May 11, 2004

DETROIT - The Wayne State University men's hockey program has inked four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent, head coach Bill Wilkinson has announced. Mark Bradshaw (Humboldt Broncos-SJHL), Adam Krug (Sioux City Musketeers-USHL), Tylor Michel (Owen Sound Saugeen Greys-Midwestern) and Stavros Paskaris (Kewadin Indians-NAHL) will join the Warriors for the 2004-05 academic year. Also joining the WSU hockey program is goaltender Will Hooper who played last season at the University of Findlay.

Bradshaw, a 5-9, 180-pound defenseman from Stony Plain, Alb., played the 2003-04 season with the Humboldt Broncos of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League where he recorded 41 points on four goals and 37 assists in 55 games with 52 penalty minutes. A team captain for the Broncos, he was selected as an All-Star game starter. Bradshaw spent the 2002-03 season with the Royal Bank Cup Champion Broncos and had four goals and 37 assists for 41 points in 59 games with 80 penalty minutes. He played for the St. Albert Saints in 2001-02 scoring 11 points on two goals and nine assists in 46 games with 39 penalty minutes.

"Mark brings a solid defensive game to the team," said Wilkinson. "He is an excellent passer and a deceptive skater with good puck skill. He should be a plus for the special teams."

Krug, a 5-11, 175-pound forward from Livonia, played the 2003-04 season with the USHL's Sioux City Musketeers. He helped the team to a 38-15-7 record and a second-place finish. Krug tallied 44 points on 18 goals and 26 assists with 72 penalty minutes for coach Dave Siciliano. He had 42 points (16-26) in 2002-03 with the NAHL's Capital Centre Pride and played the 2001-02 campaign with the NAHL's Springfield Spirit. Krug had 25 points on six goals and 19 assists for the Spirit. A 2001 graduate of Livonia Churchill, he earned varsity letters in hockey his first three years and was selected all-state as a sophomore and junior. He also lettered twice in golf.

"Adam is a smart two-way center that can be very creative. He has good skating skill and puck skills and will add overall speed and skill to the forward lines," added Wilkinson.

Michel, a 5-10, 185-pound forward from Sudbury, Ont., played the 2003-04 season with the Owen Sound Saugeen Greys of the Midwestern Ontario Junior B League. He led Owen Sound in scoring this past year with 72 points on 27 goals and 45 assists in 45 games with 119 penalty minutes. He contributed five power-play goals, four game-winners and one short-handed goal. Michel had three assists and 26 penalty minutes in five playoff games. He helped the Greys to a third-place regular-season finish with a 28-16-3-1 record. Michel recorded 58 points in 2002-03 on 27 goals and 31 assists with 102 penalty minutes. He graduated in 2002 from Lockerby/West Hill.

"Tylor is a strong power forward that drives the net. He has good puck skills and strong offensive instincts. We look for him to contribute offensively as a freshman," stated Wilkinson.

Paskaris, a 6-1, 180-pound forward from Dearborn, played his two years of junior hockey with the Kewadin Indians of the North American Hockey League. He recorded 68 points on 30 goals and 38 assists in 2003-04 as the Indians were NAHL North Division champions with a 44-6-6 record. Paskaris contributed 12 power-play goals, six game-winners and one short-handed goal. He earned the Kewadin's 2003-04 +/- Award and was co-winner of the Margaret Kaunsito Community Service Award. Paskaris scored 19 goals and added 32 assists for 51 points in 55 games in 2002-03 as the Indians were national Junior A runners-up. He was named the NAHL's North Division Offensive Player of the Month in January 2004 after recording 18 points on 10 goals and eight assists in 11 games. He graduated in 2002 from Dearborn High School.

"Stavros is a smart, tenacious, and responsible forward. He can play any position up front and will add grit to the forward corps as well as strong defensive help. He can contribute offensively with good hockey sense and passing skill," commented Wilkinson.

Hooper, a 6-2, 185-pound netminder from Woodbridge, Ont., was the 2003-04 CHA All-Rookie Team goalie. He was twice named the CHA Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 27 and Dec. 1) and was also selected twice as the CHA Rookie of the Week (Nov. 24 and Dec. 31). Hooper compiled a 9-13-3 record last season with the Oilers including two shutouts. He had a 2.64 goals-against average with a .912 save percentage, while starting 25 of Findlay's 38 games.

"Will had a solid freshman year at Findlay making the CHA All-Rookie team. He will challenge for the starting position. He is a big, agile goaltender that reads the shooters well," said Wilkinson.

Wayne State advanced to the CHA semifinals in 2004 after winning the league tournament three consecutive years (2001-2002-2003). Six players graduated from last season's squad and two juniors left to begin pro careers.