A lifetime dream has finally come true for Austin Bruins defenseman Jonathan Gehrt.

The second-year Bruins player recently committed to play Division I hockey on a full athletic scholarship for Army at West Point next season.

Gehrt has been thinking about playing college hockey since he was a kid and he new it was a possibility by the time he started playing high school hockey.

“Growing up in Minnesota, playing hockey at the next level is everyone’s dream,” said Gehrt, a 19 year-old from Woodbury, Minn. “It feels good, but I also know I’m not there yet. I have to stay hungry and do what it takes. Winning a Robertson Cup this year is my top priority.”

Gehrt, who has 25 career points for the Bruins, faced plenty of adversity in the past two seasons. Last year, he missed 10 games due to a concussion and this past summer, he suffered with a bout of mononucleosis.

“Those things motivated me,” Gehrt said. “It gave me the extra effort when training and it made me strive for what I needed.”

Gehrt spent time training at the Minnesota Advancement Program in the Twin Cities this summer and Bruins head coach Chris Tok said that work has paid off.

“He’s made huge strides from where he was last year to this year,” Tok said. “His on ice confidence is growing and that’s what Army saw in him.”

Gehrt was spotted by Army at the NAHL showcase earlier this season and they also came to watch him over Thanksgiving. Along with his commitment to the Knights hockey team, Gehrt is also making a commitment to join the army after school.

“I just felt like the right fit,” he said. “I look forward to serving my country after I’m done with school.”

The Bruins (14-9-1 overall) will travel to Alexandria Friday at 7:30 p.m. and they will host Aberdeen Saturday at 7:05 p.m. in Riverside Arena.