By Joshua Boyd / USPHL.com
The season may be over, but the preparation for NCAA college hockey never really ends, including for now former Northern Cyclones defenseman Rory Hammersmith. He will be taking his game to Assumption University, an NCAA Division II school that plays in the Northeast-10 Conference.
“I first started talking to Assumption and Coach [Michael] Looney in early February. What stood out to the Assumption staff was my ability to make a solid first pass out of my own zone to advance the puck along with my ability to shut down other teams top forwards with my skating ability,” said Hammersmith, a three-year Cyclones veteran from Glen Ellyn, Ill., who committed to Assumption in the late winter.
“Assumption has a great hockey program and from my first conversation with Coach Looney, I understood why. They hold their players to a winning standard and expect you to perform at a high level,” Hammersmith said. “In addition, the school offers great academics and very nice athletic facilities.”
With the Cyclones this past season, Hammersmith registered a 2-21-23 line in 44 games, a big improvement from the seven points he registered in 2023-24 in 41 games. The Cyclones’ 2.25 goals against average was good for Top 10 in the 73-team Premier Conference in 2024-25.
After a combined 101 regular season and playoff games in the Red and Black, including helping the team to a 2023 National Championship, he is definitely a voice of experience to stump for the Cyclones as an organization.
“The Northern Cyclones offer you an opportunity to improve your game like no other junior team does. From having a full weight room, film room and shooting area right next to our dorms to owning the rink and having access to ice after team practice, you can really grow as a player,” said Hammersmith, who also registered an assist in his first NCDC game this year. “Moving players into the college level is very important to the organization, and I am grateful for how hard Coach Bill Wieand works to get his players in front of schools.”
The mission was accomplished and Hammersmith is getting after his college hockey future already.
“This summer, I plan to improve many aspects of my game so I can be prepared to step into the college level being very confident in my game,” he said. “I plan to prioritize increasing my hockey IQ, put on more muscle while maintaining speed, and improving my offensive instincts.”
The USPHL congratulates Rory Hammersmith, his family, the Northern Cyclones and Assumption University for his commitment.
The post USPHL Commitment Profiles: Cyclones’ Hammersmith To Join Assumption University appeared first on USPHL – United States Premier Hockey League.
