FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. - Joe Russo came to the Michigan Ice Dogs and the Midwest Junior Hockey League this season looking for an opportunity.

That opportunity has turned into a playing career that could potentially last four more years as Russo recently signed to play for and attend Indiana Tech University next season.

Russo will join a slew of MWJHL alumni at the school, which boasts two ACHA teams – one at the Division I level and one at the Division III level.

“My coach this year, Kyle Lang, told me about Indiana Tech and I thought it would be a great opportunity to continue my hockey career,” said Russo, a 20-year-old forward from Trenton, Mich. “Going there and playing with other former guys from the league says a lot about the MWJHL. It shows that they help improve players so that they can have a chance at playing at a higher level.

“It's a great achievement to be able to play college hockey. I thank all of my coaches from previous years and this year for helping me improve as a player and helping me achieve my goal.”

This year with the Ice Dogs, Russo leads the team with 23 goals and is second in points with 38.

“I'm very proud to have Joe be our first commitment from this season,” said Lang. “Joe has been a huge asset to the Ice Dogs program and from a skill standpoint, he is definitely one of the better developed players in our league. Joe is the kind of kid who can fit in with any team. He plays a very adaptable game and I think he'll do well playing for Tech.

“I also look forward to more commitments coming from Farmington Hills in the coming weeks.”

Coming into this current season, Lang admitted he knew very little about Russo, but after observing him at the Ice Dogs’ tryout camp last August, quickly got him to sign on the dotted line.

“Joe was actually one of the guys who walked in off the street,” explained Lang. “He had played with a few of our players in the past and when he came out to skate, I knew we had something special.”

Russo has seen his game grow and progress this season.

“In terms of development, this season has helped improve my game a little bit as an offensive player to score goals and help the team win games,” said Russo. “We need to come together as one and play as a team in order to win these next few games. They will be tough, but we will find a way to win.”

In the classroom, Russo intends on studying criminal justice at Indiana Tech.

This weekend, the Ice Dogs travel to play the Decatur Blaze for a three-game series at the Decatur Civic Center. Game times are 6 p.m. Friday, 8:30 p.m. Saturday and then 12:30 p.m. Sunday.

All games will be broadcast on www.fasthockey.com.

Check out the MWJHL’s list of past player advancements -

http://pointstreaksites.com/view/mwjhl/player-advancements-1