St. George’s and South Shore Kings Prep left wing Matt Kursonis has committed to Holy Cross, the player announced on social media Thursday. Kursonis, from West Boylston, Mass., is a goal scorer who is heavy on pucks. Kursonis will be a senior this winter on a Dragons team that appears to have as good of...
St. George’s and South Shore Kings Prep left wing Matt Kursonis has committed to Holy Cross, the player announced on social media Thursday.
Kursonis, from West Boylston, Mass., is a goal scorer who is heavy on pucks. Kursonis will be a senior this winter on a Dragons team that appears to have as good of a roster as the Middletown, R.I., school has ever had.
He put up four and five goals, respectively, as a freshman and sophomore. St. George’s didn’t play any games in 2020-21. Kursonis played for the Boston Imperials and Boston Junior Bruins last season. He’s also spent time with the River Rats and Junior Eagles in past seasons.
Kursonis is the eighth player to commit to the Crusaders since Bill Riga took over in May. Seven of the eight players share a common theme in that they’ve spent at least a little time with the Junior Bruins, an organization Riga worked for before embarking on his college coaching career at Union. Connections are an important part of recruiting and Riga is certainly taking advantage of his networking.
UVM lands top defenseman
Since Todd Woodcroft took over the Vermont program, the Catamounts have fared quite well by recruiting in Canada and Europe.
On Thursday night, Woodcroft and his splash made a big splash by landing a commitment from Buffalo Junior Sabres defenseman Charlie Kinsman.
The '05 from West Seneca, N.Y., recently visited the UVM campus and committed to the Catamounts for the 2023-24 season. Kinsman has always been a solid prospect, but his stock soared after a terrific showing at USA Hockey Select 16 Player Development Camp, which earned him an invitation to play for the Americans at the Five Nations Tournament in August. Over in Switzerland, he posted four goals and four assists as the U.S. took home Gold.
Kinsman is a steady, two-way defenseman who sees the ice well. His gaps and defensive reads are strong. His offensive upside continues to get better, due to his vision, quick decision making and above-average stick. His USHL rights are owned by the Tri-City Storm.
Kinsman joins Kimball Union’s Duncan Ramsay as tremendous recruits waiting in the pipeline to patrol the blue line in Burlington. Ramsay, an '04, is off to a hot start with the GBL Bruins and getting a ton of buzz among NHL scouts.
