Two Ice Players Make College Commitments
January 15, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Indiana Ice News Release
INDIANAPOLIS-The Indiana Ice announced today that forward Denis Smirnov and defenseman Austin Kosack have committed to playing college hockey at Penn State University and Ferris State University, respectively.
The Penn State Nittany Lions are an NCAA Division I member of the Big 10 Conference while the Ferris State University Bulldogs are an NCAA Division I member of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.
Despite being one of the youngest players in the USHL, Smirnov has been a steady contributor to Indy's offensive efforts. He currently leads the team in assists (15) and sits second in points (24) behind fellow Nittany Lions-commit Scott Conway. Through 28 games this season, Smirnov is tied for first with six multiple-point contests, including two three-point showings in his past five matches.
Smirnov is the second Iceman to commit to Penn State since the school joined the newly-formed Big 10 hockey conference.
In his first season with the Ice, Kosack has been a solid force on an Ice defense that leads the league in shots allowed per game (24.87) while topping team blueliners in points (17), assists (14) and plus-minus (+25) while being tied for first among team defensemen in goals (3).
Kosack will be joining fellow Indy skater Tyler Andrew at the Big Rapids, MI institution while Ice alumni Kyle Bonis (07-08), Mike Embach (06-07) and Dominic Panetta (10-11) have all graced the Bulldogs' roster. Notable Ferris State alumni include former Indy head coach and current Grand Rapids Griffins coach Jeff Blashill as well as Pittsburgh Penguins winger Chris Kunitz.
Smirnov, Kosack and the Indiana Ice begin a five-game road trip on Friday and Saturday with a weekend doubleheader against the Fargo Force at Scheels Arena. Indy returns home on Thursday, January 30 for "College Night" against the Youngstown Phantoms from Pan Am Pavilion. The game starts at 7:05 pm and students with a valid college ID are eligible for $5 admission and $1 beer.
Group tickets are now on sale for all 2013-2014 Indiana Ice home games. Flex packages and additional ticket packages are available starting as low as $50. For more information, call the Indiana Ice at (317) 925-4423.
United States Hockey League Stories from January 15, 2014
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- Fargo Force Trade Goaltender Cam Johnson - Fargo Force
- Storm to Hit the Ice in Hastings - Tri-City Storm
- Two Ice Players Make College Commitments - Indiana Ice
- Phantoms Notebook - Youngstown Phantoms
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