Aston goalie Hanson makes NCAA DI commitment
April 25, 2016
Darion Hanson played two seasons for Omaha in the NAPHL before having a standout rookie season this year in the NAHL.
The Aston Rebels, proud members of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), are pleased to announce that goaltender Darion Hanson has committed to play NCAA Division I Ice Hockey for the Union College Dutchmen, who play in the East Coast Atlantic Conference (ECAC). His commitment begins in the fall of 2017.
Hanson, 18, had a 21-11-0 record during the regular season. He had a 2.28 goals against average and .914 save percentage. He had three shutouts (all against New Jersey). He has appeared in all three Rebels playoff games this season (all wins). He has a 1.67 goals against average and a .937 save percentage. Hanson also was selected to and played in the 2016 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament for the East Division team.
The 6’3/180 lbs East Bethal, Minnesota native is a quality person, a great team player and role model with an extremely positive attitude and short memory.
“I'm very excited to continue pursuing my hockey dreams and education at Union College,” stated Hanson. “I want to give a special thanks to my family, coach Coombs, Brown and Dundovich, as well as, Omaha head coach David Wilkie for everything they have done for me,” concluded Hanson.
Hanson is the latest example of another NAPHL to NAHL to NCAA ladder of development success story. During both the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons, Hanson played in the NAPHL for the Omaha AAA hockey club. Hanson played for the 16U team during the 2013-14 season and then the 18U team in 2014-15. He also played in the 2015 NAPHL Top Prospects Tournament.
“I couldn’t be happier for Darion,” said Rebels head coach Joe Coombs. “He has committed to a great academic institution with a great hockey program as well. Rick and his staff are getting a great goalie but an even better individual,” stated Coombs.
Union College is located in Schenectady, NY. The Dutchmen are coached by Rick Bennett. Union won the 2014 NCAA Division 1 Frozen Four Collegiate Championship by defeating the Minnesota Golden Gophers, 7-4.
