Three local colleges — American International, Sacred Heart and Vermont — received commitments over the past couple of days from three foreign players.
Through 18 games this season, Hanzawa has 13 goals and eight assists for 21 points. When watching South Shore, Hanzawa’s skill and ability to make plays stood out. In 2019-20, his first season in North America, Hanzawa played four games for the Tri-City Storm in the USHL and 33 games in the NAHL with the Minnesota Wilderness. Hanzawa is projected to arrive at SHU for the 2021-22 campaign.
Three local colleges — American International, Sacred Heart and Vermont — received commitments over the past couple of days from three foreign players.
On Tuesday, South Shore Kings right wing Chikara Hanzawa announced his intention to play college hockey at Sacred Heart. The ’01 from Tokyo, Japan, is in his first season playing for the USPHL organization in the NCDC.
Through 18 games this season, Hanzawa has 13 goals and eight assists for 21 points. When watching South Shore, Hanzawa’s skill and ability to make plays stood out. In 2019-20, his first season in North America, Hanzawa played four games for the Tri-City Storm in the USHL and 33 games in the NAHL with the Minnesota Wilderness. Hanzawa is projected to arrive at SHU for the 2021-22 campaign.
AIC adds USHL defenseman
American International has done a terrific job of recruiting internationally during Eric Lang’s tenure as head coach. That trend continued yesterday when it was announced that Dubuque Fighting Saints defenseman Evan Stella would be joining the Yellow Jackets.
Stella, an ’01 from Karlstad, Sweden, is expected to matriculate to AIC for the 2021-22 season. The lefty has two goals and two assists in 19 assists this season. In 30 games last year, his first on this side of the pond, Stella had a goal and two assists. Prior to coming to the USHL, Stella played for Farjestad BK in his native Sweden.
Slovakian chooses Vermont
’01 center Simon Jellus has committed to play college hockey at Vermont, it was announced yesterday.
The Ilava, Slovakia, native chose the Catamounts over suitors from multiple conferences. At least three local colleges were in on Jellus, but Vermont’s staff persuaded him in part due to offering a full scholarship.
Jellus plays for Karlskrona HK in Sweden. In 16 games this season, he had six goals and five assists. His play for Slovakia at the 2021 World Junior Championship caught the eye of college recruiters. He had an assist in five games, but stood out for his size and skating ability.
Mount Saint Charles duo gets NTDP nod
A pair of players from Mount Saint Charles, center Owen McLaughlin and defenseman Ben Robertson, will join USA Hockey’s NTDP for a few weeks. The news was first reported by NEHJ contributor Mark Divver.
McLaughlin, an ’03 from Spring City, Pa., is in his first season at the Woonsocket, R.I., school. The Penn State commit is on the school’s 18-U team coached by Matt Plante. McLaughlin, who is a ‘C’-rated skater by NHL Central Scouting ahead of the 2021 draft, already has played two games for the NTDP U-18 team. He’ll be with the program for a week.
Robertson will spend two weeks with the NTDP U-17 squad. The ’04 from Potomac Falls, Va., is committed to Cornell. He spent last season with the school’s 15-U team before stepping up to the 16-U team for this season.
