Pickup hockey games at NMU

Twelve current and former Northern Michigan University hockey players spent time on the ice at the Berry Events Center on Wednesday, playing a few pickup hockey games.

For the players, the pickup hockey games are a great way for them to stay in shape during the off-season.

A couple of the players talked about another benefit of playing pickup hockey in the summer. It allows them to reunite with their former teammates.

“Not very many places can offer you a place to skate and get a good skate in,” said former NMU forward Andrew Cherniwchan, who now plays for the South Carolina Stingrays. “The amount of guys that stay up here (during the summer) at NMU, it (the scrimmages) help us and we help them. Its a good two-way benefit,” added Cherniwchan.

“It’s good to see what everyone has worked on during the summer,” said former NMU goaltender Jared Coreau. “I spent three, four years with some of these guys. They are part of my family,” said 6’4” Detroit Red Wings prospect.

Cherniwchan will play the 2013-14 season with the Stingrays. Coreau will start the 2013-14 season in Grand Rapids with the Griffins, when the regular season begins in October.