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USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks

Lumberjacks Tender 2008 Forward Rudolfs Berzkalns from Bishop Kearney

November 20, 2023 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


MUSKEGON - The Muskegon Lumberjacks are proud to announce the tender signing of skilled forward Rudolfs Berzkalns of the Bishop Kearney Selects program. Berzkalns is the 14th tender in the history of the Muskegon Lumberjacks.

When asked about signing his tender Berzkalns said "It's always been a dream for me. Just to start off in the USHL and go to college after and hopefully the NHL is a huge deal for me".

A native of Cesis, Latvia Berzkalns moved to the United States three years ago to join the Bishop Kearney Boys Hockey Program in Rochester, NY. Bishop Kearney competes in the Northeast Pack Hockey League (NEPACK) and provides young hockey players an opportunity to develop both athletically and academically ahead of junior and college hockey. In two seasons in Rochester Berzkalns has recorded 115 points in 118 games through the 14U and 15U levels. "The coaching staff is perfect" said Berzkalns. He added that the dorms and athletic facilities provided to players are instrumental to their development.

Josh Mitchell a coach with the BK 15O team said "Rudy has been exceptional for us here at BK, both on and off the ice. He has excelled in the classroom and helped lead our 14u team to a USA Hockey Championship last season." Coach Mitchell also mentioned the goal of Bishop Kearney Hockey and how Berzkalns exemplifies it. "The mission of our program here at BK is to develop and advance our players. We are extremely excited and happy for Rudy to take the next step with Muskegon."

Rudolfs Berzkalns (middle) with Lumberjacks President of Hockey Ops. Steve Lowe (left), and Bishop Kearney assistant coach Josh Mitchell (Right).

The first thing Lumberjacks President of Hockey Operations Steve Lowe mentioned about Berzkalns was his character off the ice. "We are so excited to add Rudy to our program. He is a world class person first and foremost, Rudy is very mature for his age and after to getting to know him over several months we couldn't be more excited to add his character, his leadership qualities, and his love for the game to our group in Muskegon in 24/25 season."

Lowe then spoke on his on-ice ability "He is a world class player, and our fans will be excited once they see him play. We feel Rudy has the ability to step into our line up right away and be a key component to our forward group next year, much like Sacha did his first year with us. " We thank his family for their trust, and we can't wait to get Rudy in a Muskegon Lumberjacks jersey next year."

Lumberjacks Head Coach Parker Burgess is also excited for the arrival of the young centerman. "It's always a good thing when a player of Rudy's caliber chooses to play for your team. It speaks volumes about the organization, and we are just as excited about welcoming Rudy to our team." Coach Burgess followed up with "It's important to know where Rudy is coming from. The Bishop Kearney program is consistently producing high level talent, and Rudy is one of the many USHL ready players to come out of that program."

The Lumberjacks lead the USHL with 14 tenders in the organization's history. The complete list of Lumberjacks tenders:

- Rudolfs Berzkalns (2024)

- Cameron Aucoin (2023)

- Owen Keefe (2022)

- Sacha Boisvert (2022)

- Gavin McCarthy (2021)

- Carson Rehkopf (2021)

- Owen Mehlenbacher (2020)

- Ivan Miroshnichenko (2020)

- Dylan Gratton (2019)

- Alex Gaffney (2018)

- Andrei Svechnikov (2016)

- Graham Lillibridge (2015)

- Mitch Eliot (2014)

- Chaz Switzer (2013)

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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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