Tarek Baker provided the Gophers with some good recruiting news on Monday night. The 16-year-old standout from Verona, Wis., announced his commitment to play for the Gophers via Twitter.

The forward is described by OTB Elite scouting service as a natural athlete with explosive stride that puts him at top speed very quickly.

Baker is currently skating in the North American Hockey League with the Janesville Jets. Last season in the North American Prospects Hockey League, he totaled 22 points in 18 regular season games. In four playoff games he had six points to help lead the Omaha AAA Hockey Club to a U-16 championship.

The news is welcomed after recruit Louie Nanne recently de-committed from the Gophers.

Baker was selected in the seventh round of the Ontario Hockey League priority selection draft by the Saginaw Spirit. He was also selected to participate in the U-17 U.S. National Team Developmental Program evaluation camp, last March.