Three More CHLers Commit to UNH: Mason Zebeski, Parker Von Richter, & Cash Koch

Mason Zebeski (LW) 2026 UNH Commit

Parker Von Richter (D) 2026 UNH Commit

Cash Koch (F) 2026 or '27 UNH Commit

Profiles of 3 More CHL Players Committed to UNH

"Lot of good hockey players available and you're seeing the success of different guys around our league, and around the country, that played major junior hockey last year. Certainly I think it's a good thing for college hockey. We're excited, we're in the thick of it, like a lot of schools are, again this year, in trying to build the strongest roster we can." UNH Head Coach Mike Souza, November 20, 2025

A few weeks after Coach Souza referenced efforts to add Canadian Major Junior players, Mason Zebeski and Parker Von Richter from the Ontario Hockey League and Cash Koch from the Western Hockey League, committed to UNH. Here are their profiles (also see 2025-26 Stats Sheet at end of article):

Mason Zebeski Left Wing, 6'2", 196 lbs. Shoots Left Hometown: Oakville, Ontario, Canada DOB: October 4, 2005; 20 years, 3 months Neutral Zone Rating: 3.75 out of 5 Stars 2025-26 OHL Teams: Barrie Colts/Brampton Steelheads (Captain) 2024 NHL Entry Draft: Ranked #103 NA Skater by NHL Central Scouting "Zebeski is a wrecking ball on the ice, using both his motor and physicality to make an immediate impact on shifts. He hounds puck carriers, is a menace on the forecheck and in battles, and makes life miserable for opposing defenders and goaltenders by wreaking havoc in the crease." EliteProspects 2024 NHL Draft Guide

Parker Von Richter Defenseman, 6'1", 194 lbs. Shoots Right Hometown: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada DOB: May 17, 2006; 19 years, 8 months Neutral Zone Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars 2025-26 OHL Teams: Barrie Colts/Brampton Steelheads (AltCapt) 2024 NHL Entry Draft: Ranked #184 NA Skater by NHL Central Scouting "Von Richter closes quickly on puck carriers, hammering them to the boards. He cuts off breakouts in the neutral zone, before quickly transitioning play up the other way. His retrievals and breakouts are executed cleanly and confidently, and he joins the rush on almost every opportunity, opening lanes all the way up the ice." EliteProspects 2025 NHL Draft Guide

Cash Koch Forward, 6'0", 196 lbs. Shoots Left Hometown: Calgary, Alberta, Canada DOB: March 31, 2007; 18 years, 10 months Neutral Zone Rating: 3.75 out of 5 Stars 2025-26 WHL Teams: Tri-City Americans 2025 NHL Entry Draft: Ranked #181 NA Skater by NHL Central Scouting "Unmatched in intensity, Koch never takes his foot off the gas pedal. He launches himself at opponents on the forecheck, sprints full-speed back into the play, and battles for every inch of ice. A determined defensive player, he often slows down the opposition’s cycle with his energy down low." EliteProspects 2025 NHL Draft Guide

Although Zebeski, Von Richter and Koch have not yet been drafted, NHL Central Scouting ranked them as potential NHL players. All three have attended NHL team camps.
Mason Zebeski:
~ Minnesota Wild (2024 Develpment Camp, Training Camp, Prospect Showcase)
~ Pittsburgh Penguins (2025 Develpment Camp)
~ Ottawa Senators (2025 Prospect Camp & Showdown)
Parker Von Richter:
~ Boston Bruins (2024 Rookie Camp)
~ Edmonton Oilers (2025 Rookie Camp)
Cash Koch:
~ Philadelphia Flyers (2025 Development Camp)

2025-26 Statistics

Player	NZ Stars**	Team	League	GP	Goals	Asst	Pts	PIM	+/-
Mason Zebeski 10/4/05 (LW)	3.75	Barrie Colts	OHL	3	0	2	2	2	0
		Brampton Steelheeds	QMJHL	38	13	15	28	37	-4
Parker Von Richter 5/17/06 (D)	4.0	Barrie Colts	OHL	3	0	1	1	0	+2
		Brampton Steelheeds	QMJHL	38	4	21	25	26	+2
Cash Koch 3/31/07 (F)	3.75	Tri-City Americans	WHL	34	6	8	14	60	-6

UNH Goalie Commit Ryan Grout: Making Progress in WHL

Ryan Grout (G) UNH Commit

" Ryan is a technical goaltender that makes a ton of positional saves where he is in the right spots to make it look simple." Neutral Zone, May, 2022

Ryan Grout Goalie, 6'0", 182 lbs. Catches Left Hometown: Calgary, Alberta DOB: August 15, 2007; 18 years, 4 months Neutral Zone Rating: 3.75 out of 5 Stars 2025-26 Team: Tri-City Americans (Western Hockey League) 2022 WHL Draft: Selected in 4th Round (#73 Overall) by Tri-City Americans 2024 USHL Draft: Selected in 16th Round (#239 Overall) by Green Bay Gamblers Grout committed to the University of New Hampshire in January, 2024 at the age of 16 years, 5 months. This is the link to an interview I had with him back then.

2025-26 Season

UNH goalie commit Ryan Grout got off to a bumpy start this season with the Tri-City Americans in the Western Hockey League. Over his first 4 games, Grout had 3 losses and a no decision. He was pulled in the first period of 2 of those games. Overall, his Goals Against Average was 7.51 with a Save% of .848. Beginning in his fifth game on October 25th, Grout has dramatically turned it around.

Between October 25th and November 29th, Grout started 7 games for Tri-City and lost only one of them in regulation. During that stretch he posted 4 wins, 1 loss and 2 ties, 2.83 Goals Against Average, and .911 Save%. His overall record improved to 4-4-2 with 3.75 GAA and .889 SV%.

Fall 2025 Highlight Reel

During Ryan Grout's successful 7-game stretch, he earned the #1 ★ in one and #2 in another. This highlights reel shows some of Grout's saves from those games.


Last Friday, Grout faced one of the biggest competitve challenges a WHL goalie could face. The Everett Silvertips came to town sporting the best record in the WHL, the second most goals scored, and second best Power Play% (30.2). Tri-City is in 14th place in the 23-team league.

Everett outshot Tri-City 24 to 14 over the first 2 periods and Grout made saves on all of them. The Silvertips dominated the third period outshooting the Americans 16 to 4 and scoring 4 goals. Grout made some key saves throughout the game and earned the #3 ★. His current record is 4-5-2 with 3.77 GAA and .890 SV%.

Journey to the WHL

Tri-City selected Ryan Grout in the 4th Round (#73 Overall) of the May, 2022 WHL Prospects Draft. Grout had just completed a very successful 2021-22 season playing for Northern Alberta Xtreme U15 Prep in the Canadian Sports School Hockey League (see Stats Sheet at end of post). His overall record of 19-0-0, 1.92 GAA, .928 Save% earned the CSSHL U15 Top Goaltender award. He also made the All-Academic Team.

In the 2022-23 season Grout lost only one out of 13 games with Northern Alberta Xtreme U17 Prep and lead the team to the 2022-23 CSSHL U17 Championship. He subsequently signed to play with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in the British Columbia Hockey League in part to preserve NCAA eligibility. Midway through a successful 2023-24 BCHL season Grout committed to UNH.

Grout played in the BCHL in 2023-24 and Fall 2024. His overall record in 28 games was 19-7-2 with 4 shutouts. Statistically he was a top 10 BCHL goalie with an overall GAA of 2.30 and .919 SV%.

The NCAA's far-reaching decision, in November 2024, to lift the ban on Canadian Major Junior players was a turning point for Grout. He could move up to the WHL and maintain his commitment to UNH. In announcing Grout's decision, Tri-City general manager Bob Tory said:

"I’d like to thank the University of New Hampshire for partnering with us in the development of Ryan. Ryan has had a history of consistent and strong performances and was the first 16-year-old goaltender to secure an NCAA scholarship."

Playing as a 17-year-old against tougher competition, Grout's statistics dropped off to 2-7-2, 4.42 GAA, .874 SV% over the remainder of 2024-25. His improvement so far this season bodes well for the future.

Canadian Sports School & Junior Hockey Stats Sheet

Player	Season	Team	League	GP	Win	Loss	Tie	GAA	SV%	SO
Ryan Grout 8/15/07 (G)	2025-26	Tri-City Americans	WHL	12	4	5	2	3.77	.890	0
	2024-25	Tri-City Americans	WHL	12	2	7	2	4.42	.874	0
		Salmon Arm Silverbacks	BCHL	13	8	4	1	2.75	.912	3
	2023-24	Salmon Arm Silverbacks	BCHL	15	11	3	1	2.23	.926	1
	2022-23	Northern Alberta Xtreme U17 Prep	CSSHL U17	11	10	1	0	1.81	.921	1
			Playoffs	2	2	0	0	2.00	.892	1
		Northern Alberta Xtreme U18 Prep	CSSHL U18	1	1	0	0	1.00	.969	0
	2021-22	Northern Alberta Xtreme U15 Prep	CSSHL U15	17	17	0	0	1.53	.938	4
			Playoffs	2	2	0	0	1.92	.938	1

UNH Commits Niko Tournas & Pavel Martinu: 2026 NHL Draft Players to Watch

Niko Tournas (F) Potential 4th/5th Rounder

Pavel Martinu (F) Potential 4th/5th Rounder

NHL Central Scouting Names 2 UNH Commits

The NHL's Central Scouting Service:

"ranks prospects for the NHL Entry Draft at specific times during the hockey season. Players are ranked based on how well they will translate to the professional game in the National Hockey League"

Early in the NHL season, Central Scouting identifies several hundred prospects with potential to be drafted in the NHL Entry Draft when the season ends. The 2025-26 Preliminary Players to Watch List for the 2026 Draft was announced on October 20th. Nearly 500 North American and European players were categorized as candidates for the 1st Round of the draft ('A' players), 2nd/3rd Rounds ('B'), 4th/5th Rounds ('C'), or 6th/7th Rounds ('W').

Two players committed to UNH men's hockey in future seasons - Niko Tournas and Pavel Martinu - earned a 'C' Rating from NHL Central Scouting. Both are considered candidates for selection in the 4th or 5th Round of the 2026 Draft.

Niko Tournas

"There’s no question Tournas can shoot the puck and score, but what this kid has done in a very short time in Moncton is truly outstanding. He’s lost close to 10 pounds and has worked incredibly hard on skating which just might see him get drafted as a 2006 in the NHL." Neutral Zone NHL Scouting, QMJHL Game Report, October 15, 2025

Niko Tournas Right Wing, 6'2", 198 lbs. Shoots Right Hometown: Redding, Connecticut DOB: February 17, 2006; 19 years, 8 months Neutral Zone Rating: 3.75 out of 5 Stars 2025-26 Team: Moncton Wildcats (Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League) Regular Season: 16 Games, 12 Goals, 8 Assists, 20 Points, 8 PIM, -1 2025 QMJHL Draft: Selected in 10th Round (#182 Overall) by Moncton Wildcats 2025 USHL Draft: Selected in 1st Round (#12 Overall) by Sioux Falls Stampede NHL CSS Preliminary Players to Watch: 'C' Rating - Indicates a 4th/5th round candidate Tournas verbally committed to the University of New Hampshire in September, 2022. This is the link to an interview I had with him at that time.

In his first season in the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League, Niko Tournas is excelling. He's played 16 games with the Moncton Wildcats, scored 12 goals (including 3 PPG) and 8 assists (4 PPA) for 20 points. He's tied for 5th in most QMJHL goals and power play goals. Overall, Tournas is tied for 9th in total scoring and 12th in points per game (1.25 Pt/Gm).

Fall 2025 Highlight Reel

This highlight reel features 7 of Tournas' goals. The variety of shots and situations - wrister, snap, chip, slapper and one-timers - demonstrate some of his goal-scoring arsenal.


In 2024-25, Tournas' second season of junior hockey, he played 56 games with the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks and was a First Team All-Star in the North American Hockey League. He scored 39 goals (including 9 PPG) and 35 assists (7 PPA) for 74 points. Tournas was the 2nd leading goal-scorer in the NAHL and tied for 3rd in power play goals. On total he tied for 5th in total scoring and points per game (1.32 Pt/Gm).

Interestingly, in October, 2023, NHL Central Scouting identified Tournas on their 2023-24 Preliminary Players to Watch List. They considered him a candidate for selection in the 6th or 7th Round of the 2024 Draft. Tournas was playing his first season of junior hockey with the USHL's Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. He went on to score 2 goals and 3 assists in 41 regular season games. Central Scouting did not include Tournas on their Midterm or Final Rankings and he was not selected in the 2024 NHL Draft. In the 2024-25 season NHL Central Scouting did not identify Niko Tournas and he was not drafted in 2025.

Now Tournas is in his 3rd year of NHL draft eligibility and his impressive progress has been recognized by NHL Central Scouting. That's due in part to his high-scoring pace in the QMJHL, considered one of the elite junior hockey leagues in North America. Scouting staffs on NHL teams will likely be evaluating Tournas more closely in the coming months. The next formal ranking by NHL Central Scouting will be the Midterm Rankings in January, 2026.

Neutral Zone NHL Scouting
QMJHL Game Report, October 15, 2025

"As soon as the (Moncton) Wildcats announced Tournas as a pick it seemed a touch odd given the fact he was a 2006 born player, but obviously he was in high demand across the Q so that’s why they drafted and signed him almost instantly. There’s no question Tournas can shoot the puck and score, but what this kid has done in a very short time in Moncton is truly outstanding. He’s lost close to 10 pounds and has worked incredibly hard on skating which just might see him get drafted as 2006 in the NHL.

Tournas thinks the game very well and has the innate ability to get into the quiet areas of the ice in the offensive zone and has a very heavy accurate shot, surprisingly he’s missed some quality opportunities so I’m not sure if he rushed things or perhaps was overthinking it during those sequences. He has pro release and can shoot it from anywhere and his shot is the type of shot that generates a ton of rebounds. He’s very good in traffic and makes subtle plays in traffic below the dots in the offensive zone which creates time and space for himself and his linemates.

He definitely has some nastiness and jam to his game as well, and when Desnoyers comes back to the line one would assume he might find himself up there again only if skating continues to progress, but Tournas has already become the Wildcats trigger man on their top PP unit. Again, his role might change with the return of Desnoyers, but he’s solidified himself as a bonafide top 6 forward on the Wildcats and sniper in the Q. It’s going to be very interesting to see how he handles teams keying in on him over the next 10 or 15 games because that attention is warranted given his current stat line and ability to put the puck in the back of the net."

Pavel Martinu

"Pavel Martinu is a forward who uses his size effectively and is very adept at chipping the puck around defensemen...With soft hands and a strong hockey IQ, he generates offense and plays in all situations." Neutral Zone Game Report, March 6, 2025

Pavel Martinu Center/Left Wing, 6'4", 213 lbs. Shoots Left Hometown: Pilsen, Czechia DOB: December 20, 2007; 17 years, 10 months Neutral Zone Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars 2025-26 Team: Sioux City Musketeers (United States Hockey League) Regular Season: 17 Games, 2 Goals, 1 Assist, 3 Points, 6 PIM, -11 2025 USHL Entry Draft: Selected in 18th Round (#131 Overall) by Sioux City Musketeers NHL CSS Preliminary Players to Watch: 'C' Rating - Indicates a 4th/5th round candidate Martinu verbally committed to UNH on September 11, 2024 at Age 16 years, 9 months.

In 2023, at the age of 15, Pavel Martinu (AKA Pavel Martinů) came to New Hampshire from his home in Czechia (Czech Republic), to pursue his hockey dreams. He attended the Seacoast Performance Academy in Exeter, NH for 2 years and played for their 16U AAA (2023-24, 56 games, 55 points) and 18U AAA (2024-25, 49 games, 57 points) teams. Martinu was also called up to the Johnstown Tomahawks (NAHL) for 3 games in January, 2025.

The Sioux City Musketeers drafted Martinu in the 18th Round (#131 Overall) of the 2025 USHL Entry Draft last May. Still 17-years-old, Martinu is the 4th youngest forward on the Sioux City roster and the only one to play in all 17 games this season for the Musketeers. Primarily playing center, he has scored 2 goals, plus a shootout goal, and added 1 assist. Listed at 6'4", 213 lbs. by NHL Central Scouting, Martinu is one of the tallest forwards on their 2025-26 Preliminary Players to Watch list.

Fall 2025 Highlight Reel

This highlight reel shows all 3 of Martinu's goals and his assist. Two of the goals and the assist feature his back-hand skills and the other goal is a sharp-angle, one-timer, wrist shot.


Neutral Zone Scouting
USHL Showcase, September, 2025

"The late 2007 played a well-rounded game without much flash or flair, but with old-fashioned effort and smart hockey. The huge 6’4″ rookie clogged lanes in pursuit of the puck and intercepted passes. His reach was a factor in all three zones. Pavel played hard and physical. He used a wide cradle with the puck and could move it several feet with one move. His length and body helped to protect the puck, and he had a bullet release on his snap shot.

One scout wanted him to be stronger driving the net, and the other saw that Pavel used the middle lane drive and dished out to the wing. While he was not a perimeter player, he could bully his way to the cage with the puck more often. Martinu redirected a puck from his skate to his stick without breaking stride or looking down. His first touches were muted, and Martinu was on pucks with a rangy element and good instincts to anticipate where pucks would go. He was a positive influence in the defensive zone as he was well-positioned with his reach and ability to read plays. Pavel should be a plus player with enough skill and a wicked shot to make plays that lead to goals."

Players Group Winter Classic 18U, January, 2025

"Pavel Martinu is a forward who uses his size effectively and is very adept at chipping the puck around defensemen, both when exiting his zone and entering the offensive zone. His ability to chip the puck out of the zone created several odd-man rushes for him and his linemates. With soft hands and a strong hockey IQ, he generates offense and plays in all situations. Pavel was an important piece of his team’s success, contributing significantly to their tournament win."

UNH Commits Update 10-13-2025: 2025-26 Statistics for All 18 UNH Commits

2025-26 Statistics for All 18 UNH Commits

Eighteen NCAA prospects have made a verbal commitment to play for UNH in future seasons. Five have also signed a written commitment. The Stats Sheet shown below identifies the 2025-26 team and league for each commit and his production statistics. Total games played, scoring production, penalty minutes and +/- rating are shown for forwards and defensemen. Goalie stats include games played, wins/losses/ties, Goals Against Average and Save Percentage.

Projected Year of Enrollment
The committed players are categorized by the projected year they will enroll at UNH. Projections are based on the several factors including:
~ Number of UNH players leaving the team at the end of the previous season and the position they played.
~ Number of incoming transfer players and the position they play.
~ Number of years in junior hockey and remaining years of junior eligibility.

Six current UNH players are in their final year of NCAA eligibility. It's assumed they will leave openings on the 2026-27 UNH roster:
Jack Cronin (F, Graduate Student)
Cy LeClerc (F, Senior)
Morgan Winters (F, Sr)
Kristaps Skrastins (F, Sr)
Kyle Chauvette (G, Sr)
Jared Whale (G, Sr)

The "2026 Commits" listed in the Stats Sheet are on track to play for UNH in the Fall of 2026. Those born in 2005 are in their final year of junior hockey eligibility so will likely move on to college hockey in 2026.

Signed NCAA Financial Aid Agreement
Athletic scholarships from NCAA Division I schools are directly offered to college hockey prospects. Information on UNH commits who have signed an NCAA Finanicial Aid Agreement, indicated by a * next to the player's name, is gleaned from social media posts by the player and/or his junior hockey team. The 2025-26 National Signing Dates for D-I men's ice hockey begin on November 12, 2025.

Links To Eliteprospects.com
To view each player's historic statistics, click on his name. That links to the player's page on eliteprospects.com. It includes the teams played for each season going back to the age of 14 or 15. Data for skaters include games played, scoring and PIM (+/- rating where available). Goalie stats are win/loss record, GAA and Save%.

Neutral Zone Player Ratings
Neutral Zone provides detailed scouting reports for college hockey prospects up until their final year of junior hockey, the season immediately before they enter college. NZ developed a 1-5 star scale for rating NCAA and Canadian Interuniversity Sport (U Sports) prospects. The star rating reflects how the prospect compares to other players in his birth year.

The Stats Sheet (shown below) also includes the Neutral Zone star rating for each new UNH player. Clicking the numerical rating for any player connects to all their evaluations and game reports performed by NZ's scouts. NZ is a paid subscription service.

2025-26 Stats Sheet for UNH Men's Hockey Commits

Player	NZ Stars**	Team	League	GP	Goals	Asst	Pts	PIM	+/-
2026 Commits
Connor MacPherson 3/2/05 (F)	3.75	Halifax Mooseheads	QMJHL	8	2	2	4	9	+2
Sebastian Bradshaw 5/26/05 (F)	3.75	Vernon Vipers	BCHL	1	0	0	0	2	-
		Langley Rivermen	BCHL	4	1	0	1	2	-
Niko Tournas 2/17/06 (F)	3.75	Moncton Wildcats	QMJHL	8	5	6	11	4	-5
Jesse Allecia 10/12/05 (F)	3.5	Drummondville Voltigeurs	QMJHL	8	6	3	9	2	-1
Eliot Séguin-Lescarbeau* 9/14/05 (G)	3.75	Nanaimo Clippers	BCHL	6	4	2	0	2.50	.913
2026 or '27 Commits
Ryan Grout* 8/15/07 (G)	4	Tri-City Americans	WHL	3	0	3	0	6.45	.865
Kole Hyles* 1/16/06 (F)	3.75	Omaha Lancers	USHL	6	2	2	4	0	-1
Price Grimes* 1/28/06 (D)	3.5	Aberdeen Wings	NAHL	9	0	2	2	12	+4
2027 Commits
Geno Carcone 11/14/06 (F)	3.75	Green Bay Gamblers	USHL	8	1	4	5	2	-1
Jack Sadowski* 7/29/06 (F)	3.75	Spruce Grove Saints	BCHL	-	-	-	-	-	-
		West Kelowna Warriors	BCHL	2	0	1	1	0	-
2027 or '28 Commits
Pavel Martinů 12/20/07 (F)	3.0	Sioux City Musketeers	USHL	6	2	0	2	0	0
Jayden Connors 2/26/07 (D)	3.75	Sudbury Wolves	OHL	3	0	0	0	0	-4
2028 Commits
Blake Cash 5/9/08 (F)	4.0	Cushing Academy	NE Prep	-	-	-	-	-	-
George McCaffrey 1/2/07 (F)	3.5	New Mexico Wolves	NAHL	8	1	3	4	12	+2
Xavier Cormier 12/18/08 (D)	3.75	Drummondville Voltigeurs	QMJHL	6	1	2	3	0	+3
Bastien Michaud 5/2/09 (D)	4.0	Bishop's College School Varsity	CSSHLE U18	4	0	3	3	0	-
			Canadian Prep	4	1	1	2	4	-
2028 or '29 Commits
Cole Sabourin 1/23/08 (F)	3.5	Mount St. Charles Academy	18U AAA	14	6	11	17	-	-
		New England District	USA Selects 17	6	3	2	5	3	-
Evan Sercerchi 2/18/09 (F)	4.0	Val-d'Or Foreurs	QMJHL	5	0	0	0	0	-2
* = Signed NCAA Financial Aid Agreement
** = Neutral Zone 5-Star Rating

NOTE
The statistics for the commits, presented in the above table, are categorized by the projected year they will enroll in UNH. For example, I project the "2026 Commits" will begin playing for UNH in the Fall of 2026. My projections are based on the following factors:
~ Number of UNH players leaving the team at the end of the previous season and the position they played.
~ Number of incoming transfer players and the position they play.
~ The commit's performance in recent seasons as well as injuries.
~ If a NCAA Financial Aid Agreement has been signed.
~ The year the commit and UNH coaches originally targeted for enrollment in UNH.
~ How old the commit would be upon admission.
~ Number of years in junior hockey and remaining years of junior eligibility.
~ Anticipated date of high school graduation.

Update on 14 New UNH Players for 2025-26 Season

Sam Oliver (F) Neutral Zone 4.25★

Jacob Newcombe (C/LW) Neutral Zone 4★

Nicholas DeAngelis (D) Neutral Zone 4★

14 New Players for 2025-26 UNH Season

As of today the official websites of four Hockey East schools include their 2025-26 men's hockey roster - UNH, Maine, UMass and Providence. The 14 new UNH players identified in "UNH Hockey Reloads 2025-26 Roster With Seasoned Talent" and their jersey numbers are now on the Wildcats' website. Barring unforeseen circumstances these 14 players will play for UNH this season.

The Stats Sheet shown below lists the 14 new players who are on track to join the 2025-26 roster. They come from three different sources:
~ North American Junior Hockey Leagues: 10 players
~ Canadian U Sports: 2 players
~ NCAA Transfer Portal: 2 players

The 10 players who played junior hockey last season form UNH's incoming freshman class. The 2 players transferring from U Sports were freshmen at a Canadian university last season. They will be sophomores at UNH this season. One player transferring to UNH through the NCAA Transfer Portal will be a senior (Kyle Chauvette) and the other a graduate student (Jack Cronin).

The Stats Sheet identifies the 2024-25 team and league for each new UNH player and their production statistics. Total games played, scoring production, penalty minutes and +/- rating are shown for forwards and defensemen. Goalie stats include games played, wins/losses/ties, Goals Against Average and Save Percentage.

The two top scorers in UNH's incoming class are forwards Sam Oliver (70 Games, 54 Goals, 30 Assists, 84 Points) and Jacob Newcombe (69 GP, 38 G, 38 A, 76 Pts). Oliver's 50 regular season goals earned him the Mario-Lemieux Trophy as the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League's top goal scorer. He also lead the QMJHL in regular season power play goals with 18. Oliver's 78 regular season points was 10th highest in the QMJHL. Jacob Newcombe was close behind tied for 12th most points with 73.

The two top scoring defensemen in UNH's incoming class are Alex Carr (75 Games, 9 Goals, 43 Assists, 52 Points) and Nicholas De Angelis (70 GP, 6 G, 33 A, 39 Pts). Carr's 45 regular season points tied for 6th highest among QMJHL defensemen. De Angelis's 32 regular season assists tied for 17th most among Ontario Hockey League defensemen.

Alex Carr also had one of the best +/- ratings among QMJHL defensemen. His +29 differential in the regular season was tied for 6th best. In the 2023-24 QMJHL season Carr was one of three finalists for the Kevin-Lowe Trophy, awarded to the best defensive defender. He had the second best +/- rating in the QMJHL with a differential of +55.

Links To Eliteprospects.com
To view each player's historic statistics, click on his name. That links to the player's page on eliteprospects.com. It includes the teams played for each season going back to the age of 14 or 15. Data for skaters include games played, scoring and PIM (+/- rating where available). Goalie stats are win/loss record, GAA and Save%.

Neutral Zone Player Ratings
Neutral Zone provides detailed scouting reports for college hockey prospects up until their final year of junior hockey, the season immediately before they enter college. NZ developed a 1-5 star scale for rating NCAA and Canadian Interuniversity Sport (U Sports) prospects. The star rating reflects how the prospect compares to other players in his birth year.

The Stats Sheet (shown below) also includes the Neutral Zone star rating for each new UNH player. Clicking the numerical rating for any player connects to all their evaluations and game reports performed by NZ's scouts. NZ is a paid subscription service.

The incoming UNH freshman class includes 8 players born in 2004 and 2 from 2005. Sam Oliver 4.25★ (Alternate Captain, Drummondville Voltigeurs, QMJHL) and Jacob Newcombe 4★ (Captain, Cape Breton Eagles, QMJHL) are UNH's highest rated 2004-born forwards. For comparison purposes, Angus Crookshank and Charlie Kelleher were the last UNH freshmen forwards with a rating as high as 4.25★. Recent UNH forwards with a 4★ as an incoming freshman include Ryan Conmy, Robert Cronin, Stiven Sardarian, and Ryan MacPherson.

Nicholas De Angelis 4★ (Alternate Captain, Sudbury Wolves, OHL) is the highest rated incoming defenseman. Recent UNH freshman defensemen with a 4★ include Brendan Fitzgerald, Colton Huard, and Damien Carfagna.

The highest rated transfers to UNH are forward Cam MacDonald 3.75★ (Acadia University, Canada U Sports) and defenseman Oscar Plandowski 3.75★ (University of New Brunswick, Canada U Sports). In their final Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League season MacDonald was a 4.5★ prospect and Plandowski was a 4★.

UNH will bring in 2 new goalies for 2025-26. Incoming freshman Kristian Coombs 3.75★ (Melfort Mustangs, Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League) lead Melfort to the 2025 SJHL Championship.

Transfer Kyle Chauvette 3.25★ (Union College, Eastern College Athletic Conference)
, who'll be a senior at UNH, was the starting goalie for Union College over the last two seasons. In his final season in junior hockey with the Youngstown Phantoms (USHL) Chauvette held a 3.5★ rating.

2024-25 Stats Sheet for 14 Players Added to 2025-26 UNH Roster

Player	NZ Stars★	Team	League	GP	Goals	Asst	Pts	PIM	+/-
Incoming Freshmen
Sam Oliver (F) 7/4/04	4.25★	Drummondville Voltigeurs	QMJHL	63	50	28	78	57	+19
			Playoffs	7	4	2	6	6	+1
Jacob Newcombe (C/LW) 4/27/04	4.0★	Cape Breton Eagles	QMJHL	63	36	37	73	40	+27
			Playoffs	6	2	1	3	4	-7
Nicholas De Angelis (D) 5/22/04	4.0★	Sudbury Wolves	OHL	66	6	32	38	44	+10
			Playoffs	4	0	1	1	2	-4
Alex Carr (D) 3/30/04	3.75★	Rouyn-Noranda Huskies	QMJHL	62	6	39	45	55	+29
			Playoffs	13	3	4	7	4	+10
Reid Conn (D) 2/2/04	3.75★	Chicago Steel	USHL	43	7	12	19	90	+5
Kristian Coombs (G) 6/28/05	3.75★	Melfort Mustangs	SJHL	34	26	6	1	2.01	.926
			Playoffs	12	10	1	1	1.33	.942
Conner de Haro (D) 10/17/05	3.75★	Youngstown Phantoms	USHL	56	6	11	17	20	+7
			Playoffs	3	1	1	2	2	-4
Connor DeTurris (F) 10/8/04	3.75★	Nanaimo Clipper	BCHL	44	13	16	29	10	-
			Playoffs	2	0	0	0	0	-
Félix Gagnon (C) 6/10/04	3.75★	Chicoutimi, Saguenay	QMJHL	61	24	30	54	46	+15
			Playoffs	11	1	3	4	10	0
Ryan Philbrick (D) 6/20/04	3.5★	Salmon Arms Silverbacks	BCHL	28	4	7	11	14	-
			Playoffs	4	1	0	1	2	-
Transfer from Canadian U Sports
Cam MacDonald (C/LW) 5/4/03	3.75★(4.5)	Acadia University	USports	29	13	14	27	46	-3
Oscar Plandowski (D) 5/18/03	3.75★(4.0)	University of New Brunswick	USports	30	5	6	11	20	+22
2025 NCAA Transfer Portal
Kyle Chauvette (G) 10/5/01	3.25★(3.5)	Union College	ECAC	35	18	13	3	2.80	.896
Jack Cronin (F) 3/31/01	3.5★(3.5)	Princeton University	ECAC 2023-24	26	11	8	19	8	-11
★ = Neutral Zone 5-Star Rating

UNH Hockey Reloads 2025-26 Roster With Seasoned Talent

Sam Oliver (F) Neutral Zone 4.25★

Jacob Newcombe (C/LW) Neutral Zone 4★

Cam MacDonald (C/LW) Neutral Zone 4★

Nicholas DeAngelis (D) Neutral Zone 4★

Oscar Plandowski (D) Neutral Zone 4★

Building the 2025-26 UNH Roster

2024-25 Players Not Returning for 2025-26

The following 14 UNH players from the 2024-25 roster will leave the team due to graduation (Gr), no remaining years of eligibility (NE), signing a professional contract (Pro), entering the transfer portal (TP), and/or returning to junior hockey (Jr):

FORWARDS (6)
Robert Cronin (Gr, NE, Signed Pro w/Maine Mariners)
Liam Devlin (Gr, NE, Signed Pro w/Orlando Solar Bears)
Conor Lovett (Gr, NE)
Connor Sweeney (Gr, NE, Signed Pro w/Black Wings Linz)
Ryan Conmy (Transfer to Boston College)
Connor MacPherson (Jr, Return to BCHL w/Nanaimo Clippers)

DEFENSEMEN (6)
Jack Babbage (Gr, TP)
Alex Gagne (Gr, NE, Free Agent)
Colton Huard (Gr, NE, Signed Pro w/Charlotte Comets)
Nikolai Jenson (NE)
Luis Lindner (Gr, NE, Signed Pro w/Black Wings Linz)
Luke Reid (Gr, NE, Signed Pro w/Utica Comets)

GOALIES (2)
Rico DiMatteo (Gr, NE)
Raphael Gaughan (Gr)

Implications for Incoming Freshmen and Transfers

FORWARDS (6)
Over the last 5 seasons UNH had 15 (2024-25), 16 (2022-23, 2020-21) and 17 (2023-24, 2021-22) forwards on the roster. UNH is planning for 15 forwards on the 2025-26 roster. There'll be 6 openings for forwards.

Four of the forwards currently committed to UNH were born in 2004 so have no years of junior eligibility remaining. Barring unforeseen circumstances these 4 will be freshmen on the 2025-26 UNH roster:
Sam Oliver 4.25★ (Alternate Captain, Drummondville Voltigeurs, QMJHL)
~Played 5 seasons in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League
Jacob Newcombe 4★ (Captain, Cape Breton Eagles, QMJHL)
~Played 4 seasons in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League
Félix Gagnon 4★ (Alternate Captain, Chicoutimi Saguenéens, QMJHL)
~Played 5 seasons in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League
Connor DeTurris 3.75★ (Captain, Nanaimo Clippers, BCHL)
~Played 2 seasons in the British Columbia Hockey League, 1 in North American Hockey League, 17 games in United State Hockey League

In early May, two additional forwards committed to UNH, one through the NCAA transfer portal and the other by transfering from Canada U Sports:
Jack Cronin 3.5★ (Princeton University, Eastern College Athletic Conference)
was injured during his senior year and will utilize his final year of NCAA eligibity on the 2025-26 UNH roster. He fills the 5th of the 6 projected openings for forwards.
Cam MacDonald 4★ (Acadia University, Canada U Sports)
played 4 seasons in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League and one in the United States Hockey League. Born on May 4, 2003 he ran out of junior eligibility after the 2023-24 season. Last season he played at Acadia University and will transfer to UNH as a sophomore. He fills the 6th and final projected opening for forwards on the 2025-26 roster.

DEFENSEMEN (6)
Over the last 5 seasons UNH had 9 defensemen on the roster 4 times and only 8 in 2023-24. UNH is planning for 9 defensemen on the 2025-26 roster. There'll be 6 openings for defensemen.

Four '04 defensemen, committed to UNH, have run out of junior eligibility. Barring unforeseen events they will be freshmen on the 2025-26 UNH roster:
Nicholas DeAngelis 4★ (Alternate Captain, Sudbury Wolves, OHL)
~Played 4 seasons in the Ontario Hockey League
Alex Carr 3.75★ (Captain, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, QMJHL)
~Played 4 seasons in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League
Reid Conn 3.75★ (Captain, Chicago Steel, USHL)
~Played 3 seasons in the United States Hockey League, 1 in North American Hockey League
Ryan Philbrick 3.5★ (Salmon Arm Silverbacks, BCHL)
~Played 55 games in the British Columbia Hockey League, 30 games in United States Hockey League

That leaves two open slots on the 2025-26 roster for a defenseman:
Connor de Haro 3.75★ (Youngstown Phantoms, USHL)
a 19-year-old (10/17/2005) has one year of junior eligibility remaining but he's already played in 3 USHL seasons and was the Youngstown Phantoms' Alternate Captain last season. He fills the 5th of the 6 projected openings for defensemen.

Oscar Plandowski 4★ (University of New Brunswick, Canada U Sports)
played 4 seasons in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League. Born on May 18, 2003 he ran out of junior eligibility after the 2023-24 season. Last season he played at the University of New Brunswick and will transfer to UNH as a sophomore. He fills the 6th and final projected opening for defensemen on the 2025-26 roster.

GOALIES (2)
Over the last 5 seasons UNH carried three goalies in 3 seasons (2024-25, 2021-22, 2020-21) and four goalies twice (2023-24, 2022-23). Jared Whale, who'll be a senior next year, is the only 2024-25 goalie remaining at UNH. That leaves 2 openings for goalies on the 2025-26 roster. UNH will turn to a 23-year-old veteran NCAA goalie and a 20-year-old from junior hockey to fill those roster spots.

Kyle Chauvette 3.25★ (Union College, Eastern College Athletic Conference)
who'll be a senior next year, was the starting goalie for Union College over the last two seasons. A native of Goffstown, NH, he'll utilize his final year of NCAA eligibity on the 2025-26 UNH roster.

Kristian Coombs 3.75★ (Melfort Mustangs, Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League)
lead Melfort to the 2025 SJHL Championship. Although he has one year of junior eligibility remaining he'll fill the other goalie opening on the 2025-26 UNH roster.

NOTE: The ★ represents number of stars on Neutral Zone's 1-5 scale for rating NCAA prospects. "For a prospect to be given a star rating they must be seen by at least two scouts; a regional scout and a Head Scout or Scouting Director". The players are compared to players within their age group from across North America.

2024-25 Statistics for 14 Players Added to 2025-26 UNH Roster

Player	NZ ★	Team	League	GP	Goals	Asst	Pts	PIM	+/-
2025 Commits
Sam Oliver (F) 7/4/04	4.25	Drummondville Voltigeurs	QMJHL	63	50	28	78	57	+19
			Playoffs	7	4	2	6	6	+1
Jacob Newcombe (C/LW) 4/27/04	4.0	Cape Breton Eagles	QMJHL	63	36	37	73	40	+27
			Playoffs	6	2	1	3	4	-7
Cam MacDonald (C/LW) 5/4/03	4.0	Acadia University	USports	29	13	14	27	46	-3
Nicholas DeAngelis (D) 5/22/04	4.0	Sudbury Wolves	OHL	66	6	32	38	44	+10
			Playoffs	4	0	1	1	2	-4
Oscar Plandowski (D) 5/18/03	4.0	University of New Brunswick	USports	30	5	6	11	20	+22
Alex Carr (D) 3/30/04	3.75	Rouyn-Noranda Huskies	QMJHL	62	6	39	45	55	+29
			Playoffs	13	3	4	7	4	+10
Reid Conn (D) 2/2/04	3.75	Chicago Steel	USHL	43	7	12	19	90	+5
Kristian Coombs (G) 6/28/05	3.75	Melfort Mustangs	SJHL	34	26	6	1	2.01	.926
			Playoffs	12	10	1	1	1.33	.942
Conner de Haro (D) 10/17/05	3.75	Youngstown Phantoms	USHL	56	6	11	17	20	+7
			Playoffs	3	1	1	2	2	-4
Connor DeTurris (F) 10/8/04	3.75	Nanaimo Clipper	BCHL	44	13	16	29	10	-
			Playoffs	2	0	0	0	0	-
Félix Gagnon (C) 6/10/04	3.75	Chicoutimi, Saguenay	QMJHL	61	24	30	54	46	+15
			Playoffs	11	1	3	4	10	0
Ryan Philbrick (D) 6/20/04	3.5	Salmon Arms Silverbacks	BCHL	28	4	7	11	14	-
			Playoffs	4	1	0	1	2	-
2025 NCAA Transfer Portal
Kyle Chauvette (G) 10/5/01	3.25	Union College	ECAC	35	18	13	3	2.80	.896
Jack Cronin (F) 3/31/01	3.5	Princeton University	ECAC 2023-24	26	11	8	19	8	-11