Neuvirth runner-up as top OHL goalie

Plymouth Whalers goaltender Michal Neuvirth finished second in this season’s Ontario Hockey League goaltender of the year voting, behind London goaltender Steve Mason.

Neuvirth, a second-round pick (34th overall) of the Washington Capitals, compiled a 2.32 goals-against average and led the OHL during the regular season with a .932 save percentage. Along with Jeremy Smith, the Whalers led the OHL in team defense this season in allowing 173 goals over 68 games.

Mason posted an impressive 45-13-1-3 record, along with a 3.20 goals against average and a .914 save percentage, in 62 games this season. Mason was instrumental in leading the Knights to their fourth consecutive Hamilton Spectator Trophy, along with the teams fourth consecutive Holody Trophy Midwest Division Championship. Mason’s 45 regular season wins is a new OHL record amongst goaltenders.

Mason received 76 points in the voting process, followed by Neuvirth, who received 43 points. Thomas McCollum of the Guelph Storm finished third with 28 points.

Rangers and IceDiggers both swept

NAHL ROBERTSON CUP PLAYOFFS
FIRST ROUND (best of five)

Marquette Rangers vs. Mahoning Valley Phantoms
Game 1- at Mahoning Valley 4, Marquette 1
Game 2 - at Mahoning Valley 6, Marquette 2

Game 3 - Mahoning Valley 6 at Marquette 2

(Mahoning Valley wins series, 3-0)

USNTDP vs. Alpena IceDiggers
Game 1 - USNTDP 5 at Alpena 4

Game 2 - USNTDP 3 at Alpena 2

Game 3 - at USNTDP 5, Alpena 3

(USNTDP wins series, 3-0)

Saginaw's Mursak inks with Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings have announced the signing of Saginaw Spirit forward Jan Mursak to a three-year entry level contract.

Mursak was drafted by the Red Wings in the sixth round, 182nd overall, of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Mursak is expected to return to the Spirit next season. He tallied 27 goals and 53 assists (80 points) in his rookie season with the Spirit and was plus-27. He also set a new Spirit consecutive point streak record with at least one point scored in 22 consecutive games.

Mursak has the distinction of setting that record in his first 22 games in the Ontario Hockey League.

The Maribor, Slovenia native came to the Spirit via the 2006 CHL Import Draft.

Indians can win NOJHL title at home

The Soo Indians are in position to win the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League title on home ice.

Leading the best-of-seven NOJHL championship series three games to one, the Indians will play host to the defending champion Sudbury Jr. Wolves on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Big Bear Arena.

Sudbury forced Saturday's game five with a 5-2 home-ice win over the Indians on Thursday night.

Defenceman Jacob Johnston scored a pair of goals to spark the Sudbury attack. Nick Zilka and Austin Brown replied for the Indians, who got a 32-save outing from goalie Elliot Hogue.

Pyatt named OHL's most sportsmanlike

The Ontario Hockey League announced Wednesday that Saginaw Spirit center Tom Pyatt has been named the Most Sportsmanlike Player and winner of the William Hanley Trophy for the 2006-07 season.

The winner is selected by the league's general managers.

“We are very thrilled for Tom,” stated Spirit coach-GM Bob Mancini. “It's a tremendous credit to him as a player and speaks to his ability, his competitiveness and his sense of fair play. Our entire organization is very happy for Tom.”

Pyatt tallied 43 goals and 38 assists (81 points) and was plus-33. He was the team's goal leader and point leader during the season, and broke Spirit single season records in goals, shorthanded goals (6) and plus/minus. Pyatt notched 94 goals and 106 assists (200 points) in his four-year, 240-game Spirit career.

The Thunder Bay, Ontario native represented Saginaw at the 2006 OHL All-Star Classic, being named the Western Conference Most Valuable Player, and the 2007 OHL All-Star Classic, being named the captain of the Western Conference. He participated in the 2005 and 2006 ADT Canada-Russia Challenge and won gold medals with Team Canada at the 2006 and 2007 World Junior Championships.

Pyatt joined the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack following the conclusion of the Spirit postseason. The Wolf Pack is the AHL affiliate of the New York Rangers, who drafted Pyatt in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

Pyatt received 45 points in the voting process, followed by Logan Couture of the Ottawa 67’s and Dustin Jeffrey of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, who both received 27 points. Daniel Ryder of the Plymouth Whalers finished third in voting with 25 points.

The Most Sportsmanlike Player award and William Hanley Trophy has been previously awarded to Brampton's Wojtek Wolski (2005-06) and Sault Ste. Marie's Jeff Carter (2004-05). The trophy is presented by the OHL to commemorate William Hanley, former Secretary-Manager of the Ontario Hockey Association for over 25 years.

Indians one win from NOJHL title

BY BOBBY RUSSON
RR Media Service

Only one win stands in the way of a Northern Ontario Junior A Hockey League playoff championship for the Soo Indians.

On Tuesday evening at the Big Bear Arena in Sault Ste. Marie, the Indians drubbed the NOJHL's defending champion Sudbury Junior Wolves 5-2 to take a commanding three-games-to-none lead in the best-of-seven finals.

Game 4 will be played on Thursday night in Sudbury.

The Indians got their goals from five players as Shane Bailey, Joe Larson, Chris Cooper, Isaac Viau and Sean Farley all scored once. Viau's and Farley's goals came when the Indians were shorthanded.

The Indians outshot the Junior Wolves, 43-34, before 222 fans as goalie Elliott Hogue won his third straight game of the series for the surging Soo team.

Vellucci wins top OHL coaching honors

The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Michael Vellucci of the Plymouth Whalers is the 2006-2007 Matt Leyden Trophy winner as the OHL's Coach of the Year.

Vellucci, a 40-year-old native of Farmington, is a graduate of the Ontario Hockey League having spent three seasons as a defenceman for the Belleville Bulls. Vellucci guided the Whalers to an impressive 49-14-2-3 record this season, the most wins in his Ontario Hockey League coaching career, while capturing the Bumbacco Trophy West Division Championship for the second consecutive year. Vellucci has coached the Whalers for the past six seasons and has an overall coaching record of 228-124-38-18.

Some past winners of the Matt Leyden Trophy include: Dale Hunter, Brian Kilrea, Craig Hartsburg, Jacques Martin, George Armstrong and Terry Crisp.

The Matt Leyden Trophy is voted on by the member teams of the Ontario Hockey League. In a first round of balloting, teams vote for the top coaches, within their own conference. The top three nominees from both the Eastern and Western conferences are declared as finalists. A second round of voting is then conducted on a league wide basis where teams vote for any of the six finalists. At no time during the voting can a team vote for their own candidate. Coaches receive five points for a first place vote, three points for a second place vote and one point for a third place vote.

The Matt Leyden Trophy has been awarded annually since 1972, to the Coach of the Year in the Ontario Hockey League. The award is in recognition of the contributions of Matt Leyden, past President of the Ontario Hockey Association from 1965-1967. The Oshawa native was honored as a lifetime member of the OHA in 1972.

Last year, Dave Barr of the Guelph Storm was named the OHL Coach of the Year after guiding the Storm to a 40-24-1-3 record, for 84 points. This was a 27 point increase from the previous season for the Storm and was among the largest improvements in the Ontario Hockey League.
Vellucci received 53 points in the voting process, followed by Mike Kelly of the Mississauga IceDogs with 35 points and Dave Barr of the Guelph Storm with 26 points.

Vellucci is the Ontario Hockey League nominee for the Go RVing Brian Kilrea CHL Coach of the Year Award.

Grand Ledge's Fillinger commits to Ferris State

Mahoning Valley Phantoms right wing Mike Fillinger has accepted a scholarship to play college hockey at Ferris State University.

“I have seven family members who attended Ferris State,” Fillinger said. “My mom went there on a tennis scholarship and my dad graduated there as well. I’m excited to follow in their footsteps and play for a great university.”

Fillinger will know by next month whether or not he will play at Ferris State this fall or in 2008, returning to the Phantoms next season.

“They have been looking at me for some time,” said Fillinger, a Grand Ledge native. “After a recent game in Alpena, (Ferris State) coach (Bob) Daniels wanted to arrange a visit for me. After my visit, they made me an offer.”

“It’s definitely the right fit for Mike and we couldn’t be happier for him,” Phantoms coach Bob Mainhardt said.

Fillinger becomes the second Phantom this season, the third overall, to head to Ferris State. He joins center Derek Graham, who will play in Big Rapids in 2008, and former Phantom and current Bulldogs’ sophomore defenseman Evan Case.

“Mike has really become a more complete player,” Mainhardt said. “He reads the play well at both ends of the ice.”

In 52 regular season games this season, Fillinger recorded 44 points on 24 goals and 20 assists. Five of his goals were shorthanded, tying him for third in the North American Hockey League with teammates Dustin Cloutier and Nathan Longpre.

Mainhardt said that Fillinger’s skating ability sets him apart from others.

“Mike has learned how to use his speed much more effectively and put himself in situations that only his speed can place him in,” Mainhardt said.

“I’m gradually seeing the ice better as I move with the puck,” Fillinger said. “At the same time, I still need to improve my puck handling skills and my speed with the puck.”

The Phantoms right wing says a national championship is on his mind first and foremost.

“A lot of the players got together Saturday to watch Michigan State win the national championship,” Fillinger said. “We watched them celebrate and thought how great it would be to win one ourselves.”

Plymouth's Boll signs with Blue Jackets

Plymouth Whalers' overage forward Jared Boll signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets over the weekend.

The Whalers did not issue a press release, but the Blue Jackets did.

Indians up two on Sudbury in NOJHL finals

BY RANDY RUSSON
RR Media Service

A pair of huge weekend wins have given the Soo Indians a commanding two-games-to-none lead in their Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League title series with the defending champion Sudbury Kal Tire Jr. Wolves.

Playing at home on Saturday night, the Indians began the series with a 4-1 win as Sean Farley scored twice and Sam Yearsley and Pete Landem tallied once apiece. Landem, Austin Brown, Nick Novak, Sean Reid and Jake Russell all turned in stellar blueline performances in front of surprise starter Elliott Hogue, who made 26 saves in the Indians' net.

It was Hogue's first start in almost a month, his last action being the final game of the regular season back on March 10 when the Indians beat the Manitoulin Islanders to clinch first place. And the 20-year old goalie shrugged off the cobwebs to make several timely saves.

The Indians then ventured into hostile territory at Copper Cliff, just outside of Sudbury, on Easter Sunday and cuffed the Jr. Wolves 5-3. Yearsley had a pair of goals, Farley, Ky Moje and Isaac Viau tallied once apiece and Landem had three assists. Hogue made 40 saves for the Indians, who were outshot 43-30.

Jesse Graham scored all three Sudbury goals -- all on the power play.

"Now it's the next game that is key, we have the home-ice advantage and we're up two games. It's up to us to keep going what we've started. We're very aware of what Sudbury has and that it takes four games to win a series, not two. We need two more wins, one at a time, before I'll get really excited," said Indians' head coach Kevin Cain, in his usual ho-hum fashion.

Game 3 of the best-of-seven series is set for Big Bear Arena in the Michigan Soo on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Indians eliminate Skyhawks, off to NOJHL finals

The Soo Indians advanced to the NOJHL finals with a 5-3 Game 7 win over the North Bay Skyhawks last night at Big Bear Arena.

The two teams traded first-period goals with Sam Yearsley scoring a late power-play goal for the Indians.

Scott Pulak, captain Isaac Viau, Austin Brown and Mike Connolly added goals in the second period for the Soo.

Both teams were held off the scoresheet in the third period.

Brennan Poderzay (pictured) made 40 stops in the Soo net.

Next up for the Indians is a best-of-seven with the Sudbury Jr. Wolves. Game 1 is tomorrow night at Big Bear Arena at 7 p.m. Sudbury hosts Game 2 Sunday night at 7 p.m.

IceDiggers add Puskar for '07-08 season

The Alpena IceDiggers have signed Jonathan Puskar to a tender for the 2007-2008 season.

The Canton native spent the 2006-2007 campaign with the Compuware midget major team in the Midwest Elite Hockey League.

"Jon played with Jimmy McCusker at Compuware last year, so when we offered him the tender it didn't take long for him to decide Alpena was the place he wanted to play juniors," said Alpena head coach Kenny Miller.

The 5-foot-11, 180-pound forward led Compuware in every statistical category scoring 33 goals while adding 42 assists for a total of 75 points in 61 games played.

"We have added a hard-working kid that has the ability to score goals," added Miller. "He scored goals in midgets and I think he will at junior level as well."

Puskar becomes the third player this season to sign a tender for next year, joining Tyler Pilmore (Toledo Cherokee Junior B) and Dan Pason (Little Caesars AAA).

Whalers, Spirit recognized in Coaches Poll

Tom Sestito, Evan Brophey, James Neal, Jared Boll and Dan Collins are all recognized in the annual OHL Western Conference Coaches Poll for the Plymouth Whalers, while Nigel Williams, Patrick McNeill, Ryan O'Marra and Cody Bass get mention for the Saginaw Spirit.

Alpena defenseman Billins commits to FSU

The Alpena IceDiggers announced Wednesday that rookie defensemen Chad Billins has committed to Ferris State for the 2008-2009 season.

Billins is in his first year of junior hockey and tallied seven goals and assisted on 18 others for a total of 25 points in 62 regular season games this year.

"I am very excited to be going to Ferris," said Billins. "Coach (Bob) Daniels and his entire staff were very professional during my visit and my family and I can't thank them enough."

The Marysville native becomes the fourth IceDigger this season to commit to a Division I school joining Todd Rudasill (Ohio State), Drew Pierson (Army) and Eric Roman (Wayne State).

Billins will play one more year of juniors before making the jump to the college level and Alpena head coach Kenny Miller is happy about that situation.

"I am really happy for Chad and his family," said Miller. "He has earned this scholarship and he has improved as a player everyday. Our main goal as an organization is to move these kids on and when you can do that and get that player for another year, that is an added bonus."

Three Saginaw skaters off to AHL teams

The Saginaw Spirit announced today that several players have left Saginaw to play in the American Hockey League.

Tom Pyatt and Tomas Zaborsky have left to play with the Hartford Wolf Pack and Cody Bass has left to play with the Binghamton Senators. Hartford is the New York Rangers' affiliate and Binghamton is the Ottawa Senators' affiliate.

“We as an organization are very proud of these three young men and wish them the best of luck with their AHL teams,” stated Spirit coach-GM Bob Mancini.

IceDiggers to honor host families Saturday

On Saturday night during the first intermission of Game 1 of the NAHL playoffs between the Alpena IceDiggers and the USA Under-17 team, the IceDiggers will honor the team's host families at center ice.

Each member of the team will lead their host family to the middle of the ice to be recognized by everyone in attendance at the first-ever home playoff game for the IceDiggers since joining the NAHL in 2004.

"Without these fine folks, IceDigger hockey would not be possible," Alpena head coach Kenny Miller said. "Honoring them is the least we can do. They open their homes to these young men, make them a part of the family and we truly respect and thank them for that."

The following host families will be in attendance for Saturday's game: Dr. Robert and Nancy Coombs, Mark and Robin Birmingham, Tom and Judy Sommerfeld, Mike and Norma Agius, Tim and Kay Sayre, Dr. Eric and Joanie Cornish, Bill and Arlene Peterson, Al and Mary Wirgau, Peggy Levren, Tom and Lisa Hilberg, John and Marie Fisher, Dave and Terri Dziubinski, Ray and Theresa Henry, Tom and Debbie Van Massenhove, Marie Tulgestka, Milt and Colleen Clark, Tom and Peggy Marzean and Bob and Sue Krafft.

The IceDiggers will also honor second-year housing director Donna Baranyai as Miller will also lead her to center ice along with the host families.

"Donna and I have worked together since I came her two years ago and she has helped me tremendously," added Miller. "She makes my job easier and words can't express how grateful I am."

Indians home for deciding Game 7

The Soo Indians and North Bay Skyhawks are going to a Game 7.

Tuesday night in North Bay, the Skyhawks evened the best-of-seven Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League semifinal series at three games apiece with a 3-1 win over the Indians.

The loss capped a tough day for the Indians, whose charter bus broke down in Sudbury. After a two-hour delay, the Indians arrived in North Bay on a school bus at 7:15 -- just 15 minutes before the scheduled game time. The Indians hurriedly unloaded the bus, dressed and had a brief warmup before the game got underway at about 8:15 p.m.

"It's down to one game now and we'll be at home and in a seventh game, anything can happen," said Indians' coach Kevin Cain. "It's been a tough, hard-fought series and no one should be surprised that it's going to a seventh game."

Thursday's game will be played at 7 p.m. at Big Bear Arena in the Michigan Soo.

Saginaw doles out awards at annual banquet

The Saginaw Spirit hosted their fifth annual awards ceremony Tuesday night at the Dow Event Center. Players were recognized by their teammates, staff members and fans for their on-ice and off-ice contributions to the 2006-07 season.

Below are the award winners, voted on by the players and staff, for the 2006-07 season.

The Heart and Soul Award was given to Spirit center Cody Bass. The award recognizes a player whose hard work and attitude not only pays results on the ice, but rubs off on his teammates as well.

Winger Ryan Berard won the Community Service Award.

Rookie center Andrew Clouthier was recognized as the Most Improved Player for the 2006-07 season.

Center Tyler Haskins received the Wren Blair Leadership Award, which recognizes a player whose contribution to the team goes above and beyond the score sheet, to include leadership in the locker room and off the ice.

Defenseman and captain Patrick McNeill was named the Top Defenseman for this season.

Spirit winger Jan Mursak was the co-winner of the Fan Favorite Award and was recognized as the Spirit's Rookie of the Year. Mursak, who attends Nouvel Catholic Central High School, also received the Academic Award.

Center Tom Pyatt was this season's leading scorer, team MVP and co-winner of the Fan Favorite Award.

Stadler to help start D-III Adrian program

Alpena IceDiggers forward Justin Stadler has committed to Adrian College for the 2007-2008 season.

"Justin is very excited to be going to Adrian and help jump start their program and I am happy for him," said Alpena head coach Kenny Miller. "He will get a chance to play close to home so his parents can attend his games for the next four years."

Adrian will compete for the first time in school history next season at the Division III level and play in the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association.

Stadler, a Livonia native, becomes the fourth IceDigger to commit to play college hockey next season joining Todd Rudasill (Ohio State), Drew Pierson (Army) and Eric Roman (Wayne State).

With Stadler attending Adrian, he will join several former IceDiggers who are currently competing in D-III hockey. Dayne Bihn and Kaleigh Schrock are playing at third-ranked Neumann College, while Steve Culbertson (Castleton), Jeff Miller (St. Mary's), Ross Enmark (Curry College), Joe Watson (Utica) and Mitch Sabo (Suffolk) are also at the D-III level.

Whalers advance, Spirit gone in six

WESTERN CONFERENCE
QUARTERFINAL SERIES


Series "B" - PLYMOUTH vs. GUELPH
Game 1 - at Plymouth 3, Guelph 2 (OT)
Game 2 - Plymouth 5 at Guelph 3
Game 3 - at Plymouth 7, Guelph 1
Game 4 - Plymouth 3 at Guelph 2
(Plymouth wins series, 4-0)


Series "D" - SAGINAW vs. SAULT STE. MARIE
Game 1 - at Saginaw 4, Sault Ste. Marie 3
Game 2 - Sault Ste. Marie 5 at Saginaw 1
Game 3 - at Sault Ste. Marie 2, Saginaw 1
Game 4 - at Sault Ste. Marie 5, Saginaw 3
Game 5 - at Saginaw 7, Sault Ste. Marie 1
Game 6 - at Sault Ste. Marie 4, Saginaw 3 (OT)
(Sault Ste. Marie wins series, 4-2)