Seven local Division 1 hockey programs received commitments from junior and prep hockey players over the course of the last week.
The new recruits for Northeastern and Vermont were both rated as ‘C’ players on Tuesday when the NHL Central Scouting Preliminary Players to Watch List was released. St. Andrew’s College center Eli Sebastian and Omaha Lancers left wing Alex Bump committed to the Huskies and Catamounts, respectively.
Sebastian, an '04 from Burlington, Ontario, is in his second year at the Aurora, Ontario prep school. A seventh-round pick of the Peterborough Petes in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection, Sebastian is a smart, cerebral center who skates well. According to a source, the Huskies beat out a Beanpot rival for Sebastian’s services. He’s expected to matriculate to Northeastern for the 2023-24 season.
Bump is a big power forward with length, the ability to drive the net, and be heavy on pucks. The late '03 from Prior Lake, Minn., is in his first season playing in the USHL. Through six games played, he has two goals and one assist. He scored 13 goals and 19 assists in 19 games with Prior Lake in the Minnesota high school hockey circuit last winter. In addition to UVM, a few other programs from Hockey East, Big Ten and NCHC were interested in Bump.
Prep product for Holy Cross
Johnstown Tomahawks defenseman Mack Oliphant has committed to Holy Cross. A late '02 from Northbrook, Ill., Oliphant has six assists in 11 games during his first season in the NAHL. He spent the 2020-21 season playing for the Little Bruins 18-U and Junior Bruins in the NCDC. He had six assists in 41 games for Mike Anderson’s Junior Bruins. A big blue liner, scouts have always been intrigued by his physical tools. Oliphant’s commitment continues a trend of first year Holy Cross coach Bill Riga and his staff leaning heavily on his connection with the Junior Bruins. Mack’s older brother, Holt, committed to Atlantic Hockey foe Air Force just last week.
Dubuque winger pledges to Warriors
Merrimack has received a commitment from '02 left wing Nikita Borodayenko. The Dmitrov, Russia, native has three assists through his first six games for the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints. The MHK Spartak Moskva product is in his first season playing hockey on this side of the pond.
Latvian center for UNH
Amarillo Wranglers center Kristaps Skrastins has committed to New Hampshire. The '01 from Riga, Latvia, is in his first season playing hockey in North America. Through 10 games with the NAHL franchise, he has 11 goals and seven assists. He ranks second in goals and in overall points in the NAHL. Skrastins previously played for HK Riga and HK Lido in his native country. His commitment is for the 2022-23 season.
Islanders HC forward chooses Brown
Brown received a commitment from '04 forward Aaron Schwartz. The Parkland, Fla., native is in his second season with the Middlesex Islanders organization, but first with the NCDC team. In seven games, he has a goal and five assists. He’s previously played for the Islanders HC 16-U, Shattuck-St. Mary’s 15O, and Florida Alliance.
Young BCHL defender for Quinnipiac
Lucas Sorace of the BCHL’s Chilliwack Chiefs has committed to Quinnipiac. The '04 from Port Moody, British Columbia, has appeared in one game for the Chiefs. He previously played for the Burnaby Winter Club and West Van Academy.
Decommits and near misses
Former UMass commit Ethan Wolthers of the NAHL’s Minnesota Wilderness will instead play college hockey at Western Michigan. The '01 from Valencia, Calif., has four goals and nine assists in 10 games this season. He’ll head to WMU for the 2022-23 season.
Jamestown Rebels defenseman Owen West has committed to Western Michigan. A number of college hockey programs from across the country, including a few in New England, were recruiting the `04 from Pittsboro, Ind.
