New League Could Spell Trouble for Trenton Hockey

Yes sports fans, it doesn't seem real, but the 2011 fall sports are already over. While the Trojan teams had successful seasons that represented the city well, the wintertime brings along what Trenton is most heralded for: hockey season.

The Trojans lost six players from that team due to graduation and another one to junior hockey, but that still leaves what head coach Mike Turner believes will be a competitive team.

"It's going to be a challenging year," Turner said. "It's going to be interesting because so many great programs are in one league."

The league Turner is referring to is the 11-year-old MIHL. It formed at the start of the new millennium and basically set out to be the power hockey conference of the state with schools like Cranbrook, Catholic Central, Brother Rice, Grosse Pointe North, Orchard Lake Saint Mary's, and Wyandotte. With the addition of Trenton, "power conference" could be an understatement.

Turner quickly pointed out the number of state titles won between those schools. Nearly half the league has double-digit state championship banners. The staggering success of the school collectively drew a chuckle out of Turner when asked what games on the schedule would be "starred", an expression that means the game will be a highly anticipated and important game on the schedule.

"In this league, about all of them," Turner said. "You got so many state titles in this group that a game (between any of the teams) would be huge game regardless. But now we're in the same league, meeting twice a year."

On the defensive side, Turner thinks the Trojans will be up to the challenge. With the return of all-state and downriver dream team goaltender Blake Wojtala and every defensemen from last season, Trenton should be difficult to score against. The challenge will be, according to Turner, putting the puck in the opponent's net.

"Goals will certainly be precious for us this year," said the longtime Trenton coaching legend. "I'm not sure where they're going to come from, but someone's going to have to step up."

Tryouts started Monday. The team's first scrimmage will be Nov. 12 at the against Brighton. After a couple of scrimmages they will play the season opener at Grosse Pointe South on Nov. 19 and then host Cranbrook for the home opener the day before the Thanksgiving.