Stampede announce two commitments

Press Release

The Sioux Falls Stampede announced today that former Stampede forward Dane Walters and current forward Matt Lindblad have made their college commitments.

Walters has accepted a scholarship to Western Michigan University for the upcoming 2009-2010 season. The St. Paul, MN native spent the past two seasons with the Stampede and was considered one of the hardest working players on the team. After posting 12 points in 57 games during his first season with the Stampede in 2007/08, Walters tallied 26 points (9g, 17a) in 54 games last year and was one of the Stampede's top penalty killers. In the playoffs, Walters recorded four points (3g, 1a) in four games.

Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, MI and has an enrollment of over 28,000. The Broncos are members of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) and advanced to the second round of the CCHA tournament this past season.

Lindblad has committed to Dartmouth College for the future. The Winnetka, IL native was acquired in a trade with Youngstown last Wednesday during the USHL Draft. Lindblad spent last season playing in the USHL with the Chicago Steel where he recorded 25 points (5g, 20a) in 51 games.

Dartmouth College is located in Hanover, NH and has an enrollment of 4,200 students. The Big Green are members of the ECAC Conference and had two former Stampede players (Brandon Harrington & Evan Stephens) on their roster last season.

Lindblad will compete in the Stampede's tryout camp which will take place next weekend (May 29-June 1) at Ridder Arena on the University of Minnesota campus.

The USHL celebrated its 30th season of junior hockey in 2008-09. With over 170 players already committed to NCAA Division I schools and 16 NHL Draft picks that played in the league this season, the USHL is the nation's foremost producer of junior hockey talent. For more information, visit us on the web at www.ushl.com.



(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)