Brown University hockey's program received some unwelcome news on Monday when the coaching staff learned prized recruit Nikita Nesterenko had de-committed. Nesterenko, a Brooklyn, N.Y., native, was selected in the sixth round of the 2019 NHL Draft by the Minnesota Wild. After a productive three-year career at Lawrenceville, Nesterenko is playing for the Chilliwack Chiefs in...
Brown University hockey's program received some unwelcome news on Monday when the coaching staff learned prized recruit Nikita Nesterenko had de-committed.
Nesterenko, a Brooklyn, N.Y., native, was selected in the sixth round of the 2019 NHL Draft by the Minnesota Wild. After a productive three-year career at Lawrenceville, Nesterenko is playing for the Chilliwack Chiefs in the BCHL this season.
In his first 10 games, he has a goal and eight assists. While Nesterenko has always been an agile skater with shiftiness and skill, he's added some muscle and reportedly looked very good at the recently completed BCHL Showcase.
Nesterenko is reportedly being courted by Hockey East and Big Ten schools. The '01 would likely matriculate next fall at whatever school lands him.
He's not the only player that has moved on from Brown in recent weeks. Salisbury '02 defenseman Bayard Hall is also back on the open market. The Oldwick, N.J., native has steadily gotten better over the past few years.
He's having a strong fall season for the Junior Bulldogs 18-U. Hall, who played previously at Delbarton and North Jersey Avalanche, should get plenty of attention from top Ivies and some Hockey East schools.
Both de-commits, confirmed to NEHJ by multiple sources, were first reported on Twitter by Mark Divver.
Severo drops Warriors
Nobles senior center Casey Severo de-committed from Merrimack, NEHJ has learned. The '01 from Pittsford, N.Y., is a smart, 200-foot center who plays well away from the puck.
He knows where to go to find pucks and gets chances because of it. He's good on draws, kills penalties, and is responsible in his own zone.
In addition to playing for Nobles, Severo has had a strong fall season with the Boston Jr. Eagles 18-U after nearly making the USHL's Tri-City Storm over the summer.
Elite '03 picks Penn State
U.S. NTDP U-17 center Colby Saganiuk committed to Penn State, he announced yesterday on Twitter. The Plainfield, Ill., native played two seasons for the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite program prior to heading to the NTDP.
Saganiuk is an undersized forward with a high motor. He does a great job cycling pucks down low and going to the greasy areas. Thought to be a potential OHL flight risk, he's quick and shifty.
With Saganiuk now in the fold, the Nittany Lions boast an impressive group of '03 commits that also include Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 16-U defenseman Carter Schade, Avon Old Farms defenseman Drew Tsakounis, Muskegon Lumberjacks defenseman Dylan Gratton, and Valley Forge Minuteman 16-U forward Owen McLaughlin.
