Saturday Practice: There will be a mandatory video session before Saturday's Practice at Oak Park Ice Arena beginning at 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM with practice to follow at 2:30 PM - 3:50 PM.
Sunday Practice: Has been moved back 30 minutes to 1:30 PM - 3:20 PM.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
New Practice Ice Times This Week
Due to the Michigan Girls State Playoffs at Taylor we will not have our normal practice ice times this Wednesday and Saturday although our Sunday slot at 1:00 PM at Taylor remains the same.
Instead we have picked up:
(1) Thursday Night at Oak Park from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM.
and
(2) Saturday Afternoon at Oak Park from 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM.
Instead we have picked up:
(1) Thursday Night at Oak Park from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM.
and
(2) Saturday Afternoon at Oak Park from 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM.
Monday, February 25, 2008
State Playoff Schedule Announced
Here is the Michigan State U-16 AAA Playoffs Schedule (all games played at the Taylor Sportsplex)
Seedings:
#1 Compuware
#2 Little Caesars
#3 Honeybaked
#4 Belle Tire
#5 Victory Honda
#6 Dearborn Brand
#7 TBD
#8 TBD
Monday, March 3rd at 9:00 PM
#1 Compuware vs. #4 Belle Tire
Tuesday, March 4th at 5:30 PM
#4 Belle Tire vs. #5 Victory Honda
Friday, March 7th at 9:00 PM
#4 Belle Tire vs. #8 TBD
Saturday, March 8th at 5:00 PM
Semis
Sunday, March 9th at 4:00 PM
Finals
Seedings:
#1 Compuware
#2 Little Caesars
#3 Honeybaked
#4 Belle Tire
#5 Victory Honda
#6 Dearborn Brand
#7 TBD
#8 TBD
Monday, March 3rd at 9:00 PM
#1 Compuware vs. #4 Belle Tire
Tuesday, March 4th at 5:30 PM
#4 Belle Tire vs. #5 Victory Honda
Friday, March 7th at 9:00 PM
#4 Belle Tire vs. #8 TBD
Saturday, March 8th at 5:00 PM
Semis
Sunday, March 9th at 4:00 PM
Finals
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Is Something Special Starting To Brew?
With our 2-1 win over Compuware on Sunday, on the heels of our 4-1 win over Little Caesars just two days earlier, our frustrating February slump is finally behind us.
Riding a 4-0-1 MWEHL streak heading into the final regular season game on Tuesday against Victory Honda we're steadily building confidence and momentum at just the right time.
Do we finally have 20 guys all pulling on the same rope, all pulling in the same direction?
Are all 20 guys willing to commit? willing to sacrifice? willing to pay the price? willing to put aside their individual needs and wants for the benefit of our team's quest to win a state championship?
Could it be that something special is starting to brew?
(to be continued)
Riding a 4-0-1 MWEHL streak heading into the final regular season game on Tuesday against Victory Honda we're steadily building confidence and momentum at just the right time.
Do we finally have 20 guys all pulling on the same rope, all pulling in the same direction?
Are all 20 guys willing to commit? willing to sacrifice? willing to pay the price? willing to put aside their individual needs and wants for the benefit of our team's quest to win a state championship?
Could it be that something special is starting to brew?
(to be continued)
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
OHL Cup Rankings Week 14
Detroit Compuware with twenty 1992's and Detroit Belle Tire with sixteen 1992's are the youngest teams in the MWEHL U-16 age division.
This week Detroit Compuware and Detroit Belle Tire check in at #5 and #6 respectively in the Minor Midget Rankings for the OHL Cup Showcase Tournament - Week 14 (last week's ranking in brackets)
1. Toronto Jr Canadiens - GTHL (1)
2. Toronto Marlies - GTHL (2)
3. Elgin-Middlesex - MHAO (3)
4. York-Simcoe Express - OMHA (4)
5. Detroit Compuware U16 - MWEHL- USA (5)
6. Detroit Belle Tire U16 - MWEHL-USA (6)
7. Halton Hurricanes - OMHA (7)
8. Markham Majors - GTHL (9)
9. Ottawa Senators - ODMHA (8)
10. Peterborough Petes - OMHA (10)
Honourable Mention:
Toronto Young Nats - GTHL
Detroit Honeybaked U16 - MWEHL- USA
London Jr. Knights - MHAO
This week Detroit Compuware and Detroit Belle Tire check in at #5 and #6 respectively in the Minor Midget Rankings for the OHL Cup Showcase Tournament - Week 14 (last week's ranking in brackets)
1. Toronto Jr Canadiens - GTHL (1)
2. Toronto Marlies - GTHL (2)
3. Elgin-Middlesex - MHAO (3)
4. York-Simcoe Express - OMHA (4)
5. Detroit Compuware U16 - MWEHL- USA (5)
6. Detroit Belle Tire U16 - MWEHL-USA (6)
7. Halton Hurricanes - OMHA (7)
8. Markham Majors - GTHL (9)
9. Ottawa Senators - ODMHA (8)
10. Peterborough Petes - OMHA (10)
Honourable Mention:
Toronto Young Nats - GTHL
Detroit Honeybaked U16 - MWEHL- USA
London Jr. Knights - MHAO
Friday, February 15, 2008
Is There A Doctor In The House?
Quick! Quick!!! somebody find a doctor .... its mid-February and predictably every MWEHL U-16 team is stricken with the "Disease of Me".
Symptoms of the "Disease of Me" are easy to spot and include (but are not necessarily limited to) the following:
(a) Swollen sense of entitlement to more ice time.
(b) Extreme cravings for more recognition from scouts and recruiters.
(c) Attention deficit disorder towards team goals and achievement.
(d) Paranoia of conjured-up conspiracies and hidden agendas.
(e) Uncontrollable urges to point fingers and cast blame.
While the "Disease of Me" unfortunately cannot be cured completely it must be treated agressively and contained.
Last season's Belle Tire U-16 Team won both the Michigan State and USA Hockey National Championships because co-coaches Rob Smith and Kyle Krug did the best job treating and containing the "Disease of Me".
Nothing has changed in 2008. Plain and simple .... the coaches who do the best job playing doctor and contain the "Disease of Me" as it rampantly spreads across their team will have the most successful team at the end of the season.
But, as with all other medical conditions, no treatment of the "Disease of Me" can be rendered effectivley by any doctor-coach until his patients first acknowledge they have a problem .... and want help.
Symptoms of the "Disease of Me" are easy to spot and include (but are not necessarily limited to) the following:
(a) Swollen sense of entitlement to more ice time.
(b) Extreme cravings for more recognition from scouts and recruiters.
(c) Attention deficit disorder towards team goals and achievement.
(d) Paranoia of conjured-up conspiracies and hidden agendas.
(e) Uncontrollable urges to point fingers and cast blame.
While the "Disease of Me" unfortunately cannot be cured completely it must be treated agressively and contained.
Last season's Belle Tire U-16 Team won both the Michigan State and USA Hockey National Championships because co-coaches Rob Smith and Kyle Krug did the best job treating and containing the "Disease of Me".
Nothing has changed in 2008. Plain and simple .... the coaches who do the best job playing doctor and contain the "Disease of Me" as it rampantly spreads across their team will have the most successful team at the end of the season.
But, as with all other medical conditions, no treatment of the "Disease of Me" can be rendered effectivley by any doctor-coach until his patients first acknowledge they have a problem .... and want help.
Week 13 OHL Cup Rankings Released
Minor Midget Rankings for the OHL Cup Showcase Tournament - Week 13 (last week's ranking in brackets)
1. Toronto Jr Canadiens - GTHL (1)
2. Toronto Marlies - GTHL (2)
3. Elgin-Middlesex - MHAO (3)
4. York-Simcoe Express - OMHA (4)
5. Detroit Compuware U16 - MWEHL- USA (5)
6. Detroit Belle Tire U16 - MWEHL-USA (6)
7. Halton Hurricanes - OMHA (9)
8. Ottawa Senators - ODMHA (10)
9. Markham Majors - GTHL (NR)
10. Peterborough Petes - OMHA (NR)
Honourable Mention:
Toronto Young Nats - GTHL
Detroit Honeybaked U16 - MWEHL- USA (8)
Toronto Red Wings - GTHL (7)
1. Toronto Jr Canadiens - GTHL (1)
2. Toronto Marlies - GTHL (2)
3. Elgin-Middlesex - MHAO (3)
4. York-Simcoe Express - OMHA (4)
5. Detroit Compuware U16 - MWEHL- USA (5)
6. Detroit Belle Tire U16 - MWEHL-USA (6)
7. Halton Hurricanes - OMHA (9)
8. Ottawa Senators - ODMHA (10)
9. Markham Majors - GTHL (NR)
10. Peterborough Petes - OMHA (NR)
Honourable Mention:
Toronto Young Nats - GTHL
Detroit Honeybaked U16 - MWEHL- USA (8)
Toronto Red Wings - GTHL (7)
Monday, February 11, 2008
Smolarek Wins MWEHL Debut
Goalie Brandon Smolarek won the first MWEHL start of his career on Sunday stopping 21 of 24 shots in our 4-3 victory over Honeybaked.
Smolarek, added to our roster in December when backup goaltender Brach Tiller quit the team, made several impressive saves during the game's first period to provide the momentum we needed to gain a very important victory.
Milestone Victory: Sunday's win is only the second victory of any kind that a Wizards team (as an independent organization or as combined with Belle Tire) has had over a Honeybaked team, and the first one since the Pee Wee Major Big Dog Tournament in the Spring of 2004 when the 92 Wizards defeated Honeybaked 4-3 at Lakeland Arena.
Smolarek, added to our roster in December when backup goaltender Brach Tiller quit the team, made several impressive saves during the game's first period to provide the momentum we needed to gain a very important victory.
Milestone Victory: Sunday's win is only the second victory of any kind that a Wizards team (as an independent organization or as combined with Belle Tire) has had over a Honeybaked team, and the first one since the Pee Wee Major Big Dog Tournament in the Spring of 2004 when the 92 Wizards defeated Honeybaked 4-3 at Lakeland Arena.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
ANNOUNCING: Team Receives Its OHL Cup Invitation
I am pleased to announce that our team officially received an invitation today from the GTHL to attend the OHL Cup Showcase in Toronto from March 19-23.
The OHL Cup will provide our players with an excellent opportunity to showcase their skills in front of all OHL scouts in preparation for the 2008 OHL Priority Draft.
Here are the Minor Midget Rankings for the OHL Cup Showcase Tournament - Week 12 (last week's ranking in brackets)
1. Toronto Jr Canadiens - GTHL (1)
2. Toronto Marlies - GTHL (2)
3. Elgin-Middlesex - MHAO (3)
4. York-Simcoe Express - OMHA (4)
5. Compuware U16 - MWEHL- USA (7)
6. Detroit Belle Tire U16 - MWEHL-USA (6)
7. Toronto Red Wings - GTHL (5)
8. Detroit Honeybaked U16 - MWEHL- USA (9)
9. Halton Hurricanes - OMHA (8)
10. Ottawa Senators - ODMHA (NR)
The OHL Cup will provide our players with an excellent opportunity to showcase their skills in front of all OHL scouts in preparation for the 2008 OHL Priority Draft.
Here are the Minor Midget Rankings for the OHL Cup Showcase Tournament - Week 12 (last week's ranking in brackets)
1. Toronto Jr Canadiens - GTHL (1)
2. Toronto Marlies - GTHL (2)
3. Elgin-Middlesex - MHAO (3)
4. York-Simcoe Express - OMHA (4)
5. Compuware U16 - MWEHL- USA (7)
6. Detroit Belle Tire U16 - MWEHL-USA (6)
7. Toronto Red Wings - GTHL (5)
8. Detroit Honeybaked U16 - MWEHL- USA (9)
9. Halton Hurricanes - OMHA (8)
10. Ottawa Senators - ODMHA (NR)
Game Info For Sunday
The location and time for Sunday's game against Honeybaked will remain at Taylor at 1:00 PM.
Note: Originally we thought the game would need to be moved due to ice conflicts with the Midget Major MWEHL Showcase, but our time slot was not taken.
Note: Originally we thought the game would need to be moved due to ice conflicts with the Midget Major MWEHL Showcase, but our time slot was not taken.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Saginaw Saturday
THE EXAMPLE
Saginaw Spirit Head Coach, Todd Watson, stepped up to the microphone and started his speech with glowing comments about his stud 1990 birthyear defenseman Adam Comrie who had just finished speaking.
Said Watson, "Watch Adam Comrie Tonight, I mean he BRINGS IT ... BRINGS IT EVERY DAY ... BRINGS IT EVERY SHIFT ... BRINGS IT EVERY PRACTICE ... BRINGS IT IN THE WEIGHTROOM ... HE BRINGS IT ALL THE TIME!"
Comrie slipped out of the conference room and headed to the lockeroom, he dressed in his gear and uniform, went to the ice, and proceded to flat out BRING IT.
Hopefully the players on our team who stayed to watch this future NHL defenseman play in the Saginaw Spirits' 3-2 win over the Ottawa 67's saw exactly what is meant by BRINGING IT.
Comrie might be 6-4 and 200 pounds, a smooth skater with great agility, soft hands and a booming shot. But none of these tools or assets would mean much if Comrie didn't BRING IT.
THE REFLECTION
As most adults around 30 years and older will attest. The moments in your life you remember most and reflect upon most are not the triumphs that you had, or the championships that you won, or the honors you earned ... but unfortunately they are instead the REGRETS you have had.
Regrets about opportunities during your life that you did not take advantage of and regrets about not doing everything within your power necessary to become the best you could be, or could have been, at something important to you.
THE REALITY
Each player on our team has the potential to accomplish great things at several different levels in the sport of hockey, but only the MOST COMMITTED, the MOST FOCUSED ... THE ONES WHO BRING IT will actually accomplish these things, and the rest will regret the fact they didn't BRING IT and will be haunted throughout their life with the wonder of what if.
Unfortunately, reality is that many guys on our team will be sitting somewhere several years from now relecting upon their hockey career and regreting that they did not BRING IT like they needed to BRING IT, the way an Adam Comrie and successful players like him BRING IT.
THE KEY QUESTION
So to the players on our team .... You have all made the choice to play AAA hockey at this age level. You have all said you want to accomplish something great in this sport. But merely saying it and actually doing it are two different things.
Now is the time to take a long, hard look in the mirror and answer this question as honestly as you can. "Do you have what it takes within you to BRING IT ALL THE TIME the way an Adam Comrie and players like him BRING IT ALL THE TIME?"
If you cannot strongly and honestly answer yes to that question, and back up your answer with real action, than expect to be haunted by regret throughout your life if you seek to accomplish great things playing hockey at a high level.
Saginaw Spirit Head Coach, Todd Watson, stepped up to the microphone and started his speech with glowing comments about his stud 1990 birthyear defenseman Adam Comrie who had just finished speaking.
Said Watson, "Watch Adam Comrie Tonight, I mean he BRINGS IT ... BRINGS IT EVERY DAY ... BRINGS IT EVERY SHIFT ... BRINGS IT EVERY PRACTICE ... BRINGS IT IN THE WEIGHTROOM ... HE BRINGS IT ALL THE TIME!"
Comrie slipped out of the conference room and headed to the lockeroom, he dressed in his gear and uniform, went to the ice, and proceded to flat out BRING IT.
Hopefully the players on our team who stayed to watch this future NHL defenseman play in the Saginaw Spirits' 3-2 win over the Ottawa 67's saw exactly what is meant by BRINGING IT.
Comrie might be 6-4 and 200 pounds, a smooth skater with great agility, soft hands and a booming shot. But none of these tools or assets would mean much if Comrie didn't BRING IT.
THE REFLECTION
As most adults around 30 years and older will attest. The moments in your life you remember most and reflect upon most are not the triumphs that you had, or the championships that you won, or the honors you earned ... but unfortunately they are instead the REGRETS you have had.
Regrets about opportunities during your life that you did not take advantage of and regrets about not doing everything within your power necessary to become the best you could be, or could have been, at something important to you.
THE REALITY
Each player on our team has the potential to accomplish great things at several different levels in the sport of hockey, but only the MOST COMMITTED, the MOST FOCUSED ... THE ONES WHO BRING IT will actually accomplish these things, and the rest will regret the fact they didn't BRING IT and will be haunted throughout their life with the wonder of what if.
Unfortunately, reality is that many guys on our team will be sitting somewhere several years from now relecting upon their hockey career and regreting that they did not BRING IT like they needed to BRING IT, the way an Adam Comrie and successful players like him BRING IT.
THE KEY QUESTION
So to the players on our team .... You have all made the choice to play AAA hockey at this age level. You have all said you want to accomplish something great in this sport. But merely saying it and actually doing it are two different things.
Now is the time to take a long, hard look in the mirror and answer this question as honestly as you can. "Do you have what it takes within you to BRING IT ALL THE TIME the way an Adam Comrie and players like him BRING IT ALL THE TIME?"
If you cannot strongly and honestly answer yes to that question, and back up your answer with real action, than expect to be haunted by regret throughout your life if you seek to accomplish great things playing hockey at a high level.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Little Caesars Game Rescheduled
Wednesday's canceled league game with Little Caesars has been rescheduled to Wednesday February 13th at Taylor at 8:30 PM.
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