Philadelphia Flyers prospect David Drake commits to UConn

Philadelphia Flyers prospect David Drake has committed to the University of Connecticut for this upcoming season. The Naperville, Ill. native was selected in the seventh round of the 2013 NHL Draft by the Flyers.

Drake is a heavy-hitting shutdown defender with tremendous size. The six-foot-four hulking blue liner is physical, but plays a smart game and is rarely caught out of position. He registered five assists in 51 games played for Jon Rogger's Des Moines Buccaneers in the USHL this past winter.

Drake will add to an already impressive UConn blue line filled with several pro prospects. Pittsburgh Penguins draft pick Ryan Segalla had a tremendous freshman season in both zones while fellow rookie Joona Kunnas is projected as a potential top college free agent.

Mike Cavanaugh's Huskies finished 18-14-4 in his first season behind the bench in Storrs. UConn earned a bye into the quarterfinals of the Atlantic Hockey Association Tournament, but lost to eventual champion Robert Morris in two games.

It was the final season in Atlantic Hockey for UConn before joining Hockey East later this summer. Perhaps the marquee victory of the season came in a midweek game at Providence College, a 3-2 win over the NCAA Tournament-bound Friars.

The Huskies staff has been hot on the recruiting trail, pulling in some highly regarded commitments. Cavanaugh was known as a terrific recruiter while at Boston College, and young assistants Joe Pereira and Mike Souza have been doing a solid job of getting the UConn brand name out there.