Bismarck forward Marti makes NCAA DI commitment
August 23, 2018
Jacob Marti played two seasons in the NAPHL for the Rocky Mountain RoughRiders prior to playing this past season in the NAHL. He was a two-time NAPHL All-Star (photos by Hope Magelky).
The Bismarck Bobcats of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) are pleased to announce that forward Jacob Marti has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey for the U.S. Air Force Academy in the Atlantic Hockey Conference.
“It’s a mix of excitement and relief to be committed to play college hockey,” stated Marti, who is entering his second season with the Bobcats. “Reaching the Division I level has always been my goal and it feels incredibly good to know that I have that in my future, now.”
In his first year in black and gold the Highlands Ranch, Colorado, native put up 16 points on 11 goals and five assists in 45 appearances including a team-high three shorthanded goals—tied for the fifth-most league-wide in 2017-18.
“When you look at Jacob, you see a guy with an incredible work ethic: his hard work last season made him our top penalty killer by the end of the year and helped him overcome a slow start to have a strong second half,” remarked head coach and general Layne Sedevie, noting Marti’s bounce-back from not earning a point in his first 18 games played.
Marti (5'11/185) is another great example of an NAPHL to NAHL to NCAA Division I ladder of development success story. He played for the Rocky Mountain RoughRiders in the NAPHL during the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons. Both seasons he was selected to and played in the NAPHL All-Star Games and signed a tender with the Bobcats during the 2016-17 season.
In 47 career NAPHL over the course of two seasons, Marti recorded 49 points. During the 2016-17 season, he was named to the All-NAPHL 18U 2nd Team.
“To be a Division I hockey player at Air Force, you need two things: character and work ethic—and Jacob brings both things to the table every day which will make him a great fit for Coach [Frank] Serratore.”
Suiting up for Serratore, who has guided the Falcons to seven NCAA Tournament appearances—including an Elite Eight appearance in 2018—culminates a long-time dream for Marti.
“While growing up in Colorado I had the opportunity to build a relationship with Coach Serratore while playing in his showcases,” explained the 19-year-old center. “I don’t think there’s a coach out there with more passion. After meeting his staff and seeing the facilities from a hockey standpoint it was a no-brainer, for me, to play there.”
Marti becomes the second member of the 2018-19 Bobcats to make a Division I commitment, joining Mitch Walinski who also committed to Air Force in April.
