Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Saints Forward Commits to Northern Michigan University

Press Release 

 Dubuque Fighting Saints forward Joseph Manno has committed to play collegiate hockey next season at Northern Michigan University.

The 20-year-old came to the Saints in December and was a key veteran contributor to help the team finish the regular season with the best overall record and the Anderson Cup title.  He scored his first USHL goal in just his fifth game, and then went on to score three more goals over his next four contests.  During the first weekend in February, Manno scored four goals over a two-game set with the Indiana Ice which included scoring the game-winning goal in both contests.

In 35 regular season games, the Montreal, Quebec native tallied 22 points (10g, 12a) and a plus-15 rating.  He was also a big part of postseason success for Dubuque as he collected six points (1g, 5a) and a plus-five rating in 11 playoff games during the team’s run for the Clark Cup title.

Manno has experience at the NCAA level as he had spent the previous season and a half playing college hockey at Northeastern University before arriving in Dubuque.  He recorded 12 points (4g, 8a) in 46 total games at the school.  Prior to Northeastern, he spent a high school season at South Kent Prep School in Connecticut (2010-11) and played midget hockey for Lac Saint-Louis in his native Montreal (2008-10), the same program that produced former Dubuque defenseman Mike Matheson.

Manno will join Saints teammate Shane Sooth who is also committed to Northern Michigan University.  Saints affiliate player Zach Diamantoni also plans to attend the school.  Two other USHL players from this past season – Barrett Kaib (Green Bay Gamblers) and Dominik Shine (Lincoln Stars) – will be on campus at Northern Michigan University this fall.

A total of 12 USHL alumni were on the hockey team at the school this season; Jared Coreau (Lincoln Stars), Kyle Follmer (Lincoln/Sioux City), Austin Handley (Lincoln/Omaha/Des Moines), Jake Johnson (Sioux City Musketeers), Kory Kaunisto (Lincoln/Waterloo), Ryan Kesti (Sioux Falls Stampede), C.J. Ludwig (Omaha Lancers), Reed Seckel (Green Bay Gamblers), Stephan Vigier (Sioux City Musketeers), Matt Thurber (Omaha Lancers), Ryan Daugherty (Omaha Lancers), and Ryan Trenz (Chicago Steel).

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

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