Hayden Hanson Signs With Utica College For The 2015-16 Season

Early in the season Hayden Hanson earned an Alternate Captain position with the Lone Star Brahmas with his play on the ice and leadership in the locker room. The qualities that drew the recognition from the Lone Star Brahmas staff also drew the attention of Utica College where Hanson has committed to play NCAA hockey next season.

Hanson was contacted by several schools throughout the past two season and made recruiting visits to a few campuses. So what was it that drew the 6’ 2”, 205 pound native of Chagrin Falls, OH to choose Upstate New York as his home for the next four years? “Utica’s hockey program is one of the most respected in college hockey,” said Hanson. “I was humbled to be given the opportunity by Coach Heenan.” The deal was sealed after Hanson visited Utica. “After I took a visit to see the campus I was certain I wanted to spend my college years there,” he said. “One thing that really attracted me to the school was how much pride all of the students had in the school.”

“I was humbled to be given the opportunity by Coach Heenan.”

Hayden joined the Lone Star Brahmas this past off season after having played two seasons with the Kemptville 73’s of the Central Canadian Hockey League where he put up 33 points on 7G – 26A in 114 games played. It did not take him long to register his first point as a Brahma with an assist in the team’s second game of the season opening Showcase Tournament. He went on to log 2G – 14A and a +17 Rating in 52 games played before suffering a season ending broken arm against Rio Grande on March 14.

The time he has spent working with Head Coach Dan Wildfong and Assistant Coach Jeff Potter helped set the stage for his signing with Utica. “Playing for the Brahmas put me in a great position to select a school. The systems we play and attention to detail really helped to prepare me for college.”

Suffering the broken arm in Rio Grande sidelined Hanson at a critical point in the season with the Brahmas locked in a heated three way battle for the NAHL South Division Crown. He had to watch from the stands as Lone Star won three of their last four games to claim the division title and has missed the first two exciting playoff games against Wenatchee. Not being able to lace up the skates at a time of the season that every hockey player works all year for has been eating at him a bit. “It’s been really hard to watch the games from the crowd. I’m new to being injured so it’s a little difficult for me,” he said. However, he is trying to remain positive and continue to show his leadership skills off the ice. “I’m enjoying watching our success. I’m proud of how the team has battled so far in playoffs.”

When asked prior to the start of the season what goals he had set Hanson replied “I hope that I’ve had a great personal season and earned a college commitment while helping the team as much as possible. But more than anything I hope the team has success. I really want to win something. To this point in my career I have never been a champion. With the team, staff and ownership we have this season, I believe the opportunity is there. For myself and the other twenty year olds, this may be the only chance in our career to achieve that goal.”

In typical hockey player fashion Hanson is itching to get back on the ice even though medical experts may have a totally different time schedule for him. “Watching the guys win helps keep me motivated to stay in playing shape so I can hopefully rejoin the team on the ice this year,” he said in closing.

With the time needed to recover from such an injury and the looming Robertson Cup finals it is hard to imagine that we could see Hanson back in a Brahmas sweater this season. However, it there is a way for it to happen, I am sure that Hayden will find it. Weather he plays again this season or not, he has already had a successful campaign and is well prepared to move to the next level.

Career Statistics

G

A

Points

2012-13Kemptville 73s

CCHL

57

1

10

11

2013-14Kemptville 73s

CCHL

57

6

16

22

2014-15Lone Star Brahmas

NAHL

52

2

14

16