Cushing's Marc McLaughlin Commits to St. Lawrence

St. Lawrence landed the top '99 forward in prep school hockey on Sunday with the announcement that Cushing Academy sophomore Marc McLaughin was committing to play college hockey for Greg Carvel's program.

Proud to announce my commitment to St Lawrence University. Thank you to my family, coaches, and friends for the help along the way #saints

— Marc Mclaughlin (@mmclaughlin_26) February 22, 2015

McLaughlin is in his first year at the Ashburnham, Mass. prep school after playing for the Providence Capitals 14U team last season. A Billerica, Mass. native, he plays well beyond his years on the ice. At the Watkins Tournament, McLaughlin looked more like a '97 on the ice than he did a '99.

He's not overly fast, but he's a strong skater with a presence on the ice. He's a good two-way player who will be a very good player in the future for the Saints. He's got all the physical tools, he sees the ice well and makes some very heady passes if not of the highlight reel variety.

His teammate, '97 junior Bailey Conger, is already committed to St. Lawrence. The Penguins should enter the NEPSAC Elite 8 Tournament as one of, if not, the favorites to win it all.

Here's what this observer had to say about McLaughlin following the Watkins Tournament:

Marc McLaughlin, RC, 6-0/180, Soph., Cushing, 7/26/99 - There were shifts where he just blew this observer away with his physical tools. He's big and it's hard to believe he's a '99. He's got good speed and awareness on the ice. He's got a hard shot and made a couple real nice passes. If there was one knock it was his decision making, but that's something bound to happen for someone his age playing against '95s-'97s on a very good team. It would seem to be just a matter of time before the Billerica, Mass. native commits to a major Division I school.

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Jeff Cox covers college, junior and high school hockey, NCAA recruiting and NHL Draft prospects. Follow him on twitter @JeffCoxSports.