Wayne State signs goaltender Bothwell

Goaltender Brett Bothwell has signed a national letter of intent to attend Wayne State this fall.

The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Bothwell led the Yorkton Terriers to the championship game of the 2006 Royal Bank Cup with a 13-3 playoff mark, a 2.37 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage.

During the regular season in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, the Red Deer, Alta., native compiled a 27-10-3 (2-OTL) record with a 2.42 GAA and a .919 save percentage. He made 1,158 saves for an average of 27.44 saves per 60 minutes. His 27 victories tied for second in the SJHL while both his GAA and minutes played were third in the league. Bothwell also recorded two shutouts in his 43 games played.

In 12 games the previous season with the Terriers, he had a 3-4-3 record with a 2.37 GAA, a .912 save percentage and one shutout.

He received the team's Most Popular Player award following the 2005-06 campaign and Bothwell also participated for Team West in the first-ever CJAHL Prospects Game held this past December.

Bothwell, who turns 20 on July 23, plans to major in business at WSU.

Lawrence named Spartans' captain

Senior forward Chris Lawrence has been named the captain of the Michigan State Spartans for the 2006-07 season.

In addition, Comley also announced that four players will serve as alternate captains for the upcoming season: junior forwards Bryan Lerg and Chris Mueller and senior blueliners Ethan Graham and Tyler Howells.

"This is a tremendous group in terms of leadership," noted MSU head coach Rick Comley. "They are great players and great 'program guys.' We look forward to them helping guide the team in this upcoming season."

Lawrence is a two-time letterwinner for the Spartans and played in 39 games a year ago as a junior. He scored two goals and added four assists - both of his goals coming on the power play. In the CCHA quarterfinal series against Alaska-Fairbanks, Lawrence combined with Tim Crowder and Lerg to set a new league record for the fastest three goals in tournament history - the three each tallied a goal in a span of 1:46.

"Chris is a very mature player who understands his role, and brings a tremendous attitude and work ethic to the rink every day," notes Comley. "We have the utmost confidence in his ability to manage that locker room. He played a key role on our team last year and helped us achieve some great things. He was the unanimous selection by his teammates to serve as captain and that is a testament to their confidence in him as a leader."

"I'm extremely excited," commented the captain-elect. "This is something I can look at with a lot of pride. It's really a great honor, particularly in a program like Michigan State, to serve as captain. It's extra-special because it comes from a vote of my teammates - the guys you go to battle with every night. To have the confidence from them, it's something I'm really looking forward to. I'm excited to get the season underway."

The alternate captains also played a large role in the success of the 2005-06 Spartan team.

Howells, Lerg, and Graham were among the five MSU players to appear in each of the team's 45 games a year ago. Lerg was the team's second-leading scorer with 15 goals and 23 assists, potting five power-play tallies. Mueller missed four games, but contributed 11 goals and 15 helpers on the season. Howells, a versatile rearguard with offensive skills, was fourth on the team in scoring with 10 goals and 24 assists, and led the team with a plus/minus rating of +21. Graham, by comparison, is a stay-at-home defenseman who was able to contribute three goals and nine assists for 12 points.

Spartans get Tropp for '07-08 season

Sioux Falls Stampede forward Corey Tropp has committed to Michigan State University for the 2007-08 season.

The Grosse Pointe native appeared in 46 games with the Herd during the regular season, posting 15 points on seven goals and eight assists. Tropp also posted five points (2g, 3a) in 14 playoff games, helping lead the Stampede to their first ever trip to the Clark Cup Finals. Tropp becomes the 17th Stampede player to commit to a Division One college or university from this past season.

Prior to joining the Stampede in October, Tropp played midget major hockey with Victory Honda in the Midwest Elite Hockey League where he posted five points (2g, 3a) in just two games. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound winger tallied 37 points (21g, 16a) in 27 games with Belle Tire two years ago.

When Tropp joins the Spartans in 2007 he will join former Stampede star Jim McKenzie, who is entering his junior year this season. Michigan State is a member of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and have captured two National Championships (1966 and 1986). Last year, the Spartans finished with a 25-12-8 record, won the CCHA playoff title and advanced to the East Regional Final where they fell 5-4 to Maine.

"This is like a dream come true," said Tropp. "Growing up in Michigan, I've always wanted to attend Michigan State. The hockey program is one of the best in country, it's a great academic school and it's close to home."

Michigan gets '07-08 commitment

Goaltender Bryan Hogan has given the nod to Michigan for the fall of 2007.

Hogan, from Highland, posted a 2.50 goals-against average this past season and a .916 save percentage in his second season with the USHL's Lincoln Stars.

Prior to playing for the Stars, Hogan toiled with Detroit Catholic Central High School.