Berkley, Ferndale

Berkley-Ferndale hockey team recognized after another solid season

By Mike Moore
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « File photo provided by Jeff Bonello Berkley goalie Stephen Wroe finished this season with a 15-5-0 record. He allowed just 34 goals, had a 1.74 goals against and one shutout. File photo provided by Jeff Bonello Berkley goalie Stephen Wroe finished this season with a 15-5-0 record. He allowed just 34 goals, had a 1.74 goals against and one shutout.

Since they first put on a Berkley-Ferndale Unified sweater, coach Jeff Fleming has boasted about Joey Leider and Stephen Wroe as two of the top hockey players in the state.

Following this season’s playoffs, the rest of the Michigan High School Hockey Coaches Association concurred, naming the two standouts to the first-team All-State squad.

“It’s huge — huge for them as individuals and for our entire program,” Fleming said last week. “They are both such hard workers that really went out and earned this.”

Leider did so by putting the puck in the net — or helping others do it.

The senior forward scored a team-high 57 points this season, with 25 goals and 32 assists in 25 games played.

He notched three power-play tallies, three game-winners and was a team-best plus-43.

“Joey really committed to being a leader on this team,” Fleming said. “He took charge and put the team on his back. It’s real nice to see him get the recognition he deserves.”

“It’s pretty cool,” Leider said. “In my sophomore year, I set this goal, and to actually accomplish it is just awesome.”

As for all the scoring?

“I felt like I picked my play up this year,” he added. “Given the fact we had just three seniors, I knew I’d have to contribute more of the scoring. But it was awesome. This was, by far, the best year of my hockey life.”

While Leider said he’ll likely play with the Michigan State University club team next year, Wroe made it very clear where he’ll be.

“Right here, with this team,” the junior goalie said with a laugh. He could play juniors somewhere if he wanted. “I’m having too much fun here.”

The All-State nod was the second straight for Wroe, who’s been a huge part in Berkley’s 41 wins the past two winters.

“Stephen has a work ethic that is unbelievable,” Fleming said. “He’s the kind of player that gives you the opportunity to win every game you’re in. He doesn’t need me on him or monitoring him. He’s so self-driven with high expectations. You love that, as a coach.”

Wroe finished this season with a 15-5-0 record. He allowed just 34 goals on 477 shots (.929 save percentage) with a 1.74 goals against and one shutout.

“It’s pretty special,” Wroe said of the postseason honor. “I had some pretty high expectations coming into the year. To get voted again is pretty cool. … I thought I had a pretty strong year, individually. There were a few games I felt like I wasn’t at my best, but all in all, I had a good year with a lot of help from the guys in front.”

Wroe and Leider were also recently named co-Most Valuable Players in the Oakland Activities Association White Division.

Also notable
Senior Robby Flannery was named to the honorable-mention All-State team.

The defenseman finished the season with eight goals, 10 assists and a plus-31 in 24 games. He also tallied three game-winning goals.

Keith Waldrup was named academic All-State, while the entire Bears squad earned academic All-State for the third straight season.

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