?The Brooks Bandits are proud to announce 1995 born Forward Derek Lodermeier has committed to play for the United States Military Academy, better know to sports fans as Army. Located in West Point, NY the “Black Knights” play in the NCAA Division 1 Atlantic Conference. Men's ice hockey has been a staple at Army having been played since the 1903-1904 season. Head Coach Brian Riley has led the Black Knights for the past 11 seasons highlighted by a 2008 Conference Championship.
Derek is from Brooklyn Centre, MN and grew up playing minor hockey for the North Metro Youth Association before joining Totino Grace High School for 3 seasons prior to his junior career. At Totino Grace, Lodermeier was a scoring leader for the school racking up 129 points in only 74 games. Last season he played for the Soo Eagles in the NAHL while also joining the Minnesota Blades 18U AAA during the off season. This year Derek joined the Bandits and has played solid hockey to date with 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points. Amidst his strong play Derek has been a physical presence and penalty kill leader for the Bandits.
Derek Lodermeier – “I am honoured to have committed to the United States Military Academy. It's a huge honour to receive such a great education and play the sport I love at such a prestigious institution. Thank you to all my coaches, family and friends who have helped and supported me on this journey.”
Head Coach/GM Ryan Papaioannou – “Derek was a great recruit for us. His personality, leadership and overall demeanour was a perfect fit with the culture of our team. We named him an Assistant Captain early in the season as it was easy to tell he would play a key role in that department. On the ice his game has developed nicely over the year as a power forward that now finds himself playing in all situations for us. We are excited to have him back for another season before he joins Army.”
The Bandits Organization would like to congratulate Derek and his Family on his athletic and academic future.
Derek is the 10th Bandit committed to playing University hockey joining:
- · Shane Bear (University of Massachusetts)
- · Kyler Nachtigall (University of Massachusetts)
- · Adam Baughman (Harvard University)
- · Austin Plevy (University of Massachusetts)
- · Mark Logan (Rochester Institute of Technology, RIT)
- · Anthony Paskaruk (Northern Michigan University)
- · Alex Roberts (Rochester Institute of Technology, RIT)
- · Jared Cockrell (US Air Force Academy)
- · Chase Clayton (University of British Columbia)
