1 The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - April 12, 1999 - 78 'M' ready to sign two new recruits By Mark Francescutti Daily Sports Writer PLYMOUTH, Mich. - The Michigan hockey team is close to netting two more recruits for its 1999 recruiting class. Forwards Mark Mink and J.J. Swistak - both from the Compuware Ambassadors - have given Michigan oral commitments and should be signed by the end of this week. The deal is as good as done, but until all the paperwork - including the players' let- ters of intent - is signed and delivered, Michigan coaches cannot comment. The Wolverines, who lose seven seniors - have built a strong recruiting class made of players from across North America. Michigan signed defenseman Matt Bannon and forwards Mike Cammalleri, Andy Hilbert and Jed Ortmeyer this past winter. dors All have officially committed to play for the Wolverines along with another ar. Compuware member - forward John Shouneiya. The Wolverines have once again grabbed several recruits from neighboring Plymouth, gaining three very different play- ers, in the process. Mink has distinguished himself as a con- sistent goal-scorer for the Ambassadors this season. He has 30 goals in 53 games and has the potential to provide the much-needed offen- sive ability that the Wolverines lacked at certain points this past year. "Mark is a goal scorer outright," Compuware coach Mike Vellucci said. "He's always in the right place at the right - time and he's always on the scoresheet. He'll score one every day." Mink has given the Ambassadors a solid power-play threat, one that earns him the distinction as a sniper. "All you have to do is feed him the puck I MARK HICKS/Courtesy of Compuware Ambassa Mirk Mink will join teammates J.J. Swistak and John Shouneiya in maize and blue uniforms this fall. Mink should add a scoring punch that was sometimes lacking from the Michigan offense this past yea MARK HICKS/Courtesy of Compuware Ambassadors J.J. Swistak, assistant captain of the Compuware Ambassadors, has given a verbal commitment to the Michigan hockey team for the 1999-2000 season. Corn p-u-say "new recruits?" The Michigan hockey team is expected to sign two new recruits this week from the Compuware Ambassadors - Mark Mink and JJ. Swistak. Their teammate John Shouneiya signed with Michigan this past winter. o0sition: Shoots: ,HeighL Mark Mink Forward Rht 170 JJ. Swistak Position: Shoots: Height: Weight: Forward Right 171 -A strong winger who can score with the best of them. likes to stay in the slot and dsean up on powerplays. Had 30 goals and 32 assists on the ;season. tf compared to a Michigan ayer, would be: Josh Langfeld A big grinder-type of player. Stron skilis on Compuware's -kal ill. Has strong defen- sive ability, but can score when he needs to. Netted 19 goals and 17 assists this season. If compared to a Michigan player, would be: Bobby Hayes John Shouneiya Position: Forward Shoots: Ri ht Height: 51 Weight: 166 A speedy playmaker with great vision on the ice which enables him toeeasily find an open teammate. Led the NAHL in assists and was sec ond in points. If compared to a Michigan player, would be: Mark Kosick and he'll snipe it in," Shouneiya said. Swistak, a tough and grinding forward, can give the Wolverines the type of rugged play they will miss when they lose forwards Dale Rominski and Bobby Hayes to gradu- ation. "J.J.'s a tough, gritty forward and the hardest hitter in the league," Velluci said. "He gives his body up." Swistak can also score, netting 19 goals and 17 assists even without a spot on the Compuware power play. Instead, Vellucci plays Swistak on the Ambassadors top penalty-kill unit. While the soon-to-be freshmen can pat themselves on the back for earning the chance to wear the maize and blue, they also have a tough offseason path ahead of them. The incoming players will have to work extra hard in the weight room to become strong and fast enough to compete with older, tougher players. "It's going to be a tough summer," Mink said. "It will take a lot of work both in the weight room and in running to be ready." All three recruits have played together for a number of years, and living so close to Ann Arbor has given them an easy choice to attend Michigan. "It's one of the best schools around both in academics and athletics," Mink said. "It was at the top of my list." Many Wolverines have come from Compuware in the past, including Hayes, Rominski and Dave Huntzicker. "It's a great University that has had a great run for a good number of years," Vellucci said "The kids grew up playing around Michigan. Another reason why they want to go there is that they've seen four or five Cothpuware players succeed there." Daddario shows that behind the scenes work pays offi the end DAILY HOCKEY. OUR COVERAGE DOESN'T END JUST BECAUSE THE SEASON DOES. (Hong Kong Sfyle) esce7eea 510 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor, Mt 48104 t was just another snowy day in mid-February, and another Michigan hockey practice. As the afternoon wore on, the players streamed off the ice and headed for the lockerroom. The few reporters that attend practice on a regular basis headed upstairs to con- duct interviews. K or as loud as Yost Ice Arena usu- is, the rink was silent now. The day was done, except for one lone player in a black prac- tice jersey, sta- tioned along the side boards at CHRIS the end of the DUPREY sional water break. They were important drills for a goaltender - in a game, this recovery time often makes the difference in stopping a goal or watching it hit the twine behind you. In a game. Daddario hadn't played since the Blue-White intrasquad scrimmage, and with the successful tandem of Blackburn and O'Malley, he wasn't expecting an opportunity. No one was around for Daddario to impress. The coaches were long gone; even his young goaltenders, whom he had been given the respon- sibility of mentoring, had gone either to the weight room or home to their dorm. He was all alone. There was no carrot in front of Daddario's nose to motivate him. There didn't need to be. He was working hard, doing what he'd always done - for himself and for the team. And when, Daddario finally did get in a game, making an appear- ance in both games of Michigan's final home weekend this season, the university - and most student sea- son-ticket holders - were on vaca- tion and missed out on the chance to see No. 30's shining moment. Then again, that's the way it always was for Daddario. He worked as hard as any of his team- mates, but always behind the scene: - never in the spotlight, never where outsiders could see him. That was his role for four years - to work as hard as he could while rarely being rewarded for it, and to push his teammates to put in the preparation time that he did. Not the most glamorous job, but one that he dedicated himself to fulfill- ing. A lot of people wouldn't accept this fate. Most college athletes were prep-school hotshots who were used to applause, success and glory. Staying in the backdrop would make them sick. If that was the case with Daddario, he never showed it. He accepted the circumstances, andl played the hand he was dealt. Yesterday, at the team's postsea- son banquet, the graduating seniors were presented a ring by Michigan coach Red Berenson. And with his upcoming degree in economics and English, Daddario received his. Following commencement, Daddario will begin work as a loan analyst for BankOne in Chicago. No one will know who he is. He, and his reputation, will begin anew. Imagine how successful he can be when people are watching. - Chris Duprey can be reached via e-mail at cduprey@umich.edu. U0off delivery with this ad! Mon. - Sat. l am. - 2p.m., 5p.m. -930pm. SundayII xa.m. pr 2p.m., 5p1m. - 830p.m. .............. - - ., I'll - 1. I- A AA/os' BUSINESS HOURS Mon. - Sat. 11a.m. - 10p.m. Sunday 12 Noon - 9p.m. Tel: 747.6662 Fax: 747-6620 ree. upe's e was too Scoop ort to be mis- taken for Josh Blackburn or Kevin O'Malley. It was definitely Greg Daddario. If had to be. Daddario had been the third- string goaltender for four years, and had no expectation of ever seeing serious playing time in a Michigan uniform. But that fact didn't matter. *ere was work to be done. Across the ice, there was Daddario, doing "down-up" drills at an exhausting pace, save the occa- Awardin' A lot The Dekers' Club- Michigan hock- ey's booster club - sponsored a banquet honoring the Wolverines yesterday in Ypsilanti. Among the 'ghlights included announcing "tam award winners and the 1999- 2000 season captains. Here's a list of the winners. °1999-2000 Co-captains: Sean Peach and Mike Van Ryn Carl Isaacson Award (Academic Athlete) Greg Daddario goard Colby Award Iprtsmanship) Bill Trainor Deker Club Award (Most Colorful Rookie) Josh Blackburn and Mike Comrie Alton D. Simms (Most Improved 0 Attention Marketing and Communications majors! Are you having trouble finding a job that offers 1 REAL business experience? The Michigan Daily has the answer...as our Circulation Manager you would be responsible for monitoring drop sites around campus, reaching out to local businesses, and expanding the Daily's reach into the University and Ann Arbor " ty communities. 22111113 1lU lle. 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