The Redbirds have a long and proud tradition of bringing in strong Central States talent into their program. The 2023-24 season will continue that tradition with the addition of three high level players from the leagues top organizations.
Trent Fisk of the Sabres, Blake Kumor of the Leafs & Michael Ryndak of the Hawks.
Trent Fisk:
Trent is not the first player in his family to skate for the Redbirds. His older brother Trevor was a Redbird Hockey player from 2015 through 2019.
Trent intends to major in Occupational Safety and minor in Environmental Health. He made his decision to come to Illinois State because
the school is a top university offering his major and he loves the campus.
Besides his brother Trevor he will also be joined by his twin sister Trista who is also coming to ISU.
His favorite goal was scoring a last minute game winning goal against Maine High School while playing for Neuqua Valley in front of Maine’s fans.
Trent also made this year’s Illinois High School Showcase team that represented the State down in St. Louis.
We’re looking forward to having the whole Fisk family at our games for the next several years as we did when Trevor played.
Blake Kumor:
Blake is coming off of a National Championship run with the West Dundee Leafs.
He is intending on Majoring in Marketing-Business.
Blake’s favorite coach was Jeremy Szcurek because he always believed in me and never doubted me and my abilities. He was a 100% a players coach and pushed me to do my 110% on and off the ice.
“The biggest goal of my career would have to be during nationals this year. Where I was on the power play, and i ripped a shot, i popped the bottle off in The Elite 8 against the Chicago Hawks. It wound up being the game winner and I also got player of the game that game as well.”
Blake has a brother Kaden.
He is looking forward to meeting new people and making countless new friends. As well as making many memories that will last a lifetime while at ISU.
Michael Ryndak:
Michael and his Hawks teammates also had a great run at Nationals this past season.
He will be studying finance in the College of Business.
He chose 
the school because “Illinois State offers the feel of a big state university but also has the advantages of a smaller school with ideal class sizes. My first visit to the campus clinched the decision.”
His best hockey memory so far, has been making the finals at the USA Hockey National Championships at U16 and then making the quarterfinals at U18 with the same teammates.
The biggest play that comes to mind is getting the assist on the game-winner at the U18 State Championship a few months ago.
I’m most looking forward to new experiences, learning about business, and of course playing hockey!
All three of these players give a great deal of credit to their success to their parents.
“We fully expect all three of these players to make an impact as Redbirds. They all have come from succesful programs and been part of achieving some major accomplishments. These things do not happen by accident.” Head Coach Phil Fazio.
If you’re interested in playing for ISU Hockey, we encourage you to fill out our Recruit Form under the team tab on our website!