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Getting their chance in the spotlight

Former NMU icers Loggins, Shine play for Wings at Hockeyville

Former Northern Michigan University forward Dominik Shine (50) suited up for the Detroit Red Wings during last week's Kraft Hockeyville USA game in Calumet. Here, he battles St. Louis defenseman Vince Dunn for the puck during the third period. Closing in are Red Wings center Dominic Turgeon (23) and Blues forward Nathan Walker (36). (Photo courtesy of Shannon Stieg)

CALUMET — Former Northern Michigan University hockey players Troy Loggins and Dominik Shine have been striving to make the Detroit Red Wings’ regular- season roster ever since they left Marquette.

Recently, both got a chance to make their case on a national stage, and interestingly enough, that opportunity came back in the Upper Peninsula.

Both former NMU forwards suited up for the Wings during the Kraft Hockeyville USA game in Calumet. It was televised on the NBC Sports Network, which was an good opportunity for them to not only showcase their skills to Detroit head coach Jeff Blashill, but to the country as well.

After the morning skate at the Calumet Colosseum on the day of the game, Blashill said he was eager to see both skaters perform and felt it would be a fun night for them, especially being back in the U.P.

“Loggs hasn’t got in one (game) yet, so it’ll be good to have him in,” Blashill said. “I just saw him at the prospects tournament. I don’t know him as well.

Former Northern Michigan University forward Troy Loggins (75) suited up for the Detroit Red Wings during last weeks' Kraft Hockeyville USA game in Calumet. Here, he participates in pregame warmups. Also pictured is Red Wings forward Tyler Spezia. (Photo courtesy Shannon Stieg)

“Obviously, Dom (Shine) was in GR (Grand Rapids) last year. They both are guys that bring different qualities to the game. They both have been good college players and I thought it’d be a great experience for them to be able to come up to obviously close to where they played at school.

“It should be a fun experience for them and it’ll be a good for us to get a look at them.”

Shortly after that interview, Shine and Loggins came upstairs to the media deck and were quickly peppered with questions, mostly about what it was like to be in Calumet for the occasion.

“Just pulling and seeing all the kids and the fans out there, it’s exciting,” Shine said. “It makes me miss it up here. Obviously, we spent four years up here, each of us, and we care about it a lot. So we’re excited to be here.

“I miss playing up here and I miss the rivalry between (Michigan) Tech and Northern. It feels like that a little bit here. Everyone is excited and there’s a lot of media around it. It’s going to be really fun.”

“Just very excited,” Loggins agreed. “It’s good to see some familiar faces around here, so that’s exciting. I’m just ready to play some hockey.”

The two did get some playing time during the game, but in the end, it wasn’t enough to make the Wings’ final roster as both were recently sent down to Grand Rapids, Detroit’s American Hockey League team.

Loggins just completed his four-year NMU career in March, while Shine wrapped up his fourth year in 2017. Each had in the neighborhood of 50 goals and 100 points in a Northern sweater.

Loggins expected to spend this season in Grand Rapids and he said he was just looking to get his “feet wet” and do what he could to move up.

“I just got to try to keep things simple and just play my game,” he said. “So hopefully, I can do that and we’ll see what comes from it. I’ve just got to play my game, shoot the puck and play simple, and then hopefully good things happen.”

Northern head coach Grant Potulny was glad that Loggins got a chance to play in the game as NHL preseason practices and training camps are short and there’s limited time to make an impression with coaches. Even though Loggins ultimately didn’t stick with the Wings, Potulny thinks he’s in good shape.

“I think a lot of people think of Troy as a scorer, which he definitely is,” Potulny said in a phone interview that day. “Lots of times, scorers aren’t as well-rounded as Troy is. He’s a very talented penalty killer and you got to kind of have to have a feel for that sometimes.

“Not only did he lead the country two years in a row in shorthanded goals, but his ability to be in the lane and block a shot, or his anticipation to be able to pick off a seam pass, makes him valuable. A lot of times, there’s lots of guys who have the ability to play on the power play and as a coach, you can kind of roll some guys through there.

“But when you find your five or six penalty-killing forwards, you really don’t change them much and if he can find his role that way to make sure that he’s somebody that is needed every night.

“You can’t take a penalty killer out no matter if you think they’re in a slump or if you think they’re playing poorly, because they play such an important role in the game. I do think that this will be a big attribute for him to continue to gain ice time and get chances to find his legs offensively.

“I think the biggest change is going from playing against guys that are 18 to 23 or 24 to playing against men. Every night is a physical game, the bodies are heavier, the players are smarter, the game is faster and with that comes a little bit more physical confrontation.

“As tough and strong as Troy is and as physical as he is, seeing him this summer, he put some weight on and he’s just got to continue to build his body armor, so that when playing against men every night, there’s no fear of injury. That’s I think is the biggest thing is to continue to grow his body.

“He’s got a great brain. He’s a good skater and he has the ability to make plays and he’s tough. Those are things coaches love. The more that he can grow his body to be able to play against 240-pound defensemen every night, and be able to protect pucks and do things that allow sticks to get free to make plays, will just be another attribute to his game.”

This will be Loggins’ first full season with the Griffins, but Shine has been there for a couple of seasons. During his time with the Wildcats, he was seen as one of NMU’s main offensive threats, but now that he’s in the minors, he’s not expected to be a go-to scorer night after night.

“I’m playing a little bit of, not a grinder role, but a tough role,” he said. “Doing the right things and being smart defensively and (that’s) what I’m going to do here tonight. Troy and I are going to be playing together, so I’m gonna try to feed him the puck a little bit. Hopefully, he does the same.”

Although he didn’t coach Shine, Potulny had positive things to say about his game as he recruited Shine when Potulny was an assistant coach at Minnesota.

“He came on a visit and we had a chance to have him on campus,” Potulny said. “So I know Dom’s game. Dom’s tough as nails and even though I didn’t get the chance to coach him, still, he’s flying the flag for our program. Another guy that we’re proud of that has come through Wildcat hockey and turned himself into a pro.

“I do think that Troy might have the ability to generate a little bit more offense than Dom, but I think Dom with his physicality and how tough he is and how rugged he is, he’s a guy that you can put out there and other people know that Dom Shine is on the ice.

“So you better have your head up and you better play the game the right way because if not, he’s a guy that can make you answer the bell. Both of those players are very valuable to any team.

“We know those guys have made us proud and hopefully, they make everybody in the community proud.”

Ryan Stieg can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 252. His email address is rstieg@miningjournal.net.

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