Two former skaters ink pro contracts
August 26, 2024 | Men's Hockey
Bantle, Vorlicky sign with AHL’s Grand Rapids, ECHL’s Idaho
MADISON, Wis. – Two more former Wisconsin men's hockey players, Carson Bantle and Mike Vorlicky, have signed professional contracts.
Forward Carson Bantle signed a two-year AHL contract with the Grand Rapids Griffins, the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Detroit Red Wings. Bantle, who was selected 142nd overall by the Arizona Coyotes in the fifth round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, played at Wisconsin for three years after transferring from Michigan Tech prior to his sophomore season in 2021.
A native of Onalaska, Wisconsin, Bantle owns 31 goals and 49 points in 101 games played at Wisconsin. During his senior season, Bantle appeared in 39 games, tallying career-highs with 14 goals and 19 points, including recording his first-career hat trick in UW's 6-3 win over Penn State on Dec. 8, 2023. In 2023-24, his four game-winning goals tied for first on the team and five power-play goals were good for second on the roster.
Former UW graduate student and 2023-24 team captain Mike Vorlicky signed a one-year deal with the ECHL's Idaho Steelheads. A four-time academic All-Big Ten defenseman, Vorlicky finished his collegiate career with 124 games played through four seasons after missing all of his junior year due to injury.
The Edina, Minnesota, native and 2021 Big Ten Regular Season Champion recorded five points in his final season to total four goals and 17 points in his five years at Wisconsin. He finished the 2023-24 season tied for first on the roster with a plus-17 rating.
With this contract, Vorlicky reunites with former UW teammate Ty Pelton-Byce, who is gearing up for his third year as a forward for the Steelheads.
Forward Carson Bantle signed a two-year AHL contract with the Grand Rapids Griffins, the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Detroit Red Wings. Bantle, who was selected 142nd overall by the Arizona Coyotes in the fifth round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, played at Wisconsin for three years after transferring from Michigan Tech prior to his sophomore season in 2021.
A native of Onalaska, Wisconsin, Bantle owns 31 goals and 49 points in 101 games played at Wisconsin. During his senior season, Bantle appeared in 39 games, tallying career-highs with 14 goals and 19 points, including recording his first-career hat trick in UW's 6-3 win over Penn State on Dec. 8, 2023. In 2023-24, his four game-winning goals tied for first on the team and five power-play goals were good for second on the roster.
Former UW graduate student and 2023-24 team captain Mike Vorlicky signed a one-year deal with the ECHL's Idaho Steelheads. A four-time academic All-Big Ten defenseman, Vorlicky finished his collegiate career with 124 games played through four seasons after missing all of his junior year due to injury.
The Edina, Minnesota, native and 2021 Big Ten Regular Season Champion recorded five points in his final season to total four goals and 17 points in his five years at Wisconsin. He finished the 2023-24 season tied for first on the roster with a plus-17 rating.
With this contract, Vorlicky reunites with former UW teammate Ty Pelton-Byce, who is gearing up for his third year as a forward for the Steelheads.
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