Maine Hockey Journal

Wahlstrom opts out of verbal commitment to UMaine

(PHOTO: Dan Hickling/ Hickling Images)

(PHOTO: Dan Hickling/ Hickling Images)

Oliver Wahlstrom has decommitted from University of Maine men’s ice hockey team according to Providence Journal writer Mark Divver.

It appeared that Wahlstrom would follow in his father’s footsteps after he made news in January 2014 that he had committed to the Black Bears as a 13-year-old. It was believed he was the first 2000-born college hockey recruit, making him the youngest player to commit to an NCAA Division I college.

His father, Joakim Wahlstrom, played for the Black Bears from 1988-1990.

The 15-year-old native of Yarmouth is best known for his lacrosse style goal he scored during a Mini One-on-One segment that aired on NESN during the intermission period of a Boston Bruins game nearly five years ago.

At the time of his commitment to the UMaine, Wahlstrom attended North Yarmouth Academy where he played varsity hockey despite only being in the seventh grade. In 22 games, Wahlstrom scored 11 goals, 18 assists for 29 points.

Wahlstrom moved to Midwest last year to play for the prestigious prep school Shattuck-St. Mary’s located in Faribault, Minnesota.

Wahlstrom, who is 2018 NHL Draft prospect, became an instant sensation playing for Shattuck-St. Mary’s Bantam team where he finished second in team scoring with 68 goals, 46 assists for 114 points in 65 games. He’ll attend USA Hockey Boys’ Select 15 Player Development Camp later this month in Williamsville, New York. He’s expected to return to Shattuck-St. Mary’s again in the fall where he’ll compete for a spot on the Prep team’s roster.

“(Oliver is) a very talented skater. He’s strong on the skates, which he has worked hard at. That allows him to be physical to keep the puck on his stick,” NYA head coach Eric Graham said about Wahlstrom back in Jan. 2014. “The second thing is his ice awareness. It’s always been a strength of his game.”

Divver noted on Twitter that Wahlstrom still plans on attending college in the Fall 2018 or 2019.

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