Three more Michigan Warriors moving to the college ranks

By Stefan Kubus –

The Michigan Warriors continue to pump out collegiate athletes, as three more players have been awarded scholarships to play Division III college hockey.

In the fall, forward Bobby Bodette will suit up for Adrian College, defenseman Ben Gislason is set to play for St. Olaf College, and Gislason’s fellow defenseman Derek Knetter will play for the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire.

Bodette, the only Michigan native of the three, tallied 11 goals and 19 assists for 30 points in 106 games with the Warriors this past season. The Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association (MCHA) houses his soon-to-be Adrian College Bulldogs team.

Gislason, a Burnsville, Minn. native, played in 44 games for the Warriors, recording five points.

Knetter, a native of Wausau, Wis., registered a goal and six points in 33 games with the Warriors this past season. The defenseman set to join the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire Blugolds of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) also competed in the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament here in Troy earlier this year.

“Michigan Warriors hockey is all about helping promising young players like Bobby, Ben, and Derek take their skills to the next level, which for many means playing college hockey,” said Warriors head coach Moe Mantha, a 12-year NHL veteran and 1992 U.S. Olympian. “The effort these guys put in to develop their skills on the ice and to keep their grades up is incredible. The Warriors organization is proud to see them earn a chance to continue their careers.”

This trio are just the latest to join a list of Warriors alumni who will be playing college hockey in the fall. Justin Hoomaian (Michigan State), Michael Szuma (University of Michigan), Robert Tadazak (Army), Ryan Trenz (Northern Michigan), and A.J. White (UMass Lowell) are all set to play for NCAA Division I programs in the fall.