The Tulsa Rampage are pleased to announce that Bixby Oklahoma native Nic Powers has advanced to the NCAA.  Powers, who has spent his entire hockey career in Tulsa, will travel to Massachusetts where he will play with the Westfield State Owls beginning with the fall semester. 

"Nic is, without question, the kind of kid who deserves oppotunities for the future based on his character alone," Coach Chad MacLeod says "when you combine the kind of kid he is with the performance he gives every time he's on the ice, there was no doubt he'd move on quickly."   Powers advancement comes after only one season with the Rampage, where he was the team's second leading point producer.  His ability to nab an average of over one tally per game secured him a spot on the leader's board among the Western States Hockey League (WSHL) as well.  Powers finished the season with 61 points in only 55 games gaining him recognition among the leagues top twenty five standout performers. 

Powers' talent for hockey was evident early on as he dominated the floor while playing inline roller hockey. With his interest in the sport peaked, he joined the Tulsa Youth Hockey Association, adding ice hockey to the mix.  Again he demonstrated a natural ability for the sport that landed him in the Tulsa Flames travel program.  After graduating from Bixby High School, Powers joined the Rampage and proved that he had more than just natural ability on his side.  "Nic is one of the hardest working people I have ever met," MacLeod says "his work ethic both on and off the ice is outstanding."  That work ethic combined with his previously mentioned character is something that has benefitted the Rampage during the current season and may do so in the future as well.  "When you have the opportunity to send a kid like Nicky up, its a huge deal," General Manager Julie Wilson says "not only do we get the chance to promote someone who definitely deserves it, he is also the kind of kid who adds to the reputation of our organization.  His character and work ethic will impress the NCAA and because of that, our job of moving other kids will get easier."

Movement of players is something that is obviously a focus for the organization as Power will join two Rampage alumni at Westfield.  Former defenseman David Ciminelli and former goaltender Ian Wilson will be his teammates next season.

The management and staff of the Tulsa Rampage are pleased to announce that Team Captain Nik Ellickson will play in the ACHA program at Denver University in the fall. The Centennial Colorado native joined the program after receiving a significant academic scholarship to the University. 

Ellickson's leadership skills were evident early in the season, quickly securing him the position as the team's captain.  From there he added to his strong reputation by continuing to demonstrate his on-ice ability as the Rampage's standout defenseman.  Ellickson maintained the team's lowest plus/minus rating for defensemen - a statistic that indicates he was not on the ice often when the team was scored against - along with nabbing 26 points in his 55 games played.  His forte on the ice was specifically demonstrated in special team situations, including the power play where he nabbed more than half of his tallies.  "Elly is an all around great person to have on your team," Coach Chad MacLeod says "he leads by example both on and off the ice, he works hard, he's coachable, he's respectful, he's all about integrity - I just can't say enough about him." 

Ellickson began playing hockey at the age of six and was quickly hooked on the excitement of being a forward in the sport.  What he deemed to be adversity - the requirement that he switch to defense at age thirteen - turned out to be a blessing in disguise.  He had a talent for the position that, combined with his size, proved to be an asset in his quest to advance in the sport.  A person who believes in a strong work ethic and discipline, Ellickson was a perfect fit for the Rampage - a program he refers to as a hard working and well disciplined club which was an attitude that won the heart of the team's management.  "You can't watch Elly in action - as a leader, as a player, as a human being - and not just fall in love with the kid" General Manager Julie Wilson says "there are people that you meet in life who you know have left a permanent impression on you and he's definitely one of those kids.

Ellickson, who had posted a 4.05 grade point average in high school and who excelled on both the SAT and ACT tests, intends to major in Business Management at Denver University. 

The Tulsa Rampage are pleased to announce that starting goaltender, Mike Davis, will advance to the NCAA in the fall.  Davis, who has been the team's standout performer throughout the season, will join the Bison Hockey program at Nichols College in Dudley Massachusetts.  "Mike has been the most consistent player on the team and has been solid for us all year long," Coach MacLeod says "so its fitting that he's the first of our players to solidify a spot at the NCAA level."

Davis was traded to the Rampage from a team in his home state of Michigan after the beginning of last season.  His work ethic and attitude quickly won the heart of the Rampage staff and contributed to his ongoing development into the WSHL's leading goaltender.  Although Davis has played more games than any other goalie in the league, he has maintained the highest save percentage among the WSHL goaltenders.  That 92.9% save rate combined with a goals against average of only 2.21 per game gained recognition from Nichols Head Coach Lou Izzi.  "Mike has developed into an excellent Junior A goaltender," Izzi notes "his goals against average and save percentage speak volumes about his ability." 

The Rampage coaches and staff don't hesitate to comment on Davis' excellent character and were excited to see that he was recognized by the NCAA coaching staff for those attributes as well.  "I couldn't have been any more impressed with Mike on his recent visit to our campus," Izzi said "He is an outstanding young man, leader, and student."  And that "student" part has gained him more than recognition.  Based on his high school GPA and test scores, Davis received a $13,000 annual scholarship to attend Nichols.

"I could not be prouder of Mikey," General Manager Julie Wilson says "if any kid deserves an opportunity along with a significant scholarship, its him.  He earns that every day on and off the ice through his performance, his work ethic, and his character."  So now the Rampage faces the bittersweet loss of their starting goaltender.  "I hate to lose him for next season," MacLeod says "but its a great feeling to be able to secure him a spot thats really going to benefit him in the future.  That kid deserves it."