Features > The Dynamic Trio - Eugene Generals Junior A Ice Hockey, Eugene, OR

Features > The Dynamic Trio

(From left) Kris Kranzky, Garrett Bossert, and Michael Frei

The Dynamic Trio
by Chris Bilder, Generals Staff Writer

Eugene, OR- When Michael Frei, Garrett Bossert, and Kris Kranzky arrived to play for the inaugural Eugene Generals team they had no idea of the success they would bring to the team, or themselves. The three line mates amassed 100 of the team’s 250 goals (40%) in the regular season, and combined for 218 points. They didn’t shy away in the playoffs either, scoring 17 of the team’s league leading 45 goals (38%), and putting up 34 points between the three. The Generals won the Western Division Title and were one game away from coming away with the Cascade Cup (NOR PAC Championship) in their inaugural season, and the line of Frei, Bossert, and Kranzky played a major role in the team’s success. “Frei, Bossert, and Kranzky had a huge impact on our team this year,” former Generals Head Coach Robert Freeland said. “Individually they are all great players, and, to their credit, when you put them together on the ice they are even better.”

Michael Frei, the only NOR-PAC veteran of the three, is a 18 year old native of Zurich, SUI who had 28 points for the NOR-PAC’s Portland Pioneers last season. The 5-10 175 lb. Frei was traded to the Generals before the season started, and more than doubled his point total from last season. Frei was second on the team in goals (39), second on the team in assists (36), and third on the team in points (70). “Michael definitely had a breakout year here,” Coach Freeland stated. “He has a great work ethic, and has some amazing offensive skills.”

“Frei has had some incredible individual efforts,” Garrett Bossert said. “There have been a couple of games where we haven’t played well, and he’s carried the team on his back.” In an early season match up with the NOR-PAC Eastern Division leader Queen City Cutthroats Michael did exactly that. In a Generals 6-4 win Frei scored twice, and had three more assists. “People don’t take the puck away from Michael in the corners,” Kris Kranzky exclaimed. “He’s a really dangerous player. When Frei gets space he can either rocket a slap shot or make an amazing pass for an easy goal.”

Michael tried out this summer for the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League (USHL), which is the premier junior league in the United States. Frei made it to the third and final cut, but came up one spot short when all was said and done. “I think Michael definitely has the work ethic and skill set to play in the USHL,” Generals Head Coach Chris Hartly said. “If he would have made the team there is no doubt in my mind that he would have contributed.” It is, in fact, Frei’s goal to play in the USHL next year. “I would love to play in the USHL next year,” Frei said. “Being so close to making the Steel makes me even more motivated to go the extra mile with the Generals this year. I don’t want to leave one doubt in anybody’s mind that I don’t belong in the USHL.”

Garrett Bossert is a 6-0 180 lb. center from Soldotna, AK. Bossert played Junior Hockey for the Brewster Bulldogs in the Empire Junior Hockey League (EJHL) last year, and had 34 points. Bossert had an incredible year for the Generals with 33 goals and 25 assists in 36 games, and was also an Assistant Captain of the team. “Garrett was one of our best vocal leaders on the team,” Coach Hartly stated. “He practiced what he preached, though. He has a great work ethic and always gives 100%.”

“Bossert is fearless,” Kranzky stated. “He’ll get hammered, get right back up, then score. It also doesn’t hurt that he has crazy dangles.” Bossert has been knocked down several times over the course of the season, but he is always seems to have the ability to shrug it off and bring his game to the next level when he gets back up. “He’s so fast and controlled that it’s hard for anybody in the league to get to him, let alone stop him,” Frei said.

Garrett had several AJHL scouts interested in him after his four point performance at the 2006 National Junior B Showcase in Chicago. Bossert was also invited to the Chicago Steel tryout camp with Frei, but was unable to attend due to a separated shoulder. Bossert will be returning to the Generals this season, and hopes to play Junior A next year. “I wouldn’t mind playing in the AJHL next year,” Bossert stated. “I’d really like to play in the USHL, and eventually make a D1 college program.” According to Hartly this goal isn’t far fetched. “If Garrett woks hard this summer he should be able to find a spot on a USHL roster. There is no doubt in my mind that he could wind up playing Division 1 hockey in the next couple of years. If he keeps up his hard work, and continues to be a leader on his teams, he should be able to have a lot of choices of where he wants to play.”

The third line mate, Kris Kranzky, is intimidating to even look at. He is a 6-4 225 lb. 20 year old monster from Glendora, CA, and proved to be the best power forward in NOR-PAC, and possibly the entirety Junior B hockey. Kranzky put up incredible numbers last season, and almost doubled his point production from the Bay City Bombers last season. Kranzky scored 33 goals, and has 57 assists in his 42 games played during the regular season. He was second in the NOR-PAC regular season point standings, and could have easily wound up on top. Kranzky took his game to the next level during the post season. Kranzky led the league in goals and points during the playoffs, and almost carried the Generals to the National Tournament.

“Kris brought a huge physical presence to our team,” Coach Hartly said with a knowing smile. “He was known to throw the hardest hits in the league, but that wasn’t even the strongest part of his game. The two strongest parts of his game are setting other players up with easy goals, and burying the puck when he gets the opportunity. He’s just an all around great player.”

“He just has an amazing ability to finish,” Bossert professed. “If there was anybody better in the league, I didn’t see them.” Kranzky got a lot of credit for finishing, but he didn’t get as much credit for attracting masses of opposing players then dishing it off for an easy goal. Kranzky, in fact, lead the league in assists, which can be credited to his ability to put the puck where he needs to with swarms of players on him. “He definitely made room for us,” Frei stated. “When he got the puck you would know it wasn’t coming off of his stick unless he wanted it to.”

Being 20 years old, last year was Kris Kranzky’s last year in junior hockey, and there will be plenty of opposing coaches relieved to see him go. Kranzky will now be putting the fear of God into coaches in the Division III ECAC Northeast conference. Kranzky will be strapping on the pads for the Nichols Bison next season. “I almost didn’t play juniors this year. I was just going to go to school and follow that dream, but the success I had last season opened up a lot of doors for me. I would have loved to play Division 1 college hockey, but I’m really excited to play for the Nichols next season. I’m just grateful to have to opportunity to play hockey in college.”

All three of these line mates are moving onward and upward, but the most amazing thing is that they won’t take any credit for themselves. They are more than willing to say they had a great year because of the coaching, or their line mates, or their team, but are too humble to say that they are the reason last season was so extraordinary. When asked about why they were successful last season Bossert said, “Kris and Michael made me look good,” and that started an argument among the three that it was not them, but the others that made them succeed last season. “Humility makes it a lot easier to coach,” Hartly said. “Normally you have at least one pre-Madonna on the team, but we had none. It makes my job a lot easier, and definitely more enjoyable.”