College Commitments

Minnesota received a commitment from St. Thomas Academy forward Christian Isackson. Last season he had 22 goals and 33 assists. He will joining the Golden Gophers for the 2010 or 2011 season.

He had an offer to join the National Team Development Program this year but turned it down. He did represent Team USA at the Five Nations tournament in Slovakia in the summer where he tallied one assist. At the Select 16's, Isackson had three goals and a total of six points.

For the 2010 season, Minnesota has defenseman Mark Alt and Nate Schmidt. Ryan Walters of the Des Moines Buccaneers is also committed for the 2010 season. For the 2011 season, they have forwards Nick Bjugstad and Seth Ambroz coming in. Ambroz is a 93 born and is already playing in the USHL. So far he has a goal and two assists in seven contests.

Cornell got a commitment from one of the top players from Atlantic Canada. Jordan Escott will be in Ithaca, New York for the 2010 season. With the Amherst Ramblers of the Maritime Junior A Hockey League, he has six goals and 15 assists in 14 games. That's second in the league. He will be on Team Canada East roster for the World Junior A Challenge. His QMJHL rights belong to the Prince Edward Island Rocket.

Forward Jack Berger of the St. Louis Jr. Blues has committed to Princeton for the 2010 season.

Miami (OH) received a commitment from Indiana Ice defenseman Joe Hartman for next season. With the Ice, he has a goal and three assists in five contests. He joins his teammate Max Cook as the second ICE player to join the Redhawks. He has three goals and three assists in five games. Miami University has four recruits from the USHL.

That's My Take

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)