D1 Grades For 1st Half

As we discussed on "The OU Hockey Show" this afternoon here are the Grades for the OU Hockey Team. Note the following is Corey Hagood's D1 Grades:

Collin Chase- Chase has played phenomenal in the big games this season and showed us why he is championship Chase in the two games in Ohio earlier this season. Chase however has struggled in some of the lesser games this season, as he did last season but Chase has proved that when it counts the most he is a brick wall and very difficult to beat. Grade: B-

Kevin Kranker- Kranker has emerged as the perfect fit for Brent Cooper. He has the skill and hands to breeze right by the defender while still controlling the puck. He has improved game after game and scored his first career hat-trick against Adrian. Kranker is on his way to stardom on this Grizzly team. 9 Goals 6 Assists: Grade A

Kyle McMahon- Kyle brings the physical presence the Grizzlies need and he can put the puck in the net at a crucial time as well. Is the perfect fit in the big physical games as he can bring the big hit and energy when it is needed. 2 Goals 3 Assists Grade: B

Brent Cooper- Coop has struggled at some points in the season however when Oakland has needed a big goal Cooper is always there to put the puck in the net. He has found the perfect line mate in Kevin Kranker to dish the puck with and create magical plays for the Grizzlies. Cooper as of late is coming into championship form just when the Grizzlies needed him the most. 13 G 17 Assists Grade: A

James Moran- Moran has struggled at times this season for the Grizzlies in 15 games he has played so far. He has not had many scoring chances but it is not what he is expected to do. Moran has had several key turnovers for Oakland but full confidence exists for him to turn it around after he is finally adjusted to OU Hockey. He has stepped up and nicely with an increased role after some injuries on the OU blueline. 0 Goals 4 Assists: Grade D

Dennis Capa- Capa at times this season has been to quick on the trigger with his shot when on the blueline that has resulted in blocked shots and missed chances for OU. Capa is very good defensively and makes smart decisions with the puck. Look for Capa to get his shot in order and put in a few goals in the second semester. 0 Goals 4 Assists : Grade C

Derek Baker- Baker suffered a freak injury earlier this season which has and will continue to keep him out of action for a while. Baker is a key part for the Grizzlies as he does all the little things that do not get the correct recognition. Baker is not expected to be a point getter for the Grizzlies and looking at his stats solely is not fair and does not do him justice. Baker when healthy has done exactly what everyone wants him to do and he does a nice job of it. 0 goals 0 Assists Grade: B

Jesse Worrell- Worrell was one of the players in the summer camps who caught the eyes of everyone. Worrell started off slow even being a healthy scratch several times this season in the early stages. He has certainly taken that to heart and improved his game scoring key goals for the Grizzlies in key times as well. 8 Goals 1 Assist Grade A

Todd Orlando- Orlando struggled early on with penalty after penalty. Orlando has shown he can put the puck in the net with a lethal shot from the point (something that is a theme with this year’s defenders) Orlando also provides the biggest physical threat for Oakland and those who skate to check him end up on the ice wondering what they just hit. Orlando is the perfect fit for this Grizzly team. 5 Goals 8 Assists Grade A

Tim Michaels- Michaels has been injured for most of the season but OU is so deep on the blueline the defenders haven’t missed a beat. Michaels will return in the second semester and poses a lethal shot and makes smart decisions and plays a physical game. He struggled early on and started to get it in gear before his injury. 1 Goal 0 Assists: Grade D

Brett Haugh- Haugh has stepped up from DIII and fit fight in to the Grizzlies. Brett can score and has worked his way up the lines this season becoming a key factor. Haugh has been impressive at times and will only get better as he has lately as time goes on. 4 Goals 6 Assists Grade A

Matt Burke- Burke is a hot and cold player when he is on he is on and when he is not he is not. Burke in the past has scored many goals in bunches but this season he is struggling to find the net but as of late appears to be possibly coming along. 2 Goals 5 Assists Grade: D

Trent Mitchell- Trent is a grinder for the Grizzlies who works hard every night and every shift. Expect Trent to start to contribute a little on the offensive end of the ice for the Grizzlies as that aspect of his game has been disappointing so far. 0 Goals 7 Assists: Grade C

Nick Ranck- Ranck struggled at the start of the season and nothing seemed to go his way. Lately Ranck seems to be turning a corner and as a result has boosted his game and his grade. Ranck is a key veteran defender in the revamped Grizzly team and will continue to be a key player as the semester restarts. 0 Goals 3 Assists Grade C-

John Parrish- Parrish is a veteran forward who can contribute in key points such as the 3-1 win in Adrian before the break. Parrish will be needed to be a crucial part of the Grizzlies revamped offense where everyone is contributing something. 3 Goals 7 Assists: Grade C

Tristan Schwarz- Schwarz is doing what he is expected to he can play both as a forward of defenseman for the Grizzlies and is solid at both ends of the ice. Tristan will get his shot to put the puck in the net in the second semester and it will be a good reward for such a hard working player. 0 Goals 3 Assists Grade C

Steve Piccolli- Piccolli started the season red hot and has slowed down with most of his production coming in the first week or two in the season. Piccolli is starting to pick it up once again and will need to contribute more consistently. Piccolli can be a dominating force on the ice and will no doubt return to his early season form. 5 Goals 9 Assists Grade B-

Andrew Stewart- Stewie had an awful last game allowing 3 goals on 4 shots against Adrian before being pulled in which the Grizzlies went on to win 7-4. Stewie was solid in both of his starts before the Adrian game and gave the Grizzlies a chance to win, he has not been great by any stretch and you have to look at his whole limited body of work this season to understand that he has been a solid goalie. Grade C-

Scott Mcgillivray- Micks has been injured for the majority of the first semester and his absence was noticed as Oakland needs Micks to provide a big spark of energy and be the grinding tough it out player that he is. He is not expected to be a scoring presence for Oakland and is expected to be the spark and make smart decisions with the puck as he does. 1 Goal 0 Assists Grade B+

Andrew Hansen- Hansen has always been there when the Grizzlies needed him. This season Hansen has seen limited action including battling injury as well. He has been average for Hansen standards but still finds a way to get the job done. Hansen played last in the Grizzlies win against Grand Valley at Lapeer and stopped 41 of 46 shots for OU in the 6-5 win Hansen was not great but made the saves when they counted the most Hansen has not seen much time this season and has not yet been able to find a consistent rhythm in net but Hansen is always Hansen and brings wins. Grade C

Jarrett Samp- Talk about coming from nowhere. Samp had 2 goals in 36 games last season and so far this year he already has 8 in just 18 games and has tied his point total from last season with 12 Samp has been one of the best players on the entire roster this season and is very impressive scoring most if not all his goals in very key situations for the Grizzlies, meaning he has not piled up on goals in garbage time. Samp is tied for third in the team in goals and 1 behind second place Kevin Kranker. Goals 8 Assists 4 Grade A+

Dan Grezch- Grezch may be a victim of pre-season hopes as he was thought to be a player on the top line before the season started. Grezch struggled to start the season looking invisible at times. Grezch finally got on the board in the Robert Morris tournament and has been steadily improving since. 1 Goal 3 Assists Grade C-

Matt Kowalczyk- Kowalczyk is one of those guys that when you look at his stats tied for fifth in the team in points and you see that he does things quietly. Kowalczyk uses his talents well and has been a key part so far in the Grizzlies balanced scoring this season. 4 Goals 8 Assists: Grade B-

Tony Yearego- Yearego came in to Oakland highly regarded with a lot of expectations and he has done everything and then some. Yearego looks like a forward playing defense (he has played forward in the past) he very solid on the blueline has a lethal shot from the point and knows how to get under the skin of opponents. 7 Goals 7 Assists Grade A+

Chris Leja- Leja has been a very pleasant surprise so far this season he is always in the corners grinding it out causing havoc from the opposing team. He is one of those players who does the little things that creates chances. Leja has had numerous chances to score and his stats do not do him justice. 2 Goals 3 Assists Grade B+

Coaching Staff: Head Coach Sean Hogan and his assistants JR Dunn, Gordie Schaeffler and Jeremy Bachsuz- The coaching staff has done a phenomenal job of mixing all the new players with the returning players. They have shown that they can evaluate talent and put the players in the correct position to succeed. JR Dunn has done a great job with the defense teaching smart play and when to take that shot from the point, OU has done a nice job of giving the Grizzly goalies every possible chance to see the puck.

Coach Bachsuz and Schaeffler have done fine jobs as well. The forwards have done better than anyone could have expected with all of the goals and points lost from last year’s squad the coaches have found the right mix of players and have shown more than ever that they are not afraid to mix up the lines and give guys a chance and it is paying off.

Sean Hogan has come a long way as a coach and has proven he is one of the best in the business he has learned from past experiences in game prep and injuries that depth and focus are as important as ever. He has taken great strides off the ice as well to continue to keep the program as one of the best in the nation. The biggest knock can be the teams struggles to play a full 60 minutes which can be chalked up to inexperience of some of the new players and has made every attempt to correct it and it seems to be working as of late. Grade A+