MSU hockey head coach Ron Mason announced Friday the signing of 6-foot-2, 190-pound goaltender Matt Migliaccio for the 2001-02 season.
Migliaccio, 20, was a member of the America West Hockey League’s Bozeman Ice Dogs last season, posting a 20-12-2 record with a 2.88 goals against average, a .913 saves percentage and three shutouts.
Putting his pen to the paper of his National Letter of Intent was not a problem for Migliaccio.
“It’s awesome,” the Wyandotte native said. “It’s been my dream (to go to MSU) since I was a little kid.”
Migliaccio is excited about the situation MSU has set up for him, being able to play behind Ryan Miller, the Hobey Baker Award-winning goalie, and the chance to be a part of “The Cold War” - the Oct. 6 meeting between MSU and Michigan in Spartan Stadium.
Migliaccio said a lot of people have compared his style of play to Miller. Even MSU assistant coach Dave McAuliffe has said there are similarities in the way the two goaltenders play. But Migliaccio wants to use their similarities to push Miller and to learn from him.
“That’s great to have a chance to play with (Miller),” Migliaccio said. “It’s the one person I could learn something from, I feel. Hopefully, I’ll get a chance to push him a bit.”
Migliaccio looks to step in as a team-first player and provide the intangibles needed to keep the Spartans one of the nation’s elite teams.
“I bring in some size, quickness and hopefully leadership,” he said.
In other ice hockey news, tickets for “The Cold War” go on sale at 10 a.m. today at the Athletic Ticket Office in Jenison Field House.
Tickets will cost $18 for lower-level seating between the 20-yard lines and $10 for all other seats. Game time is 6 p.m.
The game has the potential to break the world record for hockey attendance, which currently stands at 55,000. Spartan Stadium seats 72,027.
Men’s golf
Recent MSU graduate and four-year Spartan golfer Brent Goik lost during the finals of the Michigan Amateur Championship on Saturday at the Flint Golf Club.
The Bay City native’s loss was to Michigan captain Andy Matthews, giving the match a familiar intrastate rivalry feel.
Matthews compiled seven birdies in 16 holes with only one bogey during the round, defeating Goik 4 and 2 in the final.
Goik, 22, will start his professional career today at the Michigan Open in Acme.
Men’s track and field
Sophomore shot putter Steve Manz represented the MSU track and field team Friday at the 2001 GMC Envoy USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Ore.
Manz, who holds the MSU shot put record with a throw of 59 feet, 8 1/2 inches, placed 24th in the SoBe Sports System Men’s Shot Put competition with a throw of 55 feet, 10 1/4 inches.
