Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Coatta Mankato Bound

Press Release

The Penticton Vees Jr. ‘A’ Hockey Club is pleased to announce forward Max Coatta (94) has committed to the Minnesota State University, Mankato for the 2015-2016 season.

President, General Manager and Head Coach Fred Harbinson, has already seen early returns from Coatta, “In a short period of time Max has become a go-to guy in all situations. His maturity and approach, matched with his offensive instincts make him a dynamic player who will have continued success at both the Jr. ‘A’ and NCAA level.”

Coatta, 19, is currently in his first season with the Vees and leads the team in goals (7) and points (12) and is fourth in BCHL Rookie scoring. Coatta also received an honorable mention for the BCHL Player of the Week award after netting a hat-trick and seven points during a two game sweep of the Trail Smoke Eaters on September 13th & 14th.

Coatta says he’s excited to be joining a budding program in Mankato “I felt really comfortable with Coach Hastings and his staff. They’re coming off a great season and they’ve recruited well. It’s exciting to be going to a program that’s on the rise.”

The Minnetonka, Minnesota native captained his high school hockey team in his senior season one year ago, and led the Skippers with 28 goals and 59 points in 27 games. Coatta holds Minnetonka high school records in goals (89), assists (101) and points (190) in his four seasons of varsity hockey. Coatta was named to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune All-Metro Boys’ Hockey First Team in 2012-2013.

Minnesota State, Mankato has been playing hockey at the Division l hockey since 1996-1997 as a member of the Western Collegiate Hockey Conference (WCHA). The Mavericks have been playing varsity hockey at the Division ll or Division lll level since 1960. In 2012-2013, first year head coach Mike Hastings guided the Mavericks to a 24-14-3 record in the WHCA, and was named the WCHA Coach of the Year.  Coatta is the fifteenth player on the Vees roster to secure an NCAA commitment, and will be joining former Vees Bryce Gervais and Nick Buchanan at MSU, as those two are set to embark on their sophomore seasons. 



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

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