Six Standouts Commit to Ohio State – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/18/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Nov. 18, 2014
VIDEO: Coach Rohlik talks about the 2014 signees
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Six standouts from the United States Hockey League have signed National Letters of Intent to enroll at Ohio State and play hockey for the Buckeyes, men’s hockey head coach Steve Rohlik announced. The group includes forwards Michael Gillespie, Mason Jobst, Dakota Joshua and John Wiitala and defensemen Sasha Larocque and Tyler Nanne. Among the signees are two Minnesota natives, along with players from Indiana, Michigan, New York and Alberta.
“We are excited to add these six players to our program,” Rohlik, in his second year as the Buckeyes’ head coach, said. “They each bring something different and it is a good mix of veterans and younger players. They all are a great fit for our culture both on and off the ice.”
Michael Gillespie
Forward, 5-9, 165
Lincoln Stars (USHL)
New City, N.Y.
In first season with the Lincoln Stars of the USHL … has nine goals and 11 points through the team’s first 13 games, tying for sixth in goals among all USHL players … played for the New Jersey Rockets in the Eastern Hockey League in 2013-14 and posted 54 points, with 14 goals and 40 assists, in 41 games … spent two years in the Metropolitan Junior Hockey League.
Mason Jobst
Forward, 5-7, 159
Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
Speedway, Ind.
In fourth season with the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL … serving as team captain for the second time … has played in 11 games and has seven points, with two goals and five assists, this season … started with the squad in 2011-12, playing in 32 games and posting a 2-8-10 line … skated in 67 games in 2012-13 and had 24 points, with six goals and 18 assists … in 2013-14, played in 49 games and had 45 points, including 35 assists … started 2011-12 with the Indiana Jr. Ice U-18 team and skated with the team in 2010-11, posting 22 points (8g, 14a).
Dakota Joshua
Forward, 6-3, 194
Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)
Dearborn, Mich.
Drafted in the fifth round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by Toronto (No. 128 overall) and participated in team’s prospect camp over the summer … in second full season with the Sioux Falls Stampede of the USHL … through first 16 games of the year, tied for third in the USHL with 19 points, including nine goals to tie for sixth among league players; three of his goals are gamewinners to tie for the league lead and his 10 assists are tied for ninth among USHL skaters … named to U.S. Junior Select Team that will compete in the World Junior A Challenge in December … had 38 points, with 17 goals and 21 assists, in 55 games for the Stampede in 2013-14 … spent time with U.S. National Team Development Program … played for Honeybaked program in 2011-12 and 2012-13.
Sasha Larocque
Defenseman, 6-0, 202
Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)
Calgary, Alberta
In first season with Dubuque of the USHL … six points, with two goals four assists, through first 14 games … played four seasons in the AJHL, including two-plus campaigns with the Grande Prairie Storm … had 22 points (7g, 15a) in 42 games in 2013-14 for the Storm … posted 31 points, including 26 assists, in 58 games in 2012-13 … began 2011-12 with the Okotoks Oilers, playing in 23 games, before moving to Grande Prairie, posting four assists in 29 games with the Storm … skated in 40 games for the Oilers in 2010-11 and had six assists; started year with Calgary Buffaloes Midget AAA team.
Tyler Nanne
Defense, 6-0, 190
Madison Capitols (USHL)
Edina, Minn.
Drafted in the fifth round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Rangers (No. 142 overall) … in first full season in the USHL … started the year with the Sioux Falls Stampede and had a goal and two assists in 14 games; recently traded to the Madison Capitols … 27 points in 25 games (seven goals, 20 assists) for Edina High in 2013-14 as the squad won its second consecutive state title … had a 9-10-19 line for Edina in 2012-13 when the team won the Minnesota state title … 15 points (5g, 10a) for Edina in 2011-12 … played two games for the Lincoln Stars (USHL) in 2012-13 and four for Sioux Falls (2a) in 2013-14 … played for Team Southwest in the Upper Midwest Elite High School Hockey League in 2013-14 and had eight points (2g, 6a) in 20 games.
John Wiitala
Forward, 5-11, 170
Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
Lakeville, Minn.
In third year with the Waterloo Black Hawks of the USHL … two goals and two assists through the first 15 games of the season … skated in 56 games in 2013-14 and posted a 9-14-23 line for regular season championship squad; also played in 12 playoff contests as team lost in game five of the Clark Cup championship … 6-5-11 line in 51 games for the Black Hawks in 2012-13 … played for Lakeville South High School, posting 23 points in 25 games, with eight goals and 15 assists, in 2011-12; squad reached state tournament semifinals.
