April 9, 2008

OXFORD - Head coach Enrico Blasi has announced the signing of goaltender Cody Reichard (RIKE-ard) to a letter of intent to play collegiate hockey for Miami University.

Reichard, a native of Celina, Ohio, spent the 2007-08 season backstopping the North American Hockey League's Fairbanks Ice Dogs.  In 51 games, Reichard compiled a record of 33-15-2, earning the most victories by any NAHL goaltender.  Reichard posted a 2.05 goals-against average and .935 saves percentage on the year.  Thanks to his stellar season, he was named to the NAHL South Division Top Prospects Team.  Prior to joining Fairbanks, Reichard spent the last two years with the Indiana Ice of the United States Hockey League.

Blasi believes Reichard's experience will be an asset for the RedHawks.

"Cody will come to Miami with a wealth of Junior Hockey experience.  He has proven himself to be an elite goalie at the Junior level and with his skill set and outstanding work ethic; we feel he will become an elite goalie at our level.  Cody is a tremendous young man who we are proud to add to our Miami Hockey Family"

Players previously signed to Letters of Intent in November:

TRENT VOGELHUBER

The 6-foot-2, 180-pound forward from Dublin, Ohio, Vogelhuber is currently in his first season with the Des Moines Buccaneers of the United States Hockey League. In two career games, he had one assist to his credit. Vogelhuber was a 2007 draft pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets and was also drafted fifth overall in the 2007 USHL draft.

What Rico Blasi has to say: "Trent is a very good player who has suffered some tough injuries, including this season. He is a total package as a player. Trent can create offense while being accountable defensively. Trent also has a great shot.

ALDEN HIRSCHFELD

Hirschfeld is a 6-foot-2, 190-pound native of Sylvania, Ohio. He is in his second season with the Mahoning Valley Phantoms of the North American Hockey League. Through 77 games, Hirschfeld has accumulated 86 points, scoring 35 goals and assisting on 51 more. He has 48 points (21 goals, 27 assists) through 61 games in the 2007-08 season. Hirschfeld was taken second overall by the Ohio Junior Blue Jackets in the 2007 USHL draft.

What Rico Blasi has to say: "Alden is a warrior. He is big and strong and plays very hard. Alden has great leadership qualities and a tremendous work ethic that he will bring to our Miami Hockey Family.

WILL WEBER

Weber, one of two defensemen in the recruiting class, is a 6-foot-4, 205-pound native of Gaylord, Mich. He was taken in the second round of the 2007 NHL entry draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets and was the first overall pick of the Chicago Steel in the 2007 USHL draft. Through 46 games, Weber has eight goals, 10 assists and 137 penalty minutes.

What Rico Blasi has to say: "Will is a very big defenseman who can really skate and create offense. Will also plays very physical and defends well. He has all the tools to be great at our level and beyond."

MATT TOMASSONI

The other incoming defenseman is Matt Tomassoni of Carol Streak, Ill. The 5-foot-10, 165-pound Tomassoni is in his second season with the Cedar Rapids Roughriders, tallying 31 points (9 goals, 22 assists) and 92 penalty minutes in 99 career games. Tomassoni was a member of the 2006 USA Under 18 Team that won a silver medal in the Ivan Hlinka Memorial World Tournament.

What Rico Blasi has to say: "Matt can skate, has a great shot and really battles hard. Matt is warrior who can hit, defend well, and create offense five on five or on the power play"

CONNOR KNAPP

Closing out the group of recruits is Connor Knapp, a 6-foot-5, 220-pound goaltender from York, New York. Knapp is currently with the Boston Junior Bruins, members of the Empire Junior Hockey League. Seeing action in eight games this season, Knapp has a goals against average of 2.02, a .925 save percentage and a 14-7-2 record.