Danbury forward Passarelli makes NCAA commitment

The Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) are pleased to announce that alternate captain and forward Valentino Passarelli has officially committed to play NCAA Division III hockey for the University of Wisconsin-River Falls for the 2021-22 season.

Passarelli, 21, was a model of consistency for the Jr. Hat Tricks in his fourth North American Hockey League season. The 5’9/180 lbs. native of Macomb, Michigan finished with 12 goals and 23 assists for 35 points in 52 games, ending the season on a four-game point streak. His torrid conclusion to the season notching nine points in four games earned him NAHL East Division Star of the Week honors.

“My decision to commit to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls was an easy one given their history of winning,” Passarelli explained. “They have a great campus along with fantastic facilities. It’s also close to Minneapolis where I played two years of junior hockey.”

Over the course of his prolific junior career, Passarelli skated in over 180 games. His 178 appearances in the NAHL places him 58th all-time. The veteran winger will be returning to the state where he posted 22 points in 82 games with the Minnesota Magicians.

“Coach [Sean] Roadhouse and [Steve] Freeman really made this process easy for both my family and I,” Passarelli noted. “Big thanks to Danbury for giving me the opportunity to succeed and develop not just as a hockey player, but a person.”

UW-River Falls, which is located 30 minutes from the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, plays in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) and are 19-time WIAC Champions. The three-time NCAA National Champions play their home games out of the brand new 65-million-dollar W.H. Hunt Arena, located directly on campus.

Click here for an updated NAHL to NCAA commitment list