As an alumnus and parent of a current Goodrich hockey player, Doug Van Kuren said he was ‘disgruntled? with the direction of the Martians? program.
‘There was a lack of discipline and pride,? he said. ‘You can’t complain, though, until you do something about it.?
So, when the GHS head coaching position opened up, Van Kuren decided to interview for the post, and he has been given the responsibility of restoring credibility to the program.
Van Kuren, a Goodrich resident, was a defenseman on the Martians? hockey squad from 1979-81. Following graduation, he played in a men’s league for about two years, then coached his son Brian’s team at the miles and bantam levels for three years.
Today, Brian is 16 and a junior on the Martians? hockey team. In addition, his brother, Les, has been hired as Goodrich’s assistant coach, although Doug Van Kuren said the title of ‘co-head coach? would be more appropriate because of Les? coaching experience.
Van Kuren said his main goals are to ‘bring back some dignity and respect to Goodrich hockey? and ‘restore the old Don Metzger way?, referring to his former GHS coach, who was known for having disciplined and successful teams.
‘It was always a big deal, and hockey was such a great sport here,? he said. ‘It’s been down in the dirt and I want to get it back up.?
He also said sportsmanship will be the team’s primary emphasis, particularly staying out of the penalty box. Van Kuren said if that happens, ‘everything else will fall into place.?
Van Kuren said there is no one single player the team will rely on ? rather, he hopes to instill a team-first attitude in the Martians.
Goodrich has a strong senior nucleus this year, with 10 returnees on the Martians. In addition to Ryan Van Kuren, the Martians have six sophomores and two freshmen whom Doug Van Kuren said are ‘looking real good and have a lot of heart.?
‘We have a good group of kids this year,? he said.
The Martians open their 2003-04 campaign at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19 when they take on Grand Blanc at the Flint IMA. Their first home game of the year is at 7 p.m.Saturday, Nov. 22 when the Martians host Fenton at the Ice Mountain Arena Complex in Burton.

Goodrich Hockey — 2003-04 roster
Name Gr. Pos.
Lance Keene 12 F
Ryan Mortimer 12 F
Scott Hollingsworth 12 D
Phil Holloway 12 D
Sean Brigham 12 D
Matt Hill 12 F
Steve Jedlowski 12 G
Nick Meyers 12 F
Danny Daugherty 12 F
Mike Palmer 12 F
Brian Van Kuren 11 F
Steve Locke 10 F
Derek James 10 D
Steve Tangrey 10 D
Brad Smith 10 G
Reece Geal 10 F
Max Hawkins 10 F
Derek Powers 9 F
Zach Pernack 9 F

Goodrich Hockey
2003-04 schedule
11-19 at Grand Blanc 5 p.m.
11-22 vs. Fenton 7 p.m.
12-5 vs. Lamphere 6 p.m.
12-6 at Brandon 5:15 p.m.
12-8 at Clio 7:15 p.m.
12-10 at Lake Fenton 8 a.m.
12-12 vs. Swartz Crk. 6 p.m.
12-17 at Mt. Morris 7:30 p.m.
12-19 vs. LakeVille 6 p.m.
12-20 vs. Lake Orion 5 p.m.
1-2 vs. Lapeer W. 6 p.m.
1-3 vs. Mt. Morris 5 p.m.
1-10 at Nouvel 6:30 p.m.
1-12 vs. Marysville 8:30 p.m.
1-16 vs. LakeVille 6 p.m.
1-21 vs. Avondale 6 p.m.
1-24 at Oxford 7:30 p.m.
2-4 at Romeo 7:15 p.m.
2-7 vs. Romeo 6:30 p.m.
2-11 vs. Lk. Fenton 7 p.m.
2-21 at Marysville 8 p.m.
2-23 vs. Nouvel 7 p.m.
2-25 at Linden 6 p.m.
2-28 at Lapeer East 3 p.m.

Home games are at the Ice Mountain Arena Complex in Burton (except for 2-23 at Flint IMA)