A third member of this year’s Merritt Centennials has committed to playing at an NCAA Division 1 school in the near future.

Nineteen-year-old Cents’ netminder Devin Kero announced last week that he will join the Michigan Tech Huskies following the completion of his Junior A hockey career.

Kero is the second current Centennial to commit to the Huskies. Eighteen-year-old defenceman Dane Birks signed a similar letter of intent in the fall of 2012. Earlier this season, 18-year-old forward Jeff Wight committed to the University of Connecticut.

“We are very excited for Devin and the opportunity that he has been given to continue his hockey career at Michigan Tech,” said Centennials head coach and GM Luke Pierce in a Jan. 24 press release.

“Playing for the Huskies has been a dream of Devin’s for a long time and to see a young man achieve a dream like that is gratifying,” added Pierce. “He has earned this opportunity with tremendous hard work and dedication, not only with our hockey club but in all aspects of his life. Devin is a tremendous student and understands the value of a quality education, which he will receive at Michigan Tech.”

Kero’s commitment to Michigan Tech came just three days after his return from a flydown to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, one of several other American colleges and universities interested in the talented Merritt goalie.

“I went on the trip to Air Force and really enjoyed my visit,” said Kero. “By the time I got back, I had received an offer from Michigan Tech. It took me a few days — talking to my coaches, my family, my friends — to weigh the pros and cons of everything. I felt that the best fit for me was to go with Michigan Tech.”

Helping with the decision are the strong ties that Devin and his family have with Michigan Tech and the Huskies program. The Keros live in Hancock, Mich., just a five minute drive from the Michigan Tech campus in nearby Houghton. Devin’s father works at Tech, while his brother, Tanner, and cousin, Blake, are both juniors (third-year players) on the Huskies hockey team. Devin’s sister, Jordanna, is in her final year at Tech, and plays on the ladies’ varsity volleyball team.

“It really helps to know what I’m getting into,” said Devin.

Michigan Tech’s educational offerings also played an important part in Kero’s decision.

“They have great academic programs, “ he said. “They’re one of the best [schools] in the country in engineering, and all of their other majors are top notch, too.”

Kero has been on the Michigan Tech radar for some time.

“They first talked to me almost two years ago, and this summer I skated with some of their players in a couple of pickup games. It was actually [Huskies] assistant coach Bill Muckalt who recommended that I come to Merritt and play in the BCHL.”

Muckalt, a former Merritt Centennial and a good friend of Pierce, was reached on Monday but could not comment on the Kero commitment due to NCAA restrictions.

When the time comes, Kero and Birks will both join a Michigan Tech hockey program rich in tradition and strong in its connection to the British Columbia Hockey League.

Huskies men’s hockey has been in existence since 1919. It has produced three national champions (1962, 1965 and 1975) as well as seven Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) titlists. Player alumni include legendary goaltender Tony Esposito (Chicago Blackhawks), Stanley Cup winners Bob Lorimer (NY Islanders) and Randy McKay (New Jersey Devils) and current NHLers Andy Sutton (Edmonton Oilers) and big John Scott (Buffalo Sabres).

The Huskies present roster has no fewer than nine former BCHL players listed, including Justin Fillion (Victoria), Alex Petan (Coquitlam) and Shane Hanna (Salmon Arm). Three other ex-BCHLers — Max Valis, Brent Baltus and Max Gould — all have strong connections to the Centennials. Vallis, a native of California, played the 2010-11 season with the Cents, while Baltus attended several Merritt training camps before latching on with the Trail Smoke Eaters. Gould, who played for Quesnel and Chilliwack, is the older brother of current Centennial Gavin Gould.

Kero is enjoying a tremendous rookie season with the Merritt Centennials. In 34 games played, he has allowed just 82 goals for a 2.39 GAA (5th best in the league). His 0.920 SV% ranks him third amongst all BCHL goalies. Kero was selected BCHL Player of the Week for the week of Jan. 13-20.