A speedy play-maker like Hartviksen will fill the loss of players like Jeff Wheeler.  Jeff Wheeler was known  for being shifty and fast on the ice always able to make things happen, even if some dangling was involved.  Hartviksen’s speed will another nice addition to Stout’s already fast forward lines and towering defenseman. 

2008-2009 stats

Michael Hartviksen  – 21 yo – 62GP – 16G – 28A – 44PTS – 7PPG

Tom Lescovich (G)

UW-Stout has what seems to be a tradition of solid goal-tending.  Mike Stone was an All-American and Matt Koenig carried the squad last season all the way to the NCAA Championships.  UW-Stout has received a commitment from Tom Lescovich of the Albert Lea Thunder in the NAHL.

A big goaltender standing a towering 6’3 in net, Lescovich has a reputation of being cool headed.

“Most of them out there, they’re a weird duck so to speak (goalies),” Albert Lea head coach Brad Zangs. “And he’s not. He’s a pretty cool kid.”

Tom Lescovich Statistics —

41gp, (4-28-4, 4.81, .879)

Lescovich will probably remind most Stout fans of Matt Koenig, a big goaltender who can move solid in the net.  Just because he doesn’t have flashy stats doesn’t mean he can’t play at the collegiate level as a starter.   Great goaltenders in college often come from less talented junior teams where they see lots of shots every game.

Lescovich will join junior goaltender Jesse Pischlar (Sudbury, ON) and sophomore Mike Morgan (Northfield, MN).  Pischlar who had two years to study under both Koenig and Stone will be the likely starter this coming season and has shown steady improvement since arriving on campus.  Morgan will battle with Lescovich for the back-up spot and minutes during the first half of the season against some lesser opponents.