North Iowa defenseman Mesic makes NCAA DI commitment

The North Iowa Bulls, proud members of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), are excited to announce that defenseman Jack Mesic has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey for Ferris State University of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA).

His commitment is the Bulls’ second such commitment this week, following the commitment of Michael Mesic to Northern Michigan University.

"Ferris is a program that is making its climb back to the top," said Mesic. "I wanted to go somewhere I was loved and wanted, and I felt that with them. They have the program I wanted to go into, which is Computer-Aided Design. The role I would be playing was also a big reason for me. They expect me to come in and work my way into playing everything that I'm playing now - power play, penalty-killing, 5-on-5, all situations. It was a great fit for me and I'm excited to be going there."

One of the team's most experienced players, Mesic, 18, is in his third year in the NAHL with the Bulls organization, playing two seasons for the Amarillo Bulls and remaining with the team during its offseason transition to Mason City.

In six games this season, the 5’11/185 lbs. native of Plymouth, MI, already has two goals, including one on the power play in the Bulls' season opener against the Minnesota Wilderness at the North American Hockey League Showcase. That goal was his first in the NAHL.

Mesic came up through a Who's Who of Detroit-based programs before embarking on his junior career, suiting up for Belle Tire, Little Caesars and the Oakland Jr. Grizzlies before moving to Amarillo in 2019-20. He played 45 games for the Bulls that season, and landed on the draft board of the United States Hockey League's Youngstown Phantoms, playing seven games and notching a goal and an assist before returning to help the Bulls reach the Robertson Cup playoffs last season.

Though he and younger brother Michael announced their commitments back-to-back, each searched for his college home independently, with Jack looking toward the northeast United States before deciding upon a program closer to his home in Plymouth, Michigan.

"We were both just looking at the schools that wanted us the most, and were the best fit for us," said Mesic. "It just ended up kind of working out like that. I had some more time I could have waited but I knew this is where I wanted to go, and it was the school for me."

Mesic brings the Bulls an even-handed poise each day, and will get the chance to learn from as even-handed a leader as any, as Ferris State head coach Bob Daniels begins his 30th season behind the Bulldog bench this winter.

"As a third-year player in the Bulls organization, Jack Mesic is a leader for us on and off the ice," said North Iowa head coach and general manager Todd Sanden. "As a veteran presence on our blue line, Jack is obviously garnering time on both sides of our special-teams play. We look for him to continue to be a leader back there (among our defensemen)."

Mesic's commitment continues a long line of collegiate kudos for players in the North Iowa organization. 110 players reached the NCAA ranks after suiting up for the Bulls during their decade in the NA3HL, with nine eventually reaching the Division I level.

Click here for an updated NAHL to NCAA commitment list