Friday, March 8, 2013

Stork Commits To Ohio State

Press Release

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Youngstown Phantoms and head coach Anthony Noreen take great pride in announcing that forward Luke Stork has committed to play collegiate hockey at The Ohio State University following his United States Hockey League career. He becomes the 12th player on the current Phantoms roster to commit to play NCAA Division I hockey

“I couldn’t be more happy or proud for Luke and his family,” Noreen said. “He had a lot of options but Ohio State was his No. 1 choice from Day One and I’m glad it worked out for both sides. They’re getting a player that represents everything we want our program to represent. He’s the type of player that any team wants because his attitude and worth ethic are second to none.”
Luke Stork

A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., Stork is in his first full season with the Phantoms and has collected 10 goals, 14 assists and 24 points while playing in all 48 games. The 6-foot, 175-pound forward is second in scoring among first-year players and sixth overall for Youngstown, and has been utilized in all situations, including the penalty kill and power play.

Stork was originally selected by the Phantoms in the third round (33rd overall) of the 2011 USHL Futures Draft. He put up 18-17-35 in 38 games last season with the Pittsburgh Hornets Under-18 AAA team and appeared in two games Youngstown as an affiliate player registering a shot.

“I’d like to thank Coach Noreen, the staff and my teammates,” Stork said. “I know this was the best decision for me and my family. I really like the coaching staff [at Ohio State] and everything the program has to offer. I’m proud to be a Buckeye.”

Ohio State is currently part of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, but will make the move to the newly formed Big Ten hockey conference for its inaugural season in 2013-14. The Buckeyes have made six NCAA Tournament appearances since 1998, when they reached the Frozen Four. Ohio State’s most recent NCAA appearance came in 2009, where it lost to the eventual national champion Boston University.

The Buckeyes, in their second season under head coach Mark Osiecki, and are currently fourth in the CCHA standings with a 13-10-5-1 conference record and a 14-15-7 overall record.

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

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