Springfield defenseman Aird makes NCAA commitment
May 21, 2019
The Springfield Jr. Blues, proud members of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), are pleased to announce that defenseman Brendan Aird has committed to play NCAA Division III hockey at St. Norbert College.
Aird, 20, played 26 games in Springfield to close out the 2018-19 season and compiled 11 points (2 goals, 9 assists) in that time.
Aird played parts of four seasons in the NAHL for the Janesville Jets, Brookings Blizzard, and the Jr. Blues. In 156 career regular season and playoff games in the NAHL, Aird racked up 7 goals, 49 assists, and 80 penalty minutes.
He also played in the 2018 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament for the Central Division team.
“Brendan is a tremendous player with good feet and plenty of junior experience,” head coach Tyler Rennette said. “St. Norbert’s is getting a great person and athlete and we wish him the best of luck next season.”
On Twitter, Aird had the following to say: “Proud to announce that I have committed to play college hockey at St. Norbert College! I’d like to thank my family, teammates and coaches for helping further my career!”
The 5’11/185 lbs. native of Orland Park, Illinois will join fellow Jr. Blues alumnus Chase Mickelson at St. Norbert. Aird will become the 7th Jr. Blues to play for the Green Knights and is the 13th current or former Jr. Blues player to make a collegiate commitment this season.
St. Norbert plays out of De Pere, Wisconsin and are members of the Midwest Conference. The Green Knights have won five Division III National Championships (most recently in 2018), have been National Runner-Up four times, have made 12 Frozen Four appearances, and have gone to the National Tournament 19 times since 1997.