WILLMAR - Willmar senior defenseman Nate Ackerman will play hockey at Lewis University, an American Collegiate Hockey Association Division 2 team in Romeoville, Ill., beginning this fall.
The university announced Ackerman as part of its 2016-17 recruiting class this week.
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Ackerman had a solid season with the Cardinals and also played junior hockey with the Minnesota Flying Aces, a Tier III Junior A team based in Little Falls that is part of the North American 3 Hockey League.
In 35 games with the Cardinals and Aces this season, Ackerman scored 13 goals and had 18 assists.
“Ackerman is an outstanding offensive defenseman who possesses a nice scoring touch from the back end,” said Lewis head coach Tim Picco. “Nate has the ability to step in and contribute right away as a freshman for us.”
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The Flyers are built for speed and attacks offensively with four players, so having a defenseman such as Ackerman who can jump into plays strengthens the team’s offensive approach, Picco said.
“I see a bright future for him as he joins an outstanding freshman class that will become our core after this coming season,” Picco said.
Ackerman will attend on an academic scholarship and plans to major in flight aviation. The Flyers’ training camp opens Aug. 22.
