From the Marqutte Rangers website

Marquette Rangers forward Garrett Ladd has become the first player from this years’ squad to make a commitment to play college hockey next season. Ladd will skate next year for the Bemidji State (Minn.) Beavers of head coach Tom Serratore.

“I am excited about the chance the coaching staff at Bemidji is giving me,” said Ladd after making his decision. “Like all of us who play Juniors, it has been a lifelong dream of mine and my family to play DI hockey; and I am going to make the most of this great opportunity.”

Bemidji State is in their final season as a member of College Hockey America, the Beavers will join the Western Collegiate Hockey Association starting with the 2010 – 11 season. The Beavers are currently ranked #6 nationally and sport a 10-1-1 record on the season.

Ladd, a downstate Fenton native and team captain, leads the Rangers in scoring so far this season with 22 points on eight goals and 14 assists in 18 games. Ladd is also ranked in the top 20 in overall scoring among all 19 NAHL teams through this week of action. For his career in Marquette, Ladd has 34 goals and 65 assists for a total of 99 points in just over two full seasons.

Ladd is also the first Michigan native to sign with BSU since the program achieved Division I status 10 years ago.

For all of his scoring numbers, Rangers head coach Kenny Miller says Ladd has also become a true leader in the locker room as well as on the ice.

“Garrett is the type of player that every coach loves to coach,” Miller said. “Garrett competes in every way possible both on and off the ice, he is a tireless worker and he deserves this opportunity. As an organization we couldn’t be happier for Garrett and his family; his hard work these past three seasons both on and off the ice have really paid off for him. Not only is Bemidji State getting a top recruit as a player they are getting an even better young man.”