Chalk up another big recruiting win for Boston College.
The Eagles scored big on Monday, getting Will Moore to commit. The 6-foot-2, 160-pound center just wrapped up his first season with the U.S. National Team Development Program's U17 squad, scoring 23 goals and tallying 43 points in 50 games.
Moore's game is built around good skill and skating. He has quick hands and has no issue using his size to get to better ice. Those attributes should help him take the next step in his U18 season.
Typically, that's when players at the NTDP pop the most.
He's also an early first-round candidate for the 2025 NHL Draft. He was selected in the first round (18th overall) by the London Knights in the 2023 OHL Priority Draft. Opting for BC over the OHL must have head coach Greg Brown and his staff giddy.
Moore is a dual citizen from Mississauga, Ont., and lives in Ithaca, N.Y.
In terms of other recruiting news, nothing has been bigger than Will Felicio (Holden, Mass.) opting for Michigan after decommitting from Denver, but we've already covered that here.
Let's dive into some more news.
Matthew Dabrowski chooses Merrimack
I wasn't the only one impressed by Dabrowski last month at New England District Camp. Apparently, Merrimack was, too.
The Stratford, Conn., native pledged to the Warriors on Friday. Prior to New England Districts, Dabrowski was one of the big names for the New Jersey Rockets 16U team this season, scoring 34 goals and finishing with 74 points in 74 games.
At District Camp, what stood out the most, at least to me, was his compete. He always wanted the puck and was assertive with it on his stick. He played like he was the best player there. I also like his hands, as they help him navigate away from danger and score around the net. He rightfully made it to USA Hockey's Select 17 Camp.
This makes it three '07s that Merrimack has commitments from. The other two are forward C.J. Watroba (West Springfield, Mass.) and defenseman Brenden Espenell.
I can't speak on Espenell since I've never seen him play, but getting Watroba last Aug. 1 has aged like fine wine. Dombrowski projects to as well.
THE PROS: Bruins players speak on prep hockey, development and the path upwards
Jesse Allecia chooses UNH
On May 3, Allecia announced his commitment to New Hampshire.
The New York, N.Y., native just capped off a four-year prep career, spending his last two seasons at Salisbury after his first two were at Deerfield.
He experienced a big jump in production from his junior to senior year, going from five to 19 goals and 10 to 30 points. At 6-foot-1 and 183 pounds, Allecia used his frame well to protect pucks and create offense, especially along the boards.
Allecia is an '05. There are some lessons to be learned here.
He put up 12 points as a sophomore at Deerfield, transferred to Salisbury as a junior and put up 10. He didn't leave. Instead, he embraced a bigger role and developed even more. He's a model path for late-blooming players, of which there are always many in prep hockey. He waited his turn in his final year and it paid off.
UMass has been active
Four prospects committed to UMass over the last month.
Head coach Greg Carvel and his staff earned commits from forward Rhys Wallin, as well as defensemen Edvin Nilsson, Tomas Mikel and Coleson Hanrahan (Longmeadow, Mass.).
Wallin is an '05 who tore it up at Wayzata High in Minnesota this winter, scoring 18 goals and notching 46 points in 28 games. He's 6-foot-2 and 152 pounds.
THE JOURNEY: Inside the paths taken by Casey Mutryn, Jamie Glance and Luke Schairer to make USNTDP
Nilsson is also an '05 and ranked No. 47 on NHL Central Scouting's final rankings for European skaters. At 5-foot-11 and 183 pounds, he scored four goals and totaled 14 points with HV71 J20 in Sweden's J20 Nationell this winter.
Carvel's team also picked up a commit from a local '05 in Hanrahan. At 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, Hanrahan played well for the P.A.L. Junior Islanders in the NCDC this winter (seven goals and 43 points in 39 games) before moving over to the Youngstown Phantoms in the USHL, tallying two goals and seven points in 32 games.
The lone none-'05 is Mikel, who is an '07. From Czechia, he's 6-foot-3 and 172 pounds. He mainly played for Berani Zlin's U20 squad this past season.
