Press Release
The Chicago Steel announced that defenseman Johnny Wingels has committed to play collegiate hockey at Miami University beginning in the fall of 2013.
Wingels is in his first full season with the Steel after competing in
two games in 2011-12, where he registered a plus-one rating. The
5-foot-11, 180-pound Wingels, hails from Wilmette, Illinois and was
selected by Chicago in the 2011 USHL Entry Draft with the 66th overall
pick.
“I told Coach [Enrico] Blasi on Sunday evening that I would be playing
college hockey for the RedHawks after my USHL career,” Wingels said.
“The coaching staff at Miami is excellent and I really enjoyed working
with them throughout the recruiting process.”
Wingels will be the fourth member of his family to attend Miami
University. His brother, Tommy, and two sisters, Emily and Lizzy, also
went to Miami. Tommy Wingels, who played in the USHL
for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (2006-07), was a member of the RedHawks
hockey program for three seasons (2007-10) and tallied 137 points (43g,
56a) during his collegiate career. Tommy was chosen 177th overall in
the 2008 NHL Draft by San Jose and has played parts of the last two NHL
seasons with the Sharks.
“Tommy was very happy for me and thought it was cool that I would be
playing where he played collegiately,” Johnny Wingels said. “He has
great memories from Miami and had such good things to say about the
program.”
“My parents are excited and happy with my decision. I have been
visiting Oxford, Ohio since I was 11 years old, so I am familiar with
the campus and look forward to becoming a student-athlete at Miami.”
Steel Head Coach Scott McConnell and the rest of the
coaching staff couldn’t have been more pleased about Wingels’ commitment
and his continued development this season in the USHL.
“It is a special day in the Wingels household,” McConnell said.
“Johnny’s brother and two sisters have graduated from the university
and we are thrilled that he gets to continue the tradition. Johnny’s
ability to adapt to the USHL style of play is very impressive and we are
looking for big things from him this season. Our goal as a coaching
staff is for Johnny to continue to develop and go into Miami next season
and contribute immediately.”
(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment