Give Thanks - the ice has returned to Jack Adams Arena

For the third year in a row, the Detroit Hockey Association teams did not have access to their home ice until November. In both 2008 and 2009, power outages, aging compressors, and repair work put the Detroit Dragons Teams' seasons in jeopardy.

Thankfully, the story is different this season. The City of Detroit has made an investment in the future of hockey and figure skating in the city. Over the summer and into September, new compressors were installed. We trust this will be the last year in the foreseeable future that the Detroit Hockey Association will be waiting for the week of Thanksgiving to get back on the ice.

The Detroit Dragons Squirt B will kick off its season on Tuesday, November 23rd at 6:00 PM. The i-program (learn to skate) will begin on Saturday, December 4th at 10:00 AM. All ages are welcome.

Stay tuned for more Detroit Hockey news.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Detroit Hockey end of season event

2009-2010 Detroit Dragons Mites

2009-2010 Detroit Dragons Squirts

2009-2010 Detroit Dragons Pee Wees

2009-2010 Detroit Dragons Bantoms

2009-2010 Detroit Dragons Midgets

The Detroit Hockey Association 2009-2010 end of season event was held on Saturday, April 24, 2010. We did something a little different from the traditional banquet. This year the DHA had a Family Skate/Barbeque at Jack Adams Arena. It was a great way to mingle and share some family time.

See you next season!!

Detroit Dragons players attend Frozen Four games at Ford Field

Due to the generous support of numerous donors, several Detroit Dragons and their chaperons were able to cheer on Cameron Burty and enjoy the NCAA hockey championship games at Ford Field in Detroit.

The Detroit Hockey Association greatly appreciates the kindness of so many good people! Thank you for the tickets. We all had a great time!

Cameron Burt Featured on Detroit Red Wings TV

Click this link to view a feature of Cameron Burt at the Frozen Four on Detroit Red Wings TV

NATIVE SON SPARKLES IN HOCKEY

By Raymond Rolak
DETROIT -- It will be a homecoming for Rochester Institute of Technology sophomore, forward, Cameron Burt. The NCAA Men’s Frozen Four will be held at Ford Field and RIT will be making their first appearance in the championships against Wisconsin, on Thursday at 5:00 PM. The game will be broadcast on ESPN. Miami and Boston College will square off in the other semi-final at 8:30 PM.

This will be the sixth time Detroit has hosted the NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Championships. But this will also be a first for Ford Field. These will be the first sanctioned hockey game ever to be played in the stadium.

Burt, RIT’s leading scorer (16-31-47), got his first taste of travel hockey at Jack Adams Arena, playing in the Detroit Hockey Association. The Detroit PSL (CMA) graduate went on to play for the Green Bay Gamblers in the USHL for his elite junior experience.

Burt’s success is a testimonial to the vision of the pioneers in Detroit hockey. The Detroit Recreation Department was always at the forefront. Hockey support from names like Ilitch, Adray and Karmanos helped. The Great Lakes Invitational Tournament at Christmas time is part of the historical fabric of college hockey. The late Don Canham was such a tremendous advocate for the college game.

From St. Clair Shores to Trenton and all around Metro Detroit, no one can argue….This is Hockeytown. There is even an adjacent Hockeytown Café and former University of Wisconsin star Chris Chelios has a tavern that is very short walk from Ford Field. Also, close to Ford Field is the very ethnic Greektown area.

The DHA has had a storied tradition of producing college players for well over 60 years.

The National Hockey League has recently put money and energy to promote diversity. It was 52 years ago that Willie O’Ree played for the Boston Bruins and became the first black man to make his mark in the NHL. O’Ree, now 74 heads up the NHL’s inner-city and ethnic neighborhood program to develop hockey interest in urban areas.

This is the 12th year for the NHL plan. O’Ree said, "These programs are working, we started in four cities and are now in 40 locations throughout the States and Canada." He added, "Every boy or girl has natural ability, they just need the opportunity. All groups just need to get exposed to hockey."

As a hockey diplomat, George Gund, former San Jose Shark’s owner who underwrote the Krakow Film Festival, ultimately helped get an outdoor rink built near Zakopane, Poland.

The NCAA has always had an ambassadorial approach in hockey. Successful effort is rewarded, regardless of background. The University of Michigan and Michigan State always embraced minorities. Former Michigan coach Al Renfrew said, "Just look to Mel Wakabayashi as an example." As he referred to his All-America center on his 1964NCAA Champion team.

The late "Godfather" of hockey in Minnesota, John Mariucci, echoed similar thoughts when he coached the Gophers. At any speaking engagement he would rally the hockey cause by saying, "Anyone can play hockey at an elite level if given the chance, and we just need 10,000 rinks." His belief and determination that everyone has a right to play hockey, including women, was reinforced by the recent Olympic medal success. Walter Bush encouraged diversity and USA Hockey carries that vision on an inter-national level today.

The City of Detroit has had a surge of new hockey interest. Besides the Detroit Jack Adams indoor rink, the Detroit Clark Park outdoor rink has benefitted from the NHL program. Each February, the DHA hosts a national invitational tournament as part of Hockey Day in Michigan titled "Hockey in the Hood".

On Friday, April 9, the area will be rocking as it is the home opener for the Detroit Tiger’s at adjacent Comerica Park. At 5:00 PM, there will be a NCAA player’s skill contest at Ford Field. Wayne State Warrior, Lindsey Park will participate. Then the Hobey Baker Award will be announced at Ford Field.

On April 10, as part of the Frozen Four, USA Hockey will be hosting a Level III Coaches Clinic at the Ren-Cen. Pre-Registration is required. Also, during the April 8-10, NCAA Finals, the CCHA is hosting a free Fan Fest at the GM Winter Garden, also in the Ren-Cen.

As a legacy project, the NCAA has instituted a book drive. Partnered with the Detroit Local Organizing Committee and the Detroit Public Schools Foundation, the Frozen Four will have deposit locations for new or gently used books at Ford Field -Gates A, B or G and the Marriott Renaissance Hotel lobby and GM Winter Garden.

The popular NCAA Yes-Clinic presented by the college coaches has been eliminated this year.

It is very appropriate that Burt will be center stage. He has earned his accolades. No player is as hot as Cameron Burt. He has 11 points in his last six games. He had the game winner in the 2-1, NCAA Regional victory over Denver. RIT coach Wayne Wilson brags about him saying, "He has great offensive instincts and is smart with the puck. Right now, he is our go-to guy."

Wisconsin has the history, winning two NCAA titles in Detroit previously. RIT is the hot team, winning their last 12 games. Wisconsin will probably have the most support in the stadium. Cameron Burt will get the most enthusiastic reaction. Home grown !!!!!!!

The CCHA and the Detroit Sports Organization get applause for their efforts. Most important, a great big Thank You is in order to all the Hockey Dad’s and Hockey Mom’s, of Metro Detroit. PAST and PRESENT!!!! All in all, HOCKEY gets the victory.

(This article courtesy of "THE POLISH NEWS", Raymond Rolak is a Michigan based Sports Broadcaster)

Detroit Hockey Association alum Cameron Burt named Atlantic Hockey Association player of the month for February

ROCHESTER, NY - Sophomore forward Cameron Burt (Detroit, MI) of the RIT men's hockey team was named the Atlantic Hockey Association Player of the Month of February on Tuesday. It is Burt's first monthly honor as a member of the Tigers. He was a two-time AHA Rookie of the Week last season.

Burt led the Tigers to a 7-1 mark in February, recording 15 points (2-13-15) in eight games. He also had six multiple-point efforts and 10 power-play points. [more]


Updates:

3/18/2010 12:32:15 PM
Five men's hockey standouts Earn 2010 Atlantic Hockey Association regular season honors
ROCHESTER, NY – Seniors Dan Ringwald (Oakville, Ontario), Jared DeMichiel (Avon, CT), junior Andrew Favot (King City, Ontario), sophomore Cameron Burt (Detroit, MI), and freshman Chris Tanev (Toronto, Ontario) earned all-conference accolades, as the Atlantic Hockey Association announced its 2009-10 award winners at the Radisson Riverside Hotel in downtown Rochester on Thursday evening. [more]

3/20/2010 10:15:27 PM
Men's hockey advances to NCAA Tournament after defeating Sacred Heart in the AHA Championship
ROCHESTER, NY – The RIT men’s hockey team (26-11-1) won its first Atlantic Hockey Association Championship in resounding fashion, defeating second-seeded Sacred Heart (21-13-4), 6-1 before 3,298 fans at Blue Cross Arena on Saturday. RIT has now won 10-straight games and go to the NCAA Tournament for the first time as a Division I program. Cameron Burt (Detroit, MI) was named the Atlantic Hockey Tournament MVP. [more]

March 28, 2010, 12:32 AM ET
RIT downs UNH, reaches Frozen Four
By David Albright
ESPN.com

ALBANY, N.Y. -- RIT

How about RIP, for the remains from the carnage that has been created in the first two days of the 2010 NCAA hockey tournament?

Quick show of hands: Who had the Rochester Institute of Technology advancing to the Frozen Four? A better question might be how many of you knew RIT played Division I hockey?

But the prize of another weekend of hockey was exactly the reward on Saturday night as the No. 4 Tigers (No. 15 overall in a 16-team field) breezed by No. 3 New Hampshire 6-2 to win the East Regional in front of 3,737 at the Times Union Center. RIT became the first Atlantic Hockey Association team to advance to a Frozen Four. [more]

Hockey in the Hood celebrates diversity - Michigan Hockey online - March 8, 2010

Hockey in the Hood VI featured in Hockey Weekly

Hockey Weekly
Hockey in the Hood produces thrilling finals games

Wednesday, February 24, 2010
- By Paul Harris

It’s clear Hockey In The Hood’s competition level is on the rise.

The sixth annual tournament, which has featured minority-based teams and organizations in its first five editions, included a new twist this year.

The tournament, which was held at northwest Detroit’s Jack Adams Arena and southwest Detroit’s Clark Park Feb. 12-14, also featured teams from suburban Detroit. The Squirt B Livonia Bruins, Pee Wee B Farmington Hills Bulldogs, the Pee Wee B Royal Oak IceDogs, Midget B Livonia Blackhawks and the Midget B Plymouth Sharks all participated in the tournament. They joined teams from the Detroit Hockey Association, Clark Park Coalition, Columbus Ice Hockey Club, Hasek’s Heroes (Buffalo) and the Wasilla Hockey Association (Alaska). Usual participant the Fort DuPont Hockey Club (Washington, D.C.) was scheduled to attend but couldn’t get out of Washington because of the excessive snow that has hit that area recently.

The competition produced four spectacularly entertaining championship games Sunday.

The Livonia Bruins won the Squirt championship with a 5-4 win over Columbus, thanks to Brendan Preiss’ shorthanded goal with 1:24 left that broke a 4-4 tie. The Bruins took another penalty with 1:02 left and fought off Columbus’ six-on-three attempt to tie the game with its goaltender pulled as time ran out.

The Farmington Hills Bulldogs and Hasek’s Heroes then upped the drama ante as Farmington Hills won 5-4 in overtime. Matthew Downey drove a one-time slap shot from the high slot past the goaltender (who wore No. 39, like the goalie who the organization was named after), with Kent Jackson doing his Tomas Holmstrom imitation by creating a screen in front of the net, 4:49 into the extra period to give the Bulldogs the win.

Hasek’s Heroes then got its revenge in the Bantam title game as it scored in the last two minutes for a 5-4 win over the Detroit Hockey Association’s Dragons.

The Plymouth Sharks then put an exclamation point on the thrilling afternoon of hockey by scoring with 49 seconds left in regulation for a 3-2 win over the Dragons.

Columbus beat Detroit 4-3 in the Mite title game the previous day.

"I think it was one of our most successful tournaments," tournament director and Detroit Hockey Association president Will McCants said, "because of the notoriety created by the suburban teams participating and those teams bringing up the skill level."

It was a positive experience for the suburban-Detroit teams.

"This was a great tournament. This is really nice," said Livonia Blackhawks’ coach Bill Sullivan, who coached in the Detroit Hockey Association for many years. "The kids got to experience a little diversity and they enjoyed it."

Preiss enjoyed the experience. "I learned about good sportsmanship and about other people," he said.

The tournament was also different for Detroit Hockey Association players.

"It (competition) is tougher," said DHA Midget player Kiernan Babcock. "Bringing in the local teams made it a little harder for us and because the other teams are getting better."

McCants isn’t bemoaning the fact that the Dragons didn’t win a Willie O’Ree Trophy, which goes to the champion of each division.

McCants isn’t bemoaning the fact that the Dragons didn’t win a Willie O’Ree Trophy, which goes to the champion of each division.

"It’s better for me, from the tournament point of view, to see other teams win it," he said. "That gives the tournament more notoriety and it makes us more determined."


O’Ree, the NHL’s first black player, was on hand as usual. "This weekend has generated much more enthusiasm than past tournaments," he said. "Just an awareness of the kids of what’s going on."

Devon Fields, in particular, enjoyed the tournament. Now a coach with the Squirt AA Farmington Hills Fire, Fields grew up playing at Jack Adams Arena for Detroit Hockey Association Dragons’ teams. And this year’s tournament brought him back to the days when the DHA was thriving.

"This makes me think back to the times when every weekend was like this" – busy, with a lot of games going on, he said. "It’s a beautiful thing for Detroit to get a chance to experience it."

But there was one negative for McCants: The absence of the Fort DuPont Hockey Club and its president and founder, Neal Henderson, who co-founded Hockey In The Hood with McCants in 2005.

"I really feel bad. It’s a slight damper on the tournament," McCants said.

The DHA president also thanked the sponsors who made the tournament possible: The Detroit Recreation Department, State Farm Agent Anthony Jackson, Wal-Mart, Frito Lay and the Red Wings.

reprinted with permission and thanks to Hockey Weekly

Detroit Dragons Midget B LCAHL 2010 Back to Back Champs

The Detroit Dragons Midget B Team has brought home another VICTORY The 2009-2010 LCAHL Champions. This has been a Cinderella story that has paid off BIG for this team with a late start in the the season and back to back games with nothing but one practice in the season and to end the year with not just one trophy but two. The LCAHL 2009-2010 Championship trophy and the MAHA 2009-2010 District 2 Midget B runners up trophy, These boy's have Heart and with shear determination would not let anything stand in their way. With their great coaching staff: Head Coach Al Alexander, Asst. Will McCants, Asst. Coach Steve Kolbicz, Asst. Coach John Kelly and Managers Marilyn Alexander and Becki Kolbicz. not to mention their supportive parents, without them these trophies would not be possible.

Detroit Dragons Pee Wees win LCAHL pizza photo contest!

Coach Anthony Garcia forward the following message from the Little Caesars Amateur Hockey League.

Congratulations! Your teams have been selected as this week's seven winners! Your pictures demonstrated creativity and positive support of Little Caesars Pizza and youth hockey.

Your tickets will be available at the Will Call office on the night of the game. Attached please find a flyer that will allow friends and family to order additional tickets at a discounted price if they would like to attend the game with you.

2/19 Winners:
Monroe Ice Hawks #1 Mite B
Novi Ice Cats Squirt AA
Suburban Stars Mite A
Woodhaven Leafs Pee Wee AA
Lakeland Hawks Pee Wee A
Detroit Dragons Pee Wee B
Plymouth Stingrays Mite A

You can view all winning photos at www.lcahl.org

Thanks for choosing LCAHL!

Way to go Dragons!!!

Hockey in the Hood Finals - Day 3 photos

HITH 6 - Day 2 photos

Images of Hockey in the Hood VI - Day One

Press Release: DHA to host Hockey in the Hood VI

Hockey in the Hood VI

The Detroit Hockey association will host Hockey in the Hood at Jack Adams once again from February 12 - 14. This year will also feature select "winter classic" games outside at Clark Park. Teams from Columbus, Ohio; Detroit, MI; Buffalo, NY; Wasilla, AK, and metro Detroit will participate. The guest of honor, Willie O'Ree will travel from his home in San Diego, CA.

Please check the DHA Calendar for the full game schedule.

Detroit Mite Winter Classic in Clark Park to be rescheduled

Due to another power outage and melting ice at Jack Adams arena this Tuesday, the first annual Mite Winter Classic at Clark Park will need to be rescheduled for another date.

Tuesday's originally scheduled regular season ending game with Garden City will be played at Jack Adams Arena at 12:30 PM on Saturday, January 9th instead.

Stay tuned for future updates.