Grand Rapids native goes with D-III Eau Claire

Springfield Jr. Blues forward Ross Janecyk has committed to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (NCHA) for the 2007-08 season.

“Ross’s leadership and strong character compliment his hockey skills to the fullest,” said former Jr. Blues coach-GM Nick Pollos. “I’m very proud of him in his choice to play at Eau Claire.”

Janecyk, a Grand Rapids native who started his NAHL career in 2005-06 with the defunct Helena Bighorns, was traded to Springfield from Bismarck earlier this season. After 43 games this year, the 20-year-old has 10 goals among 22 points.

“Ross has been a great addition to our team since coming over from Bismarck,” added Pollos.

IceDiggers' Roman to Wayne State

Alpena IceDiggers defenseman Eric Roman has committed to Wayne State for the 2007-2008 season.

“I am extremely happy for Eric and his family,” Alpena head coach Kenny Miller said. “He is getting a chance to play at the D-I level in the Detroit area.”

Roman is in his second season with Alpena after spending his high school career at Orchard Lake St. Mary's where he won a state title in 2005.

“Eric stepped in last year and played a big role with our hockey club and he has improved everyday since he got here,” added Miller. “His hard work has paid off for him.”

The 20-year-old West Bloomfield native has played in 55 games this year and has seven goals and 17 assists for 24 points. Roman is also third on the IceDiggers with 103 penalty minutes.

Pierson earns weekly NAHL honors

Alpena forward Drew Pierson rang up four goals and three assists last weekend and was named the North Division player of the week as the IceDiggers split a pair of games with Mahoning Valley.

On Friday, the 20-year-old Army recruit recorded a hat trick in a 4-3 loss. The next night, the Pleasant Prairie, Wis., native scored the game-winning goal and three assists as Alpena doubled up the North Division champion Phantoms, 6-3.

"Drew was very good this weekend," Alpena head coach Kenny Miler said. "He has been playing hard every shift and this weekend he was rewarded for his efforts. He was a big part of the reason we played so well this weekend."

Pierson is eighth in the NAHL scoring race with 29 goals and 36 assist for 65 points. The second-year player also leads the league in power-play goals with 16.

New Plymouth Whalers' defenseman Jordon O'Neill

(Photo by Walt Dmoch)

Saginaw's Pyatt inks with Rangers

The New York Rangers announced yesterday that Saginaw Spirit center Tom Pyatt has signed his first pro contract.

Pyatt was drafted by the Rangers in the fourth round, 107th overall, in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. The terms of the contract were not disclosed.

“It's nice to sign your first contract," stated Pyatt. “It's good to move my game up to the next level. I am looking forward to training camp next fall.”

Pyatt came to Saginaw four seasons ago when he was drafted in the second round, 21st overall, of the 2003 OHL Priority Selection. In his time with the Spirit, Pyatt has tallied 93 goals and 107 assists with 42 goals and 38 assists this season.

The 20-year-old Pyatt hit the 200 point marker last weekend in the 7-4 win over the Guelph Storm. The Thunder Bay, Ont., native also tallied his fourth hat trick of the season in the effort, set a new record for the Spirit in single season shorthanded goal scoring with his sixth of the season and tied the team's single-season goal record held by Nick Lees (42 goals) from the 2003-04 season.

Pyatt, with 80 points on the season, is closing in on the single season points record held by Ryan McDonough (88 points) from the 2005-06 season. Pyatt participated in the 2005 and 2006 ADT Canada-Russia Challenge and the 2006 and 2007 OHL All-Star Classic. He was the Western Conference MVP in the 2006 All-Star Classic and the Western Conference captain in the 2007 All-Star Classic. Pyatt played with Team Canada in the 2006 and 2007 World Junior Championship, winning a gold medal in both tournaments.

“We're thrilled that Tommy has taken the next step in fulfilling a lifelong dream to play in the National Hockey League,” stated Spirit coach-GM Bob Mancini. “He has a tremendous future in the game.”

Saginaw clinches first round home ice

The Saginaw Spirit beat the Guelph Storm, 7-4, Sunday afternoon in Guelph and have clinched the coveted fourth seed in the OHL Western Conference, good for home ice advantage in the first round of the OHL playoffs.

Tom Pyatt tallied his fourth hat trick of the season in the game. Tyler Haskins, Jan Mursak, Cody Bass and Andrew Hotham each notched two assists. The win moves Saginaw’s record to 41-21-0-3.

Jack Combs, Ryan O'Marra, Ryan McDonough and Nigel Williams scored single goals for Saginaw, who got a 12-save outing from goalie Ryan Daniels.

Whalers hit 100-point plateau Sunday

Chris Terry led a balanced attack with a goal and three assists and Michal Neuvirth stopped 31 shots as the Plymouth Whalers defeated the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, 6-1, Sunday afternoon at the Compuware Sports Arena.

Besides Terry (pictured), Plymouth received goals from Andrew Fournier, Jared Boll, Vern Cooper, captain Steve Ward and Kaine Geldart.

With the win, Plymouth hits 100 points with a record of 48-14-1-3 – the second time in the Whalers’ 17-year history they’ve hit 100 points in a season. The 1998-1999 Whalers hold the franchise record with 106 points (51-13-4).

Plymouth remains tied with London as the top team overall in OHL. London (also 48-14-1-3) defeated Owen Sound, 7-6 in a shootout, on Sunday afternoon.

Plymouth pulled away from Sault Ste. Marie in the game, leading 1-0 after one period and 5-1 after 40 minutes.

Indians claim first in frantic fashion

It took their last shot in their last game of the regular season for the Soo Indians to claim first place in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League.

Goal-scoring leader Sean Farley found range on the Indians' third attempt of the shootout to give the Tribe a dramatic 5-4 win over the Manitoulin Islanders on Saturday night at Big Bear Arena.

The victory gives the Indians 64 points from a record of 31-15-2 and first place means a first-round playoff bye. Sudbury also finished the season with 64 points, but the Jr. Wolves are relegated to second place because their 29 wins are two fewer than the Indians.

Leading 4-1 in the third period on goals by Nick Zilka, Farley, Joe Larson and James Ciotti, the Indians seemed well on their way to victory. But Manitoulin netted three goals in the space of 4:03 to tie the game and force overtime.

After a scoreless five-minute overtime, the game went to the shootout.

Indians' goalie Elliott Hogue shrugged off a shaky third period to stop all three Manitoulin shooters in the shootout. Then, after Sam Yearsley and Ky Moje were denied by Manitoulin goalie J.J. Gargour, Farley scored on a nifty set of dekes to win the game -- and first place -- for the Indians.

The Indians gave themselves a shot at first place with a 3-1 home-ice win over North Bay on Friday night. Chris MacKay scored twice for the Indians, Isaac Viau added the other and Brennan Poderzay was strong between the pipes to improve his won-loss record to 17-3, lower his goals-against average to 2.72 and improve his save percentage to .906.

The season-ending sweep capped a strong finish for the Indians under head coach Kevin Cain and his assistants Al DiPasquo and Warren LaVoy. The Indians went 9-2 down the stretch and had a 14-6 record under Cain and Co., who took over from the fired Jim Capy and his assistants in early January.

Of the victory over Manitoulin, Cain noted that "it says a lot about the closeness of the league that it went right to the end for us to finish first and to get such a tough battle from a team that finished in last.

"I give credit to my staff and to my players but that Manitoulin team never quit. I said it before that there are no easy games in this league. None."

Marquette continues to make progress

After a grueling first half of their inaugural season, the Marquette Rangers may have found their way. Going into Christmas break with an 11-19-2 record, the Rangers knew something had to change. After several roster and organizational changes, the Rangers were determined to get back on track and that’s what they’ve been doing since.

Gaining confidence during the Dec. 22 game that earned the Rangers bragging rights, they were able to successfully rally and put an end to Mahoning Valley’s 19-game unbeaten streak. Coming back from Christmas break was a large transition for many players and fans, as interim head coach Randy Enders took the bench and vowed to attempt changing the Rangers’ method of play, efforts and record. Since Enders took lead of the Rangers, the team has gone 10-10-2, improving their overall record to 21-29-4. Even though the Rangers have a long way to go, they have shown to be a strong competitor and playoff threat.

Hopefully the wins didn’t start too late in the season as the Rangers are now vying for a playoff position and chance at the Robertson Cup championship.

“The points are even more important now as playoff positioning unfolds," said Enders. "Our guys are prepared to come out and play hard, especially knowing what’s at stake."

Nick Kosinski and Brodie Zuk leading the Rangers’ scoring, and, combined with the newest addition to the Rangers, goaltender Beau Christian, the Rangers are building themselves a solid team with a strong defensive line, special teams and shooting. Out of the top 100 scoring leaders in the NAHL, six of them are Rangers.

The ice isn’t the only place the Rangers have been making waves though. Many Marquette and surrounding community members have had a chance to meet and work with the Rangers. The organization prides itself on volunteering and community efforts and have demonstrated that by collecting 640 pounds of food for the TV6 Can-A-Thon, collecting hats, mittens and scarves for the Women’s Shelter, volunteering monthly and for special events at the Jacobetti Home for Veterans, volunteering at the YMCA weekly, collecting toys and gifts for the children of deployed Upper Peninsula soldiers and working for the U.P. 200 Sled Dog Races. Most recently, the Rangers’ organization collected over $3000 for the local Pigs-N-Heat (police and fire fighters) relief fund.

The Rangers launch an eight-game home series next Thursday that will wrap up the regular season April 1. Events and activities are being planned such as St. Patrick’s Day celebrations March 17, parents and billet families being honored the weekend of March 23 and an array of events for the whole family continuing thru the final game.

Whalers tied with London for OHL lead

Daniel Ryder scored two goals and an assist and linemate Dan Collins added a goal and three assists as the Plymouth Whalers defeated the Windsor Spitfires, 6-3, Thursday night before 3,127 at Windsor Arena.

With the victory, Plymouth (now 46-14-1-3, 96 points) moves into a first-place tie with London (also 46-14-1-3) as the top team in the OHL. London lost to Kitchener, 4-1, on Thursday night at the John Labatt Centre in London.

Plymouth swept the season series with Windsor, winning all eight games this year.

Ryan McGinnis, Andrew Fournier and rookie Jordon O’Neill (first OHL goal) also scored for the Whalers.

Plymouth outshot Windsor, 48-41. Whalers' goaltender Jeremy Smith stopped 38 shots as the game’s third star and his sixth win against Windsor this year.

Plymouth is on the road Friday in Erie and returns home Sunday at 2:00 p.m. to host the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

Indians can finish in first place

The Soo Indians now control their own destiny as they chase down first place in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League.

The Indians got a helping hand on Wednesday from the fourth-place Blind River Beavers, who stunned the Sudbury Jr. Wolves right in the Nickel City, 4-3 in a shootout. Sudbury gets a point from the shootout loss and has 62 points with one game left in the regular season.

On the other hand, the Indians have two games to play and are two points back of Sudbury. Should the two teams finish in a tie, the Indians would get first place based on more victories than Sudbury.

Sudbury concludes its regular season at Abitibi on Saturday night while the Indians play both their remaining games on the home ice of Big Bear Arena. On Friday the Indians play host to North Bay and on Saturday, Manitoulin will visit Big Bear.

Both games are 7 p.m. starts.

Saginaw on short list of Memorial Cup bids

The Saginaw Spirit has been approved to make a formal bid presentation to host the 2008 MasterCard Memorial Cup. The Spirit will join the Kitchener Rangers, London Knights, Oshawa Generals and Sarnia Sting in making a formal bid presentation to the Memorial Cup Site Selection Committee on April 18.

The announcement of the host site for the 2008 Memorial Cup will be made the Week of May 7.

“We're honored to be selected along side the elite company of the four other teams chosen for this honor," stated Spirit managing partner Craig Goslin. “We look forward to continuing the bid process on behalf of a community that has become endeared with CHL hockey. I am confident that if we are selected to host the Memorial Cup, the league will be pleased with the presentation and treatment of the visiting teams and their families.”

Original release courtesy of the Ontario Hockey League

Plymouth 'Green Out' scheduled for March 17

The Plymouth Whalers are asking all fans attending the game on St. Patrick's Day on Saturday, March 17 vs. the Kitchener Rangers to get in the spirit and wear their Whalers green. The Whalers will wear their third jerseys (the green ones) and fans will have the opportunity to bid on those game-worn jerseys.

--All bids start at $200 (bids must increase by at least $5 increments)
--All silent auction bidding stops when the puck drops to start the third period
--A live auction on select players will take place about 30 minutes after the game
--Winners will be posted at the box office
--Winners can claim and pay for their jersey at the box office (cash, check or charge)
--Different from years past, the Whalers will keep the green jerseys for the playoffs and winners will receive the jerseys after the Whalers playoffs are complete.


Silent Auction
(during the game behind Section 120)
#2 Brett Bellemore
#3 Wes Cunningham
#4 Leo Jenner
#5 Jozef Sladok
#6 Steve Whitely
#8 Chad Beal
#9 Vern Cooper
#10 Ryan McGinnis
#12 Kaine Geldart
#15 Andrew Fournier
#16 Brett Valliquette
#17 Dan Collins
#18 John Armstrong
#23 Joe McCann
#25 Joe Gaynor
#27 Daniel Ryder
#28 Zack Shepley
#34 Jordon O'Neill
#39 Kyle Jendra
#40 Michal Neuvirth

Live Auction
(after the game on the ice)
#7 Jared Boll
#11 Evan Brophey
#13 Sean O'Connor
#19 James Neal
#20 Chris Terry
#21 Tom Sestito
#22 AJ Jenks
#26 Steve Ward
#30 Jeremy Smith

Saginaw's Daniels wins monthly honors

The Ontario Hockey League today announced the OHL Performers of the Month for February 2007.

Goaltender of the Month

Ryan Daniels, Saginaw Spirit

Daniels was named OHL Goaltender of the Month after posting a 1.87 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage in 11 games. The Pickering, Ontario native went 8-2-0-1 and posted two shutouts in the month. The first was a 9-0 victory over the Erie Otters on Feb. 3 and then a 7-0 road win Feb. 10 over the Belleville Bulls.

Daniels was named the game’s first star in both shutout wins.

He was also named the first star of the game in a 2-1 victory over Sarnia when he made 33 saves against the division rival on Feb. 16.

The 18-year old Ottawa Senators draft pick is currently sixth among OHL goalies with 34 victories in 56 games.

IceDiggers go NASCAR-style this weekend

The Alpena IceDiggers (31-19-4) will wear special-event NASCAR racing jerseys this Friday and Saturday night when they play host to the Mahoning Valley Phantoms.

The NASCAR jerseys will be auctioned off following the game on Saturday. Bidding for these one-of-a-kind jerseys will start at $100. Auctioneer Ivan Sumerix will be on hand to call the auction.

The IceDiggers teamed up with OT Sports, the official jersey supplier of the North American Hockey League, to design the jerseys.

This is the second season the IceDiggers have sported the NASCAR jerseys.

"The jerseys turned out very nice and we would like to thank OT Sports for working with us," Alpena business manager Bob Krafft said. "Our fans are really going to like the jerseys."

Earlier this season, the IceDiggers wore special camouflage jerseys that were also auctioned off after the game.

"The kids really enjoy it when we wear these type of jerseys," IceDiggers' head coach Kenny Miller said. "It is also a chance for our fans to get a game-worn jersey of their favorite player."

Last season, when the IceDiggers wore the NASCAR jersey, defenseman Ben Kitzmiller's jerseys sold for $575, tops on the team.

Indians within one point of first in NOJHL

The Soo Indians still have a shot at finishing in first place in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League.

The Indians moved to within a point of the first-place Sudbury Jr. Wolves with a 7-2 road win over the North Bay Skyhawks on Sunday evening. Both the Indians and Sudbury have two games left in the regular season.

Sudbury, with 61 points, is home to Blind River on Wednesday night and at Abitibi on Saturday. The Indians, with 60 points, wrap up their regular season with a pair of home games at Big Bear Arena, Friday against North Bay and Saturday vs. Manitoulin.

In the Indians' win over North Bay, captain Isaac Viau and Scott Pulak both scored twice and Nick Zilka, Ky Moje and Chris Cooper added solo goals in support of goalie Brennan Poderzay, who made 26 saves.

The Indians began the weekend by losing 3-1 on the road to Abitibi. Moje netted the only goal for the Indians.

Whalers clinch West Division title Sunday

Jared Boll scored a hat trick, Evan Brophey added two goals and an assist and Michal Neuvirth stopped 44 shots as the Plymouth Whalers led from start to finish in an 8-2 victory over the Mississauga IceDogs Sunday afternoon before 2,641 at the Compuware Sports Arena.

With the victory, Plymouth (45-14-1-3) wins their 11th division title in their 17-year history. The Whalers are 13 points ahead of second-place Saginaw (39-20-0-3, 81 points). If Saginaw wins their remaining six games, they’ll finish with 93 points.

Tom Sestito, Daniel Ryder and Andrew Fournier scored single goals for Plymouth. Brophey’s three points gives him 101 points on the season with 34 goals and 67 assists in 63 games. Chad LaRose is the last Whaler to score over 100 points in a season. LaRose – now with the Carolina Hurricanes – scored a franchise-record 61 goals with 56 assists for 117 points in 2002-03.

Plymouth led 4-0 after one period and 6-1 after forty minutes.

Although the Whalers scored eight goals, their defense and penalty killing played a big part in this victory. The Whalers’ league-leading penalty killing unit (87.4 percent) stopped 11 of 12 Mississauga power plays, including five straight in the first period. Neuvirth played well when called upon, lowering his goals-against average to 2.44 (second in the OHL), while raising his league-leading save percentage to .929.

Plymouth leads the OHL in team defense, allowing just 165 goals over 63 games.

The Whalers are on the road in Windsor on Thursday and Erie on Friday before returning home next Sunday at 2 p.m. to host Sault Ste. Marie.

Plymouth has home ice in the first round of the upcoming OHL playoffs and will open the playoffs on Sat. Mar. 24 at 7:05 p.m. against an opponent to be determined.

Brophey photo by Walt Dmoch

Rangers eyeing NAHL playoffs

The Marquette Rangers took to the road yesterday afternoon on their way to a three-game weekend in Boardman, Ohio, facing off against the leading team in the NAHL, the Mahoning Valley Phantoms.

During the Phantoms’ visit to Marquette in December, the Rangers successfully rallied in putting an end to Mahoning Valley ’s 19-game unbeaten streak. Now, the Rangers are looking to tally points after being defeated by the U.S. National Team Development Program's Under-18 team last weekend.

Since the new year, the Rangers have improved their overall record to 20-27-4. Hopefully, the wins didn’t start too late in the season, as the Rangers are now vying for a playoff position and chance at the Robertson Cup championship.

“The points are even more important now as playoff positioning unfolds," said Marquette head coach Randy Enders. "We know to beat the Phantoms our special teams will play a huge role and we need to limit their power-play opportunities and capitalize on ours. Our guys are prepared to come out and play hard, especially knowing what’s at stake."

Nick Kosinski continues to be a strong leader for the Rangers not only as the leading Rangers’ scorer with 44 points in 50 games, but is currently ranked 26 out of over 450 players in the NAHL. Brodie Zuk just trails as 33rd in the league with 43 points in 44 games played. Neeco Belanger has amassed 39 points, while Nic Weight has tallied 32 and Jake Hauswirth 30. Out of the top 100 scoring leaders in the NAHL, six of them are Rangers.

The Rangers return home launching an eight-game home series next Thursday, March 15, at 7 p.m. Events and activities are being planned to wrap up the Rangers’ inaugural season with St. Patrick’s Day celebrations March 17, parents and billet families being honored the weekend of the 23rd and an array of events for the whole family continuing to the final game on April 1.

IceDiggers visit Ella White Elementary

In front of 450 elementary students and over 50 faculty members at Ella White Elementary school, the Alpena IceDiggers' Blue team defeated the Alpena White team, 6-4, in a five inning game of blindfold kickball on Wednesday morning.

Team blue captain Mike Jarboe led his team to victory. Other members of Team Blue were forwards Taylor Doorlag, Alpena co-captain Nolan Craner, defensemen Ben Kitzmiller, Evan West, Eric Roman and Korey O'Brien.

Team White's captain Justin King and his team could not even the score in the bottom half of the fifth inning as the blue team prevailed in front of the rowdy crowd. Other members of the White team consisted of IceDiggers' co-captain Ricardo Yesue, Zach Barron, Mike DeGrazia, Justin Stadler, Alpena native Erik Peterson and defenseman Carl Nielsen.

This is the second straight year the IceDiggers have participated in the event.

"The guys really had a good time," Alpena head coach Kenny Miller said. "They were real competitive and I am sure the students enjoyed themselves at the game."

Saginaw beats the Hounds Wednesday, 4-1

The Saginaw Spirit beat the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, 4-1, Wednesday night in Sault Ste. Marie.

The Spirit, with the second best power-play squad in the league, took advantage of three Hounds penalties for three power-play goals. Saginaw gains two points with the win for a total of 77 points and a record of 37-20-0-3, good for second place in the OHL West Division and fourth place in the Western Conference.

Tom Pyatt scored twice and Patrick Asselin and Ryan O'Marra added singles to back Ryan Daniels' 26 saves.

The Saginaw win caps off a successful month for the Spirit, with a record of 8-2-0-1 in February. The Spirit's head-to-head record against the Hounds this season moves to 6-2-0-0. The Spirit host the Guelph Storm Friday night and the Mississauga IceDogs Saturday night. Both contests start at 7:11 p.m.