TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – All Buddy Rose wanted this year was to contend for a playoff championship.

When that didn’t happen in the NA3HL with his former team in Cleveland, he decided a Traverse City homecoming was in order.

“When (Hounds’) coach Jacek (Wilk) called me, (Cleveland) had just been eliminated from making the playoffs and only had six games left,” said Rose. “The Hounds had 10 regular-season games left, plus playoffs, so I figured the extra ice time, playing with a lot of my friends and playing on the best team in the MWJHL from home would be good for me.”

A Traverse City Central graduate (pictured), where he played with current Hounds’ teammate Cam Givens and against other new teammates, Rose thus far has compiled two goals and two assists for four points in eight games.

“I think extending the length of my season coming here is obviously a good thing,” said the 18-year-old Rose. “It could lead to extra exposure for next year as I'm hoping to play Tier II hockey in the NAHL or in Canada. Also, I know coach Jacek and (Scott) Gardiner are phenomenal coaches and will help me better my game. I was a little nervous coming back and joining a brand-new team toward the end of the season for obvious reasons, but the team has been awesome welcoming me and being great teammates.

“I feel like I've been here all year.”

With one weekend in the regular season to go before Traverse City starts its defense of the Veteran’s Memorial Cup, Rose knows now is the time when playing the best hockey matters.

“I think if we play the hockey the Hounds know we can play and we don't get too comfortable being the top seed in playoffs, we have a great shot at winning again,” Rose said. “Our goalies and defensemen have been doing great lately, but us forwards really have to start capitalizing on our scoring opportunities.”

In the future, Rose just wants to keep doing what he’s done since he could barely walk – play hockey.

“Next year I want to play juniors again and later, I really want to play college hockey whether, it's NCAA Division I or even D-III. I just have to focus on getting better and better,” said Rose. “I haven't decided what I want to major in in college yet, so I can't really say much for my plans outside of hockey.”

The Hounds (38-3-1-2), by virtue of finishing first overall, earn a first-round bye for the upcoming Veteran’s Memorial Cup playoffs.

This weekend, the Hounds play Alpena in a home-and-home series that starts Friday at Centre ICE at 7 p.m. and wraps Sunday at the Northern Lights Arena with a 2:05 p.m. opening faceoff.

All games will be broadcast on www.fasthockey.com.