Warriors hand out the hardware

The Wayne State men’s and women’s hockey teams gathered at historic St. Andrew’s on the WSU campus Saturday for the 2006-2007 awards ceremony.

Seniors Nate Higgins (left) and Dan Iliakis (middle right) were named the men’s Most Valuable Players. Higgins also grabbed the Top Gun award as the team's top scorer and Iliakis took home the Best Defenseman honor.

Other men’s winners included Jared Katz for Rookie of the Year, Derek Punches for the Coaches Award, Adam Drescher for Most Improved Player, and goaltender Will Hooper for the President’s Award for highest grade point average.

Senior forward Jason Bloomingburg and junior forward Mike Forgie were also recognized for their work as team captains.

On the women’s side, sophomore (lower left) Melissa Boal was named the Most Valuable Player and Top Gun.

Also taking home honors was Christine Jefferson for Most Improved Player, Brandi Frakie for Rookie of the Year, Tina Vanderhoeven for Best Defenseman, Lindsay DiPietro for the President’s Award, and Ashley King won the Warrior Award.

The Captain's Award went to senior forwards Laura Monk and Ashley King.

MTU signs MacLeod for 2008-09 season

Michigan Tech has announced the addition of Alex MacLeod to the Huskies' 2008-09 roster.

MacLeod, a 6-foot, 215-pound forward, recently finished his second season with the Penticton Vees of the British Columbia Hockey League. The owner of 17-21--38 points in 62 overall games, MacLeod ranked eighth on his team in scoring and third in power-play goals (11) during the 2006-07 campaign. A physical player, MacLeod racked up 108 penalty minutes in helping Penticton secure a 41-14-2 regular-season record and first-place showing in the BCHL Interior Conference standings. MacLeod was a member of a Vees squad that led the league in scoring defense (2.70 gpg).

The victim of a season-ending injury prior to the 2005-06 season in Penticton, the 19-year-old MacLeod appeared in 50 contests during the 2004-05 slate, scoring 10-9--19 points for the Vees. He also had a three-game stint with the BCHL's Trail Smoke Eaters in 2003-04.

"Alex is a well-rounded player that plays with an aggressive style," said MTU head coach Jamie Russell. "He will step in to fill the same type of role that Jimmy Kerr, Jordan Foote and Tyler Shelast have on our team right now."

MacLeod joins Romulus native Anthony Schooley as a member of the Huskies' freshmen class for the 2008-09 season.

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."

High-scoring defenseman commits to LSSU

The Lake Superior State Lakers recieved a commitement from Nepean Raiders defenseman Matt Cowie this week.

Cowie scored 12 goals and 30 assists for 42 points in regular season action. He also contributed seven points on four goals and three assists in the postseason.

The 20-year-old Cowie stands 5-foot-10 and weighs in at 185 pounds.

The Nepean native's speed and scoring ability should help the Laker power-play unit, which has struggled in recent years.

Crowd of 4,500 honors Spartans Tuesday

Just two days after Michigan State's improbable 3-1 win over Boston College in the NCAA championship, 4,500 fans turned out at a rally for the team at Munn Ice Arena on Tuesday night after a parade through downtown East Lansing.

The event featured videos from the Spartans' season as well as words from Spartan play-by-play announcer Scott Moore, Board of Trustees vice-chairperson Melanie Foster, University president Lou Anna K. Simon, athletics director Ron Mason and head coach Rick Comley.

Sophomore goaltender Jeff Lerg and senior captain Chris Lawrence also expressed gratitude to an overwhelmingly appreciative crowd and the Spartans gave a victory lap around the ice to a thunderous standing ovation.

Hensick agrees to terms with Avalanche

Michigan senior forward T.J. Hensick agreed to a three-year entry-level contract with the Colorado Avalanche yesterday.

Hensick was a third-round draft pick (88th overall) of the Avalanche in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

Hensick recently completed an outstanding four-year career with the Wolverines, during which he amassed 222 points on 75 goals and 147 assists. The 222 points rank eighth all-time at U-M and the 147 assists place him fourth all-time. As a sophomore (2004-05) and senior (2006-07), Hensick was both a Hobey Baker Memorial award finalist and an American Hockey Coaches Association West All-America first team selection. He earned All-Central Collegiate Hockey Association first team honors three times (2003-04, 2004-05, 2006-07) and earned second team recognition once (2005-06).

During his senior season, Hensick led the nation in points (69) as well as assists (46). He set personal bests for points (69), assists (46), plus/minus (+24), game-winning goals (3), shorthanded goals (2) and multi-point games (22), while tying career highs in goals (23) and power-play markers (6). Hensick is the first Wolverine to post 40 points in all four seasons played since Brendan Morrison (1994-98).

Hensick helped the Wolverines win a pair of CCHA regular season titles (2004, 2005) as well as a CCHA Tournament championship (2005). U-M advanced to the NCAA Tournament in each of his four campaigns.

Colorado Avalanche Release

Bulldogs get commitment from Fillinger

Mahoning Valley Phantoms right wing Mike Fillinger has accepted a scholarship to play college hockey at Ferris State University.

“I have seven family members who attended Ferris State,” Fillinger said. “My mom went there on a tennis scholarship and my dad graduated there as well. I’m excited to follow in their footsteps and play for a great university.”

Fillinger will know by next month whether or not he will play at Ferris State this fall or in 2008, returning to the Phantoms next season.

“They have been looking at me for some time,” said Fillinger, a Grand Ledge native. “After a recent game in Alpena, (Ferris State) coach (Bob) Daniels wanted to arrange a visit for me. After my visit, they made me an offer.”

“It’s definitely the right fit for Mike and we couldn’t be happier for him,” Phantoms coach Bob Mainhardt said.

Fillinger becomes the second Phantom this season, the third overall, to head to Ferris State. He joins center Derek Graham, who will play in Big Rapids in 2008, and former Phantom and current Bulldogs’ sophomore defenseman Evan Case.

“Mike has really become a more complete player,” Mainhardt said. “He reads the play well at both ends of the ice.”

In 52 regular season games this season, Fillinger recorded 44 points on 24 goals and 20 assists. Five of his goals were shorthanded, tying him for third in the North American Hockey League with teammates Dustin Cloutier and Nathan Longpre.

Mainhardt said that Fillinger’s skating ability sets him apart from others.

“Mike has learned how to use his speed much more effectively and put himself in situations that only his speed can place him in,” Mainhardt said.

“I’m gradually seeing the ice better as I move with the puck,” Fillinger said. “At the same time, I still need to improve my puck handling skills and my speed with the puck.”

The Phantoms right wing says a national championship is on his mind first and foremost.

“A lot of the players got together Saturday to watch Michigan State win the national championship,” Fillinger said. “We watched them celebrate and thought how great it would be to win one ourselves.”

Spartans to be honored Tuesday

Michigan State fans will get a chance to celebrate a national championship with its ice hockey team, beginning with a parade on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. and continuing with a rally at Munn Ice Arena at 7:30.

The Spartans captured their third national championship with a 3-1 win over Boston College on Saturday night at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

The parade, which will start on Abbott Road and continue along Grand River East to Collingwood. From Colingwood, the parade will stretch into East Circle to Sparty, and end on Chestnut Road in front of Munn Ice Arena. Guests of honor will include head coach Rick Comley, the assistant coaches and the team, Michigan State president Lou Anna K. Simon and athletic director Ron Mason. Sparty, Zeke the Wonderdog, the MSU Dance Team, cheerleaders and pep band will also be included in the rally.

Doors to Munn Ice Arena will open at 6:30 p.m. for the rally. Fans entering the arena will be greeted by a replay of the national championship game on the video boards. The host of the ceremony, MSU hockey play-by-play announcer Scott Moore, will guide Spartan fans through the rest of the evening, which will include a season highlight video before the introduction of the national champion Spartan hockey team.

President Simon and Mason will be on hand to present the National Championship trophy to Comley and the team before the rally closes with a video of highlights from the Frozen Four.

Admission to the rally is free.