Topeka defenseman O'Connor makes NCAA commitment

The Topeka RoadRunners, proud members of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), are pleased to announce that defenseman John O'Connor, a Moorehead, Minnesota, native, will return to his home state for the next four years as the blueliner recently announced that he has committed to play NCAA Division III hockey at Augsburg College for the fall of 2016.

 

Augsburg, a member of the MIAC, is located in Minneapolis.

 

O'Connor, 20, finished his final year of juniors as one of the top four defenseman for a RoadRunner team that advanced to the NAHL South finals. The 6-3, 180-pounder finished with 7 goals and 14 assists and a plus-minus rating of +11.

 

O'Connor became the seventh RoadRunner this year to commit to an NCAA institution - joining Cam Strong (Dartmouth), Tyler Johnson (Maine), Dominic Lutz (Ferris State), Sami Tavernier (Merrimack), Tyler Hayes (Niagara) and Johnny Walker (Arizona State).

 

"John's presence on the blue line gave us some size and stability," said Topeka head coach Josh Kamrass. "He was as reliable as a coach could ask for, and his endurance spoke for itself. Augsburg is getting a first-class student-athlete."

 

O'Connor was one of two RoadRunners to play in all 60 games during the 2015-16 season.

 

"I feel fortunate to have played for this Topeka organization," said O'Connor. "They do things the right way. From the owners to the coaching staff to my teammates, being first-class meant everything to us."