Quinnipiac recruiting notes 3/27/17

The Frozen Four is set with Denver, Harvard, Minnesota-Duluth and Notre Dame the four teams that will head to Chicago to battle it out for the National Championship. Pulling for Harvard is the way to go as they have represented the ECAC well this year winning both the conference regular season and tournament titles, the Ivy League title and the Beanpot prior to winning the East Regional this past weekend. Good luck to the Crimson and bring home another national championship for the ECAC. Let's take a look at some of the future Bobcats still playing for their junior teams.

Odeen Tufto (photo by Dan Hickling)

It was a very good week for 1997 forward Odeen Tufto. He had six points (2 goals and 4 assists) in the past week and is now on a four game point streak with all of them being in the multi-point variety. Since his trade to the Sioux City Musketeers (USHL), Tufto has been over a point per game player with 18 points (7 goals and 11 assists) in 17 games played. He has moved into the top 10 in the USHL in scoring with 46 points (15 goals and 31 assists) in 55 games played. His 31 assists tie him for 6th in the league in that category. The Chaska, Minnesota native should give the Bobcats some increased scoring next season when he arrives in Hamden.

Keith Petruzzelli (photo by Muskegon Lumberjacks)

The top rated goaltender in North America had a season best 42 saves in a 4-3 win for the Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL). Keith Petruzzelli, a Wilbraham, Massachusetts native picked up his rookie leading 20th win of the season on Friday. He has been strong down the stretch for the Lumberjacks as they look to clinch a spot in the Clark Cup playoffs. On the season, Petruzzelli is 20-10 with a 2.45 goals against average, a .915 save percentage and boosts two shutouts as well. He will enroll in the fall with his brother D.J. and compete with Andrew Shortridge and Chris Truehl to form a deep goaltending trio for the Bobcats.

1999 forward Matt Cassidy had two goals this past weekend for the Springfield Jr. Blues (NAHL). Cassidy, a Medford, New Jersey native is riding a four game point streak (3 goals and 2 assists). On the season he has 35 points (14 goals and 21 assists) in 51 games. He got off to a slow start with 5 points in his first 18 games but has since adjusted well and has shown growth in his game which has turned into production. As of now I have him projected to arrive in Hamden in the fall of 2018.

Merritt Centennials (BCHL) 1998 defensemen Zach Metsa probably had his biggest assist of the season with his overtime helper to propel Merritt to a 2-1 win to force a 7th and deciding game tonight against Penticton. Metsa has assists in back to back games and in 10 playoffs game has 5 assists for the Centennials.

Hamden native and 1996 defensemen Joe O'Connor's Brooks Bandits (AJHL) team is playing in the Viterra South Division finals against the Okotoks Oilers beginning Friday March 31st. Brooks is the heavy favorite to win the entire AJHL title and make a deep run for the RBC Cup. In four playoff games, O'Connor has a goal and 3 assists. He will be joining a talented Bobcat defensive core in the fall of 2017.

2002 forward Jake Quillan's season is over as his Steele Subaru Major Midget team was swept in the NSMMHL finals in three games. In 11 playoffs games, Quillan scored 8 points (1 goal and 7 assists). As the youngest player on the roster he finished the regular season with 28 points (8 goals and 20 assists) in 36 games. Its likely he will be with Steele Subaru again next season.

Five Quinnipiac commits are heading to USA Tier I nationals. North Jersey Avalanche teammates Corey Clifton and Justin Robbins are playing in the 18U division while Selects Academy teammates Ethan Phillips and PJ Fletcher are playing in the 15U division while Mid-Fairfield bantam forward Victor Czerneckainair is playing in the 14U division. Good luck to all of them.

Jonathan Singer is a 2004 Quinnipiac alum. You can follow him on Twitter @QHockeyBlog.