Twenty-one TPH Detroit CoE student-athletes invited to MAHA Player Selection Camps

Total Package Hockey is proud to congratulate the 20 TPH Detroit Center of Excellence student-athletes who have received invitations to the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association Player Selection Camps for their respective age groups.

The Player Selection Camps for the 2004, 2003 and 2002 birth classes are the final tryouts for Michigan’s representatives at the USA Hockey Boys Select Camps.

“We’re very proud of these young hockey players for earning their spots at the MAHA Selection Camps,” said TPH Detroit director of hockey Dwayne Norris. “It’s a great opportunity for them to compete with the best players in their age group and learn about what it will take to keep advancing in hockey.”

Congrats to the CoE student-athletes who received invitations:

Connor Gengle

Zachary Homer

Dominic Vincent

Kai Janviriya

DJ MacLeish

Nicholas Burke

Zachary Filak

Samuel Haid

Sean Hastings

Hunter  Brzustewicz

Tyler Duke

Lane Hutson

Spencer Sova

Nicholas Babbie

Gavin Morrissey

Eddie Shepler

Nicholas Sofikitis

Jack Stolicker

Jackson Truchan

Finnegan Kilbride

Drake Albers

 

About Total Package Hockey: Founded in 2001, it is TPH’s vision to become the world leader in positively impacting the lives of student-athletes through the game of hockey. Through academics, mentorship and athletics, TPH prides itself on operating at a standard that exceeds expectations of student-athletes, families, coaches, advisors and all other entities of the hockey world. With platforms that include association management, elite prospects programs, tournaments and showcases, camps and clinics and its hallmark Center of Excellence academy model, Total Package Hockey has assisted in the academic, athletic and hockey development of over 600 players who have advanced to junior, collegiate and professional hockey. Since inception, 45 #TPHTrained student-athletes have been selected in the NHL Draft, while 280 have committed to the NCAA level – 189 of which are Division I. In addition, 99 players have been selected in the OHL Priority Selection and 353 have signed tenders or been drafted in the USHL and NAHL. While TPH is proud of its student-athletes who have achieved success on-the ice, it is the process of developing young men and women as people, first and foremost, that our world-class team of coaches and mentors take the most amount of pride in. While it is our responsibility to prepare each individual for success on the ice, it is our mission to prepare each and every individual for success in the ultimate game – the game of life! To learn more about TPH, visit www.totalpackagehockey.com.

Six TPH Detroit CoE student-athletes win prestigious World Selects Invitational title

he seventh annual World Selects Invitational took place in Philadelphia last week, and some TPH Center of Excellence student-athletes returned to Detroit with some hardware.

Making up a significant portion of the DraftDay Black roster, the TPH boys captured the Under-15 championship at the tournament, which featured more than 600 of the best ’04 birth-year players in the world.

Congrats to the CoE student-athletes:

 

Nick Burke

Hunter Brzustewicz

Zach Filak

Lane Hutson

Nathan Lewis

Rutger McGroarty

 

The WSI tournament featured 27 players from the ’04 birth-year who have Division 1 verbal commitments, as well as 49 WHL Bantam Draft selections. Since its inception, WSI-Philadelphia has welcomed 88 NHL Draft picks, 400 college committed players and more than 1,000 CHL Draft picks while hosting players from 15 different countries.

Outside of one loss to Western Canada Selects on May 6, the DraftDay Black squad recorded eight wins on the road to the title. They topped the East Coast Selects 5-3 in the championship game.

Draftday Black out-scored the opposition 40-29 over the course of the nine games.

“WSI Philly is one of the best tournaments these young men will ever have a chance to play in as a youth hockey player,” said head coach Jimmy McGroarty, a TPH Detroit player development coach and mentor. “In a tournament such as this, with a ton of great players and teams, it becomes a grind. Each game is as competitive as the next, so if you are not ready it could be an early exit. We had one blip against Western Canada, which I believe it woke us up as a team and made the boys realize we need everyone contributing in different ways.

“I’m proud of this team in their ability to get better and better with each game. We had a mix of players from Canada and the United States – it was fun to see them grow as a family throughout the week. We had six players from TPH, as well as a couple of other players that played in the Michigan area in Brando Di’Antonio, Cam VanSickle, as well. I would also like to thank all the players and families for an awesome week, as well as the our other coaches in Rob Hutson and Dave D’amizzio.”

Rutger McGroarty matched a WSI-Philadelphia record with 19 points in the five-day event, as the Notre Dame commit registered 10 goals and nine assists en route to being named tournament MVP.

Classmate and teammate Lane Hutson was named the tournament’s best defenseman, after the Boston University commit logged one goal and 15 assists for 16 points over the nine games played.

About Total Package Hockey: Founded in 2001, it is TPH’s vision to become the world leader in positively impacting the lives of student-athletes through the game of hockey. Through academics, mentorship and athletics, TPH prides itself on operating at a standard that exceeds expectations of student-athletes, families, coaches, advisors and all other entities of the hockey world. With platforms that include association management, elite prospects programs, tournaments and showcases, camps and clinics and its hallmark Center of Excellence academy model, Total Package Hockey has assisted in the academic, athletic and hockey development of over 600 players who have advanced to junior, collegiate and professional hockey. Since inception, 45 #TPHTrained student-athletes have been selected in the NHL Draft, while 280 have committed to the NCAA level – 189 of which are Division I. In addition, 99 players have been selected in the OHL Priority Selection and 353 have signed tenders or been drafted in the USHL and NAHL. While TPH is proud of its student-athletes who have achieved success on-the ice, it is the process of developing young men and women as people, first and foremost, that our world-class team of coaches and mentors take the most amount of pride in. While it is our responsibility to prepare each individual for success on the ice, it is our mission to prepare each and every individual for success in the ultimate game – the game of life! To learn more about TPH, visit www.totalpackagehockey.com.

Center of Excellence student-athlete Spencer Sova talks about his magical season

DETROIT – Spencer Sova’s still trying to catch his breath.

It was quite the hockey season for the TPH Detroit Center of Excellence student-athlete.

Sova captured both a state and national title with his Little Caesars ’04 squad in a magical 14U season.

The Southfield, Mich., resident credited the bonds formed with his teammates for all the success his team had this season.

“At the beginning, we had a lot of new faces in our room, but we all bonded pretty quick and became a really close team. That’s pretty much what won us nationals, just everyone being so close and listening to each other.”

On March 10, Sova and the Little Caesars squad captured the 2019 MAHA 14U Tier 1 state title with a sweep of Honeybaked in the best-of-three final round. That secured their spot at the 2019 USA Hockey Nationals in Pittsburgh, Pa.
The Little Caesars squad marched through the field in Penguins country, eventually beating Florida Alliance 4-0 in the 2019 USA Hockey 14U Tier 1 national championship game.

“It was great. Some of the games we had there, especially against Pittsburgh, was like a junior hockey game atmosphere. Our fans were nuts and it was just a lot of fun.”

Hearing the buzzer sound to officially declare LC as national champions was a surreal moment for the CoE student-athlete.

“Honestly, it was the best feeling I’ve had in hockey my whole career. Everyone was just happy for each other. The way we put in work this year, it was just amazing.”

Sova was one of the anchors on the blue line for the LC squad; they allowed only six goals over the course of six games at the national tournament.

It was Sova’s first experience at nationals, and he said he loved every minute of it. He also appreciated the flexibility offered by his online classes through Edmentum – Sova was able to get ahead in some classes before making the trek to Pennsylvania, then catch up on his studies after.

“When I was at nationals, I focused mainly on hockey,” Sova said. “Other kids had to work on homework and stuff. I was just focused on hockey the whole time… The flexibility we had was great.”

Sova thanked his TPH coaches for helping him build on his fundamental hockey skills and his understanding of the game throughout the season.

“A lot of my skills and stuff have improved a lot since I started attending the CoE. Just my mental game, too, on the ice – like where to be, when to make my moves and stuff.”

For more information about the TPH CoE, click here.

About Total Package Hockey: Founded in 2001, it is TPH’s vision to become the world leader in positively impacting the lives of student-athletes through the game of hockey. Through academics, mentorship and athletics, TPH prides itself on operating at a standard that exceeds expectations of student-athletes, families, coaches, advisors and all other entities of the hockey world. With platforms that include association management, elite prospects programs, tournaments and showcases, camps and clinics and its hallmark Center of Excellence academy model, Total Package Hockey has assisted in the academic, athletic and hockey development of over 600 players who have advanced to junior, collegiate and professional hockey. Since inception, 45 #TPHTrained student-athletes have been selected in the NHL Draft, while 280 have committed to the NCAA level – 189 of which are Division I. In addition, 99 players have been selected in the OHL Priority Selection and 353 have signed tenders or been drafted in the USHL and NAHL. While TPH is proud of its student-athletes who have achieved success on-the ice, it is the process of developing young men and women as people, first and foremost, that our world-class team of coaches and mentors take the most amount of pride in. While it is our responsibility to prepare each individual for success on the ice, it is our mission to prepare each and every individual for success in the ultimate game – the game of life! To learn more about TPH, visit www.totalpackagehockey.com.

Greg Wolfe joins TPH Detroit staff

Total Package Hockey is proud to announce the addition of Greg Wolfe to the TPH Detroit team.

Wolfe, a former captain of the Michigan State Spartans and professional hockey player in North America and Norway, will be a player development coach and mentor for the TPH Center of Excellence in Bloomfield, Mich., for the 2019-2020 school year.

“We are excited to add Greg Wolfe, a tremendous example of an outstanding student-athlete, to our staff in Detroit,” said TPH Detroit director of hockey Dwayne Norris. “He maintained excellence in the classroom during his time as captain of Michigan State, and he has continued to work on and off the ice ever since. Greg will be a great role model for our student-athletes, both in how to improve as a hockey player and to prepare for life away from the rink.”

Wolfe, a Canton, Mich., native, just concluded a five-year professional hockey career that spanned the AHL, the ECHL and Norway’s top professional league.

A two-time captain of the Spartans, he maintained a 3.6 grade-point average during his four years in East Lansing, and he won the Big Ten Medal of Honor and the Big Ten Sportsmanship Awards in his senior season of 2013-14. Prior to his collegiate career, Wolfe played Tier 1 youth hockey for HoneyBaked and two years of USHL hockey for the Chicago Steel and Omaha Lancers.

From 2014-17, he split time between AHL and ECHL franchises, playing in a total of 23 AHL games with the Iowa Wild and Albany Devils. In 2017-18, he spent the season playing for Sparta Sarpsborg in Norway’s top league, and last season, he returned to the U.S. to play for the Toledo Walleye, where he racked up 51 points in 63 games.

His on-ice pursuits haven’t limited him from success off of it, however. Since 2017, Wolfe has run his own hockey school, while also serving as a player advisor and mentor for Coast 2 Coast Player Development, where he helps guide younger generations of players chasing their hockey dreams.

Wolfe is the second addition to the TPH Detroit CoE staff this off-season, joining fellow Michigan State product Jeff Lerg in Bloomfield.

47 #TPHTrained Players Make USHL 30-Man Protected and Affiliate Lists for the 2019-20 Season

On September 1st the United States Hockey League (USHL) and its Member Clubs announced Sunday the 30-man protected and affiliate lists for the 2019-20 season. We are proud of our 47 #TPHTrained players that have secured a spot on one of these rosters. We will be cheering on the following players as they work hard over the next few weeks to secure their spot on the 30-man protected list:

 

Cedar Rapids

Max Sasson – Detroit CoE/8-Week Summer

Nate Hanley – WSI

 

Chicago

Jacob Badal – Detroit 8-Week Program

Josh Doan – WSI

Mathieu De St. Phalle – Detroit CoE

 

Des Moines

Cameron Rowe – OHL Cup

Christian Stoever – Detroit CoE/8-Week Summer

Michael Mancinelli – Detroit CoE/8-Week Summer

Nick Andrews – 8-Week Summer

Tiernan Shoudy – 8-Week Summer

 

Dubuque

Luke Robinson – Nashville Jr Preds/8-Week Program

Riley Rosenthal – OHL Cup

Ben Schultheis – 8-Week Summer/Nashville Jr. Predators

Hunter Longhi – WSI

Ryan Beck – Detroit CoE/8 Week Program

Thomas Middleton – 8-Week Summer

 

Fargo

Zach Faremouth – Detroit CoE/8-Week Program

 

Green Bay

Camden Thiesing – Nashville Jr Predators/8 Week Program

Dylan Moulton – Nashville Jr. Predators /Nashville CoE/OHL Cup

Dylan Wendt – Detroit CoE/OHL Cup/WSI

Xan Gurney – Detroit CoE

 

Lincoln

Dalton Norris – Detroit CoE/8 Week Program

 

Madison

Cole Kodsi – Nashville Jr Predators /8 Week Program

Davis Pennington – Detroit CoE/8 Week Summer/OHL Cup

Stephen Davis – Nashville Jr Predators /8 Week Program

 

Muskegon

Tanner Kelly – Detroit CoE

Bennett Barnes – 8-Week Summer

Kienan Draper – 8-Week Summer

Nick Donofrio – OHL Cup

Ryan Humphrey – Detroit CoE/8-Week Summer/OHL Cup

Ryan Mcinchak – 8-Week Summer

Ryan Sorkin – OHL Cup

Sutter Muzzati – OHL Cup

 

Omaha

Hunter Carrick – OHL Cup

Kyle Kawamura – Nashville Jr. Predators

 

Sioux City

Sam Antenucci – 8-Week Summer

 

Sioux Falls

Joe Blackley – OHL Cup

Ryan Sullivan – 8 Week Program

Victor Mancini – 8-Week Summer

 

Tri-City

Luke Buss – Detroit CoE

Mitchell Miller – Detroit CoE/WSI

Mathew Knies – WSI

Nick Sofikitis – Detroit CoE/8 Week Summer/WSI

 

Waterloo

Ethan Szmagaj –  8-Week Summer

Logan Stein – Nashville Jr. Predators

 

Youngstown

Josh Deluca – 8-Week Summer

John Larkin – 8-Week Summer

TPH Center of Excellence Student Athletes Earn Spots on USHL 30-Man Protected Lists

This past weekend the United States Hockey League (USHL) and its Member Clubs announced Sunday the 30-man protected and affiliate lists for the 2019-20 season. These lists featured 16 players TPH Center of Excellence student-athletes/alumni.

Dubuque Fighting Saints Ryan Beck DUBUQUE FIGHTING SAINTS

Ryan Beck | TPH Center of Excellence – Detroit

Tri-City Storm Luke Buss TRI-CITY STORM

Luke Buss | TPH Center of Excellence – Detroit

Nick Sofikitis | TPH Center of Excellence – Detroit

Mitchell Miller | TPH Center of Excellence – Detroit

Chicago Steel Mathieu De St. Phalle CHICAGO STEEL

Mathieu De St. Phalle | TPH Center of Excellence – Detroit

Fargo Force Zach Faremouth FARGO FORCE

Zach Faremouth | TPH Center of Excellence – Detroit

Green Bay Gamblers Xan Gurney GREEN BAY GAMBLERS

Xan Gurney | TPH Center of Excellence – Detroit

Dylan Moulton | TPH Center of Excellence – Nashville

Dylan Wendt | TPH Center of Excellence – Detroit

Muskegon Lumberjacks Ryan Humphrey MUSKEGON LUMBERJACKS

Ryan Humphrey | TPH Center of Excellence – Detroit

Tanner Kelly | TPH Center of Excellence – Detroit

Lincoln Stars Dalton NorrisLINCOLN STARS

Dalton Norris | TPH Center of Excellence – Detroit

Madison Capitols Davis Pennington MADISON CAPITOLS

Davis Pennington | TPH Center of Excellence – Detroit

Cedar Rapids Rough Riders Max Sasson CEDAR RAPIDS ROUGH RIDERS

Max Sasson | TPH Center of Excellence – Detroit

Des Moines Buccaneers Christian Stoever DES MOINES BUCCANEERS

Christian Stoever | TPH Center of Excellence – Detroit

Michael Mancinelli | TPH Center of Excellence – Detroit