After two seasons with the NAHL’s Colorado Grit, it’s time to move on for Alex German.

Last season’s team captain, the Colorado Springs native recently committed to play for NCAA Division III Utica, starting with the 2025-26 season.

“Coach (Gary) Heenan and Coach (Nick) Therrien reached out late in February,” German said. “We talked for a while and I was very interested with the school. I’ve also been to Utica before when playing in the NCDC and it was a really cool place to play. The most appealing aspects about Utica is obviously their top-level hockey team, as well as their academics and facilities. The team also has an unreal coaching staff and training staff. Utica also holds best attendance for D-III and beats out a lot of D-I teams.

“Super excited to be a part of it. I’m going to bring great compete and work ethic as well as being a well-rounded, two-way defenseman next year. I want to help produce points from the blue line as well as use my size and speed to be a lockdown D-man.”

In the classroom, German said he’s going to be taking the physical therapy route.

The top goal scorer among defensemen on the Grit last season, German popped 11 goals with 16 assists for 27 points in 58 games. German was also named to the South Division team in the Top Prospects Tournament at USA Hockey Arena.

In 51 contests in 2023-24, German collected eight goals and eight assists for 16 points.

“I will most certainly remember all the teammates I had with the Grit and the bond we had with each other,” German said. “Definitely the best group of guys I’ve ever been around. Even through the ups and downs over the last two years, the guys in the locker room made it easy to come to the rink every day. I will always remember my billet family as well. I couldn’t thank them enough or have done it without them and they will always be family to me.”

After playing the 2022-23 season out east for the NCDC’s Northern Cyclones, where he also played AAA hockey for the previous two seasons, German came home to join the Grit.

“My dad is from Canada and my mom is from Minnesota, so I was definitely born into it,” said German. “I started skating at three years old and playing hockey at four. I played for the Colorado Rampage growing up until I was 15 and then I moved away. The highlights I had playing there were getting the extra practice in the mornings before school and going to showcases with the boys. Andrew Sherman has a good relationship with my family, so he definitely was the coach that had the best impact on me.”

Photo/NAHL

— Matt Mackinder

(July 27, 2025)