Jr. Blues' Bahnemann headed to Bentley

The Springfield Jr. Blues have announced that forward Brandon Bahnemann has committed to Bentley University (Atlantic Hockey) for the upcoming fall.

He is the 28th player who competed in January’s NAHL Top Prospects Tournament to commit to a Division I program following the event.

“This is great news for Brandon and his family,” said Jr. Blues head coach Andy Maher.  “He’s a terrific hockey player who knows how to score goals and should fit in well at Bentley.”

Bahnemann, a 20-year-old from Rochester, Minn., began his NAHL career with the Alexandria Blizzard in 2007-08 before being traded to the Jr. Blues last December. This past season, he totaled 22 goals for 35 points in 45 regular-season games.

The 27 other NAHL players to commit to a Division I school after the Top Prospects Tournament are: Alaska Avalanche defenseman Jason Cohen (American International College); Alexandria Blizzard forward Jerry Freismuth (Bowling Green State University); Bismarck Bobcats goaltender Matt Grogan (University of Connecticut); Fairbanks Ice Dogs forwards Paul Kirtland (Ohio State University) and Eric Kraft (Lake Superior State University); defensemen Drew Darwitz (University of Alaska-Anchorage) Brandon Martell (Ohio State) and goaltender Phil Cook (Minnesota State-Mankato); Mahoning Valley Phantoms defensemen Carl Nielsen (Michigan Tech University) and Cullen Lundholm (Robert Morris University); Marquette Rangers forward Chad Pietila (Northern Michigan University) and Reed Rushing (Bowling Green); Motor City Machine forward Ryan Misiak (Mercyhurst College); North Iowa Outlaws forwards Brandon Brodhag (Merrimack College), Alex Carlson (Ohio State) and Ryan Peltoma (Bowling Green); Owatonna Express defenseman Tim Smith; Springfield Jr. Blues forward Trent Frey (Mercyhurst); St. Louis Bandits forward Brendan Sheehan (Niagara University) defenseman Tyler Elbrecht (Minnesota State-Mankato) and goaltender Keith Kinkaid (Union); Topeka RoadRunners goaltender Bryce Merriam (RPI) and forward Steve Shafer (Canisius College); Traverse City North Stars forward Kyle Bonis (Ferris State University); and Wenatchee Wild forwards Ducan McKellar (Bemidji State University) and Mitch Torrel (Air Force) and goaltender Mathieu Dugas (Bemidji State).?

View the complete NAHL college list here.

BANDITS GRAD FED TO WOLVES: The Chicago Wolves of the AHL have signed former Texarkana Bandit Patrick Galivan.

Galivan completed a four-year career at Western Michigan University (CCHA) this spring, leading the team with a career-high 19 goals, 28 assists and 47 points in 41 outings.  He also paced the squad with 23 assists as a junior in 2007-08, and ranked fourth on the team with eight goals that season.

Overall, the 23-year-old forward registered 35 goals, 60 assists, 95 points and 112 penalty minutes in 122 career games with the Broncos, spanning four seasons (2005 to 2009).  

Prior to joining Western Michigan, Galivan skated two seasons with the Bandits from 2003-05, recording 37 goals, 43 assists, 80 points and 95 penalty minutes in 103 matchups.