BERKLEY, Mich. – All it took was a phone call and Logan Wilt was pretty much already decked out in black and yellow.

Wilt, a rookie defenseman for the Berkley Bruins of the Midwest Junior Hockey League, wasn’t sure of his options for this season until his cell phone rang over the summer with a familiar voice on the other end.

“Mike Rumps called and told me he was going to be doing some coaching over in Berkley and I had spent time playing with him before and I was always around his program and enjoyed his style of play,” said Wilt, a 17-year-old Westland, Mich., native. “He's made me the player I am today and when I got the phone call, I thought there would be no better way to help improve my skill than going back and playing for him.”

Now a solid fixture on the Bruins’ blue line, Wilt has recorded two assists this season, while playing in all 14 games. He’s also earned praise from Berkley head coach Dan Pszenyczny.

“Coming in as a rookie, Logan has done everything asked of him,” said Pszenyczny. “He's played forward, he's played defense, power play and penalty kill. Logan is a kid of few words, but his work ethic on the ice speaks volumes. The more ice time Logan sees, you can see him getting more and more comfortable and finding his feet. 

“I see Logan finding himself in bigger roles and key situations as the season goes on.”

Wilt spent most of his youth hockey career playing in Westland for the Westland Warriors and also saw time in the high school ranks with Divine Child. He said his formative years have prepared him for the junior hockey grind.

“I think my role on the Bruins is to play where they need me, do what needs to be done, supply some physical presence, also to keep the boys upbeat on and off the ice,” Wilt said. “I think the mood around the team is good, the boys always show up ready to play, but we can't get our heads down seeing what our record is. This team hustles day in and day out and all of the boys are just continuing to work hard, waiting for our break and the puck to start bouncing our way.”

And as with most junior hockey players, Wilt aspires to take his game to a new level this year and see what happens down the line.

“From a personal standpoint, I look to improve on my game and do what I can to help the team improve,” said Wilt. “I look to put points on the board and hope I can improve my physical presence on the ice. I think my long-term goals are just about the same as everyone's and that would be to play the game for as long as possible at the highest level of competition possible. I think that could be done with hard work, determination and listening to what the coaching staff and players have to say to help improve my game.”

The Bruins hit the road this weekend for a three-game set at Northern Lights Arena in Alpena against the Alpena Flyers. Game times are Friday and Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. and then Sunday at 2:05 p.m.

Berkley swept Alpena in three straight at home back on Oct. 17-19 at the Berkley Ice Arena, all by 6-5 scores, with the third game being decided in a shootout.

All games this weekend will be available on www.fasthockey.com.

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