The Port Huron Fighting Falcons, proud members of the North
American Hockey League, are pleased to announce that defenseman and
assistant captain Jonathan Kopacka has signed a commitment to play NCAA Division I hockey at Air Force Academy.
A 20-year-old native of Metamora, Michigan, Kopacka is closing in
on 100 games with the Fighting Falcons in his second full season with
the team.
Prior to playing in the NAHL, Kopacka played two seasons in the
NAPHL. During the 2009-10 season, Kopacka played on the Motor City Metal
Jackets 16U team and during the 2010-11 season, he played on the
Detroit Falcons 18U team. Kopacka also took part in the 2011 NAPHL Top
Prospects Tournament.
Kopacka joined the Fighting Falcons through his play in the team’s
2012 summer tryout camps. He has appeared in 98 games, including all 40
so far this season. The defenseman has 39 points on 12 goals and 27
assists to go with a +16 in his NAHL career.
He was named an assistant captain of the 2013-14 Fighting Falcons
as voted by his teammates and his leadership has been a big part of what
has kept his team atop the North Division standings since opening
night. Kopacka has 10 goals and 16 assists this season, making him the
fourth highest-scoring defensemam in the NAHL this season.
“We’re thrilled that Jon has earned the opportunity to play at the
next level,” said Fighting Falcons Head Coach and General Manager
Michael Gershon. “He put in the work over the off-season to improve his
game, and he came out for just about every community event we went to.
“Jon’s leadership on and off the ice has been crucial for us as a
team that only returned two defensemen this year. He will have no
problem fitting in with the program at Air Force, and we can’t wait to
see what Jon’s future holds for him.”
Kopacka will join an Air Force program that has won five Atlantic
Hockey Association championships since joining the conference in 2006.
The Falcons currently have the best overall record in the AHA.
The Air Force Falcons their scouting and recruiting efforts on the
NAHL, as 20 of the 26 players on their current roster have NAHL
experience.
Kopacka is the first player from this year’s Fighting Falcons team
to make a college commitment, but he will not be the last. McMorran
Arena has hosted more college and professional scouts than ever this
season after 11 Fighting Falcons players made commitments last season.
(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)
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