Last week, we updated you on how some former Chargers are doing in the pros. This week, we’re have some updates on who will be donning the blue and white in the near future.
Max McHugh signs his national letter of intent to play for UAH in 2014-15 (photo via Twitter).
The early signing period for 2014-15 concluded on November 20. We currently know of one signing.
Max McHugh is a forward for the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the United States Hockey League. The Edgewood, Wash. native scored 41 goals and 105 points over the last three seasons for the Wenatchee Wild of the North American Hockey League. This season he has five points in 17 games for the Fighting Saints, and helped Dubuque win the bronze medal at the Junior Club World Cup last summer.
UAH has picked up three more verbal commitments:
Josh Kestner, a Huntsville native, is coming to UAH next season. The Huntsville High grad is in his second season with the Sarnia Legionnaires of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. He is currently seventh in the GOJHL with 39 points in 25 games.
Joey Marooney, Cody‘s brother, announced he will join the Chargers in 2015. The Eden Prairie, Minn. native is a forward for Holy Family Catholic High School.
Ivan Bondarenko committed to UAH earlier this month, and is slated to become the Chargers’ first-ever Russian player in 2015. Bondarenko is tearing up the NPHL with the West Sound Warriors, with 15 goals and 17 assists in just 14 games this season.
For more information on UAH’s recruiting, visit the Commitments page. A reminder: The university and the coaching staff cannot officially comment on any player until he has signed an National Letter of Intent, and UAHHockey.com is not affiliated with the university or the coaching staff.
Happy Thanksgiving: In this week’s episode of Tradition Continues, the team would like to pass on their holiday wishes:
Up next: The Chargers make their first of two trips to South Bend, Indiana, this weekend. UAH plays host Notre Dame in the Shillelagh Tournament on Friday at 6:35 p.m. The Chargers play either Northeastern or Western Michigan on Saturday.
A shillelagh is a wooden club or cudgel associated with the Irish. Is that what Notre Dame calls their hockey sticks?
Another shutout for Talbot: Cam Talbot was back in the South on Saturday night, and he earned his second shutout in as many starts. The former Charger and current New York Ranger made 17 stops in a 2-0 victory over the Predators at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. The Rangers have won in Talbot’s last five starts.
Final Movember/Nike fundraising reminder: Movember ends Saturday, so please consider donating to the Chargers’ team to help fight prostate cancer.
Also, the UAH hockey Nike gear fundraiser also ends Saturday. A portion of the sales go straight to the UAH hockey program.
Around the WCHA: Ferris State remained undefeated in league play after a sweep of Alaska in Big Rapids, Mich. The Bulldogs are 7-0-1 in the WCHA, leading Bemidji State (which split at home with Lake Superior) by four points despite playing two fewer conference games. Bowling Green split with Minnesota State in Mankato to stay in third place with nine points.
Ferris State moved up four spots in this week’s USCHO.com poll to No. 6, and earned a first-place vote. Lake Superior State is the WCHA’s other ranked team, staying at No. 16. In the USA Today/USA Hockey poll, Ferris is ranked seventh.
| WCHA Standings | Conference | Overall | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | W | L | T | Pts | W | L | T | |
| Ferris State | 8 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 10 | 2 | 1 |
| Bemidji State | 10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 11 | 5 | 7 | 2 |
| Bowling Green | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 3 |
| Northern Michigan | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 1 |
| Alaska-Anchorage | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Lake Superior State | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 1 |
| Minnesota State | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 0 |
| Michigan Tech | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 2 |
| Alaska | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 2 |
| Alabama-Huntsville | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
THIS WEEK IN THE WCHA
All times Central.
* WCHA game.
Friday, November 29
UAH at Notre Dame (Shillelagh Tournament), 6:35 p.m.
* Ferris State at Northern Michigan, 6:07 p.m.
* Bowling Green at Lake Superior State, 6:37 p.m.
* Alaska-Anchorage at Minnesota State, 7:37 p.m.
* Michigan Tech at Alaska, 10:07 p.m.
Miami at Bemidji State, 7:37 p.m.
Saturday, November 30
UAH vs. Northeastern or Western Michigan, 3:05 or 6:35 p.m.
* Ferris State at Northern Michigan, 6:07 p.m.
* Bowling Green at Lake Superior State, 6:07 p.m.
* Alaska-Anchorage at Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.
* Michigan Tech at Alaska, 10:07 p.m.
Miami at Bemidji State, 7:07 p.m.