MONTROSE REJUVENATED AFTER RETURN TO STORM
Defenseman brings physical presence, experience to team
BY: GAGE AXFORD
Tri-City Storm Communications
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
KEARNEY, Neb. - The arena is dark. Spotlighted decals flurry throughout the stands and ice. A thunderstorm sound effect roars throughout the building.
As fans watch the pregame rituals end, they see their Tri-City Storm slash out onto the ice. When they look out, they notice a familiar face.
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| After playing a half-season in college, defenseman Michael Montrose is ready to make an impact on the Storm blue line |
“I decided to come back,” defenseman Michael Montrose said.
At the end of last season, Montrose signed a letter of intent to play Division I hockey at Bowling Green State University. However, after a semester of play, Montrose returned to the Tri-City Storm after the team’s holiday break.
During his time at Bowling Green, the Howell, Mich., native compiled two assists and seven penalty minutes in 11 games.
“You know, it wasn’t working out for me at Bowling Green,” Montrose said. “I still had a year left of eligibility to come back to juniors, so I figured I might as well come back instead of playing somewhere for three years where I am not going to be happy.”
As a reunited member of the Storm, he’s happy to return to his former team.
“I love the organization here, absolutely,” said Montrose, who hopes to bring his physical presence to the team.
“He’s not the biggest guy defensively, but you know what? He can actually be physical,” Assistant Coach Lenny Hofmann said.
“He skates really well, so he’s able to put himself in a position to be more physical more often than some people because of his speed and his anticipation. He’s got kind of a dynamic of both that will help us out,” Hofmann said.
Despite the fact Montrose is 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, he does not shy away from any contact, but rather embraces it.
“It’s my job on the team to hit people,” Montrose said. “I’m a defenseman. I like to take my anger out I guess. So anytime you can show a physical presence on a team, you kinda make them hesitate, especially those smaller guys going into corners.
Last season for the Storm, Montrose scored one goal and had 12 assists and 61 penalty minutes. In his three years in the USHL, he has played 120 games and combined for three goals, 22 assists and 112 penalty minutes.
Before playing for the Storm, Montrose played two seasons for the Waterloo Black Hawks.
Montrose said he wasn’t happy in Waterloo, though, after a coaching change.
“Then coach Drew [Schoneck] called me and asked if I would come, and I got traded out of there and came here and it was probably the best decision of my life,” Montrose said.
With his three years of experience in the USHL, Montrose will be one of the names looked to during tight situations in games, because of his composure.
“When were on our heels a little bit, it’s always nice to have guys like him with experience that aren’t gonna start to get nervous and grip the stick a little bit. Some player’s hands start to get a little shaky when they get the puck. He’s calm and he’s been through it before,” Hofmann said.
Montrose has one more season of eligibility in the USHL. However, he is looking to transition his game to the collegiate level again.
If this ends up being Montrose’s final season, the organization will miss him.
“He’s a great guy in the locker room. These guys really like him and look up to him… He’s a great fit for us to have that experience and to have that leadership,” Hofmann said.