The Bulldogs return 20 letter-winners for the 2010-11 season, including eight seniors, eight juniors, and four sophomores.
Ferris lost six key contributors to the team’s offense, including point-leader Blair Riley. The team also lost two-year captain Cody Chupp and seniors Casey Haines and Aaron Lewicki. However, Ferris will still have the majority of its offense intact.
Ferris returns senior Todd Pococke, who tallied five goals and seven assists last season, along with senior Mike Fillinger. Sophomore right wing Matthew Kirzinger had a nine goals and five assists season last year. Kirzinger was given the Ferris State University Rookie of the Year award last season.
Senior left wing Mike Embach will look to repeat last season’s performance, in which he compiled nine goals and 11 assists. Senior center Justin Menke scored eight times last season, four of which were during power play situations, and assisted on 10 goals.
“Menke is someone that we’re going to look to step up for us this season and I know he’s capable of doing so,” said head coach Bob Daniels.
Also returning for the Bulldogs is junior Jordie Johnston and sophomores Eric Alexander, Travis Ouellette and Kyle Bonis. Junior center Derek Graham scored two goals and 11 assists for the Bulldogs a season ago.
“I see the defense being our main strength, but then every year some forwards step up,” said Graham.
On the defensive side, senior defenseman Zach Redmond, who is fresh out of offseason training with the Atlanta Thrashers, will be returning after recording a team-high 21 assists last season.
Redmond tallied 27 points to lead all Ferris defenseman a season ago. He scored five powerplay goals last season, including three game-winners.
Redmond earned a spot on the 2009-10 CCHA Preseason All-Conference Honorable Mention team. He is ranked 10th in plus/minus rating in school history with a plus 19 rating.
Senior defenseman Scott Wietecha racked up 11 points last season that totaled from one goal and 10 assists performance. The Bulldogs also return junior defensemen Brett Wysopal, Michael Trebish, Aaron Schmit and Tommy Hill. The newcomer to the defensive group is freshman Scott Czarnowczan of Macomb.
Rounding out the defensive unit is Chad Billins, a junior who played 40 games during his sophomore season. Billins snagged three goals and eight assists during the 2009-10 season.