Bemidji State -- one of the WCHA teams staying in the WCHA -- has announced it has signed three defensmen for next season.
One is from Minnesota, from Plymouth. He is 5-8, 170 D.J. Jones of the Victoria Grizzlies of the British Columbia Hockey League. He had four goals, 29 assists and 33 points. He played high school hockey for Wayzata.
BSU also singed a Canadian, 6-5, 197 Carter Struthers of Weyburn, Saskatchewan. He played for the Weyburn Red Wings of the SJHL (6-17--23).
The Beavers also signed their first Russian, 6-1, 175 Ruslan Pedan of Moscow. His numbers were 11-22-33 in 44 games with the Janesville Jets of the NAHL.
BSU coach Tom Serratore has always said he has to recruit a certain type of player for his program. Someone who likes playing for a team in a small city, likes the outdoors, etc.
Bemidji also has a new arena, the Sanford Center, which is as nice as any for its size.
The Beavers have signed eight players in all for next season. They open the season with a nonconference series against St. Cloud State on Oct. 11-12.
