Evan Cholak played more games in an Austin Bruins uniform than any player before him. Now he’ll trade his black and gold for green and white as he announced his commitment to NCAA DIII powerhouse St. Norbert College this week.

Cholak, who is from Kenosha, Wisconsin, first joined the Bruins in the 2015-16 season and posted 20 goals and 29 assists this past season. He added four points in seven postseason games.

“[Holding the games played record] is an honor that I am very proud of but I could not have done it alone,” said Cholak. “Our training and coaching staff really knows what they’re doing and helped me stay healthy for the majority of my time with the Bruins.”

St. Norbert’s men’s hockey program is one of the most successful of the last two decades, winning five National Championships since the 2007-08 season, including this past season when they captured the title with a dramatic 3-2 overtime win against Salve Regina in Lake Placid, NY.

“I chose St. Norbert because it is a great school with an unbelievable hockey program that I think is a perfect fit for me,” Cholak said.

The Green Knights play in the National Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA), of which they are two-time defending champs. They’ve faced off against Adrian College (which recently committed Bruins defenseman Matt Eller) in the conference championship each of the last four seasons. The campus is located in De Pere, Wisconsin, just south of Green Bay and about 150 miles up the Western shore of Lake Michigan from Cholak’s hometown of Kenosha.

“I grew up in Wisconsin and [St. Norbert] a beautiful campus. It will definitely be nice to be close to my family and loved ones,” he said.

Along with holding the franchise games played mark, Cholak ranks fourth all-time in points (106), fourth in assists (65), and sixth in goals (41).

“Austin has been my home for the past three years and I could not be more thankful for the amazing people I have met there,” added Cholak. “I want to say thank you to all the incredible fans that make every home game very special. I would also like to thank Coach Howard and Coach Rooney for helping me grow as a player and a person. Also, Coach Keenan Kelly, who has been my coach for three years. I have learned so much from him, and not only is he an amazing coach, but a role model to me.”

With Cholak’s commitment, all four ’97-born Bruins aging out from the 2017-18 roster will be playing college hockey next season. Travis Kothenbeutel will be at University of Nebraska-Omaha, Alex Schilling will be at Air Force Academy, Matt Eller will be at Adrian College and Cholak will be at St. Norbert College.