NAHL Bismarck Bobcats

Bobcats Lock Up Six Top Prospects Spots

Published on December 23, 2009 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Bismarck Bobcats News Release


ANN ARBOR, MI - When the 2010 NAHL Top Prospects Tournamentrolls around on January 18th, the Bismarck Bobcats will be the mostwell-represented team in the Central Division thanks to a strong finish to thefirst half of the 2009-10 season.

Thanks to their 18-8-6 record, the Bobcats entered theNAHL's holiday break alone atop the Central standings- meriting them anautomatic six roster spots on Team Central for the NAHL's answer to an all-starweekend.

"One of the goals we set for ourselves was to be in firstplace at Christmastime - the sole reason being the amount of players we'd beable to send to the Top Prospects Tournament," said Bobcats head coach ByronPool.

"Just look at the number of players who've played in thetournament the last two years who've went onto play Division I college hockeyand you realize it's an outstanding opportunity for our players to showcasetheir skills to coaches at the next level," he added. "We're extremelyexcited and proud that we're able to send six players to this prestigioustournament."

Nearly 30 players who participated in last year'ssecond-annual Top Prospects event eventually secured D-I scholarships. Eachyear, the six-game showcase draws in over 100 collegiate and professionalscouts, making it one of the most highly scouted hockey events in the country.

The six Bobcat players- yet to be named- won't be the onlyones representing Bismarck at Top Prospects, though, as Pool himself will bethe head coach of Team Central by virtue of the Bobcats'.656 winningpercentage at the break. Pool will be assisted by Owatonna Express head coachPat Cullen (.569).

The Express will send five players to the January eventwhile the North Iowa Outlaws and Alexandria Blizzard will each send threeplayers and the last-place Albert Lea Thunder will have two selections.

Additionally, Pool and Cullen will select one wild cardplayer from among the five Central Division rosters.

Team Central opens the Top Prospects weekend on January 18thagainst Team West.

The Bobcats have the Christmas weekend off before returningto regular season action on New Years Eve with a 7:15 PM contest at the VFWSports Center against the rival Alexandria Blizzard.

The 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 6:45 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.

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North American Hockey League Stories from December 23, 2009


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