Thursday, December 8, 2011

Waterloo Forward Picks St. Cloud State University

Press Release

The Waterloo Black Hawks announced that forward Ryan Papa has committed to play collegiate hockey at St. Cloud State University following his USHL career.

“The coaches and all the players really made me feel at home,” said Papa. “Distance definitely plays a part. St. Cloud is a seven or eight hour drive from home, so it’s not too far.”

Papa has recorded 10 points (3g, 7a) and a plus-four rating in 19 games this season for the Black Hawks. He tallied a goal in the first game of the season, a 3-1 win against Omaha on September 30th, and then dished out a USHL career high three assists in the 6-3 win over rival Dubuque on November 18th. The 17-year-old from Prospect Heights, Illinois first broke into the USHL last season playing eight games for Waterloo and collecting five points (2g, 3a).

“Ryan adds both energy and skill to any line he is a part of,” said Black Hawks head coach P.K. O’Handley. “It is no surprise that there were a number of quality programs who felt he would be a good fit, and I expect he will flourish with the Huskies.”

Papa is one of two USHL players to commit to St. Cloud State University this week as Jimmy Murray of the Omaha Lancers also chose the school. Five other current USHL players are committed to St. Cloud State University; Ethan Prow (Des Moines Buccaneers), Jonny Brodzinski (Fargo Force), Ville Jarvelainen (Green Bay Gamblers), Markus Lauridsen (Green Bay Gamblers), and Joona Manninen (Muskegon Lumberjacks).

The St. Cloud State University Huskies are a member of the WCHA and have 13 USHL alumni on the roster this season; Nic Dowd (Indiana Ice), Jared Festler (Lincoln Stars), Kevin Gravel (Sioux City Musketeers), Nick Jensen (Green Bay Gamblers), Taylor Johnson (Green Bay Gamblers), Drew LeBlanc (Chicago Steel), Mike Lee (Fargo Force), Travis Novak (Omaha Lancers), Sam Zabkowicz (Sioux Falls Stampede), Jarrod Rabey (Indiana Ice), Brooks Bertsch (Dubuque Fighting Saints), Nick Oliver (Fargo Force), and Andrew Prochno (Sioux Falls/Waterloo).

In addition, St. Cloud head coach Bob Motzko played in the USHL and spent seven seasons as a head coach in the League (Sioux Falls Stampede 1999-2001, North Iowa Huskies 1986-91).

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

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