When the recruiting window opened earlier this month for 2004-born skaters a trio of North Jersey Avalanche standouts announced their commitments to some of the top NCAA Division I programs in the country. This group included Atlantic Highlands, NJ native Nicky Wallace.
Wallace, who captained the Avalanche’s touted 16U AAA outfit last season, will head to the East Coast Athletic Conference (ECAC) when he joins Quinnipiac University for the 2022-23 season.
“The Bobcats got a pretty good defenseman from one of the top AAA teams in the country in Wallace. He’s a two-way defender with some offensive upside.”
OverTheBoards.com – “Prospect Currents: 2004 Recruiting Window Opens”
Wallace, who appeared on the Christian Brothers Academy blue line as a freshman, transitioned to another parochial state power this past season in Bergen Catholic. Wallace posted a goal and nine assists for the Crusaders while helping the club to an 18-5 record.
An Atlantic Youth Hockey League (AYHL) 16U All-Star selection with North Jersey, Wallace is the second Avalanche skater to commit to Quinnipiac in the past year, following the lead of fellow 16U AAA skater Sam Lipkin, who also gave his verbal to the Bobcats for the 2022-23 season.
Emerson and Musa Headed to the Hockey East Conference
Forwards Michael Emerson (UMass-Amherst) and Jack Musa (Boston University) are committed to the Hockey East Conference, while defenseman Nicky Wallace will head to the East Coast Athletic Conference and Quinnipiac University.
According to OverTheBoard.com Emerson “is a prolific scorer” who finished second in point production last year for the Avalanche’s touted 16U AAA club, compiling 48 points on 22 goals and 26 assists over 27 games. The Yorktown Heights, NY native also landing an Atlantic Youth Hockey League (AYHL) All-Star selection.
UMass-Amherst is currently home to Basking Ridge, NJ standouts Marc and Anthony Del Gaizo, who were named conference Academic All-Americans this past season.
Musa is another skilled point producer who notched 29 points on 18 goals and 11 assists over 17 games with the Avalanche.
The Orange Park, FL native split time between the Avalanche and Trinity Palling, a New York preparatory school, where he skated alongside St. John Vianney alum and Johnstown Tomahawks (NAHL) tender John Gelatt. Musa finished second to Gelatt in Trinity Pawling scoring with 30 points on nine goals and 21 assists in 24 games.
Musa is committed to Boston University for the 2022-23 season, the same season his 16U AAA Avalanche teammate Devin Kaplan is due to join the Terriers.
Kaplan committed to Boston University in August of 2018, and this season with skate with the U17 United States National Team Developmental Program. When the the Bridewater, NJ native dons the stars and stripes this winter, he will be joined by another Avalanche alum, Lane Hutson.
Additional Reading
- Middletown North alum, North Jersey Avalanche product, John Hallard signs with Shreveport Mudbugs (NAHL)
- Morristown-Beard Star Leah Stecker Commits to Penn State
- Middletown, NJ native Cristian Kocsis Commits to Providence College
