Dakota Mermis Commits To DU

(above) Reports have Dakota Mermis committing to DU last week

Edit: Its now official. Dakota Mermis will play for DU in 2012.

There is no official confirmation yet from any of the usual sources, but LetsGoDU has reports that defenseman Dakota Mermis (5'10 170 lbs) committed to the University of Denver last week. Most likely on the same day that his older brother, Jarrod said he would attend DU next Fall. While this must still be classified as a rumor, we're fairly certain that its a firm verbal agreement.

Dakota just turned 16 in January and is a Sophomore in high school in Alton, IL. He is considered to be an elite recruit and will most likely play for the U.S. National Development Program in Ann Arbor next season if he is selected. He would attend DU in the Fall of 2012.

Dakota is a very talented defenseman who was being watched by several OHL Major Junior teams for their upcoming OHL Draft. He is described by scouts as a smooth skater with a rocket for a shot. The best news is that he is yet another hockey playing honor student with a 4.0 GPA.

Dakota played two games for the Lincoln Stars in the USHL this season despite being just 15 years old at the time (players in the USHL can be as old as 20). He also attended the Stars Try-Out Camp before the season to gain additional experience. The Black & Blue Blog reported at the time that could have easily made the team, but perhaps his parents felt he was too young to endure the rigors of a USHL season. He would have been one of the two or three youngest players in the league.

Needless to say that if its true, and we have a second hand confirmation that it is, its a big commitment.

2010 Recruiting Class
F Jason Zucker (U.S. Under-18)
D David Makowski (Green Bay, USHL)
F Nick Shore (U.S. Under-18)
F Beau Bennett (Penticton, BCHL)
F Dan Olszewski (St. Louis, NAHL)
F Jarrod Mermis (Lincoln, USHL)

2011 Recruiting Class
D Scott Mayfield (Youngstown, USHL)
F Zac Larraza (U.S. Under-17)
G Sam Brittain (Canmore, AJHL)
F Garrett Allen (Fargo, USHL)
D Matt Van Voorhis (U.S. Under-17)
D Daniel Doremus (Colorado Thunderbirds, AAA)

2012 Recruiting Class
F Tyler Pham (Team Illinios)
D Dakota Mermis (St. Louis Jr. Blues, AAA)

7 comments:

dggoddard said...

DU nabbed Stastny & Butler out of St. Louis.

Now they have Makowski, Mayfield & the Mermis brothers coming in from the St. Louis area. And Olszewski is from Sconnie but plays in St. Louis for the Bandits.

You better believe that Michigan & Michigan State can't be feeling too good about all this DU poaching on their back porch.

444 said...

Bah, there are so many players out there. Michigan will still have the number 1 recruiting class.

dggoddard said...

That's true. :-)

dggoddard said...

On Monday the USNDT will announce the 40 Under 17 players that will be invited to their tryout camp.

Tyler Pham, Dakota Mermis and Quentin Shore are expected to be invited.

Still no word on Dakota Mermis coming to DU besides the early rumor.

Anonymous said...

The London Knights of the OHL select Dakota Mermis from the St.Louis Midgets in the 12th round 239th overall. Say Bye-Bye.

dggoddard said...

If London selected him earlier it would mean they knew they could get him.

His father is a school teacher. I'm guessing that a college education is a pretty high priority for the family.

I'd say the odds of him coming to DU is 80-20.

Anonymous said...

He'll be at DU no doubt...this kid has a really good head on his shoulders. Just talking to him you'd never guess he was only 16! College is definitely his path!