Dante Sheriff, the Austin Bruins’ leading scorer for during the 2018-19 season has committed to play collegiate hockey at Mercyhurst University, the school announced.

Sheriff, 19, played two seasons in Austin racking up a total of 99 points in 102 games played. With 67 points in 2018-19, the second-year junior player came up only three points shy of the team’s overall single-season points record of 70. The Ontario native began his junior career in the USHL where he played four games for the Fargo Force and for the Muskegon Lumberjacks before landing in Austin last season.

“I went on a visit and saw that it was a place,” Sheriff said. “I would fit in and be able to grow as a player and student. I’m really looking forward to getting to Mercyhurst and helping the team in any way I can while becoming the best hockey player I can be.”

Sheriff becomes the third Bruins player to commit to Mercyhurst following fellow forward Garett Dahm and goaltender Kyle McClellan. Unlike Dahm and McClellan, Sheriff will begin his tenure at Mercyhurst during the 2019-20 season with the other two joining him a year later.

“It’s huge to have guys like Garrett [Dahm] and Kyle [McClellan] to go in with. I’ve loved playing with them in Austin and can’t wait to play with them at the collegiate level,” Sheriff added.

“Dante [Sheriff] has played here for almost two years and we look forward to helping him continue to develop as a player and a person. Mercyhurst is getting a really skilled player and we are excited for him and his future playing Division-I hockey,” Bruins head coach Steve Howard said.