Men's Ice Hockey 1/24/2024 6:08:00 PM Joel Norman

MEXICO MAKES COLLEGE COMMITMENT

BECOMES SECOND STAR TO COMMIT TO AIC

Lincoln Stars forward Justin Mexico has announced his commitment to play college hockey at American International College (AIC), an NCAA Division I program in the Atlantic Hockey Conference.

Mexico, 20, joined the Stars in December last season but was injured in his only USHL game. He was called up from the North Iowa Bulls (NAHL) in mid-November and has been with the Stars ever since. Mexico has recorded six points (4+2) in his first 20 games of the 2023-24 season. His best game as a Star came on Jan. 6 when he scored two goals, including the game-winner, against Waterloo.

"It was a hard decision for me and my family but I thought it was the best fit and I'm excited to be a Yellow Jacket," Mexico said. "(Head coach Rocky Russo's) a good guy to have in your corner because he talked to schools and they got to watch so big thanks to Rocky as well for helping me in this process. I've still got a job to do here to help win games and I'm taking the steps to do that."

The Madison Heights, Wis. native has spent the majority of the last two-and-a-half years in North Iowa, recording 60 points (24+36) over 117 games. Mexico opened the 2022-23 season red-hot, recording 25 points (9+16) through the first 26 games before his call-up to Lincoln.

AIC is 13-10-1 this season, including 9-6-1 in conference play. The Yellow Jackets are fourth in the Atlantic Hockey Conference and had their best month in November, when they went 7-1. Mexico joins fellow forward German Yavash as the second member of the 2023-24 Stars to commit to AIC.

The Yellow Jackets are led by Eric Lang, who is in his eighth season as head coach. He guided AIC to four consecutive conference Regular Season Titles from the 2018-19 to 2021-22 seasons. The Yellow Jackets also made three conference tournament and three NCAA Tournament appearances in that span. AIC is 135-110-25 in the last eight seasons under Lang.

"We are very excited to announce Justin's commitment to AIC," Russo said. "Justin is a tireless worker, a great teammate and a player that can play in all situations. He has worked his way through the junior hockey ranks and earned this opportunity to be a student-athlete at the Division I level."

Mexico and the Stars are on the road this weekend to face the Muskegon Lumberjacks on Saturday and Sunday. Lincoln returns home Feb. 3 to face the Omaha Lancers for Battle of the Decades Night. There will be music, games and more from the 80's, 90's and 2000's all game long. Fans can also purchase a Battle of the Decades Pack now to get four tickets and two inflatable guitars. Purchase tickets here.

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