After graduation and pro signings, Michigan schools stock up on incoming new players

Within a few months, freshmen will start reporting to the state's NCAA Division I teams and coaches can start evaluating the effectiveness of their recruiting classes, especially at the start of the 2008-09 college season.

Below is an alphabetical look at Michigan school's incoming recruiting classes:

Ferris State
Bulldogs’ coach Bob Daniels is bringing in forwards Derek Graham (Schoolcraft) and Jordie Johnston (Rosetown, Saskatchewan) along with defensemen Chad Billins (Marysville) and Michael Trebish (Yorkton, Saskatchewan) and goaltender Taylor Nelson (Regina, Saskatchewan).

Photo by  RJ Meyer/NAHL

Schoolcraft’s Derek Graham is headed to Ferris State to play for coach Bob Daniels and the Bulldogs this season after two years with Mahoning Valley of the NAHL.

Graham played two seasons with the Mahoning Valley Phantoms of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), Johnston with Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League's (SJHL) La Ronge (Saskatchewan) Ice Wolves, Billins with the Waterloo (Iowa) Black Hawks of the United States Hockey League (USHL), Trebish with the SJHL’s Yorkton (Saskatchewan) Terriers and Nelson with the Humboldt (Saskatchewan) Broncos of the SJHL.

“We're high on the goaltender (Nelson),” Daniels said. “Their team won a national championship. Billins is an offensive defenseman who we feel will help us on the power play. Trebish will be a good physical presence for us.”

Graham, Daniels said, “is very gifted player and we feel he will give us benefits on the power play.”

Daniel added that Johnston “is a strong two-way player. We expect all five players we're bringing in to see some action next season.”

Ferris State is coming off a good second half and wants to build on that performance.

“We have a pretty good team now,” Daniels said. “We feel the program is in the right direction and these recruits want to be a part of that.”

Lake Superior
Coach Jim Roque signed Weyburn Red Wings defensemen Stephen Simms and Kyle Haines, and St. Michael's Buzzers leading scorer Fred Cassiani to play for the Lakers.

Simms, Haines and Cassiani will join Ohio Blue Jackets forward Dan Barczuk, who committed to LSSU last spring, and South Shore Kings defenseman Kyle Pobur, who is a recruited walk-on, to make up LSSU's recruiting class. Roque will also add Providence College transfer Brad Cooper of Coppell, Texas, to the Lakers roster.

“Our last two classes were very big. We only lost three seniors from last season,” said Roque. “We're getting some defensemen which was important for our depth.”

Michigan
Fresh off a trip to the Frozen Four, the Wolverines are bringing in a freshman class that includes four 2008 NHL Draft picks.

That includes two forwards from the neighboring National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor: Robbie Czarnik (Washington) was selected by Los Angeles in the third round and David Wohlberg (South Lyon) was selected in the sixth round by New Jersey.

Defensemen recruits are Brandon Burlon (Nobleton, Ontario), a first round pick of the Devils and Greg Pateryn (Sterling Heights), who was selected in the fifth round by Toronto. Burlon is from St. Michael's of the Ontario Provincial Hockey League, while Pateryn played for Birmingham Brother Rice before spending last season wit the Columbus Jr. Blue Jackets (USHL).

Former East Grand Rapids standout Luke Glendening, who spent a postgraduate year at the Hotchkiss School in Connecticut in 2007-08, will walk on after scoring eight goals and 20 assists in 24 games.

"Luke will provide some depth up front for us," said U-M assistant coach Billy Powers, in a statement. "He's an intelligent centerman who is strong and plays with an edge."

Michigan State
The 2007 national champions sustained some key losses: three seniors graduated and three underclassmen signed NHL contracts after the end of last season.

The Spartans lost forwards Justin Abdelkader (Red Wings) and Tim Kennedy (Sabres), who decided to skip their final collegiate year, along with defenseman Mike Ratchuk, who opted out of his final two years to sign with the Philadelphia Flyers.

In November, MSU signed defenseman Tim Buttery (Northville) of the Chicago Steel in the USHL; goaltender Drew Palmisano (Ann Arbor) of the Omaha Lancers in the USHL; and forwards Adam Henderson (Whitehorse, Yukon Territory) of the Spruce Grove Saints of the AJHL; 2008 Atlanta first round pick Daultan Levielle (St. Catharines, Ont.) of St. Catharines in the GHJHL; Trevor Nill (Novi) of Penticton of the BCHL and Brett Perlini (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont) of the Ohio Junior Bluejackets of the USHL.

After the loss of Abdelkader and Ratchuk, the Spartans signed defenseman Matt Crandell (St. Cloud, Minn./Sioux City Musketeers, USHL) and forward Andrew Conboy (Rosemount, Minn./Omaha Lancers, USHL). Crandell ranked ninth in the USHL for defensemen with eight goals and 21 points and Conboy had 14 goals and 21 points in 52 games for Omaha.

“Crandell brings a whole different element to us than what we lost,” said MSU coach Rick Comley.”He's kind of an Ethan Graham style of player that would be really good for us.”

Comley is thinking Conboy, Henderson, Levielle and Perlini might be among the top freshmen scorers next season.

“You're always excited with a young team that has talent,” Comley said. “I like our tools, and I like our potential. But when you lose some of your best players early, it disrupts everything. It breaks the continuity instead of what you've been doing. We'll have to have freshmen chip in right away.”

In May, the Spartans added forwards Mike Merrifield (Beverly Hills) and Ben Warda (Lake Orion). Both players were with NAHL Robertson Cup champion St. Louis.

Michigan Tech
The Huskies are bringing in goalies Corson Cramer of Colorado Springs, Colo, from the USHL’s Ohio Junior Blue Jackets and Josh Robinson of Frankenmuth, who played for the USHL’s Sioux City Musketeers.

“We wanted two kids to compete for goaltender's time,” said Tech assistant coach Pat Mikesch.

Also joining the Huskies are defenseman Ricky Doriott of Blaine, Minn., from the North Iowa Outlaws and forwards Alex MacLeod of Nelson, B.C, with the Camrose Kodiaks; Brett Olson of Superior, Wis., with the Waterloo Black Hawks; Bryce Reddick of Las Vegas, Nev., with the Cowichan Valley Capitals and Seth Soley of Elk Mound, Wis., with the Omaha Lancers.

Mikesch hopes to see some of the freshmen make an impact.

“We think that given the right situation, these players could contribute,” Mikesch said. “But we don't expect freshmen to stand out on the team right away. We have some key upperclassmen with us. But we'll use the freshmen in certain situations.”

Northern Michigan
After a strong showing from the freshmen class last season, the Wildcats hope for more of the same.

The Wildcats brought in forwards Andrew Cherniwchan, Justin Florek and Tyler Gron and defenseman Cory Pritz.

Cherniwchan (5-11, 165) played for the Drayton Valley Thunder of the AJHL. Florek (6-4, 194), a Marquette native, played for the NTDP Under-18 Team. He has been invited to the 2008 U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp in August. Gron (6-0, 200) from Spruce Grove, Alberta played for the Fort McMurray Oil Barons of the AJHL. Pritz (5-10, 180) played for the Westside Warriors of the BCHL.

“We had to replace guys we lost,” said Wildcats coach Walt Kyle. “We're happy with the talent we have coming in.”

Western Michigan
In November, the Broncos signed forward Greg Squires of the Indiana Ice of the USHL, plus defenseman Jesse Perrin (Crossfield, Alberta/Okotoks Oilers, AJHL) and forward Ian Slater (Satellite Beach, Fla./Cedar Rapids, USHL).

WMU also signed the following: forward J.J. Crew (Placentia, Calif./Lincoln Stars, USHL), plus defenseman Peter Kavaya, D, Fairbanks Icedogs (NAHL) and forwards Lucas Isley, of the AJHL’s Bonnyville Pontiacs and Derek Roehl of the USHL’s Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets.

“This past season, we struggled to score. We brought in kids who will give us speed and will impact us in that area,” said Western Michigan assistant coach Chris Brooks.

2008 College Recruits

Ferris State (CCHA)
Chad Billins, D, Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
Derek Graham, F, Mahoning Valley Phantoms (NAHL)
Tommy Hill, D, Topeka RoadRunners (NAHL)
Jordie Johnston, F, La Ronge Ice Wolves (SJHL)
Taylor Nelson, G, Humboldt Broncos (SJHL)
Travis Ouellette, F, Tecumseh Chiefs (WOHL)
Aaron Schmit, D, Chicago Steel (USHL)
Michael Trebish, D, Yorkton Terriers (SJHL)

Lake Superior State (CCHA)
Dan Barczuk, F, Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets (USHL)
Fred Cassiani, F, St. Michael’s Buzzers (OPJHL)
Brad Cooper, F, Providence (Hockey East – transfer)
Kyle Haines, D, Weyburn Red Wings (SJHL)
Kyle Pobur, D, South Shore Kings (EJHL)
Stephen Simms, D, Weyburn Red Wings (SJHL)

Michigan (CCHA)
Brandon Burlon, D, St. Michael’s Buzzers (OPJHL)
Robbie Czarnik, F, U.S. National Under-18 Team
Luke Glendening, F, The Hotchkiss School (Founders)
Greg Pateryn, D, Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets (USHL)
David Wohlberg, F, U.S. National Under-18 Team

Michigan State (CCHA)
Tim Buttery, D, Chicago Steel (USHL)
Andrew Conboy, F, Omaha Lancers (USHL)
Matt Crandell, D, Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
Adam Henderson, F, Spruce Grove (AJHL)
Daultan Leveille, F, St. Catharines (GHJHL)
Mike Merrifield, F, St. Louis Bandits (NAHL)
Trevor Nill, F, Penticton Vees (BCHL)
Drew Palmisano, G, Omaha Lancers (USHL)
Brett Perlini, F, Soo (NOJHL)/Ohio (USHL)
Brock Shelgren, D, Fairbanks Icedogs (NAHL)
Ben Warda, F, St. Louis Bandits (NAHL)

Michigan Tech (WCHA)
Corson Cramer, G, Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets (USHL)
Ricky Doriott, D, North Iowa (NAHL)/Sioux City (USHL)
Alex MacLeod, F, Camrose Kodiaks (AJHL)
Brett Olson, F, Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
Bryce Reddick, F, Cowichan Valley Capitals (BCHL)
Josh Robinson, G, Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
Peter Rohn, F, Green Mountain Glades (EJHL)
Seth Soley, F, Omaha Lancers (USHL)

Northern Michigan (CCHA)
Andrew Cherniwchan, F, Drayton Valley Thunder (AJHL)
Justin Florek, F, U.S. National Under-18 Team
Tyler Gron, F, Fort McMurray Oil Barons (AJHL)
Ben Lindemulder, D, St. Albert Steel (AJHL)

Western Michigan (CCHA)
J.J. Crew, F, Lincoln Stars (USHL)
Lucas Isley, F, Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL)
Peter Kavaya, D, Fairbanks Icedogs (NAHL)
Jesse Perrin, D, Okotoks Oilers (AJHL)
Derek Roehl, F, Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets (USHL)
Ian Slater, F, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL)
Greg Squires, F, Indiana Ice (USHL)

Adrian Men (MCHA)
Kyle Frieday, F, Robert Morris (CHA – transfer)
Riley Hughes, D, Estevan Bruins (SJHL)
Alex Norman, D, Hawkesbury Hawks (CJHL)
Eric Roman, D, Wayne State (CHA – transfer)

Adrian Women (NCHA)
Shana Davis, F, Gilmour Academy
Emily Engel, G, Ohio Phantom Flames
Olivia Rork, F, Victory Honda Under-19
Erin Winters, D, Team Alaska Under-19
Brooke Zaleski, F, Victory Honda Under-19

Wayne State Women (CHA)
Alyssa Baldin, F, Mississauga Jr. Chiefs
Delayne Brian, G, Notre Dame Hounds
Marlee Fisher, D, NCCP Jr. Raiders
Bailey Lane, F/D, Victory Honda Under-19
Veronique Laramee-Paquette, F, Cegep de St. Jerome
Ciara Lee, D, Michael Power St. Joseph
Lindsey Park, G, University of Toronto
Jill Szandzik, D, Little Caesars Under-19
Brittany Zeches, G, Victory Honda Under-19

Wayne State Men (transferring out)
Ryan Adams, D, Bemidji State (CHA), sophomore
Brett Bothwell, G, Union (ECAC), junior
Jeff Caister, D, St. Lawrence (ECAC), junior
Kyle Funkenhauser, G, Oswego State (SUNYAC), sophomore
Jared Katz, F, Western Michigan (CCHA), junior
Matt Krug, D, Robert Morris (CHA), senior
Chris Kushneriuk, F, Robert Morris (CHA), sophomore
Brock Meadows, D, Robert Morris (CHA), sophomore
Kyle Richardson, F, Wentworth (ECAC Northeast), sophomore
Eric Roman, D, Adrian (MCHA), sophomore

Michigan-based players going out of state
Cameron Burt, D, RIT (Green Bay, USHL/Detroit)
Joe Cannata, G, Merrimack (NTDP)
Mike Clemente, G, Brown (NTDP)
Patrick Gaul, F, Notre Dame (NTDP)
Ryan Grimshaw, D, Harvard (NTDP)
Ryan Hegarty, D, Maine (NTDP)
Michael Hull, F, Army (St. Louis Bandits, NAHL/GP Woods)
Bret Larson, D, Army (Baystate Breakers, EJHL/Marquette)
Sam Lofquist, D, Minnesota (NTDP)
Sean Lorenz, D, Notre Dame (NTDP)
Joe Marciano, D, Colorado College (NTDP)
Kevin McCarey, F, New Hampshire (NTDP)
Colin Moore, F, Harvard (NTDP)
Dan Naurato, F, Connecticut (South Shore, EJHL/Northville)
Chris Noonan, G, Niagara (Syracuse Stars, EJHL/Portage)
Bobby Reiners, D, Connecticut (Des Moines, USHL/Grosse Ile)
Ryan Ruikka, D, Boston University (Jersey Hitmen, EJHL/Chelsea)
Vinny Saponari, F, Boston University (NTDP)
Jordan Schroeder, F, Minnesota (NTDP)
Grant Scott, F/D, Minnesota (NTDP)
David Warsofsky, D, Boston University (NTDP)
Will Weber, D, Miami (Chicago Steel, USHL/Gaylord)
Steve West, D, Ohio State (NTDP)