Recruit Report: Merrimack a finalist for potential first-round pick

Photo: NTDP

Earlier this week, U.S. NTDP forward Christian Humphreys (★★★★¼) took an official visit to Merrimack. Per sources, Humphreys has narrowed his decision down to the Warriors and Michigan.

Humphreys decommitted from Michigan State earlier this month. Many NHL Draft outlets have him projected as a first-round pick (he’s ranked anywhere from No. 15-22).

So far this season for the NTDP, Humphreys has 20 points (7g-13a) in 15 games. Last season for the U.S. U-17 team, he had 77 points (39g-38a) in 104 total games.

Merrimack is up against tough competition for Humphreys. His advisors are CAA, which represents many NHL clients, and many of them have played for the Wolverines in college (Matty Beniers, Adam Fantilli, Quinn Hughes, Luke Hughes, Owen Power, Cam York, and others).

Regardless, Merrimack getting a player of Humphrey’s caliber to campus for a visit, in many ways, signifies a sea change. It probably doesn’t hurt that new Merrimack assistant, Jimmy Mullins, was one of Humphrey’s coaches last season with the NTDP.

Scroll down for my thoughts on the news that Humphreys visited Merrimack, what might happen moving forward, and a full report on Merrimack’s current recruits.