MiHockeyMag - December 10, 2012

TIME TO START

CELEBRATINGCELEBRATINGTHE LEGACYThe CCHA conference schedule is in full swing — we’re here to catch you up

MiHockeyNow.com V.23 : I.7 | DECEMBER 10, 2012 FIRST CLASS

#OWNTHEMOMENT

THE BIGGER YOU DREAM,

THE BIGGER YOU PLAY.

OWN THE MOMENT

DECEMBER 10, 2012 VOLUME 23: ISSUE 7

THE CCHA’S FINAL SEASON IS UNDERWAY — get caught up with MiHockey

How a freshman at Novi HS is trying to make a wish come true

Optimism fading for members of the Red Wings

98 Degrees of lockout separation

To advertise in MiHockey please contact Lucia Zuzga at (248) 479-1134 or [email protected], or Michael

Caples at (248) 479-1136 or [email protected]

LOOK FOR OUR NEXT ISSUEDECEMBER 24, 2012

28-30

10 36 38

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE LOCKER ROOM Talking hockey on social media and beyond

6

SLIDESHOW Jimmy Howard and Jonas Gustavsson sign autographs at Perani’s in Livonia

8

YOUTH HOCKEY ‘Round Up At The Rink’ for charity

10

GET BETTERSwedish shooting drill

12

YOUTH HOCKEY

RED WINGS INSIDER LAST LINE

PLYMOUTH WHALERSConnor Carrick is adjusting to life in the OHL

32

HOMETOWN HEROESTrenton’s Andy Greene

16 JUNIORSAn update on the NAHL, NA3HL, USHL and MWJHL

20

YOU SHOULD KNOWMichigan goaltender Steve Racine

14

GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINSAdam Almquist is earning his spot in GR

34

COLLEGE HOCKEYThe fi nal season of the CCHA is underway

28

RED WINGS INSIDER Optimism is fading for members of the Wings

36

4 MiHockeyMag December 10, 2012 V.23 : I.7MiHockeyNow.com

As I’m sure you noticed from the cover, this issue’s main feature is on the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. Like most hockey seasons, we have barely managed to blink, and we’re already staring at the holiday season. Hockey fl ies by and stops for no one.

By the time this magazine reaches some of the rinks in our state, our CCHA schools will have played nearly half of their conference schedules. That means, in simple terms, you only have half a season left to enjoy a conference that has been in operation since 1971. It’s the last chance for you to watch the majority of the major teams in our state compete for the same conference championship (Michigan Tech is the lone NCAA D-1 program competing in a diff erence conference).

Get out there and enjoy it.While the changes that are coming next year will

ultimately help college hockey - in my opinion, at least – it will make for a strange adjustment period. For the Big Ten schools, things will look a lot more similar to the college football and basketball schedules we have grown accustomed to. But for Western Michigan, it is uncharted territory, as they begin play in the new National Collegiate Hockey Conference. And for Ferris State, Northern Michigan, and Lake Superior State, it is off to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, for dates with both familiar faces and foreign territories.

But for the next four months, you have a chance to follow college hockey the way you grew up with it. Conference battles between schools for the last time. The rivalries will continue, and the games will continue, but it won’t be the same.

The CCHA has been a wonderful thing for hockey

in our state. By increasing the popularity of the sport at the college level, we have been able to appeal to new fans, and that means new players at the same time. After all, we’re all here for the same reasons – to participate, watch, and grow the game we love.

On a separate note, I hope you read our article about Ryan Rabinowitz, an exceptionally-ambitious freshman at Novi High School. I sat down with Ryan to talk about his ‘Round Up At The Rink’ project, and was blown away by his mission, his reasons for pursuing it, and the way he carries himself at such a young age. His story serves as a reminder to go above and beyond, and to help those less fortunate. After all, we are blessed to be able to be a part of hockey – some people will never know some of the things we take for granted on a daily basis.

Also, I wanted to give a quick shout-out to all the guys out there that grew moustaches during Movember. I know it wasn’t easy, because I was one of the ones being ridiculed for…a look that probably wasn’t my best. In fact, I apparently looked like Ned Flanders from “The Simpsons”...at least according to some co-workers and friends.

As we enter December, I hope that you all have a great holiday season. Remember that we, the hockey people of Michigan, are more fortunate than most, and we should try to spread some holiday cheer whenever we can. Let people like Ryan inspire you. A little help can go a long way.

Oh yeah, and hopefully all the ponds freeze this year. Not a single skate outdoors last year for this writer, and that’s not cool.

See you at a rink soon,

PHOTOS AT LEFT: Michigan vs. Michigan State photo courtesy of the CCHA and Michigan State Spartans, Ryan Rabinowitz (Michael Caples/MiHockey), Dan Cleary (Tom Turrill/MiHockey)

COVER: Photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey, design by Emily Huston/MiHockey

Cover reprints availablee-mail: [email protected]

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: MICHIGAN HOCKEY® welcomes Letters to the Editor. E-mail [email protected]

MICHIGAN HOCKEY is published by SUBURBAN SPORTS COMMUNICATIONS, LLC 23995 Freeway Park Drive, Suite 200, Farmington Hills, MI 48335-2829. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to MICHIGAN HOCKEY®, 23995 Freeway Park Drive, Suite 200, Farmington Hills, MI 48335-2829. ©2011 by Suburban Sports Communications. All Rights Reserved. The opinions and views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of MICHIGAN HOCKEY or its advertisers. All editorial copy, photographs and advertising materials remain the property of MICHIGAN HOCKEY.

EDITORMichael [email protected]

MIHOCKEYMAG

ADVERTISING & DISTRIBUTIONLucia [email protected]

DESIGNEmily HustonChuck Stevens

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSDarren EliotBrian KalisherStefan KubusKyle KujawaMatt MackinderDave Waddell

ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTORSAmy JonesAnne Ellis

BY MICHAEL CAPLES @michaelcaples

FROM THE EDITOR

MICHIGAN HOCKEY23995 Freeway Park Drive�•�Suite 200Farmington Hills, MI 48335-2829(248) 478-2500 • FAX: (248) 478-1601E-MAIL: [email protected]: mihockeynow.com

A LEGACY WORTH CELEBRATING

December 10, 2012 V.23 : I.7 5MiHockeyMagMiHockeyNow.com

oon,

THE LOCKER ROOM

ON THE FLY

TWO FOR TWEETING

Are you following us on Instagram (@MiHockeyNow)? We’re posting hockey photos almost every single day. Here are some of our most recent photos shared on the social network.

MiHockey took on the Central Collegiate Hockey Association in a “Movember” battle last month. Four members of the MiHockey staff and four members of the CCHA staff grew moustaches for men’s health awareness. Meltdown, on-air personality for 101 WRIF and celebrity judge for the event, deemed that the CCHA had more impressive facial hair growth, which means the people assembling this magazine will be buying them lunch sometime in the near future. The photos included are from the halfway report for both teams.

It was great to see so many people sharing our high school preview content. Here are just a few of the examples.

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On Dec. 1, Warrior Hockey hosted a demo day at Perani’s Hockey World in Livonia for players to test out their new Covert line of sticks. Warrior also brought along two of their ‘Players Club’ members – Red Wings goaltenders Jimmy Howard and Jonas Gustavsson. The netminder duo signed autographs and posed for photos with fans during the event. (Photos by Michael Caples/MiHockey)


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YOUTH HOCKEY

ROUND UP AT THE RINKRyan Rabinowitz knows he is more fortunate than

most.As a freshman on Novi High School’s prep team,

Rabinowitz has grown up with the blessings aff orded to most hockey players.

And like most students his age, Rabinowitz is beginning community-service projects, both to fulfi ll requirements for his school and for his church.

Yet Rabinowitz wants to do more than what a normal student his age would want to do. Rabinowitz wants to make another kid’s wish come true.

When he was in fourth grade, Rabinowitz and a group of classmates worked with the Make-A-Wish foundation to make a wish come true for a local girl battling a terrible illness. Years later, he helped serve

food to homeless people on Cass Corridor in Detroit - a second eye-opening

experience for a fortunate kid.“I went down there and I didn’t know what to expect,”

Rabinowitz said. “I had never really done something like that before. It was really cold, and I was like ‘boy, I kind of regret coming down here.’ It was pretty tough. All of a sudden, we start setting up to give them food, and there’s just lines of people. I

look down the lines, and there are little kids there,

and they haven’t eaten in a week. It’s like, wow, I can go home to a nice warm house, have a cup of hot chocolate, sit down and watch TV, and these kids are probably walking around the streets with their little peanut butter and jelly that we just handed them, and after this meal they might not

eat for another week. It’s so unfortunate, especially

in the hard economic times and for other reasons, that

there are people who can’t

come to a nice rink like this, or can’t go to a nice home. Especially with the kids; my whole life, I think I’ve been handed a lot of things.”

So when it came time to pick a community-service project, Rabinowitz gravitated back to the foundation he knew could make a diff erence in a child’s life.

“I have such a blessed life, and I’m so grateful for everything that I have,” Rabinowitz said. “A lot of kids, they don’t have the opportunity to play hockey like you and I could - and hockey, it’s the greatest sport in the world - so kids were really what I was trying to focus on. I was talking with my mom trying to get ideas for community service, and everyone does the food bank and little things just to go along with it, but I really wanted to kind of reach out, do a little bit more, and especially with Make-A-Wish, because I think they do a great thing.”

Rabinowitz started a program he named “Round Up At The Rink” – asking arenas across the state of Michigan to round up on their concession stand sales, and donate the extra money to Make-A-Wish.

“My mom, she would always say that [when] my brother comes to the rink to watch the games, she spends a small fortune with him at the concession stand, and that’s all he comes to do. We thought it would be a good idea that when people come to the concession stand, they round up their order. So if it’s a $1.20, they round up 80 cents, and that money goes to Make-A-Wish. We just felt that because there are a lot of people coming to rinks to watch games and stuff , we thought it would be a good way to raise money.”

Rabinowitz contacted MAHA president George Atkinson, who assisted the Novi Prep defenseman with reaching out to rinks across the state. The freshman has been sending out packets of information about his mission, and while he has yet to hear back from most, he did land one big partner already – the Grand Rapids Griffi ns. The Red Wings’ AHL affi liate ‘round up’ for their home games on Nov. 23 and Nov. 25.

“When I heard from the Griffi ns, I was like ‘Wow’, I never knew that that could reach out to them, they’re such a big-market team and they’re affi liated with the Red Wings,” Rabinowitz said. “They got a little fl yer out, they had a press release out…they had posters up and stuff . They really tried to get the word out. It was real cool to talk to people from the Griffi ns and they said that if we need any help, to reach out with marketing or anything, that would be cool...I’ve always loved watching the Griffi ns play.”

For more information

on how your rink can

participate, email Ryan

at [email protected].

BY MICHAEL CAPLES


Make your player a "Star of Tomorrow"Every player appearing on Reebok's Stars of

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Go to MiHockeyNow.com and fill out the form on the 'Stars of Tomorrow' page. We will contact you about a photo to appear in the paper.

"STARS OF TOMORROW" c/o Michigan Hockey

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Hockey Player Age Hometown Height Weight Team Position Coach School Grade Favorite Team Favorite Player

Carter Schram9East Lansing 4'9"90 lbs Lansing Spartans Sq AARight WingAndrew ScriverMurphy Elementary 5thTampa Bay Lightning Steven Stamkos

Hockey Player Age Hometown Height Weight Team Position Coach School Grade Favorite Team Favorite Player

Devan Grayshaw10 Canton4'6"77 lbs'02 Novi IcecatsCenter Mark BerkeEriksson Elementary4th Detroit Red WingsPavel Datsyuk

YOUTH HOCKEY

Livonia Midget A captures Motown CupLivonia Midget A captures Motown Cup

’99 Travelers win Rock ‘n’ Roll Cup

GRAHA’s “Try Special Hockey For Free”

The Livonia Midget A Travel team captured the Motown Cup Tournament with a thrilling 3-2 victory Sunday over the Whitby (Ontario) Wildcats at Farmington Hills Ice Arena.

The Knights, led by head coach Ken Hunt, earned wins over Oakridge (Ontario), Howell JV Green and the Michigan Jaguars, and a tie over the Wildcats to advance to

the title game.The team is comprised of Cullen

Barber, Alex DeFlorio, Bobby Diegel, Jeff Flannigan, Vince Glenn, Jay Hague, Luke Justice, Max McCrory, Robert Schneider, Drake Shepard, Nick Smith, Christopher Tripi, Michael Warner, Alec Wells, Alex Williams, and assistant coaches Craig Justice, Bob Warner and Don Barber.

Congratulations to the ’99 Michigan Travelers, who won the 2012 Rock ‘n’ Roll Cup Tournament held in Cleveland from Oct. 5-7.

In the championship game, Sami Vicari scored the winning goal in a shoot-out.

The Travelers are:Front Row – Jackson Benning, Chris

PrangeSecond Row – Alllen Willman, Trevor

Oberliesen, Zach Djordjevic, Nathan LaFalce, Louie Sboukis, Max Stempien, Drew Stempien, Sami Vicari, Anthony Candella, Brendan Moriarty

Back Row – Coach Dave Vicari, James

Nowak, Coach Rick Lopez, Ben Currie, Coach Mike Sempien, Coach Tom Emery, Jacob Franco, Max McKay

Thanks to the Grand Rapids Amateur Hockey Association, 12 kids got to try our sport for the fi rst time.

GRAHA hosted a “Try Special Hockey For Free” event at the Patterson Ice Center on Nov. 18, letting able-bodied children with mild cognitive impairments get on the ice and experience the joys of playing hockey.

Jean Laxton, a GRAHA board member and one of the event organizers, said that seeing one of the reactions from the parents was almost as rewarding as helping the children.

There was a man that attended with his son, you could tell that the guy played or plays in a men’s league,” Laxton said. “We were encouraging his son to shoot the

puck and he put one in the net. He looked at his dad and said, “Dad, do you think I am a good hockey player?” The dad was tearing up as our coach skated away. He caught me later and said he never thought he would see this day happen.”

Sherri Powers, whose 10-year-old son, William, participated in the event, shared this note with the event organizers.

“Thank you to all of you that were there Sunday,” Powers said. “My son enjoyed the encouragement. It boosted his self-confi dence and made him feel like he could do things if he just tried hard. The smile that it put on his face was amazing and it is something that we will not be forgetting anytime soon. Thank you so much!”

Livonia Midget A captures Motown Cup


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Photos courtesy of: tennisnoise.wordpress.com (U.S. Open), en.wikipedia.com (Homeland, Carey Price, Buff alo Sabres), swotti.starmedia.com (Pursuit of Happyness)

youshould

know

YOU SHOULD KNOW

FAVORITE SPORTING EVENT:US Open of Tennis.

FIRST CONCERT:Rolling Stones.

MUST-SEE TV:Homeland.

FAVORITE BREAKFAST FOOD:Huevos Rancheros.

FAVORITE MOVIE:The Pursuit of Happyness.

IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE:

Lightning-fast refl exes.

IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE WISH GRANTED, WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH IT: Win a national championship.

NICKNAME:Racine, Racer, Raciner, etc.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH $1 MILLION DOLLARS:

Spend $100,000, invest the rest.

THREE PEOPLE YOU WOULD WANT TO HAVE DINNER WITH:

Carey Price, Gael Monfi ls, Adam Scott.

PRE-GAME ROUTINE:Yes, I try to do the same things every

game day.

WHAT KIND OF CAR DO YOU DRIVE: Audi

FAVORITE MEAL:Braised short ribs.

FAVORITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY:Summer hockey tournaments in

Canada.

WHO WAS MOST INFLUENTIAL ON YOUR HOCKEY CAREER:

Growing up in Buff alo and the Buff alo Sabres.

Steve RacineUniversity of Michigan goaltenderSteve Racine is one of two players tabbed with the daunting task of replacing Shawn Hunwick in goal for the Wolverines. The 21-year-old freshman has plenty of experience in the junior ranks, having played in both the Ontario Junior Hockey League and the United States Hockey League while waiting for his shot at the NCAA. He made his collegiate debut on Oct. 12 against RIT, where he stopped 21 shots en route to a 7-2 home win for UM. The Williamsville, N.Y., native checks in at 6-foot-2-inches and 191 pounds.


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JUNIORS

NAHL, NA3HL, USHL, MWJHL RoundupThe Port Huron Fighting Falcons continue to churn out

NCAA Division I prospects and recently, two more Falcons committed to play college hockey down the line.

Defenseman Mark Evan Auk will play for Michigan Tech University, while fellow blueliner Ryan Nick gave the nod to Army.

Auk, a native of Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan, is currently in his fi rst year with the Fighting Falcons after leading the University Liggett to the Division 3 Michigan state high school championship last year.

“Mark Evan is just starting to develop into a top defenseman and Michigan Tech will be getting an excellent player and person when Mark Evan steps on that campus,” said Port Huron coach-GM Michael Gershon. “We have tried to make sure that he is playing two-way hockey, but his off ensive abilities have shined through. He takes good care of the puck and continues to be a very pleasant surprise for us this season.”

“It has been the best year so far for me in hockey-wise and I have learned a lot in just the couple of months that I have been here,” said Auk. “At this level, mistakes can really cost you, so I have tried to make smart decisions with and without the puck. I think we have a smart and experienced team. We get better as the game goes along and I think that has played into our success thus far.”

A native of Plymouth, Nick is in his second year in Port Huron after being acquired early in the 2011-12 season from the Traverse City North Stars.

“Ryan has worked extremely hard to get this commitment and I think that Army is going to be getting a great Cadet and someone that we know will work hard to achieve great results on the ice and in the classroom,” said Gershon.

Outside of the Mitten, Zach Diamantoni, a forward with the Janesville (Wis.) Jets and a Brighton native, has accepted a scholarship off er to play at Northern Michigan University starting in the 2014-15 academic year.

More than 40 NAHL players to date have committed to play college hockey over the fi rst few months of the season.

NHL PROSPECTS COMING BACK TO MUSKEGON

The best United States Hockey League players are coming back to Muskegon next month for the second annual USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game on Jan. 23 at the L.C. Walker Arena.

The game features the top NHL Draft-eligible players from the USHL competing in front of a full battery of NHL scouts, front offi ce personnel and media at the home of the Muskegon Lumberjacks. A total of 40 players will be chosen for the event based on a selection process that includes input of the 16 USHL general managers, NHL Central Scouting and NHL scouts.

“We’re excited to have the Prospects Game return to Muskegon, one of the proudest and longest-standing hockey markets in the United States,” said USHL president and commissioner Skip Prince. “These are America’s best,

gathered together for a special night with the Muskegon Lumberjacks as host and all of hockey as spectators.”

The game will take place just after NHL Central Scouting releases its mid-term rankings of players eligible for the 2013 NHL draft.

“We are proud that our organization and city can host this event and showcase this community to NHL personnel,” said Lumberjacks’ owner and CEO Josh Mervis. “It will be the highlight event of ‘Hockey Week in Muskegon’ and fans will be treated to an event featuring young talent that will be playing professional hockey in the very near future.”

The inaugural USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game last January saw Team East earn a 5-3 win over Team West.

HARTLAND STILL UNDEFEATED IN MWJHL PLAY

In the fi rst-year Midwest Junior Hockey League, the Hartland Hounds have gone undefeated (25-0) so far, with their two biggest wins coming last weekend in a home-and-home series with Tennyson Chevrolet, the MWJHL’s second-place team based in Brownstown.

“[The second game with Tennyson] was a hard-fought game and we had adversity with a short bench, but good teams fi nd ways to win and that’s what I think was the case (Sunday),” said Hounds’ goalie Andrew Brownlee. “I think sweeping Tennyson was a message that not only can we play with a bull’s eye on our back, but we can do it even in the face of adversity.”

Hartland boasts the MWJHL’s top scorer in Jake Henrikson, a 20-year-old Commerce native who has 31 goals and 50 points in 20 games, and the top netminder in Brownlee, who is 16-0 with a 1.81 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage – all tops in the league.

The Soo Firehawks have won fi ve straight and sit in third place, the Wayne-based Michigan Ice Dogs are in fourth, the Holland River Bandits sit fi fth and Fraser’s Great Lakes Lightning have had a rough go and sit in the cellar of the 10-team MWJHL.

NA3HL’S LUMBERJACKS ADD FORWARD FROM

THE OUTBACK

The Granite City (Minn.) Lumberjacks have players from all over the United States, but recently added forward Mitch Humphries, a native of Australia.

“I’d like to make it to the NAHL some day,” said Humphries to sctimes.com. “It would be cool to play college hockey here.”

Humphries played youth hockey in Australia until he was 15 and a coach Down Under suggested he see what North America could off er. He played the past four years for Banff Hockey Academy, a prep school in the Rocky Mountains of western Alberta.

“(America) is pretty much the same as Canada,” concluded Humphries. “I’d probably move back (to Australia), but I have a lot of friends here all over the U.S. and Canada.”

BY MATT MACKINDER


TOURNAMENT CALENDARMICHIGANDECEMBER 2012Peewee B “Deke into December”Scottville, MIDecember 7-8, 2012Pee Wee B231-843-9712westshoreice.com

Get Into the Cold TournamentMt. Pleasant, MIDecember 7-9, 2012Pee Wee House [email protected]

FSU-BRAJHA Bantam B TournamentBig Rapids, MIDecember 7-9, 2012Bantam B(231) 591-2881ferris.edu/icearena or bigrapidshockey.org

Danglers CupMuskegon, MIDecember 7-9, 2012Squirt – Bantam Travel/House, JV231-739-9423lakeshoresportscentre.net

GTHA Tournament SeriesTraverse City, MI December 7-9, 2012Bantam [email protected]

Motown Cup Tournament SeriesDetroit, MI12/7/2012 - 12/9/2012Mite through Midget: House, B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JVHockey Time Productions (216) 325-0567itshockeytime.com

Get Into the Cold TournamentMt. Pleasant, MIDecember 14-16, 2012Squirt House [email protected]

GTHA Tournament SeriesTraverse City, MI December 14-16, 2012Squirt [email protected]

St. Ignace Bridge BrawlSt. Ignace, MIDecember 14-16, 2012Bantam [email protected]

Yost Holiday 3-on-3 TournamentAnn Arbor, MIThursday, December 27, 20122003 and 2004 age divisions734-764-4600

Motown Cup Tournament SeriesDetroit, MIDecember 29–31, 2012Mite through Midget: House, B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JVHockey Time Productions (216) 325-0567itshockeytime.com

JANUARY 2013GTHA Tournament SeriesTraverse City, MI January 2-4, [email protected]

FSU-BRAJHA Mite ADM Studio Rink TournamentBig Rapids, MIJanuary 4-6, 2013Mite ADM (231) 591-2881ferris.edu/icearena or bigrapidshockey.org

St. Ignace Bridge BrawlSt. Ignace, MIJanuary 4-6, 2013Squirt Travel A & AA906-643-8676 [email protected]

8th Annual January Freeze TournamentBay City, MIJanuary 11-13, 2013Mite-Midget B & BB989-671-1000 chaffi [email protected]

Bottle KnockerMuskegon, MIJanuary 11-13, 2013Squirt – Bantam House, Midget BB, Mini-Mite/Mite Jamboree231-739-9423lakeshoresportscentre.net

GTHA Tournament SeriesTraverse City, MI January 11-13, 2013Squirt [email protected]

32nd Annual “B” Friendship TournamentSaginaw, MIJanuary 11-13, 2013Mite & Bantam B989-799-8950 [email protected]

FSU-BRAJHA Mini-Mite & IP ADM TourneyBig Rapids, MIJanuary 18-20, 2013Mini-Mite & IP ADM (231) 591-2881ferris.edu/icearena or bigrapidshockey.org

FSU-BRAJHA Mite Full Ice TourneyBig Rapids, MIJanuary 18-20, 2013Mite (231) 591-2881ferris.edu/icearena or bigrapidshockey.org

King’s CupDimondale, MIJanuary 18-20, 2013Squirt – Bantam B, A & AA & Midget AA517-319-1000thesummitsportsandice.com

32nd Annual “B” Friendship TournamentSaginaw, MIJanuary 18-20, 2013Squirt & Pee Wee B989-799-8950 [email protected]

Hockey Time Productions Motown Cup Tournament Series Detroit, MIJanuary 18-21, 2013Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567itshockeytime.com

Great Lakes Midwinter Classic Holland, MIJanuary 19-21, 2013Squirt through Midget; House, B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-

898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

OUT OF STATEDECEMBER 2012Shootout Classic Hockey TournamentNiagara Falls, NYDecember 7-9, 2012House – AAA, Boys & Girls [email protected]

AMERICAN CUP GIRLS TOURNAMENTDecember 13-15, 2012Lake Placid, NYPeewee, Bantam,Midget AA, A, BCanadian Hockey Enterprises 1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com

AMERICAN CUPDecember 13-15, 2012Lake Placid, NYMidget AA, A, B, - Minor/Major/MixedCanadian Hockey Enterprises 1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com

AMERICAN CUP HIGH SCHOOL TOURNAMENTDecember 13-15, 2012Lake Placid, NYHigh School Boy’s and High School Girl’sCanadian Hockey Enterprises 1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com

Schwan Cup High School/YouthBlaine, MNDecember 26-January 1, 2013Youth Squirt-Bantam & High School763-717-3240Superrink.org

AMERICAN CUPDecember 27-30, 2012Lake Placid, NYAtom, Peewee, BantamAA, A, B, Select - Minor/Major/Mixed divisionsCanadian Hockey Enterprises 1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com

JANUARY 2013AMERICAN CUPJanuary 3-6, 2013Lake Placid, NYNovice, Atom, Peewee, BantamAA, A, B, House Select - Minor/Major/Mixed divisionsCanadian Hockey Enterprises 1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com

Hockey Time Productions South Bend Cup Tournament Series South Bend, INJanuary 11-13, 2013Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567itshockeytime.com

Hockey Time Productions Rock ‘n Roll Cup Tournament Series Cleveland, OHJanuary 18-21, 2013Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567itshockeytime.com

Hockey Time Productions Three Rivers Cup Tournament Series Pittsburgh, PAJanuary 18-21, 2013Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567itshockeytime.com

CHICAGO CUP Tournament Chicago Midwinter ClassicChicago, ILJanuary 19-21, 2013Mite through Midget; House, B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JVContact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

Buckeye State Tournament Series: Cincinnati Midwinter ClassicCincinnati, OHJanuary 19-21, 2013Squirt through Midget: House, B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JVContact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

Music City Tournament Series: Music City Cup Nashville, TNJanuary 19-21, 2013Squirt through Midget: B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JVContact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

Steel City Tournament Series: Pittsburgh Midwinter ClassicPittsburgh, PAJanuary 19-21, 2013Squirt through Midget: B, A and AA, High School Varsity and JVGirls U10, U12, U14, U16, U19Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

CANADAJANUARY 2013Weekend Hockey TournamentBurlington, ON CanadaJanuary 4-6, 2013Adult men & women 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+ & 50+A, B, C, D, E1.877.702.5701weekendhockey.com

FEBRUARY 2013Weekend Hockey TournamentBrampton, ON CanadaFebruary 15-17, 2013Adult men & women 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+ & 50+A, B, C, D, E1.877.702.5701weekendhockey.com

CANADIAN CUP – Family Day WeekendFebruary 15-17, 2013Montreal, QuebecNovice, Atom, Peewee, Bantam, Midget, High School BoysAA, A, B, House Select -Minor/Major Mixed divisionCanadian Hockey Enterprises 1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com

MARCH 2013Weekend Hockey TournamentNiagara Falls, ON CanadaMarch 8-10, 2013Adult men & women 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+ & 50+A, B, C, D, E1.877.702.5701weekendhockey.com

CANADIAN CUP March 15-17, 2013Montreal, QuebecNovice, Atom, Peewee, Bantam, Midget AA, A, B, House Select - Minor/Major/Mixed divisionsCanadian Hockey Enterprises 1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com

COMPLETE AND UP-TO-DATE

TOURNAMENT LISTINGS AT

MIHOCKEYNOW.COM


NO GATE CHARGE!

MITE & BANTAM “B”January 11-13, 2013

SQUIRT & PEE WEE “B”January 18-20, 2013

FOR MORE INFORMATION:Phone: 989-799-8950

Email: [email protected]

LOCATION: Saginaw-Bay Ice Arena6129 Bay Rd. | Saginaw, MI 48604

FEES:Mite – $500 | Squirt – $600

Pee Wee – $600 | Bantam – $625

$200 deposit due December 22, 2012

MAHA Sanction #MIT130147MAHA Sanction #MIT130148

“B” Friendship Tournament – Saginaw

32ND ANNUAL

“B” Friendship Tournament – Saginaw

Ferris State ICE ARENA Big Rapids Area Junior

Hockey Association2012 – 2013

Youth Tournament SchedulePremier Tournament Sponsor — Holiday Inn

Sept 28-30 = HS Fall/Midget AA-AAA Showcase 8 – 10 teams ($700-$800) 4 games

Oct 12-14 = HS Fall/Midget AA-AAA Showcase 8 – 10 teams ($700-$800) 4 games

Nov 9-11 = Squirt B Tourney weekend, 8 teams ($725)

Nov 16-18 = Pee Wee B Tourney weekend | 8 teams ($750)

Dec 1-2 = Mite ADM Studio Rink Tournament 8 teams ($450)

4x4/3x3 hockey played on the Ferris State Studio Rink. FSU vs Michigan, Fri/Sat, Nov 30-Dec 1 — call early for

group tickets

Dec 7-9 = Bantam B Tourney weekend, 8 teams ($800)

Jan 4-6 = Mite ADM Studio Rink Tournament 8 teams ($450)

4x4/3x3 hockey played on the Ferris State Studio Rink. FSU vs Michigan State, Sat, Jan 5 — call early for

group tickets

Jan 18-20 = Mini-Mite & IP ADM Tourney weekend 8-10 teams ($400)

4x4/3x3 hockey played on the Ferris State Studio & Full Sheet. FSU vs Michigan State, Sat, Jan 19 — call early for

group tickets

Jan 18-20 = Mite Full Ice Tourney weekend 8 teams ($650) Games start Friday afternoon.

FSU vs Michigan State, Sat, Jan 19 — call early for group tickets.

Jan 25-27 = JV/Midget A Tourney Weekend, 8 teams ($850)

Feb 8-10 = Midget B/BB Tourney weekend, 8 teams ($850)

Feb 16-17 = Mite ADM Studio Rink Tournament 8 teams ($450)

4x4/3x3 hockey played on the Ferris State Studio Rink. FSU vs Bowling Green, Fri/Sat, Feb 15-16 — call early for group

tickets (tourney discount)

Feb 16-17 = Mini-Mite ADM Studio Rink Tournament, 8-10 teams ($400)

4x4 / 3x3 hockey played on the Ferris State Studio Rink. FSU vs Bowling Green, Fri/Sat, Feb 15-16 — call early for group

tickets (tourney discount)

All Tournaments are 4-game guarantees, with Fri/Sat/Sun games unless noted

Studio Rink Dimensions — 100 x 85 with radiused cornersMidget and Bantam tournament games = 1.5 hours

All participants/teams must be USA registeredTournament Info: printable application, tournament rules, etc –

www.ferris.edu/icearena or www.bigrapidshockey.org

Tournament Hotline: 231-591-2881Ferris State Ticket Hotline: 231-591-2888

Hotel Sponsor, Holiday Inn: 231-796-4400 www.hibigrapids.com/

please call 3-4 weeks prior for reservations.


20 MiHockeyMag MiHockeyNow.com20 MiHockeyMag December 10, 2012 V.23 : I.7

HOMETOWN HEROES

NCAA TOTALS (MIAMI, 2002 – 2006)

NHL TOTALS

GAMES

GAMES

POINTS

POINTS

PIM

PIM

GOALS

GOALS

ASSISTS

ASSISTS

159

347

27

16

87

85

114

101

256

102

ANDY GREENEANDY GREENEANDY GREENE

December 10, 2012 V.23 : I.7 21MiHockeyMagMiHockeynow.com

Andrew Knapik/MiHockey, other photos courtesy of theMiami RedHawks and the New Jersey Devils via the MIHL

UPCOMING EVENTSMount Clemens Ice Arena

& Fitness Center:

Holiday Break Ice for SaleDecember 21 - January 6

Some ice as low as $100 per hourwww.mountclemensicearena.com

Mount Clemens Fire Department CharityAdult Hockey Tournament

December 2012Open to all Fire, Police and EMS

For more information contact Chuck Jawor:[email protected]

Mount Clemens Ice Arena & Fitness Center

200 N GroesbeckPhone: 586-307-8202

Fax: 586-307-8245

Email/[email protected]

mountclemensicearena.com

Contact Info:Contact Carly Harris for more info

5th Annual

April 12-14, 2013

$750 per team Same as last year.

save $50 $700 if paid in full by January 31, 2013

5th Annual

OAKLAND EDGEAdult Hockey Tournament

Presented by:

Each team is guaranteed 3 games, up to 5 games total

Three 15 minute running-time periods

USA Hockey rules

Individual & team trophies

Free team pictures

All participants receive an Oakland Edge tournament t-shirt

AFTER PARTIES and DISCOUNTS at local bars and restaurants

For more information contactEd [email protected]

Tournament Sanctioned by MAHA & USA Hockey #MIT130194

ONYX ICE ARENA - ROCHESTER, MI

Register at

oaklandedge.comRegistration deadline: March 11, 2013

Men’s DivisionsA – age 21 +B – age 30+*C – age 30+*D – age 30+*50+ Upper – age 50+**50+ Lower – age 50 +***Goalies age 25+ **Goalies age 45+

Women’s DivisionsUpper – age 21+Lower – age 21+

Sled DivisionCo-ed – age 15+


JJanuary 18 –– JJanuary 20, 2013

At The Summit Sports and Ice Complex

DDivisions Available: MMidget BB, A, AAA: $800 BBantam B, A, AA: $750 PPeeWee B, A, AA: $700 SSquirt B, A, AA: $650

CContact Kaarri Hobbs for more information: 5517--3319--11000 ext. 112

[email protected]

9410 Davis Hwy Dimondale, MI 48821 Ph: 517-319-1000 Fax: 517-319-1004

www.thesummitsportsandice.com

- Four Game Guarantee - - USA Hockey Sanctioned -

- Trophies for Champions and Finalists - - Great Hotels within Walking Distance -

- Tournament Apparel Available - - Photos and Videos available -

Hospitality Room for Coaches and Managers!


54755 Broughton Road | Macomb, MI 48042 | (586) 992-8600

www.suburbanicemacomb.com

Suburban Ice-Macomb will run a special Suburban FUNdamental

hockey session for Mighty Mites (ages 4-7).

Great schedule and excellent ice times all at one location! One 50-minute skate each week for 24 weeks on Sundays at 4:30 pmEmphasis is placed on creating a fun, challenging environment for players to learn

the beginning principles of skating in equipment, stickhandling and puck skills at their competitive level. Skill stations and skillbuilding games will be a part of each session

Program serves as the initiation program for the Macomb Hockey Club

Full equipment required - equipment available to borrow

It’s not too late to get in the game!

TM

OPEN, TIER 2 & HOUSE DIVISIONSMITE | SQUIRT | PEE WEE

BANTAM | HIGH SCHOOL | ADULT GIRLS 10U | 12U | 14U

2OPEN TIER 2OPEN TIER 2PEN TIER 22TITNNEEPPPOOOO 22RREE

NEW


2013 U.P. 4-on-4 Youth Pond Hockey ChampionshipFebruary 23rd-24th

$200 per team or $150 or less when registering multiple teams

www.littlebeararena.comLittle Bear East Arena • Phone: 906-643-8676 • Fax: 906-643-6082 • [email protected]

St. Ignace, Michigan

All Levels WelcomeMite, Squirt, Pee Wee, Bantam, Midget,

Girls, House and Travel Divisions

All Levels WelcomeMite, Squirt, Pee Wee, Bantam, Midget,

Girls, House and Travel Divisions

Holiday ClassicPRESENTS THE 2012 ROYAL OAK

DECEMBER 27TH – 30TH

JOHN LINDELLI C E A R E N A

R O YA L O A K

DIVISIONS OFFEREDHOUSE DIVISIONS

Squirt B | Pee Wee B | Bantam B 1403 Lexington Blvd | Royal Oak, MI 48073Phone: 248.246.3950 | Fax: 248.246.3951

ROYALOAKICEARENA.COM


GOALIE SCHOOL


33

north american hockey league

TOP PROSPECTs TOURNAMENT

Six teams comprised of the NAHL’s top committed and uncommitted college players, including those recognized on the NHL Central Scouting Bureau’s

“Players to Watch” list for 2012 draft-eligible players

Over 160 NHL and NCAA scouts attended the 2012 Top Prospects Tournament

Over half of last years NAHL Top Prospectparticipants are now playing at the NCAA level

NAPHL CHAMPIONSHIP

NA3HL SHOWCASE

February 15-18, 2012 - Troy Sports CenterNAPHL Regular Season Championship tournament will be held for all teams at Troy Sports Center. Held in conjunction with the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament and NA3HL Showcase.

February 17-20, 2012 - Troy Sports CenterThe four-day showcase will feature all 17 teams from the NA3HL in one facility. This Showcase also coincides with the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament and the NAPHL Championship Tournament Series Tournament.

nnnnnaaaaahhhhhlllll.....cccccoooooMMMMM nnnnnaaaaappppphhhhhlllll...cccccooooommmmm nnnn nnnnnaaaaa33333hhhhhlllll....cccccooooommmmm

2012 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament Gabe Levin - University of Denver (WCHA, D1)Anthony Stolarz - University of Nebraska-Omaha (WCHA, D1)Adam Chapie - University of Massachusetts-Lowell (Hockey East, D1)

JUNIORS PREVIEWCOLLEGE HOCKEY

The fi nal season of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association is underway, and if you’re not careful, you might miss it.

It seemed like just yesterday that the historic college hockey conference was sending out their “Celebrate The Legacy” logo and announcing their pre-season all-conference teams.

Now, most teams are almost halfway through their conference seasons, inching that much closer to the fi nal CCHA Championship weekend at Joe Louis Arena.

Next season brings drastic changes to our college hockey landscape: new conferences, new opponents, and new things to learn. While the changes may help the game overall, there will certainly be an adjustment period.

Michigan and Michigan State will be facing new – and highly-skilled – competition. Western Michigan will begin the construction of a new powerhouse conference. And Michigan Tech will welcome Ferris State, Lake Superior State and Northern Michigan back to the WCHA.

But until then, it’s time to savor this fi nal CCHA season. Enjoy it while it’s still here, because before you know it, March will be here.

Here are some storylines that have developed during the start of the “Celebrate The Legacy” season in the CCHA:

SPARTANS CAN’T SCORE GOALS, WOLVERINES CAN’T

STOP ‘EM

Lopsided scores both nights of their rivalry weekend seemed fi tting for both the Spartans’ and Wolverines’ seasons thus far, as both are struggling to fi nd consistency at certain ends of the ice.

The Spartans are still looking for their off ensive punch. Michigan State has only scored 31 goals this season – good for only a 2.21 goals-per-game average. That’s ninth in the CCHA, in front of only Ohio State and Bowling Green. Sophomore forward Matt Berry – a Canton native – is tied for fi fth in league scoring, but freshman Matt DeBlouw, a Chesterfi eld native with 11 points, is the only other Spartan in the top 20 for scoring. Michigan State is scoring on the power play – at an impressive 21.8 percent success rate – but to win more games in the second half, they will need more goals fi ve-on-fi ve.

The Wolverines, meanwhile, have the opposite problem. They have scored 47 goals this season, the most of any CCHA school. However, their scoring defense checks in at dead last in the conference, as they are giving up 3.53 goals per game. Replacing Shawn Hunwick between the pipes has proved to be a tall task for freshmen goaltenders

Steve Racine and Jared Rutledge. Coach Red Berenson has yet to settle on a day-to-day starter and back-up. Racine currently holds a 4-4-2 record, with a 2.92 goals-against and .885 save percentage. Rutledge, who missed a portion of the team’s preseason, sits at 1-4-0, with a 4.57 goals-against and .847 save percentage.

WESTERN MICHIGAN TAKES MITTEN’S TOP SPOT

As of Dec. 3, Western Michigan holds the top spot of any Michigan school in the two major college hockey polls. The Broncos are ranked No. 8 in both the USCHO and the USA Today polls, and for good reason. While they are currently in fi fth place in conference play, WMU has only played in eight CCHA games. That puts them one weekend behind most of their competition, and two behind Northern Michigan and Alaska.

While they aren’t scoring bunches of goals every night, Western continues to rack up wins for two reasons – Frank Slubowski and special-teams play. “The Big Slubowski” continues to lead the way for the Broncos in goal; the sophomore goaltender has won 70.8 percent of the games he’s started this season. That’s a percentage bested only by Miami’s Jay Williams, and his team holds the top spot in all of the CCHA.

The Broncos are also winning the battles on special-teams. They are averaging only 10 penalty minutes per

game, which is the lowest number in the CCHA, and their power play is clicking at a 20 percent rate. Those are two stats that make a coach like Andy Murray a very happy guy.

FERRIS STATE PROVING THE DOUBTERS WRONG

Last year, Ferris State was the “Cinderella Story” of NCAA hockey. Yet when they began preparing for the 2012-13 season, there were a whole lot of holes on the roster. The Bulldogs lost top defenseman Chad Billins, goaltender Taylor Nelson, leading scorer Jordie Johnston, and four other defensemen. Yet it hasn’t seemed to matter so far.

C.J. Motte has stepped into the vacancy left by Nelson, and he has posted impressive numbers. The sophomore ranks fourth in the conference in both goals-against (2.09) and save percentage (.933). He is a huge reason why the Bulldogs are currently fourth in the CCHA standings. Ferris State has also benefi tted from the play of senior captain Kyle Bonis, whose 13 points put him in a tie for fi fth place in scoring. The Bulldogs are averaging 3.14 goals a game, the most of any CCHA school.

More CCHA coverage on Page 30...

BY MICHAEL CAPLES


CZARNIK AND BARBER HAVING FUN IN MIAMI

If one’s not picking up an award, the other one is. Washington, Mich., native Austin Czarnik has scored seven goals and 12 assists for the Miami RedHawks this season, putting him at the top of the conference scoring list. Meanwhile, the player chasing him just happens to be teammate Riley Barber, a Livonia native and freshman forward. Barber has just one less goal than Czarnik,

putting him at 18 points on the season. Michigan captain (and Bloomfi eld Hills native) A.J. Treais is third in scoring, but he’s three points behind, and has played in an extra game. Needless to say, the Michigan duo in Ohio has been accumulating league and national honors – Barber was the rookie of the month for both the CCHA and the Hockey Commissioners Association in October, while Czarnik was the conference player of the month.

HILDEBRAND HEATING UP FOR MSU

While it hasn’t been the smoothest of starts for the Spartans, freshman goaltender Jake Hildebrand has been a pleasant surprise. The Pennsylvania native was expected to serve as Will Yanakeff ’s back-up this season, but he’s been playing so well in goal the team can’t justify taking him out. Hildebrand is third in the CCHA in goals-against (1.76) and second in save percentage (.942), the latter of which being the best in the NCAA for freshmen netminders. Yet with limited off ensive support, Hildebrand’s record is an undeserving 2-4-1 on the season.

MICHIGAN IS MISSING MERRILL

Red Berenson said that before the Wolverines’ lone exhibition contest with Windsor, he told the opposing coach he was hoping for a good game and that both teams could avoid injury. That didn’t go as planned for the Wolverines, as they lost arguably their best player in defenseman Jon Merrill. The junior, a New Jersey Devils second-round pick in 2010, broke his seventh vertebra in an awkward collision into the boards, and has yet to return to game action. Merrill was expected to be the anchor of the Wolverines defense this season – a defense that, as mentioned earlier, has struggled to fi nd consistency.

JUNIORS PREVIEWCOLLEGE HOCKEY

Miami forward Riley Barber (Photo courtesy of the CCHA/Miami)

Michigan defenseman Jon Merrill (Photo courtesy of the CCHA/University of Michigan)


TM

NEW YEAR’S EVE3-ON-3HOLIDAY BLAST

MONDAY,DECEMBER 31

OPEN & HOUSE DIVISIONSMini Mite

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Pee Wee

BantamGirls

High SchoolAdult

THREE GAME GUARANTEETOP TWO FINISHERS IN EACH DIVISION ADVANCE

TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

ALL GAMES WILL BE PLAYED ON MONDAY, DEC. 31 BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 7:00AM AND 7:00PM

SIGN UP NOW ... LIMIT OF EIGHT TEAMS PER AGE GROUP

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PLYMOUTH WHALERS

BY MATT MACKINDER

After Connor Carrick gave up a full ride to the University of Michigan to instead play in the Ontario Hockey League with the Plymouth Whalers, some wondered if his previous

two years with the U.S. National Team Development Program would prepare him for the OHL grind.

In the simplest of answers – yes. Carrick, an 18-year-old defenseman with the Whalers,

said his early-season adjustment period went smoothly, and now he wants to elevate his game to a higher level. More importantly, he wants to see the Whalers start to elevate their overall game and pull away in what has become a crowded West Division.

“One thing I’ve learned about this league is that if you want to be considered a contender, you have to be a dominant team and be consistently dominant,” said Carrick, a Chicago-area native. “I think we have another level here. With the NTDP, I saw other (USHL) team’s best every night and some of those teams just plain didn’t like us for one reason or another. Here, you play a team like Windsor and you get hit more in the fi rst fi ve minutes than you would the whole game against most other teams.

“I think my grace period is over and now it’s time for me to fi nd that other level. My goal every game is to be the best player on the ice and I think I need to improve on being tough to play against, being that nasty player no one wants to face.”

In the fi rst three months or so, Carrick, a Washington Capitals’ prospect, has seen what the rivalries Plymouth has with Windsor, Kitchener and London are all about. More than that, he’s taken the time to really experience the OHL away from Compuware Arena.

“They tell you coming in that it’s a lot more hockey and it is,” said Carrick. “We play 68 games (in the regular season) and over the past month or so, we’ve had mid-week games and then two on the weekend. What they tell you is true – it’s a grind. Going on the road, I had heard about the arenas in Windsor and London and Kitchener and they are for sure great places to play. Sitting in the locker room before a game in London, someone said that if you’re not up for a game like this playing in front of 9,000 fans, you have no future in this game.

“I have also liked the atmosphere of the rinks in Guelph and even Owen Sound. Those are smaller rinks, but they have the fan support and the atmosphere and it really

surprised me the fi rst time we went there.”Another aspect of his good vibes with the Whalers

has been Carrick’s relationship with head coach and general manager Mike Vellucci.

“I really like coach Vellucci and I think he does a great job,” Carrick said. “One thing I noticed right away is that he always seems to get the best out of his players. He keeps a tempo on each player and for me personally, he’s been the one to calm me down if I’m struggling. I guess the best way to explain coach is that he keeps you honest. You know what he expects and if you don’t give it to him, he’s not a happy guy.”

An alternate captain as a fi rst-year player is not altogether a rarity, but for Carrick, he said he was humbled to get a letter and played the team-fi rst card next.

“Numerous other guys could have been named a captain, but this is a responsibility I wanted,” said Carrick. “I just want to try and keep going out and leading by example and hopefully, earning my teammates’ respect along the way. In all honesty, we have so many quality leaders on this team that anyone could have been given an ‘A.’”

When Carrick’s rights were acquired from Guelph in July, he was immediately anointed as the Whalers’ new power-play quarterback and a player who could step right in and handle a 30-minute workload during any given game.

So far, Carrick has had no issues with playing time, but rather, with injuries piling up and players in and out of the lineup, having a consistent defense partner has been inconsistent, to say the least.

“Our power play as a whole, with the fi ve guys we put out there, should not be performing where it has been, which is somewhere in the lower half of the league,” Carrick said. “As for my role, it’s been all I have hoped for and I couldn’t be happier.

“Points are great and they look good, but like I said, my goal for each game is to go out there and be the best defenseman on the ice in whatever manner that is. If we need a goal, I want to be the one to make the play. If I have to play against the other team’s top line, I’ll do that.

“We haven’t played to our full potential yet and I’m hoping we can fi nd that other level here pretty quickly. We have all the tools to be a contender, but we’re not even through the fi rst half of the season, so once the second half comes, we should be clicking and getting to that other level.”

CONNOR CARRICK’S GRACE PERIOD OVER, WANTS TO BEIMPACT PLAYER FOR WHALERS

Photo by Terry Wilson/OHL Images


GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS

EARNS HIS SPOT ON GRAND RAPIDS BLUELINEBY KYLE KUJAWA

Adam Almquist is used to surpassing expectations.Entering his fi rst season in North America, Almquist

was a bit of a wildcard. As a unit, the Grand Rapids Griffi ns defense had only two returning full-time members – Brendan Smith and Brian Lashoff . The team added veterans Nathan Paetsch and Brennan Evans to complement a group of AHL rookies in Almquist, Chad Billins, Max Nicastro and Gleason Fournier (up from Toledo last season).

Almquist started his career in North America slowly, going pointless in his fi rst seven AHL games, in addition to spending several games in the press box.

“I think I’m slowly making the adjustment,” said Almquist. “It takes a couple games to get into it.”

A couple games was all Almquist needed. He picked up his fi rst AHL assist on Nov. 2 at San Antonio and notched his fi rst two AHL goals the following night at Texas. He responded well to being taken out of the line-up, racking up eight points (2-6—8) in a nine-game stretch from Nov. 2-24.

“It’s going pretty good,” he said. “I feel better and better every game. We’ve played better as a team, too, so you get the points. It’s a fun group out there.”

Almquist’s run coincided with a spectacular streak by the Griffi ns. Starting with his two-goal game at Texas, the Griffi ns rattled off eight straight wins, which was the fourth-longest streak in franchise history. It was also the longest in the AHL during the season’s fi rst two months,

which vaulted Grand Rapids from fi fth place in the Midwest Division to fi rst.

The native of Huskvarna, Sweden, believes that settling in off the ice has benefi tted his play on the ice.

“Pretty much everything here is diff erent, nothing is like home,” said Almquist. “But you have to adjust to where you are. I think I’ve been doing that pretty well so far. I’ve got some help adjusting from people in the offi ce and other guys on the team.”

Drafted by the Detroit Red Wings with the second-to-last selection of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Almquist is helped out by the numerous Swedes throughout the organization, including two on the Griffi ns in Gustav Nyquist and Joakim Andersson.

“They are pretty awesome guys and really good players,” said Almquist. “They’ve helped me out a lot. It’s good to ask them for advice because they’ve been here a couple years.”

Despite his low draft position, Almquist did not waste any time making waves in the hockey world. After joining the Red Wings organization, the skilled defenseman posted off -the-charts numbers in the Swedish junior league, recording 34 points (5-29—34) in 15 games, which stands as the highest point-per-game average in league history (2.27).

It was enough to get a then 18-year-old Almquist a spot in the Swedish Elite League, a rarity for a defenseman of his age. But Almquist didn’t just play limited minutes; he

tied for the SEL defenseman scoring lead with 11 points (1-10—11) in 16 postseason games, helping HV 71 capture the league championship.

It was a season of impressive accomplishments for the promising blueliner, but winning the Swedish championship isn’t Almquist’s ultimate goal.

“I came over here to hopefully make the NHL,” he said. “You have to go through the AHL and it’s a good league.”

Putting up points will lead to more ice time for Almquist, who has worked his way to a regular spot on a Griffi ns power play that ranked third in the AHL entering December, but he knows that his 5-foot-11, 173-pound frame isn’t ready for the NHL yet.

“I have to get stronger,” he said. “That’s one of the things I’m working hard on. Hitting the gym, and hopefully getting a little quicker, too.”

Although he doesn’t fi nd too many similarities in Grand Rapids and Sweden, the culture shock hasn’t been enough to chase Almquist away from his dream. Despite watching only a handful of live games every year because of the time diff erence, Almquist is hoping to continue rising up the Griffi ns depth chart and eventually achieve a lifelong dream.

“[Detroit] was always my favorite team because of all the Swedes. That’s what you see on the news back home when they show the sports – Detroit players. You see the best Swedish players playing here, so everyone wants to play in the NHL.”

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JUNIORS PREVIEWRED WINGS INSIDER

BY DAVE WADDELL

or all the tall foreheads from the NHL and the NHLPA involved in trying to crack this nut of reaching a new CBA, the negotiations have descended to a desperate state of aff airs.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has proposed hockey’s version of the Last Supper.

Owners and players, without the top brass from either side, have sat down to break bread and hopefully the deadlock.

Yet before the player/owner meetings, pessimism was running rampant in the hockey world.

“I’m not very optimistic,” Detroit Red Wings forward Todd Bertuzzi told reporters at the Troy Sports Complex where several Red Wings still skate regularly. “I see us losing a year.”

If so, it’ll be the second season the big winger has seen lopped off his career. With the end of his 30s closing in, lost seasons are more diffi cult for such veterans as Bertuzzi to overcome.

Bertuzzi said the last of his optimism evaporated when the NHL quickly dismissed the players’ last proposal. Even federal mediation failed to move the ball forward.

“When you keep hearing our proposal’s not good enough and then it’s back in our court again to keep coming back to them . . . if anything it hurries up the process of ending this thing,” Bertuzzi said. “So the guys aren’t sitting around waiting to see what happens next.

“I play hockey, that’s why we have lawyers and people in those positions to do what’s best in our interest. From what I hear, they seem to be doing the job we need them to be doing, but it’s frustrating that we’re not playing still.”

With the NHL’s Board of Governors meeting Dec. 5, the topic of the season’s cancellation is expected to be a prominent item on the agenda.

It’s believed the league won’t wait until mid-February to pull the plug on the season as it did when the 2004-05 campaign was cancelled. A mid-January deadline is rumored to be the deadline this time around, but it’s diffi cult to anticipate anything with the way this lockout is playing out.

Jimmy Howard said that it has been a frustrating time for the locked out NHL players during a fan meet-and-greet on behalf of Warrior Hockey Dec. 1.

“I think everyone, all the players throughout the league, are starting to get pretty [frustrated] about this whole situation,” Howard said. “But it is what it is, and hopefully we can fi nd some common ground here to get things rolling.”

With many feeling the next two weeks could be critical

to fi guring a way out of this maze; some players are willing to entertain Bettman’s unconventional suggestion.

“We’re talking about that,’’ Detroit Red Wings forward Danny Cleary told MLive.com.

“Why not? Get some players in there, some diff erent owners. They can get a feel of what we’re thinking; we can get a feel of what they’re thinking.

“I won’t know what to make of it until it happens, but it can’t hurt.’’

However, some players aren’t comfortable with the idea, especially if some of the NHL’s hardline owners, such as Boston’s Jeremy Jacobs and Minnesota’s Craig Leopold, are going to be included in the room.

Other players are also wary of stepping into essentially the business environment without NHLPA executive

director Don Fehr or his brother Steve around. Former Wing Brad May, now retired and an analyst for Canada’s Rogers’ Sportsnet said the players he’s talked to are happy with how Fehr has handled things and cite that they lack the business acumen necessary to play on the owners’ turf.

They added that’s the reason why they have agents to negotiate their contracts instead of doing it themselves.

“Maybe we could agree on a few things and take it to leadership,’’ Cleary said. “It’s something diff erent. I think it’s got some traction.’’

Detroit center Cory Emmerton has opted to also take the optimistic path. He continues to skate as if the season was around the corner on nothing but blind faith and hope.

“Obviously, everything doesn’t sound great so far, but I think it can change so quickly with one meeting,” Emmerton said. “Things can get rolling.”

Having been through a lockout before, Bertuzzi reluctantly admits he’s seen the ominous signs before.

“I think the owners at this time are strong-holding it and putting their foot in the sand and not budging,” Bertuzzi said. “They want what they want and it’s plain and simple.”

However, Bertuzzi senses something else is happening that is going to take a long time to repair.

The apathy of fans and their frustration with the two sides seems more pronounced this time. There has been a steady stream of stories from around the league of long-time season-ticket holders cancelling their seats. Even the hockey hotbeds in Canada have not been immune to fans telling teams where to stick their tickets.

Another interesting development that didn’t occur during the last lockout is that some major sponsors are also publically voicing their frustration with the NHL’s

inability to achieve sustainable labor peace.Kraft Canada has informed the league it’s withdrawing

its sponsorship money and working on a program with Hockey Canada. Coors and Molson have also said they’ll be seeking some type of rebate on their sponsorship for lost sales.

“Unfortunately, it’s going to take years to build back the (lost) revenue (from the lockout),” Bertuzzi said. “It’s going to take a long time.

“These people (fans) are [frustrated] right now. They’re not just ‘I don’t care, I’ll come back.’

“They’re getting to a point where they aren’t really even paying attention anymore. They’re sick and tired of hearing the same crap coming out of both sides’ mouths and who can blame them? It’s frustrating.”

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M aybe I just want to believe because, like hockey fans everywhere, I’ve grown weary of the lockout blah, blah, blah. I just want our Red Wings back. In this state of looking for any

kind of sign that the two sides will actually sign, I turn to Nick Lachey and Mario Lemieux. Let me explain.

First, almost eight years exactly, during the last NHL lockout, I met Nick Lachey at the UCLA vs. USC game. I was working college football for TBS, fi ling a post-game report that would air during their half-time show. That meant I roamed the sidelines during the game, taking it all in until the mad dash after the game to get my questions in with the head coaches and players of the game. As I stood at the south end zone of the Rose Bowl during halftime, a guy sauntered up beside me and just started talking about the fi rst two quarters.

By the time we exchanged pleasantries, the entire UCLA cheerleading squad had surrounded us. Well, him. I was more just in the way. They all seemed excited as, well, schoolgirls to be talking to this guy. As I ambled away, trying to look like I was planning on moving on anyway, I asked the cop standing nearby if he knew who the guy was. “Nick Lachey – from the Newlyweds Show”. I nodded and understood. Lachey was married to Jessica Simpson at the time and their show Newlyweds was a reality TV hit. They were the couple of the moment in 2004.

So, that was last lockout and I hadn’t really heard Lachey’s name since that 2004-05 timeframe. That is, until this past weekend when Lachey was reportedly tossed out of the Chargers-Bengals game for cheering too loudly. He is a big sports fan, particularly when it comes to Cincinnati teams. Of course, my memory jogged, I knew that after seeing him at that college football game eight years ago. Meanwhile, as part of the media scrum surrounding the UCLA coach that same day eight years ago, I caught eyes with a guy that looked as out of place as I felt. He looked familiar, but all I kept coming up with is, “Who is that?”

When the media hoard dispersed, I went up to the guy, who - after my several glances over, probably thought that I was some sort of kook - and asked him, “Has anyone ever told you that you look like Adam Duritz of the Counting Crows?” He smiled and said, “Just the guys in the band. Hi I’m Adam.” We chatted for a few minutes and I told him that I was a huge fan of the band, seen them a couple of times on tour and he said he was a huge fan

of the Bruins (UCLA, not Boston, for those of you trying to interject some hockey in this story). When I asked him what he was doing down here in the bowels of the Rose Bowl, he shrugged, smiled and said, “Just Hanginaround.” Seriously, he said that.

Anyway, that was my ‘so cool So Cal day of Pac 10 football and pop culture’ chance encounters. On my fl ight back east, I puzzled over who out of the contentious NHL-NHLPA taff y pull would fall out of lock-step and make headway in ending the lockout? The attempt I remember in early February of 2005 involved Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux. Both weren’t too far from their superstar player status, now in ownership positions. Reportedly, an agreement with a cap of $45M was “done in principle” and the hockey world was abuzz with the prospect of getting the teams back on the ice. History shows that the purported agreement never materialized from the “in principle” to the “in practice” stage and Commissioner Bettman made the unprecedented announcement to cancel the season on Feb. 16.

And here Lemieux is, back as the last minute voice of reason, trying to apply his regal touch to a spiraling situation. Last time, the season was lost, but Lemieux and the Penguins reaped the benefi ts by securing Sidney Crosby in the rejiggered raffl e that was the 2005 draft. With no standings to base it on, the criterion for the fi rst overall pick was futility over the previous three seasons. The Pens won by losing and the rebirth of the franchise – aka the Crosby era – was underway. And even if Lemieux couldn’t save the league from itself, he saved hockey in Pittsburgh for the second time in his lifetime – the fi rst being when he was drafted fi rst overall in 1984.

The point being, I’m looking for any indication that this dispute will end soon. Nick Lachey may now be below B-list status, but at least he’s hollering and screaming for his beloved Bengals. The Counting Crows left Geff en Records and haven’t put out any new material since 2008, but for the mercurial Duritz and his band, being independent artists seems a good fi t. Lemieux as the conduit of conciliation made sense last time and with Crosby in attendance at the recent owner/player meetings and Lemieux now well beyond fi gurehead status as an owner; maybe the timing is better this time. Last time it was February when Nick Lachey showed up on my radar. This time it is December.

For all of our sakes, let’s hope it isn’t “A Long December.”

Seriously, I just wrote that. It is my defi nitive “I really miss NHL hockey” moment in 2012.

BY DARREN ELIOT

98 DEGREES OFLOCKOUTSEPARATION

@Darren_Eliot

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MiHockeyMag - December 10, 2012

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