MiCHO Week 8 Results

The Michigan Tech Huskies are the only remaining unbeaten D-1
team in the country. (photo courtesy Bemidji State Athletics) 

The Michigan Tech Huskies are #1 for the first time in their storied history after a two-game sweep at Bemidji State.

Friday- MTU 2, BSU 1
Saturday- MTU 4, BSU 2

Ferris State got a pair of easy wins in Big Rapids as they racked up 14 goals in a demolition of Alaska-Anchorage.

Friday- UAA 2, FSU 10
Saturday- UAA 0, FSU 4

Lake Superior went south and earned a split at Alabama-Huntsville.

Fri- LSSU 1, UAH 0
Sat- LSSU 2, UAH 5

It's back to the win column for the Michigan Wolverines after a home sweep of American International in Ann Arbor.

Fri- AI 2, U of M 5
Sat- AI 3, U of M 6

Michigan State played a single game in East Lansing and were narrowly clipped by the BC Eagles.

Fri- BC 3, MSU 2

And finally, Western Michigan made it interesting against St. Cloud State in Kalamazoo with a close loss and shootout win.

Fri- SCS 4, WMU 3
Sat- SCS 1, WMU 1 (Broncos win shootout, 1-0, in 6 rounds) 

Huskies and Wildcats on the air

Photo courtesy Michigan Tech Athletics

All four WCHA battles between the Michigan Tech Huskies and Northern Michigan Wildcats this season will be aired live on Fox UP.

Huskies tab captains

Photo courtesy Michigan Tech Athletics

Senior forwards Blake Pietila and Tanner Kero will serve as co-captains for Michigan Tech this upcoming season.

WCHA announces 2013-2014 honors

WCHA Press Release

 

MADISON, Wis. – University of Alaska forward Cody Kunyk was chosen as Western Collegiate Hockey Association Player of the Year and the University of Alabama in Huntsville’s Chad Brears earned WCHA Outstanding-Student Athlete of the Year honors to highlight 2013-14 men’s awards announced by the conference today.

 

The league’s five other major individual awards went to University of Alaska defenseman Colton Parayko as WCHA Defensive Player of the Year, Lake Superior State University forward Alex Globke as WCHA Rookie of the Year, Alaska’s Cody Kunyk as WCHA Scoring Champion, Minnesota State University’s Cole Huggins as WCHA Goaltending Champion, and Bob Daniels of Ferris State University as WCHA Coach of the Year.

 

Kunyk (Sherwood Park, AB) finished the regular season of his senior campaign as the WCHA scoring champion, accruing 34 points on 17 goals and 17 assists in Alaska’s 28 conference games. In the 34-game regular-season schedule, he scored a single-season career-high 42 points with a WCHA-high 22 goals to go with 20 assists. Also named to the All-WCHA First Team and to the WCHA All-Academic Team, Kunyk has recorded five multiple-goal outings this season, including a career-best four goals in the Nanooks’ victory over Alaska Anchorage on March 7. That mark was achieved by only three other collegians during the 2013-14 year. He leads the nation with seven game-winning goals, scored six power-play and two shorthanded goals and owns a stellar +14 plus/minus rating. Kunyk currently ranks 13th all-time on the program’s scoring list with 132 points (60g, 72a) in 145 career games.

 

Brears (Cold Lake, AB), a forward at Alabama Huntsville, was chosen by member team Faculty Representatives as WCHA Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year. Majoring in Mechanical Engineering, Brears has maintained a 4.0 GPA in one of the institution’s most difficult degree programs and despite the constant demands of being a student-athlete and the extensive travel involved as a member of the Chargers’ hockey team. He earned WCHA Scholar-Athlete honors in mid-February, is a member of the WCHA All-Academic Team, and is one of his team’s leaders both on and off the ice. He is an enthusiastic participant in mentoring activities with local school children and an all-around great representative of the ethos of college hockey. In 35 games played this season, Brears tied for third on the team in points with 10 and was second on the team in goals scored with six. Brears’ on-ice moment of the year came at Bemidji State on Feb. 28 when he fed a pretty pass to Jack Prince who scored the game-winning goal for a key road victory over a long-time rival. The WCHA Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year Award is determined from nominations made by the member institutions and each institution then has one final vote.

 

The league’s 10 head coaches voted Alaska defenseman Colton Parayko (St. Albert, AB) as the WCHA Defensive Player of the Year. An All-WCHA First Team selection as just a sophomore, Parayko finished his second collegiate season as one of the leading offensive defenseman in the league, ranking tied for third with 18 points (4g, 14a) in the 28-game league slate. In Alaska’s 34 regular-season outings, he tallied 23 points (4g, 19a) and led all defenders with 19 assists. Defensively, he is always matched up against the opponents’ top lines and is a leader in ice time. He blocked a nation’s second-best 2.65 blocks per game (90) and owns a standout +17 plus/minus rating. Then Nanooks went 13-5-0 when he recorded at least one point, compared to their 4-8-4 mark when he went without a point. He has had five multiple-point outings during the season and has scored all four of his goals on the power-play.

 

Honored by voters as the WCHA Rookie of the Year for 2013-14 is Lake Superior State University forward Alex Globke, who also earned All-WCHA Rookie Team accolades. Globke (Waterford, MI), who produced 31 points (12g, 19a) to lead the Lakers and played in all 36 games, was one of his club’s most consistent offensive players. As a freshman among a senior-laden squad, Globke produced points at a rapid pace. He lead the WCHA in freshman goals, assists, and points. He currently sits tied for seventh nationally in rookie scoring, while also finishing eighth in overall conference scoring. Globke also finished tied for sixth in overall assists in league play. He produced like an experienced veteran and helped anchor one of the most effective lines in the league with seniors Colin Campbell and Dan Radke. With center Radke out for two straight weeks and gone from the top line, Globke added four assists over the four games against conference foes Michigan Tech and Bemidji State. He has been named conference Rookie of the Week. Globke began his collegiate career with 15 points in his first 12 games including seven in his first six.

 

The WCHA Scoring Champion for 2013-14 is Alaska’s Cody Kunyk while the league goaltending champion is Minnesota State University rookie Cole Huggins. Huggins (Centennial, CO), who has three shutouts in his last four games played heading into the playoffs, owns an overall 17-7-1 won-loss record, a 1.96 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage. He has started 15 of the last 17 games for the Mavericks, ranks ninth in the nation in goals-against average, 27th in save percentage and his school-record tying five shutouts on the year is tied for third. Huggins led the league with a 1.73 goals-against average and .794 winning percentage (he was 17-4-1 in league games), tied for the league lead with a .927 save percentage and was named WCHA Rookie of the Week following MSU’s games with Bowling Green (Nov. 15-16) and WCHA Defensive Player of the Week after the Mavericks earned a league road sweep at Lake Superior State (Feb. 28-March 1). He had a career-high 33 saves in 1-0 shutout victory vs. Bowling Green Nov. 9.

 

Chosen as the WCHA Coach of the Year is Bob Daniels of Ferris State University, who led the Bulldogs to the regular season title as first-year league members. In the midst of his 22nd season at the helm and a two-time National Coach of the Year Award recipient, Daniels led the Bulldogs to their second conference championship in the last three years as FSU became only the third program ever to win both the WCHA and the former Central Collegiate Hockey Association titles. The Bulldogs led the league race from wire-to-wire in claiming the fabled MacNaughton Cup and securing the number one seed for the league playoffs. During the 2013-14 season, the Bulldogs established a new school record under Daniels with a nation-leading 16-game unbeaten streak, which lasted from late October until early January. Ferris State did not drop a conference game until the middle of January and the Bulldogs finished the regular-season with a first-place 20-6-2 league slate.

 

Under Daniels’ leadership, Ferris State has compiled a nation-leading 25 wins (25-9-3), the fourth most in school history, and the Bulldogs own one of the country’s top marks on home ice with a 14-1-1 record inside the Ewigleben Ice Arena. FSU, ranked as high as second and among the nation’s top 10 teams each of the last 15 weeks, went unbeaten at home (13-0-1) in conference action and posted its sixth-straight season with increased home attendance. This season’s average of 2,141 fans per game was its best in 32 years. Additionally, Ferris State is also presently sixth in the national PairWise and RPI rankings with the Bulldogs eyeing their third overall NCAA Tournament bid, including the second in three seasons following the memorable 2011-12 run to the national championship game at the NCAA Frozen Four.

 

Four conference teams – Alaska, Alaska Anchorage, Ferris State and Minnesota State – are represented on the All-WCHA First Team, with both the Nanooks and the Mavericks having two honorees each. Named to the All-WCHA First Team, with statistics for league games, were forwards Cody Kunyk (Sr., Alaska, 28 gp, 17-17=34), Matt Bailey (Sr., Alaska Anchorage, 28 gp, 12- 15=27), and Matt Leitner (Jr., Minnesota State, 26 gp, 8-25=33), defensemen Colton Parayko (So., Alaska, 28 gp, 4-14=18) and Zach Palmquist (Jr., Minnesota State, 28 gp, 3-16=19), and goaltender C.J. Motte (Jr., Ferris State, 19-6-2, 2.29, .927).

 

Voted to the All-WCHA Second Team were forwards Jean- Paul Lafontaine (Jr., Minnesota State, 28 gp, 16-16=32), Colton Beck (Sr., Alaska, 28 gp, 11-19=30) and Garrett Thompson (Sr., Ferris State, 28 gp, 11-7=18), defensemen Scott Czarnowczan (Sr., Ferris State, 28 gp, 4-13=17) and Kevin Czuczman (Jr., Lake Superior State, 28 gp, 6-9=15) and goaltender Cole Huggins (Fr., Minnesota State, 17-4-1, 1.73, .927).

 

Named to the All-WCHA Third Team for 2013-14 were forwards Tyler Morley (So., Alaska, 25 gp, 15-14=29), Zach Lehrke (Sr., Minnesota State, 24 gp, 7-18=25) and Johnny McInnis (Sr., Minnesota State, 28 gp, 17-11=28), defensemen Matt Prapavessis (Jr., Bemidji State, 28 gp, 5-12=17) and Jason Binkley (Jr., Ferris State, 26 gp, 2-16=18), and goaltender Kevin Kapalka (Sr., Lake Superior State, 8-9-0, 2.62, .924).

 

And voted to the All-WCHA Rookie Team were forwards Alex Globke (Fr., Lake Superior State, 28 gp, 9-12=21), Marcus Basara (Fr., Alaska, 28 gp, 9-12=21) and Kyle Schempp (Fr., Ferris State, 28 gp, 6-12=18), defensemen Shane Hanna (Fr., Michigan Tech, 28 gp, 4-18=22), Ruslan Pedan (Fr., Bemidji State, 28 gp, 3-8=11) and Sean Flanagan (Fr., Minnesota State, 24 gp, 5-6=11), and goaltender Cole Huggins (Fr., Minnesota State, 17-4-1, 1.73, .927).

 

A repeat all-league honoree from 2012-13 was forward Matt Leitner of Minnesota State, who was an All-WCHA First Team selection this season after being All-WCHA Third Team a season ago. Alaska forward Cody Kunyk, who was an All-WCHA First Team choice, was an All-CCHA Second Team honoree in 2011-12 while Nanooks’ forward Tyler Morley, who was All-WCHA Third Team, was a member of the All-CCHA Rookie Team in 2012-13. And Lake Superior goaltender Kevin Kapalka, an All-WCHA Third Team selection, was named to the All-CCHA Rookie Team in 2010-11.

 

Seven players who were named as major award winners and/or to this season’s all-league teams were also honored as WCHA Scholar-Athletes for 2013-14 back on Feb. 13. They were forward Chad Brears of Alabama Huntsville (WCHA Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year), forward Matt Bailey of Alaska Anchorage (All-WCHA First Team), defenseman Colton Parayko of Alaska (WCHA Defensive Player of the Year, All-WCHA First Team), Bemidji State defenseman Matt Prapavessis (All-WCHA Third Team), Ferris State defenseman Jason Binkley (All-WCHA Third Team), Lake Superior State defenseman Kevin Czuczman (All-WCHA Second Team) and Lakers’ goaltender Kevin Kapalka (All-WCHA Third Team). To earn recognition as a WCHA Scholar- Athlete, student-athletes must have completed at least one year of residency at their present institution prior to the current academic year and must also have a grade-point average of at least 3.50 on a 4.0 scale for the previous two semesters or three quarters, or may qualify if his or her overall GPA is at least 3.50 for all terms at his or her present institution.

 

Major award winners and/or members named to all-league teams who were also earned 2013-14 WCHA All-Academic Team honors were: Chad Brears of Alabama Huntsville (WCHA Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year), Matt Bailey of Alaska Anchorage (All-WCHA First Team), Alaska’s Colton Beck (All- WCHA Second Team), Cody Kunyk (WCHA Player of the Year, All-WCHA First Team), Tyler Morley (All-WCHA Third Team) and Colton Parayko (WCHA Defensive Player of the Year, All-WCHA First Team), Bemidji State’s Matt Prapavessis (All-WCHA Third Team), Ferris State’s Scott Czarnowczan (All-WCHA Second Team) and C.J. Motte (All-WCHA First Team), Lake Superior State’s Kevin Czuczman (All-WCHA Second Team) and Kevin Kapalka (All-WCHA Third Team), and Minnesota State’s Zach Lehrke (All-WCHA Third Team) and Zach Palmquist (All-WCHA First Team).

 

Voting for WCHA awards and all-league teams is done by member team head and assistant coaches and captains or sports information directors. Each team receives four ballots for a total of 40 voters. Points for awards and all-league teams are awarded on a 5-point (1st team vote), 3-point (2nd team vote), and 1-point (3rd team vote) basis. The WCHA Outstanding Student- Athlete of the Year award is administered by member team Faculty Athletic Representatives. The WCHA Defensive Player of the Year is chosen by the league’s 10 head coaches.

 

WCHA Player of the Year

Cody Kunyk • Forward, Senior, University of Alaska (Sherwood Park, AB)

 

WCHA Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year

Chad Brears • Forward, Sophomore, University of Alabama in Huntsville (Cold Lake, AB)

 

WCHA Defensive Player of the Year

Colton Parayko • Defenseman, Sophomore, University of Alaska (St. Albert, AB)

 

WCHA Rookie of the Year

Alex Globke • Forward, Freshman, Lake Superior State University (Waterford, MI)

 

WCHA Scoring Champion

Cody Kunyk • Forward, Senior, University of Alaska (Sherwood Park, AB)

 

WCHA Goaltending Champion

Cole Huggins • Freshman, Goaltender, Minnesota State University (Centennial, CO)

 

WCHA Coach of the Year

Bob Daniels • Ferris State University

 

 

2013-14 All-WCHA First Team

Pos Name Team Ht Wt Yr Hometown 2013-14 WCHA Stats

F Cody Kunyk Alaska 5-11 197 Sr Sherwood Park, AB 28 gp, 17-17=34

F Matt Bailey Alaska Anchorage 6-1 196 Sr Oakbank, MB 28 gp, 12-15=27

F Matt Leitner Minnesota State 5-9 175 Jr Los Alamitos, CA 26 gp, 8-25=33

D Colton Parayko Alaska 6-5 218 So St. Albert, AB 28 gp, 4-14=18

D Zach Palmquist Minnesota State 6-0 175 Jr South St. Paul, MN 28 gp, 3-16=19

G C.J. Motte Ferris State 6-0 190 Jr St. Clair, MI 19-6-2, 2.29, .927

 

2013-14 All-WCHA Second Team

Pos Name Team Ht Wt Yr Hometown 2013-14 WCHA Stats

F Jean-Paul Lafontaine Minnesota State 5-10 172 Jr Oxford, MI 28 gp, 16-16=32

F Colton Beck Alaska 5-11 187 Sr Langley, BC 28 gp, 11-19=30

F Garrett Thompson Ferris State 6-2 191 Sr Traverse City, MI 28 gp, 11-7=18

D Scott Czarnowczan Ferris State 5-10 176 Sr Macomb, MI 28 gp, 4-13=17

D Kevin Czuczman Lake Superior State 6-3 205 Jr Port Elgin, ON 28 gp, 6-9=15

G Cole Huggins Minnesota State 6-0 180 Fr Centennial, CO 17-4-1, 1.73, .927

 

2013-14 All-WCHA Third Team

Pos Name Team Ht Wt Yr Hometown 2013-14 WCHA Stats

F Tyler Morley Alaska 5-8 174 So Burnaby, BC 25 gp, 15-14=29

F Zach Lehrke Minnesota State 5-8 170 Sr Park Rapids, MN 24 gp, 7-18=25

F Johnny McInnis Minnesota State 6-1 195 Sr Boston, MA 28 gp, 17-11=28

D Matt Prapavessis Bemidji State 6-1 183 Jr Oakville, ON 28 gp, 5-12=17

D Jason Binkley Ferris State 5-9 191 Jr Powell, OH 26 gp, 2-16=18

G Kevin Kapalka Lake Superior State 6-1 206 Sr Mississauga, ON 8-9-0, 2.62, .924

 

2013-14 All-WCHA Rookie Team

Pos Name Team Ht Wt Yr Hometown 2013-14 WCHA Stats

F Alex Globke Lake Superior State 6-3 206 Fr Waterford, MI 28 gp, 9-12=21

F Marcus Basara Alaska 6-0 197 Fr Port Moody, BC 28 gp, 9-12=21

F Kyle Schempp Ferris State 6-0 178 Fr Saginaw, MI 28 gp, 6-12=18

D Shane Hanna Michigan Tech 5-11 190 Fr Salmon Arm, BC 28 gp, 4-18=22

D Ruslan Pedan Bemidji State 6-0 190 Fr Moscow, Russia 28 gp, 3-8=11

D Sean Flanagan Minnesota State 6-1 180 Fr Kindersly, SK 24 gp, 5-6=11

G Cole Huggins Minnesota State 6-0 180 Fr Centennial, CO 17-4-1, 1.73, .927

Bulldogs split with Michigan Tech

By Tom Morelli/Ferris State Beat Writer

Coming off the heels of a penalty-laden series against Minnesota State that saw them swept for the first time this season, No. 6 ranked Ferris State managed to earn a split this past weekend against Michigan Tech.

Friday's affair was a classic chess match, as the score remained close throughout the contest. The stoic approach from both sides was on display late in the first period, when the Bulldogs' Andy Huff provided the initial lead at the 16:24 mark. Just a mere 10 seconds later, David Johnstone of the Huskies tied it up at one goal apiece off a feed from Blake Pietila and Brad Stebner.

Less than two minutes into the second frame, freshman forward Chad MacDonald banged one in on MTU netminder Jamie Phillips from just outside to crease to restore Ferris State's lead.

A boarding call against the Bulldogs provided the next scoring opportunity for their opposition, as Reid Sturos lit the lamp on the man-advantage at the 12:00 mark to even-up the score.

The deciding goal came at 8:45 of the final stanza when Ferris State turned the puck over in their defensive zone, allowing Sturos to tally his second marker of the night.

Bulldogs' goaltender C.J. Motte made 30 stops, dropping to 17-4-3 as a starter.

Phillips had 28 saves to his credit, while Pietila tallied a game-high three assists.

Not wanting to be swept two weekends in a row, Ferris State regrouped in the series finale to secure a 3-0 decision.

The Bulldogs scored in each period, beginning with a power-play goal by Huff in the first, with assists being credited to Justin Buzzeo and Ryan Lowney.

Midway through the second, sophomore Dakota Klecha notched his first goal of the campaign in unassisted fashion, beating Phillips with a backhanded shot.

With under nine minutes left in regulation, seniors Justin DeMartino and Scott Czarnowczan helped set-up freshman Jared VanWormer's first collegiate goal.

Earning both his first win of the season and first-ever collegiate shutout for Ferris State was sophomore Charles Williams (1-2) with 25 stops.

Taking the loss for Michigan Tech with 22 saves to his credit was Phillips (3-6-1).

With another weekend in the books, the Bulldogs still remain atop the WCHA with 28 points, while Minnesota State remains in tow with 24.

Ferris State (18-6-3 overall, 13-3-2 WCHA) is idle this weekend, and will return on Feb. 7-8 when they play host to in-state rival Northern Michigan (10-12-2, 8-7-1).

The Huskies (8-14-6, 6-8-4) meanwhile, hit the road for a two-game showdown against third-place Bowling Green State.

Huskies no match for Ferris State

By Tom Morelli/Ferris State Beat Writer

Even though their 16-game undefeated streak came to an end in the finals of the Mariucci Classic, the Ferris State Bulldogs have managed to keep another one intact - as they have yet to be beaten by another WCHA team this season in 14 attempts.

The latest to fall victim to the mighty Bulldogs were the Michigan Tech Huskies, who were unable to get the job done after close losses of 1-0 and 3-2 this past weekend.

Senior forward Garrett Thompson supplied the difference-maker in Friday's game, registering his team-high 11th goal of the season with under 12 minutes remaining in the contest. Earning helpers on the game-winning goal were defensemen Scott Czarnowczan and Travis White.

A solid effort was given at both ends of the ice by goaltenders Jamie Phillips of Michigan Tech and C.J. Motte of Ferris State, who recorded 28 and 25 saves respectively. With his flawless performance, Motte was given first star honors and secured his third shutout of the campaign.

Although the Huskies upped their game offensively in the series finale, it still wasn't enough to put away their counterparts.

Ferris State never trailed on the scoreboard, bursting out to a 2-0 lead before Michigan Tech was able to respond. T.J. Schlueter put the Bulldogs ahead by one with 6:24 elapsed in the contest, followed by Kenny Babinski's short-handed marker in the ensuing frame with five minutes remaining. Just over a minute later, Alex Petan found the back of the net on a power-play marker to cut the Huskies' deficit in half.

Junior Justin Buzzeo provided the game-winning goal with 4:29 to go in the third, which was set-up by Chad McDonald and Czarnowczan.

Michigan Tech made one last push in the final minute of the contest on a score by David Johnstone, but were unable to produce the equalizer before the buzzer sounded.

Motte nearly doubled his saves total from the night before, stopping 44 of 46 shots faced to improve to 17-1-3 as a starter.

Taking the loss for the second time in as many nights for the Huskies was Phillips, who had 17 saves to his credit.

The Bulldogs (17-3-3 overall, 12-0-2 WCHA) venture out to Mankato, Minnesota this weekend for a two-game slate against Minnesota State.

Michigan Tech (7-13-6 overall, 5-7-4 WCHA) is idle this week but returns to action on January 24-25, when they play host to Ferris State.

Michigan Tech - 2012 GLI champions!

Michigan Tech blanked Western Michigan for its first Great Lakes Invitational title since 1980.

Photo by Matt Mackinder/MiCHO

Incoming Husky gets USHL hardware

Michigan Tech Press Release 

Michigan Tech hockey recruit C.J. Eick (pronounced IKE) hoisted the Clark Cup as an assistant captain for the Green Bay Gamblers last Wednesday (May 23).

The Gamblers defeated the Waterloo Black Hawks 5-2 in the fifth and decisive game of the Clark Cup finals to become champions of the 2011-12 United States Hockey League season.

Eick totaled eight goals and 12 assists in 58 games during the regular season for the Gamblers and posted a plus-minus rating of +16. In 12 playoff games, the 5-7 forward notched one goal and three assists.

The team set several records during the season including the league marks for points (98) and road wins (25) and the franchise record for victories (47). A native of nearby Appleton, Wis., Eick was thrilled to be able to win a title with his hometown team.

“I grew up watching Gamblers games, and it was a special to be one of the assistant captains for Green Bay this year. It was an unbelievable season. “I’m looking forward to taking what I learned in juniors and building on that in college. I’ve been to several Tech games, and I love the atmosphere and feel. The coaching staff has been great so far.”

Eick was not the only member of the Gamblers with Michigan Tech ties. Pat Mikesch, former player (1992-96) and assistant coach (2005-11), served as assistant coach for the Gamblers in 2011-12.

Huskies add Gould, Phillips to '12-13 recruits

Michigan Tech Press Release

Michigan Tech today announced two additions to the program’s 2012-13 recruiting class.

Malcolm Gould (North Vancouver, B.C./Chilliwack-BCHL) and Jamie Phillips (Caledonia, Ont./Toronto-OJHL) join five others who signed National Letters of Intent last November.

Gould, a 5-foot-11, 175-pound forward, played in 60 games for the Chilliwack Chiefs of the British Columbia Hockey League in 2011-12. He tallied 36 goals and 36 assists to lead the team in total points during the regular season. The 19-year-old also posted a team-high five points in six playoff games.

Prior to joining Chilliwack, Gould played the 2010-11 season with the Quesnel Millionaires, accumulating 14 goals and 17 assists in 57 games.

“Malcolm is a very gifted offensive player,” said MTU coach Mel Pearson. “He really came into his own this year, especially in the second half of the season. He has soft hands, good vision and knows what to do around the net. He’ll be a nice addition to the class we signed in the fall.”

Phillips, a 6-foot-3, 175-pound goaltender, is rated 26th among North American goaltenders on the final 2012 NHL Central Scouting draft rankings. He started last season with the Powell River Kings of the BCHL, where he posted a 16-6-1 record. The 19-year-old recorded a 2.01 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage with five shutouts. Phillips finished the year with the Toronto Jr. A Canadiens of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. He played in 21 games with a 3.05 goals-against average and .925 save percentage.

The previous season, Phillips helped the Pembroke Lumber Kings win the RBC Cup as Canadian national Junior A champions.

“Jamie is a tall, lanky and very athletic goaltender,” said Pearson. “He’s coming off a good season and had a good playoff with Toronto. We think he’s going to help make goaltending a strong position for us.”

Gould and Phillips join a recruiting class that already includes goaltender Pheonix Copley (North Pole, Alaska/Des Moines-USHL), forward CJ Eick (Appleton, Wis./Green Bay-USHL), defenseman Walker Hyland (Woodbury, Minn./Alberni Valley-BCHL), forward Jujhar Khaira (Surrey, B.C./Prince George-BCHL) and forward Alex Petan (Delta, B.C./Coquitlam-BCHL).

“(Assistant coaches) Damon (Whitten) and Billy (Muckalt) have done an outstanding job putting this class together,” said Pearson. “They’re the full package academically and athletically. We feel like they will help us take our program to the next level, and we’re really looking forward to seeing them in Houghton.”

Michigan Tech bounced in WCHA Final Five

MTU Press Release

Michigan Tech was less than five minutes away from its first WCHA Final Five win in more than 15 years before No. 9-ranked Denver turned the tables and came away with a 3-2 overtime victory in front of 11,489 fans at Xcel Energy Center in Minneapolis on Thursday.

The Huskies (17-18-4) came down on a 2-on-1 rush looking to add to a 2-1 lead over the Pioneers (24-12-4) late in the third period. A Tanner Kero shot was stopped and a loose puck cleared straight up the middle of the ice leading to a 3-on-2 breakout the other way. Luke Salazar scored, sending the game to overtime.

Just 2:38 into the extra session, Denver’s Jason Zucker tallied the sudden-death game-winner, becoming the first opponent to score in overtime against Tech in 17 extra-session games (since Jan. 2009).

“That’s hockey,” said MTU head coach Mel Pearson. “We had a chance to go up 3-1. Instead, they scored right away, then got a bounce in overtime. We’ve won our share of close games this year. It just didn’t go our way tonight.”

Goaltender Josh Robinson turned in perhaps his best performance of the season to keep the Huskies in the game. The senior netminder stopped a season-high 41 shots, including three straight saves during a sequence in the second period to keep the score tied at 1.

Ryan Furne gave Tech its only lead of the game just 18 seconds into the third period. Jordan Baker created a turnover on the half-wall and passed the puck to Furne, who walked in and threw a shot on net. The puck found its way under Denver goalie Juho Olkinuora’s right arm into the net.

The Huskies had their third power play of the game midway through the frame, but couldn’t snap a four-game goal-less streak on the man-advantage.

Kero’s chance on the 2-on-1 was one of four shots on goal for the freshman, three of which were good scoring chances.

Two more freshmen tied the game in the first period after Denver had taken a 1-0 lead on a Ty Loney tally at the 3:50 mark. Defenseman Justin Fillion hit Blake Pietila in stride at the blue line. Pietila split two defenders on the breakaway and scored top shelf off a forehand at the 10:45 mark.

Both teams had great chances in the second period. The fourth line of Bryce Reddick, Dennis Rix and Chad Pietila created several 'grade A' chances, but DU posted a 16-6 advantage in shots on goal in the frame.

Shots were 15-10 in the third period and 3-1 in overtime, both in favor of Denver.

Robinson wrapped up his career with a 15-14-4 record in net during 2011-12. Olkinuora made 27 saves for the Pioneers to improve to 9-7-3 on the year.

Michigan Tech has concluded up its 91st season of intercollegiate hockey, having quadrupled its win total from a year ago (four). Robinson, Reddick, Brett Olson, Baker, Alex MacLeod and Corson Cramer were all part of a senior class that helped the Huskies turn the program around.

“I’m so proud of the way our team represented Michigan Tech and our program all season long,” said Pearson. “This season was about the seniors. They’re the ones who bought into what we were trying to do and led the rest of the guys in the locker room.”

Notes: Michigan Tech finished the season 4-1-4 in overtime games … The Huskies and Pioneers each had a win, a loss and a tie in three games against each other this year … Furne finished with the team lead in goals with 12 … Olson had a team-high 30 points on the year.

Michigan Tech sweeps CC, off to WCHA Final Five

MTU Press Release

David Johnstone tipped home a Daniel Sova shot just 3:30 into overtime to send Michigan Tech to its first WCHA Final Five in five years with a 4-3 victory at Colorado College Saturday night.

Steven Seigo scored with just 1:05 left in regulation to send the game to overtime, then Johnstone notched his second goal of the game and third of the weekend to help the Huskies sweep the Tigers in the best-of-three first round WCHA playoff series.

“I got a piece of it and didn’t know it went in,” said Johnstone of the game-winner. “I saw my brother (Jacob) celebrate and that’s when I knew.”

Michigan Tech (16-18-4) looked as though it was headed to a decisive game three with CC as the Tigers (18-16-2) held a 3-2 lead late in the third period. The Huskies pulled Josh Robinson from net with 1:30 remaining to gain the extra attacker. It paid off as Seigo slapped a shot from the point through traffic to tie the game at the 18:55 mark. The Huskies had several more chances before the period ended, but couldn’t get the game winner.

After a full intermission, 20 minutes was put on the board. Only 3:30 was needed for the Huskies to get the game winner and improve to 4-0-4 in overtime games on the year. The visitors kept the puck in the offensive zone for more than a minute before Sova wound up and fired from the left point. David Johnstone deflected the shot inside the near post.

“This is a big win for our program,” said MTU coach Mel Pearson. “Our guys worked really hard and turned in a gutsy effort tonight. CC’s a good team and any team’s going to give you everything they’ve got when they’re facing elimination.

“I’m just so happy for our players and our alumni and fans as well.”

Johnstone had the game’s first and last goals on the night. He scored the game’s opening goal for the second straight game. Saturday’s came just 1:08 into the first as he collected a loose puck after a CC defenseman fell down. Johnstone fired a shot from the slot that beat Josh Thorimbert.

Just five minutes later, Huskies' senior captain Brett Olson made it a 2-0 Huskies’ advantage. With the teams skating 4-on-4, line mate Jordan Baker circled with the puck in the neutral zone, drawing three Tigers. He then fed a pass to Olson, who skated into the zone 1-on-1 with a defenseman and buried a shot into the top right corner.

CC got on the board at the 8:23 mark of the 1st as Archie Skalbeck and Andrew Hamburg worked a 2-on-1 breakaway after Tech’s Riley Sweeney had fallen down at his offensive blue line.

Hamburg scored again 3:50 into the second period to tie the game at two.

Tech was called for back-to-back penalties early in the third period, but killed off both including 15 seconds of 5-on-3. Not too long after that, CC scored the go-ahead goal as Scott Winkler wristed a shot from the right circle past Robinson.

The score remained 3-2 until late in the third, when Seigo scored the game-tying goal to send it to overtime.

The teams were a combined 0-for-7 on the power play tonight. Tech held a 41-32 advantage in shots on goal.

Robinson stood tall in net for the Huskies with 29 saves.

Michigan Tech will now make its first appearance at the WCHA Final Five since 2007, when it won a first-round series at CC two games to one. The Huskies will have to wait to see who they play. The Final Five is re-seeded after all the first-round series are completed.

Tech will either play North Dakota at 2 p.m. on Thursday (Mar. 15) or St. Cloud State at 7 p.m. on Thursday (Mar. 15) at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.

Notes: Tech is 4-1 vs. CC at World Arena in the WCHA playoffs and 0-28 in regular season games here … Johnstone grabbed a share the team lead in points with his four-point weekend. He and Olson are tied with 30 apiece.

MTU's Pearson tabbed WCHA Coach of the Year

Michigan Tech Press Release

Michigan Tech head coach Mel Pearson was named WCHA Coach of the Year, as announced today by the league office.

Pearson, in his first season in Houghton, has led his squad to a major turnaround in 2011-12. Heading into the postseason, the Huskies are 14-18-4 overall and 11-13-4 in conference games.

“I’m extremely proud of Mel and what he’s been able to accomplish in such a short time,” said Tech athletic director Suzanne Sanregret. “He and his coaching staff have found a way to motivate and inspire the team and it has made for a positive experience for our student-athletes. This has been an exciting year for Michigan Tech athletics and the entire community and we look forward to the future.”

Pearson helped Michigan Tech more than triple its win total from a year ago (four). The Huskies were picked to finish last in the 12-team WCHA according to the preseason poll, but settled in eighth after having a chance to finish as high as fifth in the final weekend of the regular season. Michigan Tech won 11 WCHA games (after winning just eight the previous three years combined) and posted marquee wins over then-No. 3 Denver (Oct. 28), No. 2 Minnesota (Dec. 9) and No. 1 Minnesota Duluth (Jan. 28) during the year.

Michigan Tech’s offense surged in 2011-12 to 2.83 goals per game from 1.97 in 2010-11. The Huskies also allowed 1.5 fewer goals per game than the previous season.

Eight different players on this year’s squad have eight goals or more after just two scored more than seven a year ago.

“I’d like to thank Suzanne, (Michigan Tech president) Glenn Mroz and (Michigan Tech vice president for student affairs) Les Cook for giving me the opportunity to return to Michigan Tech,” said Pearson. “I’d like to thank my assistant coaches and staff who are very deserving in sharing this award. Mostly, I want to thank the players who went out on a nightly basis and got the job done. They’re really the reason I’m receiving this honor.

“The WCHA is a great league with so many great coaches. I feel fortunate and privileged to win this award, especially this year when there are so many who are worthy.”

Pearson is the fourth MTU coach to be selected WCHA Coach of the Year. Jamie Russell, who earned the honor in 2006-07, was the most recent. Herb Boxer gained the award in the 1987-88 season, while the legendary John MacInnes won the award six times (1960, 1962, 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981).

Photo (GLI 2011) by Matt Mackinder/MiCHO

Michigan Tech takes five of eight on the road

By Andy Bourdeau/Michigan Tech Beat Writer

Michigan Tech (12-12-2, WCHA 10-8-2) has been on the road the last two weeks and weas able to come away with five out of eight points against then No. 1-ranked Minnesota-Duluth and unranked Minnesota State.

MTU shocked UMD, gaining a 4-4 tie and a 5-0 shellacking of the Bulldogs two weekends ago. Tech came back from a 4-0 deficit to tie the game, dominating the play for five of the six periods over the weekend. MTU shut down the No. 1 scorer in the country for the entire weekend (Jack Connolly) for the first time in three years.

Also, the shutout was the first shutout in 105 WCHA games for UMD.

This past weekend, MTU dug themselves a hole, going down 3-0 again, but was able to tie it up going into the third. David Johnstone, Dennis Rix and Tanner Kero notched goals on Friday for the Huskies.

MTU was not able to score in the third even though the Huskies carried the play. Instead, it was the home team getting two goals and ending any chance for a Husky comeback.

Saturday, MTU surrendered the first goal again, then scored five straight, and ended the night scoring seven. MTU got the win, 7-3, and salvaged a split on the weekend.

Ryan Furne and Brett Olson scored two each, while Alex Macleod, Patrick McCadden and Bryce Reddick scored as well.

"Overall, it was a good road trip," said Michigan Tech coach Mel Pearson. "We were happy with the outcome. You always want more, but overall, the team played well and we did what we needed to on the road. Now we control our own destiny. We need to worry about our games and not get caught scoreboard watching."

Josh Robinson played all four games both weekends in goal and ended up with a 2-1-1 record.

MTU is currently tied for fifth in the WCHA and will host Nebraska-Omaha at home this weekend.

Photo/Matt Mackinder/MiCHO (GLI 2011)

Michigan Tech sweeps Alaska-Anchorage

By Andy Bourdeau/Michigan Tech Beat Writer

Michigan Tech (11-11-1, 8-7-1 WCHA) scored 12 goals on the weekend, the most since a 2006 series against the same Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves and came away with the sweep against the 2011-12 version of UAA.

Jordan Baker completed the hat trick Saturday and added an assist for a four-point night, as the Huskies won 6-4. Friday, six different Huskies scored for the home team and they were able to come away with a 6-2 win.

Tanner Kero and Chad Pietila scored in the first period to get the Huskies on the board. In the second, Ryan Furne, Justin Fillion and David Johnstone scored to open the game up. In the third, Blake Pietila added a final goal to get the total to six.

Saturday, Bryce Reddick scored two and Baker added one in the first to go up 3-0.

Then the next four came from the Seawolves.

After the fourth goal, it was Baker getting his second to tie it back it. Then Milos Gordic added one to go up 5-4. Baker got his hat trick on an empty-net goal with 1:08 remaining.

Josh Robinson played in net both games, making 27 stops on Friday and 21 saves Saturday night.

"We needed the four points," said MTU coach Mel Pearson. "We battled all weekend and came through with the two wins. We still need to learn how to play with the lead, sometimes you get the lead too early, and we need to handle these situations better."

Michigan Tech will host the Northern Michigan Wildcats this Saturday.

MTU sweeps Wisconsin, now 4-0-0

By Andy Bourdeau

Courtesy of TechHockeyGuide.com

Michigan Tech (4-0-0, WCHA 2-0-0) starts the season 4-0-0 after a weekend sweep of Wisconsin, 2-1 and 3-2, with both games going to overtime. Both games were won by the first line of the Huskies, Brett Olson, Jordan Baker and Blake Pietila, with Olson and Baker the getting points on the game winner each night.

Friday Night

Both teams played strong and each netted one goal in regulation, but it was the home Huskies that found the net in OT to continue their undefeated streak to three.

“I’m really happy for the kids, they came out strong and deserved the win,” MTU head coach Mel Pearson praised after the game. “We could not have asked for a better start.”

Tanner Kero started the scoring for the Huskies when he won a battle down low, fed the pass up to Riley Sweeney, who passed it back for a tip in by Kero. It was a nice goal from the freshmen tandem.

Pearson had praise for the freshmen as well, saying, “Kero had a nice goal to start us off, only a month in and he has his first goal, good for him, now to get (David) Johnstone one.”

Baker started the game strong and had chances all night. He was finally rewarded in OT, when he was left all alone in front of the net and tapped in an empty-netter for the win, his second goal of the year and his second game winning goal of the year.

“Josh Robinson played great tonight, he is playing with a lot of confidence. It is nice when you have that, ” Pearson stated.

Robinson allowed only one goal, a power play goal, in the third. Robinson ended the game with 23 saves on 24 shots.

Saturday Night

For the second straight night, the Huskies and Badgers skated into overtime, and again, the home Huskies managed to find the back of the net, 20 seconds into the overtime. It was the same line that scored the game winner last night, but Baker and Olson traded points, Olson shot low on the Wisconsin goalie and the puck found its way to the back of the net.

"Really proud of the efforts of our kids, they are really playing well and playing for each other. This is just the start; I think we can play even better,” assistant coach Bill Muckalt commented after the game.

Like Friday, MTU took the lead when Kero tipped in a power play goal, assisted by Sweeney and Daniel Sova. An apparent goal from Pietila was waved off because of goalie interference.

Wisconsin tied it up in the second and the period ended with a 1-1 tie heading into the third.

In the third, on the power play again, Jacob Johnstone tipped in a shot from Pietila. Steven Siego also received an assist on the goal. Wisconsin had a goal in the third waved off as well, again goalie interference was the reasoning behind the wave off. But minutes later, UW put one in to tie the game at 2.

MTU had to kill off a 5-minute major, and the Huskies did not give up any quality chances in all five minutes, a big momentum changer for the game.

“Momentum to after we kill that was huge, it really changed the tide, the guys came up huge,” said Muckalt.

In the OT, both teams put their top lines out, it was MTU that won the battle, got the puck low and Olson walked out from behind the net and put a shot on that went in. Nearly all 3075 fans in the MacInnes erupted and they find their Huskies with as many wins now as they had all of last year.

Robinson got the call again in the net and was able to pull out the win, stopping 21 of 23 shots.

MTU travels to Bemidji next weekend for the first road trip of the year.

Michigan Tech starts season with sweep

By Andy Bourdeau/MTU Beat Writer

Courtesy of TechHockeyGuide.com

Michigan Tech (2-0-0, WCHA 0-0-0) swept the American International College Yellow Jackets this weekend, starting the Mel Pearson era perfect.

Friday Night

Blake Pietila lead the way for the Huskies on the score sheet, netting two goals and an assist for a three-point night. Jordan Baker and Steven Siego each each had a goal and two assists on the night as well.

Special teams were the difference in this one. MTU finished with three goals on four power-play attempts, while AIC went 0-for-4 and could not capitalize on a five-minute major at the end of the first and the beginning of the second.

“Kevin (Genoe) had two that I think he would want back, but he showed a lot staying in there, coming back like he did,” Pearson stated.

Genoe ended the evening making 17 saves on 20 shots.

“We stayed positive in between periods and I am proud of our kids for battling back,” Pearson said.

MTU was down 3-1 going into the third, when they were able to get two power play goals to tie the game.

Down 3-0, Pietila started the scoring for the Huskies, burying a rebound off of a Baker shot on the power play

In the third, Pietila started the scoring again, when he was left all alone in front of the net. Siego added the game-tying goal on the next power play, wit.h a nice one-timer from the point.

Near the end of the game, Baker hustled down and caused a turnover in the offensive zone, then took a pass from captain Brett Olson and stuffed the puck past the goalie for his first of the year and the game-winner.

Saturday Night

Behind the pads of Josh Robinson, the Huskies were able to get the 3-1 victory in Saturday's match up.

“I’m proud of the kids; they are learning how to win,” stated Pearson. “Our power play was not very good tonight, unlike last night. You find out where you are early in the year. We have some things to improve on, but it is important for the team to get the wins.”

Robinson was strong in net, coming up big in the second and third when needed, stopping 32 of 33 shots.

Olson started the scoring, when he came in on a shorthanded breakaway and buried it top shelf on the netminder. Riley Sweeney received the assist on the goal.

AIC lone goal came just after the Olson goal, coming in the same power play as the Olson shorthanded goal.

Jacob Johnstone added a goal in the first and one in the second to end the scoring for the night. Mikael Lickteig assisted on both goals and Carl Nielsen and Patrick McCadden also assisted on Johnstone’s two goals.

Michigan Tech stays in Houghton next weekend as Wisconsin comes to town in the first WCHA action for the team.

MTU victorious in Saturday exhibition

By Andy Bourdeau, MTU Beat Writer

Courtesy of TechHockeyGuide.com

The Michigan Tech Huskies started off the season with an exhibition game against Canadian university Lakehead Saturday night and came away with a 5-3 victory.

Jacob Johnstone led the way, getting the first hat trick of the year for the Huskies.

“There are some things we need to work on, but overall, the team played well tonight,” MTU head coach Mel Pearson stated. “It is good for the team to play late in the third with the lead, so they can learn to hold it.”

Tech took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission when Johnstone took a pass from Ryan Furne and buried his chance on the Lakehead netminder. Ryan Sweeney was credited with an assist as well.The Huskies continued to pressure, but could not find the net again in the first.

In the second, Lakehead scored two in a row, both on the power play. Blake Pietala tied it back up at 2 when he found the rebound off of a Jordan Baker shot and buried it. Brett Olson also received an assist on the goal, but 30 seconds later, Lakehead took the lead again, 3-2.

The Huskies battled back and tied the game at 3 when Patrick McCadden netted his first of the season. Assists went to Alex MacCleod and Carl Nielson. Then it was Johnstone getting his second, from Tanner Kero and Nielson. Tech also put one in the net at the end of the second, but time expired just before the puck crossed the goal line.

In the third, both teams came out and looked a bit sluggish. With the goalie pulled, David Johnstone had a great chance to get his first goal, but ended up missing an empty-netter. A minute later his older brother did not miss the empty net and completed his first hat trick as a Husky.

“I really like how we battled back, especially in the second when we were down a goal”, Pearson added.

When talking about the young players, Pearson said, “I like Sweeney and his ability to carry the puck. (Blake) Pietala is big and you can tell he has already played college games and Kero really showed his speed tonight.”

Josh Robinson started in net and played the entire game, making 21 saves on 24 shots.

Pearson explained, “I really liked how Robo bounced back after letting in a few goals. We thought it was important to let him have that oppurtunity.”

MiCHO Analysis: The Huskies got off to the start they had hoped, getting a win, letting the offensive open up and getting many people to the game - 2520 to be exact. The student section was completely full. In fact, the arena had more people at this game than MiCHO saw in the last year and a half. The student section was loud and rocking and the Huskies came out and showed speed and skill. Although the team has some items to work on, this is a team that will surprise some teams.

SEASON PREVIEW: Michigan Tech

Head Coach: Mel Pearson (1st season)

Home Arena: John MacInnes Student Ice Arena, Houghton

2010-2011 Record: 4-30-4, 2-24-2 WCHA

Returning Huskies: Goaltenders J. Robinson, C. Cramer, K, Genoe, defensemen B. Stebner, P. Heinonen, S. Siego, T. Brown, R, Doriott D. Sova, C. Nielson and forwards P. McCadden, J. Johnstone, D. Rix, D. Holmberg, R. Furne, A. Pietala, B. Olson, M. Lickteig, A. MacLeod, J. Baker, B. Reddick, M. Gordic, E. Witt, T. Gubb, A. L'Esperance

Departing Huskies: E. Kattelus, B. Royer and D. Cousens

New Huskies: Pearson, assistant coach B. Muckalt, goalie coach S. Shields, defensemen N. Cecere, J. Davis, R. Sweeney and forwards T. Kero, C. Pietala, D. Johnstone, B. Pietala

What's Up in Houghton: Coming from a winning program, Pearson looks to bring the winning mindset to Tech. Excitement is high in the community with the new coaching staff. An improvement is needed from four wins last year. With five homes games starting the season off, the home crowd has a good chance to see the new-look Huskies and hopefully get a few wins.

He Said It: "We want to open up the play of our forwards and let them be creative. I have challenged the team to be the top scoring team in the country." - Pearson

"Yes and Yes." - Muckalt, when asked if he played against Shields in the NHL and if he scored on him.

MTU nabs in-state high schooler for fall

Muskegon Lumberjacks Press Release

The hundreds of skaters who recently took part in Muskegon Lumberjacks tryout camp were not just duking it out for a spot on the Jacks’ 2011-12 roster, they also were playing for their hockey future beyond the United States Hockey League.

Just ask Jimmy Davis.

The Caledonia native caught the eye of Michigan Tech University head coach Mel Pearson at the L.C. Walker Arena and immediately was offered a scholarship to play for the Huskies this fall.

“To be able to get a scholarship through Jacks camp means a lot,” Davis said. “The main goal of junior hockey is to continue playing hockey, get a scholarship and get set up for whatever you want to do – whether it be going pro in hockey or whatever career you choose out of college.”

Davis was a standout defenseman at East Kentwood High School, from which he graduated this spring. A gritty, 6-foot, 190-pound blueliner, Davis helped his team to the final four of the Michigan state hockey tournament this past season. His father, Jim, spoke with Pearson following the Jacks’ all-star game on June 18, but withheld the conversation from his protégé, lest it prove a distraction in the following morning’s all-star game.

“I appreciate that he didn’t tell me,” said Davis, laughing. “My dad’s always looked out for me and pushed me. I have him to thank for my toughness and my work ethic.”

Davis has been using the workouts developed by Jacks assistant coach Dave Noel-Bernier, a certified strength and conditioning coach, to prepare for the jump from high school hockey. He’ll depart for Houghton on Aug. 22.

“This speaks to the kind of opportunity we’re providing to hockey players from Michigan – and anywhere – here in Muskegon,” Lumberjacks owner and CEO Josh Mervis said. “We can get players to college faster and on to their pro careers as fast here as any league in the world, including the CHL. We also get them prepared for life after hockey, which no other path can provide. That’s why the USHL is the perfect path.”

Huskies hire Muckalt as assistant coach

Michigan Tech Press Release

Michigan Tech announced Thursday the addition of Bill Muckalt to the Huskies staff as an assistant coach.

Muckalt, a former Michigan Wolverine and five-year veteran of the NHL, will begin his duties today.

"I had the opportunity to recruit and coach Bill, and he was an outstanding player," said MTU head coach Mel Pearson. "He has a great work ethic and tremendous passion for the game. His experience gives him a good network for recruiting and a keen eye for talent. Bill will be a great addition to our staff."

Muckalt spent last season as the head coach of the New Mexico Mustangs (pictured above), an expansion franchise in the North American Hockey League. He started the team from scratch, developing all aspects of the operation including coaching, recruiting and scouting. The Mustangs, which were made up of 21 rookies, compiled a 19-35-4 record with 15 wins in their last 27 games.

Prior to his stint in New Mexico, Muckalt served as head coach of the Valencia (Calif.) Flyers of the Western States Hockey League, where his squad went 20-16-3. He also worked as head instructor of Summer Hockey School at Ice Station Valencia.

Muckalt gained coaching experience with Eastern Michigan University's club hockey team as assistant coach in 2006-07 and head coach in 2007-08.

"I am very excited to be a part of a program that has such a rich history," said Muckalt. "The chance to work with Mel, who has had a big influence in my life both in hockey and personally, was a very easy choice. I have seen the commitment that the university administration has made to the hockey program, and I can't wait to get started."

Pearson recruited Muckalt to play at Michigan starting in 1994-95, and the two won 130 games and two national championships over the next four years. The winger posted 105 career goals and 226 total points. He earned All-America First Team honors and was a Hobey Baker Award finalist while leading the Wolverines to the 1998 NCAA title.

Muckalt graduated from Michigan with a degree in sports management and communications, then made the jump straight into the NHL where he played five seasons. His most productive season came as a rookie with the Vancouver Canucks, where he posted 16 goals and 20 assists in 73 games.

Pearson also announced that Damon Whitten will remain on staff as the team's other full-time assistant coach.