Category Archives: Junior
Colorado Springs native, Tigers product Gutschick commits to NCAA D-III Nichols
August 1st, 2022The NA3HL’s Helena Bighorns have announced that defenseman Taber Gutschick has committed to play NCAA Division III hockey for Nichols College. Nichols is a school located in Dudley, Mass., that plays in the Commonwealth Coast Conference. “The ability to go get a great degree at a great school was hard not to turn down, as…
Eagles goalie Smith uses USPHL as springboard to NCAA Division III Finlandia
July 28th, 2022“It’s been a very long journey to get to college hockey, from adversity through different injuries my first two years of juniors, and a great playoff run with the Northern Colorado Eagles,” reminisced Brendan Smith. The goaltender will get to finally realize his dream of playing college hockey, inking a commitment to NCAA Division III…
Evolution alum Smekhnov uses strong 2021-22 season with NAHL’s Jets to make NCAA D-III commitment to Wisconsin-River Falls
July 27th, 2022The NAHL’s Janesville Jets have announced that forward Arsenii Smekhnov has committed to play NCAA Division III hockey for the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Smekhnov, 21, just completed his third season of junior hockey and second season in the NAHL with the Jets. The native of Kirov, Russia, appeared in 57 regular-season games during the…
Englewood native, Thunderbirds, LHA, Kent Denver alum Zimmerman commits to NCAA D-III Hamilton
July 25th, 2022The NAHL’s Lone Star Brahmas have announced that forward Ben Zimmerman has committed to play NCAA Division III hockey for Hamilton College. The 20-year-old Zimmerman just completed his first season of junior hockey in the NAHL. The Englewood native appeared in 12 regular-season games during the 2021-22 season and recorded six points (one goal, five…
Rampage graduate Rapalje makes history with NCAA Division I commitment to Stonehill
July 18th, 2022After a three-year junior hockey career, Colorado Rampage alum Carter Rapalje is off to play NCAA Division I hockey this fall at Stonehill College. Stonehill will compete as an NCAA Division I independent program in 2022-23, their first at the Division I level. “There are a lot of things about Stonehill that have me excited…
Wrapping up pair of seasons with USPHL’s Jets, Thunderbirds grad Grongstad moving up to NCAA D-III Worcester State
July 7th, 2022Anders Grongstad came to the Metro Jets during the 2020-21 season and quickly found a spot on the top forward lines. He returned for the 2021-22 season and after averaging about a point and a half per game, had NCAA schools itching to get him on to their roster for 2022-23. Earlier this offseason, Grongstad…
After pair of USPHL seasons with Chicago, Lakewood’s Young off to Trine for college hockey
June 28th, 2022Ian Young moved to Chicago prior to the 2020-21 season to play for the USPHL’s Chicago Cougars. Two years later, the Lakewood native is on the move again, heading to Angola, Ind., to play college hockey for Trine University. Young, a goaltender, said it was all about connections and word of mouth in getting acclimated…
USPHL’s NCDC expands west in 2023-24 with creation of new Western Division
June 28th, 2022The United States Premier Hockey League is pleased to announce that the National Collegiate Development Conference, its Tuition-Free Tier-II Junior Division, will welcome six new members for the 2023-24 season, expanding to a national footprint by adding the Utah Outliers, Ogden Mustangs, Pueblo Bulls, Provo Predators (formerly the Provo Riverblades), Northern Colorado Eagles and Idaho…
After stellar junior career, Falcon native, Tigers alum Buchholz off to NCAA D-III Buffalo State
June 23rd, 2022Eric Buchholz joined the NA3HL’s Helena Bighorns this year to finish out his junior hockey career with a slew of his former Colorado Springs Tigers teammates. After helping the Bighorns to the Fraser Cup national tournament, the Falcon native used his strong 2021-22 season to advance his game to the college level, recently committing to…
Pair of Colorado products selected during 2022 NAHL Entry Draft
June 15th, 2022The NAHL held its annual entry draft June 15 as member teams selected players to bolster rosters for the 2022-23 season. A pair of Colorado players were taken by NAHL clubs. 2nd round (31st overall) – Colby Browne (Highlands Ranch), F, Bismarck Bobcats 6th round (154th overall) – Devin Nabozny (Colorado Springs), D, Wisconsin Windigo…