North Iowa forward Studioso gets call back to the NAHL

November 21, 2017

When the North American Hockey League's Minnesota Wilderness tendered North Iowa forward Brendan Studioso earlier this month, Studioso committed to play for the Wilderness upon his return to the NAHL.

Studioso will get that chance over the Thanksgiving weekend, after being called up by the Wilderness and head coach Tim Madsen on Monday.

 

“Brendan is a smart, two-way forward that can make plays,” said Madsen after Studioso's tender was announced. “He has been well-coached in North Iowa, so we know he will be ready.”

 

Studioso has already made his first appearance for the Wilderness, posting a +1 rating in a shootout loss to the Austin Bruins last month. This week marks the third call to the NAHL for the Mukilteo, Washington native - he also suited up twice last year for Fairbanks on the Ice Dogs' east-coast road swing.

 

Studioso's 17 assists ranks second on the Bulls roster for this season, including seven helpers over his last six games. His four assists on Saturday night against the Rochester Ice Hawks marked a career-high for the second-year Bulls forward.

 

It's an important week for the Wilderness, with a home game set for Wednesday against the Minnesota Magicians and a post-Thanksgiving road trip this coming weekend against the Janesville Jets.

 

Studioso is one of three North Iowa players to see time in the NAHL already this season. In all, more than two dozen North Iowa Bulls have gone on to appear in the Tier II ranks, either on brief call-ups or on a more permanent basis. The North Iowa Bulls congratulate Brendan on his call-up to the Minnesota Wilderness and wish him the best on his return to the North American Hockey League.