PESCE TO JOIN NTDP

Press Release

Wayne, NJ- The Jersey Hitmen are proud to announce rookie defenseman Brett Pesce has been loaned to the USNTDP over Christmas break. The Tarrytown, NY, native will join the U18 national team on December 27th and suit up against Minnesota State (Mankato) and the University of Wisconsin December 30 and 31st. He will then travel to Boston January 7th and 8th to suit up against Northeastern and Boston University respectively.

Since coming off an early season shoulder injury on October 8th versus the Junior Bruins, Pesce has been a very steadying influence on the back end for the Hitmen.

"Brett is a player that plays ahead of his years," commented coach Harris. "As a November 1994 birth date I thought Brett would slowly acclimate himself to the EJHL and jump in speed coming from the U16 level, but it was quite the contrary, he was ready to go, and chip in, from day one. Since Brett ended re-hab and joined the line-up full time on November 16th, we are 11-1-2, and that is not a coincidence."

Harris continued, "He is so good with the puck, has unbelievable instincts and a great stick defensively. There is no doubt in my mind that Brett will step right into a big role with the national team and help them immediately!"

The University of New Hampshire recruit is the second Hitman this season to get the call from the USNTDP. In September, Connor Clifton, a 1995-born rookie defenseman, got the call from the U17 team and won a gold medal in international competition. Both Pesce and Clifton will be highly touted NHL draft picks in the 2013 entry draft.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)