Metro Jets - 2009-2010 Year In Review

It wasn’t quite the season the Metro Jets expected, but the 2009-2010 campaign did have its share of positives and highlights over the course of the year.

For one, the team’s roster was pretty much the same all season long – not many transactions and very little in-season turnover.

Another big plus to the year was that from Game 1 through Game 48, each player on the ice worked hard, never quit and showed marked improvement.

“It was hard to keep giving it your all when there was nothing to play for (once the Jets were mathematically eliminated from making the playoffs), but we still went to practice everyday and ‘punched the clock,'” veteran defenseman Brett Grech said. “We all liked each other on the team, so we just played for each other and tried to have fun. That's what hockey is all about.”

“We improved in all aspects, from playing in our own end to scoring goals, and keeping pressure in the offensive zone,” added defenseman Tyler Schofield. “We just played well as a team and worked hard. Everyone got along very well. We were all friends with one another and we were just like a family.”

Several players stood out with decent individual seasons. While playing on the back in special team situations, Grech spent most of his time on the top forward line with Jon Wickersham and Jon Elliott. All three players had 10 or more goals to boot.

Mike Denston made good progress up front as the season progressed and kept opponents honest. Steve Lockwood, at times, concentrated more on the defensive side of the game from the blue line and showed a knack for offense with five goals and 13 assists. When he stuck to the game the coaches wanted him to play, he was effective enough to warrant some looks from North American Hockey League teams.

Forward Tim Hooker improved the team's depth after sitting out the beginning of the season rehabbing from late-summer shoulder surgery.

In goal, 17-year-old Ian Mercer emerged as the No. 1 goaltender and led the team with 10 wins. Perhaps one of his most dominant wins was a 47-save shutout at Queen City on Dec. 6. Mercer was also in net for a 3-1 win at Cleveland on Nov. 22. Mercer also drew some attention from the scouts at the next level.

On Nov. 29, Metro and Motor City played in what is believed to be a USA Hockey-record 17-round shootout at Lakeland Arena. Motor City won the drama-filled game.

The Jets also took Dubuque to a shootout on Nov. 13.

“I think that we gutted out the season because we had enough players who were going to give it their all all the way to the end,” noted Wickersham. “We had enough players who wanted to better themselves and move on to the next level making them go hard until the end.”

“Everyone was always competitive and we enjoyed playing hockey with each other,” Metro team captain Mike Corder said. “Everyone showed up everyday and no one gave up and no one quit. It was a unique experience. It was tough to stay focused with the longer season and all of the travel for all of us rookies, but we all wanted to play good hockey. The chemistry was great from day one. The team was a brotherhood, both on and off the ice.”

Next up for Metro is the annual Central States Hockey League Draft scheduled for late May, preceded by a pre-draft camp May 15-16 at Lakeland Arena. The 2010-2011 schedule should be announced mid-summer.

Livingston ready to face old team

When you look at the upcoming Plymouth-Sault Ste. Marie first-round best-of-seven Ontario Hockey League playoff series, there isn’t much separating the Whalers and the Greyhounds.

The Whalers finished two points ahead of the Soo in the Western Conference race during the regular season. Both teams won a game in overtime. Both teams won a game in the other team’s building.

Sault Ste. Marie scored 16 goals over six games, Plymouth scored 14. No player on either side scored more than five points over the six-game series. Tyler Seguin led Plymouth with five points, while Jacob Muzzin and Brett Thompson scored five points to lead Sault Ste. Marie.

In goal, Matt Hackett recorded a 2.16 goals-against average and .940 save percentage in six games against the Soo. Greyhounds goaltender Robin Lehner compiled a 2.21 goals-against average and .938 save percentage in five games.

One man with a unique appreciation of both sides is Plymouth veteran James Livingston, acquired by the Whalers from the Soo at the OHL trade deadline.

“They pride themselves on their hard work,” Livingston said about his former team. “Their head coach, Denny Lambert, has been an extremely hard worker his whole career and he’s passed that along to the leadership group and the rest of the team. They definitely work for everything they’ve accomplished and have done well.”

After missing the playoffs last season with the Soo, Livingston is fired up to back in the OHL post-season, even against his old team.

“Missing the playoffs last year was tough,” Livingston admitted. “Anything this year was going to be better than last year. I’m really excited to go up and play my old team. Obviously, it’s going to be a battle, so you have to love that it's playoff time and I am definitely excited.”

In just a short time with Plymouth, Livingston already haunted his old team, scoring the game-tying goal in the third period last Friday in a 2-1 overtime loss in the Soo. The ‘Hounds needed to win the game in regulation to keep their hopes alive for fourth place and home ice advantage.

But Livingston had other ideas. Less than five minutes into the third period, Livingston skated to the right circle in the Soo zone, got a shot through traffic on Lehner, then followed up the rebound and scored on a backhand shot just outside the blue crease.

“Even in practice in the Soo, I didn’t beat Lehner very much, so it felt pretty good,” Livingston said. “I guess I was lucky because I managed to get the puck on net and then I saw the puck was out there (outside the crease on a rebound) and just threw it back on net again.”

When the goal was announced as Livingston’s, a number of pro-Soo fans cheered, which shows the impact Livingston had in the community.

“I guess I was up there long enough to be recognized by some fans,” he said. “It definitely felt good to hear the cheers. It’s nice to be recognized after you’ve put in a couple of years with a team. I loved Sault Ste. Marie, but this (Plymouth) is my new team, so I’m ready to go.”

Livingston has played with and shot against Hackett and Lehner.

“They’re both extraordinary goaltenders,” Livingston reports. “You play with a lot of confidence when the puck goes behind you with the both of them in net. It’s easy to play when they’re out there. It takes the pressure off the defensemen, especially.”

Plymouth fans will see Soo defenseman Jacob Muzzin is all important situations. Like Plymouth’s Joe Gaynor and Leo Jenner, Muzzin is in his fifth season in the OHL. And much like Gaynor and Jenner, Muzzin is a defensive specialist with some offensive upside who will be assigned to try to shut down Seguin.

Muzzin – signed by the Los Angeles Kings – overcame a serious back injury early in his career to become one the best defensemen in the OHL.

“Muzzin was one of my closest friends up there and is definitely a special defenseman,” Livingston said. “He’s worked extremely hard to get where he is now. He’s going to be given the hard task of trying to shut down Tyler Seguin. He’s going to have his work cut out for him and it should be interesting.”

Meanwhile, the Whalers welcomed back defenseman Michal Jordan back to the lineup Sunday.

“He did great, it was a good game to get him back in and get game tested,” Plymouth head coach Mike Vellucci said. “He didn’t have any pain issues so that was very good.”

88.1 FM WSDP will carry the games in Plymouth on Friday and Saturday, starting at 6:40pm with the pre-game show.

Photo and text courtesy Plymouth Whalers

Hackett goes Wild for NHL contract

Minnesota Wild Press Release

Shortly after bolstering the Minnesota Wild’s organizational depth at center by signing Casey Wellman, GM Chuck Fletcher turned his attention to goaltending.

On Wednesday, Minnesota signed Plymouth Whalers goaltender Matt Hackett to a three-year entry level deal.

Hackett, who was selected in the third round (77th overall) of last summer’s NHL Entry Draft, will remain with the Whalers through the team’s playoff run, which begins Friday night. It’s possible that he could join the Houston Aeros at the completion of his Canadian junior season.

His signing boosts the team’s goaltender depth in Houston next season.

"Matt is a big goalie who has played a lot of minutes the last two seasons in Plymouth," Fletcher said of the 6-foot-3, 170-pounder. "His numbers have improved in each of his junior seasons, and he was recognized this season by being invited to Canada’s World Junior camp. We look forward to continuing to see Matt develop in our system."

Hackett enjoyed a breakout season this past year by posting a 38-18-1-2 record with a 2.62 goals against average, and a .925 save percentage, which ranked second in the Ontario Hockey League.

The nephew of former NHL goaltender Jeff Hackett represented Team OHL in the 2009 Subway Super Series and earned a win in a 30-save effort.

Photo by Walt Dmoch

Rangers off to Traverse City for three

With two weekends remaining in the North American Hockey League regular season, the North Division crown is still completely up for grabs.

The Marquette Rangers are tied atop the division with Traverse City and are four points ahead of third place Janesville. Marquette travels to Traverse City for three games this Friday-Sunday, and then hosts the North Stars a week from Thursday before Janesville comes calling to Lakeview Arena for the final two games of the regular season next Friday and Saturday.

Needless to say, this is going to be interesting.

The only certainty in the race is that Alpena will not make the playoffs for the first time in their history, while the Rangers will be in the post season for the first time since their inaugural year of 2006-07.

Everything else is anybody’s guess.

Marquette is looking to get some much-needed momentum as they head down the stretch. The team is coming off a two-game sweep last weekend at the hands of the Jets. Centre Ice Arena in Traverse City will be a difficult place for Marquette to get that much-needed head of steam, having lost all their road games against the North Stars this season.

But not all the news is bad.

Marquette swept the North Stars two weeks ago at Lakeview Arena, part of a three-game winning weekend where the team also secured a playoff bid with a win against Alpena.

Marquette native Tanner Kero continues to the lead the team and the entire NAHL in goals with 30 on the season. Garrett Ladd is the team’s point leader on the season with 57 from 19 goals the 38 assists, while teammate Andrew Kolb has 56 points on 21 goals to compliment 35 assists.

North Stars start busy stretch of games

To say that the Traverse City North Stars will be busy over the next couple of weeks is a bit of an understatement.

Wednesday’s St. Patrick’s Day contest against Motor City at Centre ICE arena will commence a stretch run of seven games in 11 days, including a three-game homestand this weekend against first-place Marquette, to close out the 2009-10 regular season slate.

“The alternative is to sit home, rest up, and get ready for the playoffs,” observed North Stars head coach-GM Anthony Palumbo. “I think I like the idea of staying in a heavy-rotation routine and keeping our competitive edge right on through.”

And the torrid regular season finish couldn’t come with the NAHL North Division standings more tightly-packed. Marquette owns a two-point lead over second-place Traverse City, which is followed closely by third-place Janesville – fresh off a two-game sweep of Marquette and just two points behind TC in the chase for the second and final home-ice advantage playoff slot in the NAHL North. The Stars have a game-in-hand against both the Rangers and Jets, which they’ll play on Wednesday.

Wednesday’s opponent is also fighting for playoff position, as Motor City has a five-point lead on Alpena for the fourth and last divisional playoff berth and retains a mathematical chance at overtaking Janesville for the third spot.

“Whether we’re playing Marquette, Alpena, Motor City – whomever we’re playing – we have to make the most of every chance we get to pick up points," said Palumbo. "If we have hopes of having home ice, or dreams of getting past Marquette, then every single game from here on out is the most important game of the season, and we have to play that way.”

Motor City lost a pair of games at Alpena last weekend while the Stars sat idle, but swept Janesville the previous weekend at Yack Arena in suburban Detroit. R.J. Kleiman leads the Jackets in both goals (19) and assists (26), while rangy blue-liner Mike Monfredo (23 pts., 155 PIM) anchors the Motown defensive unit. Randy Willis (26 GP), Jason Torf (22) and Phillip Graveline (11) have platooned in net.

A trio of North Stars – Garrett Thompson (45), Doug Clifford (45) and Dan Radke (42) – have eclipsed the 40-point mark so far this season, while Eric McLintock (19 G), Nick Shkreli (35 pts. in 38 games) and Andy Huff (20 G) have reached the 30-point plateau. Drew Strandberg, who is 7-2-1 in goal since Christmas, is now 19-8-2 and fifth in the NAHL with a 2.45 goals-against average. He’s three wins from tying C.J. Motte’s club mark for wins in a season (22).

After Wednesday’s game, the Stars (28-18-5) will have just one day before the division’s top dogs come calling. The Friday and Saturday contests are set for 7:00 p.m., while Sunday’s matinee series final gets underway at 1:00 p.m.

The regular season home finale is on Mar. 26 against Alpena, and is wedged between road games at Marquette (Mar. 25) and Alpena (Mar. 27).

Whalers and Spirit playoff schedules

KITCHENER RANGERS (3) vs. SAGINAW SPIRIT (6)
Fri., March 19, at Kitchener, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., March 20, at Saginaw, 7:11
Mon., March 22, at Kitchener, 7:30
Wed., March 24, at Saginaw, 7:11
Fri., March 26, at Kitchener, 7:30 *
Sun., March 28, at Saginaw, 4:00 *
Tues., March 30, at Kitchener, 7:30 *

PLYMOUTH WHALERS (4) vs. SAULT STE. MARIE GREYHOUNDS (5)
Fri., March 19, at Plymouth, 7:05 p.m.
Sat., March 20, at Plymouth, 7:05
Tues., March 23, at Sault Ste. Marie, 7:05
Wed., March 24, at Sault Ste. Marie, 7:05
Fri., March 26, at Plymouth, 7:05 *
Sun., March 28, at Sault Ste. Marie, 7:05 *
Tues., March 30, at Plymouth, 7:05 *

* Denotes if necessary games

Saginaw announces playoff scenarios

The Saginaw Spirit has announced its potential playoff dates and opponents.

Regardless of who the Spirit play in the first round, the team will host its first home game of the playoffs on Saturday, March 20 at The Dow Event Center at 7:11 PM.

If the Spirit claim sixth place, they will be seeded against the third-ranked Kitchener Rangers:

GAME ONE: Friday, March 19 - at Kitchener; 7:30 PM

GAME TWO: Saturday, March 20 - at Saginaw; 7:11 PM

GAME THREE: Monday, March 22 - at Kitchener; 7:30 PM

GAME FOUR: Wednesday, March 24 - at Saginaw; 7:11 PM

GAME FIVE: Friday, March 26 - at Kitchener; 7:30 PM (If necessary)

GAME SIX: Sunday, March 28 - at Saginaw 4:00 PM (If necessary)

GAME SEVEN: Tuesday, March 30 - at Kitchener 7:30 PM (If necessary)

If the Spirit claim seventh place, they will be seeded against the second-ranked London Knights:

GAME ONE: Friday, March 19 - at London; 7:30 PM

GAME TWO: Saturday, March 20 - at Saginaw; 7:11 PM

GAME THREE: Tuesday, March 23 - at London; 7:00 PM

GAME FOUR: Thursday, March 25 - at Saginaw; 7:11 PM

GAME FIVE: Friday, March 26 - at London; 7:30 PM (If necessary)

GAME SIX: Sunday, March 28 - at Saginaw 4:00 PM (If necessary)

GAME SEVEN: Tuesday, March 30 - at London 7:00 PM (If necessary)

If the Spirit claim eighth place, they will be seeded against the first-ranked Windsor Spitfires:

GAME ONE: Thursday, March 18 - at Windsor; 7:05 PM

GAME TWO: Saturday, March 20 - at Saginaw; 7:11 PM

GAME THREE: Sunday, March 21 - at Windsor; 2:00 PM

GAME FOUR: Tuesday, March 23 - at Saginaw; 7:11 PM

GAME FIVE: Thursday, March 25 - at Windsor; 7:05 PM (If necessary)

GAME SIX: Friday, March 26 - at Saginaw 7:11 PM (If necessary)

GAME SEVEN: Sunday, March 28 - at Windsor 2:00 PM (If necessary)

NTDP names evaluation camp roster

Forty-seven of the top American players born in 1994 have been invited to USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program Evaluation Camp, set to be held to help select the 2010-11 U.S. National Under-17 Team.

The camp will take place March 27-30 at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube.

“The camp is just one step in the process of determining our player pool,” said Ryan Rezmierski, the NTDP’s director of player personnel. “We expect our camp to be a high-intensity, high-skill evaluation. Our scouting staff has worked extremely hard to identify these candidates as a part of that evaluation process.”

Five goaltenders, 16 defensemen and 26 forwards will compete at the camp. The players will be split into two teams - Red and Blue - and will participate in on-ice practices, off-ice training and four games.

Three NTDP alumni will serve as coaches at the camp. Cole Bassett (1998-2000), currently a graduate assistant coach at the NTDP, and David Tanabe (1997-98), the first NTDP alumnus to play in the National Hockey League, will guide Team Red. In addition, Matt Greason, a NTDP graduate assistant coach, and Connor Dunlop (1997-98) will lead Team Blue.

The NTDP Evaluation Camp is open to the public. Day passes can be purchased for $10 at the door each day of the camp.

For a complete roster of the invitees, click here.

Michigan Connections
F Riley Barber, Compuware Midget Minor
D Troy Donnay, Fenton, Belle Tire Midget Minor
G Brandon Hope, Ann Arbor, Honeybaked Midget Major
D Max Iafrate, Belle Tire Midget Minor
D Patrick Sieloff, Ann Arbor, Compuware Midget Minor
D Jacob Trouba, Rochester, Compuware Midget Minor
D Grant Webermin, Southfield, Honeybaked Midget Minor
D Mark Yanis, Grosse Pointe Woods, Belle Tire Midget Minor

Evaluation Camp Game Schedule
Sat., March 27, 5:30 p.m.
Sun., March 28, 4:30 p.m.
Mon., March 29, 6:30 p.m.
Tues., March 30, 11 a.m.

NFL champ coming to Saginaw Saturday

The Saginaw Spirit will welcome Super Bowl champion LaMarr Woodley to Saturday’s home game where he will be participating in a ceremonial puck drop at center ice before the game.

The Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker and Saginaw native will also speak to Spirit season ticket holders and fans in the Bud Light Blue Line Club pre-game.

“We were honored to have LaMarr as our guest for a ceremonial puck drop after he was named Michigan’s ‘Mr. Football’ for his efforts at Saginaw High,” stated Spirit president and partner Craig Goslin. “Now we are honored to present him to Spirit fans as a NFL Super Bowl champion and All Pro linebacker. He is an all-star on and off the field as he continuously works on initiatives such as the Heroes for Kids charity golf outing to give back to the Saginaw region and support the community he calls home.”

Woodley led Saginaw High to a Michigan Division II state football title in 2000. The linebacker was recognized as being the best high school football player in the state of Michigan in 2002 after being named the Gatorade Player of the Year.

He continued to find success in his college career, being a four-year defensive starter and three-year offensive starter at the University of Michigan. His senior year was capped off in 2006 with national recognition, being awarded the Rotary Lombardi Award for best college offensive/defensive lineman of the year and the Ted Hendricks Award for best college defensive end. In 2006, he was selected to the All-Big Ten Conference First Team as well as being named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year. Woodley shared co-MVP honors with Texas Longhorns and current Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young following Michigan’s loss to Texas in the 2005 Rose Bowl.

Woodley was selected by the Steelers in the second round, 46th overall, in the 2007 NFL Draft. He was a starter for the Steelers in their Super Bowl XLIII (2008) victory and was named to the NFL Pro Bowl in 2009. He was also named Second Team All-Pro in 2009, as voted on by the Associated Press.

Patrick named Muskegon's first coach

After officially joining the United States Hockey League last month, the new member club in Muskegon has named Kevin Patrick as its head coach to lead the team when it takes the ice for their inaugural USHL season in 2010-11.

“We are thrilled to have Kevin Patrick lead the Muskegon organization during our first season in the USHL,” said team owner Josh Mervis. “His knowledge of the game and superb track record of recruiting student-athletes made him the ideal person to help develop a culture of success both on and off the ice in Muskegon. The organization is very fortunate to have someone of Kevin’s caliber, who comes from one of the top NCAA Division I programs in the nation, taking on this leadership role.”

Patrick has spent the last five seasons in the role of assistant coach for the University of Wisconsin men’s hockey team. In his first year with the Badgers, he helped guide the team to the sixth NCAA championship in school history posting a 30-10-3 record. The team finished second this season in the WCHA and has compiled a 107-70-22 during Patrick’s five seasons with the program.

“I am truly excited for the opportunity to be the leader of the Muskegon team and to be a part of the premier junior hockey league in North America as it begins its next venture into the state of Michigan,” said Patrick. “It is a great opportunity for me to be in a passionate hockey community as I know the people of Muskegon will be great fans and supporters of the USHL.”

Prior to his tenure at Wisconsin, Patrick served as assistant coach at Bowling Green State University (2002-05) and Union College (1998-2002) while also coordinating the recruiting efforts at both schools. His stints with both programs were marked by improvement as Bowling Green went from eight wins in his first season to 16 wins in his final season, and Union jumped from three victories in his first season to 13 victories in his final season at the school.

The announcement also marks the return of Patrick to the USHL as he spent the 1997-98 season as assistant coach and assistant general manager for the Green Bay Gamblers. He has also been actively involved with USA Hockey, coaching at Select Festivals in 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2009.

“I have recruited extensively in the USHL over the last 12 years and now it will be great to come back as a head coach to such a great league,” said Patrick. “The USHL has continued to set itself apart with outstanding organizations that are run with a high degree of professionalism and quality coaches that develop these young men both on and off the ice.”

As a player, Patrick was a four-year letterman at the University of Notre Dame. The defenseman was a captain for the team during his final two seasons before graduating with a bachelor’s of science degree in pre-professional studies in 1992. He played one season of professional hockey before beginning his coaching career at Deerfield Academy (Massachusetts).

Photo courtesy Wisconsin Athletic Dept.

North Stars entering home stretch

In a sense, the playoff have already begun for the Traverse City North Stars.

With just eight games remaining in the regular season and the Stars training North Division-leading Marquette by four points, every contest takes on added significance – starting with Wednesday’s stand-alone matchup with Alpena at Centre ICE arena.

“Not only are we fighting for our playoff position and dreaming of home-ice (advantage in the first round), but Alpena is playing as well as anyone in the league right now,” said Traverse City head coach-GM Anthony Palumbo. “They just swept Marquette at home and lost by a single goal in the third one up there, but they look like they’re very hungry to join the playoff mix.”

The IceDiggers (20-29-2) trail fourth-place Motor City by nine points with seven games left on the docket – including four head-to-head matchups with the Metal Jackets. Alpena has won six of its last seven, and have posted a blistering 9-3-1 record since Jan. 23. They’ve done it without longtime Diggers standouts Jimmy McCusker and Ryan Timar, both of whom were traded away this year. John Fristche is the club’s top gun, with 21 goals and 19 assists – including eight goals in the 12 meetings with Traverse City in 2009-10. Marco Wieser has been in net for all four of the Diggers’ wins in the season series, including a pair of shutouts.

“They play with a pace, tempo and energy that we have to play with as well or we’ll have our hands full,” Palumbo opined. “And it should be easy for us to maintain that kind of intensity from here on out. This is what you play for, where you want to be when you’re through the meat of a 58-game schedule. If we have any dreams of holding off (third-place) Janesville for home ice, or even catching Marquette, that kind of passion has to be there.”

Garrett Thompson, who leads the North Stars (27-18-5) with 22 goals, has racked nearly one-third of that total (7) against Alpena. Doug Clifford has a TC-best 45 points, Dan Radke is the top playmaker with 26 assists and Eric McLintock has 19 goals to go along with 17 assists. Drew Strandberg, who is slated to start Wednesday’s contest, is 18-8-2 with a 2.53 goals-against average and .906 save percentage.

The North Stars will have the weekend off before closing out the year on a torrid pace: Seven games in 11 days, starting with a St. Patrick’s Day showdown with Motor City at Centre ICE. The first-place Rangers come into TC for a three-game weekend set Mar. 19-21. The regular season home finale on Mar. 26 against the Diggers is wedged between road games at Marquette (Mar. 25) and Alpena (Mar. 27).

Wieser wins monthly NAHL honors

The North American Hockey League has announced that Alpena IceDiggers goaltender Marco Wieser has been named the Sherbrook Hockey Goaltender of the Month for February.

Wieser, a 19-year-old from Villach, Austria, fashioned an 8-2-1 record in February, including shutouts over the Motor City Metal Jackets on Feb. 19 (42 saves) and the Marquette Rangers on Feb. 26 (34), to compliment a 2.14 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage.

“Marco has given us a chance to win every night all season long and his recent play has fueled our team with confidence,” said IceDiggers head coach Jack Fritsche. “He’s made some tremendous momentum-swinging saves, which is what you need down the stretch.”

In 36 appearances this season, Wieser, who played for Villach’s Under-20 Team in Austria last season and also represented Austria at this year’s World Junior Championships, holds an 18-17-1 mark to go along with a 2.76 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage.

“It’s a tremendous honor to receive this award,” said Wieser. “My teammates have been really good in front of me, which has made my job easier.”

Metro's Wickersham ready for next step

If ever there was a player the Metro Jets don’t want to have back for a second season, it would be Jon Wickersham.

And that’s not a bad thing.

Advancing players to the next level, whatever that may be, is something the Jets have succeeded in over the years and the team hopes the 19-year-old Wickersham can be the latest name to be added to their long list of alumni who have moved up the hockey ladder.

"Game in and game out, Wickersham has been one of our most consistent players, if not the most consistent,” Metro GM Butch Wolfe said. “He's on the ice in every situation and can do it all – score, defend, clear the puck, make good passes, even the little things."

Wickersham hasn’t missed a game all year and goes into this weekend third in team scoring with 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points. Being an alternate captain also showed that Wickersham, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound forward from Macomb was capable of taking the team on his shoulders if need be.

"From the first day Jon came to camp, we knew he was captain material,” Wolfe said. “He's not real vocal, but he definitely leads by example. When it came time to choose our captains, Jon was one of the three names that kept coming up and he did a great job this year keeping the guys focused and ready to go each game."

Wolfe feels Wickersham will have several North American Hockey League teams pining for his services next season and whichever team he lands with will be getting a fine hockey player and an even better person.

"I think wherever Jon plays next season, that team will be getting a solid player,” said Wolfe. “He is ready for the NAHL, in my opinion, and I really believe he'd make a fine addition to any of the teams in that league.

“I don't think he has anything left to prove at the CSHL level."

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD

The Jets went on their final road trip of the season last weekend and were swept by the first place and regular season champion St. Louis Jr. Blues.

Saturday night, Tyler Schofield scored his first goal of the season and added an assist, while Steve Lockwood had two goals in a 12-3 loss.

Jon Elliott and Wickersham chipped in two assists apiece and Ian Mercer made 43 saves between the pipes.

Sunday afternoon, Elliott scored the lone Metro tally in a 4-1 loss. Mercer finished with 35 stops.

Metro wraps up the regular season this weekend with two at Lakeland Arena against the Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins. Game time Saturday night is 7:50 p.m., while Sunday’s game is a 1:20 p.m. matinee.

JET FUEL

Action photos of all Jets players are now available to view and purchase on team photographer Andy Grossman’s website.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Matt Ewert, a tough defenseman on the 2000-2001 Jets team, is no longer playing organized hockey, but is definitely staying busy these days.

Ewert, who just recently got engaged, owns a successful landscaping business in the Chicago area.

Photo by Andy Grossman

Rangers home for three big games

The Marquette Rangers face what could possibly be the biggest weekend in their four-year history when they play host to Alpena this Thursday and Traverse City on Friday and Saturday.

Marquette needs points to overtake Traverse City in the North American Hockey League North Division race with less than a month to go in the regular season. The North Stars lead Marquette by a single point heading into the weekend.

The weekend's first opponent, Alpena, currently sits in the bottom of the division, but the IceDiggers have proven to be no pushover for the Rangers this season. Alpena swept the Rangers in two games last weekend at Northern Lights Arena in Alpena, 5-0 and 4-3 in a shootout.

Thursday will be the final meeting between the Rangers and Alpena, Marquette leads the season series, 8-4.

Traverse City and Marquette will get their first chance of many to settle things this weekend as six of the final 10 regular season games will pit the two rivals against one another. Adding to the Rangers' concerns during March are the remaining four games, all against third place Janesville who trails Marquette by only three points in the division race heading into this weekend.

The Jets play fourth place Motor City in suburban Detroit Friday and Saturday.

Garrett Ladd leads Marquette in scoring with 52 points on 17 goals and 35 assists, while Hancock native Tanner Kero continues to lead the team, as well as the entire NAHL, in goal production with 29.

All three games at Lakeview Arena start at 7:30 p.m.

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Fans attending any of the three games this weekend will be given plenty of opportunities to win one of several prizes provided by advertising partners of the team.

Thursday night is “Give Me Gas Night,” courtesy of Holiday Station Stores in the central U.P. When the puck drops at 7:30, someone in attendance will be guaranteed a $50 Holiday gas card. For every goal the Rangers score, another $50 card will be added to the giveaway - up to $300. The winner must be present at the end of the game to collect their prize.

Friday, the Rangers celebrate “Fan Appreciation Night,” where kids will receive free Rangers mini-sticks while they last. There will be other specials available during the evening at Lakeview Arena.

Saturday, someone in attendance is guaranteed a flat-screen TV in the Rangers final “Celebrity Goalie Contest.” When fans enter the arena, they will be asked to put their name on a slip of paper, then place it in one of 10 numbered buckets as their guess as to how many saves the celebrity goalie will make.

Saturday’s “celebrity” will be the first female of the year as Amy Clickner, Executive Director of The Lake Superior Community Partnership, has agreed to don the pads and try to stop 10 shots fired at her by selected shooters during the first intermission.

The drawing for the television will take place at the end of the game, and again, the winner must be present to win.

North Stars host Motor City for pair

The last time the Traverse City North Stars and Motor City Metal Jackets met up, the Stars skated into Yack Arena two weeks ago riding a 10-1-2 post-Christmas mark, firmly entrenched in the NAHL North Division’s top spot.

The host Metal Jackets scored a pair of one-goal, come-from-behind victories in that series, precipitating a four-game slide for TC that has the North Division title up for grabs with a dozen games left in the regular season.

The North Stars, who enter the weekend tied for first place with the Marquette Rangers and just three points up on third-lace Janesville, will have a chance to regain their momentum and exact some measure of revenge on the Metal Jackets when the clubs meet up for a Friday-Saturday series at Centre ICE this weekend.

“I’m not sure that we’ll have ‘revenge’ on the agenda,” said Stars head coach-GM Anthony Palumbo. “But if there’s some of that sentiment among the guys and that helps us to get it done this weekend, that’s fine. We’re at that part of the season, especially given how tight the division is, where every game has to be the focus – and then the next game, and the next game, and so on.

“We can’t get caught up watching the scoreboard, or waiting for someone to help us out by knocking off this team or that team. We have to take care of what we can control, and that’s playing 60 minutes with maximum energy, effort, and execution.”

Since sweeping Traverse City back on Feb. 12-13, the Jackets have dropped five straight games, scoring but four goals in that stretch. Motor City is 19-21-7, and trying to put the clamps on the fourth and final playoff slot in the NAHL North, seven points ahead of fifth-place Alpena.

R.J. Kleiman leads the Jackets with 40 points in 47 contests, including a team-high 17 goals and 23 assists. Cody Wydo has 15 goals and 17 assists, while defenseman Mike Monfredo is the top-scoring Motown defenseman, with 18 assists to go with a club-high 125 penalty minutes. In net, Motor City as three able goalsweeps in Randy Willis (9-8-5), Jason Torf (7-10-2) and Phillip Graveline (3-3-0).

For Traverse City, Doug Clifford leads the way with 43 points (19 goals, 24 assists) and has scored or assisted in 11 of his last 12 games. Garrett Thompson has been ablaze as well, with 10 points in his last eight games, points in 16 of his last 18 outings, and a career-best 20 goals on the year to go with 21 assists. Not to be outdone, Dan Radke, with a Stars-high 25 assists, has 12 points over his last 13 contests.

Drew Strandberg (17-7-1) made his return from injury to the Traverse City net last weekend against Janesville and is five wins shy of tying the club mark for wins in a season (C.J. Motte, 22), while Chris Paliafito (6-6-2) shouldered the entire load in Strandberg’s absence.

The North Stars will head to Marquette next weekend for a pair of games that could go a long way in deciding the North Division crown, and host a pair of Wednesday affairs on March 10 (Alpena) and March 17 (Motor City).

Schofield getting recognized with Jets

The casual observer might not notice Metro Jets’ defenseman Tyler Schofield, but if that happens, that’s a good thing.

Schofield, one of just a handful of second-year Metro players, has seen his game mature from last season when he looked tentative and hesitant at times. He’s now a confident skater in his own end and plays an ever-improving smart game.

“I feel good this season compared to last season,” said Schofield, an 18-year-old from Clio. “I feel a lot more confident with the puck and I think I have more patience than last year. I haven’t accomplished everything I would have hoped for, but it’s still been a good year.”

Those thoughts were echoed by Metro coach Ryan Skop.

“I think last year when he first started with us, he was a bit unsure of himself and his ability,” Skop said. “He could do some things pretty well, but just didn't have the confidence to make it work. This year, I think Tyler's really found a role that he's comfortable with and he does it very well.”

Just 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, Schofield will never be mistaken for a big physical presence on the back end, but what he does do is make very good decisions with the puck.

“I’m not a big, strong guy, so I feel it makes me have to play smarter,” Schofield said. “I think my strengths are my vision. I see the ice pretty well and I feel I have good hands, which also help me a lot.”

Skop explained Schofield’s smarts.

“He's a guy who, when given the chance, can really settle our power play unit down and generate some quality chances by simply making the right decision with the puck,” added Skop. “He'll make a good first pass out of our end and for the most part, be in position defensively. He's accepted the fact that quite often, the best play is simply glass and out. He has no problem with that. Keeping it simple defensively is Schoey’s biggest asset.”

Heading into the offseason, Schofield will have a full slate of spring and summer training to get him ready for wherever he may land in 2010-2011.

“During the offseason, I plan on working out and getting stronger,” said Schofield. “I also need to work on my speed, so I plan on doing a lot of quick feet and such for that and try and make myself a better player.”

“For Ty, his focus should be getting to the gym and improving his strength during the offseason,” Skop said. “He's got all the tools between the ears to be a real impact guy at this level and now, it's just about improvement on other areas.

“Ty's a hard worker, though, and I'm sure he'll get it done.”

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD

The Dubuque Thunderbirds jumped out to a 4-0 lead and held on to beat the Jets, 4-3, Friday night at Lakeland Arena.

Dubuque led 2-0 after the first period and 4-2 after 40 minutes as Steve Lockwood and Mike Denston tallied for the Jets to make it a two-goal game going into the final period.

Brett Grech scored at 18:27 of the third period with goalie Ian Mercer on the bench for the extra skater, but Metro couldn't find the equalizer.

Mercer finished with 28 stops between the pipes and Lockwood and Grech each added an assist to finish with two-point games.

The Jets (10-30-0-4) are on the road this weekend for a pair in St. Louis. Metro then closes out the regular season next weekend by hosting Pittsburgh for two games at Lakeland.

St. Louis clinched the CSHL regular season championship last weekend and also secured a berth in the Tier III Junior A national tournament set for next month in suburban Boston.

Remaining games on ’09-10 schedule:
Feb. 27 @ St. Louis
Feb. 28 @ St. Louis
March 6 vs. Pittsburgh
March 7 vs. Pittsburgh

JET FUEL

Of Lockwood’s three goals this season, two have come on the power play … Grech has 11 points (four goals, seven assists) over his last 10 games … Mercer has averaged almost 32 saves in his last five starts and also ranks third in the league in minutes played with 1708:50.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Former Metro forward Dominic Osman (2000-2001) started the season with the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye and posted 12 goals and 22 points in 47 games before being traded recently to the Florida Everblades.

With Florida, the 28-year-old Dearborn native is averaging a point per game with three goals and three assists in a half-dozen games.

Photo by Andy Grossman

D-man Schmitz stepping up for Plymouth

Generally, Plymouth Whalers defenseman Beau Schmitz doesn’t say much, but his game and talent speaks volumes.

Statistically, there are defensemen in the Ontario Hockey League who have more points than Schmitz’s eight goals and 22 assists for 30 points this season. There are d-men who have a better rating than Schmitz’s +12. There are plenty of guys who are bigger than Schmitz.

But there aren’t too many players in the league who skate as well as Schmitz. And with a year of OHL experience under his belt, Schmitz is learning to pick his spots when to join the rush and when to stay back.

As a result, he’s playing with confidence, getting more ice time, having fun and helping the Whalers win.

“I think I’m moving up more on the rush, in a smart way – instead of being the first guy leading the rush, I’m more the third or fourth guy in the rush,” Schmitz said. “It’s an improvement I’ve made over the last year.

“There’s a time and a place for everything, so if I do jump into the rush, I certainly have to get back.”

Plymouth associate coach Joe Stefan appreciates Schmitz’s development.

“I think he’s grown up this year, in terms of maturity,” Stefan said. “He’s become accustomed to the league this year. It took him a little while, coming from the National Team Development Program. I think he’s more comfortable in the environment this year.”

With veteran defensemen Michal Jordan and Josh Bemis out with injuries and considered day-to-day, the Whalers have asked more from Schmitz and the rest of the defensemen.

“With our current injuries, Beau has taken more of a leadership role,” Stefan said. “He really likes the ice time and has elevated his game with Jordan and Bemis out.”

Schmitz has a penchant for scoring big goals this season. He scored the shootout winner on October 2 in Sudbury in a 6-5 win at the Community Arena, scored the overtime game-winner December 28 in the Whalers’ 3-2 victory over Erie and then scored twice (including the game-winner) last Saturday in Plymouth’s 5-2 victory over Sarnia.

At 12-3-0-1 since January 16, the Whalers move into the end of February as one of the hottest teams in the OHL. The goal is to keep playing that way into the playoffs.

“Everyone’s been playing well,” Schmitz said. “Everyone’s been playing their role, so we have to keep it up (now) and then into the playoffs. It’s playoff hockey from here on out.”

The Whalers play in Windsor on Thursday (6:45pm, 88.1FM, WSDP) before returning home Saturday to host Guelph at 7:05pm at Compuware Arena. While the Whalers take on the Storm, the game marks the return of Mascot Madness, as mascots for several corporate partners of the Whalers will get together for a hockey game during the second intermission.

LOOKING AT WINDSOR: The Spits (45-10-0-5) come into Thursday’s game after losing, 8-5, to Barrie on Saturday. The Colts are now the top team in the OHL with a record of 48-8-0-2, good for 96 points, one more than Windsor.

“So far, they are the better team,” Spitfires head coach Bob Boughner told the Windsor Star. “They outhustled us in all areas.”

After Scott Timmins opened the scoring for Windsor, Darren Archibald, Alex Hutchings and Alex Pietrangelo countered for the Colts. Timmins closed the gap to 3-2 in the second period, but Archibald, Matt Kennedy and Kyle Clifford made it 6-2.

Bryan Cameron pushed Barrie’s lead to 7-2 before Marc Cantin, Greg Nemisz and Stephen Johnston scored in a span of 2:20 to pull Windsor to within two goals with less than five minutes left in a regulation, but Hutchings scored his second into an empty net with goaltender Troy Passingham on the bench and Windsor shorthanded to close it for the Colts.

LOOKING AT GUELPH: The Storm (27-28-3-1) host Peterborough on Friday before playing the Whalers on Saturday. Guelph still has playoff aspirations. Guelph won two-out-of-three last weekend, capping the weekend with a 5-2 win in Sault Ste. Marie at the Essar Centre on Sunday after losing to Sudbury the evening before and defeating Kitchener last Friday.

“I thought we played a lot harder than we did in Sudbury - more like the Kitchener game,” Guelph lead assistant coach Chris Hajt told the Guelph Mercury. “We got second, third and fourth efforts from everyone. It was great to see.”

Article and photo courtesy Plymouth Whalers

Alpena making late-season charge

Courtesy NAHL

Don’t look now, but with a little over a month left in the North American Hockey League’s regular season, there’s a race heating up for the fourth and final playoff spot in the North Division.

Currently settled in fifth place and out of the playoff picture, the red-hot Alpena IceDiggers - 7-2-1 in their last 10 games - are starting to make their move, thanks in part to a three-game sweep over the Motor City Metal Jackets last weekend.

“Motor City is a great team and they created a lot of good scoring chances,” said IceDiggers head coach Jack Fritsche, whose team improved to 18-28-2 on the season. “All three games could have gone either way with a bounce here or there for either team.”

Goaltender Marco Wieser turned aside all 42 shots he faced as the IceDiggers opened the weekend with a 3-0 victory on Friday.

Michael Henderson (game-winner), Andy Yarber and Jared Williams connected for the Alpena goals.

The next night, Tom Hilbrich’s overtime marker - his second of the game - lifted Alpena to a 4-3 victory over the Metal Jackets. John Fritsche (pictured) and Joel Benson rang up the other IceDigger goals, and Wieser stopped 30 shots between the pipes.

On Sunday, Williams lit the lamp two more times and Jonas Vassalli put home the game-winner as the IceDiggers skated to a 3-1 victory. Wieser made 37 saves to pick up his third win in as many nights.

“Our success right now is because, for the first time since November, we have a full roster of players,” said Fritsche. “For a stretch there we had defensemen playing forward and vice versa, and it’s hard to win games when you’re doing that.

“Having a full complement of players has allowed us to build some chemistry during practice and work on different things over the past two or three weeks that we were unable to do while players were injured.”

Fritsche, whose team sits seven points behind Motor City with 10 games to play (the IceDiggers have four remaining against the Metal Jackets), couldn’t be happier with the production he’s getting throughout his entire lineup.

“Right now, it’s been a total team effort,” he said. “A different guy each night has stepped their game up and provided a spark. Our guys understand the challenge that lies ahead, and they’ve done a tremendous job so far of staying in the moment and not getting ahead of themselves.”

The IceDiggers have also been helped by the arrival of a few fresh faces over the course of the season, all of whom have fit right in, both on and off the ice.

“We were very fortunate with some of the new players we’ve gotten because we have a great group of kids here and the new guys just came in and meshed right away, which was great,” said Fritsche.

And the IceDiggers’ success of late is peaking the interest of a handful of colleges, according to Fritsche, who anticipates a number of his players receiving offers in the not-too-distant future.

“More and more schools have been in contact with our guys throughout the season and I have little doubt that many of them will be getting opportunities here shortly,” he said.

Fritsche is also quick to credit the community and fan support in and around Alpena, which has stood by the IceDiggers despite a fragile economy.

“It hasn’t been easy on them, yet they still come out and support our guys,” he said. “We’ve had some great battles at home this season and have fallen short on some occasions, but they’re still supporting our players which speaks volumes for the character and passion our fans have for the game and our players.”

Photo courtesy RJ Meyer/NAHL

North Stars host Janesville for two

From friend to foe in just 24 hours.

While the Traverse City North Stars were rooting for the Janesville Jets on Friday night, they’ll face off against their North Division rivals on Saturday and Sunday at Centre ICE arena.

Janesville did the Stars a solid on Friday, knocking off Marquette by a 2-1 margin to help Traverse City maintain a first-place tie with the Rangers. But with the division crown up for grabs, the North Stars will quickly turn to trying to ground the third-place Jets with just 14 games left in the regular season.

Janesville, which has gone 5-8-1 in its last 14 games on the heels of a seven-game winning streak that included a sweep of TC back in December, comes into the weekend series at Centre ICE with an outside shot at the North crown. The Jets are 23-18-3, just seven points behind the Stars and Rangers. Traverse City (26-14-4) dropped a pair of road shows last weekend at Motor City, but has gone 10-3-2 since that pre-Christmas sweep at Janesville.

On offense, the Jets feature University of Connecticut recruit Rui Encarnacao, who is among the league leaders with 24 goals, including five game-winners. He’s the club’s top scorer with 41 points, while Janesville native Ross Mauermann is tops with 24 assists. Matt Wichorek gets the lion’s share of starts for the Jets, and has gotten the nod in nine of the team’s last ten games. The Alaskan is 15-12-3 with a 2.69 goals-against average and .903 save percentage.

Doug Clifford is the North Stars top scorer heading into the weekend with 41 points, while Garrett Thompson has 39 – including 13 goals and 15 assists over his last 16 games. Dan Radke leads the club with 24 assists, while Andy Huff has levied 20 goals to date. Drew Strandberg, who was injured in the first period of a game on Jan. 22, might make his return this weekend. Chris Paliafito has stood tall in Strandberg’s absence, going 3-2-2 since assuming full-time duties.

This weekend’s games feature a Labatt Blue night on Saturday night at Centre ICE, with giveaways, a live radio remote, and a $1 off admission for anyone wearing red, white or blue to the contest. Following Sunday’s 1 p.m. matinee, the team will head to Auntie Pasta’s in Logan’s Landing for its tri-annual post-game meal at the Italian eatery.

Griffore biding his time in Metro net

Anthony Griffore hasn’t seen one minute of game action this year for the Metro Jets, but complaints will not come from the rookie goaltender.

The team’s third goaltender behind Ian Mercer and R.J. Heath, Griffore has dressed for games when one of Mercer or Heath has had the night off, but the most rubber he sees is in practice or pre-game warm-ups.

Griffore’s attitude on being the No. 3 goalie is one that has rubbed off on his teammates and the Metro coaching staff.

“I’ve never once heard Anthony complain about playing time,” said Metro GM Butch Wolfe. “He works hard in practice and keeps the players loose in the locker room. He came from a well-run AAA program (Lansing Capitals) and has the knowledge and potential to play in this league. Problem is, he got stuck behind two NAHL-caliber goalies this year and has had to bide his time. And he’s been OK with that.”

Griffore, an 18-year-old from Milford, may see his first start in one of the Jets’ last five games. Metro is not going to the CSHL playoffs and to play against Dubuque, St. Louis or Pittsburgh may be an audition for next season, according to Wolfe.

“I’d love to see him at game speed and see what he can do,” Wolfe said. “The potential is definitely there and to see how he performs against one of the league’s top teams would be a huge measuring stick for us to see what he may be able to do for us next season.”

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD

The Jets earned three points last weekend with a win and a heartbreaking shootout loss.

Jon Wickersham recorded three points and Mercer stopped all 30 shots he faced as the Jets blanked the Grand Rapids Jr. Owls, 4-0, Friday night on the road.

Wickersham scored twice and added an assist as the Jets earned their tenth win of the season.

Justin Vinson and Jon Elliott also scored for Metro, while Brett Grech and captain Mike Corder each chipped in with two assists.

The shutout was the Jets' third this season and Mercer has been in net for all of them.

Metro carried a 5-2 lead into the middle of the third period Saturday night at Lakeland Arena, but the Flint Jr. Generals scored three straight over the final 10 minutes to tie the game and then won it in the shootout.

Mercer made 49 saves for the Jets, now 10-29-0-4.

Tim Hooker led the Jets' offense with a goal and two assists. His shorthanded goal at 8:21 of the third period gave Metro their 5-2 lead, but then Brent Duwe (9:05), Nathan Scurfield (power play at 17:56) and ex-Jets' defenseman Ryan Eby (19:26) rallied Flint to send the game to overtime.

After a scoreless five-minute overtime, Thomas Friedrich's goal in the ninth round of the shootout gave the Jr. Generals the win. Grech and Wickersham scored shootout goals for the Jets.

Vinson, David Merkle and Mike Denston each posted a goal and an assist for the Jets, while Joe Rutkowski scored the other and Will Saley chipped in two assists.

The Jets host the Dubuque Thunderbirds tonight at Lakeland at 8:10 p.m. in their only game this week.

Remaining games on ’09-10 schedule:
Fri. Feb. 19 vs. Dubuque
Sat. Feb. 27 @ St. Louis
Sun. Feb. 28 @ St. Louis
Sat. Mar. 6 vs. Pittsburgh
Sun. Mar. 7 vs. Pittsburgh

JET FUEL

With his two goals Friday night, Wickersham became the fourth Jets’ player with 10 or more goals this season. Wickersham now has 10, while Josh Magnan has 16, Elliott has 14 and Grech has posted 11.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Defenseman Steven Oleksy, who started this season in the ECHL with the Toledo Walleye and then scored his first professional goal with the IHL’s Port Huron Icehawks, has caught on with the ECHL’s Idaho Steelheads and has one assist in 11 games thus far.

Oleksy, a 24-year-old native of Chesterfield, played for the Jets during the 2003-2004 season.


Photo by Andy Grossman

Marquette hosts Janesville Friday night

There’s an old saying in sports that says “getting to first place is the easy part, staying in first place is much more difficult.”

The Marquette Rangers will get their first chance to stay in first place in the North American Hockey League North Division race this Friday as they host the Janesville Jets at Lakeview Arena.

Marquette and Traverse City top the division with 56 points each. Janesville is in third and Motor City is fourth with Alpena a distant fifth

The climb into first place has actually been anything but easy for Kenny Miller’s club as the team has played only five home games since the first of the year. However, the team has managed to go 9-4 in that stretch with road sweeps against Albert Lea of the Central Division and Motor City, as well as a key split at Janesville three weeks ago.

Marquette has also gone 4-1 in their five home games at Lakeview Arena since January 1. On the season, the Rangers are 17-5 on home ice.

In the process, the Rangers have also broken the franchise record for wins in the season with 28 so far, topping the old total of 26 wins set in both 2007-2008 and 2008-2009. Marquette has 14 games left in the regular season, including this Friday’s matchup with Janesville.

In six games this season between the two clubs, Janesville holds a 4-2 advantage against Marquette.

The Rangers are led in scoring by Andrew Kolb’s 51 points (18 goals, 33 assists) with Garrett Ladd right behind at 50 points on 17 goals and 33 assists. Newcomer Jimmy McCusker has been a significant factor offensively for the club since coming to Marquette in a trade with Alpena. In five games, the fourth-year forward has scored five goals to accompany three assists since becoming a Ranger.

Friday’s game begins at 7:30 p.m.

Kolb photo by RJ Meyer/NAHL

USHL makes Muskegon entry official

USHL Press Release

The United States Hockey League today announced that it will expand to Muskegon and a new membership will begin play in the 2010-11 season, bringing the league’s total to 16 member clubs.

“This is a red-letter day for the USHL,” said USHL commissioner Skip Prince. “Together with USA’s Hockey’s NTDP team out of Ann Arbor, the entry of Muskegon into the USHL places us squarely in the midst of one of hockey’s hotbeds in Michigan, and in front of some of the most knowledgeable fans in the game.”

The new Muskegon organization, which will be known as the Muskegon Lumberjacks, will be owned and operated by Blue Ox Hockey and Lou and Josh Mervis. Part of the USHL since the League acquired its exclusive Tier I designation by USA Hockey in 2002, the Mervis family originally operated the USHL Danville (Ill.) Wings. Mervis Industries, the family’s principal business, is a leader in manufacturing and recycling of industrial by-product which operates in 12 cities throughout the Midwest.

“We spent a lot of time and effort exploring multiple cities that would be a solid USHL market, but Muskegon clearly established itself as not only the right fit for us, but for the League,” said Josh Mervis. “The city has a rich tradition of hockey and a knowledgeable fan base whose passion and loyalty rivals hockey fans anywhere in North America."

The new Muskegon team will play its home games at L.C. Walker Arena, a multi-purpose facility which seats 5,100 for hockey games. Blue Ox Hockey will also operate L.C. Walker Arena in a joint venture with Jeff and Stacey Patulski, who have managed the building in addition to holding ownership of a hockey organization in Muskegon for the past two seasons. Tim Taylor, a well-respected hockey executive and native of Muskegon, will assume the position of COO of the USHL Lumberjacks.

“The opportunity for the USHL to have strong, committed, experienced local management in Muskegon, a city that has hosted this great game in numerous leagues for fifty years, is a statement by all of us – the League, the city and its great fans, and the Mervis family – that the pinnacle of USA Hockey’s development model has a home here,” said Prince.

Muskegon becomes the second Michigan entry into the USHL, as the NTDP became a full-time member of the league prior to this season. With the recent addition of the Dubuque (Ia.) Fighting Saints and the expansion to Muskegon, the USHL will have an all-time high of 16 member clubs for the 2010-11 season.

Rangers face Jackets Monday, Tuesday

The Marquette Rangers’ schedule this week proves that sometimes even junior hockey players have to face a curve ball.

The second place Rangers travel to downstate Wyandotte to battle the Motor City Metal Jackets in North American Hockey League North Division play Monday afternoon and Tuesday evening. The rare Monday-Tuesday series is part of three games for Marquette this week as the team will return to Lakeview Arena Friday for a single game against the Janesville Jets.

The Rangers trail first place Traverse City by four points heading into the games this week, while Motor City is locked in a tight battle for third place with Janesville in the division race.

Marquette and Motor City split their last series at Lakeview Arena on February 5-6. The teams have played eight times this season and are 4-4-0 against one another head-to-head.

Forward Garrett Ladd continues to lead the team in overall scoring with 48 points on 16 goals and 32 assists.

Hancock native Tanner Kero leads the team in goal production with 28 on the season, which is the most of any player in the entire NAHL. The second leading goal producers in the league behind Kero are Brian Sheehan of Wichita Falls and Rui Encarnacao of Janesville, each with 24.

Monday afternoon’s game starts at 2:30 p.m., while the Tuesday game begins at 7:30 p.m.

Jets fly high with local Cub Scout pack

The Metro Jets' players see themselves as regular, ordinary people, but last weekend, they became heroes to a local group of Cub Scouts.

A group of kids from the first grade Tiger Den from Pack 126, based out of the Clarkston United Methodist Church and Clarkston Elementary School, came to the game Saturday night and took in the action from Lakeland Arena.

Metro’s captains – Brett Grech, Mike Corder and Jon Wickersham – were three of the players that met the kids before the game (pictured) and the scouts also got a tour of the rink and the Jets’ locker room.

Tiger Den leader Jeff Waite brought several from his troop to a game last year and had such a fun time that he said he and the kids wanted an encore this season.

“The kids last year had a great time and many said that it was their favorite outside-event of the year,” said Waite, a former scout with the pack himself. “Also, as part of the Cub Scout program, we are required to see a live sporting event. Some groups go to a high school basketball game or to professional sporting events as well, but we like the intimacy of the arena and the opportunity that the Jets organization gives to the kids to meet the players, see the locker room and stuff like that. I think it adds another level to the experience rather than just getting a ticket and sitting down to watch a game. Not only can they get closer to the game than they could at those other games, but they also get to relate to the players.

“The kids all seemed to have a great time again this year. Although they weren’t real sure about the smells of the locker room, they enjoyed getting to meet the players and immediately started to root for the player who autographed the puck that they received before the game.”

Grech said that meeting the kids made him feel proud.

“When I was younger, I always looked up to older guys and it’s cool to be the other way around,” said Grech. “If we have any positive influence on these kids, it’s a huge deal and hopefully, we can be just that.”

“If kids can look at me and want to play hockey and try their best, that is great,” Corder added. “Any team activity is important because it helps to teach kids team building lessons so that later in life they can work in society. If I can inspire someone to want to give their best all the time, even when things don't go the way you want them to, that is a good thing.”

Waite also said that coming to Lakeland Arena gave him a chance to reflect on the past.

“In the late 1980s and early ‘90s while I was in high school, my younger brother and I used to come to the arena to watch the Jets play on Friday and Saturday nights,” explained Waite. “It was a fun way to spend time together, while getting out of the house by ourselves. When I became a den leader for my own sons and saw the requirement that we attend a live sporting event, the Jets were one of the first teams that I thought of. After coming to see the team a few months ago, my youngest son decided that he wanted to play hockey, and is now involved in the Atoms program offered through the arena.”

Corder said he enjoyed the experience so much that he thinks the Jets have the potential to do more in the Waterford area to drum-up more interest in the team.

“Having special themed games like inviting the Cub Scouts and the local youth hockey teams I think would bring more of the community to the rink,” said Corder. “Maybe helping with some of the events of local groups would be a good idea also.”

Waite is already looking ahead to next season and wants to pack the stands at Lakeland.

“I would like to plan a little further ahead than we have in the past, however, and possibly bring the entire pack of about 60 kids,” Waite said. “I would like to explore the possibility of that with (Jets GM) Butch (Wolfe). Everyone had a great time again this year and we look forward to returning in the future.

“I think it would be fun if we could make this an annual event.”

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD

Metro faltered in back-to-back games last weekend, effectively eliminating the Jets from playoff contention.

The Queen City Steam defeated the Jets, 6-3, Saturday night at Lakeland Arena.

The Jets actually had a lead in the game in the first period when Corder banked a clearing attempt off the boards and it squirted past Steam goalie Justin Camuto. The goal was Corder's first of the season.

Tim Hooker scored a highlight-reel goal in the second period when he went high on Camuto while on his back.

Steve Vandenberghe ended the Jets' scoring with a late power-play goal in the third period on a blast from the point.

Between the pipes, Ian Mercer finished with 28 saves in the loss.

Jon Elliott scored a pair of goals for Metro, but the Grand Rapids Jr. Owls got two goals in the third period to take a 5-3 win at Southside Ice Community Center Sunday afternoon.

Elliott now has 13 goals on the year, good for second on the team behind Josh Magnan's 16 tallies.

Mike Denston also scored for the Jets and Mercer made 24 saves in goal.

The Jets (9-29-0-3) play in Grand Rapids again Friday night before hosting the Flint Jr. Generals Saturday night at Lakeland Arena for a 7:40 p.m. faceoff.

Remaining games on ’09-10 schedule:
Fri. Feb. 12 @ Grand Rapids
Sat. Feb. 13 vs. Flint
Fri. Feb. 19 vs. Dubuque
Sat. Feb. 27 @ St. Louis
Sun. Feb. 28 @ St. Louis
Sat. Mar. 6 vs. Pittsburgh
Sun. Mar. 7 vs. Pittsburgh

JET FUEL

Mercer has been in net for six of the Jets’ nine wins this season.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Brent Agrusa, head coach of the Jets during the 1999-2000 season and the first half of the 2000-2001 season, is now co-head coach of the California Stars 18AAA Midget team.

Photo by Andy Grossman

Brittain giving back with LTS program

It’s easy to spot Plymouth Whalers left wing Josh Brittain during any game.

At 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, Brittain is a power forward who has found a home on a line with Joe Gaynor and James Livingston.

The veteran line excels in forechecking and crashing deep in the offensive zone, creating scoring chances by wearing down opposing defensemen. That’s how Brittain scored his 15th goal of the season last night in Guelph – converting Livingston’s shot from the severe angle, right wing, and potting home the rebound just outside the blue crease.

Brittain has another job on the ice that utilizes a softer, kinder approach. He’s currently one of the lead instructors at Compuware Arena’s Learn-to-Skate program. Every Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 10-11am and most Wednesday nights from 5-7pm, Brittain is out on the ice, patiently instructing young children that are around just six years old.

Brittain has taken to the LTS program much like he forechecks for the Whalers – straight ahead.

But instead of wearing down defensemen, he’s nurturing young skaters and potential hockey players.

He’s receiving rave reviews.

“Josh stepped right in when we needed someone,” said Compuware Arena Learn-to-Skate Director Jennifer Hancock. “We’ve received great feedback from parents and the kids. The kids say, ’Bring Josh back every week, we really want (to work with) him.’

“Just standing back and watching him – he’s great. He gets right in there with the details of skating and helps with puck handling drills. He’s just a great all-around instructor. We’re really happy to have him on board.”

During a recent session, Brittain instructed youngsters Fernando Gonzales, Dorian Diewald and Joel Fonovic. As big as Brittain is, he uses one part comedy, one part body language (often kneeling on the ice to get his points across) and one part strength to teach his students.

Brittain – a draft choice of the National Hockey League’s Anaheim Ducks – grew up in Milton, Ont., and remembers the lessons he learned growing up.

“Growing up, I did a lot of programs like our Learn-to-Skate,” Brittain said. “I worked with some older guys who were assistants and not exactly instructors, but I looked up to them – how they shot the puck, scored goals and the whole aspect of it when you are younger. It’s pretty cool.”

Brittain decided to work for the Learn-to-Skate program as a way to give back.

“I noticed growing up how big of an impact an older person is in teaching,” Brittain said. “It certainly had an impact on me. Helping these little guys is fun for me and fun for them. Hopefully, our time together gives them a positive outlook on hockey while growing up.”

Brittain gave a scouting report of his three students.

“Fernando, Dorian and Joel are excellent skaters for their age,” he said. “We’re just working on their physical aspect of putting the puck in the net and to become the next Plymouth Whalers.”

Brittain’s work has another positive effect on families - they’re becoming Whaler fans.

“It’s cool to see how he works with the kids,” said Catherine Fonovic. “We get Whaler tickets as part of the (Learn-to-Skate) program. (At games) we’re yelling at Josh from our seats and he’s waving at us from the ice.”

New Learn-to-Skate Sessions are forming all the time. Brittain is often assisted by Whalers teammates Ryan Hayes and Matt Hackett.

In addition, the Whalers are offering Mid-Winter Break Clinics on February 15-16 or February 18-19. During the two-day clinics, kids will go through drills and work on their technique as some of the Whalers players and coaches are the instructors during the clinics, plus enjoy a pizza party after one of the days. Each participant will receive a complimentary Whaler game voucher for a game during the 2009-10 regular season.

Full equipment is required and the maximum number of participants is 40 per clinic. Register early to guarantee a spot. Contact Natalie Shaver with any questions at 734-453-3216.

Courtesy Plymouth Whalers

USHL team coming to Muskegon

The United States Hockey League is expanding by two teams for the 2010-2011 season and the 16th and latest team will call Muskegon home.

An article in the Muskegon Chronicle yesterday confirmed that this season will be the last for pro hockey in Muskegon and that a new junior team will play at L.C. Walker Arena next fall.

The ownership group will include Josh Mervis, former owner of the NAHL's and USHL's Danville Wings.

FULL ARTICLE HERE