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.
Easton Anello (D, L, 6’2, 172, NV River Rats 16U AAA, 01/19/2009, UMass)
Drafted by the QMJHL’s Cape Breton Eagles in the fifth round of the 2025 draft, the big defenseman will head to UMass in 2028.
Anello’s size at such a young age gives him an advantage on the defensive side of the puck, and he will only grow more.
“Anello is a tall, athletic 6’2″, 172-pound left-shot defenseman with long limbs and a fluid skating stride that allows him to cover ice efficiently and take away time and space quickly. While Anello’s acceleration and foot quickness are still developing—particularly when coming out of hard hockey stops and transitions—his blend of size, defensive presence, and offensive awareness points toward significant long-term upside.”
Vince Elie (F, R, 5’8, 196, Shawinigan Cataractes, 04/05/2005, Clarkson)
Having previously spent time with the Saint John Sea Dogs, Elie is playing in his first – and final – QMJHL season with the Cataractes. So far, he has five goals and seven points through six games. He will head to New York to play at Clarkson next fall.
Elie is a great creator of offense on the ice.
“He has really quick agility allowing him to be first on loose pucks which he was able to show all night. He does a good job at using that same type of agility to make moves off the rush and attack little areas that defenders would not expect someone to attack. This opens the ice up a lot for his line mates and in turn, he is able to create scoring chances with quick puck movement but it is all due to the little extra space that he gives himself. Because of his size, he can get bumped off the puck easier, but tonight this was not a flaw in his game.”
by Sebastian Zucchet
Sebastian Zucchet is a freelance sports reporter from Toronto and someone who deeply enjoys hockey.