HARTIKAINEN COMMITS TO ROBERT MORRIS

Jan 17, 2019

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Corpus Christi IceRays are proud to announce that Santeri Hartikainen has earned an NCAA Division I commitment with Robert Morris University. The 20-year-old forward will begin his college career with the Colonials (Atlantic Hockey) this fall.

Hartikainen, a native of Helsinki, Finland, has scored at nearly a point-per-game pace this season, notching 14 goals and 19 assists over the course of 35 games. He has been the driving force of Corpus Christi’s fourth-ranked power play unit, leading the IceRays in both power play goals (8) and power play assists (11).

Last month, he was named Runner-up for Bauer Hockey NAHL Forward of the Month after posting 15 points (6+9) in December as part of an 11-game point streak.

“I am very excited for Santeri,” said IceRays head coach Ryan Cruthers. “He has worked extremely hard for this opportunity. He competes every day and is a true student of the game. To see him go to RMU, where I had an amazing experience, is truly special. Santeri will thrive under Coach (Derek) Schooley and his staff.”

Hartikainen is the second IceRays player in as many days to earn an NCAA commitment. Goaltender Sam Best committed Wednesday to American International College (Atlantic Hockey) and has departed the IceRays to immediately join the Yellow Jackets as a mid-season addition.

Hartikainen is also the second IceRays player to commit to Robert Morris this season, joining defenseman Brian Kramer. Cruthers, a Hobey Baker Award nominee during his senior season (2007-08), leads the Colonials in all-time points-per-game (1.26).

Corpus Christi returns to the road this weekend with a pair of games in North Richland Hills against the Lone Star Brahmas. Faceoff on Friday, Jan. 18 and Saturday, Jan. 19 is set for 7:30 PM CT. IceRays games are carried live on Sportsradio Corpus Christi (1230 AM/95.1 FM/96.1 FM), HockeyTV and Mixlr with the pre-game show starting 15 minutes prior to faceoff. For more information, visit goicerays.com/broadcast.

The next home games for the IceRays are a three-game set Jan. 25-27 against the Amarillo Bulls. Single game tickets, group tickets and suites for the remainder of the 2018-19 IceRays season are on sale now. Visit goicerays.com or call 361-814-PUCK (7825) for tickets or more information. Stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/CorpusChristiIceRays), Twitter (@goicerays) and Instagram (CorpusChristiIceRays).