Marquette finalizes training camp roster

Collin Saint-Onge and James Gallagher of Marquette will be back for another season with the Marquette Rangers.

They join newcomer Kevin Gravel (pictured) of Kingsford in making the team's preliminary roster for training camp scheduled to open in early September.

Rangers head coach Kenny Miller and his staff picked 25 players for the North American Hockey league squad from a field of 43 hopefuls.

"It was a very competitive camp," the first-year Rangers coach said. "We had to cut some guys who I think can play in this league.

"But at the end of the day, we took what we feel are the best 25 players from the weekend. We're confident we can do very well with this group of guys."

There could still be some revisions to the roster, as off-season trades and acquisitions are expected to continue throughout the NAHL as the season approaches.

In all, nine veterans and 16 newcomers are slated to don the Rangers' jersey this coming season, which begins Sept. 17-20 at the NAHL Showcase in Blaine, Minn.

There will be 18 Rangers from Michigan, two from both Wisconsin and Illinois, and one each from Virginia, Minnesota and New York.

The roster (* denotes returning player):

FORWARDS
* Jimmy Gallagher, Marquette
* Garrett Ladd, Fenton
* Dustin Partacz, Naperville, Ill.
* Collin Saint-Onge, Marquette
* Chad Pietila, Brighton
* Josh Bussell, LaSalle
Doug Beck, Plymouth
Kent Daavettila, Howell
Kevin Gibson, Grosse Pointe
Kyle Heck, Plover, Wis.
Scott Henegar, Trenton
Ryan Johnson, Blaine, Minn.
Mike Lennon, Reedsburg, Wis.
Nathan Milam, Westland

DEFENSE
*Tyler Matthews, Buffalo, N.Y.
*Michael Thompson, Farmington Hills
Austin Accettura, Novi
Evan Accettura, Novi
Brendan Bandyk, Mokina, Ill.
Kevin Gravel, Kingsford
Andrew Chovich, Macomb
Jeff Slusser, Kentwood

GOALTENDERS
*Matt Brooker, Richmond, Va.
Kevin Kissaw, Goodrich
Robert Tadazak, Lapeer