Michigan Tech has added seven student-athletes to its 2005-06 men’s ice hockey program, as announced last week by Huskies head coach Jamie Russell.
The group includes forwards Ryan Angelow, Alex Gagne, and Justin St. Louis; defensemen Geoff Kinrade, John Schwarz, and Mike VanWagner (Traverse City); and goaltender Mike Teslak.
Angelow is a 5-10, 175-pound forward who played for the Oakville Blades of the Ontario Provincial Junior League. He scored 46 goals with 26 assists in 43 games and was the OPJHL most valuable player in 2004-05. “Ryan is a well-balanced, two-way forward with a good scoring touch,” said Russell.
Gagne (GONE-yay) notched 70 points in 60 games with the Cowichan Valley Capitals of the British Columbia Hockey League in 2004-05. Among his 70 points were 35 goals and 25 assists. The 6-0, 190-pound Gagne was a Coastal Conference All-Star Team member and team MVP. “Alex is a strong skater with exceptional speed and good offensive instincts,” said Russell. “He’s a play maker who knows how to handle the puck.”
St. Louis, a 6-2, 190-pound left wing, has spent the last two seasons playing for the Trail Smoke Eaters of the BCHL. This past season, he played in 58 games and recorded 31 goals and 28 assists, good for 59 total points. “Justin is a tremendous skater with a lot of speed and good scoring touch,” said Russell. “He finds the net and makes great offensive plays.”
Kinrade was the best defenseman for the Cowichan Valley Capitals a year ago. The 5-10, 195-pound blueliner tallied 13 goals and 21 assists in 60 games. He also earned Coastal All-Star Game MVP honors. “Geoff is a smooth skating D-man who moves the puck well and has the ability to rush the puck up the ice,” said Russell.
Schwarz, a 6-3, 210-pound defenseman, played for the Fort McMurray Oil Barons of the Alberta Junior Hockey League in 2004-05, and chipped in 29 points with five goals and 24 assists. He was also an AJHL All-Star in 2003-04 as a member of the Brooks Bandits. “John is a big, physical presence who always competes with an edge,” said Russell. “He plays in all situations and is relied heavily upon for penalty killing and defensive consistency.”
VanWagner, a 6-3, 205-pound blueliner, has spent the last two seasons playing for the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League. He has registered two goals and nine assists over the two campaigns, good for 11 total points. “Mike is a strong and athletic defenseman who competes extremely hard every time on the ice,” said Russell.
Teslak is a 6-2, 175-pound netminder who compiled a 21-9-1 record with the Prince George Spruce Kings of the BCHL in 2004-05. He registered a 2.47 goals against average and .931 saves percentage, and was named an Interior Conference All-Star. Teslak also earned a spot on NHL Central Scouting’s A list for goalie prospects. “Mike is a big goalie who moves well and has a lot of natural ability when it comes to stopping pucks,” said Russell. “He was an anchor for his team as he faced a lot of shots and gave his team a chance to win every night.”
Notes: VanWagner is the son of former MTU football standout Jim VanWagner, who is Tech’s career rushing leader . . . St. Louis committed to MTU during the early signing period in November of 2004.
MTU press release here.
BANQUET FEATURES AWARD WINNERS, NEW CAPTAINS
The 2004-05 Michigan Tech hockey banquet was held April 11 at the Memorial Union Ballroom on the MTU campus.
Award winners included:
Merv Youngs Award: Colin Murphy (Most Valuable Player)
John MacInnes Slide Rule Award: Tyler Skworchinski (Scholastic Achievement)
Elov Seger Memorial Award: Nick Anderson (Most Improved Player)
Gitzen-Loutit Memorial Award: Lars Helminen (Outstanding Defenseman)
Norbert Matovich Award: Tyler Shelast (Outstanding Freshman)
Gary Crosby Memorial Award: Colin Murphy (Leading Scorer)
George McCarthy Performance Award: Cam Ellsworth (Scholastic & Athletic Achievement)
Harold Meese Sportsmanship Award: Chris Conner
Wildcat Slayer Award: Colin Murphy
MTU also named their captain and assistant captains for 2005-2006. Wearing the "C" for the Huskies will be senior forward Brandon Schwartz and wearing the "A" will be Helminen, Conner and forward Mike Batovanja.
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