Corpus Christi Forward Valdez makes NCAA Commitment

Valdez at the 2024 NA Showcase

The Corpus Christi IceRays of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) are proud to announce that forward Michael Valdez has committed to play NCAA hockey for Lawrence University in the NCHA.

The 21-year-old forward from Westminster, Colorado will head to Appleton, Wisconsin to skate with the Vikings. Valdez is a third-year veteran of the NAHL. He has spent the past two seasons skating with Corpus Christi. This year he has hit the ice in 63 games for the South Division team, tallying 11 goals and 17 assists. Three of his goals were named as the game-winning goal while two were scored on the man advantage. 

In the 2023-24 season,Valdez laced up in 30 games, finding the back of the net seven times and producing nine assists. Two of his seven goals were named as the decider in contests, while one goal was scored on the power play. 

His debut season had Valdez suiting up with the Springfield Jr. Blues. He hit the ice in 53 contests where he scored six goals and made 13 assists. Over the three years in the NAHL, Valdez hit the ice for a total of 148 games. 

Valdez will join Cade DeWolf and Benjamin Winkelmann from the El Paso Rhinos this upcoming fall in Wisconsin.

Assistant Coach of the IceRays, Phil Oberlin, shares more on the development he has seen from Valdez.

“We're proud of Mikey for earning his commitment to Lawrence University. He's the type of player coaches love to have because you know exactly what he's going to bring every day to the rink. He was a constant professional and leader within our group who made players around him better. We wish Mikey the best at Lawrence University as he moves into the next chapter of his hockey career.”

Valdez is one of sixteen members of the Corpus Christi IceRays to make a college ice hockey commitment.

Click here for an updated NAHL to NCAA commitment list