Friday, August 19, 2011

Bucs Pigozzi Commits to University of Denver

Press Release

The Des Moines Buccaneers announced that forward Ray Pigozzi has committed to play collegiate hockey at the University of Denver following his USHL career.

Pigozzi played his USHL rookie season in 2010-11 as a 16-year-old and collected 18 points (6g, 12a) in 51 games. He was second on the club with a plus-eight rating.

"Ray came in as young player last season and learned how to compete at this level," said Bucs head coach Regg Simon. "He showed a ton of improvement, especially late in the season and I think that's when Denver really took notice. Now that his college decision is out of the way, Ray can focus on getting better every day."

Pigozzi was selected by the Buccaneers with the 25th overall selection in the 2010 USHL Futures Draft. Prior to coming to Des Moines, the Evanston, Illinois native helped to lead the Chicago Mission U-16 team to a national championship.

Eleven other players who spent the 2010-11 season in the USHL are also committed to the school; Josiah Didier (Cedar Rapids RoughRiders), Nolan Zajac (Cedar Rapids RoughRiders), Garrett Allen (Chicago Steel), Matt Tabrum (Omaha Lancers), Daniel Doremus (Sioux Falls Stampede), Juho Olkinuora (Sioux Falls Stampede), Zac Larraza (Team USA), Dakota Mermis (Team USA), Matt Van Voorhis (Team USA), Ty Loney (Youngstown Phantoms), and Scott Mayfield (Youngstown Phantoms).

The University of Denver Pioneers are a member WCHA and had a total of 12 USHL alumni on the roster in 2010-11; Nate Dewhurst (Des Moines Buccaneers), Matt Donovan (Cedar Rapids RoughRiders), Chris Knowlton (Des Moines Buccaneers), John Lee (Waterloo Black Hawks), Anthony Maiani (Sioux City Musketeers), David Makowski (Green Bay Gamblers), Jesse Martin (Tri-City Storm), Jarrod Mermis (Sioux City Musketeers), Paul Phillips (Cedar Rapids RoughRiders), John Ryder (Ohio Junior Blue Jackets), Nick Shore (Team USA), and Jason Zucker (Team USA).

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

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