Springfield, Illinois – The Springfield Jr. Blues have over 90 alumni playing in higher junior hockey leagues, college hockey, or professional hockey. Here is a recap of some of our alumni.
Nick Niedert (2002-03); Reading Royals, ECHL
Nick Niedert (Hudson, IA) played for the Jr. Blues in the early 2000’s and has since played for numerous teams in his 14-year professional career. While mainly backstopping teams in lower minor hockey leagues, Niedert has broken into the ECHL ranks in the past. But it was his performance on Saturday night that took the hockey world by surprise. Neidert, 36, stopped an ECHL high 38 shots to beat the Adirondack Thunder 2-1. It was Niedert’s first ECHL win in 1,032 days, and his 5th ECHL win overall.
Nicholas Belger (2013-14); Stony Brook University, ACHA
Nicholas Belger (Yorktown, NY) played in Springfield during the 2013-14 campaign and played 18 games in total for the Jr. Blues. Belger played two seasons at SUNY-Plattsburgh before transferring to Stony Brook University this season. In 14 games for the Seawolves Belger has 13 goals and 10 assists, which lead the team.
Devin Cooley (2016-17); University of Denver, NCAA
Devin Cooley (Los Gatos, CA) played for the Jr. Blues in the 2016-17 season posting a 3.05 GAA and a .909 save percentage in 10 games played. Cooley split that season in Wenatchee of the BCHL before moving onto the University of Denver in the NCAA. Now in his second season with the Pioneers, Cooley has put up outstanding numbers. In 11 games Cooley has a 2.08 GAA and a .933 save percentage for #7 Denver. Of goalies who have played at least 500 minutes so far this season, Cooley has the 7th best GAA and 11th best save percentage.
