Sunday, February 24, 2008

MVP

Share your opinion on who is the Most Valuable Player in West Michigan hockey. Not necessarily the "best" high school players on the left side of the state (though there certainly are some all-state caliber players), but the kids who are most valuable to their teams. Who is the Steve Nash type player, the one kid who if you removed him from the team...well the team wouldn't have the same success?

That's a tough call for some teams (e.g., GRCC, FHC, FHNE, etc.) that have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to talent. I had started with a poll, but based on some feedback decided that the comment section below would be the best way to handle it. Keep your comments positive and, as always, don't insult players. Remember, this is -- like the great game we chronicle -- all in good fun.

50 comments:

Anonymous said...

JC Boyd from Mona Shores. He has a plethora of goals, as well as many game winners.

Anonymous said...

cory domin..captain of EGR is incredible, plays with passion and can make plays. he has saved us a lot of goals against us and definitely finishes his checks.

Anonymous said...

only 1 player per team it looks like.

Anonymous said...

Adam Pieczynski from MCC/SL/NM. He's got it all. He's physical, fast, and has a Shot!! He's worked hard all year and lead his team in the most goals. AP makes big plays and is the captain of his team. He should be the MVP fo sho.

Anonymous said...

mcc isnt a great team or anything tho and without him they still wouldnt be that good no effence

Anonymous said...

who do u play for?

Anonymous said...

matt kane for grcc...look at how he has been hurt for the past 2 weeks and they just havent been the same. he's a leader who makes everyone around him play better and he'll lead them through the playoffs

Anonymous said...

clayton brackett for grcc has brought them together and vocally and by actions is a great example. also gets key goals whenever needed. he always comes through

Anonymous said...

It has to be Zac Smith. The Forest Hills game rpoved that 100%. He plays one off game and his team gets lit up 9-1. This in itself proved that no team relied on one player than Kenowa relied on Fuzzy.

Anonymous said...

Drew Preston is a great player, but so our his linemates Evan Hess and Morgan Feenie. Both Hess and Preston are fast, but down-low the Feenie kid can play-make like no other. This line is incredible; best in west Michigan right now.I watched their game against Kenowa on Friday at PIC and that line was unbelievable. Good luck to FHC.

Anonymous said...

If MVP is not the actual "best" player in west michigan, but rather he who contributes most to his team, then Adam P from MCC has my vote without a doubt. He has really stepped up this year.

Anonymous said...

JC boyd from mona i agree. a game winning goal in ot vs. eka dn a game winning goal with 1.7 to beat ek at ek for the conference title...no better candidate than him

Anonymous said...

and janecyk isnt on here why?

Anonymous said...

Probably because GRCC has one of the best offenses in the state.

Anonymous said...

I'd say Kyle Carpenter of GR Union. He was an outstanding player on a team still building. He carried the flow of games, encouraged those around him, and never quit working all year. He stands out in our area as the guy whose team could not do without him.

Anonymous said...

Agree with the posts about Boyd but you cant really give it to just one person, if i have my stats right meloche has just as many goals if not more including 2 in each of the kentwood games...

Anonymous said...

Check this list at the end of the week to see which MVP's are able to lead their teams to victory in the playoffs. My money is on FHNE!

Anonymous said...

no way the FHC line is better than the top two lines at GRCC

Anonymous said...

Hickson, probably the best sophomore in the state! Hes got great leadership qualities and carries his team on and off the ice, and scores goals when needed to be scored! Good luck Cards in playoffs!

Anonymous said...

JC "Hobey" Boyd is definately one of the most impact players on Mona's team. Great all around player. Physical, gets dirty in the corners, and also scores goals. If he were an option, he would take my vote.

Anonymous said...

matt kane for mvp

Anonymous said...

Kevin Boman from GRCC how is he not on here. He is more talented than anyone of these players on here, JC Boyd now that is a joke compared to Brock Carlston, Tyler Copeland, Matt Kane, John Dery, or Clayton Brackett.

Anonymous said...

Kevin Boman is on there

Anonymous said...

meloche and boyd are a great combo. you're right when you say you cant give it to just one. They pretty much assist on every one of eachothers goals I believe. GRCC forwards have put on quite the show. Boman and Brackett would be my favorites. Also Sikkenga from Puffer..he carries much of the weight on that team with help from goalie eddie young. so much talent in west michigan its nearly impossible to pick one person...

Anonymous said...

Wow...really tough to pick just one, but I finally did.

I'd like to give a big "way to go!" to the entire Northview/Comstock Park Wildcats team. These guys never gave up, no matter what the scoreboard said. They worked hard every game and, I think, managed to have tons of fun doing it.

Congratulations to the nine seniors recognized on Friday night. Best wishes in whatever the future brings.

Anonymous said...

I'd have to agree with a previous poster, Zac "Fuzzy" Smith has my vote. You look at the teams they have beat and or tied, and Kenowa Hills did not come close to matching those teams up and down the ice. If it were not for Fuzzy, their record would have been average and they would not have been a top team in the area this year.

Anonymous said...

WOW- tough call to pick one player. As blogger states, great player stats may not be true MVP of a team. Kids like Domin at EGR, Preston at FHC, Kane at GRCC & too many others to list, impact their teams thru great leadership. Good luck to all!!

Anonymous said...

Where is the D for puffer. He has played a great game everytime I have seen him. Hambidge, Sikkenga and Young are the leader of that team.

Anonymous said...

I would vote for meloche from shores he is there top scorer and seems to get there big goals for them especially against kentwood there rival

Anonymous said...

Adam Janecyk hands down. He has kept them IN all the close games. All teams have scorer's few have a goalie like Adam.No question GRCC would not be where they are without him. They would be strong but beatable.

Anonymous said...

McDonald from EGR has been one of their best all year. He gave them a chance to win almost every game and when his team started to meld they have only lost two games in regulationn in the new year. His save percentage rivals Janecyk. Mainly because 40 shots a game was standard the first half of the season

Anonymous said...

disregard last comment I missed in the list. Sorry there are a lot of great players in West Michigan

Anonymous said...

The mvp should be given to a player who truly has the entire package. If you have ever been unable to play hockey because you were academically ineligible, you should not be on the list. If you have been given game misconducts for behavior unbecoming a student athlete, or intent to injure penalties- you do not have the entire package that will make this player truly worthy. There is so much talent out there that it is not necessary to take a player who has had any of the above infractions. There are straight A students who hold down jobs as well, that are much more talented than some of the players mentioned here. Please do the appropriate "homework" when choosing your MVP.

Anonymous said...

I think that Zac "Fuzzy" Smith for sure should get the MVP. There is no way Kenowa would as good as they are without him, he carried the team for many games. And not to mention he is super cute!

Anonymous said...

Cory Domin of EGR, big talent that helped turn his team around. He has been a great leader and team player.

Anonymous said...

give me Hickson, Janecyk, Kane and Grypma with a blueline of Carlston and Sandmeyer. even I could coach these guys....I'd leave em out there all night.

Anonymous said...

How often is a student who gets an academic scholarship judged on his athlethic abilities? This was a judge for his abilities on the ice not in the classroom. And we all know that the penalities are not always what they seem! Sounds to me like some parent thinks their son has more talent then they do and is a little jeolous!

Anonymous said...

Zac "Fuzzy" Smith of Kenowa Hills he has saved kenowas butt many times and more and wont be here to do that next year as he graduates this year

Anonymous said...

Zac Smith of Kenowa Hills, if you count talent, heart and leadership ... and what else would you count? Oh yeah, sportsmanship, spirit and class. That pretty much wraps it up.

Anonymous said...

In regards to the Post suggesting the most generous WMHSH Blogger, Not doing his homework on the MVP ballot nominees. You need to re-think your statements. He has donated many, many hours of his life doing his “Homework”. He reviews the stats from each game every week. Not to mention he visits 3 or 4 games a week and takes pictures too. These MVP nominated players were picked from the game stats & articles in the local papers.
WMHSHblog MVP is for recognizing player’s hockey skills & performances. Not their GPA’s. Speaking of GPA’s; Brian has also donated a $1000 of his own money for a Scholastic Scholarship, for those west Michigan high school hockey players with outstanding scholastic performances. Please see his attachment link for this application form and fill it out for your son.
Hockey skills & performances and Scholastic performances are two separate issues. I believe it’s time for you to do your homework. Then maybe send a Big Thank you to Brian for all his efforts on his homework.
I commend you Brian on all your efforts keeping west Michigan hockey fans informed. It’s too bad some people don’t appreciate it. It’s been fun & exciting being informed on all these other players from other schools that my son has grown up with and played with & against throughout his career.
THANKS AGAIN BRIAN!!! My hats off to you.

Anonymous said...

The comment regarding "do your homework" when choosing an MVP was directed toward those nominating a player. Brian does a phenomenal job with this website, I think he is the MVP of hockey this year!

Anonymous said...

Same old problem...parents involved.

Anonymous said...

Andy "GRIP IT AND RIP IT" Grypma is an outstanding player with talent and smarts. He is a MVP every game. Way to go Andy - you have had a awesome season. Grandville wont be the same without you.

Anonymous said...

Leave this website to the kids, they handle it much better!!

Anonymous said...

I would like to cast my vote for Luke Swardenski from FHNE. He is an excellent player, an excellent student and even though he is a high school junior, he has leadership qualities...

Anonymous said...

i cannot take anything away from boyd or meloche ive played with both and they are extremely talented players. i played against them this year and i would have to say carlston had the biggest impact. he has a complete package. sure, maybe he gets caught in the heat of the game but isnt that the pointto have a competitive edge? all three of these guys are very deserving and would be top nominees on most other teams. hats off to the whole sailor squad and wish them best of luck. adam pieczynski and ben sikkenga are also very god choices, but how do u pick just one? everyone deserves recognition just for being nominated

Anonymous said...

Looking at a score sheet does not constitute analysis of a player,sorry...Do they...as forwards
1.Backcheck strong?
2.Make a hit at the expense of the puck...not to gain possession of the puck? or
3.Receive penalties in the OFFENSIVE zone?
Sure...little"Billy" got a goal..but the remaining 99.9% of the game he handicapped his team.As the commercial says"WAKE UP PEOPLE"

Anonymous said...

Adam Piecynzski has it all!! He should be in the run for the MVP for sure. He's got it all.
1. shot is amazing
2. phisical
3. Speed
4. works hard (both ends of the ice)
5. Sees the ice really well
6. gots hands
7. backchecks and forecheck
**I say Adam Piecynzski for the MVP of the year!!*** anyone else agree???

Anonymous said...

It was my great pleasure to once coach Mike Hickson, and I can honestly say that Hobey Baker himself would pick Mike for MVP. He has the character to bring out the best in himself and his team mates, and was always more interested in how the team did than his own stats. Even on a bad day, Mike's play is technically solid, and anyone that has had to defend him knows that it isn't too often that someone get's the better of him. I was not surprised when I heard that he had made Captain as a Sophomore, because his attitude and contribution to his team has always brought him great respect from fellow players and coaches.

Anonymous said...

To ALL of the players, coaches and parents of West Michigan hockey . .thanks for an exciting, passionate season of high school hockey. Many thanks to Brian Edwards for this forum! I believe that your blog has had a huge impact on bringing all of the players, teams and conferences closer together. Congratulations and Good Luck to the teams still in the race for the State Championship you represent all of us!! We are cheering you on with the same enthusiam and passion that we cheered for our own teams!!
-- a hockey mom