St. Lawrence University checked a lot of boxes for San Diego native Sam Deckhut.

“I liked the coaches, and I knew (head coach) Brent Brekke from his time at Miami,” said Deckhut, who committed to the NCAA Division I Saints (ECAC Hockey) in mid-February. “I like that it’s a smaller school, the academics are strong, the new rink looks awesome, and they’re trying to build a family culture.”

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Deckhut, who is a junior at Salisbury Prep in Connecticut, is a 5-foot-10 forward who plays the game with pace and a playmaker’s eye.

That, however, doesn’t come at the expense of other areas of the game.

“I’ve worked hard to develop my 200-foot game,” he said. “Off the ice, the prep school does a great job seeing how you’re doing each day and lending support when you need it.”

Deckhut is the second recent Jr. Coyote to suit up for the Saints and will soon join Carson Dimoff out in Canton, N.Y. He is now added to the constantly growing list of college commitments from the state’s strong 2002-born skaters.

A standout forward for two seasons for the 15O and 16U Jr. Coyotes, Deckhut was part of two consecutive state championship and USA Hockey Rocky Mountain District championship teams.

Thus far, this college group includes Riley Stuart (Arizona State), Matthew Knies (Minnesota) and Josh Doan (ASU).

— Chris Bayee

(April 8, 2020)