Seven players from the state of Michigan have signed contracts to play for the Toledo Walleye this season.

The five forwards and two defensemen all have at least three years of college hockey experience.

"They're all from the same area and they've all been skating together," Walleye head coach Nick Vitucci said. "But it's really just a coincidence. I've scouted them and they all bring different elements. Coming out of college … they're players who will be prepared for pro hockey. I'm excited about all of them."

Former University of Michigan left winger Brandon Naurato heads up the group. Naurato, a 24-year-old from Livonia, amassed 64 points (32 goals, 32 assists) in his four-year career with the Wolverines (2006-09).

"Naurato is coming off an impressive college career at Michigan," Vitucci said.

"He is a nice, powerful skater who will make things happen offensively as well as physically. He's coming from a great program that has a great coach. The team is so strong, some guys get lost in the shuffle. I think he will be a better pro player."

Vitucci said he is equally excited about defenseman Jamie Milam (Northern Michigan University), defenseman Steve Oleksy (Lake Superior State), left winger Dominic Osman (Lake Superior State), right winger Derek Patrosso (Colorado College), center Eric Giosa (Sacred Heart), and right winger Mark Nebus (Wayne State).

Milam, 25, has two years of ECHL experience with Gwinnett (2006-08) and most recently played in Sweden. The Lake Orion, native tallied 98 points in 157 career games for Northern Michigan and 101 points in 140 career games for Gwinnett.

Oleksy, 23, totaled 20 points (3 G, 17 A) in three seasons with Lake Superior. Vitucci called the Chesterfield, native "a nice defensive-minded player who also has the ability to jump into the offense."

Osman, of Dearborn, scored 25 goals and added 29 assists from 2004-07 for Lake Superior State. The 27-year-old most recently played in the IHL with Kalamazoo and Fort Wayne and had 48 points (32 G, 16 A).

"He is a gifted player with soft hands and a nose for the net," Vitucci said.

Patrosso, a 24-year-old from Northville, had 41 points (17 goals, 24 assists) in his four-year career at Colorado College.

Last season, Patrosso had 43 points (17 goals, 26 assists) in 68 games for Port Huron of the IHL.

Giosa, 25, also of Northville, tallied 84 points in his college career, including 16 goals and 13 assists in his senior season. Giosa also played two seasons with the Toledo IceDiggers of the North American Hockey League and scored 60 points in 96 games.

Nebus, a 26-year-old from South Lyon, collected 59 points in four years at Wayne State. Nebus played last season with Kalamazoo and scored 24 goals and recorded 24 assists with 99 penalty minutes in just 37 games.

The players have been invited to the Walleye's camp that begins Oct. 1. But all seven also have been invited to American Hockey League camps before Toledo's tryouts.

The seven players also will be signing autographs before tomorrow night's Mud Hens game.

Vitucci also will sign autographs and throw out the first pitch tomorrow night against Columbus.

The camp will run through Oct. 15. But Vitucci says he hopes to have his 20-man roster set by Oct. 12. The Walleye has two preseason games on Oct. 10 and 11.

"We're inviting a little over 40 players," Vitucci said. "There should be a good level of competition."

Contact Mark Monroe at:

mmonroe@theblade.com

or 419-724-6354.

First Published September 3, 2009, 11:05 a.m.