TEMPE, Ariz. – For junior hockey players, there’s a lot to like about the chance to play at Arizona State University. Key among those reasons is the Sun Devils’ long history of success at the club level. After a winter like this one in northern Iowa, a chance to get away from the towering piles of leftover snow probably doesn’t hurt either.
For Brendan Studioso, though, there’s an additional element to playing at ASU – getting settled in is always easier when you have someone familiar to welcome you into the fold. One year after younger cousin John Studioso made his commitment to the ACHA Division I program at Arizona State, Brendan will join him in Tempe as a member of the Sun Devils next year.
Studioso announced his commitment on Tuesday, becoming the latest in a long line of North Iowa Bulls players to land a spot on a college roster. More than 100 players in North Iowa history have eventually played college hockey, with more than 70 making their commitments while playing for the Bulls.
The third-year North Iowa forward has been a standout on and off the ice in his time with the Bulls. Studioso is a co-captain for this year’s team, heading into the Fraser Cup playoffs after playing in a career-high 46 games this regular season. The Mukilteo, Washington native tallied 54 points this season, including 20 goals. He has notched at least 18 goals in each of his three seasons with the Bulls.
The numbers that Studioso has put up in his North Iowa career are impressive, to say the least. His 143 regular-season points tied Marshall Barnes for fourth on the all-time list, his 84 points also ranks fourth, and his 49 goals is fifth on the Bulls’ career leaderboard. He is one of only three players to reach the 100-game plateau in a Bulls uniform.
Studioso also got a few “cups of coffee” in the North American Hockey League, suiting up for the Minnesota Wilderness for six games last season and for the Fairbanks Ice Dogs twice in 2016-17. His first NAHL goal came during the Thanksgiving week last season with the Wilderness.
However, the NA3HL postseason may be the place and time where he has shone the brightest. In 11 postseason games, Studioso has racked up seven goals and seven assists, including four points in the Bulls’ last Cup appearance in 2017.
Not only will his cousin be waiting for him, but former North Iowa teammate Jett Larson also debuted with the Sun Devils’ ACHA team this past season as well. Arizona State’s Division I club finished with a record of 8-32, its second straight losing record after notching 20 wins during the 2016-17 campaign.
The North Iowa Bulls congratulate Brendan Studioso on a tremendous junior career and wish him the very best on his future with the Arizona State Sun Devils’ ACHA hockey team.