Odessa defenseman Kiraly makes NCAA DI commitment

November 10, 2015

The Odessa Jackalopes, proud members of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), are excited to announce that defenseman Daniel Kiraly has committed to play NCAA Hockey at Division I University of Alaska-Fairbanks beginning in 2016-17 season.

 

"Alaska was the right choice because their style of play," said Kiraly. "I like the coaches and I have a few friends on the team. Everything seemed like the perfect fit."

 

The Gilbert, Arizona native has been tremendous both defensively and when he's jumped up into the rush for the Jacks. Kiraly has seven points (2g, 5a) through 13 games with a +7 rating. Odessa acquired Kiraly last season via trade from the Prince George Spruce Kings in the British Colombia Hockey League. In 2014-15, Kiraly appeared in 25 games with the Jacks, tallying nine points (1g, 8a).

 

Kiraly's joins forwards Oliver Celec (Niagara), Derek Brown (Niagara) and goaltender Dean Shatzer (Dartmouth) to commit NCAA Division I programs. 

 

When asked about how Odessa prepared him for this moment, Kiraly said, "The Jacks helped me day in and day out. From practice to the gym, they helped me get better. Coach Gatto really helped me to push myself to work on every aspect of my game. Kiraly lastly wanted to thank his teammates, "It's a team game, with out them I wouldn't be in this position today."  The former Arizona Jr. Coyote has excelled off the ice as well, accumulating a 3.9 GPA  in the class room.