Kenai River Forward Burkholder makes NCAA Commitment

The Kenai River Brown Bears of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) are proud to announce that forward Koen Burkholder has committed to play NCAA hockey for Milwaukee School of Engineering in the NCHA.

Hailing from Traverse City, Michigan, Burkholder will join the Raiders in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the fall. Burkholder is a second-year veteran of the Brown Bears, joining the Midwest Division team midway through his 2024-25 campaign. The ‘05 forward started the 2024-25 season in the NA3HL with the New Mexico Ice Wolves. The 6-foot-2 lefty played in 26 games with the Ice Wolves and registered 27 points with the NA3HL team. He found twine eight times and made 19 assists in that span. One of his tallies was named the decider in a contest. Following playing at the NA3HL Showcase in December, Burkholder made his way to the Kenai River Brown Bears for the rest of the season. The 20-year-old skated in 15 games, scoring his first NAHL goal in that span.

Moving into his age-out season, Burkholder returns to the Brown Bears and goes to lace up in 54 games for the Midwest Division team. The Michigan native lit the lamp 11 times while making 15 assists for the team. He produced 26 points while notching three game-winning goals for Kenai River. In addition, he scored his first power-play tally in his NAHL career.

Burkholder is one of six members of the Kenai River Brown Bears to make a college ice hockey commitment.

Click here for an updated NAHL to NCAA commitment list