ASU Hockey: Anthony Croston becomes second local commit to NCAA team

Coach Greg Powers made it his plan to make sure Arizona kids don't leave the state to go play college hockey. Anthony Croston was NCAA-bound somewhere, and Powers made sure it was going to be at ASU.

"It's an unbelievable feeling," Croston said. "It's always been something I've dreamt of."

Honored & excited to announce my commitment to play D1 hockey at Arizona State University! Thank you to all who have supported me #GoDevils

— anthony croston (@anthony_croston) February 11, 2015

Croston is originally from Colorado, but moved around as a kid, playing his youth hockey in Colorado, Seattle and finally settling in Arizona.

It's tough to gauge Croston's stats because of his team's performance. At 17-20-6, his Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees are sixth in the NAHL's South division. Still, Croston has 10 goals, 17 assists and 27 points in 43 games next year.

While plus/minus is far from a perfect stat, Croston has managed a a plus 29 in 102 NAHL games, playing for a poor Rio Grande Valley team. He plays strong defensively in the middle of the ice, and figures to have the chops to stay at center for the NCAA season.

Croston joins his good friend and commit Cody Gylling next season in Tempe, while also good friends with current Sun Devils Drew Newmeyer and Ed McGovern, as the four played youth hockey together in Scottsdale.

"I love Arizona, it's one of my favorite places to be," Croston said. "I thought being in that environment would be an unreal experience. It definitely impacts my decision."

Be sure to keep up with all of ASU's NCAA recruits here.