Willmar forward Slagter makes NCAA commitment

The Willmar WarHawks of the NA3HL are pleased to announce that forward Eli Slagter has committed to play NCAA Division III hockey for Framingham State.

After a quiet rookie campaign in 2017-18, Slagter, 20, has been one of Willmar's top-scoring skaters with nearly 80 points across the last two seasons.

The 2017-18 season saw Slagter get his feet wet in the league with three goals and eight assists in 44 games as he adjusted to the Junior level. But from 2018-19 on, the 6-foot-4, 195-pound Willmar-native was a force on the ice, more-than tripling his production in his sophomore season with 18 goals, 21 assists and 39 points in 47 games, good for first in team scoring.

“Eli is a solid all-around player who can also score. He’s a big body who can skate well and is good in the defensive zone. He’s not afraid to block shots and I think he’ll do well at the next level. We wish him all the best,” said WarHawks head coach Kirk Olimb.

This season, Slagter was again near the top of the Warhawks' roster in points, ranking second with 16 goals, 22 assists and 38 points in 40 games. He also registered as a plus-player for the first time in his NA3HL career, posting a +6 in 2019-20 after a -10 and -23 in his first two respective seasons. His Willmar career comes to a close with 37 goals, 51 assists and 88 points in 131 games.

Before playing for his hometown NA3HL club, Slagter took the ice for his hometown high school, playing three years at Willmar High from 2014-17. In 66 games there, he posted 13 goals and 16 assists for 29 points.

Click here for an NA3HL college commitment list