Today, the North American Hockey League announced the rosters for the 2014 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament. This event is held each year to feature the top players from each NAHL division who do not have a college commitment. The tournament will be held February 17th and 18th in Troy, Michigan at the Troy Sports Center. College and pro scouts will be on-hand to see the top players from all 24 NAHL teams, without college commitments, with opportunities to sign to play college hockey next season or potentially a professional contract. The players will showcase their talents in games against other divisional teams.
The Aberdeen Wings were awarded three roster spots for the NAHL Central Division team. Among those players chosen are Wings forward #24 Jonathan Grebosky (F-Pittsburgh, PA) and defensemen #20 Dillon Eichstadt (D-Bemidji, MN) and #4 Jake Horton (D-Plymouth, MN).
Grebosky, a ’93 forward from Pittsburgh, PA has been a strong forward for the Wings this season, playing mainly on the 2nd line with line-mate #27 Erik Baskin (F-Minnetonka, MN) who committed to Air Force. Grebosky has tallied 8 goals and 16 assists for 24 points this season. His junior hockey career began with 14 games in the USHL for the Lincoln Stars in the 2011-2012 season before being moved to the Corpus Christi Ice Rays of the NAHL. After posting 9 goals and 12 assists in 32 games with the Ice Rays, he was brought in by the Aberdeen Wings. Since lacing up the skates for the Wings, Grebosky has compiled 18 goals and 37 assists for 55 points in 84 games.
Eichstadt, a ’94 defenseman from Bemidji, MN joined the Wings this season after having spent time with the Wenatchee Wild and now-defunct Kalamazoo Jr. Wings. Earlier in the season, Eichstadt led the entire NAHL in assists. This season, Eichstadt has racked up many weekly honors from the NAHL and currently has 2 goals and 23 assists. Eichstadt also received a call-up to the Sioux City Musketeers of the USHL this season where he notched one assist in three games.
Horton, a ’94 defenseman from Plymouth, MN may have the most eyes on him at the tournament. Since October 11th, nearly 16 weeks straight, Horton has led all defensemen in the NAHL in goals scored. Right now, Horton has 15 goals and 11 assists for 26 points in 40 games this season. Last season, Horton put up good numbers with 11 goals and 19 assists in 57 games for the Aberdeen Wings.
Just over the half-way mark now in the season, the Aberdeen Wings have had 21 players commit to play college hockey in just three and a half years. Wings head coach Travis Winter and associate head coach Francis Anzalone take great pride in the development, training, and moving of players onto the next level in their hockey careers.
For more information about potentially playing for the Aberdeen Wings, click the Pre-Draft Camp tab under Tryout Camps on the website. May 23-25 the Wings will be holding a Pre-Draft Evaluation Camp in Mendota Heights, MN.
The North American Hockey League is the league of opportunity and the Aberdeen Wings is the path to that opportunity. Start your path today.