Blueliner Danford Commits To Canisius
Published on February 25, 2010 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Bismarck Bobcats News Release
BUFFALO, NY - Bismarck Bobcats defenseman Ben Danford becamethe tenth member of the black and gold to commit to an NCAA Division I programthis season, announcing that he will play his collegiate hockey at Canisius Collegestarting this fall.
"It's a great feeling to know that I'll have a chance toplay Division I hockey," said Danford. "Getting to the D-I level has been mygoal since I started in the NAHL two seasons ago; now that I've achieved that Ican focus on this season and winning the Robertson Cup with the Bobcats."
Danford, who came to the Bobcats in a late-January tradewith the North Iowa Outlaws, has 11 goals and nine assists on the yearincluding a pair of power play goals since arriving in Bismarck.
The Stillwater, Minn., native notes that it was a mix ofhockey and academics that attracted him to the western New York institution.
"I've always been interested in going to school and playingout east, and Canisius is a really great academic school out in Buffalo," saidDanford. "Plus, talking to [Golden Griffins head] coach [Dave] Smith and hisstaff, I knew I'd be in a great spot to contribute to a solid program."
Danford says he plans on majoring in business finance atCanisius.
The Golden Griffins play in the Atlantic Hockey conferencealong with noted national powers Air Force, RIT and Sacred Heart. Canisiuscurrently sits in fifth in the ten-team conference with a record of 13-9-4 in2009-10.
Danford's commitment extends the Bobcats' team record forD-I commits in one season to ten players, joining Jason Fabian (Air Force),Casey Kleisinger (Air Force), Ryan Jacobson (Air Force), Aaron Quick (AirForce), Gavin Hartzog (Wisconsin), Tom McCarthy (Merrimack), Sam Rendle(Bemidji State), Tony Turgeon (alumnus, Nebraska-Omaha) and Blake Hietala(alumnus, Michigan Tech) on the 2009-10 Bobcat college list.
The Bobcats are on the road this weekend for a two-gameseries against the Albert Lea Thunder at Albert Lea Arena starting Friday at7:30 PM.
"It used to be in the Central Division that you'd see theThunder come up on the schedule and say 'alright, four points,'" said Bobcatshead coach Byron Pool, "but those days are long gone. [Thunder head coach]Chuck Linkenheld has that team completely turned around and they are right inthe hunt for the division's last playoff spot."
Friday's game will be broadcast locally on the radio home ofBobcat Hockey, Super Talk 1270, KLXX-AM, and worldwide at BismarckBobcats.comvia B2 Networks. The pre-game show starts at 7:00 PM.
You won't wantto miss any of the games this season, so order your Season Tickets, FamilyPacks and Group Nights today by calling the Bobcat Hockey Office at701-222-3300 or by e-mailing the office for more information at gobobcathockey@aol.com.
North American Hockey League Stories from February 25, 2010
- Stars Host Motown This Weekend - Traverse City North Stars
- Blueliner Danford Commits To Canisius - Bismarck Bobcats
- Monsters Clinch Regular Season Division Title, Begin Playoffs Tomorrow - Fresno Monsters
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