Michigan Hockey October 10, 2011

mihockeynow.com V.22 : I.6 | October 10, 2011 FIRST CLASS

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4 Michigan Hockey October 10, 2011 V.22 : I.6MIHOCKEYNOW.COM

OCTOBER 10, 2011 VOLUME 22: ISSUE 6

Shoot for a CureThe Livingston Lightning ’98s

showcased a colorful performance on and off the ice — all in an eff ort to battle cancer

Knowing how to identify and detect concussion symptoms is crucial for every parent, coach and player

From the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL to the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL, we break down how the juniors leagues will play out

A natural center, Valtteri Filppula will be seeing the ice from a new view to start the season: from the left wing

To advertise in Michigan Hockey 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 ISSUEOCTOBER 24, 2011

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20 24 40

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MICHIGANTHE LOCKER ROOM Let’s have some fun

6

SLIDESHOW The Red Wings take a road trip to Grand Rapids

8

SPEAKING OF HOCKEY Who is your favorite Michigan-born player?

10

GET BETTER7 great hockey habits

12

YOU SHOULD KNOWThe Red Wings’ Thomas McCollum

14

HOMETOWN HERO Recently retired Mike Modano

22

THE LAST LINE Darren Eliot discusses the new checking rules in youth hockey

42

TOURNAMENT CALENDARThe latest tournament listings

36

ConcussionsJuniors preview

Red Wings insider

October 10, 2011 V.22 : I.6 5Michigan HockeyMIHOCKEYNOW.COM

Photos at left: (from top, L to R): Livingston Lightning ’98s (Michael Caples/Michigan Hockey), Concussions helmet (Michael Caples/Michigan Hockey), Beau Schmitz (Aaron Bell/OHL Images) and Valtteri Filppula (Dave Reginek/Detroit Red Wings).

From the cover: Beau Schmitz, Mike Vellucci and Stefan Noesen (John Kalmar/Michigan Hockey).

Cover reprints availableemail: [email protected]

EDITORIAL BOARD: Bob DeSpirt, Christine Knight, Derek Blair, James Jenkins, Julie Pardoski, Kirk Vickers, Linda Holland, Lisa Zarzycki, Mark Vansaw, Nyron Fauconier, Randy Paquette, Rob Mattina, Susan Bottrell, Tim Wilson, Todd Krygier

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

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

MICHIGAN HOCKEY

ADVERTISINGLucia [email protected]

DESIGNJohn Kalmar

DISTRIBUTIONLucia Zuzga

ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTORAmy Jones

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & PROGRAMMING

Darren Eliot BY MICHAEL CAPLES

Hey parents, this one’s for you.

If you’re still reading, that means I’ve got your attention for making a point — relax. Youth hockey is about learning life experiences and

having fun along the way. Those life experiences should in-clude things like how to work as team, how to interact with those around you and how to strive to achieve a common goal. They should not include how to deal with an out-of-line parent or overbearing coach. At every level of hockey, kids are experiencing both, and it needs to change.

From personal experience, I can tell you that the percep-tion of a game that you love changes when there’s non-sense going on in the stands. During warm-ups for a Ban-tam game, I was screamed at by a teammate’s parent who was standing along the glass for missing a pass that got stuck in a puddle of water, or, in his opinion, “not working hard enough.” How do you think that game went for me when during warm-ups my own father had to go over and tell him to stop yelling at me? How do you think the kids on my little brother’s team felt (or what do you think they learned?) when their Pee Wee coach would get kicked out of games before they even started for harassing referees?

Clearly I’m not saying that every parent belongs in hock-ey jail. But before you yell something, or if you see some-body else yelling something, take a second to think about what that is doing to the kids — you know, the priority. Let’s make sure they’re learning, having fun, playing safe, and feeling like they can achieve their wildest dreams.

That means don’t yell at them if they fi re wide or blow coverage in their own zone.

Signed,A recently-retired youth hockey player

As far as this issue goes:Along with previewing many of the junior teams embark-

ing on a new season, this is also our ‘Parents’ Guide’ edi-tion. That means we’ve put some stuff in Michigan Hockey Magazine to help you get through the season. In ‘Get Better’, we give you some tips to share with your young hockey-playing sons and/or daughters that you should try to reinforce throughout the year. In ‘Last Line’, Darren Eliot tells you what’s up with the new checking rules, and how you should embrace them (literally and fi guratively). Plus, we’ve got some information on how to deal with concus-sions, because, unfortunately, it’s an aspect of the game, and even worse, it is not always dealt with correctly.

We also hope you like the latest batch of redesigned pages. Hat’s off to our new graphic designer John Kalmar — a former captain of the Rockford Rams varsity hockey team. Hey, high school hockey is just around the corner, after all.

Oh yes, and go check out MiHockeyNow.com, our new website. If you haven’t seen it yet, we’re building a hockey hub that will have constant coverage of everything from Pee Wees to Pros. I think you will like it.

@michaelcaples

MICHIGAN HOCKEY’S MONTHLY CONTESTS

VISIT OUR FACEBOOK AND TWITTER PAGES TO FIND OUT

HOW TO WIN YOUR TEAM A SET OF HOCKEY SKATE-LACE

BRACELETS FROM HOCKEY PLAYERS UNION

FROM THE EDITOR

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


TALES FROM THE RINK

TWO FOR TWEETING

THE SCORESHEET

USA Hockey is happy to announce the growing number of female hockey players

The University of Michigan lands one of the top U.S. prospects

Early preseason rankings for college hockey are released, with two CCHA teams cracking the top fi ve

Who will lead the Red Wings in scoring this year?

GONGSHOW CONTESTWe have a winner! After a number of votes and much staff deliberation, we fi nally chose a winning entry, from Nick Meyer. Here’s his tale from the rink:

A buddy played on a beer league team in Windsor with Bob Probert. Probie put his plastic skate guards on between periods to go outside for a smoke. When he got back inside, the period had started and everyone was yelling at him to get on the ice. He jumped the boards and faceplanted. He had forgotten to take his guards off and had to pull himself back over the boards because he couldn’t stand on the ice.

Visit our Facebook page, facebook.com/MiHockeyNow, to see who took second and third place in the contest.

Q:A: Pavel Datsyuk

Henrik Zetterberg

Justin Abdelkader

Calvin Johnson

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ON THE FLY

THE LOCKER ROOM

Let ‘er rip: Alex Johansons, a Michigan native playing junior hockey in Wyoming, gets some extreme fl ex on this shot. (Courtesy Rita Joes)

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(Tom Turrill/Michigan Hockey)

THE

LOCKERROOM


1. Hockeytown West: Henrik Zetterberg and Valtteri Filppula battle for control of the puck after the opening face-off at the Red and White game in Grand Rapids.

2. All about Abdelkader: Plenty of fans were sporting the Muskegon native’s jersey in his return to West Michigan.

3. Back to GR: Justin Abdelkader, who played in 109 games with the Griffi ns over two seasons, circles the ice at Van Andel Arena.

4. Hometown hero: A statue of Jay Van Andel, one of the founders Ada, Mich.-based Amway, is displayed outside of the stadium named in his honor.

5. Star-studded appearance: Many of the Red Wings’ big-ticket players were on hand in Grand Rapids. Johan Franzen skates past fans during pre-game warm-ups.

6. The Captain: Nicklas Lidstrom takes time to acknowledge fans before heading off to the locker room after warmups.

(Michael Caples/Michigan Hockey)

SLIDESHOW

MICHIGAN HOCKEY IN PICTURES: ROAD TRIP TO GRAND RAPIDS

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SPEAKING OF HOCKEY

ofSpeaking HockeyWho is your favorite Michigan-born hockey player?

“Ooh tough one. Tied for me between Ryan Miller and Tim Thomas.”

— Jennifer Wright

“Ryan Kesler, I skate at the same rink he did growing up! I want to be as good of an defensive off ensive player as him!”

— Jimmy Edney

“Justin Abdelkader — also know in our house as “AppleGator”, “Terminator” and/or “AppleCracker” :) or just plain “KnucklePucker” :) GO WINGS”

— Mary Jo Gibson Serdoner

“Dearborn’s own Brian Rafalski — an original downriver rat.”

— Geoff rey Havens

“Love those Miller Boys!! Sparty On!!”

— Lynn Marie Vittetoey

Visit our Facebook page to see more answers, facebook.com/mihockeynow

Tom Turrill/Michigan Hockey, Dave Reginek/Detroit Red Wings


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hockeyhabits

Good Sticks (stick to the puck): All over the ice — Defensemen & Forwards

Passing lanes — Defensemen & Forwards

Defensive zone — lead with stick, fl ush, play up boards — Defensemen & Forwards

Going to the net — Defensemen & Forwards

1st man on fore-check must make long pass diffi cult — Forwards

Stop in front: Go to the net hard — Defensemen & Forwards

Stick on the ice — Defensemen & Forwards

Battle for loose puck — Defensemen & Forwards

Bury your chances — Defensemen & Forwards

Hit the net — Defensemen & Forwards

Traffi c in front of the net — Forwards

Any shot is a good one — Defensemen & Forwards

Feet moving: All over ice — Defensemen & Forwards

Winger getting puck out — Forwards

Quickness through neutral zone — Defensemen & Forwards

Cycle vs. slow D — 3rd man rotation going to the net fi nishing the check — Forwards

On the back check — Defensemen & Forwards

Work this defense; take puck to the net (every opportunity you have) — Forwards

Support Teammates: Hold up with feet moving — Defensemen &

Forwards

Get available and want the puck — Defensemen & Forwards

Puck side support on all outs — Defensemen & Forwards

Defense support through middle — keeping gap tight — Defensemen

Scrums — fi ve guys in — do nothing after the whistle — Defensemen & Forwards

Discipline: On attack get it behind their D — using

soft dumps — Forwards

Shift length — Defensemen & Forwards

Don’t retaliate after the whistle — Defensemen & Forwards

Getting the puck deep — Forwards

Finishing checks — Defensemen & Forwards

Be positive all the time — Defensemen & Forwards

Remain disciplined under ALL circum-stances — Defensemen & Forwards

Great decisions: Commitment to the team — do whatever

it takes — Defensemen & Forwards

Supporting on outs — Defensemen & Forwards

Dump in away from goalie and with a pur-pose — Defensemen & Forwards

Changes — hard and be aware — Defensemen & Forwards

Defensemen — when to jump — when to get back and out of the off ensive zone – when to pinch

Forwards — fore-checking 1 or 2 men de-pending on possession other team has – 3rd man all the time in rotation especially when puck is in doubt

Getting the puck to the net or deep — Defensemen & Forwards

React — trust your decision — Defensemen & Forwards

Body Position: Make them come through you to the net

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If the puck is in doubt, be on the defen-sive side — Defensemen & Forwards

Battle hard, stick on the ice, and keep position — Defensemen & Forwards


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Dave Reginek/Detroit Red Wings, Navin Rajagopalan (french toast), Aberdeen Proving Ground (Brooks and Dunn), Chad Magiera (books), Brad Silverberg (Jeep), Tom Turrill/Michigan Hockey

you

thomas mccollum

shouldknow

YOU SHOULD KNOW

The Red Wings will be hoping that prospect Thomas

McCollum has a solid season in goal for their AHL affi liate

this year. McCollum, 21, is embarking on his third season

with the Grand Rapids Griffi ns, and the young goaltender

will have to battle Joey MacDonald and Jordan Pearce for

the starting job. The Wings are taking it slow with their

fi rst-round pick in 2008, but at the same time, they will

want to see improvements in his game in 2011-12.

FAVORITE BREAKFAST FOOD: French toast

FIRST CONCERT: Brooks and Dunn

MUST SEE TV: House

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

X-ray vision

FAVORITE MOVIE: Happy Gilmore

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

Read

IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE WISH GRANTED, WHAT

WOULD YOU DO WITH IT: Have a happy life

WHAT KIND OF CAR DO YOU DRIVE:

Jeep

WHAT IS YOUR NICKNAME: Bullwinkle, Tom Cat,

Clocktower, Tommy Gun

WHAT THREE PEOPLE WOULD YOU PICK TO HAVE DINNER

WITH: Chris Osgood,

Patrick Roy, Carey Price

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MEAL: Chicken parmesan with broccoli



YOUTH HOCKEY

“I want to be a hockey mom.”It was quite the reaction from 28-year-old Krista

Kolodge, who was experiencing her fi rst hockey game — especially considering it was only a Ban-

tam A game between the Livingston Lightning and Lake-land Hawks.

However, for Kolodge and the hundreds of other people at Grand Oaks Ice Arena in Howell for the Oct. 1 game, it meant a whole lot more.

The Livingston Lightning ’98s hosted their second an-nual ‘Shoot for the Cure’ game — starting off Breast Can-cer Awareness Month with a game that doubled as a fund-raising event. Kolodge, diagnosed with breast cancer in May and recently completing chemotherapy, was invited to conduct a ceremonial puck drop alongside 9-year-old Rory Shadduck, a two-time cancer survivor. The Lightning players donned pink jerseys with names on their backs of loved ones who have battled cancer. Both teams also wore ribbons safety-pinned to their jerseys for more friends and families that have experienced the disease.

A silent auction, bake sale, and 50/50 raffl e also took place during the two-hour event, which ultimately led to the Lightning collecting over $3,000 to help St. Joseph Mercy Health System and assist cancer patients with util-ity bills, gas, groceries, prescriptions and day-to-day living expenses.

Event organizer Sandra Mitter, a cancer survivor and wife of Lightning head coach Tom Mitter Sr., told Michigan Hockey before the event that her team had held fundrais-ers to support their own costs, but that the players and families decided it was time to help others instead.

“It was a perfect day,” said Sandra Mitter, organizer of the event and wife of Lightning head coach Tom Mitter Sr. “We are extremely grateful for the success of the event, es-pecially in these diffi cult economic times. Everyone was so willing to give, as well as participate. The out-pour of sup-port took my breath away. Our players had the opportunity to learn, grow, and be proud of their accomplishments as well as pay it forward.”

For Jim Shadduck, it was another opportunity to see his son Rory have some fun.

“My son Rory was honored to be a part of a puck-drop-

ping ceremony,” Shadduck said. “He’s a 9-year-old two-time cancer survivor of Hodgskins Lymphoma, in remission now for six months, seven months just about, we’re just very blessed to be where we are today.

“It’s just a great feeling when he gets this type of an in-vitation. Anything to put a smile on a child’s face is a great thing.”

The Lightning’s head coach said that hockey has been

something that helped his own family through battles with can-cer, and that it is only fi tting to use hockey to raise money at their local rink.

Hockey is huge with that … hockey is a family,” Tom Mitter Sr. said. “We spend a lot of time at the rink together. Every kid in there has somebody battling cancer. We had a 9-year-old do a puck drop with a 28-year-old

single mom just through radiation, so it brings awareness to the kids of really what cancer is about.”

Mitter Sr. said he was proud of how his team has em-braced the fundraiser.

“It’s good to see, because they’re realizing how much … one kid had 14 ribbons on the back of his jersey, for friends and family. It shows the impact of it. I told them, I’d love to have a team where nobody could come with a name or a ribbon, but every kid had one.”

Seeing pink in the rinkSTORY AND PHOTOS BY MICHAEL CAPLES

From head to toe: Livingston Lightning ’98 players were decked out in pink gear — everything from jerseys and socks to skate laces and tape.

More than a puck drop: Krista Kolodge, center, and Rory Shadduck, right with white shirt, take part in the ceremonial puck drop with members of the Plymouth Whalers. (Courtesy Marnie Martin)

All-day benefi t: In addition to the game, there was also a silent auction, bake sale and 50/50 event that took place. Overall, the Lightning collected $3,000 to help St. Joseph Mercy Health Systems assist cancer patients.


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Go to http://mihockeynow.com/stars-of-tomorrow/ and fill out the form on that webpage. We will contact you about a photo to appear in the paper.

"STARS OF TOMORROW"

Hockey Player Height Weight Team

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Ryan Hauger 5' 9" 205 lbs. Bay County Blizzard BantamA 98sForward Jeff SpaedtT.L. Handy Middle School 8th Detroit Red Wings Steven Stamkos

Hockey Player Age Hometown Height Weight Team Position Coach School Grade Favorite Team Favorite Player

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YOUTH HOCKEY

The ‘97 Michigan Ice Hawks Ban-tam AA team won the Belle Tire Back-To-School Classic Hockey Tournament on Sept. 25. The

32-team fi eld included top teams from around Michigan and other American and Canadian teams. The Ice Hawks won all fi ve of their games, outscoring their op-ponents 26 to 6. The Ice Hawks prevailed 3-1 in the championship game against a tough Oakland Junior Grizzlies team. The Grosse Pointe-based Ice Hawks skate out of McCann (Liggett) Ice Arena.

Note: The following article is a reader submission from a parent, coach, or player. If you would like your team featured on our website, please email [email protected]

’97 Michigan Ice Hawks win Belle Tire tournament



YOUTH HOCKEY

The Little Caesars Amateur Hockey League held their annual Face-Off Meeting at Motor City Ca-sino on Sept. 25 to prepare youth coaches for the upcoming season.

The league directors brought in two big names from drastically diff erent professions that had the same mes-sage for new and old hockey coaches alike.

Longtime Red Wings TV analyst and former player Mick-ey Redmond addressed the crowd of hundreds of coaches to remind them to both educate their players and keep them safe on the ice. With the increase of concussions at the NHL level, Redmond stressed that it is the responsibil-ity of youth hockey educators to teach players how to play hard, yet safe, as they grow within the game.

“Where they’re trying to go at the NHL today — late but never too late — is have to respect for your opponent, and give up the check that means nothing,” Redmond said. “This check at center ice that doesn’t aff ect the game doesn’t do anything. I know we all want players to fi nish their check, I think we hide in that sometimes, but there’s times to hit, and times not to hit, and I think we need to teach that at this level. Get these kids thinking the right way about when to deliver a hit and when not to, and be-cause you giving one up doesn’t mean you’re a bad player or your soft or any of that junk.”

Soon after Redmond’s message, representatives from the Beaumont Health System gave presentations to coach-es promoting concussion awareness. To the right are some of the tips and things to watch for when a player poten-tially has a concussion.

Concussions: knowing how to respondOn the lookout: With the number of concussions in the NHL rising, it’s crucial for parents and coaches to know the signs and symptoms for concussions.(John Kalmar/Michigan Hockey)

BY MICHAEL CAPLES

Beaumont says that a concussion is a brain injury that: is caused by a bump or blow to the head is caused by an indirect forceful movement of the

head, like riding a roller coaster can change the way your brain normally works can occur during practices or games in any sport can happen even if you haven’t

been “knocked out” can be serious even if you’ve just been “dinged”

Signs coaches should watch for in their player: appears dazed or stunned is confused about assignment of position forgets specifi c plays is unsure of game, score, or opponent moves clumsily answers questions slowly loses consciousness (even briefl y) shows behavior or personality changes can’t recall events before or after the hit or fall

USA Hockey, along with the US Department of Health and Human Services, has provided an action plan if you suspect a concussion has occurred: Remove athlete from play. Ensure athlete is evaluated by an appropriate

health care professional. Do not try to judge the seriousness of the injury yourself.

Inform athlete’s parents or guardians about the known or possible concussion and give them the fact sheet on concussions.

Allow athlete to return to play ONLY with permis-sion from an appropriate health care professional.

Some symptoms include: headache or “pressure” in the head nausea or vomiting balance problems or dizziness double or blurry vision sensitivity to light and noise feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy concentration or memory problems confusion not “feeling right”


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The Honeybaked 14U girls ventured to Stoney Creek, Ontario the week-end of Sept. 23-25 to participate in a 16-team Bantam AA tournament.

The teams were divided into four divisions for round-robin play and Honeybaked started slowly with a 3-1 loss to Kingston on Friday morning with Kaleigh Beaure-gard scoring the lone goal.

Game 2 proved to be a much stronger eff ort with a hard-fought 2-2 tie with host team Stoney Creek; Sami Wais and Lea Boreland lit the lamp, and Shannon Ropp turning in a solid eff ort in goal. To advance to the “A” division playoff s, Honeybaked would need to win Game 3 and hope for a Kingston win over Stoney Creek. Unfor-tunately neither happened as the Leaside Wildcats earned a tightly-contested 3-0 decision that was much closer than the fi -nal score indicated, with two goals in the fi -nal two minutes of play. Emmy Cooper took the loss in goal.

With the top two teams in each division advancing to the A pool quarterfi nals, Hon-eybaked was relegated to the B pool, open-ing with a 2-0 victory over the Brampton Canadettes on Saturday evening. Shannon Ropp earned the shutout win in goal, while Lea Boreland and Janie Groetsch (power play) lit the lamp for Honeybaked. Sun-day started early with a 7:45 a.m. semifi nal match-up with the Scarborough Sharks, which saw Honeybaked emerge with a 4-2 win to advance to the fi nals. Taylor Girard,

Lea Boreland, Rylie Murray and Kaleigh Beauregard scored for the winners, with Shannon Ropp in net.

Honeybaked’s fi nal game with the Buf-falo Bisons proved to be an exciting af-fair. Sami Wais opened the scoring in the fi rst period on the power play, but Buff alo battled back to take a 3-1 lead late in the second period. Lea Boreland drew Hon-eybaked to within one with a power-play goal set up by Morgan Stacey and Janie Groetsch. Honeybaked carried the play early in the third period but fell behind 4-2 just 4 minutes in. The defi cit remained at two with just over 8 minutes to play, but by the time the smoke had cleared two and a half minutes later, Honeybaked jumped in front on a blitzkrieg of goals by Sami Wais, Taylor Girard and Willow Guenther. Solid forechecking and smothering defense shut down the Bisons the rest of the way earn-ing Honeybaked a 5-4 victory and the B Pool Championship.

Emmy Cooper and Shannon Ropp share the crease for 14U Honeybaked, while Mor-gan Stacey, Sami Wais, Bree Scarpaci, Jil-lian Jacobs, Janie Groetsch and Kelsey Jaeckle anchor the backend. Kaleigh Beau-regard, Taylor Girard, Rylie Murray, Hannah Laho, Madison Phair, Willow Guenther, Lea Boreland, Olivia Ziemba, Taylor Babcock and Abby Chapman provide the off ense upfront. The team is coached by Lyle Phair, Rick Murray, Norm Jacobs and Steve Scar-paci, with Brian Wais as the manager.

Honeybaked U14 Girls storm Stoney Creek

Strong fi nish: Honeybaked defeated the Buff alo Bisons 5-4 to win the B Pool Championship of the Bantam AA tournament. (Photo courtesy Lyle Phair)

YOUTH HOCKEY

Note: The following article is a reader submission from a parent, coach, or player. If you would like your team featured on our website, please email [email protected]


HOMETOWN HERO

HOMETOWN HERO

Tom Turrill/Michigan Hockey

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Before the season even started, so-called Ontario Hockey League experts pegged the Plymouth Whalers as the team to beat in the Western Con-ference.

And with two NHL-drafted goalies, three forwards draft-ed in the fi rst round by NHL clubs and every defensemen returning, how could anyone argue?

Plymouth coach and GM Mike Vellucci took the noncha-lant approach when talking about his expectations this season.

“We’re obviously very excited and feel we have a pretty good team,” Vellucci said. “I think we have good balance and we’ll need that in the tough Western Conference. It’s always a tight conference and I think it will be that way again this year.”

Fourth-year Whaler Beau Schmitz leads the defense and is in his second season serving as captain. Schmitz is one of three overage (20-year-old) players on the roster along with forward R.J. Mahalak and Andy Bathgate, acquired from Belleville in August.

“Coming into this season, I want to play a bigger role with bigger responsibilities,” said Schmitz, a Howell native. “A lot of guys here want to work hard and we defi nitely have a lot of skill. It all comes down to who wants to win at the end of the day.”

Last season, Plymouth upset Kitchener in the fi rst round of the playoff s and then lost to eventual OHL champion Owen Sound in the second round. Schmitz thinks last spring will benefi t the Whalers this year.

“That was a tough Owen Sound series and we played as well as we did with a young team,” explained Schmitz.

“That experience will help us out in the long run.”Stefan Noesen, Rickard Rakell and J.T. Miller were all tak-

en in the fi rst round of the NHL draft in June, while Scott Wedgewood and Matt Mahalak are a solid 1-2 combo be-tween the pipes.

Miller played the past two seasons with the U.S. National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor after being a Whalers draft pick in 2009. His arrival could pay immedi-ate dividends for Plymouth.

“J.T. is the hardest worker I’ve ever seen and wants to win every battle,” Schmitz said. “He always wants to score,

even if it’s in practice. He’s that kid that always wants to win.”

Vellucci agreed with his captain’s assessment and said with a lineup on paper that looks as good as any in the OHL, he knows his squad is targeted this season.

“We usually fl y under the radar,” Vellucci said. “Last year in the playoff s against Kitchener, we were the under-dog and we won. We can be at the top of any list, but the games are what matter and it’s my job to keep these guys focused.”

Bathgate, the grandson of the NHL Hall-of-Famer of the same name, was brought in for leadership and scoring. He scored in his fi rst game with the Whalers and has been an alternate captain as well.

Vellucci likes all three of his over-agers and said each brings unique qualities to the team.

“Bathgate’s a good kid, works hard and will fi t with our system here,” Vellucci said. “R.J. is the guts of our team and will do anything for us. Beau is one of the best defen-semen in the league and certainly one of the most under-appreciated.”

Gone from last year are forwards Robbie Czarnik, Tyler Brown, Jamie Devane and James Livingston and defense-man Max Iafrate, with the latter going to Kitchener over the summer after being Plymouth’s top pick in the 2010 OHL draft.

Newcomers Mitchell Dempsey, the Whalers’ fi rst-round-er this past May, Matt Mistele and Danny Vanderwiel should help fi ll some of the voids.

Still, when all is said and done, Vellucci said experts will say what they want, but he doesn’t put much stock into predictions.

“Last year when we lost Tyler Seguin to the NHL, every-one thought we wouldn’t score any goals,” said Vellucci. “Then Noesen scored 34 and we had a good run in the playoff s. Noesen is a kid that I give all the credit in the world to. Not only did he mature physically over the past year, but he matured mentally, too.”

With four games in the books, the grind has begun for the Whalers. How it fi nishes is anyone’s guess, but if the Whalers are there at the end, the experts can say they knew they would be.

Stacked Plymouth squad not fl ying under the radar this season

Nose for the net: Stefan Noesen netted 34 goals for the Whalers last season as was drafted 21st overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 2011 NHL draft. (Aaron Bell/OHL Images)

JUNIORS PREVIEW

BY MATT MACKINDER

Not only did (Noesen) mature physically over the past year, but he matured mentally, too.

— Mike Vellucci, head coach and general manager

“Not oNot ophysicphysi

”year,year,

y, too., too.


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As the Saginaw Spirit prepare to celebrate their 10th anniversary, the team enters the 2011-12 season as serious title contenders in the Ontario Hockey League.

The defending West Division champions will be rais-ing their fi rst championship banner during their opening weekend, and they are poised to go further than last year — when the Windsor Spitfi res eliminated the Spirit in six games in the semifi nals. The Spirit return a strong cast, and with the exception of inexperienced goaltending, many of their ‘go-to guys’ are back for another season.

In addition, Saginaw added a couple of strong pieces to the puzzle to help strengthen the team. They acquired forward Michael Fine from the Kingston Frontenacs, who joins the team as a replacement for Josh Shalla, who is set to turn pro after scoring a team-record 47 goals last year. Fine, who hails from North York, Ontario, is a proven playmaker that has tallied 60 goals and 150 points in four seasons, including 20 goals and 34 assists last year for the Frontenacs.

Saginaw added size and skill to the blue line signing Ja-mie Oleksiak, a 2011 fi rst-round (14th overall) pick of the Dallas Stars. The Spirit originally drafted the Toronto, On-tario native 138th overall in 2008. Oleksiak, who played col-lege hockey for Northeastern University as a freshman last season, is a stud at 6-foot-7 and 240 lbs.

General manager and head coach Todd Watson is very happy with his new additions.

“In Michael Fine, what’s not to like,” said Watson, starting his fi fth season with the Spirit after spending time in the Plymouth Whalers’ organization. “He can put pucks in the net and points on the board and we see him as a top-six forward.

“Jamie has done well in camp. I went to see him at the rookie tournament in Traverse City and he played very well. He has big size but yet is very mobile, and we see him mak-ing a big impact on our hockey team.”

GOALTENDINGWatson plans on using the hot hand and it’s clear that

he believes both Tadeas Galansky and Jake Paterson are capable starters in the OHL.

“I like both these guys and they will each be given a shot to start,” Watson said. “However I would not be surprised if we go with a two-man rotation.”

Galansky was selected by the Spirit in the 2009 OHL Import Draft, and although he is starting his third season, injuries have limited him to just 25 games. Last season he played in 17 games, winning nine and posting a 2.89 goals-against and a .910 save percentage.

Saginaw picked Paterson 32nd overall in the 2010 OHL Priority Draft and the Mississauga, Ontario native appeared in fi ve games, posting three wins, along with a 2.97 goals against and a .907 save percentage.

Watson is not worried about their lack of playing time. “You have to get experience somewhere, you can’t buy

it,” Watson said. “Where did the best goaltenders in this league get it from? They started some where.”

DEFENSEMENSaginaw returns six defensemen from last year’s team.

Brandon Archibald (Port Huron), Peter Hermenegildo, Ryan O’Connor, Jacob Ringuette, Dalton Young and Brad Walch (Saginaw), are back, joining Oleksiak and Steven Strong, who was acquired during the off -season from the Belleville Bulls. They bring both, size and skill as well as plenty of experience.

“I like our blue-line,” Watson said. “I thought going in we needed a steady defensive defenseman and I think Strong will provide that for our team. Steven has good skills, but defensive responsibility comes fi rst for him and I think he will add good depth at the back-end.”

FORWARDSThe depth and quality up front is rock solid. The top six

consist of Brandon Saad, John McFarland, Jordan Szwarz, Vincent Trocheck, Garret Ross and Josh Shalla — if he re-turns.

“The collection of forwards is as good as any,” Watson

said. “I think they will be a more produc-tive unit this year.”

Anthony Camara and Justin Kea are two Spirit players who have showed a lot of improvement, and Watson be-lieves both have unlimited potential.

“You can just see the confi dence in both players — the way they go about their business in practice and during the games,” Watson said. “The way we brought them along slowly has helped in their development. Justin has been

awesome in camp and he has good size (6’4”, 201 lbs) and Anthony is as tough as nails. They both will have bigger roles this season.”

Four new faces will join the fold up front. Vadim Khlopo-tov, selected from the import draft (43rd overall), brings a combination of speed and skill. Saginaw also added three underagers from the May priority draft — Nick Moutrey (1st round, 15th overall), Sam Povorozniouk (2nd round, 36th overall) and Jimmy Lodge (3rd round, 62nd overall).

OVERALL OUTLOOKThe regime of Watson, associate coach John Kisil and

assistant general manager Jim Paliafi to has stabilized the Spirit, bringing in quality talent through trades and draft picks. The team no longer talks about making the playoff s, but how far can they go.

“Look at what we have done in the past four to fi ve years,” Watson said. “We have had players drafted regu-larly into the NHL. We have had a winning record every year and have made the playoff s each year and for the fi rst time last season, we captured the team’s fi rst divisional title. Those are good steps and the best is yet to come for the organization.”

Spirit aim to soar to new heights

Locked and loaded: Brandon Saad returns to lead an impressive collection of forwards for the Spirit. (Aaron Bell/OHL Images)

JUNIORS PREVIEW

BY CARL CHIMENTIThe collection of forwards is as good as any. I think they will be a more productive unit this year.— Todd Watson, head coach and general manager

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JUNIORS PREVIEW

PREDICTED PRESEASON HARDWAREMVP: Nail Yakupov, Sarnia StingThe odds-on favorite to go No. 1 in next

June’s NHL draft is a wizard with the puck and money from the hash marks down. Yakupov came to Sarnia via the CHL im-port draft in 2010 with little fanfare, but quickly created his own hype. Without Yakupov, Sarnia is but an average team.

Rookie of the Year: Max Domi, London KnightsOriginally Kingston’s fi rst-round pick in

May, Domi came to London in a trade late in the summer. The son of former NHL pest Tie Domi, Max is anything but his fa-ther’s clone, instead playing a skill game with the ability to control the fl ow.

Goaltender of the Year:Petr Mrazek, Ottawa 67’sMrazek doesn’t get a ton of fanfare out-

side of Ottawa, but the Detroit Red Wings probably got a steal when they drafted him

late in the 2010 draft. Mrazek is the type of goalie who can win games on his own.

Coach of the Year: James Boyd, Mississauga St. Michael’s MajorsBoyd, a longtime OHL assistant, is in his fi rst

year as head coach of a team that went to the league fi nals last year. With junior hockey being so cyclical, a stacked team one year can go young the next, but Boyd’s Majors were unde-feated going into the third week of the season.

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PREDICTED OHL STANDINGSWESTERN CONFERENCE1. London2. Guelph3. Kitchener4. Sarnia5. Plymouth6. Windsor7. Sault Ste. Marie8. Saginaw9. Owen Sound10. ErieEASTERN CONFERENCE1. Niagara2. Mississauga3. Ottawa4. Barrie5. Peterborough6. Brampton7. Oshawa8. Belleville9. Sudbury10. Kingston

Hot commodity: Nail Yakupov is the favorite to be picked No. 1 in next year’s NHL draft. (CHL images)



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JUNIORS PREVIEW

The U-18s, under the direction of second-year head coach Danton Cole, have some of the top Ameri-can-born players in the 1994 birth year. In addition to three international tournaments, including the

2012 International Ice Hockey Federation World Under-18 Championship in the Czech Republic, the team will face squads from the United States Hockey League as well as NCAA Division I and Division III schools during the season.

“We are focusing on our two-year plan,” said Cole, whose team fi nished with a 33-21-1 (W-L-OTL) mark and advanced to the USHL playoff s last season. “We have an ultimate goal and there are no shortcuts to our success. We must continue to build and practice; we can’t be satis-fi ed. This is our two-year segment and we must play our own game.”

Defensemen Seth Jones (Plano, Texas) and Jacob Trou-ba (Rochester, Mich.) along with forward Nicolas Kerdiles (Irvine, Calif.) highlight the U-18 roster. All three players were members of the U.S. Men’s National Under-18 Team that captured the gold medal at the 2011 IIHF World Un-der-18 Championship held in Crimmitschau and Dresden, Germany. In addition, Jones took part in the 2011 National Junior Evaluation Camp from Aug. 6-13 in Lake Placid, N.Y.

Forward Riley Barber (Livonia, Mich.) is the lone new newcomer after spending last season with the USHL’s

Dubuque Fighting Saints. Barber helped the NTDP’s U.S. National Under-17 Team capture the 2011 Vlad Dzurilla Un-der-18 Tournament title February in Piestany, Slovakia.

“We have a continually challenging schedule,” Cole said. “In the USHL, it is important to play hard every game. When it comes to colleges, we will be playing against 22- and 23-year-olds and that presents a diff erent challenge for our schedule. It is going to be important to gel as a team.”

U-17 PREVIEW The U-17 squad, which is comprised of American-born

players in the 1995 birth year, will be led by fi rst-year head coach Don Granato. Granato brings 15 years of coaching experience to the program. His assistants are assistant coach Nick Fohr, intern assistant coach Matt Curley and goaltending coach Mike Ayers.

“That is a natural process,” Granato explained of the team-building process. “There is automatic bonding when you compete together as a team. We will have them com-pete as much as we can on the ice, against each other and with each other, and certainly off -ice workouts. ”

The U-17s will compete against teams from the USHL in addition to taking part in three international competitions during the course of the season. The U-17s will play three exhibition games before beginning the USHL schedule on Sept. 30 at home against Youngstown. In international play, the U-17s will head to the U-17 Four Nations Cup this

November in Russia, the World U-17 Hockey Challenge De-cember/January in Ontario and the Vlad Dzurilla U-18 Tour-nament in February in Slovakia.

The U-17s dropped a pair of exhibition games, 3-2 in a shootout and 4-3, against the Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings over the weekend. The exhibition games gave Granato and the coaching staff an opportunity to see the team in game ac-tion for the fi rst time.

“I want the kids to just play as hard as they can,” Granato said. “We are not going to work on a lot of systematic stuff for that reason, as I want to see what we have naturally ... I want them to just play; it is always easier to tweak some things when you see a player in his natural form and state. We will let them play with a focus on good habits.”

U-17, 18 national teams prep for new seasonBY BECKY OLSEN

Back for more: Defenseman Jacob Trouba was a member of the gold medal-winning U.S. team at the IIHF World Under-18 Championship held in Germany. (Courtesy NTDP)


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The North Division underwent a revamp over the summer months, but the Michigan-heavy division should be one of the most competitive divisions in

all of the North American Hockey League.Back are the Michigan Warriors, Port Huron Fighting

Falcons and Traverse City North Stars, with the Motor City Metal Jackets moving to Jamestown, N.Y., and the Kalama-zoo Jr. K-Wings making a return to the NAHL. The James-town Ironmen is the fi fth team in the North Division.

In the early going, the Warriors have shown that their run to the Robertson Cup fi nals last season was no fl uke, Port Huron is accruing wins at a much faster pace than last year, Traverse City is fi nding success and the Jr. K-Wings have fi ve wins in their fi rst eight games.

The run to Frisco, Tex., home of the Robertson Cup tour-nament next spring, should go through the North Division.

KALAMAZOO JR. K-WINGSThe second incarnation of the Kalamazoo franchise is

under the guidance of Mark Fakler, a former Western Michi-gan and Wayne State assistant coach who has some lofty goals in mind for the K-Wings.

“We want to lead the league in goals-against and then second, we want to lead the league in goals scored,” Fakler said. “I think the opportunities from off ense will come from good defense, but fi rst and foremost, we have to be tough to score on. I think that’s a formula for winning champion-ships. We have to be able to take care of the puck in our own end.”

Veteran forward Andrew Graves comes to the K-Wings after scoring 26 goals for the Metal Jackets last season. Graves had one stretch during last season where he had 15 points in just eight games. Kalamazoo will also get some veteran scoring from Chris Hughes, who posted 30 points last season with Coulee Region.

“We wanted guys that wanted to be here and put 100 percent eff ort into what we are doing,” said Fakler. “We want them to compete hard on a daily basis and most im-portantly, have great character. NAHL players come into the league and there is a certain level of maturity and knowledge there that gives them an edge right away. We know there are hundreds of quality players in the NAHL and our hope in Kalamazoo is to give them the opportunity to perform, be successful and be seen.”

MICHIGAN WARRIORSLast season, the fi rst-year Warriors came within one win

of a Robertson Cup championship.This year, the Flint-based Warriors hope to gain that ex-

tra post-season victory, but with more than 10 players gone from last year’s team, including NAHL MVP Robert Tadazak in goal, Warriors head coach Moe Mantha is realistic when it comes to his expectations for this year, even after a 7-1-1 start to the season.

“We just want to play the game,” Mantha said. “There’s been a lot of hype going on. The team set the bar pretty high last year and we’ll be rebuilding this year because of the success we had last year. That’s what the program is all about, to develop young players and give them an oppor-tunity to get to the highest level possible.”

Brach Tiller, a very steady backup last season under Tadazak, has earned the starting role and will have Luis Puig as his backup. Dave Johnson is the lone defenseman back and will mentor youngsters Derek O’Flynn, Matt Ver-million, Luke Fiegl, Jake Webber and Dan Sakalian.

Forward Chris Eckler, who came to Flint last year in a trade from Wichita Falls, has a positive outlook on the year.

“We lost most of our top scorers from last year, but that hasn’t seemed to slow us down this year,” Eckler said. “Our power play has been good and guys seemed to have stepped up this year and done well for us so far.”

PORT HURON FIGHTING FALCONSWith four wins in their fi rst eight games, Port Huron is

light years ahead of last year’s dreadful season that saw just six notches in the win column.

Head coach Bill Warren, who took over midway through the 2010-2011 season, had all summer to mold and shape the roster to be his own this year.

“We’re going to bring a much higher level of play to the ice this season with the roster we’ve put together,” said Warren, who coached Port Huron to a 5-20-5 record af-ter taking over as head coach last January after a 1-26-1 start. “This is a team that is going to score some goals and compete for a playoff spot in the North Division. This team will bring energy and excitement to McMorran Arena and we will have players that will make an impact well beyond what they do on the ice.”

One strength Port Huron looks to have this year will be in goal with veteran returnee Peter Megariotis battling rookie Max Milosek for time. As of last weekend, each had recorded two wins.

“I have the mindset that I can be a No. 1, but Max is a

really good goalie in his own right,” said Megariotis, one of three returning players to Port Huron, along with defense-man Sean Gammage and forward Logan Lemirande.

Megariotis added that there is a diff erent vibe around the rink this time around.

“When Bill came in last year, this really wasn’t his team and to be honest, a lot of times we were just going through the motions,” admitted Megariotis. “Now, we know that jobs are on the line each day and I think that pushes us all to work even harder.

“No one is getting too comfortable and maybe that’s how it needs to be.”

TRAVERSE CITY NORTH STARSNearly one-third of the Traverse City roster is Traverse

City natives — a tradition of sorts that has been a mark of the team’s success over their fi rst six seasons.

“We’ve always had good local talent come through here,” said new head coach Chad Fournier. “In fact, some of the best high school players we’ve had over the years have come from around here. I think it says a lot about the high school programs and the quality of the coaching they get from the time they step onto the ice with the Grand Tra-verse Hockey Association all the way through high school.”

Top returning scorer Alec Shields is back looking to im-prove on his 21-goal campaign of a year ago and rookie Kyle Schempp out of the Compuware organization looks to be another impact forward.

Robert Wiener, Chris Leibinger and Zack Dorer are back on the blue line and will be counted on for instant leader-ship with the graduation of two-year captain Travis White.

“We’ve got veterans that will have to step into a larger role,” said Traverse City GM Anthony Palumbo. “By the same token, some of these younger guys are going to have to step up as well. We have a lot of new faces on defense and in goal and we may look to add a veteran defenseman to that mix as well, but it’s an exciting and talented group.”

Rookies Michael Parda and Kyle Laslo are the new goal-ies with Laslo taking the starting job and going 5-1-1 in the team’s fi rst seven games.

“It’s a process of trying to identify the right players, fi t them together, and go after some wins,” said Palumbo.

Thus far, Palumbo’s process looks to be working to a ‘T’.

NAHL Michigan quartet vie for North supremacy

NORTH AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE

BY MATT MACKINDER

THE LATEST HEADLINES, CONTACT INFO, FULL SCHDULE & MORENAHL.COM

Veteran blueliner: Defenseman Sean Gammage is one of three returning players for the Port Huron Fighting Falcons. (Courtesy NAHL)


QUICK & FAST12:00-1:30 PM 6 & UP

Quick starts

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Overspeed training

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SHOOT TO SCORE1:30-3:00 PM 6 & UP

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Shooting while moving

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QUICK & FAST11:30-1:00 PM 6 & UP

Quick starts

Rapid acceleration

Quick directional changes

Foot quickness & lateral movement

Overspeed training

Full speed puck control

SHOOT TO SCORE1:00-2:30 PM 6 & UP

Wrist shots

Backhand shots

Snapshots

Slapshots (if applicable)

Shooting while moving

Quick release

Proper shooting technique

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NOVEMBER 8TH

Thanksgiving Clinics

CLASS DESCRIPTION TIME DAYSStickhandling & Puck Control (Ages 5-8) 9:30 - 11:00 am Wednesday, November 23Outside Edges (Ages 6-14) 11:00 am - 12:30 pm Wednesday, November 23Stickhandling & Puck Control (Ages 9-14) 12:30 - 2:00 pm Wednesday, November 23Backward Power Skating (Ages 9-14) 2:00 - 3:30 pm Wednesday, November 23Shoot to Score (Ages 5-8) 9:30 - 11:00 am Friday, November 25Quick & Fast (Ages 6-14) 11:00 am - 12:30 pm Friday, November 25Shoot to Score (Ages 9-14) 12:30 - 2:00 pm Friday, November 25Defense Camp (Ages 9-14) 2:00 - 3:30 pm Friday, November 25

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CLASS DESCRIPTION TIME DAYSStickhandling & Puck Control (Ages 5-8) 10:00 - 11:30 am Wednesday, November 23Outside Edges (Ages 6-14) 11:30 am - 1:00 pm Wednesday, November 23Stickhandling & Puck Control (Ages 9-14) 1:00 - 2:30 pm Wednesday, November 23Shoot to Score (Ages 5-8) 10:00 - 11:30 am Friday, November 25Quick & Fast (Ages 6-14) 11:30 am - 1:00 pm Friday, November 25Shoot to Score (Ages 9-14) 1:00 - 2:30 pm Friday, November 25

JOHN LINDELLI C E A R E N A

R O YA L O A K

CLASS DESCRIPTION TIME DAYSShoot to Score 9:30 - 11:00 am Wednesday, November 23Quick & Fast 11:00 am - 12:30 pm Wednesday, November 23Goalie Crease Coverage 12:30 - 2:00 pm Wednesday, November 23Outside Edges 11:00 am - 12:30 pm Friday, November 25Stickhandling & Puck Control 12:30 - 2:00 pm Friday, November 25Goalie Use of Tools 2:00 - 3:30 pm Friday, November 25

CLASS DESCRIPTION TIME DAYSShoot to Score 10:00 - 11:30 am Wednesday, November 23Quick & Fast 11:30 am - 1:00 pm Wednesday, November 23Goalie Crease Coverage 1:00 - 2:30 pm Wednesday, November 23Outside Edges 10:00 - 11:30 am Friday, November 25Stickhandling & Puck Control 11:30 am - 1:00 pm Friday, November 25Goalie Use of Tools 1:00 - 2:30 pm Friday, November 25

Players grouped by skill and e perience level Full hockey e uipment re uired Classes limited to 32 players

NOV. 23 & 25


JUNIORS PREVIEW

BY MATT MACKINDER

How’s this for instant bonding?

During a recent United States Hockey League preseason game, Muskegon Lumberjacks’ rook-ie Nick Seeler was checked from behind by a

Youngstown Phantoms player. Fellow rookie Ryan Lom-berg immediately came to Seeler’s defense and took care of the situation.

According to Lomberg, situations like that one that start out negatively, but get resolved, can have a way of show-ing the potential a hockey team can perhaps muster over the course of the long season.

“Chemistry is everything,” Lomberg said. “It’s not just about being close off the ice, either. It’s especially on the ice. If someone gets hit, you feel it. You immediately want to stick up for them. When they’re upset, you’re upset. Chemistry is one of the most important pieces for a cham-pionship team.”

As a second-year team in the USHL that experienced the post-season a year ago, the Lumberjacks have a deep team this year and one head coach Kevin Patrick had a diffi cult time selecting after the team’s main camp this past sum-mer.

“The depth in our camp was better than it was a year ago,” Patrick said. “It made for some tough decisions. Who will be the next Ryan Misiak or Matt Berry (two players who moved to the Division I college ranks this year) remains to

be seen, but there are a lot of players in our organization who are ready to step to the forefront.”

A slew of players from last season are now playing Di-vision I college hockey and a handful of Muskegon play-ers already have college commitments for next season, including Dakota Klecha (Ferris State), Christian Pomarico (Army), Jordan Masters (New Hampshire), Kevin Schulze (Wisconsin), Lomberg (Maine) and Seeler (Nebraska-Oma-ha). Several more players should make their future college teams known over the course of the year.

Patrick, a former assistant coach under Mike Eaves at Wisconsin, is more than elated to see his charges move up the hockey ladder.

“We’re very proud of our commitments (and) that’s the business we’re in — helping our players reach their full po-

tential,” Patrick said. “They’ve got to stay focused on the task at hand. What they do now here in Muskegon will determine their success in the future. Players who play in Muskegon have a great opportu-nity to be seen by college and pro scouts alike. Our location and accessibility is ex-cellent in terms of exposure.”

“That’s the really unique thing about playing for the Muskegon Lumberjacks — we have the relationships with great programs that allow our players to move up and down,” Lumberjacks’ owner Josh Mervis said. “If you are from the great state of Michigan, there’s only one place to play in the USHL — with the Muskegon Lumberjacks. You can get here younger. We’ll always be one of the younger teams in the league, because we move guys up faster.”

Michigan State recruit Matt DeBlouw, who missed most of last year with a lacerated spleen suff ered when he con-nected on a clean hit against the U.S. NTDP in Muskegon’s third game of the year, is one of those young skaters hav-ing just turned 18 in mid-September, and is ready to go and hit the ground run-ning at L.C. Walker Arena.

“I just feel at peace coming into this season,” DeBlouw said. “Our team is gelling so well. We’ve got vets who know what they’re doing and the incom-ing group is a great one. They’re work-ing hard and fi tting in. I’m excited for the newcomers to look to me for help and I’m ready to have some fun this season.”

Lomberg is one player that Muskegon fans will take to very quickly, especially with his recent comments discussing his decision to head south of his Canadian homeland border to play in the USHL.

“I believe that one day, the USHL and college hockey will be clear-cut better than the OHL (Ontario Hockey League), especially with Ca-nadian players coming over,” Muskegon’s top pick in last May’s USHL draft said. “I’m proud to be part of that move-ment.

“Plain and simply, Muskegon was the best place for me to develop and hopefully I can reach the dream someday of playing in the NHL. If you’re willing to work for it, they give you everything a player could need to be a premier player and stand out as a true freshman on the collegiate level and beyond.”

Masters is another player who will go all-out this year in

Muskegon and he fi gures to improve on his point totals of last season with his choice to attend UNH all set.

“It’s a good feeling to not have to worry about where I’m going to college,” Masters said. “After that? Of course, playing in the NHL is the dream.”

Another dream for the roster of the ‘Jacks is to bring a Clark Cup to Muskegon. Is it a possibility? Of course. Is it realistic? Why not?

“All I can think about now is hoisting the Clark Cup with my teammates in Muskegon,” Seeler said.

And you can bet that if that happens, Seeler will bask in the celebration with Lomberg not too far away.

Lumberjacks ready to contend for USHL championship

Moving on up: Jordan Masters has already committed to play Division 1 hockey next season for the University of New Hampshire. (Dave Reginek/MiHockey Magazine)

We’re very proud of our commitments (and) that’s the business we’re in — helping our players reach their full potential.

— Kevin Patrick, head coach

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PresidentJeff Spedowski

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Greater East Vice PresidentBrandon Spedowski

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Girls House Vice PresidentDina Howe

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Metro Vice PresidentBobby Mitchell248-302-0913

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TOURNAMENT CALENDAR POWERED BY MARRIOTT

COMPLETE AND UP-TO-DATE TOURNAMENT LISTING AT

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OCTOBER 2011Great Lakes Tournament SeriesHolland, MIOctober 14-16Mite AA, Pee Wee AA and Bantam AAContact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

West Shore Community Ice Arena TournamentScottville, MIOctober 14-16, 2011JV Preseason I231-843-9712westshoreice.com

Grand Traverse Hockey Association TournamentTraverse City, MIOctober 14-16, 2011Squirt A & [email protected]

Hockey Time Productions Motown Cup Tournament Series Detroit, MIOctober 21-23, 2011Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567itshockeytime.com

Hockey Time Productions Girls Motown Cup Tournament Series Detroit, MIOctober 21-23, 20118U-19U House, B, A, AA 216-325-0567itshockeytime.com

Great Lakes Tournament SeriesHolland, MIOctober 21-23Squirt A, Squirt AA and Midget BContact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

Grand Traverse Hockey Association TournamentTraverse City, MIOctober 28-30, 2011Pee Wee A & [email protected]

NOVEMBER 2011Hockey Time Productions Motown Cup Tournament Series Detroit, MINovember 4-6, 2011

Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567itshockeytime.com

Hockey Time Productions Girls Motown Cup Tournament Series Detroit, MINovember 4-6, 20118U-19U House, B, A, AA 216-325-0567itshockeytime.com

Great Lakes Tournament SeriesHolland, MINovember 4-6Pee Wee B, Pee Wee A and Bantam BContact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

Grand Traverse Hockey Association TournamentTraverse City, MINovember 4-6, 2011Bantam Major AA & Bantam AA Minor/[email protected]

Big Rapids Area Junior Hockey AssociationBig Rapids, MINovember 4-6, 2011JV/Midget A231-591-2881bigrapidshockey.org orferris.edu/icearena

Great Lakes Tournament SeriesHolland, MINovember 11-13Mite B, Squirt B and Bantam AContact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

Great Lakes Tournaments SeriesHolland, MINovember 18-20Mite AA, Pee Wee B, Midget Major and High School VarsityContact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

West Shore Community Ice Arena TournamentScottville, MINovember 18-20, 2011Squirt B231-843-9712

westshoreice.com

Grand Traverse Hockey Association TournamentTraverse City, MINovember 18-20, 2011Bantam [email protected]

Big Rapids Area Junior Hockey AssociationBig Rapids, MINovember 18-20, 2011Squirt B231-591-2881bigrapidshockey.org orferris.edu/icearena

Black Friday Bantam AAA TournamentKalamazoo, MINovember 25, 2011Bantam Majors & Minors269-345-1125Email: [email protected]

Hockey Time Productions Motown Cup Tournament Series Brighton/Novi, MINovember 25-27, 2011Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567itshockeytime.com

Hockey Time Productions K-Zoo Cup Tournament Series Kalamazoo, MINovember 25-27, 2011Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567itshockeytime.com

Hockey Time Productions Girls Motown Cup Tournament Series Brighton/Novi, MINovember 25-27, 20118U-19U House, B, A, AA 216-325-0567itshockeytime.com

Great Lakes Tournament Series: Great Lakes Thanksgiving Classic Holland, MINovember 25-27Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

14th Annual Gravy Cup TournamentBay City, MINovember 25-27, 2011Mite – Midget B/BB, JV Prep989-671-1000 x105baycounty-mi.gov/civicarena

Thanksgiving ShootoutMuskegon, MINovember 25-27, 2011Squirt – Bantam A & AA231-747-7266goldcoasttournaments.com

DECEMBER 2011Hockey Time Productions Motown Cup Tournament Series Detroit, MIDecember 2-4, 2011Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567itshockeytime.com

Hockey Time Productions Girls Motown Cup Tournament Series Detroit, MIDecember 2-4, 20118U-19U House, B, A, AA 216-325-0567itshockeytime.com

Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MIDecember 2-4, 2011Squirt B, Squirt A and Bantam BContact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

West Shore Community Ice Arena TournamentScottville, MIDecember 2-4, 2011Pee Wee B231-843-9712westshoreice.com

Get Into the Cold TournamentMt. Pleasant, MIDecember 2-4, 2011Pee Wee House B989-772-9623Email: [email protected]

Grand Traverse Hockey Association TournamentTraverse City, MIDecember 2-4, 2011Pee Wee [email protected]

Big Rapids Area Junior Hockey AssociationBig Rapids, MIDecember 2-4, 2011Bantam B231-591-2881bigrapidshockey.org or ferris.edu/icearena

Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MIDecember 9-12Mite B, Midget B, Midget Minor and High School JVContact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

Get Into the Cold TournamentMt. Pleasant, MIDecember 9-11, 2011Bantam House B989-772-9623Email: [email protected]

Big Rapids Area Junior Hockey AssociationBig Rapids, MIDecember 9-11, 2011Pee Wee B231-591-2881bigrapidshockey.org orferris.edu/icearena

Out-of-State TournamentsOCTOBER 2011American CupLake Placid, NYOctober 13-16, 2011Peewee, Bantam, MidgetAA, A - Minor/Major/Mixed divisionsCanadian Hockey Enterprises. 1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com

Buckeye State Tournament Series Cincinnati, OHOctober 14-16Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

Hockey Time Productions Rock ‘n Roll Cup Tournament Series Cleveland, OHOctober 21-23, 2011Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567itshockeytime.com

Music City Tournament Series: Nashville Fall Classic Nashville, TNOctober 21-23Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

Hockey Time Productions Three Rivers Cup Tournament Series Pittsburgh, PAOctober 21-23, 2011Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567itshockeytime.com

Hockey Time Productions Girls Three Rivers Cup Tournament Series Pittsburgh, PAOctober 21-23, 20118U-19U House, B, A, AA 216-325-0567itshockeytime.com

Chicago Cup Tournament Series: Chicago Fall ClassicChicago, ILOctober 21-23, 2011Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

Steel City Tournament Series: Pittsburgh Fall ClassicPittsburgh, PAOctober 21-23, 2011Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

Empire State Tournament Series: Empire State Showdown Rochester, NYOctober 21-23, 2011Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

Carolina Cup Tournament Series: Charlotte Fall ClassicCharlotte, NC

MICHIGAN


October 21-23, 2011Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

Canlan Classic TournamentsLas Vegas Old-Timers ClassicOctober 22-24, 2011Las Vegas, [email protected]

NOVEMBER 2011All American Girl’s & Women’s TournamentBlaine, MNNovember 17-20, 2011A&B U10-U14/ Women’s A,B,CMN/USA Hockey sanctioned

Hockey Time Productions Rock ‘n Roll Cup Tournament Series Cleveland, OHNovember 4-6, 2011Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567itshockeytime.com

Hockey Time Productions Three Rivers Cup Tournament Series Pittsburgh, PANovember 4-6, 2011Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567itshockeytime.com

Hockey Time Productions Girls Three Rivers Cup Tournament Series Pittsburgh, PANovember 4-6, 20118U-19U House, B, A, AA 216-325-0567itshockeytime.com

Steel City Tournament Series: Pittsburgh Veterans Cup Pittsburgh, PANovember 4-6, 2011Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

Buckeye State Tournament Series: Cincinnati Veterans CupCincinnati, OHNovember 4-6, 2011Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

Gene Harrington InvitationalNiagara Falls, NYNovember 4-6, 2011Contact: Bob Harrington [email protected]

Canadian Hockey Enterprises Tournament of Champions Cup Las Vegas, NevadaNovember 10-13, 2011Over 19, 25, 30, 35, 40, divisionsCanadian Hockey Enterprises — 1-800-461-2161 [email protected] chehockey.com

Canlan Classic TournamentsHockey for Heros/Armed Service Hockey ClassicNovember 11-14, 2011Las Vegas, [email protected]

Hockey Time Productions Rock ‘n Roll Cup Tournament Series Cleveland, OHNovember 25-27, 2011Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567itshockeytime.com

Hockey Time Productions Three Rivers Cup Tournament Series Pittsburgh, PANovember 25-27, 2011Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567itshockeytime.com

Hockey Time Productions Girls Three Rivers Cup Tournament Series Pittsburgh, PANovember 25-27, 20118U-19U House, B, A, AA 216-325-0567itshockeytime.com

Canlan Classic TournamentsNew Jersey Thanksgiving ClassicNovember 25-27, 2011Vineland, NJYouth [email protected]

Canlan Classic TournamentsFort Wayne Thanksgiving ClassicNovember 25-27, 2011Fort Wayne, INYouth [email protected]

Canlan Classic TournamentsFJP — Thanksgiving ClassicNovember 25-27, 2011FloridaYouth [email protected]

Chicago Cup Tournament Series: Chicago Thanksgiving Classic Chicago, ILNovember 25-27Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV, Mite Cross-Ice Jamboree Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

Steel City Tournament Series: Pittsburgh Thanksgiving ClassicPittsburgh, PANovember 25-27Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV, Mite Cross-Ice Jamboree Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

Empire State Tournament Series: Rochester Thanksgiving ClassicRochester, NYNovember 25-27Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV, Mite Cross-Ice Jamboree Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

Carolina Cup Tournament Series: Charlotte Thanksgiving Classic Charlotte, NCNovember 25-27Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV, Mite Cross-Ice Jamboree Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

Niagara Falls Festival of LightsNiagara Falls, NYNovember 25-27, 2011Mites, Squirts, Peewees, Bantams and Midgets, A, B, AE, & AAniagaratournaments.com716-791-4068 or [email protected]

JANUARY 2012Midwest JV-Prep Hockey ShowcaseDearborn, MIJanuary 13-16, 2012High School — JV/Prep216-325-0567 or [email protected]

WE’LL HELP YOU STAY FOCUSED ON YOUR GOAL.

ESPECIALLY IF IT’S SCORING ONE.

Open up your team’s travel options when you stay at any of the 15 southeast Michigan Marriott® hotels. Our unique blend of service and amenities is designed to support you while you support the team. To reserve your room, call 1-800-MARRIOTT or visit Marriott.com.

Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center400 Renaissance DriveDetroit, MI 48243313-568-8000detroitmarriott.com

Detroit Marriott Troy200 W Big Beaver RoadTroy, MI 48084248-680-9797 troymarriott.com

The Dearborn Inn, A Marriott Hotel20301 Oakwood BlvdDearborn, MI 48124313-271-2700dearborninnmarriott.com

Courtyard Detroit Airport Romulus30653 Flynn DriveRomulus, MI 48174734-721-3200detroitairportcourtyard.com

Courtyard Detroit Auburn Hills1296 Opdyke RoadAuburn Hills, MI 48326248-373-4100auburnhillscourtyard.com

Courtyard Detroit Dearborn5200 Mercury DriveDearborn, MI 48126313-271-1400dearborncourtyard.com

Courtyard Detroit Downtown333 East Jefferson AveDetroit, MI 48226313-222-7700detroitdowntowncourtyard.com

Courtyard Detroit Farmington Hills31525 West 12 Mile RoadFarmington Hills, MI 48334248-553-0000marriott.com/dtwfm

Courtyard Detroit Livonia17200 N Laurel Park DriveLivonia, MI 48152734-462-2000livoniacourtyard.com

Courtyard Detroit Novi42700 West 11 Mile RoadNovi, MI 48375248-380-1234novicourtyard.com

Courtyard Detroit Southfield27027 Northwestern HighwaySouthfield, MI 48033248-358-1222southfieldcourtyard.com

Courtyard Detroit Troy1525 East Maple RoadTroy, MI 48083248-528-2800detroittroycourtyard.com

Residence Inn Detroit Warren30120 Civic Center BlvdWarren, MI 48093586-558-8050residenceinnwarren.com

SpringHill Suites Detroit Southfield28555 Northwestern HighwaySouthfield, MI 48034248-352-6100marriott.com/dtwsd

TownePlace Suites Detroit Sterling Heights14800 Lakeside CircleSterling Heights, MI 48313marriott.com/dtwtu

So many things to think about when preparing your team for a game. There’s even more when organizing an out of town tournament; teaching your kids the game, deciding which tournaments to register for, hotels, meals, and of course the transportation. With all these things going on it is important not to rush through these decisions. Choosing the best method to get to the tournament has a bigger impact on your team than you think. Let’s just take a minute to focus on your transportation. As with most things you do with you team, Safety First! You and others in charge should look at distance and the time you are traveling. With most players still being in school there may be some night driving, OR the distance may be further than what parents, or coaches are accustomed to driving, especially when also being used for team activities. Unpredictable winter weather should also be a key factor. Include the added stress of distractions from players, parents, and others and you could potentially be putting your kids at risk. The team should consider motorcoaches a key resource to ease these issues. Motorcoaches historically are the safest form of any transportation, safer than planes, trains, cars, and vans. Motorcoaches handle great in the snow, and professional drivers are accustomed to driving in inclement weather and long distances at any hour, day or night. With all of these benefits, the team driving themselves, or taking vans should be saved for the most local of trips. There are other reasons to use a motorcoach. It’s not just the driver that gets extra rest. Most motorcoaches are equipped with features that can give everyone, including players, a relaxing and comfortable ride. With restrooms, reclining seats, footrests, individual climate controls, and extra room, each passenger can put themselves into a comfortable position to maximize their rest AND performance for a tournament. Usually a video system with multiple monitors are on these types of vehicles with it becoming more common for vehicles to have wi-fi internet, and electrical outlets (for laptops, & cell phone chargers). With all these extras the team is easily kept entertained. Just imagine a long trip without hearing “Are we there yet!”. The team being on the same vehicle can give coaches and managers more control over their team and eliminate player tardiness. You can more easily keep your team focused, and use some of the ride as sort of a locker room time. As you already know, hockey takes more cohesion than any other sport and there is team camaraderie that can be built by everyone being together on a motorcoach. “So How do I choose a good company?” Hockey teams have different needs, and requests that are specific to your type of trip. Use the following tools to find ones that really do want to carry your team, and not just get your money. Find companies online or through referrals, and call to talk to a representative. Does the customer representative

Toll- 877-554-1055Free

Motorcoach Transportation :More Important Than You Think!

Tournament Transportation with SAFETY & STYLE !By: William Cox

show a sincere interest in what you do, and all the hard work you’ve put in? Do they take the time to find out your needs, and special requests? The time they spend with you initially is a good indication of how their customer service will be in the future. Check that the company has the proper insurances, good maintenance, the amenities you want, and drivers that do hockey teams. Ask for paperwork and references to back this up, and spend a minute to check these resources. This can save you from choosing the wrong company and having to deal with headaches later. Feel free to ask any other questions you may have. If your on a fixed budget, then tell your representative this. Find out if the company uses a GPS system for getting you to your destination. This technology has been around some time now and should be utilized by their driver. Once you have a couple companies narrowed down, arrange a date and time to see the vehicles, AND their office. There are a lot of good companies out there, but unfortunately there are also some not so savory choices too! A good company should comply with all the mentioned prerequisites, and be happy for the opportunity to prove what their fleet and office looks like. Be very wary of companies that do not ever have any vehicles available to be checked out or will not give you an office address. With due diligence on your part, you can help assure that you are choosing the right motorcoach company. You now have a lot of tools to help you out, and here’s one more; call Ground Travel Specialist, Inc (also known as GTS). They have the experience and know-how to take care of your group. They have worked with many hockey teams, and are the official transportation provider of the ECHL Kalamazoo Wings, and Western Michigan Hounds. What’s more is they want your business too! GTS has all the amenities mentioned and can ensure your trip is a success. Below is the phone number, website, and email address. They have offered to help any team, either with one of their great vehicles, or help them find a good carrier, even if it can not be on one of their motorcoaches. What do you have to lose?

www.gtsbus.comOR [email protected]

Ground Travel Specialist, Inc.

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BATTLE CREEK Quality Inn & Suites At The Casino 11081 East Michigan

Comfort Inn 2590 Capital Avenue SW

BIG RAPIDS Quality Inn & Suites 1705 S. State Street

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CADILLAC Econo Lodge 2501 Sunnyside Drive

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RED WINGS INSIDER

BY DAVE WADDELL

The pre-season is for tinkering, but one experiment that will survive into the regular season is the shift-ing of center Valtteri Filppula to left wing.

Filppula has been fl anking center Henrik Zetter-berg on a line that also includes Johan Franzen and has responded with two goals and six points in four exhibition games.

“That’s the talk we’ve had now,” Filppula said of where he’ll start the season.

“I can always go back to center if needed. I think that’s the start, having me play wing.

“I’ve played some wing before. It’s not that new.”What is new is playing with Zetterberg. When he’s been

shifted to wing in the past, Filppula has generally ridden shot gun for Pavel Datsyuk.

“Not so much, 10 to 15 games maybe,” Zetterberg said of how frequently he’s been on a line with Filppula.

“Most of the time we both play center. The other times I play with Pav.”

Noting Filppula’s arrival in the locker next door, Zetter-berg playfully pokes at old Scandinavian rivalries in off er-ing suggestions how his Finnish neighbor can improve.

“It’ll take a little while until he learns Swedish and then it’ll be easier,” Zetterberg said. “I think we read off each other pretty good.

“We’ve seen each other play up close for many years now. We kind of play the same style of hockey. He’s an easy player to play with.”

Listening to Zetterberg verbally toss down the gauntlet, Filppula admits he’s willing to make some major adjust-ments but draws the line on going over to the dark side on the language issue to accommodate his Swedish linemates.

“I understand it (Swedish) pretty well, just don’t talk it,” Filppula said.

The language the trio does share is hockey. “I’ve played in the past a lot with Mule (Franzen),” said

Filppula, explaining the line’s quick chemistry. “He’s a big guy and really good with the puck. He has a

great shot.“We have a great chance to create off ense. So far in the

pre-season it has been going in for us a little bit.”The more intriguing question is how does playing with

Zetterberg compare to the unpredictable Pavel Datsyuk? Filppula said they may look like they’re playing diff erent games, but they’re the same.

“They’re both great with the puck,” Filppula said. “They both make great plays. It’s a lot of fun to play with him. He can really pass and he can score.”

The bigger adjustment has come in the technical aspects of playing wing. Filppula admits he’s still not entirely com-fortable in that area.

“Center is where I feel a little more comfortable,” Filp-pula said. “Our end is diff erent and being the fi rst guy on the forecheck when you play wing are the biggest diff er-ences. I feel there’s still work to do.

“I feel like in our own end, I don’t always know exactly what to do. I have to get used to playing wing there.”

Zetterberg said it’s no problem having two natural cen-ters on a line. In fact, European-born players are used to

the interchanging of positions.“When me and Pav play together, 90 percent of the time

I’m the centerman, but everyone thinks it’s the other way around,” Zetterberg said.

“The way we do it, we read off each other. I take most of the face-off s. But whoever is fi rst back plays center that shift. It comes natural. That’s the way we do it back home, you play both wing and center.”

The knock on Filppula is he doesn’t shoot the puck enough. He’s worked on improving his shot each summer and Zetterberg has picked up the torch of nagging him during games to fi re the puck at the net.

“I just told him before the power play (goal he scored ) to shoot,” Zetterberg said. “He should listen more to me.”

However, playing with a pair of natural goal scorers in Zetterberg and Franzen, Filppula knows he’ll have to fi ght for his shots.

When he teases that Zetterberg and Franzen don’t like to shoot enough, his Swedish neighbor jumps in to point out he’s been among the league leaders in shots over the past four seasons, averaging over 300 attempts on net a year.

“Hank and Mule really can score,” Filppula said. “I’d have to say if I have to pick between pass and shoot, I’ll probably give it to them. When I have a chance I have to shoot it too. A lot of goals nowadays are coming off second chances and rebounds.”

Over the course of his career, Filppula has produced nicely when shifted to the wing. He expects he’ll get plenty of chances again with Zetterberg as his pivot.

“When I played wing, usually I played with Pavel, so you’re going to get more chances out of that,” Filppula said. “I think playing wing you can defi nitely be a little more off ensive minded.

“Especially on the wing, you’re going more one-against-one against defensemen. If you’re a center, a lot of times you’re going against everybody. At wing, there should be a little more opportunity.”

Filppula adjusts to life on the left wingMoving outside: Valtteri Filppula, who has played wing on a line with Pavel Datsyuk at times during his career, will begin the season playing left wing on a line centered by Henrik Zetterberg. (Dave Reginek/Detroit Red Wings)


With the youth hockey season underway, par-ents once again are fi lling rinks all over the state, complete with the too-loud hockey mom and the dad as coach using hand sig-

nals as he stands on the glass. Much of the lobby conver-sation has centered on the USA Hockey rule change that takes body checking out of the equation until Bantam.

It is a polarizing topic to say the least; so much so, that fewer folks than usual are discussing the often under-taught and rarely thought-of skill of receiving a body check. All the attention has been on “what’s gone” from a hitting standpoint, that overlooked is how the new rule actually aides in the “taking it” aspect of physical play. Why? Because everyone focuses on the player delivering the check.

Well, by allowing our young players to learn the game by promoting body contact through Pee Wee, good habits are forming in both giving and receiving body checks. Here’s why: with puck optional, intimidating hits removed at the younger ages, the game itself promotes proper controlled/angling skating, along with the use of stick-on-puck tech-niques and shoulder-to-shoulder maneuvering, all of which are attributes of excellent defensive checking habits. Con-currently, as a result of the competitive environment, the off ensive player is developing essential balance, awareness and leverage skills.

Those three components are vital in properly preparing to absorb a body check. The off ensive player must have a strong, balanced stride. He must be aware of where the checkers are and where he is in relationship to the boards, net, or other defenders. And in taking a check, using the boards and upper body to cushion the blow — or leverage

the impact — is all about shoulder positioning and contact confi dence. These are important, teachable elements. Like any skill, though, it is better if they are learned.

While the new rule defers body-checking for an addi-tional two-year period in a player’s development, it doesn’t deter the learning process. In fact, it actually promotes better fundamentals — even for the player on the receiv-

ing end. That’s something that all parents can cheer about, even as they holler “go Johnny go” every time he nears the puck, or feel compelled to interject a tip while little Janie is getting set to line up for a face-off . Some things will never change.

When it comes to contact confi dence, it is good that some things do.

BY DARREN ELIOT

PARENTS —CHECK IT OUT

@Darren_Eliot

THE LAST LINE

Laying the lumber: Knowing how to take

and receive a body check is one of the

essential skills to have for all levels of

hockey players.(Tom Turrill/

Michigan Hockey)

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Michigan Hockey October 10, 2011