With the conclusion of last week’s tryouts, the University of Delaware Men’s Ice Hockey roster was announced by new head coach Julian Giantonio. With 18 returners and 11 new players to the UD Hockey Team, this season is bound to be exciting. Many of the returning players will have to continue their roles and others will be asked to step up and fill roles they did not have to last season, while many new players will be expected to play immediately.
On forward, the team has Captain Leo Skehan and Asst. Captain and last year’s top forward John Redgate leading the charge. Sophomores Cole Zucker and Max Freeman will be heavily relied upon to reproduce their work as rookies last season. Seniors Matt Santucci, Dan Going, Mike Conte, Matt Margolis, and Juniors Vinny Zingarelli and Corey Leskanic are expected to step up and create offense as the forward upperclassmen. Sophomores Andrew Corapi and Drew Torrey round out the Blue Hen returning forwards and will need to step up to help the team’s offense. Sophomore Shane Mullin is back after suffering a season ending injury last season, he will be expected to pick up right where he left off. There are five new forward faces joining the group Freshmen Pat McKerry, Max Shusterman, Pierce Lamberton, Dustin Rabinowitz, and Landon Gabriele are all expected to compete, provide depth, and some play immediately.
On defense, the Blue Hens face a new challenge. Losing three graduating senior defensemen last season, the team is only left with 3 returners. The defense is now anchored by Seniors Asst. Captain Nick Ustaski, Alex Guerere, and Brayden Penner who will be heavily relied upon to help the new defense corps take shape. Ustaski and Guerere played big minutes for the team last year and will be expected to do the same along with helping the new players adjust. They will be joined by five new faces: Sophomore transfer Cameron Bregenzer, Freshmen Justin Hoch, Ian Anderson, Mike Zidansek, and Kevin Froelich.
In goal, the team has the solid duo of last year’s team Junior MVP Dylan Troiano and Senior Patrick Rochefort returning. Both will be heavily relied upon again this year especially with such a young defense core. Freshmen Stephan East will be expected to provide goaltending depth to one of the team’s strongest aspects last season.
The team concluded its first week of practice today and the atmosphere of hockey is coming back to the rink and campus. The team continues working hard to get prepared for their home opener versus Robert Morris Pennsylvania on September 25th.
