Huntsville-bound Train on winning track

By Matt Mackinder
Courtesy of USA Junior Hockey Magazine

If you would have asked him five years ago what he thought about playing eight years of his hockey career in the southern United States, Tom Train would have laughed at you and called you such words as “crazy” and “insane.”

Five years later, Train is laughing, but for different reasons.

A Troy, Mich., native, Train is back to captain the Texas Tornado for his fourth and final junior season and has a full, four-year ride waiting for him at Alabama-Huntsville starting in the fall of 2006.

“It’s true that five years ago if someone would have told me I’d be playing junior hockey in Texas, I would have said something like, ‘Oh yeah, right,’” Train said. “What’s funnier is there are a lot of kids on the team from Michigan, like Billy Skwarczewski who I played with on Belle Tire (Midget Minor), and most of them feel the same way.”

After Train finished that Midget Minor year back in 2000-01, he went over to Canada to play Junior B with the Leamington (Ontario) Flyers to gain experience playing with older guys.

Tornado coach-GM Tony Curtale also watched the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Train at Michigan-area Tornado tryout camps and knew one day he’d get Train to come down to the Lone Star State.

“He’s a great kid and he’s a leader,” said Curtale. “He’s very competitive and physical and I think the best defensive forward in the league.”

Wearing the ‘C’ hasn’t changed Train’s overall game at all. If anything, it’s made him realize his potential. Last year, he was tied for second in the NAHL with 33 goals and third on Texas with 69 points.

“I feel I’m the type of captain that leads by example, but also can be vocal,” said Train. “We have a young team this year and I’m talking a bit more now on and off the ice to show the younger kids the way.”

Train is also looking forward to Huntsville next fall. He had an offer the start their this season, but for one reason or another, decided to come back to the Tornado and try for a third straight NAHL crown.

Kind of ironic, too, that a two-time defending champion chugging full-speed ahead has a captain named Train.

Alpena makes roster transactions

Johnny Morrow, Eric Curtis and Travis Peterson are in and Justin Marriott, Mitch Rybicki and Jake Hovick are out.

The Alpena IceDiggers signed Morrow (Romeo), a goaltender, and Peterson and acquired Curtis (Grand Rapids), a forward, in roster transactions made yesterday.

Morrow (pictured above) left the NAHL's Fargo-Moorehead Jets to join the IceDiggers. He hadn't appeared in any Jets’ games this season.

"Johnny may be a rookie, but he brings a lot to the table," Alpena coach-GM Kenny Miller said. "We had chance to look at Johnny during the summer and liked him then. We're giving him an opportunity to compete for the No. 1 job.

To make room for Morrow, Miller released goaltenders Marriott and Rybicki.

"It's tough to let players go," said Miller. "But the goal is to assemble the best possible hockey club and our staff believes this is the best direction for our team. We wish Justin and Mitch well.

The IceDiggers picked up Curtis from the North Iowa Outlaws in exchange for a third round pick in the 2006 NAHL Draft. Curtis fills the roster spot of Hovick, who had season-ending shoulder surgery. Alpena is Curtis' third NAHL club since the beginning of the season as he began 2005-2006 with the Helena Bighorns before a very brief stop in North Iowa, where he did not see any action. In Curtis, the IceDiggers get a veteran forward who has spent parts of three seasons in the NAHL. In four games with the Bighorns, Curtis didn't record any points, but did lead the team with 20 penalty minutes.

Peterson played his first IceDigger game on Oct. 8 after starting the year with North Iowa. In Peterson, Miller is looking for an all-around player, "one who can put up some numbers, but also work hard along the wall."

The IceDiggers resume play with their home opener tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. at Northern Lights Arena versus the Traverse City North Stars. Friday’s game in will be broadcast on WATZ 1450 AM with coverage beginning at 6:45 p.m.

Whalers win big in Mississauga, 7-2

Dan Collins (above) continued his torrid early season scoring spree with three goals and an assist to lead the Plymouth Whalers over the Mississauga IceDogs, 7-2, tonight on the road.

In winning their their straight game, Plymouth (4-2-1-0) moves into sole possession of first place in the OHL's West Division. Plymouth - with nine points - is now one point ahead of Saginaw (4-2-0-0), Sarnia (4-3-0-0) and Sault Ste. Marie (4-4-0-0) who all have eight points.

Jared Boll scored his first two goals this season and Vaclav Meidl and Chris Terry also tallied for Plymouth. Justin Garay made 31 saves in net for the victory. Rookies Ondrej Otcenas and Leo Jenner, also playing his first OHL game, recorded their first OHL points as Otcenas assisted on Terry's goal and Jenner drew an assist on Coillins' first goal.

Collins (seven goals, nine assists, 16 points) is now tied for fourth place in OHL scoring with Plymouth captain John Vigilante (5-11-16) and London Knights rookie Sergei Kostitsyn (4-12-16).

The Whalers are back in action Friday night when they host Oshawa and super rookie John Tavares, the OHL's only 1990-born player, at 7:30 p.m. at the Compuware Sports Arena.

Michigan juniors weekend roundup

WHALERS WIN TWICE AT HOME
Friday night, the Plymouth Whalers posted a 6-3 win over the Sudbury Wolves and Saturday night came from behind twice to beat the Windsor Spitfires, 6-5.

Against Sudbury, Plymouth goaltender Ryan Nie was the game's first star with 50 saves. Mike Letizia led the Plymouth attack with a pair of goals, Cory Tanaka and John Armstrong scored their first goals of the season and captain John Vigilante and James Neal added singles for the Whalers.

In the Windsor game, Vigilante had two goals and an assist. Neal added three assists and Ryan McGinnis, Armstrong, Andrew Fournier and Dan Collins scored one goal apiece for Plymouth. Jared Boll (pictured above) also tallied his first point of the season as he had an assist on Armstrong's goal.

Nie made 34 stops for the win.

Plymouth plays in Mississauga Wednesday and at home Friday (Oshawa) and Saturday (Sarnia).

SAGINAW TOPS WOLVES, 6-3
Playing just one game this past weekend, the Saginaw Spirit beat Sudbury Saturday night, 6-3. Michal Birner and Ryan McDonough each had two goals and an assist for the first-place Spirit. Jesse Gimblett and Zack Torquato each posted a goal and an assist while goaltender Francois Thuot recorded 22 saves.

Captain Patrick McNeill also had two helpers in the Saginaw victory.

The Spirit play in Sarnia Friday night and host Owen Sound on Saturday evening.

NORTH STARS IDLE
The Traverse City North Stars had an off weekend in their schedule, but play two in Alpena this Friday and Saturday.

ALPENA SKUNKED BY TEAM USA U-17's
The Alpena IceDiggers were swept by the U.S. Under-17 Team in Ann Arbor Friday and Saturday. Alpena lost 7-1 and 6-3 in games that didn't have the same feel for penalty minutes as the games Sept. 17-18 against the Under-18 Team.

Justin Marriott started Friday's game for Alpena and made 13 saves on 17 shots before Phil Greer took over and stopped 10 of 13 shots. Erik Peterson scored the lone Alpena goal.

On Saturday, the IceDiggers fared a bit better, but lost their third straight and fifth in their last six. Branden Moran registered a goal and an assist and Steve Culbertson and Taylor Doorlag notched singles. Mitch Rybicki played the whole game in goal and finished with 29 saves.

The IceDiggers host Traverse City this weekend.

BLACK BEARS BEAT BLIND RIVER
The Northern Michigan Black Bears beat the Blind River Beavers, 5-3, on home ice Friday night in Sault Ste. Marie. Tony Stoehr made 20 saves for the victory as the Black Bears scored three in the third period to rally for the win.

Michael Caprio scored twice, including the game-winner midway through the third period, and added an assist in the game. Michael Herbert, Anthony Perdicaro and Al Stamker scored the other Northern Michigan goals.

Northern Michigan hosts the Soo on Wednesday and Abitibi on Friday.

CSHL SCOREBOARD
Friday
Michigan 4 at Peoria 6

Saturday
Michigan 0 at Peoria 5
Flint 1 at St. Louis 5
Cincinnati 1 at Motor City 5
Grand Rapids 2 at Cleveland 4
Toledo 3 at Metro 4

Sunday
Flint 0 at St. Louis 8
Cincinnati 8 at Motor City 6
Grand Rapids at Cleveland (postponed - compressor failure)

Boll photo by Matt Mackinder

Olsen earns permanent spot with Alpena

Jeff Olsen's temporary run with the Alpena IceDiggers went so well that both sides wanted to make it permanent.

Olsen, an Alpena High senior who started for the Wildcats the past two seasons, will continue playing for the IceDiggers. While he didn't muster any points in the two contests, he did catch the attention of coach-GM Kenny Miller.

"We are very happy to have Jeff join us full time," said Miller. "Jeff played well in the two games in Traverse City and we feel he will help our team in our quest to win the North Division."

Olsen becomes the second Wildcat to earn a roster spot. Olsen's classmate, IceDiggers' center Erik Peterson, is also on the squad.

"Adding another local player is a great thing for the team and the town," Miller noted. "It says a lot about the high school program."

"I am real excited about playing," said Olsen. "Juniors is an amazing level of hockey and I know it will allow me to continue developing my game."

Saturday's Michigan juniors roundup

Tracking Michigan's teams last night:

The Traverse City North Stars completed a sweep of the U.S. Under-17 Team with a 2-1 shootout victory on home ice. Joe St. John gave TC a 1-0 lead before USA tied it on a goal from Colin Wilson. All three North Stars' shooters - Adam Sponseller, Zeke Costello and Danny Dries - scored in the shootout while Traverse City goalie Ryan Donovan stopped all three USA attempts. Donovan finished with 32 saves.

"It was a great weekend for us," said North Stars coach Scott Gardiner. "To get the four points is big, getting over .500 is big, but it's how we did it - with so many different guys doing different things. It's important for us to know we can win with different combinations and with different guys stepping up."

On the road in Erie, the Saginaw Spirit allowed four power-play goals to the host Otters and fell, 4-1. Patrick Asselin scored the lone Spirit goal while goaltender Francois Thuot made 29 saves. Trenton native Sean O'Connor scored Erie's third goal.

Over in the CSHL, Chicago beat Flint, 5-2; Metro beat Cincinnati, 4-3, in a shootout; Grand Rapids defeated St. Louis, 5-2; Motor City 7, Michigan 4.

Friday's Michigan juniors roundup

Chris Cooper scored twice for the Black Bears last night

Last night was a busy night for junior hockey in Michigan.

On the road in Kitchener, the Saginaw Spirit extended their winning streak to three games with a 4-2 win over the host Rangers. Michal Birner scored twice and Jesse Gimblett and Jack Combs added singles. Saginaw goalie Francois Thuot stopped 46 shots for the win.

In Plymouth, the Whalers played before a sparse Friday night crowd and fell to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, 4-2. Dan Collins scored both goals for Plymouth and goalie Justin Garay made 31 saves. The Whalers were 1-for-14 on the power play.

Over in Traverse City, the North Stars used a three-goal outburst to beat the U.S. Under-17 Team, 4-3. Danny Dries, Jonathan Juliano, Patrick Nagorsen and newcomer Adam Sponseller tallied for Traverse City making Jeremy Kaleniecki's 26-save performance in net stand up.

The Alpena IceDiggers are off until next weekend when they play a pair in Ann Arbor against the U.S. Under-17 Team.

At Big Bear Arena, the Northern Michigan Black Bears dropped a 5-4 decision to the North Bay Skyhawks. Chris Cooper scored two goals and Ryan Huggett and Michael Caprio one apiece. Goaltender Michael Bell made 13 saves in defeat.

In CSHL play, the Flint Jr. Generals beat the Michigan Ice Dogs, 4-3, that saw the lead change three times. Scott Gossman and Dave Stone had a goal and an assist each. Also scoring were Matt Prashaw and Joel Hornung. Ben Liebenow stopped 38 shots to get the win in goal for Flint. Justin Petterle, Shawn Skelly and Joe Trotter scored for the Ice Dogs and Dave Wilson stopped 21 in the loss.

North Stars face tough test this weekend

Lucas Du Bay (front) and captain Jarrett Rush

(photo by Curt Kipke)

For the Traverse City North Stars, this weekend isn't just a pair of games against the Team USA under-17s - an all-everything collection of the most acclaimed players from the four corners of the country - it's a two-day measuring stick.

To date, the neophyte Stars have forayed into a first-ever training camp, initial North American Hockey League game, and inaugural home opener, and after the Sept. 30-Oct. 1 set with Team USA's U-17 squad, the North Stars will get their first true on-ice progress report.

"They give any league instant credibility," North Stars coach Scott Gardiner said of the US national development program's presence in the NAHL. "These are the top prospects in their age group in the country. Most of them have (NCAA) Division I scholarships in their pocket already, so for us to get to compete against a team like that is a great experience for our guys."

Team USA U-17 head coach Ron Rolston concedes that his roster is chock-full of prowess, but says that the 17-year old age limit means less raw bulk.

"Some might slip through the cracks, but we think we have the top talent in the age group," said Rolston, whose team is coming off a 2-1 shootout win at Cleveland on Saturday. "But we're talking about 1989 birthdays playing against some 1985's, guys with a lot of experience who can be more physically developed."

The combined record of the Team USA U-17 and U-18 go into the NAHL standings, and the tandem's current mark stands at 6-2-1, good enough for first place early on in the North Division race. The joint U-17/U-18 participation in the league is a unique feature to the NAHL, but with the added exposure to college scouts for opponents, and the bar-raising dynamic that comes with playing against the best foes, Gardiner says it's a huge benefit.

"We're coming off a series with Alpena, and USA is a totally different kind of team," he explained. "Alpena brings different things than the speed and skill, but USA - man, they can go. It's great for our team to play against that. We'll just continue to get better every week, and this will help us do that."

The U-17 team features a balanced scoring attack. Forward Ryan Hayes, a draft pick of the OHL's Plymouth Whalers last May, leads the club in scoring with three points over four games, and only two others - forwards Philip McRae and Colin Wilson - have collected more than a single point to date. Brad Phillips and Josh Unice have shared time in net for the U-17s, and Phillips has posted the better numbers, allowing an average of 2.27 goals per outing with a .904 save percentage.

The host North Stars are also riding high, after a 7-3 victory against Alpena in the closing contest of the team's home opening weekend on Saturday. Patrick Nagorsen leads TC with five points in the club's five contests. Forwards Jared Mullen and Travis Paeth - and helper-happy defenseman Luc Du Bay (four assists) - have contributed four points apiece. Forward Danny Dries is tied for the team lead in goals scored with Nagorsen with three. Jeremy Kaleniecki has worked almost 280 minutes of a possible 305 minutes so far in 2005-06, and has a goals against average of 3.43 despite facing an average of almost 30 shots a game.

"We're going to have to be at our best," Gardiner said. "We're playing a very skilled opponent."

Whalers fall in Erie Thursday, 4-3

Mike Letizia scored with one second left in regulation, but it was too little, too late for the Plymouth Whalers as they lost, 4-3, last night on the road against the Erie Otters.

Chris Terry (first OHL goal) and captain John Vigilante also scored for Plymouth (1-1-1-0). Goalie Justin Garay stopped 32 Erie shots, but took the loss.

Trenton native Sean O'Connor scored Erie's second goal.

Plymouth hosts Sault Ste. Marie tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Compuware Sports Arena.

Plymouth alumni advancing in pro game

Chad LaRose was a big-time scorer for the Plymouth Whalers.

Tim Sestito was not.

Even so, both have been making headlines recently as they advance their professional careers.

Both were never drafted by an NHL team, but both are now bonafide pro material, especially LaRose.

The Fraser native set a Whalers' record in 2002-2003 with 61 goals and after the season signed with the Carolina Hurricanes. The past two seasons, he has played with the Lowell Lock Monsters of the AHL and Florida Everblades of the ECHL, but that looks to change this year as LaRose has all but assured himself of a roster spot in Carolina with a strong pre-season performance.

"So everybody else is seeing what I'm seeing," Carolina head coach Peter Laviolette said on Carolina's team website when asked about LaRose's ability. "It's hard not to like him."

LaRose, 23, said his lack of size (5-foot-8, 175 pounds) has been a knock as long as he has been playing hockey, so it doesn't bother him as much as it once did.

"That has been my whole life. I just try to prove people wrong and play with what I've got, right?" LaRose also said on the site.

Sestito, on the other hand, won't be skating in an NHL rink this year, but he will get to see the ECHL. Last season's co-captain earned a free agent tryout with the Edmonton Oilers this summer and ended up at Hamilton's AHL camp, where he signed an ECHL contract with the Greenville Grrrowl, another Oilers' affiliate.

"Edmonton's camp went really well," said Sestito, 21. "I had a great time and I think I made a good impression. The Greenville opportunity came up through my play with Edmonton."

While with Hamilton, Sestito became reacquainted with a former teammate during a pre-season game Sept. 27.

"(Hamilton's camp) has been fun," added Sestito. "I played against John Mitchell and that was different after playing with him for so long (in Plymouth)."

The original story on Sestito getting a tryout with the Oilers is here.

Black Bears drop decision to Sudbury

The Northern Michigan Black Bears fell to the Sudbury Junior Wolves (formerly Northern Wolves) Wednesday night in Sudbury as the home team rallied for a 4-3 win.

The Black Bears were up 3-1 midway through the second period, but squandered three unanswered goals.

Chris Cooper scored twice for the Black Bears while Jake Watchorn added a single.

Read more here.

Raszka making noise with Battalion

Taylor Raszka was taken in the first round of the 2002 OHL Priority Selection by the Plymouth Whalers, but since then has worn three other uniforms.

Raszka was dealt to the Saginaw Spirit as part of a deal for Chris Thorburn at the 2003 OHL trade deadline and stayed in Saginaw for the rest of that year and the 2003-2004 season. But coming into last year, the Spirit released Raszka and he surfaced in the USHL with the Lincoln Stars where current Plymouth forward Jared Boll was captain.

"It just wasn't fun any more in Saginaw," said Raszka, a Petersburg native, in a story for USA Junior Hockey Magazine last season. "We were losing a lot and guys didn't like coming to the rink. It was like we knew we were going to lose."

At the end of last season, Raszka continued to explore his options, came back to the OHL and signed with the Brampton Battalion as a free agent. In Brampton's home and season opener Friday night against the Barrie Colts, Raszka scored Brampton's lone goal in a 4-1 loss.

“I think Raszka came in and had an extremely good camp and all Taylor needs is some confidence,” said Battalion coach-GM Stan Butler. "And as the year goes on he’s going to be a pretty good player for us.”

But Raszka gave the Battalion a scare in a pre-season game Sept. 18.

Raszka took a punch from Kelsey Wilson of the Guelph Storm in a 5-2 road loss, but X-rays on Raszka’s jaw proved negative. Late in the second period, Guelph's Matt Lyall fired the puck into the Battalion net after an offside call and, in the ensuing melee, Raszka was decked by Wilson, who ended up fighting John de Gray. Wilson received an instigator penalty and a game misconduct while Raszka left with a suspected broken jaw.

“I thought my jaw was broken and I was in a lot of pain,” said Raszka, who turns 19 on Oct. 22. “It’s still very sore but it’s getting better. They didn’t find any broken bones, so as long as they let me go I’ll be out there. I thought the play was over and I was watching the scrum at the side of the net. Wilson came flying across the ice and hit me with a cheap shot. That’s all I can really recall, but the other guys stepped up for me and that was great.”

Brampton visits Plymouth on Sat. Nov. 19 and Saginaw the night before.

Saturday's Michigan juniors roundup

Traverse City celebrates their 7-3 romp over Alpena

NAHL - North Stars upend IceDiggers

The Traverse City North Stars, after losing last night to Alpena, evened up the series with a 7-3 win Saturday night at Centre ICE. Danny Dries scored two power-play goals to go along with singles from Jarrett Rush, Zeke Costello, Austin Rugal, Travis Paeth and Patrick Nagorsen. Lucas Dubay had three assists and Steve Hackman a pair. Jeremy Kaleniecki made 29 saves for the victory.

Ricardo Yesue, Drew Pierson and Steve Culbertson scored for the IceDiggers, who got 32 saves out of goalie Phil Greer.

"We kept our focus for three periods tonight," explained Stars head coach Scott Gardiner. "When we had a breakdown tonight, we were able to bounce back quickly. We shook up the lines a little bit, too."

OHL - Saginaw wins, Whalers stung in OT

The Saginaw Spirit, fresh off beating London last night, won their second straight with a 7-4 win on home ice over the Windsor Spitfires. Michal Birner scored three goals and added an assist while Matt Corrente potted a pair to back Ryan Daniels' 22 saves in goal. Jack Combs and Ryan McDonough (two assists) also scored and Tom Mannino (three assists) and Joe McCann (two assists) also contributed.

"It was a team effort," Birner said of the win. "Everyone contributed and we played tough."

Over in Plymouth, Andrew Fournier gave the Whalers a 1-0 lead in the first period, but Chad Painchaud's power-play goal in overtime gave the Sarnia Sting a 2-1 win over the Whalers. Ryan Nie stopped 34 shots in the loss.

CSHL results
-St. Louis 7, Metro Jets, 2
-Quad City 3, Flint Jr. Generals, 2 (shootout)
-Motor City Chiefs 8, Peoria 5
-Grand Rapids Jr. Owls 4, Columbus 1

Alpena beats Traverse City Friday night

Alpena forward Zach Barron scored twice Friday night

The Alpena IceDiggers' locker room was in a celebratory mood Friday night following the team's first win of the 2005-2006 season, a 4-3 come-from-behind road victory against the Traverse City North Stars.

Patrick Nargosen gave the host North Stars a 3-1 lead at 19:00 of the second period. Justin Stadler answered for Alpena at 5:06 of the third making it 3-2 and then Drew Pierson and Ben Kitzmiller set up Andrew Wilcox at 13:59 to even the score at 3-all. Then just 43 seconds later, with the North Stars' Anthony Sarno in the box for roughing, Zach Barron scored his second of the night to cap the scoring at 4-3.

"We got stronger as the game went along," said Alpena coach-GM Kenny Miller. "We started to find our way and do the little things right. We were out-shot 35-29 for the contest, but Phil Greer came up big and kept us in it. He gave us a chance to overcome our mental mistakes and win."

Jared Mullen and Jonathan Juliano scored the other North Stars goals while goalie Jeremy Kaleniecki finished with 25 saves. Greer stopped 32 for Alpena.

The teams play again on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Saginaw upends OHL champion Knights, 10-7

Saginaw veteran Patrick Asselin

The Saginaw Spirit beat the London Knights for the first time in 12 tries Friday night and in the process spoiled the Knights' OHL and Memorial Cup banner raising ceremony at the John Labatt Centre.

Patrick Asselin's hat trick powered the Spirit to a 10-7 win.

"This is just one game," cautioned Spirit coach-GM Bob Mancini. "Yes, I'm very pleased by the victory. It was a hard-fought, team effort and we battled well. But we still have to adjust to the new OHL standards of play by committing ourselves to learning disciplined play."

Read the rest of the recap here.

Plymouth and Saginaw name captains

The Plymouth Whalers and Saginaw Spirit have announced their captains and alternate captains for the 2005-2006 OHL campaign.

For the Whalers, Dearborn native and fourth-year forward John Vigilante gets the 'C' while defensemen Steve Ward and overage Mike Letizia along with Philadelphia Flyers' prospect Gino Pisellini are the alternates.

Saginaw's captain will be their first-round pick from 2003, defenseman Patrick McNeill, a Washington draft pick last July. Overage forward Jesse Gimblett and third-year forward Tom Pyatt, a draft pick of the New York Rangers this past summer, will wear the 'A.'

Whalers all over Spirit in OHL opener, 7-2

John Vigilante notched six points Wednesday night

Dan Collins and overager John Vigilante each had six-point nights as the Plymouth Whalers routed the Saginaw Spirit, 7-2, in the OHL season opener Wednesday night at the Dow Event Center.

Collins scored three goals (two on the power play, one shorthanded) and added three assists while Vigilante, a Dearborn native, added a goal and five helpers to back Justin Garay's 25-save performance in net.

Overage defenseman Mike Letizia had a goal and two assists, Ryan McGinnis (Fenton) tallied a goal and an assist, Andrew Fournier chipped in with a pair of assists and James Neal, just back from Dallas Stars' camp, scored the other Plymouth goal.

Patrick McNeil and Michal Birner scored power-play goals for the Spirit. Goalie Francois Thuot stopped 34 shots in a losing effort in front of 4,603 fans in mid-Michigan. Tom Pyatt and Ryan McDonough each recorded two assists for Saginaw.

Next up for the Whalers is their home opener Saturday night at 8:00 p.m. against the Sarnia Sting. The game time was pushed back 30 minutes to acommodate Comcast Local. Saginaw travels to London to play the defending OHL and Memorial Cup champions Friday night.

IceDiggers sign local talent Olsen

The Alpena IceDiggers have called up Alpena High defensemen Jeff Olsen and he'll be good to go for this weekend.

The move was necessitated by injuries, as well as suspensions resulting from last Sunday's game against the U.S. National Development Team.

"Jeff brings blueline experience and he comes highly recommended from Coach Limback (Alpena High)," said Alpena coach-GM Kenny Miller. "It's great when a guy in your own back yard gets a chance to shine. Jeff should have no trouble making the transition from high school to juniors."

Olsen, a senior, played in all 26 Alpena High contests last season where he scored five goals and 12 assists for 17 points. A starter the last two seasons, Olsen often played with IceDiggers' center Erik Peterson on the Wildcat power play and penalty kill units.

Olsen will wear No. 4 in his debut Friday night on the road against the Traverse City North Stars.

Whalers deal Lee to Knights for futures

Ryan Lee dealt to London

(Photo courtesy of the Plymouth Whalers)

The Plymouth Whalers made a trade today, sending defenseman Ryan Lee to the defending OHL and Memorial Cup champion London Knights for future considerations.

Lee, 19, played in 11 games last season for the Whalers after being acquired from Mississauga at the trade deadline with a second-round pick (left wing Joe Gaynor) for defenseman Craig Cescon and a fifth-round pick in May's draft and was scoreless with two penalty minutes in 11 games.

The 6-foot, 180-pound native of Caledon, Ontario, had three points in 43 games last year with the IceDogs and Whalers.

IceDiggers swept away by U.S. Under-18's

Alpena forward Justin Stadler scored twice last weekend

The Alpena IceDiggers are still searching for their first win this season as they lost both games last weekend to the U.S. National Under-18 Team in Ann Arbor.

Saturday, Drew Pierson and Justin Stadler staged a third-period comeback, but it wasn't enough as Team USA scratched out a 3-2 win. Alpena was down 3-0 going into the final period.

Phil Greer started in net and made 19 saves on 22 shots. Justin Marriott then replaced Greer and stopped all 16 shots he saw in the final 36:36.

Then yesterday, Stadler scored the IceDiggers' lone goal as Alpena suffered an 11-1 drubbing. The third period was filled with game misconducts and fighting majors and the two teams combined for 202 penalty minutes.

Marriott started in goal and Mitch Rybicki finished the game for Alpena.

The IceDiggers return to action starting Friday on the road for a two-game set against the Traverse City North Stars.

North Stars win first game in team history

On a three-game road swing in Cleveland, the Traverse City North Stars dropped the first two, but rebounded Sunday for their first win in franchise history.

The Barons went up 3-1 early in the third period before Jared Mullen, with his second of the game, and Travis Paeth tied it midway through the period.

The game stayed tied at the end of the overtime session and Patrick Nagorsen won it in the shootout.

"All the guys who were up before me told me how the ice was really choppy and Coach pointed out how he (Cleveland goalie Kenny Reiter) was going down into his butterfly," explained Nagorsen. "So I came down and pump-faked and then slid it in on the forehand."

"It feels great," said Stars head coach Scott Gardiner. "You don't want to come down here for three games and get swept. We picked up two points of a possible six (on the road swing), and we wanted more but we'll take this for a start."

The late-game heroics are nothing new to Nagorsen, who scored the game-clinching goal for Orchard Lake St. Mary's in overtime of last year's MHSAA regional finals against Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood.

"This is such a huge win for us," Nagorsen added. "We didn't want to leave here 0-3 and now we come into our home opener with a ton of confidence."

Cleveland had taken 5-1 and 4-2 wins the previous two evenings.

Jeremy Kaleniecki made 26 saves for the win and stopped Josh Leonard on the final shot of the shootout to make Nagorsen’s goal stand as the winner.

The North Stars return to Centre ICE for Friday's home opener against the Alpena IceDiggers. The teams clash again on Saturday. The Sept. 23-24 home set begins at 7:30 p.m. each night with warm-ups underway at 7 p.m.

Whalers down Spirit in tournament final

Dan Collins scored twice in tonight's tournament final

(Photo courtesy of the Plymouth Whalers)

The Plymouth Whalers defeated the Saginaw Spirit in the finals of a four-team tournament tonight in Erie, Penn., 4-2.

John Vigilante and Dan Collins staked the Whalers to a 2-0 lead before Jack Combs cut the Plymouth lead to 2-1. Collins then notched his second goal of the game to make it 3-1 through 40 minutes.

Plymouth went up 4-1 early in the third period on a goal from Cory Tanaka. Saginaw cut the lead to 4-2 when defenseman Matt Corrente buried a slapshot from a Chris Chappell pass.

Justin Garay earned the win in net, stopping 26 of 28 shots.

"We played well as a team," Garay said after the game.

Gino Pisellini added two assists for the Whalers. This was also Pisellini's last game until Sept. 29 as he must serve a league-imposed two-game suspension for his role in an altercation last Saturday against Sarnia.

Spirit goalies Francois Thuot and Ryan Daniels split time in net. Thuot had nine saves on 11 shots while Daniels had ten saves on 12 shots.

"We played well and had the majority of the scoring chances," said Spirit head coach and general manager Bob Mancini. "We took the play to Plymouth, but we have to give them credit. They took advantage of their opportunities."

Plymouth and Saginaw open the OHL's regular season next Wednesday in Saginaw at 7:11 p.m.

In the consolation game tonight, Nick Palmieri scored two goals including the game winner to lift the Erie Otters to a 4-3 win over the Toronto St. Michael's Majors. Patrick Lee and Brett MacLean also scored for the Otters. Matt Halischuk, Ryan Penney and Matt Caria scored for the Majors.

Plymouth and Saginaw both win Friday

Both the Plymouth Whalers and Saginaw Spirit won their games Friday night in Erie as part of a four-team tournament with the Toronto St. Michael's Majors and host Otters.

In the first game, Mike Letizia's goal on the Whalers' sixth shot of an overtime shootout proved to be the game-winner as Plymouth defeated Toronto, 6-5.

Plymouth came all the way back from a 3-0 deficit to take a 4-3 lead in the second period. Tom Sestito, Letizia, Steve Ward and John Vigilante then scored to lead 4-3 after two periods.

Rookie Matt Caria tied the game for Toronto at 3:53 of the third period, but Vigilante scored his second of the game at 6:16 of the period to give Plymouth a 5-4 lead. Justin Donati scored a shorthanded goal with 2:02 remaining in regulation to tie the game and set the stage for the shootout.

Ryan Nie stopped five of six shots in the shootout while Toronto goaltender Wayne Savage stopped Ondrej Otcenas, Andrew Fournier, Dan Collins (hit the post) and Chris Terry, but Vigilante and Letizia scored to give Plymouth the victory.

Plymouth outshot Toronto, 40-35. in the game.

The Spirit rode a hat trick from Ryan McDonough to eke out a 5-4 win over Erie. Matt Corrente and Chris Chappell also tallied for Saginaw, who got a 31-save performance from overage goalie Francois Thuot.

"We played an up-tempo game," said Spirit general manager and head coach Bob Mancini. "We stuck to our concepts well and a couple of individual performances helped make this win happen. It's still pre-season, but I'm pleased."

Plymouth and Saginaw will meet in the final game tonight at 8:00 p.m. Toronto and Erie play in the consolation game at 5:00 p.m.

Whalers and Spirit OHL Notebook

Former Plymouth captain Tim Sestito

(Photo courtesy of the Edmonton Oilers)

The Plymouth Whalers and Saginaw Spirit have been in the news recently. Here's the nuts and bolts of their headlines:

Saginaw, having already released veteran forward Daniel Borges two weeks ago, cut forwards Rick Caughell and Kevin Tuckey this week...Assistant coach Ian Herbers was promoted to associate coach and extended his contract through the 2006-2007 season...Third-year forward Tom Pyatt excelled at the New York Rangers' rookie camp and was invited to New York's main camp this week...Potential overage candidate Marek Kvapil had a great showing at Tampa Bay's rookie camp in Traverse City and should play in the Lightning organization this year. The only OA's on Saginaw's roster right now are newly-acquired goalie Francois Thuot, defensemen Erik Lundmark and Tyson Gimblett and forward Jesse Gimblett. OHL teams can dress three per game until the January trade deadline when only three may be kept on the active roster.

The Whalers, in Erie this weekend along with Saginaw and Toronto for a four-team mini-tournament, will be without forward Gino Pisellini for the first two regular-season games as he was assessed a league-imposed two-game suspension for allegedly spitting at the Sarnia bench after missing in the shootout last Saturday in Plymouth...Andrew Fournier wore the 'C' during the game last Saturday. No captains have officially been named as all four from last year (co-captains John Mitchell and Tim Sestito and Jonas Fiedler and Mike Knight) have moved on...Speaking of Sestito, he made it to the Edmonton Oilers' main camp after a rookie camp tryout, but was assigned to their AHL affiliate in Hamilton yesterday.

Alpena goalie commits to Bowling Green

Alpena IceDiggers' goaltender Phil Greer has committed to play for the Bowling Green Falcons of the CCHA starting next fall.

Greer, from Franklin, Mass., was a post-graduate last season for Kimball Union Academy in the New England Prep League where he played 897 minutes posting a 3.01 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage.

Prior to attending Kimball Union, Greer played for Arlington Catholic High School in Boston where he was the team's co-captain and Central Catholic League MVP in 2003-04. The Boston Herald also named him to the "Top Seven Players in Boston" team.

"As an organization we are very excited to announce that we have a player going to play at a great school like Bowling Green State University," Alpena head coach and GM Kenny Miller said. "Phil is a great kid, both on and off the ice; he works hard and sets a good example. He plays with a lot of intensity and passion and he leads by example. As an older player, I think the younger players look to him."

Tendered in April, Greer is expected to be a key contributor for the IceDiggers. Upon completing this season in Alpena, Greer will be one of the freshman to help compose the 2006-2007 Falcon roster.

IceDiggers swept in opening weekend

Todd Rudasill had two goals and an assist over the weekend

The Alpena IceDiggers are looking to rebound from a disappointing two-game season-opening series against the Cleveland Barons. The IceDiggers managed just one out of a possible four points on the weekend after falling to Cleveland 6-2 on Friday and 3-2 on Saturday.

On Friday, Todd Rudasill and Adam Snead scored for Alpena. Rudasill's goal came at 7:09 of the second period with Steve Culbertson and Ben Kitzmiller drawing assists. Snead's tally came at 16:59 of the third on assists from Rudasill and captain Nolan Craner. Alpena was out-shot, 35-32, for the contest with goaltender Phil Greer taking the loss.

Saturday saw Alpena native Erik Peterson notch his first points as an IceDigger, scoring the game tying goal with just under 7:00 to play. Rudasill scored a power-play goal in the first period. But it wouldn't be enough as the 'Diggers lost the shootout with Peterson logging the lone Alpena tally. Greer stopped 28 of 30 shots while being charged with the loss.

"I am a little disappointed in the way we played," said IceDiggers head coach and general manager Kenny Miller. "I feel we are a better team than what we showed last weekend."

Alpena resumes play this coming weekend at the Ice Cube in Ann Arbor for Saturday and Sunday contests against the U.S. National Development Team. Both games get underway at 3:00 p.m.

Spirit still can't solve Hounds, lose 6-3

Ryan McDonough tallied a goal and an assist in the 6-3 loss

After a 4-1 loss Friday night in Sault Ste. Marie, the Saginaw Spirit got more of the same in a 6-3 defeat at the Saginaw Bay Ice Arena to the same Greyhounds Saturday evening in OHL pre-season play.

Saginaw scored three power-play goals in the game and Aaron Rock made 24 saves in net. Newcomer Ryan McDonough had a goal and an assist in the loss. First-round pick Zack Torquato and Tim Priamo scored the other Spirit goals.

The Spirit resume action Friday in Erie for a round-robin tournament with the Plymouth Whalers, Toronto St. Michael's Majors and host Otters.

Whalers split with Sting this weekend

Gino Pisellini scored a goal in both games this weekend

The Plymouth Whalers and Sarnia Sting played two tight games Friday night in Sarnia and Saturday afternoon in Plymouth and the Whalers came away with a win last night and a shootout loss this afternoon.

Friday night across the Blue Water Bridge, James Neal's second goal of the game at 8:54 of the third period snapped a 3-3 tie and the Whalers came from behind with three unanswered goals in the third period for a 4-3 win. John Vigilante and Gino Pisellini also scored for Plymouth while defensemen Steve Ward added three assists and Mike Letizia added two helpers of his own.

Then this afternoon at the Compuware Sports Arena, Harrison Reed's shootout goal gave the Sting a 4-3 victory. The game was tied 3-3 after regulation and Sarnia won 2-1 in the shootout. Vigilante scored the lone Whaler goal in the five-man shootout.

The Whalers are now 1-1-0-1 in preseason play.

Tom Sestito, Pisellini and Andrew Fournier scored in regulation for Plymouth.

Plymouth is off until next Friday when they play in a four-team OHL pre-season tournament in Erie against the Toronto St. Michael's Majors at 5:00 pm. The host Otters host the Saginaw Spirit in the other game on Friday. The losers of Friday's games will play next Saturday at 5:00 pm, with the winners going at 7:45 pm.

Saginaw downed in the Soo, 4-1

Saginaw goalie Ryan Daniels turned aside 33 shots

It was the Saginaw Spirit of old Friday night as the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds topped the Spirit, 4-1, in an OHL pre-season game in the Soo.

Ryan Daniels made 33 saves in the loss and rookie Anthony Soboczynski netted Saginaw's lone tally.

"Throughout the game, we did a lot of good things," said Spirit general manager and head coach Bob Mancini. "We need to adjust better to the way the game is going to be called defensively. Offensively, we had good transition, even though you didn't see a lot of it on the scoreboard. We worked our patterns and concepts well. We were 1-0 even strength. We will quickly learn to adjust and not put ourselves in that position again."

The Spirit return to action tomorrow at 7:11 p.m. against the same Greyhounds for their only home game of the pre-season.

Former Plymouth, Saginaw goalie off to UBC

Former Plymouth Whalers and Saginaw Spirit goaltender Jeff Weber, a former eighth-round selection of the Buffalo Sabres, has committed to the University of British Columbia hockey program and will be in the lineup tomorrow when UBC plays host to the Vancouver Canucks prospects.

Weber, who turns 21 on Sept. 24, played four years in the OHL. He split the 2004-05 season between Barrie and Saginaw, posting a 3.41 goals against average and .906 save percentage in 48 games combined. His OHL career started in Sault Ste. Marie in 2001-02 and then shifted to Plymouth in 2002-03, where he was 13-2-2 in 19 games with a 2.32 goals against average and .925 save percentage. That season, Weber shared the OHL's Dave Pinkney Trophy for top team goaltending. In 101 career OHL games, the Ottawa, Ontario, native was 38-40-13 with a 3.12 goals against average and .908 save percentage.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound netminder was also signed by the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies of the ECHL after Saginaw missed the playoffs this past season. Weber was 2-0 with a 2.14 goals against average and .928 save percentage in three appearances with Atlantic City.

"I had some options, but UBC is one of the best schools in the country and coach (Milan) Dragicevic has done an excellent job of putting together a first-class hockey program with the guys he's brought in," said Weber, whose family recently moved to Calgary. "I'm excited for a new opportunity and I want to help lead this program toward a national championship."

Weber was drafted 235th overall by Buffalo in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft and attended their main camp that September. He never signed an NHL contract.

"He's a proven starter in the OHL and every coach I've talked to has nothing but great things to say about him and his work ethic," said Dragicevic. "He's a bigger goalie who covers a lot of the net and that gives us some options."

Whalers fall in Windsor Monday afternoon

Cory Tanaka sniped a pair for the Whalers on Monday

The Plymouth Whalers fell to the Windsor Spitfires, 7-5, on the road this afternoon at Windsor Arena in OHL pre-season action.

Andrew Fournier staked the Whalers to a 1-0 lead 2:08 into the opening period before Windsor scored three unanswered goals to make it 3-1 midway through the second period.

Rookie Chris Terry and Nashville prospect Vaclav Meidl tied it for Plymouth as the Whalers skated into the second intermission tied at 3-all.

Windsor then scored two goals in a three-second span in the first minute of the third period before Cory Tanaka added a pair to close out the scoring, but not before the Spitfires had tallied two more.

Justin Garay started in net for Plymouth before being relieved by Jeremy Smith, who suffered the defeat. Smith came in after Garay was ejected amidst a line brawl in the middle stanza.

Next up for the Whalers is a game in Sarnia on Friday before returning home Saturday to host Sarnia at 3:30 pm.

Grosse Pointe Park native done with OHL

IceDogs lose defenceman

BY GARY MCCARTHY
The Mississauga News

The lure of a scholarship at a major university closer to home was more than Adam Abraham could resist.

The 18-year-old native of Grosse Pointe Park says he won't be returning to the Mississauga IceDogs' blueline for his third season in the Ontario Hockey League. Abraham told The News that while it was a tough decision to make, he has opted for a baseball scholarship with the Wolverines, based in Ann Arbor and a mere 40-minute drive from his home.

"I'll miss hockey and the IceDogs, but this is a good opportunity for me," said the defenceman, who was the second-round pick of the IceDogs in the 2003 OHL priority draft.

Abraham, a pitcher and infielder with his Ann Arbor team, said he has agreed to a partial scholarship that will cover about 75 percent of the annual costs to attend Michigan.

"I think being drafted by Florida may have tweaked his interest to pursue a career in baseball," said the owner and general manager of the IceDogs, Mario Forgione.

"Actually that didn't factor into it at all," said Abraham, who was a late draft choice of Major League Baseball's Florida Marlins in June. "It really came down to a great opportunity at Michigan."

Forgione, who has been holding discussions with Abraham's agent, said while it was certain the rearguard wouldn't be at training camp, there was a possibility he would join the IceDogs at a later date. But Abraham, who had five goals and 16 assists in 59 games last season and was a plus 16, ruled that out when he spoke to The News.

"I don't think I could leave Michigan to play hockey without jeopardizing my scholarship and I don't see myself doing that," said Abraham.

Abraham's loss leaves a big hole along the Mississauga blue line.The 5-foot-11, 200-pounder was a leading figure on the blueline, probably just behind overager David Pszenyczny (Sterling Heights). They did make defenceman Drew Schiestal their second pick in this year's priority draft. But unless he has added some muscle in the off-season, Schiestal will likely report to camp at around 160 pounds. He's six feet tall.

Abraham's departure would indicate that the IceDogs are likely going to have to make a trade to shore up the blueline, since defence is going to be a critical part of the game this year as a result of rule changes made by the National Hockey League and adopted by the OHL.

Plymouth wins pre-season opener over Spits

First star Andrew Fournier

The Plymouth Whalers beat the Windsor Spitfires, 6-5, this afternoon at the Compuware Sports Arena in both team's pre-season openers.

Plymouth came all the way back from an early 3-0 deficit in the first period to take a 4-3 lead in the second period. The game see-sawed until Gino Pisellini scored the game-winning goal on a power play at 10:55 of the third period.

Ryan Stephenson led the Plymouth attack with a pair of goals as the game's second star.

Whalers center Andrew Fournier - coming back after missing the second half of last season with a sliced Achilles' Tendon - was the game's first star with a goal and two assists. James Neal, Jared Boll and Pisellini added singles for the Whalers.

As with most OHL preseason games, the Whalers used the opener to play rookies, who saw action in all situations. Plymouth veterans John Armstrong, Dan Collins, Justin Garay, Mike Letizia and Zack Shepley - among others - sat out the game.

"We wanted to see Joe Gaynor, Chris Terry, Ondrej Otcenas, Brett Bellemore, and all the young guys," said Plymouth general manager and head coach Mike Vellucci. "I thought they played pretty well considering it was the first game for everyone."

Plymouth outshot Windsor, 42-31. Ryan Nie started in goal for Plymouth and was relieved by rookie Jeremy Smith midway through the second period.

Plymouth and Windsor meet again on Monday at 2:00 pm at Windsor Arena.

The Whalers then play in Sarnia next Friday, Sept. 9, before returning home next Saturday, Sept. 10, to host Sarnia at 3:30 pm.

Saginaw wheelin' and dealin'

New Spirit netminder Francois Thuot

The Saginaw Spirit acquired goaltender Francois Thuot from the Barrie Colts in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick in the 2006 OHL Priority Selection.

Thuot is a 20-year-old native of Longueuil, Quebec. He was 18-12-5 with the Colts with a 3.07 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage in 39 games after two seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with Val D'Or.

"I'm happy we can add a goaltender with Francois' experience to the Saginaw Spirit," said Spirit general manager and head coach Bob Mancini.

Spirit trade pair of '04 picks
The Spirit have also traded the rights to forward Andrew Marcoux, a seventh-round pick in 2004, to the Mississauga Ice Dogs for a seventh-round draft pick in 2006.

Saginaw then dealt the rights to defenseman Tim Cavanagh to the Peterborough Petes for a conditional 15th-round draft pick in 2008. Saginaw picked him in the sixth round a year ago.

Nolan Craner named Alpena's captain

Alpena captain Nolan Craner

Forward Nolan Craner, a Plainwell native, has been named team captain of the 2005-2006 Alpena IceDiggers.

"Nolan is a player our team looks up to," said head coach and general manager Ken Miller. "He leads both on and off the ice and that is extremely important."

Craner, 19, is in his second season with the IceDiggers franchise.

In addition to Craner’s appointment, Miller also named Adam Snead and Jeff Miller (Portage) as alternate captains.

"We have three outstanding players in leadership roles," said Miller. "They each have a very important role to play."

Saginaw signs 2004 draft pick Priamo

The Saginaw Spirit have signed 17-year-old forward Tim Priamo to an OHL contract for this season.

Priamo is a native of Guelph, Ontario and was Saginaw’s 12th-round pick, 222nd overall, in the 2004 OHL Priority Selection.

“Tim is a strong, gritty forward,” said Spirit general manager and head coach Bob Mancini. “He’s a tireless worker who brings energy to the team and touch around the net.”

Priamo earned the Rookie of the Year honors for the Western Division of the Ontario Provincial Junior A League last year with 22 goals and 24 assists in 52 games for the Burlington Cougars.

Shawhan spurns Cleveland, joins LSSU

Former Soo Indians head coach and general manager Joe Shawhan, originally named the new coach of the Cleveland Barons a couple weeks back, has now officially been named an assistant coach at Lake Superior State University.

Shawhan said the Barons jumped the gun on his signing with them and that an assistant's job at LSSU, his alma mater, was what he really wanted ever since the Indians folded after last season.

"I want to say thank you to the NAHL and Sault Tribe for giving me a great opportunity, and to Cleveland for being so patient," said Shawhan, a Sault Ste. Marie native. "I thank all of the people who supported the Indians for the 10-year period. One of the most difficult scenarios in this process was leaving something that I helped build, but I'm thankful I will have the opportunity to bring that excitement to LSSU.

"The people who were with us in building that, all of the fans and the community, can be a part of the continued growth of Laker hockey. When I was with the Indians, walking through the stands from the lockerroom to the bench during home games, I became used to seeing those people and they became friends. I look forward to seeing those same people again. I hope they appreciate Laker hockey as much as they appreciated Indians hockey. We need their support."

The Indians placed more than 100 players into college hockey programs during the past decade. The most-notable was goaltender Ryan Miller, who went on to Michigan State and won the 2001 Hobey Baker Award. Several others have gone on to play at LSSU, including current Lakers Dominic Osman, Justin Gutwald and Marty Gurnoe.

Read the full release from LSSU here.

Alpena showcase to be broadcast on WATZ AM

The Alpena IceDiggers are partnering with WATZ AM 1450 for radio broadcasts of this weekend's pre-season showcase.

"We are excited to be working with WATZ," said Alpena head coach and general manager Ken Miller. "The station is a great fit for our team and we hope to build a long relationship. Play-by-play announcer John Pines is one of the best in the business and I look forward to working with him on a one on one basis this season."

WATZ is a local radio station owned and operated by Midwestern Broadcasting. Select games will be broadcast live on AM 1450 and can also be heard on Charter Communications Channel 13 in Alpena. Pines has spent the past nine seasons as the voice of the Alpena High Wildcats.

"I'm thrilled and am looking forward to bringing the play by play, coach's corner, contests, and IceDigger special events to our Alpena area listeners." added Pines.

Alpena plays the Motor City Chiefs tonight at 7 pm, tomorrow at 7 pm against the Toledo Cherokee and at 1 pm Sunday against the Grand Rapids Owls. Friday's and Saturday's radio pre-game show will begin at 7 pm.

Kvapil signs contract with Lightning

The Saginaw Spirit were counting on forward Marek Kvapil returning for his overage season in the OHL, but after signing yesterday with the Tampa Bay Lightning, the odds of the Czech native coming back to mid-Michigan are maybe 50-50 at best.

"Marek Kvapil had an excellent year in the OHL last season and we were pleased to land him in this year's draft," Lightning general manager Jay Feaster said. "He is a goal scorer, and from a depth perspective, we simply don't have enough pure goal scorers in the system. We are very pleased that he has chosen to start his professional career and we look forward to seeing him in Traverse City (for rookie camp next month).”

Kvapil was selected by Tampa Bay in the sixth round, 163rd overall, in last month's draft. He led Saginaw in scoring last year with 25 goals and 62 points in 53 games. He was the third leading scorer among OHL rookies and was named OHL Rookie of the Month twice in 2004-05. He also tied the OHL record for the fastest goal scored to begin a period after scoring four seconds into the third period against the Mississauga IceDogs last December.

"We couldn't be happier for Marek," said Spirit general manager and head coach Bob Mancini. "He is very deserving of the opportunity to sign and go to Tampa Bay's training camp to start his pro career. We would welcome Marek back to the Spirit this season, but it is up to the Lightning to decide how to proceed on his development."

Prior to joining Saginaw, Kvapil played three seasons with the Slavia Praha organization in the Czech Republic, appearing in 11 games in the country’s top league in 2003-04. He also helped the Czech Republic capture a bronze medal at the 2005 World Junior Championships, recording two goals and five points in seven games. The 20-year-old native was the Spirit's 1st pick, 11th overall, in the 2004 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft.

In other Spirit news, defenseman Steven Whitely has earned an invitation to the Tampa Bay rookie camp.

"This is a great opportunity for Steven," Mancini said. "I have no doubt in my mind that if the NHL had had a full draft, as they did in previous years, that Steven would have been drafted."

Whitely, an 18-year-old native of Petrolia, Ontario, was acquired in a trade with the Toronto St. Michael's Majors in January.

Alpena readies for pre-season showcase

The Alpena IceDiggers are hosting a pre-season showcase this weekend, August 26-28, at Northern Lights Arena.

The showcase features five teams including the Traverse City North Stars and Central States Hockey League (Junior B) members Toledo Cherokee, Grand Rapids Jr. Owls and Motor City Chiefs. The IceDiggers, Cherokee, Chiefs and Owls will each play three games over the course of the weekend, while the North Stars will play in two.

Friday - 4:00pm-7:00pm, Traverse City v. Grand Rapids
Friday - 7:00pm-10:00pm, Alpena v. Motor City

Saturday - 9:00am-12:00pm, Toledo v. Traverse City
Saturday - 4:00pm-7:00pm, Motor City v. Grand Rapids
Saturday - 7:00pm-10:00pm, Alpena v. Toledo

Sunday - 10:00am-1:00pm, Toledo v. Motor City
Sunday - 1:00pm-4:00pm, Alpena v. Grand Rapids

"We are looking forward to this big weekend of hockey action," said Alpena head coach and general manager Ken Miller. "It will be our first look at the team in a game situation. The teams we have coming in from the CSHL are very competitive teams at the Junior B level and it should be great hockey for the fans of Alpena."

Fans are encouraged to come and follow the action. Admission is $3 per person or $15.00 for a weekend pass good for all seven games. For ticket information please contact the Northern Lights Arena at (989) 356-1878. These will be the only pre-season games the IceDiggers will play before regular season action begins the second weekend in September.

Armstrong strikes gold with Team Canada

Second-year Plymouth Whalers forward John Armstrong and Team Canada defeated the Czech Republic, 5-3, on Sunday for the gold medal in the Under-18 Junior World Cup in the Czech Republic.

Contacted at his home in Unionville, Ontario, on Monday, Armstrong called the tournament win "one of the biggest thrills of his hockey career."

"We won because we worked harder than the other teams," Armstrong said.

Armstrong scored twice in the tournament as he tallied in the first game and in the championship game.

Armstrong played much of the tournament on a checking line with Peterborough's Jordan Staal and Brady Calla of the WHL's Everett Silvertips.

"We were the biggest line (physically) in the tournament," Armstrong said. "Our job was to get the puck in deep and try to keep it there."

Armstrong was Plymouth's first-round pick in the 2004 OHL Priority Selection, going 13th overall.

Sestito earns free agent tryout with Oilers

Outgoing Plymouth Whalers co-captain Tim Sestito will attend the Edmonton Oilers' rookie training camp next month on a tryout basis as a free agent invite.

Never drafted by an NHL team, Sestito, a native of Rome, N.Y., posted career-highs last season in Plymouth with 14 goals and 32 points in his fourth and final OHL campaign. He signed an amateur tryout contract with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the AHL after the OHL season and scored in his first professional game.

"Going into camp, I want to make a great impression early and often," said Sestito, who turns 21 on Aug. 28. "I feel like I am in the best shape of my life this summer and I am hoping it pays off in Edmonton. I have to be an agitator on the ice, getting my nose dirty and playing hard, as well as being responsible in my own end."

Rookie camp starts Sept. 5 and lasts one week. If Sestito gets an invite to Edmonton's main camp, that starts Sept. 15.

Sestito was originally Plymouth's third-round pick, 44th overall, in the 2001 OHL Priority Selection. Last year was his overage year in Plymouth and he had the chance to play with younger brother, Tom, on the Whalers.

"This fall is definitely going to be a new and different experience," the 6-foot, 195-pound Sestito added. "I was very comfortable and enjoyed every minute of being in Plymouth. It's a little sad leaving friends, family (Tom) and my billets, but on the other hand, it is exciting to try something new and see how far I can take my hockey career.

"One thing I know for sure is I will be looking up the game stats after every weekend to see how Plymouth made out as well as checking the message boards to get the perspective of the fans that were there."

IceDiggers set to open training camp

Alpena head coach-GM Ken Miller is ready for training camp

The Alpena IceDiggers are set to begin their inaugural NAHL season in Michigan.

On August 13, the 28-man training camp roster will report to Northern Lights Arena to begin the task of preparing for the 2005-2006 season.

"We’re excited as we head into camp this season knowing what a talented team we expect to have," said IceDiggers head coach Ken Miller. "We take training camp very seriously because it is a key ingredient in developing our players."

With 10 players returning from last year’s roster, the IceDiggers have a solid core of players to blend with a group of talented and young newcomers.

"We have to focus on becoming a better hockey team, playing our style of game and developing our players," said Miller. "I am excited about the group of kids we have recruited for this season."

The first IceDigger practice will be Monday, August 15 at 3:00pm at Northern Lights Arena in Alpena. Regular practices for the week will continue each weekday from 3:00 to 3:50 and practices this season will be open to the public.

Former Chiefs forward off to NAHL

Former Motor City Chiefs standout forward Tyler Romasco has signed with the Bismarck Bobcats of the NAHL.

The Bobcats, who finished fifth in the West Division a year ago, struggled offensively last year and will look to Romasco, among others, to help their offensive output this season.

Romasco is coming off his second season in the CSHL scoring 55 points or more and has the praise of those that saw him perform on a regular basis.

"Tyler brings the same enthusiasm to Bismarck as he did playing for the Chiefs," Motor City general manager Gerry Lullove said. "He is now on his way to achieving his goals playing Junior A and college hockey."

Shawhan surfaces in Cleveland

The Cleveland Jr. Barons named former Soo Indians head coach Joe Shawhan as their new head coach and general manager yesterday. As per team policy, terms of the contract will not be disclosed.

Shawhan, a Sault Ste. Marie native, was the only head coach in the Indians' 10-year existence. Shawhan's teams achieved a winning season and qualified for playoffs in each of those ten seasons and won two NAHL titles and qualified three different times for the USA Hockey National Championship.

Shawhan attended and played at Lake Superior State University under Frank Anzalone and Jeff Jackson. He was the head coach for Team USA at the prestigious Viking Cup 2004 hockey tournament.

The Indians folded at the end of the 2004-2005 season after a third-place finish at the Gold Cup tournament in Bismarck, N.D.

Armstrong makes Canadian Under-18 team

Plymouth Whalers' second-year forward John Armstrong, the team's first-round pick in 2004, has made Canada's Under-18 team that will play in the Junior World Cup Aug. 9-14 in the Czech Republic.

Armstrong is one of six OHL players on the Canadian roster.

IceDiggers set roster for training camp

Alpena forward Ricardo Yesue

The Alpena IceDiggers completed their main camp Tuesday and in the process whittled down their campers to a final 28-man training camp roster.

Ten players return from last season's Toledo team - goalie Justin Marriott, forwards Nolan Craner, Steve Culbertson, Ross Enmark, Jake Hovick, Brandon Moran, Sam Yearsley and Ricardo Yesue and defensemen Jeff Miller and Adam Snead. Also making the roster are Alpena natives Erik Peterson and C.J. MacKenzie.

"We are happy with the 28 guys we are bringing in for training camp" said IceDiggers coach and general manager Ken Miller. "(Assistant coach) Kelly (Miller) and I feel we have a good core of veterans as well as young guys willing to work hard and make this a successful season here in Alpena."

Of the 28 players returning, not all will make the team's opening day roster. The team will trim one player on Aug. 13 and cut two more by Sept. 1.

"We will look over our roster prior to September 1 and make the necessary moves to help our club," said Miller. "We will keep the hardest working 25 players."

ICEDIGGERS 28-MAN ROSTER
Bold denotes returning player

G Justin Marriott
G Mitch Rybicki
G Phil Greer
D Brad Benson
D Josh Brown
D Chris Lanciano
D Ben Kitzmiller
D Kory O'Brien
D Tim Okicki
D Eric Roman
D Adam Snead
F Zach Barron
F Nolan Craner
F Steve Culbertson
F Taylor Doorlag
F Ross Enmark
F Jake Hovick
F C.J. MacKenzie
F Jeff Miller
F Brandon Moran
F Erik Peterson
F Drew Pierson
F Todd Rudasill
F Justin Stadler
F Matt Suggs
F Andrew Wilcox
F Sam Yearsley
F Ricardo Yesue

Saginaw acquires Combs from Rangers

The Saginaw Spirit acquired forward Jack Combs from the Kitchener Rangers yesterday in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2006 OHL Priority Selection.

The 17-year-old native of St. Louis was the Rangers' second round pick in 2004 and had one goal and five assists, as an underager, in 59 games with the Rangers last season.

"Jack has been a point-getter and goal scorer throughout his developmental hockey career," Saginaw general manager and head coach Bob Mancini said. "We look forward to him bringing his skills to the Saginaw Spirit."

Combs is expected to join the Spirit for training camp in late August.

North Stars finalize 25-man roster

By MARK URBAN
Record-Eagle staff writer

TRAVERSE CITY - The formation of the team was announced in early November.

Jerseys for the Traverse City entry into the North American Hockey League (NAHL) were unveiled in early May.

Now the Junior A hockey team has 25 players to fill out those uniforms.

The North Stars made it official on Monday, sending its 25-man roster into the NAHL league office in preparation for the team's inaugural 2005-06 season.

"We're pretty happy with what we have," said Traverse City coach and general manager Scott Gardiner. "We have a good mix.

"We have a good mix of youth and experience and different types of role players and skill players."

The initial roster includes seven players with direct ties to the area.

Four of those played high school hockey in the area: winger Jake Erway (TC Central), defenseman Nathan Peterson (Cadillac), center Scott Ponstein (Grand Traverse Bay) and winger Joe St. John (Gaylord).

Also making the initial roster were three defensemen from the now-defunct Traverse City Enforcers of the Continental Elite Hockey League: Steve Hackman, Anthony Sarno and Tony Swarthout.

The first group of North Stars reports back to Traverse City on Aug. 20. That is also the first practice at Centre ICE.

"We start to work right away," Gardiner said.

Traverse City plays its first exhibition games Aug. 26-27 in Alpena and opens the regular season on Sept. 16 at Cleveland.

The complete schedule for the first season of the North Stars will be released later this week. The NAHL schedule, which features the annual Showcase in Blaine, Minn., on Oct. 19-22, is slated to come to a vote on Wednesday.

Gardiner said there will inevitably be some fluctuation to the 25-player roster released on Monday.

"With a first-year club, we'll be making some changes as we go on," he said. "We have no returning players, so we'll need to analyze where we're strong at, where we're weak at and adjust accordingly."

To view the North Stars full 25-man roster, click here.

Plymouth swings deal with Mississauga

Former Whalers forward Jeff McFarland on his way to Mississauga.

The Plymouth Whalers swung a deal with the Mississauga IceDogs today, landing defenseman Scott Madden from Mississauga for right wing Jeff McFarland.

Both players are 17 and were both selected in the 2004 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection – Madden in the fourth round (77th overall) by Mississauga and McFarland in the third round (61st overall) by the Whalers.

Madden is the younger brother of New Jersey Devils' forward John Madden, who played for the University of Michigan from 1993-97 before moving on to New Jersey, where he won the Selke Trophy in 2001 as the NHL's top defensive forward.

Scott Madden – 6-feet and 185 pounds - played for the Lindsay Muskies of the Ontario Provincial Jr.A League last season, scoring five goals with six assists for 11 points with 35 penalty minutes in 36 games.

McFarland played briefly for the Whalers last year and was scoreless in two games. He spent the bulk of his time last season with the St. Thomas Stars of the Western Jr. B League, scoring eight goals and five assists for 13 points and 78 penalty minutes in 41 games.