KEARNEY, Neb. –11 former Tri-City Storm players will represent eight different schools in the 2015 NCAA men’s ice hockey tournament this weekend, attempting to move on to this year’s Frozen Four in Boston on April 9.
Tri-City is well represented on two of the No. 1 seeds in North Dakota and Miami. Austin Poganski (2013-14) and Andrew Panzarella (2009-10) will be in the lineup for the Fighting Sioux, while Chris Joyaux (2009-11), Cody Murphy (2009-11) and Blake Coleman (2009-10) are on the roster for the RedHawks.
Murphy has had a big year with Miami in his senior season, scoring 12 goals and 11 assists for 23 points in 39 games. The RedHawks, who recently won the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Championship, will battle Providence College in the East Regional on Saturday.
One of Providence’s leading scorers is Trevor Mingoia (2012-13), who has 27 points on 13 goals and 14 assists during 36 games this season. The sophomore was one of Tri-City’s leaders two seasons ago, scoring 39 points in just 43 games.
The other contest in the East Region features Denver University and forward Trevor Moore (2011-13). Moore was recently named Forward of the Year in the NCHC after leading the conference in scoring with 42 points on 21 goals and 21 assists. The Thousand Oaks, Calif. native had 95 points during his two seasons in Kearney.
Poganski has played in 35 games for North Dakota during his freshman season, scoring four goals and assisting on 10 others. An NHL draft pick of the St. Louis Blues last summer after appearing in 55 games for Tri-City, Poganski and his Fighting Sioux teammates will go up against Quinnipiac on Friday night in Fargo, N.D. at Scheels Arena.
Quinnipiac also has a former Storm forward on their roster in junior Soren Jonzzon (2010-12). Jonzzon has eight goals and seven assists in 37 games with the Bobcats this season.
Former Storm goaltender Adam Wilcox will make his third consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament with the Golden Gophers, after helping lead his team to a Big Ten conference title last weekend.
Wilcox has 22 wins this season with a 2.38 goals against average and a .913 save percentage. The junior expects to be in between the pipes when Minnesota takes on Minnesota-Duluth in Manchester, N.H. on Friday night. The goaltender played 34 games for the Storm in 2011-12 and led Tri-City to the 2012 USHL Clark Cup Playoffs.
Other Storm alums in the tournament include Joel L’Esperance (2012-14) with Michigan Tech and Tim Bonner (2011-13) with Yale University.
In his freshman season with the Huskies, L’Esperance has been a big contributor, scoring 16 points in 28 games. Michigan Tech takes on St. Cloud State in their opening game in Fargo, while Yale battles Boston University in Manchester.
All NCAA Tournament regional games will take place March 27-28 and will be televised on the ESPN family of networks. The 2015 NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey National Championship bracket can be found here.
The full list of former Storm players to reach the tournament can be seen below.
Tri-City continues their six-game homestand this weekend when the Fargo Force come to town for a weekend series. Friday’s game starts at 7:30 p.m., while Saturday’scontest begins at 7:05.
For more information and to purchase tickets, contact the Viaero Event Center Box Office at 308.338.8011 or visit www.stormhockey.com.
Former Storm Players In The 2015 NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament
Tim Bonner – Forward – Yale University
Blake Coleman – Forward – Miami University
Soren Jonzzon – Forward – Quinnipiac University
Chris Joyaux – Defense – Miami University
Joel L’Esperance – Forward – Michigan Tech University
Trevor Mingoia – Forward – Providence College
Trevor Moore – Forward – Denver University
Cody Murphy – Forward – Miami University
Andrew Panzarella – Defense – University of North Dakota
Austin Poganski – Forward – University of North Dakota
Adam Wilcox – Goalie – University of Minnesota