Johnstown forward Barnes makes NCAA DI commitment

June 30, 2015

Johnstown Tomahawks forward Tanner Barnes announced that he has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey at the University of Wisconsin next season. Wisconsin is a member of the Big 10 hockey conference.

 

Barnes, acquired by Johnstown midway through the 2013-14 season, played 82 career regular season games for Johnstown, scoring 15 goals and 27 assists.

 

The native of Burnsville, Minnesota had his best career year in 2014-15, scoring 31 points in 60 games played.  He was selected to and played in the 2015 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament for the North Division team. In 116 career games over the course of 2 1/2 NAHL seasons, Barnes (6'1/180) had 53 points in 53 career regular season games.

 

“We’re all very proud of Tanner and the opportunity he has before him,” Tomahawks head coach Mike Letizia said. “He brought a lot of skill to our team, and it’s been a pleasure watching him grow as a player and a person over the last two years.  He has all the tools necessary to have a great collegiate career, so I’ll be excited to watch him continue that growth with the Badgers.”

 

Playing for Wisconsin will be extra special for Barnes, whose brother Tyler also played for the Badgers.  “I grew up watching my brother play my whole life, so it is great to be able to continue career at the same college where he played,” Barnes said.

 

Barnes thanked the Johnstown community for its support during his time with the Tomahawks.

 

“Johnstown has done everything for me for the last year and half, so I’d like to thank the coaching staff, the fans, my billet family, just everyone,” he said.  “It’s the best hockey community in the world.”