New Commits

Minnesota got a commitment from Sioux Falls defenseman Stu Bickel. Bickel isn't what you'd typically expect from a Minnesota recruit since he is already 20 years old, and not necessarily what you'd consider a superstar, but I think it's a very smart move by the Gopher staff. Minnesota could lose Erik Johnson and Alex Goligoski this summer, along with the graduation of Mike Vannelli, meaning there is a lot of available ice time for next year on the blueline. Minnesota isn't the type of program where they can have a have "down year," so they needed someone that can step in and play right away without too much of a learning curve, and I don't think they'd be able to find an 18 year old kid that could do that, especially at this stage of the recruiting process.

St. Cloud added their second goalie for next year in Wellington(OPJHL) goalie Dan Dunn. Dunn is a big goalie, standing 6'5". I've never seen him play, but judging from the various info I can gather, he looks to be somewhat similar to North Dakota goalie Anthony Grieco. I don't think he'll provide too serious of a threat to Jase Weslosky in goal, unless Weslosky struggles.

Ferris State got a commitment from Mahoning Valley(NAHL) forward Mike Fillinger. I've always thought Fillinger was a very nice player. He's a very good skater, which is something that I think Ferris could use.

Forward Greg Squires committed to Western Michigan. Squires had played with the NTDP and committed to Boston U, but that apparently fell through, and he's been playing in the USHL. So far as I can tell, he is the first NTDP player Western Michigan has recruited. Technically, Jim McNamara played for the NTDP, and eventually transferred to Western Michigan from St. Cloud.

Ohio State added Alexandria(NAHL) goalie Dustin Carlson. He'd likely be a third-string goalie behind Joe Palmer and Nick Filion.

Michigan-native Dan Dries committed to New Hampshire. Dries made the move to the USHL this season after playing with the Victory Honda AAA Midget program.