GRAND FORKS -- The University of North Dakota lined up a defensive corps for next season that was made up almost entirely of puck-moving, offensive defensemen.
But when Denver coach George Gwozdecky was fired last month, it started a sequence of events that would ultimately give UND a key piece that was missing in the puzzle for the 2013-14 squad.
East Grand Forks native Gage Ausmus, a stay-at-home shutdown defenseman, gave a verbal commitment Thursday to play for UND beginning in the fall.
Ausmus, who played for the U.S. Under-18 team this season and won a silver medal at the World Under-18 Championship, will add some grit and physicality to UND's defensive corps -- elements that will be welcome.
"They are losing (Andrew) MacWilliam and (Derek) Forbort, two physical, strong guys," said Ausmus, who is expected to be a late-round NHL draft pick in June. "They (the coaching staff) thought I'd fit into that role really well."
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Ausmus originally committed to the University of Denver two summers ago, but those plans changed when Gwozdecky was suddenly fired on April 1.
"When Gwozdecky left, I didn't think it was the best option for me anymore," Ausmus said.
After Denver hired Jim Montgomery as Gwozdecky's replacement, Ausmus re-considered going to Denver. He also considered Minnesota Duluth -- where his father played football -- but ultimately decided to stay home.
"Obviously, the coaching staff is second-to-none," Ausmus said. "I've worked with Brad Berry before on my defensively abilities and I really liked what he had to say. Obviously, the tradition there is unbelievable and it's my home."
Prior to being hired at UND, Berry was the director of The Hockey Academy at The Ralph, where Ausmus trained.
The Ausmus commitment also gives UND even more of a local flavor in the near future. Other local players committed to UND are Keaton Thompson (Devils Lake), Paul LaDue (Grand Forks), Luke Johnson (Grand Forks) and Tucker Poolman (East Grand Forks).
Thompson and Ausmus played together with the Under-18 team in Ann Arbor, Mich.
"He's my best friend," Ausmus said. "That was also a big reason. I'm rooming with him next year.
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"I played a year with Tucker. I work out with Paul and Luke. They are really hard workers and great guys. I like every one of the recruits. I'm very excited and proud to be part of the North Dakota tradition."
