Monday, March 26, 2007

Wildcat Recruiting Update

It has been a while since I have posted anything substantial here. This post took much longer to create than I initially figured it would, but it's done now.

Here, then, is a quick glimpse into Wildcat recruits. There are currently no new names to announce, but this is the current state of the incoming class of NMU athletes.

Class of 2007

Tyler Gron - RC - Spruce Grove (AJHL)
(60 GP-26 G-24 A-106 PIM)
Gron finished the regular season second on the team in points. In the post-season, Gron picked up five goals and four assists in ten games and Spruce Grove fell to the Grand Prairie Storm 4-1 in a best-of-seven playoff series. Offensively, Gron leads the next Wildcat class.

Andrew Fernandez - LD - Selkirk (MJHL)
(56 GP-14 G-34 A-100 PIM)
Fernandez is a member of the Selkirk Steelers, easily one of the most offensively explosive teams in the MJHL. In the regular season, the team's top four point gatherers combined for 516 points.

Now in the playoffs, the Steelers have glided through to the finals, winning a pair of best-of-seven series, 4-1 and 4-0. In the nine games, Fernandez has four assists and 37 PIM.

$ Nick Kosinski - LW - Marquette (NAHL)
(58 GP-18 G-30 A-64 PIM)
A native of Marquette, Kosinski will comntinue to play in his own backyard when he takes the ice for NMU. His current team, the Rangers, has two games remaining on their regular season schedule and with a 24-30-5 record, they have clinched a playoff spot.

$ Evan Lucas - LD - Oswego (OPJHL)
(32 GP-5 G-23 A-125 PIM)
Picking up 23 assists on the year, Lucas was a big part of an Oswego team that finished 19-25-2-3. The Admirals were swept out of the playoffs by Port Hope, three games to none. One of the select few recruits to actually be signed at this point, Lucas will be looked to next year to help bolster a depth-challenged defensive unit.

$ Jared Brown - W - Lincoln (USHL)
(52 GP-29 G-40 A-26 PIM)
Brown's 69 points leads the Stars at this point in the year. There are still eight games remaining in the regular season and Lincoln is 33-16-3 and in second place in the West Division. Brown, along with Gron, will be looked to next year to produce offensively.

Mario Lamoureux - LC - Tri-City (USHL)
(50 GP- 10 G-17 A-75 PIM)
Thus far, Lamoureux is fifth on the team with 27 points this season. Three weeks remain in the Storm's regular season schedule and he still has time to step up.

Billy Smith - LW - Alaska Anchorage (Transfer)
After transferring to NMU, Smith is already on campus with the Wildcats. In 2005-2006, he collected four goals and four assists in 32 games with the Seawolves. Smith hasn't played competitively in a decent amount of time, but he has certainly benefited from his time with the team.

Mark Olver - RC - Omaha (USHL)
(49 GP-27 G-28 A-76 PIM)
The brother of recently departed Wildcat Darin Olver, Mark currently leads the Omaha Lancers in points. The Lancers are 33-14-5 and in first place in the West Division with eight games remaining.

This is one prospect that Marquette-area residents seem to be particularly interested in. He hasn't yet signed, though, and therefore, coach Kyle can't actually say anything about him (Although they have asked on several occasions).

Ian Keserich - G - Tri-City (USHL)
(40 GP-22 W-11 L-5 OTL-2.53 GAA-.903 SV%)
Keserich's Storm are currently third in the USHL West Division with eight games remaining and he has been the go-to guy for the team. Throughout the season Aaron Rock and Bryce Christianson have combined to start 18 games, but Keserich has been in goal for the large part.

The last I heard, however, it looked as though Keserich may not end up at Northern after all. This may have something to do with Brian Stewart's play late in the season, maybe not. The fact of the matter is that Keserich is not yet signed and may not be in Marquette come fall.

Derek Janzen - G - Langley (BCHL)
(50 GP-25 W-23 L-1 T-3.52 GAA-.896 SV%)
Janzen, who was playing at NMU last season, went to the BCHL so that he could continue to rack up experience while freshman Brian Stewart gained some NCAA time.

During the playoffs, Janzen went 3-4 with a 3.41 GAA as his Chiefs lost 4-3 in a best-of-seven series against the Burnaby Express.

Class of 2008

Andrew
Cherniwchan - RW - Drayton Valley (AJHL)*
(60 GP-36 G-17 A-236 PIM)

Erik Spady - RD - Salmon Arm (BCHL)*
(56 GP-10 G-34 A-117 PIM)

Justin Florek - LC - USNTDP U-17 Team*
(45 GP-11 G-10 A-38 PIM)

Charlie Smith - C - Detroit Belle Tire*
(18 GP-3 G-7 A-2 PIM)

Kory Kaunisto - C - Traverse City (NAHL)*
(59 GP-6 G-15 A-126 PIM)

$-Has already signed a National Letter of Intent

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