Thursday, December 10, 2009

Montpetit Commits to Nebraska Omaha

Press Release

Waterloo Black Hawks captain Brock Montpetit will be a member of the University of Nebraska at Omaha Mavericks hockey program when the school joins the WCHA next season.

The forward from Somerset, Wisconsin is currently playing in his third USHL season and leads the Black Hawks in scoring with 24 points (10g, 14a) in 19 games, which also ranks tied for eighth in the USHL. Montpetit has scored five goals over his past five games while in his last six contests, he has four multi-point games. In 133 total games in Waterloo over three seasons, he has accumulated 97 points (35g, 62a) and is on pace to become the 21st player in Black Hawk history to reach 100 career points.

"Brock has developed all the aspects of his game in his time here," said Waterloo Black Hawks Head Coach P.K. O'Handley. "Even before he came to the USHL, I don't think there was any doubt he would eventually be a contributor with an NCAA program, but the work he has put in over two-and-a-half seasons has helped him become a very solid two-way player."

Six other current USHL players are committed to attend the University of Nebraska at Omaha; Bryce Aneloski (Cedar Rapids RoughRiders), Johnnie Searfoss (Fargo Force) Brian O'Rourke (Green Bay Gamblers), Nick Oddo (Omaha Lancers), Matt White (Omaha Lancers), and Patrick Borer (Sioux City Musketeers).

The University of Nebraska at Omaha Mavericks have an impressive 19 former USHL players on their roster for the 2009-10 season; Matt Smith (Indiana Ice), Kyle Ensign (Tri-City Storm), Pasko Skarica (Waterloo Black Hawks), Eddie DeGrosso (Indiana Ice), Jake Skjodt (Indiana Ice), Rich Purslow (Des Moines Buccaneers), Mike Phillippi (Indiana Ice), J.J. Koehler (Lincoln Stars), Jordan Willert (Tri-City Storm), Terry Broadhurst (Sioux Falls Stampede), Nick Fanto (Omaha Lancers), Ryan Kretzer (Lincoln Stars), Brandon Richardson (Indiana Ice), Mark Bernier (Tri-City Storm), Eric Olimb (Indiana Ice), John Kemp (Indiana Ice), Brent Gwidt (Indiana Ice), Alex Hudson (Tri-City Storm), and Matt Ambroz (Tri-City Storm).

The Mavericks are coached by Dean Blais, who was the 2008-09 USHL Coach of the Year leading the Fargo Force to the Clark Cup Finals during their inaugural season. Associate Head Coach Mike Hastings is the USHL's all-time leader in coaching victories (529) after guiding the Omaha Lancers for 14 seasons (1994-2008). Assistant Coach Nick Fohr was a player for the Lincoln Stars for two seasons (1996-98).

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

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