Mark Olver, the son of recently departed NMU assistant coach John Olver, has signed a National Letter of Intent to play hockey at Northern Michigan University.
Mark played last season with the Omaha Lancers (USHL) and picked up 30 goals and 35 assists in 61 games to lead the team in both categories. Mark will be looked to, much like his older brother Darin was, to spur some offensive production for NMU, something that they lacked last season.
Also signing NLIs were Andrew Fernandez and Eric Spady.
Fernandez is a defenseman from the Selkirk Steelers of the MJHL. Last season he scored 14 goals and tacked on 34 assists, both good numbers for a defenseman. With the departure of Bobby Selden and Matt Maunu, Fernandez will likely see some time at the blue line for the 'Cats.
Spady is the youngest recruit, with an '89 birthday, and is a defenseman from the Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL). In 56 games last season he scored 10 goals and picked up 34 assists. He will hopefully contribute as well, but with his young age, don't be surprised if he doesn't play much, or possibly not at all, during his first year.
The newly signed NLIs improve the NMU outlook for next season, and it must feel good to get Mark Olver's signature, despite his dad's recent departure to pro hockey.
According to one source, the only outstanding scholarship offer is to Andrew Cherniwchan, a forward from Drayton Valley (AJHL). He is commonly listed as an '08 recruit, but it seems that NMU has offered him the choice to play NCAA hockey this year.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
NMU releases statement concerning Olver
As reported first by Tech Still Sucks, NMU assistant hockey coach John Olver has left the Wildcats to take a position with the Iowa Stars of the AHL. NMU Sports Information released a statement this morning confirming the move.
John Olver Leaves Hockey Coaching Staff
The release does not say the position that Olver has taken with the Stars but it is rumored to be the general manager position and even more. Since the Stars are in the middle of a playoff run, do not expect anything to come from the organization until that is complete.
John Olver Leaves Hockey Coaching Staff
The release does not say the position that Olver has taken with the Stars but it is rumored to be the general manager position and even more. Since the Stars are in the middle of a playoff run, do not expect anything to come from the organization until that is complete.
John Olver returning to pro hockey
Northern Michigan University assistant hockey coach John Olver is rumored to be leaving the Wildcats to take a front office job with the Iowa Stars of the American Hockey League.
Olver was the head coach of the Idaho Steelheads in the ECHL prior to coming to Northern in 2005. The Steelheads and Stars are both affiliates of the NHL's Dallas Stars. Olver won a Kelly Cup Championship with the Steelheads in 2004.
Word is that Olver will take over as general manager of the Iowa Stars and may hold other titles as well. During his five years in Idaho from 2000-2005, Olver also served as vice president of hockey operations.
Neither NMU or the Iowa Stars have released anything official on the move yet but NMU does have a posting for an "Assistant Ice Hockey Coach/Physical Education Instructor." Olver, like many other Wildcat coaches, does teach some health promotion classes on the side such as hockey and racquetball.
Unless assistant John Kyle has retired in order to further protect his 1.000 winning percentage as a head hockey coach, this opening is a result of Olver's pending departure.
Recently, team doctor John Lehtinen took on an expanded role with NMU and resigned his post with the Marquette Electricians Midget AAA team. Lehtinen spent a lot of time with the Cats in 2006-07, but he is not rumored to be taking the place of Olver, who handled much of the recruiting along with Walt Kyle.
Mark Olver, the son of John, is scheduled to join the Wildcats in the fall of 2007. Mark Olver has yet to sign a National Letter of Intent with NMU and remains only a verbal commitment. It is no known whether or not this will effect him coming to NMU, except he will not get free tuition from his father being a university employee. This could cost the Wildcats a scholarship athlete.
Olver had originally left Idaho in order to reunite his family in Marquette. His other son, Darin, played for NMU and his father the past two seasons. Darin signed an amateur try out deal with the Hartford Wolfpack following the Cats elimination in the CCHA playoffs but was recently released.
Mark Olver was originally scheduled to join NMU in 2006-07 to play with his older brother and for his father, but was held back to develop further in the USHL.
John Olver originally replaced long time NMU assistant coach Dave Shyiak, who left to become the head coach of Alaska-Anchorage in 2005.
This information about Olver's departure comes from a reliable source in the Marquette hockey community but it has yet to be confirmed by either Iowa or NMU. When more becomes available, it will be posted here as we attempt to get this fully confirmed.
Olver was the head coach of the Idaho Steelheads in the ECHL prior to coming to Northern in 2005. The Steelheads and Stars are both affiliates of the NHL's Dallas Stars. Olver won a Kelly Cup Championship with the Steelheads in 2004.
Word is that Olver will take over as general manager of the Iowa Stars and may hold other titles as well. During his five years in Idaho from 2000-2005, Olver also served as vice president of hockey operations.
Neither NMU or the Iowa Stars have released anything official on the move yet but NMU does have a posting for an "Assistant Ice Hockey Coach/Physical Education Instructor." Olver, like many other Wildcat coaches, does teach some health promotion classes on the side such as hockey and racquetball.
Unless assistant John Kyle has retired in order to further protect his 1.000 winning percentage as a head hockey coach, this opening is a result of Olver's pending departure.
Recently, team doctor John Lehtinen took on an expanded role with NMU and resigned his post with the Marquette Electricians Midget AAA team. Lehtinen spent a lot of time with the Cats in 2006-07, but he is not rumored to be taking the place of Olver, who handled much of the recruiting along with Walt Kyle.
Mark Olver, the son of John, is scheduled to join the Wildcats in the fall of 2007. Mark Olver has yet to sign a National Letter of Intent with NMU and remains only a verbal commitment. It is no known whether or not this will effect him coming to NMU, except he will not get free tuition from his father being a university employee. This could cost the Wildcats a scholarship athlete.
Olver had originally left Idaho in order to reunite his family in Marquette. His other son, Darin, played for NMU and his father the past two seasons. Darin signed an amateur try out deal with the Hartford Wolfpack following the Cats elimination in the CCHA playoffs but was recently released.
Mark Olver was originally scheduled to join NMU in 2006-07 to play with his older brother and for his father, but was held back to develop further in the USHL.
John Olver originally replaced long time NMU assistant coach Dave Shyiak, who left to become the head coach of Alaska-Anchorage in 2005.
This information about Olver's departure comes from a reliable source in the Marquette hockey community but it has yet to be confirmed by either Iowa or NMU. When more becomes available, it will be posted here as we attempt to get this fully confirmed.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
NMU Recruiting Update
I know the posting here has been sparse lately and I apologize. However, I have still been following NMU hockey, which is now shuffling through the paperwork that is involved with the recruiting process.
Thus far, the only two recruits that have been officially signed are Erik Gustafsson and Greger Hansen, a pair of Swedish players from the SuperElit level.
Both were previously mentioned by Josh when they verbally committed.
Articles that detail the signings and the European recruiting process can be found here:
Hockey looks to Europe for talent
Recruiting Update: Wildcat hockey signs second recruit
Thus far, the only two recruits that have been officially signed are Erik Gustafsson and Greger Hansen, a pair of Swedish players from the SuperElit level.
Both were previously mentioned by Josh when they verbally committed.
Articles that detail the signings and the European recruiting process can be found here:
Hockey looks to Europe for talent
Recruiting Update: Wildcat hockey signs second recruit
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
NMU Hockey Awards
MARQUETTE, Mich. – The annual Northern Michigan University hockey banquet was held tonight and the big winners were Mike Santorelli with three awards and Matt Maunu with two.
Santorelli was awarded with the Gary Emmons Most Valuable Player Award, the Bill Joyce Best Forward Award and the Steve Bozek Plus-Minus Award. The junior from Burnaby, B.C. led the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) in goals with 30. He led the Wildcats in goals and points (47) for the 2006-07 season and was second on the team in assists (17). Santorelli had a team-leading plus-minus of +6.
Maunu was named the winner of the Brad Werenka Coaches Academic Award and the Tom Laidlaw Best Defenseman Award. The senior from Esko, Minn. was named as a CCHA Scholar-Athlete for the 2006-07 campaign. On the ice he tallied five goals, 11 assists for 16 points.
Pat Bateman picked up the Dennis Sibilsky Memorial Senior Award. Bateman, from Calgary, Alberta, the captain of the team had 15 points for the season on seven goals and eight assists.
The Dallas Drake Defensive Player of the Year Award went to Marquette native and senior Rob Lehtinen. He ended the campaign with two goals, 14 assists for 16 points.
TJ Miller was chosen as the winner of the Don Waddell Best Freshman Award. The defenseman from Placetia, Calif. led all newcomers with 14 points on two goals and 12 assists.
Freshman Alan Dorich from Orland Park, Ill. was selected as the recipient of the Ed Ward Most Improved Player Award. Dorich ended the season with five assists.
Nick Sirota went home with the Steve Weeks Unsung Hero Award. The Beaver Dam, Wis. product and sophomore tallied 20 points for the 2006-07 season on 10 goals and 10 assists.
Senior defenseman, Zach Tarkir, from Fresno, Calif. walked away with the Jim Mussatto Memorial Fitness Award. Tarkir had seven goals, 13 assists for 20 points on the season. The award is presented to the player that holds the highest combined ranking in the following categories – three-mile run, bench press, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, squats and lowest body fat.
The Clara Pantalone Memorial Community Service Award was split among two of the goalkeepers. Bill Zaniboni, a senior from Plymouth, Mass., and Josh Hatinger, a senior from Negaunee, Mich., shared the award. Both student-athletes have volunteered extensively in the community. As a team the ‘Cats have volunteered for YMCA Healthy Kid’s Day Game, YMCA Reading to Youth Program, Food Festival setup and ice cream tent attendants, and the Special Olympics. Zaniboni led all goalies with a 12-21-2 slate, 2.65 goals-against average and a .906 save-percentage. Hatinger saw his first action of his NMU career with a 39-second stint against Miami in the final home game of the season.
Santorelli was awarded with the Gary Emmons Most Valuable Player Award, the Bill Joyce Best Forward Award and the Steve Bozek Plus-Minus Award. The junior from Burnaby, B.C. led the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) in goals with 30. He led the Wildcats in goals and points (47) for the 2006-07 season and was second on the team in assists (17). Santorelli had a team-leading plus-minus of +6.
Maunu was named the winner of the Brad Werenka Coaches Academic Award and the Tom Laidlaw Best Defenseman Award. The senior from Esko, Minn. was named as a CCHA Scholar-Athlete for the 2006-07 campaign. On the ice he tallied five goals, 11 assists for 16 points.
Pat Bateman picked up the Dennis Sibilsky Memorial Senior Award. Bateman, from Calgary, Alberta, the captain of the team had 15 points for the season on seven goals and eight assists.
The Dallas Drake Defensive Player of the Year Award went to Marquette native and senior Rob Lehtinen. He ended the campaign with two goals, 14 assists for 16 points.
TJ Miller was chosen as the winner of the Don Waddell Best Freshman Award. The defenseman from Placetia, Calif. led all newcomers with 14 points on two goals and 12 assists.
Freshman Alan Dorich from Orland Park, Ill. was selected as the recipient of the Ed Ward Most Improved Player Award. Dorich ended the season with five assists.
Nick Sirota went home with the Steve Weeks Unsung Hero Award. The Beaver Dam, Wis. product and sophomore tallied 20 points for the 2006-07 season on 10 goals and 10 assists.
Senior defenseman, Zach Tarkir, from Fresno, Calif. walked away with the Jim Mussatto Memorial Fitness Award. Tarkir had seven goals, 13 assists for 20 points on the season. The award is presented to the player that holds the highest combined ranking in the following categories – three-mile run, bench press, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, squats and lowest body fat.
The Clara Pantalone Memorial Community Service Award was split among two of the goalkeepers. Bill Zaniboni, a senior from Plymouth, Mass., and Josh Hatinger, a senior from Negaunee, Mich., shared the award. Both student-athletes have volunteered extensively in the community. As a team the ‘Cats have volunteered for YMCA Healthy Kid’s Day Game, YMCA Reading to Youth Program, Food Festival setup and ice cream tent attendants, and the Special Olympics. Zaniboni led all goalies with a 12-21-2 slate, 2.65 goals-against average and a .906 save-percentage. Hatinger saw his first action of his NMU career with a 39-second stint against Miami in the final home game of the season.
- NMU Sports Information
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Hej! NMU Lands Two Recruits
Word has started to circle that there are two verbal commitments who will be additions to the roster for the 2007-08 season. The first one is forward Greger Hansen of the Djurgården J20 team. In seventy four games played (two seasons at the SuperElit level) he has 23 goals and 32 assists.
The second player is defenseman Erik Gustaffson of the Timrå J20 team. In seventy nine games played (two seasons at the SuperElit level) he had 10 goals and 17 assists. Erik also recorded 119 pim's in his two seasons at the SuperElit level.
Both are rumored to be diamonds in the rough and are good pick ups for the program. There should be an official announcement from the university within a week. More details will be posted after they sign.
The second player is defenseman Erik Gustaffson of the Timrå J20 team. In seventy nine games played (two seasons at the SuperElit level) he had 10 goals and 17 assists. Erik also recorded 119 pim's in his two seasons at the SuperElit level.
Both are rumored to be diamonds in the rough and are good pick ups for the program. There should be an official announcement from the university within a week. More details will be posted after they sign.
NMU Alums: Tarkki/Kärpät win Finnish Championship
Former Wildcat goaltender Tuomas Tarkki helped Oulun Kärpät defeat Jokerit 5-2 today (tonight in Finland) to win the Finnish Hockey League championship. Kärpät played a strong defensive game, giving Tuomas a chance to see just 19 shots. Tuomas went a perfect 10-0-0 in the post season, with1 a save percentage of 95.42% and a goals against average of 1.3. Not only was this the strongest defensive outing by Kärpät in the playoffs, but the five goals scored marks the most goals Kärpät scored in the playoffs.
Game box score is available here.
The game did head down to the wire, as Jokerit scored at 6:06 in the third to tie the game at 2-2. In a note of trivia, former Green Bay Gambler and tUMD Bulldog Tim Stapleton assisted on the tying goal and scored the first goal for Jokerit.
With just over four minutes left in regulation, Kärpät's Ross Lupaschuk scored to give Kärpät their third lead of the game. Jokerit pulled their goaltender twice in the waning minutes of the game, only have Kärpät stun them each time with empty net goals.
And if anyone can read Finnish, enjoy this article that discusses Tuomas. If anyone could translate it for us, it would be most appreciated.
Maalivahti Tarkki playoffsien paras tulokas
Philips palkitsi torstain ratkaisevan finaaliottelun jälkeen Kärppien maalivahdin Tuomas Tarkin playoffsien parhaana tulokkaana.
Sensaatiomaiset pudotuspelit pelannut Tarkki ponnisti voittajaksi SM-liigan kriteerien ulkopuolelta. Liigan virallisen tulkinnan mukaan Tarkki ei ole tulokaspelaaja, sillä hän on 27-vuotias, mutta huikea voittoputki pudotuspeleissä - kymmenen ottelua, kymmenen voittoa - oli näyttönä ylittämätön.
Congratulations to Tuomas Tarkki and to Oulun Kärpät!!
1 - By my hand calculations. An easy to search database that we take for granted from USCHO and similar sites could not be easily located.
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