Hockey Broncos sign four recruits
Dec. 5, 2001
KALAMAZOO -- Coach Jim Culhane has announced that the Western Michigan University hockey team has inked four recruits to National Letters of Intent.
The fall 2002 freshman class will consist of center Vince Bellissimo, defenseman Andrew Dwyer, goaltender Scott Foster and right winger Brent Walton.
Vince Bellissimo (Toronto, Ont.) (age 18) leads the Topeka Scarecrows in goals (17), assists (10) and points (27) after 20 games played. He ranks second in goals and fourth in scoring in the United States Hockey League (USHL). The 6-foot-1, 190-lb Bellissimo recently set team records for points in a game (4) and goals in a period (3). He is also a draft prospect after being listed in the National Hockey League's Central Scouting Service Preliminary Rankings.
Andrew Dwyer (Burlington, Ont.) (age 17), no relation to WMU freshman Pat Dwyer, is team captain for the Burlington Cougars of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League (OPJHL). A stay-at-home defenseman, the 6-4, 190-lb. Dwyer has five points (1 goal, 4 assists) in 21 games.
Scott Foster (Sarnia, Ont.) (age 19) patrols the nets for the Petrolia Jets of the Western Junior B League. The 6-0, 185-lb. goaltender owns a 3.71 goals-against average and .898 saves percentage having appeared in a team-high 16 games. Foster's contributions have helped the Jets produce the fourth-stingiest defense (in terms of goals allowed) in the 10-team WJBHL.
Brent Walton (Elmira, Ont.) (age 18) stands second in the Midwestern Junior B League in overall scoring for the Elmira Sugar Kings. The 5-8, 175-lb. forward has compiled a team-best 25 goals, 20 assists and 45 points in 21 games. A former MWJHL Player of the Week selection, Walton led the Sugar Kings to a league-best 18-2-1 record to start the season.
"This class brings an element of skill and speed to our program," said Culhane. "They process the attributes we look for in recruits the ability to skate and work hard, while showing good hockey sense and a high level of competitiveness."
Media contact: Daniel Jankowski, 269 387-4138, daniel.jankowski@wmich.edu