While August is a month where on-ice play around the world may be quiet, it certainly does not lack in news. August 1 marked the first occasion that players heading into their Grade 11 year could announce their NCAA commitments.
As expected, many players revealed their future schools. Alongside the 2008-born players announcing their commitments, players in other age groups (commonly 2007-born) also got in on the fun. Part 1 can be found here.
With so many of them making their announcements, here is the Part 2 on who will be going where:
Quinlan Clair, D, Niagara
Clair, a native of St. Catharines, Ont., commited to Niagara after spending this past season playing for Nichols School. In 63 games, he scored eight goals and added 20 assists for 28 points.
In a recent Neutral Zone scouting report, Clair was credited for using his positioning and physicality well when defending:
“While he was limited on the offensive side, he used his body and stick well on opponents to defend. He had a big hit in the 2nd period against LI Gulls on the first day of the tourney. He was not afraid to play a physical style.”
Victor Plante, F, Minnesota-Duluth
Scheduled to play for the U.S. NTDP U17 team next season, Plante spent this past year with the Chicago Mission U15.
Ranked a 4.25 star prospect by NZ, Plante was described as someone who makes everyone around him better:
“Plante makes everyone around him better; he finds his teammates in all three zones and gets them the puck. His IQ and ability to read the play and make split-second decisions will translate at the next level, and he is a perfect complement to a goal scorer both 5v5 and on the power play.”
Kam Hendrickson, G, Princeton
Committed to Princeton, Hendrickson is a rare 2006-born player in this article. Hendrickson split time between Chanhassen High (USHS) and the Omaha Lancers last season.
Given a rating of 3.75, Hendrickson was given credit for his calm demeanour in net:
“Hendrickson has a calm demeanor in net and keeps his cool during extreme pressure situations. Kam is composed and makes crisp movements around his crease. He gets to the ready position quickly and leaves very few gaps for players to shoot at.”
Alex Hage, F, Michigan
The youngest brother of Montreal Canadiens prospect Michael Hage, Alex suited up for the Vaughan Kings U16 last season where he had 53 points in 32 GTHL regular season games.
Hage, ranked a 4.25-star prospect, was described as a high-IQ playmaker at the OHL Cup:
“Hage is a high-IQ playmaker who led his team in points both during the regular season and the OHL Cup, boasting an impressive 2-6-8 stat line in just six games. His poise, imagination, and touch are evident in his play. He controls errant passes, settles bouncing pucks instantly, and effortlessly sauces passes over sticks. His greatest attribute is his hockey sense and awareness.”
Camden Tabb, F, AIC
Tabb, a product of Wilbraham, Mass., spent the 2023-24 season with Mount St. Charles 16U this past season, collecting 15 points in 43 regular season games.
Committed to AIC, Tabb was lauded for his awareness in the attacking zone:
“Was one of the smaller forwards in this 2007 age group but he still found ways to be effective offensively during the Final 40. We’ve scouted him numerous times since he was a bantam and he’s always had good awareness in the attacking zone and quick feet and good acceleration ability.”
Cameron Chartrand, D, Boston College
Having suited up for Bishop Kearney 15U in 2023-24, Chartrand had 33 points in 61 games.
Ranked a 4.5-star prospect by NZ, Chartrand impressed scouts with his skating ability:
“Chartrand’s skating prowess in all directions is exceptional, and his defensive gap control and strategies are consistently near-perfect. His decision-making during transitions remained unwaveringly solid, and he adeptly utilizes his edges to evade pressure. While Chartrand excels defensively, he may not be known for generating extensive offense either from rushes or from the blue line.”
Zachary Roussy, D, Providence
Having played for Bishop’s College this past season, Roussy had 40 points in 38 games played in the U16 AAA circuit.
Given a Star Rating of 3.75, Roussy stood out for his confident and poised play:
“Roussy, despite being smaller in stature, captured the attention of our scouts with his confident and poised play. He consistently made plays, even under pressure, showcasing his ability to invite and navigate opponent pressure to create offensive opportunities.”
Evan Jones, D, Dartmouth
Jones, a native of Arlington, Mass., split this past season between Arlington High (USHS) and the Boston Jr. Eagles 16U.
Givne a rating of 3.5 stars, Jones was described as someone who played an efficient game:
“He looked good during the MA Festival earlier in the summer and we thought he was one of the more effective defenders at this event because he kept things simple. He was thinking through his possessions and didn’t try to do too much or simply use his athleticism to get by. He let the game come to him and showed great concentration and all out effort which was a strong combination here.”
Chase Trompeter, F, Western Michigan
Having suited up for the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 15U in 2023-24, Trompeter had 16 goals and 58 assists for 74 points in 57 games.
Ranked a 3.75, Trompeter was described as a speedy forward:
“Trompeter is an undersized, speedy forward with quick feet and an excellent burst. He was impactful in this scout’s viewing, finishing with a goal and an assist while making plays at pace throughout. He used his speed in almost every facet of the game.”
Alexander Karmanov, D, Penn State
Standing at 7-feet tall, Karmanov has been quite the buzz in hockey circles in the recent weeks. Having spent the 2023-24 season playing in Russia and Belarus, he will suit up for the WB/Scranton Knights 16U next season.
William Bent, F, Providence
Bent, who played for Mount St. Charles 15U in 2023-24, had 93 points across 58 games this season.
Given a star rating of 3.75, Bent caught our scouts eyes’ with his heavy shot:
“Bent is a good-sized, powerful skating forward with a heavy shot. He plays a north-south direct game, attacking the net and has a scorer’s touch. He scored a few nice goals here, including a quick/hard snap shot off a line rush, but his best was coming out from below the circles and firing a snap shot over the goalie’s shoulder.”
Dominic Pajkic, D, Western Michigan
A product of St. Clair Shores, Mich., Pajkic played for Shattuck St. Mary’s 16U this past season, putting up 26 points in 54 games.
Ranked a 3.75, Pajkic was lauded for being able to create opportunities for others:
“He showcased dynamic forwards backwards and lateral skating and used his edges to protect the puck and find opportunities up ice. Offensively he made hard and accurate passes to teammates and timed his jumps into the offence well. He displayed a versatile shot and was able to get the puck through to the net from the point to create opportunities.”
Jude Bray, D, Penn State
Heading to the BCHL for 2024-25, Bray had 23 points in 31 GTHL games for the Toronto Marlboros U16 last season.
Ranked a 4.25, Bray was described as a mobile, skilled defenseman:
“Bray is a mobile, skilled, two-way defenseman with a high hockey IQ who signed with Spruce Grove in the BCHL for next season. He doesn’t have the ideal size for the position, but he makes up for it with his quickness and hockey sense. He was quick in transition and back to pucks on retreivals.”
Casey Mutryn, F, Boston College
A product of Norwell, Mass., Mutryn spent the 2023-24 season split between the Boston Jr. Eagles 16U and St. Sebastian’s School. In 27 games with St. Sebastian’s, he collected 42 points.
Scheduled to join the U.S. NTDP U17 team next season, Mutryn has been described by scouts as having a good blend of offensive skills:
“He is a good blend of offensive ways skills along with physical attributes. He played that north-south manner game, trying to outwork and outmuscle opponents for pucks while driving the puck to the net. In the 1st game vs. LA Jr. Kings, He displayed that ability to generate some speed through the neutral zone and then pull off a slick move, sliding the puck through the defenseman’s legs.”
Jake Tavares, F, Dartmouth
Tavares, who spent this past season split between the Boston Jr. Eagles and Belmont Hill School. In 31 games with Belmont Hill, Tavares had 30 points.
Ranked a 3.75-star prospect, Tavares was described as a player who scouts noticed:
“Tavares is a player you noticed because he was constantly moving his feet with and without the puck. He would get his body and stick at the right angles and lanes on the forecheck. He showed good energy and a competitive level each shift. He used his frame to shield off defenders and was not afraid to get involved in the mix in front of the net.”
Rudolfs Berzkalns, F, Boston College
Set to suit up for the Muskegon Lumberjacks next year, Berzkalns played for Bishop Kearney 15U in 2023-24 where he had 63 points in 60 games.
Ranked a 4-star prospect, Berzkalns was described as a powerful player by NZ scouts:
“We like this player because he has not shown that fear in his eyes and his will to compete against much older players should start to translate into his becoming a top player soon.”
Dain Gordon, F, Colorado College
Another player who’s suited up for Bishop Kearney 15U, Gordon scored 39 goals and added 42 assists for 81 points in 69 games.
Given a 4-star rating, Gordon was described by NZ scouts as a good-sized, skilled forward:
“His biggest strength is when the puck is on his stick in goal-scoring areas. He has a smooth release and has the ability to put the puck where he wants it. He causes problems with his reach offensively.”
Blake Zielinski, F, Providence
A member of the North Jersey Avalanche 15U, Zielinski had 26 goals and 26 assists for 52 points in 22 games last season.
Given a 4-star rating, Zielinski was described by NZ scouts as a gritty skilled forward:
“Zielinski is more of a gritty skilled forward that plays a battletested game and makes every play hard and with purpose. He has firm hands to control pucks through contact without getting lifted and can generate out on the perimeter with his accurate passing while also finding his way to the middle of the defense and causing headaches.”
Bode Laylin, D, St. Thomas
Spendinng time with Northstar Christian Academy 16U this past season, Laylin had 43 points in 49 games. He also spent nine games with the Tri-City Storm but went pointless.
Ranked a 3.75-star prospect, Laylin was described as a defenseman with keen hockey IQ:
“Bode is a defenseman with a keen hockey IQ. He makes smart decisions on the ice, ensuring efficient plays and passes during breakouts. Laylin quarterbacks the power play and his agility and puck movement keep defenders guessing and off balance.”
Jude Herron, F, Maine
Having suited up for South Kent School 15U in 2023-24, Herron had 53 points in 45 games.
Given a star rating of 3.5, Herron is lauded for his strong shot by NZ:
“Jude was one of the most consistent 2008 players in this Select Camp field. He may not be the quickest skater but he absolutely had the strongest shot of any player we saw on the weekend. He has a thick frame that allows him to create the maximum amount of torque when he fires a wrist shot on net. He has a great release and not only can he get it on net quickly but it’s off his blade in an instant and really difficult for goaltenders to get a read on.”
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling