Di Giuseppe headlines Michigan draft class

Michigan Press Releases

For the first time since 2007, the University of Michigan had a player selected in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft, as incoming freshman Jacob Trouba (Rochester) was taken ninth overall by the Winnipeg Jets on Friday at Consol Energy Center, home of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Trouba was ranked ninth among North American skaters by the NHL's Central Scouting Service after completing his second season with the United States National Team Development Program in 2011-12.

The 6-foot-2, 193-pound defenseman appeared in 50 games last season with the USNTDP Under-18 team, earning 31 points (9g, 22a). He represented the United States at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship, recording three assists in six games. Trouba has also won two gold medals with the U.S. at the World Under-18 Championships (2011, 2012) and captured a silver medal at the 2011 Under-17 World Hockey Challenge.

Trouba is the 17th Michigan player or commit to be selected in the first round, and the first since Montreal took forward Max Pacioretty in 2007.

He is the seventh-highest pick in U-M history and the second-highest pick by the Winnipeg Jets (Aaron Ward, fifth overall, 1991).

Trouba will join sophomore defenseman Brennan Serville (Pickering, Ont.) as Winnipeg draft picks in Ann Arbor next season.

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After incoming freshman Jacob Trouba was selected ninth overall by Winnipeg on Friday, three more members of the University of Michigan hockey team fulfilled their NHL draft-day dreams on Saturday at Consol Energy Center, home of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

U-M winger Phil Di Giuseppe (Maple, Ont.) was the first Wolverine off the board, going 38th overall to the Carolina Hurricanes. Incoming forward Boo Nieves (Rochester, N.Y.) was also a second-round pick, as the New York Rangers chose him 59th overall. Incoming defenseman Connor Carrick (Orland Park, Ill.) was selected in the fifth round, 137th overall, by the Washington Capitals.

Di Giuseppe, who was ranked 22nd among North American skaters in the final CSS rankings, recently completed his freshman season with the Maize and Blue, posting 26 points (11g, 15a) in 40 games. He ranked second among team rookies in all three scoring categories and received CCHA All-Rookie Team honorable mention. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound forward was named the CCHA Rookie of the Month for October and the league's Rookie of the Week for the week ending Oct. 31, 2011.

Nieves (pictured) spent the last two seasons at the Kent School in Kent, Conn., where he was coached by former Michigan captain Matt Herr. The 6-foot-3, 184-pound forward tallied 39 points (11g, 28a) in 22 games at Kent last season before joining the Indiana Ice of the United States Hockey League at the conclusion of his high school season.

Carrick was ranked 124th among North American skaters in the CSS rankings after competing with the United States National Team Development Program for the past two seasons. Carrick appeared in 41 games with the Under-18 team in 2011-12, earning 16 points (5g, 11a).

Photo courtesy MiHockeyNow.com

Copp added to Wolverines' incoming class

Michigan Press Release 

The University of Michigan announced Monday that forward Andrew Copp (Ann Arbor/Skyline High School) has signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Wolverines, beginning with the 2012-13 season.

Copp, who spent the last two seasons with the United States National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, joins six other incoming freshmen who signed their commitments in November.

 "Andrew is a very athletic kid, having played both football and hockey at a high level." said U-M assistant coach Brian Wiseman. "He is a big, strong player with a high skill level and we feel that his best play is yet to come now that he has decided to focus exclusively on hockey."

Copp recorded six points (goal, five assists) in 23 games with the U.S. Under-18 team last season and 11 points (five goals, six assists) in nine games with the Under-17 squad. He also posted one assist in six games while helping the U.S. to a fourth straight gold medal at IIHF Under-18 World Championship in April.

While with the U.S. program, Copp was teammates with incoming freshmen Jacob Trouba (Rochester), Jared Rutledge (Chicago, Ill.) and Connor Carrick (Orland Park, Ill.).

Michigan's incoming freshman class also includes signees Danile Milne (St. Michel's Buzzers, OJHL), Justin Selman (Sioux Falls Stampede, USHL) and Cristoval Nieves (Kent School/Indiana Ice, USHL).

Photo courtesy Tom Sorensen/USA Hockey

Michigan gets commitment from Trouba

USHL Press Release

The U.S. NTDP has announced that defenseman Jacob Trouba has committed to play collegiate hockey at the University of Michigan next season.

The 6-foot-2, 194-pound native of Rochester collected seven points (3g, 4a) while playing 31 USHL games for Team USA’s Under-17 squad in 2010-11. Trouba participated in this summer’s NHL Research, Orientation and Development Camp alongside several other top NHL draft-eligible prospects. He has been tabbed as one of the top USHL prospects for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

"I really liked the way he played in all three games I viewed; he's a very good size D man," Al Jensen of NHL Central Scouting told NHL.com following the USHL Fall Classic. "He skates exceptionally well and likes to rush up ice with the puck and with good speed. He'll also join the rush himself, is very confident and has great agility. He's strong physically, can handle the puck and is always alert. He also did a good job with one-on-one rushes against ... he has great upside."

Trouba won’t have to go far to continue his hockey career as the Ann Arbor-based National Team Development Program is in close proximity to the University of Michigan campus.

LISTEN to Trouba’s recent interview on The Pipeline Show as he discusses his development and decision to play college hockey at Michigan.

Photo by Tom Sorensen

Gibson spurns Wolverines, OHL-bound

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

Michigan head coach Red Berenson announced Wednesday that recent signee John Gibson will not enroll at the university.

"John Gibson has decided not to attend the University of Michigan or to play college hockey,” said Berenson.

Gibson, a goaltender who played the past two seasons with the U.S. NTDP, was drafted by the Kitchener Rangers in the 11th round of the 2009 OHL draft. He was also selected by the Anaheim Ducks in second round of the NHL draft last month.

UPDATE (8 p.m.): The Rangers announced Gibson's signing today in a press release.

"John plays with confidence and has the unique ability to control his rebounds," said Kitchener head scout Murray Hiebert. "He has a pedigree of success. His combination of size and athleticism allow him to be a great prospect for the Anaheim Ducks and we look forward to having John with us in Kitchener."

Two Michigan recruits selected on Day 2

UM Press Release

A pair of incoming freshmen for the University of Michigan were selected at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft on Saturday.

Goaltender John Gibson (Pittsburgh, Pa.) was chosen by the Anaheim Ducks in the second round (39th overall), while defenseman Brennan Serville (Pickering, Ont.) was picked by the Winnipeg Jets in the third round (78th overall).

Gibson (6-3, 206 pounds) was the top-ranked North American goalie by the NHL Central Scouting Service. He spent the past two seasons with the Ann Arbor-based U.S. National Team Development Program. In 2010-11, Gibson had a 24-11-3 record with a 2.55 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage for the U.S. NTDP Under-18 Team, backstopping Team USA to a gold medal at the 2011 IIHF World Under-18 Championships in April. His 6-0-0 record, 2.34 GAA and .926 save percentage at the tournament earned him the Directorate Award for Best Goaltender. In June, Gibson was named USA Hockey's 2011 Dave Peterson Goalie of the Year. In 2009-10, he had a 10-12-1 record, 3.76 GAA and .895 save percentage with the U.S. NTDP Under-17 Team.

"John has great net coverage and size, and is very strong," said Al Jensen from NHL Central Scouting. "He's sound technically, moves very well laterally and is controlled. He's calm, not busy."

Serville (6-3, 184 pounds) was rated the 104th-best skater in North America heading into the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. The blueliner played for the Stouffville Spirit of the Ontario Junior Hockey League for the last two seasons. In 2010-11, he had three goals, 27 assists and 29 penalty minutes in 36 regular-season games to earn North-West Conference First Team All-Prospect accolades. He also played in the CJHL Prospects Game for Team East. Serville helped Team Canada East win a silver medal at the 2010 World Junior A Challenge. In 2009-10, he had a 3-12-15 line for the Spirit. Over two playoffs, he had 3-12-15 totals in 23 games.

In 2011-12, the Wolverines are slated to have 12 players on their roster who have been drafted by NHL teams.

Four current collegians drafted in L.A.

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

A quartet of current in-state collegians were drafted today in Los Angeles at the NHL Entry Draft, while several more incoming skaters also heard their names called.

Northern Michigan forward Justin Florek (fifth round, 135th overall, Boston Bruins), Michigan defenseman Lee Moffie (seventh round, 188th overall, San Jose Sharks), Michigan State forward Brett Perlini (seventh round, 192nd overall, Anaheim Ducks) and Lake Superior State defenseman Zach Trotman (seventh round, 210th overall and last pick of the draft, Boston) became NHL property today.

Incoming Michigan recruits include U.S. NTDP defenseman Jon Merrill (second round, 38th overall, New Jersey Devils), Canadian left wing Alex Guptill (third round, 77th overall, Dallas Stars), a 2011 recruit that will play this upcoming season with the USHL's Waterloo Black Hawks, and NTDP center Luke Moffatt (seventh round, 197th overall, Colorado Avalanche).

Perlini photo from the 2009 GLI by Matt Mackinder/MiCHO

NHL Draft tonight in Los Angeles

Ex-MSU star Cole named NTDP coach

USA Hockey Press Release

Danton Cole, who most recently served as the head coach at the University of Alabama-Huntsville, was today named a head coach at USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program. As one of two head coaches at the NTDP, Cole will guide the U.S. National Under-17 Team during the upcoming 2010-11 season.

“We’re excited to bring someone with Danton’s qualifications to our National Team Development Program,” said Jim Johannson, USA Hockey assistant executive director of hockey operations. “He will be a great contributor in the overall development of our elite American players.”

“Danton has a wealth of experience at the professional, collegiate and international levels,” said Scott Monaghan, director of operations for the NTDP. “He’ll be a great asset in preparing our players to compete on all stages.”

Last summer, Cole served as the assistant coach for the U.S. Under-18 Select Team at the 2009 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka Tournament in Slovakia. In addition, his international résumé goes beyond coaching, as he played for Team USA at three International Ice Hockey Federation World Men’s Championships (1990-91, 1994).

Cole spent the past three seasons as the head coach and associate athletic director at UAH, where he guided the Chargers to their second-ever College Hockey America championship in 2010, as well as the second NCAA Division I tournament berth in program history.

Cole also brings experience coaching at the professional level, having previously served as the head coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings, from 2002-05. During that span, he became the winningest coach in team history with a 116-72-17-3 record, while guiding the Griffins to the Calder Cup Playoffs in both 2002-03 and 2003-04.

Cole then spent part of 2004-05 and all of the 2005-06 season as the head coach of the United Hockey League’s Motor City Mechanics, before joining the college realm as an assistant coach at Bowling Green State University in 2006-07.

The Pontiac native’s coaching career began in the 1999-2000 season when he was named an assistant coach for Grand Rapids, then of the International Hockey League. He spent one more season with the Griffins before earning his first job as a head coach with the Muskegon Fury of the United Hockey League in 2001.

During the 2001-02 season, he guided the Fury to a 48-22-0 record and the Colonial Cup Championship.

As a player, Cole appeared in 318 games in the National Hockey League from 1989-96, including stints with the Winnipeg Jets, Tampa Bay Lightning, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders and Chicago Blackhawks. Cole was part of the Devils squad that earned its first Stanley Cup in 1995.

Prior to embarking on his pro career, Cole was a four-year letter winner at Michigan State University from 1985-89. While a Spartan, Cole appeared in 180 games and compiled 163 points (69-94). He was part of the Ron Mason-led Michigan State squad that captured the 1986 NCAA National Championship. In 1989, he received the Big Ten Medal of Honor as MSU’s top student-athlete in both scholarship and achievement.

Photo by Doug Eagan/UAH

WMU adds three more USHL recruits

WMU Press Release

Western Michigan has announced the signing of three student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the 2010-11 season.

Chase Balisy (Fullerton, Calif./USNTDP U-18, USHL), Shane Berschbach (Clawson/Indiana Ice, USHL) and David Donnellan (Eau Claire, Wis./Youngstown Phantoms, USHL) have signed with the Broncos and will make their debuts this fall.

Balisy, a left-shot center, played in the United States National Team Development Program, most recently playing with the Under-18 team. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound, forward combined nine goals and 17 assists for 26 points in 65 total games played. Balisy, a ‘92 birth year, also featured with the Under-17 team during the 2008-09 season scoring 12 goals with 27 assists for 39 points in 67 total games. He also led Team USA with six assists at the 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Port Alberni, British Columbia.

“Chase is a very smart, skilled centerman,” said new WMU head coach Jeff Blashill. “He controls the puck very well and does a great job distributing it. With added speed and strength, Chase will develop into a great player.”

Berschbach is very familiar with Blashill, having played two seasons under him with the Indiana Ice. During the 2009-10 season, the 5-foot-8 forward played in 42 games, scoring 12 goals and 23 assists for 35 points. In the 2008-09 season, in which he helped lead the Ice to a Clark Cup championship, he registered 20 goals and 24 assists for 44 points in 56 games.

“Shane is an extremely smart, crafty offensive hockey player who knows what it takes to be a champion,” added Blashill. “He knows my coaching style and my demands which will help his transition to the college game.”

Donnellan joins sophomore Ross Henry as the second student-athlete and defenseman from the state of Wisconsin on the 2010-11 roster. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound right-hander played his 2009-10 season with the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL. In 59 games, he netted two goals and tallied 20 assists for 23 points and was the top scoring defenseman on his team. Donnellan split the 2008-09 USHL season with the Tri-City Storm and Sioux Falls Stampede, appearing in 55 games.

“David is defined by his character,” said Blashill. “He has that inner drive to be great that I want our team to embody. David is a good defenseman who will help us implement our culture quickly.”

Balisy, Berschbach and Donnellan join newcomers Dennis Brown (Placentia, Calif./Omaha Lancers, USHL/defenseman), Dan DeKeyser (Algonac/Sioux City Musketeers, USHL/defenseman) and Nick Pisellini (Itasca, Ill./Quinnipiac University/goalie) to finalize the 2010-11 recruiting class.

MSU hammers NTDP in exhibition

By Matt Mackinder/Michigan State Beat Writer

Michigan State defeated the United States National Under-18 Team, 8-2, Monday night at Munn Ice Arena in an exhibition contest.

The Spartans had seven different goal scorers. Daultan Leveille had two goals and an assist and Corey Tropp and Derek Grant each tallied a goal and a helper.

Brock Shelgren, Brett Perlini, Nick Sucharski and Mike Merrifield scored the other goals for MSU.

For the NTDP, Michigan recruit Luke Moffatt and Brandon Saad tallied in the loss.

Bobby Jarosz and Kyle McMahon combined for 24 saves in the Spartans' net. Jarosz started and made 21 saves, while McMahon came in with 1:59 to play and stopped all three shots he faced.

Andy Iles started in goal for Team USA, but left just 1:24 into the game after allowing Shelgren's goal on MSU's first shot. Colin Stevens played the rest of the game and finished with 22 saves.

Michigan State hosts Lake Superior State this weekend at Munn.

Michigan signs five for '10-11 season

Michigan Press Release

The University of Michigan announced Monday that the team has received National Letters of Intent from two forwards and three defensemen for the 2010-11 campaign.

Jacob Fallon (Southlake, Texas) and Luke Moffatt (Paradise Valley, Ariz.) are forwards for the U.S. National Team Development Program. Two of the three defensemen also hail from the U.S. NTDP -- Kevin Clare (New Rochelle, N.Y.) and Jon Merrill (Brighton, Mich.). Defenseman Mac Bennett (Narragansett, R.I.) plays for the Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Roughriders of the United States Hockey League.

Bennett (5-11, 168) has a goal and three assists in 10 games for the Roughriders. The rearguard missed a handful of Cedar Rapids games in early November while skating for Team USA at the 2009 World Junior 'A' Challenge. Bennett helped the Americans win the gold medal and was named to the tournament all-star team, posting one assist in five games. Bennett was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the third round (79th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He spent the 2008-09 season as an alternate captain at the Hotchkiss School (Conn.), where he had a 2-11-13 line in 15 games due to an injury-shortened season.

Clare (6-1, 202) is in his second season with the U.S. NTDP. A member of the Under-18 Team this year, he has two goals, one assist and 37 penalty minutes in 22 games. Clare accumulated six goals and 12 assists in 66 games with the U.S. Under-17 Team in 2008-09. He served as the team captain during the first half of the year.

Fallon (5-10, 184) has yet to play during the 2009-10 season, though he is a member of the U.S. NTDP. Last year with the U.S. Under-17 Team, he racked up 17 goals and 27 assists for 44 points. Five of his goals and three of his assists came at the 2009 World Under-17 Challenge.

Merrill (6-3, 200) has four goals -- all on the power play -- and 10 assists with eight penalty minutes through 22 games with the U.S. NTDP Under-18 team. Merrill split time between the U.S. Under-17 and Under-18 Teams in 2008-09, contributing three goals and five assists over 43 games between the two squads. Ultimately, he helped Team USA win the gold medal at the IIHF World Under-18 Championship. Merrill was rated the No. 7 prospect among his USHL/U.S. NTDP peers by the NHL Central Scouting Service's preliminary rankings on Nov. 17.

Moffatt (6-0, 179) has scored three goals and added seven assists for 10 points in 22 games with the U.S. NTDP Under-18 Team this fall. He notched 21 goals and 20 assists over 67 games as a member of the U.S. Under-17 Team in 2008-09. Moffatt was rated No. 13 in the USHL/U.S. NTDP category by the NHL CSS preliminary rankings last week.

Additionally, Clare, Merrill and Moffatt contributed to Team USA's first-place showing at the 2009 Four Nations Cup in Finland in October.

Goaltender Jack Campbell, who had verbally committed to Michigan, instead withdrew his commitment, did not sign his NLI and will play in the Ontario Hockey League next season with Windsor.

The Wolverines will graduate five players from their 2009-10 roster: forwards Anthony Ciraulo, Brian Lebler and defensemen Eric Elmblad, Steve Kampfer and Chris Summers.

Photos courtesy USA Hockey

Spartans fall to U.S. Under-18 Team

Kenny Ryan tallied the go-ahead goal at 14:25 of the third period to help the U.S. National Under-18 Team beat Michigan State, 4-2, Tuesday night in an exhibition game at Munn Ice Arena.

Mike Merrifield and Corey Tropp scored for MSU and goaltender Drew Palmisano made 29 saves in net.

"There were times we played okay and then there were times where some guys played okay," MSU head coach Rick Comley said. "The disappointing thing is how we gave up the goals and that's what bites you."

Michigan recruit A.J. Treais, Ryan Bourque and Jerry D'Amigo tallied the other NTDP goals and Brandon Maxwell finished with 37 saves.

The Spartans are off until the Great Lakes Invitational on Dec. 27 when they open up against North Dakota.

Notes...

The Spartans thank all those who have supported Michigan State hockey’s “Shoot for a Cure” initiative that has raised money for the fight against children’s cancer. This season, the team has already raised more than $6,500 - surpassing the total of $5,050 that was raised last season. Fans are reminded that there are silent auction items at every home game, as well as the second Chuck-A-Puck game scheduled for Feb. 28 against Notre Dame.

NMU defeats U.S. NTDP in exhibition

By Susannah Nichols/ Northern Michigan Beat Writer

Mark Olver recorded four points (two goals, two assists) for Northern Michigan en route to a 6-2 exhibition win over the USA Under-18 Team Saturday night in Marquette.

Phil Fox, Erik Gustafsson, Jared Brown and Ray Kaunisto added the other goals and Devan Hartigan made 20 saves in goal.

NMU will play Michigan Tech next weekend in a home-and-home series for its final action before Christmas. Friday night, the two will square off in Houghton at 7:07 p.m. The action shifts to Marquette on Saturday as the ‘Cats and Huskies will face off at the Berry Events Center at 7:35 p.m.