Despite a lot of outside pressure, Gunnery right wing Alex Jefferies stayed true to his word and signed a National Letter of Intent to play college hockey at Merrimack.
The Lunenburg, Mass., native received interest from other Hockey East schools over the past few months, including perennial powerhouse Boston College. The Eagles offered Jefferies a full scholarship to switch his commitment, according to multiple sources. BC head coach Jerry York met with the Jefferies family at least once, inside the New England Sports Village in Attleboro, Mass.
Jefferies originally committed to former Merrimack head coach Mark Dennehy and associate head coach Curtis Carr over two years ago. Scott Borek, now in his second season behind the Warriors’ bench, and his assistants had to convince Jefferies to stay committed. They did just that and should be commended for fending off the big boys of Hockey East.
Jefferies, rated a ‘C’ prospect by NHL Central Scouting, is getting plenty of attention from NHL scouts, many of whom were surprised that a player of his caliber wouldn’t switch his commitment.
Although no one could blame Jefferies for switching his commit to Boston College -- a world-class school and a top college hockey program -- he should be applauded for showing loyalty and doing what he felt was best for him. He didn’t listen to the outside noise as many kids do these days.
His ultimate decision to stick with his Merrimack commitment backs up what many have said, including his current prep coach, Craig Badger: Jefferies is a loyal and unique individual.
Jefferies first burst onto the scene playing for the Islanders HC 16-U. In his second season playing for Nate Bostic, he put up over two points per game before heading to prep hockey. Last season at Gunnery, Jefferies scored 27 goals and added 30 assists in 31 games.
Heading into this season, Jefferies is expected to be the top forward in prep hockey. Jefferies and St. Mark’s defenseman Ian Moore will be the two most scouted players in the prep circuit.
Another commit for the Warriors
Merrimack received a commitment from ’99 center Jakob Lee, the captain of the Brooks Bandits. Lee, who hails from Owen Sound, Ontario, will matriculate to North Andover along with Jefferies for the 2020-21 season.
Lee was previously committed to Canisius, but is having a breakout season. In 25 games, he has 21 goals and 20 assists while racking up 76 penalty minutes. His totals rank him third in goals and fourth in points among all players in the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
Pineault chooses Holy Cross
Westminster senior right-shot defenseman Ryan Pineault announced his commitment to Holy Cross on Thursday morning.
The Glastonbury, Conn., native had a strong fall while playing for the Yale Junior Bulldogs 18-U. Pineault has long been regarded as a mobile, puck-moving defenseman, but his lack of size kept some programs from expressing much interest.
Harvey commits to Terriers
Gentry Academy 16-U center Jack Harvey has verbally committed to Boston University. The Stacy, Minn., native is a highly skilled forward with a great stick. The ’03 has 24 goals and 16 assists in 16 NAPHL games with Gentry. Harvey was really good at the USHL Fall Classic and was drawing significant interest from western powers, including Minnesota Duluth.
He joins Gentry teammates Bennett Schimek (Miami) and Cruz Lucius (Minnesota) in having a Division I college commitment.
