Providence College Athletics

Men's Hockey Adds Six Players During Early Signing Period

11/30/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey

Nov. 30, 2004

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Providence College men's hockey coach Paul Pooley announced on Tuesday, November 30 that six student athletes each have signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Providence College, beginning in 2005-06. The six players are Brad Cooper (Dallas, Texas), Nick Mazzolini (Anchorage, Alaska), Austin Miller (Dallas, Texas), John Mori (Wesport, Conn.), Pierce Norton (South Boston, Mass.), and Cody Wild (North Providence, R.I.).

Cooper is a 5-foot-10 inch, 175-pound center, who currently plays for the Texas Tornado of the North American Hockey League. Through 24 games this season , Cooper leads the NAHL in scoring with 44 points (15 goals, 29 assists). Last season, he was named to the NAHL All-Rookie Team and this season, he was named assistant captain. Cooper is the son of Lynn and David Cooper.

Mazzolini, who is a 6-foot-2, 210 pound center, also plays with the Tornado. He has played in 24 games this season and ranks fourth on the team and fifth in the league with 32 points (15 goals, 17 assists). In addition, he leads the league with four short-handed goals. In 2002, Mazzolini was named Alaska High School Player of the Year. He is the son of Kim and Paul Mazzolini.

Miller is the third member of this season's Texas Tornado team that will join the Friar squad in 2005-06. The 5-foot-10 inch, 175-pound defenseman has played in 23 games and ranks fifth on the team with 20 points (three goals, 17 assists). He also is rated as the third highest scoring defenseman in the NAHL. Miller, Mazzolini and Copper are members of the Tornado team that won the 2003-04 USA Hockey Junior A Championship. Miller is the son of Lana and Doug Miller.

Mori, a 6-foot, 180-pound center, is a member of Avon Old Farms of the New England Prep School Ice Hockey Association. Last season, he led Avon Old Farms to the Division I Championship as he tallied 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists). This season, Mori will serve as captain of Old Avon Farms. He is the son of Lori and John Mori.

Norton plays for Thayer Academy of the NEPSIHA. He is a 6-foot-2 inch, 200-pound forward, who was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He will serve as assistant captain for Thayer Academy for the upcoming season. Norton was named Hockey Night In Boston Best Pro Prospect in 2003 and 2004. Norton is the son of Maureen and Larry Norton.

Wild rounds out the list of six early signees. Wild played high school locally for two years at LaSalle Academy before moving on to the Boston Junior Bruins of the Eastern Junior Hockey League this season. He is a 6-foot-1 inch, 185-pound defenseman, who after 28 games ranks first among defenseman in the EJHL in scoring with 19 points (six goals, 13 assists). Wild is the son of Susan and Robert Wild.

"This class has a great mixture of size, skill and work ethic," said Head Coach Paul Pooley. "Each one of these players will compete to play immediately for our program and help us compete for a Hockey East Championship in the future. We are very excited to work to develop this group into one of the strongest classes we have had here at Providence College."

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