A new Monday feature for the WMHSH Blog. Each Monday, we'll highlight a handful of players who had outstanding performances in the preceding week. Nominate your own MVPs for the week in the comment section. (Keep it positive! You can rip me and question my judgment, but be cool to players and coaches.)
Jeff Sanders, East Kentwood -- The junior forward had a monster weekend in two league wins that vaulted the Falcons right back into the thick of the OK-1 race. On Friday, he turned a hat trick in a 5-2 win over Grandville. Then on Saturday, he turned from scorer to playmaker, assisting on four goals (and scoring one himself) in a 5-2 win over East Grand Rapids. In all, he figured in 8 of 10 Falcon goals over the weekend, including a game-winner.
Spencer Boorsma, West Catholic -- The junior netminder went 3-0 for the week with a GAA of 0.67, helping the Falcons boost their overall record to 6-6. While he wasn't challenged in a city league shutout win over Creston-Central, Boorsma got plenty of action in games against Grand Haven (18 saves) and Northview (18 saves), allowing just a goal apiece in both wins.
Jared Hook, Portage Central -- The senior forward netted a hat trick, his third one coming on an empty netter, to help seal a crucial win in the SWMHSHL. Hook's hat trick paced the Portage Central Mustangs to a come-from-behind 5-3 win versus the previously unbeaten Kalamazoo Blades.
Paul Ziemke, Grand Rapids Catholic Central -- The senior forward continues to show that his broken wrist, which kept him out of the Cougars' first few games, has fully healed. He put on a dominant, 6-point performance against Grand Rapids Christian, including two goals and four assists. Three of the helpers were to linemate Matt Kane, who turned a hat trick.
Alex & Parker Host, Hudsonville -- Alex (right), a senior forward, dazzled early with two goals, but younger brother Parker, a sophomore defenseman, had the last word in a 4-3 OT win against OK-2 opponent Muskegon Reeths-Puffer. The younger Host had two tallies, including a go-ahead goal on a drive to the net and, eventually, the game-winner when he forced a turnover on the forecheck and then buried it from between the hashmarks.
Scottie Tiefenthal, Mona Shores -- By all accounts, the Mona-Rockford game on Saturday was a great matchup, and I've had several local coaches tell me that Tiefenthal was the difference for Shores. The Sailors' goalie had 24 saves, including some big ones on good scoring chances, in an important OK-1 league win over the Rams.
Honorable Mentions: Forest Hills Northern/Eastern senior forward Nick Ullery, who had a goal and 2 assists in a win over neighborhood rival Forest Hills Central...Big Rapids sophomore Mike Hickson, who had 2 goals in a win over Grandville...West Ottawa's Kevin Holt, who had two goals and an assist in a win over Wayland...GRCC's Matt Kane with a hat trick in an 8-2 win over Christian...Kalamazoo Eagles Bobby Miller, who figured in all three goals in a 3-1 win over division rival Mattawan. Miller had two assists and scored on an empty-netter to seal the victory...Portage Northern goalie Barry Toornman had 14 saves, including three on breakaways, to earn a shutout against Muskegon Reeths-Puffer.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Players of the Week
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11 comments:
u should keep doing MVP's i think its a good idea
why not reward players for ACADEMICS and hockey. Too much focus on exposure on this blog and not enough on what's really important and what will ultimately make these young men successful.
Been getting some feedback via email, phone calls and these comments with suggestions that I need to highlight academic achievement, players who do "the little things" that don't show up on the stat sheet, defensemen, etc.
My response to all of that is, "Sure, send me the information." While I think that this comment section is valuable and I know that anonymity tends to lead to candor (and occasionally, snottiness), a simple email with some of the facts usually works better in terms of getting the word out. But I need "the facts" because let's face it, I can't show up in a classroom with my camera and notebook to watch your kids do calculus.
As it specifically relates to academics, I've always stressed to my son that he needs to focus on the first word in the term "Student Athlete." That said, I also know that being involved in team sports has taught him many, many life lessons that he'll never get in the classroom. That balance of academics and athletics is helping prepare him -- and I suspect your kids -- for life.
I think this is a great spot for West Michigan Hockey. As for academics, I believe you have to have a certain GPA to even play most sports. I understand that most coaches will not take a player if they do no have excellent grades, plus most coaches will talk with the players, they want to take, teachers and counselors to see what kind of young person they are. Certain coaches also make sure their players behave outside of the school, because even if they are not with the team at the time, they are representing the team. Just my 2 cents...
sorry, I meant nothing personal! Maybe this isn't the place to recognize kids that work hard in the classrom and on the ice. I think you can play as long as you aren't failing 2 classes. Now that is not a standard of excellence! Just reminded of the John Wooden quote
"sports don't build character : they reveal it"
I'm happy to recognize the student-athletes who excel in the classroom and on the ice, but, as Dr. Evil would say, "I need the infoooo!"
At the end of the year, I will be sure to recognize the players who make the academic all-state roster; however, my understanding is that those are seniors only.
thanks, this wasn't a discussion for myself or anyone that I personally know. My only intent was the understanding of the grueling season, practice and everything that it takes to play the sport and to still maintain an above average gpa is definitely worthy, that was my only intent.
We love what you do, and we think that Anonymous is too critical without cause. We will be sure to update you with our teams academic success, because we're equally proud of them for their skills on and off the ice. We believe in the Academic standards along with community involvement, and feel that while occasionally a student athlete may manage to fly under the radar, it is not as common as this person implies. Keep up the good work.
This site is great! Where else can you have your players' info/achievements/pics posted when they may or may not be recognized many other places? This boosts moral for them as well as increases their awareness in the other players around them. Those players become people, not just players. Thanks a bunch.
This site is great, high school sports are great. I don't dispute that. The point is that ultimately .4% of young men will hear from the nhl on draft day, so please keep your perspective and encourage your son to find his college, play club and be his dorm hero.
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