KALAMAZOO -- The Western Michigan hockey program and head coach Jeff Blasill are proud to announce the signing of five student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on Thursday afternoon. Chris Dienes (Traverse City, Mich./Traverse City North Stars, NAHL), Colten Hayes (Surrey, British Columbia/Okotoks Oilers, AJHL), Nolan LaPorte (Moneka, Ill./Green Bay Gamblers, USHL), Jordan Oesterle (Dearborn Heights, Mich./Sioux Falls Stampede, USHL) and Matt Stewart (Brighton, Mich./Green Bay Gamblers, USHL) have all pledged their futures to Bronco hockey.

The five join Alex Carpenter (Portage, Mich./Chicago Steel, USHL), Joe Fiala (Verona, Wis./USNTDP U-18, USHL), Robert Francis (San Diego, Calif./Green Bay Gamblers, USHL), Austin Hervey (Brighton, Mich./Lincoln Stars, USHL), Will Kessel (Bloomfield Hills, Mich./Green Bay Gamblers, USHL), David Killip (Kelowna, British Columbia/Salmon Arm Silverbacks, BCHL) and Frank Slubowski (Prince Rupert, British Columbia/Alberni Valley Bulldogs, BCHL) who signed in November.

Dienes, a 6-foot-2 180-pound defenseman, played in 43 games with Traverse City in his first season of junior hockey. He finished with a plus-minus rating of +10 and five points on one goal and four assists.

"Chris is a young man I have watched grow into an outstanding hockey prospect," said coach Blashill. "Chris has good size and reach. As he develops his defensive stick he will become a great defender. Chris passes the puck well an has the skating ability to get up and play and join the rush."

Hayes is in his third season of junior hockey and first with the Okotoks Oilers. The 6-foot 180-pound defenseman recently received the W.G. Scott Memorial Trophy for the best defenseman in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Hayes played in 65 total games, including playoffs, scoring 13 goals and tallying 52 assists for 65 points. He was the top scoring defenseman on his team and third in the AJHL. Hayes, known for his intense and physical play, also led the team in penalty minutes with 200.

"Colten is a gifted offensive defenseman," Blashill added. "This was evident with his stats this season. He has all the attributes of running a power play and his physical play will make him a force to play against. He is also a good defender, and this was evident by him winning the league's outstanding defenseman award."

LaPorte joins his teammates Kessel, Francis and Stewart as Gamblers pledging their futures to the Broncos. In his first year in the USHL Laporte, a 5-foot-11 175-pound winger, has played in 54 games and added 20 points on nine goals and 11 assists. LaPorte is tied for first on the team in game-winning goals with four.

"Nolan is a hard-nosed winger with good skill," said Blashill. "He brings a physical presence that can change momentum in a game. Nolan wins puck battles and can make plays once the puck is on his stick. He is a fan favorite as evidence by his selection as player of the year by the Green Bay Gambler Fans."

Oesterle committed to the Broncos back in November. The 6-foot 170-pound defenseman is in his first year in the USHL with the Sioux Falls Stampede and has appeared in 55 games. He has racked up 16 points on two goals and 14 assists and is currently in the first round of the USHL Playoffs. A smart defenseman, Oesterle also has a +9 plus-minus rating and only tallied 16 penalty minutes.

"Jordan is an extremely good skating defenseman that defends well and can also add offense," analyzed Blashill. "Jordan's feet, coupled with his defensive stick and smarts, make him an outstanding defender. He can add offense with his ability to transition the puck to the forwards, jump in the rush or score from the blue line. We are extremely excited about Jordan's future with the Broncos."

Stewart was the fourth Gambler to commit to the Broncos this season. The 6-foot 184 pound defenseman is in his second season with Green Bay. Last season he appeared in 60 games, netting two goals and 16 assists while finishing +33. Stewart helped the Gamblers win the Clark Cup, the league's playoff championship. This season he has appeared in 60 games, tallying 12 assists. Stewart, along with LaPorte, are in the midst of a first round bye in the USHL Playoffs that they earned after finishing with a record of 41-15-4, the second-most wins in the league.

"Matt is a very good defenseman and is a proven winner," added Blashill. "He helped the Gamblers win the Clark Cup last season and has helped this year's team to a 40-plus win season heading into the playoffs. His best attribute is his hockey smarts. Matt is a hockey player with a knack of making the right play both offensively and defensively."

Although the Bronco hockey season is over, the team will host an open house on Sunday at 3 p.m. WMU fans can meet the team and coaching staff while touring the Bronco hockey facilities. Season ticket holders will also be able to put down deposits for 2011-12 season tickets.