Bulls goaltender Gregg Gruehl makes NCAA DI plans

Press Release

A 13th member of the 2011-2012 Amarillo Bulls has announced his NCAA College Commitment.

Amarillo Bulls goaltender Gregg Gruehl has committed to the University of Alabama-Huntsville, a school located in Huntsville, Alabama. The University plays as an independent.

Gruehl, who was part of the terrific goaltending tandem with Mike Taffe, had an outstanding 2011-2012 season for the Bulls where he posted a record of 26-4-4 with a 2.06 goals against average, and a save percentage of .922 in 35 games. He was fourth in the NAHL in goals against. In the post season, the Mayfield Heights, Ohio Native (near Cleveland) had a 3-0 shutout win against the Topeka RoadRunners to give the Bulls a 2-0 series lead.

“It’s the right place for me to continue to advance my hockey career and beyond that,” said Gruehl. “I wanted to stay in the south, and business is one of the main programs they have at the school.”
The University of Alabama-Huntsville is quite familiar for Bulls Head Coach Dennis Williams who served as an Assistant Coach there for one season.

“I am thrilled for Gregg, who is a super guy that lives and breathes hockey,” said Bulls Head Coach Dennis Williams. “Gregg is great in the classroom, gives back to the community and is everything you want in a college hockey player.”

Earlier this season, Gruehl played in the 2012 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament in Troy, Michigan where he helped lead team South to a 2-1-0 record. He also led all goalies at the tournament in goals against average (0.68) and save percentage (97.1%). Prior to playing for Amarillo, Gruehl played from 2006-09 for the Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks of the NA3HL.

Gruehl arrived in Amarillo late last season near the NAHL Trade Deadline where he and Nikifor Sczerba were the goaltenders. Gruehl said his time in Amarillo has been amazing, and credits the Bulls coaching staff for helping him.

“The coaches have helped me get this opportunity and to advance my career at the University of Alabama-Huntsville,” Gruehl said. “My teammates played great in front of me, and gave me the chance to have such an outstanding season and move on to this school.”

Williams said he has a lot of great memories of the school and the community of Huntsville. “I know coach Chris Luongo quite well, and I know the expectations Gregg will have on himself and the staff will have on him,” said Williams.

Gregg Gruehl becomes the 13th member of this year’s Amarillo Bulls’ roster to commit to play NCAA College Hockey. He joins Brandon Lubin (American International College), TJ Sarcona (Niagara University), Brooks Behling (Providence), Matt Johnson (Lake Superior State University), Luke Jenkins (Army), John Gustafsson (Merrimack College), Joe Kozlak (Army), Greg Gibson (Robert Morris University), Karl Beckman (Holy Cross University), Mike Taffe (Manhattanville College), Michael Erickson (Williams College), and Ryan Taylor (Western New England University).

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