Ex-Spartan named IHL head coach

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

The Flint Generals of the International Hockey League announced yesterday that former NHL goaltender and Generals player Jason Muzzatti has been named head coach for the 2009-10 season.

"We feel we have found the right coach for the Flint Generals," majority owner of the Generals Travis Prince said. "Jason is a man with great contacts in hockey and a man with tremendous integrity."

Muzzatti skated four seasons of NCAA action from 1987-1991 with Michigan State where he continues to hold records for most wins in a season (32, 1988-89) and most wins as a Spartan (83). During his college career at Michigan State, Muzzatti was selected by the Calgary Flames in the first round of the 1988 NHL Entry Draft.

Muzzatti appeared in NHL stints with Calgary, Hartford, New York Rangers and San Jose during his 16-year career. The Toronto native also spent time in the nets in the American Hockey League and backstopped the IHL's Indianapolis Ice and Salt Lake Golden Eagles during 1992-93.
Muzzatti completed his playing career appearing in 41 games with the Generals in 2006-07 registering an 18-15-6 record and 3.34 goals-against average.

“It’s an honor to be a part of the Flint Generals long standing tradition,” stated Muzzatti. “I am looking forward to the challenge and I am ready to get the Generals back on track.”

Photo courtesy Michigan State University Athletics

'08 GLI title game replayed Saturday

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

An encore presentation of Michigan's 5-1 defeat of archrival Michigan State in the Great Lakes Invitational championship game is being replayed on Fox Sports Detroit on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

After the Spartans jumped on the board first with a Matt Schepke power-play goal, the Wolverines came back with five unanswered goals. Michigan was led by GLI MVP Louie Caporusso, who had one goal in the title game and three in their semifinal victory over Michigan Tech the day before.

The victory gave Michigan its second-straight GLI title and 13th overall.

Devils sign Jeff Lerg to rookie deal

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

Former Michigan State goaltender Jeff Lerg has signed a free-agent contract with the New Jersey Devils.

Lerg, a 23-year-old Livonia native, joins the Devils organization after an outstanding four-year career as a Spartan. Lerg played in three NCAA Tournaments and led MSU to the NCAA championship as a sophomore in 2006-2007.

The 5-foot-6, 155-pound Lerg compiled a 76-51-17 record with 12 shutouts and a 2.38 goals- against average in 146 games.

In 2007-2008, Lerg was named to the All-CCHA first team as well as the NCAA West All-America second team and was a Hobey Baker finalist.

This past year, Lerg, also MSU's captain, was named Academic All-America of the Year in the At-Large Division by ESPN The Magazine and also won the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award in the men’s ice hockey division.

Lerg will report to the Devils rookie camp early next month.

Photo courtesy Michigan State University