Hockey / FEDS SIGN ANOTHER TOP LOCAL PROSPECT

FEDS SIGN ANOTHER TOP LOCAL PROSPECT

Date:  Source: Ft. Wayne Federals
Fort Wayne, IN – The Federals have added their second goalie to the roster with the signing of Fort Wayne native Adam Conkling.  “I am excited for the upcoming season with the Federals. I appreciate the opportunity to have Coach Frankhouser help me further develop my game. I have always wanted to play college hockey, I believe playing in the MnJHL is the next step to achieving that goal", said Conkling after signing his first junior contract at just 16 years old. "Adam is well beyond his years than what his young age shows. He has so much talent already and the sky is the limit for his future, we are thrilled to have him in Fort Wayne for the next step of his development", said Head Coach and GM Scott Fankhouser.   
 
Conkling joins the Federals after a two-year stint for the Indiana Jr Ice AAA program out of Indianapolis.  Back stopping the ice, he put up a combined save percentage of .916 and goals against average of 2.50 over those two seasons in the state’s capital.  Prior to that Conkling posted a .918 save percentage and a 2.28 GAA as a teammate of the also recently signed Fed Brandon Bornkamp on the U14 Fort Wayne Komets AA team in 2011-2012.  Conkling would lead the U14 Komets to a third place finish at the USA Hockey National Championships that year, which matched his third place finish for the U12 Komets in 2010.
  
The soon to be junior at Homestead High School in Fort Wayne, and member of the National Honors Society, had this to say about signing with the Feds, “I’m also excited to be playing in my hometown, and I am proud to represent the Federals as one of the local guys”.  Assistant GM Chris Treft has had a chance to watch Adam’s development first hand. “I have seen Adam grow as a goaltender and young man since I first saw him skate when he was 12. I've skated against him in summer hockey and trained alongside Adam at OZ Strength & Conditioning last summer” stated Treft who added, “I was amazed back then and am even more so now.  His on and off ice work ethic is fierce and his talent and upside is just phenomenal”. 
 
Conkling has not only gained praise from the Federals staff, Kevin Reiter, former Fort Wayne Komets goalie and current goaltending coach for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program also had some great things to say about the young netminder.  “I've had the opportunity to work with Adam as a Peewee and scouthim this past season in Midgets.  He has the work ethic and mentality that coaches would like all their players to have.  It's no surprise that he is making it to the next level” said Reiter, who followed up with “After watching his game grow the past few seasons, he is getting better at reading releases and reading plays and that is a must when playing at the next level.  I'm excited to see how he progresses this upcoming season after working under the direction of Scott”. Former Komets goalie, Nick Boucher, had some great things to say about Conkling as well, “Knowing Adam and his abilities as a goaltender, I think he will provide the Feds with a stable presence between the pipes this season.  I am looking forward to watching his progression this season, and I’m sure he will use this s a spring board to even bigger things in his hockey future.”
 
The Fort Wayne Federals welcome Adam with open arms and looks for a great season from him this year.