Corpus Christi forward Jungwirth makes NCAA commitment
May 29, 2018
The Corpus Christi IceRays, proud members of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), have announced that forward Larry Jungwirth has committed to play NCAA Division III hockey for Aurora University in the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA), for the 2018-19 season.
“I’m very excited for the opportunity,” said Jungwirth on his commitment. “I feel good knowing I can further my hockey career while I get a great education at Aurora University.”
Jungwirth, 20, played 55 games with the IceRays during the 2017-18 season, tallying 25 goals and 22 assists for 47 points with 46 penalty minutes and eight power play goals while adding two goals and four assists for six points through five games in the 2018 Robertson Cup Playoffs. The Bloomington, Minnesota product led the IceRays in goals, power play goals and game-winning goals while sitting second in overall scoring and representing Team South at the 2018 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament en route to NAHL All-South Division Team honors. In the process, he placed third in single-season goals and power play goals in junior franchise history as well as fourth-most career power play goals (12).
The 5'11/170 lbs. forward was acquired by the IceRays on Jan. 2, 2017 from the Coulee Region Chill, marking his third and final program during his three-year NAHL career. In 151 career games, Jungwirth posted 51 goals and 69 assists through 120 games with 64 points coming with the IceRays in 72 games.
“My two seasons with the IceRays helped me become a full 200-foot player while teaching me what it takes to win while having fun doing it. Corpus Christi really helps you grow as a player and as a person.”
Jungwirth joins a young Aurora University program that just completed its fourth full season at the NCAA Division III level. The program has improved during each season and continually adds more NAHL veterans, now with 13 players from the league heading into the 2018-19 season. The scenic campus, its proximity to Chicago and the opportunity to help a newer program thrive pushed Jungwirth to commit to the university.
“What drew me to [Aurora University] was the welcoming home-like feel the area had along with the gorgeous campus, its educational opportunities for me, and a relatively new hockey program that I hope to bring a National Championship.”
Jungwirth is the 10th player on the 2017-18 roster to commit to a NCAA program and 13th player with IceRays ties. He joins Matthew Acciaioli (Northern Michigan), Joey Kubachka (Cornell), Brendan Miller (Air Force), Aleksi Peltonen (Wisconsin), Chris Smith (Mercyhurst), Chad Veltri (Niagara) and Coltan Wilkie (Colorado) as well as Ryan Rosenberg (Fredonia) and Angus Scott (Tufts) as college commitments who played for the program this season.
“I will always remember how supportive our ownership and management was along with the fans and the billet families. I will never forget the great times us players had at the beach while we bonded and enjoyed the great Texas weather.”