Connor Chatham Commits To University Of Denver

Already wearing DU swag
According to Chris Hiesenberg's Website, Connor Chatham (6'2 185 lbs) has given a verbal commitment to the University of Denver.  Chatham is from Shiloh, Illinois and is yet another product of the St. Louis Blues AAA program.  He is described as a big, strong power forward.

Chatham will play the next two seasons for the U.S. National Development Program in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In May he was drafted in the 5th Round of the OHL Draft by the Plymouth Whalers, but it appears that he will now take the college route.

NHL Central Scouting provided the following analysis.
“Chatham is a big bodied right winger who has missed a majority of this season with a shoulder injury, surgery and subsequent rehabilitation. Chatham possesses a very good and attractive collection of physical tools. He has legitimate size, he is an above average skater and he possesses a real good stick, especially his ability to finish. He has a very smooth and effective stride, and when he is moving his feet he shows some real high end speed and quickness. He uses his speed to skate up and down his wing, working himself into the open ice while supporting the play.”
Other St. Louis area players that have played at DU in recent seasons include Paul Stastny, Chris Butler, David Makowski & Jarrod Mermis.  Scott Mayfield will be a Freshman this season and Jarrod's younger brother Dakota Mermis will arrive in 2012.
2011 Recruiting Class
D Scott Mayfield (Youngstown, USHL)
F Zac Larraza (U.S. Under-18)
D Joey LaLeggia (Penticton Vees, BCHL)
F Larkin Jacobson (Janesville Jets, NAHL)
D-F Wade Bennett (Wichita Falls, NAHL)
F Matt Tabrum (Omaha, USHL)
D Josiah Didier (Cedar Rapids, USHL)
F Daniel Doremus (Sioux Falls, USHL)
G Juho Olkinuora (Sioux Falls, USHL)
F Ty Loney (Youngstown, USHL)

2012 Recruiting Class
F Tyler Pham (Indiana Ice, USHL)
D Dakota Mermis (U.S. Under-18)
D Matt Van Voorhis (Sioux Falls, USHL)
F Garrett Allen (Unknown)
D Nolan Zajac (Cedar Rapids, USHL)

2013 Recruiting Class
F Brad Hawkinson (Colorado Thunderbirds U-18)
F Landon Smith (Colorado Thunderbirds U-18)
F Connor Chatham (U.S. Under-17)

2014 Recruiting Class
F Jared Fiegl (Colorado Rampage, U-16)

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Welcome Connor.

Keep those grades up.

We can always use another finsher....

dggoddard said...

Lots of good info in the scouting report. Like hearing that he's a "good finisher."

Very valuable commodity in college hockey these days.

Anonymous said...

I think DU should schedule a game in St. Louis.

Great recruiting area for the Pios.

Ring_of_Fire said...

If Notre Dame joins DU in the NCHC, I would not be surprised to see the Irish look at scheduling one regular season "home" series per year in either St. Louis or Chicago.

The strong ties between Notre Dame and the city of Chicago are undeniable (and geographically convenient), but Notre Dame is only about 5 hours (driving fast) from St. Louis and a decent sized chunk of the student body hails from around the St. Louis area...not to mention the fact that there are literally bunches of ND alumni and supporters in St. Louis.

Anyway, combine that with a well organized and financed youth hockey program that has produced several college players recently; and the NCHC, College Hockey, Inc., and others are looking to get college hockey some exposure in "underserved" markets could do far worse than sending Notre Dame down to St. Louis once a year...

Anonymous said...

Scott Mayfield from St. Louis too.

Anonymous said...

Dad Mermis coaches St. Louis AAA Blues..........

dggoddard said...

Thanks for the heads up on Mayfield. I knew I was forgetting somebody.

Pretty incredible list of players from St. Louis to be sure. For DU to grab so many quality players from the University of Michigan's traditional recruiting grounds is pretty impressive.

old pio said...

Connor's just a growing boy. He'll be bigger than 6'2" and 185 in two years. And ready to deal punishment to the unwary.

Skip Wacum said...

Smart kid! I hope he moves his feet!

Anonymous said...

Too bad he's not going to the U18 squad this season. I like getting to see those soon-to-be DU guys play against DU in pre-season (In a couple months here, all 3 Shore brothers will "compete" @ Magness). Don't discount the potential "epicness" of that night..... I hope they get some good media coverage about it.

vizoroo said...

It would be even better if Drew, Nick and Quentin were playing for DU in 2012-13!

Anonymous said...

Like hearing that he's a "good finisher."

So does his girlfriend.

Sioux fan said...

This might have already been noted here but DU received a verbal commitment from East Grand Forks defenseman Gage Ausmus.

http://undhockey.areavoices.com/