It’s that time of year again – that time when the game of musical roster spots is in full swing, with the best players from across the continent are scrambling to find a place to play hockey the following autumn.
The Traverse City North Stars’ own dance card is as full as it’s ever been, with over 80 players set to compete in the club’s final open tryout camp of the off-season this weekend at Centre ICE arena. The team even had to turn away numerous interested players.
“We’re going to see a lot of good hockey, a lot of good hockey players,” said Stars head coach/GM Anthony Palumbo. “It’s a big group, but it’s just that time of the summer after the USHL (United States Hockey League) camps are over and cuts are made. Guys are looking for a spot in the NAHL now, and we’re certainly getting a good look at some very talented players.”
The camp will consist of North Stars tenders, draft picks, 2006-07 holdovers and those chasing a Junior A roster spot. The top-performing players from this weekend’s camp and the club’s May open tryout will be invited back to Traverse City for the Aug. 3-5 training camp, from which the 2007-08 roster will be selected.
“Spots are up for grabs – about 23 of ’em,” Palumbo asserted.
Among those expected to compete this weekend are tenders Marc Thompson, Eric O’Hearn, Sean Burke, Eric McLintock and Alex Redmond – all Traverse City products – plus signatories Phil Wendecker, a Livonia Churchill defenseman and Cleveland Barons midget blueliner Trevor Shively, brother of former TC goalkeeper Stefan Shively. The Stars’ top draft pick, Blind River rearguard Tyler Stephens, is also slated to participate, as are returning players including Ben Plocar, Matt Hughes, Jameson Raymond, Sabastion Kimmel, Zach Hitch, Alex Breeden, Nate Urbaniak, Chris Heineman, Harrison Niemann and Kyle and Brett Jendra.
With so many North Stars hopefuls vying to sport the interlocking ‘TC’ sweater, Palumbo has had to add a few talent evaluators to monitor the action.
“We’ll have anywhere from five to eight guys on every player on every team, every game,” Palumbo explained. “We’ll be looking for skill, of course, but also that certain work ethic. It’s not too difficult to gauge how hard a kid works just by watching him.”
The camp kicks off on Friday with goalies reporting for duty at noon, while the residual of the participants check in four hours later. The players will split into four teams, and take on each of the other three squads throughout the weekend. The top players from the weekend will be selected for Sunday morning’s culminating all-star game.
“There’s always a sense of heightened urgency in these late off-season camps,” Palumbo added. “I’d expect to see some pretty intense play.”
North Stars open tryout camp schedule
Friday, June 29
11 a.m. – Goalie check-in
Noon-1:20 p.m. – Goalies on-ice session
4 p.m. – Skater check-in
5:15 p.m. – Player/Parent meeting
6 p.m.-7:50 p.m. – Red Team vs. Blue Team
8 p.m.-9:50 p.m. – White Team vs. Gold Team
Saturday, June 30
9 a.m.-10:50 a.m. – Red Team vs. White Team
11 a.m.-12:50 p.m. – Blue Team vs. Gold Team
1:00 p.m.-2:20 p.m. – Goalies on-ice session
6 p.m.-7:50 p.m. – Blue Team vs. White Team
8 p.m.-9:50 p.m. – Red Team vs. Gold Team
Sunday, July 1
10 a.m.-Noon –All-Star Game
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Ex-Spirit forward Torquato a future Wing?
By Matthew Wuest Red Wings Central
The Detroit Red Wings couldn't say no to Zack Torquato.
Torquato, a skilled forward who had 30 goals among 69 points in 65 games in the Ontario Hockey League this season, went to the Red Wings in the sixth round (178th overall) in Saturday's NHL entry draft. It was a significant drop-off from his pre-draft rankings, which tabbed him 48th (International Scouting Service) and 61st (Central Scouting).
“He’s a name we were kind of not paying attention to but he kept dropping and dropping and it got to a point where we couldn’t say no to him,” Red Wings assistant general manager Jim Nill said. “It got to the point where his name was dropping and we said, ‘We just have to take this guy.’”
Torquato was highly touted for a few reasons. The former third-overall pick in the OHL draft put up excellent numbers for an 17-year-old and won the Erie Otters’ MVP and player-of-the-year awards after coming over in a mid-season trade from the Saginaw Spirit.
At 6-foot and 195 pounds, Torquato has good size, too. To top it off, he’ll be the Otters’ captain at age 18, a rarity in major junior.
“He’ll be their captain and he’s going to put up 100 points next season, so he’s doing something right,” Nill said. “He has a real good touch down low and around the net. He’s good with the puck and he sees the ice very well. And he’s a responsible player in his own end.”
There are two factors that may have caused Torquato to fall.
First, his feet. He’s quick in small areas but his skating needs work.
“He’s not a pretty skater,” Nill said. “Is the skating going to affect him at the next level? That’s what we have to find out.”
Second, legal trouble. Torquato and four of his Spirit teammates pleaded guilty in February to misdemeanor assault and battery charges and was sentenced in March to two years probation and 250 hours of community service. The Spirit traded him with draft picks to the Otters in November for Edmonton Oilers prospect and former NHL first-rounder Ryan O’Marra.
The Red Wings, who have been known to rank character as a key element in prospect evaluation, say they’ve done their homework on Torquato.
“It’s not an issue to us,” Nill said. “It’s all been cleared up. He’s wearing a letter at a young age we talked to a lot of people involved in the situation. From what we’ve heard, he’s a good character kid.”
Nill went so far as to say Torquato has everything going for him except skating, and hopes he’ll evolve into a player similar to Colorado Avalanche forward Andrew Brunette. Brunette, whose skating has long been criticized, was overlooked in the OHL until he scored 162 points as a 20-year-old. He has now played 706 NHL games and scored 83 points last season.
“Good hockey players are good hockey players wherever they go,” Nill said. “Brunette was never (highly regarded), but he was always a leading scorer in the OHL, and he made it all the way to the NHL.
“We’re hoping Torquato is the same way.”
Contact Matthew Wuest at wuest@redwingscentral.com.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Smith goes in second round to Nashville
Plymouth Whalers' goaltender Jeremy Smith was the top-ranked North American goalie for this weekend's National Hockey League Entry Draft, but ended up being the third goalie taken overall when Nashville tabbed him in the second round with the 54th overall pick.Defenseman Nick Petrecki, Plymouth's first-round pick in the 2005 OHL Priority Selection that chose the United States Hockey League's Omaha Lancers and Boston College over the Whalers, went No. 28 in the first round to San Jose.
Chris Terry, a third-year forward for Plymouth, went in the fifth round, 132nd overall, to Carolina.
In the sixth round, Whalers' defenseman Brett Bellemore was selected by Carolina with the 162nd overall choice.
Former Saginaw Spirit forward Zack Torquato, traded to Erie last December in the Ryan O'Marra swap, was chosen by Detroit 16 spots after Bellemore.
Two Whalers' draft picks from 2005 heard their names called in the seventh and final round. Forward C.J. Severyn went to Calgary at No. 186, while forward Trevor Nill became St. Louis property with the 190th overall pick. Severyn played two years with the U.S. National Team Development Program and is off to Ohio State this fall. Nill played last year with the Compuware midgets and will play with the Penticton Vees of the British Columbia Hockey League in the fall before heading to Michigan State in 2008.
Photo by Walt Dmoch/Plymouth Whalers
Friday, June 22, 2007
Soo Indians take one-year leave from NOJHL
The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League will operate with six teams come the 2007-08 season.
And while that’s one team less than what made up the NOJHL in ‘06-07, teams will play more games in ‘07-08 and the league will play host to a Showcase Tournament in January.
For the record, the ‘06-07 champion Soo Indians have been granted a one-year leave of absence and the league will work towards helping current owner Charles Perdicaro find a buyer, hopefully in the Michigan Soo.
In fact, Soo Thunderbirds’ managing partner Al Jones told OspreyBlogs.com that the league plans to pursue Dr. Kevin Cooper of the Michigan Soo to take over the Indians. Cooper had previously indicated an interest in buying the Indians from Perdicaro, but according to sources, was not comfortable in trying to make a last-minute deal that might have left him unprepared for the ‘07-08 season.
Perdicaro subsequently tried to sell the Indians to the Ville-Marie group that had been seeking an expansion franchise for ‘07-08 but that proposal and the expansion proposal were both turned down by the NOJHL governors at Thursday’s meeting in Sudbury.
“We’re comfortable operating with six teams for ‘07-08,” Jones added. “The six franchises are all stable and the last thing we need is a franchise that the rest of us would be worried about.
“Ville-Marie has indicated to us that they will take the next year to get their finances in order and I suspect we’ll see the same from a new group in Soo, Michigan. We fully expect to be an eight-team league come the ‘08-09 season.”
Now a six-team league, teams will play a 50-game regular season in ‘07-08, up from the 48 games of previous campaigns. Teams will play one another 10 times apiece and all teams will qualify for the playoffs.
Jones, meanwhile, confirmed a Showcase Tournament for the Soo for early January, of which details will be announced later. And the NOJHL is taking applications for the position of commissioner. Hector Seguin is currently serving as acting commissioner.
by Randy Russon, Osprey Media
And while that’s one team less than what made up the NOJHL in ‘06-07, teams will play more games in ‘07-08 and the league will play host to a Showcase Tournament in January.
For the record, the ‘06-07 champion Soo Indians have been granted a one-year leave of absence and the league will work towards helping current owner Charles Perdicaro find a buyer, hopefully in the Michigan Soo.
In fact, Soo Thunderbirds’ managing partner Al Jones told OspreyBlogs.com that the league plans to pursue Dr. Kevin Cooper of the Michigan Soo to take over the Indians. Cooper had previously indicated an interest in buying the Indians from Perdicaro, but according to sources, was not comfortable in trying to make a last-minute deal that might have left him unprepared for the ‘07-08 season.
Perdicaro subsequently tried to sell the Indians to the Ville-Marie group that had been seeking an expansion franchise for ‘07-08 but that proposal and the expansion proposal were both turned down by the NOJHL governors at Thursday’s meeting in Sudbury.
“We’re comfortable operating with six teams for ‘07-08,” Jones added. “The six franchises are all stable and the last thing we need is a franchise that the rest of us would be worried about.
“Ville-Marie has indicated to us that they will take the next year to get their finances in order and I suspect we’ll see the same from a new group in Soo, Michigan. We fully expect to be an eight-team league come the ‘08-09 season.”
Now a six-team league, teams will play a 50-game regular season in ‘07-08, up from the 48 games of previous campaigns. Teams will play one another 10 times apiece and all teams will qualify for the playoffs.
Jones, meanwhile, confirmed a Showcase Tournament for the Soo for early January, of which details will be announced later. And the NOJHL is taking applications for the position of commissioner. Hector Seguin is currently serving as acting commissioner.
by Randy Russon, Osprey Media
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Plymouth's Smith honored by USA Hockey
Plymouth Whalers' goaltender Jeremy Smith received USA Hockey's Dave Peterson Goaltender of the Year Award on June 6 at Colorado Springs. U.S. Under-18 Team head coach Ron Rolston is on the right. (Photo courtesy USA Hockey)Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Saginaw not getting Twohey, Herbers bolts
Jeff Twohey withdrew his name for the vacant Saginaw Spirit general manager job this past weekend.
Saginaw, without a head coach or GM since Bob Mancini's contract wasn't renewed last month, will continue to interview potential prospects.
Spirit associate coach Ian Herbers is also out, having accepted the head coaching job with the ECHL's Johnstown Chiefs yesterday.
The Peterborough Examiner has the full Twohey story HERE.
Saginaw, without a head coach or GM since Bob Mancini's contract wasn't renewed last month, will continue to interview potential prospects.
Spirit associate coach Ian Herbers is also out, having accepted the head coaching job with the ECHL's Johnstown Chiefs yesterday.
The Peterborough Examiner has the full Twohey story HERE.
Vellucci takes top OHL coaching honor
Plymouth Whalers' head coach and general manager Mike Vellucci, with parents Frank and Judy, at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto June 6 after accepting the Matt Leyden Trophy as OHL Coach of the Year.Photo courtesy of the Ontario Hockey League.
Plymouth hockey schools start July 30
Hockey players looking to get a couple of strides ahead of the competition for the 2007-08 season can learn while having fun this summer with the Ontario Hockey League champion Plymouth Whalers.The Whalers will be teaching several different one-week schools starting July 30. Led by hockey school director George Daniel and a number of the Whalers players, the camps promise to be fun and informative.
Dates, times and costs HERE.
Photo - Plymouth forward Chris Terry with a student at last summer's school.
Photo by Walt Dmoch
Friday, June 15, 2007
Saginaw unveils '07-08 slate
The Saginaw Spirit has announced their 2007-2008 season schedule.The Spirit open the season with a 7:11 p.m. match-up on Wednesday, Sept. 19 against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Saginaw plays 68 regular season games with 34 home games at TheDow Event Center in Saginaw.
Complete schedule HERE.
Whalers announce 2007-2008 schedule
The Ontario Hockey League champion Plymouth Whalers will be raising the championship banner to the rafters of the Compuware Sports Arena in a ceremony planned for the Whalers’ home opener of the upcoming 2007-08 season on Saturday, Sept. 22 at 7:05 p.m. against the Erie Otters.Last year, Plymouth won its second OHL title - to go with 10 division championships – in the team’s 17-year history.
Plymouth is holding ticket prices for 2007-08 at $14 for Center Ice seating and $10 for Executive Reserved.
The Whalers’ schedule features 48 games against teams within the Western Conference, with 28 of those games within the West Division (eight each against Saginaw and Windsor; six each against Sault Ste. Marie and Sarnia) and 20 against Midwest Division opponents. The remaining 20 games are against Eastern Conference teams.
Although the OHL did not expand for 2007-08, two Eastern Conference teams have shifted to other locations. The Mississauga IceDogs have moved to St.Catherines, Ontario, and are now known as the Niagara IceDogs. The Toronto St. Michael’s Majors have moved to Mississauga and are now known as the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors.
Saturday remains the primary home date for the Whalers, with 19 Saturdays nights leading the way. Plymouth plays eight home games on Fridays, three on Wednesdays, two on Mondays and one each on Thursday and Sunday afternoon.
Plymouth will play its annual Kid’s Day Holiday Matinee on Thurs. Dec. 27 at 2:00 p.m. against Saginaw and will ring in 2008 with a New Year’s Eve game hosting Kitchener at 4 p.m. on Tues. Dec. 31. The Whalers’ annual Green-Out Game will be played on Sat. Mar. 15 at 2:00 p.m. against Sarnia. Interstate rival Saginaw comes to the Compuware Sports Arena on Nov. 21, Dec. 27, Jan. 14 and Mar. 2, while the Whalers play at Saginaw’s Dow Event Center on Dec. 29, Jan. 9, Feb. 15 and Mar. 16.
Pre-Season Schedule:
Sat. Sept. 1 at 4 p.m. - Windsor at Plymouth
Mon. Sept. 3 at 2 p.m. - Plymouth at Windsor
Fri. Sept. 7 at 7:35 p.m. - Plymouth at Sarnia
Sat. Sept. 8 at 7:05 p.m. - Sarnia at Plymouth
Fri. Sept. 14-15 - Four team tournament in Erie - details TBA
Sat. Sept. 1 at 4 p.m. - Windsor at Plymouth
Mon. Sept. 3 at 2 p.m. - Plymouth at Windsor
Fri. Sept. 7 at 7:35 p.m. - Plymouth at Sarnia
Sat. Sept. 8 at 7:05 p.m. - Sarnia at Plymouth
Fri. Sept. 14-15 - Four team tournament in Erie - details TBA
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Milford native signs on with Huntsville
Milford's Chris Fairbanks will skate for the defending College Hockey America champion Alabama-Huntsville Chargers this fall.Fairbanks, a forward and nephew of former Charger Mike Fairbanks, notched solid numbers with the Mahoning Valley Phantoms of the North American Hockey League last season with a 63-point season in 62 games including 26 goals.
"Chris has had a lot of success in juniors with the Mahoning Valley team in the NAHL," said UAH head coach Danton Cole, a Pontiac native. "His team fell one game short of winning their national championship. He has excellent vision and hands and thinks his way around the ice very well. We see him playing both wing and center and may spend a lot of time on the point on power plays."
The 6-foot, 180-pound Fairbanks, who turns 21 on July 15, is one of seven incoming freshmen for Cole's squad.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Hauswirth commits to MTU for 2008-09
Michigan Tech University has announced the signing of Jake Hauswirth to a National Letter of Intent for the 2008-09 season.Hauswirth, a 6-foot-4, 205-pound center from Merrill, Wisc., registered 21 goals among 40 points in 58 overall games with the Marquette Rangers of the North America Hockey League during the 2006-07 slate. The owner of five power-play goals and four game-winning markers, Hauswirth accrued 76 penalty minutes in his lone year with the Rangers.
He gained NAHL Player of the Week accolades Mar. 5 after scoring two goals and four assists in a three-game stretch against Mahoning Valley.
Prior to his stint in Marquette, Hauswirth spent the 2005-06 and 2004-05 campaigns skating for the Ojibwa Eagles Midget AAA team in Houghton. He is currently the Eagles' sixth all-time leading scorer with 88 points in 117 career games. Before that, he played prep hockey at Merrill High School.
Taken by the Omaha Lancers as the 53rd overall pick in the fifth round of the 2007 United States Hockey League Entry Draft, Hauswirth will continue his junior career in Omaha next season.
"Jake is a big, physical player with a lot of upside," said Huskies' head coach Jamie Russell. "He is a strong skater with good hands and has the opportunity to further develop his game in the USHL."
Hauswirth joins Alex MacLeod and Anthony Schooley (Romulus) as a member of the Huskies' freshmen class for the 2008-09 season.
Macomb native Hennig off to Ferris State
Topeka RoadRunners forward Nate Hennig has reached an agreement to play for Ferris State University beginning this fall.“Nate is a strong skater who makes his presence felt around the net,” said RoadRunners head coach Scott Langer. “He brings a solid mixture of hard work ethic combined with good hands and a nose for the net. He’ll do well at the next level.”
The two-year RoadRunner veteran hails from Macomb and playing at Ferris State allows him to play closer to home, and that means closer to his family.
“It was hard sometimes, being so far away from (brother) Dom and my dad,” said Hennig. “I’m grateful that my experience with the RoadRunners helped me to prepare for Division I. It’s a dream come true.”
Monday, June 11, 2007
Plymouth's Fan Appreciation Day on tap
Although the Plymouth Whalers recently completed the 2006-07 season with their second Ontario Hockey League championship in the 17-year history, the fun will continue this Saturday starting at 2:30 p.m. at the Compuware Sports Arena in the Whalers’ annual Fan Appreciation Day.
A number of activities are planned and will coincide with the re-opening weekend of the Compuware Sports Arena Drive-In Theatres, which will run Friday night, June 15, seven days a week, through Sunday night, September 2.
Among the Fan Appreciation events scheduled for this Saturday night:
-- Whalers' Used Equipment Sale, starting at 2:30 p.m. (NHL Arena)
-- Sales at the Whalers Cove Pro Shop, including Whalers' OHL Championship Items. (NHL Arena)
-- Whalers' Collectible Silent Auction. (NHL Arena)
-- Whalers' 2007-08 Season Ticket Selection Sale - an opportunity to select your own seat. (NHL Arena)
-- Whalers' Summer Hockey School Registration. (NHL Arena)
-- Free open skating from 5:00-7:30 p.m. (Olympic Ice Arena)
-- Whalers player Meet-and-Greet featuring local player AJ Jenks (Wolverine Lake) and Plymouth veterans Brett Bellemore and Wes Cunningham. (NHL Arena)
-- Ginopolis on the Ice Meal and Movie Deals. (Ginopolis on the Ice Restaurant)
-- Radio Disney 910-AM D-tour starting at 8 p.m. with music, games and prizes with a family-oriented double feature at the Drive-In. D-Tour will be located by the main concession stands in the Drive-In Theatre.
Gates open at the Compuware Sports Arena parking lot at 7:30 p.m. and the movies begin at dusk (weather permitting). Families listen to the movies on the car radio.
The Drive-In features three screens showing back to back first run movies including: Nancy Drew, Surf’s Up, Spider-Man 3, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and more.
Visit http://www.compuwarehockey.com/ for a complete listing of Drive-In movies.
Prices are $8 for ages 13 and older; $6 for children from 4-12; $6 for Students (Mon-Thurs); Free for children 3-and-under.
A number of activities are planned and will coincide with the re-opening weekend of the Compuware Sports Arena Drive-In Theatres, which will run Friday night, June 15, seven days a week, through Sunday night, September 2.
Among the Fan Appreciation events scheduled for this Saturday night:
-- Whalers' Used Equipment Sale, starting at 2:30 p.m. (NHL Arena)
-- Sales at the Whalers Cove Pro Shop, including Whalers' OHL Championship Items. (NHL Arena)
-- Whalers' Collectible Silent Auction. (NHL Arena)
-- Whalers' 2007-08 Season Ticket Selection Sale - an opportunity to select your own seat. (NHL Arena)
-- Whalers' Summer Hockey School Registration. (NHL Arena)
-- Free open skating from 5:00-7:30 p.m. (Olympic Ice Arena)
-- Whalers player Meet-and-Greet featuring local player AJ Jenks (Wolverine Lake) and Plymouth veterans Brett Bellemore and Wes Cunningham. (NHL Arena)
-- Ginopolis on the Ice Meal and Movie Deals. (Ginopolis on the Ice Restaurant)
-- Radio Disney 910-AM D-tour starting at 8 p.m. with music, games and prizes with a family-oriented double feature at the Drive-In. D-Tour will be located by the main concession stands in the Drive-In Theatre.
Gates open at the Compuware Sports Arena parking lot at 7:30 p.m. and the movies begin at dusk (weather permitting). Families listen to the movies on the car radio.
The Drive-In features three screens showing back to back first run movies including: Nancy Drew, Surf’s Up, Spider-Man 3, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and more.
Visit http://www.compuwarehockey.com/ for a complete listing of Drive-In movies.
Prices are $8 for ages 13 and older; $6 for children from 4-12; $6 for Students (Mon-Thurs); Free for children 3-and-under.
Whalers' rookie orientation a success
The Plymouth Whalers held their annual rookie orientation camp last Saturday and aside from the off-ice program the team presented to 2006 and 2007 draft picks, a scrimmage also took place.The camp ended with the Blue-White scrimmage, won by the Blues, 4-3. Veteran defenseman Leo Jenner led the Blues with a pair of goals, while rookies Myles McCauley and Micki Mihailovich scored one each. Jordon O’Neill, Kevin Lynch and Chris Martin replied for the Whites.
Off the ice, here is what PlymouthWhalers.com had on the weekend:
When Whalers’ president, general manager and head coach Mike Vellucci was drafted by the Belleville Bulls in 1983, he was told to report to training camp in late August.
Back then, Ontario Hockey League teams didn’t do a lot of weight or dry land training. Players’ education wasn’t always monitored, either.
Fast forward to the present and all OHL teams hold a rookie orientation camp, designed as an information seminar for parents and players alike. Ironically, Plymouth’s rookie orientation – which usually signals the start of a new season – coincided with the Livonia Churchill graduation taking place in the arena.
With many players looking to go the U.S. college route or major junior, it’s an ideal time to find out about the Whalers and what Plymouth and the Western Wayne County area offers. Vellucci and assistant general manager and assistant coach Todd Watson run an organized, low-key, orientation camp.
Plymouth’s camp was later this year because the Whalers’ playoff run went until the end of May. But the day-and-a-half session gave parents and players a chance to see Plymouth, the team’s educational system, get acquainted with staff and receive some off-ice testing.
Whalers’ educational consultant John Siedelman was front-and-center in a meeting with parents and players. The Whalers team up with the Plymouth-Canton school district for the educational pursuits of high-school age players, while many older players attend classes at the local colleges in the area.
For Canadian parents, there’s a concern about Canadian high school credits transferring to an American school system.
“We start by spending a lot of time mixing and matching each player academically,” Siedelman said. “Sometimes Canadian students come here with more credit hours. But not all the classes transfer, and they do have to take classes like U.S. Studies and U.S. Government. So it’s like a puzzle and we try to get as many pieces of the puzzle to fit as we can.”
The Whalers stress excellence on the ice and in the classroom.
“Since I’ve been involved over the last four years, every Whaler student who has been eligible to graduate has received a Plymouth-Canton school district diploma,” Siedelman explained. “It’s an accomplishment we’re all proud of and it speaks well for the Whaler players, their host families and their families.”
Siedelman told a story about Whalers star James Neal, who signed a National Hockey League contract with the Dallas Stars last season while contributing to Plymouth’s run to the OHL championship.
“Neal was close to being able to graduate in the spring of 2006 when he went back home to Whitby, Ontario,” Siedelman said. “He signed his contract with Dallas last fall (Oct. 21) and really could have let graduating go. But he didn’t – he persevered and received his diploma around the same time he signed his contract. It was a proud moment.”
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
McCarey chooses UNH over Plymouth
Another Plymouth Whalers draft pick has made the decision to take the NCAA route over the Ontario Hockey League.
Kevin McCarey, a right wing from Syracuse, will head to New Hampshire in 2008. He was Plymouth's eighth-round pick, 153rd overall, in the 2006 OHL Priority Selection.
McCarey was reportedly weighing several offers and none of them included the OHL. He played this past season with the U.S. National Under-17 Team and will suit up for the Under-18 Team this fall before jaunting off to UNH two autumns from now.
Kevin McCarey, a right wing from Syracuse, will head to New Hampshire in 2008. He was Plymouth's eighth-round pick, 153rd overall, in the 2006 OHL Priority Selection.
McCarey was reportedly weighing several offers and none of them included the OHL. He played this past season with the U.S. National Under-17 Team and will suit up for the Under-18 Team this fall before jaunting off to UNH two autumns from now.
Monday, June 04, 2007
Spirit sign second-rounder Szwarz
The Saginaw Spirit have announced the signing of prospect Jordan Szwarz.Szwarz, a center, was drafted by the Spirit in the second round, 24th overall, of the 2007 OHL Priority Selection back on May 5.
“We are pleased to welcome Jordan and his family to the Saginaw Spirit,” stated Spirit president and managing partner Craig Goslin. “We are thrilled to have this young man on our team and are excited to be a part of his development into a successful major junior hockey player.”
Szwarz played his minor hockey career with the Burlington Eagles of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association and is a Burlington native.
Battle Creek can’t, won’t finance USHL club
Junior hockey isn’t coming to Battle Creek any time soon.
United States Hockey League team owner Josh Mervis made a presentation to the city May 7 about putting one of the franchises he owns (Louisville is the other) in the Cereal City.
Mervis’ presentation also included Muskegon native and Michigan State sophomore Justin Abdelkader (formerly of the USHL’s Cedar Rapids RoughRiders) and Sioux City Musketeers owner and USHL chairman of the board Jim Kronschabel.
Still, the odds of a team calling Battle Creek home seem to be slim to none. Dwight Butt, president of the Calhoun County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said he's in favor of a privately funded, $35 million, 5,000-seat arena that could be constructed next to the Full Blast recreational facility across from the Kellogg Arena.
Butt said $35 million could go into transforming Kellogg, but Jim Hettinger, president and CEO of Battle Creek Unlimited, the city's economic development arm, said he can't imagine finding that kind of funding in Michigan’s economy.
"Not in these times, not with the state facing the revenue problems it is, not with the city facing revenue problems," Hettinger said in the Battle Creek Enquirer. "If Bill Gates would come in here and build a $35 million arena, I'd be at the head of the parade."
Hettinger said he's in favor of spending up to $10 million to do a makeover of Kellogg Arena to meet the team's needs or selling and rebuilding The Rink.
"My idea is refurbish, rebuild, retrofit, whatever it may be," Hettinger added. "It's insane to think you could build something new. And to do it without public financing — it's just not a wealthy state anymore."
“I'm ambivalent," said Mervis in the Enquirer. “I just need 3,500 to 4,000 seats, no more. I won't play in it if it's over 4,000 in this community. Every seat over 4,000 will be empty. There are just not enough human beings here for that."
Actually, seats are just the tip of the iceberg for Mervis. He said his team's rink has to have “dynamite sound” and a high-quality video replay board.
"The building is part of the experience," Mervis said during his presentation. "If it's in a dump, no one wants to come."
Courtesy Michigan Hockey's June 4 issue
United States Hockey League team owner Josh Mervis made a presentation to the city May 7 about putting one of the franchises he owns (Louisville is the other) in the Cereal City.
Mervis’ presentation also included Muskegon native and Michigan State sophomore Justin Abdelkader (formerly of the USHL’s Cedar Rapids RoughRiders) and Sioux City Musketeers owner and USHL chairman of the board Jim Kronschabel.
Still, the odds of a team calling Battle Creek home seem to be slim to none. Dwight Butt, president of the Calhoun County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said he's in favor of a privately funded, $35 million, 5,000-seat arena that could be constructed next to the Full Blast recreational facility across from the Kellogg Arena.
Butt said $35 million could go into transforming Kellogg, but Jim Hettinger, president and CEO of Battle Creek Unlimited, the city's economic development arm, said he can't imagine finding that kind of funding in Michigan’s economy.
"Not in these times, not with the state facing the revenue problems it is, not with the city facing revenue problems," Hettinger said in the Battle Creek Enquirer. "If Bill Gates would come in here and build a $35 million arena, I'd be at the head of the parade."
Hettinger said he's in favor of spending up to $10 million to do a makeover of Kellogg Arena to meet the team's needs or selling and rebuilding The Rink.
"My idea is refurbish, rebuild, retrofit, whatever it may be," Hettinger added. "It's insane to think you could build something new. And to do it without public financing — it's just not a wealthy state anymore."
“I'm ambivalent," said Mervis in the Enquirer. “I just need 3,500 to 4,000 seats, no more. I won't play in it if it's over 4,000 in this community. Every seat over 4,000 will be empty. There are just not enough human beings here for that."
Actually, seats are just the tip of the iceberg for Mervis. He said his team's rink has to have “dynamite sound” and a high-quality video replay board.
"The building is part of the experience," Mervis said during his presentation. "If it's in a dump, no one wants to come."
Courtesy Michigan Hockey's June 4 issue
North Stars announce coaching staff
Traverse City North Stars GM Anthony Palumbo didn’t have to look far to find the team’s new coaching staff. But he did anyway.
After a search that was narrowed to two choices, Palumbo added another title to his own business card on Sunday: Head Coach. The former Lake Superior State University star immediately solidified his staff, naming Mike Matteucci as associate head coach and Chad Fournier as assistant coach. He also announced that Bob Fernandez would return as goaltending coach.
“We had extended an offer to a very, very good head coaching candidate, but he had too many irons in the fire and could not do it,” explained Palumbo. “I guess you could call me ‘choice 1b.’”
Palumbo, who accepted the club’s general manager post on May 8, was a star forward at Lake Superior State, captaining the Lakers to an NCAA championship in 1988 before winning another as an assistant coach at LSSU in 1992. Most recently, he was head coach at Traverse City West High School, guiding the Titans to the first league title in school history.
“We had pretty much established with Anthony when he became GM that he would take the head coaching position if the other candidate was committed elsewhere,” said Steve Fournier, Stars owner and president. “He was someone we had in mind all along once the position became available, and we’re very fortunate to have him serve in any capacity with the North Stars, let alone two.”
Palumbo finished his collegiate career as LSSU’s fifth all-time leading scorer with 45 goals and 111 assists in 156 contests. The New York Rangers made him a supplemental draft pick in 1989.
“The North Stars are another part of the community that I want to be involved with,” said Palumbo, who logged 40 prep victories over the past two seasons at the Titans’ helm. “We’re very fortunate to be able to bring an exciting, competitive brand of Junior A hockey to this region. It’s a positive part of the community and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Matteucci and Chad Fournier were on Palumbo’s staff at TC West last year, where the Titans enjoyed their finest season in school annuls, and both bring important perspectives and experience to the staff.
Matteucci, like Palumbo, was a Lake Superior State captain, patrolling the Lakers’ blue line for four years and compiling 13 goals and 38 assists over 142 contests. And like Palumbo, he led the Lakers to an NCAA championship in 1994.
The Trail, B.C. native – who spent a year with the Estevan Bruins of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League before heading the Lake State – went on to a 10-year career in professional hockey, toiling in the International Hockey League with the Long Beach Ice Dogs (1995-2000) and Cleveland Lumberjacks (2000-01) before signing with the Minnesota Wild in 20001. He had a pair of brief stints in the NHL sandwiched around a season as captain of the American Hockey League’s Houston Aeros before inking a free agent deal with the New Jersey Devils and captaining their AHL affiliate in Albany for two seasons (2002-04).
Matteucci, who hung up his skates in favor of a coaching whistle in 2004 after 15 games with the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals, says his own experiences have groomed him to impart a certain work ethic in the players he coaches.
“After playing hockey my whole life, whatever it was I accomplished came from hard work,” Matteucci admitted. “I wasn’t necessarily the most skilled guy out on the ice, but I never wanted to be outworked before or during the game. Hopefully that’s something I can help instill in the kids.”
Ironically enough, Matteucci – who once served over 900 penalty minutes during a four-year stretch of his professional career – is a Deputy with the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Dept. after earning his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Lake Superior State.
“Defense is a team game,” he explained. “It’s not just the defensemen, it’s not just backchecking forwards. It’s everyone being on the same page, thinking the same way.”
Chad Fournier, who once played for the North American Hockey League’s Lakeland Jets (1993-94), is a Traverse City Central Senior High School alum who earned All-State, Michigan Dream Team, and Team Michigan honors with the Trojans. He played for three consecutive ACHA national champions at Ohio University (1995-97) before joining the coaching ranks at TC Central and later at TC West.
“It’s exciting to be in a position to help kids become better players and to help them further their hockey careers by getting them into college programs,” explained Chad Fournier. “I know what kind of commitment it takes to get to the next level.”
Fernandez, who coached the North Stars goalies the past two seasons, will return for a third year. A former Detroit Junior Red Wings goalkeeper, Fernandez went on to a college career backstopping the CCHA’s University of Michigan-Dearborn before a coaching stint with the Junior B Downriver Blades.
“Bob brings us a great knowledge of the goaltender position,” Palumbo explained. “We’re fortunate to have someone of his caliber. He’s a big asset to this program.”
The coaching quartet will begin their on-ice duties at the North Stars open tryout camp June 29-July 1 at Centre ICE arena. Palumbo, for one, can’t wait.
“We’re very excited about this season, about this group of coaches and players,” Palumbo added. “Having worked with these guys before I know we’re all very like-minded and we work well together. I think the hallmark of the team will be just what we tried to establish together at (TC) West, and that’s hard work and competitiveness.”
After a search that was narrowed to two choices, Palumbo added another title to his own business card on Sunday: Head Coach. The former Lake Superior State University star immediately solidified his staff, naming Mike Matteucci as associate head coach and Chad Fournier as assistant coach. He also announced that Bob Fernandez would return as goaltending coach.
“We had extended an offer to a very, very good head coaching candidate, but he had too many irons in the fire and could not do it,” explained Palumbo. “I guess you could call me ‘choice 1b.’”
Palumbo, who accepted the club’s general manager post on May 8, was a star forward at Lake Superior State, captaining the Lakers to an NCAA championship in 1988 before winning another as an assistant coach at LSSU in 1992. Most recently, he was head coach at Traverse City West High School, guiding the Titans to the first league title in school history.
“We had pretty much established with Anthony when he became GM that he would take the head coaching position if the other candidate was committed elsewhere,” said Steve Fournier, Stars owner and president. “He was someone we had in mind all along once the position became available, and we’re very fortunate to have him serve in any capacity with the North Stars, let alone two.”
Palumbo finished his collegiate career as LSSU’s fifth all-time leading scorer with 45 goals and 111 assists in 156 contests. The New York Rangers made him a supplemental draft pick in 1989.
“The North Stars are another part of the community that I want to be involved with,” said Palumbo, who logged 40 prep victories over the past two seasons at the Titans’ helm. “We’re very fortunate to be able to bring an exciting, competitive brand of Junior A hockey to this region. It’s a positive part of the community and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Matteucci and Chad Fournier were on Palumbo’s staff at TC West last year, where the Titans enjoyed their finest season in school annuls, and both bring important perspectives and experience to the staff.
Matteucci, like Palumbo, was a Lake Superior State captain, patrolling the Lakers’ blue line for four years and compiling 13 goals and 38 assists over 142 contests. And like Palumbo, he led the Lakers to an NCAA championship in 1994.
The Trail, B.C. native – who spent a year with the Estevan Bruins of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League before heading the Lake State – went on to a 10-year career in professional hockey, toiling in the International Hockey League with the Long Beach Ice Dogs (1995-2000) and Cleveland Lumberjacks (2000-01) before signing with the Minnesota Wild in 20001. He had a pair of brief stints in the NHL sandwiched around a season as captain of the American Hockey League’s Houston Aeros before inking a free agent deal with the New Jersey Devils and captaining their AHL affiliate in Albany for two seasons (2002-04).
Matteucci, who hung up his skates in favor of a coaching whistle in 2004 after 15 games with the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals, says his own experiences have groomed him to impart a certain work ethic in the players he coaches.
“After playing hockey my whole life, whatever it was I accomplished came from hard work,” Matteucci admitted. “I wasn’t necessarily the most skilled guy out on the ice, but I never wanted to be outworked before or during the game. Hopefully that’s something I can help instill in the kids.”
Ironically enough, Matteucci – who once served over 900 penalty minutes during a four-year stretch of his professional career – is a Deputy with the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Dept. after earning his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Lake Superior State.
“Defense is a team game,” he explained. “It’s not just the defensemen, it’s not just backchecking forwards. It’s everyone being on the same page, thinking the same way.”
Chad Fournier, who once played for the North American Hockey League’s Lakeland Jets (1993-94), is a Traverse City Central Senior High School alum who earned All-State, Michigan Dream Team, and Team Michigan honors with the Trojans. He played for three consecutive ACHA national champions at Ohio University (1995-97) before joining the coaching ranks at TC Central and later at TC West.
“It’s exciting to be in a position to help kids become better players and to help them further their hockey careers by getting them into college programs,” explained Chad Fournier. “I know what kind of commitment it takes to get to the next level.”
Fernandez, who coached the North Stars goalies the past two seasons, will return for a third year. A former Detroit Junior Red Wings goalkeeper, Fernandez went on to a college career backstopping the CCHA’s University of Michigan-Dearborn before a coaching stint with the Junior B Downriver Blades.
“Bob brings us a great knowledge of the goaltender position,” Palumbo explained. “We’re fortunate to have someone of his caliber. He’s a big asset to this program.”
The coaching quartet will begin their on-ice duties at the North Stars open tryout camp June 29-July 1 at Centre ICE arena. Palumbo, for one, can’t wait.
“We’re very excited about this season, about this group of coaches and players,” Palumbo added. “Having worked with these guys before I know we’re all very like-minded and we work well together. I think the hallmark of the team will be just what we tried to establish together at (TC) West, and that’s hard work and competitiveness.”
Friday, June 01, 2007
Whalers send McGinnis to Oshawa
Steady defenseman Ryan McGinnis saw his time with the Plymouth Whalers end today when he was traded to the Oshawa Generals for second- and fourth-round picks in the 2009 OHL Priority Selection.McGinnis, an overager from Fenton, will be in his fifth OHL season after being Plymouth’s fourth-round selection in 2003 and Los Angeles’ sixth-rounder in 2005.
The Kings didn’t sign McGinnis by the June 1 deadline and with a plethora of 1987 birthdates, the Whalers sent McGinnis to Oshawa where he’ll play with the reigning OHL and Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year John Tavares.
Saginaw moves up in CHL Import Draft
The Saginaw Spirit have completed a trade with the Toronto St. Michaels Majors.
The Spirit sent prospect Ryan Green and the 47th overall pick in the 2007 CHL Import Draft to the Majors for the eighth overall pick in the Import Draft and a 15th round pick in the 2008 OHL Priority Selection.
“We wish Ryan the best of luck in Toronto,” stated Spirit president and managing partner Craig Goslin. “Ryan is a talented and bright young man who should get plenty of ice time with the Majors. We felt it was very important for the Spirit organization to move up in the Import Draft.”
Green was drafted by the Spirit in the fifth round, 97th overall, in the 2006 OHL Priority Selection. The 1990-born forward from Essex, Ontario, played the 2006-2007 season with Saginaw's Junior B affiliate, the Leamington Flyers.
The Spirit sent prospect Ryan Green and the 47th overall pick in the 2007 CHL Import Draft to the Majors for the eighth overall pick in the Import Draft and a 15th round pick in the 2008 OHL Priority Selection.
“We wish Ryan the best of luck in Toronto,” stated Spirit president and managing partner Craig Goslin. “Ryan is a talented and bright young man who should get plenty of ice time with the Majors. We felt it was very important for the Spirit organization to move up in the Import Draft.”
Green was drafted by the Spirit in the fifth round, 97th overall, in the 2006 OHL Priority Selection. The 1990-born forward from Essex, Ontario, played the 2006-2007 season with Saginaw's Junior B affiliate, the Leamington Flyers.
Neuvirth signs three-year deal with Capitals
The Washington Capitals have signed goaltender Michal Neuvirth to a three-year entry-level contract beginning next season. In keeping with club policy, financial terms of the deals were not disclosed.Neuvirth, 19, was a second-round selection of the Capitals, 34th overall, in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. The 6-foot-1, 197-pound, left-handed catching goaltender spent this past season with the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League where he was named the OHL’s All-Star Second Team Goaltender and was runner-up for the OHL Goaltender of the Year award.
The Usti Labem, Czech Republic, native finished the regular season with a 26-8-2-2 record, which included four shootouts. His goals-against average was 2.32 and he notched a .932 save percentage. Neuvirth set the longest shutout streak in franchise history from Dec. 28, 2006, to Jan. 6, 2007, by not allowing a goal in 164:18.
Neuvirth carded an impressive 14-3-1 playoff record, which included an OHL championship and a spot in the Memorial Cup semifinals. His playoff GAA was 2.45 and his .932 save percentage equaled his season output.
Prior to suiting up in the OHL, Neuvirth led the Czech Republic to a bronze medal at the 2006 IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship, posting a 3-1-2 record.
The Capitals expect Neuvirth to be in attendance at the team’s summer development camp July 11-14 at Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Va.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Whalers name '06-07 award winners
The Plymouth Whalers held their annual season-ending banquet last night at the Laurel Manor in Livonia and handed out a slew of awards to a handful of players from the 2006-2007 OHL champions.BOOSTER CLUB AWARDS
Scholastic Player of the Year - Joe Gaynor
Grinder of the Year - Joe McCann and Andrew Fournier
Fan Favorite - Tom Sestito
TEAM AWARDS
Alice Iafrate Overager of the Year - Jared Boll and Steve Ward
Regular Season Top Scorer - Evan Brophey (36g, 71a, 107pts)
Top Defenseman - Steve Ward
Labatt Blue Collar Player of the Year - Jared Boll
Barbara Karmanos Humanitarian of the Year - Steve Ward
Academic Player of the Year - AJ Jenks
Unsung Hero - Zack Shepley
Most Improved Player - Brett Bellemore
Rookie of the Year - Michal Neuvirth
Regular Season MVP - Tom Sestito
Playoffs Top Scorer - James Neal (13g, 12a, 25pts)
Playoffs MVP - James Neal
All players were in attendance, save for goalie Jeremy Smith, who is at the NHL Combine in Toronto. Smith on Wednesday was also named USA Hockey's Dave Peterson Goalie of the Year after appearing in 34 regular-season contests with the Whalers and posting a 23-6-0-1 record with a 2.59 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage. He's also the top-rated North American goaltender for the NHL Entry Draft June 22-23.
Photo by Walt Dmoch
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Traverse City drafts Stephens, Weber
Out with the old, in with the nucleus.
After losing All-NAHL defenseman Nick Von Bokern to the league’s age limit and fellow rearguard Eric Scovill to the University of Wisconsin-Stout, the Traverse City North Stars added a pair of blueliners to the fold last Tuesday through the North American Hockey League’s entry draft.
The third-year club tabbed Blind River (Ont.) defenseman Tyler Stephens in the first round of the draft, and took a chance on all-everything phenom Will Weber of Gaylord High School with the team’s second-round selection.
“We needed to get stronger on defense,” explained Anthony Palumbo after conducting his first draft as TC’s GM. “We have some solid defensemen who are eligible to return (next season), but we wanted to bolster that group as best we could.”
Stephens played for the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Blind River Beavers last year - the same club that seasoned former North Stars standout Jake Erway - scoring thrice and assisting on 11 others in 41 contests. He amassed just 46 penalty minutes over that span, while shoring up the Beavers’ own end of the ice.
“Tyler’s a solid defensive defenseman with offensive skills to boot,” said Palumbo, who tendered offensive-minded blue-liner Phil Wendecker of Livonia Churchill High School on Monday. “He’s got a year of Junior A experience and he’s a solid kid. I’ve known their family for 15 years. He’s also already being scouted by Division I coaches, too.”
Stephens, who prepped at Rockford High School, says he’s been waiting for the draft since his stellar showing at the Toronto Prospects camp in Ontario two weeks ago.
“I’m very excited,” said the 5-foot-11, 180-pounder. “I’ve worked hard to get to this point and I will continue to be a hard worker. I love Traverse City and can’t wait for the June camp. I hope I can contribute to a very successful season up there.”
Weber was the first overall selection by Chicago in the United States Hockey League draft. The Gaylord product was an All-State Dream Team selection, Traverse City Record-Eagle All-Region Dream Team captain and Team Michigan invitee after posting an 18-goal, 20-assist senior campaign. Weber, who has drawn numerous NHL scouts to his prep games, has already committed to the University of Miami of the CCHA and is likely to stick with Chicago in the USHL next year.
However, Palumbo didn’t want to take a chance on Weber opting for another NAHL destination.
“It’s a shot,” Palumbo admitted. “We wanted to be there as an option for the kid. We have a solid program that’s close to his home. We’d love to have him, but so would everyone else. We felt it was worth taking the chance.”
With the two draft picks and seven tenders extended for 2007-08, the North Stars could have as many as nine exclusive-rights newcomers. In addition to Stephens, Weber and Wendecker, the team holds the rights to forwards Eric O’Hearn (Traverse City Central, Soo Indians), Eric McLintock (TC Central, Soo Indians), Sean Burke (TC West), and former North Stars winger Marc Thompson (Soo Indians). Additionally, the club tendered ex-TC Central all-state forward Alex Redmond late Monday. Defenseman Trevor Shively, brother of current TC netkeep Stefan Shively, was the franchise’s first tender of the year.
“We think it’s a pretty solid group,” Palumbo surmised. “We’re excited to get everybody in for the June (tryout) camp to see exactly how they look, and how they work together.”
PIETILA DEALT: Palumbo sent winger Aaron Pietila to Marquette before the draft in exchange for a 2008-09 tender. Pietila, who logged 11 goals and 21 assists in 54 contests for Traverse City last year, will join his cousin with the second-year Rangers.
“Aaron wanted to be with his cousin and he has family up there, so we wanted to help him be where he wanted to be,” Palumbo explained.
Pietila, a Brighton native, also drew interest from some USHL teams, including the Green Bay Gamblers and Tri-City Storm.
After losing All-NAHL defenseman Nick Von Bokern to the league’s age limit and fellow rearguard Eric Scovill to the University of Wisconsin-Stout, the Traverse City North Stars added a pair of blueliners to the fold last Tuesday through the North American Hockey League’s entry draft.
The third-year club tabbed Blind River (Ont.) defenseman Tyler Stephens in the first round of the draft, and took a chance on all-everything phenom Will Weber of Gaylord High School with the team’s second-round selection.
“We needed to get stronger on defense,” explained Anthony Palumbo after conducting his first draft as TC’s GM. “We have some solid defensemen who are eligible to return (next season), but we wanted to bolster that group as best we could.”
Stephens played for the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Blind River Beavers last year - the same club that seasoned former North Stars standout Jake Erway - scoring thrice and assisting on 11 others in 41 contests. He amassed just 46 penalty minutes over that span, while shoring up the Beavers’ own end of the ice.
“Tyler’s a solid defensive defenseman with offensive skills to boot,” said Palumbo, who tendered offensive-minded blue-liner Phil Wendecker of Livonia Churchill High School on Monday. “He’s got a year of Junior A experience and he’s a solid kid. I’ve known their family for 15 years. He’s also already being scouted by Division I coaches, too.”
Stephens, who prepped at Rockford High School, says he’s been waiting for the draft since his stellar showing at the Toronto Prospects camp in Ontario two weeks ago.
“I’m very excited,” said the 5-foot-11, 180-pounder. “I’ve worked hard to get to this point and I will continue to be a hard worker. I love Traverse City and can’t wait for the June camp. I hope I can contribute to a very successful season up there.”
Weber was the first overall selection by Chicago in the United States Hockey League draft. The Gaylord product was an All-State Dream Team selection, Traverse City Record-Eagle All-Region Dream Team captain and Team Michigan invitee after posting an 18-goal, 20-assist senior campaign. Weber, who has drawn numerous NHL scouts to his prep games, has already committed to the University of Miami of the CCHA and is likely to stick with Chicago in the USHL next year.
However, Palumbo didn’t want to take a chance on Weber opting for another NAHL destination.
“It’s a shot,” Palumbo admitted. “We wanted to be there as an option for the kid. We have a solid program that’s close to his home. We’d love to have him, but so would everyone else. We felt it was worth taking the chance.”
With the two draft picks and seven tenders extended for 2007-08, the North Stars could have as many as nine exclusive-rights newcomers. In addition to Stephens, Weber and Wendecker, the team holds the rights to forwards Eric O’Hearn (Traverse City Central, Soo Indians), Eric McLintock (TC Central, Soo Indians), Sean Burke (TC West), and former North Stars winger Marc Thompson (Soo Indians). Additionally, the club tendered ex-TC Central all-state forward Alex Redmond late Monday. Defenseman Trevor Shively, brother of current TC netkeep Stefan Shively, was the franchise’s first tender of the year.
“We think it’s a pretty solid group,” Palumbo surmised. “We’re excited to get everybody in for the June (tryout) camp to see exactly how they look, and how they work together.”
PIETILA DEALT: Palumbo sent winger Aaron Pietila to Marquette before the draft in exchange for a 2008-09 tender. Pietila, who logged 11 goals and 21 assists in 54 contests for Traverse City last year, will join his cousin with the second-year Rangers.
“Aaron wanted to be with his cousin and he has family up there, so we wanted to help him be where he wanted to be,” Palumbo explained.
Pietila, a Brighton native, also drew interest from some USHL teams, including the Green Bay Gamblers and Tri-City Storm.
Rangers add draft picks, tenders, make trade
The Marquette Rangers concluded a busy day last Tuesday with the signing of seven tenders and two draft picks from the 2007 North American Hockey League draft.
"We're excited about the talent level we were able to bring to our organization" said Rangers head coach Randy Enders. "This has been a long process. We've covered a lot of miles and watched hundreds of players over the past few months and we're confident we've brought in a good group of guys to compete to be a part of our final roster."
Players Tendered:
Ian Andrews - Sheboygan (WI.) H.S./Team Wisconsin, 5' 10" 170 lb. forward
Finalist for player of the year in Wisconsin. A smooth skating forward who put up impressive numbers in his senior season of high school. Andrews scored 35 goals and registered 31 assists in just 22 games for the Red Raiders. A team player and all-around competitor, he was also a three time captain. He led team in both scoring and blocked shots.
Josh Bussell - Detroit Honeybaked Midget AAA, 5' 10" 180 lb. forwardTied for his team's scoring leadership, finished 11th overall in league scoring. A hard-working gritty forward with big point ability, led his midget team to the national quarterfinals.
Kyle Jean - Soo Indians Midget AAA, 6'2" 190 lb. forward
A big, strong highly skilled forward who is able to score and control play in front of the net. Jean provides good size and a solid presence not common in the NAHL. Has the potential to produce high numbers on special teams.
Josh Kesler - Victory Honda Midget AAA, 6' 3" 180 lb. forward
A forward who skates very well, is an all-around solid forward capable of immediate impact in the NAHL. He is a developing forward that has a huge upside as shown in being a draft pick in the recent USHL draft. Kesler scored six goals and 12 assists for 18 points last season in MWEHL play.
Kevin Kranker - Lake Orion (MI.) H.S., 5' 9" 170 lb. forward
All State First team forward. Kranker finished in the top five in both goals scored and assists on a team that finished in the state quarter-finals. Also played for the Metro Jets of the CSHL. A speedy playmaker that is not afraid to get physical. A great team player with a "first on the ice, last off" attitude.
Tyler Matthews - Buffalo Junior Sabres OPJHL, 5' 11" 185 lb. defenseman
A solid all-around defenseman that brings Junior A experience. He moves well in his defensive zone and that allows him to effectively break out the puck. He is also not afraid to play the body and be a physical presence on the ice.
Collin Saint-Onge - Marquette Electricians Midget AAA, 6' 1" 170 lb. forward
A former Marquette Electrician that skates with good top end speed. His speed will play a major part to create scoring chances. He will be able to add depth at the forward position and his size and strength will be a positive factor in his play. He led the Electricians in scoring last year with 17 goals and 35 assists for 52 points.
Drafted Players:
Garrett Ladd, Detroit Victory Honda Midget AAA, 5' 10" 170 lb. forward
Ladd is a good skating, sure-handed forward with very good puck skills. Plays as an all around forward who's good in his own end as well as offensively. He scored two goals and 11 assists in 24 MWEHL games.
Anthony Leone, Detroit Honeybaked Midget AAA, 5' 9" 190 lb. defenseman
Leone was captain of a national quarterfinal team. A smart, mobile defenseman who plays well in his own end will add depth and compliment the returning defensive corps. Ended season with five goals and 19 assists for 24 points, finished +9 and registered 58 penalty minutes.
The Rangers have also obtained Aaron Pietila through a trade with North Division rival Traverse City. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound forward played in 54 games for the North Stars last season finishing in a fourth place tie in team scoring with 32 points on 11 goals and 21 assists. The Brighton native previously played one season for the Cleveland Barons of the NAHL and participated in the Robertson Cup championship round with the club in 2005 – 2006. Pietila is a tough, well rounded forward with good skating ability, and will be a solid contributor offensively. He's a proven point producer at the Junior A level and will immediately be an impact player.
"We're excited about the talent level we were able to bring to our organization" said Rangers head coach Randy Enders. "This has been a long process. We've covered a lot of miles and watched hundreds of players over the past few months and we're confident we've brought in a good group of guys to compete to be a part of our final roster."
Players Tendered:
Ian Andrews - Sheboygan (WI.) H.S./Team Wisconsin, 5' 10" 170 lb. forward
Finalist for player of the year in Wisconsin. A smooth skating forward who put up impressive numbers in his senior season of high school. Andrews scored 35 goals and registered 31 assists in just 22 games for the Red Raiders. A team player and all-around competitor, he was also a three time captain. He led team in both scoring and blocked shots.
Josh Bussell - Detroit Honeybaked Midget AAA, 5' 10" 180 lb. forwardTied for his team's scoring leadership, finished 11th overall in league scoring. A hard-working gritty forward with big point ability, led his midget team to the national quarterfinals.
Kyle Jean - Soo Indians Midget AAA, 6'2" 190 lb. forward
A big, strong highly skilled forward who is able to score and control play in front of the net. Jean provides good size and a solid presence not common in the NAHL. Has the potential to produce high numbers on special teams.
Josh Kesler - Victory Honda Midget AAA, 6' 3" 180 lb. forward
A forward who skates very well, is an all-around solid forward capable of immediate impact in the NAHL. He is a developing forward that has a huge upside as shown in being a draft pick in the recent USHL draft. Kesler scored six goals and 12 assists for 18 points last season in MWEHL play.
Kevin Kranker - Lake Orion (MI.) H.S., 5' 9" 170 lb. forward
All State First team forward. Kranker finished in the top five in both goals scored and assists on a team that finished in the state quarter-finals. Also played for the Metro Jets of the CSHL. A speedy playmaker that is not afraid to get physical. A great team player with a "first on the ice, last off" attitude.
Tyler Matthews - Buffalo Junior Sabres OPJHL, 5' 11" 185 lb. defenseman
A solid all-around defenseman that brings Junior A experience. He moves well in his defensive zone and that allows him to effectively break out the puck. He is also not afraid to play the body and be a physical presence on the ice.
Collin Saint-Onge - Marquette Electricians Midget AAA, 6' 1" 170 lb. forward
A former Marquette Electrician that skates with good top end speed. His speed will play a major part to create scoring chances. He will be able to add depth at the forward position and his size and strength will be a positive factor in his play. He led the Electricians in scoring last year with 17 goals and 35 assists for 52 points.
Drafted Players:
Garrett Ladd, Detroit Victory Honda Midget AAA, 5' 10" 170 lb. forward
Ladd is a good skating, sure-handed forward with very good puck skills. Plays as an all around forward who's good in his own end as well as offensively. He scored two goals and 11 assists in 24 MWEHL games.
Anthony Leone, Detroit Honeybaked Midget AAA, 5' 9" 190 lb. defenseman
Leone was captain of a national quarterfinal team. A smart, mobile defenseman who plays well in his own end will add depth and compliment the returning defensive corps. Ended season with five goals and 19 assists for 24 points, finished +9 and registered 58 penalty minutes.
The Rangers have also obtained Aaron Pietila through a trade with North Division rival Traverse City. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound forward played in 54 games for the North Stars last season finishing in a fourth place tie in team scoring with 32 points on 11 goals and 21 assists. The Brighton native previously played one season for the Cleveland Barons of the NAHL and participated in the Robertson Cup championship round with the club in 2005 – 2006. Pietila is a tough, well rounded forward with good skating ability, and will be a solid contributor offensively. He's a proven point producer at the Junior A level and will immediately be an impact player.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Whalers bounced in Memorial Cup semis
Friday, May 18Game #1: Vancouver Giants 4, Plymouth Whalers 3 (OT)
Saturday, May 19
Game #2: Lewiston MAINEiacs 3, Medicine Hat Tigers 1
Sunday, May 20
Game #3: Vancouver 2, Lewiston 1
Monday, May 21
Game #4: Medicine Hat 4, Plymouth 1
Tuesday, May 22
Game #5: Plymouth 2, Lewiston 1 (OT)
Wednesday, May 23
Game #6: Medicine Hat 1, Vancouver 0
Thursday, May 24
Tie Breaker Game - Plymouth 5, Lewiston 1
Friday, May 25
Semifinal Game - Vancouver 8, Plymouth 1
Sunday, May 27
MasterCard Memorial Cup Championship Game
Vancouver 3, Medicine Hat 1
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Michigan teams take part in NAHL Draft
The North American Hockey League has announced the results of the two-round 2007 NAHL Entry Draft, which was conducted on Tuesday afternoon.
The three Michigan teams particpated.
ALPENA ICEDIGGERS
Alpena (traded to Wichita Falls)
Alpena (traded to Kenai River)
MARQUETTE RANGERS
Marquette - Garrett Ladd, F, Victory Honda
Marquette - Anthony Leone, D, Honeybaked
TRAVERSE CITY NORTH STARS
Traverse City - Tyler Stephens, D, Blind River
Traverse City - Will Weber, D, Gaylord HS
The three Michigan teams particpated.
ALPENA ICEDIGGERS
Alpena (traded to Wichita Falls)
Alpena (traded to Kenai River)
MARQUETTE RANGERS
Marquette - Garrett Ladd, F, Victory Honda
Marquette - Anthony Leone, D, Honeybaked
TRAVERSE CITY NORTH STARS
Traverse City - Tyler Stephens, D, Blind River
Traverse City - Will Weber, D, Gaylord HS
Hunwick spurns Adrian, chooses Michigan
Alpena IceDiggers' goalie Shawn Hunwick has committed to play goal for the Michigan Wolverines this upcoming season.
The Sterling Heights native will carry the Hunwick name for another four years at the university. Shawn's older brother, Matt, just finished his senior season as Michigan's captain.
The Sterling Heights native will carry the Hunwick name for another four years at the university. Shawn's older brother, Matt, just finished his senior season as Michigan's captain.
Hunwick, 20, spent this season in Alpena compiling a record of 17-9-2 with one shutout in 31 games played.
"Shawn deserves the chance to play at the D-I level," Alpena head coach Kenny Miller said. "He is a hard-working kid that will compete everyday in practice. He is very excited about this chance and I am happy for him and his family."
Hunwick joins Todd Rudasill (Ohio State), Eric Roman (Wayne State), Drew Pierson (Army) and Chad Billins (Ferris State in '08) as members of the 2006-2007 season to commit to Division I programs.
Hunwick originally committed to D-III Adrian before deciding on Michigan.
"Shawn deserves the chance to play at the D-I level," Alpena head coach Kenny Miller said. "He is a hard-working kid that will compete everyday in practice. He is very excited about this chance and I am happy for him and his family."
Hunwick joins Todd Rudasill (Ohio State), Eric Roman (Wayne State), Drew Pierson (Army) and Chad Billins (Ferris State in '08) as members of the 2006-2007 season to commit to Division I programs.
Hunwick originally committed to D-III Adrian before deciding on Michigan.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Traverse City tenders forward, defenseman
The Traverse City North Stars gave up 49 more goals last season than any other club in the North American Hockey League and that will be a point of focus heading into Tuesday’s NAHL Draft.
In the interim, the team tendered a pair of players on Monday, laying claim to the rights to slick-skating defenseman Phil Wendecker and original North Stars forward Marc Thompson.
“To lead the league in goals-against, we know we have to add more support on the back end,” said Stars GM Anthony Palumbo. “We’ll be looking at defensemen and maybe some goaltending in order to address that. In general, we need to find a couple of kids who can come in and make an impact.”
The North Stars pick third in the draft, behind Alaska and the expansion Kenai River Brown Bears. The draft, which gets underway at 1 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, is held via teleconference with all 18 NAHL clubs taking part.
The two newest North Stars properties will not be subject to the drafting process. Their rights belong to Traverse City and no other NAHL club can select them.
Wendecker starred at Livonia Churchill last season, registering 10 goals and assisting on 19 others. His offensive ability may help replace the statistical loss of Nick Von Bokern, the NAHL’s leading scorer among defenseman in 2006-07.
“He’s a skilled, puck-moving defenseman,” said Palumbo. “He is good in his own zone and can really help out with some offense, too.”
Wendecker, a 6-foot-1, 175-pound blueliner, says he’s excited about the chance to try his hand at the next level.
“Obviously, there’ll be an adjustment period, but I’m looking forward to it,” Wendecker said. “Mr. Palumbo came and watched me play, and he seemed very interested, which felt good. Now I have to go out and prove him right.”
Wendecker was a teammate of current Stars defenseman Chris Heineman when the two were members of the IceDogs squirt and pee wee youth teams. He also faced off against league rival Zach Hitch when the TC forward was Mr. Hockey at Brighton High School.
Thompson, on the other hand, was a draft choice of the North Stars in 2005 and spent 15 games in a Stars sweater that season. He played with the Soo (Mich.) Indians of the midget-major Midwest Elite Hockey League last year, recording eight goals and 10 assists in 26 contests.
“Marc really played well at the (May 11-13) pre-draft camp and we took note,” Palumbo explained. “He’s grown physically and is maturing into a very solid hockey player. We think he can contribute right away.”
Thompson played last year with fellow 2007 TC tenders and natives Eric O’Hearn and Eric McLintock.
Tuesday’s draft could net the North Stars – who dealt away some of its draft selections last year - three players, or just two if the club does not expend its final tender. In a new twist, NAHL teams can turn a portion of their tenders into draft picks.
“We’re looking for high-quality players who want to compete – guys with skill, character, and toughness,” Palumbo explained. “It’s hard to find players who have all those qualities, but we think we have a few of them now, and we have our eyes on some guys who do, too.”
In the interim, the team tendered a pair of players on Monday, laying claim to the rights to slick-skating defenseman Phil Wendecker and original North Stars forward Marc Thompson.
“To lead the league in goals-against, we know we have to add more support on the back end,” said Stars GM Anthony Palumbo. “We’ll be looking at defensemen and maybe some goaltending in order to address that. In general, we need to find a couple of kids who can come in and make an impact.”
The North Stars pick third in the draft, behind Alaska and the expansion Kenai River Brown Bears. The draft, which gets underway at 1 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, is held via teleconference with all 18 NAHL clubs taking part.
The two newest North Stars properties will not be subject to the drafting process. Their rights belong to Traverse City and no other NAHL club can select them.
Wendecker starred at Livonia Churchill last season, registering 10 goals and assisting on 19 others. His offensive ability may help replace the statistical loss of Nick Von Bokern, the NAHL’s leading scorer among defenseman in 2006-07.
“He’s a skilled, puck-moving defenseman,” said Palumbo. “He is good in his own zone and can really help out with some offense, too.”
Wendecker, a 6-foot-1, 175-pound blueliner, says he’s excited about the chance to try his hand at the next level.
“Obviously, there’ll be an adjustment period, but I’m looking forward to it,” Wendecker said. “Mr. Palumbo came and watched me play, and he seemed very interested, which felt good. Now I have to go out and prove him right.”
Wendecker was a teammate of current Stars defenseman Chris Heineman when the two were members of the IceDogs squirt and pee wee youth teams. He also faced off against league rival Zach Hitch when the TC forward was Mr. Hockey at Brighton High School.
Thompson, on the other hand, was a draft choice of the North Stars in 2005 and spent 15 games in a Stars sweater that season. He played with the Soo (Mich.) Indians of the midget-major Midwest Elite Hockey League last year, recording eight goals and 10 assists in 26 contests.
“Marc really played well at the (May 11-13) pre-draft camp and we took note,” Palumbo explained. “He’s grown physically and is maturing into a very solid hockey player. We think he can contribute right away.”
Thompson played last year with fellow 2007 TC tenders and natives Eric O’Hearn and Eric McLintock.
Tuesday’s draft could net the North Stars – who dealt away some of its draft selections last year - three players, or just two if the club does not expend its final tender. In a new twist, NAHL teams can turn a portion of their tenders into draft picks.
“We’re looking for high-quality players who want to compete – guys with skill, character, and toughness,” Palumbo explained. “It’s hard to find players who have all those qualities, but we think we have a few of them now, and we have our eyes on some guys who do, too.”
Whalers' 2006 draft pick opts for Harvard
Ryan Grimshaw, a 1990-born defenseman, has committed to Harvard for the 2008 season, according to the U.S. Hockey Report.Grimshaw, from Rochester, N.Y., spent this past season in Ann Arbor playing with the U.S. National Team Development Program.
Prior to moving to Ann Arbor, Grimshaw spent a season prepping at Salisbury Prep, where he played for Harvard coach Ted Donato's brother, Dan (who recently resigned from Salisbury). Grimshaw reportedly selected Harvard over Cornell, Boston University, Michigan and RPI.
Grimshaw was the Plymouth Whalers' 15th-round pick (293rd overall) in the 2006 OHL Priority Selection.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
North Stars deal Foguth, acquire Sauer
The Traverse City North Stars got a little more fleet afoot on Friday, albeit at the expense of some girth.The team sent prodigious forward John Foguth south, trading the Fenton native to the Wichita Falls Wildcats for playmaking winger Joel Sauer.
Sauer (pictured) was tied for third last season among Wildcats scorers with 36 points after appearing in all 62 regular season contests for the Cats.
“We thought John would be a little more in his element in the South Division,” explained Stars GM Anthony Palumbo. “They (Wichita Falls) needed to get a little more rugged, a little tougher, and we know John brings that to the table. We needed a puckhandling, playmaker-type up front and we think that’s what we got with Joel.”
Sauer, 19, netted eight goals and assisted on 28 others, including 13 assists on the power play. The Verona, Wisc. native came on strong toward the end of the 2006-07 campaign, registering six goals over the final 13 contests of the regular season.
Foguth (6-4, 220 pounds), who played 18 games last year for the North Stars after a mid-season trade brought him in from Springfield, had a pair of goals and two assists in TC and three goals and four assists over the entirety of the season. He also logged a combined 148 penalty minutes.
“We lose a little size in the deal, but we also get a great deal of skill with Sauer (5-11, 180),” Palumbo surmised. “I think it was a win-win for both teams.”
Friday, May 18, 2007
Alpena tenders Livonia native Yarber
The Alpena IceDiggers have added forward Andy Yarber to their tender list for the 2007-2008 season."Andy brings grit to our hockey club and the fans in Alpena will be excited to see this kid's work ethic," Alpena head coach Kenny Miller said. "He is not very big, but he works hard every shift and I except him to do that at the junior level."
The Livonia native spent the 2006-2007 season with the Compuware Ambassadors midgets where he scored four goals and added 10 assists in 26 league games.
Yarber joins Compuware teammate Jon Puskar, Tyler Pilmore and JC Gulch (Toledo Cherokee) and Dan Pason (Little Caesars) as players who have signed tenders for the '07-08 season.
Yarber's signing means he will reunite with former Ambassador and current IceDigger forward Jimmy McCusker next season.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Kochan named assistant coach with Rangers
Former NHL and Northern Michigan University goaltender Dieter Kochan has been named assistant coach for the Marquette Rangers.Kochan replaces Adrian Fure, who is leaving the area to pursue professional interests outside hockey.
The one-time NMU Wildcat is happy to be back in a hockey town, one with a very loyal following to the sport.
"This is a smart hockey town," Kochan said. "The fans here were great to play in front of; they know the game and will support all the hockey programs in Marquette. I'm looking forward to seeing ice in Lakeview Arena this fall and am anxious to coach at this level. To work with goaltenders and share what I've learned will be fun and will benefit all the players donning the Rangers sweater."
"This is just the next step in our evolution as an organization," said Rangers director of hockey operations Rich Tegge. "With the strides we have made as an expansion franchise, adding a quality person like Dieter to compliment our coaching staff will be huge for our players and organization. Dieter’s playing experience and knowledge of the game will be a tremendous asset toward helping our players excel and reach the next level of their careers, be it college or pro.”
The Madison, Wis., native was Vancouver's fourth round selection (98th overall) in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. He spent three seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning (including a stint with the IHL's Detroit Vipers) and also spent time in the Minnesota Wild and New York Islanders systems and was on the 2002 Calder Cup championship team with Houston in the AHL.
Kochan played at NMU from 1993-1997 under current NCAA champion Rick Comley, who is head coach of the Michigan State Spartans. Kochan is fourth all-time in the NMU record books in both games played (106) and saves (2,797) and is first all-time with five assists in a season and seven assists in a career.
Professionally, Kochan played in 379 games and had a career best season with AHL Bridgeport in 2003-2004, when he went 20-17-7 with a 1.87 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage. That season he shared the AHL's Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Trophy with teammate Wade Dubielewicz as the goaltending tandem that had the fewest goals against.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Gaylord's Weber goes No. 1 in USHL Draft
USHL Entry Draft – May 15, 2007 FIRST ROUND
1 -Chicago Steel – Will Weber, defenseman, Gaylord High School
2 -Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets – Alden Hirschfield, forward, Mahoning Valley Phantoms
3 -Green Bay Gamblers – Joe Schiller, forward, Detroit Lakes High School
4 -Indiana Ice – Patrick Cullen, forward, Washington Jr. Nationals
5 -Des Moines Buccaneers – Trent Vogelhuber, forward, St. Louis Bandits
6 -Sioux City Musketeers – Adam Hout, defenseman, Los Angeles Jr. Kings
7 -Sioux Falls Stampede – Jack Connolly, forward, Marshall High School
8 -Chicago (from Lincoln Stars) – Aaron Schmit, defenseman, Culver Academy
9 -Tri-City Storm – Mike Cichy, forward, Boston Jr. Bruins
10-Cedar Rapids RoughRiders – Matt Donovan, defenseman, Dallas AAA
11-Omaha Lancers – Donny Harris, defenseman, NW Regulators AAA
12-Waterloo Black Hawks – Drew McKenzie, defenseman, Taft School
Weber is a left shot defenseman that stands 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds and has already committed to Miami University for 2008.
"We are very excited to select Will with our top pick and have him a part of our program for next season, " said Steel GM Jason Koehler. "Our entire staff has had the chance to see him play and all we could say is ‘wow.’ It's hard to find quality defensemen at any level, but we feel we were able to get the best one in the country that will be playing in the USHL out of this draft. Will has seen his stock go through the roof the last few months with junior, college and NHL attention, yet through it all has remained poised and focused for the future. He's physically and mentally tough and will no doubt succeed at the junior level and beyond. Miami really hit a home run with this commitment and we're proud to have him a part of the Steel family."
Players from Michigan teams taken in the draft:
2nd round, 13th overall – Chicago – Andrew Miller, forward, Cranbrook-Kingswood
2nd round, 24th overall – Waterloo – Chad Billins, defenseman, Alpena IceDiggers
3rd round, 32nd overall – Tri-City – Colin Smith, forward, Belle Tire AAA
4th round, 42nd overall – Ohio – Zach Trotman, defenseman, Victory Honda AAA
5th round, 53rd overall – Omaha – Jake Hauswirth, forward, Marquette Rangers
6th round, 61st overall – Chicago – Eric Alexander, forward, East Kentwood High School
6th round, 69th overall – Waterloo – Kory Kaunisto, forward, Traverse City North Stars
9th round, 82nd overall – Lincoln – Mark Silverman, forward, Victory Honda AAA
12th round, 96th overall – Waterloo – Michael Montrose, defenseman, Little Caesars
12th round, 103rd overall – Sioux Falls – Jeff Rohrkemper, forward, Grosse Pointe North High School
13th round, 110th overall – Ohio – Jon Merrill, defenseman, Little Caesars
13th round, 114th overall – Sioux City – Nate Taurence, defenseman, Little Caesars
13th round, 117th overall – Tri-City – A.J. Treais, forward, Little Caesars
14th round, 121st overall – Chicago – Zach Golembiewski, forward, Belle Tire
14th round, 121st overall – Chicago – Zach Golembiewski, forward, Belle Tire
15th round, 133rd overall – Chicago – Josh Kesler, forward, Victory Honda
16th round, 156th overall – Waterloo – Anthony Schooley, forward, Traverse City North Stars
Monday, May 14, 2007
Neal's heroics give Whalers OHL crown
The Plymouth Whalers are Ontario Hockey League champions.James Neal’s goal at 3:22 of overtime snapped a 2-2 tie and gives Plymouth a 3-2 victory before a sellout crowd of 5,738 at the Sudbury Community Arena in Game 6 of the OHL Rogers Championship Series. The Whalers eliminated Sudbury in the series, four games to two, and win the J. Ross Robertson Trophy.
Plymouth advances to the Canadian Hockey League’s 2007 MasterCard Memorial Cup in Vancouver, B.C. and will face the host Vancouver Giants this Friday at 9 p.m. EDT in the opening game of the tournament. The game will be broadcast on http://www.plymouthwhalers.com/.
The Whalers came from behind to defeat the Wolves. After a scoreless first period, Justin Donati opened the scoring for Sudbury 29 seconds into the second period when he batted home a loose puck past Plymouth goaltender Michal Neuvirth for his team-leading 14th goal of the playoffs.
Plymouth came back to take their first lead of the game in the third period. The Whalers were working on two-man advantage to start the third period and Tom Sestito tied the game with his 11th goal of the playoffs at the 18-second mark of the period when he deflected Neal’s shot from the high slot past Sudbury goaltender Sebastian Dahm. The Whalers took their first lead of the game, again on the power play, when Sean O’Connor tipped Jared Boll’s shot from the left corner past Dahm at 6:15. Sudbury tied the game with a power play goal of their own at 13:25 of the third period when Nick Foligno capped good Sudbury pressure in the Plymouth zone with a one-timer from the hash marks past Neuvirth.
The set the stage for Neal’s goal, which came after Evan Brophey skated the puck from the right faceoff circle behind the Sudbury net and found Neal out in front. Neal made no mistake with a hard shot from the hash marks past Dahm for this team-leading 13th goal of the post season.
Plymouth outshot Sudbury, 43-25, in the game.
Sudbury captain and the OHL's top defenseman, Marc Staal, was named playoffs MVP.
Plymouth’s championship is the second in their 17-year history. The Whalers won the OHL title in 1995 and lost in the finals in 1994, 2000 and 2001.
The Sudbury Star has more on Game 6 HERE.
Photo by Natalie Beauchamp
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Plymouth Whalers are OHL champions!
OHL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIESPLYMOUTH WHALERS vs. SUDBURY WOLVES
Game 1 - at Plymouth 4, Sudbury 1
Game 2 - Sudbury 7 at Plymouth 3
Game 3 - at Sudbury 5, Plymouth 4 (OT)
Game 4 - Plymouth 3 at Sudbury 1
Game 5 - at Plymouth 4, Sudbury 3 (OT)
Game 6 - Plymouth 3 at Sudbury 2 (OT)
(Plymouth wins series, 4-2)
Redmond shooting for shot with TC
A couple months ago, Alex Redmond was sitting in his Kalamazoo domicile readying for an exam he was to take the next day.
The Western Michigan University student looked up from his book and had an epiphany.
“I said to myself, ‘What am I doing not playing hockey?’” explained Redmond, a key cog in Traverse City Central Senior High School’s 2005-06 state championship team. “I mean, I went to school to focus on the academics. I know how important that is. But I kind of realized all of a sudden just how much I missed the game.”
Redmond aced the test, then hatched a plan to get back on blades, which brought him to Centre ICE arena this weekend for the Traverse City North Stars’ annual pre-draft tryout camp.
“I wasn’t exactly in playing shape,” admitted Redmond, who drew support from brother Zach, a star defenseman for the Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League. “I was playing intramurals, but that’s not exactly the kind of hockey that’s going to help prepare you for junior tryouts. So I came into the weekend with a little bit of rust.”
Any such corrosion was either barely visible this weekend, or wore off as the camp went on, according to North Stars general manager Anthony Palumbo.
“Even with a year away from competitive hockey, Alex looked pretty good on Friday,” Palumbo assessed. “From there, he just got better and better each game as the weekend wore on. He’s somebody we’ll definitely want to see again.”
With that in mind, Palumbo and the Stars scouting staff extended Redmond an invitation to the team’s August training camp, from which the final 2007-08 roster will be hewn.
“I’m happy to get that chance,” said Redmond, whose Blue Team skated to a 4-1 win over the White Team in Sunday’s camp-capping finale at Centre ICE. “I know it’s a bit of a stretch to think I can take a year off from hockey and come back and make the North Stars roster, but this is something I really want to do. I talk to Zach all the time about how much fun it is to play juniors.”
Redmond is as decorated as any player in the region’s prep hockey history. He had 34 goals and 53 points over 29 games his senior year, leading the Trojans to a 26-2-1 mark and Traverse City’s first-ever state title. He was named to the state’s Dream Team following the season, the first player from TC in more than 10 years to earn the award, and earned first team All-State and Traverse City Record-Eagle All-Region Dream Team honors.
“That was a great experience,” the 6-foot, 155-pound right winger said of his whirlwind senior season. “I learned a lot – about being unselfish on the ice, about how a tight group of teammates interact – and how those things helped to shape our success.”
For now, Redmond – a Houston native who moved to Michigan at age 3 - will prepare for the August training camp, with the ultimate goal of playing in his hometown and earning a spot in a college hockey program.
“I know it’s a longshot, but I have to go after it,” Redmond said. “I’ve been thinking about it since that day it finally hit me.”
TC GOALIES SHINE: TC West goalkeep Dallas Kniss and TC Central backstop Travis Stricker were nearly impenetrable on Sunday in the annual Blue & White Game, leading Blue to a 4-1 win. Kniss - an All-Region Dream Team performer for Palumbo and the Titans last year with a 12-4 record, 1.66 goals-against average and .912 save percentage – stopped all 14 shots he faced, blanking the White Team for the first half of the contest. Stricker, an All-Region selection for the Trojans the past two years, permitted just one goal on 16 shots. Both earned invites to the August camp, along with Muskegon goalie Justin Grevious.
“I wouldn’t say I was surprised by how they played, because I know both of them and know how good they are,” Palumbo said. “But I was surprised how well they adjusted from high school hockey to a junior camp.”
Kniss says he was relaxed and confident with '06-07 North Stars defensemen Alex Breeden and Chris Heineman in front of him, along with former West teammate Nate Greenman.
“I felt a lot better than I did when the weekend started,” said Kniss, who led the Titans to their first-ever Big North Conference title in 2006-07. “There’s some adjustment period, but once I got sort of dialed in, I felt good out there.”
Nate Urbaniak paced the Blue Team with a pair of goals and an assist, while Marquette Electricians midget-AAA product Bran Cooper dished out a pair of assists.
SPRING FORWARD: The weekend camp marked the beginning of a new era of North Stars hockey, with Palumbo and new majority owner Steve Fournier overseeing the event. At least one participant enjoyed the weekend – despite leaving without an August invite.
“It went real smooth, and it was a good forum for this level of competition,” said Sal Ragusa, who led Quad City (Jr. B) in scoring last year and spent part of the 2005-06 season with the North Stars, attending tryout camps in 2006 and 2007. “There was a lot of talent here.”
In organizational news, Courtney Phillips was named Director of Operations last week. Phillips controls the day-to-day operations of the team, and drew praise from Fournier for a successful camp.
“She’s a key piece in our puzzle,” he said. “She does so many things for us and does them well. We’re fortunate to have her with us.”
The Western Michigan University student looked up from his book and had an epiphany.
“I said to myself, ‘What am I doing not playing hockey?’” explained Redmond, a key cog in Traverse City Central Senior High School’s 2005-06 state championship team. “I mean, I went to school to focus on the academics. I know how important that is. But I kind of realized all of a sudden just how much I missed the game.”
Redmond aced the test, then hatched a plan to get back on blades, which brought him to Centre ICE arena this weekend for the Traverse City North Stars’ annual pre-draft tryout camp.
“I wasn’t exactly in playing shape,” admitted Redmond, who drew support from brother Zach, a star defenseman for the Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League. “I was playing intramurals, but that’s not exactly the kind of hockey that’s going to help prepare you for junior tryouts. So I came into the weekend with a little bit of rust.”
Any such corrosion was either barely visible this weekend, or wore off as the camp went on, according to North Stars general manager Anthony Palumbo.
“Even with a year away from competitive hockey, Alex looked pretty good on Friday,” Palumbo assessed. “From there, he just got better and better each game as the weekend wore on. He’s somebody we’ll definitely want to see again.”
With that in mind, Palumbo and the Stars scouting staff extended Redmond an invitation to the team’s August training camp, from which the final 2007-08 roster will be hewn.
“I’m happy to get that chance,” said Redmond, whose Blue Team skated to a 4-1 win over the White Team in Sunday’s camp-capping finale at Centre ICE. “I know it’s a bit of a stretch to think I can take a year off from hockey and come back and make the North Stars roster, but this is something I really want to do. I talk to Zach all the time about how much fun it is to play juniors.”
Redmond is as decorated as any player in the region’s prep hockey history. He had 34 goals and 53 points over 29 games his senior year, leading the Trojans to a 26-2-1 mark and Traverse City’s first-ever state title. He was named to the state’s Dream Team following the season, the first player from TC in more than 10 years to earn the award, and earned first team All-State and Traverse City Record-Eagle All-Region Dream Team honors.
“That was a great experience,” the 6-foot, 155-pound right winger said of his whirlwind senior season. “I learned a lot – about being unselfish on the ice, about how a tight group of teammates interact – and how those things helped to shape our success.”
For now, Redmond – a Houston native who moved to Michigan at age 3 - will prepare for the August training camp, with the ultimate goal of playing in his hometown and earning a spot in a college hockey program.
“I know it’s a longshot, but I have to go after it,” Redmond said. “I’ve been thinking about it since that day it finally hit me.”
TC GOALIES SHINE: TC West goalkeep Dallas Kniss and TC Central backstop Travis Stricker were nearly impenetrable on Sunday in the annual Blue & White Game, leading Blue to a 4-1 win. Kniss - an All-Region Dream Team performer for Palumbo and the Titans last year with a 12-4 record, 1.66 goals-against average and .912 save percentage – stopped all 14 shots he faced, blanking the White Team for the first half of the contest. Stricker, an All-Region selection for the Trojans the past two years, permitted just one goal on 16 shots. Both earned invites to the August camp, along with Muskegon goalie Justin Grevious.
“I wouldn’t say I was surprised by how they played, because I know both of them and know how good they are,” Palumbo said. “But I was surprised how well they adjusted from high school hockey to a junior camp.”
Kniss says he was relaxed and confident with '06-07 North Stars defensemen Alex Breeden and Chris Heineman in front of him, along with former West teammate Nate Greenman.
“I felt a lot better than I did when the weekend started,” said Kniss, who led the Titans to their first-ever Big North Conference title in 2006-07. “There’s some adjustment period, but once I got sort of dialed in, I felt good out there.”
Nate Urbaniak paced the Blue Team with a pair of goals and an assist, while Marquette Electricians midget-AAA product Bran Cooper dished out a pair of assists.
SPRING FORWARD: The weekend camp marked the beginning of a new era of North Stars hockey, with Palumbo and new majority owner Steve Fournier overseeing the event. At least one participant enjoyed the weekend – despite leaving without an August invite.
“It went real smooth, and it was a good forum for this level of competition,” said Sal Ragusa, who led Quad City (Jr. B) in scoring last year and spent part of the 2005-06 season with the North Stars, attending tryout camps in 2006 and 2007. “There was a lot of talent here.”
In organizational news, Courtney Phillips was named Director of Operations last week. Phillips controls the day-to-day operations of the team, and drew praise from Fournier for a successful camp.
“She’s a key piece in our puzzle,” he said. “She does so many things for us and does them well. We’re fortunate to have her with us.”
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Stricker hoping to make Traverse City squad
Tyler Stricker is hoping the third time is the charm.
The Traverse City Central Senior High School netminder has toiled at Traverse City North Stars camps the past three summers and would love to stay in town for the 2007-08 season. However, each time the local product was told that he had just missed out on a roster spot, good things have followed.
In 2005, Stricker was among the very first players to try out for the club in its first-ever camp. The coaches decided to go in another direction when personnel evaluations were made later in the summer, but Stricker did not let the minor setback derail his goaltending acumen. Instead, he went out and posted an undefeated record (16-0-1), a miniscule 1.40 goals-against average and sterling .930 save percentage. Oh yeah, his team experienced a fair amount of success as well, claiming TC’s first-ever state championship with a 2-1 win over Saline in the MHSAA title game.
“You can’t get down every time you go to a camp and don’t get picked,” said Stricker, a senior at TC Central this year. “You’re not always going to be a perfect fit for every team at every level. The main thing is to keep working hard, stay as consistent as you can, and let the coaches make their calls.”
North Stars GM Anthony Palumbo, who saw Stricker from the opposing bench the past three seasons, says Stricker’s even-keeled persona is a big plus for a backstop.
“Tyler is a very patient goalie,” said Palumbo, who skippered the TC West squad prior to heading the Stars’ front office. “Very rarely do you see him rattled even a little bit. He’s won some very big games, and he’s always been a winner at every level.”
Stricker, who had a 2.92 goals-against average for the Trojans last season, was selected from the pool of 12 goalies at this weekend’s pre-draft tryout camp at Centre ICE arena to a spot in Sunday’s Blue & White all-star game. He’ll join forces with former TC West netkeep Dallas Kniss for the Blue Team.
“I like the junior camps because you get to see different kinds of shots than you do in high school hockey,” exlained Stricker, who decided to become a goaltender after watching his cousin (Travis Stricker) man the pipes. “First of all, the shots are just plain harder and heavier. Secondly, a high school shooter doesn’t go top-shelf to snipe-out the goalie the way these guys do. You get to be exposed to a different approach (to shooting the puck).”
Palumbo says he is “leaning toward” keeping three goalies when the 2007-08 campaign opens in September.
“It’s going to be tough to make it here as a goalie,” Palumbo conceded. “I think you need that number one, that go-to goalie, but if you look at the teams that are very successful, they also have another guy who can come in and make stops when he’s called upon, too.”
Palumbo also says he doesn’t have a preference in terms of goaltending style.
“I’m not averse to any style,” he explained. “I’m not looking for a stand-up goalie or a butterfly-style guy. It comes down to whatever stops the puck and whatever works for the individual. I’m not going to try to force a style on a guy if it isn’t there.”
Stricker, Kniss, and the rest of the Blue & White all-star game participants, will wrap up camp on Sunday at Centre ICE arena with the culminating contest, which is slated for face-off at 10 a.m. Admission is free.
The Traverse City Central Senior High School netminder has toiled at Traverse City North Stars camps the past three summers and would love to stay in town for the 2007-08 season. However, each time the local product was told that he had just missed out on a roster spot, good things have followed.
In 2005, Stricker was among the very first players to try out for the club in its first-ever camp. The coaches decided to go in another direction when personnel evaluations were made later in the summer, but Stricker did not let the minor setback derail his goaltending acumen. Instead, he went out and posted an undefeated record (16-0-1), a miniscule 1.40 goals-against average and sterling .930 save percentage. Oh yeah, his team experienced a fair amount of success as well, claiming TC’s first-ever state championship with a 2-1 win over Saline in the MHSAA title game.
“You can’t get down every time you go to a camp and don’t get picked,” said Stricker, a senior at TC Central this year. “You’re not always going to be a perfect fit for every team at every level. The main thing is to keep working hard, stay as consistent as you can, and let the coaches make their calls.”
North Stars GM Anthony Palumbo, who saw Stricker from the opposing bench the past three seasons, says Stricker’s even-keeled persona is a big plus for a backstop.
“Tyler is a very patient goalie,” said Palumbo, who skippered the TC West squad prior to heading the Stars’ front office. “Very rarely do you see him rattled even a little bit. He’s won some very big games, and he’s always been a winner at every level.”
Stricker, who had a 2.92 goals-against average for the Trojans last season, was selected from the pool of 12 goalies at this weekend’s pre-draft tryout camp at Centre ICE arena to a spot in Sunday’s Blue & White all-star game. He’ll join forces with former TC West netkeep Dallas Kniss for the Blue Team.
“I like the junior camps because you get to see different kinds of shots than you do in high school hockey,” exlained Stricker, who decided to become a goaltender after watching his cousin (Travis Stricker) man the pipes. “First of all, the shots are just plain harder and heavier. Secondly, a high school shooter doesn’t go top-shelf to snipe-out the goalie the way these guys do. You get to be exposed to a different approach (to shooting the puck).”
Palumbo says he is “leaning toward” keeping three goalies when the 2007-08 campaign opens in September.
“It’s going to be tough to make it here as a goalie,” Palumbo conceded. “I think you need that number one, that go-to goalie, but if you look at the teams that are very successful, they also have another guy who can come in and make stops when he’s called upon, too.”
Palumbo also says he doesn’t have a preference in terms of goaltending style.
“I’m not averse to any style,” he explained. “I’m not looking for a stand-up goalie or a butterfly-style guy. It comes down to whatever stops the puck and whatever works for the individual. I’m not going to try to force a style on a guy if it isn’t there.”
Stricker, Kniss, and the rest of the Blue & White all-star game participants, will wrap up camp on Sunday at Centre ICE arena with the culminating contest, which is slated for face-off at 10 a.m. Admission is free.
Indians' King commits to play at Adrian College
BY RANDY RUSSON
RR Media Service
Dependable defenseman J.D. King has commited to play Division III hockey at Adrian College, a private school located about 35 miles south west of Ann Arbor.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound hardrock defender played the 2006-07 campaign with the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League regular season and playoff champion Soo Indians.
"We would have loved to have J.D. back with us for another season but this is all about moving a fine young man on to college hockey," Indians' head coach Kevin Cain said of King, who played all of his minor hockey in the Michigan Soo, his hometown.
The 2007-08 season will mark the debut of Adrian College in the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association. Adrian will play in a new ice hockey facility scheduled to open in August.
Called the Bulldogs, Adrian College will be coached by Ron Fogarty, a former assistant with the Division I Bowling Green Falcons of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.
"I heard from Adrian earlier in the season and then just before the Dudley Hewitt Cup," said the personable King, a 1987 birth year who had a goal, six assists and 54 penalty minutes in 45 regular-season games with the Indians. "This is a really exciting opportunity. I always wanted to play college hockey somewhere in Michigan."
RR Media Service
Dependable defenseman J.D. King has commited to play Division III hockey at Adrian College, a private school located about 35 miles south west of Ann Arbor.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound hardrock defender played the 2006-07 campaign with the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League regular season and playoff champion Soo Indians.
"We would have loved to have J.D. back with us for another season but this is all about moving a fine young man on to college hockey," Indians' head coach Kevin Cain said of King, who played all of his minor hockey in the Michigan Soo, his hometown.
The 2007-08 season will mark the debut of Adrian College in the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association. Adrian will play in a new ice hockey facility scheduled to open in August.
Called the Bulldogs, Adrian College will be coached by Ron Fogarty, a former assistant with the Division I Bowling Green Falcons of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.
"I heard from Adrian earlier in the season and then just before the Dudley Hewitt Cup," said the personable King, a 1987 birth year who had a goal, six assists and 54 penalty minutes in 45 regular-season games with the Indians. "This is a really exciting opportunity. I always wanted to play college hockey somewhere in Michigan."
Burke aims to stick with North Stars
Sean Burke hopes he won’t have to go far to take the next step in his hockey career.
Just a few miles, to be exact.
The former Traverse City West High School star accepted a tender for 2007-08 from his hometown Traverse City North Stars late this week, just in time for the weekend pre-draft tryout camp at Centre ICE arena.
“I was pretty excited,” said Burke, who poured in 16 goals and assisted on 29 other for the Big North champion Titans last season. “It would be nice to be able to stay in TC. I know junior hockey is one way to get to college (hockey), and to be able to do it in front of family and friends would be great.”
Burke amassed just about every postseason honor available to him after leading West to its first-ever Big North Conference crown in 2006-07. He was named captain of the Traverse City Record-Eagle’s All-Region Dream Team in March, followed by All-Big North and All-State first team honors came his way.
“Sean has a tremendous work ethic and character,” pointed out North Stars GM Anthony Palumbo, who had coached Burke in four of the past five seasons. “He was basically the top forward in all of northern Michigan, and one of the top four forwards in the whole state.”
Burke, playing for the Red Team at the Stars’ three-day camp, thinks he knows what Palumbo and the team’s scouting staff are looking for.
“I just go out and work as hard as I can,” he said. “It’s a little faster, a little more physical (than high school hockey), so I can’t leave anything on the ice if I want to earn my spot.”
The Stars have just four tenders remaining to use before the May 22 NAHL Draft after securing the rights to Burke, ex-TC Central stars Eric O’Hearn and Eric McLintock and Cleveland-area defenseman Trevor Shively.
“Sean is a big team guy,” Palumbo pointed out. “He shows great leadership in leading by example. He likes the front of the net a la (Red Wings forward) Tomas Holmstrom, and is very difficult to knock off the puck. He’s also got that scoring touch you look for.”
Just a few miles, to be exact.
The former Traverse City West High School star accepted a tender for 2007-08 from his hometown Traverse City North Stars late this week, just in time for the weekend pre-draft tryout camp at Centre ICE arena.
“I was pretty excited,” said Burke, who poured in 16 goals and assisted on 29 other for the Big North champion Titans last season. “It would be nice to be able to stay in TC. I know junior hockey is one way to get to college (hockey), and to be able to do it in front of family and friends would be great.”
Burke amassed just about every postseason honor available to him after leading West to its first-ever Big North Conference crown in 2006-07. He was named captain of the Traverse City Record-Eagle’s All-Region Dream Team in March, followed by All-Big North and All-State first team honors came his way.
“Sean has a tremendous work ethic and character,” pointed out North Stars GM Anthony Palumbo, who had coached Burke in four of the past five seasons. “He was basically the top forward in all of northern Michigan, and one of the top four forwards in the whole state.”
Burke, playing for the Red Team at the Stars’ three-day camp, thinks he knows what Palumbo and the team’s scouting staff are looking for.
“I just go out and work as hard as I can,” he said. “It’s a little faster, a little more physical (than high school hockey), so I can’t leave anything on the ice if I want to earn my spot.”
The Stars have just four tenders remaining to use before the May 22 NAHL Draft after securing the rights to Burke, ex-TC Central stars Eric O’Hearn and Eric McLintock and Cleveland-area defenseman Trevor Shively.
“Sean is a big team guy,” Palumbo pointed out. “He shows great leadership in leading by example. He likes the front of the net a la (Red Wings forward) Tomas Holmstrom, and is very difficult to knock off the puck. He’s also got that scoring touch you look for.”
Friday, May 11, 2007
Spirit and Whalers honored by OHL
The Ontario Hockey League named their All-League Teams yesterday. A trio of Plymouth Whalers and one Saginaw Spirit skater earned OHL honors.
First Team
Center: John Tavares, Oshawa
Left Wing: James Neal, Plymouth
Right Wing: Patrick Kane, London
Defense: Marc Staal, Sudbury
Defense: Drew Doughty, Guelph
Goalie: Steve Mason, London
Coach: Mike Vellucci, Plymouth
Second Team
Center: Bryan Little, Barrie
Left Wing: Brett MacLean, Oshawa
Right Wing: Tyler Donati, Belleville
Defense: Jakub Kindl, Kitchener
Defense: Ryan Parent, Guelph
Goalie: Michal Neuvirth, Plymouth
Coach: Mike Kelly, Mississauga
Third Team
Center: Sam Gagner, London
Left Wing: Jamie McGinn, Ottawa
Right Wing: Sergei Kostitsyn, London
Defense: Alex Pietrangelo, Mississauga
Defense: Patrick McNeill, Saginaw
Goalie: Thomas McCollum, Guelph
Coach: Dave Barr, Guelph
First Team
Center: John Tavares, Oshawa
Left Wing: James Neal, Plymouth
Right Wing: Patrick Kane, London
Defense: Marc Staal, Sudbury
Defense: Drew Doughty, Guelph
Goalie: Steve Mason, London
Coach: Mike Vellucci, Plymouth
Second Team
Center: Bryan Little, Barrie
Left Wing: Brett MacLean, Oshawa
Right Wing: Tyler Donati, Belleville
Defense: Jakub Kindl, Kitchener
Defense: Ryan Parent, Guelph
Goalie: Michal Neuvirth, Plymouth
Coach: Mike Kelly, Mississauga
Third Team
Center: Sam Gagner, London
Left Wing: Jamie McGinn, Ottawa
Right Wing: Sergei Kostitsyn, London
Defense: Alex Pietrangelo, Mississauga
Defense: Patrick McNeill, Saginaw
Goalie: Thomas McCollum, Guelph
Coach: Dave Barr, Guelph
Rangers hold pre-draft camp this weekend
The Marquette Rangers will be holding their only local pre-draft tryout camp Friday through Sunday at the Berry Events Center at Northern Michigan University.
An excess of 65 hopefuls from around the country will be in Marquette for the event, which is free and open for fans to come and watch the action.
"We were very pleased with the fans' response to last year's tryout," said Rangers director of hockey operations Rich Tegge. "It's such a unique opportunity for fans to get a look at a part of the game they generally don't get to see, plus it's a chance for our fans to see who some of the future stars of the Rangers might be."
The schedule of events starts on Friday with practice sessions from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and games at 7:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Saturday begins with the first game at 8:00 a.m., followed by additional games at 9:30 a.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. with a goaltenders session scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
An All-Star game will end the weekend at 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning and will feature the players who have earned a right to be considered for the team for the 2007 – 2008 season.
The Rangers will also be holding tryouts in Chicago and Detroit later in June.
"This is where our season really begins," said Rangers head coach Randy Enders. "Fans see our final product in the fall and winter, but they don't see the process of how we put a team together. I think even the casual fan will be interested in watching this event and seeing first hand what it takes to develop a team that will compete at a high level like the North American Hockey League."
An excess of 65 hopefuls from around the country will be in Marquette for the event, which is free and open for fans to come and watch the action.
"We were very pleased with the fans' response to last year's tryout," said Rangers director of hockey operations Rich Tegge. "It's such a unique opportunity for fans to get a look at a part of the game they generally don't get to see, plus it's a chance for our fans to see who some of the future stars of the Rangers might be."
The schedule of events starts on Friday with practice sessions from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and games at 7:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Saturday begins with the first game at 8:00 a.m., followed by additional games at 9:30 a.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. with a goaltenders session scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
An All-Star game will end the weekend at 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning and will feature the players who have earned a right to be considered for the team for the 2007 – 2008 season.
The Rangers will also be holding tryouts in Chicago and Detroit later in June.
"This is where our season really begins," said Rangers head coach Randy Enders. "Fans see our final product in the fall and winter, but they don't see the process of how we put a team together. I think even the casual fan will be interested in watching this event and seeing first hand what it takes to develop a team that will compete at a high level like the North American Hockey League."
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