The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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son, recording a 1.67 goals-against average and a .943 save percentage in three Big Ten Tournament contests, but U-M cannot afford another terri- bly inconsistent regular season from its netminders. Catt will arrive without a scholar- ship (thus the coaches cannot talk about him until he is enrolled), but with a chance to push both Racine and Nagelvoort for playing time. The 5-10, 190-pounder from Wil- liamston, Mich., was a late bloomer, but over the past two seasons in the North American Hockey League, with both the Aberdeen Wings and the Soo Eagles, Catt allowed 2.41 goals per game and had a .923 save percentage. "I have been coaching a long time, 35 years now, and I have never had a goalie that has the work ethic and commitment to excel- lence that Chad has," Eagles coach/ owner Bruno Bragagnolo posted on his team's website after Catt committed to Michigan in April. Not only is Chad a great goalie, he's a great kid. "We couldn't be happier for him." Michigan is hopeful its five addi- tions will help usher in a return to the NCAA Tournament following a three-year absence. U-M also needs a quiet summer after the unexpected departure of junior captain Andrew Copp to the NHL's Winnipeg Jets. The Wolver- ines understand they accept risk when they recruit talents such as Lar- kin, Werenski, Connor and Boka, but the Maize and Blue still believe their recruiting philosophy works. "Part of the reason we've been able to sustain our level of success for so long is because we produce a lot of NHL players, and the young kids with those aspirations and that tal- ent want to come to Michigan," head coach Red Berenson said. "When you bring in great players every year, you don't face many rebuilding years. "But we're always looking as coaches at what we can do better and how we need to adjust. We like the kids we've signed; they should con- tribute right away, and add a few ele- ments to our team we need to stress more, like some physical play. "We could be a really good team next season if the team we have now, with these incoming freshmen and all of our kids returning, is the team we have when school starts." ❑ Defenseman Joseph Cecconi is ranked as the No. 88 prospect in North America in the Central Scouting Service's final pre-NHL Draft rankings. PHOTO COURTESY MUSKEGON LUMBERJACKS