The month of April saw Harvard University and St. Cloud State go big! Harvard inked a 4 star forward in Brooke Manning amongst 3 other players. Where St. Cloud added three players, 2 of which are 3.25 star players. As Robert Morris returns to play next season, they too added a number of players this month. The big surprise may be a 4 star in Whiteman committing to the University of Western Ontario, as she has opted for the USport route. Many are still making their end of the year push to round out their rosters and this month showed that there were still high quality players still available. Best of luck to these players heading to NCAA and USport teams as they continue their hockey careers.
Brooke Manning – F (★★★★) – Commits to Harvard University ‘23
Harvard lands a 4 star forward from Nobles and Greenough/Boston Jr. Eagles. The right handed, Massachusetts born forward has had a number of standout seasons with both teams. As she heads just down the road next season to play in the ECAC, she will proudly swap out the blue and white for a Harvard Crimson jersey where she will look to bring some speed and grit to the squad.
NZ Scouts say: “Manning is smaller in size but plays gritty and strong. She is quick footed with a hard net drive. Keeps control with ease as her fast feet find a way through pressure to the net. Her vision is almost unbelievable, dazzling with the plays she creates. A very well developed and well rounded player. Manning is a firecracker player with bursts of speed and energy in all three zones.”
Reese Whiteman– F (★★★★) – Commits to University of Western Ontario ‘23
Whiteman is an impressive 4 star forward who has opted to stay in her home country and continue her career. The Ontario born player will not have to travel far next season, as she heads down the road to the University of Western Ontario. The Whitby Wolves forward put up a sparkling 49 points in 66 games in the OWHL.
NZ Scouts say: “A powerful skater, Whiteman effectively uses her body to outmuscle defenders to create lanes in the offensive zone that she skates through with ease. She gets to open space quickly and is often first to the puck. An intelligent playmaker with nifty hands and excellent vision, she protects the puck well until she finds a seam and hits an open teammate with crisp, accurate passing.”
Laura Eustace – F (★★★3/4) – Commits to Robert Morris University ‘23
The renewed Robert Morris team has kicked started its roster with a number of strong players and Eustance is one of them. The OHA Tardiff has put up 34 points in 57 games this season and will bring a strong work ethic to the University team, based out of the “Steel City” of Pittsburgh. Eustance will look to help revamp the RMU squad and bring them more conference championships over her next 4 years.
NZ Scouts say: “Eustace is a hard worker in all situations on the ice. She is cautious but battles relentlessly for puck possession for her team. She sees the ice well and is creative with the puck, making plays that may not often be done. Eustace’s hard forechecks create havoc for her opponents and motivate her teammates.”
Halle Mules– F (★★★3/4) – Commits to St. Lawrence University ‘24
While the Saints have not made an NCAA tournament appearance since 2017, they are in the process of creating a roster that can do so. One way they are doing that is by adding a 3.75 star from the Northwood School. Mules however, may appear to be taking a PG year as we are told she will not be putting on the scarlet and brown colors until the 2024 season. No matter what, the USA Camp invite will bring speed to the team and will no doubt come into her first season at St. Lawrence as an even better and more experienced player.
NZ Scouts say: “Mules is a speedy forward with tons of skill and one of the top all around skaters at the camp. She has a great first step forwards and backwards and can cut in any direction and transition with ease. A true 200 foot player, Mules always backchecks hard, gets to the D-side of the puck, and applies pressure. She uses her excellent skating to pressure hard and take away time and space from her opponents in open ice. She gets in lanes, steals pucks, and quickly transitions up ice with it.”
Maria Pape – D (★★★1/4) – Commits to the Harvard University ‘23
The Shaker Heights, OH native put up strong numbers this season for Shattucks with 37 points in 53 games. After this season a 3.25 star may easily go up as she put up a strong performance and showed improvement in each viewing of her. Next season she will add a bit of physical play to the Harvard roster as she heads over to the east coast and starts her college hockey career.
NZ Scouts say: “Pape with good size showed some physicality with edgy play. She keeps good tight gaps, keeps her feet moving, and runs opponents off of pucks. Constantly bodying through players, she can be a bit irritating to play against. Once she separates opponents from the puck, she’s quick to retrieve and move the play north. She showed a smart transition game and patience with her outlet passes as she would let the play develop and not rush/force passes.”
Marie Moran F (★★★1/4) – Commits to St. Cloud State ‘23
The hard working Moran will lead by example everywhere she goes. She captained her Apple Valley High team for the past two seasons and we wouldn’t be surprised if you see a letter on her jersey in the future for St. Cloud State. The Minnesota player put up 101 points in the past two seasons for Apple Valley in 57 games. She will no doubt bring that same work ethic and scoring touch to the Huskies squad.
NZ Scouts say: “Moran brings her lunchbox and thermos to the game, because every shift she works. She showcased good straight line speed in attacking pucks or winning races.”
Grace Delmonico – F (★★★1/4) – Commits to St. Cloud State ‘23
The excellent skating Delmonico will join the Huskies’ squad next season. The Gentry Academy forward put up 68 points in 28 games this season, splitting her numbers even with 34 goals and 34 assists. The USA Camp select will look to bring that scoring touch to her home state team and help the Huskies reach their first appearance in The Dance.
NZ Scouts say: “She is strong on her skates and edges. She can circle the offensive zone, protecting the puck, waiting to find an open teammate, by using her strong skating. Even in the final minutes of a game, Delmonico can still be seen using her wheels to her advantage.”
Paige Hoogendam – G (★★1/2) – Commits to St. Cloud State ‘23
The 5’9” netminder from the Toronto Aeros will head across the border next season to join the Huskies at St. Cloud State. Hoogendam has two upperclassmen, a post grad, and a freshman head of her on the St. Cloud depth chart. But no doubt she is a battler and heavy competitor who will compete for her opportunity. As she continues to improve next season at the collegiate level she could foreseeably become the future backstop for the Huskies.
NZ Scouts say: “Hoogendam tracks the puck well and is quick with her recoveries and lateral movement. She plays the puck well. Makes big game-saving stops at crucial moments.”
McKenzie Cerrato – F (★★★) – Commits to University of Vermont ‘23
The Catamounts are adding a speedy 3 star shooter to their roster next season. The right handed forward from Austin Prep will continue to develop her game in Burlington, VT for the green and gold in front of nearly 4,000 fans. Cerrato will nicely add to an already speedy roster of the 2nd place Hockey East team.
NZ Scouts say: “Cerrato is the definition of a shooter. She can get off a great hard shot on net with a quick release.”
Kaley MacDonald (D) – Commits to Harvard University ‘23
TJ Flores (F) – Commits to Robert Morris University ‘24
Zoe Boosamra (F) – Commits to Harvard University ‘23
Kami O’Brien (F) – Commits to Clarkson University ‘24
Jenna Goertzen (G) – Commits to Carleton University ‘23
Ava Beck (F) – Commits to Carleton University ‘23
Hannah Coyle (F) – Commits to Carleton University ‘23
Anya Misner (F) – Commits to Carleton University ‘23
Daphnee Lemay (D) – Commits to Carleton University ‘23
Mya Lucifora (G) – Commits to University of British Columbia ‘23
Shannon Harris (G) – Commits to Toronto Metropolitan University ‘23