November 20, 2008

BEMIDJI, Minn. -- The Bemidji State men’s ice hockey program today announced the addition of forwards Jordan George (Madison, Wis.), Matt Hartmann (Hugo, Minn.) and Aaron McLeod (Ottawa, Ontario) to the Beaver men's ice hockey program for the 2009-10 season. Each forward signed National Letters of Intent during the NCAA's early signing period Nov. 12-19.

"We are excited to welcome these players into the Beaver hockey family," commented Bemidji State assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Ted Belisle.  "They each bring a good mix of skill, grit, and speed. They are quality kids who have honed their skills in junior hockey and we look forward to having them in Beaver jerseys."

•George  (5-7, 145, Forward, Madison, Wis.)  a forward in his second season with the Topeka RoadRunners of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), has recorded nine goals and 19 assists this season to lead the team in both categories. He currently paces the Topeka and ranks second in the league with 28 points, which includes a game-winner and a pair of power-play markers. Through 17 games, George has already mustered seven multi-point games and began the season scoring in Topeka’s first 12 contests.

Highlights of the 2008-09 season include: a four-assist night in an 8-2 victory over Marquette and a five-point outing (2 goals, 3 assists) helping the RoadRunners to a 8-2 win over Wenatchee.

George finds himself in the midst of a breakout season.  A year ago, the forward played in 50 games and posted a respectable 32 points on eight goals and 24 assists, but has nearly eclipsed each of those marks just one-third into the 2008-09 season.  

George, a native of Madison, Wis., will not only become the first Bemidji State player to be plucked from the state of Wisconsin in the team’s Division I-era, he is one of just three players on record in the history of the program hailing from Minnesota’s neighbor to the east.

"Jordan is best described as an electric player,” commented Belisle.  “He is the type of player that can get you out of your seat when he touches the puck.  He has a real good skill set and is very mobile on the ice.  Although small in stature, he does not shy away from the tough areas on the ice.  We are excited about his potential in a Beaver uniform."

•Hartmann  (5-11, 185, Forward, Hugo, Minn.)  is also currently a forward for the Topeka RoadRunners. Through 17 games, the team captain ranks third on his team with nine goals and 11 assists for 20 points.   He has registered five multi-point games this season including a two-goal three assist, 8-2 victory in the RoadRunners’ second contest of the season.  He has recorded at least a point in 12 of Topeka’s 17 contests and has piled up 12 points (5 g, 7 a) scoring in eight of the RoadRunners’ last 10 games.

Last season Hartmann registered 20-17=37 points and finished +16 as Topeka, the NAHL Club of the Year, took the South Division title and made a run deep into the 2008 post season.  Despite starting a bit slow, Hartmann assembled a streak of 10 games, stretching from the end of October to the middle of November, during which he scored in seven games and accumulated 11 points (6g, 5a).  He capped the season netting multi-point efforts in five of the final eight games in which he scored.

Hartmann  native of Minnesota played prep hockey for White Bear Lake High School.  He joins future teammate Shea Walters (Fr., F, Hibbing, Minn.) as NAHL veterans from Minnesota. 

"Matt is good at everything,” said Belisle.  “He is an extremely reliable player who has captain qualities.  He is what we refer to as a glue guy and has a well-rounded skill set.  He epitomizes Beaver Hockey and is a player that you can play in a lot of situations.  We look forward to having a quality person and player such as Matt in our program".

•McLeod (5-9, 160, Center, Ottawa, Ontario) has put up 10 goals and 14 assists in 21 games for the Ottawa Jr. Senators of the Central Junior Hockey League (CJHL) in 2008-09.  This season McLeod has already registered five multi-point games, which includes a two-goal, one assist contest Nov. 5 in which he vaulted the Senators to a 5-4 victory with a game-winner in overtime. 

A proven special teams threat, nearly 35-percent of his junior hockey points have come on the power-play (13-22=35) with four goals and six assists coming already this season.

A native of Ottawa, Ontario, McLeod is a veteran of the CJHL.  A year ago he posted 20-32=52 points for the Jr. Senators before being traded to Brockville for a playoff run.  The centerman posted 11 goals and 15 assists in 20 games for Brockville helping the Braves to a post-season berth.  In five playoff contests, he rolled up five assists, with two coming on the power play, as the Braves made it to the second round before falling to Smiths Falls and exiting the playoffs.  In the off-season, Ottawa reclaimed the rights to McLeod.

McLeod will join CJHL alumnus Darcy Findlay (Fr., F, Bristol, Quebec) on the BSU roster in 2009-10.  Findlay played his junior hockey career with the Cornwall Colts.

"Aaron is a junior hockey veteran that will add speed and energy to our line-up.  He has a good skill set and competes very hard for the puck.”  Belisle went on to say, “He has abilities that could translate into a successful collegiate career."

George, Hartmann and McLeod are the 14th, 15th and 16th early-period signees for Bemidji State since the program made the jump to Division I in 1999. That group includes senior forward Tyler Lehrke (Jr., F, Park Rapids, Minn.), junior defenseman Chris Peluso (Jr., D, Wadena, Minn.) along with sophomores Matt Dalton (So., G, Clinton, Ontario) and Matt Read (So., F, Ilderton, Ontario) and freshman Findlay.

--bsu—