A big day across the hockey world, August 1 marked the first occasion that players heading into their Grade 11 year could announce their NCAA commitments.
As expected, many players revealed the schools that will be attending in the future. Alongside these announcements were also players in other age groups (commonly 2007-born) committing to schools.
With so many of them making their announcements, here is the Part 1 on who will be going where:
McLean Agrette, F, UMass
Agrette, a native of St. Catharines, Ont., announced his commitment to UMass. As the captain at Nichols School this past season, he had 28 points in 28 games across the United States high school prep circuit.
In an April report, Agrette was described as a good skater who surveyed the ice well:
“While he is undersized, he showed good skating ability with speed, edges, agility, and balance. He also surveyed the ice well, being a playmaker, and was not afraid to release his quick shot in the early going. “
Sean Burick, D, Denver
Having committed to Denver, Burick played for Shattuck St. Mary’s 15U this past season, collecting 26 points in 56 games.
Standing at 6-foot-6, Burick is described as a player who is able to outmuscle others:
“Burick is a huge right shot defenseman for Shattuck that kept tight gaps and also added a heavy effortless release. He was able to outmuscle guys in battle and steal possessions or use his lengthy reach to poke pucks from distance.”
Nolan Duskocy, F, UMass
Playing for Bishop Kearney Selects 15U this past season, the native of Ellington, Conn., scored 27 goals and added 34 assists for 61 points in 62 games.
Ranked a 3.75-star prospect by Neutral Zone, Duskocy is described as one of the top talents in the 2008-age group:
“Nolan is a big-body forward and one of the top talents in this 2008 age group. He is coming off a season where he had a strong National Camp and he was one of the odds-on favorites to return. It was clear that he felt he belonged and was ready to make a second appearance considering how confident he was on every shift.”
Jimmy Rieber, D, Miami (Ohio)
Drafted by the Waterloo Black Hawks in the eighth round of the 2024 USHL Futures Draft, Rieber played for the Chicago Reapers 15U last season.
Graded as a 3.75-star prospect by NZ, Rieber was described as a lanky defenseman with a solid two-way game:
“Rieber is a lanky right-shot defenseman who played a solid 2-way game. He moves fairly well in all directions and showed adequate ability to handle and move the puck in transition.”
Jason Musa, F, UMass
Splitting time between the Hartford Jr. Wolfpack 16U and Trinity-Pawling School, Musa had a combined 100 points in 49 games.
Ranked a 3.75-star prospect by NZ, Musa is described as a forward with high hockey-IQ:
“Musa has grown a bit and still shows the same high hockey IQ we have noted previously. The 2007 moved to excellent spots without the puck with quick feet. He was able to create turnovers by cutting off zone exits with a quick stick on the forecheck and also slipped to scoring areas, leaving himself ice between the net to make plays.”
Parker Trottier, F, Notre Dame
The grandson of Bryan Trottier, Parker is a talented player in his own role who is set to join the U.S. NTDP U17 team this upcoming season. While playing for Shattuck St. Mary’s 16U this past year, he had 26 points in 46 games.
Ranked a 4.25-star prospect, Trottier was described by NZ scouts as a power forward who crashes the net:
“He had a strong showing here, embracing his power game and taking pucks hard to the net. He ran the goalie (more than once) and scored, crashing the net and following up the play for rebounds. He also scored on catch-and-shoot plays in the slot and one off the rush, where he cut across the high slot and fired a wrister post and in.”
Roberts Naudins, F, Harvard
Naudins, a Latvian native, played in Switzerland this past season, putting up 51 points in 29 games with Thurgau U17.
Committed to Harvard, Naudins is described as a tall forward with great movement:
“Roberts is a tall forward with great movement and has an array of offensive talents. He rarely used the same move twice throughout the week and didn’t hesitate to release a quick trigger from all over the zone.”
Kevin Lysohir, F, Quinnipiac
Lysohir, who committed to Quinnipiac for the 2027-28 season, spent this past year playing for the Long Island Gulls 15U. In 80 games, he scored 38 goals and added 48 assists for 86 points.
Given a star rating of 3.75 by NZ, Lysohir is described as a creative forward:
“Lysohir is an average-sized left-shot forward who stood out as one of the more creative players on the ice. He excels in possession with above-average puck skills, vision, and a strong ability to read plays.”
Luke Schairer, D, Boston University
A native of Milwaukee, Wis., Schairer spent this past season playing for Mount St. Charles 15U. Scheduled to suit up for the U.S. NTDP U17 team next season, Schairer had 41 points in 52 games in 2023-24.
Given a star rating of 4.5, Schairer was referred to as a versatile defender:
“Schairer is a tall, athletic, versatile defenseman who anchored the Mount St Charles blue line this season as well as having a strong performance for Team USA at the Youth Olympic games. He’s beyond his years in on-ice maturity and defensive discipline.”
Dylan Dean, F, Maine
Dean, who was drafted by the Sioux City Musketeers in the ninth round of the 2024 USHL Futures Draft, spent this past year with the Long Island Gulls 15U. In 60 games, he collected 74 points.
Given a star rating of 3.75, Dean is described as a player who uses his skills and instincts on the ice:
“He thrives by using his awareness and instincts to get to the right spots to receive the puck, whether it be in the soft areas or open ice for breakaway opportunities.”
Brody George, F, Michigan State
Committed to Michigan State for the 2027-28 season, George is scheduled to suit up for the U.S. NTDP U17 team next season. With the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 15U this past season, he had 64 points in 61 games.
Given a 4.25 star rating, Dean was referred to as a possession-style forward who uses his speed when on the ice:
“He is a possession-style forward who can spin, dip, and cut back on defenders, making him elusive and tough to get a body on. He skates to open ice – creates space for himself with his explosiveness and quick change of direction, and plays with his head up – surveying the ice and making smart reads.”
Zach Nyman, D, Michigan
Having decided to go the NCAA route, Nyman is scheduled to play with the Penticton Vees in the BCHL next season. While suiting up for the Vaughan Kings U16 this past year, Nyman had 25 points in 31 GTHL games.
Given a 4.5-star ranking, Nyman is described as a smooth-skating defenseman:
“Nyman is an undersized, smooth-skating, dynamic offensive-defenseman who ranks among the premier prospects in this OHL Draft class. He excels at retrieving pucks in transition, using quick and slick escape moves to buy himself time and space, and finding passing lanes to move the puck effectively.”
Van Martin, F, St. Lawrence
A native of Derry, N.H., Martin played for Lovell Academy 16U this past season. Committed to St. Lawrence, Martin will join the team in 2027.
Given a star rating of 3.5, Martin was described as someone who knew how to use his length to his advantage:
“His length was a factor as he pulled pucks into his possession and quickly moved up ice. He was playing with pace here and handled the puck well through traffic: maintaining possession and putting quality shots on goal.”
Ilya Morozov, F, Miami (Ohio)
Tendered by the Tri-City Storm, Morozov spent the 2023-24 season with the Windy City Storm 15U, collecting 74 points in 49 games.
Given a 4.25 star rating, Morozov was lauded as a skilled forward with high hockey I.Q.:
“Ilya is a big lanky skilled forward with a high hockey IQ. He plays a smart two-way game and features good vision and excellent release. He stickhandles with quick soft hands which helps him escape tight areas despite his bigger stature.”
Nathan Birch, D, Northeastern
With Bishop’s College this past season, Birch scored 12 goals and added 32 assists for 44 points in 50 games.
Given a star rating of 3.75, Birch has been described as a player whose maturity is noticeable:
“His maturity is noticeable, as he now selects his moments to join the offensive rush more judiciously. Birch’s skating and puck-carrying abilities remain strong, along with his competitive spirit. He’s a mobile defenseman who relishes playing a physical, aggressive style and doesn’t shy away from opponents.”
Callum Croskery, D, Boston College
Having suited up for the Oakville Rangers U16 this past season, Croskery had 52 points in 29 games. Scheduled to suit up for the Chicago Steel next year, Croskery will join the Eagles in 2027.
Ranked a 4.75 by NZ, Croskery was regarded as one of the best players in the province of Ontario for his age group:
“Callum Croskery showed again at the OHL Cup among the top prospects in the province that he is the best defenseman in this OHL Draft class, and he’s starting to pull away even from #2 and #3. He has rare tools: a 6ft defender with smooth stride backward acceleration and fluid pivots and transitions. He can jump up and join the attack, or he can zip passes like a veteran junior player and hit targets through the neutral zone to create fast breaks.”
Ben Short, F, Merrimack
Having attended The Winchendon School in 2023-24, Short put together 19 points in 29 games. Committed to Merrimack, Short will play for the Islanders Hockey Club Prep East next season.
Given a star rating of 3.5, Short stands out thanks to his creativity:
“In the offensive zone, he was creative and dangerous, showing a quick release on both his shot and his passes. In the second period, he had a quick release snapshot that surprised New Hampton’s goalie and, unfortunately for Winchendon, went out the far side to miss the net.”
Chase Reid, D, Michigan State
Splitting time between Victory Honda 16U and the Waterloo Black Hawks in 2023-24, Reid has committed to Michigan State. In 68 games with Victory Honda, Reid had 62 points.
Given a star rating of 4, Reid is credited for being a good skater who displays confidence with the puck:
“Chase consistently displayed his assets and game proficiency. Chase has very good feet. His transitions are smooth, and he does not lose speed. He can walk the blueline with patience and poise on the powerplay, which enabled Chase to get pucks through to the net.”
Tynan Lawrence, F, Boston University
Committed to the Terriers, Lawrence played for Shattuck’s St. Mary 16U this past season where he had 49 points in 50 games. Scheduled to play for the Muskegon Lumberjacks in 2024-25, Lawrence will head to Boston University in 2027.
Given a star ranking of 4.5, Lawrence is credited for having having strong puck skills:
“Lawrence is on the smaller side, a left-handed forward with elusive puck skills and offensive thoughts.He popped in a goal in the quarterfinals against Caesars as he walked in from the flank to slot on a 5v3 power play and zipped a shot over the blocker. Later in the game, he showed his quick stick on the defensive side, creating a takeaway in the slot on the man-down again, creating a scoring opportunity. There were times during the National Tourney when Lawrence was very noticeable with his skill sets.”
Jonas Kemps, D, Michigan State
A native of Sebastopol, Calif., Kemps played for the Anaheim Jr. Ducks 15U this past year. where he had 39 points in 60 games. Kemps will suit up for the U.S. NTDP U17 team next year.
Given a star rating of 4.25 by NZ, Kemps is described as a tall, athletic defenseman:
“Kemps is a tall, highly athletic, two-way defenseman who put himself on the map this past summer after playing AA hockey in California and ended up being one of the very best prospects in the entire Select 15 USA Development camp.”