Hawkey Commits to Providence College
March 15, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
RALSTON, NE - A Parker, Colorado native and rookie goaltender for the Omaha Lancers of the USHL, Hayden Hawkey has committed to play NCAA Division 1 college hockey for the Providence College Friars of Hockey East at the conclusion of his junior career, the team announced Saturday.
"We're extremely happy for Hayden and pleased that he's made his college commitment," said Lancers Head Coach and General Manager Brian Kaufman on Saturday. "He's taken full advantage of his opportunities this season and has been great for us in net."
"I'm excited, but it's also a feeling of relief," said Hawkey Saturday. "Knowing that I'm going to a great program with great coaching, [Providence] is going to be an unreal place for my development, to grow as a person, a student and a hockey player."
In 26 appearances this year, the 6'2", 180 lb. netminder is 19-4-1 overall with three shutouts and the USHL's top marks in both goals-against average (1.80) and save percentage (.931). Hawkey says Providence's focus on goaltending was a major selling point. "Four or five days a week before practice, they'll do an hour of goalie practice," explained Hawkey. "Off the ice, it just felt comfortable and I liked the fact it's a smaller school in a bigger city."
When he does head to college, Hawkey will have a few familiar faces with him in the Providence locker room as Lancers forwards Ryan Tait and Jake Henderson are also committed to the Friars, a fact that Hawkey says, is icing on the cake. "The hockey world is so tight that I feel like you know someone anywhere you go," said Hawkey, "Those are two great guys. We're already having fun with it and it'll be great to be with them at the next level."
With Saturday's announcement, Hawkey became the 17th current Lancers player to make his Division 1 college commitment, joining Henderson and Tait (Providence), Tyler Vesel, Jake Randolph, Luc Snuggerud and Steven Spinner (Nebraska-Omaha), Cole Bruns and Nash Worden (Army), Connor Light (Union), Steven Johnson (Minnesota), Tucker Poolman (North Dakota), Zach Jordan (Michigan Tech), Anthony Angello (Cornell), Jimmy Schuldt (St. Cloud State), Matt Nelson (Princeton) and Luca Frigo (Minnesota State-Mankato).
Next up for the Lancers, it's a Saturday road tilt at Buccaneer Arena in Des Moines, Iowa vs. the Des Moines Buccaneers. Full coverage of Saturday's game begins with the "Valpak Pregame Show" at 6:50 pm on the Lancers' flagship station, "The Mighty" 1290 KOIL with Lancers broadcaster Tony Brown providing the play-by-play.
In 2013-14, the five-time Anderson Cup and seven-time Clark Cup Champion Omaha Lancers drop the puck on their 28th season in the USHL. Season ticket packages for the Lancers' second campaign at the state-of-the-art Ralston Arena are available now starting at just $12.50 per game! To reserve your seats, contact the Lancers' ticket office today at 402-344-7825, extension 1, or log on to www.lancers.com for more information. Be sure to follow the Lancers on Twitter @OmahaLancers and don't forget to 'Like' the official "Omaha Lancers" fan page on Facebook.
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