Today, February 7, 2015 was the last home game of the very first season UofM Flint Hockey team played at Crystal Fieldhouse. This was a huge milestone for Crystal Fieldhouse Ice Arena and having The University of Michigan Flint Hockey team play here. This will go down in history as our very first college hockey team who played out of Crystal Fieldhouse.
During this special game, we welcomed our guest the new University of Michigan Flint Chancellor Susan Borrego. Rink Managers Mark Leach & Jameson Raymond prepared the ice and the arena for ceremonial puck drop. During the ceremonial puck drop Susan Borrego, J.C. Cokley, and Barbara Bye from the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan spoke to the bleacher filled arena, and then Sue did the official puck drop.
Following Seniors Night where parents from the University of Michigan Flint Hockey team Seniors were welcomed on the ice and acknowledged by tear jerking speeches read by UofM Flint Hockey announcer Scott Thomas that the Seniors wrote to their parents, teammates, coaches, special people in their lives and the memories of playing for the University of Michigan Flint Hockey team.
With the game finishing with a record for University of Michigan Flint team 18-10-1 (18Wins, 10Losses, 1Tie)
With a great season of what is accomplished not only with great hockey playing and arena filled with people from the community, but how having the family owned business in the community where you would see owners Lisa Hass and her husband Kevin, Linda Leach and her husband Randy, Jim Cokley and his wife Ellen in the arena helping the staff in concessions, and Bill Cokley and wife Thet present. The University of Michigan Flint helped many non-profit organizations in the area. Several organizations benefited from proceeds from the chuck a puck and raffles, and also $1.00 from every UofM Flint admission proceeds went to 4 non-profits. Feb 7th Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, Jan 31st Boys & Girls Club of Greater Flint, Jan 23rd Whaley Children's Center, and Jan 17th McLaren Hospitality House. Two other non-profits also benefited from the chuck a puck and raffles during UofM Flint hockey games were the youth hockey team from Greater Flint Hockey Association on Dec 5th and the students from Elite Skating Academy of the Youth & Community Fund of Genesee County on Jan 9th. Then on Dec. 6th the University of Michigan-Flint Men's Hockey team teamed up with the University of Michigan-Flint Women's hockey team who home arena is also Crystal Fieldhouse to put together a benefit fundraiser; "Believing In Bella", sponsored by General Motors Flint Operations where proceeds from the chuck a puck and raffles went to a 3 year old little girl Isabella Ward who has Retinoblastoma, a rare cancer of the eye. Her cancer has spread to her pineal gland in her brain and also her spine. If you click on this link http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/believe-in-bella/128022 it will give you her whole story.
University of Michigan Flint Mens hockey team started with tryouts at Crystal Fieldhouse on Wednesday September 3, 2014. Students tried out for the UofM Flint Hockey Team with their last tryout during Crystal Fieldhouse Ice Arena's Grand Opening on September 7, 2014, Maize n Blue game at 5:00pm on Sunday. The team was formed under Head Coach Michael Schunot, Jacob Schira Associate Head Coach, Kirk Allen Goalie Coach, Matt Murdock Assistant Coach, Debra Olayinka A.T., A.T.C. Head Athletic Trainer, Timm Allen Team Administrator & Operations, Matt Holser Team President, Katie Roe Media Coordinator & Community Relations, Glenn Brewer Equipment Manager, Sam Webber Game Day Operations, Khyleigh Allen Assistant Game Day Operations, and Brian Goodman who plays the music during the games.
Crystal Fieldhouse wants to give special thanks to Timm Allen Team Administrator & Operations for working so closely with the staff of Crystal Fieldhouse during all UofM Flint Hockey games.
We also want to wish the UofM Flint Hockey players "BEST OF LUCK" in the MCHC Tournament on Feb 13th & 14th, and Regionals Feb. 20th & 21st, and MCHA Finals Feb 27th & 28th.
1ST PLAYOFF GAME FOR MCHC WILL BE FRIDAY FEB 13TH PREGAME 7:30PM AND PUCK DROP 8PM VS LAWRENCE TECH UNIVERSITY, UOFM IS RANKED #4 AND LAWRENCE IS #5 IN EASTERN DIVISION. AT DETROIT SKATE CLUB, 888 DENNISON COURT, BLOOMFIELD HILLS MI.
THE GAME ON SATURDAY THE 14TH THE TIME WILL BE DETERMINED ON FRIDAY. TO BE ANNOUNCED TIME BUT SAME LOCATION. WE WILL PLAY EITHER OAKLAND UNIVERSITY OR ADRIAN COLLEGE.
Michelle Wisenbaugh