AAA RESULTS

Well the AAA tryouts for VH and CW are over and once again Devin made it to the final cut. At VH they started out with 11 goalies and he was one of the last three called back. And once again he was cut on the last day. The CW AAA coach loved him and told him that he would be the third goalie for spring. The coach had already committed to two goalies for fall; however, the number 1 goalie was going to have heel surgery and would be unable to play most of the spring. This worked out perfect for Devin because he was going to return to the Phantoms in the fall anyway. Well after the CW goalies parents watched Devin at tryouts, they decided they would wait on the surgery for their son,(most likely worried they would lose their spot), so Devin was let go in the end. The coach told him he like him to attend some practises and a game or two if one of his goalies is not available though, same as last year, and for me this is getting very frustrating. In the meantime two other AA coaches have called to see if Devin was available to tryout for their teams. Since next year is a Nationals year, several coaches are putting together a team they hope can make it to Nationals and are looking for good goalies, but of course this is also the Phantoms plan. Phantoms have spring tryouts next week and hope to pick up some kids that can close the holes we had on the team this year.

END OF SEASON

Well the Flint Phantoms did not win States but they made a great showing. Winning two of their three games and making it into the semi-finals along with the top three teams in the state. They lost in the semi's to the team that ended up winning the State Championship, (the same team that beat them in LC Playoffs), not too shabby for a team that everyone thought belonged in division 3. Now its on to the spring season and Devin is going to AAA tryouts this week. He will hopefully make a team and double roster with the Flint Phantoms. It has already been decided that he will stay with the Flint Phantoms this next fall in order to make a run for Nationals next year. He is scheduled to try out for Selects at the end of this month, only the best three goalies in the state will move on so the competition is going to be tough. If he makes it he goes to a Selects camp in the Soo sometime in June and they will again compete for a national camp in NY during the summer. The purpose is to put an elite team together made up of the best players/goalies in MI. Its great exposure for him no matter how far he ends up going. The Philadelphia AAA tournament is in July and then it will be time to get ready for fall again...............its a year round endeavor.

One Down.................

Well the second round of the LC Playoffs was played yesterday against the #1 team in division 1. (Keep in mind we moved up from division 3 for playoffs, yet made it to the second round.) We lost 5-2 and this team made our defence look weak, which it is. Though Devin allowed five goals he played a great game, getting 40 shots on him. He was able to stop the first, second and sometimes even the third shot in a row; however, our defence did not help get the puck out of the zone and so five times it went in. Very frustrating because Devin was on his game and the team couldnt bail him out. Well now we have the State Championship this coming weekend. We play three teams and have to win two of the three to move on to the championship on Sunday. After this weekend the fall season is over and next week Devin goes down to LC AAA and VH AAA for tryouts. The following weekend is the Flint Phantoms tryouts. Devin will double roster this spring with the Phantoms and a AAA team, if he makes one.