Friday, April 13, 2007

WSU women excited for three new recruits

Wayne State has announced three players that have signed National Letters of Intent to play hockey for the Warriors' women's team in 2007-08. One of the players is from Michigan, while one is from Saskatchewan and the other is from Newfoundland.

Janet Babchishin, a forward from Sturgis, Saskatchewan, played for Sturgis Composite High School, where she accumulated 37 goals and 52 assists for 89 points in 61 games. In 2006, she was the team captain of Hockey Development International, where she played the German National B team in Karvina, Czech Republic. The team placed second in the International Senior Women's Hockey Tournament. Also this season, she played with the Saskatchewan Prairie Ice of the Western Women's Hockey League.

"Janet has a great work ethic that will push our returning players," said WSU head coach Jim Fetter. "This past season she played against some of the best players in the world and will bring that experience with her. We feel she will also help us offensively."

Paige Keranen, a goaltender from Livonia, spent two years each at Shattuck-St. Mary's and Churchill High Schools. She earned a perfect 29-0-0 record in 2006-07, including a 0.81 goals-against average and a .950 save percentage. The team finished 54-2-1. In 2005-06, she recorded a 33-1-1 mark, a 1.40 GAA and a .920 save percentage with eight shutouts. Both teams won USA National titles. During her two-year career at Shattuck-St. Mary's, she was 62-1-1. Keranen was a member of the U.S. National Selects from 2003-06.

"We are looking forward to Paige challenging our other goalies for playing time," Fetter said. "She is very athletic and brings a great work ethic. She has been successful at Shattuck and with her experience, she will help us take steps forward."

Jennifer Pollett, a forward from New Harbour, Newfoundland, competed with the Etobicoke Dolphins of the NWHL. In 35 games played this season, she recorded 10 goals and eight assists for 18 points. She had a plus/minus rating of +8 and took 44 shots on goal. Pollett had two game-winning goals and three power-play tallies.

"Jen also competed with some of the best players in the world for the last two seasons," said Fetter. "She is a fast forward that has a knack around the net. She has competed at the National level and will bring that experience here to Wayne State. We are looking for Jen to make the adjustment to the college game quickly."

Fetter is very optimistic about next season and especially about these three recruits.

"I am very happy with the class we have coming in next season, as I believe these three young ladies are going to help us continue to take WSU hockey in the right direction," said Fetter. "One local player has committed to playing at Wayne State this fall, which says a lot about the growth of women's hockey in Michigan. We hope to continue to cultivate the state's best talent and this is a step in the right direction."

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