State collegians move on, sign pro deals

Several seniors who have finished up their seasons have signed pro contracts recently and are listed below. Some left school early and are noted as such with an asterisk. This page will be updated as more signings become official. (UPDATED: July 6)

LAKE SUPERIOR STATE
Dominic Osman, Reading Royals (ECHL) - released
Derek A. Smith, Ottawa Senators (NHL) *

MICHIGAN
Andrew Cogliano, Edmonton Oilers (NHL) *
T.J. Hensick, Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
Matt Hunwick, Boston Bruins (NHL)
Jack Johnson, Los Angeles Kings (NHL) * (pictured above)

MICHIGAN STATE
Jim McKenzie, Ottawa Senators (NHL) *

MICHIGAN TECH
Lars Helminen, Iowa Stars (AHL)
--released, signed with Idaho Steelheads (ECHL)

NORTHERN MICHIGAN
Pat Bateman, Milwaukee Admirals (AHL)
Dusty Collins, Springfield Falcons (AHL)
Rob Lehtinen, Johnstown Chiefs (ECHL)
Darin Olver, Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)
--released, signed with Fischtown Pinguins (Germany)
Mike Santorelli, Nashville Predators (NHL) *
Zach Tarkir, Lowell Devils (AHL) - released

OAKLAND UNIVERSITY
Will McMahon, Quad City Mallards (UHL)
--Mallards moved to AHL, chosen by Fort Wayne Komets (IHL) in IHL Dispersal Draft

WAYNE STATE
Jason Bloomingburg, Alaska Aces (ECHL)
Mark Nebus, Muskegon Fury (UHL)
--released, signed with Chicago Hounds (UHL)
--Hounds folded, taken by Muskegon in IHL Dispersal Draft

WESTERN MICHIGAN
Kevin Labatte, Kalamazoo Wings (UHL) - released
Mark Letestu, Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL) *
Ryan Mahrle, Kalamazoo Wings (UHL)
Paul Szczechura, Iowa Stars (AHL)

Kunitz to bring Cup to Big Rapids

Former CCHA Player of the Year Chris Kunitz, a member of the 2007 Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks, will bring the Stanley Cup to his alma mater Ferris State University on Monday, July 23.

Kunitz' visit to Big Rapids, and later in the day to his hometown of Regina, Saskatchewan, is part of what has become a tradition for each member of the championship team to have a day with the Cup.

Two events with Kunitz and the Stanley Cup are open to the public.

The first takes place in Ferris' Ewigleben Ice Arena at 9:30 a.m. when Mayor Ed Burch will present Kunitz with a key to the city. Ferris President David Eisler, hockey coach Bob Daniels and several of Kunitz' former Bulldog teammates will also be on hand to make remarks. Doors will open at 9 a.m. and the first 500 fans through the doors will receive free T-shirts.

After the presentation from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. in the Wink Arena Lobby, Kunitz will sign autographs and pose for pictures for those willing to donate $5 to the American Cancer Society.

Kunitz made his Stanley Cup debut in game three in Ottawa, returning to the lineup following a seven-game absence after breaking his hand in the conference finals against the Detroit Red Wings. His playing time in game three was limited to just over one period due to an abdominal injury. Despite his injuries, the left winger started for the Ducks in the series finale. When Ottawa closed within 2-1 in the second period, Kunitz pressured defenseman Chris Phillips behind the Senators' net, causing Phillips to attempt a pass through the crease. The puck deflected off the skate of the Senators goaltender and into the net, creating a great momentum shift for the Ducks.

Photo courtesy CCHA

Miller excites fans with Cup appearance

Former Michigan State captain Drew Miller, a member of the 2007 Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks, spent his day with the Cup in his hometown of East Lansing on Thursday. Fans had a chance to get a picture with Miller and the Stanley Cup on the concourse of Munn Ice Arena.

To view pictures of the Cup's appearance at Munn, click the link below.

DREW MILLER'S DAY WITH THE STANLEY CUP GALLERY

Photo of Miller and MSU head coach Rick Comley courtesy CCHA

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MSU's McKenzie signs with Senators

Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray announced Tuesday the signing of four players to contracts. The club signed 2005 first-round pick Brian Lee to an entry-level contact, while agreeing to two-year deals with forwards Danny Bois and Jim McKenzie and a one-year deal with defenseman Matt Carkner.

McKenzie, 23, was Ottawa’s first fifth-round draft pick (141st overall) in the 2004 entry draft. The St. Paul, Minn., native spent last season with the Michigan State Spartans of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. McKenzie set career highs in goals (12), assists (18) and points (30), while adding 56 penalty minutes.

He'll forego his senior season in East Lansing.

"This is what I've worked for my entire life - why I've had all the (shoulder) surgeries - to get this opportunity,'' McKenzie told the Lansing State Journal. "No question, the financial situation was part of it. But this decision will help me try to reach my final goal, which is the NHL.''

Miller to bring Cup to East Lansing

Former Michigan State hockey player Drew Miller, a member of the 2007 Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks, will bring the Stanley Cup to his hometown of East Lansing on Thursday.

Media availability for Miller is at 2:45 on the Munn Arena concourse below the press box. Immediately following, there will be a public viewing of the Cup – with photo opportunities for fans – from 3-4:30 p.m. at Munn Arena.

The Miller family has requested that all interviews be conducted during the media availability at Munn Arena. The family function later that day is a private event.

Miller, who played for the Spartans from 2003-06, was drafted by the Ducks in the sixth round (186th overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He captained the team as a junior before forgoing his final year of collegiate eligibility to sign with the Ducks on May 3, 2006.

In his time at MSU, Miller accumulated 39 goals and 47 assists for 86 points. He was the squad's leading scorer with 18 goals and 25 assists for 43 points in 44 games in his final collegiate season, and was named Michigan State 's Most Valuable Player. He was honored as the CCHA's Best Defensive Forward, and was named to the CCHA All-Tournament Team. This season, Michigan State also captured the 2006 CCHA Tournament title with a 2-1 victory over regular-season champion Miami , and advanced to the East Regional final in the NCAA Tournament.

In his addition to his excellence on the ice, Miller also left his mark on the community. Miller created the Spartan Buddy Program, where MSU athletes go to Sparrow Hospital on a regular basis to visit pediatric patients. He also participated in pen pal programs with local classrooms, Teams for Toys, DARE, and the Special Olympics. The commitment to community involvement earned Miller the CCHA's 2006 Illitch Humanitarian Award this past season and nominations for the Hockey Humanitarian Award in 2005 and 2006.

Miller spent the entire 2006-07 regular season with Anaheim ’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Portland Pirates. In 79 games, he scored 16 goals and added 20 assists for 36 points, and amassing 51 penalty minutes.

Miller was called up to the Ducks as the NHL playoffs began, and made his NHL debut in the Ducks’ first-round series against Vancouver. Miller played his first significant minutes in the Stanley Cup finals against Ottawa , earning a spot on the wing of Anaheim ’s top line – playing with Teemu Selanne and Andy MacDonald.

Santorelli leaves NMU for Preds

Mike Santorelli finally made it official and signed with the Nashville Predators.

It had been rumored since April that he would forego his senior season at Northern Michigan.

Santorelli, 21, earned a spot on the 2006-07 RBK Hockey All-American West Team (Second Team) and the All-CCHA First Team.

The Vancouver native led the CCHA in goals (30) and power-play goals (11) and also led the Wildcats in points (30g-17a-47pts) and plus-minus rating (+6). Following the season, the 6-foot, 190-pound forward was honored at Northern Michigan with the Gary Emmons Most Valuable Player Award, the Bill Joyce Best Forward Award and the Steve Bozek Plus-Minus Award.

“Our program, as a whole, is happy for Mike and we wish him the best,” NMU head coach Walt Kyle, said. “We are in the business of helping young men pursue their dreams and it was a pleasure to work with Mike the last three seasons.”

Santorelli was originally Nashville’s sixth choice, 178th overall (sixth round), in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. His brother, Mark, a forward for the WHL’s Chilliwack Bruins, was drafted by Nashville in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.