ASU Hockey Recruiting: Sun Devils Add Defenseman Troy Hoban

The Arizona State Sun Devils recently announced the second defenseman of the 2013 class. With recruits beginning to sign their Letters of Intents for the fall semester, Troy Hoban will add a physical boost to the Sun Devils' defense.

"I have been recruiting Troy for about a year and his ability to rush the puck and move it quickly will really help us in transition from the back-end. I couldn't be more excited about adding a kid like Troy to our program," Powers said.

"I chose Arizona State for many reasons. My biggest reasons would be the winning mentality and great coaching that the team has. I hope to use Arizona as a stepping-stone in my hockey career and I feel as though ASU will be a great opportunity to gain experience and improve myself," Hoban said. "Also the weather in Tempe is a bit of a bonus coming from up north."

The St. Paul, Minnesota native played the last two seasons in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League where he scored 23 points (4 G, 19 A) in 56 games as a defenseman. All those numbers are an improvement on his 2011 statistics when he scored three goals and tallied 16 assists.

Hoban tries to model his style of play after Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Nick Leddy, one of his favorite players. The left-handed shooter has done just that and developed his game in numerous ways with the Neepawa Natives.

"From playing two years in the MJHL, I have learned how to add physicality to my game and it has helped me produce," Hoban said.

He went on to say he wants to get stronger at Arizona State to build on his 170-pound frame. This is not much of a surprise considering everyone needs to improve on his or her strength when playing college athletics, but Hoban will add a new dimension of quickness and intelligence on the ice.

His vision and leadership can help turn this maroon and gold blueline into a core of dangerous underclassmen. Head coach Greg Powers is not concerned about Hoban's role on the team.

"Troy is a tremendous skating, puck moving D who also has great leadership ability. He wore the "C" this year in Neepawa and has a great pedigree dating back to a huge high school career in Minnesota," Powers said.

Sun Devil fans are well aware of what it takes to be a captain and their immediate reaction would be to compare Hoban with current ASU captain Colin Hekle. Given that Hoban has that leadership role, there is no doubt that he can add to this championship driven team off the ice as well.

"I am real excited to join a championship team, and to attend a world class university. I am also really excited about the experience of living in Arizona," Hoban said.

Hoban finished the 2012-13 season as a top 20 defenseman in the league in multiple categories and his name has flooded the stat sheet since his high school days.

Though his offensive production will give the Sun Devils another weapon, Hoban is a consistent two-way defender who will quickly emerge as a threat in the ACHA.

FAST FACTS:

Twitter: @TronHoban

Nickname: Hobey

Major: Earth and Space Exploration

Favorite Hockey Moment: Finishing a season undefeated in youth hockey

What got you started in hockey?: I come from a family of hockey players and I started playing when I was 3 years old

Favorite Hockey Team: Minnesota Wild

Favorite Hockey Player: Jaromir Jagr

Favorite Sports Team (other than hockey): Chicago Bulls

What other sports did you play: Lacrosse, Football, Baseball

Fun Facts: He enjoys doing magic tricks

He may also have the best facial hair of any ASU athlete in any sport.