The Razorback Hockey team is pleased to announce D-Kenatae Medure as the next 2017-18 Arkansas commit. The 6’3” 220 lbs. left-shooting defenseman comes to Arkansas after a successful 2016-17 campaign with the Atlanta Capitals in the NA3HL.
During his time with the Capitals, Medure played in 45 games and assisted on 8 goals. Capitals Head Coach Jason Smith said, “After the first of the year Kenatae turned into my best defenseman and one of the best in the NA3HL. He played in almost every situation possible. Kenatae was one of the best PK players in the league. He was a leader on and off the ice and a huge reason why we went to the Silver Cup.”
Before playing for Coach Smith, Medure played 10 games in the USPHL with the Forest Lake Lakers, where he contributed 3 goals and logged 4 penalty minutes. Prior to joining the Lakers, Medure played closer to home with the Minnesota Flying Aces in the NA3HL. Born in Bloomington, Minnesota, Medure grew up with hockey. He started playing at four years old and continued the family tradition.
Said Medure, “I selected the University of Arkansas because it has a wide selection of degrees to choose from. It has a winning hockey team and I hope to help continue that tradition. I have lived in the South for the last year and enjoyed the Southern hospitality. I am looking forward to this new adventure in my life.”
“Kenatae brings a physical presence to our blueline,” said Brian Gallini, Head Coach of the Division I team. “We expect the versatility of Kenatae’s game to complement our academic up-tempo style.”
Medure becomes the fifth in a growing recruiting class that already features players from four different states. Medure joins D-Kyle Dudley (Euless Jr. Stars, NA3HL); G-Max Barr (Long Beach Bombers, WSHL); F/D-Paiute Morrison (Southern Oregon Spartans, WSHL), and D-Shaun Foster (SUNY-Canton, NCAA).
The University of Arkansas is the only SEC school to field two hockey teams. The Division I team has, since 2015, competed in the Western Collegiate Hockey Conference (learn more here). The Division III team will in 2017-18 begin its eleventh season competing in the Southeastern Collegiate Hockey Conference (learn more here). All home games are played at The Jones Center for Families in Springdale.
