NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS — Three former Texas Brahmas will be trading their NA3HL jerseys for college campuses this fall. John Ogeka, Cory Scull and Michael Thomas Jr. all committed to various collegiate hockey programs during the 2019-20 season and offseason. Hear from Texas Brahmas Head Coach Ryan Anderson on each of the skaters and what’s next in their hockey careers.
“We pride our program on the fact that we not only develop players with a winning pedigree but we develop them as people as well,” said Anderson. “Ogeka, Scull, and Thomas were beloved members of our Brahmas and NYTEX Family who will be missed around the rink. As members of our Fraser Cup Championship squad in 2019, the leadership and lessons they provided our young players during our 19-20 NA3HL Regular Season was instrumental in our group being able to end the regular season as the NA3HL Regular Season Champions. We believe that team success will lead to individual success and we couldn’t be happier to see them move on to outstanding college institutions while continuing their hockey career.”
John Ogeka, Trine University (ACHA)
The defenseman finished out his NA3HL regular career by playing two seasons with the Texas Brahmas, appearing in 72 games. Ogeka recorded 11 points (2g-9a) and finished the 2019-20 season with a +39. The skater was also selected to represent the South Division in the 2020 NA3HL Top Prospects Tournament. Ogeka is a Erie, Pa. native.
Coach’s comments: “OG is the type of person that every team needs to be successful. He is universally loved by all of his teammates and will do anything and everything to help out the guy next to him. I was so proud to see him develop into a player that will be a huge addition to the Trine program. I believe that after 4 years at the Trine the staff there will be saying the same things I am saying now. We are happy and excited to watch John continue his career at Trine but he leaves a hole that will be hard to fill here in Brahmaland.”
Cory Scull (Mercyhurst, ACHA)
After arriving at NYTEX Sports Centre from the USPHL’s Hartfort Jr. Wolfpack, Scull transitioned to produce within the NA3HL on the Texas Brahmas. Playing 54 games and notching 25 points (11g-14a), the skater established himself as an offensive force. Scull also scored an assist during the successful 2019 NA3HL Fraser Championship run. The forward hails from Holland, N.Y.
Coach’s comments: “Sculler made a huge step during our second half of the season. He found a higher level of compete and it showed on the stat sheet. At the start of the season, Mercyhurst was the school he wanted to go to and I am so glad that the Brahmas could help him make his dreams become a reality. Sculler is going to be able to play close to home and I know how much this means to him and his family. The Mercyhurst staff is getting a player that will do whatever it takes to be successful on and off the ice.
Michael Thomas Jr., Iowa State (ACHA)
The right-handed forward completed two seasons with the Texas Brahmas from 2018-20, playing 85 games and tallying 49 points (19g-30a). Thomas appeared in eight of the playoff matchups during the championship 2019 NA3HL Fraser Cup run. The skater moves to Ames, Iowa from Puiallup, Wash.
Coach’s comments: “Mikey meant the world to our club. He is the definition of a hard nosed player that is willing to sacrifice himself for the team. He will bring a hard and nasty 200ft game to Iowa State. Our program will miss the determination he brought night in and night out, not many guys are willing to play the way he plays. He leaves big shoes to fill in our leadership group this upcoming season.”
“Ogeka, Scull, and Thomas leave a lasting legacy with our NA3HL program,” concluded Anderson. “I feel lucky to have had the honor of coaching them and watching them develop into high character individuals who in my opinion will be extremely successful in the next chapter of their lives. They have made me a better coach and I thank them for what they have done for our team. We will be watching them over the next 4 years and look forward to one day seeing them again in Brahmaland.”
Many college hockey programs have delayed the start of the 2020-21 season due to the ongoing COVID-19 health pandemic.