Michi-gamer: Pride of the Mitten (Week of June 17)

June 17, 2013July 23, 2013 MiHockey Staff

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.

JUNE 20 – DUNCAN KEITH

Former Michigan State defenseman Duncan Keith didn’t light up the scoresheet in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final last night. However, he kept the Bruins from doing so during his absurd amount of ice time. Keith played for 32:37 in the game that needed OT to decide a winner, and he finished with a +3 on the night. He also picked up an assist on Patrick Sharp’s third-period goal. It was just another night at the office for Keith, who was responsible in his own end for more than half a game’s worth of ice time.

More MiHockey articles on Keith:

Blackhawks avoid elimination, force Game 6 with 4-1 win over Red Wings

NHL ’14 potential cover athletes announced

blashill from newman sized — (Mark Newman/Grand Rapids Griffins)

JUNE 19 – JEFF BLASHILL

He didn’t take the ice until after the final buzzer last night, but he sure did have a hand in the outcome of Game 6 – and the Griffins’ entire season. Sault Ste. Marie native Jeff Blashill guided Grand Rapids to their first AHL title last night, completing his remarkable first season behind the Griffins’ bench with some hardware. Blashill, 39, led the Griffins to a 15-9 postseason record after a 42-26-4-4 record in the regular season, all while dealing with an ever-fluctuating AHL roster as the Red Wings sent players back and forth between Grand Rapids and Detroit. Blashill bringing the Calder Cup to Grand Rapids is just the latest of many coaching accomplishments for the Ferris State alum, after he was named National Coach of the Year by College Hockey News, Inside College Hockey and USCHO.com in his lone season with the Western Michigan Broncos in 2010-11, two years after capturing a USHL title with the Indiana Ice. If he sticks around in Grand Rapids for a while, the Griffins will be lucky to have him. But don’t be surprised NHL clubs start calling… That’s what happens when you are one of the top rising coaches in hockey.

More MiHockey articles on Blashill:

“This belongs to the city forever” – Griffins capture first pro hockey title for Grand Rapids

The Top 10 Moments From 2012: Grand Rapids Griffins

MiHockey’s annual ’50 Most Influential People in Michigan hockey

Blashill’s winning recipe calls for commitment

Jeff Blashill returns to his roots

JUNE 17 – TYLER SEGUIN

Tyler Seguin hasn’t been lighting up the scoresheet in the 2013 postseason, but he’s contributing offensively in some of the most important situations the Bruins have found themselves in the last few months. The former Plymouth Whalers star had the primary assist on Daniel Paille’s game-winning goal in overtime of Game 2, sending a saucer pass through traffic right to Paille’s stick. It was Seguin’s fifth assist of the playoffs, and it was a big one. The Bruins and Blackhawks are now tied 1-1 with the series shifting back to Boston. Plus, Seguin was mic’ed up for the goal…check it out below.