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NAHL Amarillo Bulls

Amarillo Bulls Brett Abdelnour Commits to Army West Point

February 6, 2019 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Amarillo Bulls News Release


Amarillo Bulls forward Brett Abdelnour
Amarillo Bulls forward Brett Abdelnour
(Amarillo Bulls, Credit: Morgan Potts)

AMARILLO, TX - In the early years of the franchise, the Amarillo Bulls were able to have multiple players attend Army-West Point over consecutive seasons. Forward Brett Abdelnour is now able to start that tradition once again.

The Amarillo Bulls, proud members of the North American Hockey League, announced today (Wednesday) that Brett Abdelnour has committed to Army West Point, Atlantic Hockey for the 2019-2020 season.

"It's a dream come true," he said. "I never thought about myself going to Army until about three weeks ago when I got the offer and started to put everything together. I was nervous about this decision, but after going for a visit and seeing the campus, I could really see myself as a student and a cadet there. Growing up you always dream of playing college hockey especially at the Division I level, and you want to use hockey to get you into a really-good school. It's a win-win situation to go into one of the most prestigious schools in the country and to play Division I."

Abdelnour said the visit to West Point blew him away, and he first thought he was in Europe.

"The buildings are old on the outside but renovated and new on the inside," he said. "The facilities like the gym, locker room and arena are second to none."

The Macomb, Michigan native is the eight member of this year's Bulls roster to make his NCAA College plans. He will join Justin Evenson at West Point. In the first two years of the Bulls franchise, a total of five players committed including Joe Kozlak, Luke Jenkins, Garrett Peterson, Clint Carlisle and Kyle Plageman.

In 96 career games with the Bulls, Abdelnour has 20 goals and 38 assists for 58 points He has eight career power play goals and four game winners. Last month, Abdelnour was named one of the team's Assistant Captains.

"We are very proud of Brett and excited for him and his family," said Bulls Head Coach Rocky Russo. "The opportunity to get an education and continue his playing career at West Point is an honor and a privilege. Personally, watching Brett develop over the last three years has been awesome. His work ethic and commitment to his game really drove him towards this opportunity. Brett will be a tremendous addition to Coach Reilly's team and to West Point."

Russo along with Assistant Coach George Lewis and forward Alex Peterson have been with Abdelnour on his journey through Junior Hockey. Abdelnour said it's great to able to share this moment and celebrate it with them.

"The fact that both Pete (Alex Peterson) and I got our deals done is amazing and it proves that the EHL is a much better league than people give it credit for," he said. "Rocky and George have been there along the way too."

Abdelnour said if he didn't play for the Amarillo Bulls, he wouldn't have the commitment he has now.

"Being able to skate and work out every day along with having George get video ready and Rocky teaching us the little things and disicpline, made me grow as a complete player and as a person," he said.

Abdelnour said there have been a lot of people that have helped him along way get to this decision.

"My parents and my siblings have been through it all with me," he said. "I want to thank my teammates and my advisor Mike Pilon and of course Rocky (Russo), George (Lewis) and Rick (Matchett)."

Brett Abdelnour joins Jason Grande (Bentley), Justin Evenson (Army-West Point), Nick Anderson (Colgate), Alex Peterson (Holy Cross), Brenden Datema (Michigan Tech), and Jason Brancheau (Ferris State) as Bulls player on the 2019-20 roster to make their NCAA College Commitments.

Hockey is back at the Budweiser Bull Pen in the Amarillo Civic Center this Friday, and Saturday, when the Amarillo Bulls host the Lone Star Brahmas at 7 pm.

Friday is Cat In The Hat Presented By Panhandle PBS with $25 VIP Packages available that includes Meet and Greet, ice skating and a ticket to the game. It's also CanTex Roofing and Panhandle Tickets Retro Night. The Family Four Pack for $54 returns as well as the Bring A Bud Pack for $27.

Saturday is First Responders Night Co-Presented by AMS. There will be booths and displays on the concourse as well as vehicle parade during the first intermission. First Responders will receive free tickets, while family members can get a discounted rate of $8.

Tickets are available at the Bulls Office located at 301 South Polk, Civic Center Box Office and all Panhandle Ticket locations, including United Supermarkets or online at www.panhandletickets.com and www.amarillobulls.com/tickets. For further information call 242-1122.

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Images from this story

Amarillo Bulls forward Brett Abdelnour
Amarillo Bulls forward Brett Abdelnour
(Morgan Potts)		   

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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.

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