Hodge Commits To Nebraska-Omaha

SIOUX FALLS, SD -- The Sioux Falls Stampede are proud to announce that defenseman Preston Hodge has committed to the University of Nebraska-Omaha for the 2013-14 season. He becomes the 17th player to commit to a Division I program this season.

Hodge was acquired by the Stampede from the Dubuque Fighting Saints on December 6th and has recorded 10 points (2g, 8a) and is a +4 in just 13 games with the Herd. He scored the eventual game-winning goal against Waterloo earlier this month and he has three powerplay assists while helping lead the Stampede to the top of the Western Conference. The Herd are 12-1-0 with Hodge in the lineup this season.

A native of Bloomington, Illinois, Hodge skated in seven games with Dubuque prior to being traded to Sioux Falls. Last season, Hodge racked up 10 points (2g, 8a) and was a +3 with 96 penalty minutes for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders.

The University of Nebraska-Omaha will join the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) next season. The new conference will include Colorado College, the University of Denver, Miami University, Minnesota-Duluth, North Dakota, St. Cloud State and Western Michigan. The Mavericks are coached by former Fargo Force head coach Dean Blais and ranked #13 in the country. Former Stampede forward Dominic Zombo is a sophomore with the Mavericks and is currently tied for second on the team in scoring with 23 points.

Hodge and the Stampede return to action this weekend as they play in Green Bay and Cedar Rapids on Friday and Saturday night. Sioux Falls enters the weekend on a nine-game winning streak and in first place in the Western Conference with a 25-8-1 record.

 Courtesy:  Sioux Falls Stampede