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.