New Commits

I'm way behind, so there's a lot of these. All these via Chris Heisenberg...

Alberta forward Derek Rodwell committed to North Dakota.

Minnesota State added Fargo Force forward Matt Leitner. I believe Leitner is the third player off the '90 California Wave team to commit to a college, along with Max Nicastro heading to BU, and Steven Hoshaw heading to Alaska. Mitch Wahl and Colin Reddin also played in the WHL. That team was the subject of the documentary film In the Crease, which chronicled their journey to the 2005 USA Hockey National Championships.

The Mavericks also added Fairbanks Ice Dogs goalie Phil Cook to be their third-stringer next season.

BCHLer Connor Morrison picked Harvard over a couple WCHA schools.

Dean Chelios, son of Chris, committed to Michigan State. Michigan State already has one kid with Red Wing connections in Trevor Nill, son of the team's director of amateur scouting, Jim Nill. Chelios has greatly improved in his second season in the USHL. It's helped being paired with his old high school linemate Andrew Miller.

Alaska added Sioux City goalie Steve Thompson. I'd guess Thompson will either platoon with, or back up Scott Greenham next season. The Nanooks also added Belle Tire AAA forward Joe Kalisz.

Kyle Beattie, originally from the Phoenix area, committed to Maine. Beattie is tremendously talented and a really nice pick-up for a struggling Black Bears team.

Omaha forward Ben Arnt is going to Quinnipiac.Arnt left North St. Paul HS after his sophomore season of high school to play in the USHL. Quinnipiac seems like a good fit for him, where his skating won't be as much of an issue and he can use his great shot and finishing ability.