Coaches' Notes: Impact Players

In the first of new series, the WMHSH Blog highlights Impact Players from around West Michigan, as selected by the area's high school coaches. Coaches were asked: "If you could pick one player from another team in the area, who would it be and why?"

Over the next few weeks, the Blog will feature the answers. Out of consideration to the coaches, their comments will not be attributed to them directly. We will, however, note when there are comments from several coaches about one player. Lastly, I'll be revealing the answers based on when I got the responses back rather than any particular "ranking" of players. So if you don't see a player you think makes an impact, he may be coming up. Feel free to comment in the meantime.

Luke Stricker, Defenseman/Traverse City Central: "He is a defenseman for the Trojans that can take over a game," says one opposing coach. "He is probably the best pure skater in the BNC. Very talented offensively and I can't remember the last time that he got beat defensively, just because of his skating ability. The Junior A coach in town (Anthony Palumbo) said he could fit in as regular shift defenseman NOW as a Junior. [T]his is one kid that will no doubt play at a higher level."


Zac Smith, Goalie/Kenowa Hills: "Kenowa gets outplayed in a handful of games, and most of the time they find a way to win. The reason they have a chance to win in the end is due to the strong play of Zac," says one Tier-2 coach. Another GR-area coach comments: [One of the] top goalies in the area for some time... had an excellent game in a tie to Kentwood." A third adds: "He's positionally sound and his recovery is quick when he's down. He is very aggressive on cutting down the angle, which is important given his size."

Michael Hickson, Center/Big Rapids: "I watched him play in [a tournament recently] and as sophomore, he played extremely strong. He has a big frame (185+), good hands, great sense for the game, and already wears the 'C' so his coach must see a lot of leadership capabilities in him as such a young player. I know a few scounts in the area were at the games watching a few of our players and they were all over Mike once I told them he was only a sophomore. Once he cleans up his skating, I personally believe he could be an impact player at the junior level."