Devin Kero Becomes Newest Hockey Husky

HOUGHTON, Mich. — Hancock, Mich., native Devin Kero will join his older brother Tanner on Michigan Tech's hockey roster next fall it was announced today by coach Mel Pearson. The goaltender, who was an British Columbia Hockey League All-Rookie Team selection, joins 12 other recruits who have already signed with the Huskies.

Kero, a 6-2, 168-pound goaltender, played the past season for the Merritt Centennials of the British Columbia Hockey League. He appeared in 40 games with a 19-15-4 record, a .918 save percentage and 2.48 goals against average. Kero finished third in the league in save percentage and earned Centennials' team MVP honors. He posted three shutouts on the season.

"Devin's a great kid and a really strong goaltender," said Centennials head coach Luke Pierce. "I thought he was the best goalie in the BCHL. He's obviously very athletic, but I think what makes him stand out are his focus and composure."

Kero starred at Hancock High School before playing two seasons of junior hockey. He opened his junior career in the North American Hockey League at the Coulee Region Chill before spending this past season in Merritt.

"I'm extremely pleased to have Devin join the Michigan Tech hockey family," said Pearson. "I've followed him for a number of years, and am excited to have him part of our program. Devin is an outstanding student-athlete who will help solidify our goaltending for the future."

Michigan Tech hockey now has 13 official commitments for 2014-15 and beyond. Five of those are still competing for their current teams:

Mason Blacklock • Forward, L, 6-1, 192, White Rock, B.C. • Vernon Vipers (BCHL)
Posted 30 total points (18g, 12a) in 28 games during the regular season … Added 2-7=9 in 19 playoff games, helping the Vipers to the BCHL Finals … Vernon will host and play in the RBC Cup, Canadian Junior A Hockey's national championship, from May 10-18.

Brett Boeing • Forward, L, 5-8, 175, Barrington, Ill. • Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)
Notched 10-16=26 during 52 regular season games … Has three assists and a +4 plus-minus rating in four playoff games, helping the Fighting Saints to the Eastern Conference Finals … Dubuque will face the Indiana Ice in a best-of-five series starting Friday (Apr. 25).

Demico Hannoun • Forward, R, 5-11, 175, North Delta, B.C. • Vernon Vipers (BCHL)
Scored 15 goals and added 29 assists for 44 total points in 47 regular season games … Totaled 3-9=12 in 18 playoff games, helping the Vipers to the BCHL Finals … Vernon will host and play in the RBC Cup, Canadian Junior A Hockey's national championship, from May 10-18.

Joel L'Esperance • Forward, 6-2, 195, Brighton, Mich. • Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
Spent the first half of the season with the Tri-City Storm (USHL), compiling 21-13=34 in 35 games before joining the Musketeers … Had 6-8=14 in 25 games in Sioux City in the regular season … Helped Sioux City advance to the USHL Western Conference Finals, where it will face Waterloo in a best-of-five series starting Friday (Apr. 25).

Matt Roy • Defense, R, 6-1, 198, Canton, Mich. • Indiana Ice (USHL)
Had 4-5=9 from the blue line in 24 regular season games with a +11 plus-minus rating … Notched 2-2=4 and a +4 in a four-game playoff series vs. Green Bay, helping the Ice to the USHL's Eastern Conference Finals vs. Dubuque starting Friday (Apr. 25).

The following seven recruits have wrapped up their 2013-14 campaigns.

Evan Anderson • Forward, L, 6-3, 205, Littleton, Colo. • Salmon Arm SilverBacks (BCHL)
Posted 52 points (21g, 31a) in 46 games for the SilverBacks … Earned a spot on the NHL Central Scouting Final 2014 Rankings.

Mark Auk • Defense, 6-0, 170, Grosse Pointe Park, Mich. • Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL)
Registered 29 points on 10 goals and 19 assists in 59 games on the blue line for the RoughRiders … Posted a +11 plus-minus rating on the season.

Dane Birks • Defense, R, 6-3, 190, Williams Lake, B.C. • Merritt Centennials (BCHL)
Was selected in the sixth round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft by Pittsburgh … Tallied 4-17=21 in 50 regular season games with the Centennials.

Alex Gillies • Forward, L, 5-11, 178, Vernon, B.C. • Salmon Arm SilverBacks (BCHL)
Was among the BCHL's top 20 scorers with 28-30=58 in just 46 regular season games … His 1.3 points per game were tied for fifth in the league.

Jake Jackson • Forward, 5-11, 175, Maplewood, Minn. • Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
Recorded 2-6=8 in 42 regular season games during his first season of junior hockey.

Joe Schuldt • Defense, R, 6-2, 195, Minnetonka, Minn. • Austin Bruins (NAHL)
Posted 1-2=3 in 12 games for the Bruins after starting the year in the USHL … Had three goals in 30 games for the Sioux Falls Stampede before moving to Austin.

Dylan Steman • Forward, 5-10, 180, Hanover, Minn. • Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL)
Scored 13 goals and added 17 assists for 20 total points in 56 games for the RoughRiders in 2013-14.