Former Ogden Mustangs forward Brandon Barillaro has committed to the University of Wisconsin-Superior for the 2017-18 season.
“I am very excited to have the chance to play for Wisconsin-Superior,” Barillaro said. “They offer a great education, where I’ll be studying exercise science, in a small, enriched community that loves its hockey and are passionate about their team. With the hockey program back on the rise in the next few years, there are big things to come.”
Barillaro joined the Mustangs late last season, right before the trade deadline and ensuing playoff push, adding some key speed and scoring depth up front.
Barillaro — a 5-foot-9-inch, 179-pound Alexandria, Ontario native — played in In 24 games with the Mustangs, registering four goals and six assists. He’s the sixth Mustang to commit to an NCAA program from last season’s team.
Barillaro’s speed, vision and agility provided a few highlight-reel goals in his time as a Mustang.
— Ogden Mustangs (@OgdenMustangs) March 13, 2017
“My time in Ogden was an experience I’ll never forget,” Barillaro said. “The fans and their passion for the team is unbelievable, not to mention playing for a world-class organization who’s goal is to ultimately help you develop and move on. It’s always been a dream of mine, ever since I’ve been little, to play college hockey. To be able to go to school, receive a degree and play hockey at the same time, it’s really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Superior, Wisconsin is located in the northwest corner of the state, across the river from Duluth, Minnesota. The UW-Superior Yellow Jackets compete in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC).
The Mustangs had five players move on to the NCAA last season, six players the season before and five before that. They’ve had the highest NCAA placement rate in the Western States Hockey League. You can read more more about current Mustang alumni in our 2016-17 midseason alumni update.
As the sixth Mustang to have an official commitment from the 2016-17 team, Barillaro joins the company of Henrik Axelsson (Plymouth State University), Austin Shea (St. Mary’s University of Minnesota), Montell Greene (New England College, NCAA), Max Dorfman (Johnson & Wales University, NCAA) and Chandler Watson (Milwaukee School of Engineering, NCAA).