Nick Kossoff
Nick Kossoff
Jake Hand
Jake Hand

Supplied by Lake Superior State University…
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich.- Lake Superior State men’s ice hockey added five more recruits to their class of 2015-16 during the spring signing period. The Lakers received National Letters of Intent from five players spanning three different leagues. Joining the fall signees, the Lakers have now received 13 letters of intent between the two signing periods combined.
Among the players signed in the spring, Nick Kossoff becomes the only goaltender the Lakers received an NLI for the 2015-16 class. The 6-2, 185-pound, netminder will join the Lakers after a stellar rookie campaign with the North American Hockey League’s Keystone Ice Miners. Kossoff (West Des Moines, Iowa) finished the regular season with a .931 saves-percentage and a 2.21 goals-against average. His six shutouts on the season are good enough to tie for second most in the league.
Nick Kossoff
Lakers coach Damon Whitten said of Kossoff, “Nick has shown the ability to be a top goaltender in a league that has produced numerous elite college and pro goaltenders. His goalie coach in Keystone (NAHL), Sean Moloney, has done a tremendous job building upon an already strong foundation.” Whitten continued, “Nick possesses great mobility and athleticism in his game.  He brings a great demeanor and calmness to the position.  Along with Gordy’s (Defiel) return we believe goaltending will be a position of strength which has always been an anchor of Laker hockey.”
The Lakers also secured signings from four forwards during the spring signing period. The Lakers have now signed nine forwards between the fall and spring signing periods.
Another forward product of the British Columbia Hockey League is stand-out Jake Hand (6-3, 195-pounds). Hand (Milton, Ont.) led all BCHL players in playoff scoring, posting nine goals and 13 assists in 12 games along with three game-winning goals.
In 108 regular season games played in the BCHL, Hand has amassed 37 goal and 53 assists, totaling 90 points.
Jake Hand
Whitten said of Hand, “Jake is coming off of a phenomenal playoff run with the Chiefs. He uses his tremendous size to his advantage to create space for himself and teammates.  He has excellent stick skill and vision to make him a dangerous set up man.  He also is a major weapon on the power play. Jake has the ability to be an impact player when he arrives in the fall.”
The final three signees from the spring period each completed the 2014-15 season in the United States Hockey League (USHL).
The first two USHL forwards to return their letters, display similar size and attributes. C.J. Hayes (5-8, 165-lbs; Margate, Fla.) and Max Humitz (5-9, 170-lbs; Livonia, Mich.) each are speedsters on the ice, and both players excel in all situations of the game with potential to prove beneficial on the Lakers’ special teams right away.
Hayes (Fargo Force) produced five goals and nine points during 54 regular season games this year. Whitten raves over Hayes’ skating ability, saying, “An area that we really wanted to focus on was becoming a better skating team and C.J. will address that need as soon as he steps on the ice. We believe his explosive speed will aid our team in winning foot races, puck possession, and creating offense.” Whitten continued, “C.J. is an elite skater who fans will notice shift in and shift out as one of the top skaters in the WCHA.  He was a top penalty killer for Fargo and will continue that role for Laker Hockey.”
C.J. Hayes
Humitz (Muskegon Lumberjacks) is a native of Michigan that spent two and a half seasons with the Lincoln Stars (USHL) before returning to his home state midway through the 2014-15 season and joining the Lumberjacks. This season Humitz has posted 8-15-23 in 57 games between the Stars and Lumberjacks. In 133 USHL contests Humitz has registered 18 goals and 36 assists.
Max Humitz
“We’re excited to add another Michigan native in Max Humitz,” said Whitten. “Max played his midget hockey with Honeybaked (U16) before moving onto the USHL where he currently plays in all situations with the Lumberjacks.”
“With Max we are getting a quick, skilled, and dynamic player.  He is a versatile forward that has the ability to play anywhere in our line up and in all game situations, making him a valuable addition to the program.”
The Lakers picked up a late addition to the spring signing period with a letter of intent from forward Mitch Hults (Stoughton, Wis.). The 6-2, 200-pounds center registered 13 goals and 21 assists this season while appearing in 55 games for the Madison Capitols (USHL).
“He’s a very big and powerful centerman that can really make plays for himself and his teammates,” said Whitten. “He competes hard and skates very well. One thing you’ll notice is his desire to win.”
Mitch Hults
In 2013-14, Hults contributed five goals in eight playoff games for the Indiana Ice (USHL) during their Clark Cup championship season. Hults also notched a goal during the deciding fifth game of the championship series. During his 119-game USHL career, Hults amassed 23 goals and 35 assists for 58 points while splitting time between the Indiana Ice and the Madison Capitols.
“He was a key piece in Indy’s run (2013-14) and was a major contributor during their championship season,” continues Whitten, “It’s that championship spirit and pedigree that makes him unique and a special addition for this class.”
Along with the eight players that signed in the winter, the Lakers now boast 13 letters of intent during Damon Whitten’s first official recruiting class. While some of the players signed will continue to grow and develop in the junior ranks for another year, Whitten and staff are very confident with the amount of new talent they will infuse into their roster for the 2015-16 season.
“We’re excited about this incoming class. Rich Metro and Pete Aubry have done an outstanding job in identifying and recruiting these student-athletes. Our fans will certainly take notice of them on the ice but we’re also excited about the academic achievements and character they bring.  It’s an outstanding class for us, both on the ice and in the classroom.”
The Lakers, along with the Western Collegiate Hockey Association will officially announce the 2015-16 schedule on Monday, May 4.

C. J. Hayes
C. J. Hayes
Max Humitz
Max Humitz
Mitch Hults
Mitch Hults