Sun Devil hockey announced Tuesday that Riley Simpson, a forward of the American Junior Hockey League’s (AJHL) Spruce Grove Saints, has committed to ASU.
Simpson, a 19-year-old who is teammates with fellow ASU recruit Tyler Busch on the Saints, was fifth on his team in goals in the 2015-16 season with 20. His 29 assists left him one point shy of a 50-point campaign.
The Edmonton native marks the eighth player in the 2016-17 recruiting class, and the fourth player in that group from the AJHL; Busch, Steenn Pasichnuk and Brinson Pasichnuk are also from the 16-team junior league. The four AJHL recruits combined for 80 goals and 151 assists last season.
Because Busch and Simpson are goal-scoring forwards, look for the possibility of head coach Greg Powers to use the former Saints teammates on the same line, particularly on a power play unit.
Excited to announce my commitment to @SunDevilHockey. Thanks to my friends and family for the support along the way #westcoastbestcoast
— Riley Simpson (@RileySimpson18) April 25, 2016
The recruiting class will join ASU for its first full NCAA season in 2016, following a season in which the Sun Devils went 5-22-2.
Reach the reporter at matt.layman@asu.edu or follow @Mattjlayman on Twitter.
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