NORWALK, CT -- Brendan Dowler, a defenseman for the Connecticut RoughRiders, has committed to the University of Southern Maine for the Fall of 2018. The '97 native of Marbledale, CT just finished his second season with the RoughRiders, ending his time in the EHL with 23 points in 92 total games.

"Brendan has played defense all of his career and was very difficult to play against due to his tough defensive play," said RoughRiders head coach and general manager Eric Lind. "This year at the mid-season mark, we moved him to forward as we adjusted our tactical systems, and made preparations for the playoffs. He began to embrace his role as a 'power forward' and was very effective. He started to find the back of the net and was also difficult for opposing defensemen to hold down."

As Lind mentioned, Dowler showed a great sense of unselfishness during the 2017-18 season, as he changed his role to help the team. He'll look to continue to be a key piece as he joins a Huskies team that has always recruited the EHL well. Since the league was formed back in 2013, Southern Maine has now brought in 20 different players from the EHL, and that includes six new faces that will join the program this Fall.

Here is a list of all this year's EHL players that have committed to join the Huskies:

Tyler Gardiner (Boston Jr. Rangers)
Bobby Kinsey (Boston Jr. Rangers)
Brendan Dowler (Connecticut RoughRiders)
Matt Fuller (East Coast Wizards)
Derek Tillotson (New Hampshire Avalanche)
Peter Ciccarelli (Philadelphia Revolution)

Learn more about the Connecticut RoughRiders on the team's official website, and check out the full list of 2018 NCAA Commitments.