By Denis Puska, Amarillo Bulls
Brady Ferguson joined a select and elite group this week.
The Amarillo Bulls forward become one of the few but growing number of native Texans playing NCAA Division I hockey when he announced his commitment to Robert Morris University, Atlantic Hockey, for the 2014-15 season.
“It feels great and a I am honored to represent Texas,” said Ferguson who hails from the Dallas area. “There are not too many of us playing NCAA Division I hockey. All of my friends back home are really excited for me.”
Ferguson becomes the 12th member of this year’s Amarillo Bulls team, and 29th overall in two plus years to secure a college commitment.
“I had no idea when this day would come,” said Ferguson. “I was drafted by the Bulls and came to play for them, but didn’t think it (the college commitment) would happen so quickly.”
Amarillo Bulls Head Coach Dennis Williams said Ferguson is part of great group of players coming out of the Lone Star State.
“It goes to show that each and every year the State of Texas is becoming much stronger with the number of good hockey players available,” he said. “To have a player like Brady Ferguson on our team from the State of Texas to go on and play NCAA Division I hockey in 2014, speaks volumes of what his abilities are as a player. He had a number of options but at the end of the day he is very comfortable with his choice and with the Robert Morris coaching staff.”
Williams said that Ferguson has done a nice job of progressing into a good hockey player.
“Everyone peaks at different times at junior hockey and I think from Christmas on, Brady has become arguably our top forward to play in situations that a 20 year-old would be in,” he explained. “We are very excited for Brady. He is a great hockey player and person. Both he and Robert Morris will benefit greatly from his decision to go there.”
Ferguson played on the NAHL 18U Selects team at the 2013 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament last month and finished tied for the team lead in scoring with four points in three games.
In 46 games with the Bulls, Ferguson has fired 10 goals, including one game winner and another on the power play, and added 15 assists for 25 points. He is plus 17, has 54 minutes in penalties and his 117 shots on goal ranks in the top seven on his team. Ferguson said he has the Bulls Coaching Staff to thank for getting him to this point, including to help him grow as a person.
“They have helped me with my defensive zone and face-offs,” he said. “I’m also better at getting the puck to the net. I think my smartness of the game and speed has also improved”
Ferguson will join current Bulls’ team captain John Rey as well as Alumni and current freshman Greg Gibson on the Colonials when he heads to school.
“That will be awesome knowing John there and I’m looking forward to meeting Greg when I go there to see the school,” he said. “It will certainly make my adjustment much easier.”
Brady Ferguson joins Clint Carlisle (Army), Geoff Fortman (Canisius College), John Rey (Robert Morris), Garret Peterson (Army), Tyler Deresky (Bentley University), Hampus Gustafsson (Merrimack College), TJ Sarcona (Niagara), Tyler Rostenkowski (Air Force), Kyle Plageman (Army), and Joe Grabowski (Princeton), Ryan Cole (Trinity College), as Amarillo Bulls to announce their NCAA Commitments.
