Warriors announce first eight tenders

The Michigan Warriors have signed eight players to tenders for the 2011-2012 season, the team announced Thursday.

Forwards Jordan Cosby (Norcross, Ga./Thunder U18AAA), Joseph Ferriss (Novi/Novi High School), Ryan Parker (Clark Lake/Victory Honda U18 AAA) and Ali Thomas (New York, NY/Chicago Young Americans U18 AAA), defensemen Kenny Miloser (Brighton/Howell High School), Derek O’Flynn (Canton/Honeybaked U18 AAA) and Matt Vermillion (South Lyon/Little Caesars U18 AAA) and goaltender Andrew Brownlee (Howell/Howell High School) signed with the Warriors and the team now has their exclusive rights for next season, though signing a tender does not guarantee a player a roster spot.

A tender is a contract, of sorts, a player signs announcing his intentions to play for that particular NAHL team and that NAHL team only. Once a player signs a tender with an NAHL team, his playing rights belong to that team within the NAHL and he may not be recruited by any other NAHL team. Each team is granted 10 tenders - plus or minus any trades - which become active on Nov. 1. Tendered players are not eligible for the NAHL draft.

Of the 10 tenders, two must be used on players from the North American Prospects Hockey League. Cosby is the team’s first NAPHL tender. The Warriors will sign two more players prior to the NAHL draft in May, including one more from the NAPHL.

A breakdown of the eight tenders follows, with comments from Warriors’ director of scouting Tom Boileau.

Andrew Brownlee, G, catches right, 6-foot/175 lbs., 1993 birthdate, Howell, Mich., Howell High School – “A big game player. One of the very top 1993 goaltenders in the state.”

Jordan Cosby, F, right shot, 6-foot-2/195 lbs., 1993 birthdate, Norcross, Ga., Thunder U18 AAA – “A workhorse. Never takes a shift off and is very tough to play against.”

Joseph Ferriss, F, right shot, 6-foot-1/175 lbs., 1992 birthdate, Novi, Mich., Novi High School – “A player who makes everyone around him better. Has the uncanny knack to find the open man. A true team player.”

Kenny Miloser, D, left shot, 6-foot/190 lbs., 1993 birthdate, Brighton, Mich., Howell High School – “One of Michigan’s top high school players. Multi-time national champion at the AAA level.”

Derek O’Flynn, D, right shot, 6-foot-3/195 lbs., 1994 birthdate, Canton, Mich., Honeybaked U18 AAA – “Young defenseman with huge upside who will flourish under the Warriors’ system.”

Ryan Parker, F, left shot, 6-foot-3/190 lbs., 1993 birthdate, Clark Lake, Mich., Victory Honda U18 AAA – “A top recruiting priority. A power forward with a playmaking and scoring touch.”

Ali Thomas, F, left shot, 6-foot-3/200 lbs., 1992 birthdate, New York, NY, Chicago Young Americans U18 AAA – “Has size, speed, skill, range and scoring ability. Is the full package and a can’t-miss prospect.”

Matt Vermillion, D, left shot, 6-foot-2/190 lbs., 1993 birthdate, South Lyon, Mich., Little Caesars U18 AAA – “Has size, strength, experience and leadership. A veteran AAA defenseman.”