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.
Cooper Anderson (D, L, 6’4”, 185, Aberdeen Wings, 03/14/2006, Alaska-Anchorage)
In his first full season with the NAHL’s Aberdeen Wings, Anderson had 14 goals and 50 points. He will play with Alaska-Anchorage next season.
Anderson uses his size to his advantage.
“Anderson can unleash long, low driving shots that trouble the keeper. He is lanky and moves with a nice burst for his size.”
Spencer Bowes (F, L, 6’0”, 177, Ottawa 67’s, 09/19/2007, Providence)
A product of Carleton Place, Ont., Bowes had quite a decent rookie season with the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s, posting 23 goals and 42 points. He will head to Providence in 2027.
NZ scouts watched Bowes at the CCHL/OJHL Battle of Ontario.
“He has soft hands, corralling bad passes and settling pucks on both sides of his blade. He was able to make subtle moves around defenders and saucer passes over stick blades with ease. He is a bit light and was knocked off pucks below the dots, but on the rush, he was able to create space for himself with his speed and stickhandling, and place pucks in space for his linemates. He has a potent wrist shot, smooth in its release and quick to get off.”
Evan Depatie (D, R, 5’8”, 181, Moncton Wildcats, 08/19/2006, Northern Michigan)
A member of the Moncton Wildcats this season, Dépatie scored five goals and had 23 points in 32 games. He will join Northern Michigan in the fall.
Dépatie is a well-rounded defenseman who possesses great footwork.
“He excels at engaging players in one-on-one battles, using his skill to strip them of the puck. However, he also displays good situational awareness, often applying passive pressure to guide opponents into trouble before striking.”
Nolan Fitzhenry (F, L, 5’10”, 155, U.S. NTDP, 02/10/2009, North Dakota)
A product of Andover, Minn., Fitzhenry scored 13 goals and 33 points in 44 games with the NTDP this season. He is committed to North Dakota for 2028.
Fitzhenry impressed NZ scouts at the World U17 Challenge.
“His lateral quickness and dynamic skating allow him to be a constant threat off the rush. Through the neutral zone, he stays low and balanced, controlling the puck through traffic and giving himself the ability to shift laterally, find open seams, and attack defenders. His puckhandling is fluid and controlled, allowing him to impact the game as both a playmaker and a shooter, whether through high-level distribution or a quick, accurate release in stride.”
Charles Mineman (D, L, 5’10”, 161, St. Louis AAA Blues 16U, 01/28/2009, Wisconsin)
Mineman had a busy season this past year, suiting up for the USHL’s Tri-City Storm, the NTDP, Chaminade College Prep and the St. Louis Blues 16U. He is committed to Wisconsin for 2028.
Mineman displays high hockey IQ when he’s on the ice.
“Despite the apparent lack of exertion, he is highly effective, intelligent, and productive in all aspects of his game. His stick work is exceptional; he intercepts and controls nearly every puck within reach, enabling clean transitions. His “sticky” stick effectively dispossesses opponents, forcing them into contested areas and stealing pucks. Defensively, he demonstrates remarkable positioning, poise, and anticipation, knowing precisely when to attack or hold back. He consistently intercepts passes and reads the eyes of opposing players from a distance.”
Hayden Paupanekis (F, R, 6’5”, 206, Kelowna Rockets, 02/04/2007, St. Cloud State)
A 2025 third-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens, Paupanekis had 15 goals and 37 points in 57 games with the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets. He will play at St. Cloud State next season.
Paupanekis is a two-way center who plays relentlessly.
“Paupanekis is a physically imposing and fast centre who brings a rare blend of size, physicality, and finesse to the ice. He is a compete-first forward who battles hard through traffic and pressure on the forecheck, using his strong top-end speed to win board battles and create space. His hands are deceptively strong, with reliable puck control and a capable shot.”
Cameron Reid (D, L, 6’0”, 192 Kitchener Rangers, 04/08/2007, Michigan)
A 2025 first-round pick of the Nashville Predators, Reid collected 15 goals and 56 points and helped the Kitchener Rangers win both an OHL championship and the Memorial Cup this year. He will join Michigan in the fall.
Reid utilizes his skating to make an impact.
“Cameron Reid is a skilled defenseman known for his dynamic playmaking abilities and strong skating skills. He excels at maneuvering around opponents with ease, utilizing his solid puck-handling skills and sharp edges to create space on the ice. In the defensive zone, he’s proactive in reading plays and making timely breakout passes to jumpstart rushes. Reid is comfortable playing in multiple zones and can use delays to create scoring opportunities. From the blue line, he’s a force to be reckoned with, using his agility and footwork to deke past defenders and create chances.”
Cruz Waltze (F, L, 5’9”, 169, Victoria Royals, 09/03/2008, Holy Cross)
In his rookie season with the WHL’s Victoria Royals, Waltze scored four goals and 11 points in 48 games. He will be heading to Holy Cross in 2027.
Waltze received a B+ game rating by NZ scouts during a WHL game.
“Waltze entered the zone with a little one-on-one, where he pulled the puck inside to his body, used the defenseman as a screen, and scored with a little snapshot that clearly took the goalie by surprise. Bit of a lucky bounce, but his hands and ability to create a different shot lane were contributing factors in this goal. Waltze needs to hold onto the puck longer. He tends to throw pucks away under pressure, maybe due to his size, but needs to expect contact more often.”
Thomas Zocco (F, R, 5’10, 177, London Knights, 06/15/2006, Quinnipiac)
A key part of the Sioux Falls Stampede’s run to a USHL title, where he collected 22 goals and 70 points in 60 games, Zocco is joining the London Knights next season. He will join Quinnipiac next year.
Zocco is a versatile two-way forward.
“Zocco is a strong, tenacious player who is consistently around the puck. Sturdy on his edges, he competes hard in the tough areas of the ice. He skates through checks, protects the puck in tight, congested spaces, and plays a hard forechecking game. At 5’10”, Zocco maximizes his frame, finishing his checks, sustaining the cycle, and extending zone time.”
by Sebastian Zucchet
Sebastian Zucchet is a freelance sports reporter from Toronto and someone who deeply enjoys hockey.