In the wake of the Corpus Christi IceRays and Kansas City Scouts (formerly the Tokepa Pilots) opting out of the 2020-21 NAHL season, there was a dispersal draft held on Friday, with the Maryland Black Bears picking up two players in the draft.
With the first pick, the Black Bears picked up Connor Sullivan, a Yale University commit who played through the Boston Bandits’ system since 2015. The defenseman was selected by the IceRays in the 3rd round of this year’s NAHL Draft. This past season, Sullivan led the NCDC in assists (38) and points (45) by a defenseman in 50 games. Sullivan is slated to join the Cranbrook Bucks of the BCHL, but should the border be still closed to players– the Black Bears will have his NAHL rights.
The second pick of the dispersal draft for the Black Bears was Josh Langford. The former Topeka Pilots goalie went 9-1-3 this season for the Pilots with a 2.24 GAA and .921 save percentage, while also going 0-3-0 with the New Mexico Ice Wolves prior. The University of Maine commit spent the 2018-19 season with the Chippewa Steel before moving to the USHL with the Sioux Falls Stampede for the Clark Cup playoffs and being a part of the Clark Cup winning roster.
While there has been some teams who have not committed one way or another, the Black Bears are going full-steam ahead with the vision of putting in a full 2020-21 season. With additions like Sullivan and Langford, it will provide a much needed depth and competition between the players to make sure everyone can bring their top game every practice and game.
Clutch And Crab Hockey 