Move over Detroit -this weekend Alpena owns the title Hockeytown.
The fourth annual Huron Shores Hockey Challenge gets under way today with Grand Rapids Christian and Lapeer West dropping the puck on rink one at noon inside of Northern Lights Arena. And on rink two Cheboygan and Escanaba face off at 1:30 p.m.
The Alpena Wildcats' sticks will hit the ice tonight against last year's tournament Michigan Division champs Milford at 6 p.m., on rink one.
A total of 14 teams are coming from all over the state to compete in the tourney. There are plenty of newcomers making appearances in the tourney, one being Alpena's recreational team and the others are Midland Dow, Holt and Utica. Among the returning squads are Cheboygan, Escanaba, and St. Clair.
Last year the Wildcats were in rebuilding mode and in the 2008 Challenge, they went 0-2, losing both games in the final waning minutes. That early season bump was one the Wildcats never fully recovered from, as they continued to struggle to pull out games, ending their season 3-21-1.
The Wildcats return this season with a load of veteran talent, 10 seniors to be exact. Goalies Tyler Schultz and Alex Karsten, forwards Dylan MacNeil, Taylor Foster, Brad Gosselin, Zach Karsten, Jared Cloft, John Bracken, and defensemen Greg Baranyai, and Trevor Denstaedt.
After a couple weeks of practice and scrimmages under their belts, Alpena head coach Chris Limback likes what he sees from his players.
"We have a little bit more energy than we had last year," Limback said. "Little bit more enthusiasm. That veteran experience is always nice. We just have to get in game shape right now."
The Huron Shores Challenge may not define the rest of a 25-game season for the Wildcats, but Limback knows they can use this weekend to establish good habits early in the year.
One habit he'll like his players to establish is being patient with the puck.
"We throw the puck away too much," he said. "I want to see the kids hold on to the puck a little more and let's try to get a more offensive-minded. Let's try to buy some time out there and think, not panic."
If they can finish the weekend strong and come out on top in tournament play, Limback said it can help provide the Wildcats with a confidence boost and help set the tone early in the season.
"It'll be huge for our psyche, anytime you can get confidence and then things go on from there," Limback said. "Last year, we got in a losing rut and then you really start to panic and then it becomes difficult to really get going. When you're losing, everybody's helping you and telling you what you're doing wrong.
"When you're winning, everybody's somewhat happy."
The Wildcats will try open their season with a win tonight against Milford in the Monohansett Division. The tournament will be the Huron's first game of the year, too.
Other action in that Division includes Macomb Dakota facing off against Walled Lake at 4 p.m. on rink one.
A pasta dinner put on by the Wildcats and Thunder Bay Wrecks will take place from noon to 9 p.m. tonight. The cost is $8 for adults, $5 for seniors and students, and a $125 team price for players and coaches. All proceeds benefit the Alpena High School hockey team and Thunder Bay Wrecks.