Dylan Chanter Locks Up His Future with the University of New Hampshire

*UPDATED FROM FEB. 22, NOW WITH AUDIO (BELOW)...

 The Merritt Centennials have once again been recognized for their impressive season (despite a couple bumps along the way), as today they announced their 3rd NCAA Division 1 scholarship commitment. And for the 3rd time it's a defenseman; this time, it's the youngest member of the club, as 16 year old Dylan Chanter has signed on the dotted line with the University of New Hampshire Wildcats for the 2014/2015 season.

If you'll recall back to the offseason, Dylan was the first recruit for head coach and GM Luke Pierce. With the new rule of having to have a 16 year old on your roster, he locked up the 6'3, 195lbs blueliner early before he had a chance to sign with anybody else. And clearly Luke's evaluation was the right one.

Dylan Chanter has come a long way this season. After starting the year a little bit nervous, as any 16 year old would be, and spending a couple of games as a healthy scratch, Dylan has become a regular in the lineup, scored a couple of goals, and is gaining confidence in his overall game on a nightly basis. He is a hard worker on and off the ice and one of those guys that coaches love to coach.

The future for Dylan is extremely bright in the BCHL, and it's exciting to see just how far he can get in the 2 full years he'll still play in the Nicola Valley before embarking to NCAA. It's also worth noting, the UNH Wildcats, playing in the Hockey East division, are widely considered one of the top NCAA Division I hockey schools in the US. So just like with Wilcox and Pfeil, it's not just any scholarship for Dylan, it's a pretty impressive one.

*I had a chance to chat with Dylan before Wednesday's Leap Year/Leap Day game in Trail about his scholarship, and here's what he had to say:

Dylan Chanter to New Hampshire interview by agreb21

The Whittemore Centre where the Wilcats play is always packed. Just look at that atmosphere