UNH's Incoming Recruits for the 2012-13 Season

UNH Head Coach Dick Umile has officially announced the list of recruits who will enroll in September 2012. Throughout this season, The UNH Men's Hockey Blog has reported on the 5 forwards, 2 defensemen and 1 goalie who made verbal commitments to play for UNH in 2012. Readers interested in tracking the progress of these young players can find detailed statistics and reports in the 29 weekly editions of "UNH Recruit Updates" provided on this blog (see links to "Recent Posts" and "Archives").

To help fans get to know the 2012 recruits, I have compiled the following profiles of each player. The yearly statistics for the player's junior career can be viewed by clicking on the player's name. For a link to an article announcing the player's commitment to UNH, click on the date next to "Commit to UNH:" Finally, I have selected excerpts from previous articles on The UNH Men's Hockey Blog which highlight the player's achievements in the 2011-12 season.

Dan Correale Nanaimo Clippers British Columbia Hockey League DOB: 8-21-1991 Hometown: Prince George, BC Forward, 5'10", 180 lbs. Shoots Left Commit to UNH: 10-19-2010

Excerpt from "UNH Recruits Update: Jan 23rd": "Last season, 2012 UNH Recruit Dan Correale was the 4th leading scorer in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. As a member of the Grande Prairie Storm, he ended the 2010-11 season with 24 goals and 46 assists in 60 games. Correale dished out the second most assists in the AJHL. He was on track to play for UNH this season but his plan was side-tracked by shoulder surgery over the summer. In early December, before he had fully recuperated, Correale was traded to the Nanaimo Clippers of the British Columbia Hockey League. Correale welcomed the opportunity to play for his former coach Mike Vandekamp. Since his return to action on December 14th, Dan Correale has scored 5 goals and 3 assists in 10 games with the Nanaimo Clippers. Last week, Correale scored 3 goals in two important games with teams ahead of the Clippers in the BCHL standings. On Jan. 20th, Correale scored a go-ahead goal as the Clippers beat the Surrey Eagles in overtime 3-2. He was awarded the #2 Star of the game. On Sunday, Correale scored 2 goals, including a game-winning, power play goal against the Merritt Centennials. For his efforts, Correale earned the #1 Star of the game. The 5'10", 180 lbs. forward has regained his high-scoring touch as he prepares himself for arrival at UNH next fall."

Maxim Gaudreault Sioux City Musketeers United States Hockey League DOB: 7-16-1992 Hometown: Annapolis, MD Forward, 6'0", 193 lbs. Shoots Left Commit to UNH: 5-13-2010

From "UNH Recruits Update: March 16th": "In the next to last game of the regular season, 2012 UNH Recruit Maxim Gaudreault scored the game-winning goal against the Sioux Falls Stampede. He also added 2 assists and finished the game with a +3 rating. In his second season with the Sioux City Musketeers of the USHL, Gaudreault has doubled his offensive output in most categories. His goal scoring increased from 6 last season to 15 this season. His total points improved from 14 to 31. Gaudreault's 5 game-winning goals tied him for the lead on the Sioux City squad. His +/- rating for the entire 60-game season was +4. Gaudreault is the Alternate Captain of the Musketeers."

Jamie Hill Waterloo Black Hawks United States Hockey League DOB: 2-3-1992 Hometown: Glassboro, NJ Forward, 5'9", 174 lbs. Shoots Right Commit to UNH: 3-10-2009

From "UNH Recruit Jamie Hill: True Grit (May 8th)": "Last night, 2012 UNH Recruit Jamie Hill reached the peak of his junior hockey career as he lead the Waterloo Black Hawks over the Lincoln Stars to advance to the Clark Cup Finals in the United States Hockey League. In the 6-2 victory, Jamie Hill scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal in the second period. He also scored Waterloo's second goal of the night and assisted on the 4th and 5th goals. For his efforts, Hill earned the #1 Star of the game. So far, in 10 playoff games, Jamie Hill has scored 5 goals on 28 shots and has added 6 assists. His 11 points places in a tie for the scoring lead on the Black Hawks' squad. Hill is also the second leading scorer among all USHL players in the playoffs. His +/- rating so far is +5. What makes Hill's accomplishments even more remarkable is the adversity that he has overcome. Ten days ago in the second period of Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinal Series against the Omaha Lancers, Jamie Hill took a puck to his face resulting in the loss of 10 teeth and 32 stitches. Warning: Not a pretty picture. He reportedly was trying to block a shot while playing on Waterloo's penalty kill unit. Undeterred, Hill returned to the game in the third period. In fact, Hill played in Game 4 the following night and has not missed a playoff game."

Collin MacDonald Jersey Hitmen Eastern Junior Hockey League DOB: 6-21-1992 Hometown: West Milford, NJ Forward, 6'2", 196 lbs. Shoots Left Commit to UNH: 8-26-2011

From "UNH Recruits Update: March 19th": "Last week, 2012 Recruit Collin MacDonald and the Jersey Hitmen competed for the Championship of the Eastern Junior Hockey League. After defeating Kyle Smith and the Junior Bruins in the semifinals, the Hitmen faced the New Hampshire Junior Monarchs in the two-game Championship Series at the New England Sports Center in Marlborough, MA. After losing in overtime in Game 1, the Hitmen were trailing the Jr Monarchs 2-0 early in the second period of Game 2. On their second power play of the game, the Hitmen got to within one as MacDonald assisted on a goal scored by Jason Stephanik (Quinnipiac Recruit). However, the Jr Monarchs went on to win 6-1 and clinch the EJHL Championship. In the 2011-12 regular season, Collin MacDonald scored 27 goals and 18 assists in 45 games. The 6'2", 196 lbs. left winger was tied for 6th in goal-scoring in the EJHL. Last season, current UNH freshman Matt Willows was the leading EJHL scorer with 27 goals and 43 assists. MacDonald is scheduled to enroll at UNH next fall."

From "UNH Recruits at 2012 EJHL All-Star Game (Jan 18th)": "This is the third time I've seen Collin MacDonald play this season and he continues to impress. He has moved up to the first line for the Jersey Hitmen and plays on their first power play unit. MacDonald is a big, strong left-winger who shows speed in open ice and tenacious one-on-one play in the offensive zone. He's often called on to take the faceoff in the offensive zone as he did on the third goal of the EJHL All-Star game."

Brett Pesce Jersey Hitmen Eastern Junior Hockey League DOB: 11-15-1994 Hometown: Tarrytown, NY Defense, 6'3", 175 lbs. Shoots Right Commit to UNH: 1-5-2011

From "UNH Recruit Brett Pesce Joins U.S. National U-18 Team (Dec. 29)": "One of UNH's top defensive recruits, Brett Pesce has been added to the roster of Team USA for two upcoming college games. The U.S. Under-18 National Team Development Program team will be playing Minnesota State University-Mankato on Dec. 30th and the University of Wisconsin on New Year's Eve. Pesce is substituting for Jacob Trouba who is playing for the U.S. National Junior Team at the 2012 World Junior Championships in Edmonton, Alberta. Last summer, Brett Pesce participated in USA Hockey's Select 17 Player Development Camp and finished second in scoring among defensemen with a goal and 4 assists in 5 games. He was chosen for the U.S. Under-18 Select Team that competed in the 2011 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The highlight for Pesce was assisting on the overtime, game-winning goal against the Russian team. Fellow UNH Recruit Jordan Masters was one of the leading scorers for the U.S. Team with 4 goals and 3 assists. This season, Brett Pesce has primarily played for the Jersey Hitmen of the EJHL while he completes his senior year at Irvington High School in Westchester County, NY. Pesce missed the first 13 games of the Hitmen's season with an upper body injury. Since his return to the Hitmen lineup, Pesce has scored a goal and 5 assists in 17 games. Pesce has also played a few games for his high school team, the Sleepy Hollow/Irvington Legends."

From "UNH Recruits Update: Jan 10th)":": "Over the last couple of weeks, Brett Pesce played in four college hockey games as a member of the U.S. NTDP U-18 Team. Some of his highlights included: - A +2 rating in the Minnesota State University-Mankato game. - Playing in the starting lineup against the University of Wisconsin. - A +1 rating against Northeastern University. - Three blocked shots in the Boston University game. - No penalties in any of the four games. Pesce will rejoin the Jersey Hitmen of the EJHL.."

Harry Quast Bay State Breakers Eastern Junior Hockey League DOB: 3-26-1991 Hometown: Chagrin Falls, OH Defense, 6'4", 210 lbs. Shoots Left Commit to UNH: 12-14-2011

From "UNH Recruits at 2012 EJHL All-Star Game (Jan 18th)": "The All-Star game was my first opportunity to see Harry Quast play and I was pleasantly surprised. Quast is the most recent player to commit to UNH and there have been no reports of him being offered an athletic scholarship. However, Quast's skills may translate very well on the big ice sheet at the Whittemore Center. To begin with, for a big defenseman (6'4", 210 lbs.) Quast is a graceful, fast skater. In the defensive zone, Quast was physical - routinely checking the puck carrier into the boards - and he used his long arms/reach to effectively poke-check the puck away from forwards trying to skate past him. On rushes through center ice, Quast always had his head up looking to make his next move. On at least three occasions, Quast made pinpoint, long passes from just over his blueline, across the centerline, to a forward just about to enter the offensive zone. Quast will definitely be in the mix in the battle for playing time at UNH next season."

Jamie Regan Philadelphia Revolution Eastern Junior Hockey League DOB: 1-15-1992 Hometown: Bainbridge, OH Goalie, 6'2", 170 lbs. Catches Left Commit to UNH: 2-17-2012

Kyle Smith Boston Junior Bruins Eastern Junior Hockey League DOB: 2-14-1992 Hometown: Lumberton, NJ Forward, 6'1", 180 lbs. Shoots Right Commit to UNH: 1-28-2009

From " UNH Recruits Update: Dec. 12th": "Kyle Smith helped lead the Junior Bruins to three victories in the 11th Annual New England Huskies Invitational Tournament in Fitchburg, MA. In this December Showcase, all of the EJHL teams played three games. Each game consisted of two, 25-minute periods. Kyle Smith posted 2 goals and 4 assists across six periods of hockey. This is the second time this season Smith has been selected as the "Player of the Week" among all UNH Recruits. In 24 games, Smith has scored 11 goals and 24 assists. He is tied for 5th place in the EJHL in assists and is 7th in scoring."

From "UNH Recruits at 2012 EJHL All-Star Game (Jan 18th)": "This is the first time I've seen Kyle Smith play this season (I saw him once last season). In skating style and stature, he is tall and lanky and reminiscent of sophomore forward Jeff Silengo. Smith's forte is passing and setting up goals. He is the Assistant Captain of the Junior Bruins."