The Lone Star Brahmas are pleased to announce that they have tendered two more players for the 2015-16 season.
Dallas Stars Elite forward Carson Kelley and Omaha AAA U18 goaltender Darion Hanson each signed with the Brahmas before the New Year.
Carson Kelley joins Troy York as the second Dallas Stars forward to announce his commitment to the Brahmas. Kelley, a native of San Jose, CA, leads all T1EHL Hockey with 18 goals in 20 games played and he is fourth in the league with 36 points and nine power play points.
“It was a pretty easy decision because (coaches Dan Wildfong and Jeff Potter) approached me pretty early in the season and they brought me out to a game and I was very impressed.”
And with the season Kelley is having, it was easy for Wildfong and Potter to spot his talent and realize that they need him in Brahma purple next season.
“He’s a high energy forward. Carson brings us a two-way forward,” coach Wildfong said. “He has grit along with skill, which is exactly why we want him to play here.”
The coaches went on to say he could be a “difference maker” for the Brahmas. In two seasons with the Stars Elite program, he averages over a point per game and has scored a point in 85 percent of his games this season.
“I’m really excited about making the commitment and hopefully playing with them next year,” Kelley said.
His Stars teammate Troy York helped convince him to sign with the Brahmas, even though it did not take too much convincing.
“I knew Troy tendered before me so I asked him his opinion and how he made his decision so early. He made some really nice points,” Kelley said. “It’s nice already knowing someone on the team and I’m looking forward to contributing next year.”
Darion Hanson becomes the first goaltender to sign a tender with the Brahmas for next season. With Jake Kupsky leaving to play for defending national champions Union Collge next season, Wildfong and Potter had a hole to fill.
“We like his skill and potential,” coach Potter said confidently.
“It looks like he could jump in and play right away,” coach Wildfong added.
“Kupsky committing to Union stood out. For me to be a part of the team where maybe I’ll fill in the spot for the goalie playing for the defending national champions, it will help me a lot with exposure,” Hanson said. “It seems like a really fun place to play in the South Division. I know a couple of kids that have played there and they all said they love it.”
Hanson plays in the NAPHL for the Omaha AAA U18 club and through 11 games, he has a 9-2-0 record with one shut out victory.
“Oh I was really excited (to sign a tender). I always wanted to play in the North American Hockey League. It seems like a great organization. Obviously the Brahmas a winning a lot so I was real comfortable signing with them,” Hanson said.
The 6-foot-3 goaltender is also used to winning. Last year, Hanson led the Tier I U16 national championships last season, finishing in third place after an impressive 19-0-1 regular season record.
But Hanson said he’s seen his game improve with the U18 team.
“I think this year’s team is a little more fun for goalies. Playing 16’s last year, there are a lot of games where I got 12 shots. This year the goaltender role is a little bigger.”
The Brahmas bread and butter this season is the team’s overall defense. Hanson will fit into that scheme nicely considering he has a 1.94 goals against average and better than a .920 save percentage.
The East Bethal, Minnesota native added that moving to Texas would be a nice change of pace for his playing career.
“(Playing in Texas) was a huge part of (signing my tender) believe it or not. Obviously it means escaping the Minnesota and Nebraska winters and Texas seemed like a great place to be during the winter time,” Hanson said.
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