CROMWELL, CT -- Kyle Carducci, a goaltender for the Hartford Jr. Wolfpack, has committed to Western New England for the 2nd half of the season. Carducci will begin play this week for the Golden Bears and will not finish the final three months of the season with the Wolfpack.

"Kyle has done a great job for us and it is going to be tough to see him go before the end of the season," said Wolfpack head coach Chris Cerrella. "He has been our goalie for a long time and has done a great job both on and off the ice for us. He is a tremendous leader in the locker room and I am excited to see him start at the next level. It is not often players leave early, but Kyle has proven himself time and time again that he is ready for college hockey and the Golden Bears are in the need of someone to help them down the stretch, so it was a great fit. We wish 'Ducci and his family nothing but the best of luck in the future."

Over the past 2 seasons in the EHL, Carducci's stats include an even 20 wins and 20 losses, to go along with a 2.89 GAA and a .908 save percentage. Carduccci has been steady between the pipes over the last few years, and has drawn the attention of many college coaches. Sometimes it's about timing though, and joining Western New England for the 2nd semester was a good match for the '96 netminder.

"We have been recruiting Kyle for two seasons now and we are happy to finally welcome him to the Golden Bear family," said Western New England head coach Greg Heffernan. "We are excited for his arrival on campus and in practice. I wanted to thank Chris Cerrella for his continued commitment to developing players and the willingness to move them on, even when it’s not convenient for him. Losing Kyle was tough and we appreciate that Chris puts his player’s futures first. First class coach running a first class organization."

Carducci was supposed to play his last game this past Saturday, but due to weather conditions that game had to be canceled. However, the Wolfpack netminder is now just focused on the next chapter of his hockey and academic career now.

"I am very excited to be joining the Golden Bears for the second semester and starting the next chapter in my life. I left my visit from Western New England knowing this is the school I want to attend and was very impressed with the academics they offer. I would like to thank Coach Heffernan for giving me the opportunity to play college hockey and earn a college degree, most importantly. I would like to thank Coach Cerrella for everything he has done for me throughout the years, I came to the Wolfpack to work hard every day to win a championship and hopefully one day get a chance to play college hockey. The Wolfpack was a great step I took to get to my ultimate goal. I lastly would like to thank my whole family and all my former coaches for getting me to where I am today," said Carducci. 

Kyle will be joining Wolfpack alumni Tyler Hines at WNE this season and then will be rejoined by his current teammate Matthew Longobardi, who is set to join the Golden Bears in the Fall of 2017.

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.