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College Hockey Inc. announced via Twitter on Monday that 1997-born forward August von Ungern-Sternberg has verbally committed to Brown for the 2016-2017 season.
von Ungern-Sternberg is a native of Eagle, Idaho, which has forced him to take the road less-traveled for future Division I hockey prospects. He played part of last season, and is beginning this season as a member of the Idaho Jr. Steelheads in the Tier III Western States Hockey League, as one of the youngest players in that league.
He was selected by the Lincoln Stars of the (USHL) in the league's Phase I Future's Draft, and was extremely impressive at the Stars first summer tryout camp this past June. Here is what we had to say about him after the camp:
The other big surprise at camp was Futures pick August von Ungern-Sternberg. He played for the Idaho Jr. Steelheads in the WSHL as a '97 last year, so it was tough to know what to expect, but he was the best '97 at the camp. He's not very big, but is a very good skater and pretty good offensive instincts. He's a pretty tough kid too, throwing down in a fight on Saturday night and more than holding his own. Playing in a league where he could develop a little more offensively wouldn't be a bad thing, but he could also probably hold his own in the USHL next year.
The Stars placed him on the team's affiliate list, and it is expected that he will suit up for at least a few games with the Stars this season.
von Ungern-Sternberg is the first '97 to commit to Brown, and should be an excellent piece for the Bears in the future.