Linkorama is back for the 2012–13 season. This week includes updates on 13 recruits and 12 alumni plus much more.
Recruits
Tyler Heinonen is off to a good start with the Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL), scoring 3 goals and an assist in his first three games and is tied for 5th in the USHL in goals scored. Heinonen also helped with a Rally for Reading by signing autographs and meeting many of the young Lumberjacks fans.
Chris Leibinger, also a Lumberjack, is off to an even better start than Heinonen considering he is a defender. He’s scored 3 goals in 3 games and leads all of the USHL among defensemen in goals scored and is tied for second in total points.
Joel L’Esperance is playing for the Tri-City (USHL) and played in two games for the Storm before taking a leave of absence to attend the wedding of a relative. He should be back in action for Tri-City very soon.
Joe Schuldt is +2 while playing in all four of Sioux Fall’s (USHL) games. He is expected to be an anchor on the Stampede’s blueline this season.
Dylan Steman has an assist in three games with the Cedar Rapids Roughriders (USHL).
Marcus Ericsson has a goal in four games with the Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL).
Reid Sturos has a goal and 2 assists through eight games with his new team, the Nanaimo Clippers (BCHL). He also earned a 3rd Star for his two points in a 4–3 win over Cowichan Valley.
Evan Anderson is playing for the Penticton Vees (BCHL) this season and has an assist so far.
Dane Birks is off to a great start as a rookie with the Merritt Centennials (BCHL). He’s scored two goals and seven assists through seven games. He also earned the 1st Star for his three points in a 6–2 win over Trail.
Jake Kauppila is playing for Coulee Region (NAHL) this season and has an assist through seven games with the Chill.
Mike Neville had a rollercoaster summer bouncing around USHL teams and decided to return to St. Mike’s (OJHL), where he played last year. He has two assists in four games since he returned shortly after the season started.
Brett Boeing is off to a good start with Shattuck-St. Mary’s (Midget AAA) with 3 goals and 3 assists through 9 games.
Tristan Rostagno will be playing his sophomore year for Arrowhead (Wisconsin High School) this season before heading off to the USHL next year. Check out our recent article on Rostagno here.
Alumni
Andy Sutton will return this season to play for the Edmonton Oilers (NHL) if there is an NHL season.
John Scott signed with the Buffalo Sabres (NHL) and will be their enforcer if the NHLPA and NHL can come to an agreement.
Greg Amadio plans to play the 2012–13 season with the Springfield Falcons (AHL). The season begins on October 13.
Brett Olson had an amateur tryout with the Abbotsford Heat (AHL) and earned a contract to play for the Heat earlier this week.
Chris Conner signed a one-year deal with the Phoenix Coyotes (NHL) and will leave the Detroit Red Wings. With the NHL lockout, Conner is expected to start the season with the Coyotes’ AHL affilitiate, the Portland Pirates.
Tyler Shelast signed with the recently elevated Evansville Icemen. Evansville is in their first season with the ECHL after competing previously in the CHL. Shelast was in camp with the Peoria Rivermen (AHL) but did not make the team.
Deron Cousens will start the 2012–13 season with the Idaho Steelheads (ECHL).
Eric Kattelus will return to the Kalamazoo K-Wings (ECHL) for another season after attending the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) training camp.
Riley Nelson signed another contract to remain with the Colorado Eagles (ECHL).
Josh Robinson will join Deron Cousens with the Idaho Steelheads (ECHL) after being assigned to Idaho by the Texas Stars (AHL). Robinson hopes to prove he belongs.
Jordan Baker got a chance to return to the Colorado Eagles but didn’t make the team out of camp and will head to the Rapid City Rush (CHL).
Clay Wilson decided not to wait for the NHL lockout to work itself out and signed a contract the Ukraine-based Donbass Donetsk (KHL).
Other Items
The Mel Pearson Show is broadcast live every Monday at 8:30 AM on 93.5FM WKMJ and rebroadcast every Monday at 5:30PM on 920AM WMPL). Here are links to Part 1, 2, 3 and 4 of October 8 Edition.
Stephen Anderson (@steander), Michigan Tech hockey beat writer for The Daily Mining Gazette, has three articles related to the Huskies this week with the season starting later today. Pearson managing trio of ‘tenders focusing on the goaltending situation with two new faces and the graduation of Josh Robinson. Jujhar Khaira a big addition to the program, and quite possibly the biggest profile freshman this program has had in some time. Lastly, Tech wants to set tone in their first game against Lake Superior State. Great stuff from Stephen Anderson so far this season to go with older pieces featuring Walker Hyland, Malcolm Gould, Patrick Anderson, Alex Petan, Pheonix Copley, and Jamie Phillips.
Michigan Tech has a new weekly video segment called “In The Crease” and here are links to the first three episodes: Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3
Polls and Rankings*
Polls: USCHO.com Poll (NR)
NCAA Power Rankings: Inside College Hockey (NR), College Hockey Weekly (NR)
WCHA/Michigan Power Rankings: Goon’s World (6), Pride On Ice (10), College Hockey News (6), Michigan College Hockey (TBD), THG Web Media Poll (8), WCHA Blogger Poll(9), WCHA Media Poll (9)
*Michigan Tech’s ranking is in parentheses
Tim is a 2004 graduate of Michigan Tech. He is a co-founder of both Mitch’s Misfits and Tech Hockey Guide. With recent additions to the staff, Tim is again able to focus on his passion, recruiting. He currently works as an environmental engineer and resides in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Area.
