General Game Notes: Ohio State played the second of back to back games in Ann Arbor. Coming off a big win Friday night Michigan came up against a determined Ohio State team. It was a fast paced end to end game with Ohio State getting the first goal of the game in the first period. Michigan scored two in the third to go up 2-1. Ohio State tied it up with just under 5 minutes left. Both teams had good scoring chances during the 3 on 3 overtime period. Ohio State ended up gaining the extra point by winning the shootout.
| Josh Eernisse | Michigan | NCAA | R | RW | 6’3″ | 206 | St. Thomas | 2022 | Apple Valley, MN | 2001 | Free Agent |
Game Grade: A-
Comments: Eernisse is a big right shot winger who uses his size and speed to his advantage on the forecheck and along the boards. He played a heavy game by angling opposing players to the boards and finishing off every check. He is also willing to take a hit to make a play. In the first period he carried the puck into the offensive zone and as he was being angled off and checked by the defensemen, he slid the puck through to the canter driving the middle for a scoring chance. He demonstrated good hockey sense on a breakout as he read the breakout and curled towards the boards as the puck was being rimmed around to his side. By doing this he was able to pick up the puck while his feet were moving and he had good speed right away to get the puck up the ice out of the defensive zone. He is fast when he has time to get going. He uses his crossovers well to build speed. In the third period he came across the ice in the neutral from his right side to the left building speed while carrying the puck. He was able to gain a step on the right defenseman and just missed the far corner with a hard backhand shot. He demonstrated patience with the puck as he does not over-stickhandle and is ready to pass or shoot. Developing a quicker start from a stopped position would allow him to be an even more imposing force on the forecheck and allow him to take advantage of open lanes when he first gets the puck.
USHL: Tri-City vs Fargo, December 10, 2021: Eernisse is a big forward who knows his role as a shut-down defensive forward and penalty killer and embraces it. He doesn’t play a lot of minutes and won’t contribute much on the score sheet but is a very reliable defensive forward and penalty killer. Eernisse brings a high level of compete and a lot of energy when he is on the ice. He will use his body and mix it up when needed. He has a long, powerful stride that results in high-end straight-line speed and helps him in puck pursuit. Eernisse has a very long reach that he uses to take away passing lanes and create havoc for puck carriers. When Tri-City iced the puck on the penalty kill, Eernisse used his long, powerful stride and speed to blow by the retreating Fargo player. He then used his speed to get back, used good positioning and his long reach to take away the passing lane, and helped separate the puck carrier along the boards just over his defensive blue line allowing his team to again ice the puck and kill off more time. Grade: B-
Minnesota High School Elite League, September 30, 2019: Eernisse made an immediate impact the first shift of the Fall league by finishing multiple checks and creating energy. A big body right shot forward he mostly played the off wing and scored a great goal by driving the RD wide and slipping it between Map South goalie Shantz in the first period. Grade: B+
| TJ Hughes | Michigan | NCAA | R | C | 5’11” | 185 | Michigan | 2022 | Hamilton, ON | 2001 | Free Agent |
Game Grade: A-
Comments: Hughes is a right shot canter who was used in all facets of the game from the powerplay, to key 5 on 5 situations, to the penalty kill. He is a quick forward who demonstrated good acceleration which he used to break up a play or put himself in an open lane for an offensive chance. On an offensive rush he showed awareness by carrying the puck through the neutral zone with speed, passing the puck out to his left winger and driving through the middle pushing the defenseman back. He received the puck back below the goal line to keep the play alive in the offensive zone. He was used on the powerplay in the bumper position. On Michigan’s first goal he received a pass from below the goal line and instead of shooting the puck into traffic he slid the puck out to the left side flanker in one motion for a one timer and the goal. He scored the second Michigan goal by coming down from the bumper position in the slot and positioned himself on the backdoor where the puck slid out to him on the rebound and he put it in the back of the net. He was strong with his stick and kept his hands out from his body so that could make a pass or shoot whenever given the puck. He made a cross ice backhand saucer pass in the first period to his right winger who had an open lane to pick up the pass and gain the offensive zone. He battled on every faceoff and displayed good timing and strength with his stick. Continuing to explode into open lanes when he doesn’t have the puck will enable him to create as many scoring opportunities for himself as he does for his teammates.
Centennial Cup Playoffs, June 6, 2022: Hughes is a strong, 200ft center with elite skills, playmaking as well as finishing ability. He had 66 goals in the regular season and showed no signs of slowing down here. He finds ways to get the puck to high quality areas with his speed, quickness, smooth hands and wits. TJ is shifty but is able to explode after he makes a quick move. He holds on to the puck until what he wants is an option and can hold the puck for extended zone time if need be. He vanishes from defenders down low with his tight turns and agility but can use his force and strength to get his way to the net. Hughes makes plays from the outside but loves to drive the net and cause mayhem. He attacks head on with maximum pace but can change his pace to open things up and give him more space to create. His goal came from under the left dot in the offensive zone as he outwaited the goaltender and then beat him far side off the post. TJ was virtually unstoppable and with his uncanny chemistry with McAllister, they dominated every shift. GRADE: A
AJHL Finals: Spruce Grove vs Brooks, May 8, 2022: A two-way centerman who can put up goals, assists, and still be excellent defensively. He doesn’t necessarily wow you with one particular skill but he can do it all and affect the game in so many ways. He showed excellent awareness and playmaking ability in this series, none more evident than on his assists on the 2 OT game-winning goals. He shows good ability to go to his backhand with the puck, for passes or shots specifically on the rush. He made saucer passes with ease. He assisted on Brooks’ 1st goal in game 1 getting in on the forecheck, poking the puck off the defenseman’s stick, then quickly threw a pass into his teammate skating in from the high slot who ripped it top shelf. He was huge on the game 2 winner when he used a little button hook down the L wall, slipped through three pressuring defenders, then laid a perfectly placed pass into the shooter’s wheelhouse. He again set-up the OT winner in game 3 by corralling the puck behind the net, turning away from the defender, and quickly delivering a pass to the shooter for the quick one-timer in the slot. He scored in game 4 collecting a rebound in-tight on his backhand and quickly pulling it across the far side to his forehand to tuck it past the goalie. He scored the opening goal in game 5 jumping on a rebound at the R post off a R flank shot. Grade: A-
AJHL Playoffs: Okotoks vs Brooks, April 21, 2022: One of the more skilled guys on his team when he has the time and space to make a play. Likes to be challenged or at least take the on the pressure of one on one knowing that he has the opportunity to beat a guy to the net. Hughes does a good job at understanding the coverage and how to beat it. When he goes in for a pickup, he will shoulder check, which gives him that split second to see what the coverage is. The little time he gets is all he needs for being as talented as he is. A-
AJHL: Team Evaluations, February 14, 2022: Hughes is an all-around solid forward who just continues to put up goals and assists. The puck continues to find him due to his high hockey IQ and awareness. He opened the scoring when he made a good read and intercepted a poor cross-ice pass from the opposing player, walked in, and beat the goalie with a nice forehand to backhand move. He assisted on the Bandits’ 2nd goal when he used a nice delay on the rush and good vision to then throw a cross-ice pass to his teammate coming in late down the right side. He scored again in the 3rd on a nice passing play ultimately finishing with a quick forehand tip-in at the right side of the net. He assisted on the Bandits’ 4th goal with a quick one-touch pass from the low left side of the circle out front to the right circle where his teammate one-timed the puck into the back of the net. He picked up an assist on the Bandits’ 5th goal when he caught a pass from the left corner in his skate, kicked it up to his stick, and spun to make an accurate pass to his teammate waiting on the one-timer in the right circle. It was a beautiful example of his awareness, skill, and playmaking ability. He finished the game with 2 goals, 3 assists. Grade: A-
AJHL: 8 Game Reports, January 12, 2022: Hughes is an average size centerman who just keeps producing with both goals and assists. He had 1 goal, 1 assist in this game. He doesn’t display overly exciting offensive skills but knows where to go and seems to always find scoring chances. He is a good shooter and adjusts well to passes in his feet or less than ideal shooting spots. He showed good adjustment by going down to a knee to get off a one-timer. He assisted on the 1st goal getting the puck towards the net from the bottom of the left circle. He scored in the 2nd period finding a soft spot and burying a snapshot from the bottom of the right circle. He was also responsible defensively and was frequently called upon to kill penalties. Grade: B+
AJHL: Drumheller Dragons vs Brooks Bandits, November 10, 2020: Hughes scored a nice goal to take the lead back towards the end of the game. He attacked the zone with a 2 on 1 and looked multiple times at the passing option to his teammate, this froze the defenseman and he didn’t know which player to move towards. Once the defender had backed up so far, he cut from his forehand over to his backhand to score a pretty goal. C+
| Mark Estapa | Michigan | NCAA | L | LW | 6’2″ | 207 | Michigan | 2021 | St, Clair, MI | 2002 | Free Agent |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Estapa is a big left shot forward who was used in predominant roles on the powerplay and penalty kill. He made an impact as a high energy player. He came hard off the bench on every line change to get himself into the play. Down 1-0 to start the second period he had a statement shift by finishing his check on every opportunity with two significant hits. In his own zone during that second period he displayed his determination. He took a hit at the hashmarks in his own zone to win a puck battle on the boards then dove to chip the puck out into the neutral zone. He showed some speed but it was his work ethic that got him in quick on the forecheck. On the powerplay he was used as the low option below the goal line. One on one battles is where he excelled. In the third period he had a player on his back while fighting to keep control on the puck in the corner. He had the awareness to lower his canter of gravity and push off the boards to create separation between himself and the boards while keeping the opposing player behind him. This allowed him to be able to get the puck on his stick in a position where he could drive down low behind the net with clear possession of the puck. His coach showed confidence in him by using him to take a defensive zone faceoff with 1:28 left in the game that was tied 2-2. He won the faceoff to the corner further demonstrating his ability to win one on one battles. Using that lower canter of gravity and lengthening his stride would allow him to make even more of an impact while carrying the puck and getting into open lanes to create offensive chances.
USHL: Tri-City vs Omaha, December 22, 2020: Estapa is a hard offensive player that did a good job of winning battles and getting the puck to the net front whenever he had the opportunity. On two separate occasions Estapa was working hard in the offensive zone, won a 50/50 puck battle below the goal line and took the puck hard to the net immediately after winning the battle. On the second occasion Estapa created a loose puck on top of the crease that his teammate was able to put in a wide open net. Estapa was good on the boards all night, staying strong on his stick and outworking his opponents. Estapa did his best work in the offensive zone and liked making things messy around the net. Grade: B
USHL: Tri-City vs NTDP U18, December 16, 2019: The young forward gave a great effort in all zones in this one. He didn’t end up with any shots on net, but did generate chances driving defenders wide to the net—narrowly missing on a couple of opportunities. The lefty is a good skater, and worked hard to pressure the opposing defenders on the forecheck—disturbing their rhythm. He threw one big hit in the neutral zone, catching an opponent with their head down and feet planted. He got pucks out of his own end, and also drew a penalty. A good effort. Grade: B+
MAHA Festival, May 21, 2019: Mark is an exciting player to watch as he uses his powerful stride and puck protection skills to his advantage. He will back check hard to help out his defenseman and is reliable in the defensive zone. He has a quick release as he scored a goal glove low and had an assist as his teammate scored off his rebound. He creates plenty of scoring opportunities as he tends to have the puck on his stick and makes good choices with the puck. College: Western Michigan
U16: USA Hockey Nationals, May 14, 2019: Estapa is a big, physical forward who is strong on the puck and plays an honest, two-way game. He isn’t flashy and doesn’t try to do too much; he’s mature, he plays hard, he uses his body to create separation down low in the offensive zone and is tough to move around the net. He did a nice job here making crisp passes and then fighting to get open and get the puck back. He has a powerful snap shot and gets it off quick and he was able to win battles for loose pucks and make plays coming off the wall. He had a 1-2-3 line in 5 games and was always involved, both with and away from the puck. College: Western Michigan
NHL Midget Youth Cup: February 20, 2019: Estapa is tough to contain at this level. He is a big power forward that plays well along the walls and in the dirty areas in the offensive zone. Rolls off pressure and has the footwork to separate from defenders. Thinks the game well and made nice plays to create scoring chances. Uses his body well to position himself to receive the puck in space. Has a quick release and is able to elevate the puck around the net. Has the foundation to be a high-level prospect down the road. College: Western Michigan Grade: A-
T1EHL U16 Showcase Michigan, December 4, 2018: Estapa has real good offensive instincts and makes a lot of plays in the offensive zone. His vision, anticipation and reads are at high level and he has the skill and speed to capitalize and make the most of it all. He had a strong showing in all three zones, but we really liked his play with the puck in the offensive and his effectiveness. He has nice size and strength, to boot, and he is a difficult player to contain. Grade: A
U15 Nationals, April 16, 2018: Mark stepped up his game this week as he was able to find the back of the net 4 times. He has a good all round game and he plays very well in both ends of the ice. He is a goal scorer who has a quick, hard release with the ability to get open for opportunities.
U15: NHL Youth Cup, January 31, 2018: Mark did a really good with and without the puck being able to create and find space. He got pucks to the net to generate scoring chances. Plays with a very high tempo and high compete. Can really snap the puck with pace and a quick release on the net. Tough to play against. Work horse all over the ice. College: Western Michigan.
Junior Chowder Cup, August 7, 2017: Mark is very fast and created chaos when he was first man in on the forecheck. Plays with an edge and seems to have a great understanding of the English Language. He was very involved in the game and noticeable every shift. Good combo of edge and skill. Played a sand paper style game here with hustle, speed and smarts. Enough skill to make plays.
Michigan Bantam Fest, July 3, 2017: When he was on the ice, he makes everybody better. He works hard every shift and when he’s moving his feet and making plays, he’s difficult to stop. He has great shot and was scoring some goals this week in camp.
U14: USA Nationals, April 15, 2017: Estapa is an instinctive player with a nice stride and good speed. He made productive plays at top speed. We liked how he could change direction and make accurate passes quickly. He was gritty in traffic and never backed down. He took good angles in puck pursuit and caused turnovers. He was very consistent all week and we didn’t see him make any glaring mistakes. He caught passes, made smart plays, back checked and worked hard. He was very good on the PK (his angles to pucks are excellent) and made his linemates better.
HPHL: Bantam Championships, February 21, 2017: Mark is a smart player who makes himself available to receive the pass and then he has a quick release with the ability to score goals. He is constantly working hard every shift and keeping the game simple. He does a great job on the power play either being the set up guy or scoring goals.
STX Elite Hockey Shootout, October 28, 2016: The top forward for Little Caesar’s this weekend. When he was on the ice, he makes everybody better. He works hard every shift and when he’s moving his feet and making plays, he’s difficult to stop. He excels on the power play and looks like a legit NCAA/CHL prospect. Grade: A
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images