Meijer AAA 18U duo of Dicker and Burkle sign NAHL tenders
November 13, 2019
The Meijer AAA hockey organization of the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) is pleased to announce that a pair of 18U players, forwards Brendan Dicker and Evan Burkle, have both signed North American Hockey League (NAHL) tender agreements with the Corpus Christi IceRays of the NAHL’s South Division.
Dicker, 18, is a long-time member of the Meijer organization and has played in the NAPHL since the 2017-18 season. So far during the 2019-20 season, the 6’3/190 lbs. native of Clarkston, Michigan, in 2nd in team scoring with 10 points (4 goals, 6 assists) in eight NAPHL games.
Dicker played the 2018-19 season with the Meijer AAA 18U team and the 2017-18 season with the Meijer AAA 16U team. Overall in 36 career NAPHL games, Dicker has recorded 23 points.
“Brendan is a power forward with size, skill and a willingness to go to the net. We believe he possesses the perfect qualities to play in the NAHL’s South Division,” said IceRays head coach Al Rooney.
Burkle, 17, is in his first season with the Meijer AAA organization and 18U team. The 5’11/180 lbs. native of Battle Creek, Michigan, is current tied for 3rd in team scoring this season with nine points (6 goals, 3 assists) in eight games played.
Burkle made his NAHL debut this past weekend with the IceRays in their series against the Amarillo Bulls.
“Evan has a quick first step. He leads into opponents all over the ice and is relentless on the forecheck. He has an excellent shot release and we believe it will translate well at this level,” said IceRays head coach Al Rooney.
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.