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 Oct. 13th will be included in next week’s report.
NCAA
Archer Brown (F, L, 6’1″, 190, Taft School, 06/06/2005, Brown)
Currently playing for the NAHL’s New Jersey Jr. Titans, Brown has committed to Brown for next season. Through seven regular season games in 2024-25, he has registered three points.
Brown stood out to scouts thanks to his play at both ends of the ice:
“Archer contributed in multiple ways for Yale as he made timely hits, created scoring opportunities, and played well in the defensive end. The 6’1″ 190 lbs. forward was active throughout the tournament, playing with great intensity. Archer delivered an absolute snipe against Rhode Island. This shot was released without warning and labeled in the upper corner. Brown was hard to defend in the slot as he didn’t stay still and was constantly on the hunt.”
Benjamin Campeau (C, L, 5’10”, 177, Northeast Generals, 06/27/2004, Alaska Anchorage)
A product of Kingston, Ont., Campeau has committed to Alaska Anchorage for next season. currently playing for the NAHL’s Northeast Generals, Campeau has collected eight goals and seven assists for 15 points in nine games so far this season.
Ranked a 3.25 star prospect, Campeau impressed with his two-way game:
“Campeau showcased his 200-foot game tonight, scoring twice and leading the Generals’ offense with seven shots on goal. He excelled in all situations, blocking shots on the penalty kill and scoring a shorthanded goal.”
Tate Collins (F, L, 5’8″, 139, Markham Waxers U18, 11/04/2007, Union)
Committed to Union, Collins is playing his first year of junior this year with the OJHL’s Toronto Patriots where he has scored three goals and added 11 assists for 14 points in 12 games.
Collins stood out thanks to his speed:
“Tate is a key member of his team’s most dangerous line. He employs excellent footspeed to win races to the puck and then swiftly attacks the net with momentum. His edgework is impressive and he can shift gears effortlessly with or without the puck. In the semi-final against Magog, he executed a slick side step in the neutral zone to create more space and passing lanes.”
Brady Cunningham (D, L, 5’11”, 174, Chicago Mission U16, 03/18/2008, Bowling Green)
Committed to Bowling Green, Cunningham is currently playing for the U.S. NTDP U17, where he has put up seven points in eight games this season.
Ranked a 3.75 star prospect, Cunningham impressed scouts with his all-around game:
“Brady Cunningham is an all-around complete defenseman. He is the type of player that opponents need to be on the lookout for when he’s on the ice. He’s like a great white shark coming through the middle, laying big, timely body checks that pack a punch, and his teammates feed off the energy and momentum it creates. In the first period against CarShield, Brady flipped the puck into the right corner and was the first to forecheck. He delivered a monstrous check on the retrieving defenseman that the whole rink could hear. While his toughness and grit are evident every time Cunningham is on the ice, his offensive presence is also significant when he has the puck.”
Easton Daneault (F, R, 5’10”, 145, Drumheller Dragons, 04/23/2008, Merrimack)
Committed to Merrimack, Daneault has been playing for the AJHL’s Drumheller Dragons this past season, putting up four goals and six assists for ten points in ten games.
Ranked a 4 star prospect, Daneault’s ability to forecheck at full speed was praised by scouts:
“His ability to forecheck at full speed was truly impressive. He relentlessly attacked his opponents, never giving them a moment to breathe, which resulted in numerous turnovers and allowed his team to dominate in the offensive zone. When he hunted down pucks, he showcased excellent edgework and quick cutbacks, leading to scoring opportunities for himself or his teammates.”
Nolen Geerdes (D, L, 5’11”, 175, Rogers HS, 04/30/2007, Western Michigan)
Committed to Western Michigan, Geerdes is slated to play for Rogers High (USHS) this season. With Rogers in 2023-24, he put up 43 points in 27 games.
Ranked a 3.75 star prospect, Geerdes’s mobility was praised by scouts:
“Nolen is a mid-sized left-shot defenseman for TCO who excels in mobility, covering ice, vision, IQ, poise, and reading plays. While he is not overly physical, he effectively holds off opponents by playing smart gaps and angling opposing forwards to low-percentage areas. He provides a quick stick, can pick up pucks with ease, and transitions them north swiftly. There are times when Nolen opts for a big, accurate long pass, but he also consistently makes simple outlet plays out of the zone.”
Oliver Genest (F, R, 6’1″, 190, New Hampshire Jr. Mountain Kings, 03/19/2004, Air Force)
Committed to Air Force for next season, Genest is currently playing for the NAHL’s New Hampshire Mountain Kings where he has 10 points through nine games.
Given a star rating of 3.5, Genest stood out thanks to his compete level:
“Genest is a player who always jumps off the ice at us when we see him play. His compete level is high and he wins dramatically more battles than he loses. Today was no different. Early in the first period we noted how SPA had a turnover in the offensive grey area on a line rush. Rather than going for a skate, Genest slammed on the breaks and showed a powerful cross-under thrust through his hockey stop that allowed him to get to full speed quickly taking over the role of F1 on the backcheck.”
Brody Green (F, R, 6’0″, 155, Rink HA Winnipeg U15 Prep, 11/14/2007, Northern Michigan)
Committed to Northern Michigan, Green is playing for the MJHL’s Steinbach Pistons this season where he has collected three games in six games so far.
Ranked a 4 star prospect, Green impressed scouts with his ability to protect the puck:
“Brody had a good weekend especially in game 1 where his line accounted for 5 goals. He is an average skater but uses his big frame well in puck protection and his edge work is good enough that he can spin himself out of trouble in small spaces. He has a good shot and an ability to finish but also showed nice vision to pick out the right guy to move the puck to. His work in small areas, whether rolling off checks or making skilled passes was on display all weekend.”
TJ Hale (F, R, 5’10”, 155, Shattuck St. Mary’s U15, 01/28/2008, Colorado College)
Currently playing for Shattuck St. Mary’s 16U, Hale has 11 points through 12 games. Hailing from West Fargo, N.D., Hale committed to Colorado College.
Ranked a 3.5 star prospect, Hale stood out thanks to his speed:
“Hale is another highly skilled speedy forward that can turn up his play in possession. He doesn’t slow down with the puck and plays with a shifty nature as he can explode from a standstill and put pressure on defenders off the rush. From the cycle he was tough to get a body on as he could slither off contact and knife his way through bodies with total puck control.”
Bryce Ingles (D, R, 5’9″, 170, Lone Star Brahmas, 07/08/2005, Ohio State)
A Ohio State commit, Ingles is currently played for the USHL’s Sioux Falls Stampede where he has two goals and four points through five games played.
Ranked a 3.5 star prospect, Ingles’ skating stands out amongst his peers:
“Ingles game is built upon his skating, he is fluid, moving comfortably in each direction. At his best, he takes advantage of the system he plays in, joins rushes, plays give-and-go in transition, getting the puck back in the middle for a possible scoring chance.”
Dryden Kuramoto (F, R, 5’7″, 155, Cowichan Valley Capitals, 03/12/2005, Lindenwood)
Committed to Lindenwood for 2025-26, Kuramoto is scheduled to play for the BCHL’s Alberni Valley Bulldogs this season (Kuramoto has not played a game so far in 2024-25). Having suited up for the BCHL’s Cowichan Valley Capitals last year, he had eight goals and 24 assists for 32 points in 51 games played.
Given a star rating of 4, Kuramoto impressed with his never back down attitude:
“Kuramoto plays a very feisty game and refuses to back down from any battle regardless of opponent. Despite his smaller frame, he loves to throw hits and finish his checks. Will battle and is present in after-whistle scrums, Kuramoto is also gifted with the puck and displayed quick skating when accelerating quickly. When he uses his cutbacks he is hard to play against along the wall.”
Hudson Lohse (D, L, 6’2″, 165, Nashville Jr. Predators U16, 06/14/2008, St. Cloud)
Hailing from Nashville, Tenn., Lohse has committed to St. Cloud State. Lohse is currently playing for the Nashville Jr. Predators 16U.
Given a star rating of 3.75, Lohse stood out on the backend thanks to his mobility:
“Lohse is a well-sized defender for the Jr. Preds with a powerful stride and impressive mobility for his frame. He consistently takes smart angles to pucks, effectively sealing the middle of the ice while pressuring puck carriers to limit their time and space. Hudson’s reach allows him to be effective from a distance, and his footwork enables him to play with tight gaps and physicality.”
Michal Marsalek (D, R, 6’2″, 174, Boston Hockey Academy U16, 07/27/2008, Maine)
Marsalek, who is from Slovakia, is currently playing for Boston Hockey Academy 16U where he has scored four goals and added 14 assists for 18 points.
Ranked a 3.75 star prospect, Marsalek stood out thanks to his skating ability and vision with the puck:
“Marsalek was the best player on the ice today. He blocked six shots in the first period and finished the game with at least 12, including two during a 3v5. He’s a smooth, fluid skater with a strong stride, light on his feet, and with good pivots. He showed decent speed when he got caught deep in the offensive zone and hustled back to break up a net-front pass. While Marsalek didn’t rush the puck much, he displayed good reads and consistently made the right play. He never rushed or forced a play, often slowing it down to reload and create more time and space. He was mobile along the offensive blue line, though he could have been quicker at times.”
Joose Pesonen (D, L, 5’10”, 165, KalPa U20, 05/12/2005, Yale)
Playing for the NCDC’s South Shore Kings this season, Pesonen has one assist through two games so far. Given a star rating of 3.5, Pesonen took home the Ilpo Koskela Award in 2020-21, awarded to the U16 SM-sarja’s best defenseman.
Jack Solomon (G, L, 6’3″, 200, Austin Bruins, 02/17/2005, UMass Lowell)
A UMass-Lowell commit, Solomon is currently playing for the NAHL’s Austin Bruins where he has registered a 2.99 GAA and a .887 SV% through six games.
Given a star rating of 3.5, Solomon ranked 63rd in NZ’s AJHL rankings for the 2005 birth year.
Lucas Zajic (F, R, 5’11”, 163, Shattuck St. Mary’s U15, 01/19/2008)
Committed to Wisconsin, Zajic is playing for the U.S. NTDP U17 this season, cputting up eight points in eight games so far.
Ranked a 4.25 star prospect, Zajic stood out thanks to his poise on the ice:
“Zajic is a highly-skilled, poised winger who leads Shattuck St. Mary’s 15U’s in scoring, and total points with 44 goals and 27 assists in 50 games. He has the rare ability to slow the game down with his patience and puck poise and can turn defenders inside out. The puck sticks to his blade, and he has excellent control while maneuvering through traffic areas and making defenders miss. On zone entries, he liked to pull a Gretzky turn just inside the offensive blue line to create space for himself, and he was able to change the speed and manipulate the defender’s gap.”
QMJHL
Zachary Morin (C, L, 6’1″, 186, Saint John Sea Dogs, 01/25/2007, Boston University)
Drafted by the Saint John Sea Dogs in the eighth round of the 2024 QMJHL Entry Draft, Morin joins the team after spending the start of the season with the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms. Originally drafted by the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada in the first round of the 2023 QMJHL Entry Draft, Morin never signed with the team and his rights were put back into the draft. To start 2024-25, Morin had one assist in four games with the Phantoms.
Ranked a 4.75 star prospect, Morin stands out thanks to his all-around offensive skills:
“Morin is a strong skilled forward with all-around offensive skills. He has strong quick hands. He skates with a powerful stride and some shiftiness. He snaps hard crisp passes. He can do everything in stride and at top speed. He continuously attacks on the rush with speed quick stick handles and fakes and subtle shiftiness. He also uses his speed and quick lateral movements to buzz around the offensive zone or hunt for pucks. He has good strength and balance and never seems to be off balance.”
Brant Romaniuk (F, R, 5’8″, 160, Gatineau Olympiques, 10/04/2007)
An undrafted free agent, Romaniuk has signed with the QMJHL’s Gatineau Olympiques. Having begun the 2024-25 season with the NOJHL’s Timmins Rock, Romaniuk collected nine goals and five assists for 14 points in nine games.
Romaniuk impressed scouts thanks to his skating and edgework:
“Brant is one of the best rookies in this league. His ability to get around the ice with his very good skating skills and edge work is a breath of fresh air. His stick skills are not too far behind, and he sees the ice well already, as he is a quick learner. Brant was skilled and creative enough to make accurate passes to teammates through traffic.”
OHL
Riley Clark (LW, L, 6’1″, 185, Kingston Frontenacs, 05/03/2006)
Drafted by the Kingston Frontenacs in the first round of the 2023 OHL U18 Priority Selection, Clark signs with the team after spending the start of the season with the OJHL’s Stouffville Spirit. In 11 regular season games, he has scored three goals and added three assists for six points.
Hayden Jeffery (G, L, 6’1″, 168, St. Catharines Falcons, 05/08/2006)
Drafted by the Niagara IceDogs in the second round of the 2023 U18 Priority Selection, Jeffery is currently playing for the GOJHL’s St. Catharines Falcons. In seven appearances, he has collected a 5-2-0 record, a 2.66 GAA and a .910 SV%.
Noah Kohan (C, L, 5’10”, 179, Sudbury Wolves, 08/08/2005)
Kohan, originally an undrafted free agent, has signed with the Sudbury Wolves. Having begun the season playing for the NOJHL’s Sudbury Cubs, he scored three goals and added five assists for eight points in nine games.
Tayjon Street (F, L, 6’1″, 205, Sudbury Wolves, 05/04/2005)
An undrafted free agent, Street has committed to the Sudbury Wolves. Having already played in six games for the Wolves, Street has registered an assist. Street spent the 2023-24 season and the start of this year with the OJHL’s Stouffville Spirit.
WHL
Jaxon Fuder (F, L, 6’0″, 178, Powell River Kings, 04/02/2006)
Originally an undrafted free agent, Fuder has signed with the Red Deer Rebels. In two games with the Rebels in 2024-25, he has gone pointless but he did register six points in four games with the Powell River Kings (BCHL) before making the jump to the WHL.
Fuder stood out to NZ scouts thanks to his ability to move the puck:
“Fuder is a diligent offensive forward who consistently complements his linemates with quick puck movement. His strong hockey sense and creativity are evident on the power play, where he displays excellent puck possession skills and quick, agile hands that allow him to remain elusive. His relentless work ethic pairs well with his skating agility, making him a constant threat.”
Noah Kosick (F, L, 5’5″, 120, Calgary Hitmen, 08/18/2008, Michigan)
Drafted by the Calgary Hitmen in the first round of the 2023 WHL Bantam Draft, Kosick joins the team after spending the beginning of the season with the USHL’s Sioux Falls Stampede. In four games with the Stampede this season, Kosick notched a goal.
Ranked a 4.5 star prospect, Kosick impresses with his ability to drive play:
“Noah recorded 3 points in 4 games this weekend and now has 34 points in 18 games on the season. Despite being one of the smallest players on the ice, Noah was able to drive play when he was on the ice. He carried the puck up ice effectively as he is an above-average straight-line skater for this level of play. He made intelligent and creative passes to teammates in all three zones and showcased the skill and creativity that have made him one of the top scorers in Western Canada.”
David Lewandowski (F, L, 6’1″, 170, Saskatoon Blades, 02/20/2007)
Drafted by the Saskatoon Blades in the second round of the 2024 CHL Import Draft, Lewandowski joins the team after beginning the season with the DEL’s Dusseldorfer EG. In seven games played in Germany’s top league, he went pointless.
USHL
Luka Radivojevic (D, R, 5’10”, 161, Orebro HK J20, 01/03/2007)
Considered a top prospect for the 2025 NHL Draft, Radivojevic signs with the Muskegon Lumberjacks after beginning the season splitting time between Orebro HK’s J20 Nationell and SHL teams.
Given a star rating of 4.25, Radivojevic stood out thanks to his agility:
“Despite being one of the youngest players in this game, Radivojevic had a very impressive performance. He is a skilled and speedy two-way defenseman with great agility. He showed off his quick feet by rushing the puck up ice with confidence and joining play deep into the offensive zone as a passing target. He is very patient with the puck and willing to hold onto possession until he finds the best option to move play up ice.”
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling