2010 Top Prospects Rosters Announced
December 29, 2009 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Bismarck Bobcats News Release
ANN ARBOR, MI - The NAHL has announced the rosters for January's Top Prospects Tournament at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube and, as expected, six Bismarck Bobcats will represent the Central Division at the league's answer to an all-star weekend.
Forwards Nick Jensen, Casey Kleisinger, Sean McKenzie and Bryce Schmitt will be up front for Team Central while defenseman John Avino and goalie Ryan Faragher will take up the back end for the Central.
Jensen and McKenzie are two thirds of the Bobcats' top-scoring line and have combined for 15 goals and 27 assists in 2009-10. While Jensen is a second-year Bobcat, McKenzie came to Bismarck in an October trade with the Wichita Falls Wildcats.
Kleisinger is the Bobcats' second-leading scorer with 12 goals and 18 assists, tying him for 14th league-wide in scoring at 30 points.
Schmitt, a Minot native and one of two North Dakotans playing for the Bobcats (Bismarck's Tyler Richter) is a first-year player who has been a strong defensive forward throughout the season, sporting a +5 plus/minus rating, which ties him for fifth on the team.
On the blue line, second-year defender Avino has a +4 plus/minus and has been one of the Bobcats' most active shot-blocking defensemen, helping to push the team goals against average to a 2.47 mark- good for fourth in the NAHL.
Faragher is the reigning Sherwood NAHL Goalie of the Month, sporting a 2.12 GAA, a.910 SV% and a league-best three shutouts on the season.
Bobcats head coach Byron Pool will be the head coach of Team Central for the second straight year thanks to the Bobcats' division-best.656 winning percentage at the holiday break.
2010 marks the third year of the weekend event. Nearly 30 players who participated in last year's second-annual Top Prospects event eventually secured D-I scholarships. Each year, the six-game showcase draws in over 100 collegiate and professional scouts, making it one of the most highly scouted hockey events in the country.
Team Central opens the Top Prospects weekend on January 18th against Team West.
The Bobcats return to regular season action on New Years Eve with a 7:15 PM contest at the VFW Sports Center against the rival Alexandria Blizzard.
The game will be broadcast locally on the radio home of Bobcat Hockey, Super Talk 1270, KLXX-AM, and worldwide at BismarckBobcats.com via B2 Networks. The pre-game show starts at 6:45 PM.
You won't want to miss any of the games this season, so order your Season Tickets, Family Packs and Group Nights today by calling the Bobcat Hockey Office at 701-222-3300 or by e-mailing the office for more information at gobobcathockey@aol.com.
North American Hockey League Stories from December 29, 2009
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