Ohio State. Miami. Western Michigan. Which one of these is not like the other?The answer is obviously Western Michigan, the school that Verona, Wisconsin native Joey Fiala alerted me this morning that he just committed to. The other two options, Ohio State and Miami were his other two finalists, which to the naked eye may make one scratch it's head at Fiala's decision.
I for one, give the kid credit on taking a chance with an upstart Western Michigan program with a solid new coach in Jeff Blashill who has rejuvenated the campus.
Blashill and Fiala have a history, which was certainly a determining factor in Western Michigan landing an elite prospect out of the USA NTDP. Blashill who was the head coach with the Indiana Ice of the USHL before taking his current gig at Western selected Fiala in the USHL Futures Draft, so they have been linked for a while.
Additionally, you have to give Fiala credit for choosing a school for the right reasons. When so many kids are committing virtually the moment they come out of the womb, Fiala waited until late in his senior year, and had great reasons for making his decision.
"I chose (Western) because I will be able to step in right away and be a difference maker, lots of ice time, and (Kalamazoo) is pretty close to home."
The influx of Wisconsin born players getting Division 1 scholarships is great to see and here is another kid to add on the list. Let's hope that list keeps growing.
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