After the most successful season in school history, UMass has seen a continued uptick in its recruiting efforts. Led by associate head coaches Ben Barr and Jared DeMichiel, the Minutemen, on Tuesday, pulled in two of the top uncommitted prospects from June’s USA Hockey Select 17 Player Development Camp. Des Moines Buccaneers defenseman Noah Ellis...
After the most successful season in school history, UMass has seen a continued uptick in its recruiting efforts.
Led by associate head coaches Ben Barr and Jared DeMichiel, the Minutemen, on Tuesday, pulled in two of the top uncommitted prospects from June’s USA Hockey Select 17 Player Development Camp.
Des Moines Buccaneers defenseman Noah Ellis and Cleveland Barons goaltender Colin Purcell both announced their verbal commitments to play for Greg Carvel’s program. The duo will represent the United States at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup that takes place later this summer.
New England Hockey Journal had pegged both Ellis and Purcell to be among the top uncommitted players at their respective positions, following the national camp in Amherst, N.Y. In a previous post, we had the following commentary for each player.
USA Hockey Select 17 Camp: Top Defensemen
Noah Ellis
#7 Forest, Des Moines Buccaneers, 2/1/02, D, Right Shot, 6-1.25/187
Ellis was the best uncommitted defenseman at the camp. He’s mobile and jumped into the offense. His mobility and size were intriguing. He’s had an interesting development track, coming up from the Iowa Wild and starting the year with Omaha AAA before earning a callup to Des Moines in the USHL.
USA Hockey Select 17 Camp: Top Goaltenders
Colin Purcell
#30 Columbia, Undecided, 3/26/02, G, Catches Left, 6-6.75/189
Purcell is the second best uncommitted goaltending prospect at this age group. Another big, prototypical modern era goaltender, Purcell had a strong week here at camp, earning a spot on the U.S. Under-18 Men’s Select Team that will compete in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He does a good job eating pucks.
The Minutemen weren’t the only Frozen Four team from New England to gain a commitment over the past week. A few days ago, Providence secured a verbal commitment from ’01 forward Nicholas Poisson of the Prince George Spruce Kings in the BCHL.
The Vancouver, B.C., native put up 18 goals and 21 assists in 75 BCHL games during his first season of junior hockey. He’s expected to return to the Spruce Kings for the 2019-20 campaign.
