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Grand Rapids(MN) High School 2000-born forward Blake McLaughlin announced via Twitter that he has committed to the University of Minnesota
Proud to announce my commitment to play college hockey at the University of Minnesota. Thanks to everyone one that has helped me. #Gophers
— blake mclaughlin (@blakemclaughli5) August 19, 2015
McLaughlin has a Gopher connection as he is the step-brother of Minnesota junior-to-be Jake Bischoff. He starred on the Grand Rapids bantam team last season, but has really taken a step forward in his development this past summer with very strong showings at the USA Hockey Select 15 Festival and at Minnesota Hockey's Model Camp, which is hosted at Mariucci Arena.
McLaughlin is listed at 5'11" with potential to get a little bigger. He's a good skater that backchecks and plays defense as hard as he plays offense. On the offensive end of the ice, he's not a flashy player, but has a very good knack for putting himself in a position to make plays on offense and he doesn't shy away from the dirty areas of the ice.
At Model Camp, McLaughlin played on a line with Jaxon Nelson, the other 2000-born player committed to Minnesota, and the two had a very strong week statistically on the camp's top team. McLaughlin was one of the few 2000-born players selected to participate in the Upper Midwest Elite League this coming fall, where he will play for Team North.