Michigan State University Athletics
Jim Slater Inks Deal With Atlanta Thrashers
8/16/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Aug. 16, 2005
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Former Spartan Jim Slater (2002-05) signed a two-year deal with the Atlanta Thrashers on Monday, Aug. 15, according to Atlanta Executive Vice President and General Manager Don Waddell. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. The 6-foot, 195-pound forward was selected by the Thrashers in the first round (No. 30 overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.
As a senior in 2004-05, Slater led State and ranked 11th in the country with 48 points (16 goals, 32 assists) in 41 games and earned CCHA Honorable Mention selection. He was selected as the Great Lakes Invitational MVP after posting three points in MSU's championship run, including the game-winning goal in overtime and an assist in a 4-3 win over New Hampshire (Dec. 29) and tallied State's first goal in a 2-1 win over Michigan (Dec. 30) in the title game.
He tallied 48 points (19 goals, 29 assists) in 2003-04 to pace MSU and rank tied for first in the CCHA overall scoring race. He earned JOFA All-America Second-Team honors and was a Hobey Baker Finalist as well as receiving All-CCHA First-Team accolades. In addition, he led the CCHA in plus/minus rating at +27.
As a sophomore in 2002-03, Slater earned All-CCHA First-Team honors after finishing third on the Spartans and eighth in the CCHA in scoring with 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists). His 18 goals ranked second on the squad while his 26 assists were third.
Slater earned CCHA All-Rookie honors in 2001-02 after leading all Spartan rookies in points with 32 (11 goals, 21 assists) in 37 games. He ranked second in the CCHA and fifth in the nation in points per game among rookies. He opened his freshman campaign scoring the game-tying goal with 47 seconds left in regulation in MSU's 3-3 overtime draw vs. Michigan at Spartan Stadium (Oct. 6, 2001).
During his four-year career, the Lapeer, Mich., native tallied 172 points (64 goals, 108 assists) in 157 games to rank 23rd on MSU's all-time scoring chart. He became the first Spartan since Mike York (1996-99) to record 40 or more points in three straight seasons (44 as a sophomore and 48 as a junior and senior).
Slater became just the sixth player in school history to wear the "C" for two straight years (2003-04 and 2004-05) and also served as an assistant captain in 2002-03. In 2004-05, he was selected as the team MVP in both 2003-04 and 2004-05. In addition, he earned the Amo Bessone Award, given annually for contributions in athletics, scholastics and community participation, and the Bill Burgess Outstanding Senior Award in 2005.
