Three former Northern Michigan University Ice Hockey players have signed contracts at the pro level fresh off of their senior seasons with the Wildcats.
Forwards Troy Loggins and Adam Rockwood, along with goaltender Atte Tolvanen, have all signed with teams in the American Hockey League (AHL), the professional league one step below the National Hockey League (NHL).
Loggins, this year’s WCHA scoring champion (20 goals, 12 assists) and WCHA Offensive Player of the Year, signed a three-year contract with the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Detroit Red Wings’ AHL affiliate. Loggins finished the season with 40 points in 39 games, totaling 23 goals and 17 assists. Loggins was also named to the All-WCHA First Team this season, his second time with the honor. Loggins didn’t play in his first weekend with the Griffins.
Rockwood, an All-WCHA Second Team honoree for the second straight year signed an amateur tryout contract with the Springfield Thunderbirds, the Florida Panthers AHL affiliate. Rockwood has appeared in two games with Springfield so far, earning one assist. Rockwood finished his senior season with seven goals and 28 assists for a total of 35 points in 38 games played.
Tolvanen, possibly the biggest prospect of the three, signed with the Syracuse Crunch, the AHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tolvanen was also named to the All-WCHA First Team and named WCHA Goaltender of the Year for the second time in his career. Tolvanen had a 26-save effort in his debut with the Crunch last Sunday, but it wasn’t enough as Syracuse fell to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers 4-1.
Following his NMU career, Tolvanen has a collection of awards. He led the WCHA with 18 wins and five shutouts this season. He’s the all-time leader in saves for NMU with 3,564, played a record 137 games and recorded 13 career shutouts. Tolvanen started in all 39 games for the Wildcats this season, with a goal and two assists as well.
