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Tuesday, March 04, 2025
Luca Primerano: Uncommitted 2025 BCHL All-Star
Luca Primerano (F) Uncommitted
Player Spotlight
Luca Primerano*
Forward, 6'2", 190 lbs. Shoots Left
Hometown: North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
DOB: March 17, 2005; 19 years, 9 months Neutral Zone Rating: 3.75 out of 5 Stars
2024-25 Team: Cowichan Valley Capitals (BCHL) Committed to UNH on November 29, 2022 at Age 17 years, 8 months.
Decommitted in late February, 2025. *Luca Primerano's goal is to play NCAA Division I hockey.
BCHL All-Star
In his third season in the British Columbia Hockey League, Luca Primerano has earned All-Star honors. With 9 games remaining in the regular season, he has already doubled his goals from the previous two BCHL seasons. He currently has 19 goals and 23 assists in 45 games. In mid-January he represented the Cowichan Valley Capitals in the BCHL All-Star events. In the 3-on-3 All-Star Tournament, Primerano lead his team to the finals.
He also earned a slot in the Skills Competition's hardest shot event.
"Primerano is a good-sized skilled winger with over 100 games in this league under his belt. He plays an honest game – finishes his checks on the forecheck stops on pucks and plays with jam below the dots battling for loose pucks. He kept an active stick in his own end and broke up passes at the point and into the high slot area. He earned the confidence of his coach which was evidenced by being on the ice at the end of the game to protect the lead."
"A smart prospect who always seemed to be in the right place at the right time supporting the puck and creating space for himself. He didn’t contribute on the stat sheet but he showed some puck touch elevating passes over stick blades and got his shot off quickly in stride off the rush. He played first line left wing both even strength and on the top power play unit and was always around the puck – will only get better as he continues to develop his power game."
In his second season of junior hockey Niko Tournas is having a breakout year. In 44 games with the Danbury Hat Tricks he's scored 32 goals and 22 assists for 61 points. He's tied for 4th in the NAHL for total scoring and points per game (1.39 Pt/Gm). He's tied for 2nd in most NAHL goals and tied for 3rd in power play goals (10 PPG).
NAHL Top Prospects Tournament
Niko Tournas had an outstanding performance in the 2025 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament held at the USA Hockey Arena on February 17 and 18. He played on a team of potential NHL Draft picks chosen by the NHL Central Scouting Department with additional players based on recommendations from Neutral Zone.
In his first game with the Selects Gold team Tournas scored the first goal shown in these video highlights and earned Player of the Game honors. The following day he notched a hat trick including the second goal in the video. Overall, Tournas was leading scorer in the tournament with 4 goals.
"Tournas makes a lot of simple, heads-up plays that create offense for his team. One of his assists came on a quick transition off a turnover, where he found a streaking linemate deep in the neutral zone for a breakaway goal. Tournas is a flashy, skilled player who can dazzle around defensemen with his hands, yet at the same time, he isn’t afraid to play in the dirty areas of the ice."
"Tournas is a right-handed forward with solid size, standing at 6’2″ and weighing 188 pounds. He possesses a strong stride that generates good speed through the neutral zone. When he comes low and executes well-timed routes on the regroup, he becomes difficult for defenders to read and match. Throughout the game, he frequently drove wide and utilized effective curls, with his feet moving well to create space during those turns. The UNH commit also demonstrated impressive ability to maneuver through traffic, even when not at top speed. Tournas played in all situations and even created a shorthanded scoring opportunity. He was a consistent offensive threat, contributing with 2 assists and 6 shots on goal."
NOTE
The statistics for the commits, presented in the above table, are categorized by the projected year they will enroll in UNH. For example, I project the "2025 Commits" will begin playing for UNH in the Fall of 2025. My projections projections are based on the following factors:
~ Number of UNH players leaving the team at the end of the previous season and the position they played.
~ Number of incoming transfer players and the position they play.
~ If a NCAA Athletic Aid Agreement has been signed.
~ The year the commit and UNH coaches originally targeted for enrollment in UNH.
~ How old the commit would be upon admission.
~ Number of years in junior hockey and remaining years of junior eligibility.
~ The commit's performance in recent seasons as well as injuries.
~ Anticipated date of high school graduation.
UNH Commits Update 1-24-2025: Spotlight on BCHL All-Star Luca Primerano
Luca Primerano (F) 2025 UNH Commit
Player Spotlight
Luca Primerano
Forward, 6'2", 190 lbs. Shoots Left
Hometown: North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
DOB: March 17, 2005; 19 years, 9 months Neutral Zone Rating: 3.75 out of 5 Stars
2024-25 Team: Cowichan Valley Capitals (BCHL)
Committed to UNH on November 29, 2022 at Age 17 years, 8 months.
BCHL All-Star
In his third season in the British Columbia Hockey League, Luca Primerano has earned All-Star honors. With 20 games remaining in the regular season, he has already exceeded his goals and points from previous seasons. He currently has 12 goals and 17 assists in 34 games. Last weekend he represented the Cowichan Valley Capitals in the BCHL All-Star events. In the 3-on-3 All-Star Tournament, Primerano lead his team to the finals.
He also earned a slot in the Skills Competition's hardest shot event.
"Primerano is a good-sized skilled winger with over 100 games in this league under his belt. He plays an honest game – finishes his checks on the forecheck stops on pucks and plays with jam below the dots battling for loose pucks. He kept an active stick in his own end and broke up passes at the point and into the high slot area. He earned the confidence of his coach which was evidenced by being on the ice at the end of the game to protect the lead."
"A smart prospect who always seemed to be in the right place at the right time supporting the puck and creating space for himself. He didn’t contribute on the stat sheet but he showed some puck touch elevating passes over stick blades and got his shot off quickly in stride off the rush. He played first line left wing both even strength and on the top power play unit and was always around the puck – will only get better as he continues to develop his power game."
NOTE
The statistics for the commits, presented in the above table, are categorized by the projected year they will enroll in UNH. For example, I project the "2025 Commits" will begin playing for UNH in the Fall of 2025. My projections projections are based on the following factors:
~ Number of UNH players leaving the team at the end of the previous season and the position they played.
~ Number of incoming transfer players and the position they play.
~ If a NCAA Athletic Aid Agreement has been signed.
~ The year the commit and UNH coaches originally targeted for enrollment in UNH.
~ How old the commit would be upon admission.
~ Number of years in junior hockey and remaining years of junior eligibility.
~ The commit's performance in recent seasons as well as injuries.
~ Anticipated date of high school graduation.
2025 UNH Commit Sam Oliver: A Top-Scoring Forward From the QMJHL
Sam Oliver (F) 2025 UNH Commit
"Oliver made plays at top speed and knew how to get to space and use that space to attack the net. His release was rapid, and his shot heavy."Neutral Zone Report, December, 2024
Sam Oliver
Center, 5'11", 183 lbs. Shoots Left
Hometown: Quispamsis, New Brunswick, Canada
DOB: July 4, 2004; 20 years, 6 months Neutral Zone Rating: 4.25 out of 5 Stars
2024-25 Team: Drummondville Voltigeurs (Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League)
2020 QMJHL Draft: Selected in 2nd Round (#27 Overall) by Charlottetown Islanders
Committed to UNH on November 25, 2024 at Age 20 years, 4 months.
2024-25 Highlight Reel
Sam Oliver currently leads the QMJHL in goal scoring with 34 goals in 40 games. As this highlight reel shows Oliver has a deadly accurate shot:
Interview
I had an opportunity to interview Sam Oliver, via email, about his hockey career and commitment to UNH:
Mike Lowry: Congratulations on your commitment to play for the University of New Hampshire. You started playing in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League at age 16 and are in your 5th full season. Since 1980 players from the QMJHL, Ontario Hockey League and Western Hockey League have been denied eligibility to play NCAA Division I hockey. In November when the NCAA lifted the ban you and fellow UNH Commits Alex Carr and Nicholas DeAngelis were among the very first Canadian Major Junior players to commit to a NCAA hockey program. How has the QMJHL uniquely prepared you to play college hockey in the United States?
Sam Oliver: Thank you! Having the opportunity to play in the QMJHL from when I was only 16 years old allowed me to grow both as a player and as a person. Competing against guys who were much older than me at the time, shaped me into the player I am now. My experience over the past 5 years of having a busy travel schedule, while managing both hockey and school, should better my transition from the CHL into the NCAA.
Mike Lowry: How did you first become interested in UNH?
Sam Oliver: UNH was always a school that I really liked. I had the chance to go for a visit and meet the coaches before I had chosen to play in the CHL. With the most recent rule change, catching up with the coaches has been great and I couldn't be more excited to join UNH next year.
Lowry: What are the main reasons you chose to commit to UNH?
Oliver: I had some great meetings with the coaching staff and also had the chance to speak to some former UNH players, who shared nothing but positive things about the school and the team. The competitive environment of both UNH and Hockey East as a whole was also very appealing to me.
Lowry: What other college programs did you consider during the recruiting process?
Oliver: I had some good conversations with some other schools. It's never an easy decision but I couldn't be more excited to play at UNH.
Lowry: Last season you tied for 7th in QMJHL goal scoring and tied for 15th in overall scoring during the regular season (68 games, 35 goals, 36 assists) and helped the Drummondville Voltigeurs win the QMJHL Championship. So far this season, you lead the league in goal scoring and are the 7th leading scorer (40 games, 34 goals, 15 assists). What strengths make you a prolific scorer? Overall, what areas are you trying to improve?
Oliver: A few of my strengths would be my hockey sense as well as my scoring instincts. I'm a student of the game, someone who pays attention to all the little details. I'm working on improving my game away from the puck moving forward.
Lowry: Have you had an opportunity to watch the 2024-25 UNH team play? If so, how do you think you can help the team when you join it next season?
Oliver: I've been keeping up with all the scores and watching some of the highlights. I’ve also been staying in touch with the coaches, it's always great to stay updated on how the team is doing. I think I can bring a higher level of offence to the team through my hockey IQ and scoring abilities, while staying responsible defensively.
Lowry: What are your academic strengths and interests? Have you thought about what you might major in when you enroll at UNH?
Oliver: Most of my strengths academically are in Math related courses. Throughout my time in the Q I’ve been taking a few university classes during the season. I’m undecided on what specific major I want to pursue, but I’m thinking about something in Business.
"Oliver wears the ‘A’ for Drummondville and has 23 goals and 10 assists in 29 games. He centered the second line in this game. Sam showed quality acceleration and moved on his edges. He made plays at top speed and knew how to get to space and use that space to attack the net. His release was rapid, and his shot heavy. He protected possession and made a clever play in the neutral zone as he was jammed moving forward, curled back to his forehand along the wall and snapped a pass to a streaking winger. He showed the poise and presence one would expect from an overager. Oliver looked off opponents and snapped puck on the net. He swiveled and snapped passes and shots. Sam had some bite, a nose for the net. The recent UNH commit used a strong stride and decent speed to carry through stick contact. He backchecked and bumped puck carriers off the puck. He played a prepared, poised game with consistency and excellent play on the man-up."
2025 UNH Commit Alex Carr: An Agile, Two-Way Defenseman From the QMJHL
Alex Carr (D) 2025 UNH Commit
"Alex is a solid two-way defenseman who excels in logging significant minutes across all game situations."Neutral Zone Report, January, 2025
Alex Carr
Defense, 6'0", 194 lbs. Shoots Right
Hometown: Sackville, Nova Scotia, Canada
DOB: March 30, 2004; 20 years, 9 months Neutral Zone Rating: 3.75 out of 5 Stars
2024-25 Team: Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League)
2020 QMJHL Draft: Selected in 4th Round (#66 Overall) by Halifax Mooseheads
Committed to UNH on November 25, 2024 at Age 20 years, 8 months.
Fall 2024 Highlight Reel
In our interview (see below) defenseman Alex Carr identified his defensive ability as the strongest part of his game. As this highlight reel shows Carr also has offensive upside:
Interview
I had an opportunity to interview Alex Carr, via email, about his hockey career and commitment to UNH:
Mike Lowry: Congratulations on your commitment to play for the University of New Hampshire. For nearly 45 years players from the Canadian Hockey League were denied eligibility to play NCAA Division I hockey. Soon after the NCAA lifted the ban on November 7th you and fellow UNH Commits Nicholas DeAngelis and Sam Oliver were a few of the first CHL players to commit to a NCAA hockey program for the 2025-26 season. For fans who may not be familiar with Canadian Major Junior Hockey would you describe the advantages of playing in the CHL since you were 16 years old?
Alex Carr: Thank you! I think that there are a lot of advantages, being young playing against older guys forced me to adapt to the size and skill of the game along with the pro like schedule of 68 games. The CHL is the best junior league in the world so I think that will help me adapt faster into NCAA and have a impact to the team faster especially going into the league as a 21 year old.
Mike Lowry: How did you first become interested in UNH?
Alex Carr: I got a text from the assistant coach Jeff Giuliano saying that he was interested and wanted to set up a zoom with my parents and I. When I got on call I quickly realized their passion for hockey and the team. They did an unreal job at showing me all the great things about the school and the hockey program. Along with everyone I talked to had good things to say about the school.
Lowry: What are the main reasons you chose to commit to UNH?
Carr: A couple things that drew me to UNH were it being one of the closest teams to home and in Hockey East all the teams are in close proximity to each other. The atmosphere in the rink seems electric and the staff seem like great people.
Lowry: How many seasons do you anticipate playing for UNH?
Carr: I hope to be there as long as I can, obviously I want to play hockey at the highest level but I really want to get a education and a degree.
Lowry: What other college programs did you consider during the recruiting process?
Carr: Obviously I didn't think there was an option to play NCAA until a couple months ago so there were some schools in Usports (Canadian Universities) I was really interested in playing for.
Lowry: In 2023-24, your third full season with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League, you scored 7 goals, 24 assists in 61 regular season games with a +55 rating. You were one of three finalists for the QMJHL Best Defensive Defender Award (Kevin-Lowe Trophy). At this stage in your development, what are the main strengths of your game? What areas are you trying to improve?
Carr: I think that the strongest part of my game is my defensive ability and being hard to play against along with being able to constantly make a good first pass and get the puck out of my own zone. For areas of improvement obviously the cliche stronger, faster, bigger but I'd say my offensive play and some areas in my defensive game that I can be more consistent with.
Lowry: This season you are the Captain of the Huskies. What is your leadership style?
Carr: I think my style would be more leading by example but I am still a vocal guy in the room. I think its important that I'm able to have a good relationship with everyone in the team and the staff, from the rookies that aren't playing as much to our head coach.
Lowry: What are your academic strengths and interests? Have you thought about what you might major in when you enroll at UNH?
Carr: My strengths academically I'd say is that I'm pretty good in math and with numbers. I haven't looked in depth into what I'm going to take but it will most likely be something within the business field.
"Alex is a solid two-way defenseman who excels in logging significant minutes across all game situations. Standing at 6 feet tall and weighing 194 pounds, he may be considered undersized by NHL standards; however, he compensates with a high hockey IQ and impressive strength in physical battles. His defensive game begins at the offensive blue line, where his active skating and quick feet allow him to effectively pinch and keep plays alive. When facing opposing attacks, Alex plays with a tight gap, prioritizing body positioning over the puck to neutralize threats before they enter his zone, reminiscent of a classic throwback defenseman. His backward mobility is excellent, enabling him to close off passing lanes and effectively engage his assigned opponent. In his defensive zone, Alex demonstrates impressive awareness, boxing out his check and maintaining a strong defensive position with his head on a swivel, ready to capitalize on loose pucks for quick transitions up the ice."
"While not a rushing defenseman, he possesses the ability to skate the puck out of danger and is quick to join the offensive rush when necessary. His tendency to penetrate deep into the offensive zone from the blue line provides valuable outlets for his forwards. Alex’s agility and skating prowess are significant assets, allowing him to navigate the blue line effectively. On the power play, he showcases his skill by using a quick snapshot to get pucks through to the net and displaying excellent vision to find open teammates. With his strong skating, high hockey IQ, and evident coachability, Alex is well-positioned to excel at the next level."
UNH Commits Update 12-6-2024: UNH Off to Fast Start Recruiting CHL Players
Alex Carr (D) 2025 UNH Commit
Nick DeAngelis (D) 2025 UNH Commit
Sam Oliver (F) 2025 UNH Commit
NEWS AND NOTES
New NCAA Eligibility Rule Since 1980 the NCAA has denied eligibility to players from Canadian Major Junior hockey (i.e., the CHL which includes the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, & Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League). According to NHL.com:
"CHL players had been considered professionals and barred because of the NCAA’s amateurism rules, in part because some CHL players have signed NHL entry-level contracts."
Even CHL players who had not signed an NHL contract lost amateur status because they competed against "professional players" who had signed. CHL players also receive a stipend of up to $600 per month for living expenses. That's often mentioned as a reason they are "professional".
Due in part to growing pressure from U.S. antitrust law litigation the NCAA voted on November 7th to grant eligibilty to most Canadian Major Junior players beginning in the 2025-26 season. CHL players can be eligible for Division I hockey "provided they did not receive above actual and necessary expenses to compete in the CHL". CHL players who've signed NHL pro contracts continue to be ineligible (see College Hockey Inc. for details).
The Canadian Hockey League is known as an elite development track for aspiring young hockey players. The nearly 800 players (aged 16-20) in the CHL play a rigorous schedule including training camp, 68 regular season games plus playoffs. The CHL is a major source of NHL players. For example, there were 390 CHL graduates on the 2024-25 NHL opening day rosters (NHL has 736 players on active rosters).
New Recruiting Opportunities
Needless to say, the CHL provides a deep pool of talented players for NCAA Division I coaches to scout and recruit. Of the 64 D-I programs, UNH is off to one of the fastest, most successful starts. Last week CHL defensemen Alex Carr and Nicholas DeAngelis plus center Sam Oliver committed to UNH for the 2025-26 season. A look at today's version of Chris Heisenberg's database of committed recruits shows 1 CHL commit for UConn, Merrimack, Providence, Vermont, Wisconsin and Arizona State, 2 for Princeton and Bemidji State, and 5 for Bowling Green. All but one are in their 4th full season of CHL competition.
Profiles of CHL Commits to UNH
Alex Carr
Defense, 6'0", 194 lbs. Shoots Right
Hometown: Sackville, Nova Scotia, Canada
DOB: March 30, 2004; 20 years, 8 months Neutral Zone Rating: 3.75 out of 5 Stars
2024-25 Team: Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League)
2020 QMJHL Draft: Selected in 4th Round (#66 Overall) by Halifax Mooseheads
Committed to UNH on November 25, 2024 at Age 20 years, 8 months.
Nicholas DeAngelis
Defense, 6'2", 187 lbs. Shoots Left
Hometown: King City, Ontario, Canada
DOB: May 22, 2004; 20 years, 6 months Neutral Zone Rating: 3.75 out of 5 Stars
2024-25 Team: Surrey Wolves (Ontario Hockey League)
2020 OHL Draft: Selected in 2nd Round (#36 Overall) by Windsor Spitfires
Committed to UNH on November 25, 2024 at Age 20 years, 6 months.
Sam Oliver
Center, 5'11", 183 lbs. Shoots Left
Hometown: Quispamsis, New Brunswick, Canada
DOB: July 4, 2004; 20 years, 4 months Neutral Zone Rating: 4.25 out of 5 Stars
2024-25 Team: Drummondville Voltigeurs (Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League)
2020 QMJHL Draft: Selected in 2nd Round (#27 Overall) by Charlottetown Islanders
Committed to UNH on November 25, 2024 at Age 20 years, 4 months.
UNH Commits Transfer to Different Leagues
Not only have 3 CHL players committed to UNH, 2 existing UNH commits have transferred to a CHL team in recent days. Forward Jesse Alicia transferred from the Alberni Valley Bulldogs (BCHL) to the Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL) last Thursday. Goalie Ryan Grout transferred from the Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL) to the Tri-City Americans (WHL) yesterday. In addition George McCaffrey transferred from the Long Island Gulls 18U (BEAST 18U) to the Bismarck Bobcats (NAHL) last week.
NOTE
The statistics for the commits, presented in the above table, are categorized by the projected year they will enroll in UNH. For example, I project the "2025 Commits" will begin playing for UNH in the Fall of 2025. My projections projections are based on the following factors:
~ Number of UNH players leaving the team at the end of the previous season and the position they played.
~ Number of incoming transfer players and the position they play.
~ If a NCAA Athletic Aid Agreement has been signed.
~ The year the commit and UNH coaches originally targeted for enrollment in UNH.
~ How old the commit would be upon admission.
~ Number of years in junior hockey and remaining years of junior eligibility.
~ The commit's performance in recent seasons as well as injuries.
~ Anticipated date of high school graduation.
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