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.
Noah Dziver (F, R, 6’0, 187, Minnesota Wilderness, 05/15/2005, Lindenwood)
A current member of the NAHL’s Minnesota Wilderness, Dziver has 26 goals and 67 points in 43 games this season. He has also won the NAHL’s October and January Forward of the Month awards. He will play at Lindenwood next season.
Dziver is a hardworking forward who also helps out in the defensive zone.
“On offense, he plays high and showed good vision to get passes to open linemates in motion. Dziver plays active defense with his stick.”
Jayden Kurtz (D, R, 6’3, 194, Rogers High, 12/30/2007, Wisconsin)
An important player for Rogers High, Kurtz has 13 goals and 38 points in 26 games this season. He’s also appeared in 11 games for the USHL’s Chicago Steel this year. In 2027, he will suit up for Wisconsin.
Kurtz was evaluated by NZ scouts during a high-school game.
“Kurtz is a long, talented defenseman who impacted the game in multiple areas. In his own end, he consistently improved puck conditions, moving pucks efficiently and sending his forwards away with speed. Jayden handled the puck comfortably under pressure and showed the ability to defend off the rush and through the neutral zone to disrupt entries and end plays early. His gap control and defensive assertiveness were effective in stretches and remain areas where added consistency would further elevate his game. Offensively, he showed a hard, quick wrist shot that regularly found its way through traffic. Kurtz is a strong skater with four-way mobility, he used his feet and deception along the blue line to open shooting lanes. His long stride allowed him to activate into the rush when reads were available, adding a secondary layer to the attack.”
Hudson Martin (D, L, 5’10, 170, Sudbury Wolves, 06/20/2007, Bowling Green)
In his first season with the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves, Martin has one goal and 15 points in 62 games. He will play one more season in Sudbury before heading off to Bowling Green next fall.
William McIsaac (D, R, 6’3, 202, Spokane Chiefs, 05/26/2006, UConn)
A 2024 fifth-round pick of the St. Louis Blues, McIsaac is in his final season with the WHL’s Spokane Chiefs, having collected eight goals and 34 points thus far. He will play at UConn in the fall.
McIsaac had a good showing in a game against the Edmonton Oil Kings this season.
“William McIsaac showed poise and confidence as a puck-moving defenseman with smooth skating and good offensive reads. He distributed the puck well from the top of the power play, moving it efficiently to create chances. In transition, he made a sharp cross-ice feed to spring a partial breakaway and showed good recovery speed to break up a play defensively. On the penalty kill, he read the play well to join a rush and got a quality shot on goal, with good communication to let his teammates know he was an option. He had good defensive structure and made several good breakout passes.”
Thomas Putnam (F, R, 5’9, 147, Gilmour Academy, 06/15/2007, Air Force)
A high-scoring forward for Gilmour Academy, Putnam has 30 goals and 61 points in 55 games. He has also played in three games for the BCHL’s Brooks Bandits this season. He will play for Air Force next year.
Putnam put on a decent performance at the Belmont Hill/Nichols Holiday Tournament.
“Putnam is an average-sized, right-shot forward who made subtle but effective plays in all three zones. He is not a flashy player blessed with exceptional speed or high-end puck skills, but he played a solid two-way game. He showed underrated effort on the backcheck and an ability to create scoring chances with his playmaking. He initiated the play that led to the overtime winning goal against Millbrook, eluding defenders in a tight area down the slot and creating a rebound at the crease.”
by Sebastian Zucchet
Sebastian Zucchet is a freelance sports reporter from Toronto and someone who deeply enjoys hockey.