Dave Fischer
Director of Athletic Communications & Promotions
([log in to unmask] -- 906-487-2350)
Monday, October 2, 1995 Contact: Dave Fischer
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MICHIGAN TECH TO OPEN 75TH SEASON THIS WEEKEND
Huskies Host Laurentian University Saturday In Non-Conference Affair
This Week: The Michigan Technological University men's ice hockey team will
open its 75th season of intercollegiate competition Saturday (Oct. 7) when
the Huskies host Laurentian University in non-conference action. Opening
faceoff is slated for 7:05 p.m. at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena (4,200)
on the MTU campus. Friday (Oct. 6), MTU will stage its annual Silver/Gold
Intrasquad Game at 5:05 p.m. Admission is $1.00 and all proceeds will
benefit area youth hockey.
The Broadcast: All Michigan Tech games can be heard live on 25,000-watt
WZRK radio, 93.5 FM. Bob Olson, the dean of broadcasters in the WCHA, is
in his 25th season as the voice of the Huskies. Former MTU goaltender
Darcy Way is back for his sixth year providing color commentary.
The Records: Michigan Tech's contest with Laurentian will be its first of
the season. The Huskies finished the '94-95 campaign with a 15-20-4 record
overall. Laurentian will be playing its third game of the season when it
meets MTU. The Voyageurs will be in Big Rapids, Mich., Thursday (Oct. 5) to
open their season against Ferris State and in Marquette, Mich., Friday
(Oct. 6) to face Northern Michigan.
Coach Bob Mancini: Bob Mancini begins his fourth season as the head coach
of the Michigan Tech Huskies. He owns a mark of 45-62-14 at the school and
in six seasons as a college head coach sports an 81-94-26 career mark.
The Series: Michigan Tech and Laurentian will meet for the third time ever
Saturday (Oct. 7). The Huskies have a 2-0 advantage in the series, one that
dates back to the 1990-91 campaign.
Coach Bob Mancini on This Weekend: "We're very excited to get the season
going. Friday night we'll get a good look at many different combinations of
players as we'll change teams every period during the intrasquad game. Let
me say also we're very pleased to be able to donate all the proceeds from
the intrasquad game to local youth hockey. I think fans will see an
improved Laurentian team on Saturday. It's an important game to for us.
Some people may be under the impression that the game will be an easy one
for us, but that is simply not the case."
Final 1994-95 WCHA Standings:
Team (Overall Record) WCHA
W L T Pts
Colorado College (30-12-1) 22 9 1 45
Wisconsin (24-15-4) 17 11 4 38
Denver (25-15-2) 18 12 2 38
Minnesota (25-14-5) 16 11 5 37
St. Cloud State (17-20-1) 15 16 1 31
North Dakota (18-18-3) 14 15 3 31
Minnesota-Duluth (16-18-4) 13 15 4 30
Michigan Tech (15-20-4) 12 17 3 27
Northern Michigan (13-24-3) 10 19 3 23
Alaska Anchorage (11-25-0) 10 22 0 20
Games This Week
Friday, October 6
Laurentian at NMU, 7:05
Regina at UND, 7:35
Saturday, October 7
Laurentian at MTU, 7:05
Regina at SCSU, 7:05
Results Last Week
None
About The Huskies: Excitement is in the air as one sizes up the prospects
of the 1995-96 Michigan Tech hockey season. The Huskies return 20
letterwinners to the fold, including eight of last year's top 10 point
getters. Hobey Baker candidate Pat Mikesch, who has led the team in points
the past two seasons, headlines the list of returning forwards. In addition
to Mikesch, who recorded 15-28--43 a year ago, the Huskies also return
sophomore center Andre Savage (7-17--24), sophomore right wing Bret Meyers
(11-9--20), junior center Kyle Peterson (7-18--18), and junior left wing
Jeff Mikesch (9-18--17). Throw in three other returning forwards with 10 or
more points and the Huskies have a solid nucleus of talent back up front.
Three-year regular and All-WCHA candidate Jason Wright (2-23--25) will
anchor the blueline effort for MTU. Juniors Eric Jensen (2-11--13), Brian
Hunter, and Travis VanTighem (1-3--4) also return, while sophomore Dave
Dupont (5-14--19) will be counted on to make a solid contribution. Junior
Luciano Caravaggio is MTU's top goaltender and has the potential to be one
of the WCHA's best. Caravaggio was 12-15-3 last year with a 4.02 goals
against average and an .878 saves percentage. Sophomore Pete Hamilton and freshman
David Weninger will compete for playing time behind Caravaggio.
Skate With the Huskies: "Skate With The Huskies," an annual event sponsored
by the MTU Blueline Club, is set for 5:45 p.m. Sunday (Oct. 8) at the
MacInnes Student Ice Arena. The event is free of charge and open to the
public. Each child attending will receive a free MTU Hockey Face Poster and
also a chance to win many free prizes. For more information, call the MTU
Athletic Office at 487-3070.
Pat Mikesch Listed Among Top Players In Country: Senior center Pat Mikesch
(Hancock, Mich.) has been listed among 30 players as potential Hobey Baker
candidates for the '95-96 season by Hobey Watch '96. In addition, Mikesch
was among Drop the Puck's 1995-96 Preseason All-America choices and a
member of College Sports magazine's Preseason All-WCHA First Team.
Huskies Celebrating 75 Years of Hockey: The 1995-96 season marks the 75th
in MTU hockey history. The program dates back to 1919 when the team played
four games. The program grew for more than 30 years, with the Huskies
playing an independent schedule until joining the Midwest Intercollegiate
Hockey League, a predecessor to today's WCHA, in 1951. Since the dawn of
league participation, the Huskies have a storied history, with three NCAA
titles, seven WCHA championships, and nine GLI championships. The program
flourished during the 26-year John MacInnes era, when MTU became a college
hockey powerhouse. MacInnes and MTU originated the Great Lakes Invitational
31 years ago and since then the event has become one of the premier college
and holiday sporting events in the country.
Huskies Hints: Michigan Tech's captain in 1995-96 is senior center and
All-America candidate Pat Mikesch (Hancock, Mich.). The alternate captain
is junior center Kyle Peterson (Thunder Bay, Ont.) . . . The Huskies play
their first five contests of the season at home . . . The MacInnes Student
Ice Arena has a number of new features for '95-96, including new boards
with surrounding eight-foot high tempered glass. In addition, the Huskies
Wall of Fame has been completely renovated. Also, the bleachers at the end
of the arena have been moved from the main level to the lower level and the
rink is in the process of getting a complete paint job. Finally, the flags
that previously hung from the rafters above center ice have been replaced
with Huskies championship banners. Another major change is also in process
as plans for the MTU Hockey Educational Center are currently being
finalized by architects. The project is slated to begin as soon as the
'95-96 hockey season ends and will include an expanded varsity locker room
and sauna, strength and conditioning room, training room, classroom/study
room, lecture hall/film room, video editing/conference room, alumni
reception room and players lounge, coaches office, and equipment room . . .
Michigan Tech has four new players in the program in '95-96, including
forwards Rob Kinch and Jarkko Ruutu, defenseman Tommi Hyyrynen, and
goaltender David Weninger . . . The Huskies coaching staff is the same as
last year with Bob Mancini entering his fourth season as head coach.
Assistant coaches are Ken Martel (6th year), Scott White (2nd year), and
Darcy Way (2nd year) . . . MTU's jerseys in '95-96 will include a patch
commemorating the 75th anniversary season. The logo (shown at left) was
designed by Bob Slater of MTU Publications/Photo Services . . . Bob Olson,
the radio voice of the MTU Huskies, is celebrating his 25th season
broadcasting MTU hockey in '95-96 . . . Senior center Pat Mikesch (Hancock,
Mich.) can become only the second player in the history of MTU hockey to
lead the team in points three consecutive years . . . The 75th anniversary
edition of the MTU hockey yearbook is slated to be available on Oct. 13.
Cost is $12.50 per copy by mail and can be obtained by sending a check or
money order (U.S. funds) to: MTU Hockey Yearbook Offer, Michigan Tech,
Athletic Communications Center, SDC, Room 233, Houghton, MI 49931-1295.
Bob Mancini Radio Show: The Bob Mancini Radio Show is heard every Monday
throughout the season from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. on WZRK radio, 93.5 FM. Host
Bob Olson joins coach Mancini each week to discuss Huskies hockey in-depth.
Huskies on Teamline: All Michigan Tech games can be heard live by those
outside the WZRK listening area on Teamline. Fans wishing to hear a game
should dial 1-800-846-4700 and then enter MTU's Team Code of 1149. The
cost to hear a game is billed either to your Visa or Mastercard. A portion
of the proceeds goes to MTU athletics.
Coaches Corner/Blueline Luncheon: The first Coaches Corner/Blueline
Luncheon will take place Friday (Oct. 6) at 12 noon in the Lake Superior
Room of the Northern Lights Restaurant. MTU hockey coach Bob Mancini,
Huskies football coach Bernie Anderson, and MTU volleyball coach Mary
Kaminski are the featured speakers. Cost for the buffet luncheon is $6.75
per person, which includes tax and tip. Blueline Club members receive a
50-cent discount.
Up Next: Michigan Tech will open its 1995-96 Western Collegiate Hockey
Association season Friday and Saturday, Oct. 13-14, at home against
Minnesota.
HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to
[log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.
|
