Michigan State Men's Ice Hockey news

Brian Renfrew Promoted to Associate Head Hockey Coach

Fri, 09 May 2008 10:53:43 PST

Michigan State head coach Rick Comley has announced the promotion of Brian Renfrew to Associate Head Coach for the hockey program. Renfrew just completed his fifth season on the Spartan Hockey staff.

During Renfrew's tenure, the Spartans are 119-71-22 (.613), have made four NCAA Tournament appearances, including advancing to at least a regional final the last three seasons and capturing the 2007 NCAA Championship. Michigan State, along with North Dakota and Boston College, are the only three schools who have each won at least one game in each of the last three NCAA Tournaments.

Eight Spartans Honored At Annual Hockey Banquet

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:45:53 PST

Junior goaltender Jeff Lerg (Livonia, Mich.) was named the team's Most Valuable Player for the second straight season while classmate Justin Abdelkader (Muskegon, Mich.) and freshman Jeff Petry (Farmington Hills, Mich.) were the night's two -award winners as the Michigan State hockey team held its season-ending banquet on Tuesday evening at the Kellogg Center. Five other Spartans earned honors on the evening, with most awards presented selected by a team vote. In addition, former hockey coach and Athletics Director Ron Mason was honored as the program's Distinguished Alumnus.

Jeff Lerg Earns All-American Honors

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 20:50:04 PST

Junior goaltender Jeff Lerg (Livonia, Mich.) added to his impressive list of career accolades on Friday when he was named a Second Team All-America by the American College Hockey Coaches Association. Lerg is the 44th Spartan to earn All-America honors (and seventh goaltender), and earned the program's 52nd all-time honor. Lerg is the first MSU player to earn the honor since Jim Slater and AJ Thelen also earned second-team honors in 2004.

Vukovic to compete in NCAA Skills Challenge Friday evening.

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:53:36 PST

Daniel Vukovic is one of 16 players who will represent the west in Friday evening's 2008 Frozen Four Skills Challengeat the Pepsi Center in Denver. The Frozen Four Skills Challenge will be televised live on ESPNU at 9 PM eastern time.Complete Skills Challenge Rosters

Spartan Hockey Adds Two More For Fall

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:15:11 PST

Michigan State University head coach Rick Comley has announced that two additional players will join the Spartan hockey program in the fall of 2008, as defenseman Matt Crandell (St. Cloud, Minn./Sioux City Musketeers (USHL) and Andrew Conboy (Rosemount, Minn./Omaha Lancers (USHL) have signed a National Letter of Intent and a Tender of Financial Aid, respectively.

Booth Named to US Team For IIHF World Championships

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:17:31 PST

USA Hockey today named the first 17 players to its U.S. Men's National Team that will compete at the 2008 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, May 2-18. Among those first 17 selections is former Spartan David Booth , who just completed his second professional season with the Florida Panthers.

Mueller Signs Pro Contract With Grand Rapids

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:04:07 PST

The Grand Rapids Griffins on Wednesday signed Michigan State forward Chris Mueller to an amateur tryout.Mueller, 22, recently completed his senior season and second year as an alternate captain at Michigan State, where he ranked fifth on the Spartans with 27 points (13-14--27) in 42 games. Over the course of his four-year career with the Green and White, the West Seneca, New York, native tallied 104 points (42-62--104) and 141 penalty minutes in 166 contests.

Ratchuk Signs Pro Contract With Philadelphia

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:54:45 PST

Michigan State sophomore Michael Ratchuk (Buffalo, N.Y.) has signed a professional contract with the Philadelphia Flyers, and will report to the Flyers' American Hockey League affiliate Philadelphia Phantoms immediately, as announced by the Flyers on Friday afternoon. Ratchuk, a second-round pick of the Flyers in 2006 (42nd overall), just completed his sophomore season for the Spartans, and will forgo his final two seasons of collegiate eligibility.

Abdelkader Forgoes Senior Season; Signs With Detroit

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 11:26:35 PST

Michigan State alternate captain Justin Abdelkader (Muskegon, Mich.) has been signed to an amateur tryout with the Detroit Red Wings, and will be available for tonight's contest at Joe Louis Arena against the Columbus Blue Jackets, as announced by Detroit General Manager Ken Holland on Thursday morning. Abdelkader, a second-round pick of the Red Wings in 2005 (42nd overall), just completed his junior season for the Spartans, and will forgo his final season of eligibility.

Bryan Lerg Signs Professional Contract With Edmonton Oilers

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 10:29:06 PST

The Edmonton Oilers have announced the signing of Michigan State senior captian Bryan Lerg (Livonia, Mich.) to a two-year NHL entry-level contract. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. Lerg will immediately join the Oilers' American Hockey League affiliate Springfield Falcons, and will join the team on Thursday in Wilkes-Barre, Penn. for the Falcons' Friday game against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Pengiuns.

Spartan Hockey Eliminated In NCAA West Regional Final

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 00:50:04 PST

A pair of Notre Dame goals scored just over a minute apart in the late stages of the third period broke open a 1-1 game and propelled the Irish to a 3-1 victory over Michigan State in the West Regional final in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday evening. Justin Abdelkader had the only score for Michigan State, which completes its season with a 25-12-5 record.

Spartans Knock Off Host Tigers, 3-1

Sat, 29 Mar 2008 03:54:26 PST

Michigan State goaltender Jeff Lerg made 41 saves as the Spartans exploded for three second-period goals to give Michigan State a 3-1 victory over WCHA regular-season champion Colorado College in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday evening. The Tigers finish their season at 28-12-1, while Michigan State advances to the NCAA Regional Final for the second straight year and improves to 25-11-5 on the season.

Spartans Kick Off NCAA Title Defense in Colorado

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:17:16 PST

Michigan State makes its 26th all-time NCAA Tournament appearance. The reigning National Champion Spartans, a No. 3 seed, have drawn No. 2 seed Colorado College in the first round of the 2008 Tournament. Colorado College is hosting the West Regional at the Colorado Springs World Arena on Friday and Saturday, with No. 1 New Hampshire and No. 4 Notre Dame rounding out the field.NCAA West Regional:
Date/Time: March. 28, Colorado Springs, Colo.; 10 p.m. eastern
Audio: WVFN 730 AM (Fri.) / WJIM 1240 AM (Sat.)/ msuspartans.com
Scott Moore (PBP) and Rob Woodward `00 (Analysis)
Television: ESPNU
ESPNU appears on DirecTV Channel 609 (sports pack) and on Dish Network channel 148 (America's Top 250 / America's Everything Pack)
Download MSU Hockey Notes (PDF)
Watch the Rick Comley Press Conference (free video)
Tuesday Press Conference Audio:
Head Coach Rick Comley
Senior Alternate Captain Daniel Vukovic
Freshman forward Corey Tropp
Junior Alternate Captain Tim Kennedy
Junior forward Tim Crowder

Spartans Draw Colorado College in NCAA Tournament

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 14:05:44 PST
Reigning National Champion Michigan State, a No. 3 seed, has drawn No. 2 seed Colorado College in the first round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament. Colorado College is hosting the West Regional at the Colorado Springs World Arena on Friday and Saturday, with No. 1 New Hampshire and No. 4 Notre Dame rounding out the field.
Friday will serve as the 80th meeting of Michigan State and Colorado College; MSU trails the all-time series 33-45-1. CC holds a 26-13-0 edge all-time in Colorado Springs. This will be the third NCAA Tournament meeting of the schools.
NCAA Tournament Bracket
Selection Show Audio:
Head Coach Rick Comley
Senior Captain Bryan Lerg
Junior Goaltender Jeff Lerg
Junior Forward Justin Abdelkader

Lerg One Of Five Sullivan Finalists

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 09:39:40 PST
Michigan State junior goaltender Jeff Lerg (Livonia, Mich.) has been named one of five finalists for the prestigious James E. Sullivan Award. Lerg has been invited to the Sullivan Award Ceremony in New York, NY on April 1 at the New York Athletic Club.Known as the " Oscar" of sports awards, and older than The Heisman, the AAU Sullivan Award honors the outstanding amateur athlete in the United States. Based on the qualities of leadership, character, sportsmanship, and the ideals of amateurism, the AAU Sullivan Award goes far beyond athletic accomplishments and honors those who have shown strong moral character.