Bertsch Commits to St. Cloud State University

Press Release

The Dubuque Fighting Saints announced that forward Brooks Bertsch will continue his hockey career this fall at St. Cloud State University.

It was a storybook year for Bertsch who was able to play his final year of junior hockey in his hometown of Dubuque. Due to injuries, he was limited to 36 regular season games but collected 16 points (7g, 9a) and posted a plus-10 rating. Bertsch scored the first-ever USHL goal at the brand new Mystique Ice Center during the Saints' home opener on October 22nd, 2010. He also appeared in seven playoff games on the way to helping the Saints capture the Clark Cup.

"The season was magical. I was battling through the injury, but the best part – coming back at the end and being able to help the team win the Clark Cup," said Bertsch. "Something that you can never take away from somebody is a championship. It's pretty special."

Bertsch was one of 17 players who skated for the Saints this season that have earned a NCAA Division I hockey opportunity.

"Brooks Bertsch has earned this through his own work ethic and his great team first attitude," said Jim Montgomery, Dubuque Head Coach/GM. "I couldn't be happier for him, because he is a true Fighting Saint spirit. He has worked his whole life to get this goal, and he went out and earned it. He was an easy kid to sell."

Six other players who skated in the USHL during the 2010-11 season are also committed to play collegiate hockey at St. Cloud State University – Ethan Prow (Des Moines Buccaneers), Jonny Brodzinski (Fargo Force), Nick Oliver (Fargo Force), Markus Lauridsen (Green Bay Gamblers), Jarrod Rabey (Indiana Ice), and Andrew Prochno (Sioux Falls Stampede/Waterloo Black Hawks).

The St. Cloud State University Huskies are a member of the WCHA and had 15 USHL alumni on the roster this season; Brett Barta (Waterloo Black Hawks), Jody Christian (Sioux Falls Stampede), Nic Dowd (Indiana Ice), Jared Festler (Lincoln Stars), Kevin Gravel (Sioux City Musketeers), Chris Hepp (Omaha Lancers), Nick Jensen (Green Bay Gamblers), Taylor Johnson (Green Bay Gamblers), Drew LeBlanc (Chicago Steel), Mike Lee (Fargo Force), Aaron Marvin (Tri-City Storm), Travis Novak (Omaha Lancers), Nick Oslund (Tri-City Storm), Garrett Roe (Indiana Ice), and Sam Zabkowicz (Sioux Falls Stampede).

The Huskies are coached by Bob Motzko who spent seven seasons coaching in the USHL. He guided the Sioux Falls Stampede during their first two seasons (1999-2001) in the League to a 77-31-6 record and won 88 games with the North Iowa Huskies from 1986-91. Motzko also played in the USHL with the original Dubuque Fighting Saints during the 1980-81 season.

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