NCAA: Suffolk Commits Swedish Defenseman Olle Akermark

Suffolk received a commitment from ’00-born defenseman Olle Akermark, who is listed as being from Tampa, Florida and was born in Stockholm, Sweden.

Akermark is a 6-foot-2 blueliner who played four seasons at Governor’s Academy (2015-19), including captaining the team as a senior. This season he has appeared in 48 games for the Fredericton Red Wings in the MJAHL, where he has 13 assists.

“Strong, hard-nosed defender,” said NZ scouts. “Plays tough in all zones and toes the line at times. He moves fairly well for a bigger body. Heavy on the puck and consistently puts pressure on forwards. Heavy shot from the point which he gets on net quickly. Will need to continue to improve his agility and mobility as he moves up levels.”

’99 F Jack Loran to SUNY-Potsdam for 2020

Loran is staying close to home for his college hockey. The 20-year-old is a native of Massena, which is just a short drive from Potsdam. After playing for Massena High and Northfield Mount Hermon, Loran is having a breakout season for the New England Wolves in the EHL, where he has scored 30 goals and added 19 assists in 46 games.

’99 G Gabriel Pigeon to Lebanon Valley for 2020

Pigeon hails from Quebec. He previously played at the Hoosac School and this season has been with the New Jersey Rockets, where he sports a .923 save percentage and a 2.04 GAA for the organization’s USPHL Premiere team.

“For me, Lebanon Valley was a no-brainer,” Pigeon told USPHL.com. “The school offers a great Exercise Science Program which will help me reach my goal to become a Physical Therapist. When I visited the school, I really liked the environment and the facilities.  

“When I met Coach Don [Parsons] and the rest of the staff, I felt confident that I would be in good hands for the next four years. The team plays in a very competitive league and I am really excited to be a part of it.”

’99 D Sutter Donegan to Cortland for 2020

Donegan is a 6-foot-1 defenseman who is from Cicero, N.Y. He has spent the last two seasons in the OJHL with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres and also played for the Jr. Sabres midget teams. Back in 2014 and 2015, he suited up for the Syracuse Jr. Stars in the USPHL.

Donegan has 25 points (9g-16a) in 50 games this season and also added one goal and three assists in six playoff games.

“He was quick to apply pressure in all three zones of the ice, and was consistently back to help out his defenders,” said NZ scouts. “His straight-line speed is above average and he has a quick first few steps. This allows him to be first to plenty of loose pucks, and he shows no fear in getting hit in order to make a play.”

’99 D/F Brodie Thornton to Adrian for 2020

Adrian picks up a player with some positional flexibility in Thornton, who was with the Metro Jets USPHL Premier team this season. In 44 games the Michigan native scored 23 goals and tacked on 33 assists.

Aside from three games with the Bozeman Ice Dogs (NA3HL) in 2017, Thornton’s entire junior career has been with the Jets, dating back to 2015 when he played for the team’s NJPHL 16U team.

’99 F Jake Vaughan to Connecticut College for 2020

Vaughan is from Colorado Springs and has a well-traveled junior hockey career.

After playing for Shattuck St. Mary’s from 2015-18, he played for three teams last season — Wenatchee (BCHL), Bismarck (NAHL) and Odessa (NAHL). This season he began the season with the Odessa Jackalopes, where he had seven points in 25 games, and then has been with the Chippewa Steel, where finished the season with 13 points in 26 games.

“Vaughn is a really tall, thin, long reach prospect with deceptively soft hands,” our scouts said of the 6-foot-5 Vaughan. “He is raw, as anyone his size and age would be, but he’s all over the ice, he plays with some bite and drives wide on defenders. He protects the puck well, he can shield it with his reach and his body positioning and is tough to defend below the dots.

’99 G Andrew LoRusso to Becker College for 2020

LoRusso is Massachusetts born and bred. The 6-foot netminder from Peabody, Mass. played high school hockey at St. Mary’s in Lynn, Mass. and then joined the New Hampshire Jr. Avalanche, where this season he has a 1.99 GAA and a .919 save percentage.

Last season he posted a 2.01 GAA and a .903 save percentage. His last season at St. Mary’s, LoRusso sported a 1.91 GAA and a .920 save percentage.

“I am beyond grateful to have been a part of such a top-notch organization like the Avalanche, and I am now excited to call myself a Hawk for the next 4 years,” said LoRusso. “I first off would like to thank Coach Cerrella, as he helped me realize that family comes first, on top of making me a better athlete both on and off the ice. Throughout the years I’ve created so many memories with my teammates that I’ll cherish forever, and I couldn’t thank them all enough. Lastly, I would like to thank my brother, sister, and especially my parents for pushing and supporting me through it all. I’m happy to be a part of the Becker community and I’d like to thank Coach Young for the opportunity.”

’00 F Ryland Dukes to Wentworth for 2020

Dukes is an intriguing prospect for Wentworth. He’s had a solid season for the Valley Jr. Warriors in the EHL, scoring 13 goals and adding 17 assists in 40 games. Prior to joining the Warriors he played for Boston Advantage from 2016-19.

Our scouts noted at the EHL November Showcase that he had some offensive punch.

“He accounted for two goals including the game winner in 4-1 win,” they said. “Plays with an edge which gave team quick burst of life to take over game in second half. Room to get stronger and fight through contact will allow offensive upside.”