AUSTIN, MN – The North American Hockey League announced its rosters for the 2016 Top Prospects Tournament on Monday and the Bruins are well represented. Forward (and captain) Jade Miller, forward Justin Misiak, defenseman Paul O'Connor, and goaltender Kris Carlson, will all be headed to Plymouth, Michigan on February 15th and 16th to play for the Central Division as the NAHL showcases its top players of 2015-16.
Jade Miller (Minto, ND) is having a breakout season in his 2nd year with the Bruins, leading the team with 19 goals. The captain has a league high eight game winning goals along with five multi-goal performances, highlighted by a four goal outburst on January 15th against Brookings in a 7-0 home win. He is a two-time Central Division First Star of the week.
Justin Misiak (St. Clair Shores, MI) has been a consistent performer for the Bruins this season, ranking third on the team with 25 points (11 goals, 14 assists) and a +9 rating. Misiak got a chance to play one game for the Sioux Falls Stampede of the USHL during an off-weeekend earlier this season. He scored the first 3 on 3 OT goal in Bruins history with his game winner against Aberdeen at home on January 8th.
Paul O'Connor (St. Peters, MO) continues to be a steady defenseman in his third year in the NAHL. In addition to his strong defensive play, he leads all Bruins blue-liners in points, with 18. O'Connor played 50 games over two seasons in the USHL with Cedar Rapids before spending the previous two years with this coming weekend's opponent, the Minnesota Magicians. He's also suited up four times for the USHL's Green Bay Gamblers this season.
Kris Carlson (Centerville, VA) earned the starting job between the pipes for the Bruins after joining the roster in the middle of the NAHL Showcase. He's racked up 15 wins in 26 starts, with a goals against average of 2.51 and a save percentage of .916. Carlson has been named the Central Division's First Star of the week three times this season.
In addition to the four players, Bruins Head Coach Kyle Grabowski will serve as the Assistant Coach for the Central Division – the second straight year that the Bruins have sent their head coach as assistant. Bismarck's Layne Sedevie is the head coach of the team. The Top Prospects Tournament will be held February 15th and 16th at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan. Prospects from all four divisions, a team of "NAHL Selects," and the U.S. National under-17 program will each participate in two games.
