Mike Henry named director of Compuware youth hockey program

By Michael Caples –

The Compuware youth hockey program announced new leadership today.

Compuware Arena president Mike Vellucci formally announced the appointment of Mike Henry as the new director of one of the top youth hockey programs in the state. Vellucci also said that Bob DeSpirt – former head of the Novi Youth Hockey Association – will serve as assistant director of the program.

“The Compuware Youth program has established a standard of excellence for many years,” Vellucci said in the release.  “Mike and Bob bring energy and experience to the program.  I’m confident they’ll continue to build on the tradition of developing players on and off the ice.”

Both begin their positions immediately.

Henry, an arena manager for Compuware’s two-sheet facility in Plymouth, has served as a coach for the program, and was the interim youth director before today’s announcement. He began working for Compuware in 2006.

Vellucci said DeSpirt, who served as president for Novi’s youth association, will bring valuable experience to Compuware moving forward.

“Bob’s dealt with all levels of youth hockey for a long time,” Vellucci said.  “His experience is invaluable. I look forward to seeing Mike and Bob assist Compuware hockey players reach their full potential.”

More from the press release:

Founded in the early 1980s by Compuware CEO Peter Karmanos, Jr., the Compuware Youth program has enjoyed perennial success.  The Compuware Youth program has won 14 National Titles and 32 Michigan Amateur Hockey Association State Titles since being formed a little over 30 years ago.

Compuware’s Bantam Major, Pee Wee Major and Pee Wee Minor teams are the current defending state champions.

In addition, Karamanos’ Ontario Hockey League teams – the Plymouth Whalers and Windsor Compuware Spitfires – have three OHL titles (1988, 1995 and 2007), while Karmanos’ Carolina Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup in 2006.

The Compuware Youth Tier I programs play in the High Performance Hockey League, one of the top travel leagues in North America.