I have tried to upload the October issue of the Michigan Hockey Deker
newsletter (the Dekers are the UM booster group), but the message system
would not let me send it because of the number of characters. So, I
have cut out about 1/2 of the newsletter and I'm sending only the CCHA
preview and Michigan schedule. Our newsletter comes out once a month
from August to May, and for some strange reason I volunteered to write
it this season. If the CCHA doesn't interest you, delete this message
at your earliest convenience. Thanks.
John Haeussler
Univ of Mich
P.S. -- It is much easier to read on paper.
The News from
INSIDE THE GOAL CREASE
The University of Michigan Hockey DEKER Newsletter
Volume 6 Issue 3 October 1992
1992-93 CCHA PREVIEW
The CCHA enters its 22nd season later this month, and the following is a
brief preview of what awaits fans around the league.
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
1991-92 Results: 32-9-3, 22-7-3 in CCHA (1st), NCAA Semi-finalists
Top Returning Scorer: Junior Center Brian Wiseman (27-44--71)
Top Returning Goaltender: Junior Steve Shields (27-7-2, 2.81, .885)
1992-93 Captain: Senior Defenseman David Harlock
1992-93 Key Freshman: The Wolverines have an impressive incoming group of
four players, deserving of individual introductions.
John Arnold is a muscular right wing from Sudbury, Ontario. He
registered 22 goals and 33 assists in 41 games playing for the Thornhill
Thunderbirds of the Toronto Metro Junior A Tier II League last season. John
teamed with fellow freshman Steven Halko at Thornhill. He considered several
smaller schools, primarily among the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference
Division III, before choosing to attend Michigan. John will wear #20 as a
Wolverine.
Steven Halko is a rangy defenseman from Bolton, Ontario. David Shand
compared him to Patrick Neaton, "in that he's very offensive minded." Steve
also played with Thornhill last season, and was a 10th round draft pick of
the Hartford Whalers this summer. He was lauded as the Metro League's top
defenseman and led all blue-liners in scoring with 16 goals and 45 assists in
44 games. Steve choose Michigan over RPI, Princeton and Cornell. He will
wear #24 for the maize and blue.
Center Kevin Hilton came to Ann Arbor from nearby Monroe, Michigan. He
played for Detroit Compuware in 1991-92 and was the North American Junior
Hockey League scoring leader with 35 goals and 42 assists in 39 games. Kevin
has consistently posted big offensive numbers, scoring 133 points in 1990-
1991 and 143 points in 1989-90. He considered Lake Superior State, Northern
Michigan and Michigan. Kevin will be wearing Denny Felsner's familiar #10
with the Wolverines.
The freshman class is completed by highly touted left wing Ryan Sittler
of Amherst, New York. Ryan was the 7th player selected in the 1992 NHL
draft, taken in the first round by the Philadelphia Flyers. He tallied 38
goals and 51 assists in 51 games over two high school seasons. Ryan was a
member of the bronze medal winning Team USA at the 1992 World Junior
Championships. His final decision was choosing between Michigan and
Wisconsin. Ryan will be donning #17 this season.
There are also several walk-on players attempting to earn a spot on the
Wolverine roster. Most notable are Drew Denzin and Matt Helber, freshman
forwards from Ann Arbor Pioneer High School.
Goaltenders: Juniors Chris Gordon and Steve Shields and sophomore Al Loges.
Defensemen: Seniors David Harlock, Patrick Neaton and Chris Tamer, junior
Aaron Ward, sophomores Tim Hogan and Al Sinclair, redshirt freshman Mark
Sakala and freshman Steven Halko.
Left Wings: Juniors Cam Stewart and Mike Stone, sophomores Anton Fiodorov
and Rick Willis and freshman Ryan Sittler.
Centers: Seniors Mark Ouimet and David Roberts, junior Brian Wiseman,
sophomore Ron Sacka and freshman Kevin Hilton.
Right Wings: Senior Dan Stiver, junior David Oliver, sophomore Mike Knuble
and freshman John Arnold, Drew Denzin and Matt Helber.
Comment: The Wolverines are loaded with talent and should provide the fans
at Yost with plenty of excitement while defending their CCHA championship.
BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY
1991-92 Results: 8-21-5, 7-20-5 in CCHA (9th)
Top Returning Scorer: Senior Center Brett Harkins (8-39--47)
Top Returning Goaltender: Sophomore Will Clarke (4-9-1, 3.76, .871)
1992-93 Captain: Senior Right Wing Ty Eigner
1992-93 Freshman: BGSU has one of the largest freshman classes in the CCHA
with 11 newcomers. The wealth of forwards include Jason Clark (80 points in
47 games last season), Mike Hall (108 points), Jason Helbing, Jeff Herman
(122 points), Mark Lindsay (41 goals and 91 penalty minutes in 48 games),
Kevin Lune (6-3, 215), Craig Mittleholt, Jeremy Stier and Jamie Williams (53
points in 34 games). The lone defenseman is Chad Ackerman from Rochester MI.
Goaltender Aaron Ellis was drafted by Quebec in the 11th round of the June
NHL draft.
Comment: The Falcons lose several seniors from last season and two of their
top defenseman, Ken Klee and Aris Brimanis, have left school to join the
Washington Capitals organization. Overall, BGSU is without players that
contributed 60% of the teams goals in 1991-92. Their freshman will need to
mature quickly if BGSU is to return to their familiar position at or near the
top of the CCHA.
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
1991-92 Results: 13-18-7, 11-15-6 in CCHA (6th)
Top Returning Scorer: Sophomore Forward Tim Christian (14-15--29)
Top Returning Goaltender: Junior Craig Lisko (8-11-4, 3.19, .896)
1992-93 Captain: Senior Defenseman Daryl Filipek
1992-93 Assistant: Junior Defenseman John Gruden
1992-93 Key Freshman: The Bulldogs incoming class is led by two forwards,
center J.J. Bamberger and right wing Scott Bell. Bamberger is a talented
skater and Bell will add size and strength on the wing. Both will contribute
offensively in Big Rapids.
Comment: Ferris State has one of the conference's best defenseman in John
Gruden, who played with Patrick Neaton this summer on the U.S. 20-Over Team.
Their defensive corps would be even stronger, but would be junior Dave Karpa
joined the Quebec Nordiques near the end of last season. Karpa led the CCHA
in penalty minutes in 1991-92. The Bulldogs will also have to deal with a
late summer coaching change as Bob Daniels takes over for the departed Bob
Mancini.
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
1991-92 Results: 10-20-6, 8-18-6 in CCHA (7th)
Top Returning Scorer: Sophomore Center Chris MacDonald (11-27--38)
Top Returning Goaltender: Sophomore Jon Hillebrandt (7-19-4, 4.14, .877)
1992-93 Captain: Senior Left Wing Cory Hextall
1992-93 Alternates: Junior Center Todd Finner
Sophomore Defenseman Shannon Finn
1992-93 Key Freshman: Among UIC's freshman class are two of Kevin Hilton's
NAJHL teammates from Compuware, forward Rob LaChance and defenseman Marty
McMillan. Other forwards include Marc Genest, a playmaking center from
Ontario, Rob Hutson from British Columbia, Trevor Mathias out of Saskatchewan
and Brian Thibodeau from Cushing Academy in Boston. Two players enter from
Indianapolis of the NAJHL, defenseman Matt Brenner and All-Star goalie Trent
Levins.
1992-93 TSN All-America Candidates: Finn, Hillebrandt and MacDonald.
Comment: The Flames are ranked #13 nationally by The Sporting News. This
seems high for such a young team, but All-CCHA 2nd Team goaltender Jon
Hillebrandt proved last season that he can singlehandedly keep UIC in any
game. With Finn, Hillebrandt, MacDonald, Jeff Blum, Derek Knorr, Mark Zdan
and company, the Flames have one of the best sophomore classes in the nation.
Add to that their talented freshman and UIC looks to have a solid future.
KENT STATE UNIVERSITY
1992-93 Captains: Senior Right Wing Ross Antonini
Senior Defenseman Gregg Fesette
Comment: Very little is known about Coach Bill Switaj's Golden Flashes as
they enter their first season of play in the CCHA. They are a team built on
experience, losing only two seniors from last year's squad. Their schedule
includes a full complement of CCHA games, non-conference series versus
Mercyhurst and Colgate, and a trip to Anchorage AK to compete in the
Nissan/Jeep Classic with Alaska-Anchorage, Michigan State and the University
of British Columbia. The Golden Flashes will be road warriors, as they do
not play a home game between November 28 and January 22.
LAKE SUPERIOR STATE UNIVERSITY
1991-92 Results: 30-9-4, 20-8-4 in CCHA (2nd), NCAA National Champions
Top Returning Scorer: Sophomore Center Brian Rolston (18-28--46)
Top Returning Goaltender: Sophomore Blaine Lacher (5-3-0, 3.34, .879)
1992-93 Captains: Senior Defenseman Mike Bachusz
Senior Defenseman Michael Smith
Junior Center Clayton Beddoes
1992-93 Alternate: Junior Center Jay Ness
1992-93 Key Freshman: What do you do when you lose the best goaltender in
the nation? Recruit. Joining the Lakers this season are Adam Thompson from
Minot of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (12-19-1, 4.50, .867) and
United States Hockey League Goaltender of the Year, Paul Sass (2.97, .920).
LSSU also landed two players from Estevan of the SJHL, right wing Sean
Tallaire (54-49--103) and defenseman Mike Matteucci (6-3, 205).
1992-93 TSN All-America Candidates: Beddoes, Rolston, Smith and junior
defenseman Steven Barnes.
Comment: Head Coach Jeff Jackson acknowledges that "it will be a difficult
challenge to defend the national title without two All-Americans, Darrin
Madeley and Mark Astley." However, Jackson adds, "Our future is bright as we
will be a freshman and sophomore oriented team." The Lakers have one of the
premier forwards in the nation in Ann Arbor's Brian Rolston. Their defense
is strong and their goaltending, albeit inexperienced, is deep. LSSU will be
heard from at playoff time.
MIAMI UNIVERSITY
1992-93 Results: 18-16-6, 12-14-6 in CCHA (5th), CCHA Semi-finalists
Top Returning Scorer: Senior Defenseman Joe Cook (15-26--41)
Top Returning Goaltender: Junior Richard Shulmistra (3-5-2, 4.73, .825)
1992-93 Captain: Senior Right Wing Chris Bergeron
1992-93 Alternates: Junior Defenseman Trent Eigner
Junior Center Brian Savage
1992-93 Freshman: The Redskins roster includes 6 true freshman this season:
goaltenders Kevin Deschambeault and Eustice King; defensemen Andrew Bracken,
Pat Hanley and Justin Krall; and center Kevyn Adams. The Redskins also have
redshirt freshman Brian Ensign at left wing.
1992-93 TSN All-America Candidate: Joe Cook.
Comment: Miami finished strong last season, and many people feel that
they'll pick up right where they left off. They have All-CCHA 2nd Team
defenseman Joe Cook and a goal scoring center in Brian Savage, but Shulmistra
will have to be solid in goal for Miami to challenge the CCHA elite.
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
1992-93 Results: 25-11-8, 18-7-7 in CCHA (3rd), NCAA Semi-finalists
Top Returning Scorer: Senior Center Bryan Smolinski (30-35--65)
Top Returning Goaltender: Sophomore Eric Kruse (5-1-1, 2.81, .889)
1992-93 Freshman: The Spartans have added 7 freshman for 1992-93. Joining
MSU are forwards Anson Carter, Brian Clifford and Mike Ware, and defensemen
Ryan Fleming, Chris Smith, Chris Sullivan and Bart Vanstaalduinen. Clifford
was a teammate of Michigan's Ryan Sittler at Nichols Prep in Buffalo.
Redshirt freshman Ryan Folkening is also new to the green and white lineup.
1992-93 TSN All-America Candidate: Defenseman Michael Stewart, a would be
junior, is a TSN pick although he has left college for the professional
ranks. Figure that one out.
Comment: Michigan State was hit hard losing seniors Mike Gilmore, Joby
Messier, Dwayne Norris and Peter White as well as Stewart. The Spartans will
need to rely on inexperienced players, especially on defense, but a strong
group of sophomores led by forwards Rem Murray and Steve Suk and goaltenders
Mike Buzak and Eric Kruse should keep MSU near the top.
UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME
1992-93 Captain: Junior Defenseman Matt Osiecki
1992-93 Alternates: Senior Centers Dave Bankoske and Curtis Janicke.
1992-93 Freshman: The Irish feature an impressive group of 9 freshman led by
defenseman Davide DalGrande from Ontario. DalGrande (6-6, 190) was the most
highly recruited defenseman in North America this past year. He produced 7
goals and 31 assists in 56 games, leading his team to the league title last
season. Joining DalGrande on defense are Matt Bieck (6-17--23), Jeremy Coe
(6-3, 185) and Garry Gruber. Notre Dame has also added four forwards
including left wing Jamie Morshead (31-41--72 in 38 games), a two time all-
star and captain of Thornhill, were he teamed with John Arnold and Steven
Halko. The Irish's other forwards are left wing Chris Bales (37-52--89 in 40
games), center Jamie Lang (35-56--91) and Jay Matushak (118 points in the
past two seasons), who plays all three forward positions. The lone incoming
goaltender is Wade Salzman (under 2.00, .930) from Duluth MN.
Notre Dame Head Coach Ric Schafer says of his recruits, "We've looked
far and wide to bring in the kind of players that can step in and play at the
most competitive level of collegiate hockey, and we feel this group has both
the size and skills to make that adjustment. The Canadian players have the
seasoning and experience we're looking for, and the American recruits come
from winning backgrounds. We're making a greater commitment to hockey, and
our recruits will help us develop the attitude necessary to play well in the
CCHA next year. As a group, they will play a major role in this adjustment."
1992-93 TSN All-America Candidate: Curtis Janicke.
Comment: With a proven scorer in Janicke, a talented incoming class and
coaches such as Schafer and assistant Tom Carroll, it won't be long before
Notre Dame makes its mark in the CCHA. Coach Schafer adds, "1992-93 will be
a very exciting season. We're happy to be back in the CCHA. In my mind,
this is the premier hockey conference in the country, and it's an honor for
us to become a part of it."
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
1992-93 Results: 12-21-5, 8-19-5 in CCHA (8th)
Top Returning Scorer: Junior Left Wing Ron White (31-13--44)
Top Returning Goaltender: 5th Year Senior Jim Slazyk (1-1-0, 7.01, .810)
1992-93 Freshman: The Buckeyes have the biggest incoming class in the CCHA
with 13 recruits. The have added goaltenders Tom Askey and Kurt Brown and
defenseman Gary Hirst, Brian Keller, Craig Paterson (Steve Halko's partner
from Thornhill), Mark Skogstad (6-4, 208) and Jeff Winter (also 6-4, 208).
Incoming forwards include centers Randy Holmes and Sean Sutton, right wings
Reg Gallagher (6-3, 218) and John B. Graham, and left wings Bill Rathwell and
Joe Sellers. The Buckeyes have also added junior center Bruce McKenna from
the University of Toledo, where he guided the Rockets to the national
division II club championship.
1992-93 TSN All-America Candidate: Ron White.
Comment: Ohio State has lost 55% of their goal scoring from last year's 8th
place team. Included in that group is 1991-92 CCHA freshman of the year
Brian Loney who has left school to play junior A hockey. The Bucks have also
lost workhorse goaltender Mike Bales, who joined the Boston Bruins rather
than return for his senior season. Strapped with inexperience, it could be
a very long season in Columbus.
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
1992-93 Results: 16-14-6, 14-12-6 in CCHA (4th)
Top Returning Scorer: Senior Center Pat Ferschweiler (8-32--40)
Top Returning Goaltender: Junior Craig Brown (13-10-5, 3.20, .891)
1992-93 Captain: Senior Center Pat Ferschweiler
1992-93 Alternates: Senior Right Wings Joe Bonnett and Jason Jennings
Junior Defenseman Brent Brekke
1992-93 Freshman: The Broncos welcome 11 freshman this season including
center Jamal Mayers and defenseman Mikhail Lapin, both from the Thornhill
Thunderbirds (hence former teammates of approximately half of the other
freshman in the CCHA this year). Joining them are defensemen Thomas
Carriere, Scott Chartier, Jim Holman and Alex Schwarz, forwards Chris Brooks,
Jeremy Brown, Derek Innanen and David Weaver, and goaltender David Mitchell.
Comment: The Broncos return only one player who reached double digits in
goals last season (forward Colin Ward), but a balanced attack and solid
goaltending by Craig Brown should allow them to remain competitive in the
CCHA.
Note: The University of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks will be previewed preceding
the CCHA playoffs.
COACHES' POLL
As well as collecting the above information, I asked the coaches around the
league for their thoughts on the top teams and players in the CCHA this
season. From the responses I received, the general consensus was that
Michigan would repeat as CCHA champions followed by Lake Superior State,
Michigan State and Miami. The player mentioned the most was LSSU sophomore
center Brian Rolston. Wolverines acknowledged included Brian Wiseman,
Patrick Neaton and David Roberts.
Next month: The 1992-93 CCHA preview will be concluded in the November
newsletter with a look at the 1991-92 CCHA statistical leaders.
Acknowledgements: For contributing to the preview, my thanks go to the CCHA
coaches, U of M Hockey Sports Information Director Stephanie Burchill, Jeff
Weiss in the CCHA office, Keith Instone -- editor of Beulah's Bugle, and
several fellow fans including Glen Keeney at Michigan State and David Smith
in Columbus OH.
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN HOCKEY 1992-93
October January
Sat 17 NOTRE DAME (NC) 7:00 Sat 2 ALBERTA (NC) 7:00
Fri 23 Ferris State 7:00 Sun 3 ALBERTA (EX) 7:00
Sat 24 Ferris State 7:00 Fri 8 Ill-Chicago 7:00
Fri 30 Western Michigan 7:00 Sat 9 Ill-Chicago 7:00
Sat 31 WESTERN MICHIGAN 7:00 Fri 15 OHIO STATE 7:00
November Sat 16 BOWLING GREEN 7:00
Fri 6 Lake Superior 7:30 Sat 23 Notre Dame 7:00
Sat 7 Lake Superior 7:30 Fri 29 ILL-CHICAGO 7:00
Fri 13 MIAMI 7:00 Sat 30 MICH STATE (JLA) 7:00
Sat 14 MIAMI 7:00 February
Fri 27 WESTERN MICHIGAN 7:00 Fri 5 Ohio State 7:00
Sat 28 N Dame (The Palace) 7:00 Sat 6 Miami 7:00
December Sat 13 Bowling Green 7:00
Fri 4 MICHIGAN STATE 7:00 Fri 19 FERRIS STATE 7:00
Sat 5 Michigan State 7:00 Sat 20 BOWLING GREEN 7:00
Fri 11 KENT 7:00 Fri 26 LAKE SUPERIOR 7:00
Sat 12 KENT 7:00 Sat 27 NOTRE DAME 7:00
Sat 26 Michigan Tech (GLI) TBA March
Sun 27 MSU or NMU (GLI) TBA Fri 5 Kent 7:30
Sat 6 Ohio State 7:00
HOME GAMES IN BOLD CAPS
March 12-13-14 CCHA First Round Playoffs (campus sites)
March 19-20-21 CCHA Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, Championship (JLA)
March 26-27 NCAA Regionals (West-Detroit MI, East-Worcester MA)
April 1 & 3 NCAA Semi-finals and Championship (Milwaukee WI)
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