Tech's Pearson adds 2 more to incoming class

Courtesy of MTU Athletics

HOUGHTON, Mich.- Michigan Tech hockey coach Mel Pearson today announced two additions to the program’s 2012-13 recruiting class. Malcolm Gould (North Vancouver, B.C./Chilliwack-BCHL) and Jamie Phillips (Caledonia, Ont./Toronto-OJHL) join five others who signed National Letters of Intent last November.

Gould, a 5-11, 175-pound forward, played in 60 games for the Chilliwack Chiefs of the British Columbia Hockey League in 2011-12. He tallied 36 goals and 36 assists to lead the team in total points during the regular season at 72. The 19-year-old also posted a team-high five points in six playoff games. Prior to joining Chilliwack, Gould played the 2010-11 season with the Quesnel Millionaires, accumulating 14 goals and 17 assists in 57 games.

“Malcolm is a very gifted offensive player,” said Pearson. “He really came into his own this year, especially in the second half of the season. He has soft hands, good vision and knows what to do around the net. He’ll be a nice addition to the class we signed in the fall.”

Phillips, a 6-3, 175-pound goaltender, is rated 26th among North American goaltenders on the final 2012 NHL Central Scouting draft rankings. He started last season with the Powell River Kings of the BCHL, where he posted a 16-6-1 record. The 19-year-old recorded a 2.01 goals against average and a .921 save percentage with five shutouts. Phillips finished the year with the Toronto Jr. A Canadiens of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. He played in 21 games with a 3.05 goals against average and .925 save percentage. The previous season, Phillips helped the Pembroke Lumber Kings win the RBC Cup as Canadian National Junior A Champions.

“Jamie is a tall, lanky and very athletic goaltender,” said Pearson. “He’s coming off a good season and had a good playoff with Toronto. We think he’s going to help make goaltending a strong position for us.”

Gould and Phillips join a recruiting class that already includes goaltender Pheonix Copley (North Pole, Alaska/Des Moines-USHL), forward CJ Eick (Appleton, Wis./Green Bay-USHL), defenseman Walker Hyland (Woodbury, Minn./Alberni Valley-BCHL), forward Jujhar Khaira (Surrey, B.C./Prince George-BCHL) and forward Alex Petan (Delta, B.C./Coquitlam-BCHL).

Copley played 25 games for the Tri-City Storm before joining the Des Moines Buccaneers for the final 20 games. He posted a .907 save percentage and 3.12 goals against average in 45 games on the season.

Eick helped Green Bay to the Anderson Cup as regular season champions and is set to begin the Eastern Conference Finals of the USHL Playoffs with the Gamblers next week.

Hyland wrapped up his 2012 campaign with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs with 14 goals and 30 assists in 53 games.

Khaira finished his 2011-12 season with 29 goals and 50 assists for 79 total points. He is the highest-ranked player from the BCHL on the final 2012 NHL Central Scouting draft rankings at No. 74.

Petan scored a team-high 88 points in 55 games for the Coquitlam Express. He registered 38 goals and 50 assists in the regular season and added 3-3–6 more in the playoffs.

“(Assistant coaches) Damon (Whitten) and Billy (Muckalt) have done an outstanding job putting this class together,” said Pearson. “They’re the full package academically and athletically. We feel like they will help us take our program to the next level, and we’re really looking forward to seeing them in Houghton.”

2012-13 Michigan Tech Hockey Recruits
Pheonix Copley G 6-3 175 North Pole, Alaska/Tri-City (USHL)
CJ Eick F 5-7 160 Appleton, Wis./Green Bay (USHL)
Malcolm Gould F 5-11 175 North Vancouver, B.C./Chilliwack (BCHL)
Walker Hyland D 5-11 185 Woodbury, Minn./Alberni Valley (BCHL)
Jujhar Khaira F 6-3 195 Surrey, B.C./Prince George (BCHL)
Alex Petan F 5-8 155 Delta, B.C./Coquitlam (BCHL)
Jamie Phillips G 6-3 175 Caledonia, Ont./Toronto (OJHL)