Below are the latest D-I commitments from college hockey.
Here’s a refresher on how star ratings are formalized …
Weight of Star Rating
20% Historical Performance – how the player has performed 3 months prior and previous seasons
60% Current Performance – how has this player played the last 3 months
20% Projection – Translatable skills to be ready to play at the next level
Projection-Based Star Rating
5 -Star – First Round NHL Draft Pick / Elite NCAA/CHL prospect
4.5- Star – Full Scholarship D1/ 1st Rnd CHL who makes an immediate impact at NCAA/CHL level
4.0- Star – Scholarship D1/ 2-3 Rnd CHL Draft player who will play as a freshman/rookie
3.5 Star – Solid D1/Mid Round CHL Draft player who will contribute but may take some time
3.0 Star – High-End D3 prospect or Low Round CHL Pick who could develop but is missing areas in his game
Shirey is a 2005 from Barrington, Ill. He finished up this past season with Waterloo in the USHL and will likely play for the Black Hawks again this upcoming season. He began last season with the Windy City Storm’s 16U AAA team. In 49 total games for the Storm he had five goals and 24 assists on the blue line.
“Good size, good skater, hard shot and contributed offensively,” said NZ scouts. “Aiden would join the rush when he could.”
Shirey is likely a 2024 recruit for the Tigers.
Wiebusch is a 2004-born forward from Wisconsin who announced his commitment to Merrimack on social media. Wiebusch is likely a recruit for the 2023 or 2024 class, based on his age.
Wiebusch had prolific scoring numbers at the Wisconsin High School level this past season for Madison Edgewood. In just 28 games, he finished with an eye-popping 101 points, including 44 goals and 57 assists.
Wiebusch was tendered by the Janesville Jets in the NAHL and he finished the season by appearing in two games with the team, where he notched one assist. Wiebusch also began the season with Team Wisconsin at the 18U AAA level and he led that team in scoring with 28 points (10 goals, 18 assists) in 26 games.
“Good skating, speed, smart, and competes,” noted Neutral Zone scouts. “JJ is a player you can put in any situation and he will be successful. He’s a 200-foot player, he forechecks and backchecks, and takes good angles offensively and defensively. He is smart in finding seams to jump in and make passes.”
Richards is a 2002-born prospect from Detroit Lakes, Minn. He appeared in 51 games for the Austin Bruins in the NAHL last season and finished with 41 points (16g, 25a). In two seasons with Austin he has 54 points (25g, 29a) in exactly 100 games.
Prior to Austin, Richards played 18U for the Northstar Christian Academy, which Neutral Zone featured earlier this year.
In Neutral Zone’s most recent 2002 National Rankings, Richards was ranked No. 287 overall and No. 50 in the NAHL.
“Big body that showed great poise with the puck,” said scouts. “Likes to hang on to the puck for that extra second that backs up defenders and gives himself time and space. Able to make plays with his space setting up teammates well. Skates well for his size, needs to finish checks more often.”
Hong is a 2004-born prospect from Irvine, Calif. Hong is coming off his first season in the USHL with Waterloo where he had 24 points (11g, 13a) in 61 games as a rookie. Hong came up in the Anaheim Jr. Ducks organization. In 2020-21 he appeared in 50 total games for the 16U AAA team and finished with 80 points (36g, 44a).
In Neutral Zone’s most recent 2004 National Rankings, Hong was ranked No. 129 overall and No. 72 in the USHL.
“He is a late 2004 and has a good amount of potential upside,” said Neutral Zone scouts. He was all over the ice this weekend. Works hard and has a high motor. He handles the puck at top speed and forces defenders into mistakes. Strong enough and fast enough to beat defenders wide and drive the net. Scored several goals in our viewings and had the chance for a few more. He has a slick set of hands and can make defenders miss with his agility.”
