Simonson Commits to Nebraska Omaha

Press Release

Chicago Steel forward Alex Simonson has committed to the University of Nebraska at Omaha and will be a member of the Mavericks hockey program when the school joins the WCHA next season.

Despite being limited to 35 games during the 2009-10 season after sitting out with injury until December, Simonson led the USHL with 179 penalty minutes. The rugged 6-3, 185-pound winger from Grand Forks, North Dakota also collected six points (2g, 4a), including one game-winning goal, while serving as alternate captain for the Steel. The 20-year-old has played 90 games over three seasons in the USHL and has tallied 15 points (7g, 8a) to go along with 333 penalty minutes.

Ten other USHL players from the 2009-10 season are committed to attend the University of Nebraska at Omaha; Bryce Aneloski (Cedar Rapids RoughRiders), Brock Montpetit (Waterloo Black Hawks), Ryan Walters (Des Moines Buccaneers), Johnnie Searfoss (Fargo Force) Brian O'Rourke (Green Bay Gamblers), Nick Oddo (Omaha Lancers), Matt White (Omaha Lancers), Andrej Sustr (Youngstown Phantoms), Dominic Zombo (Sioux Falls Stampede), and Patrick Borer (Sioux City Musketeers).

The University of Nebraska at Omaha Mavericks had 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).

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