The Shreveport Mudbugs, proud members of the North American League, are pleased to announce that captain Steven Mather will attend St. Norbert College and play NCAA Division III hockey starting this fall. Mather is the sixth member of the 2016-2017 Mudbugs to make a college commitment.
“We are grateful for Steven’s time in Shreveport and are even more excited for his future at St. Norbert,” Head Coach Karlis Zirnis said. “Steven was instrumental in laying a solid foundation for our program. His leadership, experience and poise under pressure benefited our team greatly. His contributions will forever be a big part of the Mudbugs culture.”
Mather experienced his best statistical year in 2016-2017, capping off his three-year junior hockey playing career with 17 goals, 11 assists and 28 total points. He led all Mudbugs players in shooting percentage at 19.1 and finished tied for power play goals with 7.
Prior to joining the Mudbugs, the Issaquah, WA native spent the 2015-2016 season with the Minot Minotauros of the NAHL. In 2014-2015, Mather played north of the border, spending his rookie junior season with Neepawa in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. He is set to begin his collegiate career with 157 regular season junior hockey games under his belt.
“Steven took a leap of faith coming to Shreveport for training camp back in August,” Zirnis added. “Having Steven in a Mudbugs uniform was a win-win. The fresh start ignited his hockey and his leadership jumpstarted our culture. We wish him nothing but the best both on the ice and in the classroom.”