Monk and King named WSU co-captains

Senior Laura Monk and junior Ashley King have been named team co-captains for Wayne State for the upcoming season.

Sophomore Amanda Hungle was chosen assistant captain.

Monk, the lone senior on the squad, played in all 35 games last season, notching four goals and 14 assists for 18 points. She was named to the CHA All-Academic Team and had an assist in the CHA semifinals against Niagara.

This is the second straight year King has been named a captain for the team as last season, she was an assistant captain. King played in all 35 games, registering one goal and one assist for two points. She was selected to the American Women's Hockey Coaches Association (AWHCA) National Academic Scholar as well as the CHA All-Academic Team and the President's Award for academic success.

Hungle played in all 35 games and recorded two goals and six assists for eight points. She also led all Warrior centers in faceoff percentage with 55 percent.

Kaufman back with FSU bench staff

Former Ferris State assistant coach Mark Kaufman will be embarking on his second stint with the Bulldogs after recently being named assistant coach at Ferris.

Kaufman, who was an assistant at Ferris State from 1992-94 under head coach Bob Daniels, fills the vacancy created when Derek Lalonde took an assistant coaching position at the University of Denver in June. Kaufman will be involved in all facets of the program with specific emphasis on coaching the defensemen, recruiting and player strength and conditioning.

"I'm extremely excited to get a coach with Mark's experience and knowledge," said Daniels. "We, as a program, are fortunate in that Mark has worked both at the college and professional levels. His experience at the NHL level with the San Jose Sharks will pay dividends with our players.

"The collegiate level is more of a teaching environment and what Mark excels in is his ability to teach and develop players."

Kaufman has spent the last two seasons (2003-05) as head coach and general manager of the United States Hockey League's Sioux Falls Stampede after serving as the director of hockey operations and head coach of the Kalamazoo Wings in 2000. During the 1995-96 season, Kaufman was an assistant coach in San Jose.

"The fact of Mark having worked at Ferris State before is an added bonus to our program," said Daniels. "He knows the university and his way around campus."

Full release here.

Vicari leaves MSU, signs with ECHL's Storm

Michigan State senior goaltender Dominic Vicari has decided to forego his final season of collegiate eligibility, opting to pursue a professional hockey career.

"In this day and age, the reality is that not all players stay in college all four years," noted Michigan State head coach Rick Comley. "We wish Dominic good luck in his pursuit of a professional career."

The 21-year-old Clinton Township native has subsequently signed with the Toledo Storm of the ECHL, a Detroit Red Wings' affiliate.

Vicari appeared in 83 career games for Michigan State in his three seasons, and posted a 2.37 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage. He recorded 16 shutouts, good for second on the all-time list behind Ryan Miller. His career games played ranks eighth in the Michigan State record book, while his goals-against average and save percentage both rank fourth.

"I made my decision based on Rick Comley and how he perceived my future at MSU,'' Vicari said in the Lansing State Journal. "He said they were going with Jeff (Lerg) as the No. 1 and that he needed me as the backup. I felt that he was trying to push me out and that I couldn't play for him. It was time to move on.''

As a junior in 2005-06, Vicari appeared in 16 games, with a 2.62 goals-against average and .896 save percentage (8-6-2 record).

Lerg and Steve Mnich remain with the Spartans in goal and freshman Bobby Jarosz has been added to the roster.

Fakler named assistant at Western Michigan

Marc Fakler has been named an assistant coach at Western Michigan University and will work with Bronco defensemen in addition to assisting with recruiting, scouting, practices and game preparations.

In addition, assistant coach Chris Brooks has been elevated to associate head coach. Brooks is entering his eighth season as an original member of head coach Jim Culhane's staff.

Fakler, 26, previously served two seasons (2004-06) as assistant coach at Robert Morris University and replaces Brendan Kenny, who left to pursue a career in the private sector.

"Marc is a solid recruiter and communicator and someone we're pleased to have on board," said Culhane.

"Chris has established himself as one of the most respected coaches in the CCHA," added Culhane. "His technical knowledge of the game and passion for recruiting make him one of the bright young coaches in our profession."

Fakler helped guide the Colonials through their first two varsity seasons, working under former Bronco Derek Schooley. At RMU, Fakler instructed forwards and defensemen, coordinated recruiting visits and assisted with video scouting.

Fakler also served two seasons (2002-04) as a volunteer assistant coach at Wayne State University. While there, the Warriors captured the College Hockey America tournament championship and advanced to the 2003 NCAA Tournament. Fakler assisted coach Bill Wilkinson with game strategy and practice sessions.

Other coaching stops for Fakler include two seasons as assistant general manager/assistant coach for the Junior A Compuware Ambassadors of the North American Hockey League and assistant coach for the Junior B Grand Rapids Owls of the Central States Hockey League. He has also coached at USA Hockey Select 16-17 Festivals.

A native of Ann Arbor, Fakler received a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Eastern Michigan University in 2002 and added a master's degree in sports administration from Wayne State in 2005.

Swystun bolts Michigan for WHL's Tigers

Forward Tyler Swystun has left the University of Michigan to play major junior hockey with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League.

Swystun, who played the first half of last year as a 17-year-old, posted two goals and two assists in 36 games and was a minus-12. He notched his first assist of career against Wisconsin on Nov. 26 and registered his first career goal and point versus Merrimack back on Oct. 16.

Swystun was the Prince George Cougars' first-round selection (sixth overall) in the 2003 WHL Bantam Draft and acquired by the Tigers last Friday. He was the leading scorer for Team Pacific team during the 2005 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge held in Lethbridge, Alberta and played the 2004-05 season with the Camrose Kodiaks of the AJHL where he was named to the 2005 AJHL All-Rookie Team.

"We are excited to add a good young player of Tyler's ability to our organization," said Tigers' general manager/head coach Willie Desjardins. "We expect him to be in our line-up this year and contribute to our program over the next couple of seasons."