Know Your Rinks: Berry Events Center

By Susannah Nichols/ Northern Michigan Beat Writer

Arena: Berry Events Center

Year Built: 1999

Capacity: 4,300 – up to 5,800 for concerts

Anchor Tenant: Northern Michigan University Wildcats: Hockey (CCHA) and Basketball (GLIAC). The US Short Track Speedskating team trained at the center until 2007, and the United States Olympic Education Center speedskating squad continues to train at the facility.

Famous Games: 3/12/10 and 3/13/10: An epic effort by goaltender Brian Stewart allowed the ‘Cats to advance to Joe by taking down the Alaska Nanooks with 4-3 and 5-1 victories.
3/9/2008: Northern defeats OSU 6-1 in game three of the first round of the CCHA tournament – a particularly sweet victory given that the hated Bucks defeated the ‘Cats in a last-minute win earlier in the season.

Unique Items: Berry is one of two CCHA arenas to feature Olympic sized ice. When the rink is converted into a basketball court, an insulated covering is placed over the ice and the flooring is then built on top. The changeover takes about four hours. Watch the process here.

Where to eat: Vango’s Pizza & Cocktail Lounge, Jean Kay’s Pasties & Subs, and Rice Paddy are all in close proximity to Berry.

Best Seats: There are 16 luxury suites in the arena. Or try the student sections—16 and 17.

Attractions: Presque Isle Park, Mount Marquette, Lakenenland Sculpture Park (15 miles east of Marquette), Beaumier UP Heritage Center, numerous hiking trails and falls.

Photo courtesy NMU Athletics

Know Your Rinks: Ewigleben Arena

By Tom Morelli/Ferris State Beat Writer

Arena: Robert L. Ewigleben Ice Arena

Year Built: 1974

Capacity: 2,493

Anchor Tenant: Ferris State Bulldogs – CCHA

Famous Games: Feb. 6, 1978 – Steve Banonis scores four goals in one period as FSU beats Illinois-Chicago, 16-2; Feb. 7, 1981 – Tom Rudrud scores in overtime to defeat Northern Michigan 6-5 and give head coach Rick Duffett his 100th career win; Jan. 4, 1985 – Peter Lowden scores four goals and three assists in a 9-7 victory over U-M; March 2, 1991 – Daniel Chatput scores in overtime against Bowling Green to send FSU to the Joe Louis Arena and CCHA Championship for the first time in school history; Dec. 8, 2000 – FSU skates to their only scoreless tie in school history against the Spartans; Nov. 21, 2009 – FSU overcomes a 5-2 deficit in the third to beat the Buckeyes 6-5 in overtime on a goal by Casey Haines; March 13, 2010 – A 3-2 overtime win over Nebraska-Omaha sends the Bulldogs to the CCHA Championships at Joe Louis Arena for the fourth time in school history.

Unique Items: A display honoring Ferris State All-Americans is featured at the northeast entrance.

Where to eat: Blue Cow Café, Pepper’s Café, Schuburg’s Bar & Grill, Star Shooter’s Bar & Restaurant, Szot’s Bar & Grill, Vivo’s Pizzeria

Best Seats: For the best college hockey experience, sit in the student section or at ice-level behind the opposing goaltender. Center-ice seats aren't a bad call either.

Area Attractions: Jim Wink Basketball Arena, Katke Golf Course, Manistee National Forest, Top Taggart Football Field

Photo courtesy of Ferris State Athletics

Kessel decides on Western Michigan

USHL Press Release

Green Bay Gamblers forward William Kessel has committed to play collegiate hockey at the Western Michigan University and will enroll at the school in the fall of 2011.

During his first USHL season, the native of Bloomfield Hills scored 18 points (10g, 8a) and posted a plus-10 rating while appearing in 52 regular season games to help the Gamblers earn a team record 45 wins and the Anderson Cup.

Kessel tallied a goal in his first career USHL game, a 5-1 win over Team USA on October 9, 2009. The 18-year-old also helped the Gamblers capture the Clark Cup as playoff champions. He appeared in all 12 postseason contests and contributed four points (1g, 3a) and a plus-five rating.

Seven other USHL players from the 2009-10 season are also committed to attend Western Michigan University: Alex Carpenter (Chicago Steel), Nick Pisellini (Chicago Steel), Shane Berschbach (Indiana Ice), Dennis Brown (Omaha Lancers), Dan DeKeyser (Sioux City Musketeers), Chase Balisy (Team USA) and David Donnellan (Youngstown Phantoms).

A total of 13 USHL alumni competed for the Broncos during the 2009-10 season: Brett Beebe (Chicago Steel), Chris Clackson (Chicago Steel), J.J. Crew (Lincoln Stars), Ross Henry (Lincoln Stars), Jerry Kuhn (Sioux City Musketeers), Ben Miller (Waterloo Black Hawks), Travis Paeth (Des Moines Buccaneers), Derek Roehl (Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets), Ian Slater (Cedar Rapids RoughRiders), Greg Squires (Indiana Ice), Matt Tennyson (Cedar Rapids RoughRiders), Dane Walters (Sioux Falls Stampede) and Luke Witkowski (Fargo Force).

Photo courtesy USHL Images