The loss of conference tournaments, playoff hockey, and a national championship was a tough ending for seniors and signees across the NCAA, and while hockey was prematurely stopped, business carried on through a wave of commitments.

The WCHA was among the big winners in recruiting, where the conference’s various teams added prominent names from the NAHL, BCHL, AJHL, and CCHL.

Alabama Huntsville

The offensively starved Chargers will add growing offensive talent to the team in 2020-21, recruiting Jacob Franczak out of the AJHL. The winger posted an 18-goal, 43-point season in 53 games with a loaded Sherwood Park Crusaders team with the league’s top two scorers.

Join us in congratulating Jacob Franczak on his commitment to University of Alabama-Huntsville (NCAA Div. 1) for the 2020-21 season!#OneCru | #AJHL

? https://t.co/TBAuY2HEhp pic.twitter.com/7ig537g7rW

— Sherwood Park Crusaders (@SPcrusaders) April 11, 2020

There’s another step that can be expected with a bigger offensive role, which he’s likely to earn as a freshman next season. As an assistant captain last season, he brings leadership and dedication to two-way play. Establishing confidence early on will be key for Franczak’s transition to the NCAA.

Alaska Anchorage

The Seawolves will get some offensive support next season when Matt Koethe joins the program. The center finished 16th in NAHL scoring last season with 21 goals and 51 points in 52 games.

It was a breakout season, adding seven goals and 15 points in seven fewer games. The Seawolves' top three returning scorers will all enter their sophomore seasons in 2020-21, which will give Koethe the chance for an immediate scoring role with those ready to take the next step.

Ferris State

Two years ago the Bulldogs brought in an elite offensive defenseman in Cooper Zech, who signed with the Boston Bruins organization after his standout freshman season. Now, after a rough 2019-20 season, they’ll be heading into 2020-21 with another young, offensive defenseman in Luke Farthing.

Farthing was third in both defensive goals and rookie defensive scoring and finished 14th in defensive scoring league-wide with the NAHL’s Chippewa Steel, posting 13 goals and 29 points in 51 games. He’ll be a significant piece on the blue line with four seniors departing from the backend.

Michigan Tech

Despite coming out of the lesser-known CCHL, Brett Thorne finished fourth in league scoring with 27 goals and 74 points in 62 games as a defenseman. Thorne’s offensive upside and puck-moving ability will be huge for a Tech team with its top eight returning scorers entering their sophomore or junior seasons.

? COMMITMENT ALERT! ? CPC is proud to announce Brett Thorne has committed to Michigan Tech (@mtuhky) for the 2020-21 season! pic.twitter.com/RPwLn4ZYum

— CP CANADIANS (@CPCANADIANS) March 3, 2020

The natural progression of those eight skaters will support Thorne’s transition much like his ability will enhance their progression. Tied 14th with Farthing in NAHL defensive scoring, Jed Pietila also joins the Huskies on the backend in 2020-21, joining brother Blake.

With nine returning defenseman on the roster, Thorne and Pietila will have to earn their minutes next season or share time during their transition to a bigger, faster, and more controlled game.

Northern Michigan

With just two seniors departing the 2019-20 roster, the Wildcats had two key commitments over the past month and half, adding to a young roster with one of the nation’s top goal-scorers in Griffin Loughran.

After a wild 2018-19 season that saw him start in the NCDC before 54 USHL games spread across three teams, Michael Colella showed what comfort can do. He finished third in BCHL scoring last season with 68 points (27 G, 41 A) in 58 games, Colella will join the Wildcats as NMU bolsters its offense for 2020-21. 

Rylan Van Unen captained the BCHL’s Merritt Centennials last season, finishing second on the team with 17 goals, while his 28 points were sixth on the team. Now, he’s set to join his twin brother Michael in Marquette. Van Unen will bring leadership, a growing offensive game, and some familiarity to the room in 2020-21.

Have a question or a comment for Jacob Messing? You can find him on Twitter @Jacob_Messing.