Re: CHA Thoughts and Prognostications: Year 11, The Finale...
Slovakian standout commits to play hockey at Bemidji State
The Tri-City Storm of Kearney, Neb., announced that forward Radoslav Illo has committed to Bemidji State University and will attend the school following his United States Hockey League career, according to the USHL Web site.
"First of all, it's a beautiful campus on a lake and a small college that makes me feel close to everyone," said Illo. "Bemidji is a solid program and I'm looking forward to attending school there."
"The hockey team is moving to the WCHA (Western Collegiate Hockey Association) and has a brand new rink being built. After visiting the campus, I was thrilled that I will be playing hockey at Bemidji. I'm now able to focus on the team (the Storm) and the task at hand with this commitment behind me."
The 19-year-old native of Bystrica, Slovakia, currently leads the Storm with six goals, which also ranks tied for third in the USHL. Last season, he led the Storm with 21 goals and ranked second on the club with 33 points (21g, 12a) in 47 games played. Illo is one of 13 NHL Draft Selections playing in the USHL this season after he was picked by the Anaheim Ducks in the fifth round (136th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
"We are really excited for Radoslav and his commitment to Bemidji State," said Drew Schoneck, Tri-City Storm Head Coach. "Bemidji is a great program and they're headed in the right direction. We are in the business to help these players get to college and it's great to see Rado make his commitment."
Current USHL player Mitch Cain of the Des Moines Buccaneers is also committed to Bemidji State University.
Seven members on the Bemidji State University men's hockey team this season are former USHL players; Jake Areshenko (Fargo Force), Ryan Cramer (Waterloo Black Hawks), Kyle Hardwick (Lincoln Stars), Ben Kinne (Sioux City Musketeers), Tyler Lehrke (Green Bay Gamblers), Chris Peluso (Sioux Falls Stampede), and Matt Read (Des Moines Buccaneers).