The St. Louis Jr. Blues, proud members of the NA3HL, are extremely proud to announce that forward Jack Hatton has committed to play NCAA hockey at St. Mary’s University. The Cardinals are located in Winona, Minn. and play Division III hockey in the MIAC.
A 5’11”, 153lb forward originally from Naperville, Ill., Hatton joined the Jr. Blues last season and made an instant impact, scoring 50 goals and adding 26 assists in 2016-17. After starting out this year with the NAHL’s Shreveport Mudbugs, Hatton returned to St. Louis, where he was named team captain for 2017-18 and has responded by bettering his points total from last year, with 30 goals and 47 assists.
“Jack has been a big part of our program the past two years,” said Jr. Blues head coach Chris Flaugher. “He’s dedicated himself to be a better player everyday, on and off the ice.”
Hatton will follow a well-trod path between St. Louis and Winona: he will join former Jr. Blues star defenseman and recent All-MIAC selection Kyle Meeh with the Cardinals, while two SMU alumni are on the St. Louis coaching staff in goaltending coach Mark Staub and head coach Flaugher.
“Jack had several opportunities offered to him from several schools with great hockey programs,” added Flaugher. “Jack took him time to weigh all his options to find what he believed would be his best option to spend the next four years of his life. I know how hard it was for Jack to decide because all the schools that were recruiting him were first class schools with good coaches running their hockey teams. I’m glad he’s made his decision and look forward to seeing him as a student-athlete, playing the game he has great passion for while working towards a college degree.”
