Prospect Watch: January's key NCAA commitments

A couple of big goalies were among the NCAA prospects who committed to schools in January. Here's a roundup of the big names to know and where they're going.

One of my frequent activities during the work week is perusing College Hockey Inc.'s commitments page. The organization is a booster group of sorts that promotes NCAA hockey and keeps an exhaustive list of which prospects are going where. Let's take a look at some of the more prominent names that have made recent commitments to different hockey schools.

Blake Weyrick, G, Brown University Bears

One of the top-ranked netminders for the 2014 draft, Weyrick is a California native playing for the U.S. National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Mich. He's slated to join the Bears next season where he'll push for playing time thanks to his big frame. The Bears have had trouble recruiting big names in the past, but with Weyrick joining power forward Tyler Bird (who will head to the campus for 2015-16), things are beginning to look more promising.

Dylan Pavelek, RW, Michigan State Spartans

A mid-sized speedster who plays with Weyrick at the NTDP, Pavelek is slated to head to Michigan State next year alongside the other Team USA netminder, Ed Minney, and highly-touted defenseman Joshua Jacobs of the United States League's Indiana Ice. In the arms race that is the Big Ten, the Spartans are beginning to build something promising.

Brandon Hickey, D, Boston University Terriers

Coming out of the Alberta Jr. A League, Hickey is a smooth-skating defenseman with the Spruce Grove Saints on track to join B.U. next year. A good bet to go in the second or third round of the NHL draft this summer, Hickey plays a calm game and has a nice offensive upside to his game.

Kasimir Kaskisuo, G, University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs

Besides the awesome name, Kaskisuo also happens to be pretty good at stopping pucks. The 20-year-old native of Finland is tied for the best save percentage in the North American League at .948, while boasting a 1.35 goals-against average, just a fraction off the leader. The current member of the Minnesota Wilderness will join the Bulldogs next season.

Ted Hart, C, Providence College Friars

The youngest of the Hart brothers, Ted will follow in Kevin's footsteps at Providence while Brian, a Tampa Bay pick, continues his career at Harvard. Ted is a great athlete who also excels at soccer and on the ice he uses his hands and 1-on-1 skills to dazzle. He'll join Providence in 2015-16.

Tyler Nanne, D, Ohio State Buckeyes

The stereotypical Minnesota high school blueliner is a skilled, rush-happy player in the Jake Gardiner mold and Nanne can fit into that category. Brother Louie is a Minnesota Wild pick, while grandfather Lou is a state legend thanks to his long tenure with the NHL's old North Stars. Tyler will head to Columbus for 2015-16.

Photo courtesy of Team USA.