Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Wingels Follows Family Footsteps With College Commitment

Press Release

The Chicago Steel announced that defenseman Johnny Wingels has committed to play collegiate hockey at Miami University beginning in the fall of 2013.

Wingels is in his first full season with the Steel after competing in two games in 2011-12, where he registered a plus-one rating.  The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Wingels, hails from Wilmette, Illinois and was selected by Chicago in the 2011 USHL Entry Draft with the 66th overall pick.

“I told Coach [Enrico] Blasi on Sunday evening that I would be playing college hockey for the RedHawks after my USHL career,” Wingels said.  “The coaching staff at Miami is excellent and I really enjoyed working with them throughout the recruiting process.”

Wingels will be the fourth member of his family to attend Miami University.  His brother, Tommy, and two sisters, Emily and Lizzy, also went to Miami.  Tommy Wingels, who played in the USHL for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (2006-07), was a member of the RedHawks hockey program for three seasons (2007-10) and tallied 137 points (43g, 56a) during his collegiate career.  Tommy was chosen 177th overall in the 2008 NHL Draft by San Jose and has played parts of the last two NHL seasons with the Sharks.
“Tommy was very happy for me and thought it was cool that I would be playing where he played collegiately,” Johnny Wingels said.  “He has great memories from Miami and had such good things to say about the program.”

“My parents are excited and happy with my decision.  I have been visiting Oxford, Ohio since I was 11 years old, so I am familiar with the campus and look forward to becoming a student-athlete at Miami.”
Steel Head Coach Scott McConnell and the rest of the coaching staff couldn’t have been more pleased about Wingels’ commitment and his continued development this season in the USHL.

“It is a special day in the Wingels household,” McConnell said.  “Johnny’s brother and two sisters have graduated from the university and we are thrilled that he gets to continue the tradition.  Johnny’s ability to adapt to the USHL style of play is very impressive and we are looking for big things from him this season.  Our goal as a coaching staff is for Johnny to continue to develop and go into Miami next season and contribute immediately.”


(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

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