2012-13 high school hockey previews – boys teams
Cranbrook Kingswood
With ten returning forwards and four returning defensemen, coach Andrew Weidenbach has high hopes for this year’s CK squad. Captain Alex Alger leads the way, along with assistant captains Jeremy Loewenstein and Jeff Martin. Three goaltenders – sophomores Spencer Applebaum and Austin Movinski and junior Trisan Neeb – will compete for time between the pipes. Weidenbach says his team hopes to erase a disappointing 2011-12 season with a deep playoff run this year.
Unity (Wayland Union, Hastings, Hopkins and Thornapple Kellogg)
Coach Tom Elliott says he expects his unified squad to be strong on the blue line this season, thanks to Evan Lagendyk, Jonah Oman and James Isola. Unity will also be expecting a big season out of Czech native Adam Hyrsl, an exchange student who will be a force on offense.
Grand Rapids Catholic Central
Grand Rapids CC welcomes back ten players to a roster that is small but quick. Coach Mike Slobodnik says he is expecting big seasons from Remy Woods, Jeff Gorski, Brian Cain and Brendan Kane. Yet Slobodnik also pointed out that CC will be relying on a lot of young players this year, and how they adapt will dictate how the season goes.
Rochester United
Rochester United returns three of their top-four scorers from last season in Brent Boudreau, Marshall Bowery and Evan Asuncion. Lucas Dishinger and Nick Marek anchor the Rochester defensive corps, while returning netminder Brody Blair and newcomer Kyler Patenaude will battle for time between the pipes. “I’m excited about this team because I really do feel that we are solid in all three phases of the game,” said coach Craig Staskowski.
Rockford
Coach Ed Van Portfliet is excited about the depth his Rams squad has this year, as they return 16 players. Key returnees include seniors Cam Bathum, Jacob Smyth, Austin Cantu and goaltender Todd Millar, as well as juniors David Sokol and Trevor Mills. Van Portfliet says that if his team can score goals, they can make some noise in the state playoffs.
Airport/Flat Rock
Tim Ames is the coach of a new unified squad between Airport and Flat Rock. He said to expect offensive output from Ryan Eyler (captain), Alex Jennings, Austin Jacobs and Ryan Kernyo, and physical, grinding play from Jared Gersky, Tucker Senne and Aaron White. Newcomer Garrett Gillis will see plenty of ice time, as well.
Salem
The Rocks welcome back 15 players from last year’s roster. Key players include forwards Jake Fedel, Alek Zultowski, Jake Sealy and Adam Marthaler, defensemen Kyle Downey and Evan Patton, and goaltender Anthony Veresan. Coach Ryan Ossenmacher said his team’s greatest strength will be team speed across the board, and that they can be very successful if they improve defensively.
Grosse Pointe North
Last year’s Division-1 finalists return 12 players, including five defensemen. Coach Scott Lock things that their maturity and experience, along with team strength and speed, could mean another exciting season for Grosse Pointe North. Lock will be counting on strong seasons from Jack Stander, David Chavis, Anthony Allemon, Tanner Colborg, Jeffrey Herron, Jack Guest, Nick Rahaim and CJ Kusch.
Farmington (Falcons)
Coach Mark Vellucci says team chemistry and goaltending will be the Falcons’ greatest strengths this season. Seniors Cooper McLean and Nick Gensheimer and juniors Nick Heffron and John Lethemon will carry the weight this fall. Farmington will also move down to Division 3 for the playoffs this spring.
Northville
Coach Clint Robert said all 24 players on the Northville roster have the right attitude heading into the 2012-13 season – a team-first one. With that mentality, Windsor expects his team to improve on every aspect of the game, every single day.