On Oct. 8, I wrote a story highlighting Sam Lee's (Woburn, Mass.) commitment to Boston College, along with several other notable pieces of college hockey recruiting news.
Typically, I go a long time between "recruiting takeaways" stories. I didn't plan on writing another one, especially during this time of year, until the winter.
But there's been quite a bit of local news over the last 10 days.
Multiple New England natives and prospects who play in the region have committed to Division 1 programs since that story ran.
Let's dive into the latest takeaways.
Andrew Martin commits to Holy Cross
On Thursday, Martin announced his commitment to Holy Cross. The Wakefield, Mass., native has two goals and four points in nine games for the QMJHL's Sherbrooke Phoenix this season.
He spent the last three years at Brooks, where he put up 13 points a season on low-scoring teams. Last fall, he was one of the top players on the Neponset Valley River Rats 18U squad.
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His size is intriguing at 6-foot-3 and 194 pounds. He has good skill and a heavy shot.
Alex Kim commits to Dartmouth
Kim was one of the top breakout goalies in New England prep last season. He was thrust into the Berkshire starter's role after UMass commit Parker Stockseth (Blandford, Mass.) left in the fall.
The Leonia, Mass., native was sensational, putting up a 1.62 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage, leading the Bears to 20 wins. He's 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds. That performance earned him a commitment to Dartmouth this month.
An '08, Kim should be one of the top goalies in prep this winter. No USHL or CHL teams have his rights yet.
Dartmouth has been busy this month, also picking up commitments from Cedar Rapids RoughRiders goalie Joseph Skidmore, an '08, and Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) forward Quinn Kennedy, an '06.
Marshall Paul commits to UConn
Paul committed to UConn on Monday. While he wasn't one of Avon Old Farms' top defensemen last season, Paul, an '09, had scouts very intrigued with his hard-nosed defending, plus he's a 6-foot-2, right-shot defenseman. Scouts and coaches love bigger right-shot defenders.
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At USA Hockey's Select 17 Camp, Paul stood out for the Southeastern District (he's from Greenville, S.C.) and has had a nice fall so far for the Northern Conn. Nor'Easter.
This is just a guess: He should be on NHL Central Scouting's preliminary watchlist. He's back at Avon this winter. He's already signed to play for the USHL's Cedar Rapids RoughRiders next season.
I love this get for UConn. At worst, he should be a good shutdown defender in Hockey East.
Max Yakub commits to Sacred Heart
Yakub may be from New Jersey, but he spent 2023-26 in New England, winning two national championships for Mount St. Charles at the 14U and 15O level, as well as taking home an Elite 8 title at Avon Old Farms this past March.
Yakub, an '09, left Avon early to go to the USHL's Sioux City Musketeers, where he has one assist in six USHL games. At 5-foot-10 and 181 pounds, Yakub does everything well. He's a good, reliable puck-mover who can also shut down top players on opposing teams.
He is a phenomenal pick-up for Sacred Heart.
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Vermont gets a commitment from an '09 goalie
Connor Haffner committed to Vermont last week. The '09 netminder has a 3.27 GAA and a .918 save percentage in four games for the OHL's Niagara IceDogs so far.
The Ottawa native is a whopping 6-foot-4 and 176 pounds, and spent last season with the OJHL's Burlington Cougars.
Harvard gets a commitment from a '10 forward from Canada
The Crimson got a commitment from their first '10, getting Finley Merrill, a forward with the OHL's Niagara IceDogs. He has one assist in 10 games so far this season, but was a standout at The Hill Academy over the last few seasons.
He's 5-foot-10 and 148 pounds.
