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.
Alexander Assadourian (F, L, 5’9, 181, Barrie Colts, 07/24/2005, Yale)
A 2021 second-round pick of the Sudbury Wolves, Assadourian is currently playing for the Barrie Colts, collecting four goals and 17 points in 28 games. Next year, he will continue his hockey journey at Yale.
Luc Bydal (F, L, 6’1, 185, Anchorage Wolverines, 07/17/2005, Long Island University)
Bydal has really turned it on this season, putting up 21 goals and 38 points in 24 games with the NAHL’s Anchorage Wolverines. He looks ready to join LIU next season.
Bydal was evaluated by NZ scouts in an NAHL game report.
“Luc Bydal is a two-way forward for Anchorage who made numerous plays tonight. The 2005-born left winger got the assist on the opening goal, earning his helper by deking back-and-forth with the puck on the rush to set up the score. Bydal shows speed up ice with possession, but at times carries the puck too loosely to smoothly finish the play. He consistently pushed the play up ice. He can take a hit but still delivers an accurate pass. With the puck, Bydal showed his experience as a patient shooter. On defense, he pressured opponents, using his frame to force the Chippewa attackers to the perimeter. Bydal is an aging-out, uncommitted forward who plays a thoughtful, two-way game.”
Cash Cruitt (G, L, 6’5, 170, Madison Capitols, 05/28/2008, Quinnipiac)
Having gotten into five games for the USHL’s Madison Capitols this year, Cruitt has posted a 4.03 goals-against average and an .863 save percentage. He is committed to Quinnipiac for 2027.
Cruitt has good size but still needs to polish some of his game.
“He plays the puck with poise, and his passes were generally hard, flat, and on target. With great size and athleticism, he uses swift footwork to move to pucks, stays square to shooters, shows solid reflexes, and cuts down angles effectively with aggressive positioning. He will need to continue improving his rebound control and recovery, but his tools and competitiveness stand out.”
Jake Gudelj (F, L, 6’2, 207, Tri-City Americans, 12/05/2005, Princeton)
In his fifth and final WHL season, Gudelj had a career year last season with 14 goals and 33 points. Next season, he will play at Princeton.
Gudelj’s brings a respectable amount of experience to Princeton.
“Jake is an incredibly reliable WHL veteran. He isn’t flashy, but he plays a hard-nosed, intelligent, simplified game. Though not the most efficient skater, he has an extra gear in north-south situations. In the defensive zone he makes simple plays, chipping pucks past pressure and then beating opponents up ice. With a solid shot off the rush, he regularly finishes at the net. Jake is a smart and dependable 200-foot center.”
Ryan Harvey (D, L, 6’0, 191, Cowichan Valley Capitals, 03/15/2005, Dartmouth)
A 2021 seventh-round pick of the OHL’s Erie Otters, Harvey never got a chance to play there. He is now in his third BCHL season and will begin life at Dartmouth next fall.
Harvey is a solid defenseman for teams to have on their roster.
“His puck skills are solid, capable of making small plays in tight areas and distributing confidently on retrievals. Reliable, smart, and consistent, Harvey provides Cowichan with balance on the back end, combining poise and competitiveness.”
Jeremy Poirier (D, R, 6’1, 185, Cranbrook Bucks, 07/28/2006, Air Force)
After getting into one game with the USHL’s Lincoln Stars at the start of the season, Poirier came up to Canada to play in the BCHL for the Cranbrook Bucks. In 2027, he is going to play at Air Force Academy.
Braiden Scuderi (F, R, 5’7, 157, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 03/31/2009, Notre Dame)
In his rookie season with the USHL’s Cedar Rapids Roughriders, Scuderi has four goals and 11 points. The son of two-time Stanley Cup champion Rob Scuderi, Braiden will play for Notre Dame in 2028.
Scuderi put up a decent performance at the USA National 16U Camp in the summer.
“He sees the ice well, anticipates pressure, and distributes the puck with poise and precision, often creating scoring chances with saucer passes, deceptive plays from behind the net, or short-area feeds into high-danger areas. His low center of gravity and balance enable him to spin off contact, protect the puck in tight areas, and stay on his feet after taking hard body checks. Scuderi’s ability to read defenders and manipulate time and space elevated his linemates, and he played with noticeable energy on both sides of the puck, backchecking with urgency and consistently staying above the puck.”
Jonah Sivertson (F, R, 6’3, 190, Prince Albert Raiders, 08/27/2008, St. Cloud State)
Sivertson had 77 points in 30 games last year for the U18 Regina Pat Canadians, leading them to a league title and a Telus Cup championship. He is in his first full WHL season and is going to play at St. Cloud State in 2027.
Sivertson has top-level offensive talent.
“He effectively utilizes his size and strength to protect the puck and win battles. Jonah possesses an elite-level shot with a quick release, significant power, and pinpoint accuracy. His high offensive IQ and vision are consistently evident, as he expertly controls the puck and surveys the ice to create scoring opportunities. While his skating is currently average, he leverages his size to win puck battles in the corners and generate offense from below the goal line.”
Anthony Thomas-Maroon (F, L, 6’0, 176, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 09/02/2008, Western Michigan)
Currently with the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks, Thomas-Maroon has two goals and 10 assists for 12 points in 25 games. In 2027, he will join Western Michigan, who are coming off being named national champions.
Thomas-Maroon’s performance was evaluated by NZ scouts at a USHL showcase in September.
“Thomas-Maroon competed hard and was tough to play against with real bite to his game. He carried with confidence and his head up. Maroon entered the zone against Sioux City, cut to his right, delayed, and sifted a pretty backhand pass to Blanchard, who had snuck in behind the defense for a pretty goal. Maroon’s strode looked long and strong as the September 2008 covered ice well. He was tangy with reach and keen sense. The puck found him in good spots. Anthony played U16 last season and served as a depth player here. He stopped on pucks, finished checks and appeared to be a player who can play up and down a roster in any situation as he develops—high ceiling player who showed well here in limited time on the ice.”
Salvatore Viviano (F, L, 6’1, 170, Waterloo Black Hawks, 09/06/2007, Northern Michigan)
Viviano has has had a pretty good start to life in the USHL, collecting three goals and 18 points in 21 games for the Waterloo Black Hawks. He has committed to Northern Michigan for 2027.
Viviano is a reliable player on both ends of the ice.
“Offensively, he contributes by firing shots on net, utilizing a quick release and an ability to find shooting lanes. He plays with defensive awareness and hockey IQ, understanding how to steer opponents and minimize scoring chances in his zone.”
Cooper Wilson (D, R, 6’3, 209, Coquitlam Express, 10/25/2005, Bowling Green)
Wilson is a large, experienced defenseman who has spent a decent amount of time with the Coquitlam Express, currently serving as an alternate captain. Next season, he will play at Bowling Green.
Wilson could prove to be a great addition for Bowling Green.
“Wilson is a big long, heavy right-shot defender that plays a shut-down north-south style. The late 2005 has a long reach and is tough to play against in tight spots. He is active and uses angles well to cut down time and space. He leans on forwards around his net and is a pain to play against in the corners.”
by Sebastian Zucchet
Sebastian Zucchet is a freelance sports reporter from Toronto and someone who deeply enjoys hockey.