Ex-Michigan defenseman Eric Werner
(Photo - Marshall Mackinder)
Thursday was a busy day for ex-Michigan collegiate hockey players as two former Michigan Wolverines and one Wayne State alum inked pro contracts.
The two U-M skaters and 2005 grads, defenseman Eric Werner (Manchester Monarchs) and forward Milan Gajic (Providence Bruins), signed AHL deals while defenseman Tyler Kindle, a member of the first-ever WSU graduating class of 2003, will play for the ECHL's Johnstown Chiefs this coming season.
Werner finished his senior year at Michigan with a career high 31 points and 48 penalty minutes. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound native of Grosse Pointe Woods finished his Wolverine career with 92 points and 158 penalty minutes in 144 games.
Gajic, a Burnaby, British Columbia native, had 115 points and 148 penalty minutes in 158 games. Last year, he set career highs in games played (42), goals (20) and points (39). Gajic was the Atlanta Thrashers' fourth pick, 112th overall, in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.
"Tyler is an offensive minded defenseman," Johnstown general manager Toby O'Brien said of the Portage native Kindle. "He has a ton of skill and he will help the power play tremendously."
In 127 career ECHL games, Kindle has 20 goals and 69 points. Kindle played four seasons with Wayne State where he had 29 goals and 98 points in 140 games.
The two U-M skaters and 2005 grads, defenseman Eric Werner (Manchester Monarchs) and forward Milan Gajic (Providence Bruins), signed AHL deals while defenseman Tyler Kindle, a member of the first-ever WSU graduating class of 2003, will play for the ECHL's Johnstown Chiefs this coming season.
Werner finished his senior year at Michigan with a career high 31 points and 48 penalty minutes. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound native of Grosse Pointe Woods finished his Wolverine career with 92 points and 158 penalty minutes in 144 games.
Gajic, a Burnaby, British Columbia native, had 115 points and 148 penalty minutes in 158 games. Last year, he set career highs in games played (42), goals (20) and points (39). Gajic was the Atlanta Thrashers' fourth pick, 112th overall, in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.
"Tyler is an offensive minded defenseman," Johnstown general manager Toby O'Brien said of the Portage native Kindle. "He has a ton of skill and he will help the power play tremendously."
In 127 career ECHL games, Kindle has 20 goals and 69 points. Kindle played four seasons with Wayne State where he had 29 goals and 98 points in 140 games.
