I heard on Tuesday that Detroit had wasted no time in getting Joe Frederick's signature on a contract following the completion of the Wildcat season last weekend. Wednesday's Marquette Mining Journal contained the following story by sports editor Craig Remsburg and the Associated Press. MARQUETTE - Pretty soon, they'll be called the Detroit Red *Wildcats*. The Detroit Red Wings announced Tuesday night that Northern Michigan University senior forward Joe Frederick had signed a multi-year contract withe the NHL club. The 23-year-old Frederick--Detroit's 12th pick (242nd overall) in the 1989 NHL entry draft--joins current Wings Dallas Drake and Jim Hiller. Frederick scored 28 goals and 20 assists this season for NMU. He led the NCAA with eight shorthanded goals. "Joe is abig, strong forward who is a solid prospect in the Red Wings organization," Detroit Coach Bryan Murray said in a statement. Frederick could not be reached for comment. Former Wildcat star defenseman Tom Laidlaw--Frederick's agent--told The Mining Journal Tuesday the newest Wings' contract is for the remainder of this season, three additional years, plus an option season. Laidlaw declined to reveal financial terms of the pact. "'Freddy's' going to practice with Detroit (today)," Laidlaw said. "Then they plan to send him to Adirondack (the club's American Hockey League farm team) for a while and see how he does there. "It'll be a chance for him to get some games in there. It's a great opportunity for Freddy." Adirondack is coached by former Michigan Tech University mentor Newell Brown. "The Wings feel they need more physical players up front, and that's Freddy's role," Laidlaw said. "But he can also skate and has a great pair of hands. He's at the top of his game right now." The agent said the Wings "weren't sure how good Freddy was," but "it helped him that the team did well, and (Detroit) scouts saw him do well. They realized he could play in the NHL. "Dallas making it big has helped Freddy, too. It's really a credit to Coach (Rick) Comley and everyone involved (with NMU's hockey program) up there." The 6-foot-1-inch, 190-pound Frederick is a 1987 gradute of Madison (Wis.) LaFollette High School. He played two seasons with the Madison Capitols of the U.S. Hockey League before coming to NMU. End story In an associated story in the same issue of the Mining Journal, Wildcat sophomore goalie Corwin Saurdiff was quoted as being interested in exploring turning pro next season. Saurdiff is known to have been affected by the appearance this year of freshman (but actually older) Paul Taylor who won a spot in a rotation with last year's freshman sensation. Both Rick Comley and Tom Laidlaw implied in their comments on the story that Saurdiff, whose draft rights belong to the San Jose Sharks, would be better off staying at NMU. The Sharks have recently acquired the rights to two other goalies, including Denver University star Bryan Schoen. ********************************************************************** * Steve Christopher, NMU [log in to unmask] * * * * * * NCAA Division I Hockey National Champions 1990-91 * GO * * * NCAA Division I Hockey Final Eight 1991-92 * * * * NCAA Division I Hockey Final Eight 1992-93 * * * * WCHA League Champions 1990-91 * 'CATS! * * * WCHA Playoff Champions 1988-89/1990-91/1991-92 * * * * * **********************************************************************