:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48431545/MC_UMD-UMTC-14.0.0.jpg)
Edina High School 2000-born defenseman Ben Brinkman announced via Twitter on Wednesday that he has verbally committed to Minnesota:
Proud to announce my commitment to play college hockey at the University of Minnesota! Thanks to everyone who has helped me along the way!〽️
— Ben Brinkman (@brinkyy21) December 24, 2015
Brinkman has yet to play a varsity at the high school as he has missed the early stages of his freshman year with a knee injury he suffered during the high school football season. But prior to his injury, Brinkman had established himself as one of the top 2000-born defensemen in the country. Listed at 6'0" 174 lbs., Brinkman has good size for his age and combines smooth skating with a powerful game. He's expected to return to the Edina line-up later this season. and is a prime candidate to make the NTDP U17 team next season.
As a freshman, the earliest Brinkman could play for Minnesota is 2019-2020, unless he accelerated through his final year of high school.