HOYT LAKES, Minn. – The Minnesota Iron Rangers of the Superior International Junior Hockey League have announced their first set of players from the 2013-14 team that has committed to NCAA programs.
Defencemen Austin Frank and Matt Audet along with forwards Trevor Hoth and Jonathon Losurdo will all be attending various schools next season and play for their respective hockey programs.
Frank, the SIJHL’s Gongshow Gear defenceman of the year is off to Lawrence University if Appleton, Wis., to suit up for the Vikings who compete in the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association.
He was a force offensively during the 2013-14 campaign as he led both his team and SIJHL defencemen in points with 42 and also topped all league D-Men in goals with 15.
Frank was also named to the CCM first all-star team on defence.
Fellow Minnesota blueliner Audet is off to skate for the Western New England Golden Bears, who are members of the ECAC North East conference.
Audet had 30 point in 44 contests for the Iron Rangers in the regular season, including 13 tallies.
He tacked on another three markers in the playoffs.
Up front Hoth is heading to Illinois and Aurora University and play for the Spartans as they make their debut in the NCHA in 2014-15.
Hoth led the Iron Rangers in scoring this past season with 58 points on 35 goals and 23 assists.
As for Losurdo he’ll be off to Winona, Minn., to compete with the Cardinals program that are members of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
Losurdo was a 51-point man for the Iron Rangers in 2013-14.
The pair of forwards also combined for 20 points in the postseason helping their side come within one win of a Bill Salonen Cup title.
“Our crop of 20-year-olds worked incredibly hard,” stated Iron Rangers head coach and general manager Chris Walby.
“They have been great team leaders and ambassadors of the game as members of the Rangers, as members of the SIJHL and in our communities. I couldn’t be more proud of them and happy for them.”
