CollegeHockeyPlayers

Johnstown Tomahawks‘ sizable 6’3″ 195 lbs. blue liner Caden Lewandowski(6) thought he had it all set, when he committed a couple of months into his 2nd junior season to Robert Morris University, then as the summer rolled in, word came down that they were immediately ditching both their men’s and women’s hockey programs.

It took a month or so and likely a few conversations, but for 2021/2022 the just turned 21-year old will report to an excellent, next choice, Clarkson University Golden Knights.

The Port Huron, MI native started his youth hockey in the Honeybaked 13U AAA before heading to University Liggett School, where he put up some major 20 assists in his last year there.

He had all best last season with 5 goals, 22 assists, 27 points with a +17 rating in 45 NAHL games.

It didn’t go quite as well for 2019/2020 in the USHL for Youngstown Phantoms, where he only managed 2 assists.

He will be a big addition to Atlantic Hockey.

New Jersey Titans‘ 2-year right wing Jake LaRusso(21) decides to go for another season of junior hockey before committing to Colorado College for 2022/2023.

After an impressive 2nd NAHL season, scoring highs of 16 goals and 28 assists with a +6 rating was drafted by USHL Madison Capitals and hopes to play a full season up there before heading off to school.

Initially committed before his 16U AAA year in close to home, Colts Neck, New Jersey’s youth program, he would next go to play a couple of single games for his stepdad’s team New Jersey 87’s before joining the main squad.

The 19-year old will need to continue to prove his game but you can bet he’ll put in the work.

We did a Twitter player interview with Jake:

cHp: You’re from New Jersey. You looked to have a decent youth hockey run with NJ Jr. Titans, but then joined NJ 87’s, which is a pay to play league.

Was that just temporary before joining the Jr. Titans NAHL team and can you talk about that two game experience a little, because you started low in the 87’s system in premiere, getting a hat trick in your only game, then played 1 more with their EHL team. It looks like you moved onto the NAHL team from there and stayed until this year.

I did see from an article your step dad coached one of the 87’s teams.

You’ve played all your hockey close to home in Jersey, but committed to Colorado College. Why did you pick that school and not one around here?

You also committed to that school at the beginning of 2018, very young. How did they discover you? Was it thought you’d play a few of juniors before heading to college?

You’re listed as playing high school hockey at St. John Vianney High as a freshman in 2016/2017 season, but was that you’re only year there?

You’ve had a super solid weirdo season in the NAHL scoring 16 goals and 28 assists in 52 games playing like 4 teams constantly.

Does that have you looking beyond college at all or is that your main focus for right now?

JL: Yea, so my U16 year I left St. John Vianney. I played U16 Titans and my step dad was the coach of the 87’s. The only reason I played one game with them was because they needed guys due to injury and illness.

Later on that year I joined the NAHL team where I have been my whole career so far. It has been a blast. The culture, coaching staff and arena is by far one of the best in junior hockey.

I committed to Colorado College when I was 16.

I loved the facility and coaching staff there when I committed so that was the decider for me.

I have plans to go to the USHL next year and play for the Madison Capitals.

I do want to play in the NHL one day as well, after college

cHp: Nice. I was wondering that, if you were going to head to Colorado College, as reported for 2021 or put it off a year for another run in juniors.

Did you get drafted by that USHL team or just agree to join them?

JL: I got drafted by Madison.

cHp: That’s awesome. Was that exciting news as you move your way up? Do you have an expectation for yourself going in?

Dartmouth College 2021/2022 commit defenseman Ben Ritter(2) agreed to the college as he was heading to his first year at The Loomis Chaffee School.

The Pittsford, NY native had kept his hockey close to home until this move to play USHS-Prep.

In his first year, he scored a modest goal and 4 assists, but took that up nicely as a senior with four tallies and 16 helpers in 31 games and a New England Championship.

The 5’11” 185 lbs. blue liner moved on to junior hockey, originally tendered by New Jersey Jr. Titans, but that experiment lasted all of 4 NAHL games before he next signed on to play for a team he was once selected by in a draft, South Shore Kings.

He seemed to find his space in this league, getting 2 goals and 4 assists in 41 USPHL/NCDC games for an off and on 2020/2021 COVID-busted season.

It did go to playoffs though, and in 3 matchups, he came away with a goal.

The 19-year old, more stay at home style d-man will likely answer any call given.