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.
Maverick Avent (G, L, 6’2”, 165, Culver Military Academy Prep, 11/21/2006, Air Force)
Avent had a good season at Culver Military Academy where he boasted a .923 save percentage across 35 games. After next season, he will go play for Air Force Academy.
NZ scouts had this to say after watching Avent at a tournament showcase a few months ago.
“Avent is an average-sized, left-catch goalie, as he is just slightly above the 6-foot mark. He showed his agility, good crease movements, and athleticism. He also displayed his anticipation skills by reading plays and developing to play positionally sound. Avent was good at squaring up to shooters to cut down the angles, leaving little net for the opposition. Interestingly for his size, his puck play was only adequate; at times he did not look comfortable out of his crease, and a couple of passes he attempted were weak. The 4-year player at Culver Academy helped lead his team as far as the semi-finals at the USA Hockey U18 National Tournament.”
Myles Brosnan (D, R, 6,1”, 190, Dexter Southfield School, 10/19/2007, Harvard)
The young defeneman played in a slew of different leagues this year but spent most of his time with Dexter Southfield (USHS-Prep). Brosnan had nine goals and 36 points, and in a few years time, he will lace up for Harvard.
Brosnan’s game is trending upward.
“Brosnan is a good-framed strong right-handed defenseman. He possesses strong skating ability in all directions. His game and skill sets will not jump off the roster sheet although he makes good reads defensively and good puck decisions on the breakout and while in the offensive zone. He knows when to play it safe and dump into the corner or when to wheel a bit using his mobility and puck-handling to open up passing and shooting lanes.”
Francois-James Buteau (D, L, 6’3”, 205, Acadie-Bathurst Titan, 04/28/2004, Canisius)
Buteau has aged out in the QMJHL and will play for Canisius College next year. In 2022, Buteau attended the Buffalo Sabres development camp after he went undrafted.
NZ scouts have faith the Buteau’s game will translate well in the NCAA.
“At 6’4 JF Buteau is a full two and a half zone D-man who logs massive minutes in any situation, Buteau does bring some offensive ability to the table, but he certainly doesn’t drive offence from the backend. This kid plays a gritty mean in your face style of game, he has a howitzer from the point position, He skates very well for his size, his agility is solid as well, but that’s one area that he will need to continue to work on if he wants to make the jump to the pro level, he has good gap control, but still needs some refinement on his pivots, He can lug pucks and create transition with his skating ability, very good vision and quality first pass, he has a very active stick and defends well below the dots in his own zone.”
Marcus Kearsey (D, L, 5’11”, 177, Charlottetown Islanders, 03/17/2006, Northeastern)
In Kearsey’s rookie season, he was named QMJHL defensive rookie of the year. Throughout his time in the QMJHL, he enjoyed a pretty steady career with the Islanders. He will play there for one more season before making his way to Northeastern.
In a game attended by NZ scouts, they were impressed at how Kearsey can be a good two-way defenseman.
“Kearsey is a below average sized left shot defenseman who plays a reliable two way game. Offensively he moved the puck quickly and when he did not have a clear passing lane he showed the quick burst and edge work to jump past a forechecker or spin off contact into space. We liked his puck anticipation as his twelve puck recoveries were a game high and we liked how he scanned the ice locating both the forechecker and open teammates. He scored a power play goal at 17:35 of the first period after receiving a pass from his right, walking to his left and shooting through a screen. On the play he made one stickhandle before releasing his snap shot and although he scored here we know he’ll need to continue working on his release without stickhandling as he moves into higher levels.”
Dominic Pilote (F, L, 6’2”, 186, Newfoundland Regiment, 02/14/2006, UMass)
Pilote has had two decent seasons in the QMJHL so far and will play one more next year with the league’s newest team, the Newfoundland Regiment. After next season, he will set off to Div. 1 and play for the UMass.
Dominik Rymon (F, L, 5’10”, 156, Everett Silvertips, 05/29/2004, Bowling Green)
Rymon was a first-round pick in the 2022 CHL Import Draft and has since enjoyed good scoring success with the Silvertips. In 2023-24, he had 34 goals and 81 points. He has also represented Czechia teams at multiple different tournaments. Next year, he goes to Bowling Green.
Rymon is an impressive forward who will excel in the NCAA.
“Rymon is a very good player that is used by his coach in all situations for his team. He brings a high end overall skill set that includes being an excellent skater that is fast and moves very well laterally. He has very good hands that are quick, allowing him to make plays using his elusiveness in traffic, and move pucks quickly when players are available.”
Charlie Schenkel (G, R, 6-foot-5, 207, Kingston Frontenacs, 08/16/2004, Robert Morris)
Schenkel was traded mid-season from the Soo Greyhounds over to Kingston to help them go on a playoff run. In 11 playoff games, he posted a 3.10 goals-against average and a .897 save percentage. The Ontario native will head to Robert Morris University next season.
Schenkel has a good reputation for being a reliable and talented goalie.
“Schenkel is a tall southpaw goalie who when he is on can be a difference maker for his team. Charlie is very athletic and moves well given his size. What is impressive with Charlie is his ability to stay cool under pressure. When he is on, he uses his big frame well to see through traffic. Charlie will need to continue to work on his lateral movement in tight though to continue to take his game to the next level. Charlie widens out his feet as the play gets in closer to him, which makes it hard for him to move laterally on plays in tight. Overall, Charlie has a lot of talent and the size to go with it. If he continues to improve his skating and lateral movement he can help teams win a lot of games.”
Mael St. Denis (C, L, 6’0”, 183, Rimouski Oceanic, 05/15/2005, Clarkson)
St. Denis was a 2021 first-round pick by Rimouski and has enjoyed a good career with them ever since. He even helped the team make a run to the 2025 QMJHL final. His most successful year came in 2023-24 where he scored 32 goals and collected 58 points. Next year, he will play for Clarkson.
by Sebastian Zucchet
Sebastian Zucchet is a freelance sports reporter from Toronto and someone who deeply enjoys hockey.