Berkley

All-season star

By Mike Moore
C & G Sports Writer

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Jordan Dean, pictured during a Jan. 20 game against De La Salle, has played an instrumental role in turning the U of D hockey team around. The Cubs won last season’s MIHL title.

Berkley resident has helped transform U of D athletic teams

By Mike Moore

C & G Sports Writer


BERKLEY — Right now,  Jordan Dean is one of the top defensemen on a very solid University of Detroit Jesuit hockey team.

A few months back, he was the Cubs’ starting center on the gridiron, earning honorable-mention recognition on the All-State list.

There’s no way of knowing how lacrosse will go this spring, but it’s a safe bet that he’ll be pretty good at it.

This past fall, Dean was an integral part of transforming a 1-8 football team in 2008 to one that was 4-5 this season.

He was named to the All-League team, the All-Catholic team, named honorable-mention All-State and selected to play for the East team in the June 19 East-West All-Star game at Michigan State University.

But it’s his current contributions that have hockey fans taking notice.

Just two seasons ago, when Dean was a sophomore defenseman, U of D struggled to compete, let alone win, games. Following the 2007-08 season, the Cubs occupied the basement in the Michigan Interscholastic Hockey League, finishing 1-9-2.

A year later, with an 8-4-0 record, they were league champs. At press time this year, the Cubs were 9-4-1 overall and 4-3 in the MIHL.

“Jordan’s been part of a great group of seniors who have helped turn this program around,” hockey coach Rick Bennetts said of the Berkley resident. “He’s a coach’s dream — a guy that does anything and everything you ask.”

Dean, an alternate captain and one of 15 seniors on this year’s squad, is as modest as he has been celebrated. He quickly deflected any credit for the team’s turnaround, instead talking about the other 14 elder statesmen and the program as a whole.

But there’s still something to be said about a player who works with a personal trainer twice a week at 6 a.m., maintains a GPA in the mid threes, is on the student senate and works with campus ministries, just to name a few.

“He’s a good, solid hard-working kid from top to bottom,” Bennetts said. “His dedication at school, on the field and on the ice is what makes him go. Everything he does is done to the highest level, and that’s paid great dividends for him.”

“This year’s been a lot of fun,” Dean said last week. “Just to be a part of turning this program around has been pretty cool for all of us.”

While he may be soft-spoken and a “leader by example,” as Bennetts said, there’s no missing him on the ice. At 6 feet 1 inch and 245 pounds, his physical presence is as much a part of his game as his overall skill.

“He’s one of our top-four defenseman, and someone who’s constantly on the power play and the penalty kill for a reason,” Bennetts said. “He’s an excellent, all-around player.”

Dean has yet to decide on his collegiate future. He’s garnered plenty of interest from a number of Division III schools to play football, and he’s made official visits to Northwood University and Northern Michigan University.

“Whatever he does, he’ll be great,” Bennetts said.

“I’m not too worried about what’s next,” Dean laughed. “Right now, I’m focused on this team winning the league again and making a run in the playoffs. I’d love to end this year with a state championship.”

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Mike Moore at mmoore@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1038.