MacVoy leaving Wolverines for USHL

BY ANTOINE PITTS
Ann Arbor News Sports Reporter

Zac MacVoy is seeking a fresh start to his hockey career.

He won't return to the University of Michigan.

Instead, he'll do a year of junior hockey that will lead to another college destination.

MacVoy didn't play in 12 of Michigan's final 15 games and didn't see that changing much with the same number of forwards on the roster for next season.

He told the coaching staff following the season that he'd like to pursue a transfer. MacVoy's freshman campaign consisted of appearing in 20 of Michigan's 41 games. He tallied one goal and three assists.

While MacVoy is being re-recruited, he'll play next season for the Omaha Lancers, who selected him in the second round of the United States Hockey League draft.

"Me and my family decided that it was best for me to move on and pursue other options,'' said MacVoy, a Livonia native who spent two seasons with USA Hockey's developmental program. "I'm hoping to go back to juniors, polish my game and get better in every aspect.''

Michigan coach Red Berenson wasn't available to comment.

MacVoy said the Michigan coaches were supportive of his wishes, letting him remain on scholarship for spring term so he can take classes and work out at the arena.

To be eligible immediately in the fall of 2007, MacVoy will have to complete an associate's degree at a community college, which he'll be well on his way toward with his credits from Michigan.

MacVoy, who is 6 feet, 2 inches and 215 pounds, said he learned a lot from his year with the Wolverines, but was disappointed he couldn't play more.

"I didn't want to sit in the stands my whole four years, so I thought it would be a perfect time to leave, and hopefully I'll get a new start,'' MacVoy said.

Because MacVoy is just beginning the process, he has no wish list yet of future colleges.

It's not easy for MacVoy to say goodbye to a school he enjoyed and all of the teammates he became close to, but it's a move he feels must be done to further his hockey career.

"I loved the school and I loved the guys,'' MacVoy said. "It's a hard thing to leave, but me wanting to play kind of outweighs all that. They understand, and they're real supportive.''

Antoine Pitts can be reached at apitts@annarbornews.com or 734-994-6819.

TC West goaltender commits to LSSU

Edmondson will be No. 3 goalie

BY JAMES COOK
Traverse City Record-Eagle

Lake Superior State hockey coach Jim Roque was in town scouting the Traverse City North Stars and left with a different star.

While talking with TC West hockey coach Anthony Palumbo during his visit, Roque mentioned that he was looking for a third goaltender.

"I said, 'Hey, I think I've got that kid,' " Palumbo said to his former teammate at Lake Superior.

This week, Titans goaltender Mitch Edmondson committed to play at LSSU next season as a preferred walk-on. He will be the team's third-string netminder, behind All-CCHA goalie Jeff Jakaitis and an incoming freshman on scholarship. Jakaitis was an iron man for the Lakers last season, starting 35 of 36 games and logging 2,071 minutes between the pipes with a 2.23 goals against average.

"He's going to have to work hard to earn any playing time," Palumbo said. "I think he can fill that position nicely. He fits in well up there. It's all about having great character and work ethic — and he's got both."

Roque has never seen Edmondson play, but went on the recommendations of Palumbo, TC Central coach Chris Givens and Sault Ste. Marie prep coaches Al Dunbar and Doug Laprade, who saw Edmondson shut out No. 4-ranked Birmingham Brother Rice 3-0.

"The stars perfectly aligned for this to happen," Palumbo said.

It also means Edmondson won't have to go through junior hockey to play in college. He had considered trying out for the North Stars or going to Western Michigan University without playing hockey.

"I'm very thankful and fortunate to not have to go through that," Edmondson said.

Because of that, it's a good bet that he'll be the youngest player on the Laker squad.

Edmondson had a 9-2-1 record with a 1.34 goals against average and .945 save percentage last season for the 20-4-1 Titans. He was 4-0-1 in Big North Conference play, with a 1.16 GAA and .934 save percentage.

He will become just the second TC West player to go straight from preps to the NCAA, joining Justin White, who played in nine games for Notre Dame as a freshman last year.

Edmondson plans to major in business.