IceDiggers' Craner headed to River Falls

Former Alpena IceDiggers captain Nolan Craner has committed to play Division III hockey at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls this coming fall. 

The Plainwell, Mich., native spent three seasons with the IceDiggers serving as captain for two of them. In 143 career games, the power forward scored 38 goals and assisted on 66 for a total of 104 points. His best offensive season came in 2007 when he scored 25 goals, 40 assists for 65 points.

"Nolan is a first-class kid who was the type of player you want the rest of the team to look up to," said IceDiggers coach Kenny Miller. "He will make an impact right away at  he college level and I couldn't be happier for him and his family." 

Craner, Ricardo Yesue and Miller were the only three from the IceDiggers organization to make the move from Toledo, Ohio, to Alpena three seasons ago. Both players will spend the next four years together at River Falls. 

UW-River Falls competes in the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA).  The Falcons complied a record of 21-6-2 last season. 

Craner and Yesue join Zach Barron (U-Mass Boston), Justin Stadler (Adrian), Korey O'Brien (UW Stevens Point) and Chris Hendrickson (Finlandia) as members of the 2006-07 IceDiggers that have moved onto the D-III level for next season.