FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WCHA PLAYERS BEGIN PROFESSIONAL CAREERS
Thirty-one players that saw WCHA ice in 2015-16 have signed pro contracts
EDINA, Minn. – April 7, 2016 – Beginning the next stage of their hockey careers, 31 men’s Western
Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) players who played in the league during the 2015-16 season have
signed professional contracts.
Minnesota State senior forward Teddy Blueger (Pittsburgh) and Ferris State junior Kyle Schempp (New
York Islanders) have both signed entry-level contracts with the NHL clubs that drafted them, while a
third player – Mavericks’ junior defenseman Casey Nelson – went from undrafted prospect to NHL ice,
inking a deal with Buffalo and debuting with the Sabres just one week after playing in the Final Five
championship game. In fact, Nelson became the first Sabres player to record points in each of his first
three NHL games since Calle Johannson in 1987-88, as the 2015-16 WCHA Defensive Player of the Year
and first team All-WCHA selection tallied four assists in his first three contests.
“We are proud of our WCHA alumni that have an opportunity to continue their playing careers, and we
wish them the very best of success, both on and off the ice,” said WCHA Commissioner Bill Robertson.
“That our alumni are playing and succeeding at the professional level is a testament to their skill and
dedication, along with the high caliber of coaching we have throughout the WCHA and the development
these young men receive while playing in our league.”
The full list of 2015-16 WCHA players to sign professional contracts is below (as of April 7, 2016).
Name, Yr., Pos.
Austin Sevalrud, Sr., D
Blake Tatchell, Sr., F
Chris Williams, Sr., D
Josh Atkinson, Sr., D
Alec Hajdukovich, Sr., F
Tyler Morley, Sr., F
Graeme McCormack, Sr., D
Cory Ward, Sr., F
Mark Cooper, Sr., F
Dajon Mingo, Sr., F/D
Ben Murphy, Sr., F
Brent Tate, Sr., F
Brandon Anselmini, Sr., D
Kenny Babinski, Sr., F
Pro Team (League)
Fort Wayne Komets (ECHL)
Lake Erie Monsters (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators (ECHL)
Alaska Aces (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls (AHL)
Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL)
St. John’s IceCaps (AHL)
Chicago Wolves (AHL)
Toledo Walleye (ECHL)^
Tulsa Oilers (ECHL)
Toledo Walleye (ECHL)
Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL)
Alaska Aces (ECHL)
WCHA School
Alaska Anchorage
Alaska Anchorage
Alaska Anchorage
Alaska
Alaska
Alaska
Bemidji State
Bemidji State
Bowling Green
Bowling Green
Bowling Green
Bowling Green
Ferris State
Ferris State
WCHA Players Begin Professional Careers | Page 1 of 2
Simon Denis, Sr., D
Kyle Schempp, Jr., F
Eric Drapluk, Sr., D
Matt Johnson, Jr., F
Austin McKay, Sr., F
Daniel Vernace, Sr., F
Malcolm Gould, Sr., F
CJ Eick, Sr., F
Alex Petan, Sr., F
Teddy Blueger, Sr. F
Bryce Gervais, Sr., F
Jon Jutzi, Sr., D
Dylan Margonari, Sr., F
Casey Nelson, Jr., D
Barrett Kaib, Sr., D
Darren Nowick, Sr., F
Ryan Trenz, Sr., D
Fort Wayne Komets (ECHL)
New York Islanders (NHL)*
Tulsa Oilers (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits (ECHL)
Brampton Beast (ECHL)
Brampton Beast (ECHL)
Indy Fuel (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies (ECHL)
Iowa Wild (AHL)
Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)#
Chicago Wolves (AHL)
Manitoba Moose (AHL)
Hershey Bears (AHL)
Buffalo Sabres (NHL)
Rapid City Rush (ECHL)
Missouri Mavericks (ECHL)
Alaska Aces (ECHL)
Ferris State
Ferris State
Lake Superior State
Lake Superior State
Lake Superior State
Lake Superior State
Michigan Tech
Michigan Tech
Michigan Tech
Minnesota State
Minnesota State
Minnesota State
Minnesota State
Minnesota State
Northern Michigan
Northern Michigan
Northern Michigan
^ - Mingo departed Bowling Green and signed with Toledo in December 2015.
* - Schempp signed a two-year, entry-level contract with New York that begins in 2016-17; he joined the
Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL) on an amateur tryout contract for the remainder of the 2015-16 season.
#
- Blueger signed a two-year, entry-level contract with Pittsburgh that begins in 2016-17; he joined the
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL) on an amateur tryout contract for the remainder of the 2015-16
campaign.
About Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA)
The Western Collegiate Hockey Association, among the most historic, tradition-rich and successful
conferences in all of collegiate athletics, will proudly mark its 64th season of men’s competition in 201516. The 10-team Division 1 conference consists of the University of Alabama in Huntsville (Chargers), the
University of Alaska Anchorage (Seawolves), the University of Alaska (Nanooks), Bemidji State University
(Beavers), Bowling Green State University (Falcons), Ferris State University (Bulldogs), Lake Superior
State University (Lakers), Michigan Technological University (Huskies), Minnesota State University
(Mavericks) and Northern Michigan University (Wildcats). For more information, visit wcha.com.
MEDIA CONTACT
Matt Hodson
Associate Commissioner for Public Relations
E: [email protected]
O: 952.818.8872
M: 612.801.2808
MORE INFORMATION
Website: wcha.com
Twitter: @wcha_mhockey
Instagram: @wcha_mhockey
Facebook: facebook.com/wchahockey
WCHA.tv: portal.stretchinternet.com/wcha
– WCHA –
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