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.
Timothy Donohue (F, L, 5’8, 170, Westminster Prep, 10/06/2008, Sacred Heart)
Donohue enjoyed a decent season at Westminster Prep last season and has committed to Sacred Heart University for 2028.
As noted by NZ scouts when they viewed him at the Flood-Marr Holiday Tournament, Donohue plays a solid game.
“Donohue is a well-rounded, left-shot forward who plays a responsible two-way game. The October 2008-born player has a strong lower body and fights through pressure effectively. He gets in quickly on the forecheck, taking good angles to pressure the puck. He got into passing lanes and used an active stick to strip pucks and break up passes. In one viewing, he scored a goal by driving hard off the half-wall, creating space, and then firing a shot past the goalie. He makes quick, accurate passes and uses the give-and-go to create space and scoring chances. He plays physically along the boards and withstands pressure easily. He has a good first step, allowing him to separate in open ice and get to open areas. He gets pucks to the net and looks for rebounds and second chances. He competed hard for pucks and worked hard on the backcheck. He played a solid game in his own zone and was willing to block shots and get into passing lanes.”
Levi Harper (D, R, 5’11, 170, Saginaw Spirit, 10/03/2008, Minnesota)
Harper was part of Team USA’s gold-medal team at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. The Saginaw Spirit drafted Harper in the third round of the 2025 OHL draft, and that is where he is playing this season. The Tampa native has committed to Minnesota for 2027.
Harper had four goals at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
“Harper is a puck moving defenseman who can quarterback a power play and contribute offensively at higher levels. His size may cap his defensive ceiling, but his skating and offensive skillset make him one of the most intriguing American blueliners in the 2026 Draft class.”
Evan Jardine (F, L, 5’11, 179, Youngstown Phantoms, 10/23/2007, Ohio State)
Jardine is in his second year with the Phantoms, following an impressive rookie season that saw him collect 20 goals and 44 points. Next season, he will play at Ohio State.
Jardine’s hockey IQ is one of his best assets. He was evaluated in a USHL game last season by NZ scouts.
“Jardine has a real knack for finding open ice in the offensive zone. He’s always able to locate those soft spots, get to pucks quickly, and put them on net. From the bumper position, he showed great awareness, never just throwing pucks away, but making smart plays that benefited his teammates. It was clear that Jardine has the ability to elevate the play of those around him. Whether it was making precise passes or creating chances by simply getting pucks to the net, he consistently generated offense. His hockey IQ and vision stood out, making him a constant presence in the offensive zone.”
Mitchell Mars (F, R, 6’0, 199, Fox Motors 16U AAA, 01/03/2009, Miami (Ohio))
Mars already has four points in four games this season for Fox Motors. He was a seventh-round pick of the Erie Otters and will play at Miami (Ohio) in 2028.
Mars made an impact at the USA 16U Camp.
“Offensively, he creates space for linemates with net drives, has a quick release, and contributes around the crease with screens, picks, rebounds, and an abrasive disposition. While he is not dynamic or high-end in terms of skill or skating, his strength, hockey sense, consistency, and versatility made him one of the most trusted and impactful players in camp.”
Luke Murphy (D, L, 6’0, 190, Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 18U, 02/13/2008, St. Lawrence)
After playing at South Kent School last year, Murphy has joined the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite this season. In 2028, he will join St. Lawrence.
Murphy was evaluated at the BEAST Tournament, where he showed how defensively sound he is.
“Luke Murphy delivered a strong, composed defensive performance, making smart reads throughout the game. He initiated contact in battles, using his physicality to win pucks and break up plays. Murphy kept his game simple and effective, getting the puck deep when crossing the red line to relieve pressure and give his team time to reset. In a crucial 6-on-5 situation following a timeout, Murphy was out on the ice, protecting a lead and showing his reliability in high-stress moments.”
Zach Olsen (F, R, 6’1, 190, Saskatoon Blades, 03/16/2008, Colorado College)
Olsen has begun his second full season with the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades and has a goal to show for it. He had 11 goals in his rookie season. In 2026, Olsen will suit up for Colorado College.
Olsen was evaluated by NZ scouts in a game between the Saskatoon Blades and Edmonton Oil Kings.
“Of the 2008-born players, Zach was by far the most impressive, as he seemed to impact the game nearly every shift. On his goal, Zach attacked the middle lane and received a pass from Calvert, who was skating up the left wall. He spread his legs and dropped his shoulder to power past Parker Alcos (an NHL draft pick) and beat the goaltender to the blocker side. As a bigger player, Zach was able to win pucks down low and forecheck effectively. He was also strong in open ice, using his speed to transition the puck up the ice. He made a slick indirect pass in transition, banking the puck off the side wall onto the tape of a teammate, showcasing his soft touch. Due to his size, speed, and skill, Zach is sure to garner significant consideration for the 2026 NHL Draft, as he has the ability to play both a power and finesse game.”
Caleb Pittsley (F, R, 6’1, 190, Madison Capitals, 11/16/2007, Augustana)
Pittsley helped his high school (Edina High) win a state championship a couple of seasons ago, and he has now moved on to the USHL, where he will look to gain valuable experience before he sets off to Augustana in 2027.
Pittsley is a physical presence on the ice. This was noted by NZ scouts when watching Pittsley at the Minnesota high-school tournament.
“Caleb Pittsley became the overtime hero for the Hornets after intercepting a pass just inside the blue line. He created space above the right faceoff circle and fired a shot through a screen, beating the goaltender short side, under the glove. Pittsley is a hard-working, mid-sized forward with gritty strength, making him a formidable presence around the opposing net. He finished checks, battled for pucks, and disrupted easy breakouts whenever possible. Even after a pass was made, he consistently finished his checks on defensemen, a tactic that later forced turnovers as opponents tried to avoid the impact. Caleb also demonstrated impressive hand-eye coordination, batting down pucks and settling them to maintain possession. While not the most skilled forward, Pittsley consistently outworks opponents and competes physically.”
Ryland Rooney (F, R, 6’2, 177, Des Moines Buccaneers, 03/24/2009, Wisconsin)
Rooney, who had 33 goals and 69 points at Gentry Academy last season, is suiting up for the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers this year. In 2027, he will play for the Wisconsin Badgers.
Rooney was evaluated by NZ scouts at the USA National 16U Camp.
“Ryland Rooney was a man among boys at this camp, playing tough hockey with skill, strength, a heavy shot, and quick hands. It would be an understatement to say that playing against him would be tough, and he was a great addition to the Select 17 Four National Team. Our first note read, “You cannot miss him,” as he wheeled with his reach and strength to protect the puck and attack the crease. He made his linemates better with crisp passes and by carving out space and creating turnovers. His powerful stride, combined with his remarkable strength, was truly impressive—almost freakish. On the second day, he caught a tough pass, entered the zone, and made a soft backhand dish on the tape without ever looking down, all while standing at 6’2″. Ryland held possession to slip laterally and create cross-ice passing lanes. He separated from the puck to absorb contact, and his speed and power enabled him to drive the net, creating chaos. His skates looked huge, suggesting he may grow more, and his shot was a rocket. He improved as the camp progressed and had a four-point game against Orange on the last day, where he slipped passes from behind the net to the slot, tapped pucks loose at the net front, and wired pucks on the net. He will play in the USHL for Des Moines this season.”
Spencer Thornborough (F, L, 6’0, 180, Moncton Wildcats, 06/22/2008, Maine)
Thornborough was drafted by Moncton in the tenth round of the 2024 QMJHL draft and will play for the defending champions this season. He is committed to Maine for 2027.
Thornborough is a skilled and hard-working forward.
“Spencer Thornborough is a skilled, quick, and hardworking forward. He excels in tight spaces with his quick hands, allowing him to stickhandle through sticks and skates under pressure. On the rush, he uses those quick hands to protect the puck from defenders and change the puck’s angle swiftly. He isn’t afraid to use his shot, and his quick release, combined with his ability to maneuver the puck through defenders, makes him even more challenging to stop. In addition to his offensive threat, Spencer is also a disruptive force on the forecheck. His speed and relentless work ethic make him a nightmare for defensemen, as he never stops working to retrieve the puck.”
by Sebastian Zucchet
Sebastian Zucchet is a freelance sports reporter from Toronto and someone who deeply enjoys hockey.