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Steel Forward Commits to Bemidji State University
Wednesday August 8, 2012
Chicago Steel forward Charlie O'Connor. (photo by MJB Images)
Chicago Steel forward Charlie O’Connor has committed to play collegiate hockey at Bemidji State University beginning in the fall of 2013.
O’Connor collected 29 points (10g, 19a) in 58 games with the Steel during his first USHL season in 2011-12. Three of his goals were shorthanded which led the team. The 19-year-old from Elk Grove Village, Illinois helped the Steel finish the season with a 9-2-3 record as he scored five goals and posted a plus-six rating over that stretch.
When he sets foot on the campus of Bemidji State University, O’Connor will be joined by Steel teammate Philip Marinaccio who is also committed to the school. Four other players that played in the USHL last season have plans to play collegiate hockey at Bemidji State – Bob Kinne (Lincoln Stars), Brady Riesgraf (Fargo Force), Brad Robbins (Sioux City Musketeers), and James Hansen (Waterloo Black Hawks).
Bemidji State University is a member of the WCHA and had 11 USHL alumni on the roster last season; Jake Areshenko (Fargo Force), David Boehm (Cedar Rapids RoughRiders), Drew Fisher (Sioux Falls/Indiana), Radoslav Illo (Tri-City Storm), Ben Kinne (Sioux City Musketeers), Shea Walters (Green Bay Gamblers), Cody Strang (Youngstown Phantoms), Sam Windle (Des Moines/Chicago), Matt Prapavessis (Lincoln Stars), Danny Mattson (Youngstown/Chicago/Omaha), and Mitch Cain (Des Moines Buccaneers).
USHL stats – Charlie O’Connor
Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the USHL celebrated its 10th season as the nation's only Tier I junior hockey league in 2011-12. With 28 picks during the 2012 NHL Entry Draft and over 280 players already committed to NCAA Division I schools this season, the USHL has emerged as the world’s foremost producer of junior hockey talent. For more information, visit us on the web at www.USHL.com or visit the League’s social media platforms, including Facebook (www.facebook.com/ushlhockey), twitter (www.twitter.com/ushl), and YouTube (www.youtube.com/ushlinteractive). Fans can also watch USHL action all season long, live or on-demand via FASTHockey (ushl.fasthockey.com).
It’s not just hockey. It’s the USHL.
