New adventure for Neumann
Trevor Neumann has mapped out his future for the next four years.
The 20-year-old forward for the Thorold Blackhawks officially committed to Morrisville State, a Division 3 school which plays in the State University of New York Athletic Conference.
The Mustangs showed interest in the speedy forward when they saw him at the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League Showcase Tournament last fall.
Neumann then took a tour of the campus and came away impressed.
“As soon as I went to the campus, it felt like home,” Neumann said. “The res (residence) is nice, the campus is nice, and they have a very good facility.
“I felt at home. It’s such a small town that everyone knows each other so everyone feels like family.”
Neumann was also happy with the business administration program he enrolled in.
“They treat their players very well and obviously education is first. Hockey doesn’t last forever. You have to get a degree out of it and that was one important thing for me and my family.”
Neumann, who also talked to a few other schools, is thankful to have the situation settled.
“It’s a big stress reliever. The last few months I’ve been thinking about hockey and the schools and now it’s good I can just focus on hockey and work on my game. I don’t have to think about scholarships or my SATs.”
Hawks coach Scott Barnes was thrilled to see Neumann fulfil his goal of combining education and hockey at the next level.
“I knew he would have a chance to go somewhere so it’s nice that he got the offer,” Barnes said. “It gives hope to the other guys. He was a guy who played two years of midget and AA a lot growing up.
“I tell all the guys I played in this league when I was 20 and I still got my education and played some minor pro so a 20-year-old in this league still has options.”
Neumann, who has 14 goals and 27 points in 36 games this season, is confident his skill set will translate to the collegiate level.
“I think it’s going to be good,” he said. “I know the reason they recruited me was for the scoring aspect to get some points and help the boys win some games.
“It will be a whole different game speed wise so I know for sure over the summer I’m going to have to work on my lower body strength and just getting up to pace. You have to think quicker.”
Neumann, who is in his third season with the Blackhawks, feels he has made big progress from his rookie year.
“I think I’m a lot more confident when I’m with the puck. Right now I’m in the mindset where I can skate the puck up, get into the zone and create plays,” he said. “I’m more confident and I’m a better leader than when I started. I’m creating more relationships with the guys and leading by example.”
Barnes has seen Neumann improve on the offensive side of the puck.
“When he first started out he was a really good third-line guy, a checker and penalty kill guy with speed who played hard,” Barnes said. “He’s a force on the ice this year. He’s either getting a scoring chance or blocking a shot, doing all the little things. He’s really added an offensive dynamic to his game. He can be a threat every shift.”
The Blackhawks, 19-13-2-2, are home to the league-leading Caledonia Corvairs Thursday and in Niagara Falls Friday.
Barnes said Blackhawks could still add before the trade deadline Friday at 7 p.m.
“There are a lot of things on the go, but I don’t know where things are going to go from there,” he said. “We have a couple of spots open and we’d like to add, so we’ll see what happens.
“I like my team where it’s at. If this is our team, I’m happy with it.”
The Blackhawks last week added 17-year-old defenceman Alex Blanchard, who also plays at Ridley College. Blanchard scored a goal in his second game. As well, defenceman Cody Thibodeau, who has been out all season recuperating from knee surgery, is expected back in February.
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