Danbury forward Wheeler makes NCAA commitment

The Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) are pleased to announce that forward Luke Wheeler has committed to play NCAA Division III hockey for Bowdoin College next season. He will join the Bowdoin Polar Bears for their 2021-22 campaign.

“Bowdoin is a great school, hands down,” Wheeler explained. “I wanted to go to a really good academic school with great hockey, and it ended up being Bowdoin.”

Wheeler, 21, has been one of the most consistent contributors on the Jr. Hat Tricks. In his third NAHL season, the 5’9/175 lbs. native of Golden, CO, has posted a career-high 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in 27 games played. He has been a go-to face-off man and has eaten crucial penalty kill time for the team.

“I want to be the best I can be,” said Wheeler of his expectations at the collegiate level. “I want to be a team guy. I know I’ll be a freshman, so I’ll have to learn and adjust to the environment, but I want to be the hardest worker, reliable and dependable when they need me.”

Wheeler began his NAHL career during the 2018-19 season with the Janesville Jets, recording five points in 22 games during his rookie season.

During the 2019-20 campaign, he split time between Janesville and the Corpus Christi IceRays, appearing in 40 games and recording 13 points.

Overall in his three NAHL seasons, he has appeared in 89 career regular season games and recorded 33 points to date.

While Wheeler has not firmly decided on a major while at Bowdoin, he has his eye on the medical field.

Click here for an updated NAHL to NCAA commitment list