Knights forward Danchenko makes NCAA DI commitment

August 28, 2018

With the 2018-19 junior hockey season around the corner, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) are pleased to announce that forward Adrian Danchenko has announced his commitment to play NCAA Division I hockey for the University of Alabama-Huntsville Chargers for the 2019-20 season in the WCHA.

 

"Huntsville has a renowned engineering school that is really important to me," said Danchenko of his home-to-be. "The hockey side is only getting better, and with the coaching staff there, I believe we'll take a big step with the program."

 

The Chargers have been a member of division one hockey since the 1998-99 season. Their first stint in DI came in 1988-92. In the years since, they've won their regular season conference title twice, their postseason conference championship twice, and qualified for the NCAA tournament twice at the division one level.

 

The school was a division II power house between the years of 1993-1997, appearing in four national championships in five seasons, winning two. The most famous among their many successful alumni is current Edmonton Oilers goaltender Cam Talbot.

 

For his part, Danchenko has spent years and developing in the Knights hockey program, dating back to the NAPHL stage of his career. Danchenko played in the NAPHL during the 2015-16 season for the Knights 16U and 18U teams. He recorded 32 points in 32 career NAPHL games and also played in the 2016 NAPHL Top Prospects Tournament.

 

After making his NAHL debut with the organization in 2016, Danchenko has gone on to record 18 goals and 30 assists in 118 games played.

 

"It's been extremely rewarding to watch Adrian Danchenko grow up in this program," said Knights head coach Tom Kowal. "From the early days in the NAPHL to coaching him the past two years in the NAHL, he's consistently been one of the most improved players in our organization. He's a great example of where hard work and talent can take you, and I know he's only going to continue to get better."

 

Danchenko was a key forward for the Knights last season, more than doubling his NAHL rookie season's point total, recording 12 goals and 20 assists in 55 regular season games. His efforts earned him a place at the 2018 NAHL's Top Prospects Tournament in February.

 

"The NAPHL and the NAHL were the leagues that developed me into the hockey player I am now," said Danchenko. "That's thanks to all the great teams and events the league has to offer."

 

"The Chargers are getting a big player that can use his speed and vision to make plays happen," said Danchenko of what he'll bring to the college game. "I can play both sides of the puck and use my skill up the ice."

 

"I know I speak for our entire staff when I say that Alabama-Huntsville is getting a really good player in Adrian," said Kowal. "He's worked hard to get to this point, and he's earned a spot at the top level of college hockey. We thank him for what's he's contributed on and off the ice for our program. I wish him the best of luck going forward in hockey and in life."

 

 "My biggest takeaway in my time with the Knights was that persistence is key, and going through the program you have to step it up to the next level," said Danchenko. "Playing older players every year made me more mature and has helped me to become a role model and a leader. I feel that I've grown not only as a player but as a person too."

 

Danchenko is the 18th player from last year's roster to commit to a college, and the 13th heading to a division one school from that team.