Soo Eagles to Lawrence University
Brad Mueller is taking his talents as a steady, stay-at-home defenceman to the Lawrence University Vikings.
Mueller, a 6-foot-2, 195 pound, 1993 birth year from the Oak Park area of Chicago, played in 59 regular-season games for the Soo Eagles of the North American Hockey League in 2013-2014, scoring twice and adding five assists.
Lawrence University is a part of a very-strong Northern Collegiate Hockey Association that features several of the top Division 3 programs in the United States.
Other members of the NCHA include Adrian College, Concordia University of Wisconsin, Finlandia University, Lake Forest College, Marian University, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Northland College, St. Norbert College and The College of St. Scholastica.
Mueller, who will study Economics at Lawrence, said he was drawn to the Appleton, Wisconsin school because of its reputed academic standards and the coaching staff led by Mike Szkodzinski.
“I went there for a visit in February and left with such a good feeling,” said Mueller. “I am happy to be able to continue to play hockey and get an education at such a good school.”
Mueller said the single season he spent playing in the Soo under Eagles coach-general manager Bruno Bragagnolo “was a great experience.
“I learned a lot from Coach Bruno and his staff. And as an organization, the Eagles treat you very well.”
Bragagnolo saluted his graduating defenceman.
“Brad did a really good job for us,” Bragagnolo said of Mueller. “He became a very-dependable, defensive defenceman for us. The Soo Eagles are proud of Brad and happy that he is going to continue to play hockey and get a good education at the same time at very-good school.”