Michi-gamer: Pride of the Mitten (Week of Dec. 10)

Welcome to another season of MiHockey’s Michi-gamer, now powered by Bauer Hockey.

We take great pride in our homegrown talent. Whether they grew up in the Mitten or we welcomed them here for college or juniors, they are our own. They represent the best place in the world for hockey.

Every night, we’ll keep an eye on those players, and every morning, we will pick one Michi-gamer of the night – one Michigan player who stood out above the rest.


DECEMBER 14 – JORDIE JOHNSTON

Everyone at Ferris State University might miss Jordie Johnston, but the Greenville Road Warriors sure are glad he graduated. Johnston, who led the Bulldogs in scoring during their run to the NCAA title game last spring, is now skating for the ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers, and he has brought his ability to find the back of the net with him. Last night, Johnston scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal for the Road Warriors, in their 3-1 win over the Gwinnett Gladiators. Johnston, a Rosetown, Saskatchewan native, now has three goals and four assists in 12 games with the Road Warriors.

More MiHockey articles on Johnston:

MiHockey Previews: Can the Bulldogs repeat their NCAA run?

Ferris State falls short in NCAA title game

Johnston, Denis lead Ferris State to second round


DECEMBER 13 – J.T. MILLER

Former Plymouth Whalers star J.T. Miller is continuing to establish himself in the professional hockey world. The National Team Development Program product and World Junior team hopeful scored the game-winner in a 2-1 victory for the Connecticut Whale last night. The New York Rangers’ AHL affiliate took down the Worcester Sharks, thanks to Miller’s third-period goal. It was the former Whalers’ second point of the period, too; Miller set up former University of Michigan star Chad Kolarik for the game-tying goal just five minutes earlier. Two goals, two points for Miller, making him an easy choice for today’s Michi-gamer. He now has five goals and eight assists in 24 games in his first professional hockey season.

More MiHockey articles on Miller:

Michi-gamer: Pride of the Mitten (Week of Dec. 3)

USA Hockey announces preliminary roster for World Junior team


DECEMBER 12 – T.J. HENSICK

Former Michigan Wolverines standout and Howell native T.J. Hensick had himself a solid night in the AHL for his Peoria Rivermen. Hensick – the 88th overall pick in 2005 of the Colorado Avalanche – powered the Rivermen to a 4-2 win over the Oklahoma City Barons with a pair of goals and plus-two rating. For Hensick, that marks his sixth and seventh goals on the season to go along with his 16 assists for 23 points in 24 games. The U.S. NTDP alum has also played 112 NHL games with the Colorado Avalanche and St. Louis Blues, in which he has recorded 38 points. During his four-year career with the Wolverines, Hensick racked up 222 points in 164 games and was the first player since Brendan Morrison (1994-97) to record at least 40 points in all four collegiate seasons.

More MiHockey articles on Hensick:

Michi-gamer: Pride of the Mitten (Week of Nov. 12)

Michi-gamer: The Pride of the Mitten (Week of Nov. 5)

 


DECEMBER 11 – JASON DESANTIS

With little action Monday night, we turned back to the weekend for our Tuesday Michi-gamer vote. Oxford native Jason DeSantis receives his second nomination of the season for his performance Saturday night. In a 3-2 San Antonio Rampage victory over the powerhouse Oklahoma City Barons squad Sunday night, the 26-year-old U.S. NTDP and Honeybaked alum recorded a goal and an assist. Coming off a night where he was a healthy scratch, DeSantis bounced back well for the Rampage, recording his second goal on the year. Now, in addition to the pair of goals on the season, he has seven assists for nine points through 22 games. Undrafted, DeSantis enjoyed a breakout season in 2011-12 with the St. John’s IceCaps in which he registered 43 points in 66 games. That earned him his first NHL contract with the Florida Panthers – a one-year, two-way deal for the 2012-13 campaign.

More MiHockey articles on DeSantis:

Michi-gamer: Pride of the Mitten (Week of Dec. 3)


DECEMBER 10 – TOREY KRUG

Torey Krug picked a good time to score his first professional goal. The Livonia native and former captain of the Michigan State Spartans recorded the game-winning goal for the AHL’s Providence Bruins in a game against the Manchester Monarchs Friday night. Six minutes into the third period, with the game tied 2-2, Krug took a cross-ice pass and fired a wrist shot to the top shelf for the game’s decisive goal. The goal, along with his five assists, gives Krug six points on the season in 20 games. He’s no stranger to finding the back of the net, of course; Krug was a Hobey Baker candidate last season after grabbing a share of the CCHA scoring title last season with Notre Dame’s T.J. Tynan. Krug signed with Boston as a free agent on March 25 and skated in two games with the Bruins last season, recording one assist.

More MiHockey articles on Krug:

MSU hosts their annual pro camp this week

MSU captain Torey Krug announces deal with Bruins

CCHA award winners announced; Krug named POY


To see last week’s Michi-gamer nominations, click here.