Punches Commits to Air Force
Published on February 26, 2004 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Soo Indians News Release
(Sault Ste. Marie, MI) The Soo Kewadin Casinos Indians hockey team announces that veteran left winger Derek Punches, (Manchester, MI) has committed to play hockey at Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado beginning the fall of 2004.
Punches is a second year player for the Indians Jr. A team and also played for the Indians Midget AAA squad prior to joining the junior ranks.
In 44-league games this season, the rugged, high energy-forward has accumulated 13-goals and 16- assists for 29-points. Four of his goals have come with the man advantage. Overall this season, Punches has 16-goals and 16-assists for 32-points in 47-games. In his career with the Indians, he has totaled 21-goals and 30-assists for 51-points.
"It takes a tremendous amount of commitment and dedication to attend a military school. Derek possesses the discipline along with the talent and character to excel in that environment. He has always been a driven individual. In high school, he earned a grade point average of 4.346 on a 4.0 scale, while excelling on the ice as well. We are certainly proud that he has chosen Air Force."
Derek Punches is the second member of the league-leading Indians to accept a hockey scholarship for next season. Earlier this season, league-scoring leader Logan Bittle, committed to Robert Morris College of College Hockey America.
The league-leading Kewadin Casinos Indians (35-4-6 NAHL, 41-4-6 Overall) will host the Youngstown Phantoms this weekend at the Chi Mukwa Arena. Game times are 7:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings.
North American Hockey League Stories from February 26, 2004
- Punches Commits to Air Force - Soo Indians
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