It's a big day for recruiting at Harvard.
Ryan Poirier committed to Harvard Wednesday morning. In the afternoon, Joseph Salandra announced his commitment to the Crimson, too.
Poirier, a Salem, N.H., native, spent last winter as a standout '08 defenseman for Kent, helping the Lions to a Large School title at, ironically enough, Harvard. Salandra, who hails from Pleasantville, N.Y., was a standout forward for Mid Fairfield last season, tallying 57 goals and 104 points for the 15O squad.
We'll start with Poirier.
He scored five goals and tallied 13 points in 28 games, but it was his puck-moving and defensive abilities that made him such a vital force for head coach Dale Reinhardt's team.
Most recently, Poirier had a strong Select 16 Camp, leading him to make the U17 Five Nations Team, which will hit the ice in Slovakia from Aug. 14-18.
So, how is Poirier as a player?
The 5-foot-11, 170-pound defenseman is a terrific skater. His edgework allows him to stay on any forward trying to dance around him low in his own zone. No matter how big or fast that opposing forward is, Poirier can shadow and cover that player closely, not allowing them to get space.
He plays with some snarl, too, never shying away from finishing a hit or getting hit. That's a good edge for a defenseman to have.
When it comes to breakouts, he's a smooth puck mover, making the simple play and transitioning his team up ice. He projects to be one of the top defensemen in prep this winter. I'm fascinated to see just how high that point total can go as a junior.
They are by no means the same player, but Milton Academy defenseman Dylan Hunt (Marlboro, Mass.) had 11 points as a sophomore, becoming known as a top shutdown defenseman. He committed to Yale last summer and went on to tally a whopping 40 points as a junior.
Don't be surprised if Poirier carves out a similar path.
Salandra has high-end offensive upside. He has a terrific shot that he seemingly is always able to get off accurately from in tight. That would help explain many of the 57 goals he scored last season.
But he's also intelligent offensively. He makes lots of small plays that often have big impacts and lead to scoring chances and goals. Even at his size — 5-foot-9, 174 pounds — he's never shy about taking the puck hard to the net or gaining space somewhere in the slot. He knows how to use his frame to protect pucks and box defenders away from it.
Most recently, Salandra led all players at Select 16 Camp in goals with eight. His 13 points were tied for most in the camp as well. To no one's surprise, he will join Poirier at Five Nations.
Salandra will begin play with Brunswick this winter. He's a candidate for a big first season.
Boston College and Boston University attract top talent
In other news, the sky is blue.
It's no surprise that BC and BU traded big recruiting news over the first bunch of days since Aug. 1. BC was a bit more active, but BU still made sure to get value out of its three commits.
So far, the Eagles landed high-end forwards Rudolfs Berzkalns and Casey Mutryn (Norwell, Mass.), as well as defensemen Callum Croskery, Sam Wathier and Cam Chartrand.
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Croskery (Chicago Steel) and Berzkalns (Muskegon Lumberjacks) were both tendered over the winter, while Mutryn and Wathier will play together with the U.S. National Team Development Program this coming season. Chartrand has been a standout for Bishop Kearney Selects over the last two seasons. He will return for the 16U team this fall.
Croskery was even taken in the second round (40th overall) by the Soo Greyhounds in this year's OHL Priority Selection. Wathier was a fifth-round pick (96th overall) by the Windsor Spitfires.
On the other side of Comm. Ave, BU head coach Jay Pandolfo and staff secured commits from forwards Tynan Lawrence and Caleb Malhotra, as well as defenseman Luke Schairer.
Malhotra, who committed on Tuesday, was big news — and not just because his father is Manny, who played 16 years in the NHL. The younger Malhotra was drafted eighth overall by the Kingston Frontenacs in the OHL Priority Selection earlier this year. As of now, he cannot play in the OHL and then go on to college.
He's made his choice.
Sullivan Martin commits to Vermont
I really like this get for the Catamounts.
Martin, who hails from Essex Junction, Vt., elected to stay with his home state for college. He stands at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds and is known for playing a heavy game.
OPENING ACT: All the local commitments from the first six days of August
He's physical and has a hard, strong shot from the point. He produced a good amount of offense this past winter with Seacoast Performance Academy's 15U team, scoring 10 goals and finishing with 42 points in 67 games. He recently participated in USA Hockey's Select 16 Camp, too.
