White Division Preview (12.10.09)
Submitted by nhcadmin on Thu, 12/10/2009 - 21:15
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Bedford coach Randy Menchaca will rely on 15 upperclassmen to keep the Kicking Mules' divisional domination rolling. Bedford has won four straight Northwest Hockey Conference White Division titles. Eight seniors and seven juniors are back for a Mules program that is a heavy favorite to win its fifth consecutive crown. Menchaca said he expects his juniors and seniors to not only provide a physical presence but also intellectual guidance. “We will rely heavily on our upperclassmen to provide our team with leadership and mental toughness in key games this year,” he said. Last year, Bedford was led by two pairs of brothers: Garryt and Jared Kujawa and Jesse and Drew Bachli. But Garryt and Jesse have graduated, leaving junior Jared Kujawa and senior Drew Bachli to assume the leadership roles as co-captains. Menchaca said he has a deep team and junior goalie Mark Blankenship now has plenty of experience. Perrysburg, which was the only team to hand Bedford a loss in league play last season, is picked to once again be the Mules' main adversary. The Yellow Jackets defeated Bedford 4-2, but suffered a 5-3 loss to the Mules in the league finale. The Yellow Jackets are led by Matt White, who set a school record for goals scored in a season with 53. White also had 27 assists. Fellow forwards Ben Lopez (18 goals) and Alex Dunphy (30 career goals) can consistently put the biscuit in the basket, according to Perrysburg coach Jeff LaCourse. “Our top forwards are big scorers,” he said. “Our defense looks very strong too.” Anthony Wayne had dominated the NHC Blue Division to the point that the Generals were bumped up a level to White this season. Anthony Wayne had either shared or won the Blue championship five straight years. AW coach David Faulkner said he believes his combination of junior winger Zach Ulrich and senior center Kevin Hoyle “may be the strongest one-two offensive punch” in all three NHC divisions. Here is a look at the NHC White Division in predicted order of finish: Bedford (15-10 overall, 9-1 White Division) has 20 varsity players, including 17 letter winners and four starters back. Kujawa (6-foot-1, 195 pounds), who earned All-NHC first team as a sophomore, led the Mules in scoring. He scored 32 goals to go along with 21 assists. Bachli had eight goals and 17 assists. Senior forward Brendan Sokoloski and junior forward Blake Podgorski bolster the offense, while senior Christian Williams, an assistant captain, anchors the defense. “We may lack the ability to play consistent hockey with a killer instinct,” said Menchaca, who has turned a fledgling program into a perennial contender over his six years. “It is our team mission to not only prepare for games mentally, but to show up at the rink on a daily basis willing to prepare both physically and mentally as individuals in order to contribute to the team in all situations,” Menchaca said. Matt White is a threat to make something good happen every time he is on the ice for Perrysburg (20-5-1, 7-2-1). His 80 points led the conference last season. White is one of three seniors and seven returning starters. LaCourse, who is in his second season (46-11-1), has 17 varsity players. Lopez, who missed most of last season, still scored 18 goals and dished out 18 assists. Dunphy, a senior forward, tallied 12 goals and 14 assists. Sophomore forwards Pat Sarni (7 G, 17 A) and Dustin Kain (6 G, 9 A) give the Jackets even more offensive firepower. “Two of our returning defensemen, Tony Kayser and Mike Finch, are only sophomores, but played [often] last season,” LaCourse said. Perrysburg also has freshman Elliott Kayser and Danish exchange student Mikkel Nissen on the roster. LaCourse said Nissen, a junior, is a very talented player. But the Yellow Jackets have a first-year goaltender in freshman Cam Studer. Anthony Wayne (21-8-1, 9-1 Blue Division) has appeared ready to make the leap up to the White Division for several years. Generals coach David Faulkner said his team enters the season with the same fundamental goals: win a division championship, post tournament victories, reach the district semifinals and tally 22 wins or more. Faulkner has 20 varsity players, eight seniors and 16 returning letter winners. Ulrich (39 G, 38 A) and Hoyle, who played high-level travel hockey last season, are a potent offensive tandem. Centers David Barnes (17 G, 22 A), a senior, and Chris Watkins (6 G, 4 A), a junior, should also contribute. Watkins added 20 pounds to his frame. The Generals' defensive corps is led by junior Jake Smith (3 G, 11 A). “Our team depth is very strong at all positions with four lines and our three top defensemen returning,” said Faulkner, who has 30 players in his program. But goalie Dan Koralewski, who graduated, will be hard to replace. Senior Trent DeLong, junior Chloe Spencer and freshman Chris Podbielniak will battle it out to capture the starting position. Maumee (20-10-2, 4-5-1) has just 10 players on the varsity but four are seniors. Senior Kevin King (6-1, 200) provides size and will play as a defenseman and forward. Defenseman Eric Glenn and forward Eric Phillips are seniors with experience. Junior Austin Tubbs returns between the pipes. Junior Connor Stannford also is among 10 letterwinners for coach Scott Young, who is in his fourth season. Young said Tubbs' goaltending and the defense in front of him should be key strengths. But he said a lack of numbers creates a small bench. Yet Young said he expects Maumee to be right in the mix of an even and competitive division. Central Catholic (4-23-3, 1-9-0) could have a very successful season if the Irish stay disciplined, healthy, and buy into the team's systems, according to third-year coach Steve Nowak. “We need to be in the best condition of our life, and take care of our own zone first and worry about putting the puck in the net second,” Nowak said. “If we have a couple of injuries, or players who want to be individuals, then the team's losing season streak will continue.” All 14 players on the varsity are returning starters, but only two are seniors. Junior forwards Ricky Shaffer, Justin Bain and Cody Goldstein are Central's top offensive players. The play of defenseman Colin Marzec (6-3, 195) along the blue line also will be pivotal. But inexperience between the pipes could be a weakness. Second-year goaltender Lucas Bell will be the No. 1 netminder. Overall, low numbers with 14 skaters also is a concern. Mark Waddell takes over the program at Whitmer (6-15, 1-9). The Panthers tied Central for fifth place last season. Junior goalie Austyn Roudebush (6-0, 165) is one of Waddell's top returning players. He foresees great team leadership from his upperclassmen, including captain Cody Rutkowski and seniors Dylan Ziemkiewicz and John Stroud. “The team is eager to learn and improve from last year,” Waddell said. Junior Kyle Measles, senior Dylan Ziemkiewicz and freshman Tyler Momsen should be solid defenders. Determined forwards Cody Rutowski (senior), Devin Crosser (junior), Andrew Frisinger (junior), Nick Gilmore (junior), Jake Duggan (sophomore), and Robbie Daunhauer (junior) are among nine returning letterwinners. Frisinger is a transfer from Central. Eighteen players are on the varsity. Probable team weaknesses include nine new players, learning a different system, and filling in for lost production. Clay (26-8, 7-3) also has a new coach as Mike Heck takes over a program that has 14 returning letter winners and three starters. Among the 19 players are four seniors. Top returning players are: junior defenseman Devon Eckman, senior defenseman Eric McGill, junior goalie Josh Utter, senior defenseman Matt Hartkopf and junior forward Michael Korb. “We will be very strong defensively this year,” Heck said. “Junior goalie Josh Utter is poised to take over the net minding duties and he earned valuable game experience over the past two seasons.” Heck said Eckman, McGill, Hartkopf and Hudson Sabin form a very talented defensive unit.
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Article published December 10, 2009
WHITE DIVISION
Sidelines: Mules aim for 5 straight
Perrysburg, AW are top contenders to end streak
WHITE DIVISION
Sidelines: Mules aim for 5 straight
Perrysburg, AW are top contenders to end streak
By MARK MONROE BLADE SPORTS WRITER
Bedford coach Randy Menchaca will rely on 15 upperclassmen to keep the Kicking Mules' divisional domination rolling. Bedford has won four straight Northwest Hockey Conference White Division titles. Eight seniors and seven juniors are back for a Mules program that is a heavy favorite to win its fifth consecutive crown. Menchaca said he expects his juniors and seniors to not only provide a physical presence but also intellectual guidance. “We will rely heavily on our upperclassmen to provide our team with leadership and mental toughness in key games this year,” he said. Last year, Bedford was led by two pairs of brothers: Garryt and Jared Kujawa and Jesse and Drew Bachli. But Garryt and Jesse have graduated, leaving junior Jared Kujawa and senior Drew Bachli to assume the leadership roles as co-captains. Menchaca said he has a deep team and junior goalie Mark Blankenship now has plenty of experience. Perrysburg, which was the only team to hand Bedford a loss in league play last season, is picked to once again be the Mules' main adversary. The Yellow Jackets defeated Bedford 4-2, but suffered a 5-3 loss to the Mules in the league finale. The Yellow Jackets are led by Matt White, who set a school record for goals scored in a season with 53. White also had 27 assists. Fellow forwards Ben Lopez (18 goals) and Alex Dunphy (30 career goals) can consistently put the biscuit in the basket, according to Perrysburg coach Jeff LaCourse. “Our top forwards are big scorers,” he said. “Our defense looks very strong too.” Anthony Wayne had dominated the NHC Blue Division to the point that the Generals were bumped up a level to White this season. Anthony Wayne had either shared or won the Blue championship five straight years. AW coach David Faulkner said he believes his combination of junior winger Zach Ulrich and senior center Kevin Hoyle “may be the strongest one-two offensive punch” in all three NHC divisions. Here is a look at the NHC White Division in predicted order of finish: Bedford (15-10 overall, 9-1 White Division) has 20 varsity players, including 17 letter winners and four starters back. Kujawa (6-foot-1, 195 pounds), who earned All-NHC first team as a sophomore, led the Mules in scoring. He scored 32 goals to go along with 21 assists. Bachli had eight goals and 17 assists. Senior forward Brendan Sokoloski and junior forward Blake Podgorski bolster the offense, while senior Christian Williams, an assistant captain, anchors the defense. “We may lack the ability to play consistent hockey with a killer instinct,” said Menchaca, who has turned a fledgling program into a perennial contender over his six years. “It is our team mission to not only prepare for games mentally, but to show up at the rink on a daily basis willing to prepare both physically and mentally as individuals in order to contribute to the team in all situations,” Menchaca said. Matt White is a threat to make something good happen every time he is on the ice for Perrysburg (20-5-1, 7-2-1). His 80 points led the conference last season. White is one of three seniors and seven returning starters. LaCourse, who is in his second season (46-11-1), has 17 varsity players. Lopez, who missed most of last season, still scored 18 goals and dished out 18 assists. Dunphy, a senior forward, tallied 12 goals and 14 assists. Sophomore forwards Pat Sarni (7 G, 17 A) and Dustin Kain (6 G, 9 A) give the Jackets even more offensive firepower. “Two of our returning defensemen, Tony Kayser and Mike Finch, are only sophomores, but played [often] last season,” LaCourse said. Perrysburg also has freshman Elliott Kayser and Danish exchange student Mikkel Nissen on the roster. LaCourse said Nissen, a junior, is a very talented player. But the Yellow Jackets have a first-year goaltender in freshman Cam Studer. Anthony Wayne (21-8-1, 9-1 Blue Division) has appeared ready to make the leap up to the White Division for several years. Generals coach David Faulkner said his team enters the season with the same fundamental goals: win a division championship, post tournament victories, reach the district semifinals and tally 22 wins or more. Faulkner has 20 varsity players, eight seniors and 16 returning letter winners. Ulrich (39 G, 38 A) and Hoyle, who played high-level travel hockey last season, are a potent offensive tandem. Centers David Barnes (17 G, 22 A), a senior, and Chris Watkins (6 G, 4 A), a junior, should also contribute. Watkins added 20 pounds to his frame. The Generals' defensive corps is led by junior Jake Smith (3 G, 11 A). “Our team depth is very strong at all positions with four lines and our three top defensemen returning,” said Faulkner, who has 30 players in his program. But goalie Dan Koralewski, who graduated, will be hard to replace. Senior Trent DeLong, junior Chloe Spencer and freshman Chris Podbielniak will battle it out to capture the starting position. Maumee (20-10-2, 4-5-1) has just 10 players on the varsity but four are seniors. Senior Kevin King (6-1, 200) provides size and will play as a defenseman and forward. Defenseman Eric Glenn and forward Eric Phillips are seniors with experience. Junior Austin Tubbs returns between the pipes. Junior Connor Stannford also is among 10 letterwinners for coach Scott Young, who is in his fourth season. Young said Tubbs' goaltending and the defense in front of him should be key strengths. But he said a lack of numbers creates a small bench. Yet Young said he expects Maumee to be right in the mix of an even and competitive division. Central Catholic (4-23-3, 1-9-0) could have a very successful season if the Irish stay disciplined, healthy, and buy into the team's systems, according to third-year coach Steve Nowak. “We need to be in the best condition of our life, and take care of our own zone first and worry about putting the puck in the net second,” Nowak said. “If we have a couple of injuries, or players who want to be individuals, then the team's losing season streak will continue.” All 14 players on the varsity are returning starters, but only two are seniors. Junior forwards Ricky Shaffer, Justin Bain and Cody Goldstein are Central's top offensive players. The play of defenseman Colin Marzec (6-3, 195) along the blue line also will be pivotal. But inexperience between the pipes could be a weakness. Second-year goaltender Lucas Bell will be the No. 1 netminder. Overall, low numbers with 14 skaters also is a concern. Mark Waddell takes over the program at Whitmer (6-15, 1-9). The Panthers tied Central for fifth place last season. Junior goalie Austyn Roudebush (6-0, 165) is one of Waddell's top returning players. He foresees great team leadership from his upperclassmen, including captain Cody Rutkowski and seniors Dylan Ziemkiewicz and John Stroud. “The team is eager to learn and improve from last year,” Waddell said. Junior Kyle Measles, senior Dylan Ziemkiewicz and freshman Tyler Momsen should be solid defenders. Determined forwards Cody Rutowski (senior), Devin Crosser (junior), Andrew Frisinger (junior), Nick Gilmore (junior), Jake Duggan (sophomore), and Robbie Daunhauer (junior) are among nine returning letterwinners. Frisinger is a transfer from Central. Eighteen players are on the varsity. Probable team weaknesses include nine new players, learning a different system, and filling in for lost production. Clay (26-8, 7-3) also has a new coach as Mike Heck takes over a program that has 14 returning letter winners and three starters. Among the 19 players are four seniors. Top returning players are: junior defenseman Devon Eckman, senior defenseman Eric McGill, junior goalie Josh Utter, senior defenseman Matt Hartkopf and junior forward Michael Korb. “We will be very strong defensively this year,” Heck said. “Junior goalie Josh Utter is poised to take over the net minding duties and he earned valuable game experience over the past two seasons.” Heck said Eckman, McGill, Hartkopf and Hudson Sabin form a very talented defensive unit.
