St. Cloud forward Mesenburg makes NCAA DI commitment
The St. Cloud Norsemen of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) are pleased to announce that forward and captain Blake Mesenburg has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey for Miami University in the NCHC.
Mesenburg, a native of Orono, MN, is the second-leading scorer on the Norsemen and ranked 11th in the North American Hockey League in scoring with 57 points on the season, on 24 goals and 33 assists, averaging 1.08 points per game.
Mesenburg is part of St. Cloud's power play and penalty kill units, scoring 23 power play points (11G, 12A) and leads the NAHL with 5 shorthanded goals. The 19-year-old, left-shot forward has three hat tricks and three game-winning goals this season.
"Their program has a history of winning, that's important to me. Their coaching staff had a good personal relationship with the players," said Mesenburg.
"The education played a big role for me. Miami is known for having a good business school, so that was pretty important to me," Mesenburg continued.
Mesenburg has played two seasons for the Norsemen, playing 106 career games in the NAHL and has 77 career points. He spent two years at Shattuck St. Mary's and finished his high school career, playing his junior and senior seasons at Benilde-St. Margaret's.
"They reward guys who work hard. There's no promising you this and promising you that," Mesenburg said of his expectations at Miami. "It's based on how hard you work and that was important to me."
"It's nice that I can fully focus now on what we have ahead, especially at this point in the season and with playoffs right around the corner, just to focus on the team and knowing we can make a run," said Mesenburg.
Mesenburg's commitment marks the sixth NCAA Division I commitment on the active roster, along with Brandon Lajoie (Alaska-Anchorage), Evan Murr (Minnesota State), Ryan O'Neill (Univ. of St. Thomas), John Opilka (St. Cloud State) and Blake Perbix (Northern Michigan).
Click here for an updated NAHL to NCAA commitment list
