The 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 well as the ability to have a challenge in both school and hockey,” said Gutschick. “The hockey part is Nichols is in the No. 1 conference in NCAA Division III, so that’s a challenge alone. Being out there two years ago (playing for the EHL’s Walpole Express) also helped with the decision.”

Gutschick, 20, just completed his first season of playing in the NA3HL and second season of junior hockey overall. The Colorado Springs native had an incredible season for the Bighorns, which included a trip the 2022 Fraser Cup Championship.

During the 2021-22 season, Gutschick led all NA3HL defensemen in scoring with 67 points (eight goals, 59 assists) in 41 regular-season games. For his efforts, he was named to the All-NA3HL 1st Team for the 2021-22 season. He was also named the NA3HL Defenseman of the Month for October 2021.

“This season in Helena helped me with my offensive game and moving my feet 24/7 because the game is changing and the better you can skate, the better off you will be,” Gutschick said. “Sticking with what I do is going to be the key to success because it is the thing that has worked for me thus far.”

During the 2022 Fraser Cup Playoffs, Gutschick posted eight points in eight playoff games.

Prior to playing in the NA3HL, Gutschick played in the NAPHL for four seasons for the Colorado Springs Tigers. He played in the NAPHL 18U All-Star Game during the 2019-20 season and also made his NAHL debut with the Topeka Pilots that season on November 8, 2019.

Now, his eyes are squarely focused on heading to Nichols in a few short weeks.

“Expectations for my freshman year are just to play and make an impact for the team,” said Gutschick. “School comes first, though, and I really want to excel in college but with hockey, I want to prove that I deserve to be there and show what I got.

“That’s all I can do.”

Photo/NAHL

(July 28, 2022)