It's been over a month since we last took stock of the big men's college hockey recruiting developments. Now feels like a good time to check in.
The college slate is well underway, but assistant coaches are still attending tournaments, showcases, and junior hockey games when they're not at practice or a game of their own. Just because the college games begin doesn't mean the scouting stops.
There's just a bit less of it.
Various locals announced commitments over the last month. Let's dive into the biggest news.
Ryan Hecker commits to RPI
Right before hitting "publish" on this story, Hecker announced his commitment to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The Evanston, Ill., native grew up playing for Chicago Mission before making the switch to Avon Old Farms last winter, where he had five goals and 14 points in 27 games.
The 5-foot-11, 154-pound defenseman played for the Yale Junior Bulldogs last fall and is playing with the Northern Connecticut Nor'Easters 18U team this fall. He was also at USA Hockey's Select 17 Camp this summer, playing for the Central District.
Jack Torr commits to UConn
Torr committed to UConn on Wednesday. The Philadelphia native was a sophomore at Governor's Academy last winter, potting 10 goals and finishing with 20 points in 30 games. At 6-foot-2 and 192 pounds, Torr plays a powerful game from the wing.
He had a nice showing at USA Hockey's Select 17 Camp this summer, posting two points for the Atlantic District. He skated for the East Coast Militia's 18U team a bit this fall, but has opted to forego any more time at Gov's for the USHL's Fargo Force.
Torr has good size and is NHL Draft eligible for next June, making him a prospect scouts will watch throughout the winter.
Torr hasn't been UConn's only recruiting action. In late September, Carl-Otto Magnusson committed to UConn. The '06 from Sweden is a whopping 6-foot-7 and 229 pounds and has a goal and an assist in six games for the QMJHL's Moncton Wildcats this season. He was invited to the Detroit Red Wings' training camp earlier this fall.
Easton Anello commits to UMass
UMass has become known for finding some of its most impactful players from around the United States and even the world. They didn't have to go far for Anello, who committed to the Minutemen in late September.
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Anello, from Windsor, Mass., plays for Williston Northampton and is on the Neponset Valley River Rats' 16U squad this fall. He had 13 points in 27 games last season as a sophomore '09. He's a potent two-way defenseman who moves pucks reliably. At 6-foot-2 and 174 pounds, he has the size element down well, too.
He was picked relatively high in both the USHL Phase 1 Draft (seventh round to the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders) and QMJHL Draft (fifth round to the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles) earlier this year.
Finnish defenseman Samu Alalauri committed to UMass in early September. The 6-foot-2 defenseman is playing for the Pelicans U20 squad in U20 SM-sarja. The Minutemen's lone commitment in October (so far) was defenseman Jake Prunty. A 5-foot-10 defenseman from New Jersey, he's split time between the Rockets' 16U and 18U teams this fall, as well as some games for the USHL's Sioux Falls Stampede, who picked him in the sixth round of the Phase 1 Draft this year.
Spencer Thornborough commits to Maine
Thornborough became eligible to commit to a Division 1 program on Aug. 1, but waited until Sept. 16 to make his choice, opting for Maine.
The Boxford, Mass., native is an interesting prospect to watch. When I began watching him when he was a 14U, he was arguably the top '08 in Massachusetts. He represented the United States in the Youth Olympics in early 2024 and went to the U.S. National Team Development Program Evaluation Camp later that year. During the last two prep seasons with Governor's Academy, however, Thornborough dealt with injuries and didn't make Massachusetts' Select 17 team out of the Mass. Hockey Festival.
He got an at-large bid for the New England District at Select 17 Camp, bouncing back nicely with three goals and five points in six games. At 6 feet and 181 pounds, he's a speedy north-south winger who can play anywhere in a lineup. Through eight games with the QMJHL's Moncton Wildcats, he has yet to record his first point.
Maine also got a commitment from forward Ross Campbell. The '06 winger has 16 points in 11 games for the QMJHL's Charlottetown Islanders this season.
Tim Donohue commits to Sacred Heart
Donohue had a nice sophomore year at Westminster last fall. He was rewarded by committing to Sacred Heart midway through September.
The North Haven, Conn., native increased his offensive output from 10 points to 16 with the Martlets last winter, helping his squad make the Large School championship game. He's been playing with Mid Fairfield's 18U team this fall.
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At 5-foot-9 and 165 pounds, Donohue is a crafty presence in the offensive zone. He should be due for a big breakout this winter at Westminster.
Liam Kilfoil commits to Northeastern
Shortly after I began as editor of New England Hockey Journal, Kilfoil was quick to cross my radar. I did a story on him being one of the top '07s playing in the United States in October of 2022. There was a lot of college interest as he readied to begin playing at Salisbury.
"Right now I'm just trying to evaluate my options in seeing which route is better for me," he said. "Kind of just waiting to see how this year goes. Off to a good start, which is nice, so we'll see how this year goes and what opportunities present themselves. Definitely, the NCAA is a very intriguing option, as well as the QMJHL. So yeah — excited to see what both routes bring."
Back then, the CHL ruling wasn't a thing yet, so it was one or the other, and he chose the QMJHL's Halifax Mooseheads. But in late September, Kilfoil committed to Northeastern.
He's spent the last two years with Halifax, putting up 20 points in 62 games in 2023-24 and then 46 in 62 last year, serving as an assistant captain. He already has four points in six games this season. Kilfoil, who stands at 5-foot-11 and 183 pounds and is from New Brunswick, Canada, is a massive get for Northeastern. I also wouldn't be shocked to see him picked in June's NHL Draft as a second-year eligible player.
The Huskies also got a commitment from a big '06 forward from the QMJHL in Maxime Lafond. The 6-foot-5, 205-pound winger is in his fourth season with the QMJHL's Drummondville Voltigeurs, with eight points in his first nine games.
Quinnipiac secures two new commitments
The Bobcats got commitments from two younger players in junior hockey: forward Caelan Joudrey and defenseman Thaddeus McMahon.
Joudrey is a 6-foot-4, 172-pound forward with the WHL's Wenatchee Wild. The '08 has a goal in seven games to begin the season. He spent all of last year and seven games in 2023-24 in the WHL. McMahon is an '09 who, through eight games, has a goal and an assist with the USHL's Omaha Lancers. He's 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds.
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Holy Cross gets a commitment from the QMJHL
Holy Cross got in on some more of the CHL recruiting action, getting a commitment from '05 defenseman Jack Martin. He's been in the QMJHL since 2022, playing mainly for the Mooseheads before being dealt to the Rimouski Océanic midway through last season. Through nine games this season, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound defenseman doesn't have any points.
