The theme in college hockey recruiting lately has been decommits and transfers. Player movement has been coming fast and furious over the past month.
That trend continued this past week with news of four commitments pertaining to UMass and Boston College. The most notable commit was 2021 NHL draft prospect Scott Morrow announcing that he’ll play college hockey for UMass.
The Darien, Conn., native is in his fifth season at Shattuck-St. Mary’s, a prep school in Faribault, Minn. In 30 games this season, Morrow, a defenseman, scored eight goals and 40 assists for 48 points. He’s already played in two games for the Fargo Force in the USHL Clark Cup Playoffs and is expected to play this weekend in the finals versus the Chicago Steel.
Morrow was formerly committed to North Dakota. His size, stick, and offensive instincts have him regarded as a possible second- or third-round pick in the 2021 draft. His skating is one area of concern among certain NHL scouts.
Morrow’s father, with the same name, played at New Hampshire from 1988 to 1992 before embarking on a long minor pro career that included a cup of coffee in the NHL.
BC gains two, loses one
Boston College has added defenseman Cade Alami for the 2021-22 season. The Bedford, N.Y., native is a former Providence commit who will be a walk-on for the Eagles.
The big right-shot defenseman stands at 6-foot-7 and comes to BC by way of the Jersey Hitmen in the USPHL NCDC. In 19 games this season, Alami had a goal and four assists. After concluding his prep school career at Berkshire, Alami spent the 2019-20 season with the Surrey Eagles in the BCHL.
After four seasons at Penn State, Sam Sternschein will be a graduate transfer at BC when plays commences in the fall. The Syosset, N.Y., native played in 112 games for the Nittany Lions, posting 28 goals and 24 assists. His best season came as a junior when he tallied 12 goals. Prior to PSU, Sternschein played 115 games in the USHL with Cedar Rapids, Lincoln and Tri-City. He played high school hockey for Portledge and spent time with the Long Island Gulls, New Jersey Rockets and North Jersey Avalanche.
Sternschein is the fourth graduate transfer set to join BC for the 2021-22 campaign. Already announced were a trio of players from Bowling Green, Jerry York’s alma mater. Forward Brandon Kruse, defenseman Justin Wells and goaltender Eric Dop will be trading in the Falcons’ jersey for that of the Eagles.
One transfer is out the door. Danny Weight announced his intention to transfer to Colorado College. The NTDP alum played in just 19 games, scoring a goal and adding an assist, as a freshman at BC in 2020-21. The Edmonton, Alberta, native is the son of retired NHL star Doug Weight.
Conor Lovett joins transfer portal
After an up-and-down freshman season at Merrimack, Conor Lovett has entered the NCAA transfer portal. The Franklin, Mass., native and Lawrence Academy alum scored two goals and three assists in 15 games with the Warriors. He was suspended two games by Hockey East in January and was not asked back for next season, due to an on-campus incident.
