Brighton native off to Bucs, then Irish in '07

Ben Ryan was a key part of the '04-05 Victory Honda squad.

Ben Ryan, a center from Brighton who won a state championship last year with the Victory Honda Major Midget AAA team, has reportedly verbally committed to Notre Dame for the fall of 2007.

The 5-foot-11, 170-pound Ryan scored 31 goals in 65 games last season and will play this coming fall in the USHL with the Des Moines Buccaneers, the team that selected him in the second round of May's USHL draft.

"Ben was certainly one of the best young, skilled players at our Invite Camp," Buccaneers head coach and general manager Regg Simon said. "He's very mature for his age though, and I'm not surprised that he made the decision to attend Notre Dame. Ben will play for a top-level hockey program, and he'll get a world-class education. That shows how well he thought the whole process through."

A right-handed shot, Ryan has a 10/16/88 birthdate and was also reportedly considering Michigan and Michigan State.

"The education, tradition and spirit of Notre Dame are what won me over," Ryan said. "I'm also excited to play for (New Irish head) coach (Jeff) Jackson. He's won everywhere he's coached and has what it takes to get the hockey program turned around."