Thunder forward Jenkins commits to Notre Dame

Posted on January 21, 2015

Jack Jenkins will play collegiate hockey at Notre Dame. (Photo courtesy Bloomington Thunder)

By WJBC Staff

Bloomington, IL – The Bloomington Thunder are pleased to announce another college commitment for the program. Three-year United States Hockey League veteran forward Jack Jenkins (University of Notre Dame) announced Tuesday night that he has made his NCAA commitment to play for the University of Notre Dame in 2015-16. Jenkins made the announcement via Twitter saying,

"Proud to announce my commitment to play college hockey at the University of Notre Dame. Thanks to everyone who has supported me. #GoIrish.”

Jenkins commented on the announcement saying, “There were some other choices out there but Notre Dame is such a prestigious school both in academics and athletics it made the decision easy for me.

“They are consistently one of the top teams in college hockey in line for the national championship, which was a big factor for me, but the school also sets you up to be successful after your hockey career with their academics.”

The Lake Bluff, IL native was drafted in the fourth round of the 2012 USHL Entry Draft by the Des Moines Buccaneers where he played his first two USHL seasons. He was then acquired by the Bloomington Thunder in the off-season to join the newest USHL expansion club.

In 34 games with the Thunder, Jenkins has tallied 16 points (7g, 9a) including career highs of six points on the power play and two game winning goals. He currently is ranked fourth on the team in scoring.

The 5-foot-10 forward has played in 155 career USHL games and scored 65 points (20g, 45a). This season Jenkins was selected as an assistant captain for the Thunder to lead them through their inaugural season.

“It’s nice to know where I am headed next year, but at the same time doesn’t change anything for me and this team,” said Jenkins “We are trying to make a playoff push and have still got a lot of hockey this season to focus on.”

Jenkins joins Max Gottlieb (Brown University) as the second player on the roster to make a college commitment in the 2014-15 season. Thunder prospect Jacob Paganelli ’97 (Princeton University) and Aiden Beck ’98 (Canisius College) also made commitments in recent weeks to Princeton University and Canisius College respectively.

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