MASON CITY, Iowa – Among a group of no fewer than seven returning players, two forwards will certainly be called upon for their guidance in their third seasons with the Bulls.
Cam Fagerlee and Matt Dahlseide were mainstays at the top of the stat sheet during both the 2017-18 and 2018-19 campaigns, and return to the club for its ninth season on the ice in Mason City. Both received serious consideration from North American Hockey League clubs during the past offseason – in fact, Fagerlee was drafted by the Kenai River Brown Bears in the seventh round of this summer’s NAHL Draft. Dahlseide signed a tender with the New Jersey Titans last year.
“Matt has been more dedicated in his training this off season and looks to be in great shape for the start of the year,” said head coach Todd Sanden. “Matt brings an immense amount of skill and creativity to the game. As our returning leading scorer from last year Matt will be expected to be a top offensive producer.”
Dahlseide’s 2019-20 season looks to be his second full season in a Bulls uniform. The Maplewood, Minnesota native started his junior career with five appearances as a member of the NAHL’s Brookings Blizzard during the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons, and spent a dozen games with the Alexandria Blizzard before joining North Iowa just after Thanksgiving of 2017. His 32 points helped propel the Bulls to their fifth straight division championship.
His follow-up last season was superb, racking up 60 points in 44 regular-season games and leading the team with eight postseason points. That season-long scoring outburst helped push the Bulls to the Fraser Cup semifinals for the fifth time in seven years, and he’ll be the Bulls’ top returning scorer from a year ago.
“I’m excited to come back and do everything I can to help the Bulls become Fraser Cup champions again,” said Dahlseide. “We had a great season last year and return several players who were a part of that. Coming into the season, I expect a lot out of myself and the other returners.”
Fagerlee opened his junior career on an 18-game point streak in the fall of 2017, racking up 63 points during his rookie season of junior hockey. He signed a tender with the Aberdeen Wings at the middle of that season, but returned last year to add 49 more points to his total.
“We had an amazing year last year,” said Fagerlee. “Now with some guys returning, we know what needs to be done to get back to the Fraser Cup. We just have to help the rookies and show them what it takes. With a great group of returners, I’m very excited to see what our group is going to bring to the table this year.”
Both co-captains know just how high the expectations are for the upcoming season. Last year’s team won 37 games and returned to Chicago with a West Division playoff crown in hand. However, the group did not come home with its first Fraser Cup since 2016. This year, accomplishing that goal is very much on the to-do list.
“Cam is our returning captain from last year’s team and also carries with him expectations of being an offensive leader,” said Sanden. “Cam is dynamic in his compete level and his effort to help his team succeed. Cam can be counted on as a physical presence in games too. The North Iowa Bulls are fortunate to have these two players back to help lead our team!”
North Iowa’s home opener is scheduled for October 4 against the Willmar WarHawks. Season tickets are still available by calling the front office at 641-423-4625, or by clicking here. The latest news and information on North Iowa Bulls hockey are always available by visiting northiowabulls.com, and through the Bulls’ social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.