This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

The Saginaw Spirit, shown in a game from a past season, will play the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in a preseason game on Friday, Sept. 9 at the Midland Civic Arena. This will be the Spirit's first time playing a game in Midland in their 21-year history.

The Saginaw Spirit (in white and blue uniforms), shown in a past game against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, will play the Greyhounds in a preseason game on Friday, Sept. 9 at the Midland Civic Arena. This will be the Spirit's first time playing a game in Midland in their 21-year history.

Saginaw Spirit President and Managing Partner Craig Goslin is thrilled to have the Ontario Hockey League team play a game in Midland for the first time.

The Spirit, in their 21st season, will play in a preseason contest against the Sault Ste. Marie (Ontario) Greyhounds at 7:05 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9,on the Olympic rink at the Midland Civic Arena. Gates open at 6:05 p.m..

"Midland is a great hockey town," Goslin said, noting that Midland County contributes about 30% of the Spirit's revenue, including sponsorships and ticket sales.

"(Midland) is a significant part of the Saginaw Spirit. We want to be present in Midland County more than in the past. That's why we thought a preseason game in Midland would be (a great idea)," Goslin said. "We're very grateful to the people of Midland who have supported our franchise for 21 years."

Friday will mark the Spirit's first game action of 2022-23 in the Great Lakes Bay Region after they play two games in Erie, Pennsylvania, this weekend.

Goslin said the process of planning a game at the Midland Civic Arena began last December, and the Midland game and date were finalized last April when the Spirit's preseason schedule was set.

The game will involve youth players from the Midland Amateur Hockey League, who will suit up in their uniforms and will join the Spirit team on the blue line during the singing of the Canadian and American national anthems.

"It's an honor for us to support the Midland Amateur Hockey League," said Goslin, who also chairs the board of directors of the Ontario Hockey League.

Goslin noted that the Spirit team also has local connections, including 19-year-old defenseman Mitchell Smith, who is from Saginaw.

All tickets for the Friday, Sept. 9 hockey game at the Midland Civic Arena between the Saginaw Spirit and Soo Greyhounds will be general admission and will cost $10.

Tickets can be purchased one of three ways:

"It's good to kind of showcase our local kids," Goslin said. "Mitchell Smith is a Saginaw kid and I know he's thrilled to be playing in Midland. There are many kids in Midland that he played with and against in his minor hockey days. I think you'll see a lot of Mitchell's friends from Midland County at this game."

Friday will also be the first Spirit game played in Michigan for new forward Michael Misa, whom the Spirit drafted as the top overall pick in this year's OHL draft. Misa was granted "exceptional status" in order to be drafted as a 15-year-old, a rare exception that has been granted to Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid in the past, among others.

Joining Misa as a newcomer is another Saginaw first-round pick, defenseman Zane Parekh.

"They're incredible talents, both of them," Goslin said.

New York Islanders draft pick Tristan Lennox returns as a goalie along with Andrew Oke, who skated at the Detroit Red Wings' rookie camp.

After missing the playoffs in 2021-22 and getting the top overall pick, Goslin believes the Spirit, under head coach Chris Lazary, are poised for a comeback year.

"We're going to be a very competitive team and one that will definitely compete for home ice in the playoffs," Goslin said. "We have a nice mix of veterans and an excellent crop of young players that are going to make this team really exciting to watch. 

"This is the fastest team we've ever had. The game is going to speed now, and you're going to see some tremendous skaters," Goslin added.

Goslin said the Spirit would like to play more preseason games in Midland in the future if this year's game is deemed a success.

"We want to make sure it's successful. This needs to be a win for the Midland Amateur Hockey League and the (Spirit) team as well, and the (Midland Civic Arena)," he said. "If we can create that win-win-win, we would welcome the opportunity to do this every year."

Dan Chalk was born in Midland and graduated from Midland High School in 1989 and from Adrian College in 1994. He had a six-year teaching career both overseas in the Peace Corps and in Michigan, which overlapped slightly with his journalism career. He has worked for the Midland Daily News since 1998.