HOUGHTON, Mich. -- Four players, including Superior's Brett Olson, have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Michigan Tech hockey team for the 2008-09 season while two others have committed for the 2009-10 season.
Brett Olson, a 6-foot-0, 175-pound forward, has appeared in five games this season for the Waterloo Black Hawks of the USHL. The former Superior Spartan has tallied one goal and four assists this season after missing the beginning of the season with an injury. He has tallied 36 points (18 goals and 18 assists) in 96 games in the past two seasons for the Black Hawks. He is the son of Steve and Wendy Olson.
"Brett is a character player with very good skill," said Michigan Tech coach Jamie Russell. "He is a leader and has a great work ethic. He is a winner."
Joining Olson on the Huskies will be Seth Soley (Eau Claire Memorial), Ricky Doriott (Blaine, Minn.) and Bryce Reddick (Las Vegas). Evan Witt (Spokane, Wash.) and Jacob Johnstone (Grand Ledge, Mich.) will join the team in 2009-10.
Soley, a 6-0, 190-pound forward, has appeared in five games this season for the Omaha Lancers who lead the USHL West Division with a 13-5 record. The Elk Mound, Wis., native has scored two goals and added three assists. Soley has joined the Lancers after competing in the Upper Midwest High School Elite League. He led the league in points with 46 (23 goals and 23 assists) in 12 games for Team Wisconsin.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Seth is a very talented goal scorer. He is an "A" rated player by NHL Central Scouting and he competes hard every shift," Russell said.
Doriott, a 6-5, 218-pound defenseman, has appeared in 12 of 16 games for the Sioux City Musketeers of the USHL. The Blaine, Minn., native has tallied two assists on the season. Last season he scored five goals and 12 assists in 48 games for the Wichita Falls Wildcats of the North American Hockey League.
"Ricky is a big man that has good mobility. He plays with an edge and makes a good first pass," said Russell.
Reddick, a 5-10, 165 pound forward, is tied for second on the team in scoring with 10 goals and 23 assists for the Cowichan Valley Capitals of the BCHL. His 23 assists rank tied for 14th in the league. The Las Vegas, Nev., native has appeared in 25 of 27 games this season for the Capitals. Last season Reddick finished with 19 points (six goals, 13 assists). He is the son of Pokey Reddick and Melissa Reddick. His father played goalie in 132 NHL games with the Winnipeg Jets, Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers.
"Bryce has high end skill and will add an element of creativity to the lineup. He also possesses a very good shot," Russell said.
Witt, a 5-11, 175-pound forward, will join the team in 2008-09. The Spokane, Wash., native has scored three goals and added six assists in 29 games for the Vernon Vipers of the BCHL. Last year he finished as the second leading scorer with 85 points (29 goals, 56 assists) in 48 games for the Spokane Braves of the Kootenay International Junior B League.
"Another year of junior hockey will allow Evan to develop into a skilled point producing forward," Russell said.
Johnstone, a 5-10, 175-pound forward will also join the team in 2009-10. The Grand Ledge, Mich., native has appeared in 15 games this season for the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL. Last season he led the Midwest Elite Hockey League in both points (36) and goals (19) in 26 games for Capital Centre Pride based out of Lansing, Mich. He is the son of Jeff and Jori Thocker.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Jacob is a young player playing at a high level in the USHL. He will be a player with good vision and skill," Russell said.
The 2008-09 class also includes Jake Hauswirth, a 6-4, 200 pound forward, who has five points for the Omaha Lancers this season and Alex Macleod, a 6-0, 215 pound forward who has scored 34 points in 78 career games for the Penticton Vees.
Witt and Johnstone will join the 2009-10 class that includes Anthony Schooley, a 5-11, 175 pound forward, who tallied five points in 17 games last season for the Waterloo Black Hawks.
Ian Marks is the Assistant Director of Athletic Communications for Michigan Technological University. He can be reached at (906) 487-2351, (906) 281-1204 or imarks@mtu.edu .
