Huskies add ex-Badger to bench

The Michigan Tech Huskies have announced the hiring of Chris Tok as an assistant coach.

Most recently, Tok was an associate coach and assistant general manager for the USHL's Waterloo Black Hawks, where he helped guide the squad to a 141-137-23 mark over the last five years. During that time, the Black Hawks also went 14-10 in the USHL playoffs, won their first division title, and won their first Clark Cup in the 2003-2004 season.

Before heading to Waterloo, Tok was a player and assistant coach for the UHL's Missouri River Otters, served as assistant coach for Team World in the 2003 USHL Prospects/All-Star Game and worked as an assistant coach at USA Hockey's Player Development Camps.

Tok is also very familiar with the WCHA as a former four-year letter winner of the Wisconsin Badgers. Tok skated for Bucky from 1991-1995 and was part of the team that went to four NCAA Tournaments, finished runner-up at the Frozen Four in '91-92, and won the WCHA Playoffs in '94-95.

Tok replaces Ian Kallay, who left the Huskies in June to take on private business interests.

Incoming MTU recruit Drew Dobson, a defenseman, played last year with Waterloo as well.

Click here for the official Michigan Tech press release.

NMU to get Anchorage transfer for '07

Winger Billy Smith has become the third player to leave the Alaska-Anchorage hockey program this offseason and transfer to another Division I team.

Smith, who will be a sophomore this fall, said he will transfer to Northern Michigan University. He'll be eligible for the 2007-2008 season.

"I just thought it would be in my best interest to pursue my career elsewhere,'' Smith said. "Nothing against the program or the coaching staff. I just thought I'd be better off elsewhere.''

Smith said he talked several times to Northern Michigan head coach Walt Kyle when he played junior hockey for the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL and was being recruited in 2004-05.

Ironically, Northern Michigan is where current UAA head coach Dave Shyiak won a national championship as a player and was a long-time assistant coach and, eventually, associate head coach before coming to UAA.

More from the Anchorage Daily News HERE.

Spartans get 2009 verbal commitment

Matt Duchene's verbal commitment to play hockey at Michigan State University is not a bargaining ploy - the decision has deep family roots.

The 15 year-old from Haliburton is considered Ontario's next elite hockey talent (1991) birthday and according to International Scouting Services the favourite to be the number one draft pick in the OHL next spring.

"At this point, Matt is committed to playing at Michigan State," said father Vince Duchene, a real estate salesman in Haliburton. "Part of the reason for making this decision early is to avoid all the hype. We've given them a verbal commitment and that's all we can do right now. We feel less pressure now than we have in five years (having made this decision) and now Matt can go out and play."

The rest of the article, from TSN, is HERE.

WSU frosh named to U-22 Canadian squad

Incoming Wayne State women's freshman Tegan Schroeder has been selected to participate with the Canadian Under-22 Development Team.

The Developmental and Selection Camp/Tournament for Team Canada will begin on August 13 and run through August 27.

The players were divided into two squads, white and red. Schroeder will participate with the white squad.

The two squads will participate with scrimmages against each other as well as games against Team Finland. Schroeder's white squad will play four games in five days, beginning Monday, August 14 and ending Saturday, August 19. After that, Team Canada will play three games against Team USA, from Thursday, August 25 to Sunday, August 27.

WSU women's head coach Jim Fetter will be one of the coaches involved in the camp.

All games will be held at the University of Ottawa and are free of charge.

Wolverines get slick Winnett for next fall

With 18 goals and 49 points in 60 games, Salmon Arm Silverbacks' center Ben Winnett had himself a memorable rookie season in the BCHL.

But at only 158 pounds, he wasn't necessarily fond of the physical side of the game--something he knew had to change.

"I wanted to add strength, and put on more weight," says the 17 year-old from New Westminster, B.C., "so I hired a full-time trainer, and he's helped me put on 12 pounds over the summer. I'm working out daily, and eating six meals a day."

Earlier this week, Winnett accepted head coach Red Berenson's scholarship offer to join the Michigan Wolverines for next fall.

He'd also considered Wisconsin. But Winnett says he went with his gut.

Read the rest from Paul Shaheen's Research On Ice newsletter here.