July 29, 2003

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2003 Wayne State University Men's Hockey Outlook

The Wayne State University men's hockey team enters its fifth season with the bar raised higher than ever before.

Last season, WSU won its third straight league playoff title to claim an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament.

Head coach Bill Wilkinson, who ranks tied-for-26th on the NCAA all-time win list, led Wayne State to a 21-17-2 overall mark last year.

The expectations in Detroit will be high despite the loss of 12 seniors who had been with the program since its inception.

A position breakdown follows:

Goaltenders (Returnees 2/Newcomers 1)

Sophomore Matt Kelly (Hull, Mass./Topeka Scarecrows) played four games last season compiling a 3-0-0 record with a 2.49 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage.

Backing up Kelly will be fifth-year senior Marc Carlson (Hingham, Mass./Chicago Freeze). He returned last season, after missing all of the 2001-02 year, to play in three contests.

Freshman Kevin Bonikowski (Macomb, Mich./Brownstown Bombers) played last season in the Continental Elite Hockey League where he compiled a 4.45 goals-against average in over 1,750 minutes.

"I think our goaltending situation is in good hands with veterans Marc Carlson and Matt Kelly," said Wilkinson. "Both Matt and Marc have the skills and competitive attitude that they can carry the torch for this year's young squad. Kevin Bonikowski will back up the starters and learn the ropes of Division I goaltending responsibilities.

Defensemen (Returnees 5/Newcomers 5)

The Warrior blueline corps lost three of its six mainstays to graduation.

The lone senior on defense will be Nick Stodgell (Warroad, Minn./Des Moines Buccaneers). He played in 33 games and recorded a team-high +11 plus/minus rating last season.

Two sophomores who saw considerable playing time as rookies also return. Steve Kovalchik (Riverview, Mich./Omaha Lancers) played in all 39 games, while Greg Poupard (Jackson, Mich./Waterloo Black Hawks) saw action in 35 contests.

"The addition of our freshmen will give the "D" core excellent flexibility and depth that we have not had in the past," added Wilkinson. "The freshmen bring in skill, size and strength. We will be counting on veterans Nick Stodgell, Greg Poupard and Steve Kovalchik to give this group the proper guidance it will need in the early stages of the season."

Hoping to replace the departing trio of Tyler Kindle, Keith Stanich and Marc St. Jean will be redshirt freshman Tim Swearingen (Trenton, Mich./Butte Irish), and Aaron Hundt (Lansing, Mich./Springfield Blues), along with newcomers Taylor Donohoe (Richmond, B.C./Powell River Kings), Adam Drescher (Belleville, Mich./Wexford Raiders), Chris Kovalcik (Armada, Mich./Boston Bulldogs), Matt Boldt (Burnsville, Minn./Billings Bulls) and Dan Iliakis (Scarborough, Ont./Georgetown Raiders).

Hundt sat out the 2002-03 season after transferring from Michigan State, while Iliakis was the Ontario Provincial League's Western Division Top Defenseman. Donohoe had 28 points for Powell River during the regular season, with Kovalcik scoring 20 points in 36 games for two Eastern Junior Hockey League teams.

Forwards (Returnees 9/Newcomers 9)

Up front, Wayne State lost eight of its 12 regulars from a year ago to graduation. Sophomore Derek MacKay (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont./Sault Ste. Marie Thunderbirds) is the top returning scorer after recording 28 points on 16 goals and 12 assists in earning CHA All-Rookie team honors.

The three senior forwards will be Chris Vail (Nashua, N.H./Vernon Vipers), Matt Milanowski (Grand Rapids, Mich./Bozeman Icedogs) and Travis Rycroft (Penticton, B.C./Merritt Centennials).

Vail had 12 points on six goals and six assists in 31 games, while Milanowski played in one game. Rycroft saw action in 12 games and recorded two assists.

Junior Billy Collins (Enderby, B.C./Prince George Spruce Kings) led the nation in short-handed goals last season with five. He also had the highest shot on goal total (109) of any returning player.

Classmates Nathan Rosychuk (Athabasca, Alb./Grande Prairie Storm) and John Grubb (Burlington, N.D./Waterloo Black Hawks) will be looked to for increased offensive output. Rosychuk had 11 goals and 14 assists for 25 points last season, while Grubb had eight points on three goals and five assists in 30 games. Brad Zarem sat out the 2002-03 campaign after transferring from SUNY-Brockport.

"After losing eight senior forwards the veterans returning need to be strong off the mark," stated Wilkinson. "Billy Collins, Nathan Rosychuck, Derek MacKay, Chris Vail and John Grubb must lead by example early in the season. The veterans will be called upon to play key rolls which were performed by the graduating seniors. I look forward to watching the veterans flourish with new opportunities."

The WSU coaching staff was busy recruiting nine newcomers up front.

Jason Baclig (Leamington, Ont./Leamington Flyers) was fourth in scoring in the Western Junior B League after recording 62 points in 48 games.

Mark Cannon (River Rouge, Mich./Compuware Ambassadors) had 16 points in 43 games.

Mike Forgie (Scarborough, Ont./Stouffville Spirit) was one of the top scorers in the Northern Division of the Ontario Provincial Junior A League. He had 47 points in 40 games.

Nate Higgins (Calgary, Alb./Green Bay Gamblers) led his team in scoring during the 2002-03 campaign with 39 points.

Dan Jenneson (Hope, B.C./Lowell Junior Lock Monsters) recorded 17 points in 30 games.

Joel Maltese (Shelby Twp., Mich./Belle Tire Lightning) scored eight goals and added 13 assists for 21 points in 40 games.

Mark Nebus (South Lyon, Mich./Texas Tornado) finished with 56 points in 49 games on a team-best 31 goals and 25 assists.

Nicholas Staneckyj (Garson, Ont./Rayside Balfour Sabrecats) played in 22 games and recorded nine points on six goals and three assists.

Ryan Wright (Brownstown, Mich./Texas Tornado) had 33 points while playing in all 56 games.

"The freshmen are going to learn by being thrown into the fire," commented Wilkinson. "We will need to experiment with different combinations on the special teams which will include fresh new faces. Everyone will be given the chance to excel."

Last season the Warrior offense finished 24th in country (3.28 gpg), while WSU was 22nd in power-play percentage (19.8%/42-212) and its winning percentage (.550) was 24th.

The 2003-04 schedule consists of 20 CHA contests (four each against the five other members), plus non-conference road games at St. Lawrence (Oct. 10-11), Findlay (Oct. 24), Michigan State (Nov. 20-21), American International (Dec. 12-13), Colorado College (Jan. 2), Denver (Jan. 3) plus the North Dakota holiday tournament (Dec. 27-28). Non-league home contests will feature Findlay (Oct. 17) and Northern Michigan (Feb. 13-14).

The CHA Championship tournament will return to Kearney, Nebraska, after a successful inaugural tournament.

"It is always fun starting a new era. This year we will at least have a solid base to work from and an excellent team to build towards another championship."