Cornell University Athletics

Senior Season - 2008-09
Walking into the unenviable position of moving to a new team for his senior season, Punches made the most of his chance, earning a spot in the regular rotation midway through the season. Punches helped to provide additional leadership on the team's fourth line. He appeared in 21 games, including each of the final 16, and gradually saw an increased role on the penalty killing unit before ultimately becoming one of the team's top short-handed players. With the Big Red assigned to the Grand Rapids, Mich., site for the NCAA Midwest Regional, Punches was able to close out his collegiate career in the state in which he spent his first three years with the Wayne State program.

Career Highs

Goals	2	vs. Alabama-Huntsville, 1/26/08
Assists	2 (two times)	last vs. Western Michigan, 12/16/06
Points	3	vs. Western Michigan, 12/16/06
Shots	5 (five times)	last vs. Niagara, 3/8/08
Penalties	2 (four times)	last vs. Yale, 1/23/09
Penalty Minutes	15	vs. Alabama-Huntsville, 1/28/06

Before Cornell
Punches was an assistant captain in 2007-08 for Wayne State, when he finished second on the team with 10 goals and fifth in scoring with his 19 points. A three-year letterman for the Warriors, he was twice selected to the College Hockey America All-Academic team. Punches was the recipient of the Coach’s Award in 2006-07 and was named the team’s top rookie in 2005-06. Last season, he finished with 10 goals and nine assists for 19 points in 38 games, raising his career numbers to 16 goals and 21 assists for 37 points in 104 career games.

Personal
Derek William Punches is the son of Bill and Astrida Punches and he has two older sisters. He is enrolled in the School of Industrial and Labor Relations.

Punches' Career Statistics

Year	GP	Goals	Assists	Points	PIM	+/-	PPG	SHG	GWG
2005-06	31	5	5	10	31	-12	2	0	0
2006-07	35	1	7	8	14	-3	0	0	0
2007-08	38	10	9	19	28	-3	5	0	1
Wayne State Totals	104	16	21	37	73	-18	7	0	1
2008-09	21	0	0	0	8	-2	0	0	0
Career Totals	125	16	21	37	81	-20	7	0	1