Michigan

Strbak, Sabres excited for next step in development at Michigan State | NHL.com

Published

1 year ago

August 6, 2024

Strbak, Sabres excited for next step in development at Michigan State | NHL.com

BUFFALO — Maxim Strbak has had hockey as part of his life almost since birth.

The defenseman prospect, selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the second round (No. 45) of the 2023 NHL Draft, has his father, Martin, to thank for that.

“Kind of since I was born, I was always watching hockey,” Maxim Strbak said. “I think when I was around 4 years old I first stepped on the ice with him, he was playing in the KHL [Kontinental Hockey League] in Russia. Kind of started there and been playing ever since.”

Martin Strbak was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the ninth round (No. 224) at the 1993 NHL Draft. Also a defenseman, he played five games with the Los Angeles Kings and 44 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2003-04, while also playing 21 professional seasons throughout Europe, including 10 in his native Slovakia.

“He always told me that back then when he was drafted, he didn’t even actually even know what the draft was, so that was pretty interesting,” Maxim said.

After Martin’s playing career ended in 2016, he moved into coaching, a journey that took the family to Finland. That’s where Maxim played his youth hockey, eventually playing for Jokerit’s teams in Finland’s under-18 and under-20 leagues.

In 2022-23, Maxim joined Sioux Falls of the United States Hockey League. He had 18 points (five goals, 13 assists) in 46 games, and then had six assists in seven games to help Slovakia finish fourth at the 2023 IIHF Under-18 World Championship.

Last season he had nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 32 games as a freshman at Michigan State to help the school win the Big Ten tournament for the first time. He also had seven points (one goal, six assists) and averaged a team-best 23:38 of ice time in five games for Slovakia at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship. Martin was an assistant coach.

“He’s a physical player,” Sabres director of player development Adam Mair said during Buffalo’s development camp in July. “He competes hard, he defends well, but also he’s got a really understated puck game. He’s able to move the puck up the ice efficiently. Big body, right-hand shot [defenseman] that can do that, it was impressive this year.”

Strbak credited Michigan State coach Adam Nightingale and his staff for helping him acclimate quickly to collegiate hockey.

“It’s given me a lot of confidence when we practice, and I can see that turn into games more and more,” Strbak said. “And I think that’s what made an impact.”

The Sabres noticed it too.

“Just his ability to grow,” Mair said. “He came [to North America], to Michigan State, which the program turned over and got to give credit to their coaching staff. He got thrust into big minutes throughout the season and he showed that he can play a reliable role on a really good NCAA hockey team.”

Strbak feels he has matured in his game, with an even better feel for making the right play at the right time. He heads into his sophomore season at Michigan State looking to take another step in his development, including increased offensive production and becoming more of an all-around player.

He hasn’t thought about how many seasons he’d like to play in college before turning pro. The Buffalo development staff has told him to just go play and do well.

“I’ve talked to them throughout the season and the feedback was usually very good,” Strbak said. “I think they’re happy with the way I play and I’m also happy with the way I play, so we’ll see. Another big season for me and for Michigan State.”

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Michigan

Your votes: Who is the top forward in Division 2 Michigan high school girls basketball?

Published

9 hours ago

January 16, 2026

Press Room

Your votes: Who is the top forward in Division 2 Michigan high school girls basketball?

With the 2025-26 Michigan high school girls basketball season well underway, we’re featuring some of the best players in the state.

Earlier this week we featured the best forwards in Division 2.

Now we’re turning to readers to decide which forward will be the best of the best in Michigan Division 2 girls basketball in 2025-26.

Check out the write-ups on the top forwards in Division 2 and vote in the poll below the list of candidates.

The voting will conclude Friday, Jan. 30, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.

We contacted basketball coaches across the state and asked them to fill out a survey requesting information about their team. These lists were compiled primarily based on the information provided by the coaches who chose to respond.

If you are a Michigan high school girls basketball coach who did not receive the survey, email mswanson@advancelocal.com. We will continue to add to these lists throughout the season.

THE CANDIDATES

Alexis Asekomeh, Grand Rapids West Catholic, Junior

Brynna Barnhart, Fremont, Senior

Tessa Bordogna, Notre Dame Prep, Junior

Jaya Chandler, Grand Rapids Catholic Central, Senior

Paris Davis, Detroit Southeastern, Senior

Christina Dixon, Haslett, Senior

Sadie Dykstra, Yale, Senior

Nuray Fricke, Big Rapids, Sophomore

Samantha Fuhs, Dearborn Divine Child, Junior

Peyton Hein, Spring Lake, Junior

Maddie Heverly, Brandon, Sophomore

Emma Highfield, Lake Fenton, Senior

Ruby Hughes, Newaygo, Junior

Kaitlyn Johnson, Haslett, Senior

Lillie Johnson, Gladstone, Senior

Maddy Lockard, Northpointe Christian, Senior

Elle Lorente, Eaton Rapids, Junior

Lillian Masters, Bay City John Glenn, Sophomore

Addison McDonald, Gaylord, Senior

Clare O’Donnell, Negaunee, Senior

Abby Prins, Grand Rapids South Christian, Sophomore

Peyton Rhoades, Pennfield, Senior

Aleigha Roberson, Portland, Junior

Emilee Robinson, Kingsley, Senior

Lauren Seeley, Alma, Senior

MaKayla Sykes, Detroit Country Day, Freshman

Caroline Torre, Warren Regina, Senior

Clare Westerlund, Whitehall, Junior

Amarah Zamora-Ledesma, Godfrey Lee, Senior

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Michigan

Where to watch Michigan basketball vs. Illinois in Top 25 clash tonight

Published

21 hours ago

January 15, 2026

Press Room

Where to watch Michigan basketball vs. Illinois in Top 25 clash tonight

If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.

The No. 8 Michigan Wolverines will host the No. 25 Illinois Fighting Illini for a Top 25 Big Ten matchup tonight.

Fans can catch the conference action exclusively on Peacock at 7 p.m. ET. Live sports plans start at $10.99 per month and include access to NBC’s live broadcast as well as hundreds of hit TV shows and movies.

The Wolverines are 14-2 overall, 5-1 against conference opponents and they’re also 9-0 at home so far this season. They’re riding a three-game winning streak, which includes an 86-60 victory over Wisconsin on Sunday. Olivia Olson had a team-high 21 points in the win, and Mila Holloway and Te’Yala Delfosse each added 18 points.

The Fighting Illini are 14-3 and 4-2 in Big Ten play. They’re looking to build on the momentum from their 92-76 victory over Penn State on Sunday. Berry Wallace led the team with 28 points and eight rebounds in the win.

NCAA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

No. 8 Michigan (14-2) vs. No. 25 Illinois (14-3)

When: Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026

Where: Crisler Center, Ann Arbor, MI

Time: 7 p.m. ET

Streaming: Peacock

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Michigan

Southeast Michigan communities invoke snow emergency parking rules

Published

1 day ago

January 15, 2026

Press Room

Southeast Michigan communities invoke snow emergency parking rules

If you normally use street parking for your vehicle, you may be asked or instructed to move it on Thursday.

The reason is that several Metro Detroit communities have invoked snow emergency rules in response to the wintry mix of weather that started Wednesday afternoon and continued into Thursday morning. Some areas are reporting several inches of snow.

A snow emergency in Michigan’s cities and villages is a local rule invoking street parking restrictions on designated roads and at designated times so that snowplows can clear the area. In some communities, tickets and fines are issued for violations.

The following communities are among those that have issued snow emergency notices:

Belleville

The City of Belleville has declared a snow emergency until Saturday.

“All vehicles should be removed from City streets so that snow plows can clear the snow,” city officials said.

Dearborn

The City of Dearborn declared a snow emergency at 7 p.m. Wednesday. All vehicles are ordered off the city streets so that snowplows can work. Any vehicles that remained on the streets after 4 a.m. Thursday could face a ticket or be towed.

Additional details are on the city’s website.

Dearborn Heights

Dearborn Heights Mayor Mo Baydoun issued a snow emergency effective 7:30 p.m. Wednesday until 5 p.m. Thursday. All vehicles are asked to be move from the streets, as street parking is prohibited during this time.

“Cars left on the street will be ticketed,” the mayor said.

Flat Rock

The City of Flat Rock has declared a snow emergency, to remain in effect until 12 a.m. Friday.

“Please remove all vehicles from the street so that our Public Service crews can effectively plow and salt our streets,” the police department said.

Novi

The City of Novi asked residents Wednesday night to move any vehicles that are parked on the streets “so crews can plow curb to curb.”

Pontiac

Pontiac Mayor Mike McGuinness declared a snow emergency starting 8 p.m. Wednesday through 8 a.m. Sunday. Public work crews have been making the rounds to clear the streets.

A snow emergency in Pontiac includes no parking on downtown streets between 3 and 6 a.m. There also is no parking on any streets marked “snow emergency route,” and no parking on designated sides of streets on designated days. Updates are posted on the city’s website.

Taylor

The city of Taylor invoked snow emergency procedures effective 8 a.m. Thursday.

An emergency alert sent by the city Wednesday night appears to have been broadcast throughout Wayne County, which means residents of other communities may have received it on their cell phones.

The above video originally aired Jan. 14.

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