The Razorback Hockey team is pleased to announce a pair of commitments: F-Wesley Moore (Colorado Springs, CO) and F-Nikolas Ala-Kokko (Plano, TX).
Wesley Moore, a 6’0, 170lb., forward from Colorado Springs, Colorado, spent last season playing for Rampart High School for Coach Joshua McIntosh. In 19 games for the Rams during the 15-16 season, Moore notched 7 goals and 12 assists. During the 15-16 campaign, Moore led his team as captain in scoring, ice time, and plus/minus. For his efforts, he was recognized as team MVP and earned honorable mention all-conference honors. Said Coach McIntosh, “Wesley is without a doubt the most complete player on our team. Up a goal with a minute left, down a goal with a minute left, power player, penalty kill, blocking a shot, winning a face-off–I simply can’t get Wesley on the ice enough.”
Said Moore, “I chose the University of Arkansas because it has a great hockey program that has enjoyed immense growth over the last couple years.” He added, “becoming a Razorback will allow me to further my hockey experience at a high level in a hard-working program, while earning a first-class education.”
For his part, forward Nikolas Ala-Kokko (6’1″, 172 lb.) joins the Razorback
Hockey program from the Dallas Penguins (DJHA). In the 15-16 season, during which the Penguins enjoyed a tremendous 36-14-1 season, Ala-Kokko potted 7 goals to accompany 7 assists in 45 games. About his choice to attend Arkansas, Ala-Kokko commented, “I have heard only positive things about Razorback Hockey from the players and coaches alike–everyone shares a common drive and attitude toward the game.” About the University more generally he added, “the University of Arkansas is the college I have always had in mind. I love the campus and I know I will get a great education.”
Moore and Ala-Kokko become the fifteenth and sixteenth 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)
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. 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 June. All home games are played at The Jones Center for Families in Springdale.
