Buckeye-to-be commits early - very early
Chris Lillstrung,
[email protected]
07/27/2005
John Albert hoped to have his decision on where to play college hockey out of the way early so he could concentrate on developing his game.
The Concord Township resident probably didn't envision a scenario in which that decision would be made this early.
Just 16 years old and yet to enter his junior year in high school at Lake Catholic, Albert has already made a verbal commitment to play at Ohio State starting in the fall of 2007.
The 5-foot-10, 160-pound forward has excelled in the Cleveland Barons youth program for the last six years, including a breakout 2004-05 campaign, when he scored 34 goals and assisted on 60 others in 67 games for the Barons' Midget AAA team, despite being the youngest player on the roster.
A hockey player will very rarely receive scholarship offers before their junior year in high school, but Albert's talents caught the attention of the Buckeyes' coaching staff. OSU liked what it saw in person at USA Hockey youth festivals and while Albert was playing for the Barons.
"I had no idea I could (get a college offer) this early," Albert said. "I didn't know colleges would be interested this early. (Ohio State) called me, and I called them back and told them I'd be there for an unofficial visit. I got an offer, and I took it."
If Albert would have waited to make a college commitment until this season, he likely would have received interest from several other Division I programs after his huge offensive season for the Barons.
But the opportunity to play at Ohio State was simply too good to pass up.
"People ask, 'Why so early?' and we say, 'Why not?'," said John Albert Sr., John's father. "It's a great institution, a good coach (John Markell), and the facility is great. Going to Ohio State also allows his family to watch him play. It's just Ohio State."
Under Markell, the Buckeyes have been a perennial national power. This past season, they went 27-11-4, their fourth straight 20-win campaign, and earned their third consecutive berth in the NCAA tournament.
And Ohio State won't be the only big stage on which Albert will be able to showcase his skills.
On Aug. 24, he'll report to Ann Arbor, Mich., for USA Hockey's National Team Development Program.
The program, which is a two-year commitment for Albert, fields an under-18 team in the NAHL, a highly competitive venue for youth players. In addition to league play, the team's schedule also includes Division III college competition and a chance to play in international tournaments.
"It's just really great to play for your country," Albert said of the USA Hockey youth system. "You get the best trainers, the best coaches. It's the best 20 players in the country. That'll be a great experience."
Albert doesn't have to look far in the USA Hockey system to find a player he's familiar with, either. One of his best friends, and also from Concord Township, is Neil Conway, a goaltender for the U.S. Under 18 Select team that will be competing at the Junior World Cup next month.
Concord Township isn't exactly known as a hotbed for youth hockey talent, but having two players in the USA Hockey system is a pretty good start.
"It's really cool," Conway said. "I've known Johnny for a long time. We went to preschool together and have been best friends ever since. ... We also have another good player, my next-door neighbor, Tim Okicki - he's going to play Junior A this year and he's playing to get a scholarship.
"You don't really think of hockey with little Concord, Ohio, but we have a crop of good players here."
Including Albert, who, with USA Hockey committed to his development and his early commitment to Ohio State, won't have to wonder where he'll further his growth as a player any time soon.
"It definitely helps that you don't have to worry about anything," Albert said. "The next six years, I already know what I'm doing. It makes it easier to get that out of the way.
"This means a lot to me. I've been working for it my whole life."
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