Paskaris Commits to Wayne State University
Published on March 10, 2004 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Soo Indians News Release
The North American Hockey League's Northern Division Champion Kewadin Casinos Indians, announce that veteran centerman Stavros Paskaris (Dearborn, MI) has verbally committed to play hockey next season at Wayne State University of College Hockey America (CHA).
Paskaris is currently second in overall scoring in the North American Hockey League and is just two points behind league scoring leader and line mate Logan Bittle. On the year, the 6'-2" center has 29-goals (2nd in NAHL) and 36-assists (6th in NAHL) for 65-points. Overall this season, Paskaris has scored 34-goals and 40-assists for 74-points while accumulating a team best +45 rating.
In his career, Paskaris has put together two solid years for the Indians and finished second in team scoring last season as a rookie with 17-goals and 33-assists for a total of 50-points.
According to Indians coach Joe Shawhan, "Seeing Stav's statistical accomplishments is only part of what he has brought to our organization. He is our link to the team with regards to community service efforts and often times serves as my voice to the team as well. He is going to be able to play at home in front of his family for his entire collegiate career. I think it's a perfect fit. We applaud Stavros and are indebted to him for his contributions to the Indian's program and thank Wayne State for their interest in our program."
Paskaris becomes the third Indian's player to commit this season. League scoring leader Logan Bittle, accepted an offer from Robert Morris earlier this season, along with winger Derek Punches who has committed to Air Force.
The Indians clinched the NAHL's Northern Division title this past weekend with a road-sweep of the US National Team Development Program. After defeating the Under-18 squad on Friday evening by a score of 3-2, the Indians snubbed the Under 17 team on Saturday by a 4-2 count. The victories improved the team's NAHL record to 39-4-6 and their overall record to 45-4-6.
The Indians will finish out the NAHL's regular season with 6-straight home games held during the final 3-weekends in March versus Toledo, Youngstown, and Springfield, IL. The Kewadin Casinos Indians hockey team will be back in action this Friday and Saturday in Sault Ste. Marie as they host the Toledo Ice Diggers. Game time is 7:00 p.m. for both games.
Indians Clinch Northern Division Title with Sweep!
Matt Buha and Tom Kolar each netted game-winning goals on the weekend en route to the Indians back-to-back victories over the always talented and challenging US National Team.
On Friday night, the hero was Matt Buha who gave the Indians a 3-1 win lead early in the 3rd period, which proved to be the eventual game-winning goal. Mark Lutz was named the game's first star after collecting 2-assists on the night. Indians goaltender Derek MacIntyre was the Indians most valuable player in the game, after kicking away a total of 31-of-33 shots on his way to preserving the 3-2 victory over the Under-18 US National squad.
Saturday night's contest against the Under-17 squad was also a match-up not to be taken lightly by the Northern Division-leading Indians. Newcomer Tommy Kolar got his first multi-point game in an Indians uniform after netting 2-goals en route to his nomination as the game's first star. Kolar scored the eventual game-winning goal after snapping a 2-2 tie early in the 3rd period.
With the much-needed sweep over the US National Team, the Indians clinch first place in the Northern Division and sneak within 1-point of the NAHL-leading Texas Tornado, who currently have the best record in the NAHL. If the Indians outplay the Tornado for the top spot in the NAHL, the Indians would be awarded home ice advantage throughout the playoffs. The US National Team is battling for the 4th and final playoff spot in the NAHL's Northern Division and have a 1-point lead over the 5th place Youngstown Phantoms. The team which finishes 4th in the North will face the Indians in the first round of the playoffs.
North American Hockey League Stories from March 10, 2004
- CCHA freshman duo named first team all-conference - U.S. National Team
- Don't miss the last three Youngstown Phantoms regular season home games - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Paskaris Commits to Wayne State University - Soo Indians
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