Corpus Christi forward Michaud makes NCAA DI commitment

November 19, 2014

The Corpus Christi IceRays of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) are proud to announce that forward Westin Michaud has committed to playing NCAA Division I hockey, joining Colorado College of the NCHC in the 2015-16 season.

 

“It’s a perfect fit,” said Michaud. “Colorado Springs is a beautiful city, right in the mountains. The block scheduling really works well for me, and I get to play in front of over 6,500 fans every game. Their rink and locker rooms are top-of-the-line, and their coaching staff is just unreal. Very similar to what we have here. It feels like home. I’m happy to be continuting to play hockey for the next four years, and I’m very fortunate to be going to the next level.”

 

The 19-year-old forward from Cloquet, Minn. made his transition to the junior level last season, joining the IceRays for 56 games while recording 13 goals and nine assists for 22 points with 16 penalty minutes and a plus-one. After making appearances in three United States Hockey League camps, the playmaker blossomed at the outset of this season in his second stint with the IceRays. After paying a visit to Colorado College over the weekend, Michaud was ready to finalize his post-junior plans.

 

“What an accomplishment for Wes,” said IceRays Head Coach John Becanic. “His combination of talent, work ethic and determination has earned the opportunity to continue his playing career with an outstanding college program like Colorado College. I know that this is for Wes, as it is for most junior players, a dream come true, and on behalf of the entire organization we couldn’t be happier for him. This is hopefully the first of many more to come for the IceRays organization this season.”

 

The 5-foot-10, 175-pound forward will be joining a squad with 20 players returning to the Colorado College Tigers roster for the 2015-16 season. The Tigers are members of the powerhouse National Collegiate Hockey Conference, consisting of six nationally-ranked teams of the seven other members: #2 University of North Dakota, #7 Miami University (Ohio), #8 University of Minnesota Duluth, #10 University of Denver, #13 University of Nebraska-Omaha, #16 St. Cloud State, and Western Michigan University.

 

“I’m really excited to be playing in a college atmosphere,” said Michaud. “I believe the NCHC is the best conference in college hockey. It’s the best conference for you to develop a lot and to make you really play a two-way game. My game will grow a lot more, and I’ll get a lot of help from the coaching staff. I’m ready to make an impact.”

 

Michaud will play in the same conference as former IceRays forward Emil Romig, who will be in his junior season at the University of Denver. He joins forward Nathan Bryer as the only two IceRays players to make a college commitment.

 

Michaud currently leads all IceRays skaters in all three major points categories, recording nine goals and 17 assists for 26 points in his first 20 games.