Finley gives verbal commitment to UND

July 21, 2005

Joe Finley, a 6-7, 240-pound defenseman from Edina, has made a verbal commitment to play hockey for the University of North Dakota.

Finley did not play high school hockey last year -- it would have been his junior season -- opting instead to play for Sioux Falls of the USHL. He has been taking online classes this summer with the intention of graduating early.

"Most schools had me on their recruiting list for 2006," Finley said. "North Dakota didn't care. A year early or not, I was still their top defensive recruit."

Finley also strongly considered the Gophers before choosing North Dakota.