Wayne State gets commitment from Partyka

Like father, like son.

Traverse City North Stars defenseman Phil Partyka is following in the footsteps of his dad, heading to Wayne State to play hockey for the Warriors next season. Partyka tallied just four assists over 57 contests for Traverse City in 2006-07, but his rock-solid consistency and cerebral presence attracted Division I scouts from around the Midwest.

“I’m pretty excited about it,” said Partyka, a Washington native. “It’s pretty much everyone’s goal in juniors to get to college, so in that sense it’s pretty satisfying.”

The elder Partyka played baseball at the midtown Detroit university in the 1970s when the school’s nickname was still ‘Tartars.'

“There’s kind of a neat symmetry to it,” said Phil Partyka, who plans to major in accounting.

Wayne State is a member of College Hockey America, a Division I conference featuring schools from Niagara to Alabama. The campus is home to more than 33,000 students and boasts several graduate programs including a law school and medical campus. The Warriors, 12-21-2 last season, play their home games at the Michigan State Fairgrounds on the city’s north side.

“Phil was just as steady as you could ask for this year,” said Stars head coach Scott Gardiner. “He was a top-2 defenseman in his consistency all season long. He wasn’t a flashy player, but he was right there every night.”

At 6-3 and 200 pounds, Partyka’s size and reach are huge assets, but as Gardiner points out, his academic orientation made Partyka an easy sell to collegiate scouts.

“He’s very committed to the academics,” Gardiner said. “He’s quiet compared to most guys in the locker room, but you get to know him just a little bit and you find out that he’s a smart, funny guy. He’s a great kid and everyone here is very happy for him to get the chance to play on.”

Partyka says that his seasons with Bay State (2005-06) and Traverse City gave him a look at varied facets of the game that should prepare him for the rigors of Division I college hockey.

“At Bay State, the EJ (Eastern Junior Hockey League) it was more of a finesse game,” the 21-year old explained. “And then to come here with a more physical style that the North American league affords, I got to be around two very different styles. Hopefully, I can take a little bit of what I learned at each stop to the next level.”

With Partyka at WSU, the North Stars will have at least six alums playing Division I college hockey next season, and as many as 12 at NCAA and ACHA programs overall. Patrick Nagorsen and Travis Paeth are set to play for Western Michigan in the fall, Steven Oleksy will be a junior at Lake Superior State, Danny Dries has committed to New Hampshire and Eric Elmblad will begin his sophomore campaign at the University of Michigan.

Kory Kaunisto could take his game to Northern Michigan for 2007-08, but is leaning toward returning to the North Stars for another year of juniors. Nick Von Bokern and Mike Glaesmer have also taken visits to and from numerous schools, with signings imminent for both, according to Gardiner.

U-M honors first varsity letter winners

Wolverines head coach Red Berenson with Michigan hockey players (left to right) Morgan Ward, Chris Summers, Brian Lebler, Steven Kampfer, Steve Jakiel, Anthony Ciraulo and Chris Fragner at The First Varsity Letter Reception and Ceremony at the Junge Family Champions Center in Ann Arbor on April 11.

Photo by UM Photo Services, Martin Vloet

Wildcats announce '06-07 team honors

The annual Northern Michigan University hockey banquet was held Tuesday night and the big winners were Mike Santorelli with three awards and Matt Maunu with two.

Santorelli was awarded with the Gary Emmons Most Valuable Player Award, the Bill Joyce Best Forward Award and the Steve Bozek Plus-Minus Award. The junior led the CCHA in goals with 30. He led the Wildcats in goals and points (47) for the 2006-07 season and was second on the team in assists (17). Santorelli had a team-leading plus-minus of +6.

Maunu was named the winner of the Brad Werenka Coaches Academic Award and the Tom Laidlaw Best Defenseman Award. The senior was named as a CCHA Scholar-Athlete for the 2006-07 campaign. On the ice, he tallied five goals, 11 assists for 16 points.

Pat Bateman picked up the Dennis Sibilsky Memorial Senior Award. Bateman, the captain of the team, had 15 points for the season on seven goals and eight assists.

The Dallas Drake Defensive Player of the Year Award went to senior Rob Lehtinen. He ended the campaign with two goals, 14 assists for 16 points.

TJ Miller was chosen as the winner of the Don Waddell Best Freshman Award. The defenseman led all newcomers with 14 points on two goals and 12 assists.

Freshman Alan Dorich was selected as the recipient of the Ed Ward Most Improved Player Award. Dorich ended the season with five assists.

Nick Sirota went home with the Steve Weeks Unsung Hero Award. The sophomore tallied 20 points for the 2006-07 season on 10 goals and 10 assists.

Senior defenseman Zach Tarkir walked away with the Jim Mussatto Memorial Fitness Award. Tarkir had seven goals, 13 assists for 20 points on the season. The award is presented to the player that holds the highest combined ranking in the following categories – three-mile run, bench press, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, squats and lowest body fat.

The Clara Pantalone Memorial Community Service Award was split among two of the goalkeepers. Seniors Bill Zaniboni and Josh Hatinger shared the award. Both student-athletes have volunteered extensively in the community. As a team, the ‘Cats have volunteered for YMCA Healthy Kid’s Day Game, YMCA Reading to Youth Program, Food Festival setup and ice cream tent attendants and the Special Olympics. Zaniboni led all goalies with a 12-21-2 slate, 2.65 goals-against average and a .906 save-percentage. Hatinger saw his first action of his NMU career with a 39-second stint against Miami in the final home game of the season.

Helminen the big award winner for MTU

Senior Lars Helminen, who was his team’s highest-scoring blueliner in each of the past three seasons, was honored with the prestigious Merv Youngs Award as the most valuable player of the Michigan Tech hockey team Tuesday evening at the annual Blueline Club Awards Banquet. The event was held in the Memorial Union Ballroom on the MTU campus.

Helminen provided two goals and 19 assists in his final collegiate campaign, including a team-best nine points on the power play. The co-captain also gained the Gitzen-Loutit Memorial Award as Tech’s outstanding defenseman for the third consecutive year. Helminen capped his stellar career in 10th place all-time among Husky blueliners in scoring with 14 goals and 68 assists in 153 career games.

Senior Tyler Skworchinski earned the John MacInnes Slide Rule Award for scholastic achievement for the third time in as many years. Skworchinski, who owns a 3.74 cumulative grade-point average in business administration with a concentration in finance, tallied a career-high 15 points, including eight goals and seven assists in his final collegiate season.

The recipient of the Elov Seger Memorial Award as the team’s most improved player was Peter Rouleau. He went from scoring two points in 16 games a year ago, to 30 points in 40 games this season. As a result of his scoring totals of seven goals and 23 assists, Rouleau was given the Gary Crosby Memorial Award as the team’s leading point getter. He also provided a team-best four game-winning goals in his junior campaign.

Mike Batovanja earned the Harold Meese Sportsmanship Award after being named one of six finalists for the Derek Hines Unsung Hero Award. Batovanja racked up two goals and three assists in his senior year and led the Huskies in hits, despite missing three games due to numerous injuries. He posted 13 goals and 31 assists in 146 career games between his time at Findlay (2003-04) and Michigan Tech (2004-07). Batovanja was also presented with the Wildcat Slayer Award as a result of his play against rival Northern Michigan.

The Norbert Matovich Award as the team’s outstanding freshman was presented to Ryan Bunger, who chipped in five goals and five assists in 29 contests.

Combining scholastic and athletic achievement, junior winger Tyler Shelast gained the George McCarthy Performance Award. The owner of a team-high 15 goals, including four power-play markers, Shelast registered a career-best 24 points in 2006-07. He holds a 3.23 cumulative grade point average in business administration.

Michigan Tech also honored its trio of seniors at the event, including Batovanja, Helminen and Skworchinski. Helminen was unable to attend Tuesday’s banquet as he is currently playing for the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL.

Jimmy Kerr was named the captain for the 2007-08 season. Shelast and John Schwarz will serve as the assistant captains.

Quartet of recruits honored by USHL

With the close of the 2006-07 season, the United States Hockey League has announced its award winners for the year. Coaches of respective teams nominated players for the awards and then the coaches voted to select the winners. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own players.

Several incoming Michigan college players took home USHL honors:

Max Pacioretty - Sioux City Musketeers
Official Game Puck USHL Rookie of the Year

Early in the season, Sioux City had the league's highest scoring line. The line featured veterans Phil DeSimone and Blake Martin. The newcomer to the line was power forward Max Pacioretty. A big player (6-2, 205 pounds), Pacioretty used his size and skills to stay in the top ten in scoring for the majority of the season. He finished the season with 21 goals and 42 assists for 63 points in 60 games.

"He's had a big impact as a first year player. He's a guy that you worry about every time he's on the ice," said Omaha head coach Mike Hastings. "It usually takes a while for a kid to learn that you have to shoot the puck in this league to score, but he learned it right away. That, along with his ability to create his own shot makes him dangerous.

"His strength, hand skills and tenacity separates him from the rest. He has a great head for the game as well. That whole line is good, but you take a kid like him and put him next to a guy like DeSimone and it becomes just lethal."

Pacioretty is committed to the University of Michigan.

Jeff Petry - Des Moines Buccaneers
ProGuard USHL Defenseman of the Year

Petry, a second round draft choice of the Edmonton Oilers a year ago, was a stalwart both offensively and defensively on the Buccaneers blue line. Petry tripled his offensive output from his rookie season, scoring 18 goals and adding 27 assists for 45 points. He was fourth in the league in power play goals with 15 and was fourth in scoring among defensemen. His 18 goals led all USHL defensemen and he became one of the leaders for Des Moines, who needed him in that role to offset the loss of key players from last season's national champion.

"Jeff Petry is a very quality defenseman and has set a standard in this league for how a defenseman should play," said Waterloo head coach P.K. O'Handley. "He is very talented and will have a nice career ahead of him."

Petry is committed to national champion Michigan State University.

Drew Palmisano - Omaha Lancers
Stauber's Goalcrease USHL Goaltender of the Year

After starting the season with a struggling Ohio club (he went 1-6-3 in 11 games for the expansion Jr. Blue Jackets), Palmisano saw his fortunes change with a December trade to Omaha. Omaha had struggled equally in the early going, but their season turned around when Palmisano arrived. He's 19-4-2 in 25 games with the Lancers with a 2.72 goals against average and a .914 save percentage. The Lancers are 29-6-3 since Palmisano joined the team.

"Drew was the top Michigan AAA goalie last year. He was rewarded by being one of the players that the Ohio franchise had signed to a tender in order to build their new franchise last spring," said Chicago general manager Jason Koehler. "Shortly after the trade he helped solidify the shaky Lancer goaltending situation and put them back in the hunt for the Western Division title."

Palmisano is committed to national champion Michigan State University.

Zach Redmond - Sioux Falls Stampede
USHL Curt Hammer Award

The Curt Hammer Award is given annually to the player who distinguishes himself in the USHL as the most gentlemanly player, both on and off the ice. He demonstrates outstanding performance skills, pride and determination. The award goes to the individual who best reflects the goals of the USHL, his team and the organization. His performance reflects a desire to achieve success all within the established rules of the USHL and the accepted bounds of courteous conduct.

"In my eight years of coaching in the USHL, I have not had a player more deserving of this recognition," said Sioux Falls head coach Kevin Hartzell. "Zach came to Sioux Falls two years ago heralded as one of the top defensemen in midget hockey, but a series of health issues took an entire summer away from his preparation before he arrived. He struggled for a great part of his first season, often finding himself a healthy scratch, but continued to remain patient and hard working and continued on a slow but steady path of improvement. It took him until half way through his second season to 'arrive,' but has done so in a big way. He is a fine testament to what a young man can accomplish with his time in the USHL if he is patient and committed to developing his game."

Redmond is committed to Ferris State University.

MSU's Lerg gains national monthly honor

Michigan State University sophomore goaltender Jeff Lerg, who backstopped the Spartans to their first NCAA Division I national championship since 1986, is the CSTV: College Sports Television/Hockey Commissioners’ Association National Division I Player of the Month for March/April.

Lerg, from Livonia, blocked 203 of 221 shots (.919) with a 2.24 goals-against average in March/April, including a 29-save performance in a 3-1 victory over Boston College on April 7th to give the Spartans their third NCAA Division I national championship.

A two-time HCA Rookie of the Month last season, Lerg allowed only five goals on 110 shots (.954) during Michigan State’s four-game run in the NCAA Tournament. Lerg blocked 29 shots in a 4-2 win over Maine in the semifinals and combined for 46 saves in wins over Boston University, 5-1 on March 23, Notre Dame, 2-1 on March 24, en route to earning Midwest Regional MOP honors.

The 5-foot-6, 155-pound Lerg started all 42 games this season and played 2,465 minutes for the Spartans, the second most in the nation, while posting a 26-13-3 record. He finished the season with a 2.41 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage.

Warriors add Farmington Hills forward Pfeffer

The Wayne State women's team has added Adrianna Pfeffer, a forward from Farmington Hills, to the squad for the 2007-08 season.

Pfeffer played for Belle Tire Under-19 team this season.

Pfeffer, a 2007 graduate of Mercy High School Prep, had played eight seasons for Belle Tire, winning eight state championships and making her the first female hockey player with that honor.

"Adrianna is a big, strong power forward," said WSU head coach Jim Fetter. "We hope she will be able to help add to our team's offensive output next season. She has also played on teams that have won state titles and that experience will help her at this level."

Broncos name 2006-07 award winners Saturday

Western Michigan handed out nine awards to members of the Bronco hockey team during the program's annual postseason banquet held at the Fetzer Center on April 14.

Paul Szczechura walked away with the Rob Hodge Most Valuable Player Award.

Szczechura, an alternate for the Pontiac Frozen Four Skills Challenge led the team in assists for the second-consecutive season with 26. He ranked second on the team in goals (19), points (45) and power-play goals (seven). This is the third annual team award of Szczechura's career. He won the Catherine Lawson Sportsmanship Award in 2004-05 and was the Suzanne Klop Rookie of the Year in 2003-04.

For the fourth-straight year, Ryan Mahrle was named the Neil Smith Most Valuable Defensman. Mahrle, a Lowe's Senior CLASS Award finalist and All-America team member, led all WMU defenders with 17 points (2-15) and blocked 25 shots during his senior campaign.

Mark Letestu received three awards on Saturday night. He was named the Suzanne Klop Rookie of the Year and was awarded the Vic Vanderberg Leading Scorer honor for pacing the Broncos with 46 points (24-22) in 2006-07. Letestu's point total is the most by a Bronco since Brent Walton amassed 50 points in 2004-05. Letestu also won the Bill Saunders Plus/Minus Award for leading the team in the category with a plus/minus of +13.

Jason Moul, recently awarded the Lowell Crow Marketing Scholar Athlete Award by the Haworth Business School, was named the Catherine Lawson Sportsmanship Award winner. Moul skated in all but one of WMU's 37 games this season and amassed eight points on three goals and five assists.

For the first time in three seasons, the Ed Edwards Most Improved Player Award was not shared between two Broncos. Goalie Trevor Heffernan (pictured) was this year's recipient.

Dave Krisky, for his excellence in the classroom over the past year, earned the Peter Ellis Academic Achievement Award for the 2006-07 campaign. On the ice, the sophomore left wing saw action in 18 contests, compiling four points (1-3).

Matt Clackson was the recipient of the evening's final award. The sophomore right wing earned the KOHA Grinder Award.

The evening honored these student-athletes and the entire Bronco hockey team for its achievements during the 2006-07 season such as hosting a CCHA first round series for the first time since 2002, defeating six nationally ranked opponents, including a series sweep over eventual national champion Michigan State.

Jakaitis named Lakers' MVP... again

Goaltender Jeff Jakaitis was named Lake Superior State's first four-time most valuable player during the 25th annual Soo BlueLiners Banquet held Saturday at the Cisler Center.

Former Laker Steve Mulholland is LSSU's only three-time MVP (1980, '82 and '83), and five players are two-time winners. Jakaitis (pictured) shared the MVP award with Nathan Ward in 2005.

Jakaitis will leave LSSU with a top-10 national ranking in career save percentage, and his consistency throughout the last four years has led to nine school records: career shutouts (10), career games played (125), career save percentage (.925), single-season saves (1,059), single-season save percentage (.933), fewest goals allowed in a season (43), most saves in a series (91), CCHA career saves (2,485) and CCHA career save percentage (.926). He finished second in career saves with 3,446.

The assistant captain and three-time Central Collegiate Hockey Association Scholar-Athlete carries a 3.47 grade point average while majoring in business. This season, he finished second in the nation in save percentage at .931 and helped lead the Lakers to a 21-19-3 record and their first CCHA Playoff semifinal appearance at Joe Louis Arena since 1996.

Other special awards were presented to sophomore forward Josh Sim (Gay Blade), defenseman Simon Gysbers and forward Nathan Perkovich (Outstanding Freshmen), freshman forward Pat Aubry (Jim Howie Unsung Hero and Most Improved Player), sophomore forward Troy Schwab (Most Valuable Forward), junior Derek A. Smith (Most Valuable Defenseman), junior forward Dan Eves (Soo BlueLiner Award) and junior forward Jason Blain (Scholar-Athlete).

Schwab tied for first on the team in total points with 30 and led the Lakers in assists with 24. He totaled the most assists by a Laker since NHL standout Bates Battaglia totaled 27 assists in 1996-97. He also served as an assistant captain this season.

Smith doubled his point total from his first two collegiate seasons and finished second in the CCHA in points by a defenseman. He earned All-CCHA Second Team honors this season and was a finalist for the CCHA's Best Offensive Defenseman Award. He was also among the Laker leaders in total points with 10-20--30.

Gysbers and Perkovich tied in team voting for the Outstanding Freshman Award. Gysbers totaled 4-8--12 and finished second among Laker defenseman in plus/minus at plus-5. The highlight of his season was the Lakers' three-game CCHA Playoff First-Round series against Ferris State, during which he scored a goal in all three games. Perkovich enjoyed a six-game goal-scoring streak during the first half of the season and scored three goals during the Lakers' season finale against Michigan State. He became the first Laker to record a hat trick since 1999. He was one of the Lakers' top two goal scorers and finished sixth on the team in overall scoring with 15-7--22. He was also a two-time CCHA Rookie of the Week.

The Jim Howie Unsung Hero Award is a new award established by the coaching staff and Soo BlueLiners. It is named in honor of Jim Howie, who has volunteered as LSSU's video specialist for 17 years. Howie has also volunteered his time to do several special projects for the Department of Athletics during the past two decades. The hand-made puck racks he has annually given to the seniors are among the former players' most treasured keepsakes.

Aubry, who is the recipient of the first Unsung Hero Award, made his presence known in the faceoff circle. He won an impressive 20 faceoffs during the series against Michigan and was 65-66 in the circle during the playoffs. He totaled 3-2--5 this season.

Sim maintained a great attitude while battling through a nagging shoulder injury throughout the season and was one of the Lakers' top two goal scorers. He finished fifth on the team in overall scoring with 15-11--26.

Eves is known for his physical play and totaled 6-8--14 this season. He is expected to make a complete recovery from a leg injury he suffered during the Lakers' final game against Michigan State.

Blain is one of three LSSU student-athletes with a 4.0 grade-point average. He is a finance and economics major and will be receiving the Hantz Financial Scholarship, working as an intern at Hantz Financial this summer.

U-M names '07-08 captain, doles out awards

The University of Michigan presented its annual awards to six players while also announcing its captains for the 2007-08 season at the annual Dekers Blue Line Club Banquet Saturday at the Ann Arbor Sheraton.

Head coach Red Berenson picked rising senior forward Kevin Porter (pictured) as the captain for the 2007-08 season. Rising junior forwards Andrew Cogliano and Tim Miller will each wear an "A" as alternate captains.

Senior forward and alternate captain T.J. Hensick was awarded the Hal Downes Trophy as U-M's most valuable player. Hensick led the Wolverines -- as well as the nation -- in points (69) and assists (46). His 23 goals were third-best on the team. Hensick also collected the Doc Losh Trophy, which goes to U-M's leading scorer, for the third time of his career (2003-04, 2005-06). He was a Hobey Baker finalist, an American Hockey Coaches Association All-America West first team honoree and an All-CCHA first team selection.

Senior defenseman and captain Matt Hunwick was the winner of the Vic Heyliger Trophy as U-M's most outstanding defenseman for a record-tying third consecutive season. The award was voted on by his teammates. Hunwick had six goals and a career-high 21 assists this season. His +24 plus/minus rating also set a career best. Hunwick was named to the AHCA All-America West second team and the All-CCHA first team. He was also tabbed the CCHA's Best Defensive Defenseman.

The Alton D. Simms Trophy for the most improved player as determined by the team was awarded to senior forward David Rohlfs, who set career highs in goals (17), assists (17), points (34) and plus/minus (+33) while skating on U-M's top line this season. His 34 points in 2006-07 nearly matched his point total from his first three seasons combined (35). Rohlfs also received the Joseph A. Barss Award, which goes to the best team player as determined by the coaching staff.

Defenseman Chris Summers garnered the Dekers Club Award as the "most colorful rookie" per the Dekers Club membership. Summers played in each of U-M's 41 games - the first 30 as a defenseman and the last 11 at left wing. He tallied six goals and eight assists on the season.

The Howard Colby Award for sportsmanship went to Porter. The junior accumulated just 16 penalty minutes this season, third fewest among U-M's regulars. Porter was the team's second-leading scorer with a 24-34-58 scoring line. His strong two-way play resulted in a +23 rating.

Senior defenseman Tim Cook was the recipient of the Carl Isaacson Award for record-tying third straight year. The honor is given to the player who exhibits the highest scholastic average as well as athletic ability. Cook is a a history major. A defensive defenseman, Cook played 16 of his 36 games as a forward this season. He set career highs in assists (4) and points (4). Cook was U-M's representative on the CCHA Scholar-Athlete Team and he earned the CCHA's Ilitch Humanitarian Award.

The Wolverines went 26-14-1 in 2006-07 and qualified for their 17th consecutive NCAA Tournament. U-M graduates forwards Hensick, Rohlfs and Morgan Ward, defensemen Hunwick, Cook and alternate captain Jason Dest and goalie Mike Mayhew.

Seventeen members of the 2006-07 team are eligible to return in 2007-08.