Sports

Aide tenders with Bismarck

By Tyler Ohmann

02/04/2014

Right now Harrison Aide’s focus is on the Bottineau-Rugby Braves’ playoff push in the West Region of North Dakota Class A hockey.

By next year that focus could be something else entirely.
Aide recently tendered with the Bismarck Bobcats of the North American Hockey League (NAHL).

“I just think that they have a lot better program,” Aide said. “They have a good tradition there, and they seem to put players on to the next level.”

“That’s what I chose to, and hopefully I can get to the next step,” Aide added.

What this means for Aide is that if he decides to play in the NAHL, which is a tier II junior hockey league, it will have to be with the Bobcats. Aide could potentially also be drafted in the United States Hockey League, or decide to go straight to school instead of juniors.

“I expect to play a lot, and I’d like to get in the USHL, but I’d play in the NAHL,” Aide said.

The main option for Aide, who not only is the top scorer in North Dakota Class A hockey right now with 70 points in 16 games, but is also a three-time state pole-vaulting championship, is whether he wants to pursue hockey or track.

“It is a tough decision, because it kind of goes by season, but I’ll see where I’m at in track, and what offers I get,” Aide said.

Right now though, Aide thinks that hockey will be his future, and as a frontrunner for ND’s Mr. Hockey award, nobody could blame him.

He expects a much different world if he does end up playing for the Bobcats next year.

“It’s exciting, it’s a lot different,” Aide said. “It will be a lot rougher and tougher, and a different kind of skill, but I think I can play.”

Many of the Bobcats’ past stars went on to play college hockey, including several Division I schools. Perhaps the most recent success for the Bobcats is that of St. Cloud State goalie Ryan Faragher, who played for Bismarck in 2010-11, and last season helped lead the Huskies to the NCAA Frozen Four.

Aide only hopes to be the offensive equivalent, maybe.