MUSLEGON, MI - Skill, speed, and size are what look to be the Jacks' potential strong points; no need to worry about protection this year.   

In a bold move, the Muskegon Lumberjacks' franchise has acquired the toughest group of players to date for the 50th season of pro hockey in Muskegon, Michigan.

The Jacks have Robin Big Snake, Mark Cody, Jason Lawmaster, Rumun Ndur and David Rohlfs this year -- any one of these guys elicits fear from his opponent -- put them all on one team, and you have a very tough grind line with undoubtably no hesitation to drop the gloves, reminiscent of the old days in Muskegon where Andy Bezeau, Rob Melanson and others were revered as the league's most willing tough guys, and bench clearing brawls were no surprise.  Goon league?  Goon team?  One may think that's what the ownership group and coaches were going for, yet a closer look reveals that the Jacks have plenty of skilled players worthy of such protection, as well, who may be able to take them all the way this year, provided injuries don't plague them as in other years.  Even the players mentioned above are dual-purpose players; they all have significant abilities other than enforcement that allow them to substantially contribute to the team's success, even in non-physical games.

For extreme skill, look no further than the guy between the pipes.  Actually, the guys between the pipes.  Sebastien Centomo won't last long at this level if he continues to play as well as he has.  His ability to snag even the wildest shots with only the slightest movement will prove to catch the attention of higher-level teams early in the season.  Hopefully, this prediction will be proven wrong, as Muskegon could use solid, consistent goal-keeping.  The Jacks' backup goalie, Matt Lundin has yet to see actual game time, but, based on his performance during pre-season, he also has significant potential to develop into one of the best Muskegon has seen in a long-term goalie.

Lundin is in his first pro season, having played for the University of Maine and Mercyhurst College, recording a save percentage of .917 as well as four shutouts in as many years.

This year promises to provide the Muskegon fans with plenty of hard-hitting entertainment, as well as solid, skilled, exciting playing.  This team has shown that they work well together with solid passing, excellent special teams, and exceptional offense and defense.  No more looking like a game of pickup hockey - this Lumberjack team looks like a group of pros.  Their plays and passing are well-executed, no matter how Head Coach Rich Kromm, mixes up the lines.

Kromm returns to Muskegon after serving as head coach for the major junior 'A' teams, the Calgary Hitmen and the Portland Winter Hawks of the Western Hockey League since his departure from Muskegon in 2001.  Kromm's first reign in Muskegon lasted three years and earned him the distinction of second most winningest coach in Muskegon hockey franchise history.

Look for the Lumberjacks to avenge their definitive defeat in the finals to take back the cup and have a 50th anniversary season that will be both memorable and successful.

Who to Watch: 
Brian Bicek:  A product of Downers Grove, Illinois, Bicek is impressive for his speed on the ice, his ability to steal the puck and his willingness to be tough, despite his smaller size at only 5' 9", 175 pounds.  This is Bicek's third season as a pro, having played for the Elmira Jackals in 2007-08 and the Rio Grande Killer Bees in 2008-09, playing in 64 games with 39 points and 51 penalty minutes in those two years.

Matt Krug:  Goal-scoring defenseman, already recognized by the IHL as Rookie of the Week.  Krug is a fast, aggressive, physical player from Southfield, Michigan.  He spent three years playing for Wayne State University before transferring to Robert Morris University for his final year in the CHA.  This is his first pro season, and it looks like he has significant potential for a bright future in the pros.

Sebastien Centomo:  Already the most talked-about new player.  Amazing in net.  Centomo begins his ninth year as a pro with an impressive .912 save percentage over the past eight years.  He was named as the CHL Rookie of the year in 2001-02, as goaltender for the St. John Maple Leafs, where he saw NHL action in goal with the Toronto Maple Leafs for a game.  Centomo has spent most of his career between the CHL and AHL.  This is his first season in the IHL.

David Rohlfs:  Of Northville, Michigan, Rohlfs was a fifth-round draft pick of the Edmonton Oilers in the 2003 NHL entry draft.  He played for University of Michigan from 2003-2007, serving as team captain and earning 34 points in 41 games during his final year as a Wolverine.

Mark Cody:  A native of Presque Isle, NS, Cody has seen action in the pros but is considered a rookie by IHL standards this year.  He has played for the Texas Brahmas as a teammate of another current Lumberjack - Robin Big Snake, along with Richmond Riverdogs, and St. Thomas University, in among others.

Contact jennifer.sleeper@prohockeynews.com

Photos by the author