Bobcat Goalie Ullan Commits to Northern Michigan
MARQUETTE, MI – The Bismarck Bobcats are pleased to announce that goaltender Ryan Ullan has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey at Northern Michigan University starting with the 2019-2020 season.
“It’s a great feeling to be committed to play Division I hockey, especially for an up-and-coming program like Northern,” expressed Ullan, in his first year with the Bobcats. “It’s also a great weight off my shoulders, and having that commitment lets me focus even more energy on doing my part to get the Bobcats back to the playoffs and make a run at the Robertson Cup.”
In 21 appearances, the Hibbing, Minn., native has compiled a 10-8-2 record with a 2.59 GAA and a .913 SV%.
To start the 2017-18 season, Ullan has appeared on both NHL Central Scouting “Players to Watch” lists for the upcoming 2018 NHL Draft—just the second time an Bobcat player has stayed on the Central Scouting list after September (Zach Yon, 2013-14).
“Ryan is going to be a great goaltender: he’s big and square to pucks and tracks them very well,” lauded Bobcats head coach and general manager Layne Sedevie, a former Division I goalie himself at Bemidji State. “The best part about Ryan is his work ethic; when you combine that with his size, talent and technical proficiency and you know that Northern just signed a big-time goaltender.”
Ullan is the third 2017-18 Bobcat to decide on Northern Michigan—joining Grant Johnson and Tanner Vescio—and the seventh current or former Bobcat to commit to a Division I program this year, along with Jared Resseguie (Denver), Alex Trombley (Ohio State) and 2016-17 alumnus Tristan Ashbrook (RPI).
The second-year junior netminder credited the on-and-off-ice atmosphere in Marquette with his decision to be a Wildcat.
“When I toured Northern, I fell in love with the beautiful campus and the great dorms they have,” explained the 17-year-old backstop. “And then you look at the staff, and [Wildcats head coach] Grant Potulny has won at every level—even getting a gold medal as an assistant at World Juniors last year—and he’s building the program in a great direction.
“It will be exciting to get there and be a part of really getting Northern Michigan back to the heights of Division I.”
With Ullan’s commitment, the Bobcats have had goaltenders from 13 consecutive teams move on to play at the Division I level: Tim Krystosek (2005-06, 2006-07, Air Force); Jake Kremer (2007-08, Minnesota); Matt Grogan (2007-08, 2008-09, UConn); David Bosner (2008-09, Air Force); Ryan Faragher (2009-10, 2010-11, St. Cloud State); Ryan Massa (2009-10, Nebraska-Omaha); Jake Williams (2009-10, Mercyhurst); Tommy Burke (2010-11, 2011-12, Bowling Green); Aaron Nelson (2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, Minnesota State); Hunter Shepard (2014-15, 2015-16, Minnesota-Duluth); Will Ulrich (2016-17, Air Force); and Ullan.
On the ice, Ullan and the Bobcats return home Friday to open a two-game series at the VFW Sports Center against the Brookings Blizzard.
Tickets are now on sale for both Friday and Saturday’s games: fans can buy and print tickets online 24 hours a day at BismarckBobcats.com or by clicking “Shop Now” on the Bobcats’ Facebook page.
Friday’s weekend opener will be broadcast live locally on Super Talk 1270 AM, the radio home of the Bismarck Bobcats, and worldwide at HockeyTV.com, the official web broadcast partner of the North American Hockey League. Pre-game coverage will begin at 6:50pm.
Pro-rated season tickets are still on sale for the Bobcats’ 2017-18 campaign: lock in the best seats now and be here for all the action! Visit BismarckBobcats.com or call 222-3300 for more info.