Saturday, December 11, 2010

Bucs Forward Irwin Commits to Ohio State

Press Release

The Des Moines Buccaneers announced that forward Kevin Irwin has committed to play collegiate hockey at Ohio State University and will attend the school following his USHL career.

Irwin is playing in his first USHL season and has scored four goals in 14 games with the Bucs. He scored his first career USHL goal in just his second game in the League, a 7-4 loss to Dubuque on October 15th. The 17-year-old native of Hinckley, Ohio was recently one of the featured players in "Beyond the Blue Line," a video production that highlighted the lives of three Des Moines Buccaneers players as they pursue their hockey dreams in the USHL.

"Kevin has worked hard to improve his game and now the reward is he gets to play college hockey in his home state. That doesn't happen very often, so it's a great opportunity for him," said Regg Simon, Des Moines Buccaneers Head Coach/GM. "He'll be playing for a well respected coaching staff and have a chance to be a major contributor to what they're trying to accomplish there."

Irwin will be joined by Des Moines teammate Chris Joyaux who is also committed to the school. Eight other current USHL players are committed to play hockey at Ohio State University; Brady Hjelle (Cedar Rapids RoughRiders), Ryan Dzingel (Lincoln Stars), Dominik Shine (Lincoln Stars), Alex McLean (Omaha Lancers), Max McCormick (Sioux City Musketeers), Matt Skoff (Sioux City Musketeers), Clark Cristofoli (Sioux Falls Stampede), and John Gibson (Team USA).

Ohio State University is a member of the CCHA and has 10 USHL alumni on the roster this season; Brendan Arniel (Tri-City Storm), Chris Crane (Green Bay Gamblers), Dan Dries (Cedar Rapids RoughRiders/Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets), Alex Lippincott (Fargo Force), Brandon Martell (Fargo Force/Tri-City Storm), Chris Reed (Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets), Patrick Schafer (Omaha Lancers), Shane Sims (Des Moines Buccaneers), Serio Somma (Green Bay Gamblers), and Corey Toy (Omaha Lancers).

In addition, Buckeyes head coach Mark Osiecki spent seven seasons (1997-2004) in the USHL as the head coach of the Green Bay Gamblers.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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