recruits04

Outstanding speed and skating convinced the SCSU coaching staff to recruit this native of Wisconsin. Zabkowicz is the first D-1 era Husky out of the prestigious Culver Military Academy of Indiana. From a hockey family, his brother Tom played for the Black Bears of the University of Maine. A 2007-08 captain of the USHL's Sioux Falls Stampede, he put up 7-20-27 in 60 games for the Stampede. In 2006-07 he logged 49 games for Sioux Falls compiling 13 points. Having a reputation for taking very few penalty minutes he totaled 6 PIM over two seasons with the Stampede. In 2005-06 he split time between the Dallas Stars Midget AAA team and 11 games for the Texarkana Bandits of the NAHL. Zabkowicz will be one of the fastest straight out skaters in the WCHA and the Huskies will take advantage of this giving him the freedom to carry the puck up ice. He sees the ice well, makes sharp passes and with his speed can close the gap well defensively. He should eventually earn some time on the power play unit as well.

A smart two-way player with good size, Rioux will immediately upgrade the SCSU defense. He will not be eligible until the November 14 home game vs Denver University. "He is a good two-way defenceman," says Spruce Kings assistant coach, Stewart Malgunas. "He is a good skater, he is good defensively and he has some offensive upside. I can see him doing very well at the university level; he skates well, he feels the game and he works really hard - he is just getting better every year." Rioux has a physical presence as evidenced by his 135 PIM over two seasons in the BCJHL. He netted 11 goals and 20 assists for 31 points in 65 games in 2007-08. Rioux should have a very successful run with the Huskies.

There will be a lot of local excitement for this prolific high school scorer out of nearby Little Falls, MN. An extremely skilled playmaker, Festler earned All-State, All-Section and All-Conference selections while a junior in 2006-07 at Little Falls, MN High School. He netted a team record 136 goals at Little Falls and led the Minnesota State High School league in scoring with 71-54-125 points. He was also team captain of the Flyers in 2006-07. In 2007, Festler skated for Lincoln of the USHL and was also selected to play for the Team USA World Challenge Junior team and the Western Division USHL Prospects/ All Star team. Dealing with some slight injury issues in 2007-08 Festler still produced 36 points (13-23) in 49 games for the Lincoln Stars. He also added 4 points in 8 games in the playoffs. The SCSU coaching staff sees tremendous college potential in this skilled player. Festler should see immediate ice time for the Huskies and the larger home ice rink at the NHC should allow Festler to thrive as a player. His on-ice vision and playmaking ability will benefit those that have the opportunity to play with him. Festler certainly has the ability to be a 100 point member as a four year player and is a key component of a first -year class that should rival one of the schools all-time best.

Another speed burner, the trio of Novak, Zabkowicz and Johnny Swanson give the Huskies three of the fastest skaters in the WCHA. A well seasoned Junior hockey player, Novak had an outstanding year with Omaha of the USHL in 2007-08 scoring 50 points ( 18-32) in 60 games including 51 PIM. He also put up 12 points in 14 games in the playoffs. He was limited by an injury in 2006-07 but still managed 24 points in 36 games. As a member of Alberta's Canmore Eagles in 2005-06 he netted 16 goals and added 16 assists for 32 points in 43 games. In 2004 Novak was a member of the U-17 Pacific team. Has dual citizenship in the US and Canada as he was born in Michigan but moved to Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada at age 1. Former Lincoln Stars coach Mike Hastings described Novak as having "NHL abilities when it comes to skating" and "I couldn't be more impressed with his mental maturity,"

Combining his speed with good hands and excellent footwork Novak has that ability to blow by defenders. Well traveled and mature, Novak should adjust quickly to the speed of the WCHA play. The SCSU coaching staff has high hopes for this player who will be a key forward coming out of the 2008-09 class for SCSU.

Another transfer to join the Huskies in 2008-09, Hepp will bring a rough and tumble spirit and veteran play to the Huskies blueline. After a year at the the Air Force Academy in which he played 18 games he returned to the USHL and then signed on with SCSU. Hepp is a veteran of the USHL playing nearly four seasons in the league.

A "stay at home" defender and enforcer Hepp racked up a total of 472 minutes over four seasons and 672 games played. Evidence of his physical play is 18 fights featured on hockey fights.com during his junior hockey years. Not known for scoring goals, Hepp contributed only 9 in four seasons but assisted on 18 in 2007-08. In 2004-05 Hepp was a member of the USHL league champion Omaha Lancers. He also graduated with honors from Millard North High School in Burnsville, MN. Hepp will add that much needed physical presence for the Huskies and will be a player with maturity and experience. He'll be ready to step in and play immediately for the Huskies.

The Huskies recorded another recruiting coup in convincing this outstanding Minnesota High School player to become a part of the Husky hockey program. An outstanding individual on and off the ice, Christian was named the BCJHL Interior Division Rookie of the Year for 2007-08 while skating for the Prince George Spruce Kings. Opting for the BCJHL as opposed to the USHL, Christian burned up the league as a rookie surpassing all other first-year players with 39 goals and 45 assists for 84 points. Recognized for his leadership, he was also named Captain of the Spruce Kings squad. His game was described as "gritty, determined and passionate" and he quickly became a fan and community favorite during his 7 month tenure. "He was in a position to choose from a number of options throughout the US and Canada to play. He chose our program to develop and improve his game as he climbs up the hockey ladder and we're really thankful that he did. He showed his dedication to becoming the best player he possibly could and that's what made it such an enjoyable experience to have him on the team" said Spruce King GM and Coach Ed Dempsey. A 2007 Minnesota Mr. Hockey finalist , he was named AP First Team All-State after compiling 65 points in 27 games. Expect nothing short of a tremendous college career for this player at SCSU.

The Huskies picked up another quality transfer from the University of Minnesota-Duluth in forward Mitch Ryan. The hard-working and gritty Ryan could quietly turn heads given the opportunity to show what he can do. The SCSU coaching staff already is impressed in what they see and he'll most likely crack the lineup immediately with the Huskies in 2008-09. Ryan has had success at every level of hockey he has played including two stints with the Waterloo Blackhawks of the USHL where he put up 27-24-51 with 109 PIM in 2005-06 and 5-12-17 in 34 games in 2006-07 after leaving the UMD program. He also added an impressive 8 points in 9 playoff games. While at UMD as a first-year player, Ryan saw action in 10 games and had 3 points in 10 games including his only goal - vs SCSU. He played his High School hockey at Cloquet/Esko/ Carlton where he had 39-39-78 as a senior placing him 6th in state scoring and earning him Pioneer Press and AP All-State honors. Ryan will play the physical game but is an offensive threat as well and will fit in well at SCSU.

A highly touted Danish player, Lauridsen played for the Team Denmark World Junior Team in 2006, 2007 and 2008. The SCSU coaches describe Lauridsen as a "North American" style player in terms of his physical approach to the game but European style with his good hands and stick skills. This tall rangy player uses his long reach and size to his advantage and is not afraid to hand out punishment in the defensive zone. In 2004-05 he played for IC Gentofte in Denmark putting up 17 points in 32 games. In 2005-06 he played for Rogle BK in Sweden with 2 points in 28 games. In 2006-07 he skated with the Linkopings HC team in the Swedish Elite League and was +1 with 95 PIM. He returned to Linkopings in 2007-08 and was +2 with 11 points and 159 penalty minutes. A polished, physical player.

Another excellent recruit out of the Minnesota High School ranks, LeBlanc will be another whose college career should be marked with success. LeBlanc most recently played for the Chicago Steel of the USHL and had an outstanding first-year netting 19 goals and adding 35 assists for 54 points. He also had a short stint with the Steel following his senior season at Hermantown where he had 5 points in 14 games. As a senior at Hermantown High School he set a new high for points in a season with 90 after setting the record a year before as a junior with 83 points. Left Hermantown program second in career points (199), third in goals scored (79) and first for assists (120). He played for Team USA at the 2007 World Junior A Challenge and was named to Eastern Division team for the USHL Prospects/All-Star game. A solid defensive player, he also has deceptive offensive skills, a good shot and plays well in traffic. LeBlanc was a strong special teams player for the Chicago Steel seeing time on the top PP unit and was one if their top penalty-killers. He was third team Pioneer Press All-Stare and Second Team AP All-State in 2007. He finished sixth in the state in scoring in 2007 with 31-56-87. Another member of the potent 2008-08 SCSU recruiting class, LeBlanc will be inserted into the lineup early and will get every opportunity to get experience and prosper in the WCHA. He should be one of the top young forwards in the league in 2008-09.

A walk on Goaltender, Hardy already has become a hit with the rest of his teammates. With two NHL draft choices ahead of him, playing time will be limited in 2008-09. Hardy was a key component of the Hermantown High run to the Class A state high school championship in 2007. He was also a member of the section 7 "great 8" post season team. He was a teammate of 2008-08 SCSU recruit, Drew LeBlanc. In 2007-08 Hardy was with the Southern Minnesota Xpress of the NAHL. and saw action in 6 games.