Air Force lands more NAHL talent in Wenatchee's Pauly

The Wenatchee Wild has announced that forward Shawn Pauly has committed to the Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey) for the 2011-12 season.

He’s the fifth player who competed in January’s Sherwood/NAHL Top Prospects Tournament to commit to a Division I school after the event.
 
After 42 games this season, Pauly, a 17-year-old from Bellingham, Wash., is tied for sixth among Wild scorers with 29 points on 14 goals. He’s also a plus-9.
 
“I’m really excited to join the Falcon family,” Pauly said. “It’s always been a dream of mine to play at the Division I level, and to have the opportunity to be part of the outstanding Air Force hockey program will be an unbelievable experience.”
 
Pauly, 5-foot-11 and 173 pounds, recorded a hat trick on Nov. 11 against Kenai River. He also had a four-point game (two goals, two assists) against Alpena on Sept. 25 and a one-goal, two-assist effort against Alexandria on Sept. 16.
 
“We’re very excited that Shawn will have the opportunity to fulfill his dream of playing Division I hockey,” said Wild associate head coach Ryan McKelvie. “Air Force is adding an excellent hockey player and an outstanding human being to their successful hockey program.

“I have no doubt Shawn will have high levels of success, both on and off the ice at the Academy.”
 
Pauly is the 10th NAHL player to commit to Air Force this season, the fifth from the Wild, joining Adam McKenzie, Alex McLean, Ryan Timar and Mitch Torrel.

The other Top Prospects players who have committed to Division I schools since the event are: Bismarck Bobcats forwards Ben Danford (Canisius College) and Casey Kleisinger (Air Force); Janesville Jets forward Rui Encarnacao (University of Connecticut): Owatonna Express defenseman Jake Sloat (Bowling Green State University).

View the complete NAHL College List here.