Leelanau Sports Guy’s World at sportspig.com

James Cook of the Record Eagle breaks down the Traverse City North Stars and what to look for heading into the franchises second season.

Read Stars look forward to second year in the Record Eagle

Richie Zobak and Jonathan Juliano scored early goals and the Traverse City North Stars were able to make it stand up as they claimed a 2-1 victory over the top-seed USNTP U-17 team and take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five North Division semifinal series. Goalie Jeremy Kaleniecki stopped 35 of 36 shots.

Game 2 is tonight at 7 PM in Ann Arbor, and the series shifts to Centre ICE for games 3 & 4 (if necessary) starting April 7th.

Read Stars Claim Opener at TraverseCityNorthStars.com

The Traverse City North Stars knew they were in the playoffs, but now have an opponent. The USA National Team Development Program U-17’s clinched the #1 seed in the NAHL North playoffs and face the North Stars in a best-of-5 first round series. The schedule is as follows…

Game 1: Thursday, March 30th at Ann Arbor Ice Cube, 7 PM
Game 2: Friday, March 31st at Ann Arbor Ice Cube, 7 PM
Game 3: Friday, April 7th at Centre ICE, 7:30 PM
Game 4: Saturday, April 8th at Centre ICE, 7:30 PM (if necessary)
Game 5: Sunday, April 9th at Ann Arbor Ice Cube, 3 PM (if necessary)

For more info visit the Official Site of North Stars Hockey

It’s always tough to walk away from something, but it’s even harder when you can’t control it. Traverse City North Stars forward Tony Swarthout suffered his eighth concussion on December 4th, and has decided to end his junior hockey playing days. He had two assists in 15 games this season.

Read Swarthout Says Goodbye to Stars at OurSports Central

Gardiner will be coach, GM of North Stars
Ex-Enforcers coach ready to get to work
Record Eagle article by Mark Urban

Traverse City – The coach of the new Junior A hockey team is the same as the old one. Scott Gardiner, who coached the Traverse City Enforcers of the now-defunct Continental Elite Hockey League (CEHL) the last two seasons, will just have a few more titles with the Traverse City North Stars. Gardiner will be the coach and general manager of the new Junior A team in Traverse City. The North Stars will begin play in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) in September of 2005. Read the entire article.

This was in today’s Record Eagle.

NAHL considers a TC team
Record Eagle article by Mark Urban
Traverse City – It might take a year, but junior hockey may return to Traverse City. An application is being reviewed to bring a North American Hockey League (NAHL) team to Traverse City for the 2005-06 season. “Those are true rumors,” said Stu Hackel, director of information and communications for the NAHL. “We have an application from a group that would like to put a team in Traverse City. It’s undergoing due diligence by our attorneys right now. Read the entire article.