Hockey

Published January 25, 2016

Former Shelby Township resident, Connor, is now part of the University of Michigan hockey roster

It has been quite an eventful period in the life of former Shelby Township resident Kyle Connor, as aside from being in his freshman season with the University of Michigan hockey team, he was also selected 17th in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft by the Winnipeg Jets.

While Connor — who moved to Youngstown, Ohio, after ninth grade — is going to have to wait for his opportunity to play in the NHL as he continues to develop his game, he does get to play for the school he grew up rooting for.

Published January 22, 2016

Royal Oak Review

Shrine Unified falls to Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard in Catholic League hockey contest

ROYAL OAK—This season hasn't been a smooth ride for Shrine Unified, but its looking to improve.

On Jan. 22, the Knights fell 6-1 to Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard. Shrine's defense and goaltending was impressive, but it struggled to match the speed and intensity of Gabriel Richard's offense.

"They're the best team in the Catholic League," said Shrine Coach Eric Button. "We didn't get mercied, that's a plus. The boys played well in the third (period), that's a huge plus."

Published January 22, 2016

Royal Oak Review

Shrine Unified hockey to face off against Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard

Shrine Unified and Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard will face off at 7 p.m. Jan. 22 at Royal Oak's John Lindell Ice Arena. The Knights fell to the Fighting Irish by a score of 9-3 in the last meeting between the two teams on Jan. 3.

Shrine has a record of 3-8-3 overall and 2-2-2 against Catholic League opponents. Gabriel Richard is a perfect 5-0 in league play, with a 9-3-1 overall record and a perfect 5-0 league record

Published January 22, 2016

West Bloomfield Beacon

Smith’s scoring prowess helping power WLC hockey team

WALLED LAKE — There was an adjustment period needed, both from the player’s standpoint and from the team’s perspective.

It wasn’t something that was going to occur overnight, but Walled Lake Central hockey coach Gary Quitiquit knew if he could figure out exactly how to tinker, the results could be dynamite.

Well, bombs away.

Published January 22, 2016

C&G Newspapers

MIHL Prep Showcase set to launch Feb. 4

METRO DETROIT — An event that began as a 12-team get-together has grown from one year to the next and is now one of the most anticipated high school hockey events on the calendar, short of the state playoffs.

And on Feb. 4, for the 16th year in a row, the Michigan Interscholastic Hockey League Prep Showcase will drop the puck at the Kennedy Recreation Center in Trenton.

Published January 20, 2016

Troy Times

Troy United hockey team to learn about itself these next few weeks

TROY — Whether it was lopsided or came down to the final moments, the result was the same.

The first 10 games of the winter season came and went for the Troy United hockey team, and all 10 ended with the Colts exchanging congratulations following another win in the books.

But 10-0-0 became 10-3-0.

And now, as coach Tim Zimmerman put it, the real test of what his team is made of is about to unfold.

Published January 14, 2016

C&G Newspapers

Charity hockey game to feature matchup between Stahls', Red Wings alumni

A team of employees and executives from Sterling Heights-based Stahls’ will take on a squad of former Detroit Red Wings in a game that will benefit the Clark Park Coalition at 12:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at Detroit’s Clark Park, and they’re taking the game seriously.

“We don’t want to get embarrassed,” said Paul Sabatini, sports marketing coordinator for Stahls’. The Stahls’ team features 17 players, all of whom have extensive experience on the ice.

Published January 12, 2016

Grosse Pointe Times

New league affiliation could help Liggett hockey prepare for postseason play

GROSSE POINTE WOODS — After having previously competed independent of a league affiliation, Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett’s hockey program is in the midst of its first season in the Metro League.

Aside from the opportunity it provides to compete for league championships, head coach Mike Hamilton discussed other ways in which the move could benefit the Knights’ program.

Published January 12, 2016

Farmington Press

Linemates Petras and Marjoros share scoring lead in OAA Red

FARMINGTON HILLS — They have speed, power shots and a nose for the offensive zone.

But more than anything, Jason Petras and Joe Marjoros have a knack to score — and score plenty.

“They’ve been nothing short of outstanding,” Farmington High hockey coach Bill Newton said of his top two offensive standouts. “They play on our top line, log a ton of ice time and do everything we’ve expected out of them.”

Published January 7, 2016

C&G Newspapers

After lengthy layoff, Cranbrook and St. Mary’s get hockey schedule going

ORCHARD LAKE/BLOOMFIELD HILLS — There’s really no way to avoid it, and every winter when the holiday season launches, the game action for most hockey teams shifts into low gear.

That’s all about to change, though, as two of the stronger teams in the state prep for their second meeting of the 2015-16 season when Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood travels to take on Orchard Lake St. Mary’s at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16.

And it’s a meeting that both teams welcome.

Published January 6, 2016

C&G Newspapers

Royal Oak High hockey tops Walled Lake Western in overtime

ROYAL OAK—Royal Oak High hockey opened 2016 with a 3-2 overtime win against Walled Lake Western on Jan. 6 at home.

“It’s always fun to win in overtime,” said Royal Oak coach Craig Ward. “They’re a good team. They play hard. We played physical; we moved the puck. It’s a good start to January, to 2016.”

Published December 15, 2015

Rochester Post

Youthful Stoney Creek hockey team taking strides in right direction

ROCHESTER HILLS — Comparatively speaking, this is a group that’s come a long way in a short amount of time.

That’s the sentiment that Rochester Hills Stoney Creek hockey coach Ian Smith has about his 2015-16 group.

The season is a little more than a month old, but speaking last week about his guys, Smith wasn’t short on compliments.

Published December 14, 2015

Woodward Talk

With 19 varsity veterans back, Berkley hockey sees potential soar

BERKLEY — There’s a redundancy with the roster that Jeff Fleming loves.

There’s a familiarity in the locker room unlike anything he, or most coaches, will ever see.

Last year’s Berkley Unified hockey team featured 22 players, won 16 games and took eventual Division 2 state champ Birmingham Brother Rice down to the wire in the regional round, eventually falling 4-3 in a classic postseason battle.

Published December 10, 2015

West Bloomfield Beacon

Coaches in MIHL say both divisions are there for the taking

When the 2015 hockey postseason came to a close, three teams from the same conference were celebrating state titles.

Three teams from the same division, to be more accurate.

Published December 9, 2015

Troy Times

City rivals team up to form Troy United hockey team for next three years

TROY — As head coach of the Troy High hockey team, this was a scene he’d witnessed dozens of times before, but one he was trying to firmly grasp for the first time ever.

As his team took the ice at the Troy Sports Center for the season opener, Tim Zimmerman stood behind the bench and stared across the way at those in attendance.

“Troy fans sat on one side,” he explained. “Athens fans sat on the other.”

Published December 8, 2015

Troy Times

City rivals team up to form Troy United hockey team for next three years

TROY — As head coach of the Troy High hockey team, this was a scene he’d witnessed dozens of times before, but one he was trying to firmly grasp for the first time ever.

As his team took the ice at the Troy Sports Center for the season opener, Tim Zimmerman stood behind the bench and stared across the way at those in attendance.

“Troy fans sat on one side,” he explained. “Athens fans sat on the other.”

Published December 1, 2015

Rochester Post

Young but experienced, Prep hockey team looking to improve on last season

PONTIAC — It was a young team a year ago — very young, in fact.

And when asked about his 2015-16 squad, coach Aaron Crouse said, “We’re young, very young.”

So, not much has changed with the Pontiac Notre Dame Prep hockey team, even if the guys have taken some great strides from last winter until now.

Published November 30, 2015

Royal Oak Review

Royal Oak hockey has sights set on OAA White title

ROYAL OAK — For the last four seasons, Royal Oak High hockey has been climbing the ranks in the Oakland Activities Association White Division under coach Craig Ward.

This season, Ward believes the Ravens have potential to reach the summit: the program’s first league title.

“Royal Oak’s never won (the OAA White) in their history of hockey, and our goal is to change that this year, “ Ward said. “Can we do it? Yeah. Shall we?

Published November 25, 2015

Royal Oak Review

Royal Oak hockey shows depth, power in win over Shrine Unified

ROYAL OAK—Lindell Ice Arena may be home ice for both Royal Oak High and Shrine Unified, but it was the Ravens who owned the rink with a 13-4 victory over the Knights on Nov. 25.

Royal Oak started its offensive attack early, scoring three goals in the first five minutes of play. The Ravens led 6-0 at the end of the first period.

Published November 23, 2015

Grosse Pointe Times

North hockey team begins fresh campaign

GROSSE POINTE WOODS — The high school hockey season is underway, and Grosse Pointe North will be amongst the teams vying to make the 2015-16 campaign a successful one.

Last season, North lost to Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett in a regional playoff game.

North made it as far as a state final as recently as 2012, and won back-to-back state championships in 2001 and 2002.