Storm turns to Michigan State for goal help

9/22/2006

The final line of defense for the Toledo Storm this season will be a Big Ten-caliber goaltender.

The Storm is expected to sign former Michigan State goalie Dominic Vicari to a contract. Vicari was a member of the Spartans' Central Collegiate Hockey Association champion team last season. He started 16 games and went 8-6-2 with a 2.62 goals against average.

"Dominic is very athletic in net," said Storm coach Nick Vitucci. "He has tremendous reflexes, and he'll make the big stops."

Vicari was Michigan State's No. 1 goaltender in 2004-05 and finished with a 2.30 GAA. He made 1,027 saves, had a .923 save percentage and posted an 18-15-4 record. Vicari's five shutouts were the most in the CCHA and ranked fourth best among all college goaltenders.

Vicari is currently in the Detroit Red Wings' training camp along with five other goalies and has looked like "a great prospect," according to Vitucci. Logan Koopmans, who saw time in Toledo the past two seasons, also is in Detroit's training camp and could be back with the Storm.

Drew MacIntyre, Toledo's all-star goalie last season, became caught in the Red Wings' goaltending logjam and was traded earlier this month to Vancouver. MacIntyre (24-7-2 with a 2.06 GAA) led the Storm to the ECHL American Conference finals last season.

"Detroit told Drew if they were ever able to move him to better his career, they would accommodate him," Vitucci said. "He deserves it."

Toledo also has signed forward Marc Norrington and defenseman Paul Crosty. Norrington was added to the roster late last season and played in six games, but did not register a point. Crosty (6-2, 220 pounds) will make his debut after playing four years at Brown University.

The Storm's training camp opens on Oct. 7. Toledo will play three preseason games, including two in Alaska on Oct. 10-11 against the defending Kelly Cup Champion Alaska Aces. Toledo's lone home preseason game will be Friday, Oct. 13 against the Cincinnati Cyclones. The regular-season opener will be on Oct. 20 at the Sports Arena against Dayton.

- Mark Monroe