Mona Shores Varsity Hockey Club

See game video on Justin's page...just click on picture below

Justin Abdelkader will remain in Detroit at least through tonight’s game against St Louis game time 7:00 PM on VS.

Winning the Griffins Bobble head contest was the Sailor family’s favorite son Justin Abdelkader. Congratulations Justin!!

On Sunday, October 26, With 4:39 remaining in the second period, GR Griffen Justin Abdelkader laid a check on the Hamilton Bulldogs' Greg Stewart while going after a puck in the Griffins' zone. As the puck moved toward the blue line, Hamilton's Mike Glumac took down Abdelkader and the two tussled for a few moments on the ice.

Abdelkader was hit with boarding and fighting penalties, while Glumac drew a game misconduct to go with instigating and fighting penalties.

"He came right after me and threw his stuff off, so I was like, 'All right, here we go,' " Abdelkader said. "You just have to try and be ready for that kind of stuff."

Abdelkader said it was his first fight since juniors -- fighting isn't allowed in college -- and he felt a little rusty. But he wasn't too worried about what his parents might say after they witnessed the scrum during their son's debut in Grand Rapids.

"I don't care," Abdelkader said, smirking. "Whatever."

Abdelkader happened to score a goal, but he wasn't happy with the Griffins' letdown:

"It's always tough. In this league, teams are so good," Abdelkader said. "They got off to a bit of a slow start and we got off to a fast start with a 4-0 lead, but it's never safe, no matter how many goals you get on them. This is a real good team, Hamilton. They showed character to come back, but we've got to be smarter and learn from it."

From Red Wings Snapshots, MLive: October 27, 2008

Justin, had he been asked, may also credit his fists of fury to numerous post Sailor practice locker boxing contests at the Lakeshore Sports Centre, honing his skills upside the head of current Spartan Andrew “Boo” Rowe.

Pictured above Walt Gawkowski, Justin Abdelkader and Head Coach Charlie Link

Sailor players Kyle Hicks, Brett Grevel and Scott Tiefenthal present Justin with a Jersey and banner

• Justin is the son of Joe and Cheryl Abdelkader and a proud product of the Mona Shores Public Schools

• As a student here Justin was more than just a hockey player. Justin exemplified the true meaning of the term student-athlete

• Not only an honor student - he was a member of the award winning Mona Shores choir program

• He participated in many sports including football and basketball - his high school athletic career culminated with his selection as Michigan’s Mr. Hockey - the highest honor afforded to a high school hockey player in our great state.

• One month following his graduation from Mona Shores, Justin was the first selection by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2006 NHL draft – the 42^nd selection overall.

• Following his high school graduation - Justin accepted a scholarship to Michigan State University where he began a very successful collegiate career.

• During his sophomore season at Michigan State – Justin was selected to compete as a member of the World Junior Hockey Team which won a bronze medal for the United States at the World Junior Championships in Sweden.

• Justin will be forever remembered for scoring the winning goal in the NCAA National Championship Game vs. Boston College with 18.9 seconds to play, this resulted in the first NCAA hockey championship for Michigan States in 21 years.

• Beyond his accomplishments on the ice – Justin was a two- time member of Big Ten All-Academic Hockey Team.

• He was selected as the Spartan’s Academic Excellence Award winner for community service and leadership – this prestigious award is given annually to only one MSU athlete.

• He was the winner of the CCHA Humanitarian Award, which was presented to him by Mike and Marian Illitch – this award goes annually to the top citizen based on contributions on and off the ice.

Detroit Red Wing and Mona Shores Alum Justin Abdelkader Raises the Stanley Cup. Seen here in the celebration following the game six victory in Pittsburgh.