’03 F Reese Laubach commits to Minnesota State for 2022
Laubach comes to the Mavs from San Jose, where he played for the Jr. Sharks organization through his 16U season.
This season Laubach is playing for the Northstar Christian Academy 18U team in the NAPHL, where he has 22 goals and 33 assists in 36 games.
NZ Scouts: “Laubach is a good-sized, speedy forward with a quick first step and a rocket release that can beat goalies clean. He plays the game with pace and isn’t afraid to go 1v1 against any defender with strong, yet elusive hands. He had a highlight-reel goal in the slot that went top crossbar and in and showed he can cut in on defenders on the rush and get shots to the net. He wasn’t just a shooter and speedster; he stopped on pucks, he got back in transition to help his defenders and he sensed pressure well and moves the puck to the soft areas. A puck possession style-forward who got better as the week went on”
’00 D Michael Ferrandino to St. Thomas for 2021
St. Thomas stayed hot on the recruiting trail, despite still being short a head coach. Ferrandino has a lot of USHL experience and he’s currently with the Minnesota Magicians in the NAHL. The Illinois native has been full-time in the USHL since the 2016-17 season, when he debuted with Waterloo.
Ferrandino spent last season with Green Bay and began this season with the Gamblers as well before moving to the Magicians.
Johnson played at St. Cloud High Schoool, where he played last season along with time in the NAHL for the Minnesota Wilderness.
NZ Scouts: “Not many 16-year-olds play in the USHL and those who do are typically committed well before they play their first USHL game. He’s a really crafty puck-moving defenseman who plays a heads up, cerebral game. He carries the puck with his head up, can escape pressure with his quick feet and make a tape to tape passes in stride. His passes take a lot of opponents off guard because he doesn’t stare down his target, he keeps his head looking forward and then slips passes to the sides in a somewhat no-look fashion. His hands are smooth in open ice and quick in small areas. He was at his best here in power-play situations where he could bring the puck up ice and either make a play off the rush or pull up, settle it down and quarterback the umbrella power play. “
’01 F Luke Johnson commits to Lake Superior State for 2021
Johnson is a diminutive forward who has brought a sporing bunch to the Lone Star Brahmas in the NAHL this season. Johnson has 12 goals and nine assists in 25 games this season for the Brahmas.
NZ Scouts: “Johnson was one of my favorites over the weekend. Though not rewarded as much on the score sheet he showed great ability to get on the puck, hunt down opposing defenders, and made a ton of plays that resulted in chances and offensive zone time for his line.”
’04 F William Hughes commits to Harvard for 2022
Hughes is an Andover, Mass. native who, at 17-years-old, is already 6-foot-3. Hughes played at Phillips Andover in 2018-19 as a 14-year-old and had 20 points in 29 games. Last season he had 23 points in 27 games for Phillips and this season he was set to play at Dexter. He spent the fall with the Cape Cod Whalers 16U AAA team, where he had 22 points in 25 games.
Our scouts watched Hughes in a scrimmage against Pope Francis earlier this season.
NZ Scouts: “At 6’3″, he flew to loose pucks. Will hit to create turnovers and attacked the cage. He wheeled in the zone and created with vision and great puck protection. Hughes was consistently around the net and showed off a rifle shot. He dominated at times and has been on a tear this season. He is trending rapidly in the right direction and is a blue chip DI prospect all day. NHL scouts should take note for the 2022 Draft.”
