BISMARCK, ND–The latest Bobcat to commit to his collegiate hockey career has been a fan favorite and an offensive threat all season.
Stanislav Dzakhov (Moscow, Russia) made his college commitment to Niagara University, an NCAA Division I member of the Atlantic Hockey Association.
Dzakhov is finishing his second year with the Bobcats, and leading this year’s team in scoring, with 42 points on 23 goals and 19 assists. He is currently 12th in scoring in the NAHL.
“I think the opportunity is well deserved,” said Bobcat head coach Layne Sedevie of Dzakhov’s choice. “I think what he has brought to our program over the last two years has been tremendous. He’s big, he can skate, and he can shoot the puck. “I think he will by great at the next level.”
Dzakhov joined the Bobcats in a trade with the Fargo Force of the USHL last season, and recorded 20 points on 10 goals and 10 assists in 29 games. He scored three goals and added two assists in the post-season.
Dzakhov’s career started in the Greater Metro Hockey League (GMHL) a Canadian junior league based in Ontario, Quebec, and New York. As a member of the Shelburne Red Wings, he racked up an amazing 62 goals and 78 assists, 140 points, in 41 games during the 2010-11 season.
During his time with the Bobcats, Dzakhov has transformed into a menacing physical presence on the ice with terrific speed. He has been a closer in Bobcat shootouts, and has energized crowds at the VFW Sports Center all season. He scored two goals and registered an assist in two games with Team Central Division at this year’s NAHL Top-Prospects Tournament.
Niagara University is located in Lewiston, New York. It is a private Catholic university with an enrollment of just over 3,800 students.
The Purple Eagles hockey program is rather young, dating back to just the 1996-97 season. In just 17 years of history, they have appeared in four NCAA tournaments, including last season, falling to the University of North Dakota in the opening round 2-1. They finished with a record of 23-9-6.