Hopkins’ Skalbeck commits to Colorado College

Release from the Upper Midwest High School Elite League

Skalbeck Led Elite League in Goals Last Fall

New Hope, Minn. – Archie Skalbeck of Hopkins, the leading goal-scorer in the 2009 Upper Midwest High School Elite League, recently committed to Colorado College, a school he said he has wanted to attend since he was a young boy.

“I had a Colorado College jersey on my wall since I was about five years old,” Skalbeck said. “And I always dreamed about playing in the WCHA.”

A strong student, Skalbeck was recruited by a number of schools, including several Ivy League schools. “I talked to a lot of eastern schools,” Skalbeck said, “But I wanted to be closer to home and to my family.”

Skalbeck led the Elite League with 20 goals in 24 regular season games last fall, then added three more goals playing for Team Minnesota White in the Bauer National Invitational Tournament. He said his two seasons in the Elite League were instrumental in attracting college offers.

“That’s where I started to get attention from coaches and scouts,” he said. “The league helped a ton because it’s so fast with so many good players.”

Skalbeck is the 29th player from the 2009 Elite League to make a commitment to a Division I hockey program.

The Upper Midwest High School Elite Hockey League is a non-profit hockey league designed to provide high-level competition supplementing the regular high school hockey season. For more information visit the league’s website at www.hselitehockey.com.