09/13/2006

TC hopes different is better

North Stars open season with lots of new faces

BY JAMES COOK

jcook@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — A much different Traverse City North stars will take the ice this season, which opens today at the NAHL Showcase.

And if TC winger Brett Englebright is right, it will be a much better one than last year.

"I think we have a good shot at winning the national championship and winning the division," Englebright said.

An expansion team a season ago, the Stars made the playoffs but were bounced by the U.S. National Development U-17 team in the first round.

Team USA will be a constant contender in the North Division, which lost the Cleveland Barons to the United States Hockey League, but picked up the expansion Marquette Rangers. The Stars — which led before falling in five games in their playoff series — hope they can be right there.

A key to Traverse City's success will be a more veteran and experienced team.

As an expansion team last year, only Eric Elmblad had played previously in the North American Hockey League.

The Stars return seven players from last year's squad and, almost as importantly, landed five players from other NAHL teams including Billings' leading scorer and Bozeman's top blueliner.

"They bring experience," coach and GM Scott Gardiner said. "I expect (Joe) Greener and (Aaron) Pietila to put up some numbers and (Matt) Hughes is an all-around player.

"On and off the ice, we'll be more experienced."

Greener and Pietila were teammates for the Cleveland Barons — who moved to Columbus to join the USHL — combining for 17 goals and 39 points. Hughes had six points in 28 games for Bozeman, and Gardiner says he is a solid two-way player who will see time on the power play and penalty-killing units.

Hamway led Billings with 52 points in 51 games, and Flint native Jameson Raymond (5-9, 180) brings another solid defender to the blueline. The Stars also get a boost on defense with USHL veteran Harrison Niemann (6-1, 195).

"With a veteran team, we'll be more patient with the puck and settle things down," Englebright said. "Last year, everyone was new to it, and now everyone will know what to expect. In tight games, kids will know what to do. They've been there before."

"We look great. We have a real talented team, more talent that last year."

The goaltender spot is still up in the air. The Stars released NAHL veteran Miles Williams (7-5-1 with Texarkana) this week, leaving returnee Ryan Donovan and rookie Stefan Shively to battle for the top spot.

"This week will tell a lot," Gardiner said. "They'll both play and we'll see. That position usually works itself out."

Top returnees include leading scorer Patrick Nagorsen (42 points in 57 games) and Jared Mullen (33 points in 56 games), giving TC a pair of dependable centers. Winger Jonathan Juliano racked up 31 points in 57 games and Englebright posted 15 points in 33 contests. Defenders Rich Zobak and Arthur Bidwell will be joined by Raymond and Niemann to give the Stars a good core of veterans on the blueline.

Leading the class of rookies is 2006 Mr. Hockey Zach Hitch, although it remains to be seen how well the Brighton product adjusts from going from being a pure scorer in high school to a more all-around player in the NAHL. Hitch has good speed and hands, but may need to work on his defense.

"I like our rookies," Gardiner said. "(Kory Kaunisto) is going to be a good one."

Kaunisto, who has already received a Division 1 scholarship to Northern Michigan University, will play right wing on a line with Hughes on the left and Hamway at center.

"We're going to play a very offensive style," Gardiner said. "We'll have to shore up our end, but in transition we're going to go after them."

"It's a lot different style for him," Gardiner said. "The first couple months, we'll see how he develops."

AAA Midget defenders Michael Studevant and Chris Heineman, Phil Partyka and draft pick Max Grover round out the defenders.

The Stars took a bit of a hit when draft picks Mike Dahlinger and Kenny Blain — high-scoring linemates for the Western Junior Hockey League champion Chatham Maroons — decided not to play in Traverse City. The pair were first- and fourth-round picks by TC in the May draft. Third-round pick Sebastion Kimmel will center the team's fourth line and fourth-round selection Grover was one of eight blueliners to make the final cut.

Six of TC's nine tenders made the opening day roster.

The Stars open the season today against Fargo Moorhead in the NAHL Showcase tournament in Blaine, Minn.

"We feel we're really good on paper," Gardiner said, "and now we've got to see how good we really are."