NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX – The Texas Brahmas have signed ‘Tendered’ forward Zack Andersen (97) to an NA3HL contract for the coming 2015-16 season. Andersen is a veteran power forward who will be attending the NAHL Lone Star Brahmas Main Camp later this month, and if he doesn’t make the final roster with them, he will then slide into place in a top role with the Texas Brahmas team.
Andersen (6’1”, 200lbs) already has a year of junior hockey under his belt, playing for the Long Island Royals of the MET League last season, where he notched 28pts in just 19 games, including scoring 10 goals. With his combination of size and skill, he is expected to make an impact no matter where he fits into the Brahmas organization. “Zack has a unique mix of characteristics that he brings to the table both on and off the ice”, said Head Coach Al Rooney. “You don’t often see a player of his size also have such a good touch in tight around the net. He performed real well last season as well as at Brahmas pre-draft camp, so we are excited to have a player of his ability in the organization. He fits the mold of a Brahma and we hope to see him in the purple and black for multiple seasons as he grows and develops even further. He has not hit his ceiling just yet.”
With his veteran experience, even though he’s still just a 97, Andersen has the moxy to be a role player at the NA level or a go-to guy at the NA3 level, which is really what the Brahmas are trying build with each successive season. “Zack is a perfect example of what we’re trying to do here in our organization”, added Rooney. “We’re trying to bring in younger guys for the NA3 team that are one step away, and we feel we can help them take that step. Some will take that step right away, others may need more time. But the goal is to trend towards having a younger NA3 roster so that we can provide some homegrown talent for our upper affiliate Lone Star team to rely on.”
With Andersen now on board, it brings the Brahmas signings to 9 players for the coming NA3 season. He expects to add several more players prior to the Brahmas NAHL Main Camp and then will be in attendance there when it’s held in Detroit from July 23rd to the 26th. Training Camp will kick off in Mid-August as Brahmas prepare for the NA3HLseason in their quest for the Silver Cup Championship.