Team USA roster was Alexis Shaw, a goaltender from Troy, who

recorded two shutouts during the tournament. Shaw did not play in the championship game against Canada.

Katherine Schipper, a native of Brooklyn Park, Minn., was named the tournament’s best forward by the directorate, and she also took home MVP and best forward awards from the media. Schipper, Jincy Dunne (O’Fallon, Mo.) and Danielle Cameranesi (Plymouth, Minn.) were named Team USA’s three top performers at the tournament.

Team USA concluded the tournament with a 4-0-1-0 record. In six years of the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship, Team USA has won three gold medals (2008, 2009, and 2011) and three silver medals (2010, 2012, and 2013).

U.S. WOMEN’S U18 TEAM CAPTURES SILVER IN FINLANDBY MICHAEL CAPLES


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Bantam B “Deep Freeze”Scottville, MIJanuary 25-27, 2013

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

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Congressional Cup Tournament Series: The Congressional CupWashington, DCFebruary 15-18, 2013Squirt through Midget: B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JVContact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

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Buckeye State Tournament Series: Cincinnati Presidents’ CupCincinnati, OHFebruary 16-18, 2013Squirt through Midget: House, B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JVContact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

CANADAFEBRUARY 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

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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


BY MATT MACKINDER

NAHL

Just before and after the calendar switched to 2013, a pair of North American Hockey League players made their college choices, and both have Michigan connections.

Macomb native Brandon Hawkins, currently leading the NAHL with 29 goals for the Texas Tornado, will be off to Bowling Green, while Topeka RoadRunners’ forward Tyler Andrew gave the nod to Ferris State.

For Hawkins, just now 18 years old, he’s not sure when he will step on campus, but is more than looking forward to starting his NCAA career.

“I liked the idea of Bowling Green more than I did a lot of other schools,” Hawkins said. “It’s a small-town school and I’m really comfortable with that type of feel.

“Bowling Green told me I could come in and play as a freshman. If that happens, it would be amazing. If it doesn’t work out that way, I’ll play the next year, but it’s all about getting the education. It’s been my dream to get a free education; it’s a real burden off my mom and dad’s backs.”

“There were dozens of schools who expressed interest in Brandon, but in the end, he felt the most comfortable at Bowling Green and we couldn’t be happier for him,” said Tornado coach and Detroit native Tony Curtale said. “He’s one of the purest goal-scorers I’ve ever coached. He’s done everything we’ve asked of him, including working on his conditioning, since he signed a tender with us last year.”

Hawkins came to the Tornado from the Little Caesars AAA program in Michigan.

During a stretch at the beginning of the season, he scored 13 goals over eight consecutive games. He’s had three hat tricks this season, including a four-goal performance against the Odessa Jackalopes on Nov. 13.

Andrew, who was also listed on the NHL Central Scouting’s preliminary watch list in November, is a key cog in the Topeka lineup and at 6-foot-6, very noticeable.

“Tyler's work ethic and upside is tremendous,” RoadRunners’ coach Scott Langer said. “We have put a ton of responsibility on him and he has embraced every bit of it. Tyler has a big future and as an organization we are very proud of his commitment to play at Ferris State.”

“Ferris State caught my eye for a few reasons,” Andrew explained. “One reason is their philosophy as a team and their coaching staff . I also love the system they run. Another reason why I am attracted to Ferris is because of the strength and conditioning program they have. As a player, I believe I need that aspect of my game improved most. Those are the main reasons why I am committing to be a Bulldog.

“I could not be in the position I am now without playing in Topeka. Not just the coaching staff , but everyone involved in the organization does a great job. I have matured as a player and as a person greatly in Topeka.”

NA3HL SHOWCASE IN BLAINE A SUCCESSThe NA3HL Showcase in Blaine, Minn., wrapped up on

Dec. 3, with the last round of eight games being played at the Schwan Super Rink.

It concluded a very successful and competitive four days of hockey, which was played in front of over 80 junior and college scouts during the event.

In the end, four teams were left standing with undefeated records during the event – the Granite City Lumberjacks, North Iowa Bulls, St. Louis Jr. Blues and Twin City Steel.

San Jose Sharks head coach and former Detroit Red Wings assistant coach Todd McLellan also hosted a round-table discussion with a group of NA3HL and NAPHL coaches.

“It was a great experience for our hockey family to have the opportunity speak with Coach McLellan on many issues experienced at all levels, especially terms of player development.” said NAHL commissioner and NA3HL president Mark Frankenfeld. “The discussion was invaluable and will be a memorable experience for everyone. We are thankful that he took the time and gave our coaches the opportunity to be a part of something that they may implement in their daily coaching strategies and management of their teams.”

NAPHL: TENDERS, SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

In recent weeks, several players from the North American Prospects Hockey League have signed tender agreements with NAHL teams for the 2013-14 season.

The Anaheim Jr. Ducks have seen three of their players make plans for next season as 16U forward Elijiah Barriga has signed with the Amarillo Bulls and 16U team captain Shane McMahan chose to ink with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs.

Jr. Ducks’ 18U defenseman Ryan Schlerf signed his tender with the Springfi eld Jr. Blues, St. Louis Selects’ 18U defenseman Jared Brandt with the Minot Minotauros, Wenatchee Wild 16U forward Chris Koukis with Wenatchee’s NAHL club, Pikes Peak Miners’ 18U forward Connor Hutchins with Topeka and Omaha AAA Lancers 16U forward Lawton Courtnall and California Titans’ 18U forward Liam Stirtzinger with the Tornado.

On the Michigan side, Lansing Capitals’ 18U defenseman Ryan Polin, a Holt native, signed with Topeka and New Jersey Jr. Titans’ 16U forward Anthony Cusanelli inked with the Port Huron Fighting Falcons.

Forward Kyle Patava of the Omaha AAA Hockey Club has committed to play NCAA Division I puck at Army, starting in the fall of 2015.

Patava, an Iowa native, has recorded 16 goals and 20 assists for 36 points in 41 games for the Omaha AAA U16 team.

NAHL’S COLLEGE COMMITMENT LIST KEEPS ON GROWING

Photos courtesy of the NAHL

Tyler Andrew of the Topeka RoadRunners gave the nod to Ferris State

Macomb native Brandon Hawkins will be off to Bowling Green

Lansing Capitals’ 18U defenseman Ryan Polin, a Holt native, signed with Topeka


33

One of only two, non-tuition based leagues in the U.S. where the player does not have to pay to play.

A record number of scouts from every NHL team and NCAA Division I school were present at the NAHL Showcase and the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament.

A record number of 192 NCAA commitments last season.

Over 50 NCAA Division I commitments and counting so far during the 2012-13 season.

Now in its 37th season, the NAHL is the oldest and largest junior hockey league in the U.S.

PLYMOUTH WHALERS

VANDERWIELVANDERWIEL

BY MATT MACKINDER

Danny Vanderwiel knew he wouldn’t have much of a role with the Plymouth Whalers going into his rookie season as a 16-year-old forward with the Ontario Hockey League team a season ago.

Most rookies tend to watch games from the press box and take mental notes based on what the veteran players are doing on the ice.

Vanderwiel acknowledged that would be his primary situation in 2011-12 and accepted it, but after scoring his fi rst three goals of the 2012-13 season on Jan. 2 in Guelph, he’s angling for more ice time with the Whalers after making some noise with said hat trick.

“It was an unreal feeling scoring my fi rst hat trick,” said Vanderwiel. “I can’t even put into words how great it felt to score a few goals.

“Last year, I didn’t have all that big of a role. I was 16 on an older team and just took in everything I could from the vets and used that as a year to really develop my game. Coming into this year, I wanted to have a bigger role and unfortunately got injured in the fi rst three games and was out for two weeks which aff ected my role and playing time, but things are starting to go better.”

A year ago, Vanderwiel was experiencing life away from suburban Chicago for the fi rst time and while it’s not always easy to move away from the simple home life Vanderwiel was used to, he had help once he got to Plymouth.

The Whalers drafted Vanderwiel in the eighth round of the 2011 OHL draft out of the Team Illinois U16 organization.

“Tom Wilson took me under his wing last year and kind of showed me the ropes and what to expect and what the league was all about,” explained Vanderwiel. “I went to school with him everyday, so he was a big help.”

Vanderwiel also used last season to improve his on-ice game this year.

“From last year to this year, I think I have improved on patience with the puck and really thinking before I make plays,” Vanderwiel said. “I think I have a better understanding of the game positioning-wise and where guys will be and where the puck will end up.”

This season, Vanderwiel is again poised to contribute on a team that has had a roller coaster-like season, but feels the team will peak at the right time.

“The team chemistry has been well so far this year,” Vanderwiel said. “It has had its ups and downs, but it gets stronger everyday.”

Having a pair of Chicago-area natives on the roster in rookie forward Ryan Hartman and Connor Carrick has helped, especially with Hartman, who was part of the United States’ World Junior Championship-winning squad on Jan. 5.

Danny Vanderwiel photo courtesy OHL Images

IN SECOND YEAR WITH WHALERSIN SECOND YEAR WITH WHALERSFINDING NICHEFINDING NICHE

“Yeah, we get along really well and we knew each other prior to this season,” said Vanderwiel. “Hartman and I played for the same club when we were really young for the Crystal Lake Leafs. Not on the same team, but same club.”

And while NHL scouts have been out to see Hartman on a regular basis this season, it’s also Vanderwiel’s draft year as well.

When asked how he deals with the draft and all that engulfs it, Vanderwiel goes to the philosophical response.

“I don’t really worry too much about the scouts in the stands,” said Vanderwiel. “I just go out and play hockey and have fun – that way, I’m not too stressed. Just because it’s my draft year doesn’t mean it’s my only year to make it, so I don’t pay too much attention to that.”

The simple way of describing things also applies to how Vanderwiel sees the rest of the season playing out, both on a personal and team level.

“My outlook on the rest of the year personally is that I hope to continue to improve my game and do what I need to help out my team,” he said. “I think that the team will come together and hopefully, take care of business come playoff s.”

NEDELJKOVIC MAKING MARK IN NA3HLComing into this season as Plymouth’s third-string

goalie, rookie Alex Nedeljkovic fi gured his starts would be few and far between – and he was right.

But the Metro Jets, a North American 3 Hockey League team just 40 minutes or so away in Waterford, had an opening for a goaltender that could get the squad over the hump in the fi rst half of the season.

And the Whalers wanted to get Nedeljkovic, their sixth-round pick last April, some work.

“When the time did come where I was going to play my fi rst game (with the Whalers), coach (Mike) Vellucci didn’t want to put me in net without being in game shape or having any kind of junior hockey experience,” explained Nedeljkovic, a 16-year-old native of Parma, Ohio. “So for the fi rst few months of the season, I would practice once a week with the Jets and play games for them whenever I could.

“The level of play in the NA3HL was what I pictured junior hockey to be like – hard-hitting, physical and guys making creative plays. Guys were a lot bigger than AAA hockey (Nedeljkovic played for Belle Tire last season), their shots were harder, the speed of the game was much faster and guys were always going hard non-stop. It was the kind of hockey that I wanted to play.”

Nedeljkovic was back with the Whalers last weekend and earned both wins in goal at home against Owen Sound and Guelph. He’s unbeaten in regulation with Plymouth (6-0-1-1) as well.

Alex Nedeljkovic photo by Rena Laverty/Plymouth Whalers


GREAT LAKES INVITATIONAL

DETROIT - The last time the Michigan Tech Huskies captured a GLI championship, Mel Pearson was a player on the team.

But on Dec. 30, Pearson guided the Huskies to the Great Lakes Invitational championship – their fi rst since 1980 – as head coach, with a 4-0 win over the No. 7 Western Michigan Broncos thanks to an outstanding, 70-save shutout tournament from freshman netminder Pheonix Copley.

“It was our time,” Pearson said. “It’s been a long time since we’ve won this tournament and I couldn’t be more proud of these guys.”

As a player, not only was Pearson on the last Huskies squad to win the GLI, but he also won it in four straight years, including scoring the game-winner to clinch the 1979 championship over Michigan.

“I think I’m enjoying it more as a head coach,” Pearson said. “As a player, you just play. You come to the rink, you don’t put a lot into it. But as a coach, you’re doing it for a lot more than just yourself or your team. You’re doing it for so many other people that put so much into the program and all those 30 years and all those coaches and players that have come before. It’s just a real special feeling… It’s tough to win this. I told our team that tonight. Someone can’t give it to you, you can’t buy it. You have to earn it and I thought our guys did a great job of earning it tonight.”

The previous night against Michigan, Copley made 38 saves to shutout Michigan – one of the most successful programs in all of college hockey history – also a 4-0 game. Sunday night, against the Broncos, Copley made 32 saves en route to his second-straight shutout.

“It felt good, especially something like that for the seniors and the coaching staff ,” Copley said of the win. “Obviously the guys in front of me played really well covering the outside and made my job a lot easier.”

Western Michigan coach Andy Murray said Michigan Tech’s GLI title is a sign of things to come.

“I congratulate Michigan Tech on winning the GLI tournament,” Murray said. “What a great week for their

MICHIGAN TECH WINS FIRST GREAT LAKES INVITATIONAL TITLE SINCE 1980

WESTERN MICHIGAN WINS FIRST GLI SHOOTOUT IN TOURNAMENT HISTORY

It took the fi rst shootout in Great Lakes Invitational history, but the Western Michigan Broncos punched their fi rst ticket to the championship game of the 48th annual tournament since 1986 on Dec. 29.

A shootout winner from senior Dearborn Heights native Mike Leone sealed the deal for Western Michigan in their game against MSU.

“When your number is called, you gotta step up to the plate,” Leone said. “I grew up in the Detroit area. It’s kind of an out-of-body experience. I just wanted to score for my team.”

Murray said that the way Leone was looking at him was the reason the junior forward was called upon in the shootout.

“When you’re a little hockey player you’re on the bench looking at the coach like, ‘Pick me, pick me. Put me in,’” Murray explained. “Mike kept looking at me and looking at me like, ‘Are you crazy? Get me out there.’ Finally, I was smart enough to put him out there.”

WMU lost to the Huskies the next night, however.

CCHA STANDINGS AFTER THE HOLIDAY BREAK (AS OF JAN. 9)

1. NOTRE DAME: 10-1-0-0 MIAMI: 8-3-3-33. WESTERN MICHIGAN: 8-3-1-14. FERRIS STATE: 7-6-1-0 OHIO STATE: 6-3-3-16. LAKE SUPERIOR: 7-7-0-07. ALASKA: 4-7-3-1 MICHIGAN: 4-8-2-29. MICHIGAN STATE: 4-9-1-0 BOWLING GREEN: 3-7-3-111. NORTHERN MICHIGAN: 2-9-3-1

program here tonight. They’ve got their program turned up there and I think they’re going to do some great things. They had a great weekend, they beat a good Michigan team yesterday, they beat us today and didn’t give up a goal in either game.”

For Pearson, the win is about taking care of the people who supported the Huskies during the struggles of years past. The year before Pearson took over behind the bench, Michigan Tech was 4-30-4.

“I just couldn’t be prouder of this team,” Pearson said. “I’m so happy for Michigan Tech, the university, all the alumni and fans that have come down to this tournament the last 30 years and supported this team through a lot.”

BY BY STEFAN KUBUSSTEFAN KUBUS

Above photos by Andrew Knapik/MiHockeyPhoto at left by Dave Reginek/DRW

BY STEFAN KUBUS


For BOYSREGIONAL TRYOUT DATESDistricts 2, 3 & 4Birth Years:1996-1999

Districts 5, 6 & Lower 7(Traverse City, Gaylord & Alpena)Birth Years:1996 & 1997

Birth Years:1998 & 1999

Districts 8 & Upper 7 (Sault Ste. Marie, Mackinaw City, Charlevoix & Petoskey)Birth Years:1996-1999

Michigan High School Team Michigan

For GIRLSREGIONAL TRYOUT DATESResiding in all MAHA DistrictsBirth Years:1996-1999

To register and for more information on the Player Development Tryout process,

visit our website at

maha.org

2013 MAHA PLAYERDEVELOPMENT (SELECT)

CAMP TRYOUTS

2013 MAHA PLAYERDEVELOPMENT (SELECT)

CAMP TRYOUTS

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ANN ARBOR – After his Jan. 8 game with the Michigan Wolverines, Jacob Trouba said the last few weeks really hadn’t “set in” yet.

Considering what he had been through in the last few days, nobody could really blame him for not fi nding the time to sit back and process his new accomplishments.

Trouba was one of Team USA’s top performers in the 2013 International Ice Hockey Federation Under-20 World Championship in Ufa, Russia from Dec. 26 through Jan. 5. In fact, he played so well that he was named the top defenseman in the entire tournament – a tournament that features the top under-20 talent the entire world has to off er.

Yet the adventures didn’t end there for Trouba; Team USA’s Sunday (Jan. 6) fl ight experienced delays during the long trek back from Russia. The freshman standout for the Wolverines didn’t arrive back in Ann Arbor until 9:30 a.m. the following Monday morning. A red-eye fl ight wasn’t enough to prevent him from returning to practice, however; Trouba was on the ice with his teammates for a 3 p.m. skate on the same day.

Michigan coach Red Berenson gave his star defenseman the option of fi nally taking a break and missing the Wolverines’ Tuesday night game against Bowling Green; Trouba elected to start, instead.

All the more reason for the 18-year-old to confess that he hadn’t really thought about the World Juniors that much yet – but it wasn’t hard to talk about how he felt when that fi nal buzzer sounded to confi rm that he and Team USA were champions.

“It was a pretty cool feeling,” Trouba said after the Wolverines’ game. “I don’t know, it still hasn’t really set it in yet, I guess I’ll probably think about it more in the summer when that comes around, but yeah, it was defi nitely, defi nitely pretty cool. I thought we had a pretty special team. It was defi nitely a pretty cool experience.”

“Pretty cool” is putting it lightly. Trouba led all defensemen in scoring in a tournament that featured an

even higher talent level than most years due to the NHL lockout. His four goals and fi ve assists helped his team survive in the ‘win-or-go-home’ situation they were in from the fi nal game of the preliminary round. And he helped hold rival Canada to a single goal in a 5-1 semifi nal win for the U.S. that will be talked about for a long time to come.

Yet Trouba just wanted to give credit to his goaltender – tournament MVP John Gibson.

“I thought I played well, Gibson played well; he saved me a couple times,” Trouba said. “All the ‘D’ played well; I think the top three scoring defensemen were on our team, so it wasn’t just me. Everybody played well. It takes more than one or two guys to win a gold medal, so it was defi nitely a team eff ort.”

The victorious Team USA squad is a team that Trouba won’t soon forget, either. Many of the players he traveled to Russia with are former teammates with the National Team Development Program, where Trouba played for his last two years of high school. And two of those teammates – Ann Arbor native Patrick Sieloff and Livonia native Riley Barber – won youth hockey titles with Trouba during their Compuware AAA program days.

“It was defi nitely cool, it was our third – no, fourth, I guess – big championship, two with Compuware and then last year and all that,” Trouba said, ‘last year’ as a reference to Team USA’s championship at the World Under-18s in April. “It’s always nice playing with those guys and getting to see old friends, so it was pretty cool.”

The tournament victory marked the third time that Team USA captured gold at the World Juniors, and their third time in the last four years that they have medaled in the prestigious tournament. Trouba said that this year’s success was important for USA Hockey.

“I think it means a lot,” Trouba said. “I think hockey is growing in the U.S., and it’s only going to continue to get better.”

TROUBA ADDS TO HIS EXTENSIVE HOCKEY RESUME AT WORLD JUNIORS

BYBY MICHAEL CAPLESMICHAEL CAPLES

COLLEGE HOCKEY

Photos courtesy of Images On Ice/HHOF, the Michigan Wolverines, and by Andrew Knapik/MiHockey

BY MICHHAELL CAPLES


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RED WINGS INSIDER

With the NHL and NHLPA - the two most dysfunctional groups outside of Washington D.C. when it comes to compromising - fi nally stepping back from the precipice to reach an agreement on a new 10-year CBA, it’s fi nally time to look forward to what a Detroit Red Wings’ season may look like.

It’s been over eight months since the Wings made the skate of shame off the ice following their fi ve-game exit at the hands of the Nashville Predators. It was a disastrous end to a season that began to come off the rails in February when the injury bug bit.

To refresh the minds turned off the team by the lockout, since the end of the last season captain Nick Lidstrom retired, defenseman Brad Stuart departed for San Jose, the free-agent plans blew up when Zack Parise and Ryan Suter rebuff ed Detroit and forward Patrick Eaves still hasn’t recovered from last season’s concussion.

Questions remain abundant, so let’s take a look on some of the key ones to focus on moving forward.

HOW IS DETROIT FIXED TO HANDLE A DECLINING SALARY CAP?

The fi rst year of a new CBA will see contracts pro-rated against what would’ve been a $70.2 million cap, so it’s the second year that will concern teams with a cap of $64.3 million.

The Wings will have no worries there, as they sit at just over $61 million now with 25 players signed.

In Year 2, the Wings will have 10 players, highlighted by Dan Cleary, Valtteri Filppula, Ian White, Jimmy Howard and Drew Miller, out of a contract.

WILL THE WINGS BUY OUT ANY PLAYERS?There isn’t any pressure to dump contracts in Detroit to

get cap compliant. It then becomes a question of does Ken Holland view

any of his previous deals as mistakes. Some may view Johan Franzen’s contract that runs through the 2018-19 season as a bad deal because of its length and the big winger’s frustrating inconsistency.

However, Franzen still ends up near 30 goals each season with a cap hit of only $3.954 million, so a buyout seems unlikely.

Unless Detroit plans on swinging some deals and picking up some contract dumps from other teams, or sees the need to clear the decks to accommodate a big push from within the organization, it’s hard to see the need to buy anyone out.

ANY MORE ROSTER MOVES FROM OUTSIDE THE ORGANIZATION?

This is where it could get interesting in Detroit. Having struck out on the big free agents, Holland will be keeping an eye on who might come loose as teams who are in cap trouble pare their rosters to become compliant on short notice.

Each team will be allowed to buy out two players this season and next without it counting against their cap, so there could be plenty of players who were unattractive under their current contracts who become more attractive to other teams after a buy-out.

POTENTIAL HELP WITHIN?Detroit may have been one of the organizations that

has benefi ted from having some players get some extra seasoning before making the anticipated jump to the NHL.

Forwards Gustav Nyquist, Tomas Tatar and Joakim Andersson and defenseman Brendan Smith have all had excellent seasons in the AHL and appear ready to make a serious bid for a permanent spot in Detroit.

Tatar in particular has stepped up his game and has played himself into serious consideration.

The Wings are getting good news on the goaltending front as AHL rookie Petr Mrazek has been superb. Wings goaltending coach Jim Bedard is also giving glowing praise to the recent play of Thomas McCollum, who is enjoying his best stretch in Grand Rapids.

TIME TO GET READY FOR THE SEASONBACK

BY DAVE WADDELL

THE RED WINGS ARE

HOW WILL THEY OVERCOME NICK LIDSTROM’S RETIREMENT?

There’s no fi lling this hole, but the pressure surely falls on veteran Niklas Kronwall to raise his game further to match his nickname of Nick Jr.

Kronwall will need help from the other veterans on the blue line, but just how well the Wings can back fi ll behind Lidstrom likely rests with rookie Brendan Smith.

Smith has all the tools off ensively and he comes with something the Wings need more of on the back-end – a bit of nasty streak.

If he shines in his fi rst full NHL season, the transition to life without Lidstrom will be smoothed signifi cantly.

WHAT ABOUT THE FREE-AGENT SIGNINGS?Prior to the lockout, the Wings’ main acquisitions were

goalie Jonas Gustavsson, defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo and forwards Damien Brunner and Jordin Tootoo.

Gustavsson will solidify the back-up spot and provide useful pressure on starter Jimmy Howard.

Colaiacovo is a useful player with some off ensive ability, but he’s been injury prone. If he’s healthy he’ll help stabilize the back end.

Tootoo is Ken Holland’s latest attempt at turning a player vilifi ed by Wings’ fans (Chris Chelios, Todd Bertuzzi) into hometown hero. Tootoo does add some badly-needed sandpaper and nastiness up front; he also isn’t afraid to drop the mitts.

Brunner is the most intriguing of the lot. The speedy Swiss forward has excelled in his homeland’s league the past two years and has shown chemistry this season with Henrik Zetterberg when the two played together for EV Zug during the lockout.

He will be given every opportunity to earn a top six forward position.

WHO WILL BE CAPTAIN?Owners of those Henrik Zetterberg jerseys better get a

‘C’ ready to be sown onto their gear.With a personality of quiet, calm confi dence, Zetterberg

is exactly the type of player the Wings like to wear the ‘C’. His language skills give him the edge over Pavel Datsyuk, who prefers his quiet role in the background until the puck drops.

Datsyuk and Kronwall are obvious choices as assistant captains.

Photo by Tom Turrill/MiHockey


BY DARREN ELIOT @Darren_Eliot

JUNIORS PREVIEWTHE LAST LINE

X-FACTORS IN A SHORTENED NHL CAMPAIGN

What took so long to end now gives way to a jiff y start, rejiggered NHL season. How can something that dragged on interminably precede a hockey hastening and awakening

of startling swiftness? I’m speaking of the L-word, of course, and how after enduring NHL game deprivation, we have sensory overload as the league leaps into action.

Under these circumstances, it is hard to imagine what to expect. The marathon that is the regular season is now a half marathon. With the playing landscape having fewer games, a multitude of questions come to mind when projecting potential success and failure. Which players are most ready for the rigors of the compressed schedule? What teams have more of those players and which coaches have the right mindset to succeed in the NHL’s altered state that is the 2013 season?

Here are some factors to consider when handicapping the NHL’s truncated 48-game tournament.

Schedule: There is an unbalanced quality to the games, right down to divisional play. Eighteen games in all within the division, fi ve against two foes and four apiece versus the other two. That alone makes for conjecture as to the draw of games. In the Red Wings’ case, playing the Predators the extra game as opposed to facing the Blue Jackets an extra time could be signifi cant.

For the remaining 30 games, each team will play the other teams in their respective conference three times and won’t play any out-of-conference games. Again, the unbalanced nature means uneven home and road slates versus conference opponents impacting travel - how many trips out west for the Wings – and the strength of an opponent at home as opposed to their road success. Last season, the Red Wings were elite at home, going 31-7-3, and away from the Joe they were less than mediocre, at 17-21-3. So, two games at the Joe versus the Canucks is a lot better than two in Vancouver.

Ready to go: You must quickly glance around the NHL circuit and see which teams are set up to start fast

and fi nish strong. That is a combination of veterans who stayed sharp by playing overseas, like Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg did by competing in the KHL and Swiss league, respectively. Then you have to consider youngsters that are truly in mid-season form after competing in the AHL during the fi rst half while the NHL was dark. Gustav Nyquist, Brendan Smith and Tomas Tatar have all had strong seasons thus far. Do they get more time with the Red Wings due to being competitively in-tune immediately? Will a young Landon Ferraro get an opportunity to fi ll a role as a role player based on his improved second pro season?

Those are the roster wild cards associated with this condensed campaign, as younger players will have a chance to be impact players immediately around the league. It is a forced and necessary infusion of youth – an

unpredictable byproduct of a mid-season start. No team can ease into the schedule and every club will need young, fresh legs to carry them through to the frenetic fi nish.

That is certainly what the Edmonton Oilers hope happens with Jordan Eberle leading the AHL in scoring, followed by defenseman Justin Schultz and Taylor Hall at eighth. Add in fi rst overall pick Nail Yakupov playing in the KHL and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, fresh off being the top performer in the World Junior Championship, and if ever a team was ready to jump the competition on the strength of current and competitive young legs, it would appear to be the Oilers.

Yet, you have to have goaltending. No team can aff ord to have their goalies “fi nd their form”. Last year, Martin Brodeur struggled during the fi rst half of the season, but over the course of 82 games, there was enough time for him to get his game on track. Locally, Jimmy Howard was the best goaltender in the NHL during the fi rst half of the season. Injuries and the resulting inconsistency marred his second half. If Howard can replicate his start from 18 months ago, the Joe will be a fun place to be come spring time.

Coaching: Managing players becomes paramount in this abbreviated context. A coach that favors rolling four lines to wear down an opponent, like Ken Hitchcock in St. Louis, might have to adjust more quickly than usual if nothing is coming from that style in the short-term. Conversely, coaches that are quick to shorten their bench – like John Tortorella in New York, or Bob Hartley in Calgary – have to be mindful of not burning out their players since there is precious little time on the calendar for recovery. Red Wings’ bench boss Mike Babcock has to adjust his thinking without Nick Lidstrom to rely on. No longer does Babcock have the luxury of defaulting to having No. 5 out there in every single situation of note. How well the blue line minutes are managed and how the group led by Nick Kronwall responds may be the single most important factor in the Red Wings’ appearing in the postseason for the 22nd straight season.

Let the games begin. Finally.

Photo by Mark Newman/Grand Rapids Griffi ns


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mihockeymag - january 14, 2013

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