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AP Photo Miami RedHawks forward Tommy Wingels (9) looks to clear the puck against Bowling Green in 2009.

The CCHA’s best defensive forward can impact ‘all phases of the game.’

Staff Report Updated 9:03 AM Wednesday, June 2, 2010

OXFORD — College hockey’s top-ranked defense took a major hit on Tuesday, June 1, when Miami University junior and team captain Tommy Wingels signed with the NHL’s San Jose Sharks.

Wingels, 22, was named this spring as the best defensive forward in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association for a RedHawks squad that advanced to the NCAA Frozen Four for the second straight year.

Miami led the nation in defense during the 2009-10 season, allowing only 1.95 goals per game.

But Wingels was an offensive force, as well.

The 6-foot, 195-pound native of Wilmette, Ill., ranked second among the RedHawks with 17 goals and was the fourth-leading scorer overall, finishing with 25 assists and 42 points.

“Tommy’s mix of hockey sense and skill allow him to make an impact in all phases of the game,” said Sharks executive vice president and general manager Doug Wilson.

“Miami head coach Enrico Blasi has built an extremely strong program at Miami, and Tommy was a leader for them,” Wilson said. “We’re excited for him to begin his development at the professional level.”

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed by the Sharks, which is club policy.

Wingels, the son of Robert and Karen Wingels, had been drafted in the sixth round by the Sharks as the 177th overall pick in the 2008 NHL entry draft.

Wingels made an immediate impact with the RedHawks as a freshman, scoring 15 goals — tied for the third-most on the team — as he totaled 29 points, and as a sophomore he had 11 goals and 17 assists for 28 points.

As a junior Wingels scored five game-winning goals, and his 43 points ranked 33rd among all NCAA scorers. He was named to the All-CCHA second team and received the Miami Blue Line Club award at MU’s postseason banquet.

Prior to his career at Miami, Wingles played with Cedar Rapids of the United States Hockey League, where he helped lead the RoughRiders to a 37-18-5 regular-season record in 2006-07.

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