Shaved Ice – March 27

Jon Merrill’s on the move – is Jacob Trouba next?

With all of Michigan’s NCAA D1 college hockey teams closing up shop earlier than usual, the speculation and reporting on where some of the top players are heading has also started earlier than usual. We were at Red Berenson and Co.’s final press conference last night, and before we could even type up the quotes about where he thought Jon Merrill would be next year, the junior defenseman had made his decision. The Wolverines will lose one of their top defensemen a year early, but it’s hard to argue Merrill deciding to move on.

Now we wait to see what freshman sensation Jacob Trouba will do – Berenson wouldn’t give anything away on which direction the Rochester native is leaning. Neither would Trouba, when asked.

We’re also anxiously awaiting the decision of Danny DeKeyser, who was at the Air Canada Centre yesterday, to be courted by the Maple Leafs. Whether the Detroit native wants to play for the Wings or go away from home is still up in the air. We certainly wouldn’t be complaining if the talented free agent decided to stay in Hockeytown; would be nice if he at least picked a team in the Wings’ division/conference, too, though.

The Freep’s Helene St. James says the Red Wings are feeling pretty good out West; after all, they have been winning a lot lately.

Check out this feature about Gordie Howe – Hallmark is helping promote their movie about the Howes by having hockey names wish Mr. Hockey happy birthday leading into the big 85th b-day celly on Sunday.  

The last-ever CCHA Now. Sad… 

The Kings met the President yesterday – here’s the coverage from L.A.’s official site.

Former NHL assistant coach Wayne Fleming has passed away at the age of 62. Fleming was fighting brain cancer.

Kris Letang returned to NHL action, only to break his foot. Ouch.

Here’s NHL.com’s guide to the NCAA Tournament. 

Mr. T with the snipe. Literally. 

Griffins hockey, 90s style. Awesome. 

More coverage throughout the day. That’s how it goes around here.