Oklahoma defenseman Elliott makes NCAA DI commitment

The Oklahoma Warriors of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) are pleased to announce that defenseman Dominic Elliott has commit to play NCAA Division I hockey at Robert Morris University in Atlantic Hockey.

Elliott, a 19-year-old from Allendale, Mich., joined Oklahoma earlier in August and made his debut on Friday, October 13th. His relationship with the Robert Morris coaching staff began in August. After repeated talks and a campus visit, Elliott committed to the program just two months later.

“The biggest thing for me is how focused they are on hockey,” Elliott said. “They are a program that is getting back on their feet after being discontinued. They are trying to rebuild their culture and I want to be a big part of that.”

Robert Morris reinstated its men’s and women’s ice hockey programs for the 2023-24 season after both were dropped in 2021. The school is based in Moon Township, Pa. in the Pittsburgh area. The Colonials compete in Atlantic Hockey, an 11-team conference with teams mostly in the northeast. Robert Morris won back-to-back regular season titles in 2015 and 2016.

“(The coaches) have been very transparent with me and very helpful,” Elliott said. “They understood that I wanted to take my time with things and weigh all my options. They have been nothing but supportive. Very clear and helpful to me.”

Elliott, while only having four NAHL and Warriors games under his belt, arrived in Oklahoma City with two full years and 102 games played with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the USHL. The extensive work Elliott has put in has paid off.

“Why kids decide to play junior hockey is to try to continue their path towards playing at the highest level possible,” Warriors’ head coach and general manager Garrett Roth said. “Every time a kid earns a chance to have that opportunity, it makes you proud as a coach. He is very deserving of getting committed to Robert Morris. It is a great program. He is a high-character kid that works hard and is committed to the team.”

For Elliott, whose 2004 birth year entitles him to another season of junior hockey eligibility after this one, he can turn his focus entirely towards competing and winning with the Warriors. The change in teams also presents the opportunity to get a more prominent role and increased playing time, which can benefit a player making the jump to the college game.

“I have learned a lot of new things here already and it has only been a week,” Elliott said. “Being able to get to work with these guys and win with this team is what I care about. These guys are teaching me new things every day and we are competing every day. That is going to help all of us in the long run.”

Click here for an updated NAHL to NCAA commitment list