'M' hockey inks nine recruits

By Joe Smith

Daily Sports Writer

Michigan hockey coaches' aggressive courting by daily phone calls, letters and home visits to the most eligible top prospects in the nation is over for now. It became time to walk down the aisle and sign on the dotted line, as yesterday marked the end of the early signing period for college hockey recruits.

The Wolverines are expecting to lose nine seniors to graduation and possibly high draft picks Jeff Jillson and Andy Hilbert to the pros after this season. Yesterday, Michigan reloaded by inking nine new recruits, which make up what assistant coach Billy Powers describes as among "the the top three classes" he's seen in his eight years at Michigan.

Considering this includes classes that have placed two national title banners in the rafters at Yost - most notably Brendan Morrison's class and the current seniors, Michigan's continued status among the nation's elite should be secure for the next few years.

"We're excited about it," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "It's a big class. I can't remember the last time we've signed as many or as high of a percentage of the incoming class as we have" at this point of the signing period. "To have them all sign now is impressive."

The Michigan coaches addressed their needs, specifically in the front line and between the pipes - as Michigan will lose six forwards and senior goaltender L.J. Scarpace.

The Wolverines signed one of the top goalie prospects in the country in Jason Bacashihua (Dearborn Heights, Mich.).

Bacashihua "will remind people a little bit of Blackburn and a little bit of Turco (the winningest goalie in NCAA hockey)," Powers said. "Jason is a top notch goaltender. I think he's a top pro prospect so we feel comfortable that we'll be set in goal for the next few years."

Although Powers feels it's unfair to compare any class to Morrison's, he said that this new crop of five forwards "might end up being the best in terms of pro prospects."

Leading the way are the three recruits from the reputable U.S. Under-18 National Team Development Program that produced current Wolverines Andy Hilbert and Mike Komisarek.

Jason Ryznar (Anchorage, Ak.) is a power forward known for his size (6-foot-4) and soft hands, who will "definitely be an elite pro prospect," Powers said.

Center Dwight Helminen (Brighton, Mich.) is known not only for his offensive firepower, but his strength at both ends of the ice. Linemate Eric Nystrom (Syosset, N.Y.) has been compared to Michigan captain Geoff Koch.

"He's a physical presence, hard-working and character guy who everyone is going to want on their line because he works, gets you the puck, plays physical and backchecks," Powers said.

Two older recruited forwards, Milan Gajic (Burnaby, British Columbia) and Michael Woodford (Westford, Mass.), solidify a strong front line class that Powers says is similar to the "special" current sophomore class with forwards like Hilbert and Mike Cammalleri. Rounding out the class are three defensmen who will attempt to fill the void of senior assistant captain Dave Huntzicker and Bob Gassoff.

This includes Brandon Rogers (Rochester, NY) and two offensive-defensmen in Reilly Olson (Grand Praire, Alberta) and Eric Werner (Grosse Pointe Woods), who Powers says is 5-foot-8 but "plays like he's 6-foot-2" and is similar to former Wolverine and NHL defenseman Blake Sloan.

Coaches say that they're expecting a few more recruits and the new additions will have a great chance to play next year not only because of the graduating seniors but also because they've been lacking depth the last few years due to unexpected departures of Mike Van Ryn, Mike Comrie, Scott Crawford and Troy Kahler.

out the class are three defensmen who will attempt to fill the void of senior assistant captain Dave Huntzicker and Bob Gassoff.

This includes two offensive-defensmen in Reilly Olson (Grand Praire, Alberta) and Eric Werner (Grosse Pointe Woods), who Powers says is 5-foot-8 but "plays like he's 6-foot-2" and is similar to former Wolverine and NHL defenseman Blake Sloan.

Coaches say that they're expecting a few more recruits and because of the graduating seniors and that they've been lacking depth the last few years due to unexpected departures of Mike Van Ryn, Mike Comrie, Scott Crawford and Troy Kahler, the new additions will have a great chance to play next year.