Ladder of Development leads McHugh to NCAA DI commitment

October 9, 2013

Former North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) forward Max McHugh announced his commitment yesterday to play NCAA Division I hockey for the University of Alabama-Huntsville of the WCHA.

 

McHugh was a standout forward in the NAPHL during the 2010-11 season for the Wenatchee Wild 18U team.  During that season, the Edgewood, Washington native led the team and the NAPHL 18U Division in scoring with 42 points (16 goals, 26 assists) in 25 regular season games played.  His play helped the Wild clinch a gold division playoff spot during the 2010-11 season.

 

McHugh also saw time with the NAHL’s Wenatchee Wild during the 2010-11 season as an affiliate player.  He recorded 18 points in 20 NAHL games while also playing that season in the NAPHL. Following his stint in the NAPHL, McHugh signed a tender to play full time for the Wild in the North American Hockey League during the 2011-12 season.

 

During his full rookie campaign in 2011-12, McHugh played in 53 regular season games and registered 35 points (12 goals, 23 assists).

 

The past 2012-13 season was McHugh’s best to date with the Wild.  He ended up second on the team in scoring during the regular season with 52 points (24 goals, 28 assists) in 59 games played.  He also had 13 points in 14 Robertson Cup games as he led the Wild all the way to the Robertson Cup title game.

 

McHugh also played in the 2013 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament for Team Frontier this past February, where he tied for the tournament lead in scoring with six points in three games and also led the team to the Top Prospects title.

 

This season, the 20-year-old forward is playing his first in the USHL for the Dubuque Fighting Saints and has recorded one assist and a +3 rating thus far to help the Saints to a 3-0-0 start. He was also selected to serve as one of the team’s assistant captains this season.