Michigan hockey commits Nicholas Boka, Brendan Warren named to Team USA Under-17 squad
Nicholas Boka and Brendan Warren will play at Yost Ice Arena starting in 2015-16.
Daniel Brenner | AnnArbor.com file
A pair of future Michigan hockey players will be spending next season across town from their future home arena.
Nicholas Boka and Brendan Warren were both announced as members of the 2013-14 USA Hockey National Team Development Program’s Under-17 Team Wednesday. Both have given their verbal commitments to Michigan, according to the USA Hockey official roster, and will be eligible to suit up in the 2015-16 season.
Boka is a 6-foot, 183-pound defenseman from Plymouth. Warren is listed at an identical height and weight, and is from Carleton, Michigan. Both players spent last year suiting up for the Compuware Midget Minor program.
The U-17 team, which plays in the United States Hockey League as well as in several international tournaments, kicks off its season Sept. 13.
The NTDP is based out of the Ann Arbor Ice Cube, and has sent several future stars to the Michigan hockey program over the years. The program’s U-18 team also plays an annual exhibition game against the Wolverines at Yost Ice Arena.
Kyle Austin covers sports for AnnArbor.com.
Comments
Kyle Austin
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 8:24 p.m.
An update to this story: Forward Dylan Larkin has been announced as a member of the NTDP's U18 team, after playing for the U17's last year. He's a 2014 commit who had 26 points in 55 games last year for Team USA
Veracity
Wed, Aug 7, 2013 : 10:10 p.m.
Does Michigan have a top-rated goalkeeper to mind the net next year? If it does then I expect Michigan to have a good season, but, if it doesn't, well recent experience will repeat itself. Go Blue!
Kyle Austin
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 2:03 p.m.
Michigan will likely start Steve Racine, and again carry four goalies on its roster. Jared Rutledge is returning to junior hockey, while Zach Nagelvoort will join the team as a freshman after putting up a 2.37 GAA in the NAHL last year. Adam Janecyk and Luke Dwyer will be the other two.