USHL: QA with Mike Dalhuisen

Lincoln Stars defenseman Mike Dalhuisen's story is the definition of commitment. First, his family committed to his young hockey career when he was 11 years old by moving from Nijmegen, Holland, to Lindsay, Ontario. After a few years with the Central Ontario Wolves organization and two seasons of Tier II junior A hockey with the Lindsay Muskies, Mike Dalhuisen spent a rocky season with the Chicago Steel in 2006-07, was released, contacted every other USHL team, was cut from Cedar Rapids, but stuck with it and cracked Lincoln out of tryouts. Then, during his second USHL season, his mother succumbed to leukemia in her second bout with the disease in November of 2007, but Dalhuisen stayed the course while honoring the memory of his mother, and also helping others, and continuing to develop as a hockey player. Now, after three years of USHL hockey, the Dutch defenseman is a legitimate NHL prospect. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound blueliner has a strong first past, power skating and mobility, a cannon from the point, an aggressive physical edge, and a willingness to do whatever it takes. Thus, making him a fairly complete package who could follow in the footsteps of Matt Bartkowski as a third-year eligible prospect selected in the NHL Entry Draft out of the Lincoln lineup.

McKeen's correspondent Kevin Wey had the opportunity to talk with Lincoln Stars defenseman Mike Dalhuisen after a game during the first round of the 2009 Clark Cup Playoffs. Dahluisen discussed his successful 2008-09 season, his development in three years in the USHL, his LiveHockey campaign in memory of his mother, coming to Canada from the Netherlands, playing internationally for The Netherlands, and some of his favorite players and teams growing up.

McKeen's: First off, I probably should ask you what is the proper pronunciation of your last name?

Dalhuisen: Well, everyone pronounces it different here in The States, but the actual Dutch way to say is Dahl-house-en.

McKeen's: Now I know, and knowing is half the battle. Well, the 2008-09 regular season is behind us and you established career highs in points for yourself, 5 goals and 14 assists in 51 games. How do you feel your 2008-09 season went, for you personally, and did it meet the expectations that you had for yourself heading into the season?

Dalhuisen: I just set the expectation to always work hard every night. I didn't necessarily set a goal saying "I want points" or "I need goals." I mean, first goal in two years. So, that was nice, to get the monkey off my back. But, overall, yeah, I achieved what I wanted to. I helped the team out as much as I could, and that's all I want to do.

McKeen's: In February, your strong two-way play helped result in you being named to play for Team Reebok at the USHL Prospects/All-Star Game. So, how did you learn you'd been named to the team, who told you, and what was your reaction?

Dalhuisen: Actually, I was sitting at home and Kirt Hill called me and he said, "Hey, 'Dalsie.' Congratulations." And I said, "On what?" He said, "Did you not hear yet?" And I said, "No. What are you talking about?" And he said, "You and I and Murdock and Netwon and Gerths, we made the All-Star Team." I was really happy. I immediately phoned my dad and told him, and he was happy, too.

McKeen's: It's always nice to receive those sorts of honors. How did those two days go for you and what was the highlight of your time there?

Dalhuisen: They were really fun. The highlight of my time was probably meeting everyone else. Obviously, you hate each other on the ice, but then off the ice, everybody's just a great guy, and I love having them around. Even on the other team, mingling and stuff. That was probably my highlight, meeting everybody else.

McKeen's: That seems to be the common opinion of most of the guys I've talked to. Around that same time, you committed to Quinnipiac. When did they start talking to you and what made you decide that that was the right place for you?

Dalhuisen: Quinnipiac was one of the first schools to actually start talking to me, early on in the year. Then, as the year went on, more and more teams started talking to me. I ended up going on two visits, and Quinnipiac just seemed like the right place for me. It was really, really nice. Great coaching staff, all the boys are great, they've got a brand new facility, obviously, it's beautiful. I'm looking forward to playing there next year.

McKeen's: You touched on this a bit, but when did college teams start talking to you and what were some of the other programs, if I might ask, that were recruiting you?

Dalhuisen: Actually, last year I didn't get a whole lot of attention. But after the Fall Classic this year, the first team was Boston College, talked to them for quite a while, things just didn't work out there. Then, St. Lawrence was one of the other schools I visited. It was really great, too. Nothing against them, it was beautiful, actually. I had already had a Quinnipiac visit scheduled, and then St. Lawrence called and said, "We want to get you in real quick." So, like, three days later, I was in St. Lawrence. I was like, "Wow. This is the place for me." It was awesome, everything was great. Obviously Brandon Bollig and Rick Carden from last year's team go there. It was a great atmosphere there, the rink is old school and everything. But then when I went to Quinnipiac, it was just that much better. They're both great programs, but I just felt Quinnipiac was the place for me.

McKeen's: Back in 2005, the NCAA D1 college route did not necessarily appear to be in your future. You were a pick of the Erie Otters in the OHL Priority Selection. So, why was it you decided to go the USHL/college route?

Dalhuisen: Yeah, growing up in Canada, obviously my main goal was to play in the OHL. I always went to watch the Petes and the Colts and teams like that. I was like, "Wow. If I get to play here one day, that'd be great." Then, as the time came closer, I started talking to all of those teams and someone introduced me to the USHL. It was actually Colby Cohen's dad, and he said, "I think it would be a great place for you to play." I looked into it, talked to tons of people, got opinions from everybody, and ultimately I decided to come here.

McKeen's: You've progressively gotten better each of the three years I've seen, but what areas of your game did you focus on improving last season and then, also, the course of this season?

Dalhuisen: Last summer I just mainly focused on getting stronger and faster. Last year, I didn't play as much as I do this year. I'm really fortunate to get all the opportunities coach has given me. Mainly making plays, don't take stupid penalties. This year, I'm still focusing on trying to join the play after I make a pass and not trying to watch too much.

McKeen's: Sure, keep the defensive gap short.

Dalhuisen: Yep.

McKeen's: Similarly, what are your plans for this summer heading into next season?

Dalhuisen: I'm going to Thailand this summer, that's where my dad and my sister live. Every day I work out there, I run on the beach and I go swimming, and they have an outdoor gym there that I like to go to. So, it's great. Just keep getting stronger, faster, and better.

McKeen's: Similar to the last question about one season, what have been the areas of your game that you feel have improved the most over the course of your three seasons in the USHL?

Dalhuisen: Oh, I think the first year it was mainly, like, I was a big fighter and I just wanted to establish a name for myself. I think I've accomplished that, that's why this year I haven't fought as much, and I'm just trying to progress at making plays. Like I said, the penalty thing was kind of a big issue last year, and not making stupid mistakes, like not looking, looking before I make a play.

McKeen's: The best fighters are the ones who don't fight all the time, because if everyone wants to fight you…

Dalhuisen: Exactly.

McKeen's: … then you're really not that tough, or feared. I've asked a few questions about improvement, but, on the other hand, what would you say are the strengths of your game and, for anyone who hasn't seen you play, the style of game you play?

Dalhuisen: Style of game I play? Mainly, probably a playmaking defenseman. I like to get the puck centered up, make the first pass, it's probably my biggest strength, too. Everybody tells me that, my first pass breaking the team out is my biggest asset.

McKeen's: I think I'll add heavy shot in there for you, too. You have a pretty good shot from the point. You started your USHL career with the Chicago Steel, and I've read things that indicate things did not necessarily go smoothly there with the immigration. So, tell me a bit about 2006-07, how things were resolved, and then also how you ended up with Lincoln.

Dalhuisen: Uh, yeah, things didn't go that well. If you don't mind, I wouldn't really like to elaborate on that, because I don't want to put Chicago down at all.

McKeen's: Sure, not a problem.

Dalhuisen: But, after that, I got released. I sent all the teams an e-mail, because it was real close to getting to the tryouts. I went to Cedar Rapids, didn't make the team there. I was actually (pauses), my last hope, the only team that I had talked to was Ohio, at that time, and that was where I was going to go until all of the sudden I got a phone call from Jimmy [McGroarty]. Obviously they were going through the coaching change, and I'd left e-mail and left messages on his phone, and finally he called me back and said, "You can come try out." We were at the tryout camp, and second day, I think it was, I went up to Jimmy and I was like, "Hey, Jimmy. What can I do to make this team? I want to play here. I'll do anything." He said, "I'm sorry. What's your name again?"

McKeen's: (Chuckles)

Dalhuisen: "Dalhuisen." So, then he was like, "I've really liked how you've been playing." Actually, he always brings it up. He says that was what made (pauses), that's why I made the team, because I told him I'd come up. At first he thought I was full of it, but now he says that he's proud that I backed it up.

McKeen's: As most USHL fans are familiar with, you lost your mom (Romy) to cancer in November of 2007, and you responded to her second battle with leukemia with the LiveHockey bracelet campaign. Tell me about the decision to start that and how it continues today.

Dalhuisen: Yeah, it's kind of interesting. I was sleeping and I had a dream about it, for some reason. I woke up and I was like, "That'd be a great idea, to start raising money for cancer in memory of my mom." I wrote it down so I wouldn't forget it when I woke up. I went back to sleep and in the morning I started drawing pictures and called my dad (Art), because he knows all the contacts in China and stuff, from his work. So, I phoned somebody there that made rubber bracelets, talked to a few factories, looked up the best price, and that's how I got them. Obviously, last year I donated 3500 dollars. This year, it's been going slower, because everybody's already got them. I came out with new cancer ribbons for on the back of cars. They're going okay. This year, I mainly invested most of the money to try and make more, so I don't have as much to donate, but I am looking to donate still.

McKeen's: Explain for those who are not familiar, your citizenship status between the Netherlands, Canada, etc., and how it was you ended up in Canada playing with the Central Ontario Wolves and on to Lindsay and so forth.

Dalhuisen: Yeah, I was born in Holland. I'm actually still a Dutch citizen. I used to go to Roger Neilson's hockey camp in the summers. When I was eight years old, Roger was a good friend of the family, that was in Lindsay, Ontario, and we loved that area there, so we decided to move there when I was 11. There's no future in hockey in Holland, really. So, my dad and my family, my mom and my sister, we all moved there. I'm very lucky that they did that for me. After that, I played for the Wolves from major atom until minor bantams, then I went and played for the Muskies, and from there I went to Chicago. Then, when my mom got sick for the second time, her dream was always to live in a hot country, so my dad sold the house in Canada and moved to Thailand. She lived there for eight more months, then she had to go back for treatment. So, that's why they still live there.

McKeen's: What is it that your dad does, if I might ask?

Dalhuisen: Right now, he's self-employed. He's building houses in Thailand for people.

McKeen's: They probably need it, unfortunately, after the tsunami.

Dalhuisen: Yeah, but no, we're on the other side, so it's okay.

McKeen's: With your Dutch citizenship, you've played for Team Netherlands on a few occasions, including two U18 World Championships, three World Junior Championships, and the senior team. In all of those times playing for Team Netherlands, what are some of your favorite memories?

Dalhuisen: I'd definitely have to say winning a gold medal in Hungary. We played against Estonia. We were obviously huge underdogs. They were all standing outside the locker room with their girlfriends ten minutes before the game on their phones. We were already all dressed, focused, and we came out and beat them 4-3. So, it was great. It was awesome, a great time.

McKeen's: Most fans don't get to see the Division II U18's, or the DII World Junior Championships. So, how would you say they compare to the different levels of hockey you've played here in North America, be it midgets, Tier II junior A, Tier I junior A?

Dalhuisen: A lot slower, a lot less skill. We play teams like Australia and Mexico. Obviously they're not very big into hockey there, and so they're not as, I mean, I guess educated as well as other teams are. There's also Mitch Bruijsten, who plays for Sioux City, who plays on the team, so pretty much me and him, we stand out. Teams that always give us a challenge are like Estonia and Hungary and Italy.

McKeen's: Tell me about (pauses), because at the same time, there's you, there's Mitch Bruijsten, and there was Diederick Hagemaier. So, how was it (pauses), was that some sort of concerted effort? How was it all three of you ended up here around the same time?

Dalhuisen: Coming to the USHL you mean?

McKeen's: Yeah, all three of you.

Dalhuisen: Yeah, well I came first. After that, Mitch, I told him about it, and he was like, "Oh, that sounds like a great place to go." Then he came, and then Diederick came after that. I've been friends with Mitch since I was like two. His dad actually taught me how to skate, and Diederick, I've known him since I was about 10 or 12, or something like that. After I told them, they decided to come here.

McKeen's: You were named the Best Defenseman of the Tournament at the 2007 World U18's, Division II , Group A, and again at the 2008 World Junior Championships Division II, Group B. So, how much does a USHLer like yourself dominate the play in a tournament like that, or is still a challenge at all?

Dalhuisen: I really don't want to be cocky, but yeah. It's like playing, probably, it's like playing a bantam team, a low-level bantam team against Mexico, and Australia, and Croatia, and stuff like that.

McKeen's: In what ways does your role with Team Netherlands, be it at the U18 or the U20 level, differ from what it's typically been in the USHL, because there have been a couple tournaments where you've picked up more points in a week than you did in your first two seasons in the USHL?

Dalhuisen: Yeah, like I said, I mean, the goalies, they're not as good as here. So, pretty much, 20, 25 percent of the shots go in. So, I was just taking some shots on net. Leadership, all the boys look up to me because I play in The States. That's a huge deal for them. So, that's kind of my role there.

McKeen's: Tell me more about that, how you're looked at in The Netherlands, as well as Mitch and even Diederick.

Dalhuisen: We always get ink in the papers still, to this day. There's a lot of forums out there with guys who follow us and keep track of our stats. So, I guess kind of like a mini-celebrity whenever we go over there, me, Mitch, and Diederick. So, it's a lot of fun.

McKeen's: I've been able to watch you develop over the last three years. You obviously have good size, a pretty powerful skating stride, a hard shot, physical, willing to drop the gloves. In my opinion, your game should transfer well to the pro level someday, but have NHL teams shown interest in you this year? Have you talked to NHL teams at all?

Dalhuisen: I haven't personally talked to them. I've filled out a few questionnaires. So, that's as far as I've gotten there. Hopefully sometime soon.

McKeen's: That's how it often goes. If I were a director of amateur scouting for an NHL team advising my GM on draft day, what are some reasons I should consider drafting Mike Dalhuisen?

Dalhuisen: I'll work the hardest on the team. I'll do anything to help the team out. Committed every night, and I just want to get better.

McKeen's: What would it mean to you if you were drafted, and what would it mean to The Netherlands as well?

Dalhuisen: I'd be the first person to ever be drafted, so I think it'd be a pretty huge deal for all the fans back in Holland. What it would mean to me is that I'd have to go to camp. It means nothing yet until I prove myself and go to camp and work my butt off and see what happens from there.

McKeen's: Even if you weren't drafted, what would it mean if you were to sign a two-way contract out of college?

Dalhuisen: Well, obviously my main goal is to get to the NHL, and I'm not going to let anything stop that. Either way, I just want to get there. Anything to get there, I'll do.

McKeen's: You touched on this a little bit, but going back to the beginning, how was it you started playing hockey and how did you get that start?

Dalhuisen: My dad was a big fan of the hockey in Holland, and so he said, "When I have a son, he's going to play hockey." I was two-and-half years old and Mitch's dad taught me how to skate. I fell in love right away and I've played it ever since.

McKeen's: Where is hockey in the hierarchy of sports in The Netherlands, and how does the top league compare to other leagues in Europe or even in North America?

Dalhuisen: Obviously soccer is the main sport there. Hockey's not very big. They only get a hundred fans a game, or 150 fans on a good night. Compared to other leagues in Europe, it's not very good. Ex-players from Germany or Sweden will come down after they retire out of their league to come play in Holland.

McKeen's: For what organizations did you skate for prior to Lindsay?

Dalhuisen: I played for Central Ontario. You mean before that, in Holland?

McKeen's: Yeah, sure.

Dalhuisen: I played for the Central Ontario Wolves. Before that, I played for the Den Bosch Eagles, and I grew up playing in Nijmegen, my hometown.

McKeen's: That'll settle that. They don't keep track of the stats online for Dutch youth hockey.

Dalhuisen: No. I was actually a forward until I came to Canada. I was trying out for the AAA team, and at the last tryout coach said, "I want you to play on defense." I was like, "Why?" He was like, "Because you're big and you're going to be a defenseman."

McKeen's: (Chuckles)

Dalhuisen: He's like, "Otherwise, you're not going to make the team." So, I played defense, and have ever since.

McKeen's: I guess that begs the question, at what point did you end up as big as you are, or taller than everyone else, I guess?

Dalhuisen: I've always been kind of tall for my age. When I moved to Canada, I was 5-foot-4, major atoms, so I was 11, and I weighed 100 pounds, so I was always kind of bigger. But now everyone's starting to catch up to me.

McKeen's: I don't know if "all" of them will catch up.

Dalhuisen: Yeah (chuckles)

McKeen's: Who were some of your favorite players growing up and why, and maybe who are some players today that you'd like to equate to?

Dalhuisen: Growing up, I never really got a lot of exposure to hockey. We got the Rock'Em Sock'Em movies, but we didn't get to watch a lot of NHL. Like I said, it's all soccer, soccer, soccer in Holland. But, now I really like to watch Nicklas Lidstrom. He's a smart player, a great defenseman. I would say Alexander Ovechkin is probably my favorite player. He does it all.

McKeen's: Very entertaining to watch, and throws in a little extra stuff, like that hot stick thing.

Dalhuisen: I don't know about all of that, but I like how hard he works and he loves scoring goals and he loves the game.

McKeen's: Do the European hockey leagues get much TV in Holland, or not so much?

Dalhuisen: In Holland, the hockey?

McKeen's: Yeah.

Dalhuisen: No, never on broadcasts at all.

McKeen's: I didn't know if maybe the Deutsche Elite League or anything like that…

Dalhuisen: Very, very rarely. Maybe only championships.

McKeen's: Not much exposure at all then.

Dalhuisen: Nope.

McKeen's: I guess, lastly, if you even had one, what was your favorite NHL team growing up and why and what was your favorite non-NHL team?

Dalhuisen: My favorite team was the Toronto Maple Leafs, just because I lived the closest to them. Me and my dad would go to the games, it was a lot of fun. I really didn't have a non-favorite team. I'll play anywhere.

McKeen's: While you lived in Holland, what was your favorite team there?

Dalhuisen: The only thing I went by was hockey cards, and I guess I liked the Sharks because their jersey looked cool when I was little. That's all.

McKeen's: I didn't know if maybe you had a favorite team in Holland or anything like that.

Dalhuisen: Oh, favorite team in Holland? Just my hometown pro team. We always housed players from there, and my dad was part owner. So I had to kind of be a fan there.

McKeen's: Does he still own the team at all?

Dalhuisen: No, not at all. He got out of that when we went to Canada.