Nov. 11, 2009

Blasi comments and info on 2009 signees

OXFORD, Ohio -- The Miami Ice Hockey program signed five players to national letters of intent on Wednesday, including four from the junior ranks, head coach Enrico Blasi announced today. Three of the players are currently on the roster of the Indiana Ice of the USHL, while a fourth competes in the same league for the Tri-City Storm. The final signee is a senior in high school.

Shane Berschbach (5-8, 140) is in his second season with the Indiana Ice, helping lead them to a USHL Championship in 2008-09. A forward from Clawson, Mich., he has scored 24 goals and dished out 25 assists over 62 regular-season games. During last year's playoff run, he tallied four goals and six assists in 10 games.

"Shane is a strong skater who can make plays and score goals," Blasi said. "He will add a lot of speed to lineup."

Max Cook (6-1, 178) of Frankfort, Ill., is also in his second season with the Ice and third in the USHL. He started his career with the Green Bay Gamblers, scoring five goals during the 2007-08 campaign. Last season, he moved to Indiana, where he tallied 18 goals and dished out 24 assists. This year, he already has three goals and three assists in 12 games.

"Max is a tall, lanky centerman," Blasi noted "He is good with the puck and sees the ice well."

The final Indiana Ice player to commit to Miami is Alex Wideman (5-8, 151), the younger brother of current RedHawk defenseman Chris Wideman. The St. Louis, Mo. native is in his first season of juniors. He has a pair of goals and an assist in 11 games.

"Alex is a small, but skilled, forward," Blasi said. "He can score goals and most certainly set them up."

Christopher "Cody" Murphy (5-10, 195) has played for a pair of teams in the USHL. Last year, he was a member of the Cedar Rapids Roughriders, scoring five goals and dishing out 11 assists from his forward position. This season, he has moved onto the Tri-City Storm, where he has a goal in eight games.

"Cody will bring a high level of energy to Miami," Blasi commented. "He is a physical player who plays hard every shift."

Jimmy Mullin (5-11, 165) is a native of Cincinnati, but is attending Shattuck-St. Mary's Prep School in Faribault, Minn. He has played in 20 games this year, registering 14 goals and dishing out 11 assists. Last year, he led the SSM Under-16 AAA team in scoring.

"Jim is good with the puck and bring a special presence to the lineup," Blasi said.

"Overall, this freshman class complements the guys we already have in the program. They will do a nice job for us in continuing the excellence of the brotherhood."

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