Odessa forward Frantti makes NCAA commitment

June 4, 2018

The Odessa Jackalopes, proud members of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), are proud to announce that forward Peyton Frantti has committed to play NCAA Division III hockey at St. Norbert College for next season. 

 

The St. Norbert Green Knights are a Division III hockey program in the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA), competing against teams in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

 

“I feel that St.Norbert is the perfect fit for me because of their outstanding academics and also their tremendous hockey program,” said Frantti. “They also have an incredible coaching staff who knows how to win.”

 

The native of Spring Grove, Illinois played high school hockey at Culver Military Academy for three seasons before joining the NAHL. Frantti joined the Topeka RoadRunners to begin the 2016-17 hockey season. The Jackalopes acquired Frantti via trade in January of 2017 during a weekend series in Topeka.

 

“When we saw there was an opportunity to acquire Peyton last season, we knew we had to jump on it,” said head coach Gatto. “He was the leading scorer for Topeka his first year, and he put up the most points in a Jacks uniform since he joined us. He’s a big, immovable body that can finish the job near the net.”

 

Frantti placed third on the Jackalopes this season with 48 points (16 goals, 32 assists) this season. He was also selected to and played in the 2018 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament for the South Division team, where he dazzled scouts with three goals in two games.

 

Over the course of a season and a half in Odessa, Frantti racked up 58 points (19 goals, 39 assists) over the course of 84 games, the most in the timeframe. The 6’3/192 lbs. forward really upped his game this season when making the move from the right wing to center.

 

“I was able to increase my production this past season by taking on the role as a veteran player and helping the team out when we needed to capitalize,” says Frantti. “I owe a lot of credit to all of my teammates, especially my linemates for pushing me everyday to get better.”

 

Frantti joins Lane Valimont as the only Jackalopes to commit to St. Norbert. The Green Knights enter next season as defending NCAA DIII ice hockey champions.