To All Michigan High School Coaches –

I wanted to give all of you advanced information about next spring’s Team Michigan. As you may know, Team Michigan represents Michigan high school hockey against the top high school hockey states (Minnesota, Wisconsin, & North Dakota) at the CCM NIT Tournament in Minnesota. This event is the most scouted tournament there is for our players; last year every NHL, USHL and NAHL team was represented, as well as most Division 1 University’s.

We now have two “Team Michigan” squads attending the CCM NIT Tournament: a Senior team and a U-18 (Junior) team. For us as high school coaches, it is crucial that we send our top players to make up these two squads. When scouts see Michigan players on the ice at this tournament, it sends a message as to the talent level here in Michigan. Therefore, sending our best players helps every single one of us, and every single one of our programs and players.

I understand that there are a lot of options and opportunities for our players. However, here are some other reasons why players should try out for Team Michigan:

• Each year, Michigan players who perform well end up getting more college offers and being drafted higher (NHL, USHL, NAHL) than before playing in the tournament. Scouts want to see our best against the rest of the country’s best. That causes their stock to rise, so even if a player has interest from a team or is already tendered, this improves their options. In addition it is their last chance to see the players right before their draft.
• Team Michigan is run by Michigan High School coaches who do not get paid. So there is no financial gain from anyone involved. Simply put, we only want to send our best talent.
• Our philosophy in going, is to win the tournament. If we do well (we have won the tournament once and been in the finals five times over the last ten years), it showcases everyone.
• Players on Team Michigan the last 10 years have represented all parts of the state. Last year we had players from 23 different High Schools. We had U.P., Northern Michigan, Western Michigan, Central Michigan players as well as players from the Metro Detroit area
• We keep the cost as low as possible. This is put on by MAHA, which receives grant money from USA Hockey to subsidize part of the overall cost of the tournament.
• If a player makes the team, the entire trip, is about $400. Which includes the mini camp, Jacket & the tournament. We have a team hotel, but players will book their own rooms there and handle their transportation to and from Minnesota. We will be using the same format as last year to help avoid all spring breaks.

Here are important information and dates to distribute to your top junior and senior players:

• Sign up information will come out in Late December
• After the initial tryout players will be selected to advance to the Team Michigan Festival. The 2-day festival will be held in Chelsea.
• After the completion of the 2-day festival players will be notified if they made the Junior or Senior Team Michigan.

I hope you will make your top junior and senior players aware of Team Michigan tryouts. The dates of all this will be announced soon but knowing this information now will hopefully allow each player to plan accordingly.

Players will be able to pick which initial tryout they would like to attend. In Gaylord, Grand Rapids or Livonia. The tryout sign up will be posted on the MAHA website.

We will also have a link from the HUB. Once on the site you will click on the player development tab at the top and follow the instructions.

We will send out the link to sign up once it is open for sign ups

If you have any questions, please contact myself Dave Mitchell or Ryan Ossenmacher

Thanks,

Don Wright