April 12, 2007

Detroit, Mich. -

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Wayne State women's hockey head coach Jim Fetter has announced three players that have signed National Letters of Intent to play hockey for the Warriors in 2007-08. One of the players is from Michigan, while one is from Saskatchewan and the other is from Newfoundland.

Janet Babchishin, a forward from Sturgis, Saskatchewan, played for Sturgis Composite High School, where she accumulated 37 goals and 52 assists for 89 points in 61 games. In 2006, she was the team captain of Hockey Development International, where she played the German National B team in Karvina, Czech Republic. The team placed second in the International Senior Women's Hockey Tournament. Also this season, she played with the Saskatchewan Prairie Ice of the Western Women's Hockey League. She is the daughter of Shirley and Tom Babchishin and is undecided on academic major.

Fetter on Babchishin: "Janet has a great work ethic that will push our returning players. This past season she played against some of the best players in the world and will bring that experience with her. We feel she will also help us offensively."

Paige Keranen, a goaltender from Livonia, Michigan, spent two years each at Shattuck-St. Mary's and Churchill High Schools. She earned a perfect 29-0-0 record in 2006-07, including a 0.81 goals-against average and a .950 save percentage. The team finished 54-2-1. In 2005-06, she recorded a 33-1-1 mark, a 1.40 GAA and a .920 save percentage with eight shutouts. Both teams won USA National titles. During her two-year career at Shattuck-St. Mary's, she was 62-1-1. Keranen was a member of the U.S. National Selects from 2003-06. She is the daughter of Patricia and Thomas Keranen and plans to major in nursing.

Fetter on Keranen: "We are looking forward to Paige challenging our other goalies for playing time. She is very athletic and brings a great work ethic. She has been successful at Shattuck and with her experience; she will help us take steps forward."

Jennifer Pollett, a forward from New Harbour, Newfoundland, recorded 55 goals and 37 assists for 82 points in 48 games for Crescent Collegiate High School. She was team captain for three seasons. Competed with the Etobicoke Dolphins of the NWHL for the past two seasons. In 35 games played this season, she recorded 10 goals and eight assists for 18 points. She had a plus/minus rating of +8 and took 44 shots on goal. Had two game-winning goals and three power-play tallies. Had 38 points (18g, 19a) in two seasons with the Dolphins. Team was the 2007 Esso Senior Nationals silver medal winner. She is the daughter of Margaret and Allan Pollett and is undecided on academic major.

Fetter on Pollett: "Jen also competed with some of the best players in the world for the last two seasons. She is a fast forward that has a knack around the net. She has competed at the National level and will bring that experience here to Wayne State. We are looking for Jen to make the adjustment to the college game quickly."

"I am very happy with the class we have coming in next season, as I believe these three young ladies are going to help us continue to take WSU Hockey in the right direction. One local player has committed to playing at Wayne State this fall, which says a lot about the growth of women's hockey in Michigan. We hope to continue to cultivate the state's best talent and this is a step in the right direction. Again I want to thank Grant Kimball and Mare MacDougall for all their hard work and long hours on the road. They have again done a great job this season."