Wednesday, January 15, 2014

ICE double down on college commitments

Press Release

INDIANAPOLIS—The Indiana Ice announced today that forward Denis Smirnov and defenseman Austin Kosack have committed to playing college hockey at Penn State University and Ferris State University, respectively.

The Penn State Nittany Lions are an NCAA Division I member of the Big 10 Conference while the Ferris State University Bulldogs are an NCAA Division I member of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

Despite being one of the youngest players in the USHL, Smirnov has been a steady contributor to Indy’s offensive efforts.  He currently leads the team in assists (15) and sits second in points (24) behind fellow Nittany Lions-commit Scott Conway.   Through 28 games this season, Smirnov is tied for first with six multiple-point contests, including two three-point showings in his past five matches.

Smirnov is the second Iceman to commit to Penn State since the school joined the newly-formed Big 10 hockey conference.

In his first season with the Ice, Kosack has been a solid force on an Ice defense that leads the league in shots allowed per game (24.87) while topping team blueliners in points (17), assists (14) and plus-minus (+25) while being tied for first among team defensemen in goals (3).

Kosack will be joining fellow Indy skater Tyler Andrew at the Big Rapids, MI institution while Ice alumni Kyle Bonis (07-08), Mike Embach (06-07) and Dominic Panetta (10-11) have all graced the Bulldogs’ roster.  Notable Ferris State alumni include former Indy head coach and current Grand Rapids Griffins coach Jeff Blashill as well as Pittsburgh Penguins winger Chris Kunitz.

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

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