He's a smart guy, and even if he weren't, May 13 would be an easy day for Tucker Brockett to remember. Now it's the anniversary for one of those life-altering days.

Step one that day: While making an official recruiting visit to Princeton University, Brockett is offered a chance to play hockey for the Tigers and get an Ivy League education.

Step two: On top of the world already, Brockett learns the Lincoln Stars selected him in the United States Hockey League Entry Draft.

Fast-forward a few months. Brockett quickly accepted the scholarship offer from Princeton. He's also been one of the early surprises for the Stars, and leads Lincoln in scoring with four goals and four assists through nine games.

Exciting is how Brockett describes his big day last spring, and even he admits that's an understatement.

"I didn't think I was going to get an offer when I visited Princeton," Brockett said. "I just assumed they'd say, 'We really like you, and want to see how you do in juniors.' I was really fortunate."

Playing in the USHL was something Brockett had planned on. His brother, Charles Brockett, played in the league for two seasons with the Ohio Junior Blue Jackets.

Tucker graduated from high school in the Cleveland area with a 4.0 grade-point average. The draft was held while he visited Princeton.

"I'd never talked to Lincoln before the draft," Brockett said. "I'd talked to Sioux City a lot, so I thought I was going there. Then during the draft, Tri-City called. They said, 'We can't believe you fell this far, and we're going to pick you, would you come to Tri-City?' I said, 'Yeah, I'll go anywhere in the USHL.' Then they didn't pick me for the next five or six rounds."

Disappointed, Brockett began to make new plans, which would have included playing in a league below the USHL. Brockett then got a call from his father. The Stars had taken Brockett in the 12th round.

Brockett was pumped. He would be playing on the same team as Kyle Gibbons, who he played with for the Cleveland Barons the past two years. He had heard great things about Lincoln from former Stars captain Carter Camper.

Like most rookies, Brockett struggled early in the season, but feels like he's beginning to understand what it takes to play here.

"The games are so fast and fun," he said. "You have to move the puck fast, move your feet, get shots. It's a different game than I'm used to. Your job is on the line every day. If you don't perform, you're not going to play."

Stars coach Jimmy McGroarty expected it would take until after Christmas for Brockett to play as well as he is. He marvels at how Brockett plays more like he's 6-foot-3 than 5-8.

"He doesn't lose a lot of one-on-one battles," McGroarty said. "And when he gets the puck he makes such smart plays. He can make no-look passes and they'll be right on your tape."

After this season in Lincoln, and possibly another, Brockett will head for Princeton. His brother is a sophomore forward at Yale.

"I think my family might have been more excited than me about Princeton, especially my grandparents," Brockett said. "Now they'll have a grandkid at Yale and Princeton."

Reach Brent C. Wagner at 473-7435 or bwagner@journalstar.com.