Correale commits to New Hampshire

Dan Correale will head east to start the 2012 hockey season.

The Grande Prairie Storm forward has received a scholarship to attend the University of New Hampshire and play for the Wildcats – a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division (NCAA) I team.

“We are very excited to have Dan commit to UNH,” said Storm coach/general manager Mike Vandekamp. “This is a great opportunity for Dan as he will be playing in one of the best Division I leagues in the nation and one of the best programs in the nation.”

One of the most prestigious institutions in the northeast, the University of New Hampshire has long been recognized as a leader in education and research. It is located in Durham, a small New England town of 10,000 situated in southeastern New Hampshire – about an hour away from Boston.

“I have personally known the hockey staff at UNH for many years and have had former players play for their program,” said Vandekamp. “I know that Dan is going to thrive as a player and a student while there.”

Correale is into his second year with the Storm. So far in 14 games this year he has four goals and 10 assists for 14 points. Last season, in 60 games, he had 15 goals and 38 assists.

“Dan is a committed hockey player and is very deserving of this opportunity,” said Vandekamp. “We look forward to continuing to work with Dan and helping him be 100% ready to start his NCAA career in the fall of 2012.”

Correale is 5-foot-10 and weighs 185 pounds. He is a native of Prince George, B.C.

The Wildcats debuted in the 10th spot in the USCHO.com’s Men’s College Hockey Poll Top 20 this season. They ended the 2009-10 season ranked 12th with an 18-14-7 record. New Hampshire is one of four Hockey East teams in the top 15 nationally (#1 Boston College, #7 Maine and #14 Boston University).

Correale and his Storm teammates will be in action again Wednesday when they host the Drayton Valley Thunder on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Canada Games Arena.