FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WCHA LANDS 46 PLAYERS IN 2016 NHL DEVELOPMENT CAMPS Players representing nine WCHA institutions attend 20 NHL camps

EDINA, Minn. – July 8, 2016 – Marking the next step in their potential professional journeys, 46 players with ties to men’s Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) programs – including 32 slated to skate in the league this upcoming season – were invited to participate in 2016 (NHL) Development Camps. The group, which represents nine league institutions, is involved in camps for 20 NHL clubs.

The 32 players currently on active WCHA rosters feature 18 underclassmen (eight freshmen and 10 sophomores), along with 10 juniors and four seniors. That group also includes 11 NHL draft picks, along with 21 free agent invites. Michigan Tech rising junior defenseman Mark Auk was one of just 11 NCAA players to attend two camps, skating for both the Chicago Blackhawks and Edmonton Oilers.

The 2015-16 league alumni to earn invites, either as draftees or free agent signings, included Player of the Year Alex Petan (Michigan Tech / ), Outstanding Student Athlete of the Year Jamie Phillips (Michigan Tech / ), and All-WCHA First Team forwards Teddy Blueger (Minnesota State / Pittsburgh Penguins) and Tyler Morley (Alaska / Anaheim Ducks), along with Bemidji State’s John Parker (Washington Capitals), Ferris State’s Kyle Schempp (New York Islanders), Lake Superior State’s Alex Globke (Detroit Red Wings), and Minnesota State’s Jon Jutzi (Toronto Maple Leafs) and Dylan Margonari (Washington).

Edmonton, the New York Islanders and Winnipeg all brought five WCHA-affiliated players to camp, while Chicago had four. The Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins invited Blueger, a 2012 draft pick, and Michigan Tech redshirt sophomore defenseman Dane Birks, a 2013 selection. Tech sophomore forward Jake Jackson and senior defenseman Cliff Watson, both San Jose draft choices (2013 and 2012, respectively), are both in camp with the Western Conference champion Sharks.

Defending MacNaughton Cup co-champions Michigan Tech (12 players) and Minnesota State (seven) led the WCHA, followed by Bowling Green with six and Lake Superior State with five. Ferris State, which advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament, has four players in Development Camps.

The full list of WCHA-affiliated players at 2016 NHL Development Camps follows on the next page.

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WCHA-affiliated players at 2016 NHL Development Camps

Player, Pos. School NHL Development Camp Status (2016-17 Class) Scott Allen, F Alaska Anchorage Edmonton Oilers Signed (Alumnus) Olivier Mantha, G Alaska Anchorage Winnipeg Jets Free Agent (So.) Mason Mitchell, F Alaska Anchorage Free Agent (So.) Colton Beck, F Alaska Minnesota Wild Signed (Alumnus) Nikolas Koberstein, D Alaska Montréal Canadiens Draft (So.) Tyler Morley, F Alaska Anaheim Ducks Signed (Alumnus) Justin Woods, D Alaska Winnipeg Jets Free Agent (Jr.) Jack Burgart, G Bemidji State Chicago Blackhawks Free Agent (Fr.) John Parker, F Bemidji State Washington Capitals Signed (Alumnus) Hampus Sjodahl, F Bemidji State Dallas Stars Free Agent (Fr.) Stephen Baylis, F Bowling Green Toronto Maple Leafs Free Agent (So.) Ryan Bednard, G Bowling Green Florida Panthers Draft (Fr.) Mark Friedman, D Bowling Green Philadelphia Flyers Draft (Jr.) Chris Nell, G Bowling Green Toronto Maple Leafs Free Agent (Jr.) Adam Smith, D Bowling Green Draft (So.) Nolan Valleau, D Bowling Green Chicago Blackhawks Signed (Alumnus) Cameron Clarke, D Ferris State Draft (Fr.) Keeghan Howdeshell, F Ferris State New York Islanders Free Agent (Fr.) Gerald Mayhew, F Ferris State New York Islanders Free Agent (Sr.) Kyle Schempp, F Ferris State New York Islanders Signed (Alumnus) Kristofers Bindulis, F Lake Superior State Washington Capitals Free Agent (Fr.) Gordon Defiel, G Lake Superior State Minnesota Wild Free Agent (Jr.) Alex Globke, F Lake Superior State Detroit Red Wings Signed (Alumnus) Mitch Hults, F Lake Superior State New York Islanders Free Agent (So.) Nick Kossoff, G Lake Superior State Winnipeg Jets Free Agent (So.) Mark Auk, D Michigan Tech Chicago Blackhawks Free Agent (Jr.) Edmonton Oilers Dane Birks, D Michigan Tech Pittsburgh Penguins Draft (So.) Shane Hanna, D Michigan Tech Edmonton Oilers Free Agent (Sr.) Jake Jackson, F Michigan Tech San Jose Sharks Draft (So.) Tanner Kero, F Michigan Tech Chicago Blackhawks Signed (Alumnus) Joel L’Esperance, F Michigan Tech Anaheim Ducks Free Agent (Jr.) Jake Lucchini, F Michigan Tech Edmonton Oilers Free Agent (So.) Alex Petan, F Michigan Tech Minnesota Wild Signed (Alumnus) Jamie Phillips, G Michigan Tech Winnipeg Jets Signed (Alumnus) Mitch Reinke, D Michigan Tech Nashville Predators Free Agent (Fr.) Matt Roy, D Michigan Tech Los Angeles Kings Draft (Jr.) Cliff Watson, D Michigan Tech San Jose Sharks Draft (Sr.) Teddy Blueger, F Minnesota State Pittsburgh Penguins Signed (Alumnus) Daniel Brickley, D Minnesota State Buffalo Sabres Free Agent (So.) Jon Jutzi, D Minnesota State Toronto Maple Leafs Signed (Alumnus) Dylan Margonari, F Minnesota State Washington Capitals Signed (Alumnus) C.J. Franklin Minnesota State Winnipeg Jets Draft (Jr.) Zach Stepan, F Minnesota State Nashville Predators Draft (Jr.) Stephon Williams, G Minnesota State New York Islanders Signed (Alumnus) Dominik Shine, F Northern Michigan Edmonton Oilers Free Agent (Sr.) Rylan Yaremko, D Northern Michigan New York Rangers Free Agent (Fr.)

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About Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) The Western Collegiate Hockey Association, among the most historic, tradition-rich and successful conferences in all of collegiate athletics, proudly marked its 64th season of men’s competition in 2015- 16. The 10-team Division 1 conference consists of the University of Alabama in Huntsville (Chargers), the University of Alaska Anchorage (Seawolves), the University of Alaska (Nanooks), Bemidji State University (Beavers), Bowling Green State University (Falcons), Ferris State University (Bulldogs), Lake Superior State University (Lakers), Michigan Technological University (Huskies), Minnesota State University (Mavericks) and Northern Michigan University (Wildcats). For more information, visit wcha.com.

MEDIA CONTACT MORE INFORMATION Matt Hodson Website: wcha.com Associate Commissioner for Public Relations Twitter: @wcha_mhockey E: [email protected] Instagram: @wcha_mhockey O: 952.818.8872 Facebook: facebook.com/wchahockey M: 612.801.2808 WCHA.tv: portal.stretchinternet.com/wcha

– WCHA –

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