Michigan State hockey coach Rick Comley has signed Tim Crowder to a National Letter of Intent for the 2005-06 season.
Crowder joins six other players - forwards Justin Abdelkader, Tim Kennedy and Nick Sucharski; defensemen Brandon Gentile and Ryan Turek; and goaltender Jeff Lerg who signed NLI's during the early signing period.
"Tim is the final piece of this year's recruiting class," said Comley. "He is a pro-type player, who brings size and strength and has shown the ability to score goals. He will definitely compliment our forwards."
Tim Crowder, F, 6-2, 180, Shoots: R; Birthday: Oct. 16, 1986; Victoria, B.C./South Surrey Eagles (BCHL)
Has played in the British Columbia Hockey League for three years ... Began the 2004-05 season with the Victoria Salsa, before being traded to the South Surrey Eagles at the trade deadline ... In 56 regular-season games, compiled 23 goals and 27 assists for 50 points ... Recorded seven power-play markers among his 23 goals ... Also tallied 30 penalty minutes ... In 16 playoff games, has three goals and 12 assists for 15 points to rank tied for seventh among BCHL playoff scoring leaders ... Spent the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons with Powell River Kings ... Posted 21 goals and 34 assists for 55 points in 57 games in 2003-04 ... Recorded six goals and six assists for 12 points in 52 games in 2002-03 ... Prior to Powell River, played for Victoria Racquet Club (Bantam AAA) from 2000-02.
Friday, April 15, 2005
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
WSU names co-captains for '05-06
Wayne State University head men's hockey coach Bill Wilkinson announced today the selection of captains for the 2005-06 season.
Senior goalie Matt Kelly and senior defenseman Greg Poupard will serve as co-captains. Poupard was a co-captain this past season.
Three assistant captains were also selected: senior defenseman Steve Kovalchik, redshirt junior forward Jason Bloomingburg and junior forward Mark Cannon.
"This is a good group," said Wilkinson. "It spreads the responsibility around the team. It gives us a lot more leadership in regards to the scenario we are looking for on this team."
The Warriors open the 2005-06 campaign at the Lefty McFadden Invitational in Dayton, Ohio.
Senior goalie Matt Kelly and senior defenseman Greg Poupard will serve as co-captains. Poupard was a co-captain this past season.
Three assistant captains were also selected: senior defenseman Steve Kovalchik, redshirt junior forward Jason Bloomingburg and junior forward Mark Cannon.
"This is a good group," said Wilkinson. "It spreads the responsibility around the team. It gives us a lot more leadership in regards to the scenario we are looking for on this team."
The Warriors open the 2005-06 campaign at the Lefty McFadden Invitational in Dayton, Ohio.
Spartans announce '05-06 captains
Michigan State head coach Rick Comley has announced his captains for the 2005-06 season as forward Drew Miller will serve as the team captain for the first time in his career. Wearing the "A" on their jerseys will be forward Colton Fretter and defensemen Jared Nightingale and Corey Potter.
"This is a very good group of captains; they have been the players that have provided leadership in the locker room," said Comley. "Collectively as a group, they understand the direction that our program wants to take and the path that we need to get it to the next level. They know what needs to be done."
Miller, who served as an assistant captain as a sophomore, had a breakout season offensively in 2004-05. He ranked as the team's third leading scorer with 33 points (17 goals, 16 assists) in 40 games and tied for second on the squad with a +15 plus/minus rating. His 17 goals ranks second on the squad as 16 of his 17 tallies came in CCHA play. In addition, he finished second on MSU with nine power-play markers - a total that placed him tied for ninth in the CCHA.
The East Lansing native was named MSU's Most Improved Player at the 2005 hockey banquet after tripling his offensive output from his freshman year. As a rookie in 2003-04, he picked up four goals and six assists for 10 points in 41 games while being asked to serve in a defensive forward role. Even with his offensive production, his defense never lacked during the 2004-05 season as he blocked 68 shots to lead all forwards.
"I am definitely really excited," said Miller on his selection of team captain. "I never really thought about being a captain. My goal growing up was just to play at Michigan State. I have three assistant captains who are all capable of being named captain too. I think we have good leadership for the team and we can see where it takes us next year.
"I think more of leading on the ice is my style of play. I try to go out there and give everything I have for the team and make the most happen that I can. From a vocal standpoint, I guess that is just how I was brought up. I was brought up around Michigan State hockey. A lot of the guys that I looked up to were captains and leaders on the team, watching what they did helped shape me to be more of a vocal leader and to know when to raise your voice if you have to and stay positive."
"This is a very good group of captains; they have been the players that have provided leadership in the locker room," said Comley. "Collectively as a group, they understand the direction that our program wants to take and the path that we need to get it to the next level. They know what needs to be done."
Miller, who served as an assistant captain as a sophomore, had a breakout season offensively in 2004-05. He ranked as the team's third leading scorer with 33 points (17 goals, 16 assists) in 40 games and tied for second on the squad with a +15 plus/minus rating. His 17 goals ranks second on the squad as 16 of his 17 tallies came in CCHA play. In addition, he finished second on MSU with nine power-play markers - a total that placed him tied for ninth in the CCHA.
The East Lansing native was named MSU's Most Improved Player at the 2005 hockey banquet after tripling his offensive output from his freshman year. As a rookie in 2003-04, he picked up four goals and six assists for 10 points in 41 games while being asked to serve in a defensive forward role. Even with his offensive production, his defense never lacked during the 2004-05 season as he blocked 68 shots to lead all forwards.
"I am definitely really excited," said Miller on his selection of team captain. "I never really thought about being a captain. My goal growing up was just to play at Michigan State. I have three assistant captains who are all capable of being named captain too. I think we have good leadership for the team and we can see where it takes us next year.
"I think more of leading on the ice is my style of play. I try to go out there and give everything I have for the team and make the most happen that I can. From a vocal standpoint, I guess that is just how I was brought up. I was brought up around Michigan State hockey. A lot of the guys that I looked up to were captains and leaders on the team, watching what they did helped shape me to be more of a vocal leader and to know when to raise your voice if you have to and stay positive."
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Pioneers Capture Seventh NCAA Title
Farmington Hills native Peter Mannino
backstopped Denver to their second straight Championship
Photo by Bill Sallaz
The Denver Pioneers rode the enthusiasm of their youth to a 4-1 win over the North Dakota Fighting Sioux and another NCAA title at the Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio, last Saturday night.
Freshman Paul Stastny scored a pair of power-play goals to lead the Pioneers up front, while fellow frosh Peter Mannino stopped 44 shots in net, a career high, and was awarded the Most Outstanding Player trophy. After the game, the Farmington Hills native said he wasn't nervous, but rather pumped up for the championship game.
"We don't really think of it as nerves, it's more exciting or excitement," said Mannino. "To be in this situation, in the Frozen Four, it's just a thrill for all the freshmen, and we just wanted to take it in stride and give as much impact to the team as we could, and I think we enjoyed the whole season, playing with them, they've led us the whole way and we just wanted to kind of help them out here in their final game and send them off in a good way.
The win gave Denver their seventh national championship, tying the Sioux for the second-highest total in NCAA history. The Michigan Wolverines have won the most championships with nine.
DU became the seventh team to earn two straight titles and finished the season on a nine-game winning streak. Head coach George Gwozdecky wants to soak in this title, but knows next season could be a new chapter.
"Every year's different in college hockey. We graduate a great senior class and we've got a whole new freshmen class coming in, a whole new set of challenges, and every year's that way," said Gwozdecky.
"Who knows what's going to happen with the National Hockey League, who knows if we're going to have all of our returning players actually returning to us. I'm really upset that Matt Carle and Peter Mannino had such great games because we want them around next year. So, you know, we will enjoy the moments and when it comes time to plan for next year, we'll plan for next year and put our plan in place and with these young people we have with us, we'll hopefully establish a whole new identity and take pride in what previous teams have been able to accomplish and high pressure fully have the torch passed on from Matt Laatsch to whoever our new captain is and the experiences and lessons they've learned, both on the ice and off the ice as well."
Kelly Named Warriors MVP
The Wayne State University men's hockey team held its annual awards banquet on Sunday, April 10 at the Gem Theatre in downtown Detroit.
Junior goalie Matt Kelly (Hull, Mass./Topeka Scarecrows) earned team Most Valuable Player honors after setting school records for goals-against average (2.54) and save percentage (.922) in a season. A second team All-College Hockey America (CHA) netminder, Kelly allowed only 56 goals, 30 of which came on opponent power plays.
Freshman center Stavros Paskaris (Dearborn, Mich./Kewadin Indians), the CHA Rookie of the Year, was honored with the WSU Rookie of the Year award. He led the Warriors in assists (21) and points (33), while being just one of five skaters to appear in all 35 games. His +13 plus/minus rating led all WSU forwards, while tying for team-high honors in short-handed goals (2) and first goals (3). Paskaris also won the team's "Top Gun" award for leading the squad in scoring.
Sophomore forward Nicholas Staneckyj (Garson, Ont./Rayside Balfour Sabrecats) earned the President's Award for academic success. He has a 3.62 cumulative grade-point average in biological sciences/pre-dentistry.
Sophomore defenseman Adam Drescher (Belleville, Mich./Wexford Raiders) earned the Most Improved award after appearing in 18 games. He earned his first collegiate point with an assist on the first goal of the game in the Nov. 20 win at Bowling Green.
Sophomore defenseman Dan Iliakis (Scarborough, Ont./Georgetown Raiders) was named the Best Defenseman. Iliakis appeared in all 35 games scoring 13 points on two goals and 11 assists with a +12 plus/minus rating. He led all WSU blueliners with three game-winning assists and was second among WSU defensemen with six power-play assists and 11 total helpers. Iliakis was even or plus (plus/minus rating) in 27 of the 35 games.
Sophomore defenseman Taylor Donohoe (Richmond, B.C./Powell River Kings) was presented with the Coaches Award. He played in all 35 contests and led the squad with a +15 plus/minus rating. A CHA All-Academic team selection, Donohoe was even or plus (plus/minus rating) in 30 of 35 games.
Senior John Grubb (Burlington, N.D./Waterloo Black Hawks) and junior Greg Poupard (Jackson, Mich./Waterloo Black Hawks) were given the Captain's Award. Grubb served as a team captain for the second consecutive year. He scored the first goal of the game in the Nov. 23 win over Bemidji State. A member of the student-athlete advisory committee, he appeared in 121 career games. As a sophomore he scored the game-winning goal against Princeton short-handed and then scored an overtime game-winner at Michigan State as a junior.
Poupard was a team captain for the first time this season. He played in all but one game this past year and has appeared in 100 career games. He set career-highs this year in assists and plus/minus.
Article courtesy of Wayne State Athletics Department
Junior goalie Matt Kelly (Hull, Mass./Topeka Scarecrows) earned team Most Valuable Player honors after setting school records for goals-against average (2.54) and save percentage (.922) in a season. A second team All-College Hockey America (CHA) netminder, Kelly allowed only 56 goals, 30 of which came on opponent power plays.
Freshman center Stavros Paskaris (Dearborn, Mich./Kewadin Indians), the CHA Rookie of the Year, was honored with the WSU Rookie of the Year award. He led the Warriors in assists (21) and points (33), while being just one of five skaters to appear in all 35 games. His +13 plus/minus rating led all WSU forwards, while tying for team-high honors in short-handed goals (2) and first goals (3). Paskaris also won the team's "Top Gun" award for leading the squad in scoring.
Sophomore forward Nicholas Staneckyj (Garson, Ont./Rayside Balfour Sabrecats) earned the President's Award for academic success. He has a 3.62 cumulative grade-point average in biological sciences/pre-dentistry.
Sophomore defenseman Adam Drescher (Belleville, Mich./Wexford Raiders) earned the Most Improved award after appearing in 18 games. He earned his first collegiate point with an assist on the first goal of the game in the Nov. 20 win at Bowling Green.
Sophomore defenseman Dan Iliakis (Scarborough, Ont./Georgetown Raiders) was named the Best Defenseman. Iliakis appeared in all 35 games scoring 13 points on two goals and 11 assists with a +12 plus/minus rating. He led all WSU blueliners with three game-winning assists and was second among WSU defensemen with six power-play assists and 11 total helpers. Iliakis was even or plus (plus/minus rating) in 27 of the 35 games.
Sophomore defenseman Taylor Donohoe (Richmond, B.C./Powell River Kings) was presented with the Coaches Award. He played in all 35 contests and led the squad with a +15 plus/minus rating. A CHA All-Academic team selection, Donohoe was even or plus (plus/minus rating) in 30 of 35 games.
Senior John Grubb (Burlington, N.D./Waterloo Black Hawks) and junior Greg Poupard (Jackson, Mich./Waterloo Black Hawks) were given the Captain's Award. Grubb served as a team captain for the second consecutive year. He scored the first goal of the game in the Nov. 23 win over Bemidji State. A member of the student-athlete advisory committee, he appeared in 121 career games. As a sophomore he scored the game-winning goal against Princeton short-handed and then scored an overtime game-winner at Michigan State as a junior.
Poupard was a team captain for the first time this season. He played in all but one game this past year and has appeared in 100 career games. He set career-highs this year in assists and plus/minus.
Article courtesy of Wayne State Athletics Department
Zamora MVP for Warrior Women Again
The Wayne State University women's hockey team held its annual awards banquet on Sunday, April 10 at the Gem Theatre in downtown Detroit.
Senior center Kelly Zamora (Oshawa, Ont./Toronto Marlies) earned team Most Valuable Player honors for the second year in a row and the third time in her career. She led the Warriors in assists (18) and recorded a school-record 29 points. Zamora had a team-best plus/minus rating of +5. She was tied-for-second on the team in goals (11), and was tied-for-third in power-play goals (3).
Zamora also earned the "Top Gun" award for leading the squad in scoring with 29 points.
Freshman goalie Valery Turcotte (Jonquiere, Que./Royal Metabetchouan) was named Rookie of the Year after recording eight wins, including a shutout.
Junior Peyton Patterson (Brampton, Ont./Toronto Sting) was the recipient of the team's Best Defenseman award. She was second among all WSU blueliners in assists (9) and points (10), while recording the best plus/minus of any regular defenseman.
Senior forward Heidi Burns (Uniontown, Ohio/Ohio Flames) was presented with the President's Award for academic success. A recent inductee into the Golden Key International Honour Society, Burns will graduate next month with a degree in political science. She has been on the athletic department's honor roll six times including three semesters with a perfect 4.00 grade-point average.
Freshman goalie Tiffany Thompson (Dryden, Ont./Thunder Bay Northern Hawks) was named the team's Most Improved Player. She played in three games and made 42 saves in a loss at league champion Mercyhurst.
The Coaches' Award was presented to junior forward Naomi Kupferstein (Thornhill, Ont./Toronto Marlies), who appeared in the first 10 games before suffering a season-ending injury.
Kelly Zamora and Jessica Snelgrove were honored for their service as co-captains this past season.
Zamora, the former WSU Rookie of the Year, was a three-time Warrior MVP and top-gun award winner. She led the squad in plus/minus and face-off winning percentage (63%) this past season.
Snelgrove, a two-time CHA All-Academic selection, won over 350 face-offs this year. A co-captain this year, she was an assistant captain for the 2003-04 campaign.
Article courtesy of Wayne State Athletics Department
Senior center Kelly Zamora (Oshawa, Ont./Toronto Marlies) earned team Most Valuable Player honors for the second year in a row and the third time in her career. She led the Warriors in assists (18) and recorded a school-record 29 points. Zamora had a team-best plus/minus rating of +5. She was tied-for-second on the team in goals (11), and was tied-for-third in power-play goals (3).
Zamora also earned the "Top Gun" award for leading the squad in scoring with 29 points.
Freshman goalie Valery Turcotte (Jonquiere, Que./Royal Metabetchouan) was named Rookie of the Year after recording eight wins, including a shutout.
Junior Peyton Patterson (Brampton, Ont./Toronto Sting) was the recipient of the team's Best Defenseman award. She was second among all WSU blueliners in assists (9) and points (10), while recording the best plus/minus of any regular defenseman.
Senior forward Heidi Burns (Uniontown, Ohio/Ohio Flames) was presented with the President's Award for academic success. A recent inductee into the Golden Key International Honour Society, Burns will graduate next month with a degree in political science. She has been on the athletic department's honor roll six times including three semesters with a perfect 4.00 grade-point average.
Freshman goalie Tiffany Thompson (Dryden, Ont./Thunder Bay Northern Hawks) was named the team's Most Improved Player. She played in three games and made 42 saves in a loss at league champion Mercyhurst.
The Coaches' Award was presented to junior forward Naomi Kupferstein (Thornhill, Ont./Toronto Marlies), who appeared in the first 10 games before suffering a season-ending injury.
Kelly Zamora and Jessica Snelgrove were honored for their service as co-captains this past season.
Zamora, the former WSU Rookie of the Year, was a three-time Warrior MVP and top-gun award winner. She led the squad in plus/minus and face-off winning percentage (63%) this past season.
Snelgrove, a two-time CHA All-Academic selection, won over 350 face-offs this year. A co-captain this year, she was an assistant captain for the 2003-04 campaign.
Article courtesy of Wayne State Athletics Department
Broncos honor award winners, name captains
KALAMAZOO — Eight members of the Western Michigan University hockey team were honored last night at the team’s award banquet, held at the Radisson Plaza Hotel.
Presenting the awards were head coach Jim Culhane along with assistant coaches Chris Brooks, Brendan Kenny and Allan Avery.
Junior right wing Brent Walton was named the Rob Hodge Most Valuable Player and Vic Vanderberg Top Scorer. Walton compiled 50 points ( 21 goals, 29 assists) and spent 15 weeks atop the Central Collegiate Hockey Association scoring charts. An All-CCHA Second Team selection, Walton became the first Bronco in 17 seasons to capture the league’s assists title, recording 24 helpers in 28 games. He currently ranks sixth in NCAA scoring.
Sophomore Ryan Mahrle received Neil Smith Most Valuable Defenseman honors, leading Bronco blue liners with 16 points (5-11). Tabbed CCHA Defenseman of the Week in February, Mahrle scored the decisive goal with 22 seconds left in regulation in WMU’s 4-3 win over Niagara (Nov. 15) and provided the game-winning tally versus Miami (Feb. 5).
Freshman goaltender Daniel Bellissimo earned the Suzanne Klop Rookie of the Year Award. Bellissimo started 35 of 37 games — including 25 straight — and ranked second in the CCHA with 1,011 saves. He recorded 35-plus saves in a game nine times and was Honorable Mention for the CSTV/Commissioner’s Choice Rookie of the Month Award in November.
Sophomore right wing Kevin Labatte and freshman right wing Jeff Pierce were named co-recipients of the Ed Edwards Most Improved Player Award. Labatte displayed a strong second half of the season, scoring five goals over a 13-game stretch. He scored twice in a 5-1 win over Ferris State (March 4), launching a career-high seven shots on goal. Pierce led Bronco freshmen in scoring with 13 points (8-5), striking six times on the power play. He also produced game-winning goals against Ohio State and Alabama-Huntsville.
Senior captain Pat Dwyer earned the Kalamazoo Optimist “Grinder” Award for Perseverance. Dwyer joined the Bronco Century Club on March 12, recording his 100th career point. He scored twice, including the game-winning goal, in the Broncos’ season-opening 5-4 win over Alaska Fairbanks. Dwyer also threaded a pass through the legs of a Michigan player to make the “Plays of the Day” on ESPN’s Sports Center.
Second-year center Paul Szczechura accepted the Catherine Lawson Sportsmanship Award. Szczechura finished second in team assists (23) and third in scoring (29 points) and was ranked among North American skaters in the NHL Scouting Service Report.
Sophomore center Brett John took home the Bill Saunders Plus/Minus and Peter R. Ellis Academic awards. John logged a minus-1 in 10 games this season and recorded a perfect 4.00 grade-point average over the past year as an accounting major.
Coach Culhane also annouonced captains for the 2005-06 campaign. Mike Erickson, a senior next year, has been elected team captain while Walton, Szczechura and Mahrle will serve as assistant captains.
Western Michigan press release here.
Presenting the awards were head coach Jim Culhane along with assistant coaches Chris Brooks, Brendan Kenny and Allan Avery.
Junior right wing Brent Walton was named the Rob Hodge Most Valuable Player and Vic Vanderberg Top Scorer. Walton compiled 50 points ( 21 goals, 29 assists) and spent 15 weeks atop the Central Collegiate Hockey Association scoring charts. An All-CCHA Second Team selection, Walton became the first Bronco in 17 seasons to capture the league’s assists title, recording 24 helpers in 28 games. He currently ranks sixth in NCAA scoring.
Sophomore Ryan Mahrle received Neil Smith Most Valuable Defenseman honors, leading Bronco blue liners with 16 points (5-11). Tabbed CCHA Defenseman of the Week in February, Mahrle scored the decisive goal with 22 seconds left in regulation in WMU’s 4-3 win over Niagara (Nov. 15) and provided the game-winning tally versus Miami (Feb. 5).
Freshman goaltender Daniel Bellissimo earned the Suzanne Klop Rookie of the Year Award. Bellissimo started 35 of 37 games — including 25 straight — and ranked second in the CCHA with 1,011 saves. He recorded 35-plus saves in a game nine times and was Honorable Mention for the CSTV/Commissioner’s Choice Rookie of the Month Award in November.
Sophomore right wing Kevin Labatte and freshman right wing Jeff Pierce were named co-recipients of the Ed Edwards Most Improved Player Award. Labatte displayed a strong second half of the season, scoring five goals over a 13-game stretch. He scored twice in a 5-1 win over Ferris State (March 4), launching a career-high seven shots on goal. Pierce led Bronco freshmen in scoring with 13 points (8-5), striking six times on the power play. He also produced game-winning goals against Ohio State and Alabama-Huntsville.
Senior captain Pat Dwyer earned the Kalamazoo Optimist “Grinder” Award for Perseverance. Dwyer joined the Bronco Century Club on March 12, recording his 100th career point. He scored twice, including the game-winning goal, in the Broncos’ season-opening 5-4 win over Alaska Fairbanks. Dwyer also threaded a pass through the legs of a Michigan player to make the “Plays of the Day” on ESPN’s Sports Center.
Second-year center Paul Szczechura accepted the Catherine Lawson Sportsmanship Award. Szczechura finished second in team assists (23) and third in scoring (29 points) and was ranked among North American skaters in the NHL Scouting Service Report.
Sophomore center Brett John took home the Bill Saunders Plus/Minus and Peter R. Ellis Academic awards. John logged a minus-1 in 10 games this season and recorded a perfect 4.00 grade-point average over the past year as an accounting major.
Coach Culhane also annouonced captains for the 2005-06 campaign. Mike Erickson, a senior next year, has been elected team captain while Walton, Szczechura and Mahrle will serve as assistant captains.
Western Michigan press release here.
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