Colorado Springs 18U defenseman Gutschick signs NAHL tender
November 22, 2019
The Colorado Springs Tigers of the NAPHL are pleased to announce that 18U defenseman Taber Gutschick has signed a North American Hockey League (NAHL) tender agreement with the Topeka Pilots of the NAHL’s South Division.
Gutschick, 17, is in his fourth season in NAPHL with the Tigers. The 5’10/160 lbs. native of Colorado Springs, Colorado, has posted a goal and four assists in 12 NAPHL games this season.
Gutschick made his NAHL debut earlier this season with the Pilots back on November 8th.
“It was just a normal day in English class, and I got a text from (Topeka associate head) coach (Justin) DeMartino saying that they were excited for me to come down,” Gutschick said. “I had no idea what was happening and then after school, I got a call from my coach saying to pack my bags and be ready to play for Topeka for the weekend. It was different being around a new team and new guys because I’ve always been with the same team and same guys, but it was good. It just got most of my nerves out and playing two games in the NAHL was eye-opening for sure seeing how good you need to be every time you step out on the ice.”
“Signing the tender was a great feeling knowing that I’m a part of such a great program in Topeka and it kind of lifted some weight off of me knowing that I don’t have to stress about a junior team wanting me. I know it is just the beginning because now I know the work starts on being on Topeka’s roster next year.”
Gutschick is the first player from the Colorado Springs 18U team who has signed an NAHL tender so far this season.
A tender is a contract, of sorts, a player signs announcing his intentions to play for that particular NAHL team and that NAHL team only. Once a player signs a tender with an NAHL team, his playing rights belong to that team within the NAHL and he may not be recruited by any other NAHL team. Each team is granted ten (10) tenders, which include two (2) tenders exclusively used on players from the NAPHL - plus or minus any trades - which became active on Nov. 1. Tendered players are not eligible for the NAHL draft, which will be held on June 2, 2020.
