The Razorback Hockey team is pleased to announce a pair of commitments: F-Alex Kueser (Eureka, MO) and F-Garrett Jackson (McKinney, TX).
Garrett Jackson, a 6’0, 185lb., forward from McKinney, Texas, spent last season playing for the McKinney Northstars for Coach Cary Archibald. A recipient of numerous awards from his program, including the Character Leadership Award (14-15), Assistant Captain (14-15), and Breakout Player of the Year (14-15), his Northstar team won the Texas State Championship in 2015. This season, Jackson was recognized as a member of the All-Academic Team and selected to play in the upcoming April 5, 2016, AT&T High School Hockey League All-Star Game.
Said Jackson, “I chose Arkansas because it had all the aspects I was looking for in a University including the opportunity to further my experience as a hockey player. Razorback Hockey has the reputation of a hardworking program with an exceptional coaching staff. I look forward to having a great season as a Razorback and being a part of this program.”
For his part, forward Alex Kueser joins the Razorback Hockey program from Eureka High School in Eureka, Missouri, where he posted 33 goals and 27 assists during the 15-16 regular season. Serving also as his team’s captain, Kueser’s 60 points was good for placement as one of the top five leading scorers in the entire Mid-States Hockey League. A versatile player who has played both forward and defense, Kueser recently appeared in his league’s All-Star game on March 6.
According to Sam Boyer, Assistant Coach for the Eureka Wildcats, “[t]his season resulted in the highest regular season finish in our history due to Alex’s drive, determination, and leadership.” About his decision to choose Arkansas, Kueser commented, “I was impressed to see how much the program has developed over the past few years and I hope to contribute to its continued development. I knew that Arkansas was the best fit for me because of its commitment to both academics and athletics.”
Jackson and Kueser join F-Drew Hill (NA3HL), D-Dominic De la Guardia (USPHL), F-Chris Weatherly (HC Dallas AAA), D-Jake Jones (Bobcaygeon Storm, GMHL), and D-Alex DeGuire (Skipjacks Hockey Club, USPHL) as the sixth and seventh members of a 16-17 recruiting class that now has five different states represented.
The Arkansas hockey program recently finished its first season fielding two teams. After a post-season reshuffling in the final 15-16 rankings, the Division I team finished #21–the highest finish in ACHA history for any team in its first DI season after moving from DIII. The team’s #21 finish also gave Arkansas the best finish of any of the five teams that made the jump to Division I this season. Meanwhile, Division III’s twenty-eight win season was good for third in the SECHC and tenth in the Pacific Region.
The 2016-17 Division I & III schedules will be released in early summer. All home games are played at The Jones Center for Families in Springdale.