The Hampton Roads Jr. Whalers are proud to announce that 1998 forward Gary Eastlack from Mantua, NJ has committed to playing college hockey in 2018 for the Kentucky Wildcats.

Eastlack, in his 3rd season in the blue and green, posted 36 goals and 41 assists this season, good for 77 points in 52 games, leading the Whalers Elite team to the 2017-18 USPHL Elite National Championship.  In his 3 seasons in Hampton Roads, Eastlack has competed in 152 games, tallying 187 points on 97 goals and 90 assists.  Eastlack was named a USPHL all-star the last 2 seasons.

“I am extremely proud of Gary for his accomplishments while in Hampton Roads and look forward to watching him continue this journey”, stated Head Coach Brad Jones.  “He has grown not just as a player, but as a person over the last 3 years.  He has been a leader on and off the ice for this organization.  His offensive ability and championship experience will be a valuable asset to the Wildcats program”.

"For the last three years, I decided to play hockey for the Hampton Roads Jr Whalers, and I really don't know where I would be without them”, stated Eastlack. “It's more than just hockey, it's a group of 25 guys you get to practice with every day and go to war with every weekend that you happily call family. I've made many life-long friends during this journey. Through the mentorship of Coach Jones, Coach Rodriguez, and Mr. Cavanagh, they helped me go from a 16 year old kid to a 19 year old young man. I learned way more than hockey-related skills, and wouldn't trade in my time here for anything."

UK is located in Lexington, KY and competes in the ACHA's Southeastern Collegiate Hockey Conference (SECHC)

Eastlack becomes the Whalers 7th commit of the 2017-18 season joining Sean Dickson (Utica), Brandon Osmundson (Utica), John Moncovich (Uitca), Jaxon Rutkowski (Utica), Zach Zalar (West Point), and Everett Yasinski (Iowa State).