Those attributes convinced perennial power Boston College to offer a full-ride scholarship (estimated annual worth $43,000), which Sneep verbally accepted last week.

"It's definitely stressful," Sneep said of being scrutinized by so many coaches and scouts, "and I guess it still is a little bit, but after the commitment it's like a weight off your shoulders.

"When you knew there were going to be people there you wanted to perform your best. You put a little more pressure on yourself."

Pittsburgh Penguins scout Chuck Grillo, owner of Minnesota Hockey Camp in Nisswa, believes Sneep can handle the pressure of playing at the next level. Grillo knows a player when he sees one. He said the scholarship is "icing on the cake" for Sneep, who has trained every summer at MHC since he was old enough to attend.

"Carl is a very special young man, an excellent student, a no-maintenance athlete," Grillo wrote in an e-mail. "That makes him unique.

"He has to be one of the finest and most complete athletes (when you consider the education side as well) to ever attend Brainerd High School.

"He will be a success story in life because he will always perform with a chip on his shoulder. We don't see any risk in Carl becoming complacent, sophisticated or greedy from his success. He is one of those people who will use this moment as incentive to improve."

Warriors coach Ty Eigner said in his 10 years as a head coach (seven at Brainerd, three at Rosemount) that Sneep is "far and away" the most recruitable student-athlete he has ever coached.

"I've had kids who were great students who were maybe not Division I players," Eigner said. "I've had Division I caliber players whose academics were not where they needed to be. I've had kids who might have had both of those but off ice there were some question marks.

"Nowadays, with 18 scholarships per team, colleges don't want to make mistakes. They want to make sure a kid, across the board, will be a positive addition and Carl brings that. He's going to graduate in four years, he will work hard to improve, he will help on the ice and he will be a great asset away from the rink. Carl will be a leader."

Sneep said BC's plan is for him to play as a freshman. He is projected to replace a senior right-handed defenseman.

"They were looking for one more defenseman to fill up for next year," Sneep said. "They heard about me through Ty. When Ty played for Bowling Green the head coach now at Boston College was his head coach (at Bowling Green).

"They watched me play in the Sartell game (Dec. 20), one assistant watched me in the Schwan Cup (Dec. 27-29) and they decided to offer me a scholarship. I went out there, visited, came back, talked it over with my parents and decided that's where I want to go.

"I definitely feel fortunate, but I feel like I worked hard for it and I feel like I deserve it."

If you ever have the opportunity to meet Carl Sneep you likely will agree he deserves it.

Mike Bialka can be reached at

mike.bialka@brainerddispatch.com or at 855-5861.