July 2, 2004

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2004-05 WSU Men's Hockey Outlook

The Wayne State University men's hockey team enters the 2004-05 campaign looking to rebound after struggling through the 2003-04 season as 13 newcomers replaced a 12-player contingent that led the Warriors to three consecutive CHA tournament titles and the program's first trip to the NCAA tournament.

Head coach Bill Wilkinson, who begins his 23rd year as a collegiate head coach, is optimistic that the pieces have been put in place to move WSU up in the College Hockey America standings.

A position breakdown follows:

Goaltenders (Returnees 2/Newcomers 1)

Junior Matt Kelly (Hull, Mass./Topeka Scarecrows) was selected as the CHA All-Tournament goaltender in 2004. He compiled a 7-13-2 mark with a .903 save percentage last season.

Battling Kelly for the No. 1 position will be sophomore Will Hooper (Woodbridge, Ont./Wexford Raiders), who earned a spot on the CHA All-Rookie team last year while playing at Findlay.

Sophomore Kevin Bonikowski (Macomb, Mich./Brownstown Bombers) was a solid practice player last season as he adjusted to the speed of the college game.

"Returning veteran Matt Kelly and transfer Will Hooper should form a solid one-two punch in goal," said Wilkinson. Matt and Will will battle each other for playing time. Matt's quickness and positional play will be offset by Will's intimidating size. Kevin Bonikowski again will add depth to the position.

"Matt has the ability to win games for our team. Will's size can be very intimidating to opponent's shooters and he has the ability to win games by himself!"

Defensemen (Returnees 6/Newcomers 1)

The Warrior blueline corps returns six players who gained considerable experience last year, while losing just two players to graduation - Nick Stodgell and Aaron Hundt.

Despite not having a senior among the returnees, two juniors in Steve Kovalchik (Riverview, Mich./Omaha Lancers) and Greg Poupard (Jackson, Mich./Waterloo Black Hawks) have each logged a lot of ice time in their first two seasons.

Four sophomores gained valuable playing time as rookies last year. Matt Boldt (Burnsville, Minn./Billings Bulls) played in 27 games and earned the squad's Most Improved Player award. Dan Iliakis (Scarborough, Ont./Georgetown Raiders) played in 35 games and tied-for-second on the squad in scoring among blueliners. Taylor Donohoe (Richmond, B.C./Powell River Kings) was one of four skaters to appear in all 36 games last season. Adam Drescher (Belleville, Mich./Wexford Raiders) saw action in 13 games.

"Greg Poupard should lead our defense from a physical stand point. Greg's size, strength, and physical presence can be very effective. Steve Kovalchik and Dan Iliakis will bring speed and puck skills to the blueline while Taylor Donohoe, Matt Boldt and Adam Drescher have size and strength that can be punishing on opponents."

Newcomer Mark Bradshaw (Stony Plain, Alb./Humboldt Broncos) joins the fold after being selected as the Top Defenseman in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League for 2003-04. The year before he was named the Best Defenseman at the Royal Bank Cup.

Forwards (Returnees 9/Newcomers 5)

After losing eight of its 12 regulars from the 2002-03 campaign to graduation, the Warrior coaching staff had to recruit some impact players for the 2003-04 season.

Sophomore-to-be's Jason Baclig (Leamington, Ont./Leamington Flyers) and Nate Higgins (Calgary, Alb./Green Bay Gamblers) did not disappoint in their rookie seasons. Baclig earned team MVP honors after recording a squad-best 13 goals including four on the power play. Higgins was selected to the CHA All-Rookie team after leading the Warriors in scoring with 23 points along with a team-high 15 assists.

John Grubb (Burlington, N.D./Waterloo Black Hawks), who recorded two game-winning goals last year including one in overtime at Michigan State, will be the lone senior on the squad after Billy Collins and Nathan Rosychuk left for the professional ranks last spring.

With John May (Livonia, Mich./Springfield Blues) being the lone junior, the bulk of the scoring load will fall upon a large group of sophomores. In addition to Baclig and Higgins, Mark Cannon (River Rouge, Mich./Compuware), Ryan Wright (Brownstown, Mich./Texas Tornado), Mark Nebus (South Lyon, Mich./Texas Tornado), Nicholas Staneckyj (Garson, Ont./Rayside Sabrecats) and Nick Kresbach (Minot, N.D./Bismarck Bobcats) will be looked to for increased offensive production.

"Jason Baclig and Nate Higgins, co-WSU Rookies of the Year, return to a forward unit that is very deep. Mark Nebus, John May, Mark Cannon and Ryan Wright had a solid freshman year that will allow each player to build on. Nick Krebsbach and Nick Staneckyj will return to fuel speed and skill up front."

Hoping to help turn on the red light will be two "newcomers." Mike Forgie (Scarborough, Ont./Stouffville Spirit) played the first two games last year before suffering a season-ending injury. Jason Bloomingburg (Canton, Mich./Texas Tornado) had to sit out last year after transferring from Providence College. "Redshirt freshman Mike Forgie will add strength and size and transfer Jason Bloomingburg will bring immediate intensity to the program."

Three freshmen forwards have been signed: Adam Krug (Livonia, Mich./Sioux City Musketeers), Tylor Michel (Sudbury, Ont./Owen Sound Greys) and Stavros Paskaris (Dearborn, Mich./Kewadin Indians).

"We have added speed and skill to our lineup both at forwards and on defense. Adam Krug, Tylor Michel and Stavros Paskaris will bring immediate skills to the forward units, while Mark Bradshaw will add speed and skill to the blueline."

Last season the Warrior offense averaged 2.30 goals per game and was out-shot by an average of 36-25 per game. Special teams always play an important part in winning and WSU's 2003-04 power play scored 21 times in 160 chances (13.1%) while the penalty killing was successful 158 of 22 opportunities (78.2%).

Another area for improvement will be the home record. In its first full season at the Compuware Sports Arena, WSU compiled a 1-10-1 mark at CSA (0-1 at the Taylor SportsPlex).

The 2004-05 schedule consists of 20 CHA contests (four each against the five other members), plus non-conference road games at Merrimack (Oct. 22-23), Providence (Nov. 5-6), Bowling Green (Nov. 20) and Nebraska-Omaha (Jan. 28-29).

Non-league home contests will feature Clarkson (Oct. 16-17), Canisius (Oct. 30-31), Bowling Green (Nov. 18) and Union (Dec. 10-11).

"The schedule will bring a good challenge for our team to face early in the season. This difficult schedule will prepare us for league play during the regular season."

Two major changes around the CHA for the upcoming year are Robert Morris (Moon Twp., Pa.) replaces Findlay and the CHA Championship tournament will have a new home in 2005 - Grand Rapids, Minnesota.