Ryan Hitchcock commits to Yale

Press Release sent to the World of Junior Hockey

NEWARK, NJ – The New Jersey Rockets are pleased to announce that Junior B forward Ryan Hitchcock (’96 birth year – Manhasset, NY) has verbally committed to Head Coach Keith Allain and the Yale University Bulldogs for the Class of 2014. The scholarship offer was verbally accepted this past weekend as the New Jersey Rockets Junior B’s participated in the 2011 Woodchuck Classic in Burlington, Vermont.

“Ryan has established himself as one of the top ‘96’s in the country,” commented New Jersey Rockets Head Coach and Director of Player Development Bob Thornton. “Yale offers Ryan a great education along with an outstanding hockey program to further develop his hockey skills. This was absolutely the right fit for him.”

Hitchcock, whose stock rose considerably following his outstanding play in the USA Hockey Festivals and the Chowder Cup this past summer, chose the Bulldogs over offers from several other top Division I schools. “Yale was one of the first schools to show an interest,” said Hitchcock. “When you get the chance to go to an Ivy League school, you accept. It is the total package. A great education and the oldest college hockey program in the United States. I’m excited to suit up for the Bulldogs.”

“Hitchcock has really come on strong these last few months,” added Thornton. “Yale is getting a great young player who has his best hockey still in front of him. We expect Ryan to be a big contributor to our program this year.”

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)