Royal Oak Hockey Program Looks to a Marine for Guidance

With only three wins last year and a reputation for fighting, it was time for a change with the hockey team.

How about a former Marine taking over the team, establishing respect for the game and demanding that it be "played the right way?"

That's just what happened. First year head hockey Coach Bob Thibeault has six years of experience in the Marine Corps where the belief is "you don't just join the corps, you become the Marine Corps."  Thibeault says some of the traits displayed by Marines, including playing with honor and respect, will be passed down to this year's players. 

"I've been coaching hockey since I got out of the Marine Corps," Thibeault said. "I saw that (the hockey) program was kind of in disarray and just a lot of kids getting in trouble. And I thought with my background I could come in and get things cleaned up get them playing hockey again."

The Roseville native says there are 10 to 11 new players on the roster. And he looks to have a great season by preaching respect.

"We don't want to get caught up in the fights and talking back to the other team," he explained. "We just want to get our shifts and play hard and win the respect of everybody watching us."

With a 20-man roster, Thibeault has two freshmen, five sophomores, five juniors and eight seniors. And he has a relationship already established with some of the players who have played on a local travel hockey team that he coached. It was these players that alerted the former Marine about the open coaching position.

"Some teams considered Royal Oak just a bunch of thugs and were more concerned with fighting that winning games," Thibeault said. "But the kids now are all pumped and are starting to understand that this is how you play hockey. (We want our players to) skate and use your skill – it's a skill game."

 Donnie Thompson and Jason Bartek will assist Thibeault with coaching duties.

"They come from the same thread that I am," Thibeault said. "Teaching the kids about respect and having a high-energy team that's always moving."

But the coach knows his remodeling job is far from being finished.

"We still have work to do," he said. "We've played very disciplined hockey (in exhibitions). We have to stay out of the (penalty) box and we need to be good on the power play. They did pretty good but there's been a couple of fall-offs. But I can see they want to be successful, they want to win. They are starting to see that if you do things the right way, good things are going to happen."

Royal Oak lost its season opener Saturday night at home against Bloomfield Hills 4-1, but did outshoot its guests 16-5 in the third period.

Center Chris Thompson, captain and defenseman Taylor Gabriel will be relied upon heavily on the ice, Thibeault said. Both are seniors.

"Gabriel, if he keeps his head in the game, he's probably going to be mentioned in All State and All OAA discussions," Thibeault said. "As long as he plays the game the right way, he's got the ability -- as long as he stays tough mentally -- to go play juniors next year."

Zack Mickus, senior forward, was All-OAA last year as well as All Academic OAA. He'll be strongly relied on as well as senior forward Timmy Cowan, Thibeault said.

"Those four seniors will lead the way for us," Thibeault said. "And a couple of real nice juniors coming in, forwards Sean Panetta and Frankie Harlick, both were voted as captains by their teammates."

Thibeault believes goaltending is in good hands with sophomore Max Benoit and last year's MVP Josh Stinson, now a junior. The coach believes defense comes first, followed by high pressure to force opponents into mistakes.

"It's going to be a real good season," Thibeault said. "We're looking to change things."