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New Jersey Rockets forward A.J. Drobot has committed to play college hockey at the University of Maine for head coach Red Gendron. The '98 from Churchville, Pa. played for Team Comcast last season and participated in the USA Hockey Select 15 Festival this summer.
"What separates A.J. from many other 98s is his compete level, his scoring consistence and maturity," said Bob Thornton, his head coach with the NJ Rockets.
Drobot is a talented finisher with terrific hands and hockey smarts, but lacks the size of a prototypical pro prospect. He had a goal and two assists in the Select 15 Festival this July. He has 32 goals and 18 assists in 42 games played for the Rockets junior team this season.
"A.J. is a strong skating power forward with a quick shot who plays physical. He has flourished playing with and against older stronger competition at the u18 level," said Thornton, a former player and coach in the East Coast Hockey League.
Drobot, slated to attend Maine for the start of the 2016-17 season. "Red Gendron and his staff are getting a quality person and player," added Thornton.
Jeff Cox covers college, junior and high school hockey, NCAA recruiting, NHL Draft prospects and the AHL for SBNation. Follow him on twitter @JeffCoxSBNation.