Jan. 30, 2006

Wayne State University freshman forward Derek Punches (Manchester, Mich./Texas Tornado) has been selected College Hockey America Rookie of the Week.

Punches scored the first goal of the game in Friday's 2-2 overtime tie with Alabama-Huntsville. On Saturday, his power-play goal late in the opening stanza pulled the Warriors within a goal at 2-1.

After going pointless in his first 11 collegiate games, he has five goals and nine points in his last 13 contests.

WSU plays its final regular-season non-conference series this weekend at Northern Michigan.

The Warriors return home to the Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum on Feb. 17-18 for another weekend of men's and women's hockey doubleheaders as both squads face-off against Niagara.