Fabulous Freshman

Pictured above: Freshmen Michael Dery (left) and Alex Huizenga battle for the puck in a recent contest between GR Catholic Central and GR Christian. Both 9th graders made varsity and find themselves battling for ice time on senior-laden teams, Dery as a third-line wing and Huizenga as a top-4 defenseman.

Making the varsity hockey team as a freshman is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it's a nice achievement that's a testament to the player's ability and all the hard work he's put in over the years. On the other hand, there's the issue of ice time.

As many freshman know, "making the team" and "playing" are often two different things. That's a tough pill to swallow for kids who've often been the stars growing up. One minute, you're double-shifting in a Little Ceasars playoff game; the next minute, you're riding the pine in a non-league high school game. That's the reason so many freshmen choose to play an extra year of travel, rather than don the school sweater as 9th graders.

Not that it's any easier for a coach to cut a talented frosh, but many do. Many high school coaches pass on taking talented freshmen because they lack the size and physical maturity to compete against bigger players. Plus, given the choice between an upperclassman and a freshman that are roughly equal in talent, coaches often choose the older player. "There is a difference in [emotional] maturity, and freshmen have plenty of other options to play, where a junior or senior's opportunities are limited," says one local coach who asked not to be named.

"I think a coach that takes freshmen makes a commitment to their development," says GRCC Coach Alan Kranzo. Most importantly, he says, is not to have high expectations for freshman on the score sheet. "Any goals they score for us are a bonus. Putting too much pressure on them to not make mistakes can hinder their development."

Kranzo has taken the "freshman project" approach over the years with players such as 2007 grad Warren Webster, who was second-team all-state as a senior, and honorable mention all-stater Alex Lannes, who helped lead the Cougars to their first state final appearance in 2006, when he was a senior. "We took them as freshman, and they were better players as seniors because of it," he says.

Anyway, the WMHSH Blog solicited coaches for their input on freshman that are on their teams, especially the ones that are getting playing time. As you'll see from the list, there are a lot of them that play defense, which some attribute to the rule changes last season. (I know, the rules didn't change; the enforcement did.) The new emphasis on skating and skill, versus body- and stick-work, has caused some coaches to move away from beefy guys to smaller, fast kids on the blue-line.

As with my previous list of "Super Sophs," this one is subjective. If you know of a Fab Frosh that has been left off the list, send me an email or write a post in the comments section. Just remember: comments should follow the rule of "positive objectivity" and stick to the facts, but present them in a positive way. In short: no bashing, no hyping. Check out these players at a rink near you.

Brandon Grevel - Grand Haven. The freshman has the highest +/- on the Bucs team and gets icetime in all situations -- PP, PK and regular shifts. His coach is so confident in him he uses him on 5-0n-3 powerplays and penalty kills. "He is eager to learn and earns every bit of ice time we give him," says coach Dan Gadbois, who, like Grevel, is in his first season at Grand Haven. The freshman player "has great upside and great potential. [He] takes criticism well and learns from his mistakes," Gadbois says.

Evan Sharp - Cadillac. The Vikings defenseman is "scrappy, tenacious, very hard working, and possesses great leadership qualities," says his coach. At 5'9" 150 lbs, Sharp plays bigger than he is and brings great intensity to both practice and games. "He demands intense effort from himself and his teammates. He definitely looks to earn ice time in practices and games with his effort."

Adam Swy - Traverse City Central. The defenseman has played regularly since the start of the season, registering a goal and 5 assists through the Trojan's first 12 games. He gets regular time on PP and PK, and has seen his ice time increase in recent weeks due to injuries on the TCC roster. "Injuries have forced him into a bigger role, and he has handled himself very well," says his coach, Chris Givens. "Adam has a bright future in high school hockey."

Ross McBride - East Kentwood. The freshman defenseman has played in all 13 games this year, often paired with senior Captain Ben Grover. He's a big kid who has the size and strength to compete at the high school level, says his coach, Todd Bell, who's also in his rookie year at EK. "He is extremely coachable and understands his role on the team is to learn from his teammates about the game and the tradition of Kentwood hockey."

Brandon Carey - Grand Rapids Catholic Central. The freshman forward has played on one of the Cougars' top two lines since the first game and that says something given the caliber of his linemates (currently, he plays with seniors Kevin Boman and John Dery). He's notched 3 goals, 3 assists and is a +18. "Brandon is an excellent two-way player with tremendous skating ability, great speed, and he cycles the puck extremely well," Kranzo says. "He's a real competitor."

Alex Huizenga - Grand Rapids Christian High. While the freshman defender didn't start out in the Eagles' top 4 rotation, it didn't take him long to earn a spot. He has patience and poise with the puck, which makes him effective on the breakout, and he mans a point on the #2 power play unit for his ability to distribute the puck. "He will still make the freshman mistakes at times, but overall he has played very well by adjusting to the speed and phyicality of the high school game," says his coach, dad (and toughest critic) Jeff Huizenga.

Jim Ryan - Gaylord. The freshman defender has stepped into a leadership role early in his Blue Devil career, helping shore up a defense that lost 4 of its 5 top defenseman to graduation last year (including NHL draftee Will Weber). He has played in every game and logged more ice time than any of Gaylord's other defensemen, including PP and PK time. "He is also becoming a on ice leader with his ability to see the game and communicate to his team mates," says Gaylord assistant coach Bill Michaels.

Thomas Marine - Muskegon Catholic Central. The freshman 'tender has turned in one of best performances of any goalie seen by the WMHSH Blog this season, a 36-save gem against Kenowa Hills in a 4-3 OT win for MCC. What he lacks in butterfly-style polish, he makes up for in athleticism and competitiveness. "He plays very well for a freshman," says his coach, Patrick Rabbit.

WHO'S YOUR FAVORITE FRESHMAN? As always, please feel free to add your suggestions for frosh players in the comments section. No dissing the players or coaches here or on other teams. Positive objectivity only!