Jersey Hitmen Forward Walker Sommer Commits to NCAA DI Air Force

By Hitmen Staff, 09/23/16, 1:15PM EDT

Wayne, NJ - The Jersey Hitmen are proud to announce that veteran forward, Walker Sommer, has committed to the Air Force Academy for the fall of 2017. In his rookie season, Sommer, lead the Hitmen in goals with 25 (6 game winners) in 48 games played. He also added 19 assists for 44 points.

"Walker is undoubtedly the best and fastest skater in the USPHL," commented Premier head coach and general manager, Toby Harris. "Once he was able understand the intricacies of our style of play and couple that with his speed, he dominated down the home stretch."

From November 2 through December 5, a ten game stretch, Sommer recored only 3 assists but Harris' confidence in Sommer did not wane. "Everyone goes through scoring slumps, especially when players make the jump from midget hockey to the Premier league, but Walker did not shirk on his responsibilities in other areas and that did not go unnoticed to the staff. Even though Walker was not hitting the scoresheet, he helped the team post a 9-1 record in that stretch. That is the true mark of a very good player."

On December 6, Sommer, got off the snide in a big way, notching a hat trick and leading the Hitmen to a 10-3 win over the Rochester Jr Americans. From there, in Sommer's last 22 games, he racked up 18 goals including 6 playoff goals in the Hitmen Dineen Cup Championship run.

"I could not be more happy for Walker and his family. He is a tireless worker and competes extremely hard. Early in the 2016-17 season, Walker, is already on pace to shatter his 2015-16 scoring total. Coach Serratore and the Air Force Academy is getting a very good player that will cause opposing defenseman nightmares."

Sommer becomes the 6th division one hockey commit off the 2016-17 Premier roster, joining Brendan Less (Dartmouth), Simon Boyko (University of Vermont), Daniel Winslow (Quinnipiac), Khristian Acosta (Quinnipiac) and James Callahan (Quinnipiac).