BULLS ALL-TIME COLLEGE COMMITMENT LIST
NORTHFIELD, Minn. – North Iowa’s leading scorer in 2017-18 will join some familiar faces as he begins his college career this fall. Tyler Bump has announced his commitment to the St. Olaf College hockey program, becoming the third Bulls player this season to make a commitment to the Oles.
Bump came to the Bulls midway through January of last year, after a solid season-and-a-half with the Minnesota Magicians of the North American Hockey League. The Prior Lake, Minnesota native tallied 16 points in 71 NAHL games, but his presence at the Tier III level was immediately noted. His Bulls career began with a three-point showing in a 6-1 win against the Wisconsin Whalers, including the eventual game-winning goal. That touched off a five-game point streak to start his stint in Mason City, and he would notch 31 total points for Todd Sanden’s team before the end of the team’s fifth straight Silver Cup tournament run.
His 2017-18 began right where 2016-17 left off, racking up 85 points in 45 regular-season games. That effort included a nine-game mid-season point streak, and led to an invitation to the NA3HL’s Top Prospects showcase in February.
Bump’s numbers rank among the very best in franchise history – his 109 career regular-season points are tied for eighth, his 64 assists rank seventh, and his 1.787 points-per-game average is the fourth-highest in team history.
He’ll join a St. Olaf team led by Mike Eaves, one of college hockey’s most recognizable names. Eaves recently finished his second year as the Oles’ head coach, after spending 14 years as the bench boss at the University of Wisconsin. Eaves won a national Division I title with the Badgers in 2006, appearing again in the finals in 2010.
He’ll also have a couple of fellow Bulls with him on the St. Olaf roster this coming season. Forward Mitch Dolter committed to the Oles’ hockey program in January, and goaltender Colin Cain also made his commitment to St. Olaf official in early April.
Bump will not be the only member of his family to play Division III hockey. Also in the college ranks is older brother Connor Bump, who recently finished his second season at Wisconsin-Stout. More than 70 current and former North Iowa Bulls players have donned a uniform at the college level, including seven who eventually reached NCAA Division I hockey.
The North Iowa Bulls congratulate Tyler Bump on his commitment to St. Olaf College and wish him the best in the next stage of his academic and athletic career.