Jordan Schmaltz, a 14-year-old defenseman from Verona by way of the Chicago Mission youth program, has committed to the University of Wisconsin men's hockey team. Schmaltz, who will be a freshman at Verona High School next month, is thought to be the youngest prospect to commit to UW.

The earliest he could play for the Badgers is 2012-13. Three others — Jack Skille, Kyle Turris and Nick Pryor, a defenseman currently with the National Team Developmental Program in Ann Arbor, Mich. — committed when they were 15.

"It was a hard decision," Schmaltz said Tuesday, "but I think Wisconsin is the place for me."

North Dakota and Notre Dame also were in the mix for Schmaltz, who commutes to Chicago twice a week to skate for the Mission.

According to Schmaltz's father, Mike, his oldest son played well for the Mission en route to national Under-16 championship game last season, then continued his strong play at a variety of evaluations camps this summer.

Mike Schmaltz said Jordan, who turns 15 in October, has seen a variety of hockey atmospheres in the U.S. and Canada and felt comfortable making a decision this early in his development.

"He's got a pretty good idea of what he wants," Mike Schmaltz said of his son.

NCAA rules prohibit UW coach Mike Eaves from publicly commenting on recruits until after they sign a national letter of intent.

"I believe the special thing about Jordy is he sees what others don't see," said Mission coach Chuck Linkenheld, who will work with Schmaltz on the Midget Minor squad in 2008-09. "He's patient, he's creative and he's not afraid to make a mistake."

The Schmaltzes — Mike, Jordan and 12-year-old Nick, who also plays in the Mission program — were en route from Chicago to Verona while Mike and Jordan discussed the matter at hand.

Mike Schmaltz, who attended North Dakota and once played on the same softball team with Fighting Sioux assistant coach Cary Eades, said Eaves offered a scholarship after Jordan played well at the Wisconsin Elite Camp and Select 15 Festival earlier this month.

Jordan Schmaltz said he plans to continue commuting and playing for the Mission with the hope of playing for the U.S. NTDP in two years.

"I really liked the coaches and the campus," Jordan Schmaltz said of UW. "And I thought being in my hometown, playing for the Badgers, would be sweet."