The University of New England picked up a key forward this week in ’99-born New York native Geordan Buffoline.
Buffoline was a four-year varsity player at Burnt Hills-Ballston Spa High in New York, where he had 49 points in 22 games as a senior. After finishing high school he joined the Vermont Lumberjacks in the EHL. This season, he’s second in the league in scoring with 69 points (34 goals, 35 assists) in 46 games.
“He played with pace and threw some backhand sauce at top speed,” our scouts said at the EHL Showcase this season. “High-skill player who also spun off the wall as he went backhand to forehand and to the net, right by two opponents. He would add some toughness and skill to a D-III school. He can play a few different ways.”
Bethel University picked up a commitment from ’99-born forward Michael Savelkoul, a Minnesota native. Savelkoul is currently in his second season with New Ulm Steel in the NA3HL this season, where he has 61 points (13 goals, 48 assists) in 46 games.
Prior to the NA3HL, the 5-foot-10 forward played three varsity seasons at Albert Lea High in Minnesota.
“A center that plays with grit and finesse,” our scouts said. “He wants the puck on his stick and makes plays every shift. He’s strong on faceoffs and quick to move after a win or loss. In the offensive zone he displays good puck possession ability using his body, and he can maneuver through the zone in a roundabout fashion while looking to either attack or dish the puck.”
Assumption College received a commitment from B.C. High senior Matt Keohane. The Quincy, Mass. native is slated to join the Greyhounds next season right out of high school.
Keohane had 29 points (14 goals, 15 assists) in 20 games this season for the Eagles.
“He can really rip it and if you give him a shot lane he will make you pay,” our scouts said this season. “Even if you don’t give him a lane, he will still let it fly: he’s a shooter. He has a great motor in all three zones and he makes quality plays on the rush.”
Endicott College added Arizona native Jeremy Gabriele. The ’99-born defenseman has been well-traveled. He played in the Quebec peewee tournament for the Arizona Jr. Coyotes in 2012 and remained with the Jr. Coyotes through U18 hockey in 2017. Then he jumped to the NAHL where he joined the Bismarck Bobcats and he also played for the Topeka Pilots before he joined the Boston Jr. Bruins in the NCDC and the Utica Jr. Comets. This season, Gabriele is back in the NAHL with the Springfield Jr. Blues where he has 16 points in 53 games on the blue line.
’99-born forward Josh Faussett committed to the Wentworth Institute of Technology. Faussett has spent the last two seasons in the OJHL with the Georgetown Raiders and Milton Menace.
“Quick first step allowed him to get to good spots in traffic and move to space with the puck,” said NZ scouts. “He won a lot of races and worked very hard. Grit, effort, speed and a quick hard shot were all part of his package here.”
In D-I, Michigan State added former Union commit AJ Hodges to the roster for 2020.
A native of Littleton, Colo., Hodges has 30 points in 49 games this season for Muskegon and Sioux City. After a trade to the Musketeers, he had racked up 12 points in 14 games.
“His skating is choppy at times, but he can really pick up speed in just a few steps,” scouts said. “He anticipates the opposing team’s breakout passes by intercepting.”
