2006 FRESHMAN CLASS

With the season just a little over a month away, we wanted to get a head start by discussing NMU’s incoming freshman class. This year’s crop of incoming freshmen is quite impressive to say the least. But in many ways, it is not surprising given the program’s fantastic coaching staff and top-notch facilities. Based on our information, the following nine players will be eligible to suit up for the Cats to kick-off the season this fall.

Matt Butcher, Forward (6′2, 205 pounds)
Hometown: Bellingham, Washington
Matt played for the Chilliwack Chiefs of the BCHL last season where he scored 38 goals and 63 assists for 101 points in 57 games. He was named Coastal Conference MVP of the league. In 2005, Matt was drafted in the 4th Round by his father’s old team, the Vancouver Canucks. He is projected to be one of the top freshmen forwards in the nation in 2006-07.

Alan Dorich, Defense (6′2, 205 pounds)
Hometown: Orland Park, IL
Alan played for the national champion Des Moines Bucaneers of the USHL last season where he scored 1 goal and 4 assists for 5 points, while going +16 in only 24 games. He sustained a knee injury last season, forcing him to miss most of the season. Prior to his injury, Alan was regarded as one of the top shut-down defenseman in the USHL. He will bring a lot of power and grit to NMU in a very physical college hockey league.

Ray Kaunisto, Forward (6′4, 185 pounds)
Hometown: Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan
Ray played for Cedar Rapids of the USHL last season where he scored 5 goals and 14 assists for 19 points. He is a Yooper and has a brother at LSSU. Ray is also on the NHL scouting list as a future prospect. He brings a lot of much needed size to the Cats’ forward core, and will no doubt become a big part of this program.

Jacques Lamoureux, Forward (6′1, 182 pounds)
Hometown: Grand Forks, North Dakota
Jacques played for the Bismarck Bobcats of the USHL last season where he scored 32 goals and 38 assists for 70 points in 54 games. He was 9th in the league in scoring. He originally committed to play hockey at the Air Force Academy. But true fate has brought him to Marquette where he will bring an immediate impact to the hockey club. His great offensive skills will bolster NMU’s offense, which struggled a lot last season.

Mike Maltese, Forward (6′3, 200 pounds)
Hometown: Eastpointe, Michigan
Mike played for Mahoing Valley of the USHL last season where he scored 20 goals and 26 assists for 46 points in 58 games. Mike was 4th on the team in scoring. As a native of the Detroit area, he will no doubt bring a lot of blue collar, tough power to the Cats’ forward core, combined with a nice scoring touch.

Brant Marple, Forward (5’10, 175 pounds)
Hometown: Apple Valley, Minnesota
Brant played for Santa Fe of the USHL last season where he scored 17 goals and 27 assists for 44 points. He was 5th on the team in scoring. Brant is a native of Minnesota, so you know he will bring a lot of hockey savvy and skills to the table. Throughout his career, he has been a very skilled player who knows how to put the puck into the net. This past summer, he was one of the top scorers in Minnesota 4 on 4 hockey.

Mick McCrimmon, Defense (5’10, 170 pounds)
Hometown: Brandon, Manitoba
Mick played for the Vernon Vipers of the BCHL last season where he scored 3 goals and 15 assists for 18 points in 38 games. Mick spent half the season injured, otherwise he would have been a potential BCHL All-Star. He is a highly skilled defenseman with great hockey tradition in his family. He’ll bring a lot a skill and speed to the big sheet at the Berry, and help bolster the D core, which lost a lot of depth from last season.

TJ Miller, Defense (6’4, 210 pounds)
Hometown: Placentia, California
TJ played for the Pentiction Vees of the BCHL last season where he scored 16 goals and 32 assists for 48 points in 60 games. TJ was named Defenseman of the Year in the BCHL. Over the summer, he was then drafted in the 4th Round by the New Jersey Devils. TJ is a big and highly skilled defenseman, and will give NMU fans visions of former NHL great, Scott Stevens. He is projected to be one of the top freshmen defenseman in the nation in 2006-07.

Brian Stewart, Goalie (6’4, 195 pounds)
Hometown: Burnaby, British Columbia
Brian played for Alberni Valley of the BCHL last season where he posted fantastic statistics in net. He led the BCHL with a record of 33-13-2, 2.16 GAA and 92.5 save percentage in 50 games. He played for former national champion Jim Hiller of NMU. He was a BCHL All-Star as well. Brian has great size and has always improved his goaltending ability wherever he has gone. As a future potential NHL goalie, Brian will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with for years to come in the CCHA. Look for him to contribute right way to the Cats in 2006-07.