Outlaws' Brodhag headed to Merrimack

The North Iowa Outlaws have announced that forward Brandon Brodhag has committed to Merrimack College (Hockey East) for the 2009-10 season.

He is the 18th player who competed in January's NAHL Top Prospects Tournament to commit to a Division I program following the event.

“It’s been a goal of mine to play Division I hockey and I’m excited that this opportunity with Merrimack has happened,” said Brodhag.

This year, the native of Brooklyn Park, Minn., set an Outlaws record for goals in a season and led the entire Central Division with 33 goals during the regular season.

The 20-year-old also totaled two goals and two assists in four Robertson Cup playoff games.
 
Brodhag, who was named to the NAHL All-Rookie Team last season as a member of the Southern Minnesota Express, finished this season with 65 points, tied for both the team and division lead.
 
“It’s a great school with a hockey program that’s on the rise, and when I visited a few weeks ago, there was so much that I liked,” Brodhag said of his decision to attend Merrimack, located in Massachusetts.

The 17 other NAHL players to commit to a school after the Top Prospects Tournament are: Bismarck Bobcats goaltender Matt Grogan (University of Connecticut); Fairbanks Ice Dogs defenseman Brandon Martell (Ohio State University) and goaltender Phil Cook (Minnesota State-Mankato); Mahoning Valley Phantoms defensemen Carl Nielsen (Michigan Tech University) and Cullen Lundholm (Robert Morris University); Marquette Rangers forward Chad Pietila (Northern Michigan University) and Reed Rushing (Bowling Green State University); Motor City Machine forward Ryan Misiak (Mercyhurst College); Owatonna Express defenseman Tim Smith; Springfield Jr. Blues forward Trent Frey (Mercyhurst); St. Louis Bandits defenseman Tyler Elbrecht (Minnesota State-Mankato) and goaltender Keith Kinkaid (Union); Topeka RoadRunners goaltender Bryce Merriam (RPI) and forward Steve Shafer (Canisius College); and Wenatchee Wild forwards Ducan McKellar (Bemidji State University) and Mitch Torrel (Air Force) and goaltender Mathieu Dugas (Bemidji State).