With the Huskies off last week, it’s a perfect time to touch on the fact that Michigan Tech received not one but two commitments in early October. First was Grant Docter, the second-best defenseman on the defending Minnesota Class AA State Champion Minnetonka Skippers. Who’s the best, you might ask? Former NMU recruit and current Denver commit Josh Luedtke. Docter is a quality blueliner in his own right. He finished his championship junior season with 8 goals and 30 assists in 30 games including sectional and state tournament games. The second was Frank Dovorany, the top defender from Wausau West in North Central Wisconsin. The Wausau native put up 16 points including 7 goals in 24 games last year. Both players participated in this year’s Upper Midwest High School Elite League. If you remember, Michigan Tech has had recruits participate in this league regularly including current Freshman Brian Halonen. Along with Trevor Kukkonen, MTU has three recruits playing in the Elite League this fall.

Grand Docter has 10 points through 21 games for Team Southwest, which is currently in first place with 12 wins. His 10 points are third among defenders behind the formerly mentioned Luedtke and Mike Vorlicky who’s committed to this weekend’s opponent, Wisconsin. Neutral Zone rated Docter a 4-star recruit and he’s been described by others as a good puck moving Dman with vision & hockey IQ, strong mobility and handle. Below is a little highlight reel:

Frank Dovorany is part of a pretty big hockey family. His older brother, Charlie, got the opportunity to play at Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep and is currently in the USHL playing for Tri-City and is committed to join Minnesota-Duluth next season. Neutral Zone had Frank as a 3.75 star prospect and described him as physical with underrated vision. Multiple scouts have mentioned is physical play and raw skills. He should develop in a great two-way blueliner that might add some grit that doesn’t appear to be part of the other committed defensemen.

Dovorany was drafted by the Omaha Lancers in the 13th round of the phase II USHL draft and will likely head to the USHL in fall 2019 and play one or two years of junior hockey before heading to Michigan Tech fall 2020 or 2021. Docter on the other hand could go straight from Minnetonka High School to Michigan Tech next fall. It does seem more likely that Docter will spend a year with the Madison Capitals (which drafted him in the 14th round, 4 picks after Dovorany) before joining the Huskies in fall 2020. Both should expect to be important pieces during their time in Houghton.

Tim Braun
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Tim is a 2004 graduate of Michigan Tech. He is a co-founder of both Mitch’s Misfits and Tech Hockey Guide. With recent additions to the staff, Tim is again able to focus on his passion, recruiting. He currently works as an environmental engineer and resides in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Area.

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