COLORADO SPRINGS, Co. – Junior Mark Loecher of the Mercyhurst College men's club hockey team has been invited to join the United States National University Team at the 2011 World University Games in January, USA Hockey officials announced this past week.

Loecher, a native of Lancaster, NY, will join 21 other players from various collegiate hockey teams affiliated with the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) at the World Games, held Jan. 27 – Feb. 6 in Erzurum, Turkey.

“This is a great honor for Mark and our program,” said head coach Tom McKinnon. “We are very proud of him. Mark is one of our hardest workers. He understands what it takes to elevate his game at the next level and possesses the natural skill and intangible skill sets needed to be successful at this event.”

The U.S. Team, coached by Dave Debol, head coach at the University of Michigan – Dearborn, makes its sixth straight appearance at the World University Games. Players from 10 different states were selected to participate with the national team after showcasing their skills at a two-day try-out camp in Grand Rapids, Mich., earlier this month.

“I really like the team that we've put together,” said Debol in a statement to USA Hockey. “We've got a lot of good size and speed up front, and there are a lot of guys who know how to put the puck in the net.”