Blizzard forward Ecklund signs NAHL tender
The Alexandria Blizzard, proud members of the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL), are pleased to announce that forward Ian Ecklund, 19, has signed an NAHL tender with the Bismarck Bobcats. The Bobcats compete in the NAHL’s Central Division.
The Proctor, Minnesota native had a tremendous season for the Blizzard this season, leading the team in scoring with 71 points (33 goals, 38 assists) in 48 regular season games. He added four points in four games in the NA3HL Silver Cup Playoffs. His 71 points ranked 6th in the NA3HL this season and his 33 goals ranked tied for 3rd in the league.
For his efforts, Ecklund was honored as one of the three forwards on the All-NA3HL 1st team during the 2012-13 season.
Ecklund was the #2 selection in the 2012 NA3HL Entry Draft after playing the season before for Proctor High School in Minnesota.
Twice during the NA3HL season, Ecklund (6’3/180) was honored as a NA3HL Star of the Week. On November 27th, he earned one of the league’s three stars for a four point effort in two games. He was honored again on January 22nd for a five-point weekend.
“Ian was a consistent player all season long. He kept things simple and used his speed,” said Blizzard head coach Jeff Crouse. “He is a really raw talent. He shoots the puck and skates very well. He knows how to find the back of the net and really took on a leadership role this season.”
See the complete NA3HL to NAHL tender list here
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 includes 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 on June 4, 2013.
