It has been anything but a quiet offseason for Brooks DeMars.
The 16-year-old 4-star forward from Hugo, Minnesota wrapped up a whirlwind summer by committing to the University of North Dakota on Wednesday. He made the decision official on Instagram following a visit to campus this past weekend, calling it a moment that felt right the second he stepped into the building.
“I walked into The Ralph [Engelstad Arena], saw the rink, and immediately just knew that’s where I want to play college hockey,” DeMars told PuckPreps.
“Then you go downstairs and walk through those halls, and you realize the players who came before you. Names like T.J. Oshie, Zach Parise, and Shane Pinto–guys you model your game after every day.”
Known to many as “Boomer,” a nickname his sister gave him as a baby, DeMars had interest from several top Division I programs, including Arizona State and Ohio State. But North Dakota stood out the moment he arrived.
That attention from nationally-recognized schools didn’t come by accident. Over the past year, DeMars built an impressive resume.
He captained the Long Island Gulls 15U team and led by example, scoring 32 goals and adding 37 assists for 69 points. That was good for second-most on the team. He also saw 15 games with the 16U squad and kept his production steady with 15 points during that span.
The jump in numbers from the previous season was a direct result of focused improvement in key areas of his game. DeMars put in serious work on his skating, especially in edge control, stride mechanics, and lower-body strength.
That production also helped the young forward rank No. 61 among North American skaters in our rankings.
At 6-foot-2 and 187 pounds, DeMars brings a physical presence and a reliable two-way game. He is the kind of player who can log minutes on both the power play and penalty kill, while also filling whatever role is needed.
He models part of his style after Matthew Tkachuk, but also draws inspiration from Shane Pinto after training with the NHL veteran on Long Island this summer.
“Just watching him work on his stride and his game, I took some of his tricks and added them to my book,” DeMars said.
In addition to his college commitment, DeMars made another major decision earlier this summer when he signed with the Penticton Vees. The team will join the Western Hockey League (WHL) this fall, and DeMars will help usher them into their new league.
After discussions with his agent and Pencticton Vees head coach Fred Harbinson, DeMars knew the WHL was the right move.
“We jumped on a Zoom call, and I was blown away. I thought it would be what’s best for my game,” he said.
He will be one of the youngest players on the team but expects to take on a meaningful role. He will billet with fellow Minnesotan Brittan Alstead and line up alongside Burnsville, Minnesota native Jacob Kvasnicka.
That alone would have made for a busy offseason, but DeMars also earned a spot on Team USA’s U17 roster for the Four Nations Tournament after a strong performance at the USA Hockey Boys National 16 Player Development Camp.
He joined a loaded Team USA roster that included Logan Anderson, Sawyer Schmidt, and Ryland Rooney. Though the group came up short of their ultimate goal, DeMars called it a memorable experience.
“Wearing a letter was pretty special,” he said. “It was a special group, special team, and anytime you get to throw on the USA jersey, you wear it with pride.”
With the WHL season on the horizon and a college decision finalized, DeMars is using the final stretch of summer to stay locked in on his training.
Knowing he will go up against bigger and older competition, he is focused on continuing to develop his speed and strength, so he can make an immediate impact.
“I hope to prove I can go into the WHL as an underage kid and be ready to dominate,” he said. “It's going to be a pretty big test jumping in there with the bigger boys, but I'm willing to do it, and I'm really excited to do it.”