New Jersey defenseman Brady makes NCAA DI commitment
November 6, 2015
New Jersey Titans defenseman Darren Brady has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey at RIT.
The New Jersey Titans, proud members of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), are pleased to announce that defenseman Darren Brady has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). RIT are members of the Atlantic Hockey Conference.
Brady took to Twitter to make the announcement. “Proud to announce my Division 1 college commitment to play hockey for RIT. Thanks to everyone who has helped me along the way. #GoTigers.”
Brady, 19, is a nice success story for the Titans and the NAHL. He is currently in his third full season playing in the league and the first Titans player to sign an NCAA Division I commitment.
The 6’2/200 lbs. native of Clarkson, Michigan, had played the previous two seasons with the NAHL’s Soo Eagles before their relocation to New Jersey this season. His former head coach with the Eagles and current General Manager with the Titans, Bruno Bragagnolo, said that Brady worked hard to earn this commitment. “Darren has steadily improved since he came to play for us two years ago and we are extremely proud and happy for him. He has worked very hard on and off the ice for this opportunity as he has become a top defenseman in this league,” stated Bragagnolo.
“The New Jersey Titans organization is very pleased about Darren Brady's commitment to RIT. Darren has been a very important piece to our lineup this year. He contributes in so many other ways then just points… his leadership, compete level and grittiness are qualities that really stand out,” said Titans head coach Rich McKenna. “We feel he is an elite defenseman in the league this year and one of the hardest working guys out there. We feel very fortunate to have him wearing a Titan sweater and look forward to helping him develop into an elite defenseman at the collegiate level.”
Brady’s first season in the NAHL was in 2013-14, when he recorded 14 points in 54 games as a rookie. In 2014-15, he had 22 points in 58 games played. So far this season, Brady has made a huge impact for the Titans, recorded 10 points in the team’s first 14 games as the Titans sit in 1st place in the East Division. To date, Brady has played in 126 career NAHL games and recorded 46 points, along with a +32 rating.
“We recruited him back when he was really young and he was a good defenseman then with a lot of potential,” said Titans scout Tom Farnquist. “He came into camp out of Midget Minors and really showed a lot of skill. He is a great kid and worked hard to get to this point. We are excited for him.”
