By WJBC Staff
BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington Thunder are pleased to announce and welcome forward Ryan Brushett (Providence College) to the organization. Thursday morning Brushett was acquired by the Thunder from the Sioux Falls Stampede in exchange for a sixth round pick in the upcoming 2016 USHL Phase-II draft. The forward will be eligible this weekend and is expected to make his debut with the team on Friday night when the Thunder host the Muskegon Lumberjacks at 7 p.m. from the U.S. Cellular Coliseum.
Brushett, 17, is in his first United States Hockey League season after being drafted by the Sioux City Musketeers in 2014 through the Phase-I selection. Prior to the 2015-16 season he was acquired by the reigning Clark Cup Champions. Through 25 games this season, the young center has four points (1g, 3a).
After making the move, Brushett is hoping to make an impact with Bloomington who has won eight of their last nine. “I wasn’t really expecting the change, but at the same time I’m very excited to be here in Bloomington to contribute and help the team win,” he said. “I just want to work as hard as I can every day and be a good offensive player for this team.”
Prior to joining the league with Sioux Falls, Brushett was with the Lac Saint-Louis Lions of the QMAAA league (Quebec Midget AAA) for parts of three seasons. Over 118 games, he scored 135 points (60g, 75a) with the team, including 32 playoff games for 42 points (18g, 24a). In 2014-15 he also served as an assistant captain with the program. The Verdun, QC native played with defenseman Jeremy Davies (Northeastern University) in the ’13-14 season.
“We have known each other for a long time now so I was excited to see him again,” mentioned the newest member of the Thunder. “I’ve met some of the other guys too and it has been a great start to being here.”
Before entering the league, the 5-foot-11, 182 pound prospect was recruited by the reigning NCAA National Champions at Providence College. Providence is currently ranked third in the national poll, but has been atop the NCAA Division-I rankings six times this season.
To make space for the arrival of the Canadian import player, the Thunder have traded defenseman Noah Delmas (Niagara University) to the Aurora Tigers of the OJHL. The 19-year-old first year player suited up in 17 games for the Thunder, accruing two points in that time. The Niagara commit made his USHL debut with the Thunder on Sept. 26 against the Green Bay Gamblers after being the team’s second round pick in the 2015 USHL Phase-II Draft. Delmas will report to Aurora where he played the last two seasons from 2013-15.
