Defenseman Wallace Commits to Wisconsin-River Falls
RIVER FALLS, WI – The longest-tenured member of the Bismarck Bobcats’ 2015-16 squad has found a collegiate home as Nick Wallace announced Tuesday that he has committed to play NCAA hockey for the University of Wisconsin-River Falls starting in 2016-17.
“It’s great to be able to say that I’ll be a college hockey player this fall,” admitted Wallace, who joined the Bobcats as an NAPHL tender signee from the California Titans in 2013, “especially for a strong program like River Falls.”
In three years along the Cats’ blue line, the Sun Valley, Ca., native turned in 49 points on six goals and 43 assists to go with a career plus-15 rating. He was a model of consistency in his time in black and gold, averaging 53 appearances per season—including suiting up in all 60 regular season games in 2014-15—and playing in all 22 Bobcat playoff games between 2014 and 2016.
“Nick has been such a steady contributor for us for a long time and has such great speed that he will be an instant impact guy for the Falcons,” added Bobcats head coach and general manager Layne Sedevie.
Under long-time head coach Steve Freeman—entering his 21st season behind the bench at W.H. Hunt Arena—UW-River Falls has been a constant force: the Falcons are 356-179-46 on Freeman’s watch and have had a winning record in 19 of the last 20 years. The team finished ranked 11th in the 2015-16 USCHO rankings.
That long-time success was just one factor in Wallace’s decision, however.
“In talking to the coaches, they told me I’d have a chance to play a lot as a freshman,” recalled Wallace, “so I did a lot of research of my own and it helped me know I was making the right choice: good school, good program, beautiful campus.”
Wallace becomes the 11th current or former Bobcat to commit from the 2015-16 season, joining Hunter Shepard (Minnesota-Duluth), Aaron Herdt (Alaska), Joe Tyran (Air Force), Jared Pike (American International), Patrik Demel (American International), Cole Souto (St. John’s), Alex Strand (UW-Eau Claire), Garrett Nelson (Concordia College), Jared Spooner (Minnesota State-Mankato) and Tanner Salsberry (Bentley).
For the Bobcats, a busy offseason continues on Friday, July 22, when the Cats open 2016 Main Camp at the VFW Sports Center and running through July 24. Main Camp will be open to the public all weekend long.
Season tickets are now on sale for the Bobcats’ landmark platinum anniversary campaign: fans can get more information or reserve their seats for all of Season Twenty now by calling 222-3300.
