Friday marked the opening of the NCAA recruiting window for rising high school juniors, who are eligible to receive verbal offers. While much can change before these players officially enroll, day one offered an early glimpse at where some of the top 2008 and 2009-born prospects may be headed at the collegiate level.
Sixteen players announced verbal commitments on Friday, just under half of last year’s first-day total, which is likely attributed to the current junior hockey landscape, particularly with the CHL now a factor.
Northeastern led all programs with three commitments, followed by Notre Dame, Providence, and Dartmouth with two each. The full list of commitments is included below, ordered by time of announcement.
Cannon Thibodeau, F (Notre Dame)
In what will surely be some useless trivia one day, Cannon Thibodeau, a five-star recruit, was the first player to commit in this cycle. The 5-foot-9, 150-pound forward recorded 29 goals and 37 assists for 66 points with the Toronto Marlboros U16 team last season. Thibodeau will join the U.S. National Team Development Program U17s for the upcoming season.
Caiden Pellegrino, F (Providence)
Caiden Pellegrino is a four-star forward from Uxbridge, Massachusetts. He recorded 41 points last season with St. Mark’s School while also skating for the 15U Providence Capitals. He’ll split the upcoming season between the 16U Capitals and St. Mark’s, with his draft rights held by Sioux Falls (USHL) and Cape Breton (QMJHL).
Alex Theodore, F (Dartmouth)
Alex Theodore is a 17-year-old forward from Tampa, Florida. The 6-foot-2, 185 pounds forward recorded 12 goals and 31 points last season for Phillips Academy Andover, which were the third-most on the team.
Evan Sercerchi, F (New Hampshire)
A 3.5-star forward from Woodstock, New Brunswick, Evan Sercerchi is a 5-foot-9, 160-pound winger who played above his age group last season. There, he recorded 11 goals and 25 points for the Fredericton Caps U18 team.
Brian McFadden, D (Northeastern)
Brian McFadden is a 17-year-old, four-star defenseman from Holbrook, Massachusetts. The 6-foot-5, 185-pound blueliner posted one goal and eight points in 14 games for Thayer Academy last season. He participated in the Chicago Steel's development camp this summer and will return to Thayer for the upcoming season.
David Bosco, F (Harvard)
David Bosco is a 3.5-star forward from Winchester, Massachusetts. The 6-foot, 173-pound winger split last season between the Boston Jr. Eagles and Belmont Hill School, where he tallied 18 goals and 47 points. Cedar Rapids (USHL) and Gatineau (QMJHL) hold his draft rights.
Will Manchuso, F (Dartmouth)
Will Manchuso, a 17-year-old 3-star forward from Concord, Massachusetts, was Dartmouth’s second commitment of the day. He recorded 12 goals and 33 points last season with St. Mark’s School, while also splitting time with the NV River Rats 16U team. The 6-foot, 190-pound winger has his draft rights held by the Sioux City Musketeers (USHL).
Noah Survilas, F (Northeastern)
A four-star forward from Winthrop, Massachusetts, Noah Survilas, was Northeastern’s second commitment of the day. He tallied 18 goals and 41 points last season with Dexter Southfield School. The 5-foot-11, 178-pound winger has his draft rights held by Muskegon (USHL) and Moncton (QMJHL).
George Komadoski, D (Notre Dame)
George Komadoski, a 17-year-old defenseman from St. Louis, was Notre Dame’s second commitment of the day. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound blueliner recorded 20 points (all assists) last season with the Mount St. Charles Academy 16U team. He will play in the OHL for the Flint Firebirds this upcoming season.
Owen McHale, F (Northeastern)
A 6-foot, 190-pound forward from Charlestown, Massachusetts, Owen McHale was Northeastern’s third commitment of the day. He recorded five goals and 19 points last season with Dexter Southfield School. McHale’s draft rights are held by Chicoutimi of the QMJHL.
James Scantlebury, F (Boston University)
A five-star recruit, James Scantlebury is a 16-year-old forward standing 5-foot-9 and weighing 165 pounds. The Montreal native scored 35 goals and totaled 100 points last season with the BK Selects 16U team, also appearing in eight games with the 18U squad. Scantlebury is set to play with the Chicago Steel (USHL) in the 2025-26 season.
Gunnar Conboy, F (Minnesota)
Gunnar Conboy is a 16-year-old four-star forward from Lakeville, Minnesota, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 185 pounds. He scored 24 goals and totaled 44 points last season while serving as captain of Lakeville North High School. Conboy will join the Green Bay Gamblers in the USHL as one of two high-profile tender signings for the upcoming season.
Declan Wotton, F (Cornell)
Declan Wotton is a 3.5-star recruit from Windsor, Maine, standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 200 pounds. The 16-year-old forward scored 46 goals and totaled 86 points last season with the Seacoast Performance Academy 15U team. His draft rights are held by Fargo (USHL) and Baie-Comeau (QMJHL).
Stephen Cover, F (Providence)
A 4.5 star recruit, Stephen Cover is a 16-year-old forward from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 175 pounds. He tallied 46 goals and 114 points last season with the Mount St. Charles Academy 15U team. Cover will play in the USHL this coming season with the Madison Capitols.
Oliver McKinney, F (Michigan)
Oliver McKinney is set to follow his older brother, Cole, to the University of Michigan. The younger McKinney is a five-star prospect and 16-year-old forward from Chicago, Illinois. He recorded 30 goals and 90 points last season with the Chicago Mission 15U team and will play for the Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) this year. Look for Michigan to land another big-time recruit on Saturday.
Parker Stockseth, G (UMass)
Parker Stockseth is a 16-year-old goaltender from Blandford, Massachusetts, with impressive size at 6-foot-3 and 175 pounds. He posted a 1.98 GAA and a .919 SV% in 25 appearances for the Seacoast Performance Academy 16U team this past season.