Left:
Ira Schlussel, no. 2,
chases the puck.

Bottom:
Billy Jaffe takes a
short breather.

then a series of three-on-three competitions.
A small crowd gathered to watch the check-
ing-style game. On Saturday, two players
were injured with dislocated shoulders.
Ira Schlussel, another player trying out,
said the opportunity enabled him to com-
bine three of his loves: Judaism, Israel and
hockey. The West Bloomfield resident was
skating on familiar ice after captaining the
Southfield-Lathrup hockey team for three
years.
Justin Kearns, 20, of Toledo, and a play-
er for NCAA power Northeastern, was also
on hand for the experience.
"I think it does make a difference that
we're all Jewish," said Mr. Kearns, whose
dream is to play one day in the National
Hockey League. "You feel a certain pride
when we're in the locker room together."
"I wanted a first-class Jew first on this
team," said Sam Greenblatt of Southfield,
who pioneered the idea of a U.S. Maccabi-
ah ice hockey team. "They don't have to be
Shomer Shabbos. But they have to be some-
one who is proud to be a Jew."
The team will consist of 23 players, in-
cluding the goalies. Besides Mr. Hartman,
Sam Greenblatt, left, talks to player coach Mike Hartman , far right. there is a chance that Toronto Maple Leafs
defenseman Matthew Schneider will par-
idea. I've always joked with other players who were ticipate. Mr. Schneider is now on Team USA in the
my friends but not Jewish that one day I wouldn't World Cup Tournament.
be the only Jew out there. It turns out it's going
Also, the team is hopeful that Aaron Israel, for-
to happen. I'll feel even more excited when the team merly of Harvard University and now in the Philadel-
is together."
phia Flyers system, will participate.
Mike Nodler, 25, of Oak Park and a former Ju-
"It was really something to look down this list of
nior A Team player for Compuware, also marveled names and see the Jewish names," said Mr. Green-
at the competition he saw.
blatt. "I was once told years ago by a person I was
"I think it's great," he said. "I am excited to have asking for sponsorship to talk to him about soccer,
another chance to play hockey. Also, there's a lit- baseball or basketball. That ice hockey is not a sport
tle something extra when you know everyone is for Jewish boys. Times have changed."
Jewish."
Players will be notified individually over the next
The players were put through skating drills and few months if they have made the team. ❑

