Front Row:  Trevor McManus (G), Joseph Mancinelli, Maxwell DiCicco, Carson Pakula, Bailey Thompson, David Kiers, Justin Brandt, Ryan Radwan, and Joshua Wilk (G).

Back Row:  Goalie Coach Mike Osaer, Head Coach Dave Brass, Zack Finzel, Grant Reszczyk, Alec Allen, Andrew Meininger, Brenden Rons, Evan Newel, Riley Brass, Coach Joe Mancinelli, Michael Osaer, Coach Paul Wilk, Coach Rob Reilly.

Manager/Scheduler: Michele Wilk (wilk421@gmail.com)
Treasurer: James McManus
Strength and Conditioning Coach: James Radwan
Medical Specialist: Gerard Kiers

The 1998 Plymouth Stingrays won their third District Championship on February 11, as they beat the Novi Ice Cats 4-2 at Birmingham Ice Arena at the District 4 Hockey Day Event!

The District Championship run began with three first round wins over the Orchard Lake Pirates (6-2), Compuware Ambassadors (14-0), and the Farmington Fire (4-3).  Advancing to the second round and taking the first seed overall, Plymouth had a tough draw as they had to face rival Novi in the first game.  Coming out on top 2-0, Plymouth never looked back in round two as they also beat Canton Victory Honda (8-0) and the Livonia Knights (5-1).  Plymouth took the number one seed in the second round, advancing to the District Semi-Finals against the Farmington Fire.  With many ties to the Fire squad, Plymouth knew this game would be a battle.  The 'Rays came out on top by a score of 7-1 and sealed their bid to their 3rd District Championship Game in 5 years!

District 4 Hockey Day arrived, and Plymouth, the #1 ranked team in the country, was set to do battle with Novi, the #2 ranked team, for the 5th time this season.  Both teams played great:  constant scoring opportunties, big hits, and many great saves.  Plymouth came out on top by a score of 4-2 and punched their tickets to the 2012 MAHA State Tournament in Midland the weekend of March 9-11.

Congratulations to the players, coaches, and parents on a great accomplishment!  District 4 is one of the toughest Districts to get through and the 'Rays played stellar hockey all week long!

On January 20th, the Stingrays took on fellow Yzerman Division foe Cleveland Warriors in their third outdoor game experience in two years!  The game was played in Ottawa Park, Ohio - Plymouth came out on top 5-2!

The 1998 Plymouth Stingrays will be heading to Newmarket, Ontario on Thursday, January 12 for their 6th International Silver Stick Tournament in seven years.  The 'Rays always treat this tournament as one of the highlights of their season and are very upset if they do not make it to the final four. 

With that said, the road is very tough for Plymouth as they will be facing some of the top teams in North America.  Three teams will be representing the United States: Grand Rapids Griffins, Ohio Selects, and Plymouth.  Five teams will be representing Canada: Etobicoke Canucks, Mississauga Jets, Mississauga Ice Warriors, Newmarket Redmen, and Nickel City Sons.  The American side will be led by national leaders Plymouth Stingrays, currently ranked 1st with a record of 32-6-2, and the Grand Rapids Griffins, ranked 5th with a record of 24-6-4.  The Canadiens will be led by national powerhouses Mississauga Jets, currently ranked 1st with a record of 46-5-2, and the Mississauga Ice Warriors, ranked 3rd with a record of 27-5-6.

The competition runs steep, the atmosphere will be electric, and the 'Rays will be ready to give it all they got in this great tournament!  Good luck, Stingrays!

The '98 Plymouth Stingrays accomplished a goal that does not happen too often on this team on Saturday, January 7th - they won the 2011-12 LCAHL Yzerman Division Championship with a 4-3 victory over Grand Rapids.

Plymouth completed their league play with a record of 14-2-2 with 78 goals for and 36 against in 18 games played.  Their division consisted of some of the top teams in the country and they played great hockey over the course of the last three months.  Congratulations, boys, on a great accomplishment!

The 1998 Plymouth Stingrays won the 2011 Metro Detroit Regional Silver Stick Hockey Tournament in St. Clair Shores, Michigan, the weekend of December 2-4.  Plymouth went 5 and 0 and captured their 4th Silver Stick crown in five years beating the Rochester Rattlers 5-3 in the Finals.

Plymouth started off the weekend by routing the Oakland Jr. Grizzles 4-1 and Troy Sting 11-2 on the opening day of this prestigious tournament.  Day two brought long time rival Birmingham Rangers, but the 'Rays never looked back as they won 5-1 and secured the #1 seed going into the final day.

"Silver Stick Sunday" brought on a very tough St. Clair Shores team that puts up a lot of points against all teams that they play.  Getting down early by a score of 3-1, Plymouth battled back to win 9-5 against the host team and captured a spot to play in their sixth Regional Championship Game in seven years.

Early December, Silver Stick Sunday, 5:00pm at St. Clair Shores Civic Arena - a position that does not phase the '98 Stingray players and coaches.  This team plays the game for moments like this and they thrive in pressure situations against tough teams in big games.  The Stingrays faced a very talented Rochester Rattlers team that has been clicking on all cylinders up to this point.  Both teams were 4 and 0 going into this game and Plymouth knew it was going to be a battle.  This team was determined from the very beginning to achieve the goal of becoming the 2011 Regional Champion, and that's exactly what they did!  Congratulations to the 1998 Plymouth Stingray Coaches and Players as they won the game 5-3 and won their fourth Metro Detroit Regional Championship in seven years!  Best of luck in Newmarket, boys!

98 Stingray All-time Regional Silver Stick Stats (2005-2011):

Record:  28-4-1
Championships:  2007, 2008, 2009, 2011
Runner-up:  2005 (Mt. Clemens), 2010 (Allen Park)

The 1998 Plymouth Stingrays participated in the 7th Annual Alumni Game on Tuesday, December 27th at the Plymouth Cultural Center.  The 'Rays took the Alumni into overtime and then a shootout, coming out on top with a 4-3 victory.  A great time was had by all!

The Metro Detroit Regional Silver Stick Tournament will be coming to St. Clair Shores Civic Arena in St. Clair Shores, Michigan the weekend of December 1-4, 2011.

Participating Bantam A Teams:  Allen Park Huskies (15-10-3), Belle Tire Dearborn (6-8-3), Birmingham Rangers (10-10-0), Grosse Pointe Bulldogs (16-8-2), Novi Ice Cats (19-7-4), Oakland Jr. Grizzlies (2-14-2), Plymouth Stingrays (20-5-2), Rochester Rattlers (7-11-2), St. Clair Shores Saints (12-3-3), and Troy Sting (5-8-1).

1998 Age Group Metro Detroit Regional Silver Stick History:

2005 Champion (Mite A): Mt. Clemens Wolves; Runner-up: Plymouth Stingrays
2006 Champion (Mite AA): KV Rebels; Runner-up: Mt. Clemens Wolves
2007 Champion (Squirt A): Plymouth Stingrays; Runner-up: Allen Park Huskies
2008 Champion (Squirt AA): Plymouth Stingrays; Runner-up: St. Clair Shores Saints
2009 Champion (PeeWee A): Plymouth Stingrays; Runner-up: Allen Park Huskies
2010 Champion (PeeWee AA): Allen Park Huskies; Runner-up: Plymouth Stingrays

This tournament is showcasing some of the best teams in the United States, five of them being ranked in the top 10.  With period lengths being extended to thirteen minutes long, it will add a whole new dimension to the game for all the participating teams. 

This tournament is always at the top of the list for the 1998 Plymouth Stingrays.  With an all time record of 23-4-1 in the Metro Detroit Regional Silver Stick, Plymouth has added Three Tournament Championships in 2007, 2008, and 2009, as well as Two Runner-up's in 2005 and 2010, to their resume and are looking to add a fourth title in 2011!  The 'Rays know it will not be easy as top teams in the area such as Novi and Grosse Pointe are battling for the title, as well as rival Allen Park.  GOOD LUCK, STINGRAYS!

The '98 Stingrays are ready for another great season in 2011-12.  As they enter their Bantam A year, the 'Rays have set their goals and come up with a great team motto: "One Year.  One Family.  One Goal."

Entering his seventh year as Head Coach of the Plymouth Stingrays, Dave Brass feels he has another great squad from top to bottom.  Returning both long time goaltenders, Trevor McManus (7 years) and Joshua Wilk (4 years), the boys in black have great anchors between the pipes.  "Our goalies have always been the most important part of this team.  They are leaders.  Every game they come through for us and you can't ask for much more than that," Brass said.

Defensive Coach Joe Mancinelli is very excited as he enters his third year on the bench with Plymouth.  The blue line is stronger than ever as the Stingrays have returned veteran defensemen David Kiers (7 years) and Bailey Thompson (6 years).  "We have a solid core of players who not only work hard, but understand their roles on this team," said Mancinelli, "and that is why I think our Defense will win us games."  Entering their 3rd seasons with the Stingrays, Alec Allen, Zack Finzel, and Grant Reszczyk look to bring size, speed, and intimidation to every game.  Rounding off the top-notch defensive unit, Drew Meininger enters his inaugural season on the 'Rays and looks to bring a whole new dimension to "Stingray Nation".

Forwards Coach Rob Reilly couldn't be happier to be back on the coaching staff for his seventh year and he feels that his forwards will be stronger than ever, both on and off the ice.  With new additions Justin Brandt and Brenden Rons, Reilly feels that they will accompany 7-year veterans Ryan Radwan and Riley Brass very well this season.  Max DiCicco enters his second year on the 'Rays at Center, as well as JoJo Mancinelli (3 years).  As some of the hardest working wingers Plymouth has ever seen, Carson Pakula enters his 6th year with Plymouth, Evan Newel in his 5th, and Zac Osaer in his 4th.  "We expect to win every game and we will work hard to get there," said Reilly. 

2011-12 '98 Plymouth Stingray Front Office: 

Coaching Staff:  Head Coach - Dave Brass.  Assistant Coaches - Joe Mancinelli, Rob Reilly, Blair Thompson, Paul Wilk.  Goalie Coach - Mike Osaer.

Manager:  Michele Wilk entering her 4th year as Stingray CEO.

Treasurer:  Jim McManus entering his 7th year as Stingray CFO.

Media Specialist:  Jim Radwan entering his 7th year.

Team Medical Specialist:  Gerry Kiers entering his 7th year.

The 1998 Plymouth Stingrays started off their season in grand fashion as they won the 4th Annual Playmaker Sports USA Rumble on the Rink Championship the weekend of September 23-25, 2011 in Troy, Michigan.

Plymouth started off the weekend with key wins against the Aurora Tigers (3-1) and the Ashburn X-Treme (5-0).  Heading in to Saturday morning as the 2nd seed out of the 32 participating teams, the Stingrays drew the Redford Kings in game three and won 7-1.

Advancing to the Quarter-Finals, the Stingrays faced a very tough Chicago Blues team.  The score was tied at the end of regulation and overtime, thus taking the game into a shootout.  Stingray JoJo Mancinelli scored the only goal and goalie Trevor McManus stopped all five Chicago shooters to win the shootout and game for the 'Rays!

On Championship Sunday, Plymouth drew long time rival Novi Ice Cats.  The Stingrays broke their all time record (9 seconds) scoring 7 seconds into the game and never looked back as they won the game 5-2 and advanced to their 2nd Rumble on the Rink Championship in four years!

The finals brought a very fast, proven Grosse Pointe Bulldogs team to the forefront but the Stingrays did not back down.  After losing to the Bulldogs earlier in the week, the Stingrays knew they had to send a message to the team that they will see many times throughout the season.  The Stingrays battled hard and came out on top by a score of 4-1. 

Congratulations to the players and coaches on a great weekend of hockey as they went 6 and 0, scoring 26 goals and letting in only 6 goals!  Way to go, Stingrays!

The '98 Plymouth Stingrays would like to thank the Meininger Family for their hospitality the weekend of the Rumble on the Rink - we appreciate the hard work!  Thanks again, Mike and Judy!