NCAA: Northern Michigan lands former NTDP forward

(‘02) C Tanner Latsch (Des Moines, USHL) commits to Northern Michigan for 2022

Latest is from Muskegon, Mich. and played for the U.S. NTDP before joining Des Moines in the USHL last season. The Honeybaked product debuted with the NTDP’s U17 team in 2018 and played for the U18 team during the 2019-20 season.

Last year with Des Moines, he appeared in 44 games and scored 12 goals as he totaled 16 points on the year. Latsch was the No. 4 overall selection by the Buccaneers in the 2020 USHL Entry Draft.

NZ Scouts: “Big kid who moves well. Strong in the corners and in front of the net. Has a quick release that is very difficult for goalies to read. Excellent penalty killer who plays in straight lines, maintains line-ups & has a powerful first step that allows him to breakup seem passes consistently. We feel he is a North American styled player who is in an International style with Team USA & shows the high hockey IQ to understand his role. Low risk player with NHL upside.”

(‘01) D John Driscoll (Des Moines, USHL) has committed to Army for 2022

Driscoll is from the hockey hotbed of Eagle, Idaho! The 6-foot-3 defenseman is hard to play against defensively and tough. Neutral Zone has Driscoll rated as the No. 37 overall 2001-born prospect.

In 41 games for Des Moines last season, he posted seven assists and racked up 53 PIMs. Driscoll came up through the Colorado Thunderbirds system.

NZ Scouts 2020 Game Evaluation: “On the offensive blueline Driscoll did a good job of getting his head up and shooting for sticks in front, looking for tips. He did this a couple of times during the game, firing the puck low or on the ice to his forwards that were flashing in front of the net. In his own zone Driscoll did a good job using his size to win battles down low for his team. He also showed ability to use his feet as well, looking to wheel the net when he could on the breakout. Overall, Driscoll played a solid game for the Buccaneers and was consistent throughout the night.”

(‘05) F Benjamin Yurchuk (North Jersey Avalanche/AYHL) has committed to Northeastern for 2023

Yurchuck was born in Montreal, but has come up through the youth hockey system in New Jersey. The 16-year-old had 11 points in 12 games for the 16U AAA team last season. In 2019-20, Yurchuk appeared in 25 games for the New Jersey Colonials 14U team and had 16 goals and 33 assists.

NZ Scouts 2021 Select 17 Evaluation: “Yurchuk is a small, heady playmaker out of the North Jersey Avalanche who was one of the leading point producers in the tournament with a 3-4-7 line in 5 games. He started the camp off scoring right away, cutting in on speedy zone entry and deking the goalie for a score. He had his next goal on a hard catch and shoot off a 2v1 play and similar play again in the fourth game. His best plays however were his assists. He created scoring chances off the rush, he fed the slot from behind the net and in the corners, and was able to draw defenders to him with his speed and then slide the puck behind them. He has a slippery stick, soft hands and ability to sauce pucks at speed and hit his targets through the neutral zone. Yurchuk’s best attribute was his vision; he can see the whole sheet, he reads defenders and can break them down 1v1 or pass in and around them, and is able to find his teammates through a crowd.”

(‘01) F Carter Korpi (Wichita Falls/NAHL) has committed to Air Force for 2022

The Michigan native has been playing in the NAHL for the last two full seasons. Last season he appeared in 44 games for Minot and Wichita Falls, and he totaled 16 goals and 16 assists.

Korpi played for Honeybaked and played high school hockey at Detroit Catholic Central. Korpi’s brother, Cameron, is an ‘04 goaltender who is committed to Western Michigan.

NZ Scouts 2021 NAHL Game Evaluation: “Speed, speed, speed! Water-bug on the fore-check and is a pest for defenders with the pressure he puts on them. Great stick-lifts and the ability to pick his opponent’s pockets. Good at sneaking behind defenders and can create offence by dragging back his opponents. Makes smart, heads up plays in the neutral zone and can stretch the blue line for breakaway looks.”