USHL Waterloo Black Hawks

Hawks Horton Named West High Valedictorian

Published on May 20, 2013 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release


Waterloo, Iowa-Waterloo Black Hawks forward Jake Horton has earned valedictory honors from Waterloo West High School and will deliver a senior address during commencement on Thursday evening at the McLeod Center on the campus of the University of Northern Iowa.

After brief stints in Waterloo during 2011/12, the Lake Elmo, Minnesota appeared in 28 contests this year prior to a season-ending injury in January. Horton recorded seven goals and five assists during the first four months of the season, with a -1 plus/minus rating. He also tallied a pair of goals for Waterloo during the 2012 Junior Club World Cup in Russia last August. Spending two seasons of junior hockey with the Janesville Jets of the North American Hockey League before joining the Hawks, Horton left his local high school in the suburbs of St. Paul at age 15 following his freshman year.

"This accomplishment reflects Jake's deep commitment to all of the aspects of his life. It is a credit to him that he was able to both excel academically and pursue his goals on the ice," said Black Hawks Head Coach P.K. O'Handley. "I am deeply grateful to the faculty at Waterloo West, and especially our academic advisor there - Dr. Deb Riehle - for what they do to help all of our players succeed."

Riehle explains some of the unique challenges high school-aged Black Hawks face, noting, "Players come to West knowing almost no one. The leave their homes and school to follow their dreams: hockey scholarships and professional aspirations. The staff here works with them to understand the demands of their hockey schedule. I try to schedule them together in classes so they form natural study groups and attempt to be the contact person I would have wanted if one of my children lived away from home while in school."

The Black Hawks anticipate Horton's return to Waterloo for the 2013/14 USHL campaign this fall. He was one of only seven players on the team's roster who had not formally committed to an NCAA college or university at the end of the 2012/13 season.

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