Wichita Falls forward Apap makes NCAA DI commitment
August 12, 2015
The Wichita Falls Wildcats, proud members of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), are pleased to announce that forward Tommy Apap has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey for Michigan State University. Michigan State are members of the Big 10 Hockey Conference.
Apap, 19, just completed his first season of junior hockey in the NAHL with the Wildcats during the 2014-15 season. The native of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan had a standout season, recording 39 points (13 goals, 26 assists) in 57 regular season games played. He recorded two game-winning goals and had a +16 rating during the regular season as well. He also had a good playoff run with six points in six games.
“I could not be more excited to continue my hockey career at Michigan State. I've grown up rooting for MSU so this is something I've wanted to do since I was a kid. I've been really luckily to have so many great people help me along the way, starting with my family and friends. I've also been fortunate to play with so many great guys over the years and have had so many great coaches,” said Apap. “I want to thank the Wichita Falls organization, especially Coach LaFontaine for helping me in my development this past year as well as GM Paul Baxter and Coach Ceransky. I also want to thank my teammates and my billet family for making my experience in Wichita Falls a great one. I'm really looking forward to playing college hockey for Michigan State.”
Prior to playing for the Wildcats this past season, Apap (6’2/180) played high school hockey in Michigan for Detroit Jesuit Academy.
In February, Apap was selected to and played in the 2015 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament in Ann Arbor, Michigan for the South Division team.
“I am proud of Tommy’s commitment because he is a player that came from high school hockey in Michigan and developed and progressed so much in just one season,” said Wichita Falls head coach John LaFontaine. “Tommy is a great story and a testament to how hard work and determination pays off. I think the thing that stands out most about him was his incredible vision and poise with the puck.”
Apap is the 15th player from the 2014-15 Wildcats team to earn an NCAA Division I commitment and the 226th player overall from the NAHL this past season to commit to an NCAA school.
