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MARQUETTE -- Northern Michigan University head hockey coach Walt Kyle announced five recruits have signed National Letters of Intent to attend NMU and play hockey for the Wildcats.   

Signing on the dotted line were Wade Epp, C.J. Ludwig, Scott Macaulay, Cory Pritz, and Stephan Vigier.  The Wildcats inked four defensemen and a forward.

Epp (D, 6-5, 215) from Chilliwack, B.C. currently is playing for Victoria in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL).  He has appeared in three games for Victoria and has an assist.  During the 2007-08 season he played for Drumheller in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL).  He appeared in 39 games and registered nine goals, 15 assists for 24 points. "He is a good sized and strength defenseman who will remind the people of Marquette of Geoff Waugh," said Kyle.  "He played some major juniors, so he will be ineligible for a year.  We will get a year to work with him.  Epp will add a
lot to the line-up when he is in there."

Ludwig (D, 5-11, 175) hails from Little Elm, Texas and is the youngest son of former NHLer Craig Ludwig.  Craig Ludwig played in the NHL from 1982-99 for Montreal, New York Islanders, Minnesota (North Stars) and Dallas.  C.J. Ludwig is currently playing for Omaha in the United States Hockey League (USHL).  Through 24 games, Ludwig has four points all on assists. "A real gritty hardnosed competitor," said Kyle.  "Has some real leadership character skills which will be a solid addition to the team."     

Macaulay (D, 5-9, 170) is currently playing for Winnipeg in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) in his hometown.  For the current season he has appeared in 25 games and has recorded 22 points on five goals and 17 assists.  During the 2007-08 season also playing for Winnipeg he had 47 points on nine goals and 38 assists in 55 games.  "He has great offensive abilities and is a good skater," said Kyle.   

Pritz (D, 5-10, 180) from Red Deer, Alberta is currently skating for Westside in the BCHL.  He has appeared in 36 games for the 2008-09 campaign and has tallied seven goals, 20 assists for 27 points.  This is the third season playing for Westside he recorded 40 points for the 2007-08 season on 14 goals and 26 assists in 48 games.  His first season with Westside (2006-07) he had four goals, eight assists for 12 points in 20 games of action.  Pritz also played a year with Drayton Valley in the AJHL (2005-06) as he had 15 points (4-11) in 47 games. "A real offensive guy who we think will add something to our power play and special teams," said Kyle.  "Pritz is an all-star in the BCHL."

The final signee will have a familiar name to Wildcat followers.  Vigier (F, 5-9, 160) is the cousin of former NMU player J.P. Vigier who played for the Wildcats from 1996-00. A native of Notre Dame, Manitoba he is currently playing for Sioux City in the USHL.  After 20 games he has two goals, 12 assists for 14 points.  The two previous seasons he skated for Swan Valley in the MJHL (2006-08).  For the 2007-08 season he had 37 goals, 49 assists for 86 points in 60 games.  Vigier's first season with Swan Valley (2006-07) he had seven points (2-5) in four games.  "Vigier is a good offensive player and a great playmaker. He will remind people of former NMU player Dirk Southern," said Kyle.