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Derek Daschke Commits to Western Michigan

By Chris Dilks
Western Michigan head coach Andy Murray
Western Michigan head coach Andy Murray

Derek Daschke, a '98-born defenseman that played last season with the Oakland Jr. Grizzlies U16 team announced via Twitter today that he has verbally committed to Western Michigan:

Here's a brief scouting report on Daschke this past March's Tier I AAA Playoffs:

Derek Daschke-D-Oakland Jr. Grizzlies-An absolute horse. I felt like in the 80 or so minutes I watched Oakland play, he was on the ice for about 70 of them. He wasn't hanging back and pacing himself either. There's some rough edges to his game, but he's a legit 6'3" and a tremendous athlete.

After the season, Daschke signed a tender agreement with the Cedar Rapids Rough Rigers of the USHL, meaning he will play there next season, along with fellow Western Michigan recruit Hugh McGing.

Daschke also impressed at this summer's Select 16 Festival.  SBN College Hockey's Jeff Cox ranked him as the fifth-best overall defenseman at the camp. Here's what Cox wrote about Daschke:

5. Derek Daschke (#6 Kelly) 6-1/197 Oakland Junior Grizzlies U16 - His hands and ability in the offensive zone was second to no one here among defensemen. However, he made some lazy passes and didn't always make the right decisions in the defensive zone. Two of his goals were absolute highlight reel variety and he turned heads with his skating ability and silky smooth mits.

Following the camp, Daschke was selected to play for the United States Five Nations team that will play in Germany in August.