Sunday, July 3, 2011

BROOKS COMMITS TO PENN STATE FOR INAUGURAL SEASON

Press Release

KEARNEY, Neb. – Tri-City Storm forward Kenny Brooks commits to the Penn State University Nittany Lions for the Fall of 2012, which is the opening year for the newest program in NCAA Div. I hockey.

Brooks, who is will enter his third season with the Storm next season, has 16 goals and 28 assists (44 points) in 106 games through two seasons in the United States Hockey League.

“I think it’s a great opportunity to get into the lineup as a freshman playing college hockey,” said Brooks, who is from Las Vegas. “I like how they have started the program, and believe that I’ll be a part of something special.”

Penn State is located in University Park, Penn. and will compete in the new Big Ten Conference in hockey. The conference will debut in the 2012-13 season and includes Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Michigan, and Michigan State.

Brooks is the fourth player who played in the USHL last season to commit to Penn State for the inaugural season, as Tommy Olczyk (Sioux City Musketeers), Brandon Russo (Indiana Ice), and Mark Yanis (Muskegon Lumberjacks) have all committed to Penn State.

“We are really happy for Kenny, and know that he’ll do great for this new program,” said Head Coach/General Manager Drew Schoneck. “Kenny has worked hard for the Storm over the past two seasons, and we look forward to this year having him once again.”

The 19-year old, who is 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, split last season between forward and defense due to injuries on the team. The temporary change in positions is something that he feels made him a better all-around player and completed his game for the next level.

“It gave me a different prospective for the game last season playing both positions,” Brooks said. “However, I’m excited to move back to forward and improve this season before heading to school.”

Brooks, who is also the son of Storm and Viaero Event Center Owner Kirk Brooks, says that his choice of major will likely be business.

With Brooks’ commitment, Tri-City has assisted in sending 16 players to college hockey from this past season. Darik Angeli (Ohio State Univ.), Alex Carpenter (Western Michigan University), Simon Denis (Ferris State Univ.), Scott Diebold (RPI) Cole Gunner (Air Force Academy), Bill Eiserman (UMASS-Lowell), Christopher Holden (Acadia Univ.-Canada) Matt Johnson (Ohio State Univ), Dan Kolomatis (Merrimack College), Nick Lappin (Brown Univ.), Cody Murphy (Miami University-Ohio), Rick Pinkston (Dartmouth College), Zack Rall (Univ. of Alaska-Anchorage), Brad Schierhorn (Dartmouth College) and Brian Ward (Dartmouth College).

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

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