With Neutral Zone being the go-to place to stay up to date with commitments around the hockey world, here is the latest installment of players who have committed to the NCAA and CHL. Players who commit after 12pm EDT on September 15th will be included in next week’s report.
NCAA
Samuel Doyon-Cataquiz (G, L, 6’2″, 187, Bishop Kearney Selects U18, 04/18/2007, Quinnipiac)
Committed to Quinnipiac, Doyon-Cataquiz played for Bishop Kearney Selects 18U in 2023-24 where he posted a 2.55 GAA and a .902 SV% in 22 appearances.
Ranked a 4 star prospect, Doyon-Cataquiz impressed scouts with his athleticism:
“He’s grown a bit, now listed at 6’2″, and what stands out is his athleticism and compete level. His post-to-post movements are high-end, and his compete—fighting through screens and battling for second-chance opportunities—was exceptional here. He made a couple of big saves late on Jackson Vaites in tight to secure the win for Bishop Kearney.”
Jet Kwajah (D, R, 6’0″, 157, Madison Capitols, 03/25/2008, Penn State)
Slated to suit up for the Madison Capitals this season, Kwajah has committed to Penn State. Having played for the Toronto Jr. Canadiens U16 last year, he scored three goals and added 20 assists for 23 points in 30 games.
Given a star rating of 4.25, Kwajah stood out with his well-balanced game:
“Kwajah is a good-sized, balanced skating defenseman who anchored their blue line throughout the game, playing a lot of minutes and in all situations (PK PP D-zone faceoffs, etc). He has smooth and confident puck handling – he’s poised on the breakout and can get off forecheck pressure with clever escape moves and either skate it out himself or make passes up ice. He showed more than once in this game an ability to look off passes and get pucks into the second level on forwards streaking through the neutral zone to create fast breaks and odd-man rushes from the backend. He can think the game quickly, which was demonstrated in the neutral zone where he read a rush, anticipated a pass, picked it off, and immediately put a puck into space for speedy Zhilkin to skate to knowing he’d win the race.”
Marko Lisica (F, L, 5’10”, 165, Long Island Gulls U16, 03/28/2007, Dartmouth)
A product of Plainview, N.Y., Lisica committed to Dartmouth this past week. Lisica suited up for the Long Island Gulls 16U last season.
Ranked as a 3.5 star prospect, Lisica was described as a forward with solid playmaking abilities:
“Lisica, a lanky left-shot forward, showcased his underrated vision and playmaking skills in the game. Early on, he initiated a rush and found #21 Wytennbach cutting under the defense, threading a pass to the net for a goal.”
Owen McCarthy (D, L, 5’10”, 141, RHA Kelowna U18, 02/20/2008, UMass Lowell)
Committed to UMass-Lowell, McCarthy suited up for RINK HA Kelowna U17 Prep last season where he scored one goal and added 22 assists for 23 points in 29 regular season games.
Ranked a 4 star prospect, McCarthy stood out thanks to his quick first step:
“Owen utilized his quick first step and acceleration to escape pressure behind his own net and start the breakout. He was able to carry the puck with his head-up to transition it up ice and made accurate passes to teammates. Offensively he routinely was able to get open to be a passing option for carriers and was able to get pucks through to the net from the line. In one instance he scored from the line off a one-timer shot a difficult play to execute for this age group.”
WHL
Jonathan Bitonti (RW, R, 5’8″, 134, Yale Hockey Academy U15 Prep, 02/21/2008)
A product of North Vancouver, B.C., Bitonti collected 16 goals and 25 assists for 41 points in 32 regular season games with Burnaby Winter Club U17 Prep. Bitonti signed with the Calgary Hitmen as an undrafted free agent.
Ranked a 4 star prospect, Bitonti was described as a quick, shifty playmaker:
“Bitonti is a small quick shifty playmaker with natural offensive instincts which allows him to make plays at pace. He’s heady has a patient stick and can outwait defenders and even goalies and breakdown defenders 1v1 with quick side steps crafty stickhandling moves through the triangle and around the defender and quick cut backs. He was also skilled at spinning and curling off checks in the corner and finding the seams off the cycle.”
Cash Brebant (F, R, 5’6″, 120, OHA Edmonton U15 Prep, 06/12/2009)
Drafted by the Portland Winterhawks in the fifth round of this year’s WHL Bantam Draft, Brebant played for OHA Edmonton U15 Prep where he collected 31 points in 27 games.
Ranked a 3.75 star prospect, Brebant was described as a player who makes good decisions with the puck:
“Cash is an intelligent player who made creative and accurate passes to teammates. He showcased soft hands as he was able to deke past defenders and protect the puck. Despite being a smaller player, Cash was able to win a good percentage of his puck battles and overall played bigger than he is.”
Seamus Dillon (F, L, 5’7″, 140, Airdrie Xtreme U15, 01/29/2009)
Drafted by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the fifth round of this year’s draft, Dillon scored 17 goals and added 20 assists for 37 points in 34 games while playing for Airdrie Extreme U15.
Ranked a 4 star prospect, Dillon impressed scouts when attacking with the puck:
“Seamus is an above-average straight-line skater for this level of play. He was excellent at attacking outside lanes with the puck before either passing to a teammate in the middle of the ice or holding onto it and going around the net to find options. On the defensive side of the puck, Seamus spaced himself well to stifle the breakout. On one play against Gold, Seamus picked off a breakout pass and went in on goal for a chance.”
Gavin Faul (F, R, 5’7″, 136, St. Albert Sabres U15, 09/04/2008)
Suiting up for Northern Alberta Xtreme Prep U17 in 2023-24, Faul collected 55 points in 28 games. Faul signed with the Swift Current Broncos as an undrafted free agent.
Given a star rating of 3.25, Faul left a mark with his ability to create offence:
“Faul had a strong game offensively scoring two goals and adding an assist. On his first goal, he was able to corral a partially deflected pass while skating hard to the net and was able to get a shot off which beat the Grande Peace goaltender. On his second goal, he was able to hop on a loose puck while shorthanded and beat the goaltender with a quick low shot from the slot. On his assist, he threw a hit behind the net and was able to steal the puck from the defenseman.”
Caden Leibel (F, L, 5’11”, 156, Delta Hockey Academy Green U15 Prep, 09/09/2009)
A product of Surrey, B.C., Leibel was drafted in the fourth round of the 2024 WHL Bantam Draft by the Portland Winterhawks. While playing for Delta Hockey Academy U15 Prep, Leibel had 40 points in 27 regular season games.
Given a star rating of 4, Leibel impressed with his patience with the puck:
“We noted on multiple occasions Caden’s ability to calmly handle the puck through pressure, and this patience will serve him well at higher levels. When rushing the puck up ice, Caden routinely went hard up the wall and then moved the puck to the middle of the ice for chances on goal. On one play against Red, Caden made a strong pass in transition and then followed the play up ice. He identified the ensuing loose puck and fired a quick shot on goal for a chance.”
Cameron Jacobson (D, L, 5’10”, 150, Warman Wildcats U18, 02/04/2008)
Drafted by the Portland Winterhawks in the fourth round of last year’s draft, Jacobson spent this past season playing for the Warman Wildcats U18 where he scored five goals and added 18 assists for 23 points in 44 games.
Given a 3.25 star rating, Jacobson was described as someone who is a dynamic force on the ice:
“Cameron Jacobson of the Warman Wildcats is a dynamic force on the ice, particularly when it comes to his role in running the powerplay. As a skilled playmaker, Jacobson excels at walking the line with finesse, showcasing his ability to maintain possession while surveying the unfolding plays. His keen hockey sense is evident in the way he keeps his head up, making quick and astute decisions with the puck.”
Brock MacDougall (F, L, 5’9″, 130, HC Edmonton U15, 04/27/2009)
Drafted by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the eighth round of this year’s draft, MacDougall played for HC Edmonton U15 where he put up 52 points in 33 games.
Ranked as a 3.5 star prospect, MacDougall impressed with his speed:
“MacDougall has that jersey in the wind speed where he is always flying and is tough to keep up with. He was at his best and most effective when he would drive wide lower his shoulder and force his way to the net. There is a hard skill to his game but there were quality chances where he lacked that finishing touch at the net.”
Theo Mcbride (G, L, 6’0″, 162, Calgary Northstars U15, 02/22/2009)
Drafted by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the tenth round of this year’s draft, McBride played for the Calgary Northstars U15 last season, collecting a 2.12 GAA and a .931 SV% in 18 appearances.
Ranked a 3.75 star prospect, McBride impressed with his ability to make athletic saves:
“In the Blue game, John created a breakaway and deked to his forehand, but Theo was a step ahead and closed the door. On another save against Blue, Theo made an excellent lateral push to come across and make the save off a passing play that yielded a grade-A chance. When he wasn’t making athletic saves or facing breakaways from star opponents, Theo was square to initial shots and displayed a strong glove hand.”
Cooper Perrin (D, R, 6’0″, 175, Saskatoon Outlaws U15, 01/02/2009)
Drafted by the Moose Jaw Warriors in the fifth round of the 2024 WHL Bantam Draft, Perrin played for the Saskatoon Outlaws U15 in 2023-24. In 24 regular season games, he scored 10 goals and added 19 assists for 29 points.
Given a star rating of 3.75, Perrin was ranked 116th on NZ’s Final WHL Rankings.
Kai Richards (F, R, 5’7″, 114, St. Albert Sabres U15, 08/02/2009)
Drafted by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the seventh round of this past year’s draft, Richards played for St. Albert Sabres U15 last year. In 34 games, he collected 62 points.
Ranked as a 3.75 star prospect, Richards impressed scouts with his high-energy game:
“Kai played a high-energy game for Yellow this week. He scored against Blue by one-timing a pass from Wright past the goaltender from the slot. Kai handled the puck well through traffic and was able to weave his way past defenders. His speed stood out more on the defensive side of the puck.”
Bryson Roberts (D, R, 6’0″, 168, Delta Hockey Academy Green U15 Prep, 05/14/2009)
Drafted by the Spokane Chiefs in the fourth round of this year’s draft, Roberts collected 18 points in 24 games with Delta Hockey Academy U15 Prep last season.
Given a star rating of 3.75, Roberts impressed scouts with his ability to take risks:
“Bryson plays with risk to his game, which worked well for him in this matchup. He stayed high when the other team started to break out and managed to keep a few pucks in the offensive zone for some quick chances while the other team regrouped. He was great at the top of the point on the powerplay, quickly changing direction when walking the blue line, and found his forwards down low by the net for great scoring opportunities.”
Asanali Sarkenov (RW, L, 6’4″, 198, Spokane Chiefs, 07/22/2006)
Drafted by the Spokane Chiefs in the first round of the 2024 CHL Import Draft, Sarkenov joins the team after playing for Suezhnye Barsy Astana (MHL) in Kazakhstan. In 42 regular season games, he collected eight points.
Aaron Zulinick (D, R, 5’9″, 133, Rink HA Kelowna U15 Prep, 04/28/2008)
Playing for the Thompson Blazers U17 team in 2023-24, Zulinick collected 12 goals and 26 assists for 48 points in 35 regular season games. Zulinick signed with the Portland Winterhawks as an undrafted free agent.
Zulinick impressed scouts with his quickness:
“Aaron accelerated quickly with and without the puck due in large part to his dynamic first step. He was effective in puck battles along the wall and protected the puck well through contact. Aaron displayed soft hands and was able to deke his way through and around opponents to get to open ice. In the offensive zone he was able to activate off the line with the puck and either shot on goal or made strong passes to teammates.”
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling