The '02 native of Arundel, ME spent three seasons under the #EShow umbrella, working his way up from the Eastern Hockey League Premier (EHLP) to the Eastern Hockey League (EHL) and now onto the NCAA ranks.

“Sawyer was a fixture in the Lumberjacks' program for several years, and steadily contributed to our success," said Lumberjacks head coach Seth Gustin. “He is always looking to learn and improve his game. His ability to trust the process and triumph through adversity will allow him to adapt not only to the college game, but throughout his life as well. Congratulations, Sawyer!”

While Wirising is just the third player in league history to choose the small school in Mequon, WI, on the coast of Lake Michigan, he will enjoy some familiarity when he arrives on campus. Heading into his second year as the Head Coach of the Falcons, Jim Mosso was the EHL Head Coach and General Manager of the Lumberjacks back in Wirsing's first season of juniors (2020-21).

"We are very excited to have Sawyer join us here at Concordia," said Mosso. "Sawyer brings a very high work ethic and a great attitude to the locker room. Having coached Sawyer in my time at Vermont, we look forward to him contributing to the culture we are building in the locker room. As a coach, Sawyer has a ton of tools to work with and he has a potential to develop into a high-end player at the college level."

That 2020-21 season was unlike any other in the #EShow, as Vermont was forced to move to Waterville Valley, NH for the year, due to the heavy COVID restrictions and guidelines that were put in place throughout the league's footprint. Wirsing powered through that season, leading Vermont to their first-ever EHLP appearance at the Frozen Finals, and claiming the Forward of the Year award after posting 43 points in 33 total regular season games.

From that season, Wirsing then made the jump up to the EHL, and while he battled back from an injury that he suffered at the 2021 Frozen Finals, the veteran forward continued to persevere. Over the course of 55 career games at the EHL level, Wirsing tallied 15 total points to his credit.

"I enjoyed developing both on and off the ice for the last 3 years with the Lumberjack family," said Wirsing. "The bonds and memories I've created will stay with me throughout my career and lifetime."

A big reason that Wirsing ended up in Vermont was the recruiting efforts made by a fellow Mainer, Jack Lowry, the EHLP Head Coach for the Lumberjacks.

“I’ve known Sawyer for sometime now," said Lowry. "It has been a pleasure to watch him grow and develop as a person and a player. I’ve watched him work hard daily and fight through adversity to reach his goal. I know his best days are still in front of him.”

Learn more about the Lumberjacks on the team's official website, and check out the full 2022-23 NCAA commitment list.