Wisconsin hockey recruiting: Badgers add Jake Bunz at semester break

	Name	Position	Shoots	Height	Weight
	Jake Bunz	Defense	Left	6'3	200
	Previous Team		Hometown		DOB
	Chicago Steel (USHL)		Middleton, Wis.		4/05/1995

Wisconsin has found its replacement for Keegan Ford. Middleton native Jake Bunz has been added to the roster and is eligible to practice immediately but is not yet eligible to play in games.

Bunz, who is listed as a 6-foot-3, 200-pound defenseman, has spent the previous year-and-a-half playing for the Chicago Steel in the USHL after finishing up his high school career at Middleton. Bunz has four career USHL goals and 13 points in 65 games, including a line of 1-5-6 in 24 games so far this season.

An elated Bunz told Bucky's 5th Quarter on Tuesday that this is a dream come true.

"I am so honored to play for the Badgers as it fulfills a childhood dream," Bunz said. "I know there's lots of hard work ahead and I'm up for the challenge.

"I've had some great coaches and mentors along the way and I'm excited for all that I can learn from the Wisconsin coaches."

Bunz's father, Garry, played for the Badgers from 1984-87.

Ford, a freshman defenseman from Waunakee, left the Badgers after playing in all 12 games this season. Ford returned to the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the USHL, where he spent the previous two seasons. Ford was recently named the USHL defenseman of the week after notching a goal and three assists in a pair of victories.

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