Soo defenseman Harris makes NCAA DI commitment

Nathan Harris of the Soo Eagles will play NCAA Division I hockey for Lake Superior State.

The Soo Eagles, proud members of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), have announced that defenseman Nathan Harris has made an NCAA Division I commitment to Lake Superior State University.  For the upcoming 2013-14 season, Lake Superior State will be moving from the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA).

Harris, 20, just completed his second season playing in the NAHL and his first with the Eagles.  The native of Fowlerville, Michigan, played in 18 regular season games the first half of the 2012-13 season recording seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) from the blueline.  However, Harris was injured in early December and out for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs.

In 2011-12, Harris (6’1/175) played for the Traverse City North Stars, where he had an outstanding first season in the NAHL.  He played in 53 games and had a team-leading 25 points (10 goals, 15 assists) from the blueline.  He also had two points in four playoff games.

Soo Eagles head coach Bruno Bragagnolo said he was happy to see Harris get an opportunity and a chance to play Division I hockey despite the injury he suffered this season that knocked him out for over half the year.  “It was a tough season for Nathan, so to see him get an opportunity to play at a Division I school, was very rewarding for all of us,” said Bragagnolo.

Bragagnolo continued… “Nathan is a guy that can run a power play and is very valuable when it comes to production from the blueline.  He is very aggressive and likes to take chances and step up in the play.  Sometimes that’s what you need to produce some offense and Nathan is that type of player.  He is a great skater and has great vision with the puck.  I think Lake Superior State is getting a guy that will help their offense, but also be responsible on the defensive end.”

Harris is the sixth Eagles player this season to secure an NCAA commitment this past season, joining Brandon Adams (SUNY-Oswego), Michael Lant (Wisconsin-River Falls), Tyler Marble (Colorado College), Denver Pierce (Northern Michigan) and Jared VanWormer (Ferris State).

Click here for the most recent list of 2012-13 NAHL college commitments