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SINATRA’S NEXT STEP

By Dan Bradley , 05/12/20, 4:00PM CDT

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Mullets Defenseman Commits to St. Norbert Club

 SINATRA’S NEXT STEP

Mullets Defenseman Commits to St. Norbert Club

By: Dan Bradley

MINNEAPOLIS -- The end of his Junior Hockey career is here, and defenseman Niko Sinatra did it his way. On Tuesday, the Minnesota Mullets announced Sinatra has committed to ACHA St. Norbert College in De Pere, WI.

“I’m truly looking forward to playing hockey for four more years at St Norbert,” Sinatra said. “Being a part of a team is just a different feeling you can’t get doing anything else. St. Norbert is the best school for me, academically and on the ice. After not stepping foot in a classroom in three years (due to playing Junior Hockey), I’m excited to go back, and there is going to be a lot of support available to me.”

Sinatra recorded 2 goals and 5 assists last season with the Mullets, acting largely in a shutdown role. The Niles, IL native played 71 games for Minnesota the past two seasons, scoring 4 goals and adding 9 assists. 

“I really want to thank the Mullets staff for making my juniors experience that much better,” Sinatra said. “Everyone wanted to help us succeed and went above and beyond to make that happen, and there are so many memories that will stay with me. From my first day as a Mullet, Coach Walby imprinted on us the mindset that nothing is given to you. There are no shortcuts in life, and you have to put in the work to make good things happen. I’ll be taking that mindset with me to St. Norbert, on the ice and in the classroom.”  

Sinatra is undecided on a major or a field of study, wanting to keep his options open, but noted St. Norbert’s range of academic programs and the ability to try various paths as a factor in his college decision. He also plans to return to Minnesota to visit soon; Niko’s younger brother, Alex Sinatra, has signed with the Mullets for the 2020-21 season.

“St. Norbert College and Coach Kimps will be a perfect fit for Niko,” Mullets Head Coach Chris Walby said. “Academically, I see him being successful and enjoying being on a smaller campus and in a smaller classroom. On ice, he’ll have an instant connection with his coach and that’s going to lead quickly to success. I’m excited to follow his post-Mullets career and wish him the best of luck.”

With the commitment to St Norbert College, Sinatra is the 45th player from Walby’s programs to advance to a collegiate program over the past eight years. For more information on the Mullets program, go to www.mulletshockey.com.