PRO SIGNINGS - 2012-13 OFFSEASON

The following is a list we will continue to update over the spring and summer months as players from Michigan colleges sign professional contracts.

FERRIS STATE
Eric Alexander, Sr., F, South Carolina (ECHL)
Kyle Bonis, Sr., F, Norfolk (AHL)
Matthew Kirzinger, Sr., F, St. John's (AHL)

LAKE SUPERIOR STATE
Kellan Lain, Jr., F, Vancouver (NHL) *
Domenic Monardo, Sr., F, Gwinnett (ECHL)
Nick McParland, Sr., F, Orlando (ECHL)
Buddy Robinson, So., F, Ottawa (NHL) *

MICHIGAN
Jon Merrill, Jr., D, New Jersey (NHL) *
Lindsay Sparks, Sr., F, Fort Wayne (ECHL)
Jacob Trouba, Fr., D, Winnipeg (NHL) *

MICHIGAN STATE
Chris Forfar, Sr., F, Evansville (ECHL)
Matt Grassi, Sr., D, Hamilton (AHL)
Anthony Hayes, Sr., F, Florida (ECHL)
Kevin Walrod, Sr., F, Bakersfield (ECHL)

MICHIGAN TECH
Carl Nielsen, Sr., D, Syracuse (AHL)
Steven Seigo, Sr., D, Abbotsford (AHL)

NORTHERN MICHIGAN
Jared Coreau, Jr., G, Detroit (NHL) *
Scott Macaulay, Sr., D, Bakersfield (ECHL)

OAKLAND
Dustin Hopfner, Sr., D, Evansville (ECHL)

WESTERN MICHIGAN
Dan DeKeyser, Jr., D, Detroit (NHL) *
Mike Leone, Sr., F, Kalamazoo (ECHL)
Dane Walters, Sr., F, Worcester (AHL)
Luke Witkowski, Sr., D, Tampa Bay (NHL)

* Signed contract with NCAA eligibility remaining

Ex-OU, WMU coach Hogan off to desert

Arizona Press Release

The Arizona Wildcats hockey team has officially hired Sean Hogan as head coach moving into the 2011-2012 season.

Hogan comes directly from Western Michigan University, where he served as the director of video operations. He also brings an extensive background as a head coach and experience with the American Collegiate Hockey Association.

“I am very excited about being named head coach at the University of Arizona," said Hogan. "I feel I am the coach that can best move UA hockey to the next level and am certain that we can compete year in and year out for the Murdoch Cup."

Hogan is looking to re-create the winning ways he enjoyed at all his previous coaching stops.

"Having previously won two ACHA national championships as a head coach, I know what is necessary to compete nationally at this level," Hogan said. "We will have a team that is very hard to play against and play an exciting brand of hockey that Arizona hockey fans can be proud of."

Prior to his time at WMU, Hogan was the head coach of the Yellowstone Quake Junior A team in the Northern Pacific Hockey League where coached the Quake to a final regular season record of 34-14-0.

Most of Hoganʼs experience, however, comes from Oakland University. Hogan was the head coach for four seasons, leading the team to two national championships, ACHA Division II in 2006 and ACHA Division I in 2007. He is currently the all-time wins leader at Oakland with a record of 87-50-7.

One of the top reasons that Hogan was selected is because of his internal drive to win and the impact he is looking to make, not only on-campus and with the players, but also in Tucson.

"My goal is to be here long term, to develop a winning University of Arizona hockey program as part of the Tucson community," said Hogan. "Our players will be expected to be involved in community projects. It is our responsibility as a hockey program to develop community ties and give Arizona hockey fans a reason to support this program. I would like to be involved in starting, organizing and developing a youth hockey program here in Tucson.”

Hogan also brings the Wildcats experience in recruiting and rink management. He has advanced many of his players to the ranks of the NCAA, WHL, USHL and NAHL and is currently in contact with players from last year and has begun recruiting for this upcoming season.

Grizzlies add ex-stars to coaching staff

By Corey Hagood

Oakland University has announced the addition of Will McMahon as the team's general manager and Jon-Paul Ferrari as an assistant coach.

McMahon (pictured) will be managing the financial aspects of the team, as well as keeping the financial records of the Golden Grizzlies and arranging Oakland's accommodations and travel plans.

“It’s great to be able to give back to the program and help out with the team as they have given me so many great memories and friends,” McMahon stated. “I look forward to working with the coaches and players in the upcoming season.”

While a player with Oakland, McMahon scored 238 goals and recorded 380 points during his career. He also won three national championships (2004, 2006 DII, 2007 DI) while being named ACHA DII Player of the Year three times and once as the ACHA DI National Player of the year. McMahon was named national tournament MVP in 2004 (DII) and 2007 (DI) and the Grizzlies team MVP four times.

Ferrari played four years at OU from 2003-2007 and won three national championships (2004, 2006 DII, 2007 DI).

"It is an absolute honor to be able to assist in a program that was such a big part of my life while attending Oakland University," Ferrari said.

Ferrari will assist in video editing, practice planning and game-day procedures.

"I know what it takes to win in the league and I know what these young men have to do in order to have success playing here," Ferrari added. "We are excited about the talent coming in this year and I can't wait to get this season underway."

DSC Line hopes for D-I spots at OU

By Corey Hagood

Known as the DSC Line, Oakland University Division III forwards Kyle Doan, Mike Simpson and Ryan Candela see the upcoming Oakland University hockey camp as a big opportunity to not only attempt to make the D-I team, but to showcase the depth of the Oakland hockey organization.

The line registered 52 goals and 111 points in D-III last season.

“It's always been my goal as a hockey player at Oakland to play on the Division 1 team,” Candela stated. “I want to be a part of the winning tradition and hopefully help bring the school a Division 1 national championship. I really feel like this year’s group will have a chance to be special and I would love to be a part of it.”

The group has been working hard in the gym and on the ice to stay in condition.

“Candela, Simpson and myself lift at the rec center and on off days I’ve been skating in leagues and drop-in to stay sharp on the ice,” Doan stated.

Candela knows the D-I staff is looking for dedicated, talented and hardworking players at this weekend's camp.

"I started training for the D-I camp the day after our D-III season ended," said Candela.

Coming into an Oakland hockey camp out of shape and unprepared is something Simpson never wants to repeat.

“I realized how out of shape I was after the first camp my sophomore year after not playing for a year," Simpson said. "I know now that you have to make a very good effort to keep yourself in hockey shape during the summer in order to keep the same pace of play for the whole weekend. It’s a long weekend packed with a lot of hockey, which can be tiresome if you haven’t played in a while.

“I have never been the most talented player on the ice, but I am a smart player who can set up plays and make good passes."

Doan understands the importance that the D-III team brings to Oakland hockey and that it is important to work hard no matter where you end up.

“It would mean that the hard work has paid off at the D-III level and that I can prove myself at the next level," Doan said.

New Grizzlies head coach Jeremy Bachusz will have plenty of talent to evaluate this weekend as he assembles a roster that fits his coaching philosophy.

The Oakland hockey staff views this camp as the first step to continue the tradition of excellence of the program while starting the 2009-2010 season off on a good note.

Hogan leaving Grizzlies for NorPac

By Matt Mackinder/MiCHO Exclusive

Sean Hogan, the head coach that won two national championships at two different levels with Oakland University's ACHA team, has resigned his post to accept the head coaching job with the Yellowstone Quake of the Northern Pacific Hockey League.

For Hogan, 30, he saw the opportunity in Cody, Wyo., as one he could not resist.

"I have always had a keen interest in junior hockey," Hogan said. "I take great pride in my ability to develop players not only on the ice, but with life skills. I want to play an integral role in helping players achieve their dream of playing collegiate hockey."

That said, leaving the Grizzlies was bittersweet for the White Lake native.

"It was a very difficult decision to leave OU," said Hogan. "I helped build the program to be a national contender year in and year out. I made many great friends in the league, at OU and had tremendous players. I will miss the growing and unlimited potential of the ACHA and Oakland hockey. Mostly, I will miss the coaching staff and players.

"There has always been a unique family aspect with Oakland hockey, I take great pride in our accomplishments and have no doubt that the coaching staff will keep our OU hockey tradition alive and well."

Hogan said that in dealing with the NorPac, the first thing he noticed was the professionalism of the organizations. The league, a Tier III Junior A-level outfit, has full-time coaches, incredible community and ancillary support, and an all-around willingness to grow and move players to the next level, observed Hogan.

"To me, the most important aspect of junior hockey is the ability of the organization to put more emphasis on promoting players than win-loss records," Hogan said. "I noticed that immediately with the Yellowstone organization. Winning is important, but striving to win, and the attitude is what develops players and gives them the opportunity to complete at the next level."

Hogan also feels his coaching style will fit well with the Quake.

"I am a very open communicator with my players," boasted Hogan. "Players will know what is expected and there will be no surprises. With that communication comes accountability, both ways, coach-to-player and player-to-coach. When players know their responsibilities, and know that they will be held accountable to those responsibilities, a team or organization can thrive because no one will be confused as to what is expected of them."

Hogan started coaching at OU as an assistant coach working with the defenseman from 2003-2005 under Craig Furstenau. He took over as head coach in 2005-2006 and captured a national championship in ACHA DII in 2005-2006 and then moved to DI and took the title in 2006-2007.

"I am very excited about the opportunity," continued Hogan, who is replacing another Michigan native in Southfield's Marty Quarters with the Quake. "I have begun the recruiting schedule already. There is no time to be nervous, just to get out and get to work. I do a great deal of studying other coaches and a lot of that studying is of football coaches. What I find interesting about football coaches are their organizational and preparation skills. Tony Dungy wrote in his book, "Uncommon," that when making a decision, discuss all possible outcomes, measure your desire and pray.

"I did all three and I know I made the right decision."

OU assistant coach Jeremy Bachusz, a star at Lake Superior State from 1998-2003, will take over the head coaching job with the Grizzlies.

OU conducting hockey fundraiser

The Oakland University Hockey Booster Club has put together a fundraiser, the Oakland Hockey Mega Raffle.

Tickets are only $20 and the winner will receive the following:

2 Red Wings tickets for 3/27 vs. NY Islanders
4 Red Wings tickets for 2/29 vs, Nashville
2 Red Wings tickets for 3/12 vs. Calgary
4 Red Wings tickets for 3/17 vs. Philadelphia
2 Red Wings tickets for 3/10 vs. Phoenix
DTE concert pack (several concerts to choose from)
Free night at the Troy Marriott

And that's not all!

The winner will also receive:
$100 Kruse & Muer gift card
$100 Chili's gift card
$50 Andiamo's gift card
$50 PF Chang's gift card
$50 Shula's Steak House gift card
$50 Dave and Buster's gift card
$50 Home Depot gift card
$50 Target gift card
$50 worth of lottery tickets

And wait, there's more!

The winner will also receive:

Gift certficate to Lamia Day Spa in Grosse Pointe
Oil change gift card
2 Stoli vodka gift sets
Zoom teeth whitening gift card

Please support OU Hockey with the purchase of a $20 raffle ticket. The more you buy, the better chance you have of winning.

Please contact head coach Sean Hogan if interested.