FERRIS STATE’S STEVE LATER DECLARED INELIGIBLE

Freshman defenseman Steve Later (Winnipeg, Manitoba) of the Ferris State University men’s ice hockey team has been declared academically ineligible for the remainder of the 2002-03 season and subsequently has elected not to return to the Bulldog program.

Later appeared in 13 contests this season for Ferris State while registering two points on a goal and an assist to go along with a plus eight efficiency rating. The 6-3, 194-pound defender was also assessed 17 penalties for 45 minutes, which ranked second highest on the squad. He recorded his lone multi-point game performance with a goal and an assist in the Bulldogs’ 10-1 Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) victory over Bowling Green State (10/18) at Big Rapids. Later also compiled a personal season-best plus four efficiency rating in the league contest.

Later was listed on the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Central Scouting Service Must See List and was among five CCHA players who were not ranked due to limited viewing or injury but will be seen prior to this month’s ranking. The NHL’s Must See List is part of the preliminary rankings for the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, which will be held June 21-22 at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tenn.

Prior to FSU, Later played two seasons (2000-02) with the Winnipeg South Blues of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL). He accumulated 65 points on 25 goals and 40 assists in 60 outings for the 2001-02 campaign and was named to the MJHL All-Star Team. His 65-point total was the second highest on the team and the most among the MJHL’s top points leaders for defensemen.

Ferris State, which is off to its second-best start at 13-5-0 overall in the program's 25-year NCAA Division I history, will skate against the Niagara University Purple Eagles this weekend (Jan. 3-4) at NU’s Dwyer Arena in Niagara University, N.Y. The non-league series represents the first-ever meetings between the two teams and opening faceoff for both contests is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. (EST).

The Bulldogs are ranked 12th this week by U.S. College Hockey Online and 13th in the Inside College Hockey.com poll.