Corpus Christi forward Hartikainen makes NCAA DI commitment

January 18, 2019

The Corpus Christi IceRays of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) are proud to announce that forward Santeri Hartikainen has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey for Robert Morris University. The 20-year-old forward will begin his college career with the Colonials (Atlantic Hockey) this fall.

 

Hartikainen, a 6’2/195 lbs. native of Helsinki, Finland, has scored at nearly a point-per-game pace this season, notching 14 goals and 19 assists over the course of 35 games. He has been the driving force of Corpus Christi’s fourth-ranked power play unit, leading the IceRays in both power play goals (8) and power play assists (11).

 

Last month, he was named Runner-up for Bauer Hockey NAHL Forward of the Month after posting 15 points (6+9) in December as part of an 11-game point streak.

 

“I am very excited for Santeri,” said IceRays head coach Ryan Cruthers. “He has worked extremely hard for this opportunity. He competes every day and is a true student of the game. To see him go to RMU, where I had an amazing experience, is truly special. Santeri will thrive under Coach (Derek) Schooley and his staff.”

 

Hartikainen is the second IceRays player in as many days to earn an NCAA commitment. Goaltender Sam Best committed Wednesday to American International College (Atlantic Hockey) and has departed the IceRays to immediately join the Yellow Jackets as a mid-season addition.

 

Hartikainen is also the second IceRays player to commit to Robert Morris this season, joining defenseman Brian Kramer. Cruthers, a Hobey Baker Award nominee during his senior season (2007-08), leads the Colonials in all-time points-per-game (1.26).