Bulls' Freeman commits to Canisius

The Amarillo Bulls have announced that forward Cody Freeman has committed to Canisius College (Atlantic Hockey) for the 2011-12 season.

He’s the third player who competed in last month’s NAHL Top Prospects Tournament to commit to a Division I program after the event.

“I'm really happy for Cody and his family,” said Bulls head coach Dennis Williams. “It's something he's geared and worked towards. Canisius is getting not only a good hockey player, but a good person. I've enjoyed working with Cody this year.”

Williams expects Freeman, 19, to battle for an opportunity to play at Canisius, which is located in Buffalo, N.Y., right away.

“My job the rest of this year is to get him ready to step in and play,” said the coach. “He's been a big part of our program and will continue to be down the stretch.

"We have unfinished business to do here in the South Division and in the playoffs, so it's going to be important for him to continue to be a leader on the ice and help us in our quest to win the Robertson Cup.”

Freeman, a native of Toronto, leads several offensive categories for the Bulls this season, including goals (25) and game-winning goals (seven). Freeman is also second on the team in points with 47, shots on goal with 120 and tied for second with six power-play goals.

“Canisius is a good place to go,” Freeman said. “It's very close to home and they gave me a good package, so I was very happy with it.”

Freeman said it's been a dream of his to play collegiate hockey.

“My dad played at Ohio State University and I always wanted to follow in his footsteps,” Freeman explained. “It's something I've been working on my whole life, so it's very huge for me.”

Freeman is the second Bulls player to commit to a Division I program; defenseman Karl Beckman announced his intentions to attend and play hockey at Holy Cross (Atlantic Hockey) last month.

View the complete NAHL College Commitment List here.