Express' Thorson headed to St. Cloud State

Press Release

he Owatonna Express has announced that forward Cory Thorson has committed to St. Cloud State University (WCHA) for next season.

He’s the seventh player who competed in January’s Sherwood/NAHL Top Prospects Tournament to commit to a Division I school after the event.

“Cory is a great kid and will be a great hockey player for the Huskies for the next four years,” said Express head coach Pat Cullen.

Thorson, a 19-year-old from Crystal, Minn., is tied for 10th in NAHL scoring with 51 points on 22 goals through 54 games this season.

“Cory is a very skilled hockey player and is very deserving of the opportunity to play in the WCHA,” Cullen added.

The other Top Prospects players who have committed to Division I schools since the event are: Bismarck Bobcats forwards Ben Danford (Canisius College) and Casey Kleisinger (Air Force Academy); Fairbanks Ice Dogs defenseman Josh Nelson (Minnesota State-Mankato); Janesville Jets forward Rui Encarnacao (University of Connecticut): Owatonna Express defenseman Jake Sloat (Bowling Green State University); and Wenatchee Wild forward Shawn Pauly (Air Force).

Thorson is the seventh current and former Express player with Division I plans in place.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)