Martin Moioffer, center, was announced Wednesday as the Twin City Thunder’s first NCDC signing, at Norway Savings Bank Arena in Auburn. With Moioffer is Thunder head coach Doug Friedman, right, and assistant coach Dan Condon.
AUBURN — The Twin City Thunder hope Martin Moioffer can bring his scoring ways to the Twin City Thunder next season.
On Wednesday at Norway Savings Bank Arena, the team announced the 18-year-old, 5-foot-10, 183-pound forward as the first signing for its Tier II team that will begin play in the USPHL’s National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) beginning next season.
The NCDC team will be separate from the current team that plays in the USPHL’s Tier III Premier League. The Thunder also will continue to have a Premier League team next season in addition to the NCDC team.
Moioffer, of Balsam, Wisconsin, is in his second season with the East Coast Spartans 18U midget program. He’s averaging nearly a goal per game this season, tallying 48 goals in 52 games between East Coast Elite League (ECEL) play and out of league play. He also has 24 assists this season.
“What drew me to this team is I knew the management well, they looked at me and they talked to me a lot,” Moioffer said. “I think they really care about their players and I care about their organization, they look like they do a good job. It looks like they have done a good job. I am really excited for this opportunity.”
For Doug Friedman, who’s the current Premier League team’s coach and will be NCDC team’s coach next season, Moioffer checks off all the boxes.
“One of the things we look at as a program, we want kids to come in with a high-compete level, high skill set, high IQ and a tremendous potential for the college level,” Friedman said. “We think Martin fits the bill for all of that. We are really pleased when he accepted our tender offer.”
The Thunder can use up to eight tender contracts to sign players for the 2019-20 season. Moioffer was brought in earlier this season to practice with the current Thunder team.
Friedman said the team is expected to announce more tender signings for the NCDC team in the coming weeks.
Moioffer’s current coach with the Spartans, Neil Liston, said Moioffer plays a 200-foot game but is most effective in the offensive zone. Liston knew Moioffer had offensive skill the moment Moioffer arrived to Spartans from the Sioux Falls Stampede 18U last season.
“He’s very strong on his skates, he knows his positioning and knows where his (teammates) are going to be,” Liston said. “He can go in the corners and go into the dirty spots (to get loose puck) and create at ton of offense.”
Moioffer is the captain in his second season with the Spartans, and Liston said he’s a good-character kid who’s focused not only on the ice but in the classroom.
It has been a busy winter season for Friedman, balancing duties for current team and and the NCDC team.
“We are making sure we are committed to this year — making the playoffs and a successful end to the season,” Friedman said. “Obviously, at the same time, we are multitasking, preparing for next year not only for the Premier team, but the NCDC team. It’s certainly time-consuming, I see my wife and daughter a lot less and my dog doesn’t recognize me anymore. It’s a part of what we do.”
Moioffer may even suit up for the Thunder at the end of this season.
“My season ends relatively soon,” Moioffer said. “We have month or two left of games, we actually have our (ECEL) playoffs coming up in two weeks. If they allow me to come up here and want me to skate with them, I am definitely interested.”
Friedman said nothing is set in stone and that Moioffer’s first priority for the remainder of the season is to the Spartans.
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