The Razorback Hockey team is pleased to announce the next two additions to the 2017-18 recruiting class, G-Jozef Dusenka and D-Blake Wood.

Dusenka comes to Arkansas after completing his junior hockey career with the Cheyenne Stampede in the WSHL. In 24 games with the Stampede, the 5’11” 170 lb. goalie recorded a .896 save percentage, a 5.43 GAA, and helped the team reach the playoffs.

Dusenka spent his first year of junior hockey, 2015-16, with the Marquette Royals in the USPHL Midwest. There, Dusenka recorded a .908 save percentage and a 3.36 GAA in 18 games.

From Prosev, Slovakia, Dusenka’s father introduced him to hockey when he was five years old. He continued to play all through his teenage years and came to the United States two years ago to play junior hockey and pursue his hockey career and education.

Said Dusenka, “After two seasons of ice hockey experience in the United States, I decided to continue playing at the University level. The University of Arkansas gave me a chance to pursue the degree I am interested in and my passion for hockey. Compared to my home country, the University of Arkansas provides an outstanding quality of education as well as sports experience. I am excited to become a student at a University that values not only education, but also other important aspects of students’ lives.”

“Josef has the opportunity to come in and make an immediate impact for the program,” said Collin Hesse, Head Coach of the Division III team. “He’s an athletic goaltender with a deep junior background who is excited to have the opportunity to play college hockey.”

Wood will join the Razorbacks after two seasons playing junior hockey. Most recently, the right-shooting defenseman played 15 games with the Euless Jr. Stars in the NA3HL. He recorded 2 total points (1 goal and 1 assist) and helped the Jr. Stars reach the playoffs. Before joining the Jr. Stars, Woods spent the first half of the 2016-17 season with the Syracuse Stampede in the NA3HL. In 32 games with the Stampede, the 5’10” 205 lb. defenseman contributed 14 assists.

Wood explains that he started skating at three years old and played in his first hockey game just a year later. Wood’s father also played hockey as a child for one of the first teams in Texas.

“I chose to continue my hockey and academic career at the University of Arkansas because of the winning seasons and history of success they’ve had in the past, as well as the quality of the school. It is a great fit for me,” said Wood.

“We are excited to have Blake join on our blue line this fall,” said Coach Hesse. “He gives us more size back there along with a powerful shot. We are looking forward to seeing him an Arkansas jersey.”

Dusenka and Wood bring the 2017-18 recruiting class to twenty-two players from nine different states and four countries. They join the following players:

F-Zach Hale (San Diego Sabers, WSHL)

F-Matt Hehr (College Station Spirit, NA3HL)

F-Jiri Trubacik (Cheyenne Stampede, WSHL)

F-Konnor Madsen (Long Beach Bombers, WSHL)

F-Andrew Pellegrino (Fresno Monsters, WSHL)

F-Sine Chadi (Long Beach Bombers, WSHL)

F-Sam Weidenbaum (Decatur Blaze, USPHL)

F-Triston Wilson (Euless Stars, NA3HL)

F/D-Paiute Morrison (Southern Oregon Spartans, WSHL)

D-Jeffrey Colton Sands (La Crosse Freeze, NA3HL)

D-Cal Owens (Long Beach Bombers, WSHL)

D-Corey Rees (Long Beach Sharks, NA3HL)

D-Kyle Dudley (Euless Jr. Stars, NA3HL)

D-Shaun Foster (SUNY-Canton, NCAA)

D-Kenatae Medure (Atlanta Capitals, NA3HL)

G-Dalton Baker (College Station Spirit, NA3HL)

G-Max Barr (Long Beach Bombers, WSHL)

G-Brock Thompson (Connecticut Nighthawks, EHL)

G-Rio Virgoe (Jersey Shore Wildcats, NA3HL)

The University of Arkansas is the only SEC school to field two hockey teams. The Division I team has, since 2015, competed in the Western Collegiate Hockey Conference (learn more here). The Division III team will in 2017-18 begin its eleventh season competing in the Southeastern Collegiate Hockey Conference (learn more here). All home games are played at The Jones Center for Families in Springdale.