Two more added to U-M's freshman class

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

The University of Michigan announced on Wednesday that defenseman Lee Moffie and forward Lindsay Sparks will join the Wolverines as walk-ons for the 2009-10 campaign.

Moffie (pictured) played for the Waterloo Black Hawks of the United States Hockey League during the 2008-09 season. The 6-foot-1, 199-pounder led all Waterloo defensemen in points (44), posting nine goals and 35 assists. Seven of his nine goals came on the power play. Moffie had a -1 plus/minus rating and 97 penalty minutes. He did not record a point over three playoff contests. Moffie was a two-time USHL Defensive Player of the Week this season.

"Lee Moffie comes to Michigan with similar credentials to those of Chad Langlais," remarked assistant coach Billy Powers. "Lee has good offensive numbers and can quarterback the power play. He will be an offensive blueliner but also be reliable for us without the puck. He has a good shot, he sees the ice well, and he helps his teammates create offense."

Moffie is rated the 135th-best skater among North Americans in the final Central Scouting rankings for the 2009 NHL Entry Draft (June 26-27). Moffie spent the 2006-07 and 2007-08 campaigns with the Avon Old Farms School in Connecticut, where he won back-to-back New England Division I prep championships. In 2007-08, he had a 7-25-32 line in 27 games. In 2006-07, he had 3-11-14 totals in 25 contests.

Sparks (5-foot-9, 170 pounds) has played the last three seasons with the Oakville Blades of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. His best season was in 2008-09 when he produced 18 goals and 39 assists for 57 points, which ranked sixth on the Blades' roster. He earned 57 penalty minutes over 41 regular-season games. Sparks was a member of the Oakville squad that won the OJHL championship in 2007-08. He recorded a 7-15-22 line in 27 games that season. During the 2006-07 season, his first with Oakville, he had a 9-21-30 totals in 43 games. Sparks has appeared in a collective 45 playoff games during the past three seasons, scoring 11 goals and 25 assists.

"Lindsay is a dynamic player with a good skill level," said Powers. "He had success with his team in the regular season and playoffs of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. He creates plays with his speed -- he's a strong skater. He also sees the ice well. Lindsay will have a chance to come in this fall and add to the Michigan offense."

Michigan's other three recruits for the fall of 2009 are Chris Brown, Kevin Lynch and A.J. Treais, all of whom have been teammates on the U.S. National Team Development Program over the last two seasons. The trio won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2009 IIHF World Under-18 Championship back in April.

Photo by Robert Meyer/USHL Images