By Matt Mackinder –
The Midwest Junior Hockey League announced today that they have approved the membership application of the MC Monarchs franchise that will join the league for the 2014-15 season.
The Monarchs, under the ownership of Mark and Patti Gilman, will play out of the Mount Clemens Ice Arena in Mount Clemens, Mich., with the team headquarters being housed in Clarkston, Mich., where the Gilmans reside and run their company, Fresh Ice Hockey.
“As we continue to grow and improve our league, we are certainly very excited with the addition of the Monarchs to our existing footprint,” said MWJHL commissioner Scott Gardiner. “Mr. and Mrs. Gilman are hockey people and are anxious to get started. I feel Mount Clemens is a rich hockey area and the community should embrace the Monarchs in no time at all. This will also add to the growing rivalries we have with our Detroit-area franchises already in place.”
Mark Gilman was born in the Boston area and later played high school hockey in Vermont. He and Patti have five children, including three sons that play hockey.
Gilman said he will not only look to build a successful program on the ice, but off the ice as well.
“We will be heavily involved in the community,” said Gilman. “And these kids will work hard with the intention of playing college hockey. We want to help send as many of our kids to college as we can. I also feel there is a wealth of hockey talent in Macomb County. Three high school teams play out of Mount Clemens Ice Arena (De La Salle Collegiate, Dakota, L’Anse Creuse North) and we hope to build a great relationship with those schools and maybe sign those kids to play for us once they graduate.”
And while being approved to join the MWJHL is the first step, Gilman realizes the hard work that lies ahead.
“We have identified candidates for our coaching staff and hope to make that announcement shortly,” Gilman said.
This past season, Gilman took in several MWJHL games to gauge the talent level and came away impressed.
“I think there is a good core of teams in this league and I’m looking forward to playing these guys,” said Gilman. “I feel the development process is in place in the MWJHL and that there is consistent progress being made.”
The recruiting process has already started for the Monarchs and Gilman said he already has verbal commitments for 10-15 players, with other potential players coming from out of state.
“These kids are not only going to play for us from September through April, but they are going to develop all year long,” said Gilman. “They are going to work some clinics this summer, things like that. Macomb County will know who we are. I’m truly excited about this opportunity we have in front of us and I am really looking forward to getting our relationship going with Macomb County.”
The Monarchs’ website, tryout dates and staff information will be announced in the coming weeks.