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.