- Isn't it time you join us and got involved? Contact: Captain Derek Fowler 734-751-1199
- Our Sponsors: Kocur Enterprises, JGM Valve, Double H, Brooks Kushman PC, Harlow Tire
- Don't wait until tomorrow to make a difference today!
- Making a Difference On and Off the ice!
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2009-10 USA Hockey Tier II Champs - Taylor
2010 USA Hockey Oakland Edge Champs
2013-14 USA Hockey ED's Hockey Runner-up
2014 RSPI Spring / Summer Season Champs
2014-15 USA Hockey ED's Hockey Regional Champs
Detroit Red Wing Alumni vs Detroit Moose Hockey Game
Come watch the Detroit Moose and Fraser Wolves play against the Detroit Red Wing Alumni to benefit FAR. This the fifth time the Detroit Moose have played the Alumni to raise funds and awareness for various charities. Some of the organizations from the past include Autism Speaks, Juvenile Diabetes(JDRF), Epilepsy Foundation as well as FAR.
For tickets or information please reach out to DetroitMoose@aol.com or Derek Fowler at 734-751-1199.
Michigan Far Flyer vs Detroit Moose Hockey Games
The Detroit Moose played two hockey games against the Michigan FAR (www.FarConservatory.Org) Flyers on Saturday January 12th in Grosse Pointe, Michigan's Civic Center Arena. Both games were a lot of fun for both teams. The smiling faces of the Far Flyer's were a great reward for our efforts on the ice. Their passion for the game was outstanding. Fun was had by all. It is more than just a hockey game. These kids show us that there are no bounds around enjoying the game of hockey.
Way to go Flyers!
Summer Soup kitchen in the D for the homeless and less fortunate
2nd Summer soup kitchen in the D
Spirit of Hope Church - Detroit, Michigan
The Detroit Moose Hockey Club will be giving back to the community by hosting a Soup Kitchen for over at the Spirit of Hope Church in Detroit on corner of Martin Luther King and Trumbell this summer. We will be supporting this great cause Saturday August 19th from 9:00am - 1pm. This was such a success last year in the Summer the Soup Kitchen asked us to do it again as we have been doing our annual winter hockey season soup kitchen for over 10 years. Come join the team members, family and friends together giving back and paying it forward.
Please let us know if you are interested in joining us for this event in the D. We would be glad to have you join us. Please contact the captain Derek Fowler at DetroitMoose@aol.com for more information or any questions call 734-751-1199. Let us know you are coming and how many, that's all we ask.
Location: on the corner of Martin Luther King and Trumbull in Detroit
Time 9AM- 1PM
What to bring, Two giving hands wanting to make a difference.
12th Annual Soup Kitchen in the D
The Detroit Moose, sponsors, friends and family continued its contribution to the community by serving the needy of Detroit in the 12th Annual Soup Kitchen and Coat Drive. The annual event took place at the Spirit of Hope Church located at the corner of Martin Luther King and Trumbell in the heart of the City of Detroit.
At this year’s event, many Moose team members stepped up to facilitate the various activities. Captain Derek Fowler #14 and Steve Cloutier #5 championed the meals, food preparations and cleaning efforts. The main meal consisted of Taco beef based soup cooked in two 15 gallon pots. The 40lbs of meat for the soup was provided by a donation from Armand’s Meats of Northville. The soup vegetables and ingredients along with the additional items served with the meal that included tossed salad with dressing, bread/butter, pudding for a dessert and a PB&J for the road.
Serving up a meal for 300 people takes quite a bit of preparation. Stirring pots with 30 gallons of soup takes a lot of muscle. In addition to the soup and salad, all of the volunteers joined in the effort of making 16 loaves worth of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches as well as folding plastic knives, forks and spoons into napkins take’s an efficient assembly line. Steve Remski #53, who is the king of PB&J making, said “It’s the teams twelth year doing this event here at the Spirit of Hope Church. It’s about more than what is done out on the ice that matters. This is what will be remembered most about the Moose hockey team”.
A big thank you goes to one of our sponsors JGM Valve for providing the food we served at the event.
Please contact us at DetroitMoose@aol.com or Captain Derek Fowler 734-751-1199 if you are interested in participating in next years - 13th Annual - event.
Detroit Moose 11th Annual Soup Kitchen in the heart of Detroit this February 18, 2017
The Detroit Moose, sponsors, friends and family continued its contribution to the community by serving the needy of Detroit this is our 11th Annual Soup Kitchen and Coat Drive. This annual event took place at Spirit of Hope Church located at the corner of Martin Luther King and Trumbull in the heart of the City of Detroit.
The team and its families along with its closest friends served up a meal for over 140 people. This takes an enormous amount of preparation. Buying, preparing over 40 gallons of taco soup takes a lot of muscle. In addition to the soup, salad and dessert, all of the volunteers joined in an effort to make 20 loaves of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches so they have something to eat later that day. We folded plastic knives, forks and spoons into napkins take’s an efficient assembly line. New assistant captain Dave Lakatos, the king of the utensil folding, said “This is the Moose’s eleventh year of doing this event here at the Church of Good Hope and my seventh. Yes, we are pretty competitive team on the ice but It’s more about what we do off the ice that matters. This is what will be always be remembered about the Moose hockey club.
Thank you to all of those teammated, family and friends that joined us in the D.
A additional big thank you to one of our sponsors JGM Valve for providing the food we served at the event.
Please contact us at DetroitMoose@aol.com or Captain Derek Fowler 734-751-1199 if you are interested in participating next year.
Together we can strive to be the change we want to see in this world making it a better place for ALL, where nobody goes to bed hungry.
First Annual Summer Soup Kitchen in the D
Spirit of Hope Church - Detroit, Michigan
The Detroit Moose Hockey Club will be giving back to the community by hosting a Soup Kitchen at the Spirit of Hope Church in Detroit on corner of Martin Luther King and Trumbell this summer. We will be supporting this great cause Saturday July 16th from 9:30am - 1pm. This will be the first Summer Soup Kitchen. Come join all of the team members, friends and family and support giving back and paying it forward.
Please let us know if you are interested in joining us for this event in the D. We would be glad to have you. Please contact Derek Fowler at DetroitMoose@aol.com for more information. See you down there.
3rd Annual FAR vs Detroit Moose Hockey Club Fund-Raiser
The FAR Booster club has asked us if we would play again a drop in ice hockey game from 3-4PM on Sunday June 12th. What this involves is all of us along with anyone you know that might be interested in playing some fun no score board hockey for an hour.
The cost is $20 per player... this money would go directly to the FAR hockey team... they raise money because the ice time is given to them for free and this allows them to make money all day.
We will provide a pizza party for them after the game on the Moose tab
Together we were able to help them raise $300 for the hour we skated and hockey all together
10th Annual Soup Kitchen in the D
Spirit of Hope Church - Detroit, Michigan
The Detroit Moose Hockey Club completed a decade of giving back to the community by hosting a Soup Kitchen at the Spirit of Hope Church in Detroit. This is the tenth consecutive year that the Moose have cooked and served those less fortunate. Approximately 135 warm meals consisting of Taco Soup, Salad, Roll and pudding were served at the noon hour this past Saturday February 20th. The players from Victory Honda chipped in to make ~300 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to supplement the meal. All of the team members, friends and family had a great time giving back and paying if forward.
Please let us know if you are interested in joining us for the 11th Annual Soup Kitchen in the D event next year. We would be glad to have you. Please contact Derek Fowler at DetroitMoose@aol.com for more information. See you all next year.
FAR Charity drop in hockey game skate June 7th 4-5PM
The FAR Booster club has asked us if we would play a drop in ice hockey game from 4-5PM on Sunday June 7th. What this involves is all of us along with anyone you know that might be interested in playing some fun no score board hockey for an hour.
The cost is $20 per player... this money would go directly to the FAR hockey team... they raise money because the ice time is given to them for free and this allows them to make money all day.
They have different teams coming all throughout the day playing Sunday from high school to the Lions club... our given slot is from 4-5PM
We truly hope many of you can come out and join us for an enjoyable good skate... All are invited for a good cause!
Lets make a difference together!
Time: around 3:30PM the ice is ours from 4-5PM
Location: John Lindell in Royal Oak
What to bring: Full equipment (2 jerseys dark and light)
Who is invited... everyone who plays hockey and lets go out and have a good time helping make a difference
Cost: $20 Per player
Please RSVP: detroitmoose@aol.com
Gleaners DTE Farm Day
The Detroit Moose Hockey Club will be volunteering at the DTE Garden in Plymouth, Michigan on Sunday May 3rd from Noon-3pm. The event will include various gardening and farming tasks to assist with the growing of food for the hungry. This event is open to friends and family in addition to our championship teammates.
If you are interested in paying it forward, please let us know. Our Detroit Moose Hockey Club Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/events/395595220611400/) will have additional information
or email us at DetroitMoose@aol.com.
DetroitMoose@aol.com.
Detroit Moose Take on the FAR Flyers
Royal Oak, Michigan
Lindell Arena
The Detroit Moose Hockey Club was invited by the FAR Conservatory to play a hockey game against the FAR Flyers at the Lindell Arena in Royal Oak, Michigan. The FAR Flyer's are a team of special needs kids and adults that use hockey for therapeutic and exercise purposes. Very few of them are limited in their hockey ability. The game was deadlocked until the waning seconds of the game where the Moose edged the Flyers. Player for both teams had a great time playing the game we all love. Way to Go Flyers!
The 9th Annual Soup Kitchen in the D!
The 9th Annual Soup Kitchen in the D!
The 10th Annual Detroit Moose Hockey Club Soup Kitchen was hosted on February 21st 2015 at the
Spirit of Hope Church in Detroit Michigan at the corner of Martin Luther King Blvd and Trumbull Ave.
This year's Soup Kitchen was hosted by the Detroit Moose Hockey Club with some of its newest members (Darren Mills and Eric Poppe) and their families. Each year we try to get all team members, friends and families involved in giving back to the community. For these newest members, it was the first time helping with our flagship event. This event would not be possible without the help of our team, friends, family members and most of all our sponsors that support this event year after year. Armand's Meats of Northville and Double H Manufacturing of Westland have been long time supporters of this Soup Kitchen event from the beginning. Our sponsors contributed both their time serving meals and money by providing enough food to feed up to 300 people, including 30lbs of meat. We very much appreciate the support of our sponsors for all that they do for the Detroit Moose and the community. We look forward to making our 10th annual Soup Kitchen just as successful as this one.
Please contact us at DetroitMoose@aol.com or Captain Derek Fowler 734-751-1199 if you are interested in participating in this annual Detroit Moose event.
6th Annual Joe Kocur Charity Softball Tournament
Saturday, August 23, 2014Duck Lake Pines Park - 1241 N. Duck Lake Rd Highland MI
The sixth annual Joe Kocur Foundation Charity Softball Series was held Saturday at Duck Lake Pines Park at 1241 N. Duck Lake Road in Highland. The Detroit Moose supported this event for the 5th year in a row. This years activities activities included concessions, food and drinks. The sunny skies and temps in the 80's kept sales of drinks brisk and steady. Over 200 pizzas were sold at the 8 hour event.
The event featured a host of celebrities including Detroit Red Wings alumni Dino Ciccarelli, Kris Draper, Joe Kocur, Manny Legace, Dave Lewis, Darren McCarty, Mickey Redmond and Ted Lindsay. Other celebrities included actor Jeff Daniels, former Lions quarterback Eric Hipple, former Tigers Dave Rozema and Scott Lusader and Brian Vander Ark from the Verve Pipe. Milford, White Lake, Highland and Oakland County law enforcement and firefighters also attended.
The day consisted of four softball games with Detroit Red Wings alumni and Detroit area sports and entertainment celebrities. All proceeds benefited local children's charities, Wings of Mercy East Michigan, Far Conservatory, Team Huron Valley Special Olympics, and the Lakeland High School Public Service Scholarship for a student going into law enforcement or firefighting in honor of the late Shannon Gaber Silverthorn.
The Moose are already looking forward to supporting this event next year. We hope to see you there!
Good Day at Gleaner's Food Bank
Dear Detroit Moose Hockey Club,
Thank you so much for organizing such a wonderful group of volunteers from the Detroit Moose Hockey Club. We are so grateful for the hard work provided by groups like yours. Through your efforts, 2,225 pounds of food were managed! Great job!
Your support makes it possible for us to distribute more than 45 million pounds of food to our hungry neighbors in southeastern Michigan, including the 40% of our recipients who are children. Thank you again for caring.
Warm regards,
Karen Rogensues
Karen Rogensues
Volunteer Coordinator
Gleaners is a 501[c][3] organization. Your donation is 100% tax deductible to the extent allowed by law; you received no goods or services for this contribution. For more tax information, visit our website at www.gcfb.org.
2nd Annual Skate with CS Mott Children's Hospital
The Detroit Moose Hockey Club assisted C.S. Mott Children's Hospital – Division of Pediatric Endocrinology with a skating event at Arctic Edge Arena in Canton, Michigan on Saturday, March 23rd, from 7-8:30p.m. At this 2nd Annual event, the Moose team members ran a hockey clinic and assisted participants with skating in an open family skate. Refreshments were provided to participants compliments of the Detroit Moose.
Please contact us at DetroitMoose@aol.com or Captain Derek Fowler 734-751-1199 if you are interested in participating in the next Detroit Moose event.
8th Annual Soup Kitchen in the D
Spirit of Hope - Detroit Michigan
The Detroit Moose, with family and friends, donned their sweaters again to help those attending the Spirit of Hope Church Soup Kitchen in the heart of Detroit February 15th. In our 9th Annual Soup kitchen event, close to 300 people were served. The traditional main meal consisting of Taco beef based soup was the meal of the day. Forty pounds of meat for the soup was provided by a donation from Armand’s Meats of Northville. Team sponsor Marci Hradil from Double H Manufacturing of Westland provided the soup vegetables and ingredients along with the additional items served with the meal that included tossed salad with dressing, bread/butter, pudding/peppermint patties for a dessert, not to mention a PB&J for the road.
Serving up a meal for 300 people takes quite a bit of preparation. Armand and Tom Petit (#44) stirred pots with 30 gallons of soup with a lot of muscle and many friends and family of all ages used an efficient assembly line to make 16 loaves worth of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Everyone chipped in with serving and clean up. All of this hard work made for a successful event.
We would like to thank our sponsors Marcie of Double H Manufacturing and Armand of Armand Meats AGAIN for the opportunity to give back to the community at an event like this. Their continued support of our off-ice community service is greatly appreciated.
Please contact us at DetroitMoose@aol.com or Captain Derek Fowler 734-751-1199 if you are interested in participating in the - 10th Annual - event.
See you there!
Michigan Flyers at Comerica Park
Comerica Park - Detroit, Michigan
The Detroit Moose gave back to the community during an off the ice event while being on the ice at Comerica Park Friday, December 20th 2013. This event allowed the special needs hockey team Michigan Far Flyers the opportunity of a lifetime to skate where the NHL Alumni Showdown games will be played on New Year’s Eve this year in downtown Detroit.
The Flyers are only one of three special needs hockey teams in the state of Michigan. The Flyers team is made up of young and old, girls and boys. It gives the players a sense of team, while building self-esteem. Most of the participants have been a part of the team for a decade or more.
The ice time Friday was a gift from one of their sponsors. The players know how lucky they are to get this chance to be a part of the Hockeytown Winter Festival. The locker room was a buzz before taking the ice. All of the Flyers could not wait to hit the ice at Comerica Park.
I’m excited, the Tigers play here," said 14-year-old Anthony Manici beaming.
As the players took the ice, the flashes from the cameras were not as bright as the smiles on their faces.
"It’s like an early Christmas present for these kids,” said assistant coach Ward Peterson. "They’re really excited and thrilled to be playing on an NHL ice arena. On top of that, they’re playing at Comerica Park and they’re just thrilled."
The game was back and forth with the Team Flyers dominating for most of the game. A late surge by Team Ayers in the waning seconds finished off an 11-11 tie.
Michigan Flyers and Detroit Moose at Comerica Park
“Their energy and excitement for the game of hockey is priceless. It makes all of what we do off the ice so rewarding.” said Steve Cloutier (Moose Alternate Captain #5).
Detroit Moose Hockey Club Scholarship recipient (Kyle) post game thank you.
The post game festivities were celebrated at the Rub BBQ Pub restaurant with the players and families of both teams. The Detroit Moose loved the 'Moose Chant' by the Flyers team after the post game meal to show their great appreciation for the Detroit Moose sponsorship and participation of that day's events.
The Michigan Flyers team is always looking for more players. For more information go to www.MichiganFARFlyers.org.
Special thanks to WDIV for covering the event - http://www.clickondetroit.com/sports/Special-needs-team-skates-at-Comerica-Park/-/1719176/23596266/-/lu0ldoz/-/index.html
Detroit Moose Charity Game with Far Foundation
Royal Oak, Michigan
The Detroit Moose played two charity hockey games against the Michigan FAR (www.FarConservatory.Org) Flyers on Saturday October 5th in Royal Oak, Michigan's John Lindell Arena. Both games were a lot of fun for both teams. The smiling faces of the Far Flyer's were a great reward for our efforts on the ice. Their passion for the game was outstanding. Fun was had by all. Following the game, there was a pizza party for the organization and their families. All friends and family of the Moose and FAR attended the post game festivities.
5th Annual Joe Kocur Foundation for Children Charity Softball Game
The Joe Kocur Foundation for Children will host its fifth annual Charity Softball Series on Saturday at Duck Lake Pines Park in Highland. Gates open at 10 a.m. with games scheduled at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. The Detroit Moose will be assisting with concession during the event. Please come out and support this great cause along with us.
C.S. Mott Children's Hospital Skating with Diabetes
Arctic Edge Arena, Canton Michigan 
The Detroit Moose assisted C.S. Mott Children's Hospital – Division of Pediatric Endocrinology with a skating event at Arctic Edge Arena in Canton, Michigan on Saturday, March 23rd, from 7-8:30p.m. Moose team member Brandon Malinowski (#88) spoke to the event participants about life as an athlete with diabetes. Moose team members ran a hockey clinic and assisted participants with skating in an open family skate. Refreshments were provided to participants compliments of the Detroit Moose.
Please contact us at DetroitMoose@aol.com or Captain Derek Fowler 734-751-1199 if you are interested in participating in the next Detroit Moose event.
Detroit Moose 8th Annual Soup Kitchen in the D
Spirit of Hope Church - Detroit, Michigan
The Detroit Moose, sponsors, friends and family continued its contribution to the community by serving the needy of Detroit in a 8th Annual Soup Kitchen.The 8th annual event will take place at the Spirit of Hope Church located at the corner of Martin Luther King and Trumbell in the heart of the City of Detroit.
At this year’s event, many Moose team members stepped up to facilitate the various activities. Players Tom Petite #44 and alternate team captain Steve Cloutier #5 championed the meals, food preparations while team captain Derek Fowler championed the cleaning efforts. The traditional main meal consisted of Taco beef based soup cooked in two 15 gallon pots. The 40lbs of meat for the soup was provided by a donation from Armand’s Meats of Northville. The soup vegetables and ingredients along with the additional items served with the meal that included tossed salad with dressing, bread/butter, pudding/peppermint patties for a dessert and a PB&J for the road were purchased by team sponsor Marci Hradil Double H Manufacturing of Westland.
Serving up a meal for 300 people takes quite a bit of preparation. Stirring pots with 30 gallons of soup takes a lot of muscle. In addition to the soup and salad, all of the volunteers joined in the effort of making 16 loaves worth of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches as well as folding plastic knives, forks and spoons into napkins take’s an efficient assembly line. Dave Lakatos #90, who is the king of beverages, said “It’s the teams eighth year doing this event here at the Spirit of Hope Church. We love doing this event every year. We look forward to it. It makes a difference in people’s lives.”
We would like to thank our sponsors Marcie of Double H Manufacturing and Armand of Armand Meats AGAIN for the opportunity to give back to the community at an event like this. Their continued support of our off-ice community service is greatly appreciated.
Please contact us at DetroitMoose@aol.com or Captain Derek Fowler 734-751-1199 if you are interested in participating in the - 9th Annual - event.
See you there!
Chipping in an assist for Fallen Officer O'Rourke Charity Hockey Game
Compuware Arena - Plymouth, Michigan
The Detroit Red Wings Alumni Association and the Joe Kocur Foundation for Children teamed up with the Heroes in Blue, a group of local police officers, for a charity hockey game at Compuware Arena in Plymouth that raised more than $120,000 for the O'Rourke family trust. Joe Kocur presented a check for more than $100,000 to Amy O'Rourke, the wife of Patrick O'Rourke, a 12-year veteran of the West Bloomfield Police Department who was shot and killed in the line of duty Sept. 9. Joe Kocur said "We're lucky. It was a perfect storm for us. We have no (NHL) hockey. We had an absolutely stunning lineup. ... and we had a tragedy that we all rallied around to help a family in need. Hopefully we can give them a better Christmas."
Ron Mann and Chris Baker present the O'Rourke Family a check for the proceeds of the game.
The Detroit Moose volunteered in supporting the event at the request of Joe Kocur and Ron Mann Co-founders of the Joe Kocur Foundation for Children. Players and family members assisted in monitor VIP seating areas and selling 50/50 tickets during the game. Moose Alternate Captain Steve Cloutier (#5) "The event was a great success. It was great to be a part of giving back. To be able to give back to a family that paid the ultimate price while protecting the community leaves you speechless."
The Joe Kocur Foundation for Children and the Detroit Red Wing Alumni are great role models for giving it all on and off the ice. It is great to be able to help them in any way we can. The Detroit Moose are looking forward to its next opportunity of playing the Red Wing Alumni to pay it forward in the community.
7th Annual Soup Kitchen at the Spirit of Hope Church.
Spirit of Hope Church - Detroit, Michigan
The Detroit Moose, sponsors, friends and family continued its contribution to the community by serving the needy of Detroit in a 7th Annual Soup Kitchen and Coat Drive. The annual event took place at the Spirit of Hope Church located at the corner of Martin Luther King and Trumbell in the heart of the City of Detroit.
At this year’s event, many Moose team members stepped up to facilitate the various activities. Captain Derek Fowler #14 and Steve Cloutier #5 championed the meals, food preparations and cleaning efforts. The main meal consisted of Taco beef based soup cooked in two 15 gallon pots. The 40lbs of meat for the soup was provided by a donation from Armand’s Meats of Northville. The soup vegetables and ingredients along with the additional items served with the meal that included tossed salad with dressing, bread/butter, pudding for a dessert and a PB&J for the road were purchased by team sponsor Double H Manufacturing of Westland.
Serving up a meal for 300 people takes quite a bit of preparation. Stirring pots with 30 gallons of soup takes a lot of muscle. In addition to the soup and salad, all of the volunteers joined in the effort of making 16 loaves worth of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches as well as folding plastic knives, forks and spoons into napkins take’s an efficient assembly line. Ryan Renner #26, who is the king of PB&J making, said “It’s the teams seventh year doing this event here at the Spirit of Hope Church. It’s about more than what is done out on the ice that matters. This is what will be remembered most about the Moose hockey team”.
Many past participants like Mark Auger #9 along with first time participants helped to make this year’s event a success. Bethany Toth, a second time soup kitchen attendee, said “Thank you again to Steve (Cloutier) and the Detroit Moose Hockey team, you make a difference”.
We would like to thank our sponsors Marcie and Frank of Double H Manufacturing and Armand of Armand Meats AGAIN for the opportunity to give back to the community at an event like this. Their continued support of our off-ice community service is greatly appreciated.
Please contact us at DetroitMoose@aol.com or Captain Derek Fowler 734-751-1199 if you are interested in participating in next years - 8th Annual - event.
Thank You to everyone for making this Event a Huge success!!!
A group of gritty enforcers and fast-skating forwards took the ice Saturday to raise a gross of more than $30,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Several generations of Detroit Red Wings stars and other NHL standouts played a benefit game against the Detroit Moose at Canton's Arctice Edge Ice Arena on Saturday.
The Detroit Red Wings Alumni Association, which included former stars such as Igor Larionov, Darren McCarty, Petr Klima, Joe Kocur, Shawn Burr — who has been battling leukemia — and journeyman player Bryan Smolinski, defeated the Moose, 10-3, but what was on the scoreboard was less important to the players than the cause behind the game where JDRF was the real winner.
Derek Fowler, a Canton resident who captains the Moose, steers his team toward charitable efforts and giving back since 2002, one year after losing two friends in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, with a primary purpose of helping those in need and those fortunate.
The Detroit Red Wings Alumni Association has been in service since 1959, raising more than $4 million for various charities during that time.
The NHL alums were happy to help the cause by competing against the Moose, a partnership the team has enjoyed since 2002.
"It's been great," former Red Wings enforcer Joe Kocur said. "Derek Fowler's is a captain that leads on and off the ice this is why we enjoy our partnership with him and the Moose."
Kocur played as a member of the Moose for a 9/11 tribute in September 2011 against Ameriprise Financial and the players previously have participated in fundraisers and played charitable games both on the ice and on the softball diamond where the Moose were again instumental in helping and giving back and will continue for years to come.
Kocur, who became known in Detroit for his knack for dropping the gloves early in his career and serving an integral role in ending the New York Rangers' 54-year Stanley Cup drought in 1994 before returning to Detroit to help end the Red Wings' 42-year title drought in 1997, is no stranger to charitable causes as a member of the Red Wings' Alumni Association.
"We play a lot of games, a lot of charity games for the alumni," he said.
"They (the alumni) go above and beyond," Fowler said of his on-ice opponent. "Words are not enough to say how much we enjoy working with them, they are great and all first class in every sense of the word. I am always honored to be surrounded by great people in my life with the vision on giving back and being a good role model for children"
The cause for Saturday's event hit home for the Moose — Fowler's teammate Brandon Malinowski suffers from juvenile diabetes.
1,800 fans packed the bleachers at Arctic Edge for an up-close look at their favorite former NHL players, before many joined the teams after the game for a private reception at nearby Kickers All Star Grill to dine and drink with the Red Wings alums and Moose players while watching the Detroit Lions' playoff game.
The Detroit Moose, in continuing its tradition of giving back to the community, will be hosting another Detroit Red Wing Alumni game to benefit a deserving charity. This season the Moose will focus its efforts into supporting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). JDRF is the worldwide leader in funding research to cure Type 1 Diabetes, an autoimmune disease that strikes children and adults suddenly and lasts a lifetime. JDRF is the leader in funding and advocate of Type 1 Diabetes science.
On January 7th, 2012 at 5PM, the Moose will play the Red Wing Alumni in Canton, Michigan at the Arctic Edge Arena. This game will be played to help raise awareness for the disease of diabetes that afflicts millions of people in this country, including many in the Moose family. A current Moose player, Brandon Malinowski (#88) has endured Type 1 Diabetes since June 2008. He manages to control his blood sugar via diet and an insulin pump. This has not prevented Brandon from living an active and productive life. The JDRF help many people, like Brandon every day to manage their condition. Through funds and education this organization helps those with diabetes and their families make the most of their lives. The Detroit Moose are proud to help support an organization like the JDRF to make the world a better place.
Tickets for admission to the game are $10 in advance or $15 at the door (Children under 10 are Free). Tickets for admission and dinner (following the game) with both teams are $50 in advance only (adults only/limited seating). Dinner includes appetizers, meal, dessert and an open bar with beer/wine for the evening until close. There is a special ticket opportunity for a chance to receive a personalized Red Wings Jersey and play on the Red Wing Alumni team. These tickets are $25 and are limited to 200 tickets being sold (includes admission). Must be 21 to win. All tickets include opportunity for door prizes (Big Screen TV, Wings Tickets, Sports Memorabilia and more).
We hope you can make it and look forward to seeing and meeting you there!
JDRF International can be contacted directly via email at www.JDRFCARES.org or snail mail at 26 Broadway * New York, NY 10004 * Phone: (800) 533-CURE (2873).
*JDRF is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation. All donations to JDRF/Detroit Moose are tax-deductible. (ID: 1097729)
A 9/11 Remembrance Game - "We Still Have Not Forgotten!!!"
Come Join Us This August 6th For The Joe Kocur and Celebrity Friends Charity Softball Tournament
^ Click on poster link above for more information ^
Joe Kocur and Celebrity Friends Charity Softball Tournament will benefit Special Days Camp and other non-profit organizations of on Saturday, August 6th. The event will start at 11:30 am and take place at Duck Lake Pines Park in Highland, Michigan. This event is just one of the upcoming fundrasiers that will benefit Special Days Camp through the Team Kendal Kidz organization. Team Kendal Kidz was set up to honor their daughter Kendal who wanted other children with medical issues to enjoy life at a camps like Special Days. There are other events planned throughout the year (concerts, various fundrasiers) that will also benefit SD, and we are hoping to have a successful partnership that will last for many years.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Tickets for this charity softball game are $10 in advance ($15 at the gate)
Email us for tickets detroitmoose@aol.com
Hockey with a Heart
http://canton-mi.patch.com
April 18th 2011
Sports and political writer George Will once said “Sports serve society by providing vivid examples of excellence."
This sentiment can be interpreted many ways. Athletes tend to define excellence in terms of personal achievement; coaches, by overall team success. For Canton resident Derek Fowler, those are only partial measurements. Fowler, 46, is captain of the Detroit Moose hockey club –a 21-and-over recreational-league travel team – an organization less about competition than community service.
As Fowler sometimes says, “You don’t have to be a pro to give back.”
Every year, the team either participates in or leads varying efforts to raise money (and awareness) for charities all over Southeast Michigan – and outside the state as well as several other events.
Fowler, husband and father of two girls, decided in 2005 to break away from the team he was playing for and form his own, one that transcends the game of hockey. He was motivated by the loss of two dear friends from New York on Sept. 11. His team's philosophy: “Don’t wait until tomorrow to make a difference today," is not one that is easy to build a team around but is one that has guided him nonetheless. “When you come onto this team, you’re a part of the family” he said about the Moose, which relies heavily on the support of friends and family – many of whom routinely follow them on the road and to charity events.
“It’s a big family. If we didn’t have the support of them off the ice we surely wouldn’t have it on the ice," he said.
By day, Fowler works as a metallurgist for Detroit Diesel Corp., a passion that stems from his days working on formula one race cars and Indy cars Racing.
Derek father of two girls, Miranda, 5, and Sydney, 10. When I asked him about how well the girls understand his mission – and how he incorporates his philosophy of giving back into their upbringing – he responded simply: “Actions speak louder than words.” It is exactly that kind of attitude that has drawn so many people to him and the team. Most of the guys on his team are in their 30s or 40s, many of them have families. When the Moose participate in (or host) a charity event, the players show up with their wives and kids in tow.
Over the weekend of March 12-14, the Moose traveled to Carmel, Indiana, to play in a USA Hockey-sponsored tournament (which they fell one goal short of winning, losing the championship game 3-2). My brother Brian was invited to sub for one of the players who couldn’t make the trip, so I tagged along. Last year the team played in the same tournament, and used the opportunity to uphold their mission. The team made an appearance at the University of Indiana’s Riley Hospital for Children, where they participated in a spirit-uplifting event. The hospital administrators were so impressed and grateful, they invited the Moose back this year.
Friday morning we took the team bus back down to the hospital, where we spent 2 hours of our day working with the children at a variety of craft station, which were designed to give them a break from the monotony of their daily schedule of treatments and therapies. Several stations were set up with cloth dolls and a variety of medical equipment – including bandages, tongue depressors and stethoscopes – which the children could use on the dolls. The idea was to help them become more comfortable with some of the things they see daily, which tend carry the stigma of pain and discomfort.
The Moose also participates in an annual hockey game with the Detroit Red Wings Alumni. December's game raised more than $16,000 for the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan. Assisting others through events like these is a Moose trademark. And it is as much a part of their private lives as it is their public ones. The team's other charitable endeavors include a wheelchair hockey game they hosted; a Detroit Red Wings closed-door practice session set up for the families of fallen soldiers of the Iraq war, and lending their scoring hands to serve meals at area soup kitchens.
Dedication to way of life is a must for anyone who wants to play for Fowler. He asks three things of his team – none of which is negotiable: He expects players to have their hearts in the right places, respect their off-ice charitable schedules, and always work toward team goals (avoiding the distractions of personal ones).
The Moose have endured significant player turnover due to these high standards, but have also attracted many guys who appreciate the opportunity to play for the team, and to have a positive impact on the lives of others.
Over the weekend the Moose played in a tournament in Rochester Hills, their last of the season. Again, my brother subbed and I joined them, along with my wife and daughters. The Moose struggled to retain their crown from last year's tournament but lost their first game on Friday night and their third game on Saturday night, missing the cut for Sunday finals. Team members decided to stay at their hotel in Auburn Hills overnight anyhow, to spend one last night together and celebrate their real achievements.
"You could tell after the last game that the guys were disappointed,” Fowler said, "but it didn’t last long. I think they know deep down that even though we lost in the tournament they are all winners. What they have done this year for the people who have really needed them is what matters most."
Moose Are Champs of the 2010 Oakland Edge Tournament
Rochester, Michigan
The game schedule included 3 round robin games, a semi final and a final game in the three day tournament. First up on Friday was the Rochester Fire Dept. With the new line-up, the Moose started off a little tentative by letting the Fire Fighters net the first goal of the tournament. The Moose regrouped and answered back to even the score and then took over by putting out the fire with an 8-2 finish to game one.
The second game was a first for the Moose by playing an all women’s team called the Mighty Ducks. The Moose started this game with more confidence by scoring the first four goals before the Ducks were able to go five hole on backup net minder Mike Yurgelitis. As a follow-up to the Ducks goal, the Moose doubled their effort by netting four more goals to complete win number two in round robin play. As a goodwill gesture to show support of the women’s participation in the tournament, the Moose donated $100.00 dollars to the Breast Cancer Society.
Between the two Saturday games a “sled” hockey exhibition showcased the skills of those players that utilize a sled fitted with skate like blades to play the game. Moose Captain Derek Fowler initiated contact with the organizers of the Rochester tournament to host the exhibition as a way to show tournament fans there is more to hockey than just legs. Many of the fans were impressed with the speed and upper body strength of these athletes that played the game to a 2-1 final score. “You may take away some of the body’s ability, but you cannot take away the minds desire to play the game you love” said Steve Cloutier (#5) of the Moose “It is nothing short of amazing.”
In addition to the sled hockey demonstration, the tournament sponsored a “hardest” shot competition. Moose forward Bob Boelter Jr. (#96) took the first place honors with a shot of 81mph on the radar gun. Brian Gross (#22) also not go home empty handed. He won the distinguished “Best Moment” award by finding away to fall and stumble with no one anywhere near him while losing his helmet in the process.
The third round robin opponent went by “Sticklash”. As the confidence was building, the Moose kept trampling everything in their path. Tony Santangelo returned between the pipes to net his first shut-out of the tournament. The Sunday morning semi-final was a re-match of the last round robin game with Sticklash. In a carbon copy finish to the previous meeting, the Moose marched on with an 8-0 victory to lead them to the final game of the tournament.
The final showdown on Sunday afternoon poised two undefeated teams to fight it out for the title of champion. Hartman Law of Traverse City fought their way past every team they encounter on the weekend. The Moose continued their domination in the final stanza, but disbarring Hartman with a score of 8-0 to capture the Championship of the Oakland Edge tournament of 2010.
All in all, the tournament was very well run by a good group of people that love the game of hockey, all types of hockey. The Moose are looking forward to return the tournament next year in the third annual event. It has been a great season for the Moose, a league championship, a second place at a national tournament and finally a championship in Rochester.
Moose visit Riley Childrens Hospital during trip to USA Hockey National Tournament
Indianapolis (Carmel), Indiana
On the morning of the first day, the Moose ventured to the Riley Children’s Hospital to visit children and deliver over $3,000.00 worth of toys that were donated by players and team sponsors Double H Manufacturing, Kocur Enterprises, Harlow Tire and JGM Valve. The Riley Hospital staff was very appreciative of the donation made to their facility for the children. Hospital spokesperson Melissa Sexton said “We don’t usually get this many toys donated. Wow! This is really great Thank you!”
Players split up into groups of four to visit patient rooms to pass out toys and read stories. Many of the player detailed stories of their experiences with the children they visited. “A 10 year old patient we visited had been in the hospital for over 7 months, due to an organ transplant, was unable to leave the isolation room where she stayed” said Steve Cloutier. “She has not been able to see her younger 3 year old sister the whole time. As a parent of a 9 and 2 year old, that really hits close to home how fortunate we are to have healthy kids.” Moose Captain Derek Fowler visited with a patient that had multiple surgeries to repair a spinal cord abnormality. “Having small children myself, my heart goes out to the parents of these children that are facing these enormous challenges her in the hospital. They are truly champions” Fowler said.
In addition to the Riley Children’s Hospital visit, the Moose also had brought other items to donate to the Springs Shelter for Homeless and Battered Women in the greater Indianapolis area. “It is all about giving back to the community. The memories of the children and families will last a lifetime for both of us.” said Fowler. “A few years from now, no one will have remembered what happened out on the ice, but they will remember that someone read to them and spent time with them.”
After the visit to the hospital, the Moose focused on their goal of a championship. In a late Friday evening game, the Moose took on its first opponent in round robin play, Feeny from Saginaw/Bay City area of Michigan. The first game set the tone for the tournament. In a closely contested battle, each period ended with each team scoring back and forth one goal each. At the end of regulation, the 3-3 tie required a shoot-out to decide the winner. Feeny started the shoot out by going top shelf for the first goal. First off for the Moose was Joe MacDonald #13 scoring low stick side to keep it tied. Feeny answered again with a goal to go ahead. Charlie Jones #19 faked a shot and went back hand into a wide open right side of the net to bring it back to even. Feeny’s final shooter, trying five hole, was denied by Moose goaltender Tony Santangelo. The Moose’s final shooter, Bob Boelter # 96 buried the game winner to clear the bench and end the game.
The Moose was able to continue its winning ways against the next two opponents Tailgators and Cobra Kai in round robin play with scores of 9-4 and 9-0 respectively. This resulted in a rematch with the Feeny team late Sunday morning for the championship. Unlike many other tournaments, all of the teams in the division were required to play the championship game two hours after the third round robin game. This left both teams challenged for energy. Feeny started the scoring in the first period. The Moose quickly answered back to tied the game. After another exchange of goals, the Feeny team stepped up the play by adding 3 un-answered goals to put them comfortably ahead in the second period. As the third period played on, the Moose was only able to add one more goal, while Feeny added two more to finish the game with a score of 7-4.
The Moose, while tired from the on ice activities, did not have their spirits broken. All of them took pride in their efforts off of the ice. That is what truly makes you a champion.
Detroit Moose are 2010 USA Tier III League Champions
Taylor, Michigan
Moose Help Those In Need at Soup Kitchen
February 20th 2010
Detroit Michigan – Spirit of Hope Church
The Detroit Moose, sponsors, friends and family continued its contribution to the community by serving the needy of Detroit in a 5th Annual Soup Kitchen and Coat Drive. The annual event took place at Spirit of Hope Church located at the corner of Martin Luther King and Trumbell in the heart of the City of Detroit.
At this year’s event, many Moose team members stepped up to facilitate the various activities. Alternate Captain Charlie Jones #19, Mark Auger #9 and Steve Cloutier #5 championed the meals, food preparations and cleaning efforts. The main meal consisted of Taco beef based soup cooked in two 15 gallon pots. The 40lbs of meat for the soup was provided by a donation from Armand’s Meats of Northville. The soup vegetables and ingredients along with the additional items served with the meal that included tossed salad with dressing, bread/butter, pudding for a dessert and a PB&J for the road were purchased by Double H Manufacturing of Westland.
Serving up a meal for 300 people takes quite a bit of preparation. Stirring pots with 30 gallons of soup takes a lot of muscle. In addition to the soup and salad, all of the volunteers joined in the effort of making 16 loaves worth of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches as well as folding plastic knives, forks and spoons into napkins take’s an efficient assembly line. Mark Auger, who is the king of utensil folding, said “It’s the teams fifth year doing this event here at the Church of Good Hope. It’s about more than what is done out on the ice that matters. This is what will be remembered about the Moose hockey team”.
Newer team members Dave Lakatos #90 and Brendan Farren #16 took charge of the Coat Drive collections. Many of the Moose friends and family assisted Dave and Brendan in collecting over 300 coats for distribution at the church during the Soup Kitchen. Brendan mentioned to a teammate “It is a great feeling to be able to provide someone in need with a warm meal while they are here and something warm to leave with during this time of year.” He continued, “It’s great to be able to give back and Pay it forward”.
Many past participants like Mark along with first time participants helped to make this year’s event a success. Bethany Toth, a first time soup kitchen attendee, said “Thank you again to Steve (Cloutier) and the Detroit Moose Hockey team, you make a difference”.
We would like to thank our sponsors Marcie and Frank of Double H Manufacturing and Armand of Armand Meats for the opportunity to give back to the community at an event like this.
Moose add Red Wings to Fallen Military Families
Detroit, Michigan – Joe Louis Arena
The Detroit Moose were honored to serve military families by initiating an event hosted by the Detroit Red Wings that allowed the families access to a closed practice session at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan on December 22, 2009. The event allowed military families who are a part of the Snowball Express organization (www.SnowballExpress.org) to see the Detroit Red Wings up close and personal. The Snowball Express organization offers support to children and families that gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Many of whom lost a loved one in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Derek Fowler, captain of the Moose, brought together the Snowball Express and the Detroit Red Wings after inspiration by the military service of one of its own team members in the Iraq war during 2008. Mark Auger (#9) served in the US Army for six months in Tikrit, Iraq with the 345th Combat Support Hospital. In support of Mark’s service, all of the players wore his number on their helmet to help promote a safe return to his country, family and his team. The Moose were fortunate to have Mark back playing hockey shortly after his return from Iraq. The realization that not all that serve return, prompted the need to give something back to those who do not.
The event began with the Moose meeting the families at the Joe Louis Arena for an 11:00 am morning Red Wings practice. Seating was provided right behind the players benches to allow close access to see player up close and take pictures. The children were invited to take a tour of the locker room to visit players after the practice ended. Many of the kids had introductions and pictures taken with their favorite players. Coach Mike Babcock was appreciative of the opportunity to thank the families for their service to our country and the Moose for initiating the event.
The Moose were appreciative of the Red Wings for allowing this all to come together. “The Red Wings are really great to step up to the plate like this,” said Fowler, about opening the practice up. “... We would like to pay a very special thank you to Mr. and Mrs. (Mike) Ilitch and the whole Detroit Red Wings organization as well as one of our team sponsors Mr. Joe Kocur to allow us to put on this wonderful event for filing our mission of giving back unselfishly and making a difference in our community.”
Through the help of our sponsors, Joe Kocur, JGM Valve, Harlow Tire and the Detroit Moose, lunch was provided for all of the families that attended the practice at Cheli’s Chili Bar. The lunch provided the wonderful opportunity for the families to show their gratitude of the sponsors, the Red Wings and Moose for great event they all really enjoyed.
To the families of the Snowball Express organization and any family that serve this great country, the Detroit Moose want to say THANK YOU! It is OUR pleasure to be able to serve you in any way we can to show our appreciation for what it is that you do for us and this country.
Detroit Moose cooks up Christmas for 250 at Penrickton School for the Blind
Taylor, Michigan
The Moose, with the financial help of team sponsors (Joe Kocur, JGM Valve, Double H Manufacturing, Harlow Tire) provided all of food served up for the dinner. Each Moose player volunteered to cook one of the 15-20lb turkeys served at the dinner. The meal provided for roughly 250 students, staff and family members of the school. The players, as well as Moose team sponsors Double H Manufacturing, manned the serving stations to provide a carved turkey dinner with all the trimmings, included mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean, gravy and cranberry sauce. Homemade desserts were furnished by staff and families to round out the feast. Santa was on-site to visit with the kids and the Moose Hockey team during the dinner to round out the celebration.
Moose Adopt 9 Families from two Schools for Autism this Christmas
Wyandotte and Northville, Michigan
The Moose delivered gifts directly to schools in Wyandotte and Northville. The Christmas gifts were selected from a list of needs and wants of the families of the two schools. These gifts consisted of everything from bed sheets to pots and pans right down to toys for the kids.
This isn’t the first time the Moose have stepped up to help spread cheer, last year the team went out and bought 17- 20lbs turkeys for families that were going through some economical struggles. The players wanted to make sure they had food on the table for Christmas.
Pretty straight forward as their play on the ice … “We play to win on the ice and make a difference off. Who really remembers who won the game in a recreational league the next morning, but the actions of a team off the ice echoes for those they help. That’s what really counts” assistant captain Jeff Lazuka
As some of the players dropped off the needs and wants for the families early Christmas, one of the fathers from Lincoln School for Autism said “This team is a true blessing to the community. They are just a really nice bunch of Santa’s in hockey jerseys”.
We are grown men. We can afford to pay and play hockey. Nobody takes a penny for themselves. We spend every cent for others less fortunate. Our great sponsors believe in our mission. February 20th the Moose will be doing their 5th annual soup kitchen along with a 100 count coat drive in downtown Detroit. If you would like to get involved, please contact us and join us at our next event, all are welcome.
Autism Speaks, Moose Listen and Respond
The Detroit Moose made an assist on the goal of raising awareness and funds for the Autism Speaks benefit held on Friday October 2nd 2009 at Plaza Lanes in Plymouth, Michigan.
The Moose and their families supported a fundraiser to help Joshua and the Autism Speaks Initiative in their continuing effort to give back to the community. The benefit event that took place included two games of 9 – Pin No Tap bowling and plenty of fun. Team members invited many family and friends to fill lanes and polish off the pizza and soda provided at the event.
“It not only brings us closer together as a team, it allows us to give something back to the community, in which this team was built on” said Steve Cloutier #5 of the Moose.
A few of the players on this year’s Moose team are new to the experience of giving back to the community. “We wanted to start the season off with an example of what we are all about.” said Captain Derek Fowler. “We are a team playing as one on the ice and unified as one giving back off.”
In addition to the $20 person donation to the event, it featured a silent auction.
Among items up for bid were:
> Two pair of Detroit Red Wings tickets donated by the Moose hockey club as well as a special hockey stick with well over 20 autographs from Detroit Red Wings alumni.
> JGM Valve Corp. in Commerce, Michigan donated four lower bowl tickets with VIP parking for the Red Wings' Saturday Oct. 10th game against Alexander Ovechin and Washington Capitals.
> The "Bruise Brothers,' Joe Kocur and Bob Probert donated a personalized autographed book and autographed pictures
> Detroit Tiger Placido Polanco donated an autograph photo
> Detroit Red Wing Nicklas Lidstrom Autographed NHL puck
> Detroit Red Wing Chris Osgood autographed goalie stick.
> Harlow tire of Westland donated an oil change and a front end alignment.
Tickets were sold to raffle off many gift baskets, massage gift certificates, and sundry items in addition to a 50/50 raffle. A total of just under $3000.00 was raised from the event will help earmarked for the National Walk Now for Autism Speaks.
http://www.autismspeaks.org/walk_events/index.php
The Detroit Moose would like to thank their sponsors for their support; Kocur Enterprises, JGM Valve Corp, Double H, Harlow tire, 203 Custom car works of Ypsilanti. We also would like to thank the captain and goalie of the Detroit Red Wings Nicklas Lidstrom and Chris Osgood.
Detroit Moose hockey club returns to the Sick Kids Hospital of Canada while in Toronto
TORONTO -- The Detroit Moose A Hockey Team went to Toronto a few weeks ago with a couple of thoughts in mind: claim the championship in a Can-Am North American hockey tournament and bringing smiles to the faces of hundreds of children at the Sick Kids Hospital for children in downtown Toronto as they did two years earlier.
“The team can stand proud in many ways on and off the ice”, said Captain Derek Fowler.
The 16-member team in their hockey jerseys trekked by bus from Detroit to the Sick Kids children’s hospital Friday morning before their evening game. They delivered $2000.00 worth of toys, crafts and hygiene products for the children who are undergoing treatment at the hospital. The Sick Kids children’s hospital, affiliated with the University of Toronto, is Canada's most research-intensive hospital and the largest center dedicated to improving children's health in Canada.
All the members of the Moose hockey went to the library within the hospital and read to the children for an hour. During this time it was televised throughout the hospital for the children that were not able to leave their beds, including others who were in the ICU units.
``The greatest gift is giving! There is no greater love than the love for a child. I hope the toys and our reading will help a little too dry any tears of pain that day or days to come. Every child deserves an equal chance,’’ Fowler said during the visit.
Soon after reading and distributing some of the toys, the Moose team members took a tour of the giant hospital lead by Penny Kroll, a Community Involvement representative for the Sick Kids Foundation. Kroll explained that many Canadian dignitaries and several members of the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team visit the hospital to meet with the children.
The Sick Kids Foundation is the largest non-governmental granting agency in child health in Canada. Established in 1972, Sick Kids Foundation has granted over $500 million to The Hospital for Sick Children and over $60 million to researchers across the country, according to Kroll. She said the mission is to inspire communities to invest in health and scientific advances to improve the lives of children and their families in Canada and around the world and was very pleased to see the return of the Detroit Moose.
The hospital cares for over 100,000 patients per year. Doctors perform open-heart surgeries on babies small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, in the attempt to heal deformities. They also treat cancers and massive burns on children.
``Thank you again for returning with even more wonderful toys that you brought for the kids in the hospital and taking the time to read to the children as well,’’ Kroll said to the team at the hospital. ``Everything will be put to good use and will help make the experience for those kids who will use it in the hospital that much more enjoyable.’’
Fowler also wanted to give his word of thanks.
``I want to say `Thank you’ to the team players who believed in what we were doing and never being confrontational during the season,’’ Fowler said. ``They dug very deep in their pockets so we could go out and buy the toys and crafts on the wish list from the hospital.’’
In addition, the team and Kroll wanted to thank Kocur Enterprises who also made a large considerable contribution, also including Dr. Pinkney, Greenbaum & MacFarland Dentistry of Canton Township, MI, for giving a substantial donation of dental hygiene products to the children and families of the Hospital for Sick Children. Nankin Hardware of Westland also gave plenty of toys.
Kroll presented Derek Fowler with plaques in recognition of the team’s and sponsor’s efforts in supporting Sick Kids hospital.
The Detroit Moose faced off in the first game of the Can-Am Tournament on Friday evening at the Westwood Arena Rink # 1. Their first opponent in the Maple Leaf Division, was the Moose Jaw. The teams traded goals to end the first period of action tied at 1-1. The final two periods were completely dominated by the Moose, tallying 4 goals in the second and 5 goals to finish off the third period. Charlie Jones stole the show, coming away with a hat trick and assisting on 3 other goals to finish with 6 points on the night. After the 10-2 victory, the Moose were well on their way to moving on in the tournament. But not before facing the defending champion in the first of two games on Saturday.
On Saturday, the Moose were scheduled to complete two more games in the round robin rounds before the Sunday medal games. First on the docket was the Elmwood Cozumel squad. This team, having won this tournament in years past, was the team to beat to advance to the finals. The first period showed why this team had been a previous champion by outscoring the Moose 2-0. A more evenly matched second period ended with Elmwood Cozumel padding their lead with an additional two goals.
Less than two minutes into the final period, Charlie Jones put the Moose on the score sheet. Jeremy Sharlow and Jonathan Moczydlosky assisted on the goal. Elmwood answered back moments later to resume their 4 goal lead. Shortly after the face-off, deep in the Moose zone, goalie Tony Sant Angelo moved the puck up ice quickly to Jonathan Moczydlosky allowing Jeremy Sharlow to tickle the twine at the other end.
In a relentless fashion, the Elmwood Cozumel answered back with two more goals. As the third period continued on, Charlie Jones netted his second and third goals of the contest bringing the Moose within 3 goals of the Elmwood Cozumel. Time winded down to end the game with a final score of 7-4.
With one loss, the Moose needed to rely on goal differential to make the final round to force a rematch with Elmwood Cozumel. The Moose took no prisoners in the third and final game of the round robin round against Keystone firing 41 shots and coming away with an 11-2 victory to close out the night. The Lesko brothers came away with a combined 9 points. Jeremy Sharlow scored a hat-trick including the game winner.
Moose Win Big at CAN/AM Tournament Toronto 2009 Skills Competition
The best shooters from each team in the event took turns shooting at each goalie in separate rounds. Charlie Jones entered the best shooter event, while Tony Sant Angelo entered the best goalie event for the Moose. As the rounds progressed, many of the shooters began trying shots that were not normally taken during regular game situations.
Jones scored goals by swinging at puck baseball style in mid air, while others were flipped and twisted off the front and back of his stick blade toward the back of the net a move that would have made Houdini proud, in other words ... “Putting it where grandma hides the cookies”, top shelf, left a couple goalies motionless.
The goals scored and saves made were tracked to determine the best shooter and best goalie of the skills competition. Charlie Jones of the Moose came away with the best shooter and Tony Sant Angelo of the Moose saved his way to winning the best goalie award.
Relay teams had to make one complete circle around the rink starting at center ice. The fastest time would determine the winner of the event. The Moose team members Brandon Atkinson, Brad Lesko, Jeff Lazuka and Charlie Jones crossed the finish line faster than the Runners-Up Sean Dickson, Lorne Clarke, Harry Bissonette and Phil Penney of the Old Goats Hockey team. The Moose cleaned up in the skills competition by coming away with 1st place trophies in all three events.
Even with the impressive 11 goal showing the night before, the Moose were relegated based on the tie breaker to the Bronze medal game against the Moose Jaw. The final game of the tournament for the Moose, resulted in a bittersweet victory. While firing 42 shots, the team came out on top of the 8-1 final score. “We came away with a Medal, albeit not the one we wanted, and we had an opportunity to make children happy. Those are the memories that make the trip worth it.” said Steve Cloutier.
The Moose have created a history of giving back to the community while playing a sport that they love. Whether it is children in a hospital or homeless people in a soup kitchen the team continues to find ways to “Pay it forward” in the community while still “putting it where grandma hides the cookies.”
Moose team helps feed the needy at Detroit soup kitchen
By Tim Vance
Detroit Moose hockey writer
DETROIT – Detroit Moose hockey players held peanut butter and jelly sandwich like they were hockey pucks; Armand from Armand’s meats of Northville and Crystal from Caniff Electric Supply stirred pots of chili like they were rowing a boat up the Detroit River; Charlie Jones wrapped up plastic eating utensils like he normally wraps up players on the ice, takes the puck and scores goals.
This wasn’t out of the ordinary -- this was the Detroit Moose team’s third annual stop to help the homeless and feed the hungry at a Detroit soup kitchen. Players from the team – all dressed in their Moose jerseys – worked together for half a day to help the less fortunate.
Moose players, their friends and family members volunteered March 21 at the Spirit of Hope Church soup kitchen at the corner Trumbell and Martin Luther King Blvd. in Detroit. They helped feed 296 needy and homeless people
The entire team helped make 600 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches about as fast as this team scores goals. The team went out and bought all the food for the kitchen this time and donated $340 for the event. The team also chipped in to pay for the security police for the weekend to help the event run smoothly.
As a goodwill gesture, Armand's Meats of Northville, MI, donated over 40 pounds of meat to the soup kitchen for the event.
``I just want to say thanks to everybody who came here to help out,’’ said Moose Captain Derek Fowler to the volunteers at the event. ``We’re here today to help these people who are less fortunate. No person should go to bed hungry. We’re here to make a difference.’’
Moose players, their families and other volunteers served the guests chili soup, juice, coffee, salad, rolls, and cheesecake. The meal and service was provided for free. The needy people were allowed to take two sandwiches with them before they left.
``This is absolutely great being here,’’ said Moose star player Charlie Jones, ``I’m glad to be able to help these people in a small way. We all know that Detroit is going through some hard times and we can come together and make a difference off the ice and put a ray of sunshine in these people’s day and show some hope.’’
``When you think about poverty in our back yard and people starving,’’ said Fowler, ``winning or losing a hockey game in an adult amateur league really doesn’t seem that important. Helping needy people is something that this team believes in and was built on. We want to help in any way possible. And we’re in a position to make a difference.’’
The team’s next benefit will be an international event. The Moose will return to the Sick Children’s Hospital in Toronto April 24 as they go to a Can/Am Tournament this weekend. The team has collected $2,000.00 and $500 in dental hygiene products. They will read to the children in the library auditorium. The player readings will also be televised throughout the hospital for the children who cannot leave their rooms.
Thanks again to the Detroit Moose 2008-2009 sponsors: Kocur Enterprises, Double H Manufacturing, Pinkney, Greenbaum, MacFarland and Timpner Family Dentistry in Canton,
203 Custom Car works in Ypsilanti, and a group that supports the friends and families of victims of 9/11.
The Detroit Moose plays in the USA Hockey league at Melvindale Ice Arena is Melvindale, MI. The team formerly played in Hockey North America and won the Tier 3 national championship in Toronto on June 3, 2007.
Detroit Moose invite Concord EMS to team up together with Wheelchair Hockey League
By Tim Vance
A few months back Concord EMS was approached by the Detroit Moose hockey club as rivals on the ice to team up together with the players from Michigan's Wheelchair Hockey League for an interactive evening of fun on the ice later this month.
Athletes from the Wheelchair Hockey League will ``skate'' with players from the Moose and Concord EMS between the 1st and 2nd periods of their game, said Detroit Moose captain Derek Fowler.
The event will take place at 5 p.m. Dec. 28 at Melvindale Ice Arena in Melvindale. Admission is free.
This is the 2nd annual skating event between the Moose and the Wheelchair Hockey League. Last year, the Moose hosted players from the league to skate with them at Detroit City Sports Arena where more than 100 fans cheered on. Afterwards, players from both teams met with players from the WCHL and enjoyed a pizza party.
Detroit Moose and Concord EMS team players will assist the wheelchair athletes on the ice in the Dec. 28 event and share the fast-paced excitement of wheelchair hockey with everyone.
The Moose team and Concord EMS will also host a pizza party at the arena following the game where the wheelchair athletes, their friends and families can meet both the Detroit Moose and the Concord EMS team players! Players will be ready to sign autographs as well.
To learn more about the Wheelchair Hockey League, please go to www.thewchl.org
The Detroit Moose plays in the A/B division of the USA Hockey league in Melvindale on Saturday and Sunday evenings. The team has participated in numerous charity events around the area over the last few years, including helping feed the needy and homeless at a Detroit soup kitchen. The team also gave out more than 100 coats in a coat drive last year to needy families, it donated toys and money to the Sick Children's Hospital in Toronto last year and participated in the Toys for Tots program.
Note:
December 15th the Moose team donated 17 turkeys to needy families of children that attend Old Village school.
http://www.northville.k12.mi.us/oldvillage/
For more details about the Moose, Concord EMS and WCHL event this month, please click the link at the top of this article.
Next month January 17th the Detroit Moose and their sponsors have asked Concord EMS to join them to take children from Old Village school and the Wheel chair hockey league to a Plymouth Whales OHL home game against Owen Sound.
If you are interested in helping or help donate to this great event of giving back to the community contact:
captain Derek Fowler 734-751-1199 or email dfo193731@aol.com
"Don't wait until tomorrow to make a difference today"
Want to be a team player? Contact Captain Derek Fowler and help out the Moose this year
We love the game of hockey and work regular day jobs;
We pledge to give back 100% of your sponsorship money back to our community or to help out where ever possible.
If you have an idea or suggestion and you would like to share it with us; Lets work together and make this planet a better place for all us showing that "Hockey got Heart"!
"Don't wait until tomorrow to make a difference today"
The Detroit Moose is the defending 2007 regional and national Hockey North America National Champions and our sponsors include Kocur Enterprises, JGM Valve, Double H Manufacturing, www.doublehmfg.com, Harlow Tire, www.harlowracing.com, 203 Custom Car Works, and a group that supports friends and families of never forgetting the victims of 9/11.
Moose winger, American hero Mark Auger called to Iraq, wishes team luck in Vegas Finals
Moose Hockey Editor
BAGHDAD, IRAQ – Mark Auger isn’t just a goal scorer for the Detroit Moose. He’s a true American hero.
But the star forward for the Moose won’t be skating with the team this week when it goes to Las Vegas to compete in the Hockey North America Finals. That’s because Auger is in Iraq, serving a four-month tour of duty with the U.S. Army Reserves.
Auger was deployed in April with a U.S. Army Reserves medical unit out of Georgia for a 4-month tour. He is halfway through his deployment and should return home in August. He is part of the 345th unit out of Jacksonville, Fla.
Auger, of Gross Ile, works as a nurse anesthetist at South Shore Medical Center in Trenton. In Iraq, he’s working in the same capacity at an undisclosed U.S. Army hospital near Baghdad.
He joined the Army Reserves in 2001 when he was in anesthesia school at Wayne State University. In past years he has been deployed for duty at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX.
``This is my first time going to Iraq,’’ said Auger back in April. ``I’m anxious about going, anxious to get there and get back home.’’
Back at home, his wife Jean and their two sons (3 years old and 2 years old) are awaiting his safe return – sometime in August. Moose team members are doing their duty to check on the family to make sure they are well.
Auger has been a leader on the Moose team for 3 years and was a major force in the 2007-2008 season, netting 5 goals and 5 assists. He earned the nickname ``the chin’’ last year in the HNA championships in Toronto when he took a slapshot on the chin from about 10 feet away. Fellow Moose winger – and surgeon – Zach Lewis stitched up Auger on the bench. He only missed two shifts. Auger continued playing with the Moose in the HNA Finals, helping the team win the championship game 6-5 against the Cleveland Icemen.
In an email Monday, Auger said to the team: ``Hey boys, good luck to you. Over here livin' the dream. Actually, it's not so bad. It is about 110 today, but not sunny. There's a sand storm blowing through (one of many), visibility is about 50 feet. Kick some ass and drink some beers. I miss beer. Just thought I would mention that. Have fun – Mark.’’
Each player on the Moose team is honoring Auger by wearing a special sticker with his number on their helmet that says ``Hurry Home 9.’’
``We all miss Mark and we look forward to his safe return. We look forward to Mark rejoining our team as soon as he gets back,’’ said Moose Captain Derek Fowler. ``As I’m sure Mark watched the Red Wings on national military network (win the Stanley Cup last week), he’ll be watching us via the internet as we play in Vegas.’’
Each game at the Las Vegas Ice Center – the host arena of the tournament – will be broadcast live via web cam.
``We are honored to have a great service man on our team -- and most importantly a husband/father -- to make us all look deep within ourselves and ask personally, `What have I done to make a difference?’ ‘’ Fowler said. ``Mark is an inspiration to watch on the ice. His hard playing and determination of never giving up the puck on the ice will burn in all our hearts as we play in Vegas. Hurry Home Mark! Your beautiful family awaits your return and your team awaits you on the ice.’’
Rumor has it that the team will drink a ceremonial beer honoring Auger between each game.
GO Moose GO! Team preparing to two-peat, bring HNA Finals Cup home
Moose Hockey Editor
DETROIT -- The tears of agony are finally dried from the faces of Detroit Moose players after their playoff-ending defeat April 9 against the Detroit Barflies.
Despite the loss, the Moose will still go to the Hockey North America national championships next month in Las Vegas. The Barflies will hit the golf courses with Russian players like Ivangotthe Summerov.
The Moose team will look to change that old adage ``What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas’’ by winning its second straight national championship and bringing home the HNA Finals Cup.
``We’ll have some players missing, but we’re going to be very tough to beat,’’ said Moose Captain Derek Fowler. ``Teams should be worried when they play against us in Vegas.’’
The truth is, Moose players will be focused and playing with such determination that the Vegas nightlife won’t be any distraction for the team.
Ha!
Last June, the Moose won the coveted HNA Championship Finals Cup in Toronto after defeating the Cleveland Icemen 6-5. In 2007, the Moose won its division in the regular season, won the Detroit playoffs and posted a 4-0-1 record in the national championships to win it all. All winners of the national championships are automatically invited to attend the championships the next year.
Leading the Moose’s charge to Las Vegas this year will be two-time HNA Detroit scoring champion Alec Lesko, Amateur Canadian Legend Rudy Dauncey, Derek ``The Hit Man’’ Fowler, Brian ``Big Daddy’’ Harlow, Ron ``Kruse missile,’’ Tom ``Ironman’’ Varcie, Ryan ``Rico Suave’’ Renner, Jeff ``Bazooka’’ Lauzka, Dr. Zach ``Z-man’’ Lewis, Joel ``Spiderman’’ Nettleman, and some other well-known Moose players.
The Moose team ended up with a 15-4-1 regular season record and they were 1-2 in the HNA Detroit Playoffs.
Thanks again to the Detroit Moose 2007-2008 sponsors: Harlow Tire in Westland, Double H Manufacturing in Westland, 203 Custom Car works in Ypsilanti, the newest sponsor The Whiskey Bar in Dearborn Heights, and a group that supports the friends and families of victims of 9/11.
Moose wins 9-8 thriller over Detroit Wings
Moose Hockey Editor
MELVINDALE -- The Detroit Moose held on to clip the Detroit Wings Sunday night in an incredible come-from-behind victory, despite a last-minute surge by the Wings that almost tied the game.
With the Moose leading 9-6 and 2:10 remaining in the game, the Wings charged back and scored two quick breakaway goals just 30 seconds apart. But the Moose held on in the final minute to secure the win and secure second place in the B division of Detroit’s Hockey North America league.
Moose Captain Derek Fowler’s goal with 3 minutes remaining proved to be the game winner – his first ever in his illustrious career.
``That was my first ever game winning goal. I’m not a goal scorer like the many talented players on this first-class team of ours,’’ said Fowler afterwards, his thick New York accent trembling with emotions. ``I want to dedicate my first winning goal to the 343 NYFD who gave the ultimate sacrifice on that early morning day of September 11, 2001. Each player on the Moose wears a patch so proudly on our uniform remembering all of them.
``I have not forgotten you and to those of the fire departments all across this country like Pops (Moose forward Alec Lesko Sr., a Trenton Fire Department lieutenant) and my dear friend in New York of the NYFD, George Netz, who put their lives on the line for others. And last but not least -- for my two high school friends who lost their lives on September 11: Dennis Buckley and Glen Wall.’’
The game’s play-by-play announcer Gary Thorne said Fowler’s goal rivals that of Darren McCarty’s 1998 Game 4 Stanley Cup game winner against Philadelphia’s Dennis Hextall. On that play, McCarty faked out Flyers rookie defenseman Janne Niinimaa inside the blue line, swooped around him, then did a quick cutback in front of Hextall in his crease to slip the puck into the net.
Wipe away your tears before continuing to read, because that’s what Moose players had in their eyes after the first period. The Wings scored three first-period goals against Moose netminder Tom Varcie. It marked the first time this season that a team had a three goal lead over the Moose.
``We had a short bench and the Wings took advantage of it. They came out strong and really surprised us. They were poking holes in our defense and offensively we couldn’t get anything going,’’ Varcie said afterward.
But the Moose stormed back in the second period behind goals from HNA leading scorer Alec Lesko, forward Joe Demarte and forward Alec Lesko Sr. (Pops). The second period finished with the Wings on top 5-4.
The Moose regrouped during the intermission and seemed to have the momentum on its side.
``We already were back in the game and I knew we could do it,’’ said Curtis Glowzinski, who played defense in the game for the first time this season. Glowzinski ended up with one assist on the night. ``We kept plugging away at the Wings and were wearing them down.’’
Alec Lesko scored quickly and tied the game at 5 early in the third period. Forward Rudy Dauncey scored on an incredible play to make it 7-5 a couple minutes later. The Amateur Canadian Legend used fancy footwork to fake out two Wings defenders, then maneuvered around a third player before shooting it past dazed Wings goaltender John Reed. Ron the Kruse Missile assisted on the play.
The Wings came back a minute later, scoring on a breakaway, but two goals by Wings forward Jeff Bazooka Lazuka and a goal by Fowler seemed to put the game away with about 3 minutes to play. That’s when the Wings bounced back with two quick goals and nearly tied the game.
The Moose had outstanding defensive play from Nate Schmoekel, who blasted close to 10 shots at the Wings goal during the game, blocked several shots and stopped a few odd-man rushes. Kruse, Glowzinski and Lesko also had stellar games on defense.
Moose forward Ryan Renner played a spectacular game, despite an illness, and nearly scored on several chances. Lazuka, Fowler, Dauncey, Demarte and Pops Lesko helped overpower the Wings.
The Wings fired 45 shots against Varcie while the Moose nail gunned 46 shots against the Wings goaltender.
The Moose is now 14-4 and next plays against the Wings March 28. A game is also scheduled against the Detroit Barflies, however, the date has not yet been confirmed.
Thanks again to the Detroit Moose 2007-2008 sponsors: Harlow Tire in Westland, Double H Manufacturing in Westland, 203 Custom Car works in Ypsilanti, the newest sponsor The Whiskey Bar in Dearborn Heights, and a group that supports the friends and families of victims of 9/11.
Moose team throws a strike -- and some spares -- in charity bowling event
Moose Hockey Editor
TRENTON – Detroit Moose players traded in their hockey sticks for bowling balls last Friday and played a part in helping the Trenton Fire Department raise money for Detroit area burn victims.
About a dozen members from the Moose team, their spouses and families bowled in the event at Parkway Lanes in Trenton, MI, which helped raise more than $40,000 for the University of Michigan Trauma Burn Center.
Trenton Fire Department Lieutenant Alec Lesko Sr., also a Moose winger, said this was the 27th year that the Trenton Fire Department and downriver firefighters helped organized the ``Bowl for Burns’’ charity event. It is held each year every Friday and Saturday for 5 consecutive weeks from February through March. The Moose players bowled on the final Friday of the charity event.
In the 27-year history of the event, the Trenton Fire Department and other downriver fire departments have helped raise more than $686,000 for the burn center, according to the charity event’s web site www.bowlforburns.com Major sponsors of the event include Ford Motor Co., C-MAC Transportation, and Hamtramck Singles Classic.
``What’s great about this event is that we’re bowling amongst friends and family and having fun and at the same time the money we raise goes to a great cause,’’ said Lesko, a 22-year veteran of the fire department.
As a member of the fire department and the Moose, Lesko thought it was a perfect fit to bring out fellow Moose players to have a fun night of bowling and support the cause. The Moose has participated in several community events in the past.
Moose team members have volunteered twice at a Detroit soup kitchen, the team donated over 125 coats to needy families last October, donated money for the Toys for Tots program, donated toys to and visited the Sick Children’s Hospital in Toronto last June, and they brought out members of the Michigan Wheelchair Hockey League to ``skate’’ with the team during the intermission of a game last November.
The Bowl for Burns charity event has come a long way since it began in 1982 when $156 was raised and only a handful of people were involved. Now, more than $40,000 has been raised every year since 2000 and hundreds of people participate. The biggest year was 2002 when $64,000 was collected in the 5-week charity event.
``It’s evolved quite a bit over the years and it’s a very big deal now,’’ Lesko said.
Moose Captain Derek Fowler, who bowled with his wife, Linda, said he was pleased that the hockey team came out to support the burn center.
``It was really great to see our team there and our sponsors – Mr. And Mrs. Harlow from Harlow Tire in Westland -- come out and participate,’’ Fowler said. ``Firefighters are courageous people in their jobs and they are very generous in the community as well. It’s an honor that they put their lives on the line and think of those less fortunate people to help out. I’m also honored that they thought of us and asked our Moose team to come out as well.’’
Moose players, family members and friends who attended the charity event included Derek and Linda Fowler, Ryan Renner and his fiancee Tonya Scalf, Pat Renner and his girlfriend, Mark and Jean Auger, Curtis and Katrina Glowzinski, Alec Lesko, Alec Lesko Sr. and his wife, Brian Harlow and his wife as well as Brian's parents (owner of Harlow Tire in Westland), Ron Kruse, Brad Lesko and some members of the Moose fan club.
In a charity-event filled weekend, several members from the Moose team also took members of the Michigan Wheelchair Hockey League to watch a Plymouth Whalers hockey game on Sunday, March 2.
Fowler said between the Moose players, family members, Wheel Chair Hockey League players and their families, almost 75 people attended the game. The Whalers didn’t disappoint the crowd, defeating the Saginaw Spirit 5-2.
Tickets came from the Trenton Fire Department and with some help from the former captain of the Plymouth Whalers, John Vigilante.
Vigilante, captain of the Whalers during the 2005-2006 season and current player in the Nashville Predators farm team system, was able to get 75 tickets for those who attended the Moose team’s charity event at the March 2 game. Lesko said Vigilante is a brother of one of the Trenton firefighters.
``I thought it was great that the Moose team and Wheelchair Hockey League team could get together once again,’’ said Fowler. Members of the wheelchair team skated with the Moose between periods at a game last November when the Moose defeated the Detroit Warriors 8-5.
Moose players and family members who attended included Derek Fowler, Brian Harlow and his parents, Ron Kruse, Tom and Sue Varcie as well as Justin Varcie, and Curtis Glowzinski and his daughter.
Several of the Moose’s team sponsors also attended the event, including Harlow Tire in Westland, Double H Manufacturing in Westland, and 203 Custom Car works in Ypsilanti. The team’s other sponsors include The Whiskey Bar in Dearborn Heights, and a group that supports the friends and families of victims of 9/11.
The Moose is 13-4 in the B Division of Detroit Hockey North America. The team takes on the Detroit Wings at 8:30 p.m. this Sunday at Melvindale Ice Arena.
Hottest ticket in town: Detroit Moose, Barflies go head-to-head in Wednesday match-up
Moose Hockey Sports Editor
DETROIT -- The Detroit Moose looks to avenge an earlier loss this season when they take on the Detroit Barflies in Hockey North America action Wednesday night.
The Moose lost in a close one last December 6-4 against the Barflies. The Moose won the first match-up of the season with the Barflies 14-1 in October.
Consider yourself lucky if you have a ticket (like the one pictured above) to tomorrow night's sold-out game at Melvindale Ice Arena. One unconfirmed rumor (which likely isn't true) is that the league bought out the remaining tickets and will stack the crowd with Moose fans and supporters.
The Moose is on a tear in the B division, winning 10 of its first 12 games. Most recently, the Moose had two conesecutive shutouts before suffering a defeat last week against the second-place Warriors 6-5. Prior to that game the Moose won 9-0 against the Detroit Shock and 6-0 against the Detroit Wings.
Making the grade: Detroit Moose mid-season rankings
The Moose has racked up an impressive 84 goals in the first 10 games while only allowing 24. The offense is the most powerful of all HNA Detroit teams and one of the most feared offenses in North America – as seen by the team’s impressive victories 7 months ago against some of the nation’s elite teams.
Put to the test on the Tim Vance-ometer, here are the mid-season rankings:
#8 Alec Lesko (defense) – Simply put, Moose Assistant Captain Alec Lesko is the top player in Detroit Hockey North America – and definitely ranked in the top 10 nationally among HNA players. No matter what team he plays against, Lesko is a workhorse who can come out of virtually any situation on the ice and score a goal. Lesko has scored from his knees, from on his back, through his legs – and all while playing defense for the Moose. Bottom line: If you are a goalie and don’t want your goals against average to go higher, you might want to sit out the next time you play against Lesko.
Quick Stats: 24 goals, 10 assists, 34 points. PLAYER GRADE: A
#14 Derek Fowler (center) – Teased since birth about his thick, gnarled New York accent, Moose Captain Derek Fowler plays with all the intensity and passion of a New York City mob boss. All of his talent comes out at the face-off where Fowler overpowers the other center and with an over 90%win every time in the circle. Repeat: every time. He nearly had his face cut in half a few years ago during a game, but he still digs in the corner like a grave robber, no matter the size or matchup. As leader, the Monster-drink swilling Fowler brings an unblemished record complete with high morals and keeps the team together like no other captain. He is the team’s Mark Messier.
Quick Stats: 6 goals, 16 assists, 21 points. PLAYER GRADE: A
#51 Rudy Dauncey (winger) – Rudy Dauncey’s Canadian hockey blood spills into the veins of every Moose player. No worries about infection -- his only contagion is the game of hockey. Known as the Amateur Canadian Legend, Dauncey earned the title years back in the prairie woods of Saskatchewan (well, close to it – Windsor) and he plays with the same finesse that jettisoned Wayne Gretzky into the Hockey Hall of Fame. This season especially, many opposing players simply stand in awe at Dauncey as he maneuvers around the ice. He is truly one of the greatest the sport has ever seen.
Quick Stats: 6 goals, 8 assists, 14 points. PLAYER GRADE: A
#7 Joel Nettleman (defense) – Joel Nettleman isn’t nicknamed ``Spiderman’’ because of the Spidy-like hockey equipment and red tape he wears. Once Nettleman leaps on the ice, he snares the puck and it seems to entwine on his web-like stick. No matter how many players are going after Nettleman, he can always twirl and whirl away with his fancy footwork and spider-like moves. His most memorable Spidy moment came in an overtime game against the Calgary Wolves in the HNA national championship semi-finals last June when he scored the winning goal. He has the endurance to literally burn off an entire 2 minute penalty or the speed and moves to go coast-to-coast and score a goal. When Nettleman turns on the switch – watch out!
Quick Stats: 8 goals, 4 assists, 12 points. PLAYER GRADE: A
#26 Ryan Renner (winger) – Ryan Renner just can’t shake that former teen idol, surfer boy image. But does it really matter to the Detroit Moose assist leader? He’s dented quite a few goal posts this year and has come up empty-handed in the goal department, but Renner has 12 assists this year. He’s one of the best on the ice and certainly one of the best-dressed. The team also thanks Ryan for his role in continually bringing out the Moose fan club, aka ``Ryan’s entourage.’’
Quick Stats: 0 goals, 12 assists, 12 points. PLAYER GRADE: A
#97 Jeff Lazuka (defense, center, winger) – There’s a reason his nickname is Bazooka. The force of Jeff Lazuka’s slapshot often registers as a seismic wave on the Richter Scale. Most goalies simply move out of the way when he winds up. The few who didn’t have their headstone signed by Lazuka. But besides the shot, Lazuka has years of skill that has made him one of the best players on the team. He’s one of the most versatile and in one game he’ll play every position except goaltender. He’s also one of the fastest on the team. When it comes to racing against a bullet, the bullet usually loses.
Quick Stats: 7 goals, 4 assists, 11 points. PLAYER GRADE: A
#2 Phil Ross (center) – After the departure of a couple players last year, the Moose needed a white horse to come riding in. Enter Phil Ross – former captain of the ``old’’ Detroit Moose. All Ross has done since his arrival at the Moose is score goals and make assists. He flies through the ice like a U.S. Navy fighter pilot and swooshes around opposing players and goaltenders like they are stone statues.
Quick Stats: 5 goals, 4 assists, 9 points. PLAYER GRADE: A
#12 Nate Schmoekel (defense) – His slapshot is faster than a Joel Zumaya fastball and he’s so fast on skates, he’s almost like the sinister Invisible Man. Schmoekel’s shot has doubled-over goaltenders that got in the way of one of his shots. Through his aggressive play on ice and quiet demeanor off the ice, Schmoekel has become a fan favorite – not seen since the likes of former Detroit Red Wing Joey Kocur. If you’re playing against Schmoekel, count yourself lucky if you go into the corner against him and come out with the puck. It may only happen once in your career.
Quick Stats: 7 goals, 1 assists, 8 points. PLAYER GRADE: A
#11 Brian Harlow (defense) – He’s not called ``Big Daddy’’ for nothing. The defensive standout for the Moose rarely lets anyone into his zone. And if they are lucky enough to make it in there, chances are Brian Harlow will stop them cold. Harlow is full of grit and snarl and he eats tires for breakfast. Harlow no doubt is one of the top defenseman in Detroit Hockey North America. He’s also one of the most feared in the league and has a wicked slapshot that can rip a goalie’s hand off. Any goalie care to prove it?
Quick Stats: 2 goals, 6 assists, 8 points. PLAYER GRADE: A
#1 Tom Varcie (goalie) – Sometimes I wish I could play as well as Moose goalie Tom Varcie. He’s not the tallest player on the team; then again Napoleon wasn’t the tallest general when he conquered half the world. Varcie’s quickness in net is unmatched among Detroit HNA goaltenders and he currently ranks with the 5th lowest goals against average in the league. Despite playing with broken bones, torn ligaments and hangnails, Varcie has the endurance of a marathon runner. His quickness is his strength. For fun, he catches flies in his bare hands, then feeds them to opposing teams.
Quick Stats: 2.40 Goals Against Average, 89.04 Save Percentage, 1 Shutout. PLAYER GRADE: A
#77 Ron Kruse (defense) – One of his former coaches once said, ``If George Bush had Ron `the Kruse missile’ on his side back in 1990, Iraq would have been blown to bits the first time.’’ That’s because Kruse packs a punch in his slapshot that could destroy a tank. He learned his pinpoint accuracy as a youth by taking slapshot target practice at marbles placed 40 yards away. He never missed. He’s the enforcer on the ice and rarely lets a player stay in front of the net for more than one breath.
Quick stats: 1 Goal, 5 Assists, 6 Points. PLAYER GRADE: A
#23 Alec Lesko Sr. (winger) – He’s not just a top hockey player on the Moose. He’s a hockey mentor. Alec Lesko Sr. – Pops for short – has amazed and dazzled the hockey community and the dreamy town of Trenton. While he fights fires off the ice, on the ice Pops simply melts it with a blistering heater that no one can stop. He’s among the leaders on the team in points and in skill.
Quick stats: 5 Goal, 7 Assists, 12 Points. PLAYER GRADE: A
#9 Mark Auger (winger) – Not many hockey players play with as much intensity and determination as Mark Auger. To prove it, in a game last June, Auger got racked by a slapshot on the chin from 15 feet away. Fellow teammate Dr. Zach Lewis stitched him up on the bench and Auger was back on the ice. He only missed two shifts. Auger blazes down the ice, kamikaze style, and often is the first to the puck. He packs a mean punch and a bag of ether along with it if he hasn’t already knocked you out with his hard-hitting play.
Quick stats: 3 Goal, 3 Assists, 6 Points. PLAYER GRADE: A
#55 Curtis Glowzinski (winger) – Don’t let Curtis Glowzinski fool you. The church-going, clean-cut man by day listens to heavy metal music and pals around with Count Dracula at night. It’s that kind of intensity that makes Glowzinski one of the team’s best players. He plays with the style of Detroit Red Wings Captain Nicklas Lidstrom and explodes on the ice as an offensive threat that makes one wonder aloud: ``I’m sure glad he’s on my team.’’
Quick stats: 3 Goal, 4 Assists, 7 Points. PLAYER GRADE: A
#20 Zach Lewis (winger) – He threads the puck into the net like he threads stitches into a wound. And the Moose is lucky to have Dr. Zach Lewis on the team. More than once, Lewis has had to tend to an injured hockey player in his career. He has a heart of gold on and off the ice and has such unbelievable kindness and sincerity that he has actually scored goals by merely asking the other team to let him score.
Quick stats: 2 Goal, 1 Assists, 3 Points. PLAYER GRADE: A
#16 Joe Demarte (winger) – He’s feisty and full of grit in his teeth. He chews on steel piping in his spare time and swings a hockey stick like a farmer uses a sickle. But Joe Demarte is one of the powerhouse players on the Moose and teams fear just his mere presence. Demarte is known for picking up loose pucks and slamming them into the net. When Demarte’s on the ice, beware: odds are if you’re carrying the puck, Demarte will snatch it away.
Quick stats: 3 Goal, 4 Assists, 7 Points. PLAYER GRADE: A
#42 Jerry Rogers (center) – One of the true veterans of the Moose, Jerry Rogers is used to scoring titles. Don’t let his frosted tips fool you. This high goal-scoring phenom has shattered many league and state scoring records. Known for his quiet demeanor off the ice, Rogers owns the ice when he steps on it. When Rogers plays, opposing players realize at the drop of the puck that they are playing against one of the best in the league.
Quick stats: 4 Goal, 6 Assists, 10 Points. PLAYER GRADE: A
The Moose Fan Club – They bang drum sticks, blow air horns, and yell chants. They are the Moose Fan Club – aka ``Ryan Renner’s entourage.’’ And it consists of about 8 fans, including Patrick Renner, Melissa Rookard, Tonya Scalf, Mike Little and Ryan Hoppe, among others. Rain, snow, sleet, or even at 10:30 at night, members of hockey’s newest fan club have been coming out to cheer on the Moose and make the games as exciting as a Detroit Red Wings Stanley Cup finals game.
GRADE: A+
Call of the Moose -- Fan club cheers along in Moose stampede
Moose Hockey Sports Editor
DETROIT -- Come to any Detroit Moose hockey game and you’ll think you’re at a packed stadium at a professional sporting event.
Screams, taunting chants and energetic cheers of ``Go Moose’’ can be heard bouncing off the walls of the arenas wherever the Moose plays.
The Moose has a following this season that is unlike anything ever seen or heard in adult amateur hockey. Unbelievable as it may sound, it’s a group of about eight fans that’s making the noise.
Enter Pat Renner, Mike Little, Ryan Hoppe, Tonya Scalf, Sarah Renner, Cindy Renner, and Melissa Rookard. They are the reason for all of the racket.
Rain, snow, sleet, or even at 10:30 at night, members of hockey’s newest fan club have been coming out to cheer on the Moose and make the games as exciting as a Detroit Red Wings Stanley Cup finals game.
``With the Moose winning the national championship this year in Toronto, we thought it would be fun going to the games and cheering on the team,’’ said Pat Renner, one of the Moose fan club founders and brother of star Moose winger and former teen idol Ryan Renner. ``Last year it was just Tonya (Ryan Renner’s fiancée) and I going to the games. Now we have a lot more every game.’’
At the beginning of every game, Pat Renner and the rest of the Moose entourage make their grand entrance by marching into the arena wearing Viking helmets and beating drum sticks together, clapping, cheering, whooping, and chanting ``Let’s Go Moose!’’
``It sends chills up my spine every time I hear them,’’ said Moose Captain Derek Fowler. ``No other amateur adult team in this league – or anywhere around – has a cheering entourage that I know of. It’s awesome.’’
New cheers and war chants develop every game, Pat said. Some cheers are just off the cuff.
``It started out where we were just making a bunch of racket – pounding on the seats and pounding on buckets,’’ he said. ``We go to so many different games and we’ve heard so many different cheers at other games. Now we’re trying to remember and repeat all the cheers that we’ve heard.’’
During a Moose 7-2 victory over the Detroit Sabres a few weeks ago, the entourage brought air horns to the arena and blared them with every good Moose play and goal. Pat laughed and said, ``Those air horns were great, but they lost all the air by the second period.’’
Last game, Pat brought out his drumsticks and used the bottom of a trash barrel in the stands to pound out the rhythm for the heart-pounding Moose chants. Tonya, who volunteered to run the scoreboard, screamed for the Moose from behind the scorer’s box while the rest of the fan club picked up from her lead.
Even some of the Moose players -- like Ryan Renner, Alec Lesko, and Jeff Lazuka -- have started joining in the cheers from the bench. Often during the games, players will begin a cheer – only to be outdone by the cheering Moose entourage in the bleachers.
But sometimes the other teams don’t take the Moose cheering so well.
``It’s great fun doing this and we love getting on the nerves of the other teams,’’ Pat said. ``The best part is pissing the other team off. But in the end we’re just doing it to have fun and cheer on the team.’’
With the team’s automatic bid to Toronto in June to defend its national championship, members of the Moose entourage have been invited to go along with the team to cheer them on.
``We’ll be there and we’ll be at every game this season,’’ Pat said.
Moose star Joel ``Spiderman'' Nettleman said he appreciates the fan base as does Amateur Canadian Legend Rudy Dauncey.
``It gets me pumped up for the game,'' said Dauncey, Moose winger. ``It's great that the guys come out and cheer us on.''
Fowler added: ``The entourage is very special and dear to the team’s heart. They are just as much a part of this team as the players are.’’ He said the group is even invited to attend the team’s Christmas party this month at the Whiskey Bar in Dearborn Heights.
The Moose takes on the Detroit Pitbulls at 8:00 p.m. Saturday at Detroit City Sports Arena. Be there for the second giveaway of the season as the first 50 fans will receive a free stick -- of gum, autographed by Captain Derek Fowler, Goalie Tommy Ironman Varcie, and Brian Big Daddy Harlow.
Thanks again to the Detroit Moose 2007-2008 sponsors: Harlow Tire in Westland, Double H Manufacturing in Westland, 203 Custom Car works in Ypsilanti, the newest sponsor The Whiskey Bar in Dearborn Heights, and a group that supports the friends and families of victims of 9/11.
Detroit Diesel trio dominates in Moose's 11-3 rout over Detroit Wings
Moose Hockey Writer
MELVINDALE -- The Detroit Diesel trio of Curtis Glowzinski, Derek Fowler and Joel Nettleman helped power the Moose over the Detroit Wings Friday night 11-3 in Hockey North America action at Melvindale Ice Arena.
Whether it was the Monster energy drinks before the game or just the sheer might of the power trio, they racked up 5 points in the game. Fowler scored a goal with three assists, Glowzinski scored one goal and Nettleman single-handedly burned off a crucial 5-on-3 Detroit Wings powerplay midway in the second period.
The game also saw history being made as it was the first time in Detroit Moose history that a father-son pair each scored two goals and had one assist in the same game for the Moose. The feat occurred when defenseman Alec Lesko Jr. scored on a breakaway midway through the third period. His father, Moose winger Alec (Pops) Lesko Sr., scored a goal in the first period and a goal and assist in the second.
The victory put the Moose at 6-0 this season and in first place atop the HNB Detroit B division.
Last season, the two teams battled it out and settled for a 2-2-1 record against each other. The Moose won the final game of the series last season in a 12-7 blitzkrieg.
Fowler was proud of the Moose and congratulated the Wings after Friday night's game.
``(Wings captain) Bill Richardson and his Wings are an outstanding hockey club. We played them all last year and it was always outstanding,'' Fowler said. ``It was a great game -- never any dirty playing or chippy play behind the net.''
Moose forward Curtis Glowzinski started off the night with the game's first goal after only about one minute of play. Defenseman Brian Big Daddy Harlow assisted on the play.
But Wings forward Ryan Jones got it back on a fluke goal after a mix-up in the Moose's end. The Moose charged back and scored two quick goals -- one from Pops and the other on a ping-pong play from Mark Auger that was came from Fowler and defenseman Ron Kruse.
Joe Stryna cut the lead to 3-2 on an intense scramble in front of the Moose net, but Nate Schmoekel answered back with a rocket for the Moose's 4th goal. Amado Dusman closed the gap to 4-3 with about a minute to go in the first on a breakaway. Most of the players and crowd thought Moose goalie Tom Varcie had stopped the puck, but one of the referee's signaled that it was in. And that's all the Wings would get for the rest of the night.
The Moose attack continued in the second period when Pops blasted a pass to Fowler, who rocketed the shot into the five-hole. Jeff Lazuka pounded in the Moose's sixth goal on an oustanding set-up pass from Alec Lesko and Joe Demarte.
Shortly after the goal the Moose got two quick penalties and were down 5-on-3 for almost two full minutes. That's when Moose star defenseman Joel Nettleman took over. Performing like a top-billed circus act, Nettleman -- single-handedly -- skated in and around Wings players for almost the entire two minutes to burn off the penalties.
``It was nothing. I was just doing my job,'' Nettleman said after the game.
After the Moose penalties were over, it didn't take long before Pops knocked in his second of the night. Fowler and Amateur Canadian Legend Rudy Dauncey assisted on the play.
Alec Lesko Jr got the team's eighth and ninth goals, Auger scored the team's tenth goal and Harlow made it 11-3 with a late third period blast.
The Moose takes on the Detroit Barflies at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday at Melvindale Ice Arena. Be there for the first giveaway of the season as the first 50 paying fans will receive a free stick -- of gum, autographed by Captain Derek Fowler, Moose winger and teen idol Ryan Renner, and Brian Big Daddy Harlow.
Thanks again to the Detroit Moose 2007-2008 sponsors: Harlow Tire in Westland, Double H Manufacturing in Westland, 203 Custom Car works in Ypsilanti, the newest sponsor The Whiskey Bar in Dearborn Heights, and a group that supports the friends and families of victims of 9/11. Also, thanks to fans who attended the game including the Moose Fan Club, which includes Patrick Renner, Melissa Rookard, Mike Little and Ryan Hoppe.
Wheelchair athletes skate with Moose; Moose rolls to victory over Warriors
Moose Hockey Writer
DETROIT – Read the back of Chris Lemieux’s hockey card and this is what you’ll see:
Goalie of the year.
Hockey playoff MVP.
8-time all-star.
And he played with the Detroit Moose amateur adult hockey team Nov. 18 at Detroit City Sports arena.
But the 26-year-old Canadian known as ``Bacon’’ didn’t lace up his skates to take the ice – and he didn’t need to. Lemieux is in a wheelchair.
He was among a dozen wheelchair athletes who ``skated’’ with players from the Detroit Moose team. The Moose invited members from the Wheelchair Hockey League (WCHL) of Detroit to play with the team – on ice -- during the 1st and 2nd period intermission during the Sunday afternoon game against the Detroit Warriors.
For some of the wheelchair athletes, it was the first time the hockey players had been on ice. Members from the Moose and Warriors helped guide the wheelchair players around during a 10-minute 4-on-4 scrimmage. Wheelchair players who came out to the Sunday skate ranged from a 10-year-old girl with muscular dystrophy to a 62-year-old senior. Lemieux said more players wished they could have come out, but he added that the cold air in the rink is tough on those afflicted with MD.
The event was organized by Moose team Captain Derek Fowler. Moose teammates also hosted a pizza party after the game for the wheelchair players, Moose fans and the Warriors.
Fowler said the idea to have the wheelchair athletes play with the Moose partially came from one of his co-workers, whose son is in a wheelchair and plays with Lemieux for the Wolf Pack in the WCHL.
``Our Moose team always believes in giving back to the community. I thought this would be a great way to give the chance of a lifetime for these kids to get on the ice. It was an honor to have them skate with us,’’ said Fowler.
The atmosphere was more like a professional sporting event. The game started off with both the Canadian and U.S. national anthems being played. The Moose and Warriors then did a ceremonial puck drop in honor of the wheelchair hockey players. A DJ set the tone for the game, blaring rock tunes whenever the whistle blew and between periods.
Between the first and second periods, the wheelchair players took the ice to a standing ovation of about 75 fans in the arena. Several Moose players, including Phil Ross, Curtis Glowzinski, Alec Lesko Jr., Alec Lesko Sr., and Fowler helped push the wheelchair players around the ice along with some players from the Warriors.
After the skate was over, the game continued as the Moose defeated the Warriors 8-5. The Warriors fired 49 shots at Moose goalie Tom Varcie while the Moose pegged goalie Jim Carr with 39 shots. Moose goals came from Jerry Rogers, Jeff Lazuka, Alec Lesko, Joel Nettleman and Curtis Glowzinski. Lesko, Lazuka and Nettleman each scored two.
The win put the Moose at 5-0 for the season. They lead the Detroit Hockey North America B division. The Wolf Pack is also undefeated after 5 games with a 4-0-1 record.
``The win was great for the Moose, but even better was seeing the smiles on the faces of the players in the wheelchairs who came out to play and be a part of this,’’ Fowler said.
After the game, players from the Moose, Warriors, the wheelchair athletes and fans dined on pizza and snacks in the City Sports banquet hall. Lemieux, commissioner of the WCHL, thanked the Moose players and honored Fowler and the team.
``I’m hoping we can create a brother-brother relationship here between the Moose and the Wheelchair Hockey League. This relationship doesn’t end here at the arena. We’ll go to some of their games and we’ll invite them out to more of ours,’’ Fowler said.
The Moose has been very active in the community in 2007. In February the team visited the Holy Trinity Church soup kitchen in Detroit to help feed the needy and homeless. Members from the team volunteered again at the soup kitchen in October and collected coats for the needy. The team helped feed more than 300 people and gave away more than 120 coats. In June, the team donated hundreds of toys and a financial donation to the Sick Children’s Hospital in Toronto prior to winning the Hockey North America championship.
Fowler said the team plans a couple more charity events next year. In February, the team plans to participate in a fundraiser bowling tournament to benefit a burn center in Ann Arbor. The team then plans to take some of the recovering burn victims to see a Plymouth Whalers game along with their families.
Thanks again to the Detroit Moose 2007-2008 sponsors: Harlow Tire in Westland, Double H Manufacturing in Westland, 203 Custom Car works in Ypsilanti, and a group that supports the friends and families of victims of 9/11. Also, thanks to fans who attended the game including the Moose Fan Club, including Patrick Renner, Melissa Rookard, Mike Little and Ryan Hoppe, and other honorary Moose fan club members Sue, Justin, and Liz Varcie, Judy Varcie, Linda, Miranda and Sydney Fowler, Jean Auger, Victoria Wright, Melody, Scott, Austin and Dylan Pruitt, Tonya (soon-to-be Renner), and the Lesko, Harlow, Dauncey, Demarte, Glowzinski, Kruse and Renner families.
For more information about the Wheelchair Hockey League, visit www.thewchl.com
The Moose hopes to continue its unbeaten streak Nov. 30 when the team faces off against the Detroit Wings.
Moose electrocutes Detroit Shock 11-1
Moose Hockey Writer
DETROIT -- The Detroit Moose scored so many goals Friday night that it broke the scoreboard. That’s how it appeared anyway in the Moose’s 11-1 electrocution of the Detroit Shock in Hockey North America action at Melvindale Arena.
Moose Captain Derek Fowler was on fire as he netted one goal and four assists in his finest performance of the year. Moose assistant captain Alec Lesko punched in his first hat trick of the season and gained 6 points on the night.
The electricity was certainly in the air as the Moose fan club, led by Pat Renner, cheered on the undefeated team, which gained its fourth win of the season. Strangely, just after the Moose scored its 11th goal with about 5 minutes to go in the third period, the scoreboard malfunctioned and shut down, leaving Moose teammates wondering aloud if they broke the scoreboard.
The Moose stampede started quickly as Joe DeMarte flipped in his third goal of the season on a fine pass from winger Ryan Renner and defenseman Brian Big Daddy Harlow. A minute later Harlow blasted the puck faster than a Joel Zumaya fastball past Shock goalie Jim Carr for the Moose’s second goal. Fowler nabbed his first assist of the night on the play.
A player from the Shock assisted on the Moose’s third goal when he tipped Moose defenseman Ron Kruse’s shot into the upper corner. Renner set up the play, which put the game at 3-0.
Moose defenseman Jeff Lazuka had partner Alec Lesko to thank for the team’s fourth goal a couple minutes into the second period when Lesko twisted, spun, shimmied to the left, but then got tied up by a Shock player. Lazuka, trailing behind, picked up the loose puck and fired it behind Carr.
But the Shock came back and scored its only goal of the game on Moose goalie Tom Varcie after a miscue on a rebound.
``I ruined my own shutout on that play,’’ said Varcie after the game. ``I stopped the first one and just lost sight of it. It’s just one of those plays you wish you had back.’’ The netminder faced 13 shots on the night.
But the Moose charged back with Fowler sinking in his first goal of the year. As Fowler powered his way to the net, the Shock goaltender got caught too far out. Fowler deked around him and shot it into the corner. A minute later Lesko made it 6-1 on a tremendous breakaway play.
The team’s seventh goal was one that may be shown on ESPN’s Top Ten Plays segment. Forward Zach Lewis was on the right side of the net in the Shock zone. He fired the puck toward the goal from behind the net, it ricocheted off two sets of skates and bounced into the net.
``I practiced that play for months,’’ Lewis joked after the game. ``I actually planned that shot. The Lazuka-Lesko defensive duo assisted on the play.
Lesko and Fowler teamed up to punch in the Moose’s eighth and ninth goals of the game and Moose newcomer Phil Ross took the team into double digits with his fourth of the season. Lewis finished up scoring on the night on a fine passing play from Lesko and Fowler. Less than 20 seconds later, the scoreboard wore out and the game played scoreless for the next 5 minutes to finish out.
``The Shock are a good hockey club and there are great, classy guys on the team,’’ said Fowler afterwards. ``My hats go off to Jim Carr who played outstanding in net for the Shock. He made some excellent saves and it was like watching a magician pull rabbits out of his hat.
``Our team only had nine players tonight, but we won as a team and accomplished it together. We all play for the Moose name on the front of the jersey, not the name on the back,’’ Fowler said (in Herb Brooks-esque type fashion).
Lesko agreed.
``This was an all-around good win for the Moose. We passed the puck well, shot well, skated well, and had control of it the entire time,'' Lesko said. ``It was a good victory.''
The Moose takes on the Warriors at 4 p.m. next Sunday (Nov. 18) at Detroit City Sports. The Moose plans to have a benefit with the Wheelchair Hockey League of Detroit and play along with wheelchair athletes between the first and second periods of the game. Moose players will donate money for a pizza party afterwards and to collect money in the Toys for Tots program. The public is invited to attend and admission is free for the Sunday matchup.
Thanks again to the Detroit Moose 2007-2008 sponsors: Harlow Tire in Westland, Double H Manufacturing in Westland, 203 Custom Car works in Ypsilanti, and a group that supports the friends and families of victims of 9/11. Also, thanks to the Moose Fan Club, which cheered loud again at Friday night’s game. They were effective at doing the wave, beating the war drums and helping rally the team to victory.
Moose tames Pitbulls 10-2 for season's second win
Moose Hockey Writer
DETROIT – Miranda and Sydney Fowler cheered loudly for their dad as the Moose team captain went up for a faceoff; Liz Varcie cheered loud for her dad after he stopped a puck; Pat Renner and his entourage cheered for his brother Ryan when he assisted on a goal.
And there were a lot more reasons to cheer.
They were part of the largest Moose crowd ever to jam Detroit City Sports arena Sunday afternoon. Wives, children, mothers, fathers, brothers, girlfriends, fiancées, and even a newborn baby saw their beloved Moose team tame the Pitbulls 10-2 in Hockey North America action.
Ryan Renner’s fiancée, Tonya, and his brother Pat held up Detroit Moose signs all game and started the crowd in cheers with each Moose goal and attack down the ice.
``It was awesome hearing that,’’ said Moose Captain Derek Fowler. ``I looked up to the stands and put my hand to my ear because I wanted to hear more. It was a real incentive to play harder.’’
Moose standout Brad Lesko gave the fans something to cheer about with about 5 minutes into the first period. Lesko bobbed, weaved, twisted and spun around Pitbulls defenders and sunk the puck, unassisted, past the Pitbulls netminder. A few minutes later, Amateur Canadian Legend Rudy Dauncey teamed up with Jerry ``the rock’’ Rogers for the Moose’s second goal.
The Pitbulls closed the gap with 3 minutes left in the first when Rudy Perez blasted a 15 foot screen shot past Moose goalie Tom Varcie. But the Moose came back and made it 3-1 when 2006-2007 HNA scoring champ Alec Lesko wristed in his first of the night, assisted by Ryan Renner and Brad Lesko.
`` The Pitbulls came out strong tonight,’’ Fowler said. ``We played a very classy, well-disciplined hockey club. They focused on the puck and kept driving at us all three periods. There were no penalties by either team – and that says a lot about how this game was played.’’
The Pitbulls kept up with the shots, firing 19 at Varcie. The Moose shot 32 times at the Pitbulls netminder.
Brad Lesko figured in the Moose’s next four goals, thanks to excellent passing and support from Alec Lesko, Curtis Glowzinski and Ryan Renner. The Pitbulls made it 8-2 after a pile-up in front of the Moose goal.
Glowzinski nabbed his first goal of the year to make it 9-2. Brian Harlow and Brad Lesko got the assists. Alec Lesko finished off the scoring after Jerry Rogers flicked a pass to him with a couple minutes remaining.
``I know the Pitbulls practiced every week – like we did – and their passing and positioning were excellent. The score was not at all how the game played out,’’ Fowler said. `` Tommy just came up with some great saves in net for us – otherwise it would have been a lot closer game.’’
Also playing superbly for the Moose were defenseman Joel Nettleman, Ron Kruse, and forwards Phil Ross, Zack ``Z-man’’ Lewis, and Mark ``the chin’’ Auger.
After the game, the Moose team and family members enjoyed some time together at Pizzapapolis in Detroit’s Greektown.
``It’s great to have the family come out and support the team,’’ said Brian Harlow, who came out with his wife, children and his mother. Harlow’s wife brought their 1-month old baby, Smith, to the game (who, of course, loudly joined in on the ``Let’s Go Moose’’ chants).
The Moose next will take on the Detroit Sabres at 6 p.m. Sunday at Detroit City Sports. A reminder that the Moose invites all fans out to the City Sports Arena at 4 p.m. Nov. 18 when the team takes on the Warriors. The Moose has invited wheelchair athletes from the Wheelchair Hockey League of Michigan to ``skate’’ with the players during the first and second periods. Members from both teams will push wheelchair athletes around the ice.
Thanks again to the Detroit Moose 2007-2008 sponsors: Harlow Tire in Westland, Double H Manufacturing in Westland, 203 Custom Car works in Ypsilanti, and a group that supports the friends and families of victims of 9/11.
Moose team faces off against hunger
Moose Hockey Writer
DETROIT -- Alec Lesko held a peanut butter and jelly sandwich like it was a hockey puck; Nate Schmoekel stirred a pot of chili like he was stick-handling down the ice; Brian Harlow wrapped up plastic eating utensils like he normally wraps up players on the ice.
This wasn’t some strange hockey game taking place in the middle of a cafeteria. Instead it was players from the Detroit Moose B team working together to help feed the needy and homeless last weekend at a Detroit soup kitchen.
Ten Moose players, their friends and family members volunteered Oct. 20 at the Holy Trinity Church soup kitchen at Trumbell and Martin Luther King Blvd. in Detroit. They helped serve more than 350 needy and homeless people. The team had some help from a busload of members from the Korean Presbyterian Church in Southfield, MI, which volunteers twice a week at the center.
Lesko, 2006-2007 leading scorer in Hockey North America’s Detroit league, helped make 400 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches about as fast as he scores goals. He was assisted by his girlfriend Alison Baker as well as Moose teammates Brad Lesko, Nate Schmoekel, Alec Lesko Sr. (Pops), Pops’ wife, Pam Lesko, Mark ``the chin’’ Auger, team captain Derek Fowler, and Zach Lewis. Also assisting were the Lesko sisters, Ellen and Becky.
Amateur Canadian Legend Rudy Dauncey, defenseman Brian ``Big Daddy’’ Harlow, his son, Sean, and niece, Alexa Snyder, Moose goalie Tom Varcie, his son Justin, daughter Liz and his wife Susan Varcie helped wrap plastic eating utensils and get food ready for the guests.
Armand's Meats of Northville, MI, donated both 40 pounds of meat and 30 pounds of hot dogs to the soup kitchen as a goodwill gesture. The Moose team put in $210 of their own to cover overhead expenses for the day at the center.
This is the second time this year that the Moose team volunteered at the soup kitchen. The team worked there in February and helped serve about 250 people.
The crowd last Saturday was much larger.
``I just want to say thanks to everybody who came here to help out,’’ said Fowler to the volunteers last weekend. ``We’re here today to help these people who are less fortunate. No person should go to bed hungry. We’re here to make a difference.’’
Moose players, their families and other volunteers served the guests chili soup, juice, coffee, salad, rolls, and cheesecake. The meal and service was provided for free. The needy people were allowed to take a sandwich with them before they left.
The team also held a coat drive and collected more than 100 coats and jackets for the needy and homeless. Prior to the guests being served their meal, Moose team players fitted many of them with donated coats.
``This is absolutely great being here,’’ said Harlow, as his niece and son helped him at the center. ``I’m glad to be able to help these people. It’s very sad seeing some of them – like these two cute little old ladies and I saw a young woman with a baby. That was sad to see. We really are making a difference.’’
While the players and adult volunteers helped serve the food, the younger volunteers helped seat the guests. Liz Varcie, 9, daughter of Moose goalie Tom Varcie, said, ``I love being here with my dad and his team to help the people.’’ Her brother Justin, 10, echoed that and was proud of the fact that he personally helped seat 20 needy people at tables.
``When you think about poverty in our back yard and people starving,’’ said Fowler, ``winning or losing a hockey game in an adult amateur league really doesn’t seem that important. Helping needy people is something that this team believes in and we want to help in any way that we can. And we’re in a position to do it.’’
The Moose had its season opener the next day and beat the Detroit Barflies at Melvindale Ice Arena, thanks to a hat trick by rookie forward Brad Lesko. Tom Varcie stopped a barrage of 25 shots in net and allowed just one goal thanks to great defensive play by Nate Schmoekel, Brian Harlow, Alec Lesko Jr., and Ron Kruse. Outstanding forward efforts were by Derek Fowler, Jerry Rogers, Joe Demarte, Curtis Glowzinski, Joel Nettleman, Rudy Dauncey, Mark Auger, Ryan Renner and Pops Lesko. The Moose Fan Club – led by Pat Renner and entourage – also cheered on the team with much appreciated enthusiasm.
The team’s next benefit will be at 4 p.m. Nov. 18 when the Moose is inviting out members from the Wheelchair Hockey League of Michigan group. Moose players will help the wheelchair athletes ``skate’’ during intermission between the 1st and 2nd periods of the game, said Fowler, who has arranged the event. A disc jockey also is expected to be at the game playing music while the wheelchair athletes are on the ice. The Moose opponents that day -- the Warriors -- will also help push the athletes around the ice.
The Moose takes on the Pitbulls this Sunday at 4:30 p.m. at Detroit City Sports. Fowler also said ``family day’’ is this Sunday, which means parking and admission are both free.
Thanks again to the Detroit Moose 2007-2008 sponsors: Harlow Tire in Westland, Double H Manufacturing in Westland, 203 Custom Car works in Ypsilanti, and a group that supports the friends and families of victims of 9/11.
Detroit Moose wins HNA championship
Detroit Moose Hockey Writer
TORONTO -- Sticks, bodies, and sweat were flying everywhere Sunday on the ice in Toronto as the Detroit Moose B team wrapped up its national championship run and beat the Cleveland Icemen 6-5 to carry off the coveted Tier 3 Hockey North America League Championship trophy.
So many moments and so many feats lifted this Moose team to the championship, from Joel Nettleman’s surreal overtime Game 4 goal that sent the Moose into the finals to Rudy Dauncey’s incredible, surprising blue-line slapshot that blasted into the water bottle in the upper corner behind a stunned (defending Tier 3 Champion) Calgary Wolves goaltender.
It wasn’t easy for Moose players, who had to endure playing 5 games in a 40-hour span to grab the League Championship title over the weekend at Westwood Arenas. The Moose were 4-0-1 over the weekend, racking up an impressive 39 goals. The Moose finished with a 20-7-1-1 record this season and ended up 9-1-1 in its final 11 games.
Moose Captain Derek Fowler, tears glistening in his eyes with the Moose team standing behind, accepted the trophy from Hockey North America League President Elliott Root amid cheering fans in the crowd.
The championship run started out as a bus trip of uncertainties for the Moose at Detroit Diesel in Detroit. Together, the team rumbled on a 5-hour trek toward Toronto thinking about the upcoming games, memorizing opponents’ team statistics, talking strategy, and not quite sure what competition level they would be facing. On paper, behind HNA Detroit point leader Alec Lesko, the Moose had outscored and outshot every opponent that they would be facing in the beginning rounds.
And the Moose wasted no time showing its firepower in the opening round, beating the Boston Firecats 10-8 in an intense shootout. The game saw assistant captain Jerry Rogers net 5 goals – three of which came in the first period. Just 12 hours later the Moose blasted 38 shots at the New Jersey Bombers and came away with a 4-4 tie. Later that day, the Moose defeated the Washington D.C. Vipers 14-0 to send the Moose to the semi-final round. Moose goaltender Tom Varcie got his first shutout of the season.
In one of the most memorable games of the year, the Moose faced a high-powered, hungry Calgary Wolves team Sunday morning in the semi-finals. The game also had a scare early in the second period when Moose forward Mark Auger was hit by a slapshot on the chin under his half-shield. Team player/doctor Zach Lewis threaded 12 stitches into Auger and he was out playing three shifts later.
``That kind of determination is what this team is all about and what it’s been about all season,’’ said Lewis.
Facing a 4-1 deficit with just 7 minutes to go in the third period, Moose defenseman Alec Lesko sunk one in the net behind the Calgary goaltender. Two minutes later the Moose added another to make it 4-3 and with only 1:30 remaining in the game, Lesko blasted in one that compares to goals scored among the NHL elite. As Lesko burned down the ice, he stickhandled around three Wolves players. Just as a fourth Calgary player was falling to the ice, Lesko shuffled the puck underneath the man, hurdled him, caught his own pass 4 feet away and took the next 10 strides to deke the goaltender to tie the game at 4-4 and send it into overtime.
Five minutes into overtime, Moose center Joel Nettleman scored the winning goal on an intense scramble in front of the net. Nettleman jumped over toward the right corner and the 15-member Moose team piled on him, fists raised high in the air.
``This is one of those games that you will always remember. It was that kind of game,’’ said Moose defenseman Brian Big Daddy Harlow. Harlow’s intensity was seen and heard on the bench as he helped motivate the team when it was down 4-1 late in the game. ``We worked hard together as a team and we did it.’’
The Moose was able to shut down the Calgary offense behind outstanding play from defensemen Nate Schmoekel, Ron Kruse, Lesko and Harlow. A key third-period breakaway stop by Varcie also kept the game within reach when it was still 4-1.
But there was no time for rest and little time for celebrating. Moose players barely had time to dry out their equipment back at the hotel and they had to be on the ice for the 2 p.m. finals matchup against a tough Cleveland Icemen team.
Cleveland skated hard in the first period, taking a 3-0 lead on three surprise breakaways. But the Moose regrouped after the first and skated with the most intensity and determination all year, slamming in 6 straight goals to take a 6-3 lead late in the third. Cleveland closed the gap, scoring two late third-period goals, but the Moose offense and defense were too much for the Icemen and they held on to capture the championship title.
Offensive stars of the game for the Moose were forwards Ryan Renner, who snagged several goals and assists in the series, Joe Demarte, Curtis Glowinski, Mark ``the chin’’ Auger, amateur Canadian legend Rudy Dauncey, Chris Wrigley, Derek Fowler, Joel Nettleman, and Zach Lewis. Excellent fan support was given by Jean Auger and Sue Derderian, who snapped dozens of game action photos and rallied the team with their cheering. The Moose also got outstanding bench assistance from Andrew Sczczepanski who helped keep everyone focused and the lines moving smoothly.
After a brief award ceremony, each player grabbed the trophy and skated on the ice with it as other Moose players and the crowd cheered.
Afterwards in the locker room, Fowler said, ``I am so honored to have you all believe in this team. You were hand-picked to be here on this first class team. I'm so proud to call every one of you my teammate and brother.’’
Fowler said he wanted to thank the team sponsor for its dedication and support this season. The team sponsor, which supports the victims of 9/11, has been an important part of the team this year. Each Moose player wears a patch on their jersey which honors the victims of September 11th.
`` We played this year in honor of never forgetting those who gave their lives on 9/11 and for the victims that perished that very day. Personally, I wear on my jersey names of Dennis Buckley and Glen Wall from school, ’’ Fowler said. ``We all play with that patch on our jersey and 6 years later, fallen heroes and families of the victims are not forgotten.''
The Moose team also gave Fowler a standing ovation in the locker room after the game to thank him for his dedication this season, support for the teammates and their families, organizing team charity events, setting up the bus trip to Toronto, and for his own personal financial contributions to the team during the season and in Toronto.
``The guy just has a heart of gold. He's the most dedicated and best captain a team could ask for,'' Harlow added. ``After his family, Derek's life is hockey and this team.''
The Moose team will look to defend its title in the 2007-2008 HNA hockey season, beginning around October. Because it won the championship, the team earned an automatic bid back to Toronto next year.
Detroit Moose team assists Hospital for Sick Children while in Toronto
Detroit Moose Hockey Writer
TORONTO -- The Detroit Moose Hockey Team went to Toronto last week with two goals in mind: Scoring a lot of them in the Hockey North America Championships and bringing smiles to the faces of hundreds of children at the Hospital for Sick Children in downtown Toronto.
The team is proud to say they accomplished both.
The 15-member team and two members from the Detroit Ducks, clad in their hockey jerseys, trekked by bus from Detroit to the hospital and delivered 16 full boxes of toys and crafts for children who are undergoing treatment at the hospital. The Hospital for Sick Children, affiliated with the University of Toronto, is Canada's most research-intensive hospital and the largest center dedicated to improving children's health in Canada.
The Moose also won the HNA Tier 3 League Championship on Sunday by defeating the Cleveland Icemen 6-5.
Members of the Moose donated over $1,000 in cash and the team received another $1,000 in donations from Detroit area businesses to bring to the hospital. Moose Captain Derek Fowler used the money to buy the toys and crafts for children at the center.
The visit to the hospital hit close to home as several of the team members work in the medical field, including Dr. Zach Lewis, Alec Lesko, Nate Schmoekel and Mark Auger.
``The greatest gift is giving! There is no greater love than the love for a child and I hope the toys will help a little to dry any tears of pain. Every child deserves an equal chance,’’ Fowler said during the visit to the hospital.
After carrying the boxes in, Moose team members took a tour of the giant hospital given by Penny Kroll, a Community Involvement representative for the SickKids Foundation at the center. Kroll said many Canadian dignitaries visit the hospital to meet with the children for such activities as a reading hour, including members of the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team (and maybe one day the Detroit Moose).
SickKids Foundation is the largest non-governmental granting agency in child health in Canada. Established in 1972, SickKids Foundation has granted over $500 million to The Hospital for Sick Children and over $60 million to researchers across the country, according to Kroll. She said the mission is to inspire communities to invest in health and scientific advances to improve the lives of children and their families in Canada and around the world.
The hospital cares for over 100,000 patients per year, doctors there perform open-heart surgeries on babies small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, and doctors attempt to heal deformities, heal cancers, and treat massive burns on children.
According to the hospital web site, `` We've invented treatments that 20 years ago people would have dismissed as science fiction. Your support has led to discoveries that have meant less pain for children, a higher survival rate and less time in hospital.’’
Kroll added that the financial support helps fund life-changing equipment and facilities and enables the hospital to attract the best doctors, researchers and nurses in the world.
``Thanks again for the wonderful boxes of gifts that you brought for the kids in the hospital,’’ Kroll said to the team at the hospital. ``Everything will be put to good use and will help make the experience for those kids who will use it in the hospital that much more enjoyable.’’
Fowler also wanted to give his word of thanks.
``I want to say `Thank you’ to the team players who believed in what we were doing and never being confrontational during the season,’’ Fowler said. ``They dug very deep in their pockets so we could go out and buy the toys and crafts on the wish list from the hospital.’’
Bob Rates at Nankin Hardware and Hobby in Westland, MI, worked with Fowler and charged only his cost on the toys and crafts. He also made a large personal donation of crafts, toys and gifts for the kids.
``I’d like to thank Bob for believing in our cause and thank Bob and Nate Campbell from the Ducks for joining us at the Hospital for Sick Children,’’ Fowler added.
In addition, the team and Kroll wanted to thank Dr. Pinkney, Greenbaum & MacFarland Dentistry of Canton Township, MI, for giving a substantial donation of dental hygiene products to the children and families of the Hospital for Sick Children. Armand’s Meats of Northville also gave a donation as well. The dentist office gave tooth brushes, tooth paste, floss and many other dental products as a donation to the facility.
``We had such an outpouring of support, especially from the dentist office, for our cause,’’ Fowler added. ``I’m so proud of everyone who gave from their hearts to help out these children and families.’’
Members of the Moose who delivered the toys included: Derek Fowler, Zach Lewis, his son Ian, Curtis Glowinski, Joel Nettleman, Alec Lesko, Ryan Renner, Ron Kruse, Mark Auger and his wife, Jean, Tom Varcie and his fiancée Sue Derderian, Joe Demarte, Jerry Rogers, Rudy Dauncey, Brian Harlow, Chris Wrigley, Nate Schmoekel, Andrew Sczepanski, and Detroit Ducks Bob Rates and Nate Campbell.
Charity service isn’t new to the Moose. Earlier this year members of the team worked at a soup kitchen in Detroit to help feed needy people and families. They also gave a $250 donation to the soup kitchen. The team also plans to perform several community service events this year as representatives of the Detroit Moose and Hockey North America, such as a coat drive for needy families.
The Moose is sponsored by a group which supports the victims of 9/11 and the sponsor has been an important part of the team this year. Each Moose player wears a patch on their jersey which honors the victims of September 11th.
2008 Detroit Moose championship run theme song
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