Ohio State picked up a big commitment last week from forward Joe Dunlap, who is currently with the Fargo Force in the USHL.
The New Hampshire native, who was originally committed to Holy Cross, has 20 points (4 goals, 16 assists) in 32 games as a ’99-born forward who we have rated as 3.5-stars.
“Joe is a high-compete right wing,” said Neutral Zone scouts. “He plays hard in all three zones and is tough on the puck. He uses his size and body well along the wall. Wins most of 50/50 pucks and is tough on the backcheck. He can make defenders miss in space and did a good job weaving and fighting through traffic.”
Winger Connor Mylymok (Austin Bruins, NAHL) committed to Alaska-Fairbanks along with center Matt McKim (Bonnyville Pontiacs, AJHL).
Mylmok is a 3.5-star player who is originally from Jackson, Mississippi. After beginning the year with Youngstown in the USHL, he has 13 points in 19 games for Austin this season.
McKim is another 2000-born forward (like Mylmok) who is rated at 3.5-stars. The Newfoundland native, and former St. Andrew’s College star, has 66 points in 45 games this season for Bonnyville.
Mercyhurst snagged center Austin Heidemann from Sioux Falls in the USHL.
Heidemann is a strong pickup for the Lakers at 3.75-stars.
Colgate committed left-shot defenseman Peter Garrett from the Powell River Kings.
Garrett has good size at 6-foot-3; the Duxbury, Mass. native is rated at 3.75-stars and he has 12 points in 43 games from the blue line this season. Before the BCHL, Garrett played for Thayer Academy and Phillips Exeter.
“He is a bigger body with a long reach,” our scouts noted. “He moves around well but is still developing his agility, balance and coordination. He has good skills with the puck and is at his best when he keeps it simple and finds the open man.”
Another ECAC program, St. Lawrence, committed right-shot defenseman Jan Olenginski out of Loomis Chaffee.
Olenginski (3.5) is a 2003-born player out of Pennsylvania.
“He has excellent vision, as he was noted for making passes at high speed entering the offensive zone, under pressure on the powerplay, and from behind the net after wheeling wide by defenders,” said our scouts. “He is a competitor who works hard and he was able to get away from forecheck pressure and thread passes into tight windows with opponents in his face.”
Earlier this week, we highlighted a pair of goaltenders that committed to top Hockey East schools. A few days later, goaltender Thomas-Anthony Gale committed to Holy Cross.
Gale (3.75), who was originally a Dartmouth recruit, has a .937 save percentage this season. Before the Jr. Bruins, Gale played three seasons at Deerfield Academy. Gale has the potential to be a game-changer for the Crusaders.
“He’s calm, confident, has a quick glove hand and good technique,” said our scouts. “He can make all the saves and has the poise and hockey sense to see the play develop and get himself in position. One of the biggest leaders on this team.”
Left-shot defenseman Damien Carfagna committed to New Hampshire; Carfagna is currently with Lawrence Academy.
Carfagna is a New Jersey native we have rated as 3.75-stars.
“He is a tall defender that still has some to fill out,” our scouts said about the former Don Bosco defender. “He makes smart plays all over the ice. He escapes pressure in his own end by using quick feet and then snaps passes to his wingers. He is always in the right position and doesn’t waste many movements in either zone. Not afraid to take open ice and has the ability to beat defenders in space.”
Alexi Van Houtte-Cachero committed to Nebraska-Omaha. This season, Van Houtte-Cachero is playing with Lac St. Louis in the under-recruited QMAAA (midget hockey in Quebec); in 26 games this season, he has 29 points (12 goals, 17 assists).
“Intense player with a powerful stride who is always engaging himself physically whether it is on the forecheck, backcheck, or taking the puck to the net,” our scouts said. “He is a competitive player where you know what you are getting out of him every game. Along with his tenacious style of play, Cachero also displays some soft hands working around the defenseman and beating people in the neutral zone. There is definitely some offensive upside to Cachero where he will need to focus on burying loose pucks around the net.”
