Not Bad, Rookie

Apr 30, 2013

Blueliner Repensky Named First Team All-Rookie

FRISCO, TX – Thanks to a monster finish to the 2012-13 season, Bismarck Bobcats first-year defender Nate Repensky has been selected to the North American Hockey League All-Rookie First Team as a defenseman.

“Being named to the All-Rookie team is a pretty big honor to me, especially in a league full as many good young players as the NAHL,” said Repensky, who led all Bobcat ‘D’ men in scoring with 27 points. “All the credit goes to my teammates, because everyone was working hard to put together a strong second half and this recognition is a product of all the work all our guys put in.”

In his first year out of Duluth (Minn.) East High School, Repensky racked up 11 goals and 16 assists in 37 games—bolstered by a sixteen-point month of March for which the former Greyhound was named league Defenseman of the Month—along with a +11 rating.

One might not have expected Repensky’s rookie season to go this way, as he missed ten straight games in September and October to a hernia. Following his return on October 20, Repensky struggled to produce with just three assists in 12 games.

A turning point came on January 18 when he scored his first career goal, slamming home a loose puck on the rush against the Brookings Blizzard in a 2-1 Bobcat win. From there, Repensky soared: pouring in 23 points on five goals and 18 assists in the last 23 games of the regular season.

“Nate battled and bounced back really well from a major setback to start the season,” credited Bobcats head coach and general manager Layne Sedevie. “He’s worked hard and deserves the recognition he’s earned here this season.”

He currently has four assists in five playoff games for the Bobcats, who are in the middle of the 2013 Central Division Finals against the Austin Bruins.

Repensky is the fourth Bobcat to be named first-team All-Rookie by the NAHL, joining Sam Rendle (defenseman, 2009-10), David Bosner (goalie, 2008-09) and Eric Kattelus (forward, 2005-06). Defenseman Donald Olivieri was named second-team All-Rookie in 2010-11.

The full 2012-13 All-Rookie First Team comprises: Repensky and Alex Robert (Soo) on defense; forwards Jay Dickman (Austin), Brandon Hawkins (Texas) and Peter Krieger (Aberdeen); and goaltender Evan Cowley (Wichita Falls).

Players that are in their first year of junior hockey or entered the season having played less than 10 NAHL regular season games are considered rookies.

Playoff action resumes for Repensky and the Bobcats Friday at 7:15 PM as they host the Bruins for Game Three at the VFW Sports Center; the best-of-five-game series is currently tied 1-1. Game Four will follow Saturday at the same time. If necessary, Game Five would be at Riverside Arena in Austin Monday at 7:05 PM.

Tickets are on sale for Cats’ final two home dates right now; fans can buy and print online 24 hours a day at BismarckBobcats.com or charge by phone at 222-3300.

Friday’s pivotal Game Three will be broadcast locally on the radio home of Bobcat Hockey, Super Talk 1270, KLXX-AM, and worldwide on the official internet television partner of the NAHL, FASTHockey, at http://nahl.fasthockey.com. Pregame coverage gets under way at 6:45 PM.