ASTON, PA -- Chris Best, a defenseman for the Philadelphia Little Flyers, has committed to the Stevenson University for the Fall of 2017. The '96 from Downingtown, Pennsylvania is the Little Flyers franchise leader in games played.

“I am very proud of Chris," said Little Flyers general manager and head coach Rocky Russo. "Chris is the one player that has been with the organization for the entire time that I’ve been here. I’ve watched him grow and mature as a hockey player, but more importantly as a young man. He went from being the youngest kid on the team four seasons ago, to now being a Co-Captain and a leader not only on the ice, but in the locker room and in the gym as well. He plays in all situations for us and I expect him to have a great career at Stevenson. Coach Dawes knows Chris very well because of the time they both spent here in the building when Dawes was coaching Neumann University. I know Chris will be in great hands with a great staff down there at an up and coming program.”

Stevenson is currently in its first season at the NCAA Division III level for Men’s ice hockey competing in the ECAC-West, and next year, they will move to the newly formed United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) for the 2017-18 season.

“I’m proud to be attending Stevenson University in the Fall," said Best. "There are a bunch of people I’d like to thank, first my head coach Rocky Russo, thank you for helping me achieve this goal and helping me develop my skills over our time together. Thank you to my trainer Phil Meade for helping me get through some injuries and advance athletically.  Thank you to Coach Dawes at Stevenson for giving me this opportunity. I have to also thank the Giacobbo family, the Little Flyers coaching staff, and the entire Little Flyers organization for everything they’ve done for me over the past few years. I also want to definitely take the chance to thank all of my teammates from over the years for helping our organization stay strong, as well as build good relationships in the college ranks that help guys still here playing be able to advance. Most importantly I’d like to say thank you to my Mom and Dad for supporting me and believing in me, for facilitating this process and helping billet some of my teammates as well, I couldn’t have asked for any better. I’m excited to go to Stevenson and can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

This past Saturday the Little Flyers knocked off the Walpole Express, and claimed their 3rd straight Regular Season Championship. Philadelphia is set to square off with the Connecticut Nighthawks in the first round of the South Conference playoffs.

Read the full commitment story on the official website of the Philadelphia Little Flyers, and check out the full list of 2017 NCAA Commitments.