Ohio State commit Tanner Laczynski makes final cut at USA hockey Junior Evaluation Camp

Ohio State hockey pledge and Philadephia Flyers 2016 6th round NHL Draft selection Tanner Laczynski surprised the hockey world this morning by earning a spot in the final three split squad games for Team USA's National Junior Evaluation Camp. What that means is that Laczynski is turning heads and has come out of relative obscurity to be in contention for a spot in the most prestigious amateur hockey tournament in the world, the U20 World Junior Championship.

Laczynski surprisingly beat out competition such as Anaheim Ducks’ first round pick Max Jones (though Tanner is a year older, so let’s calm down a little) and remains one of the final 17 forwards left on the US roster as of now, with split squad games remaining versus Sweden, Finland and Canada.

The two way forward will be joining Ohio State’s mens hockey team this fall, and even impressed and surprised ESPN’s hockey draft guru Corey Pronman:

If he can show the kind of talent and ability on both sides of the puck he’s exhibited for the USA’s NJEC, a heralded freshman season may be in the cards for Laczynski this fall in Columbus.