CROMWELL, CT -- Matthew Longobardi, a forward for the Hartford Jr. Wolfpack, has committed to Western New England for the Fall of 2017. Longobardi has a pair of points, including a game-winning goal, so far this season. The '96 from East Haven, Connecticut is in his 2nd season with the Wolfpack.

"Longo is going to do a great job at the next level because he can skate," said Wolfpack head coach Chris Cerrella. "At the college level if you can get around the sheet well, that's half the battle, and Matt can fly. He is one of our team’s top penalty killers and plays in a lot of different situations for us. I think it is going to translate really well to the college level and he will have a successful four years at WNE. I wish him and his family the best of luck, they will be missed around the rinks."

While Longbardi has only been on the Wolfpack's Premier team for two years, he's been a part of the organization for the better part of three seasons now. The speedy forward spent the 2014-15 season on the Wolfpack's MetJHL roster, and begin 2015-16 year on that team as well. Longobardi was called up to the Premier team towards the end of last season, and has stuck with the top squad through the first 22 games this year. The time spent in Hartford has been well worth it for Longobardi.

"I am very excited to announce that I will be playing college hockey for the Golden Bears next season. I look forward to the start of a new chapter in my hockey life. The amount of comfort I felt while visiting WNE was amazing. I left the visit with a great feeling knowing I will be playing college hockey at the next level. I cannot thank Coach Heffernan and his staff enough for giving me this opportunity to play college hockey and most of all, I get to earn a high end degree from WNE. I would really like to thank Coach Cerrella for believing in me and helping develop my path to get me to the next level on and off the ice. I would also like to thank my High School coach Louis Pane for showing me the path to an incredible organization. I would like to thank my mom, dad, sister, grandparents and hockey mentor Anthony DiLuongo for believing in me during my journey to college hockey. I would like to thank my brothers (aka teammates) for their support and bond during the junior hockey experience, live the dream boys," said Longobardi.

It's only the middle of December, but the Wolfpack have definitely set the pace this season with already five total NCAA Commitments.

Here are the other NCAA Commitments to date ...

• Ryan Dunner - SUNY Fredonia (D3 - SUNYAC)
• Trent Thomas - Connecticut College (D3 - NESCAC)
• Colin Valentine - SUNY Fredonia (D3 - SUNYAC)
• Shane Visnick - SUNY Brockport (D3 - SUNYAC)

Read the full commitment story on the official website on the Hartford Jr. Wolfpack, and keep an eye on the 2017 NCAA Commitments page as it begins to take shape.