TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – It’s the name perfect for headlines and puns.

But Aaron Neighbor is only interested in winning and developing with the Traverse City Hounds as the organization enters its inaugural season in the USA Hockey-sanctioned United States Premier Hockey League for the 2015-16 season.

Neighbor, a goaltender, sparkled last season at Hartland High School, making the varsity team after three years on the junior varsity squad. Late last week, the 18-year-old signed with the Hounds, the only regular-season and Veteran’s Memorial Cup champions the Midwest Junior Hockey League knew in its three-year existence (2012-15).

“I am looking forward to playing at a higher level and challenging my skill set to improve and hopefully, be exposed to more scouting so I can continue moving up in my hockey journey,” Neighbor said. “I know the USPHL is one of the best Tier III leagues for moving kids on to a higher level.”

In high school, Neighbor played for head coach Rick Gadwa, a coach he credits for helping him find his game on and off the ice.

“Rick was a great coach and helped show me what kind of attitude I need to be successful at the higher levels,” explained Neighbor. “He also helped me grow as a player so that I can continue to play in the way that I need to in order to be competitive against the best players.”

“It was a constant climbing of the ladder," Gadwa said to the Livingston Daily. "He got sharper and sharper. He was good from the start and ended up being great at the end of the year. He was the best goaltender I've seen in my four years here. The Brother Rice (65 saves in a regional quarterfinal loss in four overtimes) was something special to watch, but he did that for us all season long.

“He was our team MVP and it was much-deserved."

Neighbor, who considers himself a hybrid goaltender, has plans this summer to fine-tune some things before he leaves home to head north to Traverse City.

“I have to continue to work on goaltending skills that are critical for success at the higher levels,” Neighbor said. “I also must continue to grow stronger and increase my athleticism so that I do not fall behind the competition.”

In the MWJHL’s three seasons, a Hounds’ goalie was tabbed Goaltender of the Year each season – Andrew Brownlee in 2013 (when the team was based in Hartland) and then David Krejcik in both 2014 and 2015.

After hopefully tasting success in the USPHL, Neighbor has his eyes set on continuing to climb the rungs of the advancement ladder.

“I hope to play in college, either NCAA Division I or Division III, but I am not yet sure what I want to study in college,” Neighbor said. “After that, I hope to continue playing hockey and/or become a goalie coach and help other kids in their growing hockey careers.”

Photo/Ken Swart