St. Cloud Captain Crane makes NCAA Commitment

The St. Cloud Norsemen of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) are proud to announce that forward Sammy Crane has committed to play NCAA hockey for Norwich University in the Little East.

The 5-foot-8 righty from Aurora, Illinois, Crane will head to Northfield, Vermont, and join the Cadets in the fall. Crane is a third-year veteran of the St. Cloud Norsemen, playing 156 career games for the Minnesota team. This past season, ‘05 skater played in 53 games for the Norsemen, tallying 19 goals and 21 assists for the team. On his roster, the Illinois native ranks first with his 19 goals and 40 points on the season. His offensive prowess on the man advantage features the captain scoring a team-leading 10 goals on the power play. In addition, two of his tallies were named the decider in contests. Thanks to his offensive work on the ice, Crane was named as a Top Prospect at the 2026 Top Prospects Tournament for the Central Division team.

His best weekend this season was following a weekend series against the Watertown Shamrocks. Crane notched a six-point weekend and a season-high four-point game on Saturday, January 17, 2026. The captain was named the Central Division Star of the Week for his offensive work on the ice.

During the 2024-25 campaign, Crane was just as much of a goal-scorer. In his 57 games played for the Norsemen that season, the 5-foot-8 righty scored 14 goals while producing 18 assists for the Central Division team. One of his goals was named the game-winning goal for the Norsemen, and five of his tallies were scored on the man advantage. His rookie season in the NAHL, Crane laced up in 46 contests for the 2023-24 season. He scored four goals while making eight assists in that span.

The captain features 84 career points in 156 games played for the Norsemen.

The third-year St. Cloud veteran is joining one of the top Division III hockey programs. Norwich University has made the postseason 21 times and has won the National Championship title four times. 

Crane is one of five members of the St. Cloud Norsemen to make a college ice hockey commitment.

Click here for an updated NAHL to NCAA commitment list