MiHockeyMag - April 8, 2013

MiHockeyNow.com V.23 : I.15 | APRIL 8, 2013 FIRST CLASS

STATE CHAMPSSTATE CHAMPS32 teams claim bragging rights in their respective divisions

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31 . CAREY PRICEMONTREAL CANADIENS

#EFLEX

APRIL 8, 2013 VOLUME 23: ISSUE 15

STATE CHAMPSTime to celebrate another crop of youth state champions

Calle Jarnkrok comes to Grand Rapids

Dan DeKeyser chooses his hometown team

When Times Change (saying goodbye to the CCHA)

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

or Michael Peck at (248) 479-1146 or [email protected]

LOOK FOR OUR NEXT ISSUEAPRIL 29, 2013

14-19

30 32 34

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE LOCKER ROOM Talking hockey on social media

6

GET BETTERCheck out a new ADM-approved drill from USA Hockeyl

10

GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS

DETROITRED WINGS LAST LINE

YOUTH HOCKEYNew state champions are crowned

14

YOU SHOULD KNOWLumberjacks defenseman Ben Storm

12

MWJHLHartland Hounds capture fi rst league title

20

NAHLThe NAHL playoff s begin

22

SLIDESHOWHockey pictures from across the Mitten

8

28 PLYMOUTH WHALERSThe Whalers are ready for a playoff push

JUNIORSSean Day cleared for OHL a year early

24

4 MiHockeyMag April 8, 2013 V.23 : I.15MiHockeyNow.com

It’s almost time to wrap up another a hockey season.Can you believe it’s already April? It feels as though

we were just working on our high school hockey preview last week. But all of a sudden, the fall hockey season has come to a close for all of our youth teams (except for the ones competing at the USA Hockey national tournaments) and all of our college teams.

The Griffi ns are still playing. The Whalers are still playing. The Lumberjacks are still playing. And the Red Wings are still playing (with their schedule even bumped back a bit because of the lockout).

But the college teams are all done, and earlier than they should be.

I blame that – the fact that this is the fi rst year since 1979 that no Michigan schools have advance to the NCAA Tournament – on why my internal clock seems slightly off .

It seemed like all the cards fell into the right places for this college hockey season. The fi nal year of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association would feature some rosters heavy on talent, both inside the state and out. I thought there was a legitimate chance that the MiHockey staff would be caravanning out to Pittsburgh for the Frozen Four, to see one of our schools compete for a national championship.

Don’t think I have to tell you how it actually turned out. The Wolverines almost saved their streak – and

the state’s streak – of NCAA appearances. Had one

or two bounces went a diff erent way in the fi nal CCHA Championship at Joe Louis Arena, Jacob Trouba could possibly be making travel plans to Pittsburgh right now, not to Winnipeg (and on that note, I wish him the best of luck moving forward).

Instead, we have nose-dived into the fi rst summer without the CCHA in a very, very long time. I don’t have room on this page to voice all my feelings about the changes coming to college hockey – I’ll save that for a later date – but I do have to say that I’m excited to see what the changes will bring. I think the beginning of Big Ten Hockey will be good for the sport, as long as the other programs in our state can also thrive in their new leagues. Only time will tell how if both of those things come to fruition.

I look forward to seeing where college hockey goes from here. I hope you do, as well.

And hopefully, by the time we begin working on the next issue of MiHockeyMag, we will be celebrating not youth hockey state champions, but youth hockey national champions. There’s no reason to expect anything less – after all, there is no better place to learn the game than right here in Michigan.

See you around the rink,

PHOTOS AT LEFT: Oakland Grizzlies (Michael Caples/MiHockey), Calle Jarnkrok (Jan Buler/Brynas IF), Dan DeKeyser (Michael Caples/MiHockey)

COVER: Design by Emily Huston/MiHockey, photo by Michael Caples/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]

Michael [email protected]

DESIGNEmily HustonChuck Stevens

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSDarren EliotPat EvansStefan 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

TIME FOR SPRING, TIME FOR CHANGE

April 8, 2013 V.23 : I.15 5MiHockeyMagMiHockeyNow.com

THE LOCKER ROOM

TWO FOR TWEETING

THE

LOCKERROOM

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:

San Jose star Logan Couture was embarrassed by Pavel Datsyuk in a recent Red Wings vs. Sharks game in California, but even he appreciates the skill displayed by the Wings’ No. 13.

We love when people share pictures with us via social media – especially when they are toe saves by Petr Mrazek during a shootout.

Congrats to Farmington Hills native Alex Aleardi on his fi rst pro goal. It’s a whole lot easier to cover all the Michigan connections when our friends are keeping their eyes out for MiHockey news.

Well we had to put one of our Dan DeKeyser tweets in here – after all, a whole lot of social media attention was given to the Clay Township native while he was making his choice to join the Red Wings.

Happy 85th, Mr. Hockey.


© 2013 BAUER Hockey, Inc. and its affi liates. All rights reserved. VAPOR is a registered trademark owned by Nike, Inc. and/or its affi liates and used under license.

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SLIDESHOW

MICHIGAN HOCKEY IN PICTURES:FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @MIHOCKEYNOW

SLIDESHOW

PHOTOS FROM ACROSS THE MITTEN

Novi native Bryan Rust helped lead the Fighting Irish to the last-ever CCHA title. (Andrew Knapik/MiHockey)

Congrats to Livonia native Riley Barber for winning the CCHA Rookie of the Year award. (Michael Caples/MiHockey)

Our fi rst photo of Dan DeKeyser wearing the Winged Wheel. (Michael Caples/MiHockey)

Jakub Kindl leads Dan DeKeyser through drills at his fi rst Red Wings practice. (Michael Caples/MiHockey)Notre Dame celebrates their historic CCHA championship victory. (Andrew Knapik/MiHockey)

Gordie Howe smiles for a photo during his 85th birthday celebration at Joe Louis Arena. (Michael Caples/MiHockey) Joe Louis Arena during the third period of the fi nal CCHA game in league history. (Michael Caples/MiHockey)


Kim Muir’s Power Skating Hockey School

I have worked with many students from or with the following organizations, to name a few: NHL (Red Wings & Hurricanes), OHL, HE, MAC, CCHA, WCHA, MAHA AAA, and many more. My summer program is approximately 7 weeks long, starting June 17 - August 1. You skate twice a week, one and a half hours each day, (half hour stick-handling with my instructors and an hour power-skating with my instructors and I) on Mon & Wed or Tues & Thurs.

$550 per student. No classes Wed 7/3 or Thurs 7/4. $100 deposit holds a spot!

SESSION 1 JUNE 17 - JULY 31

ARCTIC POND$550 per student - Mon & Wed AM

Mites .................................. 7:30 AM

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SESSION 2 JUNE 18 - AUG. 1

ARCTIC POND$550 per student - Tues & Thurs AMMites .................................. 7:30 AM

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SESSION 3 JUNE 17 - JULY 31

ARCTIC EDGE$550 per student - Mon & Wed PM

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3:00-4:00 PM(Travel players, Squirts-Btms) *$200 summer skaters or $250 non summer skaters

Name ___________________________________________________________________ DOB _______________________ ‘12-’13 Team_______________________

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Session Selection: Session 1 Session 2 Session 3 Mites Squirts Pee Wees Btm/Mgts/Jr

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Jersey Size: Youth Med Youth Large Youth XLarge Adult Small Adult Med Adult Large Adult XLarge Adult XXLarge

Mail Registration and $100.00 deposit to: “Can’t Skate, Can’t Play”, Inc. ATTN: DEBBIE JEWITT 40475 Plymouth Rd., Plymouth, MI 48170

Full refunds if cancelled by June 10, 2013. 50% refund, if your child is not a TRAVEL player for the Travel classes, by the first skate, without permission of “Can’t Skate, Can’t Play”, Inc. If “Travel team” isn’t listed, you’ll be placed on a waiting list or in the House program. Final class placement is at the discretion of Kim Muir.

GET BETTER

DRILL OBJECTIVE:Developing individual attack skills, fakes and tight turns (escapes) as well as puck support skills, pivoting to face pack and widening out with eye contact and stick position.

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GETBETTERATTACK SKILLS DRILL

DRILL MECHANICS: O1 widens out, and makes eye contact with O2 for a pass. O1 drives to the hash marks and tight turn (escapes to the boards). O1 passes back to O2. O1 then moves back to the blueline and pivots facing O2 for a return pass. O1 now attacks the coach with an exaggerated fake and quick shot on goal. Once O2 passes to the pivoting O1, O2 starts the next repetition.

COACHING POINTS:Watch that the players do not cross their hands on the tight turns. Out of the turns and pivots the players should accelerate fi rst few steps. Players need to pass the puck hard and really sell that fake on the coach. Also make eye contact with passer and have stick blade on the ice to show the passer a good target.

EQUIPMENT:1 Net

COMMENTS:This drill is best performed in smaller groups of 5 or 6 players so that the repetitions are kept high and the down time is at a minimum. It is also necessary to repeat the drill on the opposite side of the ice so that the players are turning and pivoting the both directions.

PresidentJeff Spedowski

231-796-0728 (h) 231-629-0435 (c)email: [email protected]

Girls House Vice PresidentDina Howe

989-429-2653 (c) 989-435-7080 (w)email: [email protected]

Greater East Vice PresidentBrandon Spedowski

989-486-1511 (h) 231-250-7031 (c) email: [email protected]

Metro Vice PresidentBobby Mitchell313-806-8668

email: [email protected]

Greater West Vice PresidentKevin Wood

616-560-6503email: [email protected]

Treasurer/League DevelopmentJoe Spedowski231-796-2565

email: [email protected]

Database Specialist Vice PresidentSteve Miller

616-250-1458email: [email protected]

adrayhockey.org

AGE-APPROPRIATE DRILL OF THE MONTH: 12U


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On April 3, the Winnipeg Jets offi cially announced that they signed Jacob Trouba to an entry-level contract.

With the signing, Trouba, the club’s fi rst-round pick (ninth overall) in the 2012 NHL Draft, ended his collegiate career after a single season with the Michigan Wolverines.

During a press conference a few days after the Wolverines’ season concluded, Trouba said he had a great experience in Ann Arbor.

“Being here has been probably one of the most fun years I’ve ever had playing hockey on and off the ice,” Trouba said. “This is a lot of fun and it’s a hard place to leave. Getting my education is something I want to do and another year towards that would be a big step.”

Trouba, a Rochester native, was named the Central Collegiate Hockey Association’s best off ensive defenseman after recording 12 goals and 15 assists for 27 points in 35 games. Trouba was named to the CCHA All-Conference First Team, and was a fi nalist for Rookie of the Year.

A product of the Compuware AAA program, Trouba played two seasons with the U.S. National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor. He won gold with the U.S. World Junior team this January in Ufa, Russia, and was named the prestigious youth tournament’s best defenseman. The Rochester native was just the third U.S. player to be given the award, joining Erik Johnson (2007) and Joe Corvo (1997).

Trouba’s season came to a close when the Wolverines lost to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the fi nal CCHA Championship game at Joe Louis Arena on March 24.

Photo by Andrew Knapik/MiHockey

BY MICHAEL CAPLES

Jacob Trouba signs entry-level contract with Winnipeg


Photos courtesy of: nhl.com (NHL logo), bacon.wikia.com (Bacon), hark.com (Tommy Boy), fanpop.com (Superman), allaccess.com (Darryl Worley)

youshould

know

YOU SHOULD KNOW

FAVORITE SPORTING EVENT:The Stanley Cup or The Masters

MUST-SEE TV:ESPN or NHL Network

FAVORITE BREAKFAST FOOD:Bacon

FAVORITE MOVIE:Tommy Boy

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

To be able to fl y

NICKNAME:Stormy

FIRST CONCERT: Darryl Worley

THREE PEOPLE YOU WOULD WANT TO HAVE DINNER WITH:

Any three of my friends from back home

PRE-GAME ROUTINE:Eggs in the morning, nap in the

afternoon. Good meal right before game

IF YOU WERE GIVEN $1 MILLION, WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH IT:

I would build a nice house on Lake Superior and use the rest to travel the

world with a couple buddies

FAVORITE MEAL:Lasagna

FAVORITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY:Playing hockey on backyard ice rinks

with all of my friends in the winter

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU HAVE AN HOUR OF FREE TIME:

Probably watch hockey on TV or take a nap

WHO WAS MOST INFLUENTIAL ON YOUR HOCKEY CAREER:

My parents. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them

Ben StormMuskegon Lumberjacks defensemanJust because he’s leaving the state doesn’t mean Ben Storm’s not a name to keep an eye on. The Muskegon Lumberjacks defenseman – one of a select few to participate in the USHL Top Prospects Game this January – has committed to the St. Cloud State Huskies, where he will play in the new National Collegiate Hockey Conference when his time at the junior level concludes. Storm, a Calumet native, spent two seasons playing for his hometown high school, and he recorded 61 points in only 53 games. The 6-foot-6-inch defenseman has one goal and nine assists, along with a +5, in his fi rst year with the Lumberjacks. Don’t be surprised if you hear his name called in a few months at the NHL Draft, either.


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Tuesday, 04.16.2013Laurel Manor


YOUTH STATES

2013 STATE2013 STATECHAMPIONSCHAMPIONS

The MiHockey staff would like to congratulate the 32 teams that captured state titles over the last month. All the teams will also be honored at MiHockey’s annual ‘Banquet of Champions’ held at Laurel Manor on April 16.(All photos taken by the MiHockey staff or provided by a member of the championship team)

LITTLE CAESARS - SQUIRT AA

MT. CLEMENS – PREP (JV) DIVISION 1

MICHIGAN SNIPERS - MIDGET B

NOVI – PREP (JV) DIVISION 2


YOUTH STATES

HONEYBAKED – BANTAM MAJOR

ALLEN PARK HUSKIES – BANTAM AA

HONEYBAKED – MIDGET MAJOR

GROSSE ILE ISLANDERS – PEE WEE AA

GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS – BANTAM A

HONEYBAKED – MIDGET MINOR


YOUTH STATES

BINKS COCA-COLA DICKINSON – SQUIRT B

MICHIGAN SNIPERS - BANTAM B

ST. IGANCE SAINTS – MIDGET BB

OAKLAND GRIZZLIES – PEE WEE A

HONEYBAKED – SQUIRT A

LITTLE CAESARS – PEE WEE MAJOR


YOUTH STATES

KENSINGTON VALLEY RAVENS – 10U TIER 2

ST. CLAIR SHORES SAINTS – MIDGET A

DICKINSON IRON KINGS – PEE WEE B

BELLE TIRE – PEE WEE MAJOR

FLINT PHANTOMS – MIDGET AA

OAKLAND GRIZZLIES – BANTAM MINOR



YOUTH STATES

HONEYBAKED – 14U TIER 1

KEWEENAW STORM – 19U TIER 2



COMPUWARE – 12U TIER 1



YOUTH STATES

Two hours after the boys’ team captured a state title, the Cranbrook Kingswood girls’ team followed suit, winning the third state championship.

The CK girls topped Grosse Pointe South in overtime for a 3-2 victory in the Division 1 state title game at Eddie Edgar Arena in Livonia. Freshman Hana DeClerck had the game-winner to help the Cranes beat one of their main rivals.

CRANBROOK CAPTURESCRANBROOK CAPTURESTHIRD GIRLS’ HIGH THIRD GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL STATE TITLESCHOOL STATE TITLE

SUBURBAN FREEZE – 10U REC

ST. CLAIR SHORES SAINTES – 14U TIER 2

MARQUETTE SENTINELS – 19U REC

GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS – 16U TIER 2


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MWJHL

BY MATT MACKINDER The Hartland Hounds played a near-perfect regular season

and then a perfect post-season to win the Midwest Junior Hockey League’s regular-season and Veteran’s Memorial Cup playoff championships.

And near-perfect may be an understatement – the Hounds went 47-0-1-0 in the inaugural MWJHL regular season, losing just once in overtime to the Michigan Ice Dogs in January.

The Hounds then swept the Bloomington Jr. Blaze in two straight to open the playoff s and then swept Tennyson Chevrolet to win the playoff championship, concluding with a thrilling 3-2 win on March 29 at the Kensington Valley Ice House in Brighton.

Cam Miglia scored the tying goal and the go-ahead goal in the third period for the Hounds and MWJHL goaltender of the year Andrew Brownlee did the rest.

Gabe Daavettila also scored for the Hounds, while Zach Wiacek and captain Zach Chapman scored for Tennyson. Chris Lewis made 19 saves in the loss.

“Cam stepped up big with all the other guys out (with injuries),” Hartland coach and MWJHL coach of the year Randy Montrose said. “I thought it was a great team eff ort. They all did their jobs and everyone chipped in where they had to chip in.”

Captain Jake Henrikson missed all but one shift of the playoff s after getting hurt on the opening shift of the

Bloomington series, while impact forwards Thomas Kerr and Jared Vincek also missed vast portions of the playoff s.

“It’s always tough to keep composure when we play a bigger opponent and we had a short bench to start with,” explained Hartland defenseman P.J. Krystyniak. “I was pretty happy with how we pulled these wins out. They were battles, though.”

Miglia said while the two championships thus far are great, playing for an AAU national championship this weekend in Las Vegas is the ultimate goal.

“I think it would be way bigger to win a national championship, but it’s really been a hell of a season,” said Miglia. “Two goals down, one to go. That’s been our goal since the beginning of the season.”

Both Hartland and Tennyson will represent the MWJHL at the national tournament. Two teams qualify from the league – regular-season and playoff champ. If those two were the same team, as Hartland was, the playoff runner-up qualifi es.

The Hounds and Tennyson will play against teams from the nation’s two other AAU-sanctioned leagues – the Western States Hockey League and Northern States Hockey League.

“It’s a good feeling,” said Brownlee, who fi nished with 33 saves in the series clincher and was 30-1-0 with fi ve shutouts,

a 1.87 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage during the regular season to lead all goalies. “We have to get some rest and get the guys healthy who are out and get ready to go to Vegas.

“It was a long process to get here to this moment, but it’s a new season once we go out to Vegas.”

FIREHAWKS ALSO WIN MWJHL AWARDSThe Soo Firehawks, who fi nished second in the regular-

season standings before bowing out to Tennyson in the playoff s, also picked up league year-end awards as Kevin Killips bagged defenseman of the year and Nick Murphy took home forward of the year laurels.

Killips led all league defenders in scoring with 23 goals and 59 points, while Murphy scored 56 goals and 48 assists for 104 points in 41 games to share the scoring title with Bryce Stenstrom of the Holland River Bandits, who played three more games than Murphy.


TOURNAMENT CALENDAROUT OF STATE

APRIL 2013Canadian Hockey EnterprisesInternational TournamentsLas Vegas, NVApril 12-15, 2013Women Competitive & Recreational 1-800-461-2161chehockey.com

Hockey Time Productions Rock ‘n Roll Cup Tournament Series Cleveland, OHApril 12-14, 2013Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567itshockeytime.com

Weekend Hockey TournamentPhiladelphia, PAApril 12-14, 2013Adult men & women 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+ & 50+A, B, C, D, E1.877.702.5701weekendhockey.com

Weekend Hockey TournamentNew York, NYApril 12-14, 2013Adult men & women 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+ & 50+A, B, C, D, E1.877.702.5701weekendhockey.com

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesApril 12-14, 2013Chicago Cup Chicago, IllinoisIncludes Blackhawks vs Blues ticketsOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 divisionsCanadian Hockey Enterprises...1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com [email protected]

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesApril 14-21 or 17-21, 2013Florida CupFt. Lauderdale, FloridaOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40 divisionsCanadian Hockey Enterprises...1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com [email protected]

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesLake Placid, NYApril 18-19, 2013Women Competitive & Recreational

1-800-461-2161chehockey.com

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesApril 18 - 21, 2013Gamblers Cup Las Vegas, NevadaOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 divisions Canadian Hockey Enterprises...1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com [email protected]

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesApril 18-21, 2013American CupLake Placid, New YorkOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 divisions (also Women’s divisions)Canadian Hockey Enterprises…1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com [email protected]

Hockey Time Productions Chi-Town Cup Tournament Series Chicago, ILApril 19-21, 2013Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567itshockeytime.com

Hockey Time Productions South Bend Cup Tournament Series South Bend, INApril 19-21, 2013Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567itshockeytime.com

Stick It To CancerBlaine, MNApril 19-21, 2013Girls’ & Women’s Divisions763-717-3240Superrink.org

Weekend Hockey TournamentBoston, MAApril 19-21, 2013Adult men & women 19+, 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+ & 50+A, B, C, D, E1.877.702.5701weekendhockey.com

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesApril 25-28, 2013American CupLake Placid, New YorkOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 divisions Canadian Hockey Enterprises…1-800-461-2161

chehockey.com [email protected]

Canadian Hockey EnterprisesApril 25-28, 2013Gamblers Cup Las Vegas, NevadaOver 19, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 divisionsCanadian Hockey Enterprises...1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com [email protected]

Hockey Time Productions Rock ‘n Roll Cup Tournament Series Cleveland, OHApril 26-28, 2013Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV216-325-0567itshockeytime.com

CHICAGO CUP Tournament Series: Chicago Spring ClassicChicago, ILApril 26-28, 2013Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JVContact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040myhockeytournaments.com

North American Holiday HockeyHartford, CTApril 26-28, 2013Adult and Youth 1-800-322-NAHH [email protected]

MAY 2013North American Holiday HockeyAtlantic City, NJMay 3-5, 2013Adult and Youth 1-800-322-NAHH [email protected]

Walleye Chop Adult TournamentBlaine, MNMay 10-12, 2013Men’s and Women’s Divisions – all levels763-717-3240Superrink.org

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COMPLETE AND UP-TO-DATETOURNAMENT LISTINGS ATMIHOCKEYNOW.COM

Every team in the North American Hockey League has played 60 regular-season games and the Robertson Cup playoff match-ups are set.

The regular-season champion Amarillo Bulls, who went 46-7-7 this year, will open the South Division playoff s against the Corpus Christi IceRays, while the defending Robertson Cup champion Texas Tornado will play the Topeka RoadRunners.

In the West Division, all four teams make the post-season as the Wenatchee Wild play the Fresno Monsters and the two Alaska teams – Fairbanks Ice Dogs and Kenai River Brown Bears – play in the other series.

The Austin Bruins and Minot Minotauros open the Central Division bracket along with the Bismarck Bobcats and Brookings Blizzard.

Six teams from the eight-team North Division made the playoff s, with the Soo Eagles winning the division with a 41-14-5 regular-season ledger.

The Eagles will play the lowest remaining seed among the two play-in series between the Port Huron Fighting Falcons and Johnstown Tomahawks and the Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings and Springfi eld Jr. Blues.

The second-place Jamestown Ironmen will then face the highest remaining seed after those two best-of-three series.

The Robertson Cup tournament is scheduled for May 10-13 at the Tornado’s home rink, the Dr Pepper Arena, in Frisco, Tex.

Soo forward Jared VanWormer, who will play at Ferris State next season, fi nished the season as the NAHL scoring champion with 76 points on 25 goals and 51 assists, while Amarillo goalie Paul Berrafato led the league with 33 wins and a 1.66 goals-against average.

The NAHL year-end awards will be announced at the Robertson Cup tournament banquet.

BULLS ROMP TO NA3HL TITLE, AWARD WINNERS NAMED

It was all North Iowa from start to fi nish on March 30 as the Bulls started strong and never let up, taking an 11-0 win over the Peoria Mustangs in the NA3HL Silver Cup championship game in suburban Chicago.

As the NA3HL champions, North Iowa earns the right to represent the league at the USA Hockey Tier III junior national championships in Rochester, Minn., from April 4-8.

The NA3HL also announced its award winners and All-NA3HL 1st and 2nd Teams for the 2012-13 season.

Three Rivers Vengeance forward Nico Vecchio was named Most Valuable Player and Forward of the Year after tallying 82 points (30 goals, 52 assists) in 48 games. His 52 assists were tops in the NA3HL and his 82 points ranked second.

North Iowa’s Connor Langfi eld was honored as Defenseman of the Year. Langfi eld played in 41 games for the Bulls and had 48 points (13 goals, 35 assists). His 48 points and 35 assists were tops among league blueliners and his impressive plus-65 rating led the entire league.

Michael Parda from the Mustangs earned Goaltender of the Year honors. Parda posted a 17-8-1 record during the regular season and his save percentage of .944 not only led the entire NA3HL, but was also the highest mark in the league since the 2008-09 season. He was second in the league in shutouts with fi ve and also ranked third in the NA3HL in goals-against average (1.78).

Waterford native and Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks forward Scott Cuthrell took home Rookie of the Year laurels. The 19-year-old Cuthrell led the league in scoring with 88 points (47 goals, 41 assists), helping Cleveland capture the East Division title, while his 47 goals were the most in the league in three years. His 13 power-play goals tied for the NA3HL lead.

St. Louis Jr. Blues’ coach J.P. Beilsten was honored as Coach of the Year, Cleveland’s Bob Jacobson was named General Manager of the Year, the Jr. Blues were named Organization of the Year, Toledo Cherokee forward and Adrian native Jordan Fogarty was honored with the Academic Achievement Award and Alexandria Blizzard forward Garrett Skinner won the Outstanding Community Service Award.

All-NA3HL 1st TeamForward: Nico Vecchio, Three Rivers Vengeance

Forward: Scott Cuthrell, Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks

Forward: Ian Ecklund, Alexandria Blizzard

Defense: Kyle Meeh, St. Louis Jr. Blues

Defense: Connor Langfi eld, North Iowa Bulls

Goaltender: Michael Parda, Peoria Mustangs

All-NA3HL 2nd TeamForward: Matt Kroska, North Iowa Bulls

Forward: Alex Berardinelli, Three Rivers Vengeance

Forward: Drew Otto, Granite City Lumberjacks

Defense: Kyle Ware, Battle Creek Jr. Revolution

Defense: Andrew Sprouse, Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks

Goaltender: Matt Hughes, Battle Creek Jr. Revolution

NAHL

NAHL PLAYOFFS READY TO GET UNDERWAY, NA3HL CROWNS SILVER CUP CHAMPSBY MATT MACKINDER

The North Iowa Bulls won the NA3HL title on March 30 over the Peoria Mustangs. (Photos courtesy of the NAHL)

Jared VanWormer


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Amarillo BullsClint Carlisle Army (Atlantic Hockey, D1) Ryan Cole Trinity College (NESCAC, D3) Tyler Deresky Bentley University (Atlantic Hockey, D1Brady Ferguson Robert Morris University (Atlantic Hockey, D1)* Geoff Fortman Canisius College (Atlantic Hockey, D1) Joe Grabowski Princeton University (ECACHL, D1) Hampus Gustafsson Merrimack College (Hockey East, D1) Garret Peterson Army (Atlantic Hockey, D1) John Rey Robert Morris University (Atlantic Hockey, D1) Tyler Rostenkowski Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey, D1) ‡TJ Sarcona Niagara University (Atlantic Hockey, D1)TJ Sherman Trinity College (NESCAC, D3) Austin BruinsBrandon Wahlin University of Massachusetts (Hockey East, D1)

Bismarck BobcatsMike Dockry Army (Atlantic Hockey, D1) Bob Kinne Bemidji State University (WCHA, D1)Matt Pohlkamp Bowling Green State University (CCHA, D1)‡

Brookings BlizzardMichael Bitzer Bemidji State University (WCHA, D1) #Drew Brevig Ohio State University (CCHA, D1)Aidan Cavallini University of Wisconsin (WCHA, D1) Cody Marooney University of Alabama-Huntsville (Independent, D1)

Corpus Christi IceRaysMichael Economos Plymouth State (MASCAC, D3) Beau Walker University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (NCHA, D3)

Coulee Region ChillGarrett Hendrickson St. Cloud State University (WCHA, D1) Jake Kauppila Michigan Tech University (WCHA, D1) Brady Riesgraf Bemidji State University (WCHA, D1)

Fairbanks Ice DogsMax Birkinbine Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey, D1) Garret Clemment Lake Superior State University (CCHA, D1) Preston Hodge Uni. of Nebraska-Omaha (WCHA, D1) #Duggie Lagrone Colorado College (WCHA, D1) Devin Loe Miami University (CCHA, D1)Tayler Munson University of Alaska-Fairbanks (CCHA, D1) Patrick Newell St. Cloud State University (WCHA, D1) Steve Perry Clarkson University (ECACHL, D1) Doug Rose Sacred Heart University (Atlantic Hockey, D1)

Jamestown IronmenReid Mimmack Bemidji State University (WCHA, D1) Ross Pavek St. Norbert College (NCHA, D3)

Janesville JetsRyan Dau Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey, D1) ‡Zach Diamantoni Northern Michigan University (CCHA, D1) *Jason Ford Bemidji State University (WCHA, D1) Ruslan Pedan Bemidji State University (WCHA, D1)

Johnstown TomahawksCasey Nelson Minnesota State-Mankato (WCHA, D1) Ian Spencer University of Vermont (Hockey East, D1) Chris Truehl Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey, D1)

Kalamazoo Jr. K-WingsBrett Beauvais Bemidji State University (WCHA, D1) Sam Johnson Trinity College (NESCAC, D3) Jesse Junttila Northern Michigan University (CCHA, D1) *Mac McDonnell University of Windsor (CIS, D) Robbie Payne Northern Michigan University (CCHA, D1)

Kenai River Brown BearsMikhail Bushinski Utica College (ECAC West, D3) Albin Karlsson Niagara University (Atlantic Hockey, D1) *Zac Lazzaro Utica College (ECAC West, D3)Dylan Meier Augsburg College (MIAC, D3)

Michigan WarriorsLevi Erkkila Northern Michigan University (CCHA, D1) Corey Schueneman Western Michigan University (CCHA, D1) *

Minot MinotaurosTyler Parks St. Lawrence University (ECACHL, D1)

Odessa JackalopesRyan Doucet Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey, D1)

Port Huron Fighting FalconsMark Evan Auk Michigan Tech University (WCHA, D1)Brett D’Andrea Bowling Green State University (CCHA, D1)Rick DeRosa Penn State (Big 10, D1)Alex Globke Lake Superior State University (CCHA, D1) #Ian Miller Lake Superior State University (CCHA, D1)Ryan Nick Army (Atlantic Hockey, D1) Kyle Plageman Army (Atlantic Hockey, D1) ‡Nolan Valleau Ohio State University (CCHA, D1) #

Soo EaglesBrandon Adams SUNY-Oswego (SUNYAC, D3)Tyler Marble Colorado College (WCHA, D1) Denver Pierce Northern Michigan University (CCHA, D1) Jared VanWormer Ferris State University (CCHA, D1)

Jon Carkeek Hamilton College (NESCAC, D3) Matt Leon SUNY-Geneseo (SUNYAC, D3)Brett Skibba University of Connecticut (Atlantic Hockey, D1)

Texas Tornado Justin Greenberg Miami University (CCHA, D1) Brandon Hawkins Bowling Green State University (CCHA, D1)Drew Mayer Ferris State University (CCHA, D1) Nick Neville University of Denver (WCHA, D1) CJ Reuschlein Army (Atlantic Hockey, D1)Max Shuart University of Michigan (CCHA, D1) ‡

Topeka RoadRunners Tyler Andrew Ferris State University (CCHA, D1) *Sean Gaffney University of Connecticut (Atlantic Hockey, D1) Ross Luedtke Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey, D1) ‡Davey Middleton Brown University (ECACHL, D1) #Kyle Sharkey University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (NCHA, D3)

Wenatchee WildJono Davis University of Nebraska-Omaha (WCHA, D1) Josh Hartley Dartmouth College (ECACHL, D1) Robert Nichols University of Connecticut (Atlantic Hockey, D1) Mario Puskarich University of Vermont (Hockey East, D1) #

Wichita Falls WildcatsChris Knudson Michigan State University (CCHA, D1) Ben Kucera Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey, D1) *Tyler Ledford Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey, D1) *Tucker Poolman University of North Dakota (WCHA, D1) #Sami Salminen Northern Michigan University (CCHA, D1) Will Vosejpka Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey, D1) *

2012 - 2013 College Commitments as of March 25, 2013

* 2014-15 # Alumni ‡ Committed while playing for another NAHL team

http://nahl.com/player-advancement/college/

North american hockey league2012-2013 college commitments NAHL.com

JUNIORS

He was born in Belgium, has a Canadian passport, but lives in Rochester and has grown up playing his youth hockey in the Detroit area.

And Sean Day is fast-tracking his way to the Ontario Hockey League.

Day, a 6-foot-2, 197-pound defenseman who played this season for the Compuware Minor Midget team, was granted “exceptional player” status on March 21 by Hockey Canada to play in the OHL next season as a 15-year-old. Day, who only turned 15 on Jan. 9, will now be eligible to be drafted during the OHL Priority Selection of primarily 1997 birth year players on April 6.

This past season with Compuware, Day scored 11 goals and added 24 assists for 35 points in 63 games with a plus-47 rating before his team was eliminated from the state playoff s earlier than expected.

Day becomes the fourth player to be granted “exceptional player” status following Connor McDavid, who went fi rst overall to Erie last year, Aaron Ekblad, who was taken No. 1 by Barrie in 2011, and John Tavares in 2005 by Oshawa with the top pick.

“I’m really happy,” said Day. “Really relieved about the decision.”

Day gave credit to the Compuware organization for helping to prepare him for this situation.

“I enjoyed (the 2012-13 season),” Day said. “There was a lot of top players on our team that have college commitments and some that are going to the NTDP next year, so playing with high-level players is good. We played good teams and always had competition. This was also the fi rst year I had defensive coaching to help improve my game all around.”

The Ottawa 67’s hold the No. 1 overall pick in the draft for the fi rst time since 1993 when Alyn McCauley went fi rst overall. That said, according to the Ottawa Citizen, there is no guarantee the 67’s will even take Day with the top pick.

“We have to make the best choice for our team and we are going to do that,” said Ottawa coach-GM Chris Byrne.

“We continue to do our due diligence and when the time is right to announce the name of our pick, we will do that, too.”

Day said playing for the 67’s is certainly an option.“For me, I’m prepared to go anywhere and I’ll play

anywhere that takes me,” said Day. “The point of getting this (“exceptional player” status) was to play in the OHL, not to get a certain spot on a team. Going that far (to Ottawa) to play hockey, I’m fi ne with that.”

“Sean said his goal is to play in the OHL,” said Keith Day, Sean’s father. “Location is not the primary driver.”

Once he suits up in the OHL next year, Day said his No. 1 priority is simple.

“Just to play,” said Day. “I’m not looking to score goals or anything. I’m just looking to help out a team. Other than that, I’m not looking to do anything special except play and help out the team.”

Day also said that applying for the “exceptional player” status didn’t even come up as an option until late in 2012.

“It was right after Silver Sticks ended and I guess there

was a lot of talk about me being a top-end player and from there, I started thinking about (applying),” Day said. “I talked to my advisor (Jason Woolley) for a while before considering it and then in February, we applied and it kind of went from there.”

Once the process began with Hockey Canada to determine if Day was physically, emotionally and mentally ready to play with and against players fi ve years older than him, Day said it was “the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through.”

“There are so many tests and they get you at every angle,” explained Day. “It shows what kind of a player you are and what kind of a person you are off the ice and on the ice. I’m just happy with how it turned out.

“In some ways, (getting the status) did surprise me because of some of the rumors going around and how many people were saying I shouldn’t get it, but in the back of my head, I knew I could get it and I felt that I could get it. I just have to be the way I am and if I wasn’t the way I am, I don’t think I would have gotten it.”

BY MATT MACKINDER

GRANTED EXCEPTIONAL STATUS TO ENTER OHL DRAFT EARLY

The U.S. National Team Development Program announced the fi rst seven commitments for their 2013-14 Under-17 team on March 27, with three Michigan natives joining the Ann Arbor-based program.

Forward Brendan Warren (Carelton) and defensemen Nicholas Boka (Plymouth) and Zach Werenski (Grosse Pointe) were formally announced as inagural members of the 2013-14 Under-17 team. They join forwards Christian Fischer (Wayne, Ill.), Jordan Greenway (Potsdam, N.Y.), Luke Kirwan (DeWitt, N.Y.) and Matthew Tkachuk (St. Louis, Mo.) as the fi rst seven selected for the team.

Warren, currently a forward for the Compuware Midget Minor program, had 51 points in 54 games. He’s listed as a verbal commit to the University of Michigan.

Boka, also a product of the Compuware Midget Minor squad, skated in 50 games and recorded 30 points.

Werenski played in 28 games with the Little Caesars Midget Major squad in 2012-13, where he posted seven goals and 14 assists in High Performance Hockey League play.

NTDP ANNOUNCES FIRST SEVEN COMMITMENTS FOR 2013-14 U17 TEAM

Zach Werenski (Michael Caples/MiHockey)


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PLYMOUTH WHALERS

BY MATT MACKINDER

When the annual Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection takes place this Saturday (April 6), expect many Michigan-born players to see their names pop up on the draft list of the online-exclusive event that starts at 9 a.m.

Seeing how many of those Michiganders wind up in the OHL is another story, as past history has shown that taking Americans in the draft can be a roll of the dice. Just because they are drafted, it doesn’t mean the player will wind up with the OHL club holding his rights.

The Saginaw Spirit has the eighth selection in the fi rst round, while the Plymouth Whalers choose 16th. The Ottawa 67’s hold the fi rst-overall pick.

OHL Michigan scout Kevin Hess recently sat down with MiHockey to discuss who he feels are the top 20 prospects from Michigan born in 1997 heading into Saturday.

Players are listed in alphabetical order.

MATT ACCIAOLI – BELLE TIRE 16U – DEFENSEMAN“Smaller defenseman that plays the game like he is

much bigger. He plays a fairly complete game from the back end being a player that his coaches can put on the ice in any situation. Acciaioli is a good skater that is very good on his edges. Despite his size disadvantage, he is not afraid of physical contact. He wins his battles for loose pucks and contains his man along the wall with hockey sense, his skating ability and a quick and active stick.”

AUSTIN ALGER – CRANBROOK KINGSWOOD HIGH SCHOOL – FORWARD

“Excelled this season playing versus older, bigger and stronger young men. He plays for an outstanding coach (Andy Weidenbach) that teaches him how to compete in all three zones of the ice. He is the type of player that accepts any role his team needs fulfi lled. He has regularly played versus the opponent’s top line, shutting them down while chipping in off ensively.”

NICK AZAR – BELLE TIRE 16U – DEFENSEMAN“Smart defenseman that can play in any situation. Plays

a good 1-on-1 and makes a very good fi rst pass.”

DOUG BLAISEDELL – HONEYBAKED 16U – DEFENSEMAN

“Big-bodied defenseman with a good off ensive upside. Has the ability to take over a game when he wants to. He is a good skater for his size with average speed. He has good feet for a big guy.”

NICK BOKA – COMPUWARE 16U – DEFENSEMAN“Good skating defender that plays on the edge. He is a

punishing defender that fi nishes a high percentage of his checks. Great off ensive instincts with a heavy shot from the point.”

SEAN DAY – COMPUWARE 16U – DEFENSEMAN“First USA Hockey-registered player to gain exceptional

status in the Ontario Hockey League (and thus, will enter the league one year early). His skating stride is the best I have seen in my eight years of scouting. Has the skating and skill level to bring fans out of their seats.”

JARED DOMIN – BELLE TIRE 16U – FORWARD“Powerful north-south skating winger who is among

the top three fastest players in the age group. Finishes a high percentage of his checks. Works hard both on and off the ice. As one of the only Michigan-born players to attend the OHL Combine, set high scores in the power grip test and skating sprints.

GRANT GABRIELLE – COMPUWARE 16U – DEFENSEMAN

“His game got better and better as the season progressed. Has the potential to be a very good two-way defenseman at the next level. Has good off ensive instincts and makes a good outlet pass to get his team’s off ensive rush started.”

JR. GATES – COMPUWARE 16U – FORWARD“Skilled center that possesses quick hands and good

skating speed.”

JAKE GINGEL – COMPUWARE 16U – DEFENSEMAN“Prototype stay-at-home defender that plays a spirited,

physical game. Tough player to play against who contains well in his own zone. He is the type of player that you love to have on your team and hate to play against.”

GORDIE GREEN – COMPUWARE 16U – FORWARD“One of, if not the best pure goal scorers in the age

group. If I need a goal, I am putting the puck on his stick. Sees the ice extremely well.”

RYAN LARKIN – HONEYBAKED 16U – GOALTENDER“Butterfl y-style goaltender that has played very

consistently throughout the season. A very big reason why his team won the state championship. Very good at controlling his rebounds and smothering loose pucks.”

RYAN MOORE – BELLE TIRE 16U – FORWARD“Explosive skating, highly-skilled center that makes

every player around him better. Great four-way mobility

that lets him make something out of nothing. Plays bigger than his size indicates, fi nishes a high percentage of his checks and plays with an edge.”

ZACH OSBURN – HONEYBAKED 16U – DEFENSEMAN“Highly-skilled high risk, high rewards off ensive

defenseman. Osburn is a very good skater with a good stride that eats up ice. Has the ability to score in a variety of ways. Possesses great hockey sense and seems to be in the right place at the right time – all the time.”

BRANDON SCHEIMAN – HONEYBAKED 16U – DEFENSEMAN

“Plays a very simple, yet very eff ective game. He has a tall, lanky frame that he should start fi lling out in the next few years. He is a good north-south skater with a solid fundamental stride. He plays a very tight gap on his 1-on-1s, getting the turnover high in his own zone and moving the puck up ice quickly.”

TYLER SENSKY – COMPUWARE 16U – DEFENSEMAN“He is a technically sound skater with good speed.

Possesses a good shot from the point. Does a good job of fi nding a lane to get the puck to the net.”

BRODY STEVENS – COMPUWARE 16U – FORWARD“Physical forward that plays an honest two-way game.

Stevens competes at a high level, doing a good job of fi nishing a majority of his checks and winning a high percentage of his battles for loose pucks. He does a good job on his draws, rarely losing a draw cleanly. Sees the ice very well and goes into high-traffi c areas without hesitation.”

CHAZ SWITZER – COMPUWARE 16U – DEFENSEMAN“Good-skating, solid overall defenseman. He can play

in any style of game and be successful. “

BRENDAN WARREN – COMPUWARE 16U – FORWARD“Powerful skater that has that elusive fi fth gear that

allows him to separate from defenders. Is good on his edges and gets up to top speed quickly from a dead stop. Plays a complete 200-foot game.”

ZACH WERENSKI – LITTLE CAESARS 18U – DEFENSEMAN

“Young man that has never played in his own age group. Was a dominant player at the U-18 level this season. Has the ability to take over a game from the back end. Great off ensive instincts sometimes overshadow his solid defensive zone play.”

Young Michigan talent ready to bedrafted at OHL PRIORITY SELECTION


GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS

BY KYLE KUJAWA

JARNKROK GETTING AJARNKROK GETTING ATASTE OF NORTH AMERICATASTE OF NORTH AMERICA

It’s hard to blame Calle Jarnkrok for being a little overwhelmed. After arriving in Grand Rapids on the night of March 25, he grabbed a few hours of sleep and woke up to join his new team, the

Griffi ns, for practice.He was swarmed with autograph requests as soon

as he stepped off the ice of the Griffi ns’ practice facility, did an on-camera interview for local television, then went back to Van Andel Arena to participate in a team workout. That evening, he packed a few bags and prepared to join the Griffi ns’ on a two-week road trip, their longest of the season.

Despite the busy fi rst few days, Jarnkrok knows that this opportunity can only benefi t him.

“It feels great to be here,” he said. “I’m very excited. It seems like a good bunch of guys on the team.”

Jarnkrok is unanimously considered one of the

Detroit Red Wings’ top prospects, right up there with Gustav Nyquist, Brendan Smith or Tomas Tatar, depending on which lists you’re looking at. Signed by Detroit last summer, he spent the year in the Swedish Elite League, but is fi nishing the season in the AHL to get a taste of North American hockey and give the powers-that-be a chance to weigh in on his future.

“We haven’t talked about it so much yet,” said Jarnkrok. “We will see what happens. Maybe I will be in Sweden, or Detroit, or here. I’m not sure.”

Having played at the professional level regularly in Sweden for four seasons, there’s talk that Jarnkrok could be ready to jump directly to the NHL next year. But high numbers don’t always translate across the pond, which is why the Red Wings chose to evaluate him in the AHL to determine the best route.

With the possibility of losing several forwards, like Nyquist, Tatar and Joakim Andersson, permanently to the NHL next season, the Griffi ns could use another player to slot into a skill role. But Sweden is always an option for Jarnkrok as well, where he’s played for Brynas IF, the team he grew up rooting for.

“It feels great to be able to play for my home town,” said Jarnkrok, a native of Gavle, Sweden. “It’s very good to have an important role on the team and be a guy who scores goals and makes points.”

Jarnkrok explained that playing for Brynas was a dream come true. Growing up in Sweden, many young hockey players follow the NHL, but don’t always get to watch much of the action due to the time diff erence. Jarnkrok grew up wanting to play for Brynas, only altering his plan once he realized he had a chance to play in the NHL.

“From the beginning I dreamed of playing in the Elite League,” he said. “When I got older, I dreamed of going to the next level and playing with the best. It’s

been a dream of both.”Being selected by the Red Wings 51st overall in the

2010 NHL Entry Draft was a crucial step in reaching his dream. He grew up idolizing Henrik Zetterberg, and watched the Red Wings rely on Swedish players like Nicklas Lidstrom, Tomas Holmstrom and Niklas Kronwall while winning multiple Stanley Cups.

“I talked to some teams,” he said. “But I had no idea which team was going to pick me. It’s been great being with Detroit. I was so happy.”

Although the Red Wings have continued to stockpile Swedish talent, Jarnkrok, who knows English but hasn’t had to speak it very regularly, arrived in Grand Rapids fi nding only one other Swede, as his countrymen Nyquist and Andersson were up with Detroit. Luckily, it was a close friend from back home.

“I know [Adam Almquist] from playing with the junior national teams,” said Jarnkrok, who played with his new teammate on the Swedish under-18 team

from 2008-10. “I met some of the other guys in a few summer camps, but I don’t know them well.”

Local fans will only have a few chances to see Jarnkrok live this season. He’ll help the Griffi ns close out a road trip and begin their fi nal homestand of the season, giving him three games in Grand Rapids from April 10-13. But he’ll also have a chance to shine on the international stage, as he’s being considered for a spot on the national team for the upcoming IIHF World Championship, held in Finland and Sweden from May 3-19.

“I don’t know if I’m going to make the team,” said Jarnkrok, noting that it depends on which players will be available after the NHL and AHL’s regular seasons end. “But I have to be home by April 15.”

Jarnkrok was pointless in his fi rst three games in North America, but didn’t look out of place on a skilled line with Tomas Jurco and Landon Ferraro. He didn’t feel out of place off the ice, either, even though he only spent a few hours in Grand Rapids before leaving for the road trip.

“It feels around the same size [as Gavle], I think,” he said. “I just don’t know many people who live here, but it feels like the same kind of town.”

And whether he does end up in the NHL, AHL or SEL next season, it’s clear that he’ll make an impact. He fi nished eighth in Sweden’s top league in scoring this season, setting a personal best with 42 points. However, it was a disappointment compared to last season, when he fi nished 14th overall in scoring but helped Brynas capture the SEL championship. He hopes to do the same thing in North America in the not-so-distant future.

“It was a great feeling, especially doing it for my hometown,” said Jarnkrok. “The whole city was watching, it was great. It was a dream come true.”

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JARNKROK GETTING ATASTE OF NORTH AMERICA


RED WINGS

BY MICHAEL CAPLESDETROIT – Dan DeKeyser has to wear a new number.For the majority of his life, the Clay Township native has

worn the No. 5.But with his new team, that number isn’t exactly

available.DeKeyser, a lifelong Red Wings fan, announced on

March 29 that he would forego his senior season at Western Michigan to sign with Detroit. Like most aspiring defensemen out of the state of Michigan, he looked up to Nicklas Lidstrom. The Red Wings legendary defenseman will soon see his No. 5 jersey hang in the rafters of Joe Louis Arena, which means that DeKeyser went with No. 65, a number that still “had a fi ve in it.”

“It’ll be an adjustment, but what can you do,” DeKeyser said with a smile after his fi rst practice as a member of the Detroit Red Wings the next day.

As it turns out, Lidstrom actually played a role in the Wings’ recruitment of DeKeyser, a free-agent defenseman after going undrafted who fi elded off ers from almost every NHL club.

“He actually called me the other day when I was going through the decision process,” DeKeyser said of his childhood idol. “He talked to me for a few minutes, and that kind of thing, and then I got to meet him here today, so, it was pretty special.

“He just told me a little bit about the organization, how special of a place it is to play, they’ve got a great management team here, and a locker room full of great guys. He just said it would be a fun place to play, and I took his word for it.”

Lidstrom, in town on a family vacation, said that he wasn’t aware that he was DeKeyser’s favorite player when Ken Holland put him on the phone with DeKeyser during his recruitment period.

“Yeah, I talked to him a few days ago, I know he’s coming to a very good organization, a very committed organization, a team that wants to win, ownerships that want to win, and he’s from the area, so I’m sure he’s very excited about playing here in front of his family.”

Lidstrom said DeKeyser didn’t have many questions to ask while the two chatted.

“Not really, I don’t think he was ready for my call. I don’t think he was expecting me to call him. He’s more listening to what I had to say, I know he had a lot of teams that were asking for him and he had meetings with a lot of teams so I’m sure it wasn’t an easy decision for him, but we’re very happy to have him here.”

For DeKeyser, talking to and meeting Lidstrom is just another fi rst in a long list of new experiences. He said he was pleased with how his fi rst skate went, and now he’s focused on “getting his feet wet” as he adjusts to the pro game.

“I think just kind of adjusting to the next level,” DeKeyser said when asked what he needed to work on most. “The guys are a little bit bigger and a little bit strong here, and a little bit quicker, so it’s going to be a bit of an adjustment for me, but hopefully I can come in and be fi ne.

[The fi rst practice] was good, I haven’t skated in a few days, but trying to get my legs under me a little bit. It was a smooth skate, good tempo, that’s for sure.”

Shortly after the Red Wings’ fi rst practice with DeKeyser concluded, the club announced that they had traded away

defenseman Kent Huskins to the Philadelphia Flyers, presumably to make room on the roster for DeKeyser.

With the DeKeyser addition, the Wings now have nine defensemen on the roster (as of April 1), with Kyle Quincey currently out of the line-up due to a facial injury, though he has been skating with a cage on.

Holland said he expects DeKeyser to stay with the NHL club for the rest of the season.

“I think we’re going to keep him here for basically the whole year,” Holland said. “Now that doesn’t mean you can’t send him down for a day or two.”

Lidstrom said that after watching DeKeyser skate at Joe Louis Arena, he came away impressed with his movement on the ice.

“He’s a very good skater,” Lidstrom said. “He looked confi dent out there. I’m sure he was nervous on the inside, coming out and skating for the fi rst time with the guys…looks like he’s a good puck-moving defenseman.”

Niklas Kronwall, now the leader on the Wings’ blue line due to the departures of Lidstrom and Brad Stuart last summer, says that he’s pleased with the depth Detroit has on the blue line.

“I think it looks pretty good for us in the future,” Kronwall said. “You can’t [replace] guys like Lidstrom. He’s one of a kind. What we can do is try to get as much depth as possible and do it together instead.”

Holland said that the addition of DeKeyser helps with building that depth, along with the development of young defensemen like Brendan Smith, Jakub Kindl, and Brian Lashoff .

“I think it’s always a priority to have good defense,” Holland said. “Obviously we’ve had a guy [Lidstrom] who was a cornerstone for 20 years and we knew we had to overhaul. I think we’re in a good position because we’ve got a lot of competition. We’re going to have to make some decisions on defense heading into the summer, but the young kids have really stated a case and allowed us to have some depth.”

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SIGNS WITH HIS HOMETOWN TEAM

DAN DEKEYSER

WESTERN MICHIGANDEFENSEMAN


BY DARREN ELIOT @Darren_Eliot

JUNIORS PREVIEWTHE LAST LINE

WHEN TIMESCHANGE

The Miami RedHawks fell to St. Cloud State Huskies on March 31, 2013 in Toledo, Ohio in the Midwest Regional Final. At stake was a bid to the NCAA Frozen Four. In the end, it was the Huskies moving on

and the the RedHawks ending their season and concluding the Central Collegiate Hockey Conference “Celebrate The Legacy” fi nal season after a 42-year run.

What began as a scheduling alliance discussed by a few coaches in Boston in 1971 ended in 2013 in Ohio, thus closing down a Michigan institution. Six of the 11 teams in the fi nal edition of the CCHA hailed from the Mitten. It brought large schools like Michigan State and the University of Michigan together for in-state battles against smaller programs such as Ferris State and Lake Superior State. That was an element that made the CCHA special and unique in our state.

Next season has everyone aligning in new conferences. MSU and U of M will be part of the new six-team Big 10 Conference. The Western Michigan Broncos will be part of the newly formed National Collegiate Hockey Conference and the lone Michigan representative. Ferris State, Lake State and Northern Michigan all move to a reconfi gured Western Collegiate Hockey Association. There they join the Michigan Tech Huskies, who have been part of the WCHA since returning in 1985.

The other fi ve schools that comprised the fi nal version of the CCHA all move as well. Miami enters the new NCHC with a rivalry built in after losing to future conference foe St. Cloud State. Notre Dame joins Hockey East, while the remaining member schools (Alaska Anchorage, Bowling Green, Ferris State, Lake State and Northern Michigan) all fold into the WCHA. Everyone placed and accounted for, with the CCHA now just a memory.

Those memories will live on as teams in-state continue to compete against one another in home-and-home sets and rotating site series on an annual basis. Plus, the Great Lakes Invitational continues as a unifying event for Michigan college hockey, co-hosted at the Joe by Michigan Tech and U of M. So, while the CCHA is gone, the ability to sustain rivalries will still be there.

And while it might not seem like it now - or sit well with some – this is about trying to grow college hockey from a visibility standpoint. Thus, the Big Ten banner is being unfurled to encompass hockey. The reach and brand recognition of the Big Ten is the draw, as are the power schools involved: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio State, along with the Wolverines and Spartans. New to the mix is Penn State, who come in as the sixth member of the initial “Original Six” Big Ten Conference. The Nittany Lions may lack the history the other schools boast, but with a brand-new building and strong recruiting classes, they won’t be “new” for long.

It makes sense on certain levels and leaves you feeling nostalgic on others. As U of M’s legendary coach Red Berenson said after the CCHA’s fi nal championship game, for 29 years the CCHA was the only place he had ever coached. For many in Michigan, the CCHA was the identity of college hockey. The goal now is to keep the local interest level high, while further extending the identity of the hockey amongst college sports fans at large.

The cost for pushing for progress is the Central Collegiate Hockey Conference. That doesn’t at all diminish what the league meant to the growth of the game over the past four decades-plus. Now, though, the memories are forever frozen in time.

Let the nostalgia begin.Photos by MiHockey’s Andrew Knapik and Michael Caples


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MiHockeyMag - April 8, 2013