North Iowa forward Morich makes NCAA commitment

The North Iowa Bulls, proud members of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), are pleased to announce that forward Brett Morich has committed to play NCAA Division III hockey for Bethel University, a member of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC). He is the first player in the Bulls’ NAHL era to commit to Bethel.

“The coaching staff is phenomenal. I’ve only heard the best about them,” said Morich. “The impression that they left on me is that they really care about their players, and the culture that they’re starting around there, and that is super important to me.”

He settled in nicely with the Bulls in his final season of junior hockey, notching 10 points in 41 games for North Iowa after joining the team in mid-November from the Jamestown Rebels.

Incidentally, all of his points this season have come in a game involving the Bulls, picking up his only Jamestown point with an assist against North Iowa at the NAHL Showcase in September.

He also spent the 2019-20 season in the NAHL, splitting time between Jamestown and the Springfield Jr. Blues.

“Brett has been a regular presence in our lineup, especially with regards to our depth,” said North Iowa head coach and general manager Todd Sanden. “Bethel has pursued him for a while, and we know he’ll be a good fit in their program.”

Morich’s commitment continues a solid connection between the North Iowa organization and the Bethel University program. Four North Iowa players moved on to play for the Royals during the team’s decade as a North American 3 Hockey League member, including three who committed to Bethel while in the Bulls organization. Current Bethel forward Carter Wagner played two seasons for the Bulls during his stint in the NA3HL.

Head coach Chris McKelvie has Bethel positioned as a program on the rise, posting a 15-11-1 record in 2021-22. The former NAHL and American Hockey League forward finished his fourth season behind the Royals’ bench by leading the team to its best record, and first MIAC tournament, since 2008.

“I went up there for a visit (in late March), and I was fortunate enough to meet some of the players, and they’re awesome people,” said Morich. “They’ve never known me, and I still felt right at home.”

Morich will study exercise science at Bethel University.

Click here for an updated NAHL to NCAA commitment list