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Storm Forward Commits to Union College
Thursday August 23, 2012
Tri-City Storm forward Mike Vecchione has committed to play hockey at Union College following his USHL career. (photo by Tri-City Storm)
Tri-City Storm veteran forward Mike Vecchione has committed to play college hockey at Eastern College Athletic Conference powerhouse Union College following his USHL career.
A 5-foot-11, 190-pound forward from Saugus, Massachusetts, Vecchione played in 49 games last season for the Storm, scoring 29 points (10 goals, 19 assists). He is the third-leading scorer returning for the Storm and will play one more season in the USHL before joining Union for the 2013-14 season.
"Union is a program on the rise with a coaching staff that does a great job of developing talent," Storm Coach Josh Hauge said. "Mike should be able to step in right away and make plays because he's a dynamic skater with a lot of skill, and he is accountable defensively."
Located in Schenectady, New York, Union went 26-8-7 last season. The Dutchmen won the ECAC title and earned their first-ever trip to the NCAA Frozen Four with wins over UMass-Lowell and Michigan State in the East Regional of the NCAA Tournament.
"Union's coaching staff approached me halfway through last season and kept recruiting me pretty hard," Vecchione said. "I really felt like they wanted me there. I'm definitely excited to join the program and be part of the effort to get back to the Frozen Four and win a national championship."
Prior to joining the Tri-City Storm Vecchione starred at Malden Catholic (Mass.) High School, where he scored 83 points (27 goals, 56 assists) his senior year while leading his team to a 22-1-2 record and Super 8 Tournament Title in 2010-11.
Hauge has high expectations for Vecchione in his final season with the Storm.
"He is a guy who can really dominate and take over games," Hauge said. "We expect him to take that next step and be that type of player this season."
Two other USHL players from the 2011-12 season are also committed to play hockey at Union College – Chicago Steel forward Theo DiPauli and Indiana Ice defenseman Matthew Krug.
USHL stats – Mike Vecchione
Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the USHL celebrated its 10th season as the nation's only Tier I junior hockey league in 2011-12. With 28 picks during the 2012 NHL Entry Draft and over 280 players already committed to NCAA Division I schools this season, the USHL has emerged as the world’s foremost producer of junior hockey talent. For more information, visit us on the web at www.USHL.com or visit the League’s social media platforms, including Facebook (www.facebook.com/ushlhockey), twitter (www.twitter.com/ushl), and YouTube (www.youtube.com/ushlinteractive). Fans can also watch USHL action all season long, live or on-demand via FASTHockey (ushl.fasthockey.com).
It’s not just hockey. It’s the USHL.
