Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Warriors ink Bernardi for '06-07

Wayne State University signed one student-athlete to a National Letter of Intent during the early signing period as defenseman Ryan Bernardi will join the Warriors next fall.

Bernardi, a 5-foot-8, 160-pound native of Etobicoke, Ont., is currently in his third year with the Milton Ice Hawks of the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League. In 18 games this year, he has two goals and seven assists for nine points with a plus-minus rating of +11 as the Ice Hawks have compiled 16-2-1-1 mark.

"Ryan brings great intensity and enthusiasm for the game," WSU head coach Bill Wilkinson said. "He is a good-skating defenseman with great vision on the ice. Ryan will add speed and puck skills to our defensive corps."

During the 2004-05 campaign, Bernardi recorded 29 points on seven goals and 22 assists in 48 games with 108 penalty minutes. The previous year, he had three goals and 16 assists for 19 points in 45 games with 67 penalty minutes. He was a combined +59 (+24 in 2004-05 and +35 in 2003-04) during his first two seasons of juniors.

Born April 30, 1987, Bernardi was also a 2003 Ontario Hockey League draft selection of the Guelph Storm as he went in the ninth round, 163rd overall.

Wayne State loses four seniors to graduation following the 2005-06 campaign: goalie Matt Kelly, forward John May and defensemen Steve Kovalchik and Greg Poupard.

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