Sports: Hockey

TEN NEWCOMERS FOR ICE HOCKEY

            The MSU icers lost a huge presence with the graduation of netminder par excellence Jeff Lerg—who swept CCHA awards at season’s end.  But Rick Comley, starting his eighth season at MSU, looks forward to nine newcomers and a friendlier schedule featuring 20 home games.

            “In hockey you can take big steps quickly,” says Comley, referring to last season’s 10-23-5 record.  “I’m not ready to concede anything.  I think we can be highly competitive for the league championship this season.”

            Last year’s dismal record was an anomaly for the Spartan program, caused by many factors including injuries, youth, inexperience, and early departures—including those by two players who made the NHL All-Rookie team (Justin Abdelkader and Tim Kennedy).  A miracle turnaround would be phenomenal for the program, considering this year’s Frozen Four will be at Ford Field in Detroit (April 8-10).

            “We’re going to be very young,” says Comley of this year’s 20 underclassmen.  “The good news is that we were forced to play our freshmen last year, so this year’s sophomore class will have had tremendous experience.”

            Although Lerg leaves as one of MSU’s best all-time players, Comley believes that sophomore Drew Palmisano can get the job done.  “Michigan State has had a history of having had great goaltenders,” he observes.  “But after they leave someone else has always come through.”

            Helping MSU will be the returns of Nick Sucharski from shoulder injury and of Corey Tropp, two players who will solidify the team.  Fans can look forward to the continued evolution of players like Jeff Petry and up-and-comers like Daultan Leveille and Dustin Gazely.  MSU will also have 20 home games, including contests against rivals Ohio State (2), Michigan (2), Notre Dame (2), Wisconsin and Minnesota.  Says Comley, “I like our schedule and I like who we have coming into our building.”

            Newcomers include forwards Dean Chelios (Bloomfield), Chris Forfar (Darien, IL), Zach Golembiewski (St. Clair), Derek Grant (Abbotsford, BC), Anthony Hayes (Canton), and Kevin Walrod (Westside, BC); and defensemen Matt Grassi (Burnaby, BC), Zack Josepher (Wantagh, NY) and Torey Krug (Livonia).  Sophomore forward Mike Merrifield (Beverly Hills) will return to MSU this fall from the USHL. Assistant coaches Brian Renfrew, Tom Newton and Rob Woodward return.