Texas forward Pierce signs NAHL tender
April 2, 2015
The Texas Jr. Brahmas of the NA3HL are pleased to announce that forward Devin Pierce, 18, becomes the second Brahma to sign an NAHL tender for the 2015-16 season. Pierce won't have to travel far, as he signed with Dan Wildfong and the Lone Star Brahmas.
Pierce (5'11/175) excelled in the NA3HL, in just 32 games, he scored 19 goals and finished with 44pts and a +25 rating, adding four more goals in four playoff games. The Franklin, Tennessee native also represented the Brahmas in the NA3HL Top Prospects Showcase as a member of the 18U Selects squad. Pierce also played one game in the NAHL for Rio Grande Valley this past season during a mid-season call up. He did it all for the Brahmas as he saw action on both the top power play unit and time on the penalty kill. Additionally, he led all Brahmas' centermen with the highest face-off percentage.
"Pierce was our first round draft pick in last summer's draft and he proved it was a great pick on a daily basis", said Head Coach Al Rooney. "He was a leader on and off the ice for us, he played and excelled in all situations, and I'm excited to see him take this next step in his career. What makes it sweeter is that he'll be staying at home right here in Brahmaland."
"I'm so pumped to be a Brahma again," Pierce said. "I feel I really progressed as a hockey player, and more importantly a person, playing under coach Rooney with the Brahmas this season. I can't wait to return next season."
The feeling is mutual and the Brahmas organization is hoping Pierce's game continues to take strides forward as he had a strong close to the season, scoring at least one point in 11 of his last 13 games played. He then led the Brahmas in goals in the playoffs with 4 goals in 4 games. Prior to playing in the NA3HL this season for Texas, Pierce played last season in the NAPHL for the Atlanta Fire.
"It great to see another player make the transition forward to the NAHL. It's what makes playing in the NA3HL such a fantastic opportunity for players who want to work hard and gain exposure towards realizing the dream of playing in the NAHL", added 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 one tender exclusively used on players from the NA3HL - plus or minus any trades - which become active on Nov. 1. Tendered players are not eligible for the NAHL draft, which will be held in June 9, 2015.
