Recruiting: Patrick Czarnecki commits to UMass

By @MichaelCaples –

May 1 marked a new era in college hockey recruiting, but there was one last verbal commitment just before the new rules kicked in.

On the night of April 30, Bloomfield Hills native Patrick Czarnecki announced his pledge to UMass.

“First off, I love the location of where the school is; it’s not too far away from Boston which is a great city to be around and visit,” Czarnecki told MiHockey. “I have family not too far away, as well. I have also been hearing a lot of great things about the coaching staff and what they have to offer and I’m sure I’ll be a great fit for the program. Just everything about the school, from what classes they offer to past players that have played and became my role models – I’m just very grateful to have this opportunity.”

The 2004 birth-year defenseman – already listed at 5-foot-10 – competed for the Compuware 14U team this past season. Prior to that, he played for Honeybaked.

Czarnecki recorded five points – one assist and four goals – in five games with his Compuware squad at the 2019 USA Hockey National Championships this past April in Pittsburgh.

On May 1, the NCAA began enforcing new rules on college hockey recruiting; click here to read more.