Five Commit to Sun Devil Hockey for 2017-18

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Arizona State men's hockey team had five players sign their National Letter of Intent for the 2017-18 season this week, which currently sits as the 13th-best recruiting class in the country according to NeutralZone.net. 

The group consists of three players from the United States Hockey League (USHL) and one from both the North American Hockey League (NAHL) and the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL). 

"Every recruit in this signing class legitimately has a chance to come in and make an impact from day one," said head coach Greg Powers. "Their successes and results speak for themselves, and most importantly, "Be The Tradition" genuinely means something to all five of them. I know I can speak on behalf of entire coaching and support staff in that we are all very excited to welcome them into the Sun Devil Hockey family."

Incoming defenseman Patrick Kudla -- who was drafted in the 6th round by the Arizona Coyotes in 2016 -- highlights the draft class, as the second-ranked 1996 birth year recruit in the country according to NeutralZone.net. He is one of only four players given a 4.5 star rating by the site. Kudla is currently playing for the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the USHL, and has two goals and six assists in 13 games this season. 

@ArizonaCoyotes prospect Patrick Kudla bringing the offense from the blueline #WhosNext pic.twitter.com/WIKeH9lhwp

— USHL (@USHL) October 9, 2016

Both of the other 1996 birth year commits are also ranked in the top-50 according to the site, with Tyler Maltby coming in at No. 41 and Johnny Walker at No. 45. 

Maltby -- a 6-foot-2, 215 pound forward from Sherwood Park, Alberta -- has 30 points (18G, 12A) through 20 games for the Sherwood Park Crusaders of the AJHL so far this season. To this point through three-plus seasons, he's totaled 129 points in 134 games with the Crusaders. According to NeutralZone.net, Maltby is the fourth-highest ranked player from the AJHL and has a 3.75 rating. 

As a Phoenix native, Walker will return home for college after finishing this season with the Chicago Steel of the USHL. In the month of October, Walker held a seven-game goal streak for the Steel, and was named the CCM Forward of the Week for the third week of October. He's currently 16th in the USHL in scoring with nine goals and three assists through 13 games. 

Add this deke to the Johnny Walker highlight reel ?? #WhosNext pic.twitter.com/Tz1TaZp0wb

— USHL (@USHL) October 20, 2016

Also on the defensive side, the Devils added Gvido Jansons and Jacob Wilson.

At 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, Jansons adds both a physical element and the ability to score. Through 17 games with the Aston Rebels of the NAHL, the Latvia native has totaled five goals and nine assists. He is currently tied for third in scoring by defenseman in the NAHL. 

Aston(NAHL) '97 D Gvido Jansons has committed to Arizona State. Big, tough defenseman. One of the better D available in the NAHL.

— Chris Dilks (@ChrisDilks) October 31, 2016

Wilson committed to ASU back in June of 2015, but decided to play another season in the USHL with the Sioux City Musketeers. In his first two seasons with Sioux City, the d-man from Missouri totaled 10 goals and 25 assists. So far in 2016, Wilson has two goals and four assists in just nine games. 

Say hello to your new #Musketeers Team Captain, Mr. Jacob @jwilson097 Wilson!

— SiouxCity Musketeers (@Musketeerhockey) February 27, 2016

The Sun Devils will have another signing day in April 2017. Follow the Sun Devil men's hockey team on Twitter at @SunDevilHockey.