Drost headed to Niagra

Drost a Purple Eagle

Former NJ Devil and Colonial goaltender Colby Drost has committed to Niagara University for this upcoming fall.  An extremely late commitment for the Purple Eagles, or any other team.  Drost, a '92 birth year traveled a fair amount finding places to play.  The past few years he has found himself in a Holderness (Prep) and New England Huskies (EJHL) uniform.  On the bigger side, 6'2-185, Drost will fight for playing time immediately.  In the EJHL this past year Drost posted a 10-18-4 record with a .904 sv%.  CHATlantic would like to congratulate Colby and wish him luck at Niagara the next 4 years.

Gaudreau Brothers find a New Home

Gaudreau's to BC

With the loss of John Gaudreau ,5'7-145lbs, and his brother, Northeastern has lost very skilled forwards to rival BC. The main reason that the Gaudreau brothers are headed out of Northeastern is the departure of coach Greg Cronin who left for a job in the NHL. John grew up playing for the Little Flyer and Comcast program under his dad, Guy, and Jared Beach.  After playing for the U18 Comcast team two years ago, John headed to Dubuque in the USHL.  John, the older of the two, is probably the hottest name in the Atlantic area right now after winning the Clark Cup in Dubuque, Winning Rookie of the Year, and being drafted in the 4th round by Calgary all within 2 months of one another.  

The Gaudreau boys went on a Hockey East "Tour" as they visited several schools like UNH, UVM, and BU.  Apparently they liked coach Jerry York best, and liked the deals for both of them even more.  His brother, Matt, played for Comcast in the AYHL/Elite League this past year.  Matt is a '94 birthyear and will head to Omaha in the USHL this year and most likely spend 2 years there because he is slated to matriculate at BC in 2013.

The Gaudreau's become the second and third to de-commit from one school to head to BC along with Dan Linell, formerly a Harvard recruit.

Rivera to AIC

Pics Forward Commits

Mark Rivera, a Wall, New Jersey native has committed to play at American International College for the Fall of 2011.  The 5'9 Rivera played a CBA before going to the Philadelphia Revolution in the EJHL.  He was then traded to the Springfield Pics late this past season and played extremely well down the stretch and in the playoffs for them.  Overall, Rivera posted 22 goals and 20 assists in 40 games between both teams.  He also registered 6 points in 5 games in the playoffs.  

AIC picked up a very skillful player and joins Campanale from the Atlantic District.  Atlantic Hockey continues to look at EJHL teams for recruits and here at CHATlantic, we would like to congratulate Mark and the entire Rivera family.

Lansdale, PA Native staying In-State

Varley A Nittany Lion

Connor Varley has had a long and winding road in his hockey career.  Growing up playing for a number of different teams, Varley now knows where he will be from 2012-2016.  Played for the Little Flyers, Avalanche, LaSalle College HS and the Minutemen growing up before heading to the Northwood School in Lake Placid and then eventually this past season out to Alberni Valley in the BCHL.

The '92 birthyear was always on winning teams and picked an up and coming program in Penn State.  He won the 2008 PA State title with LaSalle and went to Nationals a number of times.  The 19 year old Defenseman joins former Atlantic youth defenders Brandon Russo (Youngstown), and Peter Sweetland (Vermont Glades) in Happy Valley.  Guy Gadowsky, formerly Princeton's head coach, saw Varley at the Des Moines Buccaneers camp, where Varley will play in 2011-2012 and made a move immediately when he realized he was from PA.  

Varley put up good numbers in Alberni Valley playing 60 games, scoring 9 times and adding 20 assists.  The 5'10, 195lbs defenseman will most likely be a Nittany Lion in the fall of 2012.  Congratulations to Connor, another recruit for the Atlantic Area.