Rowe leaves Spartans for Flyers

MSU Press Release

Michigan State junior forward Andrew Rowe has signed a professional contract with the Philadelphia Flyers organization.

Rowe, an undrafted free agent, just completed his junior season for the Spartans, and will forgo his final season of collegiate eligibility.

“It was really a very tough decision to leave,” noted the Spartans’ alternate captain. “Michigan State has been an unbelievable experience for me, and I have to thank (head) coach (Rick) Comley and the rest of the MSU staff for giving me a chance to be here. However, this was an opportunity that I couldn’t turn down, so it’s bittersweet. While I am excited about starting my professional career, I will miss the MSU hockey program, and I will always be a Spartan.”

“We wish Andrew well,” noted Comley. “He has grown tremendously over three seasons, and while I obviously would have loved for him to stay at Michigan State for his senior season, we also understand the tough decisions these juniors have to make. It’s not easy on them, and it’s not easy on us as a program, but, it’s the current state of the game. ”

Rowe spent three seasons in a Michigan State uniform and served as an alternate captain as a junior. He had a breakout offensive season as a junior, scoring 17 goals and totaled 28 points, ranking second on the team in goals and fourth in points. He was also second on the team in plus/minus rating (+11). The speedy winger appeared in 94 career games, with a 26-23- 49 scoring line.

Johnson to captain Team USA at Worlds

USA Hockey Press Release

Former Michigan defenseman Jack Johnson was today named captain of the 2010 U.S. Men's National Team that will play in the upcoming International Ice Hockey Federation World Men's Championship, May 7-23, in Cologne, Gelsenkirchen and Mannheim, Germany.

Johnson has represented the United States seven previous times, most recently at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. He was also a member of Team USA at two IIHF World Men's Championships (2007, 2009), two IIHF World Junior Championships (2006, 2007) and two IIHF World Men's U18 Championships (2004, 2005).

In addition, four alternate captains were named, including Nick Foligno, Matt Greene (Grand Ledge), Eric Nystrom (Michigan) and Kyle Okposo.

Team USA begins play in the 2010 IIHF World Men's Championship Friday against host Germany at VELTINS-Arena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. The game is a sellout and, at 76,152 fans, will set the world hockey attendance record.

NMU, MTU recruits earn NAHL hardware

The North American Hockey League announced Monday night the Robertson Cup Championship Tournament banquet that Topeka RoadRunners forward Erik Higby has been named its Most Valuable Player for the 2009-10 season, as selected by the league’s coaches and general managers.

Higby was also selected as the NAHL’s nominee for the 2010 USA Hockey Junior Player of the Year Award, named Forward of the Year and to the All-NAHL Team.

Higby, a 20-year-old from Shelby Township, won the NAHL’s regular-season scoring title with 80 points on 27 goals. His plus-36 rating also led the NAHL.

“Erik is a special type of player,” said RoadRunners head coach Scott Langer. “His vision and abilities on the ice are tremendous, but what really sets him apart is the way he goes about his business. He's focused, determined, intelligent, and he quietly leads by example.”

Higby, who participated in January’s NAHL Top Prospects Tournament, has committed to Northern Michigan for next season. His on-ice performance earned him NAHL South Division Player of the Week honors three times this season.

“Erik’s production on the scoresheet is what the casual fan first sees, but it’s his demeanor with his teammates and with the public that sets him apart,” Langer added.

Higby’s point total and 53 assists (second in the NAHL) also set team records for the RoadRunners, who won the league’s South Division regular-season title.

“For a player who led the league in scoring and rewrote pages of the organization’s record book, he's quite humble,” said Langer. “He does all these things and is a solid citizen off the ice. What more can a coach or an organization ask for?”

Also recognized at the banquet was forward Tanner Kero of the Marquette Rangers, as the Michigan Tech recruit was named the NAHL's Rookie of the Year.

In his first Junior A season, Kero, a 17-year-old from Hancock, led the NAHL with 32 goals while totaling 51 points in 57 games for the North Division regular-season champions.

CCHA changes playoff format - again

CCHA Press Release

All 11 teams will participate in the playoffs during the 2010-11 season under a new post-season model adopted by the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.

The first round of the 2011 CCHA Playoffs will take place March 4-6. The top five seeds will receive first-round byes, while the remaining six teams will play best-of-three series’ at campus sites. The No. 6 seed host the No. 11 seed, the No. 7 seed will host the No. 10 seed, and the No. 8 seed will host the No. 9 seed. The winners will advance to the CCHA Quarterfinals.

The CCHA Quarterfinals will take place March 11-13 with another round of best-of-three series at campus sites. The No. 4 seed will host the No. 5 seed. The No. 3 seed will host the highest seed to win its series in the first round. The No. 2 seed will host the next highest seed to win its series in the first round. The No. 1 seed will host the lowest remaining seed. The winners of the series in the CCHA Quarterfinals will advance to the CCHA Championship.

The 2011 CCHA Championship will take place March 18-19 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. The CCHA Semifinals will take place on Friday, March 18, with the highest-remaining seed playing the lowest remaining seed and the second-highest remaining seed taking on the third-highest remaining seed for the right to play in the title game. Saturday, March 19 will feature the CCHA Third-Place Game and the CCHA Championship Game.