Small Man, Big Stick

Blake Gallagher, perhaps the purest goal scorer among the Canadian players this season, has committed to Cornell. Gallagher's pedigre is strong, having been named MVP of the Nova Scotia midget league for the Dartmouth Subways (Sidney Crosby's alma matter), and then moving on to the famed Notre Dame Hounds. There he has not missed a beat, scoring 5 points in his first exhibition game, and scoring once in his regular season debut. He also finished in the top five in scoring with seven goals and an assist in six games at the World Under-17 tourney last January.

Update:

Today's Halifax Daily News has additional information about Gallagher's commitment"

Gallagher, who fielded offers from 17 U.S. colleges, plans to study business at the Ivy League school. He said Cornell offers the perfect mix of academics and hockey. “To be able to get an Ivy League education and play for somebody who could contend for a national championship … I don’t think I could find that good of a mix of both anywhere else,” said Gallagher, whose father, Paul, is a National Hockey League scout for the St. Louis Blues. “That just kind of sold it for me.” Gallagher became interested in Cornell two years ago, when he attended a Big Red game. “I’ve never been to a game with that kind of atmosphere,” said the 17-year-old. “The students who go to the game all stand up and chant. It’s kind of an unwritten rule not to sit down. It’s just unbelievable.”