By WJBC Staff
BLOOMINGTON – Before the Bloomington Thunder Training Camp and for the third time since their expansion in 2014, Bloomington will have a one of their players in an NHL sweater.
Forward Blake Gober has reportedly been extended an invitation to the National Hockey League’s Dallas Stars Prospect Camp from Tuesday morning through Saturday in Frisco, TX, just 40 minutes from his hometown of Colleyville.
“I didn’t think it would happen and when I got the call, I guess I was a little shocked,” Gober said. “At the same time, I couldn’t be more excited to learn from the coaches and guys I’ll be skating with.”
The Minnesota North Stars moved to Dallas in 1993, two years before Gober was born. For almost the entire existence of the franchise, he has been a devout fan, and like any player, hopes to play for them some day. “When I found out I was going to be able to put on a Stars jersey it was a dream come true. That’s what I want to be able to do someday. There would be nothing better than to wear that Stars uniform and play for my hometown.”
Gober reached the conclusion of his first United States Hockey League season with the Thunder back in April, amassing 21 points (nine goals, and 12 assists) in 54 games. The 20-year-old also was voted by Head Coach and General Manager Dennis Williams as a co-recipient of the Thunder’s Coaches Award with alumnus Ryan Galt (University of Nebraska-Omaha).
Nineteen draft picks pegged as Stars prospects, including six who played for the team’s American Hockey League affiliate the Texas Stars, will be suiting up alongside Gober and the other invitees.
“I’ll learn a ton just from being there this week. This is the NHL level; it doesn’t get any better than that. So being with those caliber players and coaches will be a huge learning experience,” Gober continued.
“The camp is basically in my back yard so it makes it much easier. I went to high school with a couple guys who will be there and played with a bunch of them too,” mentioned Gober who has been around Dallas hockey almost all his life. “Nothing will feel out of place for me. I’ve skated at that rink a million times, it will just be a dream come true to be with the Stars.”
“I spoke to Logan (Halladay) when I first found out and was a little nervous, but he gave me a couple big tips,” he continued. “I’m just going out there to have some fun, enjoy my time, and learn as much as I can in the week.”
Gober will skate in the camp which is open to the public. Gober will join the Thunder in Bloomington later this summer to prepare for the upcoming 2015-16 season at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum.
Record NHL Draft
A record 37 USHL players were selected in the 2015 NHL draft. 29 of those selected played against Bloomington at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum in 2014-15 over 25 of the Thunder’s 30 games at home. Ten others drafted were USHL alumni. Of the 32 first-round picks, the USHL saw four selected in the top ten and eight overall.
