Traverse City Update

There's tons of high school hockey news coming out of Traverse City these days, including new coaches and new co-ops that will compete in the 2008-09 season.

The Bay Area Reps have a new coach, Scott Gardiner, after long time coach Rex Luxton stepped down a few weeks ago. Scott is the former coach of the Traverse City Enforcers and Traverse City North Stars. His son, Derek Gardiner, plays for TC Central. The Reps have also added Mancelona High School to their co-op hockey program. Check out this story in the Record-Eagle for more details. And be sure to read this story about Rex Luxton, who is the only coach the Bay Reps ever had and is one of Michigan's great high school hockey guys.

Also, there is a new seven school co-op that will begin play in the 2008-09 season. They are called the Northwest Warriors and their first coach is Charlie O'Hearn, who played his high school hockey at TC Central and served as an assistant coach at TC West last season. The Warriors co-op includes Benzie Central, Glen Lake, Frankfort, Kingsley, Traverse City Christian, Traverse City Prep and Grand Traverse Academy. They have reportedly scheduled 14 games so far, and will be looking for more.