Local Sports Journal

Four Muskegon Lumberjack players will be among the 40 top USHL prospects playing in Wednesday’s USHL/NHL Top Prospects game at L.C. Walker Arena.

Forwards Frederik Tiffels and Cameron Darcy, along with defensemen Michael Brodzinski and Ben Storm will be showcasing their talents in front of numerous National Hockey League scouts.

Gametime is 7:15 p.m.

Michael Brodzinski

Michael Brodzinski

The native of Blaine, Minn. is committed to the University of Minnesota to continue his hockey career. He was a prep standout for three years at Blaine High School, where posted 73 points in 87 games.

He was a first-round pick (seventh overall) by the Des Moines Buccaneers in the 2011 USHL Futures Draft. He was traded to Muskegon nearly a year ago.

He is in his first full season in the USHL and is among the leading scorers among defensemen with 10 goals and 10 assists for 20 points.
“It is a great honor and an exciting time to showcase my talents in front of all the NHL teams,” Brodzinski said.  “It will be a fun test and enjoyable going out there against guys who I have known and played against before.  I am going perform at the highest of levels and hopefully post a solid game.”

Ben Storm

The native of Calumet, located in the Upper Peninsula, was a two-sport start for the Copper Kings. In fact, he had a Michigan Tech scholarship to play college football before deciding he wanted to make hockey his sport of choice.

On the football field, Storm was a defensive end, tight end and punter.

Ben Storm

In two years of high school hockey, the 6-foot-6 defenseman racked up 61 points in 53 games.

After deciding to pursue hockey, Storm de-committed from Michigan Tech then signed with St. Cloud University for hockey.

“I am very thankful and grateful for this opportunity to show everyone what I am truly made of as I will put forth my best effort into this game,” Storm said.  “I have been working hard into making myself a better hockey player all season long and will continue to do so.  I feel like my dream of playing in the NHL someday is starting to take shape.”

Cameron Darcy

Darcy is from South Boston, Mass and is in his third season in the USHL.

He played two previous seasons for the U.S. National Team, based in Ann Arbor. He scored 21 goals and added 16 assists in 135 games with Team USA.

He started this season at Northeastern University, where he played nine games before joining the Lumberjacks.

Darcy explains that his dreams of playing in the NHL someday started when he was just a little kid.

“Growing up, I used to play mini-sticks with my brothers having the dream of someday being able to play in the NHL,” said Darcy.  “I am proud and honored to represent the Muskegon Lumberjacks organization in this event, and it is a great opportunity for me to show NHL executives and scouts what I have to offer.
Frederik Tiffels

The native of Cologne, Germany is in his first season in the USHL. He has one goal and 14 assists for the Lumberjacks.

He recently returned from Russia after playing for his native Germany in the IIHF World Junior Championships.

Before coming to play in North America, Tiffels played two seasons with the Jungadler Mannheim Under-18 Team in the German Junior League. In 72 games, he registered 60 points on 15 goals and 45 assists.

Frederik Tiffels

The past two seasons he has played for Team Germany in several IIHF tournaments.

Tiffels is looking to reach his ultimate goal and that is to play in the National Hockey League, but not before playing at the collegiate level.

“I am proud to represent the Muskegon Lumberjacks in this event and hopefully will put on a good performance in front of all the executives and scouts,” Tiffels said.  “To play in front of all the scouts with a chance to get drafted is cool, but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done before reaching the top level.”