Two more Grizzlies on the go: Peyton Hart, Micah Gernander announce college commitments

Mar. 8—Peyton Hart had choices.

The third-year Rochester Grizzlies forward and team captain had a handful of college hockey programs pulling him in their direction.

But as all of those programs learned, Hart is a two-year captain for a reason: His priorities are firmly in order. So when he gave the coaching staff at the University of Wisconsin-Stout his commitment to play college hockey for them, there were good reasons behind it.

"I know I can't play hockey forever," Hart said. "I wanted to make sure I went somewhere I could get a good education, too."

I am honored and excited to announce my commitment to play Division 3 hockey at the University of Wisconsin-Stout pic.twitter.com/jSyNejiBL6

— Peyton Hart (@peytonhart23) March 5, 2021

UW-Stout just happened to have the exact major that Hart wants to pursue — pre-pharmacy — and Hart said he enjoyed his conversations with the Blue Devils' coaches and players. All of that added tipped the scales in Stout's favor.

"I tried to see myself doing different things for my career, and I couldn't see myself doing anything but (pharmacology)," he said.

Hart is one of the longest-tenured Grizzlies. He's been a part of the organization as long as anyone except the team's owners and assistant coach Mike Aikens.

Hart, who was recruited to Rochester by the Grizzlies' first head coach, Casey Mignone, is the franchise's all-time leader in games played (129), points (120) and assists (71). He's third all-time in goals scored (49) and leads the team this season in goals scored (20) and points (39).

"We are so excited for Peyton, he has grown so much as a player and a person in his three years in Rochester," Grizzlies head coach Chris Ratzloff said. "He has led our team the last two years and has developed into a dominant player for us. His hard work and determination has pushed him to be a more productive player on and off the scoresheet."

Hart, a native of Delafield, Wis., has played center all season and is currently centering a line with rookie Justin Wright and fellow third-year Grizzly Matt DeRosa. The coaching staff at Stout said they like Hart's skillset and can see him playing four seasons in the middle.

At Stout, Hart will once again be teammates with Vlad Sorokin, who holds the Grizzlies' single-season record for goals (41, 2018-19).

"They said they're in need of a few centers and they were excited when they saw that I was more of a natural center," he said. "That was pretty cool to hear. Other than that, they said 'you just have to keep working and earning that spot.'"

With his decision made, Hart and the Grizzlies can focus on the task at hand — capturing a second straight NA3HL Central Division championship and going after a NA3HL Fraser Cup championship. They were robbed of that opportunity a year ago when the season was halted, and eventually ended, on the eve of the playoff opener, because of the coronavirus outbreak.

"I don't have to worry about that as much anymore. I can turn my focus to the playoffs and winning a national championship," Hart said. "Right now more than anything, we're really focused on that.

"(Going into the playoffs) guys just need to know what their roles are on the team — grinder, goal scorer, playmaker, defensive or offensive guys — every team has those guys to make the team successful as a whole. Everyone needs to know each other's roles and be there for each other."

GERNANDER COMMITS TO GUSTAVUS

One day after Hart announced his commitment, another Grizzlies forward announced his commitment to play college hockey.

First-year Grizzly Micah Gernander announced his decision on Saturday to play at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter.

Gernander, who has 15 points in 31 games this season, will join former Grizzlies Porter Haney, Jesper Hofling and Noel Parker at Gustavus.

Gernander grew up in Connecticut, then moved with his family to northern Minnesota prior to his junior year of high school. He played two seasons for the Greenway High School varsity and helped the Raiders reach the Class A state championship game.

"It makes the game a lot more fun when you're winning," Gernander told the Post Bulletin earlier this season. "I've been on teams out east that won less than 10 games in a year. ... All the guys here are serious about hockey and want to move on and play college hockey somewhere.

"It's pretty serious here, but it's a lot of fun, too, to be on a winning team."

COMMITMENT ALERT!

Micah Gernander becomes the second player this weekend to announce his collegiate intentions. He's off to @GustavusMHockey

Congrats, Micah! pic.twitter.com/WWm6Ks7pBW

— Rochester Grizzlies (@RochesterGrizz) March 6, 2021