Minnesota State Gets Quintet of Men's Hockey Commitments During Early Signing Period

Five Forwards Added to Roster for 2010-11

Minnesota State is Adding Five Forwards for 2010-11

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Nov. 13, 2009

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Mankato, Minn. - Men's hockey coach Troy Jutting has announced that five student-athletes have signed NCAA Letters of Intent to attend Minnesota State University. Committing to MSU during the NCAA early signing period are forwards Josh Berge (Oklahoma City, Okla./Tri-City (USHL)), Chase Grant (Oklahoma City, Okla./Fargo (USHL)), Corey Leivermann (Mankato, Minn./Fargo (USHL)), Matt Leitner (Los Alamitos, Calif./Fargo (USHL)) and Zach Lehrke (Park Rapids, Minn./Cedar Rapids (USHL).

This year's fivesome joins Danny Heath, a defenseman playing with Des Moines (USHL), who committed to MSU last year but delayed coming to MSU until next year due to an injury. Heath (2-5=7 in 9 GP this year) is serving as an assistant captain for the Buccaneers in 2009-10.

Josh Berge, Forward, Shoots right, 5-9, 160, Oklahoma City, Okla./Tri-City (USHL)

In second season with Tri-City of the United States Hockey League where he serves as team captain...Has tallied 1-9=10 in 11 games with the Storm this year, totalled 8-23=32 in 2008-09...Named Tri-City's Most Inspirational Player as a rookie...Younger brother of former MSU forward Mick Berge (MSU 2005-09, 42-43=85 in 137 GP)...Father Mark Berge was a defenseman at North Dakota from 1976-81 recording 7-24=31 in 107 GP.

Chase Grant, Forward, Shoots right, 5-11, 175, Oklahoma City, Okla./Fargo (USHL)

Currently in second season with Fargo of USHLwhere he serves as team captain... Has 2-2=4 in ten games played for 2009-10...Totalled 10-18=28 in 57 games as a rookie with the Force in 2008-09... Captained 2007-08 Dallas Stars Midget AAA team.

Matt Leitner, Forward, Shoots left, 5-9, 170, Los Alamitos, Calif./Fargo (USHL)

In second season as a member of Fargo of the United States Hockey League...Currently leads the Force with 6-7=13 in seven games...Had 14-43=60 in 56 games last year as was a three-time USHL Player of the Week... Scored game-winner for USA in gold medal game in 2009 Junior A Challenge Cup held in Prince Edward Island Nov. 1-8...Was fourth in overall scoring and second for the U.S. team with 1-6=7 assists in five games at the 2009 Challenge Cup.

Zach Lehrke, Forward, Shoots right, 5-7, 173, Park Rapids, Minn./Cedar Rapids (USHL)

In second season as a member of Cedar Rapids of USHL...Owns 6-8=14 in 12 games with the Roughriders, had 5-11=16 in 45 games during rookie season in 2008-09...Finalist for 2008 state of Minnesota Mr. Hockey Award...Earned First Team All-State honors in 2007-08.

Corey Leivermann, Forward, Shoots right, 5-11, 175, Mankato, Minn./Fargo (USHL)

In second year with Fargo and currently ranks second on team in scoring with 5-6=11 in 11 games...Registered 8-14=22 in 49 games as a rookie in 2008-09 in helping the Force advance to the USHL Clark Cup finals...2008 Mankato West grad was an all-state honorable mention pick as a senior in leading the Scarlets to their first Minnesota State High School Tournament appearance...Three-time All-Big Nine pick was a four-year team captain for West.

Release Courtesy of Paul Allan, Minnesota State University Athletic Communications