Michi-gamer: Pride of the Mitten (Week of Dec. 24)

Welcome to another season of MiHockey’s Michi-gamer, now powered by Bauer Hockey.

We take great pride in our homegrown talent. Whether they grew up in the Mitten or we welcomed them here for college or juniors, they are our own. They represent the best place in the world for hockey.

Every night, we’ll keep an eye on those players, and every morning, we will pick one Michi-gamer of the night – one Michigan player who stood out above the rest.


DECEMBER 28 – RILEY BARBER

Livonia native and Miami freshman forward Riley Barber kicked off the 2013 World Junior Championship in quite the style for Team USA, recording a goal and two assists in a 8-0 win over Germany. That puts him in an early tie for second in WJC scoring. Meanwhile, at Miami University, Barber – a 2012 Washington Capitals draft pick – is currently atop the CCHA scoring leaders with five goals and 12 assists for 17 points through 14 games, despite being only a freshman.

More MiHockey articles on Barber:

Perfect start for U.S. World Juniors team as they top Germany 8-0

Team USA’s players to watch at the World Juniors

Riley Barber nabs CCHA Rookie of the Month honors…again


DECEMBER 27 – PETER MANNINO

After a lengthy Michi-gamer hiatus (not a lot of hockey played around Christmas) we’re back to recognize Farmington Hills native Peter Mannino. Mannino stopped 29 of the 30 shots he faced last night, leading his Manchester Monarchs AHL squad to a 2-1 win over the Worcester Sharks. Mannino, in his fifth professional season, holds a 7-2-1-0 record for the Monarchs, along with a .931 save percentage and 2,00 goals-against. It’s been a while since Mannino played in Michigan; after time in both of the NAHL and the USHL growing up, Mannino headed to Denver for four seasons with the Pioneers. He won a national championship as a freshman, and holds the school record for shutouts, with 15. Since graduation, Mannino has spent time with the Islanders and Thrashers/Jets organizations, and he’s made it into six NHL games.


DECEMBER 24 – TONY CALDERONE

Former Victory Honda standout and former MiHockeyMag “You Should Know” player Tony Calderone (Trenton) earns Michi-gamer honors for his weekend in the USHL. Calderone, taken first overall in the 2012 USHL Draft by Sioux Falls, recorded two goals and an assist in a 6-3 win over Tri-City at home Friday night. The next night, the Stampede secured another victory with a 7-4 triumph over visiting Cedar Rapids, in which Calderone tallied the game-winner. With those four points, Calderone now has 12 goals and four assists for 16 points in his first 27 USHL games. In his last season with Victory Honda before joining the Stampede, Calderone – committed to Princeton University – amassed 65 points (38 goals and 27 assists) for his Midget Major squad to lead the entire Tier 1 Elite League in scoring.

More MiHockey articles on Calderone:

Michi-gamer: The pride of the Mitten (2011-12 archive)

Trenton’s Calderone 1st overall in USHL Draft; list of all MI players selected


To see last week’s Michi-gamer nominations, click here.