(Sioux Falls)- Matt Farris is in his second season with the Stampede...and things have come easier for the first South Dakota native to play fulltime in the USHL.

Matt Farris/Stampede Forward "I'm a lot more confident...I know what can and can't do...and think coach is more confident too."

There have been some setbacks for Matt...he had an appendecatomy...and torn MCL...which has caused him to miss 17-games.

Kevin Hartzell/Stampede Head Coach "He's missed a lot of games...and it's been frustrating...he's just getting back to his own...and we're going to need Matt Farris and everybody...if we want to do well in the playoffs."
Farris "It's made me tougher...I think personally...it's made be a tougher person."

For Farris...who graduated with his class from Pierre last year...he verbally committed to play college hockey at Princeton earlier this season...he'll get to play hockey...but more importantly...get a Ivy League education.

Farris "Academics are important to me...ever since I could write when I was five...it was important...I graduated from high school last year with a 4.0...and while hockey is important...to go to Princeton and get that education...it will give me the best possible outlook that I have."

Farris will play one more season in Sioux Falls, before going to Princeton.