---
"title": "Tennessee State gets committment from first-ever hockey player"
"description": "Tennessee State hockey registers another first. The soon-to-be HBCU hockey program reportedly received a commitment from its first-ever signee. Xavier Abel, a well-traveled amateur player, committed to the team and was in attendance at Thursday’s Tennessee State men’s basketball game, sitting in a section with athletics director Mikki Allen.   The Chicago native last played […]"
"date": "2024-01-19"
"authors":
  -
    "name": "HBCU Sports"
"url": "https://hbcusports.com/2024/01/19/tennessee-state-gets-committment-from-first-ever-hockey-player/"
"categories":
  - "Hockey"
  - "News"
"tags":
  - "Tennessee State"
---

# Tennessee State gets committment from first-ever hockey player

Tennessee State hockey registers another first. The soon-to-be HBCU hockey program reportedly received a commitment from its first-ever signee. Xavier Abel, a well-traveled amateur player, committed to the team and was in attendance at Thursday’s Tennessee State men’s basketball game, sitting in a section with athletics director Mikki Allen.

[![](http://hbcusports.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2024/01/Abel-TSU-hockey.jpeg)](http://hbcusports.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2024/01/Abel-TSU-hockey.jpeg)
_Xavier Abel_

[![](http://hbcusports.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2024/01/TSU-hockey-player.png)](http://hbcusports.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2024/01/TSU-hockey-player.png)
_Photo: Xavier Abel_

The Chicago native last played at Drury University of the ACHA division, where he appeared in 34 games between the 2022-23 season and the 2023-24 season and accounted for 12 goals (three game-winning goals), six assists and 18 points. The 5-10, 155-pound forward also played for the Las Vegas Thunderbirds in the USPH Premier League.