One of the top New England prospects from this college hockey recruiting class has announced his future home.
Richard Gallant (Concord, Mass.) announced his commitment to Harvard via Instagram on Monday. The 5-foot-7, 165-pound center was one of the most sought-after recruits in the region, gaining interest from some of the country's top programs.
Gallant lit up the scoresheet with St. Mark's over the last two seasons. In 2021-22 as a freshman, he posted 16 goals and 43 points in 24 games. He followed that up by averaging almost two points per game this past winter, notching 12 goals and 33 points in 17 games.
While an injury ended his season early, Gallant scored an invite to the United States National Team Development Program Evaluation Camp. He made the final roster and will play for the U17 NTDP team in 2023-24.
Gallant has made his name as a center with a blend of high compete, skill and hockey IQ. Growing up, he played for the Islanders Hockey Club.
"Richard has such a high hockey IQ and is an extreme competitor," St. Mark's head coach Carl Corazzini said. "He is committed to getting better in all areas of the game and I look forward to watching his development with the USNTDP. There are such few players that can make everyone around them better and Richard is one of them. Congratulations to Richard and his family."
This isn't the first time a top prospect from St. Mark's has ended up at Harvard. Henry Thrun (Southborough, Mass.), Sean Farrell (Milton, Mass.) and Ian Moore (Concord, Mass.) all did time at the NTDP and then headed to Harvard.
Ben Merrill picks Harvard
Gallant wasn't the only local player in this class to pick Harvard. Last Wednesday, Ben Merrill (Hingham, Mass.) announced his commitment to the Crimson.
Merrill burst onto the scene this past winter with St. Sebastian's, scoring 11 goals and adding 13 assists in 27 games. He emerged as one of head coach Sean McCann's leading secondary scorers. Another thing that helped Merill quite a bit was an outstanding performance at Harvard's College Experience last week, which was done in front of Harvard coaches.
It did not go unnoticed.
Along with players outlined in our takeaways from the first day of recruiting season, head coach Ted Donato and staff also got a commitment from Luka Graziano. The Toronto, Ont., native is a 5-foot-9, 154-pound defenseman who played for the Toronto Jr. Canadiens 16U team this past winter.
So far, Harvard has committed Lev Katzin, Donny Bracco, Aidan Lane, Graziano, Gallant and Merrill. They're most likely not done.
Michael Munroe commits to Maine
Michael Munroe has had quite the year. In March, he helped Avon Old Farms hoist the NESPAC Elite 8 championship trophy. In his first season in prep, the 5-foot-9, 165-pound winger posted seven goals and 14 points in 28 games. Then, he went to USA Hockey's Select 16 camp and registered three goals and six points in five games.
For the third act, he committed to the University of Maine on Thursday night.
The Neponset Valley River Rats product is a strong get for the Black Bears, who look to be on a collision course with some of the top teams in Hockey East. Munroe boasts a feisty game as a quick and skilled winger who can play on the edge.
https://twitter.com/_MichaelMunroe/status/1687271054526341121?s=20
Last fall, Munroe scored 30 goals and added 23 assists in 36 games for the River Rats 15O team, winning the 15O state championship.
Kole Hyles picks UNH
Kole Hyles committed to the University of New Hampshire on Wednesday night, capping off a strong summer for the Newfields, N.H., native.
Recently, he scored four goals and added three assists in six games to help give the New England District a championship at USA Hockey's Select 17 camp.
Hyles notched 21 goals and 54 points in 65 games for Seacoast Performance Academy's 16U team this past winter, catching the eye of Cushing head coach Paul Pearl. Therefore, Hyles will play for the Penguins in 2023-24.
A strong Select 17 camp along with a solid winter surely opened the door for Hyles to commit to UNH.
Ethan Wyttenbach selects Quinnipiac
While he's not from New England, Ethan Wyttenbach is a Roslyn, N.Y., native (close enough) and committed to Quinnipiac Thursday night. Wyttenbach played for the Long Island Gulls 15U team in 2022-23, standing out as a 5-foot-10, 170-pound defenseman.
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