Saints Defenseman Makes College Commitment

Press Release

 The Dubuque Fighting Saints announced that defenseman and team captain Alexx Privitera has committed to play collegiate hockey at the University of Vermont beginning next season.

Privitera has appeared in all but one of the 35 games for the Saints this season and is tied for first on the team with 27 points (6g, 21a).  His point total is fourth amongst USHL defensemen and he is third in that group with 21 assists.  The Old Tappan, New Jersey native has been a force on the power play this season as his 12 assists on the man-advantage are tied for third among all USHL players.

It is the third USHL season for Privitera.  He first played in the League with Team USA during the 2009-10 season before joining the Muskegon Lumberjacks for their inaugural campaign in 2010-11.  Over his USHL career, he has recorded 67 points (19g, 48a) and 194 penalty minutes over 125 regular season games.

Privitera also helped the Saints capture the bronze medal this past August at the 2013 Junior Club World Cup in Omsk, Russia.  He was named the best defenseman of the tournament, scoring six points (4g, 2a) over five contests, including a hat trick in the bronze medal game.

He joins his young brother and Saints teammate, Jarrid Privitera, who committed to the University of Vermont this week.  Teammate Robby Darrar will also attend the school along with three other current USHL players – Drew Best (Green Bay Gamblers), Kevin Irwin (Green Bay Gamblers), and Haralds Egle (Muskegon Lumberjacks).

The University of Vermont is a member of Hockey East and has 10 USHL alumni on the Catamounts roster this season; Mario Puskarich (Tri-City/Waterloo), Michael Paliotta (Team USA), Jake Fallon (Indiana Ice), Connor Brickley (Des Moines Buccaneers), H.T. Lenz (Des Moines Buccaneers), Colin Markison (Omaha Lancers), Matt White (Des Moines Buccaneers), Thomas Forgione (Sioux Falls/Cedar Rapids), Nick Luukko (Dubuque Fighting Saints), and Anthony DeCenzo (Tri-City Storm).

Additionally, Vermont assistant coaches Kevin Patrick (Muskegon Lumberjacks, 2010-12) and Kyle Wallack (Indiana Ice, 2011-12) were both head coaches in the USHL.

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)