Adrian College

Entering the Season: Second full season at Adrian College and third year in the program...Bulldogs' second-leading scorer among retuners with 8+20=28 totals...adds depth on offense...shoots left...

2017-18 (Sophomore Year):

• Breakout season for the Bulldogs with 28 points, which were tied for fifth.
• Third on the team with 20 assists; added eight goals (3 on the power play) in 63 shots on goal as part of a career year.
• Had a single-game career-high four points (2 goals, 2 assists) to lead Adrian in 6-1 win over Aurora on Jan. 13.

2016-17 (Freshman Year):

• Joined the Bulldogs as a mid-season roster addition after transferring from NCAA Division I Bentley University in Waltham, Mass.
• Scored two goals and had an assist in nine appearances for Falcons during the fall semester.
• Had six goals and five assists for 11 total points in 16 games with the Bulldogs, finishing the season with 8+6=14 scoring totals overall.
• Notched a goal in his Adrian debut versus nationally-ranked Trinity (Conn.) on New Year's Eve day, a 2-1 setback.

Before Adrian College: 

• Skated for the Aston Rebels, leading the team with 28 goals and had 30 assists for a total of 58 points.
• Earned a spot on the North American Hockey League Top Prospects game.
• Helped Aston to an east division title and reach the NAHL Robertson Cup final four.
• Also played Juniors for the Rio Grande Valley Killerbees.
• Played hockey for the Oakland Grizzlies AAA and Honeybaked AAA during senior and junior years of high school, respectively.
• Two-year letterman at Utica Stevenson High School in Sterling Heights, Mich., graduating in 2014.
• Named to the first team for all-state, -region, -county and -conference honors in 2013.

Why did you Choose Adrian College?: "Due to the successful NCAA men's hockey team" and desire to return closer to home.

What is your Career Goal?: "To play professional hockey."

Who has been the Biggest Influence on you as an Athlete and Why? "My brother because he's the one who made me want to start playing hockey."

Personal: 

• Born Dean Anthony Balsamo on Dec. 23, 1995, in St Clair Shores, Mich.
• son of Dean and AnnMarie.
• Favorites: sports team--NHL's Detroit Red Wings; athletes--Pavel Datsyuk and Patrick Kane; TV show--Prison Break and Shameless; movie--Lone Survivor; musician--Chance The Rapper; foods--steak and pasta.
• enjoys playing sports and hanging out with friends.
• a sports management major.