Voice of Laker Hockey Retiring

Bill Crawford has confirmed with the Soo Evening News that he is retiring from Lake Superior State University after being with the school for 21 years. Crawford has been the voice of the Lakers for 28 seasons in two stints dating back to 1973. It will be hard to imagine LSSU without Bill Crawford; it is still up in the air as to whether he will be back behind the mike for the Lakers this season.

Perkovich leaves LSSU for ECHL

Lake Superior State junior forward Nathan Perkovich (Canton, Mich.) has signed a contract to play in the Kelly Cup Playoffs with the Trenton Devils of the East Coast Hockey League. The Devils, whose lineup includes former Laker forward Dan Eves '07, placed second in the East Coast Hockey League American Division North. They open a best-of-seven playoff series at home Friday against the Elmira Jackals. Perkovich, a 2004 eighth-round draft pick of the New Jersey Devils, will play for ECHL Coach of the Year Rick Kowalsky. Perkovich totaled 12 goals and 12 assists to finish fourth in scoring for LSSU in 2008-09. His team-leading seven power-play goals ranks seventh in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. Perkovich missed four games in December due to an injury, but finished strong. He totaled 4-1-5 during the Lakers' last four games. Perkovich was one of the Lakers' most-consistent playoff contributors throughout his collegiate career. He contributed 9-4-13 in 13 post-season games. Through three seasons at LSSU, Perkovich totaled 44-27-71 with 25 power-play goals and five game-winning goals. He was named the Lakers' outstanding freshman in 2006-07 and most-valuable forward and most-valuable player in 2007-08. He was LSSU's Perani Cup points leader in 2008-09. "Perk will be a great addition in Trenton," said Eves, who has been a consistent contributor for the Devils since being traded from Idaho early in the 2008-09 season. "We already have a really strong team heading into the post-season, but Perk's size and skill should be a big asset for us. Our division alone has been real though and physical all season, and it's only going to get more intense. I'm looking forward to playing with Perk again. He was one of my best friends at school over my four years, and I'm sure he's going to help us make a long playoff run towards the Kelly Cup."