Wilderness defenseman Gotz makes NCAA DI commitment

May 10, 2018

The Minnesota Wilderness of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) are pleased to announce that defenseman Eric Gotz has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey at Michigan Tech University.

 

Gotz, 19, not only led his team in scoring during the 2017-18 season, but he also led the entire league in scoring for all defensemen with 47 points (8 goals, 39 assists), while playing in all 60 regular season games. As a result, he was recently named the NAHL Defenseman of the Year and also named to the All-NAHL 1st Team for the 2017-18 season.

 

The 20-year-old from Hermantown, Minnesota was also tied for 6th among NAHL blueliners with a +26 rating this season. The two-year veteran and Wilderness team captain would also be a viable candidate for most improved player if the award existed, as he had nine assists in 57 games played in 2016-17, marking a 38-point improvement from last year to this year. In 117 career NAHL games, Gotz recorded 56 points from the blueline.

 

“I am honored and excited to sign my National Letter of Intent to play college hockey for the Michigan Tech Huskies,” said Gotz.

 

He is the fifth Wilderness player from the 2017-18 team who has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey.

 

“We are happy for Eric and his accomplishment. He is a good player, and will have a successful collegiate career. Eric is a prime example of what a great developmental league the North American Hockey League is,” said Wilderness Head Coach Tim Madsen.