Category Archives: Junior
After five seasons with WHL’s Winterhawks, Highlands Ranch native O’Brien inks ECHL deal with Heartlanders
July 28th, 2024Jack O’Brien made an impact over his five seasons playing junior hockey with the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks. Now, it’s onward and upward for the Highlands Ranch native, who signed his first pro contract last week with the ECHL’s Iowa Heartlanders. The Heartlanders are the ECHL affiliates of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild. Undrafted, O’Brien represented the…
Carbondale’s Scott sees NHL dreams get closer, selected by Red Wings in 2024 NHL Draft
July 15th, 2024Fisher Scott just wrapped up his second full USHL season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints. And next season, the Carbondale native will head to NCAA Division I Colorado College an NHL prospect after being taken by the Detroit Red Wings in the seventh round (208th overall) in last month’s NHL Draft, held at Sphere in…
Boulder product Zis ‘can’t wait to get started’ at NCAA Division III MCLA this coming fall
July 9th, 2024Sam Zis has played the past few seasons out east and will continue playing out that way for his college hockey career. Zis, a Boulder native, recently committed to NCAA Division III Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts for the fall of 2024. Zis played two seasons in the EHL with the Connecticut Chiefs, totaling 88…
Colorado connections taken during 2024 junior hockey drafts
July 9th, 2024Junior hockey drafts have been held this offseason, with several Colorado and Utah names selected. NA3HL Draft – April 241st round, 5th overall, Landen Bendico, D, Rampart High School, Austin Ice Bats1st round, 28th overall, Joseph Wennogle, F, Colorado Rampage 18U, El Paso Rhinos2nd round, 40th overall, Alec Fish, D, Colorado Rampage 18U, Austin Ice…
Boulder native Gatewood finds ‘perfect fit’ with NCAA Division III commitment to SUNY Geneseo
June 28th, 2024Payne Gatewood played the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons for the NCDC’s Utica Jr. Comets. The Boulder native will stay in New York for the upcoming 2024-25 season after recently committing to NCAA Division III SUNY Geneseo. “Going into my age-out season, I knew I would need to perform at high level to attract the schools…
Telluride native, Lizard Heads grad Kusuno climbs advancement ladder, decides on NCAA D-III Northland
June 25th, 2024After four seasons of junior hockey, Landon Kusuno is off to play college hockey. This week, the Telluride native committed to play NCAA Division III hockey for Northland College. Kusuno, 21, is a three-year NA3HL player, suiting up for 132 games with the New Mexico Ice Wolves, 10 being Fraser Cup Playoff games. He also…
RoughRiders grad Koshiol commits to new NCAA D-III Keene State program for ’24-25 season
June 18th, 2024Ryan Koshiol, a defenseman for the EHL’s East Coast Wizards, has committed to Keene State College for the fall of 2024. The Arizona native and Rocky Mountain RoughRiders alum played his second season with the Wizards in 2023-24 and served as one of the team’s captains. Overall, in 85 career games in the EHL, Koshiol…
Boulder native Wallace making jump to NCAA D-I hockey with commitment to St. Cloud State
June 8th, 2024Ocean Wallace found his niche in junior hockey with the NAHL’s Austin Bruins. After three seasons with the Bruins, the Boulder native will head to college hockey in 2024-25, recently committing to NCAA Division I St. Cloud State. “I am very proud to announce my commitment to play Division I college hockey and further my…
Colorado Springs product, Rampage grad Sykes takes next step, commits to NCAA D-III UMass Dartmouth
May 24th, 2024Spencer Sykes enjoyed playing junior hockey in Massachusetts that he will stay there for college hockey. The Colorado Springs native recently committed to NCAA Division III UMass Dartmouth after two seasons with the EHL’s Boston Jr. Rangers. “The coaching staff at UMass Dartmouth saw me at a showcase and invited me to visit the college,”…
Denver native Bender finds NCAA D-III Salem State commitment checks all boxes for next step in career
May 24th, 2024Admittedly, Aidan Bender hadn’t planned on playing college hockey. Then the right opportunity presented itself and the Denver native decided to switch gears and start his NCAA Division III career this fall at Salem State University, a school located in Salem, Mass. I met Coach Chris MacInnis when I started with the Northern Cyclones U16s…