Wyatt Schlaht knew what he wanted when choosing a college hockey program. Strong academics and a team potentially on the rise were a combination that couldn’t be beat.
That’s why the former three-year varsity forward at St. Sebastian’s committed to Brown University this past week.
“When they first started talking to me it was definitely exciting because school is really important to me and I really wanted to go to an Ivy,” said Schlaht, who was born in Denver, Colo., but grew up in Marblehead, Mass. and Wellesley, Mass.
Schlaht’s interest in the Bears continued to grow the more he communicated with assistant coaches Jason Guerriero and James Marcou. The Bears have picked up several top local players over the past few months, but one fellow recruit is one of Schlaht’s former teammates, James Davenport, who's been committed for 19 months.
“It’s funny. I called Davenport the day I decided. He was super pumped," Schlaht, 18, said. "Obviously it’s tough not being at Sebs anymore, but I’m still close with all those guys and I’m excited to play with them in college."
“As I started talking to the coaches more and more, I really started to like coach Marcou and coach Guerriero," Schlaht said. "The program is headed in a positive direction with all the new guys they are getting and I want to be a part of it."
The Bears, out of ECAC Hockey, began taking a stronger interest in Schlaht this fall after he made the USHL’s Lincoln Stars roster.
After putting up 10 goals and 22 assists in 27 games as a junior at St. Sebastian’s, Schlaht went to Lincoln’s Main Camp this summer and impressed, earning a spot on the 30-man roster. It wasn’t an easy decision to leave behind prep school and his teammates, but Schlaht ultimately made the choice to play in the best Junior ‘A’ league in North America.
“After last year, my plan was to go back for my senior year," Schlaht said. "I had a good ... Main Camp and they really wanted me to come in. I took the whole summer to make a decision. It’s been a big challenge, but I needed it. There is stuff I need to work on. It’s a lot tougher, but I’m really enjoying it."
Schlaht, a ’00 in his second year of NHL Draft eligibility, has one assist through his first eight USHL games as he adjusts to the increased pace of junior hockey.
“The game itself is so much faster," Schlaht said. "You have to make decisions so much quicker."
At 6-foot, Schlaht has good size and is a left wing who gets up and down the sheet. While he’s still coming into his element offensively, there's plenty of upside.
“I think I’m a power forward and I like to get on pucks quick,” Schlaht said when asked about his style of play. “I try to be the quintessential power forward. I try to play fast and shoot. I’m trying to make plays quicker. The game is always fast. It’s been tough getting adjusted in the USHL. I have to make plays quicker and make reads faster.”
Schlaht will likely matriculate to Brown for the 2020-21 season.
