Linkorama is back and Tech Hockey Guide is proud to welcome our newest contributor, James Juip, who will be helping us return Linkorama to the regular fixture it was last season. This week includes updates on 6 recruits and 7 alumni plus audio of the Mel Pearson Show and much more.

Recruits

Tyler Heinonen scored the only goal for Muskegon (USHL) to help them defeat the Sioux City Musketeers 1–0. Heinonen is currently tied for the team lead with 14 goals.

Alex Gillies had a great week, scoring 3 points in games over the weekend for Salmon Arm (BCHL) including 2 goals in a 5–1 win over Chilliwack (BCHL).

Trevor Cope scored 2 points on the weekend including the only goal for Langley (BCHL) in a 3–1 loss to the Surrey Eagles.

Demico Hannoun, Alex Petan’s cousin, committed to Michigan Tech on Monday. He currently plays for Surrey (BCHL) and is a top twenty scorer and one the best ’95 forwards that was uncommitted.

https://twitter.com/DHannoun21/status/294229700170092545

Shane Hanna, one of the highest scoring defensemen in the BCHL, also committed to Michigan Tech early last week. He currently plays for Salmon Arm (BCHL) alongside future Huskies Evan Anderson and Alex Gillies.

Here is an article on Hanna’s commitment to the Huskies including audio.

Mark Auk is currently transitioning to his new home with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL) and earlier this week, he was featured on THG for his commitment to Michigan Tech back in November 2012.

Brett Boeing scored two goals – one a game-winner with less than a minute to play – to lead the Shattuck-St. Mary’s boys prep hockey team to a 3–0 record at the High Performance Hockey League Showcase over the weekend in Chicago.

Alumni

Andy Sutton is likely done for the year as he his recovering from a recent knee procedure. “I basically broke a chunk off my femur, the piece I broke off was giving me a lot of discomfort, so they went in and sort of cleaned up my knee and took out the chunk,” Sutton told ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun in November. “Now, I have to repair the defect that’s there. Otherwise, it’ll just keep getting bigger.”

John Scott is ready to get tough for Buffalo (NHL) since the Sabres signed Scott to be their enforcer.

Deron Cousens’ shootout goal lifted the Bakersfield Condors (ECHL) to a 2–1 victory over the Idaho Steelheads. Cousens was the 18th shooter in the 9-round shootout.

Eric Kattelus has been promoted to the AHL’s Chicago Wolves from the Kalamazoo Wings (ECHL). Kattelus has already played seven games for the Wolves but has yet to register his first point.

Riley Nelson, captain of the Colorado Eagles (ECHL), was sidelined for the season after suffering a shoulder injury. The Eagles are reporting he is still making a major contribution in the locker room assisting coach Stewart in a number of faculties.

Josh Robinson is having a great season for the Idaho Steelheads (ECHL). He currently has a 14–4–1 record with a .914 save percentage. Recently Robinson posted a big 3–2 victory over the Gwinnett Gladiators and former WCHA goaltender Mike Lee (St. Cloud State).

Geoff Kinrade and Team Canada stomped to a 7–2 win over HC Davos in the Spengler Cup final in early January in Switzerland. Kinrade was asked to play for Team Canada because of his stellar play with Bern in the Swiss A League.

Other Items

The Mel Pearson Show is broadcast live every Monday at 8:30 AM on 93.5FM WKMJ and available to download from MichiganTechHuskes.com later in the day. If you would like to listen to this audio and more, subscribe to the Huskies RSS feed by going here and following the instructions. The January 28th edition featuring Damon Whitten while Coach Pearson was on a recruiting trip is available below:

Pheonix Copley earned WCHA Rookie of the Week honors for the second time this season after stopping 56 of 58 shots over the weekend to help Michigan Tech earn 3 points against Bemidji State. This is the third time Copley has earned a weekly WCHA honor.

Stephen Anderson (@steander), Michigan Tech hockey beat writer for The Daily Mining Gazette, will post soon in his daily column a preview to this weekend’s series at Nebraska Omaha. Also look for his coverage of both Friday’s and Saturday’s games.

The Michigan Tech Athletics Department preview can be found here and this week’s episode of Follow the Huskies covers Hockey 101. Live audio of Friday’s 8:37 est and Saturday’s 8:07 est contests against 3rd place Nebraska Omaha can be found at pastynet by clicking on 93.5FM WKMJ.

This week in the WCHA’s January 25th audio update can be listened to here.

Polls and Rankings*

Polls: USCHO.com Poll NR, USA Today Poll NR

Computers: KRACH Rankings 38, Pairwise Rankings NR, USHSHO.com 24/38

WCHA/Michigan Power Rankings: THG Web Media Poll (10), Goon’s World (10),Radio Free Omaha (10),College Hockey News (10), Michigan College Hockey (6) 

*Michigan Tech’s ranking and their change in ranking from the previous week is in parentheses