Saturday, December 15, 2012

Bucs Defenseman Commits to Ohio State University

Press Release

The Des Moines Buccaneers announced that defenseman Nolan Valleau has committed to play college hockey next season at Ohio State University.

Valleau has put up 15 points (6g, 9a) through 24 games this season, tying him for fifth in scoring among all USHL defensemen.  The 20-year-old from Novi, Michigan scored four goals in a span of five games from October 12-27, including his first career goal in the League during the 6-2 victory against Omaha on October 12th.  He was selected by the Buccaneers in the third round of the 2012 USHL Entry Draft.

Five other current USHL players are also committed to Ohio State University; Dave Gust (Fargo Force), Nicholas Schilkey (Green Bay Gamblers), Matthew Weis (Green Bay Gamblers), Cliff Watson (Sioux City Musketeers), Dylan Pavelek (Team USA), and Zach Stepan (Waterloo Black Hawks).
Ohio State University is playing its last season in the CCHA before joining the newly-formed Big Ten Conference for next season.  A total of 13 USHL alumni are on the Buckeyes roster; Darik Angeli (Tri-City/Sioux City), Chris Crane (Green Bay Gamblers), Clark Cristofoli (Sioux Falls Stampede), Ryan Dzingel (Lincoln Stars), Anthony Greco (Des Moines/Waterloo), Brady Hjelle (Cedar Rapids RoughRiders), Matt Johnson (Tri-City Storm), Alex Lippincott (Fargo Force), Tyler Lundey (Dubuque Fighting Saints), Max McCormick (Sioux City Musketeers), Al McLean (Omaha Lancers), Nick Oddo (Omaha/Cedar Rapids), and Collin Olson (Team USA).

In addition, Ohio State University head coach Mark Osiecki spent seven seasons (1997-2004) in the USHL as head coach of the Green Bay Gamblers.


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

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