By: Kerri Mottola

We are counting down the days until hockey is back at UD. The Men’s D1 Hockey Team will be host to Robert Morris Pennsylvania both Friday at 7 pm and Saturday at 5:15.  We’re hoping that the Hens can pick up two consecutive victories this weekend and gain some early momentum for the season. The team will be debuting some exciting new home uniforms reflecting the change in all of Delaware athletics.

Robert Morris PA is coming into Delaware with two victories over D2 Indiana University, so the Blue Hens will have to come out fighting this weekend in their first two games. Senior defensemen Nick Ustaski, Alex Guerere, and Brayden Penner will be relied on to step up this weekend, after the loss of three senior defensemen who graduated after last season. New players Cameron Bregenzer, Justin Hoch, Ian Anderson, Mike Zidansek, and Kevin Froelich are also expected to provide some strength and depth at the blue line.

We are looking to Captain Leo Skehan and Asst. Captain John Redgate to provide leadership on offense this weekend, especially to the new recruits, Pat McKerry, Max Shusterman, Pierce Lamberton, Dustin Rabinowitz, and Landon Gabriele. The offense struggled to produce last season and hopefully can start the year off right on Friday by scoring a few goals.

Perhaps one of the greatest assets to the team this season is goaltending, including Junior Dylan Troiano, Senior Patrick Rochefort, and freshman Stephen East. We look forward to seeing them in action this weekend. Finally, we are looking to Julian Giantonio for a successful debut as the team’s new head coach.

Check out our twitter, @UDhockey for live updates throughout the games. The game will also be streamed live via ustream from the team website https://udelhockey.com/m1/

The Home opener is Friday, 7 pm at Fred Rust Ice Arena on South Campus. UD Students are free.