Jankowski will attend Providence College this fall

Mark Jankowski, who was the first scholastic player selected at the 2012 NHL Draft, has decided to attend Providence College this fall and play for the Friars this season.

Jankowski, a 17-year-old center, was taken by the Calgary Flames with the 21st overall selection. He originally planned to play for the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the United States Hockey League for one season before coming to Providence in the fall of 2013.

But he has decided to go directly to college.

Providence has not qualified for the NCAA tournament since 2001 and plays in the tough Hockey East conference.

The school held a scholarship for Jankowski in case he did decide to attend Providence this season.