Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Omaha 16U forward Baker makes NCAA DI commitment

Press Release

 The Omaha AAA Hockey Club, of the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL), is pleased to announce that 16U forward Tarek Baker, a 16-year-old from Verona, Wisconsin has accepted a scholarship to play NCAA Division I hockey at the University of Minnesota of the new Big 10 Hockey Conference.

Baker is in his 2nd season with the Omaha AAA 16U team and so far this year he has posted eight goals and 23 assists for 31 points in 11 games overall.

His announcement comes directly after his play at the NAHL Showcase, in which the University of Minnesota was in attendance, including head coach Don Lucia. In NAPHL action to date, Baker has posted six goals and 12 assists for 18 points and in five league games. He currently leads the NAPHL in scoring.

The 5'11/185 lbs. forward was recruited and scouted by many NCAA Division I schools from across the country. Baker is the first player from this year’s Omaha AAA 16U team to accept a scholarship to play hockey at a Division I college.

"Tarek is an outstanding player who comes to the rink and competes hard every single day and on top of that he is an even better person off the ice,” said Omaha head coach David Wilkie. “He is going to be a great college hockey player with a very bright future in front of him.”

Last season, Baker played in 18 NAPHL regular season games totaling 22 points. He also had six points in four NAPHL playoff games as the Omaha 16U team went onto win the NAPHL 16U Championship.

Earlier this summer, he was a member of Team USA at the Five Nations Tournament and helped the United States capture the gold medal. He was a 2012-13 tender of the NAHL’s Janesville Jets. He was also selected in the 7th Round and 134th overall to the Saginaw Spirit in the OHL Priority Selection Draft.

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

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