Despite attending Goodrich High School the past three years, Austin Saber has opted to play for the Honeybaked travel hockey team rather than the Martians? varsity team.
That is changing this season.
Saber, 17, a senior at Goodrich, has joined the Martians for this season, deciding to stay at home and ‘concentrate more on my grades and playing with my buddies.?
Goodrich varsity hockey Coach Bryan Tangney said Saber ‘was considering playing another season for his midget major team, but his appetite changed and he wanted to play for his high school team.?
In talking about the prospects for the Goodrich team earlier this year, Tangney said Saber is a complete player who excels at both ends of the ice.
Prior to joining the Martians this season, Saber spent four years with the Honeybaked travel team, playing the first two years at the bantam level and the next two years at the midget level. His team won the national championship at the 16 and under age level in 2004.
Saber said the reason he played with Honeybaked for the past four years had to do with a potential hockey career down the road.
‘I knew for my future in hockey, I had to play in Compuware for Detroit,? he said. ‘National Hockey League players have played for them.?
In fact, Saber said he has already been selected in the Ontario Hockey League draft by the Windsor Spitfires, a semipro team which is considered in the major junior class of hockey.
Prior to joining the Honeybaked team, Saber played with Compuware for one year and was a member of the Flint Icelanders 8-9 AAA team.
When asked about what he considers his strengths as a hockey player, Saber said his size and strength, but added his shot is ‘probably not as strong as it should be.?
Saber said his favorite National Hockey League player is Peter Forsberg, formerly with the Colorado Avalanche and now with the Philadelphia Flyers.
‘He’s really skilled and he’s intense,? Saber said. ‘He doesn’t take anything from anyone.?
Saber lives in Goodrich with parents Fred and Kelly, and has one older sister, Ashley, 20.