O'Hearn enters final season in Traverse City

Just about the time the Traverse City North Stars were enjoying their first season in the North American Hockey League, Eric O’Hearn was singing a sweet swan song across town at Traverse City Central High School, leading the Trojans to the city’s first-ever state hockey championship.

Soon after O’Hearn’s aria – a pair of goals and an assist in the state semifinals, and the opening salvo in the title game against Saline – he headed off to play for the midget Soo Indians and signed a tender to return the following season with the North Stars.

“It’s a privilege to get to play juniors in the town you grew up in,” said O’Hearn, a product of the youth Grand Traverse Hockey Association program and brother of TC West High School assistant coach and ex-Wayne State University forward Charlie O'Hearn. “It’s an honor to get to play Junior A hockey, but to get to do it in front of family and friends is an exciting added bonus.”

O’Hearn posted six goals and five assists in his first junior season, helping the Stars to a franchise-best 23 wins. TC head coach-GM Anthony Palumbo, observing this weekend’s training camp at Centre ICE arena, said O’Hearn appears fleet afoot.

“Last year was a pretty solid first year for him,” said Palumbo. “He was defensively responsible, a very good penalty-killer, and chipped in with some offense. From what I have seen this summer, his skating has improved tremendously, even from where he was at the end of the season – which was much better than at the start of the year. We’re looking for some big things from Eric, no question about it.”

Most hockey players are reticent to publicly target personal statistical goals, and the 6-1, 185-pound centerman is no different. But while others might be quick to cite an NAHL crown as the primary team focus, O’Hearn assumes a more progressive, incremental posture.

“Obviously, we want to improve on our record,” he explained. “We want to make the playoffs, then make a deep run. And I would not rule out a national championship if all those things fall into place.”

As Sunday’s summer camp finale approaches, O’Hearn and his fellow Stars hopefuls will find out which players will comprise the North Stars’ 2008-09 roster. Regardless of the make-up of the club, O’Hearn says that everyone begins the year on equal footing.

“Once the team is named, each player is an equal, a teammate, and North Star – not a rookie or a vet or anything like that. Guys are going to earn respect according to how they comport themselves on and off the ice.”

Palumbo says O’Hearn should make an impact in both areas.

“Eric’s one of the leaders of this team. I like the way he goes about his business – he’s always got a smile on his face, and his work ethic is outstanding.”

RED 3, WHITE 2: Kyle Bonis had a goal and an assist, Nate Urbaniak set up a pair of scores, and Brandon Stephenson pitched just under 30 minutes of shutout hockey as the Red Team overcame a two-goal deficit to post a 3-0 win in the first of two all-star games this weekend. The final contest is slated for 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, followed by the final round of personnel decisions.

O'Hearn photo by kidzplayphotography.net

Bonis ready for '08-09 with North Stars

Over the course of his 39 games with the Traverse City North Stars last season, Kyle Bonis became one of the most prolific goal-scorers in the North American Hockey League.

His 25 tallies tied a team record, he was first among TC skaters with 10 power-play markers, and accrued a paltry Lady Byng-esque eight minutes of penalty time.

Despite the eye-popping numbers, Bonis isn’t taking aim at a certain number of lamplighters this season. As the Lindsay, Ont., native was gearing up for this weekend’s North Stars training camp at Centre ICE arena, he only spoke of team success.

“Our goal here, from day one, is to win a national championship,” said Bonis, who is toiling for the White Team at this weekend’s 52-player, invite-only camp. “We learned a lot in the second half of last year about what it takes to win. We do have a lot of vets coming back, and hopefully we can carry that momentum right into this season.”

Bonis isn’t the only one who won’t attach a number to expectations. Stars head coach-GM Anthony Palumbo says that Bonis will end up on the scoresheet simply by doing the things he’s capable of.

“I would never want to saddle a kid with some kind of magic number that he’s supposed to attain,” Palumbo explained. “We need Kyle to be a leader, to play both ends of the ice, and utilize his considerable offensive abilities. If he does all that, the numbers are going to take care of themselves.”

Palumbo also says that Bonis will assume additional responsibilities this season.

“Toward the end of last year, we put Kyle out on the (penalty) kill and he was very effective. He’s always been great on the power play, and we’ll continue to expand his role this year.”

Bonis and linemate Nate Urbaniak – who also posted a team-record 25 goals last year – are likely to be re-united this season. The third member of their forward triad is yet to be determined, but Urbaniak is pleased that at least two-thirds of the club’s top scoring line is back.

“We talked a lot over the summer, and I was among those who were trying to get Kyle to come back here,” said Urbaniak, who enters his third season in Traverse City. “I was very excited when he said he’d be back. He should tear it up this year.”

Palumbo, who used Harrison Niemann and Kory Kaunisto with the tandem in 2007-08, says he hasn’t decided which player will fill that role.

“It will have to be a guy who has the offensive skill and unselfishness,” he said.

Bonis, who has yet to commit to a college program, plans to major in business. He posted a 3.3 grade-point average at Lindsay Collegiate Vocational, and says he very much enjoys living in Traverse City during the season.

“The atmosphere here is great – much better than I expected when I first came in,” he said. “I’ve been to northern towns that didn’t care so much about their teams. Here, if you give a good effort, they respond.”

While Bonis came out of the proverbial box ablaze – he had seven points in his first five games with TC – he also closed out the campaign strong, registering at least a point in 14 of the Stars’ final 17 games last year, including a hat trick (three goals) and a playmaker (three assists) in back-to-back games during a sweep of North Division rival Marquette on Feb. 29-March 1. But Palumbo says the winger is every bit as productive in the locker room.

“Kyle bring an infectious attitude to the team – a pure love for the game of hockey. That rubs off on guys. That’s the kind of mindset you look for from your veteran leaders.”

Bonis and the rest of the Stars hopefuls are set for another two days of training camp this weekend at Centre ICE, at the conclusion of which the club’s roster will be selected. The first round of cuts are slated for mid-day on Saturday, followed by a pair of all-star games pitting the best of the summer camps against one another. Following Sunday’s all-star finale, Palumbo and his staff will pick the 23-25 players that will don the interlocking ‘TC’ when the team heads to Blaine, Minn., in the season-opening NAHL Showcase on Sept. 17. Bonis, for one, is well aware which team the Stars face in that opener.

“I’m looking forward to playing St. Louis,” he said. “They’re the team that knocked us out of the playoff race last year, they’re the champions, and they’re the first team standing between us and a successful season.”

Traverse City to set '08-09 roster Sunday

The 2008-09 edition of the Traverse City North Stars will come together this weekend at Centre ICE arena.

Exactly how that mosaic of hockey talent comes together remains to be seen.

“There are 25 spots up for grabs out there,” said Stars head coach-GM Anthony Palumbo. “Nothing is guaranteed. I expect a very up-tempo, high-energy camp as guys look to make our team.”

As many as 52 players are divided into three teams for a day and a half of round-robin action. On Saturday, that number is pared to two teams, as the first round of cuts are made. Following the Sunday morning all-star game, Palumbo and staff will award North Stars sweaters to the top performers.

The free weekend event will be the first off-season camp for veteran Stars forward Kyle Bonis, as well as TC tender and reigning "Mr. Hockey" Josh Miller of Trenton High.

“We’re really looking forward to having all the top guys together this weekend and let them go at it,” Palumbo added. “There will be a lot of talent on the ice.”

FRIDAY, JULY 25
11 A.M.-12 P.M.: Check-in
Noon-12:15 P.M.: Player/Parent Meeting
1-2 P.M.: RED practice
2-4 P.M.: WHITE vs. BLUE
7-8 P.M.: WHITE practice
8-10 P.M.: RED vs. BLUE

SATURDAY, JULY 26
9-10 A.M.: BLUE practice
10 A.M.-Noon: RED vs. WHITE
Noon-12:30 P.M.: CUTS
6-8:30 P.M.: ALL-STAR GAME #1

SUNDAY, JULY 27
9:30 A.M.-Noon: ALL-STAR GAME #2
Noon-?: Player conferences/final cuts
12:15-2 P.M.: Lunch/Player orientation

North Stars get White, trade Bourbonais

One way or another, Travis White was destined to become a Traverse City North Star.

The team originally selected the Sterling Heights defenseman in the 2006 NAHL Entry Draft, and re-acquired White in a trade with St. Louis last week in exchange for forward Clinton Bourbonais.

“We graduated four of our top defensemen and we’ve been working all summer to re-stock,” explained Stars head coach-GM Anthony Palumbo. “We had to give a quality player to get one, and we like what Travis brings to the table. He’s a tough, gritty defenseman who plays with an edge, is very good on the penalty kill, and was an integral part of a team that just won a national championship.”

White, a 5-foot-7, 170-pound blueliner, came up through the Honeybaked and Victory Honda midget programs before spending 2007-08 with St. Louis. He had a goal and eight assists in 47 regular season games with the Bandits to go with 57 penalty minutes and a +20 plus-minus rating. The Stars’ fifth-round pick (67th overall) in 2006, White was also drafted by the Lincoln Stars in the 2008 United States Hockey League draft.

Bourbonais registered seven goals and 23 assists in 54 contests last season, good enough for fourth among TC skaters.

The North Stars and Bandits will open the 2008-09 season at the NAHL Showcase in suburban Minneapolis on Sept. 17.

Ann Arbor native Duddy off to Ohio State

The Wichita Falls Wildcats of the North American Hockey League announced today that defenseman Sean Duddy has committed to Ohio State University for this coming fall.

In 56 regular-season games with the Wildcats in 2007-08, Duddy, from Ann Arbor, posted two goals and five points. He was also a plus-7.

“I’m excited to play in the CCHA which will allow my family and friends the opportunity to come and watch me play,” said Duddy, who turned 19 last week. “Ohio State was one of my top choices; they not only have a great hockey tradition, but were also one of the few schools that has the academic programs that are right for me.”

Duddy credits the organization and Wildcats coach-GM John Bowkus (Lansing) for helping mold him into a Division I player.

“Wichita Falls and Coach Bowkus played a huge role in my development,” said Duddy. “I’m grateful I had the opportunity to play for the city of Wichita Falls and Coach Bowkus.”

“Ohio State is getting a solid defenseman, but even more than that it’s getting a great character kid as well,” said Bowkus. “Sean has made huge strides in his development and we’re going to miss him.”

Duddy was slated to return to Wichita Falls this season, most likely as the team’s No. 1 defenseman.

“Sean would have been the top defenseman in the NAHL,” Bowkus added. “He’s worked his whole hockey life for an opportunity like this and I couldn’t be happier about his decision.”

Photo by RJ Meyer/NAHL

Brown and Schmitz named to Team USA squad

Plymouth Whalers forward Tyler J. Brown (Westland) and defenseman Beau Schmitz (Howell) were among 21 players selected by USA Hockey today for the USA Under-18 team to play in the 2008 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka Tournament August 12-16 in Breclav, Czech Republic, and Piestany, Slovakia.

Brown (pictured) scored four goals with six assists for 10 points and added 18 penalty minutes in 64 games last year in his first season with Plymouth. Brown was selected by Plymouth in the eighth round (159th overall) of the 2007 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.

Schmitz played last season for the U.S. National Team Development Program Under-17 Team in Ann Arbor, scoring six goals with nine assists for 15 points and 108 PIMs in 59 games. Schmitz was taken by the Whalers in the first round (19th overall) of the 2007 OHL draft and will play in his first season this year with the Whalers.

USA Hockey Release

Photo by Walt Dmoch/Plymouth Whalers

Farmington Hills' Levi the latest Whalers' signee

The Plymouth Whalers today signed 16-year-old defenseman Austin Levi, who was taken by the Whalers in the sixth round (110th overall) of the 2008 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.

“Austin Levi is a big, strong defenseman,” Plymouth GM Mike Vellucci said. “His midget coach last year (Todd Jenkins) said Austin had the most potential of any of the players on his team. He has a lot of raw ability. We’re very excited to work with him and get him to be the National Hockey League defenseman we think he can be.”

Levi – 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds and from Farmington Hills – recorded five assists in 22 games and 33 penalty minutes for the Compuware Under-16 team of the Midwest Elite Hockey League last season. Levi (pronounced LEE-vi) recently participated in USA Hockey’s Under-16 Festival, held June 21-27 in Rochester, NY.

“I’ve been in this rink for two years and I know what the Whalers are like,” Levi said. “I can get my education taken care of right now, so I wanted to go ahead and do this. It’s very comfortable and I know a lot of people here. It’s a good situation and I’m ready to take the next step.”

The Whalers have a long history of drafting and signing local players. There are nine local players on the Whalers current roster – Jeremy Smith (Brownstown), Josh Bemis (Clarkston), Christian Steingraber (Oregon, OH – just outside of Toledo), RJ Mahalak (Monroe), Beau Schmitz (Howell), AJ Jenks (Wolverine Lake), Tyler J. Brown (Westland), Mike Yovanic (Highland) and now Levi (Farmington Hills).

Levi is expected to report to Plymouth’s training camp in late August.

Photo of Levi and Vellucci by Natalie Shaver/Plymouth Whalers

Machine gearing up for first season

By Phil Colvin, Michigan Hockey

Metro Detroit has a North American Hockey League team again.

The Motor City Machine introduced its coach and general manager, Matt Romaniski, last month at Brownstown’s Ice Box Sports Center, the team’s new home arena.

The Downriver-based franchise relocated from Owatonna, Minn., after playing three seasons in the NAHL as the Southern Minnesota Express.

“This was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up,” said Romaniski (pictured), who grew up in St. Paul, but moved to Belleville in 1999 and has worked with several top young Michigan-based players in the past. “I’m glad to be back in this area, and we’re really excited about building a team with strong Michigan ties.”

With the wide array of high-level hockey in metro Detroit, Romaniski sees the Machine as a great fit.

“College coaches already come here to watch the (USA Hockey) NTDP, Midget AAA and high school and this will give kids a chance to stay and play at home at a high level and keep their college eligibility,” he said.

The Machine will compete in the NAHL’s six-team North Division along with the Mahoning Valley Phantoms, the U.S. National Under-17 Team and the league’s three other Michigan-based franchises, the Traverse City North Stars, Alpena IceDiggers and Marquette Rangers.

Romaniski believes the 33-year old NAHL has grown into a great league for player development, and the proximity to Central Collegiate Hockey Association campuses, the fact that Detroit is direct flight for most Eastern-based colleges and having the high-profile U.S. Under-17 Team in its division ensures high visibility for the Machine’s players.

“The league has changed so much,” he said. “The quality of play is very high, the pace is fast, the players play with passion and the fans will enjoy it.”

After deciding to move from Minnesota, the franchise ownership group looked at other venues, but quickly opted for Brownstown after seeing the arena and meeting Ice Box owner Johno Norian.

“I hit if off with Johno and we really wanted to be here,” said Romaniski.

Brownstown is undergoing an expansion of its downtown area and the Ice Box has plans for a $1 million renovation of the 5/3 Bank Arena that will be the home of the Machine. The planned expansion will have new seating, flooring and locker rooms, including an 1,800 square foot area for the Machine.

“We’re really excited to have the Machine here,” said Norian. “With the expansion of downtown and the arena we can help build up the sport and give back. It’s a win-win for the community and a win-win for the team.”

The Machine held tryouts in June and has a training camp scheduled for early July.

Defenseman Bennett Schnieder, who played two years at Cranbrook-Kingswood prep school in Bloomfield Hills, spent last season with the Express and will be one of the veterans on the Machine.

“It’s great to be back here,” said Schnieder, who is originally from Fort Myers, Fla. “I am excited about next season. We should have a good team.”

Romaniski expects a total of “five or six” players from last year’s squad to return, but the Machine has drafted, tendered and traded for Michigan natives, including brothers Nate and Nick Taurence of Trenton who played last season with the NAHL’s Bismarck Bobcats.

“We should have very solid goaltending and defense,” said Romaniski, who expects his roster to be on the young side with numerous 1990 and ’91 birthdates. “We’ve got a lot of work to do on and off the ice, but I am looking forward to it.”

MACHINE NOTES: Jesse Davis has assumed the role of assistant general manager and vice president of the Machine’s AAA teams. He will also serve as head coach of the Midget Major AAA squad… Victoria DePalma has been hired as part of the team’s sales and marketing staff… The Ice Box Sports Center has begun its new facelift for the NAHL and AAA teams.

Seguin, Wedgewood sign with Plymouth

The Plymouth Whalers announced today the signing of 16-year-old center Tyler Seguin, who was selected by the Whalers in the first round (ninth overall) in this spring’s Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.

Seguin (pronounced SAY-gann) scored 39 goals and 47 assists for 86 points in 51 games last season for the Toronto Young Nationals.

“We are very fortunate to sign Tyler,” Plymouth GM Mike Vellucci said. “He was a top-five pick in this year’s OHL draft and had several NCAA school offers. In the end, Tyler decided that he would play in the top developmental league in the world and at the same time receive a great education.”

“I’m just glad to get the opportunity to come to this great hockey club,” Seguin said. “I can’t wait to suit up in August. Plymouth is an unbelievable town with unbelievable fans. I got to meet all the rookies on the team from last year. Everyone's a bunch of great guys. I can’t wait to play. The summer’s going by so slow.”

Central Scouting describes Seguin as "a very skilled, offensively minded forward who plays a very prominent role in the success of his team. He is a very good skater that possesses quickness, agility and a great start. He plays the game at top speed and is always moving his feet while handling the puck. He is a great puck handler and an equally adept passer. He displays great vision and the ability to get his teammates the puck anywhere on the ice."

Whaler fans saw flashes of Seguin’s skill at Plymouth’s rookie orientation camp in May when he scored a goal with four assists over two sessions.

As Vellucci said, Seguin considered going to college. His dad, Paul, played from 1984-88 for the University of Vermont.

“All my life, I thought that was the path (college hockey) that I was going to take,” Seguin said. “But two or three weeks before the (OHL) draft, I came to Plymouth, found out about the program, found about the school packages and fell in love with the place. So that’s (Plymouth) where I see myself playing for the next couple of years.”

Seguin, from Brampton, Ont., will report to Plymouth’s training camp in late August and will attend school at the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park during the 2008-09 school year.

The Whalers also announced the signing of goaltender Scott Wedgewood, who was taken by Plymouth in the seventh round (130th overall) in the 2008 draft. Wedgewood, who turns 16 next month, compiled a 2.17 goals-against average and recorded two shutouts in 29 games last year for the Mississauga Senators.

Photo by Rena Laverty/Plymouth Whalers

NAHL North coaches ready for challenges

Courtesy NAHL.com

Between expansion, relocation and just plain old changes of scenery, plenty of head coaches will find themselves behind new NAHL benches this season, and the North Division is no exception.

Three bench bosses will mentor new clubs in the six-team North, all of whom have proven track records of winning and development.

In Marquette, the Rangers have ushered in a respected coach who’s anything but new to the league’s North Division. Kenny Miller, who spent the last three seasons with the Alpena IceDiggers since their move from Toledo after the 2004-05 season, will take the reigns of a third-year Marquette squad that has heightened expectations after missing the playoffs last year.

“My family and I are very happy with our decision to join the Rangers,” said Miller, the NAHL General Manager of the Year in 2007. “This is an organization that does everything first class and I’m looking forward to this coming season. The scouting staff has done a great job of identifying talent.”

A difficult decision to leave Alpena, Miller, who was the architect behind the team’s 46-point turnaround from the 2005-06 season to 2006-07, will miss his old home, but is looking forward to the task of turning the Rangers into a contender.

“We enjoyed our time in Alpena and we still have great friends there, but it was time for change and we’re glad we decided on Marquette,” said Miller, who made the move along with equipment manager Tate Precord.

With the departure of Miller in Alpena enters the highly regarded Jack Fritsche, who is no stranger to success in the NAHL.

Fritsche spent the 2005-06 season with the NAHL’s Cleveland Barons, where, in his first year, he led the team to a 35-19-4 record while guiding it to its first North Division playoff championship. The head coach of the USHL’s Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets last season, Fritsche is one of two coaches to leave the USHL for an NAHL head coaching position this season, joining St. Louis’ Regg Simon, who last season held the head job in Des Moines.

The Detroit area hasn’t seen Junior A hockey since the Compuware Ambassadors left after the 2002-03 season, but the NAHL is back in Hockeytown in the form of the Motor City Machine, which relocated from Southern Minnesota after last season. The Machine is led by Matt Romaniski, a seasoned coach who has strong ties to the Michigan hockey scene. He knows his team has big shoes to fill as it begins to forge its identity in the Motor City.

“The opportunity to coach in one of the country’s biggest hockey markets is great,” said Romaniski, who led the Express to a second-place finish in the NAHL’s Central Division last season. “It’s been along time since the NAHL has had a franchise here and we’re looking to bring back a winning tradition like so many of the old NAHL teams had here in Detroit.”

Three players under Romaniski’s watch last season have made college commitments, and he’s pushing for more of the same as he ushers in a new NAHL era in Detroit.

“My expectations are to have every player who puts on a Machine jersey become a better player and person by the end of the year, and to give them the opportunity to fulfill their goals and aspirations both in hockey and life,” he said.

Among the returning coaches in the North Division is Bob Mainhardt, who is back behind Mahoning Valley’s bench. Mainhardt, who has guided the Phantoms to a Roberson Cup championship tournament appearance the last three seasons, has had a hand in the development of over a dozen Division I players over the past two seasons.

Anthony Palumbo returns for his second season behind the Traverse City North Stars’ bench. The former Lake Superior State University standout guided the North Stars to a 23-23-12 mark last season, narrowly missing a postseason berth. Three of his players have committed to colleges for the upcoming fall.

And in Ann Arbor, USA Hockey National Team Development Program Under-18 Team coach John Hynes and Under-17 Team coach Ron Rolston will also return to their respective posts this coming season.

Spirit ink 2007 eighth-rounder Trecapelli

Defenseman Nick Trecapelli has signed a contract with the Ontario Hockey League's Saginaw Spirit.

The Spirit made the final contract offer a little more than a week ago and after some back-and-forth between them and the Trecapelli family, the deal was signed.

"It's pretty exciting," said the 6-foot-1, 180-pound Trecapelli, a graduate of the Guelph Minor Hockey Association who played for the Junior B Guelph Dominators last season.

Saginaw selected Trecapelli in the eighth round (145th overall) of the 2007 OHL Priority Selection.

"They came to quite a few of my games last year and they came to the Junior B all-star game where I played in Stratford," Trecapelli said.

He attended the Spirit's rookie and main camps in 2007.

"They had a big draft group last year and only five of us were invited to the main camp," Trecapelli said.

Trecapelli said the OHL was always his No. 1 choice.

"I grew up watching the Storm and the OHL. It was always my main goal growing up," he said.

He heads to Saginaw Aug. 25.

SOURCE

Clark named assistant with Motor City

The Motor City Machine has announced the hiring of Sean Clark as an assistant coach.

Clark, from Troy, spent his college playing days in the WIAC at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire before moving on to the professional level with the Bakersfield Condors of the ECHL.

After his playing career, Clark became an assistant coach for the Metro Jets of the Central States Hockey League before serving as head coach of the Michigan Jaguars during the 2006-07 season. After leaving the Jaguars, Clark jumped on board with the USA Hockey Select 17 staff in 2008.

"I'm very excited to be a part of the Motor City Machine organization,” said Clark. “I look forward to working together with (Machine) coach (and GM-Matt) Romaniski and building a solid franchise here in the Detroit area."

Since 2006, Clark has been with CORE Sports Fitness, where he serves as a skating instructor, performance coach and business director. He’s also the creator, director and head instructor of Kris Draper’s CORE Fundamentals Hockey School.

“Through my coaching experience and my training experience at CORE Sports Fitness, I believe that I can contribute both on and off the ice to the success of this team,” Clark added.

Oakland Township native off to WMU

The St. Louis Bandits of the North American Hockey League have announced that second-year forward Ben Miller has committed to Western Michigan University for the 2009-10 season.

Miller, who began his NAHL career with the Texas Tornado, tallied 26 goals and 52 points in 43 regular-season games for the Bandits in 2007-08. The 19-year-old from Oakland Township then netted five goals and 11 points in 11 playoff games.

Top Saginaw pick ready to report?

In the case of 15-year-old Brandon Saad, playing hockey became a huge part of his life at a very early age. His parents took him to their local ice rink in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, and they were surprised to find that two-year-old Brandon was so enthusiastic about skating. After developing his skills a little more, Brandon joined his cousins and brother in the game at the age of four.

Read the rest HERE.

Photo courtesy of the Saginaw Spirit

NOJHL Soo rivalry ready to resume

BY RANDY RUSSON
RR Media Service

Paul Theriault can barely contain his excitement that junior hockey has returned to the Michigan Soo, specifically venerable Pullar Stadium.

And the fact that it revisits a crossborder rivalry with the Soo Thunderbirds is merely a bonus.

"There's a lot of excitement about this team already," Theriault said of the Soo Eagles, an expansion franchise that will debut in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League this coming '08-09 season.

Theriault noted that a recent tryout camp for the Eagles drew several hundred interested spectators.

Hoping to succeed in a town where the Northern Michigan Black Bears couldn't make a go of it as recent as the 2005-06 season and where the Soo Indians had little fan interest during the 2006-07 campaign despite winning the NOJHL title, Theriault is cautiously confident that a move from Big Bear Arena to the downtown Pullar will result in better support for the Eagles.

"The Pullar is the ideal rink for junior hockey," said Theriault. "You can hear everything, you can see everything and the ice is very fast."

No stranger to the junior game on either side of the St. Mary's River, Theriault coached the old Soo Indians of the erstwhile International Junior Hockey League during the mid-1970s.

"We were well supported at the Pullar then and I see no reason why we won't be now," said the 58-year old Theriault, who has had success as a head coach with the Soo Greyhounds, Oshawa Generals and Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League and with pro teams in Germany, Italy and Japan.

Theriault also feels that stable ownership led by Michigan Soo native Greg Eagle along with corporate sponsors already on board and an "eager volunteer base committed to helping out" will make the Eagles a viable franchise.

"I'm just one of many who are willing to work hard to try to make this work," added Theriault, who was born on the Canadian side of the St. Mary's River, but has owned a home in the Brimley, Mich. area for many years.

As the Eagles' head coach, Theriault has thus far signed 17 players for the 2008-09 season, including centre Jason Johnson, who skated with the AAA midget Soo Indians during the 2007-08 term.

"Hopefully Jason will be the first of many local kids who'll play for the Eagles," noted Theriault, who said he hopes to assist with the development of the Michigan Soo minor hockey program.

Meantime, Theriault who has added veteran Michigan Soo minor hockey coach David Guisbert as an assistant, said Isaac McKechnie will be the Eagles' administrator with George Nesom performing the duties of manager.

The well-travelled Theriault said he has made a two-year commitment to the Eagles and "after that, we'll see where we are. We did a lot of work over the winter to get ready for this and overcame a lot of obstacles thanks to the efforts of Isaac and others. There's more work ahead, but I'm as excited as I've been about hockey in a long time."

Theriault said that not only is he enthused about coaching junior hockey in the Michigan Soo again but he's looking ahead to the crossriver rivalry with the Thunderbirds.

"I think that will be great for the league and for both teams," he stated emphatically. "I don't need to tell you about the intense rivalry there's been over the years with junior and senior teams from the two Soos."

Meantime, Thunderbirds' general manager Al Jones is eagerly anticipating the return of the Michigan Soo to the NOJHL.

"As an organization, we're pretty thrilled," said Jones. "Hopefully the rivalry will put more fans in both rinks. With Paul at the helm, the Soo Eagles will be a well-coached team."

Neither Jones or Theriault will have to wait long to establish the latest Twin Soo rivalry once the 2008-09 regular season starts. The Thunderbirds will play host to the Eagles on Sat. Sept. 13 at John Rhodes Community Centre. And on Wed. Sept. 17, the Eagles will entertain the Thunderbirds in their Pullar Stadium home opener.

"I can't wait to get started," Theriault concluded.

Pleckaitis invited to Chicago prospect camp

Saginaw Spirit forward Joe Pleckaitis has been invited to attend the Chicago Blackhawks prospect camp which runs from July 7 through July 11.

Pleckaitis is entering his fourth season in the Ontario Hockey League. He was drafted by the Ottawa 67's and spent parts of two seasons there before being traded to the Barrie Colts and then to the Spirit in the early part of the 2007-2008 regular season.

In 64 games in Saginaw, Pleckaitis notched six goals and 15 assists.

Joining Pleckaitis at Chicago's camp is former Spirit captain Patrick Asselin (Oshawa), along with Richard Greenop (Windsor), Adam Perry (Belleville), Andrew Wilkins (London), Shawn Lalonde (Belleville), Sebastian Dahm (Niagara) and Josh Unice (Kitchener).

Whalers trio invited to World Junior camps

Current Plymouth Whalers Jeremy Smith (Brownstown) and AJ Jenks (Wolverine Lake) have been named to the 2008 USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp, being held in Lake Placid, NY on August 1-9, while Chris Terry has been named to Canada’s National Junior Summer Evaluation Camp, being held July 25-29, 2008 in Ottawa, Ontario.

A goaltender, Smith was selected by the Nashville Predators in the second round (54th overall) in the 2007 National Hockey League Entry Draft. He was signed by the Predators last season, but should return to Plymouth for the 2008-09 season. An OHL All-Star last season, Smith was selected by Plymouth in the fourth round (64th overall) in the 2005 OHL Priority Selection and has compiled a 2.82 goals-against average a 46-21-5 won-loss record over 79 career games. He played for the United States in the 2008 World Junior Championship and received USA Hockey's Dave Peterson Award in 2007 as the top junior goaltender in the United States.

A center/left wing, Jenks was recently selected in the fourth round (100th overall) by the Florida Panthers in this year’s NHL Entry Draft. Originally selected by the Whalers in the seventh round (132nd overall) in the 2006 OHL Priority Selection, Jenks had his best offensive year with the Whalers last season when he scored 26 goals with 29 assists for 55 points in 68 games. In two seasons with Plymouth, Jenks has scored 35 goals with 43 assists for 78 points over 136 games.

Originally taken by the Whalers in the second round (29th overall) in the 2005 OHL Priority Selection, Terry has improved offensively every season with the Whalers and scored 44 goals with 57 assists for 101 points in 68 games last year. Terry is 13th on Plymouth all-time career scoring list with 75 goals and 120 assists for 195 points in 200 games. An OHL all-star last season, Terry was selected in the fifth round (132nd overall) by Carolina in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

List: All-Time Whalers and Spirit Import picks

The Plymouth Whalers and Saginaw Spirit each participated in the annual Canadian Hockey League Import Draft on Thursday.

Each team has had reasonable success in drafting from overseas over the years.

Here is a rundown of Plymouth and Saginaw all-time import picks:

PLYMOUTH
2008 - Jan Latal (55th overall)
2007 - no selections
2006 - Michal Neuvirth (27th overall)
2006 - Jozef Sladok (39th overall)
2005 - Ondrej Otcenas (25th overall)
2004 - Michael Kolarz (38th overall)
2003 - Vaclav Meidl (9th overall)
2002 - Martin Cizek (34th overall)
2001 - Jonas Fiedler (52nd overall)
2000 - no selections
1999 - Tomas Kurka (7th overall),
1999 - Libor Ustrnul (31st overall)
1998 - Tomek Valtonen (14th overall)
1998 - Denis Arkhipov (35th overall, did not report)
1997 - Yuri Babenko (12th overall)
1997 - Steve Lyle (27th overall)
1996 - Sergei Fedotov (4th overall)
1995 - Jan Vodrazka (11th overall)
1994 - Milan Kostolny (38th overall)
1993 - Jozef Kohut (32nd overall, did not report)
1992 - Richard Ujvary (11th overall)

SAGINAW
2008 - Jakub Svoboda (28th overall)
2008 - Richard Jarusek (49th overall)
2007 - no selections
2006 - Jan Mursak (33rd overall)
2006 - Tomas Zaborsky (36th overall)
2005 - no selections
2004 - Marek Kvapil (11th overall)
2003 - Grigory Misharin (56th overall)
2002 - Tomas Csabi (13th overall)

Plymouth chooses Czech defenseman Latal

The Plymouth Whalers announced the selection of 18-year-old defenseman Jan Latal in the annual Canadian Hockey League Import Draft Thursday.

Latal – a right-handed shot from the Czech Republic – was taken by the Whalers with the 55th selection of the draft.

The Whalers were scheduled to have the 25th pick in the draft, but GM Mike Vellucci decided to trade down when he moved the pick to Belleville for the Bulls’ 55th selection in the Import Draft. Belleville also sent a fourth-round pick in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection to the Whalers to complete the deal.

Plymouth passed on its second selection of the Import Draft (85th overall).

Latal played for Kladno in the Czech Republic last season, scoring three goals with three assists in 28 games. A knee injury (since repaired) cut Latal’s season short last year. Before that, Latal played internationally for the Czech Republic in the Under-16 and Under-17 World Tournaments.

“Our scouts knew about him,” said Vellucci. “Latal’s a steady, stay-at-home defenseman. Although we traded down, he was still available and we were able to get a fourth-round pick as well.”

“Latal’s got an excellent shot,” said Plymouth scout Willy Langer. “He’s a good skater with good vision. He’s not afraid to play in traffic in front of the net or along the boards.”

Latal comes from a hockey-playing family. His brother, Martin, is a Phoenix Coyotes draft choice who has played the last two seasons for Prince Edward Island in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Latal’s uncle, Jiri, played from 1989-92 for the Philadelphia Flyers.

CHL teams can play with two imports. The Whalers currently have three, and all defensemen – Carolina prospect Michal Jordan, overager Jozef Sladok and now Latal. Jordan, Sladok and Latal are expected to report to Plymouth’s training camp in late August.

Imports Svoboda, Jarusek taken by Saginaw

The Saginaw Spirit drafted Czech forwards Jakub Svoboda (28th overall) and Richard Jarusek (49th overall) in the 2008 CHL Import Draft today.

Svoboda and Jarusek were teammates with Kometo Brno last season.

Jakub Svoboda
POS: Right Wing
DOB: December 27, 1989
HT: 6’1”
WT: 186

Richard Jarusek
POS: Center/Left Wing
DOB: August 8, 1991
HT: 6'2"
WT: 190

Whalers deal CHL Import pick to Bulls

The Plymouth Whalers announced a CHL Import Draft deal with Belleville today.

The Whalers send their first pick in the Import Draft - 25th overall - to Belleville for the Bulls' first pick (55th overall). The Whalers also receive a fourth-round pick in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection from Belleville.

Machine coach featured on NAHL.com

By Dave Merchant
Downriver News Herald

The Downriver area of Michigan is about to join one of the nation's elite junior hockey leagues, and a man with local ties will be behind the bench when the first puck drops.

Belleville resident Matt Romaniski is the head coach and general manager of the Motor City Machine, which will play out of the Ice Box in Brownstown.

Last season as head coach and general manager of the North American Hockey League's Southern Minnesota Express, he was chosen as an assistant coach of the Central Division team at the league's Top Prospects Tournament.

Just like the man dictating shifts, the team will have a heavy local presence.

"We carry 25 guys on the team," he said. "I want to carry between 10-12 from Michigan. There could be kids from Sweden, Germany and Canada ."

The players are not paid to play, but receive all their equipment, ice time and room and board, if needed. This allows them to play while retaining NCAA eligibility.

Romaniski has been living in Belleville for the last 10 years. He has playing experience at the junior, college and professional levels and has parlayed that into a coaching career in Michigan for the past nine years at the Midget AAA and AA levels.

Romaniski, a graduate of Eastern Michigan University , also owns and operates a training school in the summer that has helped develop players at some of the top Division I universities in the country.

"Hockey is huge in Michigan ," he added. "I think it has the largest number of people playing hockey in any state. It is huge here."

Playing out of Brownstown, he said, should be a perfect fit.

"The Downriver community loves ice hockey," he said. "It is a great environment to see a true arena."

The Ice Box is set to undergo $1 million to $1.5 million in renovations.

"It will have a new facelift," Romaniski said. "People can come see a game for $8 and get a beer for $2."

He hopes to have as many players as possible make the jump from his team to Division I college programs.

Romaniski led the Team Michigan program in Detroit for three years. In that time, it developed 28 Division I players and more than 50 United States Hockey League and NAHL players.
His summer training program includes many professional, collegiate, junior and aspiring players.
Romaniski said his emphasis always has been to develop the athlete. An avid boxing participant and coach, he spent time on the NBC program "The Contender" as a coach.

The team will be hosting minicamps and tryouts next month. The club also is looking for sponsors and host families for players who are not from the area.

In addition to their time on the ice, players will go to school and work part time. Host families are paid $300 a month.

Saginaw's Underwood invited to Blues camp

Saginaw Spirit defenseman and Canton native Joe Underwood has been invited to attend the St. Louis Blues development camp as a free agent starting today.

“We are excited for Joe and the opportunity he has been given,” stated Spirit GM Don Edwards. “We wish him the best of luck in camp.”

Underwood, 18, was picked up through a trade with the Guelph Storm last season. He notched seven assists last year, including five in 38 games with the Spirit.

Joining Underwood at camp are fellow OHLers James Livingston (Sault Ste. Marie), Anthony Nigro (Guelph), Vladimir Nikiforov (Sarnia), Anthony Peluso (Erie), Mark Cundari (Windsor) and Tony Dehart (London). All but Livingston are free agents.

List: All-Time Plymouth/Saginaw NHL picks

Below is a comprehensive listing of all Plymouth Whalers and Saginaw Spirit players who were drafted by NHL teams while playing for the Plymouth/Detroit franchise and/or Saginaw (not including North Bay Centennials' draft picks). This list does not include NHL picks who were later acquired by Plymouth or Saginaw.

PLYMOUTH

2008
AJ Jenks - 4th round (100th overall), Florida Panthers
Michal Jordan - 4th round (105th overall), Carolina Hurricanes

2007
Jeremy Smith - 2nd round (54th overall), Nashville Predators
Chris Terry - 5th round (132nd overall), Carolina Hurricanes
Brett Bellemore - 6th round (162nd overall), Carolina Hurricanes

2006
Tom Sestito - 3rd round (85th overall), Columbus Blue Jackets
John Armstrong - 3rd round (87th overall), Calgary Flames

2005
James Neal - 2nd round (33rd overall), Dallas Stars
Dan Collins - 3rd round (90th overall), Florida Panthers
Ryan McGinnis - 6th round (184th overall), Los Angeles Kings

2004
Vaclav Meidl - 3rd round (81st overall), Nashville Predators
Gino Pisellini - 5th round (149th overall), Philadelphia Flyers
Jonas Fiedler - 8th round (235th overall), Carolina Hurricanes

2003
David Liffiton - 2nd round (63rd overall), Colorado Avalanche
John Mitchell - 5th round (158th overall), Toronto Maple Leafs
Jeff Weber - 8th round (235th overall), Buffalo Sabres

2002
Gregory Campbell - 3rd round (67th overall), Florida Panthers
Jonas Fiedler - 3rd round (86th overall), San Jose Sharks
James Wisniewski - 5th round (156th overall), Chicago Blackhawks

2001
Stephen Weiss - 1st round (4th overall), Florida Panthers
Rob Zepp - 4th round (110th overall), Carolina Hurricanes
Cole Jarrett - 5th round (141st overall), Columbus Blue Jackets

2000
Justin Williams - 1st round (28th overall), Philadelphia Flyers
Tomas Kurka - 2nd round (32nd overall), Carolina Hurricanes
Libor Ustrnul - 2nd round (42nd overall), Atlanta Thrashers
Kris Vernarsky - 2nd round (51st overall), Toronto Maple Leafs
Jared Newman - 4th round (110th overall), Carolina Hurricanes
Nate Kiser - 5th round (160th overall), Phoenix Coyotes

1999
Rob Zepp - 4th round (99th overall), Atlanta Thrashers
Damian Surma - 6th round (174th overall), Carolina Hurricanes

1998
David Legwand - 1st round (2nd overall), Nashville Predators
Kevin Holdridge - 3rd round (70th overall), Carolina Hurricanes

1997
Harold Druken - 2nd round (36th overall), Vancouver Canucks
Pat Parthenais - 5th round (127th overall), Florida Panthers
Eric Gooldy - 6th round (138th overall), Toronto Maple Leafs
Randy Fitzgerald - 8th round (199th overall), Carolina Hurricanes

1996
Steve Wasylko - 4th round (104th overall), Hartford Whalers
Jesse Boulerice - 5th round (133rd overall), Philadelphia Flyers
Robert Esche - 6th round (139th overall), Phoenix Coyotes

1995
Bryan Berard - 1st round (1st overall), Ottawa Senators
Nic Beaudoin - 2nd round (51st overall), Colorado Avalanche
Bill McCauley - 3rd round (73rd overall), Boston Bruins
Andrew Taylor - 7th round (158th overall), New York Islanders
Milan Kostolny - 8th round (191st overall), Hartford Whalers
Mike Rucinski - 9th round (217th overall), Hartford Whalers

1994
Sean Haggerty - 2nd round (48th overall), Toronto Maple Leafs
Matt Ball - 9th round (230th overall), Hartford Whalers

1993
Todd Harvey - 1st round (9th overall), Dallas Stars
Jamie Allison - 2nd round (44th overall), Calgary Flames
Kevin Paden - 3rd round (59th overall), Edmonton Oilers
Jeff Mitchell - 3rd round (68th overall), Los Angeles Kings
Bill McCauley - 4th round (83rd overall), Florida Panthers
Bob Wren - 4th round (94th overall), Los Angeles Kings
Jason Saal - 5th round, (117th overall), Los Angeles Kings

1992
Eric Cairns - 3rd round (72nd overall), New York Rangers
Derek Wilkinson - 7th round (145th overall), Tampa Bay Lightning

1991
Pat Peake - 1st round (14th overall), Washington Capitals
Mark Lawrence - 6th round (118th overall), Minnesota North Stars


SAGINAW

2008
Adam Comrie - 3rd round (80th overall), Florida Panthers
TJ Brodie - 4th round (114th overall), Calgary Flames
Nick Crawford - 6th round (164th overall), Buffalo Sabres

2006
Matt Corrente - 1st round (30th overall), New Jersey Devils
Ryan Daniels - 5th round (151st overall), Ottawa Senators

2005
Tom Pyatt - 4th round (107th overall), New York Rangers
Patrick McNeill - 4th round (118th overall), Washington Capitals
Marek Kvapil - 6th round (163rd overall), Tampa Bay Lightning

2004
Jean-Michel Rizk - 7th round (195th overall), Minnesota Wild

2003
Paul Bissonnette - 4th round (121st overall), Pittsburgh Penguins
Mike Brown - 5th round (153rd overall), Boston Bruins

OHL, NTDP players drafted in Ottawa

Three Saginaw Spirit players and a pair from the Plymouth Whalers heard their names called Saturday in Ottawa, Ontario, at the NHL Entry Draft.

THIRD ROUND

Adam Comrie, D, Florida (80th overall), Saginaw

FOURTH ROUND

AJ Jenks, F, Florida (100th overall), Plymouth

Michal Jordan, D, Carolina (105th overall), Plymouth

TJ Brodie, D, Calgary (114th overall), Saginaw

SIXTH ROUND

Nick Crawford, D, Buffalo (164th overall), Saginaw

*Forward Zac Dalpe, Plymouth's second-round draft pick from May's OHL Priority Selection who has committed to Ohio State, was taken by Carolina in the second round (45th overall).

In addition, 11 players who competed for the U.S. National Team Development Program were drafted over the two-day event.

With the seventh overall pick, the Nashville Predators selected forward Colin Wilson, who recently completed his freshman season at Boston University.

The other NTDP selections included forward Philip McRae (second round, 33rd overall, St Louis Blues); forward Danny Kristo (second round, 56th overall, Montreal Canadiens); forward Jimmy Hayes (second round, 60th overall, Toronto Maple Leafs); forward Robbie Czarnik (third round, 63rd overall, Los Angeles Kings); forward Vinny Saponari (fourth round, 94th overall, Atlanta Thrashers); defenseman David Warsofsky (fourth round, 95th overall, St. Louis Blues); defenseman Ryan Hegarty (fouth round, 113th overall, Anaheim Ducks); defenseman Sean Lorenz (fourth round, 115th overall, Minnesota Wild); forward David Wohlberg (sixth round, 172nd overall, New Jersey Devils); and defenseman Nick Pryor (seventh round, 208 overall, Anaheim).

Spirit moves ownership group downtown

The Garber Automotive Group, the parent company of the Saginaw Spirit, has moved its management offices to the downtown Saginaw river front.

The new office complex is located next to MCVI and St. Mary’s of Michigan Marketing. The move is reflective of the commitment made by Spirit owner Richard J. Garber and the Garber Automotive Group to bettering downtown Saginaw.

The Spirit are pleased to announce that in addition to the Saginaw Spirit Ticket and Merchandise Store and TheDow Event Center Box Office, fans can purchase individual game tickets at the new Garber Automotive Group offices.

Spirit prospects vying for Team Ontario spots

Team Ontario is holding a evaluation camp in preparation for naming its roster for the 2009 World Under-17 Challenge and four Saginaw Spirit draftees are among the camp invites.

Spirit prospects Matt Braun, Dylan Fitze, Kyle Flemington and Ian Lavigne were invited to the camp, which boasts the top 84 1992-born players in Ontario. The camp will be held June 27-29 in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

All four players were recently selected by the Spirit in the 2008 OHL Priority Selection.

Michigan trio invited to World Junior camp

Two Plymouth Whalers and one Saginaw Spirit player have been invited to the 2008 USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp Aug. 1-9 in Lake Placid, N.Y.

Participating players are candidates for the 2009 U.S. National Junior Team that will compete in the 2009 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship, Dec. 26, 2008-Jan. 5, 2009, in Ottawa, Ontario.

Whalers goaltender Jeremy Smith (Brownstown), Team USA's starting goalie at the 2007 World Junior Championship, got the call along with Wolverine Lake native AJ Jenks, a forward.

Spirit defenseman Adam Comrie will also attend the August camp.

The full evaluation camp roster is HERE (Word document).

Smith photo by Walt Dmoch/Plymouth Whalers

Rolston to head U.S. World Junior squad

Ron Rolston, currently one of two head coaches at USA Hockey's National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, will serve as head coach of the U.S. National Junior Team that will compete at the 2009 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship Dec. 26, 2008-Jan. 5, 2009, in Ottawa.

"We're extremely pleased to have Ron Rolston lead our team in the World Junior Championship," said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. "He's done an excellent job as a head coach at our National Team Development Program and is clearly the right person to coach our team in Ottawa."

Rolston, a Flint native, led the U.S. National Junior Team to the bronze medal at the 2007 IIHF World Junior Championship in Leksand and Mora, Sweden. He also served as an assistant coach for the U.S. National Junior Team that placed fourth at the 2003 IIHF World Junior Championship in Sydney and Halifax, Nova Scotia.

"Ron is an exceptional coach," said Jim Johannson, assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey. "He is very much in tune with both the talent pool in our country and what it takes to be successful in international competition."

Rolston recently completed his fourth season with USA Hockey's NTDP having served as the head coach for the U.S. National Under-17 Team. He led the squad to 30 wins and second-place finishes at the 2007 Under-17 Four Nations Tournament, 2008 World Under-17 Challenge and the 2008 Vlad Dzurilla Under-18 Tournament. Rolston's successes in international competition also include, leading the U.S. National Under-18 Team to the gold medal at the 2005 IIHF World Under-18 Championship and the silver medal at the 2007 IIHF World Under-18 Championship.

Prior to his tenure with USA Hockey's NTDP, Rolston served as an assistant coach at Boston College (2002-04), Harvard University (1999-2002) and Clarkson University (1996-99). He also spent five years at Lake Superior State, four as assistant coach (1990-94) and one as associate head coach (1995). While at Lake Superior State, Rolston helped the Lakers capture NCAA titles in 1992 and 1994.

He played college hockey at Michigan Tech University.

Joining Rolston behind the bench will be assistant coaches Nate Leaman (Union College, ECACHL) and P.K. O'Handley (Waterloo Black Hawks, USHL), and goalie coach Jeff Blashill (Indiana Ice, USHL).

Rolston will lead the 2008 National Junior Evaluation Camp August 1-9 in Lake Placid, N.Y., as a part of the selection process for the 2009 U.S. National Junior Team. The final roster will be announced in early December 2008.

NOTES: Rolston is a USA Hockey Level 5 certified coach, while Leaman, O'Handley and Blashill are all USA Hockey Level 4 certified coaches… Ken Martel, manager of youth ice hockey for USA Hockey, will serve as the video coordinator for the 2009 U.S. National Junior Team… Mark Osiecki from the University of Wisconsin, Jay Varady from the Everett Silvertips and Mike Cavanaugh from Boston College, along with the coaching staff of the 2009 U.S. National Junior Team, will form the coaching staff for the 2008 National Junior Evaluation Camp… The U.S. has played for a medal in the World Junior Championship in each of the last six events.

Photo by RJ Meyer/NAHL

Spirit and Whalers announce '08-09 slates

The Saginaw Spirit and Plymouth Whalers each announced their 2008-2009 preseason and regular season schedules over the past week.

Saginaw - HERE

Plymouth - HERE

North Stars open camp comes to a close

The Traverse City North Stars put a cherry on top of their summer open tryout camp on Sunday at Centre ICE arena, as the Blue Team rallied for a come-from-behind, sudden-death shootout victory over the White Team in the camp’s capstone contest.

TC Central product Eric McLintock recorded the game-bagger in the seventh round of the shootout session, just moments after the Blues pulled their goalie and Stars tender Bo Jacobs crammed home the equalizer with less than a minute to play. Sean Burke, a former TC West prep star, assisted on the game-saving marker.

“That all-star game had a great pace, a great feel,” said Traverse City head coach-GM Anthony Palumbo. “Both teams went hard, it was entertaining, and then you have the exciting finish. It was a fun way to close it out.”

The Blue & White game put a period on the team’s open tryout season. The top players from both camps were extended invites to the Stars’ training camp (July 23-25), at which the club’s 2008-09 roster will be picked. That group includes the players eligible to return from last season, the club’s tenders, and five draft picks.

“We’re comfortable with the players we have to choose from,” Palumbo continued. “We think we have put together a group of players that can contend for a place on our roster. We have 25 spots open, let’s see who comes to camp ready to earn a spot.”


CAMP NOTES

TITANIC TWOSOME: A pair of current TC West H.S. stars acquitted themselves with distinction in Sunday’s all-star game: Juniors-to-be Mitch Snider and Eric Rivard. Snider, a defenseman by trade, played at center.

One shift after absorbing a crushing body check, Snider corralled a loose puck deep in the Blue Team’s zone and registered an unassisted tally. Rivard got the Blue Team on the board, notching the contest’s first goal.

TREETOP TRIO: Saturday marked the return to Traverse City of towering winger Kyle Jean, who made round on the spring USHL circuit. He joined TC tender Chris Salomone and right wing Garrett Thompson on a forward line that averages 6-feet-2½ and nearly 200 pounds.

“It was good to have Kyle back, and he looked very good,” Palumbo said. “And I think we got exactly what we thought we were getting in Chris. He’s been solid at both camps.”

LOCALS SEEKING SPOTS: In addition to the six local players who are eligible to return – Burke, Dallas Kniss, McLintock, Eric O’Hearn, Garrett Thompson, Marc Thompson – a number of Traverse City products were invited to the Stars training camp. Local hopefuls include TC Central products Eric Swy and Lucas and Tyler Stricker and Bay Reps goalie Andrew Mills.

Thompson ready to go for North Stars

They say patience is a virtue.

Traverse City North Stars forward Garrett Thompson has that asset in spades.

After spending much of the first three months of the 2007-08 season watching games from the other side of the glass, Thompson got the call from head coach-GM Anthony Palumbo during a home-and-home series with North Division rival Marquette – and never looked back.

The 6-foot-3, 185-pound winger notched his first junior goal on his first shot on Dec. 28 in Marquette, then assisted on another the following night at Centre ICE arena. Thompson rarely came out of the lineup the rest of the way, as the North Stars became one of the hottest teams in the North American Hockey League, going 12-5-4 down the stretch.

“There’s not much you can do in that situation except keep working hard and wait for your chance,” said Thompson, who played previously with the Midget AAA Soo Indians of the Midwest Elite Hockey League. “And once you get that chance, you have to try to make the most of it. I’d come to practice every day with the idea that hard work would get me my chance. I didn’t want to go back down (to midget majors) – I wanted to play juniors.”

Thompson – whose family moved to Traverse City while he was still playing in the Soo – scored five goals and assisted on two others in his 24 games of action. His power-play marker on Feb. 27 at the U.S. National Team Development Program turned out to be the game-winner in the club’s franchise-first shutout.

As the rangy forward competes for the Gold Team in this weekend’s final open tryout camp, Palumbo has taken note of Thompson’s progression.

“First and foremost, Garrett just kept working hard and it wasn’t hard to notice,” he explained. “And he’s always had a great attitude – even when he wasn’t playing, he was still a very positive part of the team. So here he is, getting better every practice, until we finally said, ‘he’s ready to go.’”

As the 2008-09 season draws nigh, Thompson has gone from late-season contributor to front line mainstay. He and Phil Wendecker – a defenseman playing at forward this weekend – powered the Gold Team during the June 13-15 summer open tryout at Centre ICE arena. As the camp winds down, Thompson says he’s looking forward to Sunday’s camp culmination.

While Thompson doesn’t require billeting, he lives with a teammate and sometimes linemate – his brother, Marc. The two have played together every season except two since they first laced up their skates. Garrett says his team goals for 2008-09 are the same as every other player on the roster: a national championship. But as for individual goals, Thompson cites effort, not stats.

“I’d like to have schools (colleges) talk to me,” he said. “I want to try to do the smart things, the little things to help us win. And I want to give everything I have when I’m out on the ice.”

Palumbo says he expects big things from his big forward.

“He added to our offense last year, and we’ll look for that even more this year. At 6-3, he skates very well, has good hands and good offensive instincts. Plus, I sense that he just enjoys playing the game of hockey.”

The Thompson brothers will go head-to-head in Sunday’s All-Star game at Centre ICE (10 a.m.), with Garret playing for the Blue Team and Marc donning a White Team sweater.

“The first day of camp, some guys might be nervous trying out,” Garrett assessed. “But by the time you get to Sunday, it’s pretty exciting to see all the top players compete. I think we all look forward to that.”

Local players who earned invitations to the camp finale include Eric Rivard and Mitch Snider of Traverse City West High School and TC Central defenseman Lucas Stricker. The top players from the camp – as well as the May pre-draft tryout – will be invited to the July 25-27 training camp, from which the 2008-09 roster will be culled.

Stephenson eyes No. 1 job in TC net

If momentum can carry over from one season to the next, then Traverse City North Stars goalie Brandon Stephenson will flourish in his role as the team’s frontline netminder.

Following a narrow 3-2 loss to eventual North American Hockey League champion St. Louis back on Jan. 18, Stephenson turned a corner. He suffered just a pair of regulation losses over the final two-and-a-half months of the 2007-08 season, engineered the first shutout in North Stars’ history on Feb. 27 and allowed two or fewer goals in six of his final eight starts.

“I got more confidence as we went along,” explained the 20-year-old Stephenson, who backstopped the Gold Team during Friday’s tryout camp opener at Centre ICE arena. “We had a month there where we barley lost at all, and it was a matter of being more confident in myself and my abilities. And when Chris (Paliafito) got here, that pushed me a bit, too.”

While Stephenson cites his renewed poise as the fulcrum of his season, Traverse City goaltending coach Bob Fernandez frames his analysis of Stephenson’s resurgence in terms of technique.

“He did alter his style a bit,” Fernandez said. “We had been telling him to get his rear end down, which he did. He started moving faster to the puck and really limiting the rebounds.”

With Paliafito now playing for the USHL’s Indiana Ice, Stephenson enters 2008-09 as the incumbent in TC. North Stars head coach-GM Anthony Palumbo is hopeful that Stephenson’s winning ways will carry over.

“By the end of the year, we had an excellent tandem with Brandon and Chris,” Palumbo said. “There was an initial adjustment period, but once they became acclimated to juniors they finished strong. This year, Brandon won’t have that luxury. He’s a veteran now, and he’ll have to be ready to go from day one.”

Stephenson, who started 26 games last year, says he’s ready for any increase in workload that comes his way.

“I know I won’t be the only guy, but of course I want to be the starting goalie,” he offered. “Like anyone would, I’d love to be a 40- or 45-game workhorse. I just have to come to camp and compete like I’m trying to prove I deserve a spot on this team, that I can be the starter.”

According to Fernandez, it won’t be for a lack of effort on the part of ‘Brando,’ as teammates have dubbed him.

“Brandon brings a real work ethic to the rink every day," said Fernandez. "He’s willing to put in the work, and it’s intrinsic. You don’t have to ask him to bring it out. He goes hard every time he takes the ice.”

Stephenson and his fellow campers continue their three-day hockey odyssey on Saturday with a pair of round-robin sessions. Following the evening session, Palumbo, Fernandez, and the rest of the Stars staff will select players to participate in Sunday’s camp-culminating all-star game. The top performers from that contest will be invited to the club’s July 25-27 training camp, along with those from the Stars’ May pre-draft camp.

Saginaw deals for Dearborn native Sanderson

Barry Sanderson returns to his home state of Michigan next season as he joins the Saginaw Spirit courtesy of a trade between the Spirit and the Niagara IceDogs completed Friday.

The Spirit sent a 2009 fourth-round pick, previously acquired from the Windsor Spitfires, to the IceDogs in exchange for Sanderson.

“The Saginaw Spirit are excited to add Barry Sanderson to our lineup,” stated Spirit GM Don Edwards. “Acquiring a high-energy forward like Barry adds depth to our right side.”

Sanderson is a 1990-born center from Dearborn. He entered the Ontario Hockey League via the 2006 OHL Priority Selection, being chosen by the IceDogs 65th overall. He accumulated four goals and two assists in 61 games during his rookie season. Sanderson notched 10 goals and 17 assists during the 2007-2008 regular season and tallied a goal in the 2008 postseason.

Prior to joining the OHL, Sanderson spent time in the Honeybaked AAA program.

"Putting another American player in the mix of our roster is a nice element for coach Todd Watson,” said Spirit president Craig Goslin. “Barry Sanderson comes to the Spirit with a great reputation for being a hard worker and a total team player. The Spirit scouts all agree that if our fans like the way Tyler Murovich plays the game, they will like Barry Sanderson, too."

Benefit on June 26 for Whalers fan's family

Redford native Bobby Suvoy was a huge fan of the Ontario Hockey League's Plymouth Whalers and London Knights.

Sadly, he passed away in May after battling Lou Gehrig's Disease, but not before befriending Whalers star Chris Terry. Suvoy was only 17.

Here is the story that ran earlier this year about the situation.

That leads to the event on June 26 at Joey's Comedy Club in Livonia.

Photo courtesy Natalie Shaver/Plymouth Whalers

Spitfires get Ann Arbor native Watson

The Windsor Spitfires announced that they have signed their 2008 second-round draft choice (36th overall), left wing Austin Watson.

During the 2007-2008 season with the Detroit Compuware midget minor organization, the 6-foot-3, 180-pound Ann Arbor native recorded 45 goals and 104 assists for 149 points in 75 games played.

Watson was rated as a AA player by the OHL’s Central Scouting heading into the 2008 OHL Priority Selection and was also rated as the second-best overall player by the International Scouting Services.

“The Spitfires are ecstatic to get a commitment from a top prospect like Austin,” said Windsor GM Warren Rychel. "I believe that Austin has a bright future ahead of him both on and off the ice.”

Watson, who currently holds an 86 per cent average, is eligible for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. He reportedly had verbally committed to the University of Maine for the 2010-2011 season.

Photo courtesy Aaron Bell/OHL

North Stars set for final open camp

With the continent-wide round of junior entry drafts and tryout camps now in the books, the Traverse City North Stars can embark on the de facto shaping of their 2008-09 roster.

The club will hold its final open tryout camp of the offseason this weekend at Centre ICE arena looking for the final few pieces to what head coach-GM Anthony Palumbo hopes will be a Robertson Cup contender.

“We didn’t lose anyone to the USHL draft, we have solid group coming back, and we have a strong draft class and group tenders,” Palumbo explained. “But we’re still looking for those guys who can come in and play their way into the training camp on onto our roster. We think we got some at our May (pre-draft) camp, and we think there are some this weekend.”

One player who recently decided to return to Traverse City for next season is goal-happy winger Kyle Bonis, who scored a team-record 25 goals (tied with Nate Urbaniak) through 39 games in a Stars sweater last season. Bonis, a Lindsay, Ont., native, won’t return to northern Michigan until the July 25-27 training camp, but eligible returnee Kyle Jean, and tenders Bo Jacobs and Dan Radke – both defensemen – will be among those to make their first camp appearances of the summer.

The camp will assume the traditional four-team, round-robin format through Saturday night. After player-coach conferences on Saturday evening, selected players will take part in the camp-culminating All-Star Game on Sunday at 10 a.m.


CAMP SCHEDULE

Friday, June 13
10-11 am: Goalie check-in
12-1:20 pm: Goalies on ice
4-5 pm: Player check-in
5-5:15 pm: Player/Parent orientation
6:30-7:50 pm: Teal vs. Black
8-9:20 pm: White vs. Gold

Saturday, June 14
9-10:20 am: Green vs. White
10:30-11:50 am: Black vs. Gold
12-1:20 pm: Goalies on ice
7-8:20 pm: Black vs. White
8:30-9:50 pm: Green vs. Gold

Sunday, June 15
10 am-Noon: All-Star Game

Port Huron's Archibald chooses OHL route

The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds have signed defenseman Brandon Archibald.

The Port Huron native was selected in the fourth round of this past May’s OHL Priority Selection out of the Honeybaked AAA program. Archibald tallied eight goals and 22 assists for 30 points during the 2007-2008 regular and playoff seasons.

Archibald was rated as a AA player by the OHL’s Central Scouting heading into the draft.

“We are very pleased to announce that Brandon Archibald has chosen to join our organization," said Soo GM Dave Torrie. "Coming from the Honeybaked system in Detroit, and being a very strong academic student, Brandon obviously had a lot of options to choose from. For him to choose the Soo Greyhounds and the OHL says a lot about his confidence in our program both on and off the ice."

Archibald visited the University of Notre Dame and the University of Wisconsin and also reportedly had a shot at playing for the United States National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor.

TC's Sheridan going pre-med at Lawrence U.

Before he starts fixing others’ teeth, Jonathan Sheridan will be risking his own for the next four years.

The Traverse City North Stars defenseman, who will start work on a pre-med program in the fall en route to dental school, has committed to play for Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisc.

“It’s a pretty big relief, to have it finally set in stone where you’re going to play,” said Sheridan, a Midland product who came to the Stars last summer from the Flint Jr. Generals of the Central States Hockey League. “It’s been a dream of mine to go to (the University of) Michigan for dental school, so this is the first step.”

Lawrence, a private liberal arts and science college of 1,400 students, is located about 30 minutes from Green Bay in the Fox River Valley. The Vikings’ NCAA Division III program been a member of the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association since 1998.

“We couldn’t be happier for Jonathan – he deserves every good thing that comes his way,” said North Stars head coach-GM Anthony Palumbo. “He’s steady on the ice and brought a real maturity to the team. He’s a leader – the kind of character kid you’re proud to have in your program.”

Sheridan played in 54 games in 2007-08, recording a pair of goals and 12 assists while racking up 70 penalty minutes. Both of his tallies were game-winners, with his Oct. 6 clincher versus Marquette of the shorthanded variety.

“I learned a lot this year – things that are going to help me at the next level,” said Sheridan. “As a defenseman, (associate head coach Mike) Matteucci taught me so many things about playing positionally. I think I’ve been prepared to some extent for the speed of the college game.”

Sheridan, 6-foot-1 and nearly 200 pounds, will be leaving the area for Appleton in a few weeks, albeit regrettably, as he has landed an on-campus job with the Lawrence athletic department as an equipment manager.

“I absolutely love it here in Traverse City,” said Sheridan, who lives with his aunt near town. “The area, the fans, the people – I am going to miss it a lot.”

Whalers deal McDonald to Ottawa for futures

The Plymouth Whalers announced the trade today of right wing Steven McDonald to the Ottawa 67's for future considerations.

McDonald, 18, was selected by the Whalers in the fourth round (76th overall) of the 2006 OHL Priority Selection.

"A lot of teams expected him to go earlier than the fourth round," Plymouth GM Mike Vellucci said on draft day. "He's a tough winger, goes up-and-down his wing, has some hands and can score. Overall, he's a solid player."

However, McDonald did not see any action with the Whalers early last season after making the team out of training camp.

Saginaw's Zaborsky signs with Rangers

Saginaw Spirit forward Tomas Zaborsky has signed with the New York Rangers.

Zaborsky was the Rangers’ fifth-round choice, 137th overall, in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft and came to the Spirit via the 2006 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft.

The 1987-born Trencin, Slovakia native wrapped up his second OHL season compiling 31 goals and 39 assists during the 2007-2008 regular season. Zaborsky scored 50 goals and 113 points overall. He also tallied three goals and three assists in 10 postseason games, including two goals and an assist in four games during the 2008 postseason.

“Tomas had an outstanding year and was third in team scoring,” stated Spirit general manager Don Edwards. “He was also one of our best forwards in the postseason. The Spirit family wish this talented young man the best of luck in his pro career.”

Zaborsky also participated in the 2007 World Junior Hockey Championships with Slovakia and played parts of the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 seasons with the Hartford Wolfpack, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Rangers.

Machine announce Junior B affiliation

The Motor City Machine has announced a new Junior B affiliation with the Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins of the Empire Junior Hockey League.

"The Pens are a developmental program that has advanced players to DI, DIII and the top junior programs throughout the country," Machine coach-GM Matt Romaniski said. "We have been working to bring this relationship to fruition for several months.

"Working with assistant program manager Tony Maggio has been a pleasure. This will help us identify some of the top east coast talent and allow them to move up to the Machine as they develop."

Motor City also announced the hiring of Dave Dorsey and Brian Taibi as scouts.