KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Former Western Michigan student-athletes Paul Szczechura and Matt Clackson have each signed two-year deals with the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Philadelphia Flyers.

Szczechura, 22, spent time with the Broncos from 2003-07, completing four full seasons. His best season came as a senior in 2006-07 when he scored 19 goals and finished second on the team with 26 assists. For his efforts the team awarded him the the Rod Hodge Most Valuable Player award. For his career the Belleville, Ontario native dawned the Brown & Gold in 153 games, scoring 44 goals and dishing out 86 assists. Szczechura was also a two-time CCHA Scholar-Athlete, receiving the honors during his sophomore and junior seasons.

After the completion of his senior season with the Broncos, Szczechura signed an Amateur Tryout Contract with the Iowa Stars, American Hockey League affiliate to the Dallas Stars. He was then traded to the Norfolk Admirals, AHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning. In 67 games in the AHL he has scored 19 goals and added 19 assists, also appearing the the 2007 Calder Cup playoffs.

Clackson was drafted in the seventh round (215th overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the Flyers. He played in 105 games in three seasons with the Broncos, scoring four goals and adding 12 assists. The spirited forward from Pittsburgh, Pa., left WMU after his junior season to pursue his professional career and amassed 219 penalty minutes in his three years in Kalamazoo.

Both players are hoping to join current Broncos Jamal Mayers (St. Louis Blues) and Joe Corvo (Carolina Hurricanes) in the National Hockey League.