U.P. College Hockey Players in the Pros
A number of former U.P. college hockey players are making their presence felt and known in the minor leagues. Former Northern Michigan University forward Stephan Vigier finished his senior campaign with 30 points. After the Wildcats were knocked out of the WCHA playoffs, Vigier signed with the ECHL’s South Carolina Stingrays.
In seven games with the Stingrays, Vigier has scored five goals and notched one assist. The Stingrays clinched a spot in the ECHL playoffs last week.
Former Michigan tech goaltender Phoenix Copley signed with the stingrays last week. Copley singed a two year deal with the Washington Capitals last month. He will report to the Hersey Bears of the American Hockey League this fall. Copley will play with the Stingrays through the rest of the season.
Former NMU forward Andrew Cherniwchan has spent time this season with both the stingrays and the providence bruins of the AHL. Chernwichan has four goals and two assists in twenty five games with the Bruins. He has teamed up with his former teammate at NMU, Justin Florek.
‘Flo’ has 27 points in 71 games this season for Providence. Back in January, Florek was called up to the Boston Bruins. He scored his first career goal in just his third NHL game on January 9th against the Los Angeles Kings.
Former Michigan Tech captain Brad Stebner signed a try out deal with the Stockton Thunder.
In seven games played, Stebner has yet to record a point, but he was been a big contributor on the Thunder penalty kill.