Saginaw prospects in the news

Ryan Garlock and Ian Keserich, two probable, but in the latter's case, not likely Saginaw Spirit players, were in the news recently.

Garlock was quoted in the Timmins Daily Press last Thursday saying he's keeping all options open for the next step in his career.

"I honestly can't tell you because I have no idea," Garlock said. "Saginaw is definitely a strong option."

The 20-year-old played two seasons with the Windsor Spitfires (who acquired him from the Guelph Storm midway in the 2003-2004 season), but the Spitfires on June 1 traded the overage rights to Garlock and defenseman Mitch Maunu, as well as a second-round pick in 2007, to the Spirit in exchange for forward Anthony Soboczynski (Saginaw's second-round pick in 2005) and a 15th-round pick in 2007.

A goaltender who has played the past two seasons at Ohio State, Keserich left Columbus to play for the USHL's Tri-City Storm with the hopes of transferring to another school next fall. Keserich's OHL rights were once held by the Plymouth Whalers, but were transferred to Saginaw in June 2005 for New Hudson native and incoming Notre Dame defenseman Kyle Lawson.

Keserich, 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, comes to the Storm with numerous accolades throughout his playing career. He was named the top goaltender at the Under-18 Junior World Cup in 2003 and was also a seventh-round draft pick of the Colorado Avalanche in 2004.

Garlock photo by Walt Dmoch