This story was written by NMU Sports Information

MARQUETTE---Joseph Nardi has signed a National Letter of Intent and will join the Northern Michigan University hockey program in the fall of 2017.

Nardi spent the past three seasons with the AJHL's Whitecourt Wolverines, totaling 136 points (47g-89a) in 161 regular-season games. He added 25 (8g-17a) in 31 playoff contests.

A native of Edmonton, Alta., Nardi also played on Team Canada West's top line at the past two World Junior A Challenges.He helped the squad capture gold at the 2015 edition and served as an alternate captain in 2016, finishing each tournament with four points (1g-3a) in four games.

"Joseph is an explosive skater who will provide a high pace of play to the game," said assistant coach Rob Lehtinen. "His ability to make people around him better and play on both sides of the puck will be a nice addition to our lineup. Joseph shows great character as a person and will compete every day in practice and in the classroom."

In 2016-17, Nardi captained the Wolverines and posted his best offensive numbers in goals (18), assists (35) and points (53). He led Whitecourt to the AJHL finals, totaling 21 points (6g-15a) in 20 playoff games, the third-highest total in the league.

Nardi skated with rising junior James Vermeulen on the 2014-15 Wolverine squad and was named its co-rookie of the year. 

Nardi becomes the fourth Alberta native on the 2017-18 Wildcat team, joining Anthony Paskaruk (Airdrie), Vermeulen (Stony Plain) and Rylan Yaremko (Spirit River).