1st Official FHL Pick-Up Game When: Saturday, November 21st Time: 12:00 Noon Location: Franklin Primary All members of the FHL are invited to attend.

by Adam Cristallini The newest edition of what has been cherished over the last 3+ years, the Franklin Hockey League is fast approaching, and many around the league are getting a little bit antsy. December 19th seems so far away still, but no one can wait for that day at 11AM when the puck drops for the first time more than one guy especially. That person is Crosby’s captain, John George. It’s been almost seven months since George and his team last took the pavement in May when they were the No. 2 seed in the playoffs and were swept 3 games to nothing by Andrew McDonald’s up start Pirates team. You could easily guess it has left a terrible taste in his mouth, even the rest of his players who have returned. “It was definitely a long off-season after that one”, George said. “Give credit to the Pirates, they played a great game and had us on our toes the whole time. I know Roy (McDonald), Mike (Cullen), (Dan) Powers, and myself definitely want to redeem ourselves this year against them. But, we can only play who is next on the schedule. we just have to work harder this year period.” Crosby’s have some holes to fill too, on offense and defense, especially with the big loss of Matt Wierchowski to franchising with the Kings. But don’t expect the Crosby’s to panic right away. “Well with a new season, comes new players, that’s just the nature of the business. I’m confident that the new faces we brought in this year can form a solid chemistry with the guys who are coming back”. Those new faces, one old, are expected to contribute a lot for the team in white - Jeremy Jones and returning Crosby, Casey Hofmeister. “We know what Casey can bring to a team, that’s lots of energy and effort…as for Jeremy he has potential to be a dynamic player in this league. He’s a small, crafty player (just like Roy McDonald) who was a force during his ice hockey career. So we expect a lot out of him. Casey and Jeremy will most likely get a chance to skate with each other on our second line.” The Crosby’s also bring in Defensemen Dave Gilson and Mike Stadleman. Also, scoring threat Zack Wahal. All three have good experience and could develop a strong core to go along throughout the season. Most likely paired with McDonald, he and Wahal should wreak havoc on opposing team’s defense. George doesn’t like the idea of losing and being so close like last year and winning the Cup in 2007. “Anything less than a Cup I think is a disappointment. I don’t think there’s one player in this league who wants anything less than to hold that Cup above their head”. Time will tell and fate will decide which of those players will get that chance. John George at least gets a clean slate to work with and is very optimistic of his team’s goals. But only on December 19th at 11AM, will that dream begin, and that bad taste in his mouth slowly begins to fade.

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER Front Runners: Brian Barca (Jets), Roy McDonald(Crosby's), Tony Bonacorso(Pirates) Dark-Horse: Matt Wierchowski(Kings) The three top players of last season were Brian Barca, Roy McDonald, and Tony Bonacorso. All three were named as Franchise Players for their respective teams. Expect these three to be back in the running, along with the first overall pick in the 2009 FHL Draft, Matt Wierchowksi. The Most Valuable Player will be determined by these players production as well as the production of their teams. Any of these four players can carry a team on their back and lead them in a deep run into the playoffs. DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR Front Runners: Tom Fetsko(Boyle), Buddy Doyle(Pirates), Dave Gilson(Crosby's) Dark Horse: Bill Seaman(Jets) There are many great defensemen in the Franklin Hockey League, but last year, Tom Fetsko established himself as one of the bests. He's the front runner, followed by first round pick Buddy Doyle of the Pirates, and Dave Gilson, a first round pick of the Crosby's. Bill Seaman may find some gas left in the tank and has to be rejuvenated by playing with former teammate and good friend Brian Barca and the Jets. BEST DEFENSIVE FORWARD Front Runners: Mark Fetsko(Moose), Matt Wierchowski(Kings), Nick Siniawski(Boyle) Dark-Horse: Ryan Cleary(Pirates) Hustle, Heart, and Determination are three factors that the Best Defensive Forward has. Last year, Matt Wierchowski won the award with the Crosby's. This year, he's one of the front runners, along with Mark Fetsko and Nick Siniawski. Ryan Cleary also has a chance to win the award. These four players never give up on the play and always are back to play defense. BREAKTHROUGH PLAYER OF THE YEAR Front Runners: Jason Kortz(Jets), Jeremey Jones(Crosby's), Dave Kwolek(Kings) Dark-Horse: Tom Sheetz(Jets) The Breakthrough Player of the Year usually goes to the player who came out of nowhere and suprised everyone with their play. This year, Jason Kortz, Jets, Jeremey Jones, Crosby's, Dave Kwolek, Kings, and Tom Sheetz, Jets, have all been drafted with high expectations from their team. Although the expectations are high, no one truly knows how these four will play. Expect one of these four to be a huge factor in their teams success, leading to being named the Breakthrough Player of the Year. GOOD GUY AWARD Front Runners: Joe Rogers(Pirates), Jamie Zelena(Kings), Shane Lucas(Boyle) Dark-Horse: Jamie Judge(Jets) It's almost expected that Joe Rogers will win his third consecutive Good-Guy Award. The award is based off of a guy who doesn't worry about stats, enjoys playing the game, and keeps everyone else playing happy. Other front-runners for the award include Kings Captain Jamie Zelena and Shane Lucas of Boyle. Jamie Judge of the Jets has also been mentioned for the Award. ROOKIE OF THE YEAR Front Runners: Dan Lichtenfels(Boyle),Thayne Mitrik(Kings), Jake Laird(Moose) Dark-Horse: Any other High School Rookie If someone had to guess the 2009-10 FHL Rookie of the Year, where would they start? Your guess is as good as anyone elses. Dan Lichtenfels was the first high school rookie picked in the draft, 39th overall to Boyle. Thayne Mitrik's athleticism at Steel Valley, playing soccer, baseball, and basketball, got him drafted by the Kings shortly after at 49. Jake Laird showed some talent in the pre-draft rookie game, scoring a goal, and getting him drafted by the Moose in the 10th Round. Anyone of these three players could win the award, but they have the same chance as the other High-Schooler's.

The Kings have traded FHL newcomer and 6th Round Pick Tom Cunningham to the Crosby's for last season's FHL Rookie of the Year, Ryan Mains.

ROUND 1 1. Kings – Matt Wierchowski 2. Moose – Mark Fetsko 3. Boyle – Tom Fetsko 4. Crosby’s – Zack Wahal 5. Pirates –Buddy Doyle 6. Jets – Jason Kortz ROUND 2 7. Jets – Jason Tatrai Kings trade #12, #13, and #36 to the Pirates for #8, #29, and #32. 8. Kings(from Pirates) – Dave Gilson Crosby’s trade #9, #21, and #33 to the Kings for Dave Gilson and #24. 9. Kings (From Crosby’s) – Drew Hruska 10. Boyle –Dustin Hess 11. Moose – Jeff Pingor 12. Pirates( From Kings) –Ryan Cleary ROUND 3 13. Pirates( From Kings) – Brian Hreha 14. Moose – Gabe Gerson 15. Boyle –Shane Lucas 16. Crosby’s – Jeremy Jones 17. Pirates –Mark Zelena 18. Jets – Bill Seaman ROUND 4 19. Jets –Gary Gerson 20. Pirates –Joe Rogers 21. Kings (from Crosby’s) –Dave Kwolek 22. Boyle –Ben Bobick 23. Moose –Dan Drane 24. Crosby’s (From Kings) – Mike Cullen ROUND 5 25. Kings – Dan Rojtas 26. Moose –Jay Haddad 27. Boyle –Mike Pavasko 28. Crosby’s –Mike Stadleman 29. Kings(from Pirates) – Ryan Marino 30. Jets – Adam Pander ROUND 6 31. Jets – Tom Sheetz 32. Kings(from Pirates) –Tom Cunningham 33. Kings (From Crosby’s) – Neil Murray 34. Boyle –Jake Maddigan 35. Moose –Justin Gardner 36. Pirates( From Kings) –Pat Farrell ROUND 7 37. Kings – Ryan Tatrai 38. Moose – Jim Johnson 39. Boyle –Dan Lichtenfels 40. Crosby’s –Ryan Mains 41. Pirates –Nick Paoletti 42. Jets –Ryan Fish ROUND 8 43. Jets – Josh McIntyre 44. Pirates - Roy McDonald III 45. Crosby’s – Dan Powers 46. Boyle –Ryan Sabo 47. Moose – Aaron Zeransky 48. Kings –Kenny Sikora ROUND 9 49. Kings – Thayne Mitrik 50. Moose – Matt Gori 51. Boyle – Mike Perlaky 52. Crosby’s –Corey Joyce 53. Pirates –Garett Gori 54. Jets –Josh Edwards ROUND 10 55. Jets –Dan Kuftic 56. Pirates –Eric Miller 57. Crosby’s –Matt Musiol 58. Boyle –Tim Ketterman 59. Moose – Jake Laird 60. Kings –Nick Leonello ROUND 11 61. Kings – Ryan Brennan 62. Moose – Dan Zeiler 63. Boyle – Jared Spears 64. Crosby’s –Casey Hoffmeister 65. Pirates –Jake Milke 66. Jets – Mike Sniegocki ROUND 12 67. Jets – Paul Ketterman 68. Pirates –Jared Ducar 69. Crosby’s –Ed Tomcik 70. Boyle –Nick Lekovitch 71. Moose –John Harrison 72. Kings – Steve Zeransky ROUND 13 73. Kings –Sean Langan 74. Moose –Dylan Younkins 75. Boyle –Rob Smyers 76. Crosby’s –Josh Lohr 77. Pirates – Zac Milke 78. Jets – Sean Lyons ROUND 14 79. Jets – Nate Labishak 80. Pirates – Tyler Polk 81. Crosby’s – Brandon Welsh 82. Boyle –Zack Ghram 83. Moose – Tony Noroski 84. Kings – Ryan Tuttle ROUND 15 85. Kings – Justin Keenan 86. Moose – Corey Sickler 87. Boyle –Josh McCafferry 88. Crosby’s –Drew Blasko 89. Pirates –Rob Toboz 90. Jets – Tyler Votodian ROUND 16 91. Jets – Jamie Judge 92. Pirates – Paul Phares 93. Crosby’s – Bob Cannon 94. Boyle – Anthony Zeiler 95. Moose – Cody Perlaky 96. Kings –Ryan Stottlemeyer ROUND 17 97. Kings –Joe Sims