GRAND FORKS, N.D. ? University of North Dakota head men's hockey coach Dave Hakstol announced today the signing of forward Danny Kristo to a National Letter of Intent to play for the Fighting Sioux beginning in 2009-10.
Kristo, a 6-foot, 175-pound native of Edina, Minn., currently plays for the Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League (USHL), where he has scored three goals and nine assists through the first 12 games this season. He was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the second round (56th overall) of the 2008 National Hockey League Entry Draft.
“Danny is a highly competitive player who brings a great deal of speed to the game,” said Hakstol. “He'll be an exciting player within our program and we're proud to have him join the Fighting Sioux family.”
Kristo spent the 2007-08 season with the United States National Team Development Program Under-18 team, recording 21 goals and 17 assists for 38 points in 55 games. He helped lead Team USA to a first-place finish at the 2008 Under-18 Five Nations Cup, where he scored two goals and added two assists in four games. He also helped lead Team USA to a bronze medal at the 2008 IIHF World U-18 Championship by finishing in the top five on the team in points with six (three goals, three assists).
In 2006-07, Kristo played for the USNTDP Under-17 team and tallied 12 goals and 16 assists for 28 points in 59 games.
Kristo spent the 2005-06 season with Eden Prairie High School and recorded 39 points (15 goals, 24 assists) in 27 games.
