Owatonna’s Broton Commits to College Hockey

Owatonna High School graduate Carter Broton's hockey career will continue at Marian University. The Steele County Blades junior hockey club made the recent announcement through the United State Premier Hockey League's website. Broton called it an "opportunity of a lifetime" while thanking "my family, the Blades' coaching staff, and my teammates for their support."

Broton, who earned the Blades' Pete Kalan Character Award this season, said, "I chose Marian University because of their great tradition of hockey and academics. The atmosphere there felt like home right away." Broton joined the Blades roster in November. In 24 games, he scored five goals while adding seven assists.

Blades coach Nick Adamek commented, "Carter came in the middle of the season and had a great attitude and a strong desire to work to be better in hopes of landing a college opportunity. He brought a team-first attitude and immediately showcased his leadership qualities."

"I am proud to say that his hard work paid off. Marian is getting a mature and passionate player who will excel not only on the ice, but in the classroom as well. We couldn't be happier for him and his family," Adamek added.

Marian University coach Chris Frederickson stated, "We are thrilled that Carter decided to come play with us at Marian next year. He is a tremendous kid and has shown great promise with the Blades in his age-out season. On the ice, he checks off all the boxes we look for (in) forwards to be successful and that is why he will find success here at Marian."

The school is located in Fond Du Lac, WI and supports a pair of men's hockey teams. One competes at the NCAA Division III level in the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) and one at the ACHA level in the Northern Collegiate Hockey League (NCHL).

Broton told KRFO during the season, "Any chance you can get to play at home, is something special. Coach Adamek gave me a great opportunity to come in and play with a good team, and just play more hockey. It was always in the back of my mind that I would go back and play some more hockey and here I am."

He said he had some offers right after high school to play junior hockey, but those didn't pan out. Playing for his hometown Blades turned out to be his ticket to college hockey, "I'm happy I'm playing at home."