05/22/2006

Friends, foes at Stars camp

Local players team up, face off at Centre ICE

TRAVERSE CITY — Figuratively speaking, the game of hockey can make for strange bedfellows. For 10 local players who took part in the Traverse City North Stars tryout camp, former foes are now teammates, and ex-teammates are lining up against one another.

Consider the case of the Traverse City Central and TC West.

In the high school season, West standouts Sean Burke, Nate Greenman, Todd Knaus, Dallas Kniss, and did battle with crosstown foes Chris Archambo, Cam Brown, Eric O'Hearn and Tyler Stricker of TC Central. The teams dueled for the Big North Conference title, with the Trojans eventually taking home the league crown and the city's first-ever MHSAA state championship.

This weekend at Centre ICE arena, the vast majority of area players were assigned to the same team, combining their talents for the Red Team in scrimmages before Stars coaches and scouts.

Training camp concluded on Sunday with a 3-2 victory by Team White in the Blue & White Game.

"I knew they were familiar with each other and we hoped that being on the same team would make them feel a little more comfortable out there," Stars head coach/GM Scott Gardiner said. "We thought that would put them in a position to do their very best during camp."

Greenman, who also auditioned for the team a year ago, says that the desired effect was achieved.

"It's nice being able to play with your friends, guys you grew up playing with and against," said Greenman. "It's easier than coming in here and not knowing anyone."

The collection of local talent at Stars camp isn't limited to the West-Central rivalry. Elk Rapids native and former GT Bay Reps star Kyle Rowe, ex-Cheboygan scoring machine Isaac Viau and GTHA bantam goalkeeper Spencer Sonneveldt also took part.

"Nate and I were first teammates — defensive partners — when we were in squirts (age 10)," said Brown, a Trojans blue-liner. "Shaun, too. We played together up until high school, and then we were on opposite benches. Now, we're back together for the weekend."

Stricker, who won every start he made this season for the state champs — save for a 1-1 tie against TC West — backstopped the Teal Team this weekend, and surrendered two goals off the stick of Knaus.

"All year long, I was rooting for our guys to get back on defense in front of me," Stricker said. "Now, I have to try and shut those same guys down."

Despite past battles on the frozen floor, Brown says there is no lingering animosity between any of the players in camp.

"Heck no," Brown explained. "I mean, we beat 'em 9-0 and won the state championship. I'd say there's not a shred of ill will from us."

Knaus agreed.

"I'd have liked it to have been us, but I think we were all pretty proud that a team from Traverse City won states," said Knaus, who traveled to play for the Hazel Park-based Honeybaked midget program following the conclusion of the 2005-06 prep campaign. "There wasn't any jealousy on our part — it was like the whole town got to share in it, actually."

Gardiner says that the level of play among area skaters has been steadily rising, and that the Stars' high local profile means more and more TC players will be on the team's radar.

"There is a lot of local talent and it's just getting better," he said. "This year, we have more local players who are more capable than we even did just last year. It's a big positive for us.

"That, and I think they saw our level of play this year — especially if they saw the playoff series with Team USA — and want to play at that level of hockey, especially if they can do it in front of the hometown fans. They've opened our eyes, and hopefully we've done the same for local players."