Atlantic Youth Hockey League

Dowd commits to Penn State

Release Date : 07/22/2016

PT. PLEASANT BEACH, N.J. – The Atlantic Youth Hockey League is pleased to announce that defenseman Jimmy Dowd (Pt. Pleasant Beach, N.J.) has committed to Penn State University for the 2018-19 season.

In his first foray into AAA hockey, Dowd skated with the New Jersey Junior Titans 16U, earning AYHL All-Star status with the 16U National-level champions. He’s scheduled to return to the 16U National level in 2016-17, skating for the North Jersey Avalanche.

“The ultimate reason why I chose Penn State was because they offer everything,” Dowd said. “They have it all from academics to athletics. The school was like nothing I’ve ever seen before. All of the academic support they offer for the athletes is incredible.”

The son of former New Jersey Devil Jim Dowd, the younger Dowd had two goals and 11 assists this season, adding one goal in five playoff games. He also skated for the Titans franchise in the North American Prospects League, appearing in 25 games, scoring two goals with 15 assists, and added a goal and three assists in four NAPHL playoff games.

“I’d like to thank my family for being by side through the entire process,” Dowd commented. “I would also like tot hank all my coaches and friends who supported me along the way.”

“Jimmy was a pleasure to coach,” said George Haviland, Dowd’s coach with the Titans. “He always is working his hardest at practice and games and he lead by example without saying much. He just loves hockey and he is the ultimate hockey player.”

The Omaha Lancers selected Dowd with their fourth round selection (51^st overall) in the 2016 United States Hockey League Phase I Draft. He recently competed in the USA Hockey Select 16s, scoring a goal in five games and making the All-Star team.

“The entire process was very fun,” Dowd reflected. “I started off visiting a few schools and then received my first offer and then visited Penn State. After visiting the campus, I realized that it was the best choice for my development both on the ice and in the classroom.”

Dowd was also a participant in the United States National Team Development Program Top-40 Evaluation Camp in March.

Penn State joined the Division I ranks in 2012 after a lengthy, and productive, tenure as an American Collegiate Hockey Association program. After an initial season as an independent, Penn State hockey joined the newly formed Big Ten Hockey Conference. Casey Bailey became the first Penn State hockey alumnus to appear in the NHL, debuting for the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 26, 2015.

The Atlantic Youth Hockey League is the USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier I AAA youth hockey league of the Atlantic District. From Connecticut to Maryland, the AYHL’s membership is comprised of over 100 teams, representing four districts, and is spread across six playing divisions. The AYHL’s mission is to develop young players with competition, fun, and good sportsmanship, and move them on to the next phase of their hockey career. With a distinguished alumni list of players that spent a portion of their playing career in the AYHL, today’s players choose to play in the AYHL knowing that it is a proven stepping stone for those serious in their hockey pursuits.

For more information on the AYHL, log on to http://www.atlantichockey.org/ayhl.php or on Twitter @AYHL or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheAYHL