March 8, 2010
Lincoln Stars forward Jarrod Mermis will attend the University of Denver and Stars defenseman Dax Lauwers will play collegiate hockey for Army. (USHL Images)
Lincoln Stars forward Jarrod Mermis has committed to play hockey at the University of Denver and Stars defenseman Dax Lauwers will play collegiately at the United States Military Academy following their USHL careers.
Mermis has collected nine points (3g, 6a) in 34 games for the Stars this season. It is the third USHL season for the 20-year-old native of Alton, Illinois. He spent the previous two seasons with the Sioux City Musketeers totaling 26 points (15g, 11a) over 80 games.
Seven other current USHL players are also committed to attend Denver following their USHL careers; Garrett Allen (Fargo Force) David Makowski (Green Bay Gamblers), Scott Mayfield (Youngstown Phantoms), Zac Larraza (Team USA), Nick Shore (Team USA), Matt Van Voorhis (Team USA), and Jason Zucker (Team USA).
The University of Denver Pioneers, members of the WCHA, have 10 former USHL players on their roster this season; Matt Donovan (Cedar Rapids RoughRiders), John Lee (Waterloo Black Hawks), Paul Phillips (Cedar Rapids RoughRiders), Chris Knowlton (Des Moines Buccaneers), Jesse Martin (Tri-City Storm), Anthony Maiani (Sioux City Musketeers), Brian Gifford (Indiana Ice), John Ryder (Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets), Patrick Wiercioch (Omaha Lancers), and Nate Dewhurst (Des Moines Buccaneers).
Lauwers is playing in his first USHL season. The 18-year-old defenseman has tallied two assists and an even plus/minus rating in 44 games for the Stars. The 6-2, 185-pound blueliner is a native of Anchorage, Alaska.
Tri-City Storm forward Tyler Pistone also recently committed to attend the United States Military Academy and play hockey for the Army Black Knights. Army is a NCAA Division I college hockey program that competes in the Atlantic Hockey Association (AHA). Lauwers and Pistone will be the first USHL players at Army since former Des Moines Buccaneers forward Ken Rowe played two seasons for the Black Knights (2006-08).
USHL stats - Jarrod Mermis
USHL stats - Dax Lauwers
Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the USHL celebrates its eighth season as the nation's only Tier 1 junior hockey league 2009-10. With over 210 players already committed to NCAA Division I schools and 13 NHL Entry Draft picks currently on League rosters, the USHL is the nation's foremost producer of junior hockey talent. For more information, visit us on the web at www.USHL.com.
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