NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS –
The 2020 NAHL Supplemental Draft shines bright upon the realm of Junior Hockey and the happenings are noteworthy in North Richland Hills, Texas, the home of the Lone Star Brahmas. Deep within the NYTEX Sports Centre, the war room is the office of Brahmas Head Coach and General Manager Dan Wildfong. Pleased with the results today, Coach Wildfong was available for comment along with NA3HL Texas Brahmas Head Coach Ryan Anderson immediately following the 81 players deep supplemental draft.
With the 35th pick overall, the Brahmas selected Rico DiMatteo, Goalie (6’3” – 161 – L) from Brasher Falls, NY. Most recently DiMatteo played for the CCHL Cornwall Colts. Said Wildfong “DiMatteo has great Junior experience and he has the athleticism needed to carry on the strong Goalie tradition at Lone Star.” Coach Anderson added, “(DiMatteo) has proven the ability to make the critical save.”
With the 53rd pick overall, the Brahmas draft T.J. Koufis, Forward (6’3” – 192 – R) from Palatine, IL. Committed to the University of Wisconsin, Koufis finished the 2019-2020 season with the AJHL Okotoks Oilers following an impressive start of the season with the OJHL Cobourg Cougars. Wildfong explained “(Koufis) brings the Junior experience, the great shot, along with leadership qualities; and that’s what we are always on the lookout for.”
The Brahmas third selection, the 62nd overall, is Blake Benson, Forward (5’10” – 181 – L) of Centennial, CO. Benson most recently appeared for T1EHL U18 Colorado Thunderbirds and has also played a couple games with the NAHL Odessa Jackalopes. Said Wildfong “Benson has the high end, complete skill set.” With nodding agreement Coach Anderson added “Benson has dynamic, next-level skating ability. People need to know this.”
The upcoming schedule is eagerly awaited across all of the NAHL barns, and Brahma Land is laser focused on the upcoming camps: June 26-28, 2020 at the Arctic Ice Arena in Orland Park, IL and the (Invitation Only) June 30 – August 4th Main Camp at the NYTEX Sports Centre in North Richland Hills, TX. Learn more at https://www.lonestarbrahmas.com/camps
For More In-Depth analysis of the Lone Star Brahmas draft, Junior Hockey Digest’s Kirk Estes did one terrific write-up.
