North Iowa goalie Poczos called up to the NAHL

January 22, 2019

The North Iowa Bulls of the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) are proud to announce that goaltender Connor Poczos has been called up by the Lone Star Brahmas of the North American Hockey League (NAHL).

 

Poczos is a three-year junior hockey veteran, appearing for the Kenai River Brown Bears, Springfield Jr. Blues and Minnesota Wilderness of the NAHL before coming to the Bulls. The Austin, Minnesota native also spent time on the roster for his hometown Bruins during the 2017-18 campaign.

 

His resume with the Bulls was impressive, going 7-1 in 10 games with North Iowa this season, including a shutout against the New Ulm Steel in September. He also earned a postseason victory last season, beating Wausau in the RiverWolves' first-ever playoff game.

 

His junior career started with the Brown Bears in the fall of 2016, followed by a late-season run with the former Cincinnati Thunder of the NA3HL. He did not win a decision during that stretch, but a brief run last season with the Jr. Blues and Wilderness yielded a 3-3 record, with a shutout for each team.

 

Poczos began his Bulls career with eight straight wins, and earned a week-long emergency call-up to the Sioux City Musketeers of the United States Hockey League this season. His only loss came against New Ulm in early January, despite the Bulls out-shooting the Steel by a 34-22 margin in the contest.

 

He joins one team among many looking for any edge it can get in a jammed NAHL South Division race. Just two points separate Shreveport and the Brahmas, who are tied for second, from the fifth-place Topeka Pilots.

 

More than 30 North Iowa Bulls players have reached the NAHL since the team’s inaugural season in 2011-12. Three of those players are currently active in NCAA Division I hockey, with several others playing for professional teams. More than 50 NA3HL alumni suited up in the NAHL a year ago, with that number expected to rise this season.

 

The North Iowa Bulls congratulate Connor Poczos on his return to the North American Hockey League and wish him the best with the Lone Star Brahmas.