Wednesday, December 21, 2011

RoughRiders Forward Commits to University of Nebraska-Omaha

Press Release

Cedar Rapids RoughRiders forward Austin Ortega has committed to play collegiate hockey at the University of Nebraska-Omaha following his USHL career.

The 17-year-old has collected 11 points (7g, 4a) in 25 games during his rookie USHL season with the RoughRiders. He is second on the team with seven goals. His first USHL goal came in his second career game on October 7th, a 5-2 victory against Muskegon, and he then followed up with a two-goal effort during his third game a week later, a 10-2 win over Sioux City on October 14th.

Ortega is a native of Escondido, California and was selected in the second round of the 2011 USHL Entry Draft by the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders.

The forward is joined by RoughRiders teammate Ian Brady who is also committed to play college hockey at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Four other current USHL players are also committed to the school; Brian Cooper (Fargo Force), Tanner Lane (Omaha Lancers), Alex Broadhurst (Green Bay Gamblers), and Nick Seeler (Muskegon Lumberjacks).

UNO is a member of the WCHA and has 21 USHL alumni on the roster, the most of any team in college hockey; Bryce Aneloski (Cedar Rapids RoughRiders), Fredrik Bergman (Des Moines Buccaneers), Terry Broadhurst (Sioux Falls Stampede), Kyle Ensign (Tri-City/Green Bay), Brent Gwidt (Indiana Ice), Alex Hudson (Tri-City Storm), Brock Montpetit (Waterloo Black Hawks), Johnnie Searfoss (Fargo Force), Alex Simonson (Chicago Steel), Matt Smith (Indiana Ice), Andrej Sustr (Youngstown Phantoms), Tony Turgeon (Waterloo Black Hawks), Ryan Walters (Des Moines Buccaneers), Matt White (Omaha Lancers), Jaycob Megna (Muskegon Lumberjacks), Jayson Megna (Cedar Rapids RoughRiders), Dominic Zombo (Sioux Falls Stampede), Andrew Schmit (Lincoln Stars/Chicago Steel), Brian O’Rourke (Green Bay Gamblers), Dayn Belfour (Waterloo/Fargo), and Ryan Massa (Fargo Force).

In addition, UNO head coach Dean Blais was the 2008-09 USHL Coach of the Year with the Fargo Force and associate head coach Mike Hastings in the all-time coaching wins leader in USHL history with 529.

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

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