The Razorback Hockey team is pleased to announce a pair of commitments:  F-Christian MacMeeken (Plano, TX) and D-Adam Cooke (Flower Mound, TX).

Christian MacMeeken, a 6’0, 160lb., forward from Plano, Texas, played his high school hockey for Plano Senior High School and his travel hockey with the Dallas Jr. Stars and Stars Select programs.  In his season with the Jr. Stars, MacMeeken helped his team to a first place division finish and earned the Playmaker Award along the way.  Then, during his year with the Dallas Stars Select program, MacMeeken was recognized as team MVP where he contributed to his team’s second place finish.

Said MacMeeken, “I have always wanted to attend Arkansas and play college hockey.  I visited the campus and I felt like I was home.”  He also said, “my decision was made when I met with Coach Gallini.  He took the time to talk with my family and answered all of our questions.  I am anxious to continue my education and become a successful Razorback Hockey player.”

For his part, defenseman Adam Cooke (6’1″, 170 lb.) joins the Razorback Hockey program from the Texas Jr. Brahmas.  Cooke served as captain during his most recent campaign with the Brahmas and contributed to a quarterfinal Nationals appearance when he played for the Dallas Jr. Stars.  Said Cooke, “I chose to commit to Arkansas because it gives me an opportunity to play hockey at a high level while receiving a top quality education.”  He also commented, “[t]he coaching staff was very welcoming on my visit and I could tell that they care a lot about the players.  Attending Arkansas will allow me to grow as a player and a person.”

MacMeeken and Cooke become the seventeenth and eighteenth players in a 16-17 recruiting class that has eleven different states represented (Texas, Colorado, Mississippi, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, Kansas, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Missouri, and California) and players with experience in eight different junior leagues (NA3HL, NAHL, MnJHL, SJHL, MJAHL, WSHL, GMHL, and USPHL).  They join the following players:

F-Drew Hill (Dallas Jr. Stars, NA3HL)
F-Chris Stovall (Springfield Express, WSHL)
F-Garrett Jackson (McKinney Northstars)
F-Alex Kueser (Eureka High School)
F-Chris Weatherly (HC Dallas AAA, NAPHL)
F-Ben Koester (Rochester Ice Hawks, NA3HL)
F-Alec Morris (Marian University, NCAA)
F-Niko Ala-Kokko (Dallas Penguins, DJHA)
F-Wesley Moore (Rampart High School, COHS)
D-Alex DeGuire (Skipjacks Hockey Club, USPHL)
D-Dominic De la Guardia (Portland Jr. Pirates, USPHL)
D-Jake Jones (Bobcaygeon Storm, GMHL)
D-Blake Sibley (HC Dallas AAA, NAPHL)
D-Brian Danahy (Abington Green Wave, MAHS)
G-Nick Bretzger (Springfield Express, WSHL)
G-Michael Moore (Chicago Cougars, USPHL)

The Arkansas hockey program recently finished its first season fielding two teams.  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 later this month.  All home games are played at The Jones Center for Families in Springdale.