Former Los Angeles Jr. King Garrett Gamez has committed to play his NCAA Division I hockey at Providence College beginning next season.

“I felt Providence was the best offer for me, and I’m really excited to attend. I liked the atmosphere there,” said Gamez, a forward playing this season with the Tri-City (Neb.) Storm of the United States Hockey League (USHL). “It’s definitely a blessing for me to be committed there, and it’s a bit of a sigh of relief knowing that I’m going to college next year.”

Gamez, who’s serving as team captain for the Storm, has registered eight points (four goals) in 14 games this season. Tri-City currently holds an 8-4-3 record and sits in third place in the Western Conference standings.  The team is 6-0-0 in games in which Gamez has recorded a point.

Now in his third USHL season, the 19-year-old led the team in assists (28) last year and earned recognition as the USHL Curt Hammer Award recipient for his leadership and contributions, both on and off the ice. Over 116 games in his career with the Storm, he’s recorded 60 points (18 goals).

The Chino Hills native came to the Storm after being selected in Phase I of the 2012 USHL Draft.