NAHL Alumni Update: NCAA Tournament Edition

March 22, 2018

The NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Committee has selected the 16 teams that will be participating in the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Championship, which begins this weekend. 

 

15 of the 16 teams in the tournament have at least two NAHL alumni on their roster. In total, 115 NAHL alumni are on the 16 rosters of teams taking part in the event. In case you have a rooting interest of teams with NAHL alumni, here is a breakdown:

 

Air Force: 25

Minnesota State-Mankato: 14

Michigan Tech: 9

Northeastern: 9

Minnesota-Duluth: 9

St. Cloud State: 7

Clarkson: 6

Denver: 6

Ohio State: 6

Princeton: 6

Cornell: 5

Michigan: 5

Boston: 3

Providence: 3

Penn State: 2

Notre Dame: 0*

 

The championship playoff format involves four predetermined regional sites with four teams assigned to each site. The regional winners advance to the Men’s Frozen Four, April 5 and 7 in St. Paul, Minnesota. The entire championship uses a single-elimination format. Automatic qualification privileges are granted to the postseason champions of the six conferences. The remainder of the field is selected at large.

 

The only other junior league in North America with more alumni playing in the NCAA Division I Championship Tournament than the NAHL is the USHL. In addition, 25% of freshmen playing NCAA Division I hockey are alumni of the NAHL.

 

In the NCAA Division III ranks, the field is down to four teams as the NCAA Division III Frozen Four takes place this weekend in Lake Placid, New York.

 

All four teams in the event, Colby College, Salve Regina, St. Norbert College, and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, have NAHL alumni on their rosters. In total, 37 NAHL alumni will be taking part in the event.

 

Here is a breakdown:

 

St. Norbert College: 13

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point: 13

Salve Regina: 9

Colby College: 2

 

Former NAHL (Michigan Warriors) alum and forward Colin Larkin (UMass-Boston) has signed with the Bakersfield Condors in the AHL (read)

 

Former NAHL (Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings) alum and forward Robbie Payne (Northern Michigan) has signed with the Texas Stars in the AHL (read)

 

Former NAHL (Aberdeen Wings) alum and defenseman Steven Johnson (Minnesota) has signed with the Ontario Reign in the AHL (read)

 

Former NAHL (Minot Minotauros) alum and goaltender Brandon Wildung (Mercyhurst) has signed with the Utah Grizzlies in the ECHL and former defenseman Scott Dornbrock (Miami OH) has signed with the San Antonio Rampage in the AHL (read)

 

Former NAHL (Janesville Jets) alum and forward Conor Lemirande (Miami OH) has signed with the South Caroline Stingrays in the ECHL (read)

 

Former NAHL (Bismarck Bobcats) alum and forward Johno May (American International) has signed with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits in the ECHL (read)

 

Former NAHL (Topeka RoadRunners) alum and forward Tyler Poulsen (Alabama-Huntsville) has signed with the Allen Americans in the ECHL (read)

 

Former NAHL (Amarillo Bulls) alum and goaltender Paul Berrafato (Holy Cross) has signed with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits in the ECHL (read)

 

Former NAHL (Topeka RoadRunners) alum and forward Jake Kamrass (UMass-Lowell) has signed with the South Carolina Stingrays in the ECHL (read)

 

Former NAHL (Amarillo Bulls) alum and forward Roman Ammirato (Utica) has signed with the Tulsa Oilers in the ECHL (read)

 

Former NAHL (Fairbanks Ice Dogs) alum and forward Colton Wolter (Wisconsin-Eau Claire) has signed with the Mississippi RiverKings in the SPHL.