Wyandotte Hockey Looks to Repeat as State Champs

The hockey team made it all the way to the top last year, capturing the .

By winning the state crown , the hockey team brought home the first athletic state title in school history.

For the 2011-12 squad, however, the journey back to the top could prove to be much tougher.

In late March, Roosevelt left the Michigan Metro Hockey League and , arguably the state’s toughest prep league. 

Perennial powerhouses of the MIHL include Detroit Catholic Central, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood and familiar area rival , also a new member this season.

Wyandotte assistant coach Joseph Peterson said the Bears are anticipating the new league matchups and are ready for the battles ahead of them.

“We look forward to these types of games,” Peterson said. “I think the kids are looking forward to the competition and are prepared for it.”

Head coach Mike Quint said getting back to the state finals this season would take a lot of effort from his team, but it is an attainable goal.

“I think the kids know their work is cut out for them,” Quint said. “But I wouldn’t be shocked to see us back there.” 

Although talented leaders from last season, such as and , were lost to graduation, 13 players from last year’s squad have returned.

Serving as co-captains this season are seniors Kyle King, Alex Sharpe, Tyler Groat and Jake Carlisle.

“I feel we have great senior leadership this year, filling the role that Gerald and Chase played last year,” King said.

King and Sharpe, along with senior Kyle Gouth, lead a strong, experienced core of defensemen. Also patrolling the blue line are senior Ryan Lynch, junior Aaron Robinson and sophomores Joshua Hinderliter and Andrew Noles.

Offensively, the top line for Wyandotte consists of Groat, Carlisle and junior Tyler Winters. Skating on the second line are juniors John Calhoun, Ben Thompson and sophomore Joe Smellie.

Playing together on the third line are senior Zachary Wistinghausen, senior James Howe and junior Vinnie Jelsomeno. On the fourth line, senior Trevor Klosowski skates with two freshmen, Andrew Storey and Blake Reames.

As for the goaltender, three players are still battling for the starting spot, Peterson said. The competition is between junior Dalan Bulchak, senior Justin Green and sophomore Frank Cerulla.

“The competition is wide open," Peterson said. “The job is still out in the open for someone to grab it.”

With the Bears’ season now underway, a tough, early challenge will be a home game next Saturday against Brother Rice, a rematch of last year’s state championship game.

Having played on the team that beat the Warriors last year for the state title, Groat said Wyandotte is looking forward to taking them on in early December.

“We are very excited to play them again,” Groat said. “They are a really good team and it should be a good test for us early in the year.”

Before Christmas, Roosevelt also will take on league foes Detroit Catholic Central, Cranbrook-Kingswood and Trenton.

Facing such tough competition this season will give the Wyandotte hockey program a chance to succeed at the highest level, Peterson said.

“We’re a very proud team and we know that this league is the hardest league in the state of Michigan,” Peterson said. “In order to be the best, you have to play the best.”

Roosevelt kicked off the season Saturday by crushing U-D Jesuit 8-0. Carlisle led the way with three goals and one assist, while Calhoun had two goals and one assist. Bulchak was the starting goaltender and made 18 saves en route to the shutout.

The Bears play their first home game of the season tonight, squaring off against Grosse Pointe South at 7:40 p.m. at .