’97 standout center commits to BU

Cam Askew, a 6-3, 175 lb. forward regarded by many as the top ’97 birth year player in the U.S., has committed to BU for 2016.  The right-shot center had verballed to Northeastern in 2011, but decommitted last month to further consider his options.

Despite the earlier commitment, many felt the South Boston native would eventually be wearing Scarlet. Growing up, Askew regularly attended BU games with his father, and South Boston Online reported that “when Southie native Jack Baker was on the heralded [BU] team, he used to bring Cam into the locker room to meet the players and coaches.”

Currently, Askew is a freshman at Cushing Academy, where he scored 13 points in his first four games and helped the Penguins to the Lawrence Groton Tournament title this past weekend. Last season, he played varsity hockey for St. Sebastian’s as an eighth grader, recording a 12-13-25 scoring line in 28 games, helping the Arrows reach the NEPSIHA Large School championship game.

At St. Sebs, he was a teammate of current BU freshman center Danny O’Regan and 2013 recruits forward Tommy Kelley and d-man Dalton MacAfee. Askew also played for the Valley Junior Warriors’ Empire League team last fall, tallying 21 points in 12 games.

in a recent look at top first-year prep players, The Mack Report’s Mike McMahon wrote:

The best of the bunch, without question. Askew is not only a future Division 1 player, he’s a future NHL pick and could be a first-rounder in the upcoming QMJHL Draft. He was committed to Northeastern but decommitted last month and is back on the market. According to sources, he plans on playing college hockey. He has everything you want in a hockey player, he has good size, can obviously score (at the time I’m writing this, he leads all prep players in scoring with 13 points in just four games) and also has a bit of an edge to his game.

Summer 2012 Select 15:

AHR: He did not have stellar production at Select 15s but you can see the skill sets. He has NHL-size, but will certainly need to pack some pounds on and bulk up in strength. He skates fairly well and has a good set of hands on him, yet needs to play more physical and utilize his big frame a bit more. He can shoot the biscuit and drive to the net as a prototype power forward. AHR Rating: AAA

USHR: For a tall kid, the Valley Jr. Warriors product has a soft set of hands and makes a ton of plays. Is a natural center who makes the players around him better. Plays with an edge and is at his best when he is physically involved. Does not get up the ice well right now and lacks explosiveness in his skating. With increased leg strength that should change.

2011 Bauer World Invitational

AHR: Askew is another player near the top of his class as NHL teams are already drooling over the possibility of drafting him in a few years.  He has NHL size and looks like a pro on the ice as he could easily be competing at a much high level against older players.  He has soft outstanding hands for a big guy and can fly on the ice.  From the drop of the puck he is in your face and brash; a big horse of a player who can deliver devastating hits or lead the offensive attack. Easily a top first rounder in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. AHR Rating: AAA

USHR: Tall, lanky center who has phenomenal hands and the ability to make defenders look silly. Has a pass-first, shoot-second mentality, thus making players around him better. At times he looked a little Joe Thorntonesque over the weekend. Has good form while skating, but is not explosive right now; that will come along as he adds strength in years to come.