MINNESOTANS  TO MARIUCCI: Jimmy Snuggerud (Chaska, Minn) verbally committed to the University of Minnesota (Big Ten) last week, becoming the fourth current  NTDP skater to choose the storied Gophers program as the next stop in his hockey career. The Minnesota native joins three other Minnesotans, including U17s Ryan Chesley (Mahtomedi, Minn.) and Cruz Lucius (Grant, Minn.), and U18 forward Chaz Lucius (Grant, Minn.) in committing to the Gophers. Snuggerud also continues the family legacy in joining Minnesota, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather.

MOOSE TO THE WILDCATS: U17 goaltender Tyler Muszelik (Long Valley, N.J.) announced his commitment to the  University of New Hampshire for the 2022-23 season. In 15 games, the 6-2 netminder has posted an .865 save percentage and one shutout.

GONE STREAKING: Frank Nazar III (Mount Clemens, Mich.) has racked up eight points  in his last  four NTDP appearances, both with the U17 and U18 squads. Across the four-game stretch dating back to Feb. 21, Nazar has notched six goals and two assists. The 5-9 forward has 21 goals and 42 points in 35 contests so far this season. 

IN THE BOOKS: U18 forward Sasha Pastujov (Bradenton, Fla.) recorded an assist on Team USA's fourth goal of the game in a 5-4 victory over Chicago on March 7 to run his points streak to 18 consecutive games, an all-time program record at the NTDP. During the run, the Notre Dame commit has racked up 12 goals and 21 assists for 33 total points, including five power-play markers. He has only skated in two games this season without recording a point. Pastujov topped the previous high of 17 straight games, accomplished by Jack Hughes (NTDP 2017-19/New Jersey Devils) in 2018-19 and Auston Matthews (NTDP 2013-15/Toronto Maple Leafs) during the 2014-15 season.

TURNING PRO: NTDP alum James Sanchez (NTDP 2014-16/Arizona State University) signed his first professional contract with the American Hockey League's Hartford Wolf Pack after the completion of his collegiate career that saw him put up 52 points in 62 games for the Sun Devils.

Logan Hutsko (NTDP 2015-17/Boston College) signed his entry-level contract with the Florida Panthers after an injury ended his NCAA campaign with the Eagles. Hutsko was a 3rd round pick, 89th overall, by Florida in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

HOBEY BAKER WATCH: Four former NTDP players were named to the top-10 list for the 2021 Hobey Baker Award, presented to college hockey's top player. Matthew Boldy (Boston College / NTDP 2017-19), Cole Caufield (University of Wisconsin /NTDP 2017-19), David Farrance (Boston University / NTDP 2015-17), and Spencer Knight (Boston College / NTDP 2017-19) were all named to the list of nominees. The winner will be announced on Friday, April 9, 2021. 

NCAA PLAYER  AWARDS: More than 20 different NTDP skaters earned conference awards this week. Notably, forward Cole Caufield and goaltender Spencer Knight picked up Player of the Year nods from the Big Ten Conference and Hockey  East Association, respectively, and forwards Thomas Bordeleau (University of Michigan/ NTDP 2018-20) and Ty Smilanic (Quinnipiac University/ NTDP 2018-20) both won Rookie of the Year awards. In addition, twenty-one players landed on All-Conference teams. 

HEAD COACH GRANATO: Former NTDP coach Don Granato was named interim head coach of the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday. Before being named head coach, Granato, who coached at the NTDP from 2011 to 2016, served as an assistant coach with the Sabres for both the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons. 

Granato is the fourth former NTDP coach to serve as head coach for an NHL club, joining current New York Rangers head coach David Quinn (NTDP 2002-04), Nashville Predators head coach John Hynes (NTDP 2003-09), and former Sabres head coach Ron Rolston (NTDP 2004-11) in earning the distinction.

BIOSTEEL ALL-AMERICAN GAME: The BioSteel All-American Game features the top American-born prospects eligible for the upcoming NHL Draft. The annual event, which began in 2012, has seen 188 players that have gone on to be drafted, including 44 first round picks. The ninth-annual game will be played at USA Hockey Arena on Wednesday, April 7 at 8:00 p.m. ET and broadcast live on NHL Network. More information, including ticket information and rosters, will be announced at a later date.

U18 MEN'S WORLDS: The 2021 IIHF Under-18 Men's World Championship is scheduled to take place in Frisco and Plano, Texas from April 26-May 26, 2021.

The primary venue for the tournament will be Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas. It will host Group B for preliminary round play, which includes the U.S., Russia, Czech Republic, Finland and Germany. Comerica Center will also host two quarterfinal games, both semifinal contests, along with the bronze and gold-medal games.