Kyle 'excited' about NMU schedule

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

Northern Michigan University has announced its 2008-2009 schedule, one that includes 19 home games.

NMU will open the season by playing its first four games at the Berry Events Center against Michigan Tech and Minnesota-Duluth as part of the Superior Cup the weekend of Oct. 10-11 and the following weekend Oct. 17-18, the ‘Cats host the Michigan Wolverines.

“I am really excited about the schedule,” said Wildcats head coach Walt Kyle. “From strength of schedule standpoint, it is great for the fans to see some great teams in the building.”

NMU’s CCHA cluster-mates for the season are Bowling Green, Lake Superior State and Notre Dame. Northern Michigan will face the Falcons in Bowling Green on Nov. 14-15 and then the stage will shift to Marquette on Feb. 6-7. LSSU will host the ‘Cats the weekend of Dec. 5-6 and pay a visit to the Berry Events Center the final weekend of the regular season (Feb. 27-28). The Fighting Irish stop at the Berry Events Center for a two-game set the weekend of Oct. 31-Nov. 1 as the ‘Cats will make the return trip to Notre Dame on Feb. 13-14.

The Huskies will also play at the Berry Events Center on Saturday, Dec. 20. NMU and MTU will faceoff in Houghton the night before.

NMU will face Wisconsin in Madison the weekend of Jan. 2-3. The ‘Cats will play two exhibition games - one against the University of Toronto on Sunday, Oct. 5 and the other versus the U.S. National Team Development Program on Saturday, Dec. 13.

Also making a stop at the Berry Events Center will be Alaska, Ferris State and Ohio State.

“We’re anxious for the season," added Kyle. "I like our hockey team and the schedule which we have."

Portage's Hill off to Ferris State

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

Topeka RoadRunners defenseman Tommy Hill has committed to Ferris State University for next season.

Hill, from Portage, totaled four goals and 11 points in 45 regular-season games in 2007-08 and was also a plus-10. The NAHL Top Prospects Tournament participant also recorded a goal and three assists in 12 postseason games.

“It’s been a pleasure to watch Tommy grow both as a player and as a young man,” said RoadRunners coach-GM Scott Langer. “He’s a classy individual from a great family and he’s a perfect example of what RoadRunner hockey is all about.

“We pride ourselves on being a family-type organization where a player’s character off the ice is as important as his ability on the ice. Tommy has been a great ambassador for our program in the community.”

Winning the league’s South Division and advancing to the Robertson Cup championship tournament capped a memorable junior career for Hill.

“Playing in Topeka has been incredible,” Hill said. “I feel fortunate to have been able to play for a great organization with a great staff, with teammates that are like brothers and in front of the best fans in the league.”

At Ferris State, Hill will join former teammate Nate Hennig, who played two seasons with Hill in Santa Fe prior to the franchise relocation.

Photo by RJ Meyer/NAHL

Lerg to wear the 'C' for Michigan State

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

Michigan State has announced the captains for the 2008-09 Spartan hockey team.

Senior goaltender Jeff Lerg has been named the captain, while classmates Tim Kennedy, Tim Crowder and Brandon Gentile have been named alternate captains.

“While Jeff will be wearing a 'C' for the first time, there is no doubt about his leadership on the ice or in the locker room,” noted MSU head coach Rick Comley. “Jeff has earned the respect of everyone in the program and he unquestionably has been a leader on this team during each of his three years. All four players who are wearing letters next year have accomplished a high level of success over the last three years and I think that they will be great leaders for our hockey team, especially with a large group of freshmen joining the program.”

Lerg, who was an alternate captain in 2007-08, has put together one of the most accomplished, decorated resumes of any Spartan in the history of the program. In 2007-08, he put together one of the most decorated campaigns in school history. The netminder was a Hobey Baker finalist, a Second-Team All-America selection, the CCHA First-Team goaltender, and the CCHA Scholar-Athlete of the Year. In addition, he was a finalist for the prestigious James E. Sullivan Award as the nation’s top amateur athlete, as well as a finalist for CCHA Player of the Year honors.

In addition to earning team MVP honors for the second consecutive season, the junior finished the season ninth in the country in save percentage (.926) and a 2.22 goals-against average, which ranked 18th nationally. Lerg’s career numbers rank among the top five all-time at Michigan State in several categories: save percentage (.922), second; saves (2,956), second; goals-against average (2.22), third; career shutouts (10), fourth; wins (67), fifth; games played (114), fourth; and consecutive games played (63), first.

Lerg, whose cousin, Bryan Lerg, captained MSU last year, is a three-year starter who has guided the hockey program into at least the second round of the NCAA Tournament for three straight seasons, making Michigan State one of just three schools to accomplish that feat along with Boston College and North Dakota. He backstopped the Spartans to the 2007 NCAA title and was named the University’s George Alderton Award winner as the top male athlete in 2007. In addition, he was named the USA Hockey College Player of the Year. As a freshman, Lerg emerged as the starter in January and went on an impressive run that saw him earn CCHA Rookie of the Year honors, then emerged as the CCHA Tournament MVP when he helped the Spartans capture the 2006 CCHA title.

Kennedy (pictured) will wear an 'A' for the second straight season and has been the team’s top scorer in each of the last two seasons. In 113 career games in the Green & White, he has 42 goals and 63 assists for 105 points. He was a second-team All-CCHA pick a year ago and was named to the 2007 Frozen Four All-Tournament Team.

Crowder and Gentile will serve as alternate captains for the first time in their careers. Crowder is the active leader in career games played (127), and also in goals (46). He has added 47 assists for 93 career points. A big, mobile winger, Crowder has been a fixture on the Spartans’ top lines since his freshman season along with Kennedy.

Gentile will be counted on this season to help anchor a defensive corps that has lost three regulars. A steady, stay-at-home type, Gentile has had two productive seasons after missing most of his freshman campaign with injury. He has appeared in 97 career games and has 13 career assists.

Photo courtesy of Michigan State Athletics