NAHL college commitment list continues to grow
And the beat goes on for the North American Hockey League producing college-level talent.
With almost 60 players already committed to NCAA Division I schools for next season, the facts prove that college scouts continue to see the NAHL as a top-tier source for recruiting.
The players agree.
“I think playing junior hockey in the NAHL has helped me grow as a person,” said Aberdeen Wings forward Cory Ward, a recent Bemidji State commitment. “On the ice, you realize quickly how much of a complete player you have to be to get to the next level, but you also deal with the off the ice things like training, travel, living on your own and being accountable to your team and your teammates.”
“Cory has been incredible for us in his time here,” said Wings head coach Pete Sauer. “He is a team leader and has been a great role model for fans and his teammates with a great demeanor on and off the ice. He is just the kind of player and person you are happy to see succeed and get an opportunity like this.”
Sauer also said that NHL scouts from Toronto, Phoenix and New Jersey have been to Aberdeen in recent weeks to get a first-hand look at Ward, one of 11 players listed on NHL Central Scouting’s “Players to Watch” list of NAHL players.
Austin Bruins defenseman Jonathan Gerht will skate for Army next season, fulfilling a lifelong goal.
“Growing up in Minnesota, playing hockey at the next level is everyone’s dream,” said Gerht to the Austin Daily Herald. “It feels good, but I also know I’m not there yet. I have to stay hungry and do what it takes. Winning a Robertson Cup this year is my top priority.
“It just felt like the right fit. I look forward to serving my country after I’m done with school.”
On the local tip, Commerce native and Walled Lake Northern graduate Connor Hellebuyck, a goalie with the Odessa Jackalopes, has given the nod to Massachusetts-Lowell for the 2012-13 school year.
“It’s a dream come true,” said Hellebuyck. “Just to sit and think of what’s being offered to you – the situation I’m in (with UMass-Lowell) is phenomenal. They made it very clear to me that I will have a great opportunity to earn playing time right away.”
Hellebuyck also pointed to his current team as a major factor in making his commitment. “The Jackalopes are a great team and a great organization,” said Hellebuyck. “The professional way they handle things and everything they’ve done to help me improve has led to me getting this opportunity.”
Up in Traverse City, North Stars’ rookie forward Kyle Schempp won’t have to go far next season to play for Ferris State, the eighth Traverse City player to commit to the Bulldogs in three years.
“I think it was the best fit,” Schempp said. “The style they play, the system they play within seemed like a good place for me. Academically, it was the right fit as well. The staff seems very supportive and the coaches and players can teach me how to play at that next level. All the coaches and teammates I’ve had, the family and friends – they’ve all helped push me to get better and have helped me get this opportunity. Nobody makes it in hockey without them.”
Wichita Falls Wildcats defenseman and team captain Brad Shumway has chosen the Rochester Institute of Technology for next fall.
This is Shumway’s second season in the NAHL. Last season, he played for the Wenatchee Wild where he recorded 15 points in 52 games. This season, he was well ahead of that pace with 12 points in just 23 games.
Expect more commitments to come as some players will get post-holiday presents not found under the tree.
KANSAS TO GET SECOND NAHL FRANCHISE?
Wenatchee and the Topeka RoadRunners played an exhibition game at the United Wireless Arena in Dodge City, Kan., on Dec. 14.
The 5,500-seat arena opened in February and a search for a permanent main tenant is still underway.
“(We played this game) to gauge what the local response might be to NAHL hockey,” said United Wireless Arena executive director Ralph Nall.
Dodge City has never been the home of any junior or professional hockey franchises, though the RoadRunners have played in Topeka since 2004.
“We are very excited to be going to Dodge City as we continue to pioneer potential markets that may fit within the footprint and scope of the North American Hockey League,” said NAHL commissioner Mark Frankenfeld. “The United Wireless Arena is a great venue and the local fans were treated to a great game featuring two of our marquee teams.”
2011-12 NAHL/NAPHL TENDER LIST (as of Dec. 10, 2011)
Aberdeen Wings – Heinz Koster, F, Pittsburgh Vipers Stars
Amarillo Bulls – James LaDouce, D, Lansing Capitals
Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Matthew Armenti, D, New Jersey Jr. Titans
Janesville Jets – Matthieu Audet, D, San Jose Jr. Sharks
Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings – Kyle Ware, D, West Michigan Hounds
Kenai River Brown Bears – Alec Butcher, F, Pikes Peak Miners
Texas Tornado – Jon Carkeek, D, Phoenix Firebirds
Topeka RoadRunners – Josh Haverstrom, F, Pikes Peak Miners
Wichita Falls Wildcats – Colin Staub, F, Pikes Peak Miners
Wichita Falls Wildcats – Jake Townsend, D, Pikes Peak Miners
A tender is a contract of sorts a player signs announcing his intentions to play for that particular NAHL team and that NAHL team only. Once a player signs a tender with an NAHL team, his playing rights belong to that team within the NAHL and he may not be recruited by any other NAHL team. Each team is granted eight (10) tenders – plus or minus any trades – which become active on Nov. 1. Tendered players are not eligible for the NAHL draft.
Now in its third season, the North American Prospects Hockey League is made up of 42 Midget Major (17), Midget Minor (18) and Bantam Major (7) teams from 20 programs that compete at the Tier I AAA level. The NAPHL is comprised of five regular-season events leading up to its championship tournament series in which the top teams at each level compete for a league championship.