Merrimack head coach Scott Borek had an interesting Tuesday.
First, it was revealed that 3.75-star forward Casey Severo de-committed from the Warriors. First committing to the program last fall, Severo will play for Noble & Greenough this season as well as the Boston Jr. Eagles 18U team in split season. Severo had 29 points (14 goals, 15 assists) in prep hockey last year and nearly made Tri-City’s USHL roster out of camp.
“Casey is a skilled, savvy playmaker who plays a smart, heads up game with a nice combination of hustle and burst to his game,” our scouts said. “He can change direction, make quick deke moves to cut inside on defenders and has a quick release on his snap shot.”
The Warriors received better news Tuesday afternoon, however, when Sioux Falls forward Filip Karlsson-Tagtstrom committed to the program. Karlsson-Tagtstrom is in his first USHL season with the Stampede, having previously played in Sweden (therefore, we don’t yet have a star rating on the player).
Karlsson-Tagtstrom appeared in 29 games for Sodertalje SK’s under-20 team last season, scoring 15 goals and adding 22 assists. He’s the latest in a slew of players Borek’s staff has recruited from Scandinavia, including Felix Carenfelt (Tri-City, USHL) and two freshmen on this year’s team — forward Hugo Esselin and goaltender Jere Huhtamaa.
Speaking of goaltenders from overseas … Ohio State landed a commitment from Czech goalie Jakub Dobes. Slated to arrive at Ohio State in 2021, Dobes came to North American in 2017 and played for the St. Louis AAA Blues program before joining the Topeka Pilots in the NAHL, where he has a .945 save percentage and a 1.56 GAA in seven starts this season.
Niagara received a verbal commitment from Christian Gorcsak, a 3.5-star forward from Pennsylvania. Committed for next season, Gorcsak has 11 points (2 goals, 9 assists) in 10 games this season for the Johnstown Tomahawks (NAHL).
Bowling Green picked up a commitment for its future this week when forward Brett Pfoh committed. A 2002, Pfoh is in his rookie season with Prince George in the BCHL where he has two goals and one assist in 11 games; Pfoh is committed for 2021.
Youngstown (USHL) forward Reilly Funk committed to Northern Michigan for 2021. Already standing 6-foot-3, Funk has three goals and five assists in five games for the Phantoms. Funk played for the Portage Terriers (MJHL) last season.
