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ASU Hockey: Cody Gylling, Jordan Masters become first Division I commits

Gylling (left) and Masters (right) are the first players to commit to the NCAA era of ASU hockey (Photos donated by Cody Gylling and Jordan Masters).

By Justin Emerson

The move to NCAA hockey for ASU was announced less than a month ago, and in that span, coach Greg Powers has wasted no time bringing in NCAA-level talent, with two recruits having already committed.

The first is Cody Gylling, a Chandler. Ariz. native. Coach Greg Powers made his intention clear to focus on Arizona and the Western part of the continent, so nabbing a local kid with his first commitment comes as no surprise.

"It's hard to find a guy anywhere in the US that wouldn't want to play D1 in his hometown," Gylling said.

Gylling had been recruited in the past, but said he owed it to himself to finish his junior hockey career before turning to college With ASU making the jump, the timing was perfect.

"This was my best option, the best possible option," he said. "To go down as the first ASU D1 commit in history is something to be proud of and I'm really honored just to say that."

Gylling made his junior hockey career in the North American Hockey League, where he played most recently with the Amarillo Bulls, scoring 11 goals with 7 assists for 18 points in 27 games so far this season. He has also played with the Johnstown Tomahawks and Indiana Ice of the United States Hockey League.

Per NCAA rules, neither Powers nor anyone affiliated with ASU hockey is allowed to comment or even confirm the commitments to reporters, but the recruits can speak freely to the media. And while Drew Newmeyer and other players are banned from commenting to House of Sparky on this story, that doesn't mean he isn't excited to see his friend become a Sun Devil.

Gylling and Newmeyer played youth hockey together growing up, as well as spending time together in Indiana in the USHL. He has also played with Sean Murphy and Eric Rivard in an NAHL prospects showcase.

Masters is far from local. He is originally from Rochester, N.Y. and last played in the British Columbia Hockey League, the same league that brought in current Sun Devil Mak Barden. Masters is in his second year with the West Kelowna Warriors, where in 63 games he has amassed 27-36-63, including 8-15-23 in 22 games this season.

Masters also spent time in the USHL and Eastern Junior Hockey League, and has ties with sophomore defenseman Connor Schmidt. Masters asked Schmidt to put in a good word with Powers and that same day Masters got a call from Powers.

"I was sold right away," Masters said. "Once he had his offer on the table, it wasn't long before I took it."

Masters played on the first team in Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) history, and said he's excited to be apart of the first Sun Devil NCAA team in history as well.

"I was talking with my coaches and people and I was making my decision and their statement was 'Do you want to go to a school where there is tradition or do you want to go to a school where you're setting the tradition?' " Masters said. "It's a pretty cool opportunity what (ASU) is doing."

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