Broncos add a pair of forwards

Western Michigan University Press Release

The nationally-ranked Western Michigan hockey program and head coach Andy Murray have announced the signing of Josh Pitt (Spencerville, Ont./Ottawa Jr. Senators, CCHL) and Colton Hargrove (Rockwall, Tex./Fargo Force, USHL) to national letters of intent.

Pitt and Hargrove join Chris Dienes (Traverse City/Cedar Rapids Rough Riders, USHL), Sheldon Dries (Macomb Township/Green Bay Gamblers, USHL), Aaron Hadley (Castlegar, B.C./Vernon Vipers, BCHL), Nolan LaPorte (Moneka, Ill./Green Bay Gamblers, USHL), Mike McKee (Newmarket, Ont./Lincoln Stars, USHL), Kenney Morrison (Loydminster, Alb./Omaha Lancers, USHL) and Kyle Novak (O’Fallon, Mo./Green Bay Gamblers, who signed with WMU during the November signing period.

Pitt, 6-foot-3 forward, played four seasons of junior hockey in the Central Canada Hockey League from 2008-12. For the majority of his career he played for the Kemptville 73's but was traded to the Ottawa Jr. Senators during his final year. He is coming off the best season on his career in which he potted 36 goals with 23 assists for 59 points in 59 games. He went on to net a goal and tally two assists in the playoffs. In his junior career he amassed 59 goals and 119 points.

“Josh is a big kid and he can really shoot the puck,” said assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Rob Facca. “He can skate and he’s a smart hockey player. He’s another guy that will come in and fill the void from the seniors. He will help create competition for ice time, which I like.”

Hargrove, another big forward at 6-foot-2 and 212 pounds, played two seasons of junior hockey for the Fargo Force of the United States Hockey League. The Texas native is coming off his best season of junior hockey in which he tallied 38 points in the regular season on 16 goals and 22 assists. In two season in the USHL he tallied 65 total points.

"Colton brings size and toughness,” said Facca. “He has a really good shot and moves well for a big guy. He can really shoot it. He’s a tough, hard-nosed player and we expect him to play like that."
 
Hargrove and Pitt along with others will be tasked with WMU's departing senior class of Ian Slater, Greg Squires, J.J. Crew, Derek Roehl and Kyle O'Kane along with junior Matt Tennyson, who signed with the San Jose Sharks. Those six helped lead the Broncos to its first CCHA Tournament Title since 1986 and the second in program history.