The New Jersey Rockets have announced that forward Joe Gambardella, who played for their Atlantic Junior Hockey League (AJHL) team during the 2011-12 season, has committed to the University of Massachusetts-Lowell (Hockey East) for next season.

He's the 16th current and former AJHL player to hold an NCAA commitment for next season and beyond.

Playing for the Des Moines Buccaneers this season, Gambardella, a 1993-born from Staten Island, leads the United States Hockey League team in scoring with 25 points (12 goals) through 28 games.

"Joe's a true success story," said Rockets head coach Bob Thornton. "His game grew leaps and bounds over the last few seasons, and he's being recognized for his hard work with his commitment to UMass-Lowell.

"The Riverhawks are getting a great player and a true leader who has his best hockey still ahead of him."

Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2012-13, the AJHL, a USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier III Junior A league boasting 12 teams from seven states, prides itself on the social maturity and skill development of student-athletes ages 16-20 with aspirations of advancing to collegiate and/or professional hockey.