College Hockey PROSPECTive

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As a result of last week’s evaluation camp, USA Hockey has issued the press release below regarding the awarding and acceptance of six positions on next years’ NTDP under-17 team. 

In addition to those mentioned in the press release, a  story on the Spencerport, NY, DemocratandChronicle.com  suggests that defenseman Nathan Billitier may have also been offered a spot even though not officially announced by the NTDP.

From the NTDP:

Monday, March 26, 2012
 
NTDP Announces First Six Commitments for 2012-13 Season

Four Forwards and Two Defensemen Named to U.S. National Under-17 Team
 

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Forwards Jack Eichel (North Chelmsford, Mass.), Jared Fiegl (Parker, Colo.), Dylan Larkin (Waterford, Mich.) and Ryan MacInnis (St. Louis, Mo.), along with defensemen Ryan Bliss (Bedford, N.H.) and Jack Glover (Golden Valley, Minn.) have committed to join USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program for the 2012-13 season, it was announced today. The players, all from the 1996 birth year, will compete as members of the U.S. National Under-17 Team.

“We are pleased to welcome this talented group to the NTDP,” said Peter Ward, director of player personnel for the NTDP. “These players will provide a solid foundation for future signings and we will continue to find the top talent in the country as we fill out our roster.”

During the 2011-12 season, Eichel skated for the Boston Junior Bruins team of the Empire Junior Hockey League. He scored 39 goals and added 47 assists in 36 games. His 86 points were fourth most in the league.

Fiegl competed for the Colorado Rampage Midget Minor team of the Tier I Elite League and recorded 22 points (11-11), which was third most on the squad. He also chipped in with one power-play tally and one game-winning goal.

Larkin comes from the Belle Tire (Mich.) Midget Minor team of the Tier I Elite League, where he averaged a point a game, scoring 11 goals and collecting 11 assists in 22 games. Four of Larkin’s 11 tallies were game-winning goals. His season was shortened due to injury.

MacInnis played for the St. Louis Blues Midget Minor team of the Tier I Elite League during the 2011-12 campaign. He ranked first on the team with 47 points (27-20) in 34 games. MacInnis finished tied for eighth overall in points within the league and tied for fourth in scoring with 27 goals.

Bliss skated for St. Paul’s (N.H.) School of the New England Prep School League. He recorded one goal and added three assists in 21 games.

During the 2011-12 campaign, Glover played for Benilde-St. Margaret’s (Minn.) High School of the Minnesota State High School League and notched two goals and 16 assists in 27 games as the Red Knights claimed the 2012 MSHSL Class AA State Championship.

NOTES: Eichel, Fiegl, MacInnis, Bliss and Glover all competed for Team USA in the 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games from Jan. 13-22, 2012, in Innsbruck, Austria. Larkin was named to the team but did not compete due to injury … The 2012-13 U.S. National Under-17 Team will play in the United States Hockey League, the top junior league in the U.S. It will also compete in three international competitions, including the 2013 World Under-17 Challenge … The U.S. National Under-17 Team will be comprised of two goaltenders, 12 forwards and eight defensemen.