Danbury forward Webber makes NCAA commitment

The Danbury Jr Hat Tricks of the NA3HL are excited to announce that forward Dylan Webber has committed to play NCAA Division III hockey for New England College in the fall of 2021.

Webber, 20, has been a key piece of Danbury’s NA3HL puzzle the past two seasons. Webber will find two familiar faces when he arrives in Henniker, NH in the fall, as the Johnston, RI native will join Danbury teammates Connor Lefkof and Cole Madzey on the Pilgrims’ hockey roster. NEC is a program with a rich tradition of success, competing in the New England Hockey Conference under longtime bench boss Tom Carroll.

Webber has been a significant part of the team’s successes since his arrival in Danbury in the fall of 2019, playing a vital role in all situations. He was an excellent two-way center who could be trusted on both specialty teams as well as with the game on the line in critical moments.

In two NA3HL seasons in Danbury, Webber tallied 22 goals and dished out 43 assists for a total of 65 points in 83 games played. During the 2019-20 season Webber was recognized by the NA3HL as the Bauer East Division Star of the Week on November 20, 2019 after he tallied a goal against the New England Knights on November 15 and recorded an assist against the Lewiston-Auburn Nordiques on November 16 before netting a hat trick, including the overtime game-winning goal against the Nordiques on November 17. Webber also made an enormous play in team history when he stole a puck on the forecheck and fed teammate Brandon Cope for the overtime winner against the Elmira Jr Soaring Eagles on January 31, 2020. This win was the springboard to a 12-1 finish to the 2019-20 regular season.

During the 2020-21 season Webber continued to play a vital role on both the penalty kill and power play as well as at even strength. He was also relied upon to lead both on and off the ice.  During both of his seasons in Danbury Webber displayed a knack for scoring or assisting on big goals, which he had done consistently during his time at Bishop Hendricken High School as well. Webber represented Danbury at the NA3HL East Division Top Prospects Showcase in March.

“My time at Danbury was amazing. I developed a lot as a player and even more as a person. I made some great friendships and got to work with coaches who tirelessly guided my development. I chose New England College because I fell in love with the atmosphere and campus. I will get to play in a great conference with top-notch competition. I cannot wait to start this new journey and give it my best!” said Webber.

Head coach Kevin Cunningham commented, “Dylan epitomizes what junior hockey should be all about. He was a very good high school player who bet on himself by playing junior hockey. He worked tirelessly on his game and continued to develop throughout his entire time in Danbury. Dylan played a huge role in our program the past two years and has earned this opportunity to continue his academic and hockey careers at New England College. I am certain that he will work his rear end off and earn the respect and trust of his teammates and coaching staff just like he did here in Danbury. I am trilled for Dylan and his family that he has earned this opportunity.”

Webber is the sixth Danbury NA3HL player to make a commitment to a NCAA Division III college during the past two seasons. He joins Cope, who will attend Nichols College, and future NEC teammates Madzey and Lekof as players making NCAA commitments this season. They join Jake Oldham who committed to the University of Alabama, an ACHA Division I level program, as 2020-21 Jr Hat Tricks players who are college-bound in the fall.

Click here for an NA3HL college commitment list