Bobcats acquire University of Wisconsin recruit

The Central Division-leading Bismarck Bobcats made a couple of roster moves this week, one of which was picking up University of Wisconsin (WCHA) recruit Gavin Hartzog.

Hartzog, a 19-year-old forward from Pewaukee, Wis., joins Jason Fabian (Air Force Academy, Atlantic Hockey) as the other player from this year’s Bobcats team to have a Division I commitment in place.

“Gavin is really great skater and you know if he’s going to be playing for (Badgers head coach) Mike Eaves at Wisconsin that he’s got a great skill set,” said Bobcat head coach Byron Pool. “We really like what he brings to the table and know he’ll be a big part of our front line going forward.”

Bismarck also acquired defensemen Tom McCarthy, from Maple Grove, Minn., and Dan Weissenhofer, a Naperville, Ill., native.

“Tom is a rock-solid, stay-at-home-style defenseman,” said Pool.  “He’s a hard worker, so we know he’s going to fit in perfectly with our style of hockey defensively. He excels at doing all those little, important things in his own end that helps a team win.”

Pool is also high on Weissenhofer’s promise.

“Dan is also a strong skater and has the potential to be a high-end defender in our league,” said the coach. “We like his size and his skill and bringing him in, along with Tom, gives us a really deep defensive unit going forward.”