KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan hockey program and head coach Andy Murray have announced the immediate additions of goalie Ross Hawryluk and forwards Matteo Pecchia and Tim Washe to the 2020-21 roster.
All three are freshmen and are eligible to play during this weekend's series against Miami.
Hawryluk joins the Broncos after two seasons in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League with the Nipawin Hawks. In 37 total games of action he posted a 19-8-4 record, a 2.54 goals against average and a .919 save percentage. The 19-year old was selected for the NHL Prospects Game between Canada West and Canada East, with Hawryluk representing West. The 6-foot-4 netminder also played for Saskatchewan in the Junior Hockey League All-Star game between Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
"Ross is very calm in net and has a big body presence," said Murray.
Pecchia, listed at 5-foot 11, 192 pounds, was named the Most Improve Player in the Ontario Junior Hockey League last season. Playing for the Mississauga Chargers, he posted a career-high 50 points on 21 goals and 29 assists and served as an assistant captain. Pecchia was set to captain the squad this season before joining the Broncos.
"Matteo has been committed to us for a long time," said Murray. "He's got really good speed and is very tenacious on the puck. His team is not playing right now and it made sense for us to bring him in."
Washe is the younger brother of WMU captain Paul Washe, but bigger than his brother at 6-foot-3 210 pounds. The left-shot forward posted 19 points on 10 goals and nine assists in his first career season in the British Columbia Hockey League with the Nanaimo Clippers.
"Tim is a very strong skater and, like his brother, is very strong on faceoffs," said Murray. "He was also in a situation where his junior team was not playing."
Western Michigan resumes play on Saturday and Sunday night, hosting Miami at 7 p.m. Per state guidelines, no fans are allowed in attendance. The game can be watched live on NCHC.tv and heard live on the Bronco Radio Network.
