Atlantic Youth Hockey League

Steele commits to Arizona State

Release Date : 06/10/2016

PITTSTON, Pa. – The Atlantic Youth Hockey League (AYHL) and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Junior Knights are pleased to announce the forward Sammy Steele (Hummelstown, Pa.) has committed to Arizona State University for the 2019-20 season. Steele becomes the first AYHL player to commit to ASU since the announcement that the Sun Devils would become a Division I program in November 2014.

“I am so thankful to my family who has supported me throughout all these years,” Steele said. “I am also extremely grateful to all of my former coaches and the people at the WBS Knights organization for their hard work and support. It is a dream come true to become a Division 1 hockey player at ASU and I am now a proud Sun Devil.”

Joining the Junior Knights from the York Devils organization, Steele led the 16U team in goals with 20, and finished second with 30 points in 27 regular season games. The Hummelstown, Pennsylvania native also finished second in the North American Prospects Hockey League with 43 points (15G 28A) in 25 regular season games, earning the forward a spot on the NAPHL’s Second All-Star Team.

“The WBS Knights are extremely excited for Sammy Steele and his recent commitment to Arizona State University,” said Kerry Huffman, Director of Hockey Operations for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. “Sammy had a fantastic season on our 16U team and was a tremendous player and person to work with. Sammy worked very hard all season long and has now been rewarded for it. The Knights have had many players commit to many of the elite D1 programs in hockey and it is exciting to now have a player joining the newly formed D1 program at ASU. All of Sammy's teammates and coaches wish him continued success.”

Steele also participated in USA Hockey’s Select-15 Festival and skated in the OHL Cup with the Elite Hockey Group.

A 4^th round selection (55^th overall) by the Fargo Force in the United States Hockey League Phase II Draft, Steele had his Ontario Hockey League rights claimed by the Kitchener Rangers in the 8^th round (158^th overall) in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection.