Roman Schmidt has decided against playing college hockey for Boston University. In a move that has been rumored for quite some time, Schmidt signed with the Ontario Hockey League’s Kitchener Rangers, it was announced Friday.
Schmidt, a dual citizen from Midland, Mich., played the past two seasons for USA Hockey’s NTDP. The 6-foot-6 blueliner scored three goals and added 11 assists in 45 games with the NTDP U-18 team in 2020-21.
Prior to joining the NTDP, Schmidt played Bantam and Midget hockey north of the border. He spent the 2018-19 season with the famed Don Mills Flyers organization that included Shane Wright, the projected first overall pick in the 2022 NHL draft. Schmidt also played for the Mississauga Rebels and Ottawa 67’s during his Bantam and Midget days.
Schmidt is a big defensive defenseman who would have bolstered BU’s blue line. However, it’s not an insurmountable loss. The second-round pick of Kitchener in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection has not yet panned out quite as predicted. He’s the 58th-rated North American skater in NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings ahead of July’s draft.
The Terriers are no strangers to losing highly touted commits to the OHL. Another ’03 who was once committed to BU, Danny Zhilkin, is now playing for the Guelph Storm. ’02 Donovan Sebrango also signed with Kitchener, while ’02 Josh Lawrence ended up in the QMJHL for the Saint John Sea Dogs.
Crosstown rival Boston College also has had its fair share of ’03s decommit. Peter Reynolds and Cam MacDonald both play with Lawrence on the Sea Dogs. When you recruit high-end Canadians, there is the risk of losing them to major junior. It’s obviously disappointing for local hockey fans, as it’s good to see top players skating in Hockey East.
Holy Cross adds St. Mark’s forward
Newly appointed head coach Bill Riga and his staff have landed the first commit of the new era at Holy Cross. St. Mark’s forward Dom Murphy will play college hockey for the Crusaders.
The late ’03 from Worcester, Mass., has spent the three seasons playing for Carl Corazzini at St. Mark’s. In addition, he’s played for the River Rats and Little Bruins during the split season. Murphy is a goal scorer who can shoot the puck and see the ice well. His skating has gotten better.
USHL defenseman commits to Merrimack
Merrimack has received a commitment from ’01 blueliner Trevor Griebel. The Tampa, Fla., native will play a second season in the USHL for the Fargo Force before matriculating to Merrimack for the 2022-23 season.
Griebel, who played youth hockey for the Phoenix Junior Coyotes, played two seasons for the BCHL’s Wenatchee Wild before joining the Force for 2020-21. He appeared in 61 games this past season, scoring four goals and 14 assists. With his presence in the lineup, Fargo advanced to the USHL Clark Cup finals, eventually bowing out to Chicago.
