Rangers Announce Team

July 10, 2006 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Marquette Rangers News Release


Lead by five players with Upper Peninsula ties, the Marquette Rangers announce the selection of 19 players for the upcoming 2006/07 season.

During this past weekend, over 60 players from around the country convened on the Berry Events Center on the campus of Northern Michigan University in hopes of earning a roster spot on the newest team in the North American Hockey League (NAHL). After seven games, Coaches Leigh Mendelson and Randy Enders made decisions on who will don the blue/grey/copper jerseys. "We were very pleased with the skill and competitive nature of the camp as it progressed through the weekend," said Mendelson. "The talent depth made our decisions difficult but we are pleased with what we have put together so far."

Two Keweenaw area players, Defenseman Ross Rouleau and Forward Jacob Hauswirth were selected for the squad. Rouleau was a standout Hancock High School player, while Hauswirth lead the Ojibwa Eagles Midget AAA team in goals scored last season. Three players from Marquette were also selected, including Forwards Nick Kosinski (Cleveland of the NAHL) and Neeco Belanger (Chilliwack of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League), and Defenseman Bret Larson (Mahoning Valley of the NAHL). All three players were teammates on the Marquette Electricians Midget AAA and the Marquette Senior High School Redmen squads.

Other expected members of the team include former Providence College Goaltender Stephen Ritter; and Defensemen Nick Condon (Minnesota Ice Hawks Junior B), Jason Cohen (Capital Center Pride Midget AAA), Andy Keough (Wayzata High School - Minnesota) and Todd Graham (Sequin of the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League). Forwards include Luke Bennett (Bozeman Ice Dogs of the NAHL), Michael Macari (Crestwood High School - Michigan), Nic Weight (Northland Pines High School - Wisconsin), Chad Johnson (Wisconsin Dells High School - Wisconsin), Chris Smith (Surrey of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League), Raymond Gillies (Ohio Junior Bluejackets Midget AAA), Jake Saville (Helena of the NAHL), Coles Holmes (University High School - Wisconsin), and Dustin Partacz (Neuqua Valley High School - Illinois). "Our full roster is not yet confirmed as we expect to carry 23 players during the season," Mendelson said. "We still have a number of decisions to make and some of the young men who came to Marquette this weekend remain in the hunt for spots on the team."

"We have a nice mix of speed and size, as well as a number of experienced players who we will lean on to make an immediate impact in the NAHL," Mendelson went on to say. "We will be ready to play just about any style of hockey necessary, whether it's a power or finesse game. Our players and the entire Rangers' organization are excited to get training camp started so we can develop the winning combination necessary to compete in the NAHL."

The Marquette Rangers will open training camp on August 28, with the season set to begin on September 13 in Blaine, Minnesota. The home opener is scheduled for September 23 at Lakeview Arena. The full schedule is expected to be announced on Wednesday, July 19. For more information about the team, visit www.marquetterangers.com.



North American Hockey League Stories from July 10, 2006


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