Rangers announce drafts and tenders

The Marquette Rangers participated yesterday in its first NAHL Draft, which was conducted from Frisco, Texas. Being the newest NAHL team, the Rangers had the first pick in each of the five draft rounds.

The five draft selections join 12 players tendered by the Rangers. The players selected from the try-out camps in Marquette, Chicago (May 26-28) and Detroit (June 23-25), along with the tendered players, will be competing to secure positions on the team’s roster, July 7-9, at the Invitational Camp in Marquette. (Profiles of the draft selections and tendered players are summarized below).

"We got our first look at local, regional and national talent during our first try-out camp over the past weekend," said Marquette head coach Leigh Mendelson. "Based on our tendered players, draft selections and free agents, we feel we’ve made significant progress toward building an excitingly talented team for our inaugural season."

DRAFTED PLAYERS

Stephen Ritter - 6’3” 210 lbs. - Goalie - Providence College - 12/31/86
Native of Tenafly, New Jersey

Neeco Belanger - 5’10” 180 lbs. - Forward - Chilliwack Chiefs (British Columbia Junior Hockey League) - 1/1/87
Native of Marquette, Michigan and former Marquette Electrician and MSHS player

Anthony Hayes - 6’0” 175 lbs. - Forward - Victory Honda Midget AAA - 1/14/89
Native of Canton, Michigan

Scott Mathis - 5’11” 175 lbs. - Defenseman - Team Illinois Midget AAA - 4/21/88
Native of Crystal Lake, Illinois

Alex Valenti – 5’10” 175 lbs. - Forward - Whatcom Warriors (Washington) Midget A - 8/29/89
Native of Bellingham, Washington

TENDERED PLAYERS; FORWARDS

Nic Weight - 6’1” 205 lbs., Eagle River, WI - Northland Pines (WI) HS - 12/30/87
21GP 24G 19A 43PTS

Weight is a power forward with good scoring touch around the net. Nic has the ability to make a clever play and set up teammates effectively. He is a two-time, All-State Selection.

Paul Isleib - 5’11” 180 lbs., Batavia, IL - Marquette Electricians Midget AAA - 6/26/87
62GP 31G 36A 67PTS 146PIM

Isleib is hard working, hard to play against and has a good skill package. His versatility will be helpful on the Rangers’ special teams.

Michael Macari - 6’ 200 lbs., Dearborn Heights, MI - Crestwood (MI) HS - 10/13/87
18GP 28G 23A 51PTS 28PIM

Macari is a smooth skater who has a shooter’s mentality. He has the ability to score goals off the rush, on the power play and in front of the net.

Jake Hauswirth - 6’4” 195 lbs., Merrill, WI - Ojibwa Eagles Midget AAA - 2/16/88
56GP 34G 20A 54PTS 40PIM

Hauswirth is a skilled puck-possession player. Has the ability to control the play, and uses his size effectively to create offense.

Dustin Partacz - 5’11” 170 lbs., Naperville, IL - Neuqua Valley (IL) HS - 7/30/88
26GP 21G 41A 62PTS 11PIM

Partacz is a hard working two-way player with a good skill package and a competitive edge. Dustin will be a key on Rangers’ special teams.

Michael Baker - 6’0” 175 lbs., Brainerd, MN - Brainerd (MN) HS - 11/3/87
Stats N/A

Baker is an excellent defensive forward, with skills to produce offensively. Work ethics and character are his trademarks.

Cole Holmes - 5’10” 175 lbs., Mequon, WI - University School (WI) HS - 3/18/88
26GP 42G 52A 94PTS 10PIM

Holmes is an offensive threat each time he has the puck in the offensive zone, with very good offensive instincts and skill. He competes well and is dependable in his own end. He is a first-team, All-State Selection.

Raymond Gillies, Jr. - 5’7” 150 lbs., Springboro, OH - Columbus (OH) Midget AAA - 5/10/87
62GP 25G 37A 62PTS 150PIM

Gillies is a relentless worker who has very good hockey sense and great speed. He will be a key to the Rangers’ special teams.

TENDERED PLAYERS; DEFENSEMEN

Matt Celin - 6’0 190 lbs., Gibsonia, PA - Pittsburgh (PA) Hornets Midget AAA - 8/12/87
Stats N/A

Celin is a solid two-way defenseman with solid puck skills. Celin will add stability and depth at both ends of the ice.

Zachery Juliano - 5’11” 185 lbs., Cape Elizabeth, ME - Cape Elizabeth (ME) HS - 6/19/88
28GP 15G 17A 32PTS 28PIM

Juliano has the ability to be effective at both ends of the ice with his puck skills, skating and intelligence.

Brandon Busse - 6’2” 205 lbs., Stevens Point, WI - Stevens Point (WI) HS - 6/29/88
26GP 15G 15A 30PTS 30 PIM

Busse is a very effective defender, using both his size and skating ability. Brandon will be a very dependable defenseman in his end. He is a two-time, first-team, All-State Selection.

Jason Cohen - 6’0” 185 lbs., Anchorage, AK - Capital Centre Pride (MI) Midget AAA - 10/22/88
57GP 13G 19A 32PTS 73PIM

Cohen has very strong skating and puck skills and a very competitive edge to him. He will be a key on special teams.

Stars grab a pair of Maroons

Draft picks Dahlinger, Blain won ’06 title with Chatham

Mike Dahlinger and Kenny Blain won a Western Junior Hockey League championship last season for the Chatham Maroons. The Traverse City North Stars would like to do the same in the North American Hockey League this year.

With that in mind, the Stars took the high-scoring linemates who combined for nearly 50 goals, leading the Maroons to a 32-12-4 record with two of the team’s six picks in Tuesday’s North American Hockey League entry draft.

“We’ve signed some young kids to tenders, so heading into our second season we wanted to make sure we drafted some veterans,” explained Stars head coach/GM Scott Gardiner. “And we got two vets who know how to win. They’ve done it before, and we’re hoping they bring some of that to us.”

Dahlinger, the North Stars’ first round pick – and the fourth pick overall – has won three straight championships with Chatham. He poured in 25 goals and assisted on 49 others over the course of 48 regular season games for the Maroons.

“I’m very excited,” said Dahlinger, a 5-9, 180-pound forward, during a round of golf on Tuesday. “This just put me in a great mood. I’m very happy to be a part of this organization. I’m a very family-oriented person, and my father lives in Grosse Pointe, so hopefully he’ll be able to get to see me play some this year.”

Blain, tabbed by the Stars in the fourth round, had 23 goals and 36 helpers for Chatham, including six game-winning tallies. He says he’s excited about the prospects of joining his Maroons linemate in Traverse City.

“We really work well together, and we were together all year,” said Blain, a 5-11, 185-pounder. “We always seem to know where the other guy is on the ice, and we’ve been able to use our quickness out there to our advantage. Hopefully, we’ll fit in nicely up there.”

In the third round, Traverse City grabbed centerman Sabastion Kimmel, a rugged forward from New England’s Canterbury Prep. The New Milford, Ct. native scored 25 goals and helped out on 22 others over 49 games in the past two seasons. His play at last weekend’s tryout camp put him on the Stars’ draft radar. Similarly, defenseman Max Grover – who also wowed coaches at last weekend’s camp – skated into the team’s plans with his play.

“These guys earned their spots last weekend,” explained Stars associate coach Mike Stapleton. “Their raw ability was evident, and they played themselves into our draft.”

Grover, an East Kentwood High School standout, had a trio of goals and 11 assists from the blue line, and his +44 plus/minus rating is evident of the ripple effect he generates when on the ice.

“I talked to some of the guys who played in Traverse last year, and they told me how it was one of the best experiences of their hockey careers,” said Grover, who goes 6-0 and 185 lbs. “And being close to home so my family can see me play is a big factor, too. I just can’t wait to get up there and try to better myself as a player.”

With the Stars’ first pick in the fourth round, they landed Kevin Bodker, who spent last season with the Dubuque Thunderbirds Jr. B club, and was a high draft pick of the Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights this year.

“He’s highly-ranked and highly skilled,” Gardiner said of the 6-3, 200-pound Bodker. “We feel fortunate to get him, and to get him where we did.”

The team also grabbed defenseman Todd White in the fifth round. Gardiner couldn’t believe the HoneyBaked midget-AAA product was still available.

“I saw him at a 1990 Selects tournament,” Gardiner said. “He’s skilled, mobile, and is only getting even better.”

Traverse City, which finished fourth in the five-team North Division in its inaugural season and took top-seeded Team USA to a fifth and decisive game in the divisional semifinals, had two extra fourth round selections in the draft acquired in trades during 2005-06. The Stars sent Jeff Diehl to Helena, and the Stars’ first-ever draft pick, defenseman Lucas DuBay, to Billings. A trade with the Texas Tornado sent the three-time defending champs Traverse City’s second round selection this year.

“We picked three defensemen and three forwards, so it was a nice balance,” Gardiner said. “We think we filled some holes in our roster, and we can’t wait to bring ’em all together and see how the pieces fit.”

FRANCHISE MOVEMENT: The league will have 17 teams for the 2006-07 season, the NAHL’s 31st campaign. The three Montana teams – Billings Bulls, Helena Bighorns, and 2005-06 runner-up Bozeman IceDogs – ceased operations, while Traverse City’s North Division rival Cleveland Barons were granted ‘inactive’ status. The NAHL will announce realignment soon, but the newly-forged Marquette Rangers are a candidate to replace Cleveland in the North Division.

NAME GAME: The former Wasilla (Ak.) Spirit were recently sold to a new ownership group and will be designated as ‘Alaska’ for 2006-07. The club is slated to remain in its current location in south central Alaska . Additionally, the former Minnesota Blizzard have changed their geographic moniker to ‘Alexandria,’ where the operation is based.

Saginaw hands out awards for '05-06 year

Saginaw first-rounder Nick Crawford and coach-GM Bob Mancini

It was a whirlwind weekend for Saginaw Spirit prospects as the OHL Priority Selection class of 2006 came to Saginaw last weekend. Players and prospects joined Spirit fans for the fourth annual Saginaw Spirit Awards Ceremony at the Temple Theater in Downtown Saginaw.

The ceremony honored players for their achievements over what had been a record breaking season:

Community Service Award -- Jesse Gimblett
Academic Award -- Garrett Sinfield
Heart and Soul Award -- Patrick Asselin
Wren Blair Leadership Award -- Jesse Gimblett
Rookie of the Year -- Zack Torquato
Most Improved Player -- Scott Fletcher
Most Valuable Defenseman - Patrick McNeill
Leading Scorer Award -- Ryan McDonough
Team MVP -- Patrick McNeill
Fan Favorite -- Francois Thuot

Even a fan was recognized for his Spirit, when Travis Hayes was awarded the Glenn Geer Spirit Celebration Award, or the "walleye." The award was created in the memory of walleye tosser Glenn Geer, who unexpectedly passed away last season.


First-Round Draft Pick Crawford Presented Jersey

The Spirit also presented first-round draft pick Nick Crawford with a jersey during a ceremony Saturday afternoon. Crawford was Saginaw's first pick, 12th overall, in the May 6 draft and is a native of Caledon, Ontario, who played with the GTHL champion Don Mills Flyers last season. The left-shot defenseman had 10 goals and 44 assists in 80 games.

Crawford's family joined him for the ceremony.

"We had an early indication that many OHL teams were looking at Nick," said Geoff Crawford, Nick's dad. "Our contacts at Newport Sports kept us very well informed about the OHL draft process."

Geoff and his wife, Sandra, were joined by their daughter, Melissa, during draft camp weekend.

"We visited 10-15 OHL rinks during the season last year," Geoff Crawford recalled. "Everyone in the league did a very good job of answering our questions about the OHL. I was very impressed with the league's commitment to education, for example."

Nick Crawford says he's looking forward to building on his season last year with Don Mills.

"We had a great season, and really started to achieve when we came together as a team," he said. "I want to spend the summer improving my physical condition, overall quickness and strength."

North Stars frontman Oleksy ponders options

Should he stay or should he go … to college?

That is the question facing Traverse City North Stars captain Steven Oleksy.

The 6-foot, 190-pound defenseman from Chesterfield Township has options heading into what could either be his final year of junior hockey or sophomore year of college.

Oleksy’s situation is somewhat unique, as the All-NAHL nominee played a year of baseball at Macomb Community College two years ago, which started the clock on his college eligibility. From the day a student-athlete begins his or her full-time D-I collegiate career – athletic or merely academic – they have five years of eligibility. The rules for D-III colleges are slightly less stringent, and Oleksy would have four years remaining at that level even if he played for the Stars next year.

“It’s something I have to think about,” he said. “I really love it up here in Traverse City. The fan support, the people from A to Z within our organization, the community – it’s a great place to live and play. I’d love to come back and try to help the guys give the fans an even better season than last year.”

Should Oleksy return to TC for 2006-07, he would pare his remaining D-I eligibility to two years, effectively excising himself from consideration among, who generally seek players with a minimum of three years left.

“If could do it differently, it would be that there was a (junior) team in Traverse City a year earlier, and I would have retained all four years of D-I eligibility,” Oleksy added.

Stars head coach/GM Scott Gardiner says the team would love to have him back, but the mission of the organization is to put players into college programs.

“If we can get him playing college hockey where he wants to be, then that’s what we have to do,” Gardiner explained. “Of course, we would welcome him back with open arms if that’s what he decides is best for him. We’ll support him unconditionally either way.”

Oleksy was a stabilizing force on the Stars blue line and in the locker room. He led all TC defensemen with 11 goals and 19 assists, which put him sixth among all Stars players in 2005-06. Six of his goals came on the power play, and three of them were game-winners. Oleksy is not averse to physical play, either, as he amassed a team-high 140 minutes of penalty time.

“He’s just rock-solid back there,” Gardiner added. “We preach hard work and heart around here, and that’s exactly how he conducts himself on and off the ice. He’s a been a great representative of our team – on the ice, off the ice, and in the community.”

Oleksy, who netted a penalty shot goal and added an assist for the Blue Team in Sunday’s Blue & White Game – a 3-2 White Team victory, was a standout baseball player at L’Anse Creuse High School in Metro Detroit. He earned All-District and All-Conference honors, and still holds the single-season home run record. He played at Macomb in 2004 and batted near the magical .300 mark with a pair of homers.

“I love both sports, but hockey is my first love,” said Oleksy, who has garnered interest from coaches in both sports at Wayne State. “I’m not sure I could do both sports and concentrate on school, though. If I had to pick – well, a hockey team is like a family.”

Oleksy and nearly 50 others, including 11 returning North Stars players, wrapped up what he called “a very successful” tryout camp on Sunday.

“It was a great mix of guys out there today, with our returning guys and some fresh talent. I think we meshed pretty well in just the few days we were together – both on and off the ice.”

Alpena tenders another defenseman

The Alpena IceDiggers have tendered defenseman Logan Toohey for the upcoming 2006-2007 season.

Toohey spent last season with the Belle Tire midget major team and was a teammate of recently-signed Evan West.

The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Toohey is a native of Fairbanks, Alaska.

"Logan is another piece to the puzzle for us," IceDiggers' coach-GM Kenny Miller said. "He will be a force back on the blue line and will add depth back there for us as well."

The IceDiggers will hold their annual Memorial Day weekend camp in Toledo, Ohio. Players that are interested in trying out for the team can find tryout information on the IceDiggers website at http://www.icediggers.com/ or call the office at (989) 356-9812.

Stars' tender Kessel set for camp

Blake Kessel skates through lofty expectations like they were a bunch of lead-legged defenders along his route to the net. That'll happen when your father is a former pro quarterback and your older brother is expected to be one of the first five players selected in next month's NHL Draft. Even his sister Amanda is a star-in-the-making, and is set to play for the Capitols' 1991 boys bantam program next year.

But with the same silky-smooth aplomb that made the 6-3, 205-pound defenseman the leading scorer on his midget major club in 2005-06, Blake brushes off any pressure that might come with being a member of a high-achieving athletic family, and is in the process of penning his own success story. The opening chapter begins this weekend at Centre ICE arena, where Kessel and nearly 100 others are vying for roster spots with the Traverse City North Stars.

"I don't feel any added pressure because of who my family is or what they've done," said the former Madison Capitols star and North Stars tender. "I'm trying to be my own player - and I'm a different player than my brother."

Blake's eldest sibling, Phil Kessel Jr., played in the North American Hockey League with the U.S. National Team Development Program's U-17 and U-18 squads, and went on to the University of Minnesota, where he was an easy choice as the NCAA Freshman of the Year. Pro scouts have pegged him anywhere from the top overall pick in the June 24 NHL Entry Draft to sixth overall.

"Actually, it's been kind of neat to get to be with him through it all," Blake explained. "I mean, it's everyone's dream to play pro hockey and he's right there. He knows no matter where he goes (in the draft), he's going to have to prove himself all over again. I got to go with him to North Dakota and Vancouver this year (for NHL functions), and we're going to start working out with each other again this summer."

Blake's father, Phil Kessel Sr., played quarterback at Northern Michigan, was drafted by the Washington Redskins, and played professionally for Calgary of the CFL and Birmingham of the USFL, so he knows a thing or two about expectations and ability.

"I've never seen Blake be anything but happy for his siblings when they do well," he said. "In fact, I think it makes him work harder. I've tried to explain to Blake, and I know he understands, that his brother is one of those incredibly gifted athletes and things have come along very quickly for him - quicker than most. Blake is his own person, his own player, and he shouldn't be anything but proud of what he has accomplished and will accomplish in the future."

Blake might be the younger brother, but his on-ice abilities display a wisdom beyond his years. He led his Madison midget major club with an astonishing 33 goals and 47 assists, which are astronomical numbers over 62 games, especially for a defenseman.

"We just love him," said North Stars head coach/GM Scott Gardiner. "We love his size, his skill, his attitude. He's just so solid in front of the net - either net. We are very excited to finally get to have him here and see him play this weekend."

Blake says that despite his jaw-dropping offensive numbers, it's his defense that provides him with the most satisfaction.

"I take a lot of pride in not getting beat," he said. "I'll jump in the play, but I just hate giving up goals. That's really been instilled in me by my (midget) coaches. They really pushed that style of play, and I try to live up to that every shift."

The weekend will be a benchmark for Blake, who - naturally - got some advice from his older brother.

"He told me about how much faster the play was going to be and to keep my head up. There are a lot of things I hope to learn, and I'm excited to see where I am compared to the other guys."

The North Stars tryout camp - held in advance of the May 23 NAHL Draft -- continues throughout the weekend, culminating in Sunday's Blue & White championship game at 12:15 p.m.

Enmark commits to Curry College

Second-year Alpena IceDiggers' forward Ross Enmark will attend Curry College and play Division III hockey for the Colonels starting this fall.

The 21-year-old Enmark, who was an assistant captain this past season, had seven goals and eight assists for the IceDiggers this season in 21 games. The Shelby Township native missed most of the season with a shoulder injury, but IceDiggers' coach-GM Kenny Miller was confident that Enmark would still play college hockey.

"There was no doubt in my mind that Ross would play college hockey," Miller said. "If he was not injured most of the season, he would be playing Division I on a scholarship. Curry College is not only getting a great player, but a great person. He will be very successful at the college level."

Curry College (enrollment: 1600) is located in Milton, Mass., and is a member of the ECAC Northeast Conference.

Heineman, Moran among Stars hopefuls

There are smart hockey players and there are hockey players who play smart. Chris Heineman is both.

The New Boston native, who will be among nearly 100 players slated to fill Centre ICE arena this weekend for the Traverse City North Stars’ first tryout camp of the summer, is a whiz on the ice and in the classroom. The former is evidenced by Heineman’s five-year run as a captain of the metro Detroit-based HoneyBaked hockey program, while the latter is shown in his 3.7 GPA at New Boston Huron High School.

“There’s a lot to like about Chris,” admitted North Stars head coach/GM Scott Gardiner, who signed Heineman to a 2006-07 tender back in early April. “He does so many things well, and has a real presence on the ice. We hope he can come in and contribute right away.”

Heineman, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound defenseman, is as adept staying at home on the blue line as he is setting up scoring plays and joining the rush himself. He registered seven goals and 48 assists to go along with 129 penalty minutes last season for the Midwest Elite Hockey League champion HoneyBaked squad, leading his team to an amazing 26-1-1 record in league action.

Heineman visited Traverse City during the North Stars’ first round playoff series against the U.S. National Team Development Program U-17s, and was as impressed with the fans as he was with the coaching staff.

“That was a great experience, seeing all those people in the stands and how into the team they were,” said Heineman, 16. “It must be great to play in front of a crowd like that. It seems like a great place to play junior hockey, and Mr. Gardiner runs a real solid program. I really hope that I can develop into a go-to guy for the North Stars.”

Heineman’s defensive partner with HoneyBaked for the past two seasons, Pat Moran, is also a North Stars tender, and will participate in the Stars’ June 2-4 tryout camp at Plymouth’s Compuware Sports Arena. Both players were also selected in the Ontario Hockey League’s recent draft with Heineman going to the Sudbury Wolves (eighth round) and Moran to the Guelph Storm (second round).

“Pat and I have become very close playing together so much,” Heineman explained. “We talk off the ice, too, and I think that really helps us compliment each other when we’re out there. It’s like playing with your brother.”

Heineman will still have to vie for a roster spot with the second-year North American Hockey League outfit, but Gardiner likes what he’s seen so far from both HoneyBaked products.

“You have two versatile, hard-working guys,” he said. “And they also can show their mean streak when they have to.”

“My game is to first get the puck out of the zone,” Heineman assessed. “I can jump in the play when it’s there, too, but I don’t make it a habit. And I’m not afraid to play the body, either.”

Heineman and the other TC hopefuls, returning North Stars players, and the cream of the crop from a goalie camp that began on Thursday, will play a series of scrimmages at Centre ICE arena over the course of the weekend, culminating with Sunday’s Blue & White championship game. The 12:15 p.m. finale will feature the top performers from the four-day camp.

“We’re looking to fill some holes,” Gardiner said. “Last year at this time, our goal was to pick a team that could compete with the Texas and Team USA-type teams. We found out there’s a lot in between those two styles of play that we didn’t fare as well against, and we’re looking to get stronger at every position.”

Thursday’s goalie camp featured 21 of the top high school, travel, and junior netminders, including a quartet of local backstops: Tyler Stricker, who led Traverse City Central to an MHSAA championship last season, TC West’s Dallas Kniss, and GTHA stars Benn Overholt and Spencer Sonneveldt. North Stars holdovers Ryan Donovan and Jeremy Kaleniecki – and tender Stefan Shively -- also participated, although Kaleniecki is exploring collegiate options as well.

“There is a lot of talent coming into camp this weekend,” Gardiner said. “And you’re always looking for that diamond in the rough, too.”

Taylor getting an NAHL team for '06-07

This just released from the North American Hockey League...

The following actions with respect to member clubs were taken at the North American Hockey League's Board of Governors meeting in Boardman, Ohio, on Saturday, May 13, 2006:

The Board approved the relocation of Helena Bighorns to Taylor, Michigan, for the 2006-07 season.

The Board granted inactive membership status to the Cleveland Barons for the 2006-07 season.

The Board accepted the voluntary termination of the Billings Bulls effective immediately.

The Board approved the transfer of ownership of the Santa Fe Roadrunners to Mary Lorang

The Board approved the transfer of ownership of the Wasilla Spirit to a group lead by Mark Lee.

Due to these movements, the divisional alignment for the 2006-07 season has yet to be determined.

As more information is known about the Taylor team, that will reportedly play at the Taylor Sportsplex, it will be reported here.

Marquette preparing for fall debut in NAHL

The Marquette Rangers continue their preparation for the upcoming 2006-07 season with a full slate of open tryout camps, the NAHL Player Draft, press conferences and fan events.

“We are about to have our first look at local, regional and national talent and are excited to participate in our first NAHL Draft,” said general manager David Saint-Onge.

During a teleconference based out of Frisco, Tex., Saint-Onge, Rich Tegge (director of hockey operations) and Leigh Mendelson (head coach) will get the first draft selection in each of the five rounds. A press conference will be held at the Lakeview Arena on Wednesday, May 24, at 9:00 a.m., announcing the drafted and tendered players, along with unveiling the Rangers uniforms.

“By adding the five draft selections to our tendered players, we are making significant process toward building a very good team for our inaugural season," Saint-Onge went on to say.

An open tryout camp will be held at the Lakeview Arena in Marquette, May 19-21. Additional camps in Boston, Chicago and Detroit will be held May-June where selected players will be invited to the invitational camp at Lakeview Arena July 6-9. The Rangers team roster will be created after the invitational and announced during a press conference July 11.

The Rangers continue to add to its organization, with the recent announcement of Sandy Chapman as housing coordinator, Bill Kiple as equipment manager, Dr. John Lehtinen as team doctor, Josh Drew as strength and conditioning coach and Dan Bonsall as academic advisor.

“We are currently in the process of retaining a business manager and we have an open solicitation for an assistant coach,” added Saint-Onge.

Season tickets can be reserved to ensure choice of seating, with a limited number of alcohol-served seats available. People with reserved season tickets will get to select their seats, based on the order they were reserved. Ticket reservations can be secured by visiting the Rangers website at http://www.marquetterangers.com/ and submitting the reservation form and deposit.

All tryouts and press conferences are free of charge and open to the public. Fans are encouraged to come meet the Rangers staff and observe team development.

Otsego native Bushee commits to Canisius

Des Moines Buccaneers' defenseman Kyle Bushee has verbally committed to Canisius College for the upcoming season.

Bushee, from Otsego, who skated for the Bucs in 2002-03, returned to Des Moines this season after two years at Western Michigan University. In 47 regular-season games for the USHL's Clark Cup champs, he tallied 15 points on five goals and 10 assists.

"With the way Kyle played for us this season, especially through the playoffs, he's going to have a chance to go in and contribute right away," said Bucs coach-GM Regg Simon. "Kyle's a good two-way defenseman. More importantly, he was a leader and a warrior for our team and he'll bring that same mentality to a good program that's really on the rise in college hockey."

"I felt it was the best fit for me athletically and academically," Bushee said. "I also liked the coaching staff along with the campus. It should give me the opportunity to contribute right away."

Canisius, located in Buffalo, competes in the Atlantic Hockey conference.

Bushee is the 17th Buccaneer this season to commit to a Division I program, the USHL's 146th.

Marquette Rangers slowly taking shape

By CRAIG REMSBURG, The Mining Journal

Steadily, the new Marquette Rangers Junior A hockey team under coach Leigh Mendelson is taking shape.

General manager David Saint-Onge said the club has signed six players to free agent commitments known as “tenders.” He declined to identify those players, however, until after the North American Hockey League entry draft on May 23.

“I’d rather the public evaluate a group of players ... rather than one or two at a time,” Saint-Onge said.

Including a trade he said gave the team two additional tenders, the Rangers have 12 overall to go with five NAHL draft picks.The Marquette club will have the overall No. 1 selection, as well as the top pick in four subsequent rounds to help fill out a 23-player roster.

“As an organization, we’ve scouted league games, talent showcases, and state and national championship tournaments in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois and Pennsylvania,” Saint-Onge said.“The entry draft is another way we’ll secure the services of players we feel can help us be successful.”

He said six or more roster spots could be up for grabs after the draft.

“There will still be plenty of opportunity for players to join the Rangers other than the tenders and draft picks,” Saint-Onge said.“Leigh has been out recruiting players for our team and regional tryout camps since his (coaching) season ended with the (Green Bay) Gamblers,” he added.

“He has been to Philadelphia, Chicago twice, Minneapolis, Madison (Wis.) and Toronto.

“Leigh has talked to hundreds of prospects ... We’ve been at it pretty diligently.”

Mendelson concurred.

“We’re making every effort to form a team that’s instantly competitive in the NAHL,” he said. “We think our fans will be pleasantly surprised.”

The Rangers plan to hold four open tryout camps: May 19-21 in Marquette; May 26-28 in Chicago; June 9-11 in Boston; and June 23-25 in Detroit. Registrations from 48 forwards, 24 defensemen and 12 goalies will be accepted for each tryout camp, according to Rich Tegge, the Rangers’ director of hockey operations. A final invitation-only camp is planned at a date to be determined in July in Marquette, from which the Rangers’ 2006-07 roster will be determined.

“We hope we can get a look at a wide variety of players at our Marquette tryout and sign some more players before the draft,” Saint-Onge said.“But a handful of tenders may not be committed until our follow-up camps in the other areas.”

The Rangers are currently seeking an assistant coach, and Saint-Onge said he hopes to unveil the team’s jersey at a press conference the morning after the NAHL draft.

“A lot is going on,” he said. “it’s all pretty exciting.”

Next for the Rangers
May 19-21: Tryout in Marquette
May 23: NAHL draft
May 24: Tenders announced
May 26-28: Tryout in Chicago
June 9-11: Tryout in Boston
June 23-25: Tryout in Detroit
July: Invite-only tryout in Marquette
September: Rangers begin play

Plymouth inks trio of 2005 draft picks

Chad Beal (right) and assistant to the coaches George Scott at last summer's Whalers golf outing (Photo by Walt Dmoch)

It’s been a busy off-season for the Plymouth Whalers.

Three days after selecting 13 players in last Saturday’s OHL Priority Selection, the Whalers signed three players selected in the 2005 draft – 17-year-old center Chad Beal, goaltender Kyle Jendra, also 17, and right wing Kaine Geldart, 16.

Beal was taken in the 3rd round (49th overall), Jendra in the 9th round (165th overall) and Geldart in 12th round (229th overall) a year ago. All three played in leagues close to their hometowns in 2005-06.

Beal split time last season between the Pickering Panthers of the Ontario Provincial Jr. A League and Markham Waxers midgets. In 19 regular-season games with Pickering, Beal scored six goals and 14 points. Beal had seven goals and 17 points in 15 regular-season games for Markham and added 10 more points in 10 playoff games for the Waxers.

Geldart scored 19 goals with 28 assists for 47 points and 139 penalty minutes in 47 regular-season games for the Kingston Voyageurs of the OPJHL. He also scored four goals in 10 playoff games for the Voyageurs.

Jendra (left), from Bolingbrook, Ill., was the lead goaltender for the Chicago Chill midgets of the Mid-American Hockey League. The Chill won the Illinois Midget State Championship and finished second in the USA National Championship, losing 2-1 in overtime in the championship game to the Boston Jr. Bruins. Jendra posted a 1.40 goals-against average, .920 save percentage, 11 shutouts and 41-6-2 won-loss record in 49 regular-season games last season. He was even better at the National Championship in posting a 1.04 goals-against average, .944 save percentage and three shutouts in five games.

Beal, Geldart and Jendra will report to the Whalers Rookie Orientation camp on Saturday, May 20, along with free agents and players selected in last Saturday’s draft. The orientation is part of the Whalers’ Fan Appreciation Day at the Compuware Sports Arena.

Whalers, Spirit participate in OHL draft

Both the Plymouth Whalers and Saginaw Spirit took part in the OHL's annual Priority Selection last Saturday. The draft is done exclusively online and features 300 prospects become property of OHL teams.

Saginaw had the 12th pick in the first round and scooped up defenseman Nick Crawford from the Don Mills Flyers minor midget team. Last year, Crawford had 10 goals and 54 points in 80 games.

"We're excited and honored to welcome all fifteen of our draft picks into the Spirit family," said Spirit coach-GM Bob Mancini. "I continue to be pleased with our selections for the direction and future of this hockey club."

One pick later, the Whalers grabbed forward Vern Cooper, a player some scouts and observers said could have been the No. 1 overall pick, from the Sudbury Nickel Capitals. Cooper scored 45 goals in 41 games a year ago and didn't turn 15 until midway through the season.

“Vern is probably the most dynamic player in the draft,” Plymouth coach-GM Mike Vellucci said. “I don’t think there’s anyone in the draft as fast as he is. His offensive skills are tremendous. We had him rated No. 1 overall. We just talked to him and he’s excited to come here. I have a pretty good relationship with his agency and they’ve assured me he is coming to Plymouth.”

The rest of Saginaw's picks are here.
The rest of Plymouth's picks are here.

The complete OHL draft list is here.

Whalers ready for OHL draft this Saturday

Fresh off winning a ninth West Division title in their 16-year history, the Plymouth Whalers will select 13th overall in Saturday’s Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.

The draft – performed by the 20 OHL teams via the internet - can be followed in real time Saturday starting at 9:00 a.m. by going to http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/. The Whalers’ website – http://www.plymouthwhalers.com/ – will have complete details about the Plymouth selections as the draft unfolds.

Besides having the 13th selection in the first round, Plymouth has 12 other selections in the 15-round, 300-player draft.

“With so many players returning from last year’s team, we’re looking for the best player we can at thirteenth,” said Plymouth coach-GM Mike Vellucci. “We may also sign some of the players we selected from last year’s draft.”

Plymouth has at least 12 players returning from last season. All 12 came from the team’s last three drafts:

2003: Dan Collins (2nd round), James Neal (3rd round), Ryan McGinnis (4th round), Justin Garay (8th round), Zack Shepley (10th round) and Andrew Fournier (11th round) are all regulars and are expected to play significant roles next season. In addition, Michael Lombardi (1st round) and Tony Iaquinto (7th round) made the team, but were later traded.

2004: John Armstrong (1st round) and Tom Sestito (5th round) are regulars and will see significant roles next season. In addition, Cory Tanaka (2nd round), played a season and a half with the Whalers before being traded. Jeff McFarland (4th round) and Jake Helmick (4th) also saw some action with Plymouth, but have both moved on.

2005: Chris Terry (2nd round) and Joe Gaynor (2nd round) made the Whalers last season and are expected to fill key roles in 2006-07. Jeremy Smith (4th round) and Leo Jenner (4th round) could see bigger roles next year.

Plymouth can play three overage players – or 1986 birthdays - as well. Current overage candidates include defenseman Steve Ward, forwards Evan Brophey, Jared Boll and Ryan Stephenson and goaltender Justin Peters. Right wing Gino Pisellini recently signed with the Philadelphia Flyers and will start his pro career in the minor leagues next season.

Rediker glad to be back in battle

By RYAN PYETTE -- London Free Press

No one feels more fortunate to be playing in the OHL final than Frank Rediker.

The oft-injured, over-age London Knights defenceman remembers the sting of sitting out last year's stirring playoff run with a knee injury and pulling on his jersey for the celebratory championship photos with his teammates. It remains a bittersweet memory.

"When you get hurt and you don't play, you don't really feel like you're part of the team," the 21-year-old Sterling Heights, Mich., native said. "Last year, I hoped I could get back in the lineup, but I knew it was only a small chance, that it probably wouldn't happen and it didn't."

This year, Rediker's knee forced him to miss 14 games at mid-season and a dislocated elbow suffered March 1 in Belleville threatened the rest of his final OHL campaign.

He sat out the final month of the regular season and London's first 13 playoff games before returning last week to help the Knights sew up the Western Conference final series in five games over the Guelph Storm.

"I kept telling the guys they have to keep it going so I could get back and play," Rediker said. "This feels so much better than last year. This year, I get the chance to be a part of it and contribute."

The Knights are glad the big blue-liner is back, especially when facing a team with strong-skating forwards such as Peterborough. If London felt like Guelph's forecheck was particularly frustrating, then they better get ready for the Petes, who specialize in pinning teams in their own end.

"I'm a pretty good skater and I feel I can get to the puck pretty quickly," Rediker said. "That's what you have to do against a strong forecheck. If you don't, you'll have trouble getting the puck out."

Rediker's return also has allowed veteran Trevor Kell to move back to the forward ranks, where he becomes one of the team's top checking threats. Kell played his first game on defence in Peterborough March 2 as a replacement for Rediker.

"I thought he did a great job back there," Rediker said. "He learned pretty quickly."

Though there have been a few rough spots along the way, London's defence hasn't hurt them as much as many thought it would in the playoffs. The Knights have compensated for deficiencies in their own end with off-the-charts goaltending from Adam Dennis and clutch scoring.

London's defenders provide almost zero offence -- except for Ryan Martinelli's miracle goal to beat Guelph in Game 4 -- but they still strive to earn respect from the rest of the league with their play.

"It's a carrot we dangle in front of them," London assistant coach Jacques Beaulieu said. "Everyone knows our defence is a weak spot. No one thinks they're any good, so we tell them to go out and prove everybody wrong. We know these kids have a lot of character and they're going to work at getting better every game."

IceDiggers add West for '06-07 blueline

The Alpena IceDiggers have added Evan West to the growing number of players signed for the upcoming season.

The 6-foot, 198-pound efensemen spent last season playing under Chris Coury for the Belle Tire Major Midget AAA team out of Fraser.

"Evan brings both experience and hard work to the team," Alpena coach-GM Kenny Miller said. "He played in the national tournament this season, so he knows what it takes to win. Not only are we getting a good player, but we are getting a great kid. He comes highly recommended from his past coaches."

West hails from the same hometown, Marysville, as current IceDigger defenseman Chad Billins.

Letizia steps up early for IceHogs

By Reed Schreck
ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR

When rookie defenseman Mike Letizia joined the Rockford IceHogs just in time for the playoffs, he didn’t know what to expect.

Having played three games with the team, he now has figured out what he wants to happen.

“Hopefully, we can win (tonight) and then win the whole series at home Friday in front of our fans,” he said. “That would be nice for them.”

Game 4 is at 6:30 CDT tonight in Fort Wayne. Game 5 will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the MetroCentre. Rockford leads the best-of-seven United Hockey League quarterfinals 2-1.

Letizia, from Chicago, had a plus/minus of plus-6 going into Game 3, a 5-4 Komets victory on Tuesday. He collected his first professional goal that cut Fort Wayne’s lead at the time to 4-3.

“It didn’t do us justice in the end. We came out with a loss,” said Letizia, who notched two assists in the first two games of the series.

Rockford coach Steve Martinson figured he was getting a defenseman with multiple skills when he signed him to fill one of the two amateur slots for the postseason.

“He scored 13 goals in juniors (with the Plymouth Whalers), and it was my understanding he was a pretty heads-up, smart player,” he said. “When you get a lot of ice time, it usually means you’re good defensively. He’s used to playing a lot.

“I thought he’s been real smart. He’s moved the puck well. He’s been a big bonus.”

Letizia is pleased with his playing time, and with the way the team has accepted a newcomer.

“It’s been pretty good so far,” he said. “The guys are bigger, stronger, older.

“The guys on our team are pretty skilled, but I don’t know how they compare to the other teams in this league except for Fort Wayne.”

Martinson wants the whole team to play better defense tonight. He’s also anticipating an offensive breakout, at some point, from some of his scoring leaders.

“We’ve got two goals total from (Jason) Notermann, (Preston) Mizzi (played in Plymouth in 2001) and (Greg) Barber,” he said. “I don’t think they’re going to stay that quiet for the whole series.

“We’ve got to get more production out of those guys.”

Staff writer Reed Schreck can be reached at 815-987-1381 or rschreck@rrstar.com.

(Photo is circa 2001)

Tough guy Pisellini signs with Flyers

Plymouth Whalers’ 19-year-old right wing Gino Pisellini has signed an entry-level contract with the National Hockey League’s Philadelphia Flyers.

Terms of the agreement were not announced by the Flyers, who selected Pisellini in the fifth round (149th overall) of the 2004 National Hockey League Entry Draft. Philadelphia had to sign Pisellini by this summer’s 2006 NHL Entry Draft or relinquish his draft rights.

“We’re very happy for Gino,” Plymouth coach-GM Mike Vellucci said. “He’s worked very hard to develop into a good hockey player. He can be tough when needed and was one of our leaders. Gino was also one of best penalty killers this year and that’s a credit to his hard work.”

A native of Itasca, Ill., the Whalers selected Pisellini in the sixth round (116th overall) in the 2002 OHL Priority Selection. Pisellini started his Whaler career with a bang, scoring in his first two games Sept. 19-20, 2003.

Pisellini also established himself as one of the toughest players in the OHL during his rookie season, when he scored 15 goals with 15 assists for 30 points and 214 penalty minutes in 68 games in 2003-04. Injuries limited Pisellini in 2004-05, but he responded last this season to score 15 goals with 16 assists for 31 points and 194 PIMs in 63 games.

Pisellini played well on a forward line this season with Andrew Fournier and Tom Sestito. The Whalers’ version of the Grind Line had good success in shutting down the opposition’s top lines.

“We really enjoy going up against the other team’s top line,” Pisellini said in March. “We know we can give the team a lift by shutting them down. We can help some of our other lines, who can concentrate on scoring.”

While Pisellini has signed with the Flyers, Fournier (ranked 108th overall in the final Central Scouting rankings) and Sestito (112th overall) rate a good bet to be selected in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft June 24 in Vancouver.

Alpena hires Krafft for business operations

The Alpena IceDiggers ownership group announced yesterday the hiring of Bob Krafft as the Vice President and General Manager of Business Operations. Krafft will oversee all the business day-to-day operations of the hockey club.

"Bob is someone that we believe will help our organization grow bigger and better in Alpena," IceDiggers' president Michael J. Bihn said. "This is our home forever and with Bob's love of the IceDiggers he will help us become a permanent part of the Alpena community and keep the IceDiggers a winning organization both on and off the ice."

Krafft has spent the last six years working for Model Printing in sales and his duties included overseeing the entire sales department. Prior to joining Model Printing, he retired after 26 years of service in the Michigan State Police and Post Commander in Alpena.

"I'm very excited about having this opportunity to work with this fine organization," said Krafft. "The community has stepped up to provide great support for the IceDiggers and I'm looking forward to helping the team grow and prosper in Alpena for years to come."

This hiring will relieve the coaching staff from many of the business related duties and to further concentrate on their on ice responsibilities.

"I am very excited to have the opportunity to work with Bob," Alpena coach-GM Kenny Miller said. "He and I have become great friends since my family and I moved to Alpena and adding him to the organization is a big plus for the team as well as myself. I will be able to dedicate more of my time to the coaching side of the club."

Ryan King signs with IceDiggers

The Alpena IceDiggers have signed Ryan King for the 2006-2007 season.

King played in Philadelphia for the Jr. Flyers AAA program last season. The 6-foot, 195-pound right wing played in 24 league games scoring 11 goals and adding seven assists. The York, Penn., native is a senior at York Suburban High School.

"To be able to add a player like Ryan will give us more grit up front," Alpena coach-GM Kenny Miller said. "We believe Ryan will add a scoring touch for us while giving us the type of defensive forward our team needs in our own end."

King is the third player tendered for the upcoming 06-07 season as he joins Chad Billins (Marysville) and Tony Dischler (Madison, Wisc.).

IceDiggers tender Dischler for '06-07

The Alpena IceDiggers have tendered 1988-born forward Tony Dischler for the upcoming 2006-2007 season.

Dischler, standing 5-foot-9 and weighing 175 pounds, spent last season playing for the Madison Capitals AAA hockey club under coach Bob Suter.

"Tony is a hard-working kid who leaves it all on the ice,” Alpena coach-GM Kenny Miller said. “We are glad he decided Alpena is the place he wanted to spend his junior career and I know the fans of Alpena will enjoy watching him play.”

Spirit's Goslin named OHL's top executive

The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Saginaw Spirit Managing Partner Craig Goslin is the OHL Executive of the Year for the 2005-06 season.

Goslin, a 45 year old native of Bay City, Michigan, has been instrumental in the success of the Saginaw Spirit franchise during their first four years of operation, setting and maintaining an atmosphere of first class quality sports entertainment.

Goslin joined the Spirit prior to their inaugural season in 2002, as Vice-President of Sales, following a distinguished 19 year career with Hilti Corporation where he set national sales records and was awarded “President’s Sales Council” honours for leading a top 5 sales region in North America, for 17 of his years with the company. Craig was named part owner, Managing Partner and Alternate Governor of the Spirit, in 2005.

During his tenure, Goslin has created a pair of groundbreaking relationships between the community and the Spirit. In 2004, and in cooperation with building manager SMG, he managed the sale of naming rights to the Spirit’s home to the Dow Chemical Company, changing the former Saginaw County Event Center into the “Dow Event Center”. Goslin also pioneered a ‘Presenting Sponsor’ relationship with Mid-Michigan Meijer stores. This was the first team presenting sponsorship of its kind in the CHL.

Building a fan and corporate sponsorship base from scratch Goslin has led the Saginaw Spirit business team to sales of 2,600 season tickets and an average of over 4,300 fans per game, both of which rank close to the top of the Ontario Hockey League. He has also led the Spirit in the creation of a corporate sponsorship base that is near the top of the entire Canadian Hockey League.

In June of 2005, Goslin was one of the individuals who spearheaded the creation of an OHL Business Development Committee. Subsequently in August of 2005, the committee was approved by the Ontario Hockey League Board of Governors and Goslin was named as chairman of the committee. Under Craig’s leadership this group is working to encourage cooperation among OHL member teams and leverage each team’s marketing strengths in order to raise the level of business operations of the Ontario Hockey League and all of its constituents.

Goslin was also instrumental in securing the 2007 OHL All Star Classic for Saginaw. The Saginaw Spirit business team has already begun preparations in order to make the game a first class event. When the game is played on January 31, 2007, it will mark the first time in the event’s history that the two day festival has left Ontario.

Whalers close season with awards banquet

The Plymouth Whalers finished the 2005-2006 season with an awards banquet held last night at Ginopolis on the Ice Restaurant inside the Compuware Sports Arena.

Plymouth general manager and head coach Mike Vellucci was succinct in summing up the feelings for his team at the banquet.

"Working with this team was the most fun I've had in fifteen years of coaching," Vellucci said. "Sometimes in January and February, the season drags on. But I didn't feel like that this year.

"This year's team got no respect around the league. Nobody except John Vigilante made an all-star team. We got very little mention on the Coaches' Poll and no consideration for Rookie of the Year.

"But in playing the way our team played this year, they earned everyone's respect."

The following players received awards:

REGULAR SEASON MOST VALUABLE PLAYER, LEADING SCORER and ALICE IAFRATE AWARD (OVERAGE OF THE YEAR) – Outgoing captain Vigilante (Dearborn), who scored 24 goals with 53 assists for 77 points this season. Vigilante (pictured above) finished his career in Plymouth sixth on the team’s all-time career list in scoring (245 points), ninth in career goals (93), fifth in career assists (153) and third in career games played (254). Vigilante signed as a free agent with the Nashville Predators last December.

BEST DEFENSEMAN – Steve Ward, who scored 14 goals with 33 assist for 47 points and 90 penalty minutes in 67 games.

SCHOLAR-ATHLETE – Overage defenseman Mike Letizia, who carried a B average at Schoolcraft Community College. Letizia finished his career in Plymouth fifth overall on the Whalers’ all-time games played list with 247 and has signed as a free agent with the United Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs.

TOP ROOKIE – Center Chris Terry, who scored nine goals with 19 assists for 28 points in 64 games.

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER – Second-year left wing Tom Sestito, who scored 10 goals with 10 assists for 20 points and 176 penalty minutes in 57 games. Sestito is one of the Whalers eligible to be selected in this summer’s NHL Entry Draft.

HARDEST WORKER – First-year right wing Jared Boll, who scored 19 goals with 22 assists for 41 points and 205 penalty minutes in 65 games. Boll was a fourth-round pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets last July.

BARBARA ANN KARMANOS COMMUNITY GOALS AWARD – Second-year goaltender Justin Garay, who played an integral part in the Compuware Sports Arena’s Learn-to-Skate Program and worked tirelessly in the Whalers’ community relations events over the course of the 2005-2006 season.

PLAYOFF MOST VALUABLE PLAYER – Third-year left wing James Neal, who led the Whalers in scoring in the playoffs with nine goals and seven assists for 16 points in 13 games. Neal is a 2005 second-round pick of the Dallas Stars.

This season, Plymouth won their eighth West Division title since 1994-1995 in going 35-28-1-4. After winning their Western Conference quarterfinal series in seven dramatic games against the Windsor Spitfires, the Whalers were eliminated in six games by the Guelph Storm in the Western Conference semifinals.

NEXT UP: Plymouth will be participating in the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection on Saturday, May 6. The Whalers pick 13th in the first round.

Ex-Plymouth goalie Bacashihua in the news

Jason Bacashihua grew up watching the Red Wings, going to school at Dearborn Heights Annapolis and later playing with the Ontario Hockey League's Plymouth Whalers.

Being on the ice Saturday night, and starring for the St. Louis Blues in the Red Wings' 3-2 victory was a thrill.

"It's definitely the most exciting game I've played in so far," said Bacashihua, who stopped 35 Wings shots, including several breakaways. "It's disappointing we came up eight seconds short. We tested Ozzie (Chris Osgood) for two periods there. But we just came up short."

Osgood has worked out with Bacashihua in the past, and wasn't surprised to see Bacashihua play as well as he did.

"He's a good goalie," Osgood said. "He's fast and agile. He's just been hurt this season. That set him back from playing in a lot of games."

(From Sunday's Detroit News)

Plymouth's season over - Storm take Game 6

The Plymouth Whalers dropped Game 6 to the Guelph Storm Saturday night on the road and in the process saw their season conclude as Guelph won their Western Conference semifinal series.

In the 4-3 loss, Jared Boll, John Armstrong and Tom Sestito scored for Plymouth, but Mike McLean's goal at 16:58 of the third period was the game-winner for Guelph, who advance to face the London Knights in the conference finals.

Justin Peters finished with 31 saves for the Whalers.

Overagers Mike Letizia, captain John Vigilante and Derek Merlini (pictured) played their final OHL game last weekend as well. Vigilante has signed an NHL contract with the Nashville Predators, while Letizia and Merlini are free agents.

Tomorrow night is the team's annual banquet at Ginopolis on the Ice inside the Compuware Sports Arena.

The annual OHL Priority Selection draft takes place May 6 via the Internet. The Whalers have the 13th overall pick in the first round.

Photo by Walt Dmoch.

Neal's hatter leads Whalers over Storm

From the Canadian Press...

James Neal (pictured) had a hat trick and added an assist as the Plymouth Whalers staved off elimination for the second consecutive game with a 5-2 win over the Guelph Storm Friday night at the Compuware Sports Arena.

Guelph still leads the OHL Western Conference semifinal 3-2, with Game 6 Saturday evening in Guelph.

"We don't want hockey to end this season yet," said Neal, who now has nine goals and seven assists in 12 post-season contests. "It's a seven-game series for a reason and we're going to battle all the way until it's over."

Neal netted two power-play goals with deflections and added an even-strength marker early in the second period as the Whalers jumped to a 5-0 lead before the Storm scored twice in the last seven minutes.

"(Storm goalie Ryan MacDonald) has been standing on his head for them," said Neal of Guelph's diminutive overage goalie. "We wanted to get a bit more traffic in front of him and get a chance at some rebounds. The forwards did that and the defence did a good job getting the shots through and on net."

Andrew Fournier had a goal and an assist for Plymouth, while Evan Brophey had the other goal. Defenceman Steve Ward chipped in two assists.

Justin Peters (below) finished with 29 saves.

Matt D'Agostini and Jason Pitton replied late for the Storm. MacDonald, who made 14 saves, allowed all five goals before being replaced by rookie Jason Guy after the second period. Guy stopped all nine shots he faced in the third.

Photos by Walt Dmoch.

Plymouth hosts Guelph for Game 5 tonight

The Plymouth Whalers still trail the Guelph Storm, 3-1, in their second-round Ontario Hockey League playoff series, but coach Mike Vellucci sees a break in the clouds.

"For us, it's simple," said Velucci, whose Whalers host the Storm tonight at 7:30. "You lose, you're out; you win and you put the pressure back on them."

The Whalers avoided elimination with a 4-3 overtime victory Wednesday at Guelph, which was looking for a 4-0 sweep.

From today's Detroit Free Press.

Whalers still afloat, take Game 4 in OT

Dan Collins’ third goal of the game at 10:55 of overtime, completing a natural hat trick, gave the Plymouth Whalers a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over the Guelph Storm Wednesday night in Guelph to stay alive in their Western Conference semifinal series.

The Storm still lead the series, 3-1, with Game 5 tomorrow night in Plymouth.

James Neal scored the other Plymouth goal, his team-leading sixth of the playoffs, and Whalers' captain John Vigilante added three assists.

Goaltender Justin Peters made 39 saves for the victory.

Puck drop Friday night is 7:30 p.m. at the Compuware Sports Arena.

Collins photo (from Monday) by Walt Dmoch

Ex-Whaler Liffiton makes NHL debut

Press release from the New York Rangers' website...

Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that defenseman David Liffiton has been reassigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL).

Liffiton, 21, made his NHL debut on Tuesday night vs. the Islanders and recorded two penalty minutes, one hit and one blocked shot.

Prior to his recall, he skated in 55 games with Hartford (AHL), registering two goals and nine assists, along with 158 penalty minutes.

The 6-2, 210-pounder returns to the Pack ranking second on the team in penalty minutes (158).

Liffiton played for the Plymouth Whalers from 2001-2004 after being Plymouth's 16th-round pick in 2000.

Game 3: Guelph 8, Plymouth 0

This picture sums up Game 3 last night in Plymouth
(Photo by Walt Dmoch)

North Stars drop Game 5 to Team USA

Josh Unice.

The U.S. National Team Development Program Under-17 netkeeper donned his cape and cowl again on Sunday at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube, stopping all 27 shots he faced en route to a 1-0 victory over the Traverse City North Stars in the fifth and deciding game of the best-of-five NAHL North Division semifinals.

Unice, who blanked the North Stars by a 2-0 count on Saturday night at Centre ICE arena, drew praise from Stars coach Scott Gardiner, who – along with fans from East Bay Twp. to Washtenaw County – was left agape at the goaltender’s stellar twin bill.

“The kid made saves with his gloves, his blockers his toes – whatever he needed to use,” Gardiner said. “I mean, he throws two goose eggs at us and we had a lot of chances. We just couldn’t get one past him.”

As was the case in Saturday’s Game 4 loss, Stars goalie Jeremy Kaleniecki matched Unice nearly save for save, and was named the second star of Game 5.

“Jeremy was unbelievable,” Gardiner said. “He gives up one goal last night and one tonight – he certainly did his job.”

C.J. Severyn, who came into Sunday’s finale without a playoff point, scored the lone goal of the contest at 3:19 of the second period on assists from Colby Cohen and Ryan Schnell. Traverse City had several chances – including a pair of breakaway chances, but could not solve the Toledo, Ohio native.

“I liked our effort,” Gardiner added. “We worked so hard, and I’m so proud of how our guys came together at the end of the season to play their best hockey of the year, and I can’t thank them enough for that.”

The loss caps a fantastic inaugural season for the North Stars, who came into the series as the fourth seed in the North Division and wrested home ice from the U-17s with a 2-1 win in the opening game of the set.

“We saw some very good signs from these guys, especially as the season wore on,” Gardiner assessed. “And those lessons we learned this year will certainly pay off next season when we have the veterans, those guys who have been through the battles before. There is nothing but good things ahead for this team.”

Heartbreak in OT for Plymouth Saturday night

Matt D’Agostini’s goal at 10:16 of the first overtime gave the Guelph Storm a 3-2 victory over the Plymouth Whalers Saturday night in Guelph.

The victory gives Guelph a 2-0 lead over Plymouth in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series.

Kelsey Wilson and Mike McLean also scored for Guelph. Wes Cunningham and Tom Sestito replied on the power play for Plymouth.

Guelph goalie Ryan MacDonald finished with 37 saves and Plymouth’s Justin Peters made 35 stops.

Plymouth and Guelph meet in Game 3 of the series Monday night at the Compuware Sports Arena at 7:30 p.m.

TC blanked by USA; deciding Game 5 Sunday

It’s hard to win without scoring a goal.

That much was proven true again on Saturday at Centre ICE arena, as the U.S. National Team Development Program’s Under-17 squad knocked off Traverse City by a 2-0 margin in Game 4 of the NAHL North Division semifinals.

The team returns to the Ann Arbor Ice Cube for an all-or-nothing Game 5 showdown that will decide which club advances to the North Division championship round to play for a trip to the Robertson Cup finals.

“The final game – that’s what playoff hockey is all about,” said North Stars head coach/GM Scott Gardiner. “(USA head coach) Ronnie (Rolston) made the call early on, saying that this one could go the distance and here we are. It’s been good, clean, up-and-down hockey, and we’re likely to see more of that on Sunday.”

Matt Rust broke a scoreless deadlock with 5:20 to play in the second period. USA-17 leading playoff scorer Brennan Vargas assisted. It was the only even-up tally of the evening, as Vargas added an empty-netter with 46 seconds remaining to make it a two-goal disparity on the scoreboard.

Josh Unice posted the shutout for the U-17s, his first of 2005-06, making 24 stops. Jeremy Kaleniecki was nearly a perfect as well, snuffing out 22 of 23 USA attempts.

“To not have a goal and to be in the game with a minute to go says a lot about how Jeremy played for us,” explained TC center Patrick Nagorsen. “He’s been awesome.”

The contest was played in a brief 2:12 span, as the teams combined for just 20 penalty minutes before 867 fans at Centre ICE. Sunday’s all-important showdown will mark the 11th meeting of the season between the clubs, and just three have featured a final margin of more than one goal – and two of those, including Saturday’s game, were two-goal finals that included an empty-netter.

“Every game has been close,” Nagorsen added. “We feel good about being able to go down there and beat them in their building because we’ve done it before. We have to go as hard as we know we can, and it might just come down to who has more of a will to win it.”

Game 5 is Sunday at 7:00 p.m.

Traverse City wins pivotal Game 3 in OT

There have been two constants so far in the North American Hockey League’s North Division semifinal series between the Traverse City North Stars and the U.S. National Team Development Program Under-17 squad: Close games and a red-hot Jonathan Juliano.

Defenseman Eric Elmblad poked home a rebound off a Jon Madden blast from the point at the 15:44 mark of overtime on Friday at Centre ICE arena, to put the North Stars on the precipice of advancing to the North Division Finals if they can repeat the feat on Saturday.

Traverse City grabbed a 2-1 series edge in the best-of-five affair with the one-goal victory, making it seven times in nine meetings that the clubs have played to a one-goal disparity. Juliano continued his stellar performance in the postseason, driving home a pair of rebounds for his fourth and fifth lamplighters of the playoffs. He also assisted on two others.

“He was just Johnny on the spot again, no pun intended,” quipped Stars head coach/GM Scott Gardiner. “He was in the right place at the right time again tonight, and it’s not an accident.”

Juliano got the hosts on the scoreboard first in the opening period, collecting a rebound and putting the puck past USA netkeep Brad Phillips. The other two-thirds of the Juliano line – Matt Larke and Jared Mullen – drew assists at 14:31.

Ryan Schnell answered for the U-17s just 2:07 into the second period, but Larke gave TC back its one-goal bulge just over a minute later. Mullen and Juliano, naturally, were credited with assists.

The North Stars assumed a two-goal advantage at 12:46 when Juliano knocked in his second of the game for his second straight two-goal outing.

The teams battled through a scoreless final stanza until Team USA came alive with less than five minutes to play. Tony Mosey made it 3-2 at 15:38 with a power-play tally, and then assisted on Brennan Vargas’ game-tying effort with just :40.4 to play in regulation. Unlike regular season overtime sessions, playoff games that go into an extra frame require a resurfacing. Elmblad says that was a key factor in the hosts’ triumph.

“That (game-tying) goal totally deflated us,” admitted Elmblad. “If we didn’t get a chance to go off to the locker room and kind of regroup, who knows what would’ve happened. I just can’t believe it. I’m still on cloud nine.”

Gardiner echoed those sentiments, however fleeting.

“I’m relieved, but only temporarily,” he said. “It’ll wear off because we have to come right back tomorrow, and I know Ron (Rolston) will have those guys ready.”

The teams meet up again on Saturday night at Centre ICE in a critical Game 4 matchup. Face-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Traverse City fans are once again asked to wear white garb to show support for their Stars.

Whalers lose Game 1 to Guelph

In spite of finishing 40-24-1-3 during the regular season, it’s fair to say the Guelph Storm flew under the radar during much of the Ontario Hockey League regular season.

But the Storm showed why they are a potential threat to go far in the OHL playoffs as they specialized in defeating the Plymouth Whalers, 4-1, in the opening game of the best-of-seven OHL semifinal playoff series played Friday night at the Compuware Sports Arena.

Guelph built a 3-0 lead after one period on two power-play goals and a shorthanded effort and protected the lead the rest of the way.

Matt D’Agostini led the Guelph attack with a goal and an assist as the game’s first star. Mark O’Leary also had a goal and an assist for Guelph, while Mike McLean added a shorthanded goal and Jason Pitton scored into an empty net.

Andrew Fournier scored the lone Whaler goal in the second period for Plymouth.

Ryan McDonald was solid in goal for Guelph, stopping 23 shots as the game’s third star. MacDonald lowered his league-leading goals against average in the OHL playoffs to 1.23, while raising his playoff save percentage to .951 – which also leads the OHL playoffs.

Plymouth goaltender Justin Peters (pictured, circa 2001) finished with 30 saves.

Plymouth and Guelph meet in Game 2 of the series Saturday night in Guelph at 7:30 p.m. Game 3 of the series is Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the Compuware Sports Arena.

‘Whiteout,' Under-17's on Stars’ radar

Spring has sprung – for the moment – across northwestern Michigan, but with a certain degree of fan cooperation on Friday, there’ll be a ‘whiteout’ at Centre ICE arena when the Traverse City North Stars and U.S. National Team Development Program’s U-17 squad face-off in the third installment of their best-of-five NAHL North Division semifinal series.

North Stars fans have been asked to wear white to Friday’s contest, in the playoff hockey tradition made popular by the Winnipeg Jets’ faithful and continued by the Phoenix Coyotes when the franchise moved there in 1996.

“It was fantastic,” recalled North Stars associate coach Mike Stapleton, who played for the Jets in 1995-96 and the Coyotes for three subsequent seasons. “To look up there (in the stands) and see all the white like that, it was a pretty cool thing. It only helps when the fans take an active role like that. The players can just sense that kind of atmosphere.”

Fan solidarity aside, the Stars should sense plenty of playoff atmosphere on the ice Friday, when Traverse City and Team USA-17 vie for the pivotal third game after splitting the first two clashes last weekend. The North Stars stole home ice with a 2-1 win in the opener before the under-17s stormed back on Friday for a 4-2 reprisal.

“They really wanted that game and you could see it,” said Traverse City coach-GM Scott Gardiner of Game 2. “That’s the best I’ve seen them play this year, and we weren’t able to match their … intensity.”

Either team could advance to the North Division finals on Saturday at Centre ICE depending on Friday’s outcome, but if the issue is not decided at that time, the teams would return to Ann Arbor for a decisive fifth game on Sunday.

“It’s a big weekend, no question,” surmised Stars defenseman Steven Oleksy. “It’s good to have these big games in our own building with our fans. They’ve been there for us all year.”

The point of emphasis throughout much of the week for Gardiner, Stapleton and the Stars, has been the transition game. While the Traverse City offense generated just 15 shots on net in last Friday’s 4-2 loss, the puck rarely crossed neutral ice without intervention from the USA-17 players.

“We need to get the puck out of our own zone more efficiently,” Gardiner admitted. “They were really able to bottle us up on Friday. We have a pretty simple plan for getting the puck up ice, so it will come down to executing that plan.”

Friday’s 4-2 loss also represents just the second time in eight meetings this season that the Stars and U-17s have been separated by more than a single goal.

“There have been some great battles this year,” said Under-17 squad head coach Ron Rolston. “For whatever reason, we just seem to match up with one another pretty evenly.”

Forward Jonathan Juliano is tied for second in the NAHL in playoff goals so far with three, while Matt Larke and defenseman Arthur Bidwill have two assists each. Five U-17 players have scored goals through two games, led by Brennan Vargas, who has a goal and a pair of assists.

Traverse City forward Joe St. John will be a game-day decision, as the Gaylord native suffered a concussion in last Friday’s contest and is still being evaluated.

Oleksy, who finished the 2005-06 regular season tied for 10th among NAHL defenseman with 30 points, says he expects a good showing on the ice – and in the grandstand – Friday night.

“I’ve played hockey a long time, but if we can look over and see all that white up there, that would be about the coolest thing ever.”

Corrente and McDonough make Team Canada

Saginaw Spirit defenseman Matt Corrente and forward Ryan McDonough have earned a spot on Team Canada’s Under-18 squad headed to Sweden for the World Under-18 Championship this month.

“We’re thrilled for both of these young men,” said Spirit coach-GM Bob Mancini. “They are truly deserving of this opportunity.”

McDonough set the Spirit team record for points during the 2005-2006 season with 39 goals and 49 assists for 88 points in 68 games played. The Spirit acquired the 18-year-old native of Toronto in a trade with Sudbury last July. He was the Wolves’ first pick, fifth overall, in the 2004 OHL Priority Selection.

Corrente had six goals and 20 assists and was +2 in 61 regular season games in 2005-2006. The 18-year-old native of Mississauga, Ontario was the Spirit’s first pick, second overall, in the 2004 OHL Priority Selection.

Previous Spirit participants in the Under-18 challenge include Tom Pyatt (2005), Jean-Michel Rizk (2004) and Geoff Platt and Paul Bissonnette (2003). Spirit captain Patrick McNeill was named to the 2005 squad, but was unable to attend due to injury.

The tournament begins April 12 and concludes April 22.

Warren's Danowski evolving into scorer

By Matt Mackinder
USA Junior Hockey Magazine

After coming to the Texas Tornado at the trading deadline on Jan. 15, 2005 from the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers, forward Derek Danowski has gone from a fourth-line plugger to a top-line sniper.

Danowski got the Tornado on the board in the national championship game last April, eventually won by the Tornado, when Fargo-Moorhead had just taken a 1-0 lead. He had almost a point per game in the playoffs, but this season has emerged as what Texas coach-GM Tony Curtale calls “one of the best stories about this season.”

“When I came here to Texas, I was pretty excited,” Danowski said. “It was an older team with a lot of depth and I fit right in and found my role. I was on the fourth line, but I was still producing. It wasn’t a step down from the USHL because Texas has such a tremendous organization and I think would excel in the USHL with those teams.”

The Warren, Mich., native has been second on the Tornado in scoring for much of the year behind Karl Sellan and has garnered some major Division I college interest. Danowski has his decision pretty much made up for next fall on the college end.

“Northern Michigan offered me a half scholarship and it’s looking like I’ll end up there,” said Danowski, who turns 20 on April 16. “With the bigger ice surface there and in the CCHA, I think that fits me very well.”

Danowski said he was also in contact with Ohio State, Bowling Green, Nebraska-Omaha, RIT, Canisius and Connecticut, but NMU made a better offer.

Now with an increased role in Texas, Danowski said he knows the other teams put their top defensemen on him and that in itself is motivation, but pressure all at once.

“If I don’t produce, I feel like I’ve let my team down,” Danowski said. “It makes me feel bad because I should be putting up points.”

Before he heads to Marquette, Danowski has a couple areas he’d like to improve both on and off the ice.

“I need to work on my shot and getting it off quicker,” he said. “I also need to pack on more mass so I can make an impact in the college game.”

Whalers oust Windsor; Guelph next

Plymouth captain John Vigilante scored two goals and an assist and rookie Chris Terry scored twice to lead the Whalers to a 6-2 victory over the Windsor Spitfires in the seventh and deciding game in their best-of-seven OHL Western Conference quarterfinal series last night.

Plymouth led 3-0 after one period and 5-1 after forty minutes.

James Neal and John Armstrong scored the other Plymouth goals, while Peter Aston and captain Paul McFarland scored for Windsor.

Plymouth outshot Windsor, 43-24, and if not for the work of goaltender Anthony Guadagnolo would have scored more than six goals. Guadagnolo stopped six breakaways.

Justin Peters stopped 22 shots for the Whalers, who move on to play the Guelph Storm in a Western Conference semifinal series.

Friday, April 7 – Guelph at Plymouth, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 8 – Plymouth at Guelph, 7:30 p.m.
Monday April 10 – Guelph at Plymouth, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 12 – Plymouth at Guelph, 7:00 p.m.
Friday, April 14 – Guelph at Plymouth, 7:30 p.m.*
Saturday, April 15 – Plymouth at Guelph, 7:30 p.m.*
Monday, April 17 – Guelph at Plymouth, 7:30 p.m.*

*if necessary

Photo by Walt Dmoch.

Black Bears done in NOJHL playoffs

It'll be the Sudbury Jr. Wolves and North Bay Skyhawks in the NOJHL finals after the Wolves eliminated the Northern Michigan Black Bears last night in Sudbury.

The Wolves took a 4-1 win to capture the series in five games.

Michael Caprio scored for Northern Michigan and goalie Tony Stoehr made 20 saves in the season finale.

Whalers blow 4-1 lead; Game 7 Tuesday

Plymouth built a 4-1 lead after one period of play on goals by John Armstrong, James Neal (above) and a pair from Andrew Fournier, but the Whalers blew that lead and allowed six unanswered goals by Windsor as the Spitfires took a 7-4 win in Windsor last night.

Game 7 of this first round series is tomorrow night in Plymouth.

Justin Peters finished with 26 saves in net for the Whalers. Plymouth outshot Windsor, 36-33.

Photo courtesy WindsorSpitfires.com.

Sestito's two goals propel Plymouth

Tom Sestito (above) scored two goals in 14 seconds in the second period to snap a 1-1 tie and the Plymouth Whalers went on to defeat the Windsor Spitfires, 3-2, in Game 5 Saturday night before 2,842 at the Compuware Sports Arena.

Plymouth now leads the best-of-seven OHL Western Conference quarterfinal series three games to two.

Plymouth captain John Vigilante (above) scored the other Whalers' goal. Mitch Maunu scored in the first period for Windsor, while Bryan Bickell scored his team-leading fifth of the playoffs in the third period for the Spitfires.

Plymouth outshot Windsor, 39-28.

For the fifth straight game in the series, Windsor scored first when Maunu tapped home a rebound at 2:37 of the first period. Plymouth tied the game at 6:55 of the first period when Vigilante scored in tight quarters in front of the Windsor goal by netminder Anthony Guadagnolo. Plymouth dominated the first period in outshooting Windsor, 17-8.

Sestito gave Plymouth a 2-1 lead at 3:07 of the second period when he took Derek Merlini’s pass in neutral territory on the right wing, moved into the Windsor zone and beat Guadagnolo with a hard shot from the right face-off dot. Sestito then scored at 3:21 when he took Andrew Fournier’s pass from the right wing in the Windsor zone into the slot. Sestito faked a shot from the forehand and scored on backhand by Guadagnolo.

Plymouth goaltender Justin Peters stopped a penalty shot by Windsor’s Mickey Renaud at 6:42 of the second period to keep the score 3-1 Plymouth. Plymouth outshot Windsor, 16-6 in the second period and continued to lead 3-1 after forty minutes.

Windsor took advantage of three power plays in the third period to start to turn the game around, but Peters and the Whalers penalty killers competed hard. Bickell cut the Plymouth lead to 3-2 at 17:24 of the third period when he tucked a hard shot through traffic under the bar by Peters.

Windsor pulled Guadagnolo with 28 seconds left in regulation, but could not find the equalizer.

Windsor hosts Plymouth in game six of this series on Sunday night at 7:00 p.m. at Windsor Arena.

If a seventh and deciding game is needed in the Plymouth-Windsor series, it will be played Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. at the Compuware Sports Arena.

Photos by Walt Dmoch.

Black Bears down 3-1 to Jr. Wolves

The Northern Michigan Black Bears are in a 3-1 hole in their NOJHL semifinal series with the Sudbury Jr. Wolves.

Sudbury took a 4-3 overtime win last night at Big Bear Arena. Northern Michigan took a 3-1 lead into the third period, but the Jr. Wolves scored twice to send the game to overtime where Jordan Cheechoo (younger brother of San Jose Sharks' forward Jonathan Cheechoo) ended it 89 seconds in.

Michael Herbert, Derek Stabile and Tyler Huskey scored for the Black Bears and Tony Stoehr made 32 saves in goal.

Northern Michigan's only win came in Game 2 at home last Monday.

Game 5 is Monday night in Sudbury at 7:00 p.m.

Team USA squares series with Traverse City

Phil McRae and Kevin Shattenkirk had a goal and an assist each on Friday, leading the U.S. National Team Development Program's Under-17 squad to a 4-2 win over the Traverse City North Stars in Game 2 of the North American Hockey League Robertson Cup playoffs.

Games 3 and 4 of the best-of-five North Division semifinals return to Centre ICE arena next weekend, with contests on Friday, April 7 and Saturday, April 8.

The Stars were outshot by a whopping 52-15 margin on Friday, one night after stealing home ice in a 2-1 victory over the U-17s.

"That's far too many shots to give up," assessed Traverse City head coach/GM Scott Gardiner. "And give full credit to Team USA. They really elevated their level of play tonight, and we weren't able to match that intensity."

TC grabbed a 1-0 lead when Jonathan Juliano's breakaway goal - his second in as many nights - put the visitors in front. Jarrett Rush and Arthur Bidwill drew assists on the play at 9:41 of the first period. McRae set up James vanReimsdyk for the equalizer with :58 left in the second period, and the hosts poured it on in the third, as McRae and Shattenkirk scored goals just 2:48 apart.

Juliano cut the deficit to 3-2 with 7:05 to play, but any momentum the Stars had built evaporated a scant 1:51 later when Matt Rust's shorthanded tally sealed the split for USA.

"We were able to get the puck in deep, and our forecheck really helped us on the offensive end," said USA Under-17 head coach Ron Rolston. "We were able to get a lot of pressure on them, even after the pressure of being down a goal early."

Gardiner says his team is looking forward to having the next two games in friendlier confines.

"It's just like (Thursday) night, it's over as soon as it's over, and we look forward. We like where we sit with a split and going back to our building, and I know we'll be ready come (next) Friday."

Rolston says the series could return to Ann Arbor for the fifth and decisive game on April 9.

"I think this is going to be a great series, and it could go the distance," he surmised. "It's great for the league to have a series like this."

Next Friday's game as well as Saturday's home encore face-off at 7:30 p.m.