Huskies sign Bunger, Dobson

The Michigan Tech hockey program today announced the addition of Ryan Bunger and Drew Dobson to the team's 2006-07 roster.

"We are very pleased with this incoming class," said Huskies' head coach Jamie Russell. "This group filled our needs for next season and into the future. These players have great character and share a deep enthusiasm for the Michigan Tech hockey program."

Bunger, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound forward, comes to MTU as a two-year veteran of the North American Hockey League, having played 117 games with the Bozeman IceDogs in his two-year career. He notched 17-27--44 points in 53 games with 134 penalty minutes in 2004-05 and scored 29-31--60 points in 64 games in 2005-06.

Bozeman's third-leading scorer this past year, Bunger helped the IceDogs advance to the NAHL regular-season championship after an outstanding 48-9-1 campaign. In addition to tying a NAHL single-season record for victories, Bozeman amassed a 22-game unbeaten streak and 20-game winning streak.

"Ryan is a hard-working player that will be a valuable addition to our program," said Russell. "He has good speed and strength and plays with a lot of heart."

A 5-foot-11, 180-pound defenseman, Dobson will join Michigan Tech after skating with the Waterloo Black Hawks of the United States Hockey League for each of the past two seasons. Dobson played in 60 games and posted 5-21--26 points in 2004-05, which solidified a spot on the USHL All-Rookie Team. During his final year in Waterloo, Dobson compiled 2-15--17 points in 52 contests.

Dobson was one of 22 players named to the USA Hockey Junior Select 18-Under Team that competed at the 2006 Viking Cup in Camrose, Alberta. The blueliner tallied two goals and seven assists as the U.S. secured a bronze medal and 5-1-0 record in the tournament.

"Drew is a great puck-handling defenseman that brings a lot to the table with his consistency and edge," Russell said. "He has played against some quality competition, which should help him succeed in college hockey."

The duo of Bunger and Dobson join forward Phil Axtell (former Marquette Electricians midget major forward) and defenseman Eli Vlaisavljevich, who signed with Michigan Tech during the fall early period in 2003, and brings MTU's total 2006-07 class to four student-athletes.

Notes: Alex Gagne, who redshirted last season, will see his first action in a Michigan Tech uniform in 2006-07 ... Bunger's grandfather, Ernst Windberg, also attended Tech.

Spartans battle big 2006-2007 schedule

The Michigan State Spartans' upcoming season will be an exciting one with six NCAA Tournament teams from a year ago on the docket along with a mix of instate opponents and national powers.

The Green and White will suit up at Munn Ice Arena for 15 home games and three more games down the road at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. Other highlighted games include four against rival Michigan and the College Hockey Showcase versus Minnesota and defending National Champion Wisconsin.

The season opens with the Green and White Game on Oct. 3 in East Lansing and the squad's first "real" competition comes three days later in an exhibition game against Wilfrid Laurier University, a Canadian school.

The official season opener will be Friday, Oct. 13, when the Spartans host CCHA adversary Western Michigan in a home-and-home series that continues the next night at Lawson Arena in Kalamazoo.

Full the full Spartans schedule, please click here.

MSU adds Petry for 2007-2008 season

Des Moines Buccaneers' defenseman Jeff Petry has committed to Michigan State University for the 2007-2008 season.

The 18-year-old Farmington Hills native finished the regular season with one goal and 14 assists and then posted two goals and five assists while being +8 in the Bucs' run to the 2006 Clark Cup Tier I National Championship. Petry, 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, will return to the Buccaneers this season before heading to East Lansing to play for the Spartans.

He is the eighteenth player from the 2005-06 Buccaneers squad to commit to a Division I college - just one commitment short of the USHL record.

Petry's father is former Detroit Tigers' pitcher Dan Petry, a member of the 1984 World Series champion team. Jeff was born three years later.

"Jeff's season and story are one I'll be telling forever," Des Moines coach Regg Simon said. "We got him out of Michigan AAA hockey in early November. He comes to Des Moines, develops into one of the most sought-after defensemen in the country by the end of the season, wins a championship, gets a scholarship to a top program and university and is going to be drafted by an NHL team this coming weekend.

"I don't think you could've scripted it any better than that."