Colleges come calling for Outlaws

Winning a regular-season division title while setting numerous franchise records, the North Iowa Outlaws experienced their most successful season on the ice in 2007-08.

And colleges took notice.

Six players will advance to the Division I ranks this fall, with three-year fan-favorite Max Mobley among them.

Mobley, a forward from Glendale, Ariz., holds franchise records for games played, goals, assists and points in a career and was able to parlay that into an offer from St. Lawrence University (ECACHL).

"Max was very much a key to our success not only last year, but also in building the tradition we've built here in North Iowa," said Outlaws head coach Jeff Crouse.  "He's not only a great hockey player, but a great person off the ice as well.

"We're going to miss Max very much this year and we as an organization wish him the best of luck and thank him for all that he's done for the Outlaws."

At St. Lawrence, Mobley will be joined by two-year goaltender Robby Moss, who has also committed to play for the Saints. Moss set team marks for wins, goals-against average and shutouts in a season in 2007-08.

Bemidji State University will welcome two former Outlaws in Tyler Jundt and Shea Walters. A Williston, N.D. native, Jundt finished with a plus-19 as a stalwart defenseman on an Outlaws team that allowed the fewest goals in the NAHL.

Walters, from Hibbing, Minn., finished third in league scoring with 84 points, including an NAHL-leading 60 assists, and an invitation to the NAHL Top Prospect Tournament.

Michigan Tech University will welcome defenseman Ricky Doriott. The Blaine, Minn., native was a late pickup of the Outlaws, playing in the team’s final 17 games.

Meanwhile, Army has tabbed forward Bryant Skarda, who finished last season with a team-high 26 goals, including the Outlaws’ last hat trick which was recorded on Nov. 30, 2007 at Southern Minnesota.

Another six players will continue their careers in the Division III ranks, with three heading to the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association. Defenseman Chris Giebe is off to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls; forward Tyler Romasco will play at UW-Eau Claire; and defenseman Matt Morin will dress for UW-Stout.

Another three will join the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Association: three-year forward Ross Ring-Jarvi (Gustavus Adolphus College) and two-year forwards Bobby Moe (Hamline University) and Trevor Doden (Augsburg College).

With the addition of 12 more alumni advancing to the collegiate game, the Outlaws will have 25 former players playing NCAA hockey starting in October.