Yale and Harvard both received commitments from young prospects over the past few days. Salisbury senior center David Chen and North Jersey Avalanche 16-U left wing Mick Thompson committed to the Bulldogs and Crimson, respectively.
Chen committed to Yale after proving himself at the prep level last season with Milton Academy and this season in limited action for Salisbury. He left Milton once it became apparent that the team wouldn’t play a 2020-21 season.
Chen is an ’03 from Livingston, N.J., who played for the New Jersey Colonials and Montclair Kimberley Academy before heading to Milton. In 2019-20 while playing for Milton, Chen posted 12 goals and 31 assists in 28 games. He also played for the Neponset Valley River Rats 16-U last season, helping that team win a state championship.
Chen is a pass-first, playmaking center. His skating, skill and vision are all above average. If there’s one area of his game that needs improvement, it’s being heavier on pucks and being more assertive.
Thompson, an ’04 from Toronto, is in his second season playing on this side of the border. In 19 games during the 2019-20 season with the North Jersey Avalanche 16-U, Thompson scored 14 goals and added 19 assists. Through five games this season, he’s picked up two goals and five helpers.
Thompson is a smaller forward who has excellent skill and offensive instincts. He’s quick and agile, but his hands and vision are what makes him as productive as he is, considering his limited stature. Thompson, whose USHL rights are owned by the Chicago Steel, likely will matriculate to Harvard for the 2023-24 season.
Vermont lands German defenseman
First-year Vermont head coach Todd Woodcroft and his staff have landed the program’s best commit since he took over in Burlington. Late ’02 defenseman Luca Munzenberger has committed to the Catamounts.
Munzenberger is currently starring for the German team at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship in Edmonton. Several scouts indicated that he projects as a late second- or third-round pick in the upcoming draft.
The Dusseldorf, Germany, native plays for Kolner Junghaie U-20 in his native country during the club season. In six games this season, he has a goal and two assists. Last year, he compiled four goals and 14 assists in 31 games.
Warriors land transfer from UAF
After three seasons at Alaska Fairbanks, Max Newton will join Merrimack immediately. The ’97 center from Vancouver is expected to help a banged-up Merrimack team that is battling some key injuries.
Newton scored just five and 11 points during his first two seasons playing for the Nanooks. His game took off as a junior, scoring nine goals and 18 assists in 36 games in 2019-20. The NCAA has been particularly lenient this year in allowing transfers to be eligible without sitting out.
Holy Cross lands AJHL forward
Brooks Bandits forward Devin Phillips has committed to Holy Cross, the player announced late last week. Phillips, an ’01 from Raleigh, N.C., is in his second season for the Alberta Junior Hockey League powerhouse.
Phillips recorded a goal and an assist in two games this season before league play was halted. In 2019-20, Phillips posted 11 goals and 23 assists in 52 games.
Phillips will take an interesting route to Division 1 hockey. He played Midget hockey for the Carolina Junior Hurricanes before spending a season in the Eastern Hockey League with the North Carolina Golden Bears. In 43 EHL games during the 2018-19 season, Phillips potted 27 goals and added 44 helpers.
