Atlantic Youth Hockey League

Alumnus Defenseman Less Announces for Dartmouth

Release Date : 12/04/2014

KINNELON, N.J. – The Atlantic Metropolitan Hockey League is pleased to announce that alumnus defenseman Brendan Less (’98 birth year/Kinnelon, N.J.) has committed to Dartmouth College for the 2017-18 season.

Less currently is enrolled at Rosemary Choate Hall and is property of the USHL’s Madison Capitols, who selected the defenseman in the eighth round of the 2014 Phase I Selection.

“The process took a lot patience,” Less said. “Over the past year, I had great people [around me] that had faith and supported me through the college process.”

The Kinnelon, New Jersey native spent his Squirt through Bantam Minor years with the New Jersey Colonials before moving on to the New Jersey Devils Youth for his Bantam Major year. “Less was a part of our ’98 National Championship team at the Pee Wee Major level,” said Colonials Director of Hockey Operations Noel Rubin. “He’s a great skater that’s very smart and plays on the penalty kill, the power play and can be a shut-down defender. He’s a great kid that was the glue that kept that team together that year and we are very happy for him.”

Less then moved to the Gulls for his 16U National season, where the Gulls won several championships and advanced to USA Hockey’s Tier 1 National Championship.

“On behalf of the Long Islands Gulls, we are extremely excited that Brendan, and the Less family, have chosen Dartmouth for his college education,” said Long Island Gulls General Manager Craig Doremus. “Brendan has worked extremely hard on and off the ice to become the young student athlete he is today. Brendan was a major part of our extremely successful 2013-14 16U Midget National team last year. We wish Brendan, and the Less family, nothing but continued success in all their future endeavors.”  

Following his New York State Championship, and National Championship appearance, with the Gulls, Less made the decision to move north to Wallingford, Connecticut and enrolled at Choate.

“The decision to move to Choate Rosemary Hall was difficult because I had to leave my family, who were so supportive over the years,” Less said. “But I still keep in touch with family, friends, old coaches and teammates.”

It was at Choate where Less made the decision to commit to Dartmouth.

“I got to see Dartmouth beat Boston University this past Sunday and on that visit I really liked the way the coaching staff expressed their trust in the way I play the game,” Less commented.

“It’s been consecutive great days for the AYHL,” commented AYHL President Gene Palecco. “A pair of long-time players commit to Division 1 hockey is very exciting news for us. We congratulate both players, and their respective families, on these accomplishments.”