04/11/2007

Weber to sign with Miami

Gaylord star picks RedHawks over Spartans

BY JAMES COOK

jcook@record-eagle.com

Weber

GAYLORD — Since he was very young, Will Weber wanted to follow in his father's footsteps.

Weber has his national letter-of-intent in hand and said he will send it to Miami (Ohio) today, the first day hockey players are allowed to officially sign with college teams.

Weber had narrowed his long list of choices down to Michigan State, Cornell and Miami.

It was just a few days before Will's 12th birthday in October of 2000 when his father was killed in a plane crash in Gaylord.

His father, Dick, played at Cornell in the mid-1970s, winning the school's Joe DeLibero/Stan Tsapis award for dedication two years in a row. The Big Red didn't have a losing season during Weber's tenure.

"College hockey was a dream — and to not have to pay for college is more than I've dreamed of,” Weber said. "Originally, it was my dream to play at Cornell like my dad, but they can't offer the scholarship money Miami can. I know my dad is proud of me. He's helping me every step of the way.”

Miami finished this season 24-14-4, falling in the second round of the NCAA tournament to eventual runner-up Boston College.

"It just came down to who I felt more comfortable with,” Weber said. "It was hard to turn down the national champions (MSU). If I want to go to the next level, Miami is the way for me to go.”

Miami is led by Enrico Blasi, who has been named CCHA coach of the year three times in his seven-year tenure and national coach of the year in 2006. Blasi signed a six-year contract extension in 2006, so the program is stable from that standpoint.

On his official visit to Oxford, Ohio, Webber did the usual stops, plus meeting the university president in his suite during a RedHawks game.

"He said hockey is the No. 1 sport and that's where they'll win a national championship,” Weber said, "so that's where they put their money.”

The school's new $34-million Steve Cady Arena at the Goggin Ice Center just opened for play last season.

"The place is beautiful,” Weber said. "It was the right fit for me.”

Miami's business school is also a good fit for a student interested in pursuing a business/pre-law degree.

Weber's speed and skating ability for a 6-foot-4 defender has been a major drawing point for scouts — college and NHL alike.

He had 18 goals and 38 points with a plus-22 rating this season, earning a spot on the Michigan Dream Team, the Record-Eagle Dream Team and a recent selection to Team Michigan.

Weber will likely play a year of junior hockey before going to Miami.

The USHL draft is May 14. Weber expects to be selected. He said the Miami coaches will encourage any Junior team that selects him to maintain his current style of play.

Weber said several NHL teams have set up interviews with him during the Chicago Showcase April 18-22, but said they have asked him to stay mum on which teams.