BLOOMINGTON – Forward Mitch Slattery (St. Cloud State University) and goaltender Matt Jurusik, along with a third-round pick in the 2015 United States Hockey League Draft have been acquired by the Bloomington Thunder from the Fargo Force in exchange for Jack Jenkins (University of Notre Dame). The trade is the second of the week for Bloomington which brings in four new players and three Draft picks for the Thunder.
Slattery joins the Thunder midway through his first full season in the USHL. In 30 games with the Force, he totaled nine points (4g, 5a) and played in 31 USHL games total. A Lino Lakes, MN native, Slattery played with the Hill-Murray Pioneers for two seasons scoring 98 points (41g, 57a) in just 49 games after spending two seasons with Shattuck St. Mary’s prep school. Prior to the season, Slattery was ranked as the 81st North American skater by NHL Central Scouting in their final rankings of 2013-14.
“Mitch has a high ceiling and one that we feel can complement us this year and help us win games,” said Dennis Williams, Thunder Head Coach and General Manager. “He has a very high skill set and a lot of speed which we are excited to add to our roster and bring to Bloomington."
Jurusik has spent 2014-15 with the Janesville Jets of the North American Hockey League. Taking over the roll that Thunder goaltender Logan Halladay (University of Minnesota) left behind, Jurusik has put up great numbers in the NAHL. In 27 games played he is 20-5-0 with a 1.92 GAA and a .924 SVPT and two shutouts. The La Grange, IL native has been ranked by NHL Central Scouting as the 21st goal tending prospect in North America and will be eligible for the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. The 6-foot-1 goaltender will remain in Janesville and added to the Thunder’s affiliate list.
Bloomington says goodbye to Jenkins who is in his third USHL season. The former assistant captain competed for two seasons with the Des Moines Buccaneers before putting on the Thunder logo in 2014-15. In 39 games with Bloomington, the Lake Bluff, IL native grabbed 24 points (10g, 14a). His career totals add to 160 USHL games, 73 points (23g, 50a), and four game winning goals. A recent commit to the University of Notre Dame, Jenkins is coming off a career high of eight points in four games from 1/23/15 to 1/30/15.
“Jack was one of our first leadership by committee roles in our first season. He is a leader, a warrior, and a fierce competitor and for us, it is tough for us to see him go but it is the right move for us as an organization,” said Coach Williams. “Jack will move on and have a great career with Notre Dame. On behalf of Bloomington and our staff it has been a great opportunity to coach and get to know him and we wish him all the best in Fargo."
