May 20, 2003

DETROIT - Wayne State University Men's Hockey Coach Bill Wilkinson announced the signing of three student-athletes to a National Letter of Intent. Taylor Donohoe (6-3, 215), Mike Forgie (6-3, 205), and Nate Higgins (5-10, 185) will join the Wayne State hockey program this fall.

"We have added both strength and size with these three recruits," stated Wilkinson. "Mike and Nathan are strong physical forwards that have good offensive ability and Taylor brings an intimidating presence from the blueline. All three have excellent skating skills and will be immediate factors for our teams success."

Donohoe, a native of Richmond, British Columbia, was the co-top defenseman this past season with the Powell River Kings, who had a 33-21-6 record in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). He had eight goals and 20 assists for 28 points in 56 games for coach Terry Perkins with 120 penalty minutes. Five of his goals came on the power play. The previous season with the Kings, Donohoe had three goals and 21 assists with 68 penalty minutes in 59 games.

Forgie, a native of Toronto, Ontario, was an assistant captain this past season with the Stouffville Spirit of the Ontario Provincial Junior A League. He had 22 goals and 26 assists for 48 points in 40 regular-season games with 77 penalty minutes. In the 2003 playoffs, Forgie recorded 12 points on seven goals and five assists in 17 games. He had 28 points on 16 goals and 12 assists during the 2001-02 season in earning the Spirit's Coaches Award.

Higgins, a native of Calgary Alberta, played the 2002-03 season with the United States Hockey League's Green Bay Gamblers. He led the squad in scoring with 39 points on 16 goals and 23 assists in 57 games with 120 penalty minutes. He also had a team-high eight power-play goals for the team which had a 16-36-8 record. Higgins spent the three previous seasons in the Alberta Junior Hockey League with the Calgary Canucks.

The new commitments join early signees Jason Baclig, Frank Furdero, Mark Nebus and Nick Staneckyj to help fill the void of 12 graduating seniors.

Wayne State recently completed its fourth season with the school's first NCAA tournament appearance. The Warriors won their third consecutive College Hockey America (CHA) tournament championship.

WSU has compiled a 72-58-11 record under the guidance of head coach Bill Wilkinson, who ranks in the top 30 all-time of victories by an NCAA hockey coach.