Lakers Sign Three to Leters Of Intent

SAULT STE. MARIE - The Lake Superior State hockey team signed forwards Rick Schofield and Chad Nehring, and defenseman Dillin Stonehouse to a National Letter of Intent during the 2007 spring signing period. No official word yet on defenseman Matt Cowie or a backup goaltender. Schofield, of Pickering, Ont., is a 6-1, 195-pound center for the Pickering Panthers of the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League. He led the Panthers in scoring with 36-34--70 and was tied for 14th in OPJHL scoring. He was named the South Conference's most-improved player, most-valuable player of the OPJHL All-Star Game and received the Brad Shearer Award -- a leadership award presented by the Panthers' organization. Pickering was 26-21-2 in the OPJHL's South Conference in 2006-07. Schofield, who is a former teammate of Laker freshman John Scrymgeour, was recruited to replace rookie Matt Martello, who left the team at mid-season. "He's a lot like Matt," LSSU coach Jim Roque said. "He's a big kid with good skills. He's got some pro potential." Nehring, of Springside, Sask., was named the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Player of the Month in March. The 5-11, 195-pound center for the Yorkton Terriers was the league's No. 2 scorer during the playoffs with 13-11--24 in 17 games. He was ranked 13th in SJHL scoring during the regular season and finished the year with 38-47--85. Yorkton was 26-22-4 in the SJHL's Sherwood Conference during the regular season. Roque described Nehring as a good two-way player. "He's a thick kid and strong," Roque said. "He's played in a couple championships, including the Canadian Championships against (Laker freshman) Ryan Baird a couple years ago." Stonehouse, of Elkhorn, Man., was named most-valuable defenseman for the Melfort Mustangs of the SJHL. The 6-0, 180-pounder totaled 12-36--48 in 58 regular-season games to finish second in league scoring among defensemen. He added 3-4--7 in 10 playoff games. Melfort was 37-18-1 in the SJHL's Itech Conference. Roque compared Stonehouse to Laker freshman Steven Kaunisto. "He's a really good puck handler and skater," he said. "He's smart and will be good on the power play. He's very mobile and can pass the puck. He's also a 4.0 student." Three fall signees also completed their junior seasons with impressive totals. Tyson Hobbins, a Nipawin Hawks right wing, finished his regular season with 23-38--6 1 in 47 games. He was 11th in the SJHL in scoring during the regular season and totaled 5-9--14 in 18 playoff games. Ohio Blue Jackets right wing Zac MacVoy totaled 13-13--26 in 47 games, while Stouffville Spirit left wing Will Acton finished with 16-13--29 in 33 games. "Right now I only have 22 skaters, and I like that," Roque said. "All of the freshmen will probably be major contributors - a lot like the freshmen this year."