LSSU 2006-07 Roster Finalized

LSSU Hockey.com has confirmed that the signing of Defenseman Steve Olesky from Traverse City of the NAHL, is too fill in the hole left by departing sophomore defenseman Matt Wheeler. Wheeler has decided not to return to LSSU following a freshman season in which he saw action in 23 games, recording 3 assists. LSSU Head Coach Jim Roque stated that, ‘Everyone else (including Matt Martello) will report.” There had been speculation that Martello would jump to the OHL after being drafted in the sixth round of the OHL draft by the Kitchener Rangers. Martello was ranked 130 on the NHL Central Scouting Bureau Final ranking going into the NHL Entry Draft but failed to be drafted by an NHL club. Chad Swartzentruber, originally recruited for the 2005-06 season, will come to LSSU and sit out a year to get his eligibility for 07-08. Last season Swartzentruber played for the Elmira Sugar Kings of Midwestern Junior Hockey League recording 21 goals and 51 points in 43 games from the blue line. Carter Lee, from St. Louis, MO, will transfer to LSSU from Northeastern University and be eligible for the 07-08 season. Lee follows former teammate Jason Blaine to LSSU after seeing action in 20 games over the past two years for Northeastern totaling 2 goals and 4 assists. Lee spent much of his time at Northeastern on right wing centered by Jason Blaine. Lee was drafted in the ninth round, 276th overall, of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the San Jose Sharks. Prior to attending Northeastern, Lee played three seasons at the Canterbury School putting up 19 goals and 38 points while leading Canterbury to a 19-4-4 record in 2003-04. Lee led New England Div. 1 Prep School hockey with 39 goals in his 2002-03 campaign. Lee is good friends with LSSU alumnus Jim Dowd.

Olesky signs with Lake Superior State

LSSU has signed Chesterfield Township's Steven Olesky for the 2006-07 season the 6-0, 190-lb defenseman spent last season playing for Traverse City of the NAHL. "I'm real excited about it," said Oleksy, who has three years of collegiate eligibility remaining. "I told their coaches that Lake State is where I dreamed of playing, and to get the chance is just amazing. I have three good buddies who play up there, and I can't wait to get to work." Oleksy's situation is somewhat unique, as the All-NAHL nominee played a year of baseball at Macomb Community College two years ago, which started the clock on his college eligibility. From the day a student-athlete begins his or her full-time Div. I collegiate career - athletic or merely academic - they have five years of eligibility. The rules for Div. III colleges are slightly less stringent, and Oleksy would have four years remaining at that level even if he played for the Stars next year. Oleksy led all Traverse City blue-liners with 11 goals (6 PPG) and 19 assists in 57 games last season, Oleksy also had 140 penalty minutes and finished the year sporting the captain's ‘C' on his sweater. "He's just rock-solid back there," Traverse City North Stars Head Coach Scott Gardiner added. "We preach hard work and heart around here, and that's exactly how he conducts himself on and off the ice. He's been a great representative of our team - on the ice, off the ice, and in the community." Oleksy was considering attending Wayne State University, over the summer, but he made it clear that LSSU was his first chose.