Mustangs Spodniak commits to NCAA D1 program for 2018-19

Ogden Mustangs and Western States Hockey League leading scorer Matus Spodniak has committed to American International College for the 2018-19 season.

Spodniak is set to become the first player in WSHL history to make the jump directly from the WSHL into NCAA Division 1.

“I am very happy to commit to AIC and excited to be able to play Division 1 hockey,” Spodniak said. “This season has been incredible. I have loved my time in Ogden, and I am very thankful to everyone has helped me get to this point. Now I hope to work hard to help bring home a Thorne Cup.”

Spodniak has 94 points in 28 games played this season, 45 goals and 49 assists. He’s delivered in the clutch with 10 game-winning goals. He’s on a 12-game point streak currently. He has 111 total goals in two and a half seasons with the Mustangs. He is 18 goals away from breaking the WSHL’s all-time goal record. He’s the Mustangs’ all-time leading scorer, setting the mark a full season quicker than the previous leader, Schuyler Seyfert.

American International College is located in Springfield, Mass. Founded in 1885. It’s focussed on educating international immigrants and continues to put an emphasis on promoting diversity. The AIC hockey program competes in the Atlantic Hockey Conference. They’re 6-11-2 this season, with their marquee victory coming over the No. 11 team in the country, Penn State.

The Mustangs continue to lead the WSHL in NCAA placement. They’ve had the highest NCAA placement rate in the Western States Hockey League over the past six seasons and now trailblaze into Division 1.