O.C. hockey: Becker, Culbertson make commitments

Two more area hockey players recently made commitments to play college hockey, bringing the county’s total so far this season to five.

Center Max Becker of Orange, who attended Orange Lutheran his freshman year before enrolling at Minnesota prep school power Shattuck-St. Mary’s the past two years, has committed to Princeton University. Becker won a USA Hockey National Championship this past season with Shattuck’s varsity.

Forward Kendall Culbertson of Laguna Niguel, who attended Sage Hill and currently plays junior hockey for the New England Wolves, committed to Bowdoin College.

Earlier this season, three others announced their college intentions:

• Forward Andrew Oglevie (Anaheim) became the first Californian to commit to Notre Dame.
The former Servite student is playing junior hockey for Cedar Rapids of the USHL and finishing high school in that Iowa city.

• Forward Anne Pankowski (Laguna Hills), a Santa Margarita student who also plays for North American Hockey Academy in Vermont, committed to women’s power Wisconsin.

• Defenseman Scott Savage (San Clemente), a former San Clemente student who is a member of USA Hockey’s U.S. National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Mich., committed to defending national champion Boston College.

In addition, right wing Garrett Gamez (Chino Hills), who attended Chino Hills and is playing junior hockey in Kearney, Neb., for the Tri-City Storm, committed to Denver University.