Friday, March 5, 2010

Woods Commits to University of Wisconsin

Press Release

Chicago Steel forward Brendan Woods has committed to play collegiate hockey at the University of Wisconsin beginning in the fall of 2011.

The 17-year-old has appeared in 20 games for the Chicago Steel and collected four points (1g, 3a). After sitting out the early part of the season due to injury, the 6-2, 180-pound forward made his debut with the Steel on New Year's Eve. It is the first USHL season for the native of Palmyra, Pennsylvania after originally being selected by the Steel with the 23rd overall pick in the 2009 USHL Entry Draft. Woods was ranked #52 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting when they released their midterm rankings in January.

Eleven other current USHL players are committed to attend the University of Wisconsin; Gavin Hartzog (Fargo Force), Sean Little (Green Bay Gamblers), Tyler Lapic (Omaha Lancers), Chase Drake (Sioux City Musketeers), Matt Paape (Sioux City Musketeers), Jack McCabe (Team USA), Michael Mersch (Team USA), Frankie Simonelli (Team USA), Tyler Barnes (Waterloo Black Hawks), Jefferson Dahl (Youngstown Phantoms), and Cody Strang (Youngstown Phantoms).

The University of Wisconsin Badgers are a member of the WCHA and 15 former USHL players are on the roster this season for the Badgers; Brett Bennett (Indiana Ice), Aaron Bendickson (Des Moines Buccaneers), Andy Bohmbach (Waterloo Black Hawks), Michael Davies (Lincoln Stars), Sean Dolan (Chicago Steel), Ben Grotting (Lincoln Stars), Scott Gudmandson (Omaha Lancers), Patrick Johnson (Lincoln Stars), Ryan Little (Green Bay Gamblers), Keegan Meuer (Waterloo Black Hawks), John Mitchell (Indiana Ice), Craig Smith (Waterloo Black Hawks), Eric Springer (Sioux Falls Stampede), Matt Thurber (Omaha Lancers), and Podge Turnbull (Waterloo Black Hawks).

Wisconsin assistant coach Mark Osiecki spent seven seasons in the USHL as the head coach of the Green Bay Gamblers (1997-2004).

(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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