CollegeHockey247.com - Commitment Tracker: Vienneau Commits to Gophers

May 26, 2010

Chris Dilks
Assistant Editor

It was another busy week in the college hockey recruiting world, and a number of players have made their decisions on where to go to school. Leading the way this week was Minnesota picking up a quality netminder, Mark Osiecki bringing a player from Wisconsin along with him to Ohio State, ,and Jeff Blashill taking the first steps to rebuild Western Michigan...

Ontario goalie Joel Vienneau, who was profiled by CollegeHockey247 in February, chose to commit to the University of Minnesota for the 2011-2012 season. Vienneau will play next season for the expansion Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL.

When former Wisconsin assistant Mark Osiecki was hired as head coach at Ohio State, reportedly, one of the first calls he made was to Wisconsin High School player of the year Max McCormick to see if he would be interested in joining the Buckeyes. Last week, McCormick chose to join Osiecki in Columbus, picking the Buckeyes over various WCHA and CCHA offers. McCormick will likely join Ohio State starting in 2011, after playing a year in the USHL. McCormick was a first round draft pick in last week's USHL Entry Draft.

New Western Michigan head coach Jeff Blashill pulled a few rabbits out his hat during this summer signing period. Western Michigan announced that they signed forwards Shane Berschbach and Chase Balisy to play for them next season. Berschbach, who was coached by Blashill last year with the Indiana Ice of the USHL, was verbally committed to Miami, but reportedly had that offer pulled by the RedHawks. Balisy, who played for the NTDP U18 team last year, was one of the few remaining uncommitted prospects from the program. He was long considered a lock to play in the OHL, but Balisy has seen his stock drop after being one of the highest touted 15-year-olds in North America, and is now likely to go undrafted by the NHL this June. Playing college hockey seems to be the better move for him.

St. Cloud State picked up a local player when they got a commitment from Sauk Rapids High School defenseman Ethan Prow. Prow will be a senior next year, and will likely play a year or two of junior hockey before joining the Huskies.

Two weeks ago, we mentioned Vermont picked up a commitment from defenseman Nick Bruneteau, and now, his older brother Matt has committed to play hockey for Lake Superior starting next season. That would make three Bruneteau's in college hockey next year, with oldest brother Brett playing for North Dakota. The Lakers also added NAHL defenseman Nick Shkreli for the 2010 season.

Wisconsin became the first school to get a commitment from a 1994-born Canadian when British Columbia forward Morgan Zulinick committed to the Badgers for 2012. Zulinick will play next year with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the BCHL, but could be persuaded to sign with the Edmonton Oil Kings of the WHL before making it to Madison.

Belmont Hill Prep School defenseman Brandon McNally committed to Dartmouth for the 2011 season over a variety of other Ivy League schools. McNally is a potential late round draft pick in this year's NHL Draft.

FEATURED PRODUCT

adidas Michigan Wolverines Navy Blue Players Logo Structured Performance Flex Hat

Unassigned NEWS

[More]

Latest Headlines:

Resources:

Font Size:

Click to see job openings »


			Quick links: Latest Team Rankings Free Text Alerts Member Services