Storm G Jake Kielly Commits to Clarkson
November 3, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Tri-City Storm News Release
Tri-City Storm Goaltender Jake Kielly
(Tri-City Storm)
Kearney, Ne. - Born in Canada and raised in Minnesota, Storm goalie Jake Kielly is travelling east to continue his hockey career, announcing his commitment to play hockey at Clarkson University.
"I always liked New York," said Kielly. "I've been there going to Cooperstown baseball tournaments and New York City. Another thing I like about it is I have family members there and it's nice to be close to home."
The serene northern New York campus is located in Potsdam, NY, two hours away from Ottawa, ON and Montreal, QC. Kielly, 19, was born in Ajax, ON, but moved to Eden Prairie, MN, at age three, a hockey hotbed located a a half hour away from the Twin Cities.
The first-year USHL netminder said the process started slowly, but accelerated over the last few weeks. He visited the school on Sunday.
"I wanted to see the campus first and make sure it was the place for me," said Kielly. "I met with Head Coach [Casey Jones] and took it."
The North Country, the extreme northern frontier of the Empire State, has become a popular area for Storm alums to continue their careers. Former Storm defenseman Bryan Sinz (2011-12) currently plays for Clarkson. Former Storm Head Coach Josh Hauge is a first-year Assistant Coach at Clarkson. Hauge, 36, served as Storm Head Coach for parts of three seasons (2011-2013), guiding Tri-City to a 2012 appearance in the Clark Cup Playoffs.
Ten miles southwest, in Canton, NY, three former Storm players play for Saint Lawrence University, including former Storm captains Nolan Gluchowski and Brian Ward.
Kielly is the 21st active Tri-City player to commit to college.
"Jake brings a professional approach and a great work ethic," said Bill Muckalt, Head Coach and General Manager of the Storm. "We are really excited for him and are excited to continue to help him develop."
The 6-foot-3, 190-lb. goalie ranks second in the league with a 1.84 goals against average and a .927 save percentage.
Kielly and his Storm housemate in Kearney, NE, Nico Sturm, are the only two USHL commits to Clarkson.
"Nico and I were on the same team last year with Austin," said Kielly, who helped lead the Bruins to the 2015 Robertson Cup Finals in the NAHL. "We both have a similar sense of humor and can always pull pranks at the billet house."
"And now we can get four more years of it," said Kielly.
-----
Tri-City travels to Lincoln for a 7:05 p.m. puck drop against the Stars, next Friday, Nov. 6. The Storm is also on the road next Saturday, a 7:00 p.m. puck drop against the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. Both games can be heard with 6:45 p.m. pregame on the Breeze 94.5 FM.
The Storm is next at home for a pair of games the Sioux Falls Stampede, Nov. 20 and 21, at the Viaero Center. Check out Social Media Night and College Night on Friday, Nov. 20. The 501stLegion is in town to celebrate Star Wars Night on Nov. 21, with in-game Star Wars entertainment throughout the evening.
For more information and to purchase tickets, contact the Viaero Event Center Box Office at 308-338-8011.
Images from this story
 Tri-City Storm Goaltender Jake Kielly |
• Discuss this story on the United States Hockey League message board...
United States Hockey League Stories from November 3, 2015
- Waterloo Black Hawks Weekly Preview - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Chicago Steel to Host Military Appreciation Night Friday - Chicago Steel
- Lumberjacks Welcome Laine McKay - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Gamblers Weekly - Green Bay Gamblers
- Storm G Jake Kielly Commits to Clarkson - Tri-City Storm
- U.S. Roster Announced for 2015 Under-18 Five Nations Tournament - U.S. National Team
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
