Last year's OK Tier 2 race was down to the wire, with Forest Hills Central wrapping it up in the last game of the season. Reeths-Puffer, Kenowa Hills and Hudsonville all battled down the stretch and will be looking to reload in 2008-09. Jenison should be improved under a new coach. The returning teams also have challenges from the tier's newest entrants. The combination of of Grandville moving down from T1 and Lowell-Caledonia moving up from T-3, plus the addition of West Catholic from the City League should make for another interesting season. What's your take on the Ok Conference Tier 2 this season?
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
108 comments:
I'll go first. This should be a very competitive division, but I think Grandville is a bit better then everyone else. My surprise team is Puffer.
1: Grandville
2: Puffer
3: Hudsonville
4: Kenowa Hills
5: West Catholic
6: Lowell
7: Jenison
I think you are not respecting Jenison enough, but for the top three you may be right. G'ville is solid in depth and overall talent. H'ville and Puffer have very good talent in spots just not enough players at that level to be consistant and beat the big boys in T-1. West Catholic and Lowell could decide the conference based on knocking off one of the leaders at some point.
I don't know enough about Jenison, so you are correct there. I do know they have travel players "out there", so if those kids decide to play high school, move them up 3-4 spots.
Grandville should be pretty deep with some very good talent and hands down the best goalie in tier 2. Hudsonville has alot of talent also but has some questions at goaltender. Kenowa has a senior laden team with alot of talent but do they even have a goalie? Jenison added a few travel kids that could make this team a contender, the coach will determine this teams fate. Puffer has one line and very thin at defense, good goalie who will keep them in games though. Dont know much about the other teams.
West Catholic will surprise everyone. They have the best goalie in the conference and some key returning players and have picked up a bunch of travel players that will have them competing with Grandville and Puffer for first place. You heard it here first.
Grandville and Hudsonville top 2
Puffer and Kenowa Hills next 2
Jenison and West Catholic
Lowell last
Please give a list of players to watch in tier-2
I think that you have to favor Grandville and consider Hudsonville a close second. My surprise team will Be West Catholic. Not sure about the style of play that the new coach will employ, but they did pick up some talent from the travel ranks.
I think then it will be Puffer, Kenowa (they will miss Fuzzy a lot so goaltending is an issue) then I think it will finish out with Jenison and Lowell....
1:Grandville
2:Hudsonville
3:Puffer
4:West Catholic
5:Kenowa Hills
6:Jenison
7:Lowell
a player to watch is PARKER HOST of Hudsonville!
Does anyone know if Travis Kamstra is playing for Grandville this year or is he playing travel again?
kamstra is playing for grandville i heard.
if he is they will be even better.
that kid is a great player and one of the best skaters i have seen!
Brenden Giffel, dman for Grandville is probably the best defenceman in t2 hands down. He is better than he used to be, a true leader for his team.
West Catholic has no chance of being close to the top of tier 2. Keep your eye on Parker Host from Hudsonville. That kids is a fast dman that can handle the puck amazing.
Some players to watch in tier-2
Travis Kamstra Grandville
Parker Host Hudsonville
Arron Barto Hudsonville
Brooks Grandville
Stephen Flood (soph) Grandville
Giffel Grandville
Jenison picked up three travel players not sure on their names
dont forget about ben sikkenga from rp
John Kerson(spelling is probablly wrong) from hudsonville is a great player as well!
where did barto come from for hudsonville?
Barto played NXI last year. Good player has size and speed.
what type of player is he?
score? grinder...power forward... ect?
do you know how big he is?
what year will he been?
does he go to hudsonville?
watch out for defenseman Robby Decker of Hudsonville
jared tayler from rp only a sophomore look for him.
Barto goes to Hudsonville, and is a junior, and is a solid kid at 6 foot, he knows how to score and is a grinder too, he is going to help alot. Hudsonville has 5 really strong starters.
yea they do:
host
kerson
barto
decker
Decorte
who else where you thinkin?
What will Grandville's top 5 be that can match that of Hudsonville's? Hudsonville has size and speed, look for them to win tier-2
who do you all think are hudsonvilles best players?
kerson
host
decorte
decker
barto?have not seen him play yet
rose and dont count out
jonker
hundley
who do you think is that best players in all of Tier 2?
I don't think anyone is qualified to make that statement yet there are many new players coming to Tier 2 teams and only time or games will tell us that outcome
Aftet reading many of your "insightful" comments it is obvious that the dads are busy posting about their kids. The predictions may be close but you are overlooking several factors within the Gville team. First, you have all over looked Kyle Berghuis, Sophmore D. He is fleet of foot and delivers a solid hit at the boards. He will help anchor the Gville defense. He will fit nicely into the defense scheme that Bynksi will no doubt employ this year. It remains to be seen if they can put the puck in the net or not but there is no doubt the Gville defense will be solid. Oh, and by the way hockey dads, when talking about your kid in the posts...a lot is two words.. not one (alot).
Thanks Dad!
First of all u go it all wrong...
1.Grandville - Jenison
3.Hudsonville
4.Kenowa Hills
5.Puffer
6.west catholic
7.Lowell
As far as barto and kamstra goes, 2 of the kids Jenison got where captians of the team that they played for... Skelley (A) nxi last year is clearly better than barto... Stasiak (A) was the leading scorer and in points on his team while kamstra had maybe 3-4 pts. Grandville will be good but we will see how jenison fits in this year
As a parent I wish every team much success and hope that everyone plays as a team and not for their own accolades, you will be much more successful!
It's good to hear that the travel kids are getting on board with high school it will only help the whole program grow.
Ok, you both have it wrong, it is neither mommy or dad but simply a hockey fan making unbiased observations. As to your predictions, Grandville at the top of Tier 2, so what....they should be planning how they can take that program back to the top of tier 1 rather than how they can beat mediocre teams like Puffer, Lowell, Jenison etc. My, how the mighty have fallen, from the pinacle of Tier one to the bowels of Tier 2 all in 4 or 5 short years. Thanks Coach Porco! Oh and a Co-op with Byron Center, are you kidding me?; Other than bodies, what does Grandville gain by a Co-op with BC? Grandville should be big enough to support a strong Tier 1 program to compete with the likes of Rockford, Kentwood, etc. Hoepefully Coach B has the knowledge and foresight to reform that program and move it in the right direction.
giffel the best d in d2? good one zach mervaue of jenison is far better. stasiak (A) of holland has a great scorers touch and can play the body too. skelley (A) of nxi last year had 50 points as a defenseman and will be playing forward this year. my guess is that he will put up some big numbers.
Players to watch in tier 2
Skelley-Jenison
Stasiak-Jenison
Kersaan-Hudsonville
DeCorte-Hudsonville
Host-Hudsonville
Barto-Hudsonville
Flood-Grandville
Wysoki-Grandville
Puffer, Kenowa Hills, Grandville have other good players. These are the guys to watch.
1. kenowa hills-alot of returners
2.hudsonville- parker host...enough said
3.grandville..good talent in stephen flood, but who else?
4.west catholic- mike davey will be sweet. along with spencer boersma. much imporved
5.reeths puffer- too much power in the tier 2. to keep up with
6. lo/cal- billy watson is thier only good player. theyll struggle a little bit
7. jenison- just to much power for the wildcats to handle
players to watch:
parker host- hudsonville
mike davey- WC
Joe Hankins- Kenowa Hills
Billy Watson- Lo/Cal
Stephen Flood- Grandville
good luck to all the teams this year
add zach mervaue to the list of kids to watch. i saw him play a couple of times last year in holland and hes got some talent.
where is zach playin this year?
Look forward to seeing Kamstra and Flood from what I hear they should put up big numbers for Gville. Barto from Hudsonville good player
Skelley and Stasiak for Jenison both very good players
no love to kenowa?? sure they lost thier four year starting goalie zac smith but they have alot of returners. joe hankins is gonna be a force to reckon with. along wiht ryan gerke on d. plus the junior class is phenominal. austin weih and tanner gilbert will be big enforcers. plus the speed of kevin visser and paul kloska...i think kenowa will be very very good and will win tier 2.
josh ambrose is a beast 4 kenowa
hudsonville is gonna kill in tier 2
i say it gonna be a close race between hudsonville and grandville. hudsonville lost host and grandville is gonna be hurting by losing their best player by far and pry the best player in the conference also andy grypma. i heard they got some young talent comming in this year
Andy Grypma was a good one way player, he could score but no D. Kampstra can score and play great D. Look for Gville to battle with Hudsonville and Kenowa
I think that puffer will suprise everyone this year. They are lacking on defense due to the loss of 3 seniors on the blue line, but there is a lot of offensive talent there. I think they are the team to watch. Look for them to be competing for first place with grandville.
Josh Ambrose is NOT a good player!
he's average at best and that is even a stretch
So none of the players on Grandville are half as good as Grypma was last year?
Don't even come on here and make a comment like that about Grypma not being a 2-way player you idiot. He was the best 2-way player there was. Not to mention a great leader, captain, and great heart for the game and his team. Do not even try to compare anyone to him!
Man some of you people really do not like the truth do you? Andy Grypma is a good kid and a good player but "best by far"? Are you Kidding me. He is average at best, he is a great kid but lets be real here, emotions aside.. he was an above average player on a weak team last year. He will be VERY average in Juniors, sorry if this makes you mad be "calls em as I see em". And as for Flood at Grandville, he will be one to watch that is true, but only because he has no one else around him, another average player on a below average team. Oh one more thing, I have told several of you before, "a lot" is two(2) words not one (alot)..get it right morons.
Enough about Andy G let's get back to the kid's that are playing for their school's and wish them the best of luck!!!
by the way no one cares how you spell a lot AND flood is not the only kid on grandville. u just don't know much about tier 2 as you think
Grandville is the class of Tier 2. If they stay healthy they will be a very good team by end of year.
what an upset its gonna be for all the folks on here when they realize jenison wins the whole thing... everyone just doesnt have a clue
Tier-2 will be a tight race. It looks like all the teams have the players for a top first line it will come down to teams will a good 2nd and 3rd line and a hot goalie.
The spelling of "a lot" is the least of your worries. Perhaps with intense therapy and a GED you might be able to string together a cogent thought in a complete sentence. But I rather doubt it. With regards to your comment concerning Flood being the only player on Grandville; who said that? Perhaps you should re-read the posts and let us know if you need help with the big words!! Keep in mind hockey dad.. junior is not going to make it to the NHL so you might want to help him bone up on his grammer skills..or in this case he can help you!!:)
um once again you're wrong because you said that there is no one that can support flood. Well, you are wrong the have a strong team all around and probably the best goalie in tier 2
tier 2 predictions
grandville 1 huddsonville 2 jenison 3 puffer 4 kenowa 5 west 6 jenison 7 lowell 8
grandville and hudsonville will have a little bit of a battle but grandville will come put on top
they have great starters and some good players coming up on the lines
players to look out for
dman for grandville giffel a all around great defensemen, speed, aggression and the ability to score. brooks, the best dman of tier 2 hands down. m conley, coming up from byron. aggressive intense in your face dman,
forward for grandville flood, speed shot ability, kamstra, fast and a great athlete, s conley, great hands, speed,
the rest of the tier 2 teas will have a hard time with grandville
For those of you that hide behind anonymous obviously don't know Stephen. He is a team player and always has been. His actions on and off the ice speak for themself. Maybe people should focus on the whole team and not one individual. Good luck to all the team in Tier-2 and go Dogs!!
The person hiding behind their name didn't make their team and obviously doesn't have any talent or skill. They are jealous of the Grandville players, past and present, successess and talents.
anyone unexpected playin high school hockey this year?
agreed
Kenowa is going to go downhill from last year for sure who is even playin golie?
Wow, let's get on here and bash some players and teams. This is starting to look like Mlive. Bunch of cowards hiding behind "Anonymous" when bashing. Way to go.
Brian, do you want your blog to look like Mlive?
Comments have been deleted. The "parent" is right. This forum is meant for lively and intelligent debate...not mean-spirited commentary. There is a forum for that, it's just not here.
Well Mr Blogger, censorship is the first step toward a totalitarian society...I did not read any mean spirited comments but rather objective commentary from people who don't have a kid playing for Jenison, Grandville, Hudsonville etc. I liked what some of the other people had to say, we don't need you to tell us what we should or should not read.Some of you hockey dads need to grow up and grow a pair. Sometimes in life the truth hurts. Apparently dad can get on here and praise junior and make him sound like the next Shanahan...but if anyone offers a contrary opinion, hockey dad pouts and cries to the blogger....sorry state of affairs for free speech.
Looks like someone took a poli-sci class. Are you sure that a Blogger taking mean-spirited comments off a public website is a step toward totalitarianism, or is more reflective of an authoritarian approach? Because, of course, all totalitarian rulers are authoritarians, but all authoritarians are not totalitarians.
The fact anyone can blog for free would actually seem to reflect the democratization of the media. And here's the great thing about being a blogger in a free society: I can, and in fact do,get to decide what goes on the Blog.
If you are reading this and feel like the commenter above -- who notes, "we don't need you to tell us what we should or should not read" -- please understand that I agree 100%. You get to choose what you read, and where you read it. In other words: Go find something that appeals to you, because it appears the content on the Blog and/or the editorial approach isn't flipping your skirt. That's okay.
Of course, you could show some initiative and start your own blog. It's free. Go to www.blogger.com. Start it up and see how many people you can get to go to it. Better, yet, start using your Facebook or Mypace page to comment on hockey. I'm sure that most of the dads and moms that get ridiculed on here won't go check your site out, so you'll be free to create, edit, censor however you want.
This is a site that is intended to be fun, informational, and for the kids. Mr. Blogger has put a great deal of time, effort, and money into this site that is enjoyed by many in the WM Hockey community. If you are upset with the deleting of negative posts then please go visit other websites that better suit your interests.
AustinWeih and kevin visser are 2 of the best players in teir 2 Austin is a big kid with great shot. kevin visser is a 5 8 170 pound beast
everyone bashing players and making coments on the bads of hockey players need to stop because that is not what this site is for, mr blogger is right. we dont want this turnign into mlive.
Tier II should be interesting this year. The second and third place teams from a year ago Kenowa Hills and Hudsonville both lost a number of key seniors. In particulate Kenowa Hills lost Fuzzy Smith the outstanding four year starter and Hudsonville the speedy Host. Grandville should be the favorite with a number of top travel and junior players like Zach Merveau, Travis Kamstra, and Alex Brooks. Each year the area talent gets a little better so one never knows how things will payout until the puck drops. Kenowa Hills is in a rebuilding year after a very successful season last year. This year’s squad has some very good talent but is not very deep. Joe Hankins is a talented player with great hands, good speed and exceptional evasiveness. Austin Wieh size, speed and desire for contact makes many players alter their game. Preseason injuries to Tyler Norris and Temo the foreign exchange student from Latvia will hamper scoring early in the campaign. After these four players the team is very weak at forward and will have to rely on a veteran defensive unit to win games. The team should be very strong across the blue line with four returning starters and the addition of Brendan Carrey. The Knights freshman goalie will need all the help he can get from Gerke, Sckevink, Ambrose and Visser as he adjusts to the speed of high school hockey having only played at the house level. Visser appears to be fully recovered from off season shoulder surgery.
I don't know, Mac Lipsey is just a complete thug on the ice...The 5"4' 125lbs junior out of walker, Michigan is making his first appearance at the varsity level. He seems to be fitting in well with the Knights.
who is mac lipsey he sounds like a lil kid on the ice at 5 foot 4. joe hankins has some of the best hands seen in high school hockey. weih tho he is big has been shying away like he is injuried
Mr. Blogger, just wanted to say thanks for doing this blog. Between getting the word out about West Michigan hockey and setting up a scholarship for graduating seniors, I'm willing to say from everyone thank you.
As for anonymous, if I put a sign in your lawn that said "the guy who lives in this house beats little kittens," is it censorship if you take the sign down?
Mr Thankful,
Have YOU stopped beating your wife?
Free speech extends to all facest of life, but one of the tentets of a free society is the exchange of ideas. So, if I am beating kittens (where did you come up with that one?), I guess you must be beating your wife. As for Mr Blogger, he does a GREAT job, he just should not censor hockey opinion, EVEN if it is unpopular. The truth shall set you free.
Anonymous, the "beat little kittens" comment came because there was all of this trash talk on this site. It's the blogger's site and i was relating how if someone put a sign on your lawn you're free to take it down, same goes to the blogger. Your idea that freedom of speech is being taking away is suspect, I don't equate slandering 16 year old kids as freedom of speech. This whole argument is a moot point, believe what you will, but I fail to see how someone cannot do as they please with something that is theirs.
Hockey, isn't this blog about Hockey?
Kenowa v Rockford tonight
Mr Thankful,
We finally agree on one thing,, slandering kids is not a good idea..like the recent post about a certain kid named by name and a perjorative verb...that is ridiculous. We may voice unpopular opinions from time to time about the ABILITIES on the ice of a kid or kids but name calling is beyond the pale. Even The Truth thinks that one is over the line. Although, I defend that persons right to say it. For instance, when I say that Kamstra and Giffell will probably be the studs for Grandville, and Barto and Host for Hudsonville this year and that Flood and Wysocki are over rated and unproven. These are opinions, not perjorative or slanderous intent but opinion. If you want to seriously discuss the strengths and weakness of a team or players you have to take the good with the bad. But please, even The Truth says no name calling. They are after all just kids. (the dads are fair game though cuz a lot of them are &^%holes) Again, opinion only:) The Truth shall set you Free
Okay, I have a suggestion for our "truth-seeking" commenter. When you want to post in the future, put a name to your posts. Doesn't have to be your real name, but use a screen name (click on the Name/URL button below) that we can use to identify your comments. Brand yourself as "The Truth" or some other moniker so when people see it, they can either know it's worth reading or not. Of course, if you'd like to contact me directly, please do: brian.h.edwards@gmail.com.
Wow . . .I can't believe some of the comments that are being directed regarding specific players. High school is difficult enough for young people these days. These boys WANT to play hockey, and I sure some of them certainly have positive and negative opinions about other players. But parents should be careful about trashing a kids ego, which can be fragile, yes even for hockey players. Give these young men a break as individuals. Once the season starts we will all know how they are playing and none will be more keenly aware than the player themselves. The majority of them are hard on themselves for their individual performances.
for that kid that is 5'4 i would love to see him with his "sick hands" dangle through some of the bigger forwards and defense and also would like to see how this kid would hold up in the corners. sounds like this kid is going to be another talked up allstar that wont do anything.
So much for civilty!
The ugly posts will probably continue as long as there are dads who insist on seeing only that junior is the "bestest li'l hockey player in the world". They routinely berate kids, other teams, coaches and officials but let someone mention one thing negative about little Johnny and all of the sudden this site is ONLY for talking about hockey with no mean comments :( wah.......Many parents from Grandville and Jenison know who they are!!:) Some threaten to pull little Junior off the team if kids don't stop saying mean things about them Wah.... Leave them alone dad and let the kids grow up! As for jr's fragile little ego.. DONT read them if you cant take it. Also B.E. , no "posting moniker" is necessary, The Truth will suffice just fine...The Truth shall set you Free
I see you are still bitter about noT making the team. Get over it.
Good tourney at Southside Friday and Saturday. After shoppin all day come out and watch. Puck drops at 6:00 pm w Grandville and Monroe.
Happy Thanks Giving
O.S.I.
I hope all have a gret Thanksgiving.
On Friday after you are shopped out, come on out to South Side for the Thanksgiving Tourney!
Lets give the Knights some respect. Everyone knows they lost some key players like All Star goalie Zac Smith, Along with Vanderklock, Klien, Nichol, ect.. But this team was full of sophomores.. Weigh will be a top player in the conference, hes huge, fast and can shoot with the best of them. Visser is fully recovered.. and where is HANKINS in players to watch? I think he has to be the best player in the conference with out a doubt.. Will they win the confrence? It will be tough it is a even tier but lets not give it to grandville yet. O and they do have a goalie, he's a freshman but solid.
HUDSONVILLE: Al decorte scored 5 goals give it up to him. Parker host will leave Kenowa breathless. Kenowa Hills plays them friday lets see if Austin Weigh and Joseph Hankins can get some timely goals. Also strong defense from Ryan Gerke, and Lets also not forget Kevin Visser who I believe is the most under rated player in west michigan. It should be a good game.
Jenison: Also a threat with stasiak and there big captain. They should contend well
I don't think your giving West Catholic enough credit. They have picked up two travel hockey players that play defense. Matt Krzenauiskas(sp) played on nxi for a long time with skelly and barto this is his first year in high school hockey. He knows how to handle the puck and he has the body to hit people and he does. I yet to see someone catch hiim off gaurd and hit him. he is one of their best defensemen I don't know about the other travel hockey player not sure on his name you should also watch out for #23 hes fast and can move around people fast.
Hudsonville has a good goalie
Grandville better watch out West Catholic might pull of the upset tonight.
#23 on west is connor kelbel who is a solid player and has played travel for years. matt korzeniauskas is a tank. watch out for him and justin norder or you will get rocked
West is real good this year they almost beat grandville. #26 he kills people when he hits them he is a fricken tank everyone should watch out for him and #14 is real fast and hits pretty good to. #10 is real good with the puck. Watch out for west this season they are going to surprise alot of people.
West Catholic Hockey is really good this year and they will be a force in Tier 2. There third line is really fast and young, the only player you need to watch out for is kelbel because he takes alot of stupid pentalies and is afraid of getting hit.
Yeah that connor kid took a stupid pentaly and cost his team a victory against Grandville.
It is very early in the season and most of you are noting Grandville ; Hudsoville as the top teams and has the top players to rekone with..I know Hudsonville gave Jenison some serious spanking..Jenison is a team they need to watch out for .Once they get the chemistry together ..watch out fellas. Between Skelley ; Jose (probably the most underated forward in West Michigan )and Stasiak.. Good luck fellas..
It is very early in the season and most of you are noting Grandville ; Hudsoville as the top teams and has the top players to rekone with..I know Hudsonville gave Jenison some serious spanking..Jenison is a team they need to watch out for .Once they get the chemistry together ..watch out fellas. Between Skelley ; Jose (probably the most underated forward in West Michigan )and Stasiak.. Good luck fellas..
I think west catholic needs more respect than anyone. Have you seen
#26?! He is a tank! He smashes his way through anyone and doesn't seem to get any penalties. He is a beast in my book! A total DOPE MAN! He is the biggest and baddest defenceman WC has ever seen. NXI trained him very well. They must have passed on some of their beastly-ness to him. A haus is what i call him. Go Matt Korzenauiasokis!!!!!! I'll be at your next game, and put up my other comment later. Pce out broz!
kenowa needs to stop talking garbage
Kenowa is gonna get owned tonight by WC. The haus Matt Korzenouaskis is dome rock Kenowa's offence.
so i think that hudsonville can take the teir after beating grandville 4-2 and i dont think jenison has the chemistry to win but they dont have the depth either so it is really grandville and hudsonville to battle it out and u wnat a player to watch it is grandville #21 matt boogard
west is the best
I really think West Catholic will take down Kenowa tonight. Kenowa talks so much trash and West will be pumped up and ready to go for the rivarly game tonight.
West Catholic dominated Jenioson and Kenowa. I believe they could win there district with Kenowa, Catholic Central, and East Grand Rapids.
West Catholic is looking good, and could win there district.
West Catholic vs East Tuesday night East better watch ouut.
Kenowa would be alot better if they got a coach who knew what the fuck was up... the only reason thay have ever been good is b/c of the talent they bring in not b/c of the coach.
Post a Comment