In the off season, current and former NHLers still play to keep their skills sharp, often in summer leagues where the competition is a bit more relaxed. In 2008, Steven Oleksy started the Eastside Elite Hockey League to bring together top talent together from Michigan and those staying in the area in the off-season.
With no contact, standard rules, and 15 minute period, it gives players that could be rivals in the NHL an opportunity to develop friendships in a social environment.
The league boasts many recognizable players from current and NHL alumni. Many players wearing helmets from their current and former NHL teams. This year, the EEHL All-Star game featured custom jerseys, representing various causes that were ultimately auctioned off for those respective charities. With the All-Star teams being picked by captain draft, here’s how the teams shaked out:
Autism Awareness
8-Igor Larionov-Detroit Red Wings (Alumni)
91-Igor Larionov Jr.-Windsor Spitfires- OHL
65-Dan Dekeyser-Detroit Red Wings
33-Arthur Kaliyev-Hamilton Bulldogs – OHL
71-Bobby Lynch-Drummondville Voltigeurs – QMJHL
61-Ben Gleason-Hamilton Bulldogs – OHL
28-Thomas Ebbing-Laval Rockets – AHL
41-Ryan Moore-Hamilton Bulldogs – OHL
44-Greg Kreutzer-Drummondville Voltigeurs – QMJHL
24-Trevor Hamilton-Penn State – Big 10
30-Cam Johnson (G)-Binghamton Devils – AHL
ALS;
41-Sergi Samsonov-Florida Panthers (Alumni)
24-Tommy Apap-Michigan State
61-Austin Czarnik-Boston Bruins/ Providence Bruins
71-Matt Berry-Florida Everblades – ECHL
8-Mitch Eliot-Sarnia Sting – OHL
91-Seth Griffith-Buffalo Sabers/ Rochester Americans
28-Theo Calvis-Sarnia Sting – OHL
44-Griffen Molino-Utica Comets – AHL
65-Jaden Shields-Austin Bruins – NAHL
33-Blake Christensen-American International – NCAA
30-Ilya Samsonov (G)- Metallurg Magnitogorsk – KHL
Special Olympics:
71-David Legwand-Nashville Predators (Alumni)
24-Jake Chelios-Charlotte Checkers – AHL
91-Vlad Namestnikov-New York Rangers
65-Tyler Motte-Vancouver Canucks
61-Christian Wolanin-Ottawa Senators
28-Luke Witkowski-Detroit Red Wings
8-Josh Jacobs-Binghamton Devils – AHL
44-Alex Kile-Cincinnati Cyclones – ECHL
41-Derek Roehl-Cortina – AlpsHL
33-Dino Balsamo-Adrian College – NCAAIII
30-Jake Theut (G)-Northeastern – NCAA
Stop Concussions:
44-Todd Bertuzzi-Detroit Red Wings (Alumni)
24-Tag Bertuzzi-Guelph Storm – OHL
71-Dylan Larkin-Detroit Red Wings
61-Steven Oleksy-Aniehem Ducks/San Diego
33-Antonio Stranges-London Knights – OHL
91-Tanner Richard-Geneve-Servette HC – NLA
41-Colin Larkin-Bakersfield Condors AHL
8-Tyler Spezia-Bowling Green – NCAA
65-Garrett Ross-Rochester Americans – AHL
28-Shawn Szydlowski-Fort Wayne Komets
30-Max Milosek (G)-University of Wisconsin Stevens Point
The game was played at Mt. Clemens Ice Arena and for only $10, fans could watch the mini-tournament featuring some of the highest talent in the area. Afterward, many fans got to experience opportunities to meet and get autographs from their favorite players.
Steve Olesky posts information about his league on his Twitter account. Michael Caples of MiHockey took a number of great photos of the event, which you can see here. You can also see teams, schedules, and scores on the league’s website.
