Former West Texas Defenseman Gray Makes College Commitment

Photo Credit: Brooke Through the Lens

The West Texas Wranglers of the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) are proud to announce that defenseman Austin Gray has committed to play ACHA Division I college hockey for the University of Michigan-Flint (Flint, Michigan).

This past season for the Wranglers, Gray was a big part of the defense for the team. Appearing in 47 games for the Wranglers, the Odessa, Texas native served as captain of the team for the 2025-26 season.  

Gray previously spent time playing for the Louisiana Drillers and Minnesota Loons before ending his NA3HL career with West Texas. 

The best offensive performance of the 2025-26 season for Gray came on Sept. 9 against the New Mexico Ice Wolves. Gray scored the first goal of the game for the Wranglers to make the score 4-1 and start the comeback. The Wranglers defeated the Ice Wolves by a score of 6-5 in overtime. 

“Austin Gray’s commitment is bigger than hockey. He’s a local kid who played youth hockey in Amarillo and Odessa, trusted the process, stayed the course, and earned his opportunity,” said Wranglers President and Owner Austin Sutter. “He never cut corners. He served others, led by example, and worked when nobody was watching. For every young player in our community,  this is proof that dreams can come true right here in your own backyard. We couldn’t be more proud.”

Gray is one of two players from the West Texas Wranglers to make a college commitment this season.