The college hockey recruitment news never stops coming.
And it feels like it's always Harvard.
Late Tuesday afternoon, Harvard got another commitment from a top prospect, this time goalie Thatcher Bernstein (Brookline, Mass.). The Crimson were the favorite to land the 6-foot-3, 209-pound netminder from Nobles.
Bernstein posted a solid 2022-23 season with Nobles, earning a 2.24 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage. In his freshman season the year prior, he burst onto the scene with the same GAA and a .901 save percentage.
That freshman season, combined with a strong run with the Boston Junior Eagles, put Bernstein to land a spot at the United States National Team Development Program's Evaluation Camp in 2022.
Recently, Bernstein represented the Massachusetts District at USA Hockey's Select 17 Camp, earned a spot at Hlinka Gretzky Cup Camp and made the team.
Bernstein is slated to play for the USHL's Dubuque Fighting Saints in 2023-24. The Fighting Saints drafted the goalie in the fifth round (72nd overall) in the 2022 USHL Futures Draft.
"I am thrilled for Thatcher on his commitment to Harvard," Nobles head coach Brian Day said. "He has worked incredibly hard for this all the while remaining as humble as anyone could be. While Harvard is getting a first-rate goaltender, they're getting an even better teammate and person. I have no doubt that he will positively impact Harvard's team and community just as he has significantly impacted our team and community."
https://twitter.com/fightingsaints/status/1689018651339599872?s=20
Bernstein's commitment brings Harvard's total since Aug. 1 to seven: Lev Katzin, Donny Bracco, Aidan Lane, Luka Graziano, Richard Gallant (Concord, Mass.), Ben Merrill (Hingham, Mass.) and Bernstein.
This is a big get for the Crimson. As of now, Bernstein projects to be a goalie who will make an impact early in his collegiate career. Goalies like that don't exactly grow on trees.
Luke Drury commits to Brown
Brunswick forward Luke Drury announced his commitment to Brown Tuesday night. It's Brown's first splash since Aug. 1.
Drury was a strong secondary scoring option for Brunswick this past winter, scoring seven goals and amassing 20 points in 28 games as a junior. The son of New York Rangers general manager Chris, Drury is known for a very high compete.
Recently, Drury had a great showing at Harvard's College Hockey Experience.
"Luke is the kind of player and leader every team needs to have success," Brunswick head coach Mike Kennedy said. "He never stops working or competing, he wins draws and plays a 200-foot game, and he goes where you need to go to score goals. He’s primed for a big senior year at Brunswick.”
https://twitter.com/WickPuck/status/1689035687431966720?s=20
Drury is slated to be part of a strong cast of forwards returning for Kennedy's Bruins.
Last August, Brown scored commitments from Cam Russo (Middleton, Mass.) and Patrick Murphy (North Kingstown, R.I.) — two reliable forwards who were good gets for the Ivy League school.
Drury fits in that same category.
James Duerr commits to UMass
Now for a different bit of recruiting news.
On Tuesday, James Duerr announced his commitment to UMass via Instagram after having initially been committed to Maine.
Duerr, a right-shot forward, played this past winter with the USHL's Green Bay Gamblers, scoring two goals and adding seven assists in 57 games. The '04 from Chicago, Ill., played the prior season for the Chicago Mission's 18U squad. Before that, he played for Shattuck St. Mary's.
MORE COLLEGE HOCKEY RECRUITING READING:
